Daughter of Selena

The First Seal

The scream vanished as quickly as it had come, Yet its echo remained trapped inside Lyra's mind. She knew it had been him.

She couldn't explain how. The voice had been distant, distorted by whatever force was shaking the earth beneath Moonveil, but she recognized it all the same. A sister knew.

The crimson light blazing from the forest painted the storm clouds red, transforming the night into something unnatural. The rain continued to fall, but now it looked almost like blood beneath the eerie glow.

Lyra stood frozen at the window, her heart hammered against her ribs.

outside, the creatures prowling through the village had stopped moving. Their black eyes were fixed on the distant forest, and for the first time since their arrival, they appeared afraid.

That terrified her more than anything, if monsters were frightened... What could possibly be coming?

Draven stepped back through the shattered doorway, his sword dripping with black blood. The silver markings etched along the blade glowed faintly before fading once more.

His expression was darker than Lyra had ever seen.

"The First Seal is breaking."

Her father immediately stepped forward and asked "What does that mean?"

Draven didn't answer right away. His eyes remained fixed on the crimson light beyond the trees.

"When the ancient prison was created, it wasn't secured by one lock."

A low rumble shook the village, the floor trembled beneath their feet.

"There were seven."

The room fell silent, Lyra felt a knot tighten in her stomach.

"Seven seals?" Lyra asked

Draven nodded. "Each seal was designed to contain something powerful enough to destroy kingdoms."

Lightning flashed outside. For a brief moment, the crimson glow illuminated his face. And Lyra saw genuine fear there. Not concern. Not caution. But Fear. The realization made her blood run cold.

"What exactly is imprisoned?" she asked.

Draven finally looked at her, the silence stretched.

Then he said quietly, "A king.". The answer surprised her.

"A king?"

"Not a human king."

Another tremor rippled through the ground, the walls creaked. Dust drifted from the ceiling. Draven's gaze returned to the forest.

"The first vampire. The room became deathly silent. Even the storm seemed to pause.

Lyra stared at him, She wanted to dismiss the words as impossible, but tonight had destroyed her understanding of what was possible.

Vampires existed, ancient bloodlines existed.

A glowing mark had appeared on her wrist.

Nothing felt impossible anymore.

"You're saying the first vampire is trapped beneath that forest?" she whispered.

Draven's expression hardened.

"Not for much longer."

The words struck like a hammer, before anyone could respond, a deafening roar erupted from the forest. This one was different. Closer, Louder, Filled with rage. The sound crashed through Moonveil like a tidal wave.

Several windows shattered instantly. Her mother covered her ears, Lyra stumbled backward.

Outside, every creature dropped to its knees. Not in fear, but in worship. The sight sent chills down her spine. Something was coming. Something they considered their master.

Then she saw movement within the crimson light. A figure, far away. Yet unmistakable, walking toward the village. Each step seemed to shake the ground itself. Impossible. The figure was still deep within the forest. Yet somehow she could see it.

Tall, Wrapped in darkness. Moving slowly through the sea of crimson light.

Draven's face lost all color. "No..."

Lyra turned toward him. "What is it

His grip tightened around his sword.

"That shouldn't be possible."

"What shouldn't?"

"The seal wasn't supposed to weaken this quickly."

The figure continued walking, every step drew closer. Every step made the creatures outside tremble with excitement. Suddenly one of them shrieked. The sound snapped Draven into action.

"We leave now."

His voice carried a sharp authority that left no room for argument. her father immediately nodded. her mother hurried toward the back room. But Lyra remained where she was.

"Wait."

Everyone looked at her, her chest tightened.

The question had been burning inside her ever since she heard Noah's scream.

"If Noah is connected to this..." Her voice faltered, then strengthened.

"Then I'm coming."

Draven frowned. "Coming where?"

"To find him." she replied

The room went silent, her father looked horrified.

"No." Damien retorted

"Yes." she spoke with confidence that was born out of love for her brother

His expression darkened. "Lyra—"

"They took him because of me." Tears burned behind her eyes.

"If I hadn't been born with this mark, none of this would've happened."

"That isn't your fault."

"But he's suffering because of it." Lyra said

The words came out broken, painful, true. For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Draven surprised everyone. He nodded.

"She's right."

Her father turned toward him.

"Have you lost your mind?

"No."

Draven's silver eyes met Lyra's.

"She's already involved."

A strange feeling settled inside her chest, not confidence, not courage, but determination.

For the first time since Noah's k********g, she felt something stronger than fear, " Purpose." She was going to save him. No matter what it cost.

A loud crash interrupted the moment, the front wall of a nearby house exploded outward. Everyone spun toward the window. A massive creature emerged from the debris.

Unlike the others, this one was enormous.

Nearly ten feet tall. Its skin was covered in black scales, Long claws scraped against the ground.

Its glowing red eyes swept across the village. Searching and Hunting.

The smaller creatures immediately scattered before it.

Draven cursed under his breath.

"What is that?

The creature lifted its head, then its gaze locked onto the Vale house. Onto Lyra. A horrible smile spread across its face. The monster had found her. Every instinct screamed danger. Draven reacted instantly.

"Run."

The creature roared. The sound shook the village.

Then it charged. The ground cracked beneath its weight. Houses splintered apart as it barreled forward. Lyra's heart nearly stopped. The thing was moving impossibly fast.

Draven stepped in front of her, his sword burst into silver light. The glow illuminated the entire street.

For a brief moment, everything became still.

Then the monster slammed into him. The collision exploded like thunder. The shockwave shattered nearby windows. Lyra cried out as she was thrown backward. Pain shot through her shoulder.

When she looked up, Draven and the creature were locked in combat.

Silver light clashed against crimson fury. The battle was unlike anything she had ever imagined. Yet despite Draven's strength, she noticed something terrifying. The monster was winning. Slowly.Relentlessly. Draven was being pushed back. And if he fell...

Nothing would stop the creatures from reaching her. Another roar echoed from the forest. The crimson light intensified.

The mysterious figure continued walking toward Moonveil. Closer. Closer. Closer. Then the Blood Mark on Lyra's wrist suddenly burned. A vision exploded inside her mind. She saw Noah. He was alive. Chained within a vast underground chamber. Ancient symbols covered the walls.

A giant black gate stood before him, and standing beside that gate was a woman with silver hair.

The same woman from her dreams. The woman slowly turned.

As if she could see Lyra through the vision.

Then she spoke. Three words. Words that froze Lyra's blood.

"Hurry. He's coming."

The vision shattered, Lyra gasped. And somewhere beneath the earth... Something ancient began to laugh.