Melly felt the weight of the warriors' gazes pressing down on her. She was used to being watched, analyzed, even hunted—but this was different. These people weren't looking at her like an outsider.
They were studying her like a weapon.
The silver-haired woman stepped forward, her glowing blue runes flickering like embers. "You don't know what you are yet, do you?"
Melly's jaw tightened. "I know enough."
The woman chuckled, but there was no amusement in her voice. "No. You really don't."
Arkins stiffened beside her. "Enough with the cryptic talk, Selene. If you have something to say, just say it."
Selene's sharp gaze shifted to him. "You brought a time bomb into Noctis Haven and expect me to just say it?" She shook her head. "The girl is more dangerous than she realizes."
Melly took a step forward, her hands curling into fists. "If you think I'm a threat, you can try and stop me. See how that works out for you."
A flicker of surprise crossed Selene's face before her smirk returned. "Feisty. Good. You'll need that."
Ezra cleared his throat. "Enough. We don't have time for this. Project Rebirth isn't just about creating hybrids anymore. They're planning something bigger."
Zyren leaned against a pillar, arms crossed. "Yeah, yeah, world domination, dark experiments, unleashing an army—blah, blah, blah. Can we skip to the part where we actually do something about it?"
Selene shot him a glare. "You never take anything seriously."
"And yet," Zyren grinned, "I'm still alive."
Melly rolled her eyes. "Does anyone in this city not have an attitude problem?"
Zyren pointed at a hooded figure lurking in the corner. "Xylar doesn't talk much. He's the closest you'll get to normal around here."
The figure, Xylar, merely tilted their head but said nothing.
Melly exhaled sharply. "Fine. What's the plan?"
Ezra turned toward her. "Before we fight, you need to understand what we're up against." He gestured toward the massive wooden doors at the end of the hall. "Come with me."
Secrets Beneath the City
Melly followed Ezra and the others through the cathedral, descending into the lower levels. The deeper they went, the colder the air became, thick with something ancient, something hungry.
When they reached the bottom, Ezra pressed his palm against a stone wall.
With a low rumble, the wall slid open.
Melly's breath caught.
Beyond it was a vast underground chamber, filled with hundreds of metal pods—each one containing a figure suspended in glowing red liquid.
She stepped closer, pressing her hand against the glass of the nearest pod.
The person inside looked… wrong. Their veins pulsed black, their fangs elongated, their eyes wide open but completely vacant.
"What the hell is this?" she whispered.
Ezra's voice was grim. "Failed experiments."
Selene crossed her arms. "This is what happens when they don't perfect the process."
Melly swallowed hard. "And the ones that do survive?"
Ezra met her gaze. "They don't stay in pods."
A chill ran down her spine.
This wasn't just a city of vampires.
It was a city of monsters.
And somewhere out there… the real threats were waiting.
The War Begins
Melly turned back to the group, her resolve hardening. "We need to stop this. Burn it all down before it's too late."
Ezra nodded. "That's the plan."
Arkins stepped beside her. "And we do it together."
Melly smirked. "Always."
Zyren clapped his hands. "Great. So who's ready to make some enemies?"
Selene's runes flared. "We already have them."
The underground chamber pulsed with the quiet hum of the pods.
Outside, the city of Noctis Haven prepared for war.
And in the shadows…
Something watched.
And waited.
The scent of ancient magic and old blood filled the air as Melly, Arkins, Ezra, Zyren, and Selene stepped out of the underground chamber. The torches lining the stone walls flickered, casting long shadows that moved as if alive.
Noctis Haven wasn't just a city. It was a fortress built to keep secrets—and now, those secrets were unraveling.
Melly's mind raced. Project Rebirth wasn't just about her. It wasn't just about experimentation. It was about creating something. A new species? A new ruler? Something worse?
She turned to Ezra, her voice sharp. "Who's really behind this?"
Ezra hesitated before answering. "The Council."
Zyren groaned. "Ah, yes. The all-powerful vampire overlords who sit on their thrones while the rest of us fight their wars."
Selene shot him a glare. "Don't be stupid, Zyren. The Council isn't just watching anymore. They're involved."
Arkins' expression darkened. "How deep does this go?"
Ezra exhaled. "Deep enough that they've been controlling bloodlines for centuries." He turned to Melly. "Including yours."
Melly's heart skipped a beat. "What?"
Ezra gestured toward the grand cathedral at the center of Noctis Haven. "There's someone you need to meet."
The Last Elder
They entered the cathedral, the heavy doors creaking open. Inside, a single figure sat in the center of the darkened hall—a man with long silver hair, eyes like molten gold, and scars that ran deep across his face.
Melly knew, without being told, that this was someone important.
Ezra stepped forward. "Elder Lucian."
The man slowly opened his eyes. His gaze settled on Melly, and for a moment, silence filled the room.
Then he spoke.
"So… the blood of the Forsaken still flows."
Melly's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"
Lucian rose from his seat, his movements slow but powerful. "Your grandmother… was not just any sorceress." His golden eyes locked onto hers. "She was the last descendant of the First Blood."
Melly felt the world tilt. "First Blood?"
Selene's voice was hushed. "The original vampires. The first beings who ever drank from the Well of Immortality."
Lucian nodded. "And your family's blood carries their power. Your power."
Melly's breath caught. "That's why they experimented on me."
Lucian's expression was grim. "They didn't just want your magic. They wanted to awaken what sleeps inside you."
The words sent a cold shiver down her spine.
She had spent so long trying to understand her magic, her strength, her purpose. But now, it wasn't just about revenge.
It was about who she truly was.
And the truth was far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
A Warning from the Past
Lucian took a step closer, lowering his voice. "You need to be careful. Power like yours doesn't go unnoticed."
Melly met his gaze. "I don't care who's watching. I won't stop until they pay."
Lucian studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Then you'll need allies."
Ezra smirked. "Lucky for her, she's already got us."
Zyren stretched. "Does this mean we finally get to fight something?"
Selene sighed. "You're impossible."
Melly glanced at Arkins, her resolve hardening. "Then let's get to work."
Lucian's golden eyes glowed in the dim light. "Be warned, child. The moment you step onto this path… there is no turning back."
Melly smirked. "I never planned to."
Outside, the night was silent.
But in the shadows, war was already brewing.