The scent of freshly brewed tea filled the small but cozy home as Alessia placed a tray on the wooden table, setting down three cups with practiced grace. Her golden eyes flickered between Grant and Tyrus, immediately sensing the shift in the air.
"I assume this isn't just a social visit," she said smoothly, settling into her seat across from them.
Tyrus scoffed. "You always were sharp, Alessia." He took a sip of tea before leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table. "I'll cut straight to it, Grant. There's been movement among the Noble Vampires."
Grant's jaw tightened. "Define 'movement.'"
Tyrus exhaled, his usual confidence tinged with something graver. "A few of our informants have gone missing. Vanished without a trace. And there are whispers—whispers that certain Noble houses are preparing for something big."
Alessia's fingers curled slightly around her cup, but she remained composed. "A power struggle? Or something worse?"
Tyrus shook his head. "That's what we don't know yet. But it's enough that the Crescent Moon Knights are on high alert." He looked Grant dead in the eye. "They asked for you, you know. Said the 'Shining Star' should be leading the charge again."
Grant scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "I'm on leave, Tyrus. And this village is my priority right now."
Tyrus smirked, but there was an edge to it. "You think war cares about leave?" He sighed. "Look, I didn't come here to drag you back. But if something's coming… Arcwind might not be as safe as you think."
Grant exchanged a look with Alessia. A silent understanding passed between them.
They had built a quiet life here. A peaceful one. But if the shadows of war were creeping closer, then peace was a fragile thing.
And fragile things always shattered.
"Come on, Anderson, what is a few weeks cut off of your vacation?"
"For what? A few missing informants?" Grant scoffed. "The Crescent Moon Knights are the apex predator against the vampires, whether Common, Noble, or Elder. They've been the bane of their existence for centuries. Not just vampires. We've been at war with the darkness since the beginning of time, Tyrus, and it will go on; a few weeks of vacation won't change that."
"I see what you're saying," Tyrus assured Grant, but his face was still etched with worry. "But you see, those informants told us some things... What they found is... Well, it's disturbing."
"What is it?"
"An underground world."
"What?"
"An underground society of supernatural creatures, and the ruling class are Noble Vampires." Tyrus's eyes were wide.
"You're not making any sense, Tyrus."
"I figured you'd be confused, so I brought the official documents. It's a lot to take in, I understand. These are the informants' reports."
Grant paused for a moment, the weight of Tyrus's words sinking in. The idea of an entire society of creatures living beneath their feet, controlled by the vampires... It was hard to believe. But the concern in Tyrus's eyes was enough to make him take the reports seriously.
He spread them out in front of him, his brows furrowing as he read.
Grant's eyes scanned the reports, taking in the fragmented details, trying to connect the dots. Tyrus watched him closely, waiting for some kind of reaction.
The first few pages described eerie sightings—unusual disappearances, strange tunnels, and people who had ventured too far underground and never returned. As Grant read on, the reports grew more chilling. There were accounts of creatures—beasts, humanoid and monstrous—living in the shadows beneath cities, hiding in caverns, and thriving in an ecosystem separate from the human world. The more he read, the less he could shake the feeling that something far darker than a few missing informants was at play.
Grant's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Noble Vampires ruling over an underground society… What the hell are they planning? And why keep it secret all this time?"
Tyrus shifted uncomfortably. "That's the problem. We don't know. But one thing's for sure—their grip is spreading. This isn't just a rogue group of vampires. They've organized, and now they're reaching the surface. The whispers I've been hearing… there's been talk about war, a different kind of war, one we haven't seen before."
Grant leaned back in his chair, the weight of the situation sinking in. "And you think the Crescent Moon Knights are supposed to handle this? We've been fighting vampires for centuries, Tyrus. You know this better than anyone."
"I know," Tyrus said, his voice tight. "But this is different. We've never fought a war on two fronts before. And this time… I'm not sure the Crescent Moon Knights can do it alone."
