CHAPTER 37
Mike once again raised his claw to Vlad's forehead. Slowly, almost with ceremonial reverence, he touched the skin. The instant contact was made, Vlad's eyes widened in shock. His head jerked back, and a howl erupted from his chest a raw, wolfish cry that shattered the silence of the plains.
It wasn't just heard nearby. It echoed across distant valleys, shaking even the most silent corners of the wilderness.
Then suddenly there was silence.
Vlad collapsed to his knees. His eyes were wide open, locked on the void before him. But this time… there was no blood. No surrounding darkness. No rotting corpses.
Only a clear, cold morning.
Before him stood Ethan and Jessica.
The wind brushed down from the mountains, carrying with it the soft rustle of pine trees.
"We're here… finally," Jessica said, taking a deep breath as she looked down at the earth.
Ethan lowered his head. "We've been walking eight months just for this moment…"
Jessica reached for Ethan's hand. "I'm ready," she whispered. Her eyes were calm. Her heart was steady.
But Ethan… hesitated.
His face tightened with uncertainty. His gaze locked onto hers. His lips trembled ever so slightly.
Jessica stepped closer. She closed her eyes… and kissed him.
A slow, heavy kiss. Not a confession
A farewell.
Then she whispered:
"You have to do this… It's your destiny. I'm ready."
Ethan closed his eyes. He let out a deep, trembling breath.
And his claw began to glow.
In one swift motion, he struck.
Jessica's throat opened with a single slash.
No scream. No resistance. Only acceptance.
Her eyes stayed on Ethan one final look. One last trust.
And then… her eyes closed forever.
Vlad's eyes snapped open. He was gasping for air.
His hand instinctively flew to his throat. The pain was so sharp so real it felt as though he had been the one struck.
Tears welled in his eyes. But he didn't cry.
He rose to his knees, his gaze falling on the others.
"The second ritual is complete…" he said in a low, heavy voice. "The final task remains. If he finishes that too… there will be no Ethan left."
Zack lowered his head. His voice trembled. "What… what were the tasks?"
Vlad closed his eyes.
"The first… was to sacrifice a virgin."
Mike clenched his fist.
"The second…" Vlad continued, his voice cracking,
"…was to sacrifice the one you love."
Zack barely managed to speak. "And the third?"
It was Svetlana who answered. Her voice like stone.
"To sacrifice your father."
The words echoed through the chamber.
And silence descended heavy, like mourning.
Mike took a step forward.
"Then… he knew we'd come. He must have known we'd try to find him. We can't trust him anymore."
Vlad lowered his eyes. "You're right. But… if there's even a sliver of a chance… a hope… to bring him back… I have to try."
Mike nodded. "If there's still something left inside him, we can save him. But we need to be extremely careful. We don't know who he is anymore. So… what now?"
Vlad drew a long breath. In that moment, determination gleamed in his eyes.
"We go back to where it all began. Where he was born."
Emily whispered. "His birthplace?"
Vlad nodded.
"There, he has to kill me. That's why… we're heading to the frozen lands of the north. To the shadows of the past… to Volgravia."
Volgravia home of the ancient wolves. Where our bloodline was born.
No one spoke.
Only the sound of wind striking the windows could be heard.
They were heading toward an ending…
…or a new beginning.