Bloodlines of the Damned

The Darkness Awakens

The grand hall was eerily quiet.

The weight of Hadrien's power hung thick in the air like a dark fog, the echoes of the Blood Field still resonating with a sharp, biting chill. The clan leaders were on their knees, unable to move or speak, their minds ensnared by the force of his will. The once proud leaders of the vampire world—the Clan of Shields, the Clan of Witches, the Clan of Swords, and the Clan of Sealing—were all humbled before him.

And in the midst of it all, Vane stood frozen, caught somewhere between awe and fear. He could feel the oppressive weight of his grandfather's power, a force so profound it pressed against his very soul.

His father, Aelric, stood beside him, equally still, his jaw clenched as he watched the scene unfold. The tension between them was palpable, the unspoken conflict lingering in the air. Aelric's pride was wounded, his authority challenged in the most brutal way possible. But even he could not deny the strength of Hadrien's abilities.

POV: Hadrien's Perspective

Hadrien stood tall and unwavering, his dark eyes sweeping over the clan leaders kneeling before him. He could feel their minds—fractured, confused, trembling under the weight of his power. They had expected a battle, a show of strength. What they didn't realize was that there was no battle when facing the Lord of Erebus. Not for them.

His bloodline was ancient. The Blood Field was part of him, and he had mastered it long ago.

His fingers twitched, and the room seemed to ripple with the energy of the field, amplifying his already imposing presence. The leaders of the clans were not weak, but they were no match for him. None of them were.

"You wanted to test me," Hadrien's voice rumbled, like thunder across a still sky. "Now you know the truth."

His words echoed through the room, but it was clear: there was no room for doubt. Hadrien Erebus was not some relic of a forgotten past. He was the living embodiment of the Erebus legacy, and no amount of power from other clans could challenge that.

Slowly, Hadrien began to release them from the grip of the Blood Field. He didn't need to do anything dramatic—he simply willed it, and the force dissipated like smoke, leaving the room's temperature to rise again.

POV: Vane's Perspective

The feeling of the Blood Field lifting was like a heavy weight being pulled from Vane's chest. His breath came in quick bursts as he looked at the clan leaders—some were still struggling to rise, their hands trembling as they regained control of their minds. Others were staring at Hadrien with wide eyes, trying to process what had just happened.

But all Vane could focus on was the feeling of power that lingered in the air. It was intoxicating, but terrifying all the same.

He turned to his father, his voice low and hesitant. "Father... this is the power of the Erebus family?"

Aelric didn't answer right away. His expression was hard to read, but Vane could see the tightness in his jaw. His father had always been a man of discipline and control. But in this moment, even Aelric Erebus could not hide the shock in his eyes. His father had always kept the truth of their family's power hidden, buried under layers of history and caution. And now Vane had witnessed it firsthand. The legends, the whispers, the power of the Blood Field—it was all real.

"Yes, Vane," Aelric finally said, his voice thick with restrained emotion. "This is the power of Erebus."

POV: Hadrien's Perspective