Family in hands

As the lifeless bodies of vampires and werewolves intertwined on the blood-stained battlefield, only a handful of vampires stood amidst the carnage.

In the chaotic aftermath, some of the werewolves, bloodied and desperate, turned and fled into the dense forest, their primal instincts urging them to seek safety in the shadows.

Amidst the eerie quiet that settled over the battleground, Viktor, accompanied by a small contingent of his own warriors, arrived to assess the situation. 

Expecting to encounter a defiant Albino Werewolf, his steely gaze fell upon a scene that fueled his simmering rage - only a few soldiers and Amelia, perched atop a nearby rock, her expression grave and weary.

Viktor's fury threatened to consume him as he strode towards Amelia, the urge to draw his sword and exact swift vengeance upon those who had betrayed him tempting him greatly.

In a voice laced with controlled urgency, he demanded an explanation from Amelia, the weight of his unspoken threat hanging heavily in the air.

Without hesitation, Amelia recounted the sequence of events that had unfolded, her words a desperate plea to salvage the fate of the dwindling Death Dealers who had somehow survived the brutal onslaught.

"My Lord, an unforeseen turn of events transpired. William yielded to Marcus willingly and was taken from us," she explained, her voice tinged with a mix of regret and resolve as he lied for everyone.

Viktor's brow furrowed in perplexity at this revelation, his mind whirring with plans to pursue and retrieve William, envisioning Marcus escaping on horseback.

But before he could issue the command, Amelia interjected once more, her tone resolute and tinged with a hint of grim admiration.

"Marcus is likely far gone, My Lord. He possesses wings that grant him flight and a speed that belies his appearance. Pursuing him may prove futile," she warned, her eyes betraying a wary respect for the elusive Marcus and his formidable abilities.

"How swiftly can Marcus fly, Amelia?" Viktor demanded, his voice edged with impatience and a trace of disbelief as they have crossbows in hand to shoot down anything.

Not to mention a man carrying a creature the double the size of a brown bear in hand.

He needed more concrete details to comprehend the extent of Marcus's ability.

Amelia's eyes widened with fear at the intensity of Viktor's tone, prompting her to kneel before him, her words tumbling out quickly in an attempt to assuage his growing wrath.

"When I was facing the incoming pack of wolves, I glanced away for just a moment," she explained, her voice tinged with urgency. 

"When I turned back, Marcus had vanished with William."

"I suspect he spirited him away to a secluded location for his safety."

"Marcus assumed that the Werewolves were coming to free his brother!"

Viktor listened intently, a furrow forming on his brow as he processed Amelia's words. 

An idea flickered in his mind about pursuing Marcus, but her next words gave him pause.

"Viktor, perhaps we should consider placing more trust in Marcus," Amelia suggested, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctant admiration. 

"He mentioned a connection between us that we may need to explore further to understand why we die if he dies!."

Viktor's expression softened slightly at her words, a mixture of contemplation and wariness crossing his features at the thought of his demise.

Despite his reservations about Marcus's out of control emotional nature when it comes to his brother, he recognized the significance of their bond and the potential for mutual benefit.

The weight of their precarious trust hung in the air as Viktor pondered the implications of his newfound insights. 

If Marcus were to meet his demise, it could spell catastrophe for the entire vampire lineage, a realization that stirred doubt within Viktor's typically steadfast resolve.

After a moment of introspection, Viktor turned to Amelia, a determined glint in his eye as he voiced his decision.

"Amelia, your loyalty and valor have not gone unnoticed."

"You have proven yourself on this field of battle, hunting down the werewolves with unmatched skill," he commended, a note of respect in his tone. 

"I had intended to establish a council of Elders, and you shall be among its ranks as a reward for your service."

He continued, a sense of purpose driving his words. 

"Inform Marcus of my summons upon his return!"

"We have much to discuss, and I trust you to guide him to me if you find him first."

"Inform the soldiers to usher him directly to you should he reappear as well."

Meanwhile, Marcus soared through the night sky with William held securely in his arms, his new-found powers effortlessly guiding him towards his next destination. 

His mind buzzed with strategic plans and contemplation as he listened to Viktor and Amelia's conversation unfold below.

The echoes of their voices carried on the wind, and an enigmatic smile played upon his lips as he contemplated the unfolding narrative. 

The pieces of the intricate game he had orchestrated were falling into place, setting the stage for the resurgence of ancient conflicts and the rise of new alliances in the dark underworld.

As his thoughts turned towards the future, Marcus's gaze hardened with determination, his resolve unshakable in the face of the impending chaos. 

With each beat of his wings, he embraced the role he was destined to play in shaping the fate of the supernatural realm, a harbinger of change and upheaval in the centuries-old conflict between immortals.

And so, as the night waned and the shadows lengthened, the stage was set for a new chapter in the timeless saga of vampires and werewolves, a tale of power, betrayal, and the inexorable march of destiny.