Chapter 4: Blood Moon Rises
A Quiet House, A Brewing Storm
Ajay walked through the front door just as the first rays of dawn crept across the horizon. The house was quiet—too quiet. Diya's room was dark, curtains drawn. Machines beeped softly beside her, monitors tracking her condition.
Ajay stood in the doorway and watched her for a long moment.
He was no longer the same boy who once cried himself to sleep, bullied and broken. His back still ached from where wings had burst from his flesh just hours ago. His chest still glowed faintly with the symbol of his dual heritage. But his heart now beat with something he hadn't felt in years.
Purpose.
As he turned to leave her room, he didn't notice the shadow that moved unnaturally fast across the hallway behind him. Nor did he hear the window in the kitchen creak open by itself.
But he did feel something—a tingling across his skin. The vampire half of him whispered.
"You're being watched."
The Crimson Assassin
He walked into the kitchen slowly, senses sharpened. The lights flickered.
Then—movement.
Ajay spun just in time to see a blurred figure slam into him, knocking him into the dining table. Plates shattered. Glass flew. Ajay hit the floor hard.
Standing above him was a pale man in a red leather coat, silver fangs glinting in the low light. His eyes were dead black.
"So the rumors are true. The Prince breathes," the man hissed. "That ends tonight."
Ajay jumped to his feet, his body moving faster than his mind. He blocked the next strike, but the assassin moved with deadly precision. Their fists clashed, blades of energy met claws, and sparks flew.
Ajay was still learning. His movements were strong but unrefined.
The assassin sliced across Ajay's chest—drawing blood.
Ajay roared in pain, but something awakened in that moment. His eyes flashed gold, dragon blood boiling. Fire surged down his arm.
He punched the assassin so hard, he flew through the wall and crashed into the courtyard.
Ajay followed.
: Trial by Fire and Fang
The battle continued outside under a darkening sky. The assassin drew a blade made of dark obsidian—a weapon only used by the Crimson Order.
"This blade," he hissed, "was dipped in the blood of your father."
Ajay's rage exploded.
Flames erupted around him. The ground beneath cracked. He screamed, and wings of black flame burst once more from his back. With a speed he didn't know he had, Ajay lunged forward—grabbing the assassin mid-air and slamming him into the earth.
"You know nothing about my father," Ajay growled.
The assassin coughed blood. "I know… enough."
With his last strength, he whispered an incantation—and disappeared, vanishing in a swirl of black mist.
Ajay stood alone, trembling.
Then a voice echoed from behind.
"You're not ready."
It was Kael—the vampire knight who had served his father.
Ajay turned to face him, fury still in his eyes. "You knew they were coming."
Kael nodded solemnly. "I did. And they will come again, stronger, in numbers."
"Then teach me," Ajay said. "Everything."
🌍 Lore: Vampire Courts and Crimson Order
Kael and Ajay sat by a fire in the ruins behind the house. As Diya slept, Kael began to reveal the truth.
🩸 The Vampire Courts
Red Court – Aristocrats and rulers. Magic and bloodlines. Ajay's father was their last High Lord.
Black Court – Silent killers. Masters of stealth, poisons, and forbidden blood magic.
Silver Court – Watchers of time. Keepers of fate and prophecy. Often neutral.
The Crimson Order – Fanatics. They believe only pure-blood vampires should rule. They fear hybrids like Ajay.
"The Crimson Order betrayed your father," Kael said. "When he refused to abandon your mother, they conspired with rogue dragon monks to destroy your family."
Ajay's hands clenched. "And they'll come for me next."
Kael nodded. "They already are."
🔥 Lore: The Dragon Clans of the East
Ajay then asked, "And what about my mother?"
Kael looked into the fire. "Your mother, Amara, was a Dragon Princess of the Flameheart Clan. One of the strongest elemental lineages."
He explained the five Dragon Clans:
Flameheart Clan – Masters of fire, destruction, and battle.
Skyreach Clan – Control of wind and lightning.
Spiritscale Clan – Healing and ancestral communication.
Stonetail Clan – Earth, protection, building ancient fortresses.
Seadrake Clan – Water manipulation and deep-sea mysteries.
Each clan protected one Trial Temple.
✨ The Six Trials of Blood and Flame
To control his full potential and fulfill the prophecy, Ajay must undergo six ancient trials:
Dragon Trials:
Trial of Flame – Conquer your inner rage (Temple of Fire, Flameheart).
Trial of Sky – Learn to trust the winds and let go of fear (Temple of Winds, Skyreach).
Trial of Spirit – Face ancestral truths and accept your bloodline (Temple of Echo, Spiritscale).
Vampire Trials:
Trial of Hunger – Resist the thirst for blood and power (Catacombs of Black Court).
Trial of Memory – Unlock past lives of the vampire kings (Hall of Echoes).
Trial of Dominion – Face the choice: control or serve (Chamber of Crimson).
Each trial could kill him—or transform him.
🛡️ Weapons, Symbols, and Forbidden Magic
Kael revealed more secrets:
⚔️ Ancient Weapons
Dracoryn Blade – Forged by dragonsmiths. Reacts to Ajay's blood and strengthens with emotion.
Obsidian Fang – Crimson assassins' weapon. Steals power with every wound.
Sigil Arrows – Arrows that pierce both vampire and dragon flesh, inscribed with runes.
🧿 Symbols of Power
Ajay's chest mark was not just a birthmark. It was the Sigil of Unity.
When activated, it allows Ajay to speak ancient tongues and manipulate both dragonfire and vampire shadows.
📜 Forbidden Spells
Bloodwalk – A vampire spell to possess another body for 13 seconds.
Wyrmform – A dragon transformation spell that grants partial dragon body but drains life force.
The Blood-Oath – A contract of power… and death.
Preparing for the Next Move
The next morning, Ajay stood over a map with Kael.
Their first destination: the Temple of Fire, deep in the Himalayas.
But Diya couldn't be left alone. Kael promised to place vampire wards around the house and summon an ancient guardian to protect her while Ajay was away.
Ajay nodded, torn between duty and love.
Before leaving, he knelt beside Diya's bed and whispered:
"I promise you… I'll return stronger. And I'll find the truth. I'll make them pay."
Then he turned, wings spreading.
Kael joined him, and they disappeared into the sky.
🩸 Epilogue: The Crimson Gathering
Far away, in a temple of blood and fire, a meeting was held.
The Crimson Lord, face hidden behind a silver mask, addressed the gathered vampires.
"The Prince of Flame and Fang lives. He has begun his journey. Let him. The more he learns… the closer he comes to fulfilling the prophecy."
He turned to his assassin.
"But make no mistake. The boy must die… before he makes his choice."
The flames in the room turned black.