The village square filled with voices. Fear made the air sharp. Torches burned even though the sun was up, their flames shaking in the wind. Elena stayed at the window, her heart beating fast. She wanted to run after Lucian, but she remembered his words. Stay here.
Lucian walked down the muddy road alone. The villagers watched him, whispering. Some saw him as a savior, others as a curse. He could feel their stares pressing against his back. He kept moving, steady, until the forest opened before him.
The forest was darker than usual. The trees seemed to close in, hiding something. Lucian's senses sharpened. He smelled blood—faint, but fresh. He followed it, his steps soundless on the wet earth.
"Show yourself," he said into the shadows.
A soft laugh came from the trees. Darius. His voice was smooth, almost sweet, but filled with cruelty.
"You came so quickly, little brother," Darius said. "Do you always chase after children when called?"
Lucian's eyes glowed. "Where is the child?"
From the dark, Darius stepped forward. His coat was long, black as the night sky. In his arms, a small boy whimpered, his face pale. Darius ran a finger along the boy's cheek, smiling.
"So innocent," Darius whispered. "So full of light. I almost pity them. But the hunger does not pity."
Lucian's hands clenched. "Let him go."
Darius tilted his head. "Do you think you can order me? You who owe me your eternity? You are mine, Lucian. You have always been mine."
"No," Lucian said, voice hard as iron. "I broke free."
For a moment, the two brothers stood facing each other, silent but full of old wounds. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then Darius smiled wider, his fangs flashing. "Take him, if you can."
He dropped the child to the ground. The boy crawled, sobbing, but before Lucian could move, Darius blurred into motion. In less than a heartbeat, he stood between them. His strength was terrifying, his presence heavy like a storm.
Lucian drew a blade from under his cloak. It was silver, etched with runes. He lifted it, ready.
The boy looked up, wide-eyed. "Help me…"
Lucian's heart tightened. He could not fail.
The clash was sudden. Darius moved with speed that twisted the air. Lucian met him, steel sparking against claw. Each strike shook the trees. The forest became a blur of violence, light and dark fighting for space.
The child crawled toward a hollow tree, hiding inside. His small cries broke through the sound of battle.
Lucian fought with everything he had, his body aching but his will strong. For each strike Darius gave, Lucian gave back. Blood smeared his sleeve, but he stood tall.
"Why do you fight for them?" Darius hissed, eyes burning red. "They will never love you. They fear you, just as they fear me."
Lucian's voice rose like fire. "Because love is stronger than fear. You will never understand that."
The words cut deeper than the blade. For the first time, Darius's face flickered with anger—not cold, but raw.
Their fight broke branches, tore roots, split bark. But then, from far off, a horn blew. The villagers had gathered. They came with torches and iron. Their shouts filled the air.
Darius stepped back, his smile returning. "The game is over for now. Keep the child. But remember, Lucian—you belong to me. And soon, so will she."
He vanished into smoke, leaving only the smell of ash.
Lucian dropped to one knee, exhausted. The child crawled out of the hollow, clutching his arm. Lucian gathered him up, holding him close. "You are safe now."
When he returned to the village with the boy, the people gasped. Mothers wept, fathers shouted thanks. But some only stared, their faces full of doubt.
Elena ran from the manor, her cloak flying behind her. She saw the blood on Lucian's arm and the child in his hold. Her heart cracked and healed at the same time.
"You kept your promise," she whispered, tears in her eyes.
Lucian gave her the boy and bowed his head. "For as long as I breathe, I will keep it."
The villagers cheered, but in their cheers was still fear, still doubt. Elena felt it, heavy and sharp. She knew the fight was far from over.
And somewhere, in the dark corners of the forest, Darius was smiling.