Lucian never thought someone would dare break into the Zion Family compound… not after everything he'd done to clean up this city. As he thought about it, time had passed.
Things had changed, he already saw the crumbling economy.
He remembered, the delivery carter spoke of. "Only the brave or the desperate… would strike here now. Especially, with how low the city's sunken."
Another old woman, one of the family elders, stepped forward, her fingers trembling at the intruders… At the forefront stood a man… tall, human looking? Had a couple hair patches on his body, he dressed in ragged black and green, shirt and pants.
Dragging one of the dead guards, onto the center. Before stopping, smirking at everyone.
Richie slammed his cane. "You dare, Moongrave Pack?" He barked. "You break into our home and demand relics, that's ours by blood and history?"
He coughed heavily, his jaw tightened. "Y-You've gotten bold these past months… It's time you remembered what the Zion really is in this city."
His command voice, motivated the guards. His cough, from each word, all made the servants panic and rushed over.
Everyone knew, the Keik Relic is an ancient and powerful. It's aid to hold immense power over both life and death. It was once a symbol of the Zion family's dominance but is now coveted by many, including the Moongrave Pack.
Lucian head turned slightly, his eyes scanned the hall behind the pack leader. He saw them, nearly a foot and a half taller than any human man, covered by black fur, sharp fangs glinted at everyone.
Their snarls made servants and guards back away in fear.
However, despite Richie words meant nothing anymore, in the city.
"You will try, whether you want to or not. The grip your family once had? It's gone... buried with the past." A werewolf shouted.
"The Moongrave Gang…" a servant whispered. "Do they really not know this family's history? Even when its weaken."
"Or they just don't care," another muttered. "Since, they know about the Keik Relic."
"Ha! Ha!"
A scary laughter broke out among the moongrave pack.
"Dare?" The pack leader. "A family this weak? You have no right to the Keik relic… no longer a use for it anymore!"
He continued. "You didn't heed our warning," his voice dropped low and threatening. "So now we'll take everything. Not just the relic. Your family, too."
Lucian glanced around at everyone. "I promised I wouldn't care... but now I'm not sure if that was strength or just fear." he murmured, his voice cracking slightly.
This he remembered hearing, the Zion family, had once stood at the pinnacle of power and prestige. They were among the first to help build the city from dust into civilization. Now, they were the last to remain. The relic had once been a symbol of that power… an treasure that could attack and defend its bearer and those around them. Without it, they were vulnerable.
Still… all those who managed to join now were blessed. It could change everything for their families, for themselves, maybe even for generations to come. Richie… he never would've allowed this before. Too proud. Too strict. But time wears down even the strongest, and age has made him softer… or maybe just more tired… It's might be pointless, I just seem to bring blood.
How had the once-mighty Zion clan fallen so far, and did he bear the greatest blame? Did the relic serve the family… or did the family serve the relic?
Lucian shook his head then glanced at the guards who gripped their swords and spears, but none stepped forward. Servants scrambled to hide the family members. They even tried to move the Richie to safety, but the old man refused... He never run from battle. Not for strangers, and certainly not for his own blood.
Richie was preparing to fight once known as "Iron Cut Body" the old man was a warlord in his prime, feared across the continent for his brutal fighting style. Now, as an elder, he holds the title of the last standing patriarch of the Zion family.
As years passed, inside filled him with instense shame and regret, no being able to care for his family nor city.
"He carries that past like armor, but even the strongest armor cracks with time. Maybe what is need isn't to hold on tighter, but to build something new from the ashes."
At that time, the werewolves prepared to charge.
"Wait a second..."
Everyone froze… They heard a voice, power that made them lock up, it puzzled them where it came from.
Lucian slowly stepped forward, into the courtyard… His coat fluttering behind him.
"Eder Richie said there no relic to give. That means there no relic here," he said coldly. "Leave. Or I will put you mutts down myself."
His voice didn't just speak… it felt like a deep cut, into their souls. It caused all caused dread in them.
Richie raised his hand in protest. "Mister Samuel… you don't have to do this. Not anymore." He was worried, yeah he knew Lucian's passed strength.
