At the town square in Atheris, people gathered to watch groups of young guys playing football, while girls on the other side cheered for the hot guys on the field. Around the corner, Elliott, Eli, and Milo sat on a bench watching the show, but Elliott was trying every possible way to stay low to avoid unnecessary attention.
Eli placed his left hand on Elliott's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. We just have to see who wins, that's all."
"Eli, I don't want Marcus to start picking on us," Elliott replied with a worried face.
"Hey, it's alright. I'll say it again, Mary is a bitch, that's all I have to say," Eli smirked.
In the next second, the people cheered louder, indicating that the opposite team got a score.
"Woohoo-ayyyyyah!" a random brunette girl hollered beside the boys.
"I think we should start leaving now," Elliott said, his gaze focused in a particular direction.
"Wait, no! Why? We just got here and we got here late!" Eli raised his voice, not understanding why Elliott would suddenly want them to leave. Elliott was always so scared, and that was why he got bullied most of the time.
Elliott stood up abruptly from his stool, pulling Milo by his hand as they stood up to leave. "We have to now."
Eli followed his brother with an angry gaze. "What's with you sometimes?" Eli couldn't help asking.
"WHAT'S WITH ME!? HUH!" Elliott yelled back as he spun around to face Eli with an angry, protruding gaze. He grabbed Eli's clothes, pulling him closer. "I freaking saw Marcus' friends and Mary and the girls pointing at us. They're planning something against us," he pushed Eli a little before letting go.
Eli straightened his shirt. "And how sure are you that they are? They could just be mocking us, not planning stuff."
"Probably you've forgotten the other day that you, Eli, pushed her, remember?" Elliott walked away, pulling Milo with him.
"Yeah, right!" Eli followed behind. After turning to a street where the cheers had faded in the distance, Marcus and his minions stepped out with Mary and her girls, putting on wicked grins. She wished to make them pay for how they embarrassed her.
"Oh boy!" Elliott slumped his shoulders, knowing this would happen.
"Well, well, well. Look who we have here," Marcus sneered, cracking his knuckles. "Ready for round two, boys?"
Without warning, Marcus lunged at Elliott, but Eli stepped in, blocking the blow. "Leave us alone, Marcus!"
A fierce fight broke out. Eli and Elliott fought side by side, their movements synchronized as they defended each other. Milo, though smaller, was quick and agile, dodging attacks and distracting Marcus' friends. Elliott landed a punch on Marcus' jaw, sending him staggering back. Eli tackled one of the minions, pinning him to the ground.
"Run, Milo!" Eli shouted, giving him a moment to escape. Milo darted away, leading the group in a chase.
Elliott and Eli used the distraction to their advantage, pushing back against their attackers. With a final coordinated effort, they managed to knock Marcus and his friends down long enough to make their escape.
Panting and bruised, they reached their home where their mother, Sarah, waited. "What happened to you guys?" she asked, worry etched on her face.
"Umm we had a fall. Just glad we made it," Elliott said, collapsing onto the couch.
---
At midnight, the high hall of justice in the Northern Dragon'sgate of the vampire kingdom was shrouded in an air of solemnity. The grand hall, lit by flickering torches casting long shadows on the stone walls, was filled with an aura of impending danger. The vampire elders, Elder Viktor, and his escort Selene stood in a semicircle around the grand table, their faces stern and focused. Prince Ivan and Prince Dimitri flanked their sister, Princess Anya, who had convened the assembly.
Anya's expression was one of grave concern as she addressed the gathering. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice," she began, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "We have a dire situation on our hands. General Damien has reported that witches are involved in the recent deaths of our kind. This is unprecedented and deeply alarming."
Elder Viktor, a tall figure with a commanding presence, nodded slowly. "Indeed, Princess Anya. The death of vampires at the hands of witches is a threat we have not faced in centuries. We must determine how they have gained this ability."
Prince Ivan, with a stern look, leaned forward. "What evidence do we have that witches are responsible?" he asked, his voice sharp and direct.
"Damien has gathered intelligence that points to witchcraft," Anya replied. "The bodies of the dead vampires are dried up, devoid of any life essence. This is not the work of ordinary weapons or poisons."
Prince Dimitri, his eyes dark and brooding, spoke up. "If the witches have indeed found a way to kill us, we need to act swiftly. What is our strategy?"
Elder Viktor stepped forward. "First, we must secure our borders and protect our people. We need to gather all the information we can about these witches and their methods. Selene and I have already mobilized our best scouts to investigate."
Selene, standing beside Viktor, added, "We also need to consider a diplomatic approach. There may be factions within the witches who do not support these actions. We should seek allies among them."
Anya nodded. "Agreed. But we must also prepare for the worst. We cannot underestimate their power or their intentions. Our council must devise a plan to counteract their magic."
Prince Ivan looked at Anya. "Sister, what about the high priestess? Damien mentioned seeking her help."
"Damien is on his way to the high priestess as we speak," Anya confirmed. "She may have knowledge or resources that can aid us. In the meantime, we must strengthen our defenses and prepare for a potential confrontation."
Elder Viktor's gaze was intense as he spoke. "We should also call upon the ancient rites and rituals of our ancestors. There may be forgotten knowledge that can help us counter witchcraft."
Prince Dimitri clenched his fist. "We will not let these witches destroy our people. We must be vigilant and ready to strike back with all our might."
Anya looked around at the assembled elders and her brothers, her resolve firm. "We will protect our kingdom and our people at all costs. Let us begin our preparations immediately. We must stand united in the face of this threat."
As the discussion on witches concluded, Anya's expression turned even more somber. "There is another matter of grave concern. General Damien has also reported on the progression of King Vladimir's curse. It is going berserk. If we do not find a solution soon, the king will become a reaper."
A heavy silence fell over the hall. Elder Viktor spoke first, his voice tinged with sorrow. "The king's curse has always been a controlled danger. For it to go berserk now suggests something far more sinister at play."
Prince Ivan's voice was tight with worry. "What can we do? What is the plan?"
Anya took a deep breath. "Damien is seeking the high priestess for guidance. We must also find the Silver Blood. Legend speaks of its power to heal curses and restore balance. Without it, we may lose the king."
Selene, her face conflicted, added, "The prophecy states that only a white horse with Silver Blood can satisfy his blood thirst and cure the king. But such a creature, a horse with a spear horn, is incredibly rare, if it exists at all."
The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of the prophecy settled over them. Elder Viktor's voice was low and filled with determination. "We must leave no stone unturned in our search. The king's life and the future of our kingdom depend on it."
Prince Dimitri's expression was grim. "We cannot allow the king to become a reaper. We must act with all our resources and resolve."
Anya nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "We will do everything in our power to save him. Our scouts will search for the Silver Blood, and we will prepare for any eventuality. Our kingdom depends on it."
Selene's thoughts were conflicted. She despised the idea of relying on a mythical creature to save the king. She had long harbored feelings for him and wished to be his lover, not to depend on an uncertain legend.
As the meeting continued deep into the night, each elder and royal contributed to the strategy. The hall buzzed with plans for defense, intelligence gathering, and potential alliances. As the torches flickered and the shadows danced on the walls, the resolve of the vampire council solidified. They would face the threat of the king's curse head-on, prepared to defend their kingdom with every ounce of their strength and cunning.