"Awoooo!"
A thunderous cry echoed across the forest, as Lucian stood before a gaping black cave. Deep within, he heard multiple guttural growls, from beast slumbering.
Lucian stared deeply into the darkness, cracked his neck, his jaw tightened briefly.
"As always… you picked on the weak, the ones who had nothing." His voice was quiet, he muttered to himself. "I can't say I blame you… but still I…"
His voice trailed off, his teeth grind as uneasy filled him.
Why do I still feel this pull? This hesitation… after everything I've done? Did I come here for revenge… or closure? Was I wrong to leave the Crimson Sanctum? Or were they wrong to create me?
Even when he had his doubts, his journey here, Lucian had erased every possible trail. No one could track him… he'd made sure of it. A year of silence, of hiding… yet the Crimson Sanctum may find him.
Despite every precaution, something dread gnawed at him. Still, he ignored it…
I can't let you keep ruining my life… nor Halcyon.
Also, Randall, knew just enough. Lucian told him it would take time to handle unfinished business. He granted him that space… but was that a mistake?
What if this puts him in danger too? What's worse what he's about to do or what he's already done?
Lucian stepped into the darkness… he inhaled the stale scent of damp stone and dried blood thick in the air.
He could even smell them… he knew where most of werewolves were inside the forest. That he can also difintriate the difference smell of wolves in the even when there also over, the forest he just had to get in range for his human nose to kick in.
That wild smell... only strong vampires and strong creatures can detect our unique scents. And their wet dog smell? It's stronger than all of them.
Neither less halfway into the cave, the blood smell got stronger, it was apparent the wolves just had lunch.
Even when, every step he took felt like walking into a trap of heavy ominous air, he ignored it again… as time passed halfway in, the snores stopped.
Lucian smirked.
Suddenly, he heard movement from the shadow, he twisted sideways, narrowly dodging a lunging shape.
A voice growled from the darkness. "You've got a death wish, coming here."
He glanced up to meet the cold, yellow eyes of Sam the pack's leader.
At the same time, all around him, more werewolves emerged from the shadows... They surrounded him. But Lucian's heart was steady, he had already seen them, he also confident in his abilities.
Despite, their strength boost…
While I no longer use my abilities some stay and some have been pushed pass the human limits in my human form... As creatures of the night, my kind are capable of seeing in the darkness of night as if it were daytime.
His vision wasn't his true vision that it wasn't currently like night vision he can see, but there also some spot he can't… it was the same for werewolves, they can see in the night.
"You mentioned you'd return, but when you didn't, I decided to bring the fight to you."
Sam crawled slowly circled Lucian. "A vampire so arrogant surrounded by my pack."
Lucian chuckled darkly. "No.No.Not arrogance, Sam. Just facts. And that Vesack potion your mutts got from the Sanctum? Useless."
Sam froze, eyes narrowing. "How do you know about that?"
He didn't wait for Lucian to answer, he shook his head with a growl. "Nevermind it won't matter after I kill you and join the Sanctum."
Sam, was very confident because he knew that Vampires are physically weak breed compared to werewolves.
Also, despite Lucian human blood at the forefront, he was easily able to smell his vampire blood.
"Just because… your gifted with physical capabilities doesn't mean your stronger than Vampire neither is that potion… also what your doing, is proving that you mutts are not worthy of the status among the great five."
"Roar!"
Lucian words and his crooked smirk, angered Sam his roar shook the cave, even the jagged wall of slick moisture. Caused the distant sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern, mingling with the low growls of the four werewolves closing in. Their yellow eyes glowed in the dim light.
Lucian stood in center of them all, He twirled a throwing knife between his fingers, the silver glinting briefly before vanishing into the shadows.
At Sam's signal, one of his pack lunged forward… But Lucian was faster. Much faster.
With a movement too swift to see, he sidestepped the incoming strike. Though his body was human, his speed was anything but…As the werewolf's claws sliced through empty air.
Lucian was already inside its guard. He plunged his knife, into the it's ribs causing a sickening crunch… he even twsited it.
The werewolf snarled baring his fangs, before Lucian shoulder shoved it aside. It's massive body slammed into a nearby stalagmite, the sound of cracking stone filling the air. The beast slumped, dazed… but still breathing.
Lucian scoffed. "Is that really your best? No wonder you mutts needs to travel in packs."
Sam roared again, louder this time. Two more werewolves emerged from the shadows, their yellow eyes locked onto Lucian, before they charged Together.
But Lucian was already moving…
He flipped backward, his boots landing lightly on a narrow rock ledge. Before the wolves could reach him, he sprang again… soaring high into the air.
Suddenly, two silver flashes glinted in the dark.
"Thunk."
"Thunk."
One dagger buried itself in a werewolf's eye. The second into it's throat. Both werewolves howled, stumbling in agony, but neither dropped.
Lucian landed like a feline atop a thin stalactite that jutted from the ceiling, watching as the other wolves paced and snarled at him below.
"Enough of this coward's game!" Sam bellowed, dragged his claws down the cave wall with a roar of anger. "Come down and face me, leech!"
The wounded werewolf from earlier snarled and lunged at the stalactite, claws raking against the rock as it tried to climb. Lucian watched it struggle with a smirk.
"Too weak."
Lucian raised his feet, and kicked down.
It caused the, weakened stalactite to snap, and he dropped like a spear, the jagged stone collapsed with him, crashing onto the werewolf below. The impact crushed its skull against the cavern floor spraying of blood and bone.
The other wolf, with the knife still lodged in its throat stumbled, ripping the blade free. Blood gushed from the wound…but it still stood.
…Only for a moment.
