This place had been ominous many times, and for multiple souls. One had awoken in its shadows, uncertain of his fate. Another had roamed it darkly, dreading what would be whispered between its walls. The last had ventured through starkly, in hopeful fear.

All that had been left behind. Yet the truth of their deviation always came back to haunt them. It constantly did, and it would forever do so.

Voices echoed through the dark corridors once more, from the farthest cell. There was only one guard to hear them, keeping watch by the stairs. Deeper, the murmurs tangled with anger, disbelief and impotence. There was a snarl as a figure kneeled by another, asking accusingly.

“Did you really have to punch him?”

That voice, it was young, energetic and strong, but tainted by hurt. A bigger shadow moved subtly. Those sharp green eyes narrowed, gleaming as a caring yet firm whisper flowed.

“You know I had to. He would be dead otherwise… or worse.”

Those words did not bring any concord between them. Lyssa glared inquisitively at Nerys, unafraid of her imposing stance in the dark. Although she knew the reasons behind her actions, she did not approve of them.

Still, Lyssa was not the one to keep reproving Nerys. Sergius spoke up at last, and even if he did so pridefully, he was not able to hide that he was pained by the beating he endured.

“You had to shield him…” Those green gleams faded completely, because she closed her eyes when he accused her. “You aid the one who wishes to terminate our fight. He will end everyone’s lives, and you will help him.”

Lyssa bowed her head slightly with a scowl for a few seconds. After a deep breath, she looked at Sergius again, with that unwavering trust of hers.

“She won’t help him carry through such siege.” Nerys felt her heart sink, because Lyssa looked up at her, with the faith she knew well. “We will find a way to-“

“I will do my best to prevent as much death as possible.”

There had been a small hopeful smile on Lyssa’s lips, but it quickly died with those words. Silver eyes moved, noting how Nerys was tense, keeping a fierce stance. She had not relaxed, not even if they did no longer need to pretend.

Nerys had not allowed Sergius to leave the cell, and she was quick to affirm why she led them both here. Things were not simple, and much less easy to deal with. Their world was bloody and cruel. Still, Bastian did not like the words that were being exchanged. So he got in between before Lyssa could. He hated to see the pain in their eyes.

“Even if only a few die, that is still too much.” Nerys growled subtly, and Bastian did not see how her claws clenched as he spoke. “We could do something beforehand. We can’t just go and kill as he has commanded.”

Lyssa did not like how Nerys snarled at Bastian next, in anger, something that vampires succumbed to with ease.

“We must do so, Bastian.”

Bastian’s sharp eyes narrowed as he took a step back. Nerys did not miss how he retreated to Lyssa’s side, instinctively. Due to their stares, she imposed herself, standing even taller at the door. She hated to act like in those times when she intimidated him, but she had to.

“You and I, we are bound to him, by blood. And you know it.” Lyssa shivered when Nerys put a claw over her own chest, letting her fangs show as she whispered slowly. “I must obey his command. Believe me, I wish I could refuse, with all my heart. If I don’t comply, this land and its people will be purged. All clans wished to rip my neck when I killed another lord, and if they didn’t, it was because they were afraid of him. If he was against me, all would be. Not only humans would hunt me, but vampires too. It would be over. I must follow him if I wish to protect others.”

Lyssa took a step closer towards the door. Nerys did not step away, but she did shudder, because she got very close. She was looking up at her intensely, and there was no way for her not to read her gaze. It was cold, disbelieving, and betrayed. The next words stabbed deep, said bluntly.

“You call that protection, yet you will still end uncountable lives.”

Nerys opened her mouth, but again, it was another one who lashed out. Sergius stood slowly and mocked her with a lean of head, smiling fearlessly and hatefully.

“How can you expect anything else, Lyssa?” Bastian snarled, because Sergius judged them, this time with reason. “She is a vampire, nothing else. Perhaps she may display some lenience, but when in need, she will not doubt to kill. Weaker lives will always be sacrificed for her own benefit. It was a matter of time until she showed her true self.”

Bastian flinched when Nerys hit a wall with a fist. She roared down at Sergius, but she did not manage to intimidate him at all.

“It was a matter of time, indeed! You were right, I have no control! Maybe I am a lord, but I can do nothing to prevent war! What do you want me to do?! Do you think I have a choice in all of this?! I’m sick of myself, I am! But I hate your ignorant and stubborn words more, you old senile fool! I could lock you in here, as he asked! Nothing could stop me from ripping you apart… yet I haven’t. The only thing I’ve done is save your sorry life! You deserve my anger! Those punches and kicks? That’s what you get for your imprudent actions! He can’t be killed so easily, and doing so won’t end the disease!” Sergius brushed his bruises calmly, unfazed by how Nerys whispered with a dark chuckle. “Maybe you did not want to slay him to aid your kind… No, you just wanted revenge. Be careful, for that will not bring you any satisfaction, I assure you. I have experienced it myself.”

“Nerys, stop, please.”

She took a deep breath and halted, because a claw grasped one of her arms to pull gently. Those silver eyes looked at hers in worry; he knew she was recalling things that were not worthy of remembrance.

Nerys stopped glaring at Sergius in anger, to simply grimace at them all. Her words were pained, and Lyssa could not avoid feeling pity, because her claws trembled as she lamented.

“I don’t want to siege Hollowgrave. Death is the last thing I wish to see, much less if it is caused by my approach. But do I have a choice?”

She shivered, because a hand reached slowly for one of her huge claws. Her green eyes opened and a few tears fell, for she saw a warm smile again, even if faint. Her love whispered once more, with trust.

“You have always made the right choice in the end, Nerys.” She kept many safe in her domain, she had protected Bastian, and then welcomed her. “You simply need help.”

