The Three Hybrid's

Chapter 3: The King of Shadows

The roar echoed for miles.

The crimson Blood Moon trembled as dark clouds swallowed the stars. The entire village stood frozen after hearing Lucian's voice. Even the wind had stopped blowing.

Max Draven did not move.

His blue eyes remained fixed on the mountains beyond Hollow Valley.

"He's awake," he said quietly.

Alex stepped beside him, gripping his silver sword.

"That wasn't his full power."

Dave forced a smile, but it quickly disappeared.

"I haven't felt that pressure since the war."

The three brothers exchanged a silent look. They all understood the same terrifying truth.

Lucian had returned.

Blackwood Village was filled with fear.

Burned houses still smoked while healers treated the wounded. Ronan ordered every gate to be sealed.

"No one leaves the village."

Selene looked toward Max and his brothers.

"And why should we trust them?"

Max answered without emotion.

"I didn't ask for your trust."

"I came because Lucian is hunting this village."

James stepped forward.

"He's hunting Ella."

Ella stood silently behind Mira, hiding the glowing mark on her palm.

Mira opened an ancient book covered with dust.

"The prophecy has begun."

She placed the book on a stone table. A drawing appeared of three brothers standing beneath a Blood Moon while a fourth golden symbol floated between them.

Dave frowned.

"That's us."

Mira nodded.

"And this is the Fourth Blood."

Her finger touched the golden symbol.

Ella's palm suddenly burned.

The mark glowed through the bandage.

Everyone saw it.

"The mark is reacting," Mira whispered.

Ella gasped as golden light spread across her fingers.

"What is happening to me?"

Mira's voice trembled.

"The witches hid the Fourth Blood inside a bloodline before they died."

Selene looked shocked.

"So Ella carries it?"

"Yes."

Max stared at Ella.

For a moment, he remembered another pair of golden eyes.

His mother.

A painful memory flashed through his mind.

Golden chains.

Fire.

Screams.

He quickly looked away.

Night fell again.

The village remained under guard.

Max stood alone outside the walls.

Alex joined him.

"You're thinking about Seraphina."

Max remained silent.

"You remembered something."

Max nodded slowly.

"Kieran said our mother died protecting us."

Alex looked confused.

"I don't remember."

"I need the truth."

Before Alex could answer, Dave ran toward them.

"We've got visitors."

The brothers turned.

Three hooded figures stood at the edge of the forest.

Their bodies were surrounded by black smoke.

Shadow Hunters.

The tallest one stepped forward.

"The First Hybrid has given a message."

Max's eyes narrowed.

"Speak."

The hunter smiled.

"Lucian says... bring him the Fourth Blood, and he'll spare your brothers."

Dave laughed loudly.

"Tell Lucian to come himself."

The hunter's smile disappeared.

"As you wish."

Darkness exploded.

Dozens of Shadow Hunters appeared from the trees.

"Attack!" Ronan shouted.

The village gates opened as werewolf warriors rushed into battle.

Selene led vampire soldiers from the rooftops.

Max disappeared in a blue flash.

His fist shattered the first Shadow Hunter's armor.

Alex moved like silver lightning, cutting through enemies before they could react.

Dave fought wildly, laughing while wounds healed across his body.

James transformed into his white wolf form and joined the battle beside Max.

Max noticed him.

"You again."

James growled.

"I'm protecting my village."

"So am I."

The two fought back-to-back against the Shadow Hunters.

For the first time, James realized Max wasn't attacking innocent people.

Inside the village, Ella helped Mira move children into the temple.

Suddenly every candle went out.

A cold voice echoed behind her.

"Fourth Blood."

Ella spun around.

A Shadow Hunter stood inside the temple.

He reached for her.

Golden light burst from Ella's palm.

The hunter screamed as his arm turned into ash.

Ella stared at her hand.

"I did that?"

Mira grabbed her arm.

"We have to leave."

Another hunter crashed through the temple window.

Then another.

The temple was surrounded.

Outside, Max sensed Ella's power.

"Ella."

Without hesitation, he abandoned his fight and ran toward the temple.

Kieran appeared in front of him.

"Going somewhere?"

Max attacked immediately.

Blue energy collided with black magic.

Kieran blocked every strike.

"Lucian knew you'd protect her."

Max's eyes burned brighter.

"I'll kill anyone who touches her."

Kieran laughed.

"You've already failed once."

Those words stopped Max for a heartbeat.

"What did you say?"

Darkness exploded from Kieran's body.

Max was thrown backward.

The temple doors shattered.

Shadow Hunters rushed inside.

Ella backed away until she reached the altar.

There was nowhere left to run.

The hunters smiled.

"The Fourth Blood belongs to Lucian."

Ella closed her eyes.

The mark burned hotter than ever.

A circle of golden light surrounded her.

Every Shadow Hunter froze.

Ancient symbols appeared across the temple walls.

The hunters screamed as invisible chains wrapped around them.

Golden flames swallowed their bodies.

Within seconds...

The temple became silent.

Mira looked at Ella in disbelief.

"The seal answered you."

The doors burst open.

Max rushed inside.

"Ella!"

She collapsed into his arms as the golden light disappeared.

Her breathing became weak.

Max held her carefully.

"Wake up."

Ella slowly opened her eyes.

"You came."

Max didn't answer.

He simply helped her stand.

James arrived moments later and stopped when he saw Max protecting Ella again.

His anger slowly turned into confusion.

Outside the temple, Kieran stood on a rooftop watching everything.

He smiled beneath his mask.

"So the Fourth Blood has awakened."

He looked toward Hollow Valley.

"The king will be pleased."

Black smoke surrounded him.

Before disappearing, he spoke one final sentence.

"Hollow Valley is calling the Three Hybrids home."

The Blood Moon glowed brighter.

Far away, deep beneath the mountains, ancient stone gates began opening by themselves.

Max felt the ground shake beneath his feet.

His expression darkened.

"Hollow Valley has awakened."

And somewhere beyond the darkness, Lucian opened his silver eyes... and smiled.