The chamber was dark and oppressive, as always. Still, she stood tall, facing their inquisitive gazes without doubt. She spoke with a monotone tone, her next words honest.

“I deeply regret my failure. There won’t be another under my lead; I will make sure of it.”

Rein’s eyes finally opened, to look at her sadly.

“What was that weapon exactly?”

Lyssa did not lie as she answered, for she relayed her truth to the council.

“It was something that can’t be quite described, for I never saw anything like it. I believe we did well by retreating, because many lives would have been lost in that domain. Our forces should focus on disputed lands instead, and on weaker clans, if we truly must invade.” Her next words did hold some deceit, but she showed no hint of it on her expression. “That thing could only have been the work of a powerful mage, surely. I did not wish for my comrades to perish in vain, not when they could keep serving our cause on other fronts.”

The council pondered her words, very carefully. Rein was the one to speak, calm as always, his gaze unreadable.

“It is strange… Vampires are incapable of wielding magic. What’s more, even if they had somehow vanquished their inability, incantations are always summoned at close range. No fire should have been able to reach you at such distance.”

She closed her eyes, and let out an admission that seemed a suggestion.

“No, they did not overcome that incapacity. There were many humans in that den of theirs; surely, one of them was a mage.” Vampires always killed anyone who hinted skill in sorcery, and never allowed any to join their forces, for it supposed a risk to their dominance. “Never before have we seen these beasts study magic, but that does not mean they can’t. Perhaps that clan decided to spare a sorcerer, having found that their new contraption could channel and intensify magic.”

Rein leaned a little more onto his podium, to look at her closely from above.

“Vampires loathe the idea of allowing men to wield fire, even if it may be for their cause. I suppose that is why they delayed such retaliation.” He inquired, carefully. “All this is pure assumption, however. We don’t know for sure if they had the aid of a human, right, Lyssa?”

“I’m afraid I can’t confirm it. We couldn’t see the interior of the castle, nor who stood in that tower. One thing was clear at the moment; there could have been a massacre, so I acted on behalf of the lives I swore to shield.” She bowed slightly, showing honest remorse. “I can’t excuse my failure or the fact I can’t offer useful information. Therefore, I will accept any sanction that is deemed appropriate. I shall surrender my rank and privileges if needed.”

Her eyes hinted sorrow when she heard the ultimatum of the council.

“You won’t be sanctioned for your withdrawal. A general must confront difficult dilemmas, and you were forced to make a choice. You’ve served our cause devotedly, so we will not take away your rank. We expect you to learn from your defeat and resume the fight soon.”

She nodded, hiding her disappointment.

“Of course…”

Nothing more would be said or discussed, so she turned to take her leave. Rein watched her intently as she walked out of the chamber, with a tired pace. There was something wrong with her, but she would never admit it to anyone. She had always been fierce and cold, ever since she lost what she most loved; something had changed.

Lyssa marched through the underground corridors, surely but slowly. Many soldiers eyed her as she advanced, yet she greeted none of them. She did not head back to her chambers, but ones that were in another district.

She grabbed a key from her pocket and reached for the door. Her eyes narrowed, because she noticed that it was not locked like usual. She invited herself into the chamber, which had belonged to her beloved. A small sad whisper soon escaped her.

“Wilfred…”

The tall man tensed, for he had expected to be alone. She watched sadly as he let down what he had been holding, to turn around and face her with a surprised glance.

“Lyssa?” His apprehension soon faded, and he gave her a faint gentle smile, which was always familiar. “I thought- Weren’t you out of Hollowgrave?”

Unlike his younger sister, he had always hated the mere notion of war. But that did not mean he did not admire the ones that fought in it.

“I came back yesterday.” She frowned, for he was trying to hide the fact that he had been looking over her past belongings, by averting his gaze as she would. “I’m sorry for intruding. I’ll come back when-“

“No, no.” He brushed his short red hair, sighing loudly. “Stay, I was about to leave. Nothing stops me from coming here, but you don’t have that many chances.”

He walked past her, but he halted by the door to look back. She smiled faintly when his green eyes met hers, with that timid care of his.

“I’m glad you’re back. It’s dangerous out there, and you still have a long life ahead of you…”

She replied firmly, but not to mock his reticence.

“I fight so that all can live.”

“She did too, Lyssa.” His smile faltered slightly, as he looked again at the empty room. “I sometimes wish I could turn back time, to be there, in each moment she may have needed me. She was always determined, but I’m certain that she would not wish for you to end like the two of them.”

