Mukul's fists tingled with raw energy as he faced Arion across the empty street. The boy's eyes gleamed with challenge, his aura radiating arrogance mixed with power. Mukul's heartbeat raced—not with fear, but anticipation.
Seraphine's voice echoed softly in his mind: Control, Mukul. Power without control is meaningless.
Lysandra hovered nearby, invisible to others, a reassuring warmth surrounding him. Trust your instincts.
Elara's silver gaze locked onto his, steadying him. We are with you. Remember that.
Arion lunged first, faster than Mukul expected. The air seemed to warp around him as he closed the distance in an instant. Mukul barely had time to react, swinging his arm instinctively. Energy pulsed from his fist, knocking Arion backward a step. The first taste of his vampire powers exhilarated him.
"You've got some skill," Arion said, grinning. "But let's see how you handle this." His body blurred, moving unpredictably, almost like he was in two places at once. Mukul stumbled slightly, overwhelmed by the speed and the strange aura surrounding his opponent.
"Focus!" Seraphine hissed in his mind. "Sense him! Don't just react—predict!"
Mukul closed his eyes for a split second, feeling the hum of his own blood, the rhythms of his surroundings, the faint echo of Arion's power. When he opened them, he moved differently—anticipating Arion's strike, sidestepping at just the right moment, sending a controlled burst of energy that forced the rival back again.
Arion's eyes narrowed. "Not bad, but you're holding back. I can feel it."
"That's enough talk," Mukul said, determination flaring in his chest. He let the energy flow freely, for the first time without restraint. Shadows bent and twisted around him, his senses sharpening, strength surging.
The two clashed again, a blur of speed, energy, and power. Sparks danced in the air where their strikes met, unseen by ordinary eyes. Mukul realized how much he had underestimated his own potential. The vampire blood within him was not just a gift—it was a weapon, and a responsibility.
Suddenly, Arion smiled, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Time to test your limits!" He unleashed a wave of energy that crackled like lightning, forcing Mukul to leap back.
Before Mukul could recover, Seraphine stepped forward from the shadows, her presence invisible to Arion. She whispered, Remember your brides. They are part of you.
At her cue, Lysandra and Elara manifested briefly beside him, channelling energy that blended with Mukul's own. He felt their strength flow into him, steadying his movements, sharpening his focus. With a deep breath, he launched a controlled counterattack, using precise bursts of vampire energy. Arion staggered, clearly surprised by the sudden synergy.
"Three against one?" Arion growled, though he didn't retreat. He respected strength—and recognized potential.
Mukul's lips curved into a small smile. "It's not three against one. It's… me." The realization hit him fully: the brides weren't just protectors—they were extensions of his own power, guiding, supporting, and amplifying him.
Arion hesitated, assessing Mukul differently now. The fight wasn't over, but Mukul knew one thing: he had won more than just the skirmish. He had proven something to himself. He could face rivals, control his powers, and survive the dangers of this new world.
As Arion retreated into the shadows, promising that this wasn't the end, Mukul felt a rush of confidence. His journey had truly begun—not just as a boy with hidden blood, but as someone who could rise, fight, and claim his place in a world full of secrets and shadows.
"Good first fight," Seraphine said, appearing beside him now, visible. "But this is just the beginning. Others will come. And you must be ready."
Mukul nodded, feeling both exhaustion and exhilaration. With the guidance of his three brides and the awakening of his powers, he finally felt ready to face whatever the world would throw at him.
The ordinary boy from yesterday was gone. Today, Mukul Kamra had stepped into the shadows—and into his destiny.