[-In King Lionel's Castle-]

Former Alpha of Silver Aurora Pack, Berrick, has started his own preparations for his return to the werewolf kingdom.

​​

To re-establish his former wolf pack.

Many memories began to appear and bother Berrick.

While he was sparring with three of the henchmen of King Lionel, his mind was filled with thoughts about his former wolf pack and … his most beloved mate.

His wife, Sylvanna.

Despite having to go against with three vampires and being distracted, his fighting skills and prowess were indeed on a different league.

The vampires watching the sparring match were very impressed with the grandson of their king.

It was a display of extraordinary strength and fighting skills.

Berrick ended the sparring match in his favor.

Others applauded and marveled at his might.

The training ground of the vampires was located underground the castle.

A huge training ground was installed for training and practice of the soldiers of King Lionel.

Instead of doing their usual training exercises and combat practices, everyone watched the sparring match of the grandson of their king.

A rare opportunity to see him on action since he would be leaving.

Sweating …

Exchanges of intense strikes and hits …

Without any use of special abilities, the sparring match became a spectacle for the vampire soldiers in the training ground.

Female vampires threw flirtatious look towards Berrick.

Male vampires admired the sight of Berrick.

Giving him the deserved respect.

"Imagine, three henchmen without any difficulty?"

"And he even looks distracted but he easily wards them off."

"He is our king's heir no doubt."

Some of the whispers going around amongst the vampires watching the sparring match.

…

…

On the other hand,

Ingrid was confronted by Hanzo in her laboratory.

"Why do you want to meet me? Is there any message from King Lionel?" Ingrid asked.

"No, he did not send me here. I wanted to see you because …" Hanzo hesitated if it was right for him to do so.

He indirectly segued into something more pleasing and prompted for his serious questions.

"You know we have been serving the king for a long time now. And I know you have been nothing but loyal to him."

"Why won't you go straight ahead to what brought you here? And stop beating around the bush!" Ingrid looked at Hanzo with a serious look on her eyes.

Only Hanzo and Ingrid were in the laboratory.

No one else were around.

"Tell me, why did you lie to our king? I know for a fact you have done the opposite of the command which our king has clearly told you. Sending the daughter of Berrick to somewhere else. Instead of doing the task given to you, why have you disobeyed for the first time? Are you rebelling against our king, Ingrid?" Hanzo stated to Ingrid regarding all of his discovery.

It surprised Ingrid that Hanzo knows the truth.

Being aware to what she has done was truly a problem for Ingrid.

"What are you planning to do with the information you just acquired?" Ingrid wondered.

"Answer my question first and then I will decide what to do next about it." Hanzo became more serious than his previous tone.

"My main concern is for the welfare and best interest of the vampire. And aside from those things is nothing else! I am not planning a rebellion nor instigating any opposing forces against our king. But, I do not think eliminating the next supreme leader will benefit the vampires. We served the late Emperor Odin with our full loyalty. Only misfortune awaits for those who harm the destined supreme leader." Ingrid elaborated her reasons for her actions.

…

…

Hanzo was contemplating for the next words he was about to utter.

"Who do you really want to serve, Ingrid? King Lionel or the destined next supreme leader?" Hanzo asked Ingrid while holding the scabbard of his sword.

Ingrid did not answer immediately.

She also contemplated on her supposed response.

"Both!"

"Ingrid … you and I know that is impossible! There must be only one master. Not two … Not three … but ONLY ONE!" Hanzo reiterated to Ingrid the value of having one master.

"Why can't I serve two?"

"Because they may have conflicting goals and it is inevitable for our king to clash with the destined next supreme leader. Given the history and goals they have. How will you serve two masters for that? If in the end, you will have to choose … only one to protect." Hanzo held tightly on to the grip of his sword.

"Whoever has the best interest and plans for the vampires, that individual will be my true master! As of now, I can only serve two. Until the time has come for me to decide which one I must finally choose as my true master."

Hanzo turned around.

And before he left the laboratory.

"So I will not interfere … for now! Until you make a decision. Once you have decided then it will depend also on how I will move forward with you. But I must warn you, if you choose someone else as your master. I have no choice but to eliminate any threats towards our king." Hanzo conveyed his thoughts to Ingrid.

He continued, "Even if I have to kill you. Then I will. So, I highly recommend for you to think it over carefully. And I pray for you to choose the right decision. After all, you are someone I truly care for!"

Ingrid watched Hanzo leave the laboratory.

Contemplating on his warning for her.

---

Meanwhile,

Somewhere far north from the territory of King Lionel, a hidden fortress where allied vampires to Grand Vampire Elder Amelia expected the arrival of their most respected grand elder.

In her arrival, they could not wait to report the current status of their new guest.

Referring to Malia.

Thus, when Grand Vampire Elder Amelia arrived with her few escorts.

A smaller fortress compared to the castle of King Lionel awaits.

Though, inside the fortress was filled with candles and elegant murals.

Unlike the castle of King Lionel, the fortress of the north is attached to a mountain.

Originally it was cave and vampires turned it into a fortress which resembles a castle.

Hidden away from other supernatural creatures.

Due to the deceptive barrier created by their Grand Vampire Elder, she was able to create an illusion which deceives any outsider.

Her intention to keep this away from the king was for her own insurance.

Just in case the time comes for her to go against with the king of vampires openly, Amelia would have a place to hide away.

She was welcomed by the vampires she saved and kept as her allies.

Loyal only to her.

That is why when Ingrid sent the contained body of Malia under the name of Grand Vampire Elder Amelia, no one hesitated to shelter their guest.

Vouched by the vampire they respected the most.

"Where is our guest?" Amelia asked the vampires.

For a moment … no one answered.

"Is something wrong?" a query of Amelia to her allied vampires.

"It's better to show you … Grand Elder!" the acting-leader of the group informed Amelia.

Immediately, she followed the vampire.

When they finally arrived in the designated room for Malia, they could see the body glowing inside the huge block of ice.

"Why have you not released the body from the ice?"

"Grand Elder, there is a great darkness I could sense within. The combined crystals and ice structure which contains the body of this guest of yours is the only thing that keeps the darkness within at bay. Somehow the darkness was also contained but if we release her. The darkness along with it will be released as well." The vampire warned their grand elder.

…

"We will release her. She is the destined next supreme leader." Amelia revealed to her ally.

"What? She is the destined next chosen one?" a surprised tone was evident in the voice of the vampire.

Astonished at the revelation of their Grand Vampire Elder, Amelia.

"Yes! And she will not harm us as long as we swear our allegiance to her. So, Remy … you are former henchman of the king of vampires until he decided to punish you through exile. I believe your ability is enough to melt away the thing which contains our guest." Amelia remarked.

"But … Grand Elder, are you sure about this? I … I am grateful for your kindness by lending your home to my children. I just want us to be careful with …"

"Remy, I am sure about this. So will you do it for me?" Amelia insisted on releasing Malia.

Right away, the former henchman approached the huge block of ice containing Malia.

And as soon as she touched the huge block of ice.

It slowly melted away.

Until … the entire ice became just merely water.

But Malia remained floating and surrounded by a purple light.

Moments after …

Her eyes opened.

Then darkness covered the entire room.

Blinding everyone in its path.

"Who dared to wake me?" a sinister voice was heard.

Threatening …

And Vicious …

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