Chapter 8: The Mark and the Echo

With his new body, Marcus began to walk through the forest. With every step, he felt a strange, primal energy within him. His senses were now so sharp that he could distinctly feel the rustle of every leaf, the sound of insects crawling beneath the soil, and the faint scent of vampires drifting in the distant air. All of this made him feel more alive and powerful than ever before, yet there was also a deep, unsettling feeling – this wasn't his world, at least not as he knew it.

As the sun rose higher and light spread through the forest, Marcus felt some strange marks on his body. He ran his hand across his chest and found a deep, old mark, directly above his heart. The mark resembled a curved, wild wolf's paw, deeply etched into his skin. This wasn't a new wound; it looked as if it had been there for centuries, a primal tattoo.

"What is this?" Marcus muttered, his voice filled with surprise. He didn't remember when this mark had appeared on his body. Was it connected to the wolf attack? Was it a symbol of his rebirth? He couldn't understand where this mark came from or what it meant.

He continued to move forward, and then he heard an ancient echo in his mind. It wasn't a voice, but a feeling, a thought distinct from his own. It was an ancient, wild, and angry consciousness. It was the one that had said, "I've found a vessel," in the cave. This consciousness had awakened within him, and it was now taking control of him.

This echo was pulling him towards the past, where he saw some blurry images: an ancient war, atrocities committed by vampires, and the defeat of a powerful werewolf. These images were so vague that Marcus couldn't fully comprehend them, but they gave him a strange unease. He felt as if he was seeing memories that weren't his own but were deeply embedded within him.

"Who are you?" Marcus asked the echo in his mind.

The echo didn't give a direct answer, but a feeling floated within him – a feeling of vengeance, a thirst more intense than Marcus's own burning desire for revenge. He felt that this ancient spirit wanted centuries-old revenge against the vampires, and it had now made Marcus its medium.

Towards Vengeance: Following the Scent

Marcus realized that this new consciousness within him was pulling him in a certain direction. That direction was towards the vampire stronghold. He could smell them more clearly in the air, so clearly that he could estimate their number and distance. This was an ability he had never possessed before. His eyes, now glowing red, could see easily even in the dark, and his ears could hear the faintest whisper.

The scene of Lilywood flashed in his mind again – his mother's, father's, and Lena's screams, the burning house, and the cruel faces of the vampires. That pain and anger had now merged with the rage of the ancient spirit within him, making him feel even more powerful. Marcus now had no doubt what he had to do. He had to find the vampires and make them pay for their deeds.

However, another thought crossed his mind. This power, this new form, was it a curse or a blessing? He still needed answers to many questions about his existence. He couldn't find peace just by killing vampires until he understood himself. Would he become a slave to this ancient spirit, or would he be able to control it?

The mark of the red wolf throbbed on his chest, as if reminding him of his destiny. He knew his journey would be long and dangerous. He had to fight not only the vampires but also the other powers that had become active in Alaria due to this new awakening. Emperor Draconius, Werewolf Emperor Gregor, and even Dracula himself – all were now seeking this new power.

Unrest in Alaria: Changing Equations

Even greater unrest was spreading throughout Alaria. The havoc of the Red Moon and Marcus's rebirth had completely upset the balance of power.

Dracula, in his stronghold, was still restless. He had heard the roar of the red wolf, and he understood that something had slipped from his grasp in Lilywood that was now a threat to him. He was using his espionage and magical powers to locate this new power. His greed and hunger for power had grown even more, as he felt that this new power, if controlled, could make him even more limitless.

Emperor Draconius had sent his spies to every corner of Alaria. They needed every piece of information about this new power. They knew that if this power got out of control, it could pose a great threat to Alaria. The Emperor now had to devise new strategies for the security of his empire.

Werewolf Emperor Gregor also felt this new energy within his species. He was reminded of ancient prophecies about this 'last wolf.' He also knew that this new werewolf could be a blessing or a curse for their kind. They had to find this new creature and understand whether he would be on their side or against them.

And Marcus, who was now a red wolf, was at the center of all these powers. He was not only burning with the fire of vengeance against the vampires but also had to understand and control the ancient spirit within him that wanted to make him dance to its tunes. His journey was now not just about revenge but also about self-discovery. He had to understand who he was and what his purpose was.

Marcus clenched his fists. His body was strong and muscular, but his mind was still confused. He knew this was a new chapter, a chapter where he had to face his past, understand his present, and shape his future. The bloodstain on his mouth, the redness in his eyes, and the wolf's paw on his chest – all were proof of his new existence. He was ready to carve his name into the history of Alaria, whether as a hero or a monster.