Breakfast in Alexander Corvinus's laboratory was over, but the tension in the air remained palpable. Selene was still processing the avalanche of revelations, her world turned upside down by the truths about Viktor and Daniel's vast antiquity. Alexander, for his part, seemed more relieved than before, the possibility of redemption for his son William and the elimination of Viktor offering a glimmer of peace after centuries of torment.
Daniel, with his new, modern haircut, a stark contrast to his ancient figure, had returned to his normal human appearance, with vibrant skin and a sparkle in his eyes that conveyed vitality. He rose from the table, the lightness of his movements a testament to his perfect form. His lips curved in a slight smile. "See you in a week at this location," Daniel said, nodding toward the ship, indicating the meeting point for William's healing process. "In that time, I need to prepare a few things. Like not letting a bunch of vampires die because of one vampire's betrayal." The statement was delivered with disturbing calm, as if he were planning a vacation rather than orchestrating the downfall of one of the oldest vampires.
He turned to Alexander. "Can I leave Selene with you, Alexander? She won't be safe returning to her lair. And I feel her hatred emanating from her; if I feel it, others will too. Revenge is a consuming fire, and she needs time to process what she's just learned." Daniel's tone was firm, but there was genuine concern in his voice. He didn't want Selene to expose herself to unnecessary danger, nor did he want her anger to lead her to rash actions.
Alexander Corvinus looked at Selene, who was still in shock, but a new, cold, and dangerous fire was beginning to glow in her eyes. The revelation that Viktor had murdered his own daughter, and the truth about the betrayal, was beginning to solidify in her mind. "Yes, Daniel. She will be safe here. My facilities are the safest in the world for beings like us. No one will find her here." Alexander was visibly grateful for Daniel's consideration. It was a relief to have Selene out of the reach of the vampires of Viktor's clan, especially with the truth she now possessed.
"Rest assured," Daniel continued, addressing Alexander. "The traitors will be killed, and your little vampire son will be with me, calm. Rest assured." The mention of Marcus, Alexander's vampire son, being "calm" in the hands of Daniel, a being who had just demonstrated overwhelming power, was both reassuring and somewhat intimidating. Daniel was in control, absolute control. He said goodbye with a nod to Alexander and a meaningful look at Selene, who watched him leave with a mixture of fascination and dread.
With a thought, Daniel teleported to the streets of London, where urban life was already bustling in broad daylight. He blended into the crowd, an ordinary figure among millions, but with a singular purpose in mind: to find Lucian.
In Heaven, Death was back in her cloud-covered chair, her eyes fixed on the ethereal screen where Daniel's scene unfolded. She held a thick, ancient book with yellowed pages and a lighted quill. A satisfied smile played on her lips. "There. One less on the list, God," Death said, crossing off a name in the book with a flourish. She laughed, a melodious sound that filled the heavenly space. God merely shook his head, an amused gleam in his eyes, observing Daniel's efficiency.
Meeting the Alpha: An Offer You Can't Refuse
The search for Lucian wasn't difficult for Daniel. He could sense the presence of supernatural beings, an echo of his nature, however veiled. Lucian's energetic signature, charged with centuries of hatred and pent-up fury, was like a beacon in the darkness. Daniel located him in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of London, a dark, damp place, permeated with the smell of Lycan sweat and rusted metal. It was one of Lucian's clan's temporary hideouts.
Daniel teleported out of the warehouse, appearing silently on the dark, dimly lit street. The air was damp and cold, and the smell of recent rain lingered. The warehouse's brick walls were covered in faded graffiti, and the rusty metal door was slightly ajar, revealing a crack of darkness. Daniel, hands in his pants pockets, walked calmly to the entrance.
Inside, the scent of wolf was intense, mixed with that of fresh blood and earth. Daniel heard the low growls and heavy breathing of dozens of Lycans. Lucian was there, with his clan. The Lycan leader's figure was imposing, his muscles bulging beneath his torn shirt, his eyes burning with fierce intelligence and deep pain. Beside him stood other Lycans, in their human forms, but with tension visible in their bodies, ready for battle. They were creatures of the night, forged in war and hatred, with scars that told stories of bloody battles against the vampires.
As Daniel entered, the growl grew louder, turning into a menacing chorus. The Lycans' eyes fixed on him, assessing the threat. They sensed Daniel's power, a power unlike that of any vampire they had ever faced. It wasn't the icy, calculating coldness of the Elders, nor the brute strength of a common warrior. It was something greater, an overwhelming presence that transcended their comprehension. It was as if the very air around Daniel vibrated with a primal energy, ancient and untamed. Their instincts screamed danger, but also a strange reverence.
Lucian, however, didn't move. His eyes met Daniel's, and he sensed an unfamiliar force. A being that didn't exude the scent of a common vampire, but something more... pure. Powerful. "Who are you?" Lucian asked, his voice husky and cautious, every muscle in his body tense.
Daniel, his hands still in his pockets, a contrast to the Lycans' aggressive stance, stepped forward. "We're going through the front door of the castle, Lucian. I don't have time for childish games. Stay to my side, within five meters. If you step outside this radius, you'll feel the weight of a mountain bearing down on you." Daniel's words were spoken with icy calm, a warning that was a promise. It was an order, not a suggestion. The Lycans growled, irritated by the stranger's arrogance, but Lucian, sensing the truth in Daniel's words, raised his hand, silencing them.
