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In the Northern Empire of the vampires' kingdom, the Dragon's Gate—a grand golden gate adorned with a dragon tapestry—guards the entrance to the Royal Vampire Family's grand palace, a majestic castle. Within the castle, in the royal chamber, a long dark hallway leads to a room with a grand staircase that ascends to the King's chamber.
King Vladimir is in agony, groaning and feeding on a human. His terrifyingly large bat wings are wrapped around him as he sinks his elongated fangs, reminiscent of a saber-toothed tiger, into his victim. Consumed by a berserk hunger, no amount of human blood can sate him. His mother, the Queen, has resorted to locking him in the chamber with humans to feed on while guards stand watch.
The Queen Katarina is at her wit's end with the curse afflicting her son. They must find the one with silver blood to save him, but the question remains: _where?_
She stepped out into the hall, gritting her teeth in sadness. Turning to the left, she bumped into Damien.
"My Queen," Damien said, falling to one knee in a bow.
"What's it, Damien?" Katrina responded.
"It's the witches, my queen—"
"How has that become our problem?" Katrina cut him off. Damien raised his head to meet the queen's red eyes.
"There are dead bodies of dried-up vampires," Damien replied. He watched as her brow furrowed at the news.
"That's not possible... the witches can't kill vampires," Katrina replied angrily.
"I wish I could say otherwise, but I saw it with my own eyes, my queen," Damien said, holding her gaze from his kneeling position.
"Stand," she commanded, and he did.
"How's the king?" Damien asked.
"He's not in better shape; he's getting worse," she sobbed, feeling her knees weaken. General Damien was quick to hold her in his embrace.
"My queen, you should rest," Damien urged.
"No! How can I rest while my son suffers? Damien, he killed twenty humans while feeding... the hunger is killing him. The high priestess has said nothing yet... Why me?" Tears rolled down Katrina's face as she explained.
"Your majesty, let's get you to your room," he urged.
"Why my son... he's in pain. He almost attacked me; he doesn't even recognize his own mother in this state... I... silver blood... we... need it," her words turned into a whisper as she went unconscious in Damien's embrace. He lifted the queen and took her to her chamber. Along the way, other servants and guards bowed to him.
He entered her chamber and placed her on the bed. Her servants rushed in to check on their queen but stopped in their tracks, seeing General Damien tucking her in.
"Make sure she is attended to... call the physician," he said and walked out of the chamber. He was deep in thought when a hand rested on his arm. It was Princess Anya, dressed in a beautiful off-shoulder black dress with intricate silver embroidery, fitting for the medieval period. Her silver crown rested on her head, and her pale skin contrasted perfectly with her dark red lips. She smiled slightly at General Damien as she gazed at him. She is five feet shorter to Damien's large body and height, making them look like a perfect couple, but Damien would never see Princess Anya as a mate, even though she had given him many signs of her interest.
"General Damien," Princess Anya said softly, her voice carrying a note of concern. "How is my mother?"
"She's resting now, Your Highness," Damien replied, his tone formal yet gentle. "The physician has been called to attend to her."
"Thank you, Damien," she said, her eyes reflecting worry. "And my brother? Has there been any change in his condition?"
Damien shook his head. "No, Your Highness. He remains... volatile. The hunger is consuming him."
Anya sighed, looking down for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "What can we do, Damien? How can we help him?"
"The high priestess is our best hope," he said. "I will go to her myself and seek the answers we need."
Anya frowned. "I should go with you. My brother's life depends on it."
"Your Highness, it's too dangerous," Damien said, his tone turning colder. "Your place is here, ensuring the stability of the kingdom in these troubled times. You must trust me to handle this."
Anya hesitated, feeling the distance in his tone. "Very well, Damien. I trust you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," he replied formally. "Now, there is another matter we must address. The dead bodies of dried-up vampires. It's clear the witches are involved."
"Ah!" Anya gasped "Witches can't kill us?.."
"What should we do?" Anya asked, concern etched on her face.
"Your brothers and the high elders of the vampire council should convene tonight. We need a strategy to deal with this threat," Damien stated.
"I'll make the arrangements," Anya said, her resolve firming. "We cannot allow this to continue."
"Indeed, Your Highness," Damien said. "I will attend the meeting and provide all the information we have gathered."
Anya nodded. "Thank you, Damien. Your loyalty means everything to us."
He gave a curt nod, his expression unwavering. "We will prevail, Your Highness. I must prepare for my journey to the high priestess. Please see to the council."
As he turned to leave, she watched him go, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. "Be careful, Damien."
He paused only for a moment, not turning back. "I will, Your Highness. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Damien," she replied softly, watching him disappear down the corridor.
---Ateris Town..
"Elliott," Milo called out, tugging at his brother's shirt.
"Mm... what is it, Milo?" Elliott raised the axe mid-air, about to chop a log in two.
"Penny... let's go see Penny," he pouted.
Elliott put down the axe and squatted down, ruffling Milo's hair. "Look at me," his green eyes staring back at the little pair of doe-grey eyes.