Nerys could not stand the way in which those ochre eyes were looking at her. Lyssa frowned slowly when the claw she held parted from her hand. Bastian grimaced, because he knew what was coming.

After leaning away, Nerys stepped into the corridor, out of the door. She shook her head at them, with a cold gaze. Her vision was tainted in red.

“I am the one that must help, Lyssa. You can’t truly do so.” She bowed her head, with a dark expression. There was a faint smile, but it was resigned and bitter. “The only thing I can do is go, do my best to aid. I shall siege Hollowgrave, and ensure that there is no more bloodshed than needed. With me there, the other clans won’t kill as many humans. It’s the only way. A complete massacre will unfold otherwise.”

There was silence for a minute, only one. The shock that those words brought soon faded, leaving hate and resentment. Nerys was not surprised when Sergius raised a hand, which smoked. His next whisper was menacing, harsh.

“You will betray what little humanity you have left, and leave to their luck the ones that shielded you when you lost everything, only because you are afraid of that beast. You creatures surely are nothing but leeches. You take what you need, and then you move onto your next target.” The door was between them, something that none could avoid glancing at ominously while Sergius cursed. “You will only display loyalty towards that monster. I am sure that you will lock me up in here, because you know what I am thinking. Will you imprison me to prevent that I warn our people? Or maybe-“

Nerys cut him off, tiredly.

“I’m not locking you away, old man. I told you already, you are in no danger in this castle. When I said those words, I did not only imply she would be safe. Believe me, I still intend to honour that promise.” Nerys raised her claws slightly at her sides, pointing gently at the door. “You are free to go. Leave if you must, and alert whoever you wish.”

Lyssa scowled, because Nerys kept speaking, but much more darkly.

“Be warned, however… That place will be a battlefield soon. If you are there to face me and my kind, I will have no choice but to confront you. I can’t promise to spare you from my blade or his word. This castle is a sanctuary, yet you ignore that fact. Choose wisely, between death and life.”

Sergius glared intensely, and neither Nerys nor Bastian missed how his hand blazed more strongly. In the end, both vampires relaxed a little, because the mage did so. He spoke slowly, with defiance.

“I’ll see you there.”

It was a warning. And Nerys simply nodded, bowing a little to motion him out of the cell.

“As you wish.”

Sergius raised one foot to leave, but he halted when another voice interjected.

“I’m going too.”

Those green eyes opened wide, while a hand stopped smoking due to surprise. All blinked as Lyssa stepped forward too, showing as much defiance, which stunned Nerys.

Bastian could do nothing but stammer dreadfully, knowing what kind of reaction would follow. Indeed, even if Nerys faltered for a second, she quickly leaned towards her to argue.

“W-what- No! My offer was only meant for him! You can’t leave, Lyssa! I cannot let you-“

“Oh, so you will lock me in here?”

Nerys leaned away and raised her claws in front of herself, almost falling into a panic.

“N-no, I would never! I simply can’t let you return to Hollowgrave! You’ll be in danger!”

“Like your brother and niece, right?”

Even Bastian felt the burn of that retort; he cringed, but Lyssa stood tall with no regrets. Meanwhile, Nerys had frozen, mouth agape. It took her a lot of effort to speak back.

“Lyssa, I know that… I may-“ She focused on what she knew for sure, not really knowing how to reply to her accusation. “I have to keep you safe. I swore that I would. Please, I can’t-“

“You also swore that you would fight for humanity. Yet here we are.”

Bastian tried to interject, noting how Nerys trembled. He did not do so because he feared she would lash out.

“Lyssa, I don’t think-”

She ignored his concerns, fed up. If she had to attack where it hurt, she would, to make her understand. There was barely any space for Nerys to cower to while she neared slowly, taking one step with each word spoken.

“If you won’t fight for them, I will. I am leaving, Nerys. Maybe it is true that we belong to different sides, but it is not due to race. There is a very thin line between right and wrong, and you will step over it when you commit to that siege. You have always chosen well, so think carefully. Don’t go, be strong.”

Nerys finally overcame her fear, and she did not do so by relying on anger. One of her claws moved, to grasp her cheek. She leaned to glance into her ochre eyes, with a soft look in hers. Her words were direct and remorseful.

“If I were not strong, I wouldn’t be here. I know there is no way to keep blood from being spilt. This coldness you see is something I need to invoke, for me to endure these horrors. There are only two options, death or complete eradication; there is no real choice. I must go to Hollowgrave, and I don’t want to meet you there. Don’t make this more painful for all, I beg you.”

Her heart broke, because she was not the one to move her claw away. She was given a firm stare, and her love put some distance between them.

“We always say that things are not easy or simple, don’t we? I can’t stand the thought of our old home crumbling into ruin. I know it would kill you inside too. We belong in Hollowgrave, even if you don’t believe you do.”

Nerys cried when Bastian stepped forth to stand at Lyssa’s side, with a deep frown. Although he was nervous, his heart was also set, knowing what was right.

“I know this is wrong, as much as her.” He gave those green eyes a sad sympathetic look, sad in his assertiveness. “Nerys, I feel it too. You are bound to that beast, and I am aware that showing defiance is not easy. Yet I can’t forget and let go of my humanity, not even for such instincts. I can’t stop hearing the voice of my father, and I don’t know how he would look at me if I did nothing to stop this.”

Both Lyssa and Bastian spoke at once, and it tore Nerys inside out.

“We must do something.”

Sergius watched, patiently. In the end, two words echoed, answering theirs.

“I can’t.”

She could not see a way out. Death would find its way, and it would steal the lives of others or theirs. Ochre and silver eyes met in the dark, while her green ones closed.

It was time to part ways.