Inside the walls of the Scottish Highlands, the air was thick and cloudy, carrying a light rain that soon hardened into falling snow. The temperature dropped steadily, sinking toward minus eight degrees, and the land seemed to brace itself for the long winter ahead. Ayanna was at the plantation with Zara, their hands cold and red as they worked the soil. They were sowing whatever they could, planting new crops meant to survive the winter months. Their breath rose in pale clouds as they worked in silence.
Suddenly, a bell rang.
The sound cut sharply through the air—an emergency bell echoing inside the walls. Everyone living within the settlement knew what it meant. Every human being was required to gather inside the mini hall immediately for a quick meeting.
"What now?" Ayanna said, her voice tight with concern. She held Zara's hand firmly and guided her toward the hall. Snowflakes began to stick to their hair and coats as they walked.
Leyla appeared along the path with Ben beside her. One by one, people poured in, filling the hall with murmurs and anxious faces. Marcus stood above them all, positioned at the front, preparing to speak. Dr. Patel entered shortly after and sat down beside Emma and Leyla, her expression unreadable.
"Hello, everyone," Marcus began.
"We all know what the emergency bell is for. As we all know, winter is here, and we have to cover as much ground as we can. These vampires—we don't know anything about them. We don't know if they can survive the winter or not. But what we are sure of is one thing: they will keep coming. They don't feel cold, heat, or anything else. What they feel is hunger, a craving for blood. I don't think the cold will stop them." The hall grew quiet.
"We have to be extra careful now," Marcus continued.
"As you all know, we have many people in the Med Bay. Some are still recovering from their wounds, and others are badly injured. It's time to stand together and defend this place. We need people—men and women, all of them."
A wave of surprise spread through the room. Ayanna glanced at Leyla. Their eyes met, and in that look was everything Ayanna had been trying to warn her about all along.
"How could you let women fight vampires?" one survivor shouted.
"We don't know anything about fighting!"
"It's called surviving," Marcus replied calmly.
"The men who were protecting you—many of them are badly injured. We are asking for your help, that's all. We don't want to force anyone. We just need volunteers. If you're ready to stand and fight, you'll be given a gun and a weapon of your choice—just until this winter passes."
"It's a long winter you're talking about here," Emma jumped in. Everyone turned to look at her.
"And what do you suggest we should do, Emma?" Marcus asked.
"We make traps," Emma said firmly.
"From what I see outside, we have at least three days before winter fully takes over. If we start making traps now—outside the perimeter and inside it—we'll be able to cover more ground." The hall erupted in cheers and applause.
"Do you think traps will stop the vampires?" Marcus asked.
"No," Emma answered, shaking her head.
"They won't stop them. But they will slow them down. That gives us a better chance of killing them before they even make their move here. What we need are people willing to go out there and help make traps. After that, whoever chooses to fight can do so. At least then we'll have the advantage."
"Good plan, Emma," Marcus said.
"Now, who will go and set the traps? And what kind of traps will you set?"
"Leave that to me, Marcus," Emma replied.
The people voiced their support.
"How many people do you need?" Marcus asked.
"We'll set traps in front, in the back, and along the sides—far outside the perimeter and inside it as well. I want as many volunteers as possible. We start soon."
"Good, You all heard her. Those who want to volunteer will meet Emma outside, and she'll give you your tasks. Children will be well protected. Once the perimeter is breached, everyone will fight inside the walls, and the children and elders will be taken down to the basement, fully protected."Marcus said.
The hall filled with applause. The meeting ended, and people slowly dispersed.
Dr. Patel walked back to her quarters quietly. Leyla followed Emma, along with Scarlet and the other volunteers. In total, fifteen people stepped forward to help set the traps. Ivory wanted to go as well, but Marcus caught her hand and turned her toward him.
"Listen carefully, I need you to keep an eye on Dr. Patel. Make sure no one suspects you. I need you to find out whose blood was labeled Sample X. I need to know who has this blood."he said in a low voice.
Ivory nodded.
"I will." She walked away.
Emma divided the volunteers into groups and began assigning tasks, teaching them how to build and set the traps. Soon, they were preparing to head outside the walls.
Inside her quarters, Dr. Patel was still working on formulas. Torn pages and discarded papers covered the floor, leaving the room in chaos. Beakers and vials cluttered the table. Marcus walked in slowly.
"Is this a laboratory or a garbage dump?" he asked.
"How's the process going?" he added, his eyes drifting toward a beaker where Sample X was reacting violently.
"Still working, as you can see," Dr. Patel replied.
"What is that?" Marcus asked, stepping closer.
"It's a blood sample I collected from people."
"Why did you label it X? Who does it belong to?" Marcus pressed.
Dr. Patel met his gaze, knowing exactly where this was going.
"That blood isn't from one person, I took it from three men who came back from the fighting party—the ones who were bitten and began turning into vampires. I mixed their blood with chemicals and vampire blood. That's why it reacts this way. I haven't tested it yet. I'm still working on stabilizing it first."she said.
Marcus looked shocked, though he knew she was lying.
"As far as I know, vampire blood is black," he said.
"This is pure red."
"When a person is bitten, their body goes through a transition—from human to vampirism. If they're killed during that process, the blood remains red. Those men were killed before the transformation was complete. I took their blood." A guard entered the room.
"Sir, they're ready to go outside and set the traps. We're waiting for your orders."
