The portal shimmered one last time before closing behind them. Oban, Allisa, Klein, and Aijack stepped into the vast halls of the Castle of Foreverness. The air was heavy yet calming, filled with a faint warmth despite the dark dimension surrounding it. Stone pillars stretched endlessly toward the high ceilings, and faint glowing lights lined the walls, creating patterns that danced like firelight. The castle seemed alive, yet peaceful—a perfect haven after the chaos that had nearly destroyed everything.
Oban paused, taking in the grandeur of the halls. He had been through wars, countless battles, but nothing prepared him for this—walking into a place that seemed to exist outside of time, yet grounded in reality. Aijack followed, still limping slightly from his injuries, but his eyes were wide with awe. Klein and Allisa moved with confidence, their expressions calm but alert, as though they had known this place all along.
Once they were fully inside, the other vampires began to appear, moving silently through the halls. They gathered around, faces reflecting respect and gratitude, and the tension of the previous battles slowly eased. Every pair of eyes seemed to be looking at Oban, silently acknowledging the role he had played in stopping the war.
Aijack finally broke the silence. "Oban," he said, his voice steady but filled with warmth. "I always knew you had something special. But seeing everything you did… I can't even describe it. You stopped the war. I am Very Proud Of you
Oban gave a faint nod, the usual stern expression softening. "I didn't do it alone," he replied quietly. "We all fought to survive. I just… made sure the last step was done."
Klein smirked and clapped a hand on Oban's shoulder. "At least you had potential, huh? I've seen it before, but today… wow. You really showed everyone what you're capable of."
Allisa didn't say anything. She simply watched Oban for a moment, her golden eyes lingering on him. Her silence spoke more than words could—approval, understanding, and perhaps a quiet pride. After a brief pause, she turned and gestured for everyone to move deeper into the castle.
Oban followed the group, his eyes scanning the halls. Even in this dark dimension, the castle felt welcoming. There were quiet rooms with large windows that let in soft light, kitchens with warm fires, libraries filled with ancient texts, and training halls that seemed ready for both battle and practice. It was a home, and yet it held the weight of centuries of history.
As the others moved inside, Oban stepped outside onto a balcony that overlooked the shadowed gardens of the castle. The night was calm, and though there was no sun, the light in the castle made it feel like a gentle morning. He inhaled slowly, enjoying the rare moment of peace.
From behind, a playful voice called out, "Pikaboo!"
Oban jumped, his hand shooting to his chest. "Ah! Who's there?!"
Amrin emerged from the shadows, laughing. "Relax! It's just me."
Oban scowled, though a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "You scared me half to death!"
Amrin stepped closer, her grin mischievous. "That was the point. You're always so serious. Even the strongest vampire like you needs to laugh sometimes."
Oban shook his head, trying not to smile, but it slipped anyway. "I—yeah, maybe you're right."
Amrin giggled and nudged him gently. "See? There's the Oban I know. Don't tell anyone I said that, though."
Oban chuckled softly, a rare sound in the quiet of the castle night. For a few moments, the two stood together in silence, sharing the peaceful night. There was laughter, a playful nudge, and in that short span, a spark of something tender lingered—a hint of romance, subtle but undeniable.
Inside the castle, an elder's voice rang out through the halls. "Tonight, we gather for a party! Every vampire is invited!"
Oban returned inside and stepped into the grand hall. He stopped dead in his tracks. Hundreds of vampires had already gathered—tall and short, old and young, with golden and red eyes reflecting the soft lights of the hall. The sight was breathtaking. He had never seen so many of his kind in one place. The sheer scale was almost unbelievable.
The party began slowly, with quiet conversations and gentle laughter. Then music filled the hall—a mix of melodies that seemed both ancient and modern. Vampires danced, laughed, and shared stories. Oban watched as faces lit up with joy he had not seen in decades. Aijack and Klein moved among the crowd, sharing smiles and greetings, while Allisa observed quietly, content in the background.
Oban finally let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. For once, there was no battle, no war, no looming danger. Just the simple, human-like joy of being together. He even caught Amrin giving him a teasing wink from across the room, and he shook his head, smiling faintly.
Outside, the scene shifted to a vast forest under the full night sky. The moon hung high, casting silver light across the treetops. The wind whispered through the leaves, and a distant voice echoed like a narrator:
"It sounds like it's the end here… but it's just the beginning."
A lone wolf's roar shattered the calm, echoing through the forest hills. Its cry was fierce, wild, and filled with life.
"In the world where vampires dwell, there are always beasts waiting."
The camera shifted again, this time to a towering mountain. At the peak, a massive wolf stood, its fur shimmering faintly under the moonlight. Its golden eyes reflected the full moon above, and it raised its head, letting out a long, echoing howl.
"Awooooooo!""Auuuuuuu!""Owoooooo!""Aooooooh!"
As it howled, golden light spread across its body, casting a glow that seemed to connect it to the moon itself. It was powerful, wild, and majestic—a reminder that even in the world of vampires, the beasts of the wild had their own domain, their own power.
And with that, the night remained quiet, the golden light fading slowly but leaving an unmistakable sense of awe in the air.
End of Chapter.