The echo of footsteps rang through the dark tunnel, accompanied by the subtle drip of water from the damp walls. The air was thick with the scent of blood and mold, making her hold her breath.
A recent collapse had blocked their way back. The only path left was forward—where men in suits stood ready, weapons drawn, prepared to continue their grim work for the Community of Thirteen.
"If I hadn't seen them, you'd be dead by now, Aisha… and so would this hunter," Skiller muttered.
"My wounds heal quickly, vampire," Steven replied, brushing dust from his cloak.
Skiller's chest was bare, torn from battle, blood staining his pants—drawing more beasts to their scent.
"Ishana."Her mind locked onto one goal: finding her sister.
"Go to her. She's with Dimitri. I brought them," Skiller said, touching her arm.
That simple gesture drove her forward—until a voice shattered the silence. Weak. Familiar. Full of hope.
"Aisha!"
She spun toward a small gap in the wall. Ishana—pale, but alive. Without hesitation, Aisha rushed to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, checking her frantically for injuries.
"Are you alright?" she asked urgently.
Ishana nodded, though the exhaustion in her eyes told another story.
"Thank the heavens I found you," Aisha breathed.
"And the others? Varek? Sanathiel?" Ishana whispered anxiously.
"The White Wolf is strong. He will survive," Aisha replied, hiding the weight pressing on her chest. "But this place isn't safe. We need to go. Now."
She gripped Ishana's hand—then froze. A noise behind them. Aisha wheeled around, blade raised. From the shadows stumbled Dimitri Snova. Pale. Gaunt. But his eyes burned with unyielding fire.
"Aisha... Ishana..." he rasped. "There's an exit nearby. We have to move. Fast."
Aisha eyed him with distrust. The memory of past betrayals burned fresh.
"Why should we trust you?"
Dimitri looked away, his voice broken."Because this time... we have no choice. Skiller saved me. Now... it's up to you. You have to get out."
Before Aisha could reply, a guttural roar shook the halls. Skiller burst in, three-bladed sword dripping with blood. His face a mask of desperation and resolve.
"There are too many..."He caught his breath as Steven stepped in.
"Your brother... something's inside him," Steven said, raising his slider.
Skiller shook his head. The hunter drew his blade."I'll handle the mess outside. If things go south, a clean cut and your blood might fix it, Skiller."
Then, the unexpected happened.
"Dimitri! Don't do it!" Skiller shouted as Dimitri advanced toward the approaching beasts.
Without hesitation, Dimitri shoved Aisha and Ishana down the tunnel.
"GO! NOW!" he roared, placing himself between them and the oncoming horde.
Aisha grabbed Ishana and ran, legs burning, heart racing. The beasts howled behind them, but Dimitri's sacrifice bought them precious seconds. The tunnel stretched endlessly—until finally, a light appeared ahead.
"There! The exit!" Aisha gasped, clutching Ishana's hand as they burst through the threshold.
Fresh air hit them—but no time to rest. In the distance, Steven leaned against a wall, arms crossed.
"You never stop moving us forward, Aisha," he said dryly.
Dimitri staggered into view, barely standing, murmuring:"So cold... so cold..."
His body trembled, eyes flickering between pain and resolve. Suddenly—desperately—he grabbed Ishana, using her as a shield.
"Back off! Dimitri's infected!" Nikolai shouted, weapon trained on him.
Chaos erupted. Skiller appeared, seizing Dimitri by the neck with inhuman strength.
"Brother, you can't do this. Take the antibiotic," Skiller said, holding out a small salve Nikolai had given him.
"I already sliced my damn arm, idiot," Dimitri spat. "I'd rather die!"
Skiller clenched his jaw, sorrow in his eyes."You've always been stubborn, Dimitri."
Then—Steven did the unthinkable.
Without a word, he sliced his own arm. Blood dripped freely. He leaned toward Dimitri, letting it fall onto the open wounds, locking eyes with him.
"I'm not saving you," Steven murmured, voice rough, laced with pride."I just won't watch another Snova die a coward."
Blood hissed on Dimitri's torn skin—an instant, searing reaction. His wounds began to close, shocking the onlookers.
"What the hell are you doing?" Nikolai demanded.
"Making sure he survives. No room for heroes today," Steven replied, wiping blood from his mouth. "Stay down, Skiller!"
Gunfire erupted again. Aisha and Skiller tensed as parts of the tunnel crumbled.
Then they saw him—Dimitri, moments ago near death, now on his feet, Ishana supporting him.
More gunfire. Heavy steps halted at the tunnel's entrance. A boot slammed against the cracked wall.
"Hands on your heads! Now!"
A silver case clattered to the floor.
Without hesitation, Dimitri moved forward. His eyes gleamed—not with weakness, but calculation. He opened the case with practiced precision and drew out a custom weapon—his own design.
Skiller narrowed his eyes."It was all planned," he thought grimly.
"Hands up!" a shadowed figure barked, weapon aimed at Ishana.
Skiller stepped between them."I don't think you understood me."
"Maybe in another language, Skiller Snova," the enemy growled.
A shot rang out, smoke blinding them. A small bomb exploded at Skiller's feet, masking the scene in thick smoke.
In the chaos, Dimitri smiled coldly, raising his weapon.
"I don't take orders," he whispered—and fired. The blast opened a new passage.
He turned to Ishana."My gift, brother. You disgrace our name... and your precious one comes with me."
"RUN!" Skiller roared, breaking through the smoke.
The group didn't hesitate. They plunged into the water—but Skiller turned just in time to see Dimitri grab Ishana.
In a blur, Skiller appeared behind him. One savage blow shattered Dimitri's weapon against the wall. He seized him by the throat.
"You pathetic worm. You think those bullets would work on me?"
Fangs extended—no longer a hybrid, but a Daywalker, immune to their tricks. Without hesitation, Skiller sank his fangs into Dimitri's neck with furious restraint.
"For Daesa. You sent the White Wolf to kill her," he growled. "For all those who had no choice."
With brutal force, he dragged Dimitri under the water. A crushing blow to the ribs stole Dimitri's breath. Skiller held him down, merciless.
—
They surfaced into a dense forest. In the distance—the unmistakable thrum of helicopter blades slicing through the air.
"Whatever happens... get out of here," Skiller ordered, shoving them toward the aircraft, covering the rear.
"What about you?!" Aisha cried, pausing, water streaming down her face.
Skiller met her gaze with a weary smile, eyes blazing with resolve.
"Someone has to end this."
In the distance, the beasts roared—a relentless, growing threat.
The helicopter lifted. Aisha, tears burning her cheeks, watched the forest fall away.
But in the air...an unseen gaze,a whisper through the trees...warned her they were far from safe.