"We need to stay safe for now. I don't want to risk it, and besides, we don't even know where she lives. As much as I really do want to meet up with her, she is amazing..." Elliott chuckled softly, remembering their first encounter.
Milo smiled brighter. "I know, right? Did you see how she fought? It was so cooool!" Milo giggled.
Eli walked out of the back door to the yard. He heard their conversation. _All I see in her is mischief and danger uncalled for, that creepy Penny._
"Are you talking about her!? I thought after the whole mess we would have forgotten about her, huh!... Now tell me, what are you two tortoises planning?" He walked over to them with a disgruntled expression.
Milo poked his leg with a stick. "You are no fun, Eli!" He dropped the stick and ran to hide behind Elliott.
"You little red ant, I'll get you! RAAARGH!" Eli ran towards him at full speed.
"Oh no, help, Elliott! AAHHH!" Little Milo screamed, letting out a girly sound.
Elliott picked up a long stick shaped like a sword. "I'll save you, my prince!" he dashed toward Eli, grinning.
Eli drew out his little carved wooden sword from his back belt. "I was ready for an attack. Bring it on!" He dodged the sword.
Elliott swung his sword at Eli, almost hitting his neck, but Eli's counterattack was deadly. He made backflips, dragging himself back on the floor, making a cool pose. "You shall not see Penny," he said, acting the villain.
"And why is that? Penny is amazing!" Elliott roared, running at full speed towards Eli. Eli ran towards him, and their wooden swords clashed against each other. They held their gaze, pretending to grunt.
"Stay away from her... I warned you," Eli spoke first.
"And if I don't?" Elliott pushed him away.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Eli pretended to wipe fake blood from his lips, still holding their gaze.
"What do you even see in her?" Eli asked.
"She is... she is just cool, okay? She makes me want to learn something new," Elliott said out of the blue.
Eli raised one eyebrow at him. "Wait, what! Love... haha, learn about love!?" Eli laughed out loud, holding his tummy.
"Hey, we are gonna marry her!" Milo danced in a funny way. Eli laughed more at what Milo said.
"Whoa, whoa, hold up," Elliott placed his hand on his waist. "No one is marrying anyone, and I don't love her! It's more than that!" Elliott denied.
"Ooh, so it's a crush!" Eli walked to him with big doe eyes.
"Shut up, I mean it's less than that... okay, I just... just want to learn a new skill. I just want to pick up something from her, okay!" He elbowed him and walked off.
"So, what you're still saying is you have a spot in your heart for her, like a speck!" Eli pushed.
Milo hugged Elliott's leg. "Oh my bubbles, big brother Elliott, we are going to have a happy family--"
"Quiet, you two! That's enough!" Elliott was turning red already.
"Okay, Mr. Tomato Face, but I want to make a suggestion," Eli replied.
"What is it?" Elliott asked.
"The town game is today," Eli smoothed his curly bangs.
"Ah, no! Sorry, no can do that!" Elliott refused.
"But c'mon, bro, it's the final season, we can't miss it." Eli tried to persuade Elliott.
"I don't want to attract problems. I don't want to mingle with those guys, not after what happened the last time." Elliott picked up his axe.
Eli walked up to him with a serious look on his face. "You act weak--"
"I am not weak!" Elliott yelled at him.
"Well, if you aren't, then let's go... c'mon, it's just a look-see, that's it." Eli pleaded.
"Fine."
"Yay--
"You are not going, Milo, don't get too happy," Elliott spoke, pointing his axe at Milo.
"Wait, but we always go together," Milo defended.
"Not this time, you might be in great danger." Elliott packed the wood he had chopped to the side of the wall.
"Well?" Milo looked at Eli, asking for help.
Eli shrugged at him.
"Fine then, I'll tell Mum--"
Eli rolled his eyes. "Here we go again."
Milo stuck out his tongue at them. "I'll tell her what happened."
"That what?" Everyone stopped to stare at Sarah, who had just come to the back, looking for God knows what.
"Arrr..." Elliott steadied his shaking body.
"That we want to go to the... um, the game," Eli was quick to speak up.
"Huh?" Sarah squinted her eyes. She could tell when her boys were hiding something.
"Yes, yes, Mama... I said I would tell you." Milo hugged his mum to distract her.
"Elliott?" Sarah called to him. She placed her hands on her waist.
"Mum, it's true... yup, I am just scared you won't accept." Elliott spoke with confidence as he brushed his red hair with his hand.
"Oh... nah, it's alright, you guys can go." Sarah laughed at him.
"Oh, GREAT! Thanks, Mum!" Eli ran to hug his mum and pecked her all over her face.
Sarah couldn't stop laughing. "Haha... S...stop, haha... okay, okay, that's alright." She drew him away from her embrace.
"C'mon, boys, lunch is served. Let's go have some porridge." Sarah clapped her hands together, ushering them in.
Elliott smiled as they walked inside. He knew Eli had used the opportunity to ask her that. 'Now I have to face trouble. God help my soul,' he thought. They all sat in the living area as they served themselves with porridge. By then, their father was already in.