Thunder struck alongside lightning as the clouds turned an ominous shade of gray. Moments later, the rain began to pour heavily, drenching the earth in violent sheets. Volcanoes erupted like bullets raining from the sky, slamming into the ground with tremendous force.
Four volcanic hills rose in fury, gathered in a tight formation as molten rock burst forth with savage intensity. If a human were anywhere near that place, there would be no survival, no mercy. Without warning, a monstrous beast emerged from one of the volcanic peaks. His fire-forged teeth elongated into sharp, curved canines. His fingernails grew into blazing talons, red-hot and dripping with lava. Thunder cracked violently above as the rain lashed down on the river of lava, yet each drop sizzled and evaporated the moment it touched the surface.
"Let the rain pour!!! Let it pour heavily! Hahahaha, hahaha!" the creature roared into the sky, his voice carrying a twisted joy. The downpour intensified to the point where, if a single drop landed on human skin, it would sear straight through, boring holes like acid.
"Boi," the creature called, and a small fox-like being slithered out of the molten rock, crawling to the beast's legs.
"Go and send a message! I am back!!" the creature bellowed. The little fox nodded and vanished into the smoke and fire.
*********
Inside the mansion, Max sat by the fireplace, as he often did, smoking in contemplative silence. The memory of his kiss with Ella lingered, vivid and relentless. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he recalled that moment her arms wrapped around him in that warm hug, the softness of her lips as he kissed her deeply, tasting her sweetness. Just remembering it filled his chest with a rare sense of joy.
He had lost count of how many cigarettes he'd smoked at least ten lay crushed in the ashtray. Standing slowly, he turned only to find Ace standing there.
"Lysander is back," Ace informed him, his tone serious.
Max's eyes locked onto his, and before Ace could finish his sentence, Max was gone, vanished in a flash of supernatural speed.
The village Ella believed to be a simple, peaceful place was nothing of the sort. It was, in truth, a protected territory inhabited by ancient creatures. No human could enter without being escorted by a supernatural being. It was the sacred domain of the foxes.
Darkness suddenly swept across the area. A violent force struck the ground like a meteor, shaking the earth with its impact. Dust swirled in the air as a figure slowly stood.
He had pure black eyes, long wild hair, and two stark white horns curling from his head. His canines extended like sharpened blades. Even his brows had grown into long, wild strands of hair. The air grew heavy around him.
"Where is the fox queen?" he demanded, his voice deep and commanding. His presence was both breathtaking and terrifying only someone truly unafraid of death would dare approach him.
"What do you need, Maximus?" a calm female voice responded from behind. He spun around swiftly to face the fox queen. Unlike him, she remained in her composed human form, elegant and untrembling.
"Who performed that ritual? Speak! Which witch did it?" he barked, his voice deadly serious, eyes bloodshot with fury.
"It was just a random witch," she replied, her tone measured.
"Don't fool me!!!" he shouted, flames flickering in his eyes. "No ordinary witch would possess the power to perform that kind of ritual!"
"You should ask your own men, Maximus. They might know something," the fox queen said with quiet assurance.
Maximus narrowed his eyes. He knew her well. The fox queen never lied especially not about something this grave. Without another word, he leapt into the air and landed with force in the demons' territory.
The place was constructed entirely from black stone walls, towers, even the pathways. The entire domain exuded dread. Smoke lingered like a permanent fog, and ash fell like snow. Maximus moved swiftly, leaping straight into the top floor of the tallest tower a place rarely visited, even by the bold.
There was a large throne at the center of the hall. Towering and majestic, it was forged entirely of pure gold cold, gleaming, and intimidating. Even the stairs leading up to it were golden, shimmering beneath the faint, eerie light that filled the vast space.
Maximus didn't bother to climb the stairs. With effortless strength and grace, he leapt straight onto the seat, landing on the massive, horror-shaped throne like a dark monarch reclaiming his domain. The chilling contrast of wealth and menace radiated from him. His eyes were still pitch blackjust endless, soulless voids and his long hair fell freely around his shoulders like dark silk. His white horns curved menacingly from his head, still very much visible, symbols of his terrifying power.
"Where is the witch?" he demanded, his voice cold and commanding.
Four demons emerged from the shadows, dragging a woman between them. She had long golden hair, now matted with blood, and piercing yellow eyes that still glinted with defiance. Chains wrapped tightly around her body, clinking as she struggled to stand. Blood soaked her torn clothes, dripping onto the polished black marble floor.
