Lucius sat at his desk, lost in thought.
The sound of footsteps outside his door broke the silence.
"Lucius?" Mr. Von Doom called.
"Yes, sir?" Lucius replied, rising from his chair.
Mr. Von Doom entered, his expression serious. "I'm taking Marriate to the shop. We'll likely dine there tonight."
Lucius nodded. "Alright, sir."
Mr. Von Doom's gaze lingered.
"Remember to lock up the house at night. And avoid going into town after sundown."
Lucius's thoughts flashed to the Darach. "The beast?" he asked, his voice low.
Mr. Von Doom nodded. "The hunters are preparing. But we can't be too cautious."
"I understand," Lucius said. "I'll be careful."
Mr. Von Doom's expression softened. "I trust you, Lucius."
"Keep an eye on things here."
"I will," Lucius promised.
As Mr. Von Doom departed with Marriate. Lucius watched from the window.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the town. He felt a shiver run down his spine. The night was full of unknown dangers. And Marriate's return had brought new uncertainties. He just could not pin point the reason for the familiarity he felt towards Marriate. It was as if they had met somewhere before, but where?
Sigh!
"Thinking about this will get me nowhere. The beast is still out there and clearly more powerful than I am. Even with magic, there's little I can do to harm him. Any injury I inflict on him will heal back." Then he sprang up as an idea flashed in his mind.
"That's it, I just need a spell that can make me regenerate just as much as he does." Lucius rushed to his room to get his grimoire.
On the grimoire lying open on his desk. He sought a spell to accelerate healing to match the Darach's regenerative powers. Although his werewolf abilities granted him some healing, but nowhere near the Darach's potency. Lucius kept his focus on the ancient text. Scanning incantations and illustrations.
His fingers traced the yellowed pages. Searching for the right combination of words and symbols. Hours passed, the room growing darker. Candles flickering, casting shadows. Lucius's eyes strained, his mind racing , but the spell he sought remained elusive. He became frustrated. He slammed the grimoire shut. The sound echoed through the silent house.
Lucius leaned back, eyes closed. 'Why can't I find it?' he thought to himself.
The Darach's power was a mystery. A secret he desperately needed.. to unlock.
The moon rose high outside, casting an eerie glow. Lucius's thoughts turned to the hunt and the dangers lurking. He reopened the grimoire.
Determined to find answers, but as he delved deeper. The words blurred. His eyelids drooped. Sleep claimed him. The grimoire slipped from his grasp, and the room plunged into darkness.
*
Lucius woke up, he didn't know why but he felt something wasn't right. He decided to downstairs and check on the locks.
Lucius checked the locks, ensuring the house was secure. As he turned to enter, a commotion outside caught his attention.
He stepped into the night, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Monsieur Lafleur!" Lucius exclaimed.
His boss's usually calm face was etched with worry.
"Lucius, thank goodness! The beast has taken Madame Tussaud! She was walking home from her restaurant. I saw it from afar. The creature vanished into the woods."
Lucius's heart sank. Madame Tussaud, the kind-hearted gossip. He had to act.
"Which direction did they go?" Lucius asked.
Monsieur Lafleur pointed.
"Down the path east. Be careful, Lucius."
Lucius nodded and rushed back inside. He swiftly changed into something that will aid in flexibility, then he took one of Monsieur Von Doom's knife.
And sprinted out into the darkness. The woods loomed before him. A sea of shadows.
Lucius's senses heightened as he tracked the Darach's trail, the scent of blood and fear hung heavy. Guiding him deeper into the forest. Lucius's thoughts raced. Madame Tussaud's chatterbox nature. Her warm smile.
He couldn't lose her to the Darach. Not on his watch. The trees grew closer.
The underbrush thicker. Lucius pushed on. His determination fueled by adrenaline. And the hope of rescue.
Suddenly, a faint cry echoed.
"Help!" Madame Tussaud's voice.
Lucius's heart leapt. He quickened his pace. The Darach's lair couldn't be far. He was getting close.. very close.
Lucius burst into the clearing.
The Darach towered over Madame Tussaud. Her eyes wide with terror as Lucius approached.
The Darach's gaze locked onto him. And then it began to shift. Its massive form contorted, transforming into a human.
Lucius staggered backwards, disbelieving his eyes. Marriate Von Doom stood before him.. his brother.
An evil smirk spread across Marriate's face.
"Ah, Lucius," Marriate said.
With a flick of his wrist, Madame Tussaud's neck snapped. Her body crumpled to the ground.
"I guess I don't need her anymore."
Lucius's stomach churned. Horror and rage warred within him.
Marriate's eyes gleamed.
"Hello, brother," he said. "Now that I have your attention. Let's talk."
Lucius's mind reeled as betrayal and shock numbed his senses. His brother.. The monster.. The Darach.. One and the same.
Marriate's smirk grew. "Surprised?" he asked.
Lucius found his voice. "Why?" he demanded.
Marriate chuckled. "Because, dear brother, I am the true heir to our family's dark legacy."
"What legacy?" Lucius was using every willpower he had to stop himself from attacking.
"Oh! You don't know, do you? Hmm" Marriate said as his expression became thoughtful, then he went wide eyed.
"I see! You're that chump who came after me alone that night I was battling the Alpha. No wonder you got turned so quickly." He chuckled.
"Why do you kill the very same people you grew up with." Lucius spoke through gritted teeth. Rage was visible in his eyes.
"Do you know kill and eat the livestock you reared? To me, they're no different from Chicken and Cattle. Let's not talk about them, I brought you here because I want to give you the opportunity to join me." Marriate said with a smirk.
"..join you? Why.. why did you think I'd ever want to join you?" Lucius said in anger.
"Because I'd have to kill you if you don't.."