He had left for Hollowgrave when she was just a child, and to this day, he regretted not having been there that bloody night. If he had not found love, perhaps he would have taken her place to avenge their family.

Lyssa had heard Wilfred lament many times, ever since they lost her. She had always stayed silent upon his grief, but today she found the will to answer. He frowned when she spoke softly, hopefully.

“We don’t know if they are dead.” She smiled a little, and then untied the sword that hung from her belt, for it really did not belong to her. “They are alive, I know it. The two are waiting for me, somewhere, and I will find them. Maybe I’ll be able to bring her back to you, one day.”

She wanted to stand by them, and perhaps help others understand with time. It was what she wished to fight for now, her new conviction.

He doubted to take the sword she was offering him, for she was the one to find it in those ruins. In the end, he grasped it firmly, with a strong nod and sigh.

“I hope you are right.” He gave her one last caring look and then turned to leave towards his home, deep underground. “Please, be safe out there, Lyssa.”

By the time she replied, he was gone, unable to hear her.

“I will be.”

She knew it for a fact.

———–

The breeze was cold and strong. She looked up at the night sky, admiring its endless array of stars above. It was a sight that few contemplated, for beasts could lurk in the dark.

She had sneaked out of Hollwograve, unseen. It had been easy, but only thanks to her slyness. The huge walls above her were imposing, although they were nothing compared to the massive labyrinth of tunnels that hid deep underground. They had been her home for a very long time. She had returned just a few days ago, yet she was leaving again, alone.

She trusted that everyone would believe that she fled in shame, humbled by the many deaths that she saw under her command. There were letters on the desk of her chamber, which she wrote to reinforce that presumption.

There was one that she hoped they would not find, however. She left a note in Sergius’ chambers, telling him not to follow her, pleading for his silence. He had not doubted to display his anger towards her, but he did not reveal her actions to the council. Due to it, she trusted that he would keep her secrets.

In reality, it did not truly matter what he thought or did. She had to leave, and nothing would stop her from doing so. And so, she resumed her march, glaring at the horizon. With a small jump, she hopped onto a rock, which peeked over the strong flow of water. The river that coursed around the walls was deep, but there was a small path of stones that went through it, which few people knew about.

Everyone always accessed the huge underground fortress by crossing a huge drawbridge, which loomed over the huge river that shielded them. That point was always patrolled by guards, to ensure the safety of all inhabitants.

There was another way to get in and out, and she had taken that secretive route. She huffed as she jumped onto another rock, careful to not slip into the water. Her hands clutched her backpack more tightly, to ensure it would not fall as she looked back. The more she advanced, the less she could see the crack on the wall. She barely fit in it, but she managed to push herself through. It was very small, so it was unguarded and unknown. It was the perfect way for her to leave without obstruction.

It took her half an hour to reach the end of the river, for she made sure to calculate each jump carefully. She smiled as she set foot on the ground, at last. Hollowgrave was now at a distance. She looked away from it, proudly. Many hills, forests and small villages stood ahead, which she would pass by in her march. She would follow a road that would take her far away, out of the lands that humans could call home. Her steps would lead her into disputed territory, and then, vampiric domain.

She took a deep breath, and then she began to advance. Without a horse, the journey would be exacting, but she did not doubt. She had to go back.

————-

His eyes read intently. The words sunk into his mind, one by one. His hands trembled, barely holding the note.

“If you are reading this, take a deep breath, Sergius. Even if you may not believe it, I am sorry, so I beg you to forgive me. I owe you a lot, we both know it. I’ll never forget all that you’ve done for me. You rescued us from the scorching ashes of our hometown, and we would have never found the safety of Hollowgrave without your guidance. We would have ended up lost, surely to perish the very next night. You saved us, yet your kindness did not end there. I learnt how to fight with you; my flaming will can manifest itself thanks to your teachings. There are so many things you have done… but I can’t repay them. I can’t take part in this war, not anymore. You know the reason behind my past actions, and I beg you to try to understand my departure from Hollowgrave. Please, do not reveal my motives, and do not send troops into that land. I need to go back, alone. You won’t approve of this, for you loathe what he has become. But, please, let me go. If you still care about my safety, you won’t reveal the truth to the council. Once more, thank you for everything.”

“You…”

He crushed the letter in his trembling hand, snarling deeply. His gaze showed nothing but rage as he stood in the shadows of his chambers. He grabbed his long grey coat, and then stormed out the door.

She had surrendered their crusade. Her wistful sentimentality was making her blind to the dangers she was nearing, against everything she had learnt in life. She had left, without a word.

I won’t let you be prey.