Abnormal signals. The atmosphere in the main building's courtyard was thick with long shadows and a stifling silence. Henry stopped dead in his tracks, his hand instinctively gripping the crescent moon pendant around his neck. His dark brown eyes widened slightly as a pulse of energy vibrated through his consciousness—a faint magical signal, but to him, it felt like a desperate cry in the dark. It was a private code he and Ethan used only in the direst of emergencies.
"...Uncle Ethan?" he murmured uncertainly. Edward, walking nearby, spun around to face him.
"Henry? Is something wrong?" Henry hesitated for a moment, but Edward's piercing gaze forced him to speak.
"I heard something... a signal from Ethan. It's wrong. It feels like he's fighting... something incredibly powerful." Edward went still for a beat before his expression hardened.
"Then why are we still standing here? Let's go."
"Wait! It could be dangerous!"
"The more dangerous it is, the more I need to be there," Edward snapped, his voice ringing with resolve. "Ethan is important to you... and he's risking his life to protect something bigger than us." Henry met his eyes and gave a slow, solemn nod.
"Alright. Let's go together." The two of them sprinted into the twilight, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing and echoing footsteps in the cold night air.
They raced forward, cutting through the swaying shadows of the forest. Henry raised his hand, chanting a brief incantation. A sound like the whisper of spirits drifted around them, and a faint blue glow ignited above his palm—a high-level detection spell.
"That way!" He pointed northwest toward the mountain forest near the bridge—a place no sane person dared to tread after sunset. As they drew closer, Edward felt a violent ripple in the air.
"This... this is Tyler's power?" The wind no longer sounded natural; it was a screeching force that clawed at the nerves like talons. Suddenly—BOOM! A massive explosion of energy erupted from deep within the woods. Trees were leveled like toothpicks, and debris choked the air. Without hesitating, they lunged toward the source.
In a clearing behind the school, Ethan lay motionless, blood pooling from his temple. Nearby, Hill knelt in agony, his cloak shredded and his energy fading fast. Tyler stood before them—half his body now fully transformed into a demon. His skin was pitch black and shimmering like molten iron, his eyes glowing like the fires of hell. A cold, cruel smirk played on his blood-stained lips.
"Pathetic, Hill..." Tyler hissed, stalking closer. "Even the boy you raised has to bleed for you, yet you still lack the courage to kill me." He raised his hand, dark energy coiling around his fingertips, ready for the killing blow.
But in that split second—a violent gust of wind struck him. CRACK! Tyler stumbled back two paces as Edward's fist slammed into his midsection. The impact didn't cause grave damage, but it caught him off guard. He spun around, his crimson eyes burning.
"So, the one I wanted has finally arrived..." Tyler spat, baring his fangs. "You're too late."
"Not late enough," Edward replied coldly, his silver eyes flashing with a deadly chill. "Let them go and fight me—if you have the guts." Tyler chuckled darkly.
"I've waited a long time to hear those words... Edward Waller."
Meanwhile, Henry rushed to Ethan's side. "Ethan! Wake up... I'm here..." His voice trembled as he felt his friend's fading life force. He pressed the crescent pendant against Ethan's chest. "Please... if you can hear me—Lunar Spirit—save him!" A soft white light enveloped Ethan like a miraculous veil. Suddenly, Ethan's hand reached up to lightly swat Henry's head—he was still alive.
"Go... look after the Young Master," Ethan wheezed, glancing at Edward who was now facing Tyler.
Edward stood there, his power leaking out unconsciously. Even though he had just arrived, the aura radiating from him made Tyler hesitate.
"...You..." Tyler stared intensely, his eyes twitching as he sensed something wrong. Edward didn't waste words. He looked at his wounded father. "Father!" Then, he turned his gaze back to the enemy. "I won't let you touch him again."
A strange energy surged from Edward—it wasn't the power of an ordinary vampire. It was an ancient vibration, primal and aggressive, yet fused with a lethal vampire bloodline that a human should not possess. It forced Tyler to take a half-step back.
