Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

Kenthelion watches Selene, whose expression now shows a mixture of curiosity and confusion. His voice remains calm but carries an undeniable logical weight.

Kenthelion:

"Alexander Corvinus's blood holds something extraordinary. He had the ability to turn negative effects into strength, to slow aging, and to grant physical power far beyond that of ordinary humans. He had three children—one was bitten by a bat and became the first vampire, named Marcus. Another, Wilhelm, was bitten by a wolf and became the first of the Lycan line."

Selene's eyes narrow, her jaw tightening as she shakes her head slowly.

Selene:

"No... That's impossible. You're lying. The ancestor of vampires is Viktor. He founded our civilization, not Marcus."

Selene clenches her fists, her gaze piercing. She demands an explanation, feeling everything she's believed shattered.

Kenthelion:

"That's what Viktor wants you to believe. But in reality, Viktor used Marcus. Marcus made a pact—he wanted to help his brother Wilhelm, who was losing control and spreading the infection wildly. But Marcus lacked military power, while Viktor and Emilia had forces at their disposal. So Marcus submitted to Viktor in order to capture his own brother."

Kenthelion speaks slowly, each word measured, full of patient logical pressure.

Selene:

"How do you know all this? Who are you, really?"

Selene's tone has softened from before; the anger has eased but her caution remains.

Kenthelion:

"Me? Just a normal human. Or... a normal human who might one day become your husband."

Selene tilts her head, staring at him as if seeing something unbelievable.

Selene:

"A normal human? I can feel your power. Even if ten of me attacked at once, I doubt we could touch you."

Kenthelion shrugs casually.

Kenthelion:

"In that case, perhaps your definition of 'normal' needs adjusting. Isn't it true that powerful people can appear ordinary?"

He gives her a playful glance, as if responding to her earlier barb.

Selene exhales softly and falls silent, still watching him, tension in her shoulders slowly easing.

Kenthelion knows that for now, Selene doesn't fully trust him. But at least she's not attacking. And for someone like Selene—known to slaughter her enemies without hesitation—that's a major step forward.

(Kenthelion's thoughts)

If I misstep even slightly, I could end up torn apart on the spot... this woman doesn't joke about trust. She's not only beautiful but ruthless, unafraid to kill. In the Underworld films, she dispatches enemies one by one without mercy.

With a calm face but alert eyes, Kenthelion finally speaks again.

Kenthelion:

"I bear no ill will toward you—neither vampire nor Lycan. But don't expect kindness either. As long as you don't provoke me, I won't concern myself with your affairs. Live and die as you wish."

Selene studies him intently. She remembers the subway station incident: this man isn't the type to strike first, but if attacked, he responds without hesitation... lethally.

Kenthelion steps forward and gently pats her shoulder.

Kenthelion:

"So, you don't need to know who I am. Besides, I am neither vampire nor Lycan."

Selene immediately brushes his hand off her shoulder.

Selene:

"Don't touch me. Then—what is your purpose in coming here?"

Kenthelion sits back down, relaxed.

Kenthelion:

"I already said... Alexander Corvinus had three children. Besides Marcus and Wilhelm, there's one more who remained human—pure Corvinus blood. Michael Corvin is his descendant."

(He meets her gaze directly)

"I'm here for that blood—the perfect blood. I want to study what's in it... to see if I can research and replicate that power."

Selene looks stunned.

Selene:

"Michael... he's also a descendant of Alexander Corvinus?"

Kenthelion:

"Exactly. And that's why the Lycans are hunting him. They want to take his blood—they crave that substance. As you saw in the station, they'd even create chaos in public to get it."

Selene nods slowly, beginning to understand the true reason behind the pursuit of Michael.

Kenthelion:

"Yes. That perfect blood can grant extraordinary power. If a Lycan drinks that blood, then drinks vampire blood, they become a hybrid... a force far greater than any existing creature. And the same goes for a vampire."

Kenthelion lights a cigarette, inhales deeply, then exhales smoke into the air.

Kenthelion:

"That's why Lucian has been seeking descendants like Michael Corvin. He knows the truth."

Selene:

"Lucian...? Impossible... Wasn't he dead?"

Selene appears bewildered. The world she's believed in is crumbling piece by piece.

Kenthelion:

"Of course not. All the information you've received was falsified... carefully obscured. Not just Lucian, but many others. They all play behind the scenes."

Kenthelion regards Selene with a hint of pity, as if lamenting this foolish girl who's been deceived for centuries—and still alive, unaware.