Grant's gaze flicked to the window, his mind working through the options. The peaceful life he had carved out here with his family, the village he swore to protect—it all felt fragile now, like the calm before a storm.
"You want me to leave my family behind and dive into this… underground war?" Grant's voice was low, conflicted.
"I don't want you to leave your family, Grant," Tyrus said, his expression softening. "But this is bigger than Arcwind. It's bigger than any one village. If these vampires are really planning something, we need to stop it before it spreads. And we need the Shining Star back on the front lines."
Grant ran a hand through his hair, torn between duty and the desire to stay with his family. He wanted to keep Kaizer safe. He wanted to protect his wife and everything they had built here. But he couldn't ignore the gravity of Tyrus's words.
"How soon do we leave?" Grant asked quietly, setting the reports down.
Tyrus gave a relieved grin, though it was still laced with worry. "I knew you'd see reason, Anderson. We leave as soon as you're ready."
Grant sighed, a heavy weight settling in his chest. "That's the thing, Tyrus. I'm not ready."
But before Tyrus could respond, a scream pierced the air. It was high-pitched and full of panic—a child's scream. Grant's blood ran cold, his heart racing as his mind immediately flashed to Kaizer.
"I think that was Kaizer… or one of his friends," Grant muttered, standing up abruptly.
Tyrus's expression shifted, concern flickering in his eyes. "Do you require my assistance, Commander?"
Grant didn't hesitate. "Yes, come along."
Tyrus followed as Grant rushed toward the door, but before he could step outside, Alessia appeared, holding a tray of bread dough, shaped into neat rows.
"What's going on, Grant?" she asked, her tone light but filled with confusion.
Without a word, Grant leaned in, giving her a quick, reassuring kiss, brushing her blonde hair. His hand brushed against the hilt of his sword as he moved toward the rack on the wall. He grabbed it, slinging it over his shoulder, and let it rest at his hip.
"I need to check on Kaizer," he said, his voice tight.
Alessia's gaze softened with concern, and she nodded. "Be careful."
Grant didn't waste any more time. He and Tyrus left the house in a hurry, the urgency of the situation sharpening his senses as they headed toward the sound of the scream.
Grant urged his horse forward, Tyrus following closely behind as they rode swiftly through the village, heading north toward the hills. The terrain grew rougher, the path narrowing as they approached the lake's shore, and the distant Arcwind Mountains loomed ahead. Kaizer and his friends were known to be adventurous, but to go that far, especially this far from home—it didn't sit right with him.
As they neared the lake, Grant's sharp eyes scanned the dirt path running alongside the shore. He slowed his horse, stopping it just short of the water's edge, his gaze locking on something in the dirt—child-size footprints.
"Damn it..." Grant muttered under his breath.
He dismounted and knelt down, inspecting the footprints closely. The small, erratic steps were unmistakably Kaizer's—he'd seen him run around barefoot countless times. But these tracks weren't just his; they were from multiple children, perhaps his friends as well. But what really worried him was the direction. The footprints led toward the Arcwind Mountains, the very place Kaizer and his friends had always been warned to avoid.
Grant's eyes narrowed. He stood up, brushing the dirt from his knees, and turned to Tyrus.
"Don't tell me they went to the mountains..." Grant muttered, the weight of his words sinking in.
Tyrus's face tightened with concern, the reality of the situation dawning on him. "It's not safe for children to be up there. You know that."
Grant's eyes lingered on the distant peaks for a moment before he climbed back onto his horse, the urgency in his movements clear. "We need to get up there, fast."
Without another word, they spurred their horses forward, riding harder now, the wind whipping around them as they crossed the hills. The path grew steeper as they neared the base of the mountains, the rocks beneath their horses' hooves growing more treacherous.
Grant's mind raced, replaying the sounds of that scream, the image of Kaizer's face flashing before his eyes. He could only hope they weren't too late.
As Grant and Tyrus pushed their horses harder, a bone-chilling roar echoed through the mountains, causing their horses to snort in alarm. It was unmistakable—the guttural growl of an Elder Vampire. Grant's heart pounded in his chest.
