"That kid, Silverwood, is too sharp for his own good," Father Garghat mused, his voice a low murmur as he spoke into the void. "But really, who'd believe a direct messenger of the gods is working hand in hand with their enemies?" His chuckle was dry, almost mocking. "In no time, he'll be joining his parents, just like the Valencourts. I must say, your comrades' plan is flawless."
A shadow stirred within the chamber.
From the darkness emerged a Skinwalker—inhuman, predatory, and far more sinister than the lesser creatures.
His presence was suffocating. The chill he emitted was nothing like what the elder had felt before. The dim candlelight flickered wildly as he stepped forward, revealing deep, dark crests pulsing on his forehead—an unmistakable mark of nobility. His piercing, glowing eyes locked onto Garghat with something akin to amusement… and disdain.
"It would've been," the figure rasped. "If you had told us the vampires in the Montgomery's were all born of Noble blood."
An unseen force seized the Elder by the throat. He choked as his feet lifted off the ground, the invisible grip squeezing his windpipe.
"The plan failed, because of your misinformation."
"A noble!?" Garghat exclaimed faintly. "That's impossible! Why would a noble stoop so low to serve under, none other but their enemy!?"
The Skinwalker's eyes narrowed. Then, with a flick of his fingers—
CRACK!
Garghat was hurled against the stone wall like a ragdoll, his bones rattling from the impact.
"Quit playing dumb!" The skinwalker's eyes glowed, its crest pulsating with eerie blue energy. "This was your plan, wasn't it? to wipe us out one by one? Enraging a Noble vampire! I must confess, that was a smart move." He said, tightening his telekinesis
The pressure around Garghat's body tightened. The old priest gritted his teeth, veins bulging as he fought to breathe.
"I—I swear," he gasped, "I had no idea… Who would have ever expected one to serve a Guardian household? It makes no sense."
The skinwalker was silent for a long moment. Then, it exhaled through its nose—disgusted.
Garghat felt the pressure lifted from his body as he collapsed to the floor, coughing violently as his lungs finally filled with air.
The creature scoffed. "I suppose that's true." He exhaled slowly. "I just needed someone to vent my anger on for the people we lost."
Garghat let out a dry chuckle, still clutching his ribs. "You Skinwalkers never struck me as sentimental. Caring for your comrades now? How human."
The noble Skinwalker glanced at the old man with no reaction. Instead, his glowing eyes flickered with something unreadable.
"Well," he murmured, "we were once human after all, created by the Him."
Garghat's amusement faded.
The Skinwalker continued, his tone distant. "The entity could never create life on its own… so it corrupted what already existed. That's what we are—twisted mockeries, born from its resentment toward the gods that overthrow him." He tilted his head slightly. "We were made for war, to destroy everything his brethren created. But they struck back. They sent him. The reason why we're here, hiding in the shadows in fear of humans."
"Spare me the lecture. Who do you think I am? I know the whole story." Garghat muttered, standing up fully. "I don't need another history lesson. The question now is—how do we deal with the Noble? Since he's working with them, that means he's an outcast right? If he's alone, doesn't that make him an easy target?" Garghat asked
The Skinwalker gave a slow smirk. "With that kind of thinking, you won't last in our world. You underestimate a noble Vampire."
Garghat scowled but remained silent.
The creature's expression sharpened. "Even though we failed to retrieve the orbs after the risk of putting them together that's now acting as a beacon to all the other factions, this also puts them at a great disadvantage too.... putting them in the defence."
He took a slow step forward, his gaze piercing.
"And that… is where you come in."
Garghat's brows furrowed. "What are you implying?"
"Noble vampires don't have any problem seeing through our disguise so approaching them to aid their predicament would be totally pointless, unless the aid is from an Elder directly from the church." The skinwalker smirked. "Fenris, tho captured, is sending us information. For now, get on their good side as much as you can, and fast. The wraiths have also begun their movement. The queen too."
Garghat straightened his robe, finally regaining his composure. "Fine."
The noble Skinwalker hummed approvingly. "Good. Then we move forward."
He turned slightly, his form beginning to blend into the shadows. But before vanishing completely, his voice echoed. "Oh, as for Silverwood?"
Garghat's eyes narrowed.
"His demise has already begun."