TheThe night at Lumiya's main gate was not like any other. Soldiers patrolled in heavy armor, their steps sharp and alert, their hands gripping spears tighter than usual. Every man knew what night this was—the Red Moon Night. Edward Hawk's strict order echoed in their minds:
"Tonight is not like other nights. Stay sharp. One mistake will cost us the city."
The crimson glow of the moon bled across the fortress walls, painting them in shades of blood.
But then—silence.
From the shadows of the west gate, figures slithered out like wraiths. Vampires, cloaked in darkness, moved with inhuman speed. Before the guards could raise alarm, one soldier's throat was slit, another dragged into the shadows, his scream smothered before it could escape.
One by one, Lumiya's soldiers fell. No clash of steel. No battle cry. Only silence—the silence of death.
The west gate, the first shield of Lumiya, was bleeding in the shadows.
The air around the west gate was heavy, filled with unease. Suddenly, Duke Larnes' sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement in the shadows. His instincts screamed danger.
"Vampires…" he muttered, drawing his blade.
In the next heartbeat, dark figures leapt from the shadows, fangs gleaming, claws tearing through steel and flesh. The soldiers of Lumiya were surrounded, trapped in a sudden storm of blood and death.
"Sound the alarm! Ring the bell—now!" Duke Larnes roared.
John, the young knight, froze in fear, his trembling hands gripping his sword. But before he could move, the vampires closed in, their red eyes glowing like fire.
Duke Larnes stepped forward, unshaken. His blade flashed, slicing clean through a vampire's neck. The creature shrieked before bursting into ash that scattered into the wind.
"John!" Duke barked, his voice commanding. "Run and ring the bell. Warn the city!"
John!" Duke barked, his voice commanding. "Run and ring the bell. Warn the city!"
"Sorry commander because before i was felt fear But… now I think we can handle them. If we fight together—"John, light and stubbornness in his eyes
Larnes gritted his teeth, striking down another vampire with brutal force. "Listen to me! Yes, we can cut through these… but I feel it. Out there, beyond these walls—" he glanced toward the forest, where an ocean of shadows stirred. "—thousands more are waiting. If we delay, Lumiya falls before the sun rises."
Another vampire lunged, and Larnes impaled it with his blade, its body crumbling into dust. His eyes burned with resolve.
"Go, John! That bell is worth more than my life, more than yours. The city must know—now
John sprinted toward the massive emergency bell, his heart pounding like a war drum. Behind him, Duke and the other knights clashed with the vampires, steel flashing under the crimson moon.
But then—
A shadow leapt in front of John, blocking his path.
A vampire, its pale face twisted into a cruel grin.
"Ooo… little knight," it hissed, its voice dripping with mockery. "I can smell your fear. I bet your blood is… delicious. I want a taste."
John gritted his teeth, pulling his sword. With all his strength, he swung and hurled the blade.
The vampire easily dodged, laughing. "Pathetic. You're too weak to even—"
But his laughter died instantly.
The sword had cut through the thick rope holding the giant wooden beam.
CRAAASH!
The beam dropped, smashing into the enormous emergency bell.
The sound exploded across Lumiya, shaking walls and rattling windows. A deep, thunderous toll that carried through the entire kingdom.
Every knight, soldier, and citizen froze.
The alarm had been sounded.
---
Far away in the inner fortress, Edward Hawk's eyes widened.
"The bell…" he muttered. Then his voice hardened.
"They're here. All units, prepare for battle!"
In the royal palace, Prince Yuhi and King Godfrey rose from their chambers, their expressions grim.
And in the training grounds, Aires halted mid-swing, her hand tightening on her msgical stick.
The Red Moon Night had begun.
---
Back at the west gate, Edward Hawk barked orders as the echo of the bell still rang:
"Royal Knights, split into groups! Secure every gate!"
Prince Yuhi stepped forward, his tone sharp.
"I'll take the north gate."
Aires followed, her eyes burning with resolve.
"Then I'll handle the east gate."
Edward Hawk nodded. "Good. I'll lead the defense at the west gate myself."
But a silence hung heavy for a moment.
The southern gate remained unclaimed.
Then—
A deep, chilling voice rolled across the courtyard like thunder.
"I will take the southern gate. Worry not."
Everyone turned.
From the shadows stepped a towering figure, his crimson eyes glowing under the Red Moon.
Drex.
Edward Hawk's jaw tightened, but he gave a curt nod.
"…I am thankful for your aid, Drex."
The battle lines were drawn. The city of Lumiya stood on the edge of war.
The clash of steel and shrieks of the undead echoed at the western gate.
the vampire lunged at John, snarling, "Little brat, I'll rip you apart!"
John stumbled back—
"JOHN!"
Duke's thunderous roar cut through the chaos as he hurled another sword across the blood-soaked ground.
John caught it mid-air, and with a surge of courage, swung fiercely. The blade cleaved through the vampire's neck, silencing its laughter in a spray of blackened blood.
The knights roared in triumph, cutting down the remaining beasts. But before they could breathe, shadows gathered. From the broken gates poured a new wave of vampires—twice as many, twice as vicious.
The knights fought valiantly, yet their lines began to bend under the relentless swarm.
Then—
A hulking vampire emerged from the horde. Its monstrous frame towered over the rest, an axe the size of a man gleaming in its claws. With a savage roar, it brought the weapon down upon Duke.
Duke twisted aside at the last instant—the axe missed his skull but carved a brutal mark across his face. Blood streamed down, but his eyes burned brighter than ever.
"Commander!" John cried, raising his blade to rush in.
But Duke raised a hand, halting him. His voice was low and unshaken despite the wound.
"No, John. This one… is no ordinary vampire. I'll handle it. You take care of the others."
The towering vampire snarled, gripping its axe tighter. Duke grinned through the blood on his cheek, lifting his sword with renewed determination.
The real battle at the western gate had just begun.