Inside the Londlan Mansion, the soft footsteps of two young figures echoed faintly through the vast and silent grand hall. Ethan, who had been waiting near the entrance, quickly stepped forward to greet them. His expression was tense, his brows drawn together with worry.
He gestured for them to hurry inside the meeting chamber. Today, the room was filled with far more people than usual. This gathering was anything but ordinary.
No one could remain indifferent anymore.
Because everyone present shared the same purpose… Tyler.
"Why are there so many people here today?" Alice whispered to her father, anxiety shimmering in her eyes.
"We all have children," one of the parents seated nearby replied. His voice carried a heavy strain of tension."And our children all attend the same school."
"Yes… many of the teachers there have already turned into vampires," another voice added grimly.
"Today… a junior student at the school disappeared," Edward said, scanning the room. His face was more serious than anyone had ever seen before.
"That's right… Yesterday a girl in Alice's class almost didn't make it," a woman added quietly, her hands clenched tightly in her lap."Luckily, Henry volunteered to deliver her assignment instead…"
Hill, Edward's father, slowly rose to his feet. His face was solemn.
"I want both of you to stop going to school for now," he said firmly."And tell your friends to do the same. It's for their safety… at least until we find a way to destroy that monster—Tyler."
"But I'm worried about the others at school," Edward replied, determination burning in his eyes.
"You are my only hope, son," Hill said softly, though his voice carried unwavering resolve."You will be the one to purge this evil… You will begin a new life."
"I'm ready, Father," Edward answered without hesitation.
Alice turned sharply toward Hill.
"But Uncle… didn't you say it wasn't time yet for Edward to face Tyler? Why give him such a heavy task now?"
Hill lowered his gaze. His breathing grew heavier with hesitation.
He didn't want his son to bear such a burden… but there was no other choice.
"Alice…" Edward called softly.
"No matter how much I change… I'll always be the same Edward. I'll remain who I am… for you."
His words silenced the entire room.
Hill and Alfred exchanged troubled glances, guilt flickering in their eyes. Two children forced to grow beneath a weight far too cruel for their age.
"From this day on," Hill said gravely,"I entrust my son to you, Alfred."
"I fear that one day Tyler may come for him… even at our home."
Alfred placed a reassuring hand on his old friend's shoulder.
"Your son is like my own. You have nothing to worry about."
Ethan added firmly,"While the young master stays here, he must train his mind to become stronger. If the darkness within him ever awakens… he must possess the will to control it."
"Yes… I will prepare myself to carry on Father's duty," Edward said. His voice trembled slightly, yet his resolve remained unshaken.
Heavy footsteps sounded near the doorway.
Lonewolf appeared, his expression stern though concern lingered in his eyes.
"I hope we won't become enemies someday," he said quietly."I don't want my sister to suffer for loving the wrong person."
Edward met his gaze steadily.
"I would never hurt her feelings. Please… trust me."
Lonewolf remained silent for a moment before giving a small nod.
Alice, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her brother's arm.
"Then make me immortal too, like you and Father," she pleaded playfully.
Her tone was so sweet that Lonewolf couldn't help but smile.
"I can't," he said gently."I want you to live a normal life… not become a monster like me."
"You're not a monster!" Alice protested immediately."My brother is handsome—and kind, too!"
Lonewolf chuckled softly and ruffled her hair with affection.
"That's because you're my little sister. But if anyone ever tries to harm you… I won't be kind to them. Understand, Alice?"
Night soon fell over the Londlan Mansion.
Moonlight stretched pale shadows across the grass outside.
Edward lay in the guest chamber prepared for him. His body was still, but his heart churned with unrest.
In his sleep…
Darkness engulfed the Holler House.
The cries of thousands of bats shrieked across the sky, circling the roof like a living storm.
Inside the house, Holler—now transformed into a vampire—stood with eyes as black as endless night. A low growl rumbled from his throat.
Edward tossed and turned in bed. His eyes remained shut, yet his face twisted with pain.
He struggled to wake from the dream—but it held him captive.
Hill's voice echoed through the darkness.
"From now on… your life will never be the same again.You will not feel pain.You will not fall ill.You will not grow old… and you will never die.
You must use this power to destroy Tyler."
"But I want you to survive too, Father…"
"I will survive… but for now, I must recover."
The bats screamed again.
Then a shadow moved silently through the room.
Tyler.
His presence devoured every trace of light.
Hill, lying injured, opened his eyes. His face was scarred from their last battle.
"Where has that boy gone, Hill…?" Tyler sneered.
Those words marked the beginning of the nightmare.
Hill screamed in agony as dark flames burst forth, engulfing his body. The fire consumed him, filling the air with the choking smell of burning flesh.
Ethan rushed forward to help—but a swarm of bats blocked his path.
Hill's scream echoed endlessly inside Edward's mind.
Tears slid slowly from the corners of his closed eyes.
Then suddenly—
"Edward!"
His cry rang throughout the Londlan Mansion.
Alice burst through the door the moment she heard the faint sobbing from within.
The air inside the room was still cold, as if the chill of the nightmare had not yet faded.
She approached quietly and stopped beside the bed. Her eyes were filled with concern as she gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Edward…"
He flinched slightly before opening his eyes.
Cold sweat covered his face. His eyes were red—as if he had been crying for a long time.
Pain and exhaustion were written clearly across his expression.
"A nightmare… it felt too real," he whispered hoarsely.
Alice didn't answer immediately.
She slowly sat down beside the bed and reached out her small hand, wrapping it firmly around his.
She offered no comforting words.
Because she knew… sometimes words were not enough.
I'm here.Right beside you.
His hand trembled slightly in hers, but Alice held on tightly—like she was pouring all her strength into him.
Silence filled the room… yet it spoke more than words ever could.
Edward turned to look at her face. Tears slipped quietly from his eyes as if he had just realized something.
He wasn't alone.
And that realization… was exactly what he needed most.
The next morning…
Morning sunlight filtered softly through the thin curtains of Edward's room.
He opened his eyes slowly, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. Even after a full night's sleep, the dream still haunted him.
His eyes were still red—from crying… and from something else changing deep within him.
Alice was still sitting beside the bed.
Her eyes were closed, her head resting against the wall. She must have fallen asleep without realizing it.
Edward watched her quietly for a long moment.
A strange feeling grew inside his chest—warm, yet painfully heavy.
He reached out and gently brushed a strand of her hair aside.
"Alice…" he murmured.
Her eyes slowly opened. When she saw that Edward was safe, she smiled, though worry still lingered on her face.
"You had another nightmare, didn't you?"
He nodded softly.
"I saw Tyler burning my father… I saw everything like it was really happening."
Alice tightened her grip on his hand.
"It was only a dream. You still have us here."
At that moment, Edward's body suddenly trembled.
His eyes darkened rapidly, and the pounding of his heart echoed loudly in the room.
Alice burst into bright laughter beside him.
"Your cool face and your racing heartbeat don't match at all, Edward."
Her teasing voice rang playfully through the room as she jumped up from where she had been sitting.