La Luna

Beneath the great crimson moon, two boys were born into the world—children not of mankind, but of ancient blood and prophecy. One was born from the lineage of the vampires. The other, from the bloodline of wolves. Different beliefs and opposing ideals became the reason these ancient races clashed against one another. Strength. Power. Wealth. To vampires, these three were the greatest weapons of all. They were consumed by the belief that every bloodline should bow before them. Immortal. Powerful. Cold. Unlike humans, who possessed reason, compassion, and morality. To vampires, such qualities were nothing but weaknesses. Bound by hatred, they believed that humans and werewolves were no different. Even though werewolves possessed strength, power, and abilities capable of rivaling any race, vampires viewed their compassion and humanity as flaws. "They are all weak," the vampire clan often declared. Deep within their hearts, carved as firmly as words etched into stone, they believed that humans and werewolves were no different. For centuries, these two races lived hidden among humanity, witnessing the endless cycle of mankind's birth, death, and rebirth. With the birth of the two chosen ones came a heavy responsibility—to destroy the opposing race. Whoever emerged victorious would rule above all others. Conall grew up in the forests of Crescent Wood, where vast fields and towering trees became both his home and his playground. The forest was his sanctuary, the place where he felt safest. Unlike the others, Conall was chosen by the Moon Kings and Goddesses—Mayanari, Haliya, Laushana, Bulan, and Kulaon. They decreed that he would remain in human form until the appointed hour of his rebirth beneath the Blood Moon. He was unlike any chosen before him. Blessed by the lunar rulers, Conall alone was denied the gift of shifting into a wolf until destiny called upon him. Even so, he possessed extraordinary speed, remarkable strength, and mysterious abilities that continued to grow stronger with every passing day. According to the ancient texts and the wisdom passed down by Alpha leaders across the world, once the chosen reached full maturity, his true powers would awaken and surpass those of every werewolf before him. There was never a day when Conall failed to amaze his pack. Even the Alpha himself admired the young man's potential. Conall was deeply loved by his people, and the young pups looked up to him despite the fact that he had yet to take the form of a wolf. Everyone eagerly awaited the day his true power would finally awaken. Deep within the cold woods veiled in gray mist lived a peaceful pack of werewolves who cherished one another like family. Yet upon the highest hill stood a grand castle abandoned by time and long forgotten by civilization. There lived Lucius and his family— the chosen savior of the vampire race. Even beneath the dim glow of candlelight, Lucius carried himself with unnatural elegance. Every movement was graceful and deliberate, like a prince sculpted from moonlight and shadow. Yet despite his noble appearance, he lived beneath the shadow of his father— the ruthless leader of the vampire clan. Their kind was scattered across every corner of the world. Long ago, vampires had been the most feared and respected race in existence. They possessed unmatched speed, overwhelming strength, and terrifying power. For centuries, they clung desperately to the reputation they had built, placing pride and superiority above all else. There, pride and ego were placed above all else. Unlike the others, Lucius was never afraid of the dark. In fact, every corner of their mansion had become his sanctuary. One night, while he was gazing at the moon, his father approached him. "My son, when the day comes that your true power awakens, I promise you—even the human race will bow before us." Young Lucius looked into his father's eyes. Crimson-red irises glowed beneath the veil of darkness. Despite his intimidating appearance, there was a trace of warmth hidden within his father's gaze. "Father... if that happens, will they finally stop burning our homes?" Lucius asked softly, lowering his head. The smile slowly disappeared from his father's face, and silence once again filled the room. Then, in the blink of an eye, frantic voices echoed throughout the castle. "My Lord!" "Supremo!" "Our palace is under attack!" A group of vampires gathered outside Lucius's chamber. "My Lord Supremo, the palace is burning once again," one of them cried desperately. "Heartless humans..." his father muttered before rushing out, leaving Lucius alone. The glow of raging flames seeped through the cracks of the wooden door. "Lucius! Come here!" his mother shouted as she ran toward him. Together, they hurried through the kingdom, now consumed by an unforgiving sea of fire. "Supremo!" Lucia cried. Lucius met his father's gaze. In the next instant, he felt his body lifted into the air. His father had thrown him away from the collapsing structure. A moment later, Lucius struck the ground with a painful thud. "Lucius..." his father whispered. "Papa..." Lucius answered weakly. His father smiled. "Lucia... my love... come here." Lucia slowly shook her head. "I love you both," she whispered. "No!" his father cried in agony. Lucius could not understand what was happening. Then, a massive burning beam crashed down upon his mother's helpless body. His father's anguished scream echoed through the inferno as the flames swallowed everything around them. "Supremo, we must leave! There is no more time," an elderly vampire urged. At a very young age, Lucius witnessed his race abandon one home after another. During the great conflict between humans and vampires, their clan was nearly annihilated, forcing the survivors to scatter across the world. "I cannot wait for the destined day to arrive," Lucius whispered to himself. "The day every race bows before us... and our people will never suffer again." Again and again, they fled from burning homes. Again and again, they buried friends, family, and comrades beneath ashes. "Father... how many more of our people must die?" Lucius asked. Thick black smoke slowly consumed the castle. Boom! A deafening explosion shook the fortress, drowning the desperate screams of vampires trapped within the flames. His father never answered. The rage burning in his crimson eyes was answer enough. With the sweep of his father's dark cape, Lucius, his father, and the surviving army vanished into the night, leaving another ruined home behind. No tears were shed. No cries escaped them. They had become like statues carved from stone—living only for the survival and supremacy of their race. The two destined boys grew up with completely different beliefs, experiences, and purposes. One was raised in warmth and love. The other was raised in darkness, carrying hatred deep within his heart. Years passed. The two boys became men. Lucius embodied elegance, grace, and kindness. Yet beneath that gentle exterior burned an immense hatred toward humanity. Conall, meanwhile, grew into a fearless warrior blessed with extraordinary strength, speed, and power. Despite their different worlds, both lived peaceful lives. One evening, as Lucius walked through the grand hallway of the castle, he overheard his father speaking with the vampire elders. "We will bow before humans no longer," his father declared. "How many more vampires must die because of our silence?" "In the coming months, we will launch our attacks. Human or werewolf—we shall spare no one." He calmly drank from a goblet filled with rabbit blood. His crimson eyes glowed as the distant howls of wolves echoed throughout the forest, while cold mist crept around the palace. "Father... you cannot do this," Lucius interrupted. "And why not?" his father asked coldly. "Our sacred laws forbid us from harming other races." "How much longer will you continue hiding behind those laws?" his father snapped. "Our people continue to perish because of humans!" "Father... you are taking advantage of this moment because you know the Holy Crimson Moon is about to rise." His father glared at him before letting out a bitter laugh. "I refuse to accept your decision," Lucius declared firmly. "As the chosen one of the vampire race, I declare this council's decision invalid." Enraged, his father slammed both hands against the table. The thunderous impact echoed throughout the hall. "Have you forgotten what humans did to us?" he roared. "The humans you continue to defend are the very reason your mother, Lucia, died centuries ago." "Perhaps you are the final chosen one of our race," he continued coldly, "but I remain the Supreme Leader of this clan, and my word is absolute." Lucius fell silent. He could not argue. His father was right. His mother had died because of humans. Many of his friends had perished because of them as well. As the wind swept through the chamber, the candles flickered before being extinguished one by one. Soon, Lucius stood alone in complete darkness. Though he was the final chosen one, his voice was not powerful enough to change the hearts of his people. He did not know how to free them from the hatred that had consumed their race. Little by little... They all drowned in anger. In vengeance. In sorrow.