Early the next morning, the campfire had burned itself out. Nothing remained but a bed of gray ashes and a few thin streams of smoke drifting into the cold morning air. The forest was unusually quiet, as though the trees themselves were still asleep beneath the pale Highland sky. Inside the van, Ivory slowly opened her eyes. She blinked several times, confused by her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was collapsing from her injuries. As she looked around, she noticed Lucy lying beside her.
A moment later, Lucy stretched, let out a sleepy yawn, and slowly opened her eyes. Ivory's heart nearly stopped.
"Oh my God!" she screamed. The shout jolted everyone awake. Outside, Zero, Ayanna, Raven, Scarlet, Dr. Patel, Zara, Ben, and the others hurried toward the van.
"What is going on in there?" Zero asked as everyone rushed over. The van door slid open. Ivory stepped outside, looking perfectly healthy. A second later, Lucy followed her, equally unharmed.
Everyone froze in disbelief. Even Dr. Patel stared speechlessly, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Milan remained seated beside the extinguished campfire. Although he could hear everyone's shocked voices, he couldn't see anything. His blindness remained unchanged. Ayanna broke the silence.
"Okay… what the hell happened here?" Nobody answered. No one had an explanation.
A few moments later, everyone gathered in a circle for an emergency discussion. Confused faces surrounded Ivory and Lucy while Dr. Patel carefully examined both of them again. She checked their pulse, their breathing, and even the wounds that had nearly killed them the previous night. There wasn't a single injury left. Not even a scar.
"This doesn't make any sense," Dr. Patel muttered. Shelooked directly at the two women.
"So… neither of you remembers anything? Anything you saw? Anything you felt?" Lucy slowly shook her head.
"No. Like we already said… I just opened my eyes inside the van. That's all I remember." Ivory nodded in agreement.
"I don't remember being healed. I don't even remember falling asleep." An uneasy silence settled over the group. Raven glanced around.
"Where's Nutaila?" Scarlet looked toward the surrounding trees.
"You know how she is, She probably woke up before everyone else and went to secure the area."Scarlet replied calmly. Just then, footsteps echoed through the forest. Everyone turned. Nutaila emerged from between the trees carrying a freshly hunted deer over one shoulder. Her expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever.
"They were healed last night," she said casually. The entire group stared at her. Zero's eyes widened."Wow… now you're talking." He hurried over and helped her lower the deer beside the cold fire before beginning to prepare it for breakfast.
Nutaila sat beside Raven and Ayanna while Zero rebuilt the fire. Nadia folded her arms.
"What do you mean they were healed? Were you the one who healed them?" Nutaila calmly shook her head.
"No." She paused before looking at Scarlet, Milan, Nadia, and Raven.
"Did any of you realize we've been followed ever since we entered the Scottish Highlands?" Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Milan slowly spoke despite staring into darkness.
"I always had this strange feeling… like we were never alone." Nutaila nodded.
"You weren't imagining it." The atmosphere immediately became tense.
"We have been followed." Everyone listened carefully.
"It's a woman, I don't know her name. I don't know where she came from. And I don't know what she wants. But she's been watching us from the very beginning. She watches us while we sleep. She follows us wherever we go. She never attacks, She never interferes when we're in danger, She simply watches. Until last night."Nutaila's voice grew quieter. Everyone leaned forward.
"Last night… she chose to save Ivory and Lucy."
Silence fell across the camp. Zero looked completely confused.
"How was she able to do that? And why couldn't any of us see her?" Zero asked
"Because she doesn't have to be seen," Nutaila answered.
"When she wishes, she becomes invisible. She doesn't just move through shadows, She moves through walls, Through stone, Through trees, Even through the earth itself. She can merge her body with any surface around her. Like a chameleon… except far more terrifying. She can become part of the ground beneath your feet." Nutaila finished. No one spoke. Several instinctively glanced down at the earth beneath them. The forest suddenly felt far less welcoming. Scarlet finally broke the silence.
"So… where is she now?" Nutaila shrugged.
"Who knows?" A faint breeze passed through the camp.
"She could be watching us right now. She could be standing behind one of these trees Or…" She looked at the ground beneath everyone's feet.
"…she could already be beneath us, listening to every word we're saying."
Even Zero stopped working on the fire. Nobody laughed. Nobody questioned her. The silence itself became unsettling. Scarlet looked back at Nutaila.
"Did she say anything to you?" Nutaila slowly shook her head.
"Nothing. I asked who she was, I asked where she came from, I asked her name. I even asked what kind of power she possessed. She never answered. She simply stood there…looking straight into my eyes."
Another uncomfortable silence followed. Finally, Ayanna stood up.
"Enough about the mysterious woman." She turned toward Milan, whose sightless eyes stared into nothing.
"We have bigger problems." She pointed directly at Scarlet.
"My brother is blind because of his own bitch."
The camp instantly became tense. Scarlet slowly rose to her feet. Her crimson eyes locked onto Ayanna.
