The morning sun rose timidly, its light barely breaking through the dense fog that had hung over the village for centuries. But today, the villagers did not cower in their homes as they usually did when dawn came. Today, they were the hunters. They surged forward like a tidal wave, their torches and weapons held high, their faces contorted with rage and a thirst for vengeance.
For too long, the Nocturne family had terrorized them, taking their children, spilling their blood, and desecrating their lives. This would be the day they ended it.
The villagers reached the castle gates and pounded against them with all their might. The ancient wood groaned under the assault, and after several minutes, it splintered and gave way. They poured into the courtyard like a swarm of locusts, screaming curses and wielding their makeshift weapons.
The few vampire guards who dared to stand in their way were overwhelmed. One man drove a pitchfork into a guard's chest, pinning him to the stone wall. Another hacked at a vampire maid who tried to flee, her shrieks echoing in the chaos.
Inside the castle, the Nocturne sisters slept peacefully, unaware of the storm brewing outside.
The villagers split into groups, storming through the halls in search of their prey. They burst into the first bedroom, where Evelina lay sprawled on a velvet chaise, her pale skin glowing in the dim light. Her eyes fluttered open just as they descended upon her.
"What is this?" Evelina hissed, her voice dripping with contempt. She lashed out, her nails slicing through the air like daggers. But there were too many. They grabbed her arms and legs, pinning her down.
In the next room, Cassandra awoke to the sound of breaking furniture. She leapt from her bed, her fangs bared, but a group of villagers tackled her to the ground. "Let go of me, you filthy insects!" she screamed, her voice shaking the walls. She thrashed violently, but they beat her into submission with clubs and chains.
Marietta, the youngest of the three sisters, tried to escape through a hidden passage, but the villagers anticipated her move. They dragged her back into the hall, her silk nightgown tearing as she clawed at the stone floor.
The sisters were bound with heavy chains,
their protests drowned out by the villagers' triumphant roars.
As the sisters were subdued, Gregor and the hooded man led a smaller group to the crypt below. The air grew colder as they descended the winding staircase, their torches flickering in the damp darkness.
At the center of the crypt lay Lucius's coffin, an ominous slab of obsidian etched with arcane symbols. Gregor hesitated for a moment, staring at the intricate carvings. "This is it," he whispered. "The heart of their evil."
The hooded man placed a hand on Gregor's shoulder. "No hesitation," he said. "This is your chance to end it."
With a nod, Gregor signaled for the villagers to lift the coffin. It took six men to hoist it onto their shoulders, the weight of it seemingly unnatural. As they carried it out of the crypt, the castle seemed to shudder, as if mourning the loss of its dark prince.
The villagers dragged the sisters into the castle courtyard, where the sunlight streamed through the broken walls. The chains around their wrists and ankles clinked ominously as they were forced to their knees.
Evelina squinted against the light, her skin beginning to smoke, "You fools," she spat. "Do you think this will save you? My brother will avenge us."
Her words were met with laughter. "Your brother will die just like you!" one villager shouted, spitting at her feet.
The villagers hauled the coffin into the center of the courtyard, placing it directly under the sun. Gregor stood over it, the ancient dagger in his hand. "Open it," he commanded.
The hooded man stepped forward and pried the lid open, revealing Lucius's serene form. He looked almost angelic, his silver hair gleaming in the light. But the villagers knew better.
"Bring it closer!" Gregor shouted.
The sunlight grew stronger as the villagers removed the sisters' cloaks, exposing their pale skin. Evelina was the first to scream, her flesh blistering as the rays touched her. Cassandra and Marietta writhed in agony, their bodies convulsing as smoke rose from their skin.
"Please!" Marietta begged, tears streaming down her face. "Spare my brother!"
Her pleas were ignored. The villagers laughed and jeered, taking pleasure in their suffering. Some even threw stones, further injuring the helpless women.
Cassandra's voice cracked as she screamed, "Lucius! Wake up! Save us!" But Lucius remained still in his coffin,
oblivious to their cries.
Gregor raised the dagger, his hand
trembling. "It ends now," he said, his voice filled with resolve.
The sisters, despite their pain, continued to plead. "No! Please, don't-"
As the dagger descended, the sun suddenly dimmed. Shadows crept across the
courtyard, and the villagers froze. Lucius's eyes snapped open, glowing a deep crimson.
He sat up slowly, the sunlight washing over him without harm. The villagers stared in shock, their expressions a mix of horror and disbelief.
"It's not possible," Gregor whispered, stumbling back.
Lucius rose from the coffin, his movements graceful and deliberate. He looked down at
his sisters, who managed weak smiles despite their agony.
"Brother," Evelina whispered. "You are... invincible.
With a nod, Lucius turned to the villagers, his lips curling into a menacing smile. "You dared to challenge me?" he said, his voice
"It's not possible," Gregor whispered, stumbling back.
dripping with malice. "You will all pay."
Lucius rose from the coffin, his movements graceful and deliberate. He looked down at his sisters, who managed weak smiles despite their agony.
"Brother," Evelina whispered. "You are...
invincible."
With a nod, Lucius turned to the villagers, his lips curling into a menacing smile. "You dared to challenge me?" he said, his voice
dripping with malice. "You will all pay."