He didn't know about what changed.
Lucian head back turned slightly. ""I shouldn't... I know that. But I want to. For Cassie."
A werewolf sneered. "Who the hell are you, getting in our business?"
One werewolf lunged forward. It's claws glinted under the sunlight… mere inches from Lucian's chest.
As everyone thought he was surely to die. They originally thought, how he was treated he mere be special...
"Crack!"
Everyone eyes snapped over as the werewolf body slammed into a nearby stone pillar, blood flowing from his body.
"What just happened?!"
"He didn't even move!"
"Look at the body… filled with holes!"
The pack leader stepped forward, he grinned sniffing the air around Lucian.
Suddenly, he started laughing wildly.
"Hah! So the Zion family's gotten so desperate, they brought in a rival. A vampire, no less! But you're weak, aren't you? A half-blood filth." He was easily able to see past his human blood despite, not having any vampire blood showing.
The other wolves growled excited, hearing it was a fluke. Their muscles swelling. Fur tore through flesh, claws extended.
Everyone knew about the vampires and werewolves, long strong rivalry that's engraved in the two species DNA, almost like the two opposing species are natural enemies made by nature itself.
Both species also are bound by ancient codes, yet both have broken them over time in their bid for dominance.
The leader smirked. "It's been years since I killed a vampire. This is gonna be fun."
Finally, changed noe let's get started… clear this trouble. Then decide if i should leave or maybe not.
Everyone heard a roar, as the leader and himself caused all others werewolves to lunged all at once.
The servants screamed… As for Lucian didn't move… They thought he was paralyzed. Arrogant, maybe foolish… From those who didn't recognized him.
He stood covered by the darkness of rhe wolves, they heard him whisper.
"Moon Shadows."
Lucian halflid eyes glinted. Mid-air, all werewolves froze, theirs eyes widened... Even their limbs stoppped.
At that moment, a thin crimson lines shimmered across their throats, chests, hearts… In that next moment, everyone saw blood burst out into the air, out their bodies that hit the stone tiles. One twitch, then stopped?
Lucian stood there, ten paces away. Not a drop of blood on him.
Six perfect slashes, stabs executed faster than the human eyes could follow.
Gasps filled the courtyard… Even the guards, trained for war, couldn't speak.
"W-What... what did he just do?"
"A single movement... he killed them all without being seen…"
Only one servant whisper, "Who... really is he?"
"His speed outmatched a werewolves… and kill them instantly. "
Everyone knew the legends, werewolves fiends gifted of raw power, shapeshifting, regeneration, and bloodlust. They weren't supposed to fall so easily… Especially, highly aggressive… that why there attack so wildly.
And, they didn't noticed Lucian… he had left only an afterimage behind… That disappeared into powder.
However, Lucian ignored them his gaze traced someone running outside.
Richie hobbled over with his cane, bowing deeply. "Thank you… Mister Samuel."
Lucian turned, his eyes were sharp. "Leader. Why are their trouble again?"
Richie frowned and sighed, then began to explain.
The city had once flourished after Lucian's efforts. But prosperity doesn't last on a continent as dangerous as this. Raiders, bandits, and worse came in waves.
Then the werewolves came, they noticed the benefits to this city… claiming territory, destroying trade routes, stopping other kingdoms from lending aid. Slowly, they choked the city's lifeblood. Supplies were cut off. Commerce collapsed. And now, they wanted to take everything.
A few other noble families, though weakened, still hold influence in the city. The Moongrave Pack's expansion is directly linked to their fall from power.
Lucian clenched his fists, fire behind his eyes. "So… they're the last gang left... Fine."
"I'll erase them from this city."
Richie tried to stop him, but Lucian was already moving… He didn't need to hear anything else... He already felt enough guilt, building up insid.
Forgive me, Cassie. This is one of the final burdens I'll carry… to make sure your family lives in peace and grows beyond this pain.
Cassie was the first person to show Lucian kindness after he left Sanctum for some time. Her family became his sanctuary, and he protected them out of respect and affection.
Did Lucian still believe that a city once cleansed could stay pure forever, or had time finally proven him wrong?