Bloodlines of the Damned

The Gathering of Shadows

The Erebus estate was a fortress—a testament to the family's power and legacy. As the moonlight bathed the grand hall in an eerie glow, the air within was thick with an almost palpable sense of anticipation. Dark crimson banners adorned the walls, symbolizing House Erebus's dominance, while the ancient stone floors reflected the flicker of torchlight. This was a night that would shape the future of the family, a night where Vane would be introduced formally to the leaders of the clans that served them—clans that recognized only one family as their true masters: the Erebus family.

Aelric Erebus, head of the family, stood tall at the front of the room, a cold and calculating figure in his commanding presence. His sharp, unreadable eyes surveyed the gathering before him—the clan leaders had arrived, each with their own unique powers and histories. But they were all here tonight for one purpose: to witness the ascension of Vane Erebus as the heir to the most powerful bloodline in existence.

This night had been a long time coming, and Aelric knew it was time to show his son, Vane, exactly what it meant to rule the clans and the bloodlines that had served House Erebus for centuries. He had hoped that Vane would be prepared for this moment. But after the events of the previous night—the sudden awakening of the Blood Field, Vane's raw power on display—Aelric knew that his son had changed forever. The path ahead would not be easy, but it was his destiny.

POV: Aelric's Perspective

Aelric stood silently, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. The clan leaders were gathered, seated in their appointed places around the long, black marble table. The room was heavy with their presence—each of them powerful in their own right, their abilities honed over centuries of tradition. But none of them, not even the mightiest of these ancient bloodlines, could hold a candle to the power of House Erebus.

The family's bloodline had always been one of supremacy, not only because of their ability to control magic but because they possessed something far more dangerous: the power to control the minds of others. No clan leader, no matter how skilled, would dare challenge the Erebus family. This power—unseen and often unnoticed—was the foundation of House Erebus's strength. Vane would soon learn that to wield such a gift was both a blessing and a curse.

Aelric could feel his son standing beside him, tense and uncertain. Despite his natural strength, the boy still lacked the understanding of what it truly meant to bear the weight of this legacy. But there was no turning back now. It was time to make the formal introductions, to reveal Vane to the world he would soon command.

Aelric stepped forward, drawing the attention of the room.

"It is time," he said, his voice cutting through the thick silence. "Tonight, Vane Erebus is formally recognized as the heir to House Erebus. As our family has always been, so too shall we remain—the true rulers of these lands. The clans who serve us are here to witness the rise of their next leader."

His gaze shifted to Vane, whose eyes were filled with both defiance and apprehension.

"Come forward, son," Aelric commanded.

POV: Vane's Perspective

Vane's heart pounded in his chest. The room felt suffocating, the eyes of the clan leaders boring into him. They were watching him—not just as the son of Aelric, but as the heir to a family that held the power to bend the world to its will. His mind still buzzed with the aftermath of his awakening of the Blood Field, the weight of its energy still swirling in his veins. He could feel the power inside him, pulsing, waiting to be unleashed. But with that power came the weight of his responsibility—responsibility he wasn't sure he was ready for.

His father's voice echoed in his ears, pushing him forward. The world of the Erebus family was not one of soft comforts; it was a world of power, control, and ruthless ambition.