Chapter 9: Rising from the Ashes, Taking Revenge

The fierce rays of the sun fell directly on the ruins of Lilywood, but the air here still reeked of death and destruction. Marcus, now a transformed being, with his heightened senses and the strange echo within him, returned to the very path where his life had changed forever. Lilywood. His burnt village, the graveyard of his childhood joys.

As he entered the village, his eyes turned red. Every broken house, every scattered item, reminded him of the vampires' cruelty. The ancient spirit within him also became restless, roaring with anger, but Marcus suppressed it. He knew this anger was necessary, but now he needed peace.

Marcus went straight to his home. There, amidst the rubble, lay the lifeless bodies of his parents and Lena. Marcus knelt on the ground, and tears streamed from his eyes. These were tears of the pain that his new body also felt, a pain that had deeply penetrated his soul. He gently lifted his family's bodies, feeling their cold skin. In his powerful arms, they now felt light, but his heart was heavy.

He decided to bury his family. In a nearby field, where his father once ploughed, Marcus began to dig the ground with his powerful claws. The soil cut easily, as if recognizing the strength of his new body. He dug a single grave for his parents and Lena, so they would always be together. As he laid them in the ground, Marcus took a deep breath and made a vow in his mind: "I will never forget you. I will find those who did this, and I will make them pay for their deeds."

After burying his family, Marcus looked at the rest of the villagers. Their mutilated bodies lay scattered around. He couldn't leave them like that. One by one, he gathered every villager he could find. It was a long and painful task, but Marcus did it tirelessly. He lifted each body with respect and buried them in a large mass grave. By sunset, he had buried almost all the bodies. Lilywood, once a village, had now become a vast graveyard.

In the evening, as the sun was setting and the sky was filled with orange hues, Marcus stood before the mass grave. He clasped his new, powerful hands together, paying homage to his people. There were no tears in his eyes now, but a grim determination. This was revenge not just for his family, but for all of Lilywood.

The Secret of Power and the Resolve to Become a Warrior

After paying homage, Marcus remained seated there, stroking the swirling wolf's paw mark on his chest. The mark now seemed even clearer, as if it were proof of his new existence. He felt the ancient echo in his mind again, which made him experience an indomitable power. He knew this power was within him, but he still couldn't fully understand or control it.

"I cannot rely on this power," Marcus muttered. He realized that this power could sometimes make him uncontrollable, as evidenced by his inability to recall what happened in the cave. He didn't know how his body transformed at night, or whose blood was on his mouth. He had to trust himself, rely on his skills, not on a power he didn't own.

"I must become a warrior," Marcus said firmly. "I must fight my own battles, with my own strength." He knew the vampires were powerful, and if he was to take revenge on them, he had to become even more powerful than them. This meant training, discipline, and skill. He had to understand his new powers and bring them under his control, not become their slave.

He decided to start his journey from here – from Lilywood, the place where his old life ended and a new one began. He needed a guide, a mentor who could tell him about the rules of this new world, its powers, and the weaknesses of vampires. He needed to learn more about Alaria, about its ancient legends and hidden secrets.

Seeking a New Path

Marcus fixed his eyes on the horizon. The sun had completely set, and the darkness of night was descending. He felt the indomitable power in his body that transformed him at night, but he tried to control it. He didn't know when and how this change would occur, but he knew he had to overcome it.

"First, I need weapons," he thought. There were no weapons left in Lilywood; everything had burned. He needed something for his protection. He also knew he had to find food and shelter. This was a new beginning, but this time he wasn't alone. Within him was an ancient spirit, and in his heart burned a terrible fire of revenge.

Marcus looked at Lilywood one last time. It was no longer just a memory, but a symbol of his burning desire for revenge. From here, his journey began, as a warrior who would discover his identity and his power, and take revenge on Alaria's most terrifying enemies.

Now, how will Marcus begin his journey to become a warrior