"Lord Corvinus, do you require my assistance in gathering the remaining Vampires and Lycans?" Reuel asked. His voice remained calm, his gaze steady and unshifting.
Behind the question, Reuel was already weighing the possibility of initiating a check-in around William's location—and of personally inspecting the containment facility of the Lycan.
"That won't be necessary, Your Majesty the Emperor. I've already prepared plans to bring them back. Once they're all assembled... I'll be leaving. After thousands of years walking this Earth… my time to move on has finally come," Alexander replied calmly.
He drew in a deep breath, and for a moment, his eyes betrayed the exhaustion of countless centuries passed without rest—a silent burden of history he had carried alone.
A cleaner approached and gave a brief report.
"Sir, their wounds have been treated. We're ready to move," he said curtly.
Beside Alexander, one of his operatives stood tall, clad in a now-clean black uniform—a stark contrast to the blood and dust that had once stained it in battle.
"Take them. We move out now," Alexander ordered.
"Yes, sir," the cleaner replied, immediately springing into action.
Alexander turned to Reuel one last time.
"Your Grace... with that, I take my leave. May we meet again—under better circumstances."
"Safe travels, Alexander Corvinus," Reuel replied.
He watched the old man disappear with his loyal followers, vanishing into the dim corridor of the warship's hangar.
The day ended without further incident. But Reuel knew—one final matter still awaited him: the visit to William's prison, and the fate that lingered there.
---
Nightfall
Selene had returned.
She walked with quiet resolve, flanked by six members of the Ghost Squad. Their faces were pale from exhaustion, uniforms torn and stained with the remnants of battle—but their spirits burned fiercely. They had survived a trial of life and death.
Tens of thousands had stormed their position. Most had been annihilated by airstrikes, but the rest had pressed hard against their lines. Still, they held—and they won.
Selene entered the tactical room, walking directly up to Reuel and Amalia.
"Reuel, I want to deal with those officials myself," she said firmly.
Reuel looked at her, then gave a slow nod.
"If that's what you want, do it. They're no saints," he replied.
He didn't ask any further. He knew Selene had her reasons. And he didn't hesitate to give her the freedom to act.
"Good. I'll finish it tonight," Selene answered.
"You want me to come with you?" Amalia offered, quietly but with clear intent.
"No. I can handle this alone."
Reuel narrowed his eyes slightly, then spoke, "Take six additional personnel from the Ghost Special Unit with you. And be careful."
Selene held his gaze for a moment. There was understanding in the silence—she knew Reuel wasn't doubting her. He was worried... and he cared.
She nodded. This time, she wouldn't argue.
---
Di Atas Kapal Perang Besar Imperium
Setelah pertemuannya dengan Reuel, Alexander Corvinus kembali ke kapal dan mendapati kekacauan di Medbay.
Michael—yang sebelumnya ditahan oleh para peneliti militer—mengalami keruntuhan psikologis hampir total. Apa pun yang telah mereka lakukan padanya, entah eksperimen atau penyiksaan, meninggalkan luka yang jauh lebih dalam daripada yang terlihat di permukaan. Ia mengamuk hebat, nyaris jatuh ke jurang kegilaan. Namun dengan otoritas dan keteguhan mental selama berabad-abad, Alexander berhasil menenangkannya dan membawanya ke unit perawatan intensif.
Sementara itu, Marcus Corvinus, yang kini cukup pulih untuk berjalan sendiri, menolak tinggal bersama ayahnya. Ia mengambil kuncinya, berbalik tanpa sepatah kata pun, dan pergi.
Alexander tidak mencegahnya—terlalu banyak sejarah yang tak pernah terucap di antara mereka, terlalu banyak darah dan kesunyian.
---
Nightfall aboard the Sancta Helena
Upon returning to the warship Sancta Helena, Alexander Corvinus discovered that Michael's condition had deteriorated drastically. The man had lost control of his mind—feral, unstable, nearly animalistic.