"Come on!" he shouted, urging his horse forward, pushing through the rocky terrain. Tyrus was right behind him, his face set in a grim expression.
The roar grew louder as they neared the source, and the scent of decay and blood filled the air. They soon spotted the small crevasse in the ground, a narrow fissure in the rocks at the base of the mountains. Inside, Kaizer and his friends were huddled together, terror etched on their faces, eyes wide with fear. Above them, an Elder Vampire towered, its massive claws scraping at the sides of the crevasse as it snapped its fangs in a frenzied attempt to reach them. The creature's putrid breath fogged the air, but it couldn't get past the jagged rocks.
"Kaizer!" Grant yelled, unsheathing his sword with a swift motion. His voice carried the weight of authority, but his heart raced with the fear of seeing his son in such danger.
"Dad!" Kaizer screamed, his voice trembling.
Grant's expression softened, but his resolve hardened. He spurred his horse forward, sword raised, and called back, "Don't worry, son, I'll take care of this!"
Grant charged forward on his horse, Tyrus close behind him. With a powerful swing, he slashed at the Elder Vampire's wing as he rode past, the blade cutting deep and drawing an enraged roar from the creature. The beast whipped its head around, now fully aware of the threat.
Grant leaped off his horse, landing in a fluid crouch, his sword already drawn and gleaming in the dim light. Tyrus followed suit, dismounting just as quickly. With a quick motion, they slapped their horses on the flanks, sending them galloping away to safety.
The Elder Vampire, its massive form towering over the landscape, turned to face them. It let out a deafening roar, its wings unfurling, casting a shadow over the battlefield, each flap of its wings sending gusts of wind through the trees.
Grant tightened his grip on his sword, eyeing the beast. Tyrus, standing beside him, remained unnervingly calm, his gaze focused and determined.
"I'll go after the children while you take care of the Elder Vampire," Tyrus said, his voice steady.
Grant nodded, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he raised his blade high, pointing it directly at the massive creature in front of him. "Sounds good to me, sir. Just make sure not to break your hip."
Tyrus let out a chuckle, grinning. "Don't count on it."
Without another word, the two split off, Grant locking eyes with the Elder Vampire. He stood his ground, his eyes narrowing as the Elder Vampire let out a bone-shaking roar, its wings snapping open with a force that shook the earth beneath them. The air grew cold.
The Elder Vampire lunged, its claws scraping the ground, and Grant reacted instantly. He dashed to the side, his boots skidding against the dirt as he rolled into a crouch, narrowly avoiding the creature's massive claw swipe that left deep gouges in the earth.
In one fluid motion, Grant surged to his feet, his sword raised high. The blade gleamed, reflecting the pale light of the moon as he charged forward. The Vampire's eyes, glowing an unnatural red, tracked his every move. With a deafening screech, it snapped its wings and charged, its jaws gaping wide, eager to crush him.
Grant wasn't fooled by its size. He twisted, ducking under the Elder Vampire's snapping teeth, and thrust his sword forward. The blade collided with the creature's chest with a sickening sound, but it barely slowed down. The Vampire roared in fury, its clawed hands swiping in an arc toward him, but Grant was already rolling out of the way, feeling the hot wind from its claws whip past his face.
Tensing his legs, Grant propelled himself back into the fray, his sword aimed for the beast's throat. But the Elder Vampire was faster than he anticipated, its wings snapping open and sending him hurtling back, the gust of wind from the flaps knocking him off balance.
He staggered but regained his stance, eyes never leaving the creature. It was a massive opponent, but Grant was no rookie. He wasn't just the Commander of the Crescent Moon Knights for his strength; it was his tactical mind and quick reflexes that made him deadly. He waited for the right opening.
The Elder Vampire reared back, and with a screech that could shatter glass, it took flight. Grant's heart skipped, but he didn't flinch. He dove forward, his sword raised in one powerful arc, timing it perfectly as the creature swooped toward him, its claws ready to shred him.
