Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

Selene overheard the conversation between Kenthelion and Alexander Corvinus. She realized the immense price Kenthelion had paid—every weapon and piece of war equipment—all to save her. Even though Kenthelion's face appeared as cynical and arrogant as ever, her heart could not help but feel a slow, creeping gratitude.

For a moment, Selene felt awkward. Kenthelion's cold, domineering aura now felt… different. As if something far deeper lay hidden behind those sharp eyes.

Without many words, Alexander Corvinus raised his left hand. He drew a small dagger and, with calm resolve, sliced his own wrist. Dark-red blood flowed freely as he extended his arm toward Selene.

Alexander Corvinus:

"Drink… and you will be well again, Miss Selene."

Selene stared at the blood, hesitating slightly. Her consciousness was still hazy, her body weak, her mind clouded. Before she could ask, Kenthelion's voice sounded again—this time calmer, but still carrying pressure.

Kenthelion:

"This is Lord Alexander Corvinus… his blood is perfect. Drink, and you will heal. Even sunlight will no longer harm you. Quickly, drink."

Selene's eyes widened when she heard that name: Alexander Corvinus. Ancestor of all vampires and werewolves—the origin of eternal blood.

Without another word, Selene lifted Alexander's arm and began to drink. The taste was unfamiliar—warm, substantial, potent. It felt as though an ancient power awakened within her body, merging with her blood and flesh.

Seconds later, her wounds began to close. Her muscles recovered, and the pain in her chest vanished entirely. She rose slowly, stepping firmly, her eyes clear.

Such recovery… far beyond ordinary vampire healing. But beneath her awe surfaced a strange thought that drifted unbidden through her mind: Could a vampire this powerful… have children with a human?

My god… banish that thought, Selene! she mentally scolded herself, trying to dispel the absurd notion.

She inhaled deeply and looked at Alexander.

Selene:

"Thank you, Lord Corvinus."

Alexander Corvinus:

"No need to thank me. I'm only fulfilling part of my agreement… with your husband."

His tone was calm, yet a faint smile was unmistakably hidden behind his words.

Kenthelion:

"Lord Corvinus, this is a communication device. It contains my contact information. You may reach me anytime, anywhere you need."

Kenthelion handed the device to Alexander Corvinus. As he turned to leave, a member of the Cleaners approached Corvinus and reported something.

Cleaner:

"Sir, weapons and the helicopter will be sent later. You are free to use that Apache attack helicopter at will. It will not be detected by any satellite or internet network."

Alexander Corvinus:

"Very well, thank you, Suga."

Kenthelion listened to this exchange while watching Corvinus, then bowed slightly with courtesy, giving a farewell in ancient Anatolian etiquette.

Kenthelion:

"Farewell, Lord Corvinus."

Corvinus returned the gesture with a calm nod, adopting an Eastern European aristocratic air.

Alexander Corvinus:

"Safe travels, Lord Kenthelion."

Kenthelion then led Selene to board the medivac. Alexander Corvinus stood silently, watching them depart. In his heart, he felt unsettled. Kenthelion's earlier words still echoed. He now knew that the man possessed not only advanced technology but also networks capable of controlling satellites and global information. What Kenthelion had shown so far… was only the surface.

---

Inside the medivac, Selene sensed something was off. The aircraft was not heading toward the city; instead, it climbed to an unusual altitude. When she looked outside, shock registered on her face.

Selene:

"Where are we going? Why are we flying upward? Won't this be detected by major nations?"

Kenthelion:

"We're returning to base."

Selene:

"Base? What do you mean your headquarters is in the sky?"

She stared at Kenthelion with a bewildered expression, as if unable to believe what he'd just said.

Kenthelion:

"Damn, don't look at me like that… as though I'm talking nonsense."

Selene:

"So you think I'm stupid?" She narrowed her eyes, suspicious of Kenthelion's tone.

Kenthelion:

"Looks like it. Aren't women with large breasts… somewhat dim?"

He uttered this flatly and calmly, as if stating an undeniable scientific fact.

Selene:

"You…! Bastard!"

Her cheeks flushed, but she turned away, not wanting to prolong the argument. When she glanced toward the window, the sight before her rendered her speechless.

Above the clouds, a colossal battlecruiser emerged from stealth mode. Their medivac slowly approached the gigantic warship. Selene's small mouth fell open in astonishment. She had never seen technology like this in her life.

The medivac flew straight into a vast hangar concealed behind layers of camouflage technology. As its landing gear touched the gleaming metal floor, a soft grinding sound marked a perfect touchdown. Selene remained silent, her expression shifting from doubt to comprehension. What Kenthelion said… was no bluff.

Without much fanfare, Kenthelion unbuckled his harness and stepped out. Selene followed in silence. They traversed a metallic corridor lined with protective plating. Along the way, soldiers in silver-black uniforms saluted Kenthelion with disciplined precision. There was no hesitation: this was a highly trained force—and, more importantly, they all obeyed the man before them.

Selene grew more certain that the world she knew was beginning to crumble.

Upon reaching the command center, her eyes widened. Interactive glass walls, real-time tactical displays, holographic battlefields—all merged into a control room entirely alien to her. Several officers in dark-blue military uniforms bearing the Imperium Caelestis insignia on their shoulders busied themselves at consoles.

Kenthelion glanced at Selene, who was still staring in awe.

Kenthelion:

"Sit. I'll show you something interesting."

With no choice, Selene took a seat at the primary monitoring chair. Kenthelion stood before the command desk and, in a calm yet authoritative voice, addressed the central AI system.