Perhaps the military researchers had tortured him. Perhaps their biological experiments had crossed a line. Whatever the cause, Alexander subdued him without unnecessary violence, relying instead on the authority and overwhelming presence that only the progenitor of the bloodline could exert.
Meanwhile, Marcus had returned. He spoke no words. He merely looked at his father with cold eyes, filled with centuries-old resentment. He reclaimed his ancient key—the one that unlocked William's prison—and walked away without another glance.
Alexander didn't stop him. He simply stood in silence, watching his son's departure as though he already knew the fate that awaited.
---
Meeting in the Warship's Main Hall
That night, two old figures reappeared before Alexander: Lucian and Kraven.
Escorted by Alexander's troops, they were led into the main hall of the colossal vessel—a vast, echoing chamber steeped in centuries of history.
"Have you made your decision?" Alexander asked. His voice was flat, yet a faint glimmer of hope lingered behind it.
Kraven stepped forward, uncertain. "Haven't you already defeated the government forces? Why should we still leave?"
His tone dripped with confusion wrapped in arrogance. He didn't want to surrender—but he couldn't deny the facts.
"Defeating them doesn't mean they're destroyed," Alexander replied calmly. "As long as they live, they'll return. If we stay here, it's only a matter of time before we become their target again."
He continued, "And you know… Reuel's spacefaring technology far surpasses anything we possess. He's offering us a new world. A second chance. Offers like that don't come twice."
Lucian studied him intently. "Reuel and Selene… they won't help us again?"
"No," Alexander answered plainly. "Reuel made a pact with me. The forces he deployed this time were part of that agreement—not to save Marcus, but to obliterate Hungary's military power."
He looked at Lucian briefly. "Don't be naïve. I used Marcus as a pretext to authorize Reuel's intervention without drawing suspicion."
Lucian narrowed his eyes. "Is that true?"
"If I wanted Marcus dead," Alexander said coldly, "I would've done it long ago. But he's still my son."
"And you're not worried he'll be killed?" Lucian pressed.
"No. My people are tracking him. I even have agents embedded in the government. If he's in danger… I'll know."
He paused, then asked, "Now… what's your decision?"
Lucian bowed his head slightly, then answered in a quiet but resolute voice, "I'll take the Lycans and leave. There are still matters I must attend to. But wherever we go… we'll continue to fight."
He chose exile out of necessity rather than desire. He knew—without Reuel, without protection—they would once again be hunted.
Kraven stepped forward, his tone sharper. "I won't go. But I won't stop other Vampires from leaving either."
His refusal was absolute, driven by an ambition that never dimmed. He had tasted power—and he wasn't willing to give it up.
Alexander regarded him with a blank stare. "That's your choice, Kraven. But don't regret it later."
He knew Kraven had learned nothing. And likely never would.
"The transport ships will arrive tomorrow night," he added. "Gather your people. Be back before sundown."
Lucian and Kraven departed, each carrying their own path—one toward defiant exile, the other clinging to fragile power.
---
Elsewhere
Marcus, now almost fully restored, bared his fangs under the moonlight.
On a desolate road, he struck down a group of humans without mercy. He drained them dry, his strength surging back—perhaps even stronger than before.
With wide, leathery wings unfurling, he took to the skies—heading west.
Toward the facility that held William.
He had but one goal: to free his brother.
No matter the cost.
---
The Night of Reckoning
Meanwhile, deep in the heart of the Hungarian government, Selene and her Ghost Unit had begun the execution phase of their operation.
Target One: General Ferenc Veér.
Selene eliminated him without hesitation. Then she moved on to the villa of Minister of Defense János Szabó. There, after a swift interrogation, she executed him as well.
The entire Ghost Unit operated with lethal efficiency. Their methods varied—silent, precise, and deadly:
Long-range snipers took out targets mid-conversation or behind window glass.
Poisons were injected, smeared on wine glasses, or stirred into personalized meals.
Suppressed firearms dispatched victims in hotel corridors, luxury cars, or even public restrooms.
Controlled explosions tore apart vehicles, rooms, even elevators, with surgical accuracy.