"This is...!" Tyler gritted his teeth, looking deep into Edward's eyes. "A Hybrid?" A low growl tore from his throat, his face contorting in a mix of panic and madness. "Impossible... that bloodline is extinct!" He threw his head back and laughed maniacally. "Haha! Hill... what on earth have you been hiding?"
Hill, still gasping for air, whispered weakly, "He... is not like you, Tyler. He will... change this world."
"With that cursed power flowing in his veins?" Tyler sneered. He swung his arm, summoning shadows into a massive sphere of dark fire. "Then I'll test it myself... let's see if your 'forbidden blood' can survive this!"
Edward stood tall, a silver-red aura swirling around him. His hands shook slightly, but his gaze was unwavering. "Come and try," he replied in a voice like ice. His eyes glowed a deep crimson that, for a fleeting second, shimmered with a spark of gold.
The Battle Begins
Edward lunged with superhuman speed. His claws clashed against Tyler's, sending sparks flying into the dark.
"You should have run, Edward," Tyler roared. "You alone can never stop me."
"I'm done running," Edward replied, his voice thick with a cocktail of rage and fear. "You've hurt too many innocent people!"
A blast of light magic erupted from Edward's palms. He channeled his energy into a searing beam that struck Tyler square in the chest. The beast stumbled, but only for a moment, before offering a mocking grin. "You think that's enough?"
Whish! Tyler moved like a blur, seizing Edward by the throat and hoisting him into the air. Edward gasped for breath, struggling fruitlessly against the iron grip. "Look at you... even with your 'noble' father's blood, you're too weak to use it."
"Edward!!" Henry screamed, rushing forward with magic flaring in his eyes. Tyler turned toward Henry, but he was too late—claws raked across Tyler's skin, forcing him to drop Edward.
"Are you alright, Young Master? Always playing around, never listening," Henry huffed, noticing Edward's wounds.
Tyler retreated, his arm bleeding, but his eyes were now like twin suns of hellfire. He wouldn't back down. He charged again, a shadow moving faster than sight, slamming a fist into Edward's chest. Before Tyler could follow up, Henry unleashed a blinding light. Though Tyler was a trained warrior, the sheer intensity of the light forced him back. However, a stray fireball caught Henry in the chest, sending him flying backward.
"Henry! Watch out!" Edward's warning came too late.
Seeing his friend fall, Edward's mind snapped into focus. He drew a hidden, enchanted dagger from his belt. The blade caught the light, flashing into Tyler's sensitive eyes and blinding him momentarily. Edward gave a cold, triumphant smile.
"Did you think the darkness would swallow me? You're nothing but a fading shadow!"
He struck. Using the opening, Edward plunged the dagger into Tyler's back. The wound hissed and sizzled with green flames as if the blade itself were burning through his soul. Tyler's agonizing roar shook the forest. "ARGHHH! You... you...!"
Edward didn't stop. He moved like lightning to Tyler's side and swung the blade again, severing through the demon's arm with all his might. The sound of tearing flesh was drowned out by Tyler's high-pitched scream. "It burns! It feels like white-hot iron!" His arm hung charred and useless before hitting the ground. Sweat poured down Tyler's distorted face, his eyes still fixed on Edward with pure malice.
Edward stood his ground amidst the smoke and blood, his face a mask of iron-willed courage. Henry, exhausted but safe, looked on with unwavering pride. He did it... he can fight, Henry thought.
Tyler stared at his ruined limb. The pain was immense, but the hatred was greater. "You think I'll let you go that easily, Edward?" his voice boomed. "I will hunt you... until there is nothing left of you but dust!"
With a final snarl, Tyler vanished into the deep shadows of the forest. But his curse lingered in the air like a poisonous fog. "This is only the beginning... I will destroy everything you love!"
The woods fell silent, but the war had only just begun. "It's not over yet... Edward," Henry whispered, moving to his friend's side.