Inside the Forest
A cold wind swept between the trees. Crows echoed somewhere far away.
Khaled stepped carefully through the shadows, eyes scanning, waiting for Chris to show.
Then—movement.
Chris emerged from behind a tree.
Chris: "You missed our meeting last night."
Khaled: "I was busy. Preparing for the Halloween party… you probably knew that."
Chris: "Yeah, haha. How'd you guess?"
Khaled: "I sensed something behind the trees. I knew it was you."
Chris: "I saw you working on that old generator. You and your people… you really act like a family."
Khaled: "Alright—let's get to the point. You want us to fight with you against the vampires?"
Chris went quiet for a moment.
Chris: "Trust isn't easy. But yes. There's no other choice."
Khaled felt a strange tension—like Chris was hiding something.
Khaled: "Are you the last werewolf left?"
Chris: "No. There are still many clans… scattered around the world."
Khaled: "Clans? What about you?"
Chris: "I left my birth clan long ago. Traveled the world. Learned new ways to fight—and to speak like humans. In 2008, I joined the Fangs of Shadow clan.
We were trying to build a new
mindset for werewolves—one that's open to the world."
Khaled: "I haven't seen any other werewolves besides you. Why always come alone?"
Chris: "Because no one else knows about you. Only me."
Khaled: "I don't know why, but… I feel more at ease around you."
He paused, then added quietly:
Khaled: "I just hope I won't regret that someday."
Chris smiled faintly.
Chris: "Funny. I was thinking the same thing."
Khaled: "Tell me more about these vampires."
Chris: "What do you want to know?"
Khaled: "The explosion. What's their connection to it?"
Chris: "Alright… the original vampires rely on a kind of stone—uranium stones. They mix them with runes and black magic to gain immense power, even immortality. They become nearly impossible to kill.
That day, a group of them carried out a perfect operation—hijacked trucks full of enriched uranium being transported by the French government.
During the sea transport, one of them cast a dark spell on the uranium… and that's what caused the disaster."
Khaled stood frozen, stunned.
Khaled: "What do you mean by 'original vampires'? There are different kinds?"
Chris: "Of course. Some are born vampires. Others are turned."
Khaled: "You mean… they used to be human?"
Chris: "Yes.
But there's a difference. You—your people—survived deadly radiation.
Your existence is a miracle.
Turned vampires, on the other hand, were likely bitten or infected.
You'll notice the difference when you meet them.
The originals—dark skin, terrifying power, hard to stop. The turned ones? Weaker.
More human-looking."
Khaled: "And what about you werewolves?"
Chris: "We don't have turned ones. We're all born this way.
Our strength depends on our clan."
Khaled: "Got it. So how exactly do you want us to cooperate?"
Chris: "We have to work together—to stop what's coming."
Khaled: "And who leads them? Who's in charge of the vampires?"
Chris: "They have a king. Lucifal. The strongest of them all.
His people call him ' the King of Eternal Night ' .
He swore never to repeat his ancestors' mistakes.
Watching how advanced—and dangerous—humans have become, and knowing his old enemies still live on this earth,
he decided to wait. To study every human weakness. To strike only when the world begins to crumble.
And he's patient.
He won't take risks."
Khaled: "That's terrifying… The world is falling apart. That means he'll move soon."
Chris: "Exactly. That's why werewolves and mutants must unite. It's the only chance we have."
Khaled (uneasy, curious): "If the world falls… what happens then?"
Chris: "His goal is a world without sunlight—ruled by him.
Humanity enslaved.
And anyone like us—erased."
Khaled: "Then how do we start?"
Chris: "It's simple… and impossible at the same time. I told you before—follow the trail of the crime.
That'll lead you to their tools."
Khaled: "Tools?"
Chris: "The non-original vampires."
Khaled: "And how do we reach Lucifal and his followers?"
Chris: "Track every movement of uranium across the globe. That's where they'll be. I'll help you."
Khaled: "Will you tell your clan?"
Chris: "Not yet. When I see that I can trust your people—then I'll try to convince them to join."
Khaled: "Alright. Deal."
---
Back in the Village
Simon carried his bags outside.
Ethan and Connor waited near the gate.
Ethan : "Sad to see you go."
Simon: "I'm not leaving for good—just classes. Four days a week."
Connor: "So you'll be back for three days every week?"
Simon: "Yeah."
Ethan : "And your sister?"
Simon: "Same. We're in the same program."
Connor: "That's good."
Simon checked his phone.
Simon: "She's late. Where is she?"
Ethan : "Probably saying goodbye to
her friends."
---
Somewhere Else — The Operations Room
Almy's eyes glowed white like twin lights as she placed her hands on the console.
Her powers flowed through the network—piercing the dark web—searching.
She was hunting for Diego's old files.
One video caught her eye—recorded the day of the catastrophe.
Video:
Diego held a camera, his face tense.
Diego: "It finally happened.
The thing I've been warning about for years—no one listened.
A nuclear explosion hit the middle of the Mediterranean at 11 a.m., near Italy's coast.
But it wasn't a normal blast.
It left behind a massive black cloud.
The World Health Organization says it's drifting north and south—meaning both Africa and Europe are finished.
The rest of the world… unknown.
We're safe for now, here in Mexico. But not for long.
I'll use this time to stock up on food and supplies—for as long as I can.
This is just the beginning.
The world we knew… is gone.
They called me crazy.
Laughed at me. But now—let's see who's laughing."
The rest of the footage showed Diego filling storage rooms with food and water, sealing himself in his bunker.
Almy skipped through his later videos—each one darker than the last.
Days passed. Then his voice returned:
Diego: "My country wasn't hit directly, just facing economic collapse. Same with others untouched by the black cloud—global trade's dying.
But the latest news… the cloud vanished after a few weeks. Still—it left chaos behind.
On European and African channels, I saw victims—most died from radiation poisoning. Fifty-five percent dead.
Forty percent… mutated into monsters.
It was horrifying. This is what I'd warned about for seven years.
No one believed me.
The lucky five percent? Unchanged. But within that five—two percent developed powers.
I still can't wrap my head around it.
I'm tempted to leave Mexico… maybe head to North Africa or Southern Europe.
But something tells me I'd regret it."
Suddenly—someone entered Almy's room.
She snapped back to the present.
Hana: "Came to say goodbye, dear."
Almy: "You're leaving now?"
They hugged.
Hana: "Yeah. Me and my brother both."
Almy: "Is your schedule heavy?"
Hana: "Not really. Four days a week. So I'll still be here three."
Almy: "Good. The team stays together."
Hana: "Even Boris knows. My brother told him."
Almy: "Did you say goodbye to Daisy?"
Hana: "Yeah. And to you."
Almy: "Travel safe.
Keep your phone on—so I can track your signal."
Hana: (heading out with her bags) "Of course. Take care of yourself."
She smirked. "And take care of Ethan, too."
Almy blushed, laughing softly