The Three Hybrid's

Chapter 4: Hollow Valley Awakens

The mountains shook.

A deafening roar echoed across the supernatural world as the ancient gates beneath Hollow Valley slowly opened. The ground cracked beneath Max's feet, and a cold wind swept through Blackwood Village.

Max's blue eyes darkened.

"It's happening."

Alex appeared beside him, gripping his silver sword.

"The seal is breaking."

Dave looked toward the mountains with an excited grin.

"So Hollow Valley is finally awake."

Mira stepped out of the temple, her face pale.

"We have to leave. Right now."

Ronan frowned.

"Leave our village?"

"If we stay here, Lucian's army will destroy everyone."

Selene crossed her arms.

"Why should vampires follow a witch's orders?"

"Because Hollow Valley is the only place where Lucian cannot enter freely."

Silence fell.

Max spoke.

"She's telling the truth."

Before sunrise, the entire village began moving toward Hollow Valley.

Werewolves guarded the front.

Vampires protected the civilians.

The witches walked in the middle, chanting protection spells.

Max walked alone at the front of the group.

James watched him from behind.

"You don't trust anyone."

Max didn't look back.

"Trust gets people killed."

James replied, "Then why did you save me?"

Max stayed silent.

The question followed him the entire journey.

Hours later, they reached the entrance to Hollow Valley.

A giant stone arch stood between two mountains, covered with ancient symbols glowing beneath the Blood Moon.

Ella stopped walking.

Her palm burned.

The golden mark shone through the bandage.

"I can hear voices."

Mira immediately turned to her.

"What are they saying?"

"They're calling me."

Max's expression became serious.

"The valley recognizes the Fourth Blood."

As Ella stepped closer, the ancient gate opened by itself.

A wave of golden light rushed through the valley.

Everyone froze.

Ronan whispered, "I've never seen magic like this."

The moment they entered Hollow Valley, thick white mist surrounded everyone.

James reached for Ella.

"Ella?"

She disappeared.

"ELLA!"

The mist swallowed every person.

Max suddenly found himself standing alone.

The valley had separated them.

Max looked around.

He wasn't in Hollow Valley anymore.

He stood inside a grand castle.

Children laughed through the halls.

Three little boys ran across the floor.

Max.

Alex.

Dave.

Their mother, Seraphina, smiled as she hugged them.

"My sons."

Young Max laughed.

"I'll always protect them."

The memory suddenly changed.

Fire consumed the castle.

Golden chains wrapped around the three brothers.

Seraphina screamed.

"Run!"

Young Max fought desperately to reach Alex and Dave.

"No!"

The vision shattered.

Max fell to one knee.

His breathing became heavy.

For the first time in centuries...

He remembered his mother's face clearly.

Elsewhere, Alex stood inside another illusion.

He saw Seraphina placing a silver sword into his hands.

"Truth is stronger than power."

He reached for her.

She disappeared into light.

Alex clenched his fists.

"Mother..."

Dave's illusion was different.

He stood buried beneath the earth.

Completely alone.

Days became years.

Years became centuries.

He screamed until his voice disappeared.

When the illusion ended, tears rolled down his face.

He quickly wiped them away.

"No one saw that."

Ella opened her eyes inside a beautiful silver garden.

Three women stood beneath a glowing tree.

Ana.

Eve.

Neev.

"Welcome home," Ana said gently.

Ella couldn't stop staring.

"You're real."

"We are memories," Eve answered.

Neev looked at Ella's glowing hand.

"The Fourth Blood has awakened."

Ella stepped closer.

"What is the Fourth Blood?"

Ana smiled sadly.

"The last hope of this world."

"Why me?"

"Because your blood carries the power we created five hundred years ago."

Ella's heart raced.

"Tell me everything."

Before Ana could answer, the garden began cracking apart.

Darkness entered the vision.

Lucian's voice echoed everywhere.

"Found you."

The three witches immediately stood in front of Ella.

"Leave!" Ana shouted.

The vision shattered.

The mist disappeared.

Everyone returned to Hollow Valley.

James rushed toward Ella.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded slowly.

"I saw the witches."

Max looked at her.

"I saw my mother."

For a moment, their eyes met.

Before anyone could speak again...

A massive explosion shook the valley.

One of the ancient stone pillars collapsed.

Black smoke poured into the sky.

A man wearing black armor stepped out of the darkness.

A silver mask covered half of his face.

Mira's face turned white.

"Kieran."

The Shadow General smiled.

"Welcome to Hollow Valley."

Behind him, hundreds of shadow soldiers emerged from the mist.

Then thousands more.

The valley was surrounded.

Max stepped in front of everyone.

Blue energy surrounded his body.

Alex stood at his right.

Dave stood at his left.

The three brothers faced the Shadow Army together.

Kieran slowly drew his black sword.

"The Blood Moon has chosen its battlefield."

Max's blue eyes burned like fire.

"Then this is where your army dies."

The Shadow Army charged.

And the First Great War of Hollow Valley began.