The moon was full that night. Its pale light touched the arena floor, turning the dust silver. The air was heavy, waiting. Everyone—wolves and vampires—stood around in silence.
They were not just here to see a fight.
They were here to see the end of peace.
Two men stood in the center.
One was Hives, the vampire warrior, wrapped in a black cloak, his red eyes cold and burning at once.
The other was Deja, the proud wolf fighter, bare-chested, calm but broken inside.
Between them stood the Vampire King, tall and stern. "Tonight," he said, "there will be no powers. No claws, no fangs, no dark gifts. Only your hands. Only your hearts."
Hives didn't blink.
Deja didn't flinch.
But everyone could feel it—years of love and friendship turning to fire.
Years Earlier
Hives and Deja had once been brothers in all but blood.
As boys, they raced under the twin moons, fighting side by side, laughing until dawn. When wolves and vampires fought, they stood between them. They dreamed of a world where the two clans lived as one.
But war came.
The Vampire King called Hives to the front. He left with his sword and a smile, promising he'd return. Days passed. Then months. Then years.
Five years.
Everyone said Hives was dead. His name faded like old smoke.
Matha
Matha waited for him.
At first she fought the whispers, but loneliness grew sharp inside her. Hives' own family turned cold. They told her to marry someone else.
She refused, until Deja came to her door.
He had always been there—Hives' closest friend. He tried to keep his distance, but he saw her breaking. He saw the pain in her eyes when she smiled.
"I can't," Deja told her.
"You must," she whispered. "I can't do this alone."
Deja married her, not for himself, but to protect her. To carry her through the darkness.
They learned to smile again.
They even laughed sometimes.
Hives Returns
Then, one cold night, Hives came back.
Alive.
Scarred and tired, but alive.
He stood in the doorway and saw Matha's rounded belly under her robe, Deja's arm around her.
His smile died.
The house went silent.
The King's Choice
The two clans were ready to tear each other apart. Vampires called Matha a traitor. Wolves stood behind Deja. Blood would flood the city.
The King summoned them all.
"What will end this?" he asked Hives. "Say the word."
Hives' voice shook, but his eyes did not.
"Let me fight him. Not as a vampire. Not as a wolf. As men. Whoever wins will take Matha—and peace will follow."
Gasps filled the hall.
Deja bowed his head. "I accept."
The Duel Begins
And so, here they were.
The moon high. The world silent.
"Begin," the King said.
Deja and Hives circled each other. Not as brothers. Not anymore.
Deja struck first. Fist to jaw. Hives stumbled back, then roared—not with fangs, but with rage. They clashed, bare hands breaking skin, knuckles cracking.
Blood sprayed. Dust rose. They fought from moonrise to dawn, long after their bodies should have fallen.
"Why didn't you stay dead?" Deja shouted, throwing another punch.
"Why didn't you wait for me?!" Hives slammed him into the ground.
"I thought you were gone," Deja gasped. "I only wanted to save her."
"I loved her!" Hives cried.
"So did I!" Deja spat blood. "I still do!"
The crowd watched in silence, hearts tearing. Every blow ripped apart years of love. They had once fought side by side. Now they fought to destroy each other.
The sun broke over the horizon.
Both men barely stood.
Deja dropped his arms. He smiled, soft and broken. "End it," he whispered. "Do it."
Hives hesitated.
Then he screamed and struck.
Deja fell, still smiling.
Peace had its price.
And it was Deja.
Matha screamed. She ran to Deja's body and cradled it, sobbing until her voice broke.
Hives stood covered in blood, shaking like a lost child.
Peace was saved.
But the world was broken.
Matha held Deja's lifeless body as the sun rose.
Wolves left the city that same night, howling in grief.
Vampires stood in silence, pretending this was peace.
Hives said nothing. His hands were red.
Matha said nothing. Her heart was broken.
But inside her… a tiny heartbeat grew.
None of them knew… the child of the man they killed would carry both bloods.
And one day… he would make them all pay.