Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

Kenthelion fell silent upon hearing Amalia's reply. Could it be… that she truly had no need for the opposite sex over thousands of years? The dark thought flickered in his mind, accompanied by a sly smile he could not suppress. He chuckled softly, almost inaudibly.

Amalia

"What are you laughing at, huh?! You bastard!" Her face turned sour. "Don't think about such boring things. I'm going back to rest."

She already knew exactly the direction of Kenthelion's thoughts when he had looked at her earlier. She felt disgusted and did not want to see his face any longer. Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Kenthelion watched Amalia's back for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Selene, who was still staring at the key with a puzzled expression.

Kenthelion

"Don't dwell too much on your father's legacy. If you want to go there, someone will guide us."

Selene lifted her head and asked in a soft voice,

Selene

"You mean… Alexander Corvinus and Marcus?"

Kenthelion

"Yes. Alexander Corvinus. I'm not sure if he knows about that underground prison… But Marcus certainly does not. Victor built it in secret back then, because he feared Marcus would discover it."

Kenthelion's tone grew humble when mentioning those names. There was the weight of thousands of years of history in every word.

Selene

"So you want to hand this key… to Lord Corvinus?"

She looked at the key again, then at Kenthelion.

Kenthelion

"Wait. I don't yet know what those elders are planning right now."

Selene

"I never expected… Alexander Corvinus always helping vampires and werewolves…"

Her tone was heavy. There was respect in her words, but also fatigue. She knew what Corvinus had done all this time to conceal dark truths.

Kenthelion

"Enough. Don't overthink it. It's late. Rest."

He spoke casually yet sincerely, wrapping his arms around Selene's waist.

Selene

"Go away. I want to rest alone."

She gently pushed him, trying to free herself from his embrace.

Kenthelion

"Unfortunately, that cannot be allowed… You are my wife."

Ignoring Selene's protests, Kenthelion scooped her up and carried her, strolling across the room.

Selene

"Bastard… put me down!"

She struggled, though she did not use any force—perhaps because her heart was too confused… or too weary.

Kenthelion gave no reply. He only held Selene tighter and walked into the bedroom.

That night, Selene knew she would not sleep peacefully.

---

On the deserted road near the Lycan secret base, a sense of dread cloaked the night. Michael, now freed by Lucian, stumbled away from the city.

But that freedom did not bring peace.

His body still felt weak—Lucian had drained too much of his blood, and the mark of the werewolf bite still burned beneath his skin. More painful than the physical wounds was the shame piercing his soul.

He had changed…

And in a beastly form he did not understand, he had attacked an innocent person in a restaurant. Now he was a fugitive.

Michael fled into the forest at the city's edge, hoping to hide or perhaps find answers about his transformation. But unbeknownst to him, his face was already broadcast on police screens. His behavior no longer appeared human. His movements, his gaze, even his heartbeat… were different.

Someone in the police reported up the chain.

And the superior reacted immediately.

Soon, an elite military unit was sent covertly. Their orders were clear: capture the mutant alive.

After hours of pursuit, Michael was finally subdued. A tranquilizer dart lodged in his neck. His body swayed, his eyes struggling to stay open… until darkness consumed him entirely.

---

Elsewhere: a dark office without windows. Dim light illuminated a middle-aged man in a black suit, standing rigid before an elderly man whose gaze was sharp and aura commanding.

Soldier 03

"Speaker, the mutant has been secured at a secret military facility."

The elderly man narrowed his eyes. He offered a small smile, though his gaze was cold, hungry for something beyond mere information.

Speaker

"Good. Send researchers at once. I want to know—Is he vampire, werewolf, or… something new?"

Soldier 03

"As you command, Speaker."

He bowed, then left the room.

When the door closed, the Speaker leaned back into his plush chair. His fingers lightly touched his wrinkled chin.

He whispered, almost inaudibly—

"Too many legends… but if this one is true… then my ailment… will be cured. My life will outlast time itself…"

He chuckled.

"God will not save me… but perhaps… this mutant can."

A soft laugh echoed in that dark office.

---

On the deck of a great ship sailing the open sea, Alexander Corvinus stood before a large window, gazing at the dark waves glimmering in moonlight. A report had just arrived via his secret network: Kenthelion had obtained the key. Yet Alexander's expression remained calm. No emotion showed. He had anticipated this.