Selene:

"What do you mean, exactly?"

Kenthelion:

"Once, Marcus allied with Viktor and Emilia to capture Wilhelm, who had lost his sanity. Marcus lied—claiming he killed the first wave of humans to protect his brother. But Viktor wasn't dumb. He knew the danger and decided to imprison Wilhelm forever... because if Wilhelm died, all his descendants would vanish. And if Marcus died... all vampires would perish."

Selene listens intently, her expression gradually shifting. She recalls hearing a rumor that if an ancestor died, all descendants would also be wiped out.

Kenthelion:

"Then, to fully neutralize Wilhelm, Viktor sent someone to build a secret prison to trap him. I believe you should know who built that prison."

Selene:

"What?"

Upon hearing Kenthelion's words, memories flicker in Selene's mind. Though vague, some images stir in her.

Kenthelion:

"After constructing that prison, Viktor killed the architect to keep it secret. But when he intended to kill the architect's daughter... he realized something—the little girl resembled his own daughter. And... that girl was you, Selene."

Selene:

"Impossible…"

Suddenly Selene springs to her feet. In an instant, she throws Kenthelion down and pins him to the floor. Her face pales, her fangs bared, giving her a terrifying yet captivating presence.

Kenthelion feels Selene's legs clamp tightly around his waist. Yet something about this stance feels off.

Selene:

"You lied to me, didn't you?"

Her gaze pierces him. Her cold eyes express deep anger and doubt. Kenthelion meets her stare, genuinely puzzled.

Kenthelion:

"We haven't even known each other long enough to lie to one another."

Selene:

"You're still lying! You lied!"

In a burst of emotion, Selene grabs Kenthelion's collar; her breathing quick, her chest heaving with fury and shock.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echo outside the door.

Selene immediately releases her grip and turns alert. Without hesitation, she draws her pistol and fires into the ceiling—a signal.

Kenthelion understands at once: Lycans will breach soon. He draws his bolter and fires at the door.

Cries erupt beyond the door. Several Lycans fall, shot before they can break through.

Selene:

"Go now!"

She shouts at Kenthelion, eyes sharp.

Selene:

"Come on! There are too many of them!"

But Kenthelion continues firing to hold their position. Selene urges him again, voice urgent.

Meanwhile, Michael suddenly awakens. The perfect hybrid blood within him stirs to life. His awareness returns swiftly; he scrambles up and flees the room.

Kenthelion and Selene immediately pursue him.

(Kenthelion's thoughts)

Good grief. This man runs like a film protagonist!

Before long, Michael reaches the elevator door. Panicked, he hits the down button, hoping to escape. But just as the doors begin to close...

Kenthelion's hand shoots out from between them, holding the door with superhuman strength. He steps into the elevator calmly just before it shuts tight.

Michael Corvin:

"Who are you really?! Why are you after me?!"

Michael stares at Kenthelion with panic etched on his face. His voice trembles with tension, as if he can hardly believe what's happening.

Kenthelion:

"Relax," Kenthelion says, looking at him evenly but with a faint smile. "I don't intend to hurt you... I only need some of your blood."

His smile is slight, almost imperceptible. But behind that calm, his mind races: His DNA... this biological structure is exceptionally ideal. The scientists of the Imperium Caelestis on Terra Aeterna would be extremely interested...

Before Kenthelion can say more, Selene suddenly turns sharply toward the elevator entrance. Her voice is caught in her throat.

Selene:

"They're coming..."

Four Lycans appear, crawling swiftly along the corridor walls and dropping down from the ceiling with agile, brutal grace. They move like living shadows.

Selene quickly raises her pistol and fires in rapid bursts. But the Lycans are too fast—the bullets miss, pinging off walls and metal surfaces.

Suddenly, the threat closes in.

Kenthelion:

"Selene! Get inside!"

Kenthelion slams the elevator's close button. The metal doors begin to slide shut while Selene fires a final volley.

With a nimble leap, Selene steps into the elevator just as the doors seal. The sounds of gunfire and Lycan roars fade as the doors close.

Inside the cramped space, only their panting fills the air, tension thick.

Michael looks between the two figures before him—Selene, still on guard with her pistol aimed at the doors, and Kenthelion, unnervingly calm for such a dire situation.

Kenthelion turns to Michael, eyes sharp. This perfect biological resource... perhaps a crucial key to the next stage of human evolution?