"Accidents" appeared natural—balcony falls, car crashes, overdoses—all meticulously engineered.
In a single blood-soaked night, Hungary's leadership was eradicated. The president, prime minister, interior minister, top military brass, intelligence chiefs—all dead.
And yet, to the world's shock, by morning, every position was already filled.
As if nothing had happened.
What the public didn't know—couldn't know—was that Reuel had activated one of his most secretive operations: total cloning. The new officials—perfect replicas of the originals—had been reprogrammed for absolute loyalty to Reuel.
Now, the entire Hungarian government stood under his control.
Stable on the outside.
Completely governed from within.
---
Two Days Later
Lucian led his kin—the Lycans—out of hiding and toward a new planet alongside Alexander Corvinus. A handful of Vampires chose to follow, leaving only a small band of loyalists behind under Kraven's command. Meanwhile, the Lycans who did not join the exodus scattered into remote regions, far from human authority and the escalating tide of military conflict.
Elsewhere, Marcus was nearing his goal. After days of feeding on human blood to regenerate, he had now fully recovered—ready to confront William.
At the same time, far beyond Earth's atmosphere, Mira Han was preparing to launch a global invasion. With an Imperial Navy fleet of 120 ships, she intended to conquer Earth within two weeks. Ghost Ops agents were deployed worldwide, tasked with assassinating heads of state, generals, and strategic figures.
Simultaneously, Mira's warship AI systems began hacking into global nuclear arsenals, ensuring that no nation could launch weapons of mass destruction without her authorization. Nuclear firepower may not have posed a threat to her—but Earth was the intended future home for her and her husband, Matt Horner. And in her view, that home must be free of radiation.
While Mira's fleet maintained orbit, Reuel's flagship had already landed in international waters. Within hours, they hijacked a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Cut off from communications and outclassed technologically, the American forces had no choice but to surrender.
---
On the Ship's Deck
Under the warm glow of the sun, Reuel, Selene, and Amalia were enjoying a rare moment of calm. Lately, Selene and Amalia had spent nearly every afternoon sunbathing.
"Heh… I warned you two, if you keep this up, your skin's going to burn," Reuel muttered, squinting against the brightness. It was obvious he wasn't enjoying this as much as the other two.
"We're Vampires, remember?" Amalia replied lightly, her face bright with an innocent smile. "We almost never get to bask in real sunlight. Today, I'm making up for all of it."
"And this sun... it feels amazing," Selene added, lying relaxed on a float with reflective sunglasses. Her jet-black hair spilled freely, her face far more at peace than usual.
"I could sleep out here all day."
Reuel looked at them both, quietly caught up in the rare, simple pleasure of it all. Finally, he gave in. He lay down between them, pulling them both close and closing his eyes with a soft exhale.
"Selene…" Amalia murmured, still gazing at the endless blue sky, "Do you think there are women in Reuel's home dimension?"
Ever since learning that Reuel came from another realm—and could travel between realities—Amalia had realized her feelings for him had grown deeper than she'd expected. And with those feelings came troubling questions.
"Oh, of course," Selene answered quickly, her tone sharp with dry humor but softened by a knowing smile.
"With his pervy attitude? A guy like him probably has an entire planet full of women."
"Right? This bastard probably keeps a private gallery," Amalia snorted.
She turned to look at Reuel, who seemed to be sleeping in her lap. His breathing was calm, his face peaceful.
"No matter how many he has…" Selene said casually, spinning a small pistol on her finger and occasionally aiming it playfully at Reuel's head,
"He could jump into another dimension tomorrow and add one more."
Reuel remained silent. But his breathing changed—just slightly.
He heard everything.
And he knew they knew.
They were talking about him on purpose—testing him, teasing him, or maybe both. But Reuel, with the pride of a man and a fierce desire to preserve the tranquility of the moment, chose to keep pretending to sleep.
Better this way, he thought.
Especially since the "pillow" he was using—Amalia's thighs—was far too comfortable to risk with an argument.