Through his clandestine contacts, he had also learned that governments were beginning to hunt vampires and werewolves. The mastermind's identity was unclear, but one thing was certain—elite military forces were mobilizing.

Alexander knew the time had come. If he did not act now, the ancient races would be fully exposed to the world and become targets of major powers.

A knock sounded at his private cabin door.

Without turning, Alexander replied curtly,

"Enter."

A Cleaner operative—Corvinus's personal force—entered swiftly yet respectfully.

Cleaner 09

"Sir."

Alexander

"How are things in Canada?"

Cleaner 09

"They demand a higher price before agreeing to sell the land to us."

His tone was flat, but his eyes awaited decisive orders.

Alexander Corvinus exhaled softly.

"Pay them. We must secure that territory as soon as possible."

No objections or excessive calculations. He knew time was running short.

Cleaner 09

"Understood, Lord. I will see to it immediately."

After his subordinate departed, Alexander returned to gazing at the night sky. The sea stretched vast below, boundless—like his mind, ever moving toward the future.

Inwardly, he whispered:

> "I have found a peaceful place for you… This is the last thing I can do."

---

The next morning, in Kenthelion's luxurious Battlecruiser cabin…

Kenthelion slowly opened his eyes. Artificial sunlight from overhead panels bathed the room, casting a warm glow across the metallic walls. In his arms, Selene still slept, clinging to him in embrace.

He looked at her serene face, recalling the brutal night they had endured. They had not slept until dawn, caught in desire and tension beyond control. Still, Kenthelion's body felt fresh; his stamina far exceeded that of ordinary humans.

Gently freeing himself and heading to the bathroom, Kenthelion emerged wearing only trousers, hair still slightly damp. As he walked toward the small kitchen area, he was surprised to see Amalia seated on the sofa, gazing at him with an unfriendly expression.

Kenthelion

"Why are you looking at me like that? I didn't provoke you last night, did I?"

Amalia crossed her arms, her expression full of sharp sarcasm.

"If only you could have lowered your voice last night, you wouldn't have provoked me."

Her tone was cutting, clearly bearing a small grudge.

Kenthelion offered an awkward smile.

"Ah… I forgot your room is next door. Sorry."

He scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. In such moments, he could not deny the truth.

To ease the tension, Kenthelion fetched a vial of red liquid and handed it to Amalia.

Kenthelion

"This is for you. As… compensation."

Amalia raised an eyebrow.

"Human blood? Didn't you say you'd prepare deer blood earlier?"

Kenthelion

"This is not ordinary blood. Try it first; see if it has any effect."

Hesitant, Amalia opened the vial and drank its contents. Moments later, her eyes widened. A surge of power flowed through her body. The weakness she had felt until now… vanished.

Amalia

"…What kind of blood is this? It's… healing me."

Kenthelion looked somewhat nervous.

"Effective? I didn't know if it would suit you. If not, I'll be scolded."

Amalia

"I'm fully restored. Whose blood is this?" she asked with curiosity.

Kenthelion did not answer immediately. He pulled Amalia gently toward the window. He parted the curtains slightly, letting the daylight stream into the room.

Kenthelion

"See for yourself."

He held Amalia's hand into the sunlight.

Ssss!!

Her skin immediately burned. Amalia jerked her hand back, hissing in pain.

Amalia

"YOU TRIED TO KILL ME?!"

Her eyes pierced Kenthelion.

Kenthelion

"A small test… I just wanted to know if that blood was strong enough."

His tone sounded regretful, but disappointment was clear in his expression.

Amalia exhaled deeply.

"It's been thousands of years… I'm used to it."

She stared at the sun shining beyond the glass, her tone calm, though her eyes betrayed an undimmed hope.

Suddenly, Kenthelion said:

"Selene can walk in sunlight."

Amalia

"What?! Really?"

Her voice rose, eyes widening.

Kenthelion nodded.

"It's true."

Amalia

"How is that possible?! How did you do it?"

She seized Kenthelion's hand, gripping it tightly with enthusiasm.

Kenthelion

"Blood."

Amalia

"Whose blood?"

Kenthelion

"What you drank earlier was Michael's blood. What Selene drank… was her ancestor's blood."

Amalia was silent for a moment.

"…Her ancestor still alive?" Her gaze was full of disbelief. "You're lying to me."

Kenthelion

"No. He is older than you."

Kenthelion looked at Amalia with a slight smile, savoring the shock and delight slowly emerging on the normally cold vampire woman's face.