Chapter 3: Shadows and Steel

The dawn light seeped into Drakov Castle, casting a soft glow through the towering windows. Lucian had already been awake for hours, the weight of responsibility on his shoulders heavier than ever. He was the eldest son of King Darius, and with that came expectations. His two younger siblings, Adrian and Arianna, were just beginning to grasp their roles within the vampire kingdom, but for Lucian, the crown's burden was a constant companion.

The long, quiet halls of the castle were momentarily peaceful, but Lucian knew that the calm would soon give way to the day's activities—sword practice, council meetings, and the endless preparations for the tension brewing between their realm and the witches. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the fatigue that came from nights of restless sleep and haunting visions.

As he descended the grand staircase to the training grounds, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw his younger brother Adrian, brandishing a wooden sword with a grin that spoke of mischief. Adrian was the second-born and still full of youthful exuberance, his dark hair falling in messy waves over his forehead.

"Lucian," Adrian called, his voice light. "Ready for another round? I've been practicing."

Lucian smirked. "You've been practicing getting beaten, I hope."

"I'll show you," Adrian said, laughing. He swung his sword playfully, his movements quick but lacking the precision Lucian had mastered over years of training.

Before Lucian could respond, another voice chimed in, smooth and confident. "Both of you are wasting your time. I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back."Arianna strolled into view, her long, raven-black hair tied in a braid that fell over her shoulder. At only twenty, Arianna was already proving herself to be one of the fiercest vampires in their clan, her skills in both combat and magic unmatched by many. Her confidence was never in short supply, and though her brothers often teased her, they both knew that her talents were real.

"Bold words, sister," Lucian said, eyeing her with a half-smile. "We'll see if your sword matches your tongue."

The three siblings headed out to the training grounds, a wide expanse nestled behind the castle and enclosed by thick stone walls. It was here that the heirs of the Drakov family honed their skills, preparing for the dangers that loomed on the horizon. With tensions rising between the vampire realm and the witches, their training had become even more intense.

Adrian was the first to step into the circle with Lucian. Despite being the younger of the two, Adrian's raw strength was undeniable. His strikes were powerful, but Lucian had the edge in speed and technique. Their wooden swords clashed, the sound echoing off the stone walls as they moved in a fluid dance of attacks and parries.

"You're getting better," Lucian acknowledged, dodging a strike aimed at his shoulder.

"Thanks," Adrian said, though his voice was strained with effort. "But don't go easy on me."

Lucian didn't plan to. He stepped up his pace, his strikes coming faster, and within moments, he disarmed Adrian with a swift flick of his wrist. Adrian stumbled back, shaking his head in disbelief."Show-off," he muttered, though there was no real frustration in his tone. Adrian respected his older brother too much to truly begrudge him a victory.

Next up was Arianna. She stepped into the ring with a grace that belied her deadly intent, her eyes locked on Lucian. She had always been the more tactical fighter of the three, relying on strategy and agility over brute strength. Her first move was an elegant feint that almost caught Lucian off guard.

Almost.

"You'll have to do better than that," Lucian teased, parrying her next blow.

Arianna smirked. "I'm just getting started."

Their match was more evenly matched than Lucian's sparring with Adrian. Where Adrian was powerful, Arianna was swift, her blade darting in and out like a striking snake. Lucian had to focus hard, deflecting her strikes and looking for openings.

As their fight progressed, the air around them seemed to hum with tension. It was more than just sibling rivalry—it was practice for the real battles that might come. They all knew that their world was teetering on the edge of conflict, and when the time came, they would need to be ready.

Finally, with a well-timed sweep, Lucian knocked Arianna off balance, her sword falling to the ground.

"Not bad," Lucian said, offering her a hand to help her up. "But you're still too quick to commit. You need to think three moves ahead, not just one."Arianna rolled her eyes, but she accepted his hand. "I'll remember that next time."

Their practice came to an end as the midday sun reached its peak, casting long shadows over the training grounds. As the three siblings sat in the shade to cool down, Adrian broke the silence.

"I heard some of the nobles talking last night," he said, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "They're worried about the witches. Some think we should make the first move before they can strike."

Lucian's expression darkened. The tension with the witches had been growing for months, and it was only a matter of time before it erupted into something more. Their father, King Darius, had been holding council after council, trying to find a solution that didn't involve outright war, but it seemed peace was slipping further from their grasp.

"Ignore the nobles," Lucian said. "They're always quick to call for blood, but they don't understand the consequences."

Arianna's gaze sharpened. "Do you think there's a chance for peace?"

Lucian hesitated. He didn't want to lie to his siblings, but he also didn't want to burden them with the grim reality he saw looming on the horizon. The witches were powerful, and their coven, led by Isolde, was not one to be trifled with. He knew that any misstep could lead to catastrophe.

"I don't know," he admitted. "But we have to be prepared for whatever comes."

Adrian sighed, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness. "I hate waiting around. If they're going to attack, I wish they'd just get it over with."

Arianna nodded in agreement. "At least then we'd know what we're dealing with."

Lucian understood their frustration. The uncertainty was maddening, but rushing into battle without understanding the full scope of their enemy's power would be a grave mistake.

As they sat in contemplative silence, Lucian's thoughts drifted back to the dream he'd had about Selena. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was connected to all of this in some way, though he still didn't know how. The dreams had been coming more frequently, each one more vivid than the last.

But for now, Lucian kept those thoughts to himself. His siblings didn't need another worry on their minds.

Later that evening, the castle was filled with the usual hum of activity. Servants rushed to and fro, preparing for a feast that had been called by their father to honor visiting nobles. As the eldest, Lucian was expected to make an appearance, though his mind was far from the revelry.

As he made his way to the grand hall, he passed by the window that overlooked the vast forests surrounding the castle. In the distance, the dark trees swayed in the breeze, but something about them felt...off. A strange unease settled over him, a premonition of danger lurking just beyond the horizon.