Lucian landed behind it, then in a blink, he was in front of it… then behind.
"SHLICK."
His hand had thrust forward, driving his blade straight into the werewolf's heart. The beast gasped, stiffened… before they collapsed letting out a final wheeze.
"To think you were given such powerful potions... and you're still weak."
"You DARE?! You slithering parasite!" Sam snarled, his anger began boiling over. He drove his claws into the cave wall with a deafening crack. "I'll rip you apart piece by piece!"
Lucian tilted his head. "Then why are you the one's dying?"
Sam and the remainder of his pack rushed him.
Lucian spun low beneath their claws, ran up the cave wall like spider, and flipped… landing behind them without a sound.
When they turned… it already too late.
His blades flashed in an X-shaped arc… cleanly precision…
Blood sprayed against walls as the two collapsed, gurgling their blood…One even twitched once before falling still.
But Sam older, stronger staggered back, one hand clamped over his slashed throat. He dropped to his knees, wheezing, but alive.
"Stay down," Lucian said coldly. "You'll only die tired."
Sam glared at him, his voice rasped."Y-you..."
Lucian stood among the bodies, his blades dripping crimson. He exhaled, then flicked the blood aside before sheathing them.
"Now... let's talk. The Crimson Sanctum. How did you meet them?"
"Why should I tell…"
Before Sam could finish, he didn't until he felt it was Lucian had brought out his knife again, that was already pressed against his heart… his heart raced echoing throughout the cave.
Who's is the bartender? Why did I make an enemy out of him?
Sam coughed blood. "I-it was... in the Shattered Rest..."
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Shattered Rest?"
Such a weak pack there to go that side of the city… a place that named one of the most dangerous places in the world… there are some said to be built atop the bones of a forgotten demon god.
"I was... looking for help… When I ran into them. They promised safety... in exchange for underworld intel..."
Lucian crouched, closer to Sam. "And. Where are they now?"
But before Sam could answer, a sudden clang struck Lucian's arm… He winced, reaching up and pulling out a glinting piece of silver knife embedded in his shoulder… His flesh even sizzled slightly.
He hissed, biting back the pain. It didn't make him scream… but it burned. He glanced at the steel it was a dagger just not the degree of his like a lesser version. 'Silver'
As he turned toward the source of the attack.
Behind him.. Sam fell forward. Dead.
Then a voice echoed from the shadows.
"You looking for us?"
He saw six people stepped from the darkness. They all had one on black and crimson long and short robes, more importantly… they had pale skin, glowing red eyes that can be seen through the dark… also long and short fangs out there mouths.
One of the most obvious characteristics of Vampires is was their fangs instead of canine teeth.
One of them grinned, baring his fangs. "So this is where you've been hiding, Fang Saint... or are you no longer called that?"
The name Fang Saint, caused Lucian to frown, a title for a revered warrior known for his killing and terrifying power. The title is now spoken with both fear and resentment among all species, especially vampire circle outside and inside the Crimson Sanctum.
Is he still running from his past… or just toward his future enemies? How far will he go to bury the name "Fang Saint" for good? Is this how they'll remember him? Covered in blood, surrounded by corpses?
Lucian said nothing. Instead, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
Suddenly, another vampire growled, "You don't get to ask questions, traitor. We no longer serve you."
"Traitor… such a convenient label for those who refuse to kneel. You say it as if it carries weight, as if it brands me with shame. But you misunderstand me… I never betrayed Lazarus. Loyalty, you see, is not blind obedience. I followed him through years of blood and shadow, through unspeakable horrors and whispered promises. I gave him everything… until he gave me a reason to walk away. A single act… so vile, so utterly devoid of the humanity he pretended to despise that it shattered whatever bond still held me to him. I didn't turn my back on him… he burned the bridge himself. So call me traitor if it brings you comfort. But understand this… I didn't leave out of weakness. I left because monsters should not bow to demons."
All the six vampire kept quiet, they didn't know how to answer. For year they Lazarus he's their lord… he didn't spend time with them like Lucian.
Lucian's gaze swept over them, cold as ice. "I also see. You've all forgotten your manners."
His gaze caused them to flinched, a chill ran down there back, just slightly…but it was enough. As they, knew all his power in the past and how scary he was infront them.
"We're not afraid of you anymore," one of them spat. "You hold no power over us." They can't also betray, Lazarus or its there life.
Lucian twisted his neck. "Let me remind you...Why you should be."
Before he could draw his knife, they were upon him… all six at once. He thought, they were going to attack one by one.
Instead, fangs, claws, and anger. It was chaotic laned ontop him.
Lucian twisted, rolled, ducked under one strike and countered another. His knife plunged into a gut… twisted… ripped free. Another fist slammed into his ribs, he cough as it knocked the wind out him.
He staggered, pain spreading across his side… at that moment a claw raked toward his throat… he barely dodged.
Then came a punch his chest, so hard it sent him flying across the cave… He rolled, back gasping for breath.
He had no time to recover, as another vampire lunged from behind. He staggered up.
No choice.
Lucian threw himself into a roll, escaping the worst attack but losing precious footing... He barely got to his knees when a boot slammed into his ribs, sending him sprawling. The cave spun around him… but he fought to rise.
Too slow.
Claws tore across his arm... hot pain exploded. His left hand went limp… numb hanging at his side.
Four vampires still standing. Their grins widened, fangs glistening.
Lucian breathed hard, sweat dripped into his eyes. He could feel his heartbeat pounding in his skull… His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself up.
Lucian raised his knife gleamed in his right hand, he had blood dripping from his lip.
He smirked. "Come, then."
Without another word, all the vampires rushed at him.