"Be careful with the words you choose before you speak them."
Ayanna stepped forward without hesitation.
"What? You think I'm scared of you? Or scared of what you can do?"
For a brief moment, the air between them felt heavy, as though violence could erupt at any second. Scarlet remained perfectly calm.
"No." She glanced toward Zara and Ben, who were quietly watching from nearby.
"I'm reminding you that there are children here. They hear every word we say. And they remember them." Her voice remained cold but controlled.
"So if I were you…I'd choose my words more carefully." Without another word, Scarlet turned and walked away toward the edge of the forest.
Ayanna clenched her fists but said nothing.
As the crackling fire came back to life and the morning sun slowly rose over the Scottish Highlands, every member of the group felt the same unsettling truth. They were no longer alone.
Someone unseen was still watching them. A few minutes later, everyone finished eating and began packing their supplies. Blankets were folded, weapons checked, and bags loaded. The morning air remained cold, but there was little time to waste. Nadia looked around the group.
"So… where are we heading now?" she asked, glancing at Zero, Raven, Scarlet, and Nutaila.
Nutaila stepped forward.
"I'm sorry, Nadia, but your journey with us ends here." The group fell silent.
"We've come too far, and you've seen everything we've faced. It's far too dangerous to keep the children with us." She looked at Zara and Ben before continuing.
"You know who we are. You know what we're capable of. Back then, we didn't even have children traveling with us, and the battles nearly destroyed every one of us." Her eyes briefly met Scarlet's.
"If it hadn't been for Scarlet… none of us would still be alive."
Ayanna quietly glanced toward Scarlet but remained silent. Milan, still recovering, spoke without looking at anyone.
"Nutaila's right. We didn't even have Ayanna with us back then, and we barely survived. Imagine what will happen once Victor discovers that we're protecting the Pure Blood." His voice grew heavier.
"He'll send everything he has after us." Nadia lowered her head.
"I know…" She sighed.
"But where are we supposed to go? Where could we possibly be safe?" Nadia asked
"I know a place… west of here." A calm female voice echoed across the clearing. Everyone froze.
The voice seemed to come from nowhere. Instinctively, they gathered together. Only Milan remained seated, calm and unmoving.
"Show yourself!" Nutaila demanded. Without warning… Two glowing eyes opened beneath their feet. Inside the earth itself.
"My God…" Emma whispered fearfully. Zero and Raven instantly drew their swords. The ground slowly shifted. A woman's figure emerged from the earth as though it were water instead of solid stone. Dirt slid harmlessly from her body until she stood before them, untouched.
Nutaila stepped forward.
"So… you can speak after all." The mysterious woman nodded.
"Yes." Zero pointed both swords toward her.
"What is your name? And what do you want from us?" The woman remained perfectly calm.
"I want nothing from any of you."
"Then why have you been following us?" Scarlet asked. The woman's gaze shifted toward Scarlet.
She slowly took three steps forward.
Suddenly A brilliant blue light erupted from Scarlet's body. A perfectly round barrier surrounded her from head to toe, shimmering like crystal. Everyone stared in disbelief. The woman immediately stopped. She quietly stepped backward. The blue shield disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
"I know who you are, I know where your power comes from. I know the name of the force sleeping inside you. It is called…the Crimson Origin."the woman said while looking directly at Scarlet. Silence. Even Nutaila looked stunned.
"Wait." She stepped forward.
"What do you know about the Crimson Origin? No one in history has ever known about it. It was never recorded. It was never written."Nutaila asked
The mysterious woman nodded.
"You're right, It was never written, But people long ago witnessed it, They simply never lived long enough to tell its story." She looked toward Scarlet again.
"Those who speak of the Crimson Origin either die…or suffer a fate far worse than death."
Milan slowly stood.
"Then how do you know about it?" The woman answered without hesitation.
"Because I have seen it, I've seen what it can create, I've seen what it can destroy." Her expression became distant.
"No one has ever carried that power without paying the ultimate price. In the end…they all died."
Everyone unconsciously turned to Scarlet. Raven finally broke the silence.
"Tell us everything." The woman slowly shook her head.
"No. You're already traveling to meet the Wise. She will explain what I cannot. I'm only here to guide the innocent somewhere they can survive."
Layla folded her arms.
"And where exactly is that?" Layla asked
"A sanctuary, It lies west of here, It is surrounded by enormous walls, There are people, Food, Fresh water, Shelter, They've taken in countless refugees. They'll protect your people." The woman spoke
Ayanna rolled her eyes.
"I hate walls." A few of the others almost smiled.
Nutaila stepped closer to the mysterious woman.
"And how exactly are we supposed to trust you? How do we know you'll get them there safely?"
The woman said nothing.
Instead… She slowly walked toward Milan. Ayanna instantly stepped forward.
"Hey!" The woman gently removed Milan's dark glasses and tossed them aside. Then she placed one hand over his eyes.