Kenthelion:

"Red Queen, display satellite imagery and take over the feed for the area where Kraven is now."

A young female voice, sounding like a child, emerged from the central speaker. Her tone was coquettish, teasing, and showed no hesitation before Kenthelion.

Red Queen (AI):

"All right, pervy big brother~. And congratulations, by the way, on acquiring another eternal beauty—she's six hundred years old, right? Hehe~"

Kenthelion let out a small sigh. This time, he chose to ignore his beloved AI's teasing remark. He knew Selene was too stunned to care for jokes right now.

The large screen before them lit up, showing high-resolution satellite imagery. In the center of the display, Kraven appeared speaking privately with someone—his face not unfamiliar to Selene. The man was tall, with sharp, wild eyes.

Selene:

"…Is that… Lucian?"

Kenthelion:

"Yes. That's Lucian."

Selene turned to him sharply, but Kenthelion continued to watch the screen, calm as ever.

Kenthelion:

"Lucian once had an illicit relationship with Viktor's daughter, Sonja. He even got her pregnant, and they planned to flee together. But Viktor saw it as a shameful betrayal. He punished his own daughter with execution, right before Lucian's eyes."

Kenthelion's voice was flat, yet contained a cold determination. Selene held her breath, absorbing the words.

Kenthelion:

"Lucian sought revenge. Kraven? He craved power. And in that corruption, they found common ground. They cooperated in secret, plotting to eliminate the elder vampires."

Selene stared at the screen in disbelief, trying to process betrayals she had never imagined.

---

> Author's Note (between these two):

This is merely a fan theory circulating on some Underworld fanfic forums. Some fans speculate that Kraven is the result of a mixed-blood experiment or was saved by Viktor as a baby, explaining their unusual closeness. However, this theory has never been officially confirmed in the films.

Selene:

"So that's it…"

Kenthelion:

"Selene, you could actually cooperate with Lucian. You two share a common enemy."

Selene:

"I… will think about it."

Kenthelion:

"By the way, when will the train carrying Amilia arrive?" Kenthelion suddenly remembered the beautiful Amilia. In his heart, he refused to believe that woman could die so easily.

Selene:

"Tomorrow night. Why? Is there a problem?"

Kenthelion:

"No. It's just… they both will attack her, right? Kraven and Lucian." Kenthelion looked at the now-dark screen, his expression serious. "Do you think Emilia can survive?"

Selene:

"Yes. Amilia will soon fall into a deep sleep, and right now she is weak," Selene answered. "She will be at her most vulnerable."

That explanation left Kenthelion silent. He recalled scenes from the Underworld films he had watched. He finally understood why an elder could be killed so easily by a werewolf.

Kenthelion:

"All right, let's rest and meet Lucian tomorrow." He then took Selene's hand, guiding her to a room to rest.

When they reached the room, Selene noticed Kenthelion had not left. She immediately realized the intention of this teasing scoundrel. Yet, somehow, part of her found it… wonderful.

Selene:

"Why haven't you left?"

Kenthelion:

"Leave? Leave where, my wife? It's already night. Let's rest." Kenthelion spoke in a playful tone.

Selene:

"Get out, you shameless man!" Selene pushed him irritably, her cheeks flushed, yet a faint smile lingered at the corner of her lips. After closing the door, she huffed in annoyance. That mischievous bastard, she thought. But strangely… her heart raced.

Though angry, in her mind she continued cursing him as a scoundrel. Yet after all those insults, her thoughts returned to Kenthelion.

It hasn't even been a full day together, so why do I feel like he already knows me so well? Selene wondered. Does he truly have feelings for me? In her six hundred years of life, she had only known battle—training and hunting werewolves. Never had she felt attraction to the opposite sex.

She had never felt warmth like this. But this man named Kenthelion—he made her question everything she once believed.

Kenthelion (outside the door):

"Hey, my wife, where will I sleep tonight?" Kenthelion called out, knocking on the door.

He knocked twice, his tone playful like a child. Finally, he chose another room to sleep in. Kenthelion felt anxious that Selene might brood, but it seemed the woman possessed mental resilience rivaling a front-line soldier.

---

Night passed. Although Kenthelion did not sleep beside Selene that night, at least… they had shared some closeness, hadn't they?

The next morning, Kenthelion went to find Selene but could not locate her. He asked the guards and learned that Selene was in the training area with the medics. Upon hearing this, he headed there immediately.

When he opened the door, Kenthelion froze.

Before him, Selene was doing sit-ups, her body clad in a tight leather jacket typical of vampires, showcasing the perfect curves of a true fighter. Sweat dampened her temples, yet her expression was focused and undisturbed.

Kenthelion nearly fainted.

Selene glanced up and saw him. She rose slowly and approached him with steady steps, locking eyes with Kenthelion directly. A stare that could stop one's heartbeat.

I didn't do anything! I was just looking around. Does she have to react this strongly? Kenthelion panicked inwardly.

Kenthelion:

"What are you staring at me like that for?"

Selene did not answer. She continued to hold his gaze, as if testing whether Kenthelion had the nerve not to look away.

Kenthelion:

"All right, I have business to attend to. I'll be going." He began to turn away.

Selene:

"Did you forget what you have to do today?"

That question surprised Kenthelion. Selene had actually wanted to ask why Kenthelion woke up so late—and why, when he arrived, he stared at her so long as if enjoying the view.

After a moment of silence, Selene felt… a bit relieved yet also slightly disappointed. But she showed nothing outwardly.