Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

Lucian's communicator suddenly rang, shattering the silence in his secret headquarters. It was the automatic link left by Kenthelion—a contingency protocol that would only be activated by certain people. Lucian glanced at the screen for a moment before answering.

Selene (on screen):

"Lucian, it's me, Selene."

Lucian:

"I hear you, Selene. What's wrong?"

Selene:

"We managed to capture Amalia. But she… she doesn't believe Kraven would actually kill her. And she doesn't believe you're still alive. She wants to meet you in person."

Lucian didn't reply immediately. He listened in silence, hearing Selene's calm yet tense voice.

Selene (continuing, more quietly):

"Don't worry… we won't hurt you. I know this may sound suspicious. But please, come. She needs concrete proof."

Lucian thought for a moment. If Kenthelion or Selene wanted him eliminated, they could have sent forces to wipe him out without warning. Yet they had not.

Lucian:

"All right. I'll come."

Selene:

"The place is the same: Michael's house—the first place we met. I'll send a craft to pick you up."

Lucian:

"Fine. I'll wait there."

The connection cut off. Lucian looked at his comrade, Raze, who was standing at the doorway.

Lucian:

"Raze, you're coming with me. We'll see how strong they are now. We need to know who we're dealing with, so you don't act recklessly later."

Raze:

"Of course, Leader Lucian."

They headed toward the designated location—a decrepit old house once occupied by Michael. Outside, a military-style craft with alien technology awaited them. It was no ordinary ship. With a low thrumming and bright blue glow, they were transported to a battlecruiser—a massive warship of the Terrans from the world of StarCraft.

Upon arrival, they fell silent. Lucian and Raze, veterans of countless battles and hunters of the night, now felt like two country folk stranded amid futuristic technology. Armed marines escorted them through metal corridors and glowing panels, until they reached a simple yet futuristic sitting area.

Selene was already waiting there.

Selene:

"Please, have a seat."

Lucian and Raze obeyed. Across the room sat a woman who exuded majesty, her eyes sharp and her face marked by past wounds.

Lucian (looking intently):

"Amalia…"

Amalia (stunned):

"Lucian…? I can't believe it… You're really alive…"

Tears nearly welled in the elder vampire's eyes. Selene watched quietly, aware of the depth of their past relationship.

Lucian then explained everything—Kraven's betrayal, his faked death, how Kraven had planned the massacre of the elders to seize power.

After hearing it all, Amalia fell silent. Her cold elder's heart seemed shaken.

Amalia:

"So… it was all Kraven's deception… I will summon the entire bloodline. We must eliminate that bastard!"

She rose with spirited grace, like a true leader rediscovering her purpose.

But Selene only sighed.

Selene:

"It's not that simple. The vampire council has already fallen. Kraven has filled the entire council with his people. They are all his pawns. They will no longer listen to you, Amalia. You're too late."

Amalia (shocked):

"What? Are you sure everyone has betrayed me?"

Selene:

"I was once a Death Dealer, Amalia. I know what they planned. Kraven even developed ultraviolet rounds—a weapon solely against vampires. Why do you think he did that, if not for betrayal?"

Amalia lowered her gaze. All this had happened while she was far away in the United States. The house that once symbolized vampire power was now merely a den of treachery.

Amalia:

"If that's the case… can you ask Kenthelion for help?"

Selene (softly):

"No. Kenthelion has signed a non-intervention pact. He won't meddle in vampire or werewolf affairs… unless they court death."

Amalia & Lucian (in unison):

"A pact with whom?"

The question hung in the air. Selene looked panicked for a moment, then answered quietly.

Selene (tense and honest):

"I… don't know."

Amalia and Lucian fell silent, exchanging a loaded look in the meaningful quiet.

Lucian (murmuring, voice flat but with pressure):

"Do you think we're fools? We know who he is. We only chose not to say."

Amalia now had few options. Although she commanded dozens of subordinates, her position remained under Kenthelion's strict oversight. In the grand house, there were hundreds of other blood clans, all now relocated from the United States. This situation raised a pressing question: what about the American territories now?

Lucian turned his face away, then looked at Selene.

"Selene, Kraven came to see me today," he said slowly. "I told him Amalia was dead. That way, he'd follow our original agreement: resurrect Viktor, then come to the wolf's den together to kill him."

Selene nodded slowly.

"All right. Let me know when the time comes. I'll be there."

Lucian nodded back. "Very well, then I'll be going." He turned and walked away.

Selene did not accompany them out. However, of course someone had been assigned to ensure their departure went smoothly.

---

Inside the vampire mansion…

Kraven bowed respectfully as he exchanged fresh blood for Victor. Before him, Victor's body sat rigid on a stone chair, like an ancient mummy preserved over centuries. An infusion tube pierced his body, slowly transferring blood into his long-slumbering form.

Victor opened his eyes slowly. His gaze pierced Kraven, who knelt before him.

Victor:

"Kraven, do you know what you've done?" His voice was deep and filled with rage. "Only one Elder may be awakened in a century. This century belongs to Marcus. It is not yet time for me to rise!"

His stare was as sharp as a blade.

Kraven:

"M-Master Victor… This was an emergency… I… I was forced to awaken you first." He bowed deeply, his voice betraying fear he could not hide.

Victor:

"What emergency?"

Kraven:

"Master… Selene has betrayed you. She allied with the werewolves. Lucian is still alive, and… it's likely Selene helped him. Furthermore… she knows that You killed her family. And… Elder Amalia… is dead… killed by werewolves."

Kraven blurted it all out in one breath, as if desperate to escape the weight on his chest.

Victor:

"What?! Selene betrayed me? She knows I killed her family?! Lucian is still alive?! And Amalia… is dead?!"

Victor stood, his old body still retaining terrifying strength. He kicked Kraven with blazing fury.

Victor:

"Damn it! I should have killed Selene from the start! That little wretch!" He growled and paced back and forth.

"And why is that bastard Lucian still alive?! I will kill him! With my own hands!"

Kraven remained kneeling, head bowed, too afraid to look up.

Victor:

"Have you found them?"

Kraven:

"Yes, Master. Their location is known."

Victor:

"Then gather our forces. We will kill them all!"

Kraven:

"As you command, Great Master!" Without waiting any longer, Kraven rose and hurried away. He did not wish to linger near Victor longer than necessary.

After Kraven left, Victor sat back down. His gaze was vacant yet full of calculation. No one knew what he was plotting.

Meanwhile, outside the chamber, Kraven summoned his trusted aide. He whispered secret orders in the subordinate's ear. The man nodded and went off to carry them out.

Kraven watched his aide depart.

His plan was nearly complete… If Victor were killed, then Marcus would rise—and everything would return to his hands.

In the vampire mansion, the clans began to assemble. They received weapons and readied themselves for a great war against the werewolves.

---

Elsewhere, having received word from Kraven, Lucian began to act. All kinds of weapons were retrieved from storage. Now it was time for revenge. The fire of determination burned in his eyes.

Selene, informed by Lucian that Victor had awakened and would soon lead his forces, immediately prepared. But she knew… her armaments would not be enough.

She went to see Kenthelion and explained everything. After hearing the situation, Kenthelion nodded, then raised his hand.

Kenthelion:

"I will provide you with some weapons from the Second Millennium. Additionally, I assign a team of Tempestus Scions to protect you. Do not consider this a gift. It is… protection."

Hearing this, Selene—the Moon Goddess who rarely showed tenderness—stepped forward. She embraced Kenthelion warmly… then kissed him sincerely.