"What are you doing?!" Ayanna shouted.
A brilliant white light burst from the woman's body.
The light flowed through her arm like liquid before entering Milan's eyes. No one dared interrupt.
Minutes passed. The forest became completely silent.
Finally… The light faded. The woman stepped away. Milan blinked. Everything around him was blurry.
Slowly… The shapes sharpened, The trees, The fire, His friends.
For the first time since losing his sight…
He could see. His eyes widened.
"I…" He looked around in disbelief.
"I can see." His voice trembled.
"You… healed me?" The woman nodded.
"Nutaila spoke the truth. I healed Lucy and Ivory. And now I've healed you." She looked around at everyone.
"You asked whether I could be trusted." She pointed toward Milan.
"There's your answer." She continued,
"But understand this…I did more than restore his vision. I linked his eyes to mine. When the time comes…He will see what I see." The group stared at one another in stunned silence.
Ayanna rushed forward and threw her arms around Milan. Tears filled her eyes.
"Thank God…I've got my brother back."
Milan smiled warmly before looking toward Scarlet.
Scarlet slowly approached the mysterious woman.
"What… are you?" The woman finally answered.
"My name…is Velmora.The Wise will tell you the rest." Milan picked up his sword and fastened it to his back. Everyone gathered together one last time. He took a deep breath.
"Here's the plan.Nadia, Layla, Emma, Ivory, Lucy. You'll leave with Zara and Ben." He looked toward Velmora.
"Velmora will escort you to the sanctuary, Stay hidden., Don't take unnecessary risks."
Turning back to Nadia, he continued,
"You already know the Witcher and Vision are still out there. We don't know where they are, But the moment Victor learns we're protecting Ayanna he'll unleash everything he has. And he'll come hard."
He looked toward the children.
"We can't have them beside us when that happens." His expression darkened.
"Some of us may fall, Some of us may lose ourselves to the darkness. We have one mission. Restore this world, And send these vampires back to whatever nightmare they crawled out of."
He looked around his team.
"I'll travel with Zero, Raven, Nutaila, Scarlet, Ayanna, and Dr. Patel." Ayanna frowned.
"Why does she have to come with us?" She looked directly at Dr. Patel. Before Milan could answer, Nutaila spoke.
"Because we're going to need her. She's the only one capable of developing a cure. The only one who might discover a formula capable of bringing back what's been lost. So whether you like it or not…she comes with us." No one argued.
Milan reached into his pocket and removed a small silver whistle. He handed it to Nadia.
"Take care of them. If anything goes wrong…Blow this whistle. No matter how far away I am…I'll hear it. But only use it when there's absolutely no other choice." Nadia accepted it with both hands.
"I understand." Everyone silently agreed. Milan smiled softly.
"Then…It's time to say goodbye." Ayanna knelt and hugged Zara tightly.
"I told you I'd keep you safe. And I promised I'd find your mother." Zara smiled.
"And I promised I'd pray for you." She hugged Ayanna even tighter. Then she walked over to Zero.
"Thank you. You'll always be my second favorite person." Everyone turned toward her. Zero blinked.
"Second?,Can't I be first?" Zara giggled.
"No. The first is Nutaila. I like her. And if this vampire war is still happening when I grow up…I want to become a vampire hunter just like her."
For the first time that morning, Nutaila smiled. She removed one of the knives strapped to her belt.
Its handle bore the emblem of a crimson wolf. She handed it to Zara.
"This blade is rare. It was forged by ancient Japanese masters. Use it only when there's no other choice." Zara accepted it carefully.
"I will." She hugged Nutaila tightly. Ayanna then embraced Layla.
"So…This is goodbye." Layla smiled sadly.
"No. Just 'see you later.'" She squeezed Ayanna's shoulder.
"You have a long road ahead. And we're all praying you finish whatever destiny has chosen for you."
They hugged one final time. After everyone had said their farewells, Milan stepped forward.
"Thank you…" He looked at Nadia, Lucy, Ivory, Emma, Layla, and the children.
"For everything. For protecting my sister. And for standing beside us." He handed Zero's van keys to Nadia.
"Drive carefully." Nadia hugged him.
"Thank you." Everyone climbed into the van.
Lucy, Ivory, Emma, Zara, Ben, Layla. Nadia settled into the driver's seat. Velmora approached Milan one last time.
"I've never trusted a stranger so quickly," Milan admitted.
"But you've earned that trust." He looked toward the van.
"Please… Get them there safely." Velmora gave a single nod before climbing into the passenger seat.
The engine started. Slowly, the van disappeared down the forest road until it vanished beyond the trees. A heavy silence settled over those who remained. Scarlet broke it.
"So…What now?" Milan tightened the grip on his sword. He looked toward the distant mountains stretching across the Scottish Highlands.
His expression became resolute.
"Now…"He paused.
"We go and meet the Wise."