Fractured Alliances

The return to Valewood was greeted with tension. News of the prophecy and Erebus's true nature spread quickly among the families, and fear took root in their ranks. While some saw the revelation as a call to unify, others saw it as a warning to retreat and protect their own.

In the Alaric estate's great hall, the leaders of the five families gathered once more. The air was thick with mistrust as they debated their next steps.

"We've faced countless threats over the years," Magnus growled, slamming his fist on the table. "But this is different. Erebus isn't just a stronger vampire—he's something far worse. And if we're not careful, he'll destroy us all."

Marla crossed her arms, her expression cold. "And yet you propose we fight him head-on? Look at what happened in the Vale. We barely survived."

"We can't hide," Garrick countered, his voice calm but firm. "The prophecy is clear: united, we stand. Divided, we fall. If we start retreating to our territories, we're as good as dead. They are not going to stop till they wipe us all out of existence."

"That's easy for you to say," Marla shot back. "Your family isn't the one constantly on the front lines!"

"Enough!" Donovan's voice cut through the tension like a blade. His sharp gaze swept the room. "We don't have the luxury of arguing. Erebus is building his power, and every moment we waste bickering and squabbling brings us closer to annihilation."

---

While the leaders debated, Luca, Eva, and Erik stood outside the hall, their ears catching snippets of the heated conversation.

"They'll never agree," Erik muttered, leaning against the wall. "Too much bad blood between them."

"They have to," Eva said, her tone resolute. "If they don't, we're doomed."

Luca remained silent, his mind racing. The burden of the prophecy weighed heavily on him, and the fractures within the families only deepened his anxiety.

"What if unity isn't enough?" he finally said, his voice low.

Eva turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... what if the prophecy isn't about us surviving? What if it's about how we'll fail?"

Erik gave a humorless laugh. "That's a cheery thought."

Eva placed a hand on Luca's shoulder. "We don't know that. What we do know is that Erebus wants us divided. We can't let him win."

---

Inside the hall, Donovan finally managed to wrest control of the meeting.

"Here's what we'll do," he said, his commanding presence silencing the room. "We'll strengthen our defenses in Valewood while continuing to investigate Erebus's plans. Garrick and I will work on rallying the families' warriors to prepare for the next attack. Marla, you'll oversee the fortifications."

Marla looked reluctant but nodded. "Fine. But if this backfires, it's on you."

"And Magnus," Donovan continued, "your family will coordinate with Luca's team to track Erebus's movements and uncover any additional altars or artifacts he might be using."

Magnus grunted in approval. "At least that's something I can sink my teeth into."

---

As the meeting adjourned, Donovan pulled Luca aside.

"How was the Hall of Elders?" Donovan asked, his voice quieter than usual.

"Informative," Luca replied. "But also... unsettling."

Donovan nodded. "I figured as much. Did Kael say anything about how we can stop Erebus?"

"Only that we need to destroy whatever power source he's using," Luca said. "But it won't be easy. Erebus is... more than just a vampire now."

Donovan's expression darkened. "We'll do what we must. No matter the cost."

The days that followed were a blur of activity. The families worked tirelessly to prepare for the inevitable confrontation. Barricades were erected, watchtowers reinforced, and patrols doubled.

Despite the progress, tension simmered beneath the surface. Old rivalries flared up during the long hours of work, and whispers of dissent spread through the ranks.

Luca, Eva, and Erik spent their time coordinating with Magnus's scouts, searching for any sign of Erebus or his followers. Their efforts led them to a series of abandoned tunnels beneath Valewood, remnants of an old mining operation.

"These tunnels could be perfect for hiding or moving troops undetected," Eva said, her flashlight cutting through the darkness.

"Let's hope they're empty," Erik muttered, his hand resting on his weapon.

---

The tunnels were anything but empty.

As they ventured deeper, they discovered signs of recent activity—scattered belongings, faint footprints, and the lingering stench of decay.

"Vampires have been here," Luca said, his senses on high alert.

Eva nodded. "But why would they use these tunnels? They've always preferred the surface."

Erik crouched down, examining a strange marking on the wall. "This isn't just a hideout. Look at this."

The marking was a series of interlocking symbols, pulsing faintly with dark energy.

"It's similar to what we saw on the altar," Eva said, her voice tinged with unease.

Luca frowned. "We need to get out of here. Now."

But as they turned to leave, the tunnel filled with the sound of footsteps, fast and numerous. Shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, and the temperature dropped sharply.

"They're here," Luca growled, shifting into his wolf form.

The vampires attacked in waves, their ferocity amplified by the confined space. Luca and his team fought back with everything they had, but the narrow tunnel worked against them.

"We can't stay here!" Erik shouted, his claws slashing through an advancing vampire.

"This way!" Eva called, leading them down a side passage.

The group sprinted through the maze of tunnels, the vampires in hot pursuit. The air grew heavier with each step, and an ominous humming sound filled their ears.

They burst into a cavernous chamber, and what they saw froze them in place.

At the center of the chamber stood another altar, smaller than the one in the Vale but no less menacing. Around it, vampires chanted in the same ancient language, their voices echoing off the stone walls.

Erebus stood among them, his presence dominating the room. He turned to face Luca and his team, a cold smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, the Alarics," he said, his tone mocking. "You're just in time for the next step of my ascension."

Luca stepped forward, his claws glinting in the dim light. "We're here to stop you."

Erebus laughed, a chilling sound that reverberated through the chamber. "You can try."

The room erupted into chaos as the vampires attacked, their movements impossibly fast and precise. Erebus remained at the altar, his hands raised as he channeled dark energy into the structure.

"Destroy the altar!" Luca shouted, fighting his way toward it.

Eva and Erik flanked him, their attacks coordinated and relentless. But for every vampire they cut down, more seemed to emerge from the shadows.

As Luca reached the altar, Erebus unleashed a wave of energy that sent him crashing into the wall.

"You're too late," Erebus said, his voice cold and triumphant. "The shadows are already mine."

Luca struggled to his feet, his vision blurry but his determination unshaken. "This isn't over," he growled.

With a surge of strength, he leaped toward the altar, his claws aimed at its core. The moment his claws struck, the cavern filled with a blinding light.

The altar shattered, its energy dissipating in a violent explosion.

When the light faded, Erebus was gone, and the chamber was eerily silent.

---

As they made their way back to the surface, Luca couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Erebus's plans were far from over, and the shadows were still rising.

He was getting tired of destroying altars, only to find more in the city, whether small or big. Luca was now more eager than ever to find out what exactly is the plan of the vampires and how to drop the a hammer so heavy on them that they would be completely obliterated.