"What do you want?" Lucian asked again, distrust in his voice.
"Revenge. And the end of a pointless war," Daniel replied, his eyes fixed on Lucian. "And Kraven, the traitor, isn't as cunning as he thinks." Lucian's eyes widened. Kraven? The one he thought was his ally, his contact for Viktor's release? The way Daniel said it, with a tone of absolute knowledge, made Lucian realize he knew everything, every detail of their plots, their secret alliances, their hidden enemies.
The Fall of the Traitor and the Arrival of Death
Daniel turned, walking back to the door, not waiting for Lucian's response. He knew the Lycan would follow. Lucian's curiosity and hatred for Viktor, now piqued by the mention of Kraven, would overwhelm any hesitation. Lucian, with one last look at his clan, a look that conveyed a silent command to wait, followed Daniel out of the warehouse. The other Lycans grew restless, the scent of fear and confusion lingering in the air.
The walk to the castle, under the pale moonlight that now dominated the sky, was silent. Daniel walked at a steady pace, his movements as fluid as a shadow, and Lucian followed, keeping a distance of five meters, sensing the powerful energy emanating from Daniel. He had never encountered a being like him.
When they reached the castle gates—the same castle where Selene and the other vampires were now recovering—Daniel didn't hesitate. He simply touched the wrought-iron gates, and they swung open with a ghostly creak, as if responding to his will. He entered, and Lucian, his heart pounding in his chest, followed.
The interior of the castle was even darker than before. The vampires, some already on their feet, others still recovering from the shock of Daniel's earlier presence, felt the new wave of power invade the hall. Daniel, without any warning,released 1% of its powerIt was a shock of pure energy, an invisible wave of force that swept through the surroundings. Every vampire, without exception, fell to the ground again, groaning and writhing, unable to get up. The pressure was immense, but not suffocating as before; it was just enough to remind them of their insignificance.
"Come with me, Lucian. He's down there," Daniel said, his voice echoing in the hall as he walked toward a dark stone staircase that led deeper into the castle. Lucian, his muscles tense but driven by a strength not his own, followed Daniel. The other vampires on the ground watched, terrified and confused, as the scene unfolded.
Daniel descended the stone steps, his stride firm and determined, and Lucian followed, the smell of damp stone and mold intensifying. Somewhere in the depths, Daniel stopped abruptly. He could smell Kraven. That scent of betrayal was unmistakable to him. Daniel looked at Lucian, his eyes shining in the darkness. "But first, let me catch a traitor who was trying to get you and the vampires to kill each other. Kraven."
Lucian's face contorted in fury. Kraven. The vampire he trusted, who had promised help. Now he saw through the web of lies. Daniel knew everything. Without waiting for an answer, Daniel moved with a blur of speed, dematerializing and reappearing in a dark, damp cell, where Kraven, chained, watched him with wide-eyed terror. Kraven, who had been left there by Selene to be interrogated later, felt the air thin with Daniel's arrival.
Daniel grabbed Kraven by the neck with one hand, lifting him effortlessly. Kraven struggled, his legs and arms flailing in the air, his eyes begging for mercy. Daniel's nails, which he could control, extended even further, this time to a whopping thirty centimeters, sharp and razor-sharp. With a movement that was more a blur of his hand than a visible cut, Daniel decapitated Kraven. The head fell with a dull thud to the stone floor, rolling for a few centimeters before coming to a stop. The body struggled for a moment, then fell limp. Blood gushed out, dark and thick, staining the floor.
"There," Daniel said, his voice calm and emotionless, as if he'd just cut a loaf of bread. He released Kraven's headless body, which collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud. He turned to Lucian, who had reached the cell door, his eyes fixed on the scene, fury and shock mingling on his face. "Now let's wait for the asshole to wake up, or he'll play dead," Daniel said playfully, a subtle smile on his lips, as if executing a traitor was just for fun.
Lucian looked at Kraven's body, then at Daniel. The impact of the truth and Daniel's brutal efficiency was overwhelming. His power was unquestionable. He had not only killed Kraven, but had done so with terrifying ease, a display of strength Lucian could never have dreamed of possessing.
"But even if he plays dead," Daniel continued, his voice a little more serious now, "I'll have him out of there in milliseconds. Then it's up to you. Rest assured, I'll hold him. That child has done a lot of evil. Death has been waiting for him for a long time in his book." The reference to the Book of Death sent a shiver down Lucian's spine. It was the certainty that Daniel was not only powerful, but on a completely different level of existence, connected to forces no one else could even conceive.
Daniel turned and descended the remaining stairs, his footsteps echoing in the darkness, leading Lucian to the heart of Viktor's lair. The moment of revenge Lucian had long awaited was finally within his grasp, orchestrated by a being who manipulated time and death with equal ease. The castle, a symbol of vampiric power and intrigue, would be the stage for the downfall of its oldest and most cruel master. The night was just beginning for Daniel and his plans.