Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

Amalia spoke a few words in ancient vampire tongue, her voice almost a whisper. Moments later, her remaining followers bowed in silence and slowly dropped their weapons to the ground.

Selene watched this reaction calmly, then nodded slightly.

"Handcuff them," she ordered her troops.

The Tempestus Scions moved swiftly. Special cuffs were drawn from their belts—made of energy-infused metal designed specifically to restrain non-human strength. Even those who had collapsed to the ground were promptly restrained. No one was left free.

Amalia observed it all. Seeing her subordinates cuffed yet unharmed, she realized they were not being killed but merely neutralized.

Several Medivac transports landed smoothly. Selene glanced at Amalia and gestured for her to board one of them.

Amalia spoke little but met Selene's gaze coldly before stepping inside.

From a distance, Kenthelion stood and watched. His eyes fixed on Amalia as she was led into the Medivac. Her presence was graceful and noble; her icy aura filled the space, and even her gaze seemed to refuse any domination.

Beautiful… Kenthelion thought. More beautiful than the version I saw in films in my past life...

Suddenly, Amalia, having just stepped in, turned sharply toward him, her eyes piercing with judgement.

Amalia:

"It's rude to stare at a woman like that, sir."

Her tone was calm yet carried weight. Kenthelion was startled—he hadn't expected to be caught.

Selene, standing beside Amalia, immediately furrowed her brow.

Selene:

"Bastard! What are you looking at?!"

Selene's glare shifted sharply to Kenthelion. Her tone was annoyed, and if one listened closely, there was a hint of jealousy there. She knew exactly how Kenthelion's look changed when he was attracted to someone.

Kenthelion:

"Uh, I was just… just looking around. Maybe… my wife could introduce me to someone as beautiful as this?" he said nervously, glancing at Selene.

Selene:

"You have no chance, bastard."

Her words were harsh, but her expression wasn't entirely serious. She already knew this little bastard would look at anyone pretty—but… she also knew Kenthelion never fell for someone lightly.

Kenthelion said nothing, just looked at Selene. The Medivac lifted off and began heading toward the large battlecruiser waiting above.

Inside the cabin, silence fell. Amalia sat quietly, observing the interior. Her eyes moved slowly, taking in equipment and the escort personnel. She saw fighter jets accompanying the Medivac—Banshees and Vikings—escorting in formation overhead.

Amalia:

"These aircraft… are very advanced. Which nation produces them?"

No one answered. Kenthelion merely smiled faintly, saying nothing. Selene also remained silent. Amalia then looked at Kenthelion, as if awaiting an answer.

Kenthelion simply placed a finger to his lips, making a "shh" gesture as if guarding a secret, then shot Selene a mischievous expression.

Seeing Kenthelion's childish behavior, Selene almost laughed, though she quickly suppressed it.

Selene:

"Just say what you want to say. Don't keep staring at me like that."

Kenthelion:

"Ahem… I'm afraid you might misunderstand?"

Selene:

"Misunderstand you, bastard."

Kenthelion:

"Well… then I won't say anything." He smiled casually. He knew Selene wasn't truly angry—just teasing.

Amalia observed their interaction calmly. She recognized an unspoken feeling between them. Kenthelion liked Selene. Selene likewise. Yet somehow… they held themselves back.

What are they waiting for…? Amalia thought.

Not long after, the Medivac reached its destination—a massive Dominion battlecruiser. As they entered the main hangar, Amalia's eyes widened slightly.

She hadn't expected to be aboard a gigantic warship… in space. Various fighter jets of different shapes and sizes were parked neatly. Unknown technology lay everywhere. Elite soldiers stood in formation—each looking more professional and trained than her own followers.

Amalia:

"All right, now tell me… what exactly are you going to do with me?" Amalia sat casually on a sofa, one elegant leg crossed over the other, eyes sharp on them.

Selene:

"Elder Amalia… I want to know: is it true that Victor killed my family?" Selene did not answer Amalia's question. Instead, she stared directly at her and asked her own, her voice cold yet charged with emotion.

Amalia:

"It seems… you already know." She let out a sigh, then met Selene's gaze calmly. "Yes, your family was killed by Victor."

Selene's body trembled. Amalia's words confirmed everything—what Kenthelion had said was real. Her family had indeed been slaughtered by Victor. Emotions roiled within her; anger engulfed her.

Kenthelion immediately stepped close and gently embraced Selene. His voice was low and soothing.

Kenthelion:

"Calm down… I will avenge you."

But Selene looked straight into Kenthelion's eyes. Though still in his embrace, her gaze burned with determination.

Selene:

"No. I will avenge it myself. I will kill Victor… with my own hands."

Kenthelion paused, then nodded slowly.

Kenthelion:

"All right… you will do it yourself."

They remained in the embrace when Amalia's voice broke the moment.

Amalia:

"Any other questions? Or will you two keep making out in front of me like feeding scraps to a lonely dog?" Her tone was sarcastic and irritated, yet carried a hint of exasperation.

Kenthelion:

"Amalia, you should be grateful. Without us, you might already be dead." Kenthelion looked at her and spoke calmly but with an underlying warning.

Amalia:

"And you think I'll just believe a kidnapper like you?"

Kenthelion turned to Selene, lazily raising an eyebrow.

Kenthelion:

"Oh, Selene… please explain to her. This woman is truly troublesome. I need some fresh air. I'll step out for a smoke."

Without waiting for a response, Kenthelion left the room.

After he left, Selene explained to Amalia everything she knew—the betrayal by Kraven, her cooperation with Lucian, and their goal to overthrow Victor. However, she deliberately hid the secret agreement between Kenthelion and Alexander Corvinus.

Amalia listened with a serious expression. The facts about Kraven and Lucian shocked her, especially that Kraven had asked Lucian to kill him at the station for power. She paused, recalling her time in the United States. Who would have thought it all happened so quickly?

Amalia:

"It's hard for me to believe all your stories… unless you can show proof. You say Lucian is still alive? Then bring him here. I want to hear it from his own mouth."

Selene:

"I'll try to contact him. But I'm not sure he'll come."

---

Elsewhere, in an abandoned old factory...

Kraven stood anxiously, surrounded by his subordinates. He awaited Lucian's arrival, hoping news about Amalia was settled.

A subterranean sewer opening yawned, and several werewolves emerged, followed by Lucian stepping out calmly. The vampires stood on guard, but Kraven's focus was entirely on Lucian's response.

Kraven:

"Lucian… how are you?" He tried to sound casual, though his nervousness was clear.

Lucian:

"Emilia is dead. I hope you haven't forgotten your promise." Lucian lied without hesitation. He had ordered his men to check the police station but found no trace. He concluded Amalia had been captured by Kenthelion. But for now, he still needed Kraven.

Kraven:

"Good… very good." Kraven smiled with satisfaction. "One elder is gone, two more still asleep. Once they're eliminated, I will rule the vampires."

After this brief exchange, they parted ways.

Raze:

"Boss, why didn't you tell Kraven that Amalia is actually alive?" asked Raze, the loyal werewolf, looking at Lucian in surprise.

Lucian:

"Kraven can't be trusted," Lucian replied coldly. "He's a traitor. If he knew Amalia was alive, he'd immediately plot something else. But Kenthelion… he's different. He's strong, and I can see he has no ill intent toward us. As long as we don't provoke him, he won't touch us."

Lucian looked at Raze earnestly.

Lucian:

"I want you to make sure… tell everyone. No one provokes Kenthelion. Once he moves, none of us will survive."