The Silver Peaks

The Vampires travelled silently, in a group that numbered hundreds.

They pushed themselves past the fields that lie north of the Noctaris Estate and then further until they reached Londis, the Capital City and Home of the Humans.

It was nighttime when they travelled through the dark streets, so not many people witnessed the forces that sped through their homes.

But it would give a fright to those that did.

After passing through the City, they continued north, through further fields and human villages.

And after hours of journey without pauses, the vampires reached the border of the Werewolves Territory.

Draven knew it was the border because instantly, the housing structure changed.

Where the humans would use wood for their village houses, the werewolves would use stone, due to less insulation.

They loved the cold.

Not only that but far ahead In the distance, Draven could see the large mountain range known as the Silver Peaks. Home to the Werewolves.

His group was the first to reach the border, and ahead of them was a small werewolf village.

Part of him wanted to pillage the village there and then, but he decided not to.

He did not want to lose any of his forces before reaching the silver peaks.

"Do we go around them?" Serena asked from beside him.

She had been travelling up front with him the entire time. Ever since their talk about her leadership, she had grown a newfound respect for him.

Draven often thought about sleeping with her but told himself that it would happen in due time.

"No, it will only slow us down. Go through them, it doesn't matter if we're seen. They won't attack."

Draven was confident that a mere village of werewolves wouldn't attack such a large force of vampires, especially knowing that the lord of vampires was alive and likely leading them.

So the Noctaris Vampires charged through the village.

The werewolves were alerted and stood outside of the doors of their houses in readied stances as though they hoped to protect whatever was inside.

But if Draven wanted something there, none of them would have been able to do anything to stop it.

He could sense their powers, they were far too weak.

Finally, after travelling further North, past a few more villages, they were nearing the base of the first mountain.

To either side of the first mountain was a second and third mountain, and behind those would have been a fourth and fifth.

However, four of those mountains would be surrounding a larger central mountain, which Draven could see peaking above the others.

Like a father watching over his children.

It was so tall that anyone without enhanced eyesight would have struggled to see its top.

But Draven could. Snow fell from the sky, covering all of the peaks.

The Vampire Lord turned to the group leaders and all of their followers.

They stood, laced with anticipation. Weapons in hand ready to be used.

Some looked particularly hungry for battle, like Lucian, whose katana was already drawn and held as though a werewolf stood right in front of him.

I forget that he has not seen a true battle yet. He must be itching to test his powers.

Dracula looked ecstatic too; he had truly missed battle during his retirement.

Draven cleared his throat and spoke in a tone that would not allow him to be heardd by the werewolves, though they should have been able to sense him if they were strong enough.

"We've arrived at the battlefield, Vampires, and our enemies lie in wait.". Draven pointed towards the mountain in front of them.

"In there. They live in the mountains. As you climb, you will mind multiple entrances. And when you find those entrances, you know what you must do."

The vampires nodded at the words, for the entire journey, this battle had been the only thing on their minds.

"The leaders have each been designated a mountain to strike. Whilst inside you will follow their orders vehemently."

Draven focused his senses, feeling the temperature grow colder. The sounds of the wind blowing louder. The presences in the mountains becoming more prevalent.

"Each mountain has multiple strong fighters. Be prepared and expect to fight difficult battles ... I want you all to return to me by the end of the night."

The faces of the vampires were resolute, all determined to make It out of the night alive.

If we all make It out alive, then that should mean that the end of the Werewolves is inbound.

"Now then..." Draven said, turning towards the mountain range. "Let's get moving."

---

[Lucian]

Lucian's orders were to strike the closest mountain, and he would be lying if he said that he wasn't nervous.

Yet with the nerves came excitement.

As he stood at the base of the mountain with his team, the expression must have been showing on his face.

He felt something soft squash against his arm.

"Well, young Lucian. Get us out of this alive and you might earn yourself a reward. ♡"

A woman with long pink hair hugged his arm and pressed her large breasts against him.

Her name was Soflera Noctaris, the 5th ranked Knight.

She wore a long flowing black dress that didn't seem to be suitable for battle. But the longsword on her back said otherwise.

"U-umm," Lucian replied, nerves growing even stronger.

Somehow, the touch of a woman is scarier than entering into battle...

"Leave him alone, you perv." Another woman said from behind.

He turned to see Taliah Noctaris, the 8th ranked Knight.

This woman was much more petite and small-chested. Her white hair was held into two buns atop her head, and her skin was slightly tanned.

Lucian, being a small man himself, had always found her more attractive than all of the others.

"Calm down Taliah, just easing the nerves of battle. You can have him afterwards if you'd like, you're practically the same size after all!" Soflera teased, making Taliah's cheeks turn red.

Lucian shook his head to clear the thoughts running through it.

"Let's not get distracted," He said afterwards. "We have a mission in front of us. Are any of you able to spot an entrance?"

The nocturnal knights that were with Lucian scanned their eyes across the large mountain face.

With Lucian were ranks 5, 8, 10, and 11. He had been given strong knights due to not being as familiar with the battle.

It still felt strange for him to be granted a role as a leader in the first place.

Yet Draven saw something in him.

"There's an opening about a hundred meters that way, hidden by a door of snow." Soflera pointed upwards towards a location in the mountain.

Lucian, whose senses had not developed to the level of the higher rankers, was unable to see it, but he trusted Soflera; she was strong.

"Good. No time to waste then, let's move."