The moonlit clearing turned cold.
The three hunters stepped out from the darkness like shadows cut from silver steel.
Their long white coats moved in the wind.
Silver cross insignias gleamed on their chests.
Each of them carried glowing weapons.
The hunter captain slowly raised his blade.
Its edge shone with holy light.
His eyes locked onto Aarav.
"Blood moon target confirmed."
Aarav's heartbeat quickened.
So they really came for him.
Jack stepped forward first.
Silver claws extended.
His voice dropped into a growl.
"You're not touching him."
Mia moved beside him, golden eyes glowing.
Kai's crimson eyes narrowed.
His fangs slowly emerged.
Lyra spread her dark wings.
Even the injured Ember forced herself upright, fire flickering around her wings.
The captain smirked.
"How touching."
Then his expression turned cold.
"Kill the hybrids."
The two hunters behind him moved instantly.
One rushed toward Jack with a silver spear.
The other raised a crossbow and fired directly at Aarav.
THWIP!
The silver bolt shot through the air.
Kai blurred like a crimson shadow.
CLANG!
His hand caught the bolt inches from Aarav's face.
The holy silver burnt his palm.
Smoke rose.
Kai hissed and threw it aside.
Aarav's eyes widened.
Kai gave him a sharp look.
"Stay alert."
Before Aarav could answer—
BOOM!
Jack collided with the spear hunter.
The ground cracked beneath them.
Claws met silver steel.
Sparks flew into the air.
Mia lunged toward the crossbow hunter.
Her speed was terrifying.
She slashed across his chest.
The hunter staggered back.
His silver armour absorbed most of the damage.
"Wolf hybrid," he muttered coldly.
Then he swung a silver chain.
Mia jumped back.
Lyra suddenly moved.
Dark wings spread wide.
A burst of crimson-black flame shot from her hand.
The fire slammed into the second hunter and sent him crashing into a tree.
Aarav stared in shock.
So this was real combat.
Not training.
Not practice.
Death.
The captain suddenly disappeared.
A blur of white and silver.
Then—
Aarav felt something cold against his throat.
The hunter captain stood behind him.
Blade pressed against his neck.
Too fast.
Far too fast.
"Interesting," the captain whispered.
"So this is the Blood Moon Heir."
Aarav's body froze.
Jack roared.
Kai's eyes glowed brighter.
But the captain only smiled.
"Don't move."
His blade pressed harder.
A thin line of blood formed on Aarav's neck.
The scent hit him instantly.
Warm.
Sharp.
His own blood.
Something inside him snapped.
His chest burnt.
The Blood Moon Mark glowed beneath his shirt.
A pulse of crimson, silver, and gold light burst from his body.
The captain's eyes widened.
"What—"
BOOM!
A violent shockwave exploded outward.
The captain was thrown back.
Aarav stumbled forward.
His breathing became ragged.
His eyes glowed crimson.
Then silver.
Then gold.
His nails slowly sharpened into claws.
Kai's expression changed.
"No…"
Mia's face turned pale.
"He's losing control."
Aarav could hear everything.
Every heartbeat.
Every breath.
Every pulse of blood.
Even the wounded Ember's rapid heartbeat.
The world had become too loud.
The scent of blood from the hunters filled his nose.
His throat burnt.
His instincts screamed.
Fight.
Hunt.
Kill.
The captain slowly stood.
A dark smile spread across his face.
"So the rumours were true."
He raised his silver blade again.
"Excellent."
Then he rushed forward.
This time—
Aarav moved.
Pure instinct.
One moment, the captain stood ten steps away.
The next—
Aarav's fist slammed into his chest.
BOOM!
The captain flew backwards and crashed into two trees.
Everyone froze.
Aarav stared at his own hand.
Did he just do that?
Jack's eyes widened.
"Alpha strength…"
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"And vampire speed."
Mia looked worried.
"But unstable."
The second hunter rushed toward Aarav from the side.
A silver spear aimed directly for his heart.
Before anyone could move—
Ember suddenly appeared.
Her fiery wing slashed across the hunter.
Flames erupted.
The hunter screamed and fell back.
Ember's breathing was heavy.
Her wound had reopened.
Still, she stood protectively near Aarav.
"Don't die before I repay this debt."
Aarav looked at her in surprise.
Lyra smirked slightly.
"Seems you're collecting trouble fast."
The captain emerged from the broken trees.
Blood ran from his lips.
Yet he was smiling.
"Amazing."
He slowly wiped the blood from his mouth.
Then his expression turned cruel.
"But not enough."
He raised his blade toward the sky.
Holy light gathered around it.
A massive silver cross formed above the clearing.
Elder Seraphina's face changed.
"Everyone move!"
The captain roared,
"Silver Judgement!"
The cross came crashing down.
Aarav's eyes widened.
No time.
No thought.
His body moved on instinct.
He stepped in front of everyone.
Crimson, silver, and golden light exploded from his body.
A wolf-shaped aura formed behind him.
Bat-like shadows spread from his sides.
The ground beneath his feet cracked.
Then—
BOOM!
The two attacks collided.
The entire clearing shook.
Trees shattered.
The moonlight vanished beneath the explosion.
When the dust cleared—
Aarav stood in the centre.
Breathing heavily.
His shirt was torn.
Eyes glowing.
Still standing.
The hunters stared in shock.
The captain's face darkened.
"So the heir is already awakening."
He slowly stepped back.
"This hunt is postponed."
Jack growled.
"You're not leaving."
But the captain only smiled.
"Oh, I'll be back."
His eyes moved to Aarav.
"And next time, the Church will send an execution squad."
The three hunters vanished into the darkness.
Silence filled the clearing.
Aarav's legs suddenly gave out.
He collapsed to one knee.
Mia rushed to him.
"Aarav!"
Kai knelt beside him.
Jack looked toward the forest.
"They know now."
Elder Seraphina's voice turned grave.
"No."
Her purple eyes darkened.
"Now the whole Church will know."
A cold wind passed through the clearing.
Aarav slowly looked up.
This was only the beginning.