Grant's blade met the Vampire's chest just as it was about to strike. The force of the collision sent sparks flying as the sword embedded deep, cutting through the creature's hardened flesh. The Vampire screeched in agony, flapping its wings violently to try and dislodge Grant, but the Knight held firm, his feet planted and his stance unshaken.
With a roar of defiance, Grant twisted the blade, pulling it sideways to sever the Vampire's wing. The beast howled in pain, tumbling to the ground in a fiery descent, its massive form crashing into the earth with a thunderous impact.
But the battle wasn't over. The Elder Vampire wasn't done yet.
It scrambled to its feet, blood dripping from the wound, and turned toward Grant with burning hatred. It lunged again, faster this time, its claws extended and aimed directly for his throat. Grant barely had time to react, his body moving on instinct as he dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the claws that would've surely ended him.
The Vampire landed heavily on the ground, its eyes locking onto Grant with a vicious snarl. It was enraged, its injuries forgotten in the heat of battle. Grant could see the opening—its abdomen, slightly exposed where the wing had been severed.
With a battle cry, Grant charged, his sword flashing as he aimed for the beast's heart. The Elder Vampire, realizing too late, tried to dodge, but it wasn't fast enough. Grant drove his blade deep into its chest, and with a final, earth-shaking roar, the Elder Vampire crumbled to the ground, its body collapsing like a fallen giant.
Breathing heavily, Grant stood over the defeated creature, his sword covered in blood. The adrenaline still coursed through his veins, but his body was aching from the fight. He looked down at the Elder Vampire, now lifeless, its once terrifying presence now reduced to a grotesque pile of bones and flesh.
Grant wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes scanning the surroundings, waiting for any sign of danger, but there was nothing. The battle was over—for now.
Grant stood over the fallen Elder Vampire, his sword still dripping with its black blood. His chest heaved with heavy breaths, but his mind was already shifting, thinking ahead. The battle had been won, but the situation wasn't over. His eyes darted around the area, scanning the shadows, sensing something more.
Then, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Commander! We're safe!" Tyrus called, his voice firm yet relieved.
Grant turned sharply, his hand still gripping the hilt of his sword as he scanned the terrain. In the distance, Tyrus emerged from behind a boulder, the children in tow, each looking shaken but unharmed. Kaizer, his young son, was at the front, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe as he caught sight of Grant.
Grant's expression softened for a moment before hardening again. His eyes moved from Tyrus to Kaizer, his heart racing with both relief and lingering tension.
Tyrus gave a short nod, and then he gently guided the children toward Grant. "I told them to stay low. They did well," he said, his eyes scanning the fallen Vampire. "That thing didn't stand a chance against you, Commander."
Grant gave a curt nod, sheathing his sword. He walked quickly over to Kaizer, kneeling in front of him as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Are you alright, Kaizer?" His voice was firm, but there was a softness beneath, an unspoken concern for his safety.
Kaizer nodded vigorously, his eyes bright with excitement despite the fear that had been in them moments ago. "I'm okay, Dad. But... it was huge! I—I couldn't believe it! You fought it like a real hero!"
Grant's lips twitched into a smile, though his eyes still held the sharpness of a commander. "I'm glad you're safe," he said, pulling Kaizer into a brief, tight embrace. "But you're never to go so far out again, understand? You put yourself and your friends in danger."
Kaizer nodded solemnly, his chest swelling with pride at his father's praise, even though he could feel the weight of his father's disappointment in the air.
Tyrus stepped forward, his grin wide but his voice low, "The beast is dead, and the kids are safe. Let's head back before any more trouble finds us."
Grant stood, brushing the dirt off his armor. "Agreed. Let's move out."
With one last glance at the defeated Elder Vampire, Grant motioned for the children to follow, leading them back to their horses. As Tyrus and the others took their place beside him, Grant couldn't shake the unease in his gut.
'I almost lost you, my boy...'