Marcus nodded.
"Winter is here, Doc. Brace yourself. Make sure you stay healthy—we'll have a lot to catch up on when this is over."
He turned and left with the guard. Dr. Patel released a deep, shaky breath.
Down at the gate, the volunteers stood ready, carrying ropes, metal spikes, chains, and tools. They divided into four groups—front, back, and both sides of the perimeter. Emma stood with Ayanna, waiting for the gates to open.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Emma asked.
"Yes," Ayanna replied.
"It's better than spending every day planting crops." Marcus approached them.
"Is everyone ready?" he said.
"Listen carefully. You're about to step beyond the perimeter. You'll see things you've never seen before. Whatever happens, focus on your tasks. Yes, there will be vampires—many of them. They will come for you. Don't panic. Set the traps. We'll push them back and give you space. Once you're done outside, fall back inside the perimeter. We need as many traps as possible. Good luck."
The gates creaked open. The volunteers stepped out into the snow.
Somewhere far from the Scottish Highlands, Milan and his group reached Dunkeld. As they passed along the road, they saw a weathered sign standing alone at the roadside: "Welcome to Dunkeld." The place was unnaturally quiet, almost abandoned, and the road ahead was strangely clear. The afternoon cloudy hit with a windy above them, casting long shadows that stretched across the empty street.
"Well, this place looks quiet," Raven said as they stood there, staring at the sign.
"At least we'll pass through without any problems."
"Don't you know," Zero replied, continuing to walk ahead along the road,
"there's a saying that the quiet places are always the scariest."
The others followed him cautiously. Their footsteps echoed softly as they moved forward, the silence growing heavier with every step. After walking far enough, they suddenly stopped. A large tree had been cut down and lay across the middle of the road, blocking their path. They all froze, scanning their surroundings. There were no trees nearby, no forest close enough for this to make sense.
"Well, what is this tree doing here?" Nadia asked, her voice uneasy.
"It's a trap," Nutaila said calmly, her eyes narrowing.
"Why do you think it's a trap? It's a quiet place. How would you know?"Scarlet asked.
Before Nutaila could answer, another tree came crashing down behind them with tremendous force, slamming into the hard road surface. The impact echoed violently through the air. They all turned around in shock, hearts pounding.
"Well, now we know," Nutaila said.
Slowly, they turned their attention back toward the road ahead. Standing there, alone in the open space, was a man with glowing red eyes. He stood perfectly still, a faint smile carved across his face.
"Vision," Nutaila said quietly.
Everyone stiffened in surprise as they recognized him, standing there so calmly, smiling at them as if he had been expecting their arrival.
"If you are here," Nutaila continued as she slowly drew out her two swords, her stance shifting into readiness,
"then I assume that Victor is watching as well—from his coffin."
"Hi, Nutaila," Vision said. Though his lips moved, the voice that came from him was Victor's. His gaze fixed on Scarlet.
"I see you have united with your long-lost sister."
"I know who you are and what you want," Scarlet said, her voice cold and steady. She began to walk slowly toward Vision.
"And I assure you, you will never wake up from that coffin."
The moment she stepped close, Vision vanished. In an instant, he reappeared behind them. They all turned around sharply.
"Nice trick," Milan said. Vision smiled wider.
"The Vessel," Vision said, his tone almost reverent.
"I have so many plans for you. Once you are fully awakened, you will stop at nothing until I wake up from my coffin."
"Really?" Milan replied.
"Well, I can't wait to fight you, bastard, face to face."
Suddenly, shapes emerged from the shadows. Vampires appeared—dozens of them—surrounding the group completely. They weren't attacking. They weren't biting. They were waiting. Every single one of them stood still, eyes locked on Vision, awaiting his command.
"There are too many," Raven muttered, looking around carefully.
"Now at least we can have a fight," Raven said louder, drawing her swords. Zero followed her lead, preparing himself for battle. They quickly formed a tight circle, backs turned inward, surrounding Nadia to protect her. Nutaila gripped her swords firmly, Raven held hers ready, and Zero tightened his stance. Milan and Scarlet remained still, their weapons not yet drawn.
"You are foolish if you think you can survive all these vampires," Vision said, laughing.
"Well, this group can survive anything," Milan replied, staring straight into Vision's eyes.
Footsteps echoed nearby. They all turned, shocked, as the Cult Leader emerged from the shadows. His eyes were completely dark, consumed by something unnatural.
"What the hell?" Zero shouted.
"I thought you killed him?"
"Yeah, me too," Milan answered, disbelief in his voice.
"He is the one," Nutaila said quietly.
"The Witcher. He was the one who was named as the Six's Bound of Victor" The Witcher smiled slowly.
"I didn't know darkness could be this powerful, Now I am glad to receive it."he said.
He walked forward and stood beside Vision.
"I need the Herald and the Vessel alive," Victor's voice echoed through Vision.
"Kill the rest."
The vampires moved instantly, charging forward with terrifying speed, driven by pure hunger and craving for blood. Scarlet finally drew her swords, her eyes blazing, while Milan prepared himself to fight.
"Stay together," Milan shouted.
"Fight together. Nobody breaks the circle. It's the only way we can win this."
Everyone nodded. Nadia was given a knife to defend herself, though she remained guarded in the center of the circle in case their formation broke.
The vampires reached them. And the fight began.