"I did nothing wrong!" she cried, her voice trembling but fierce, as she fought against the restraints.
"You moron!! Lysander is out there!! Why didn't you complete the ritual properly?" Maximus bellowed. The black in his eyes began to swirl and rise like smoke, evaporating into dark wisps that drifted from the corners of his eyes pure fury radiating from him like a storm about to break.
"I did what you said… he's too strong… that's why… please, forgive me," she pleaded, her voice breaking. Her knees buckled slightly as she looked up at him with desperate eyes.
He stepped down from his throne, slow and deliberate, his heavy boots echoing through the silent hall. He stood before her, towering like a god of judgment.
"I don't forgive people," he said with a wicked smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Kill her at once," he ordered, turning away.
"Yes, sire."
The demons obeyed without hesitation, dragging her toward the towering double doors the ones wrought of black horror and etched with ancient sigils. Just as they reached the threshold, the air shifted.
A sudden breeze swept through the hall.
"No one is killing anyone," said a calm, melodic voice. It rang out, soft yet unshakable.
Everyone turned.
There, at the entrance, stood Isabella.
Her presence seemed to silence the very walls. Long golden hair flowed like molten light behind her, caught in an invisible wind. Her eyes held a power that defied understanding. The word "beautiful" was too small, too human to describe her. She looked like something celestial an untouchable being of light standing in defiance of the darkness.
"Lysander is supposed to be my father, so I know him inside out. Don't go around killing my people, or you'll hate me!" Isabella spoke with a calm facade, her voice cold but controlled, concealing the storm raging beneath her surface.
Maximus, the demon prince, was supposed to handle this part of the conflict. But right now, he couldn't. His fury was too intense burning hotter than hellfire and so he was forced to face Isabella himself, teeth clenched and eyes glowing faintly red.
"I found out Lysander had a witch perform a ritual on him," she explained, her gaze fixed on the floor as though ashamed. "It was designed to awaken him exactly two years after his fall."
"What??" Maximus growled, his fists tightening at his sides. He'd suspected something unnatural was going on, a nagging feeling that never left him but he couldn't quite place it until now. Suddenly, it all made sense. His voice rose in a roar. "Lysander!!"
His aura flared, making the air ripple with heat and dark energy.
"Don't worry, Max," Isabella said quickly, stepping closer. "I'll work with the demon prince. We just need to find the witch and undo the spell before Lysander gets stronger."
"You better do that," Maximus growled, his eyes burning like molten gold. "Or I'll destroy the witches' queendom myself."
*********
The massive building loomed in the distance like a monstrous relic of war, its architecture ancient and foreboding. Twin dragon statues snarled at the gates, casting long shadows in the moonlight. Inside, at the very top floor, a grand throne room awaited. Black pillars stretched to a high, domed ceiling.
On the throne sat Xavier, his posture regal and still. A winged creature burst through the stained-glass windows, beating its leathery wings as it bowed low before him.
"Master, Lysander is back," the creature informed in a deep, guttural tone.
"Is that so?" Xavier replied, a sinister glint flickering in his pale, serpentine eyes. "Hmm… then let the real war begin."
His golden hair fell softly around his angular face, and as he smileda slow, devilish smilehis beauty became all the more terrifying.
********
Outside the ruins of an old cathedral, a tall redhead with flowing hair sat on a cracked marble bench. He held a glass of thick, dark blood, sipping it slowly as if savoring vintage wine. The air around him was eerily still.
Suddenly, a blur of movement streaked toward him. A vampire appeared, arriving with such speed and force that the surrounding leaves trembled.
"Your Highness," the vampire announced with a swift bow. "Lysander is back."
"Hmm… good, then," Ezekiel, the Vampire Prince, replied, barely lifting his eyes. His voice was calm, but something sharp lingered beneath the surface excitement, perhaps, or danger. Even the messenger stood in awe, struck by the quiet power Ezekiel exuded.
********
In a secluded garden filled with blooming nightflowers, a beautiful young lady was gently planting flowers beneath the pale light of dusk. Her long silver hair shimmered like moonlight, and her matching silver eyes sparkled with peace as she hummed a gentle melody.
Suddenly, a maid rushed into the garden, nearly tripping over her own feet.
"Milady!" she cried. "Lysander has arisen!"
The young woman's hands froze above the earth. Her silver eyes widened, the petals in her hand forgotten. The hum died on her lips.
"So… it begins," she whispered, barely audible, as a cool breeze stirred the garden around her.