The Holy City had never been so alive — nor so tense. Its marble avenues, once filled with serene hymns and light, now bore the clanging of armor and the solemn rhythm of boots. Banners of the four great Hunter Houses — Valencrest of the North, Covenus of the West, Hitoshirezu of the East, and Callus of the South — fluttered alongside the gilded sigils of the Vatican. The world felt like it was holding its breath.

  Within the Grand Cathedral of Saint Aurelius, the grandest hall of all realms, the heads of the four houses gathered beneath the towering mural of the First Saint. Its painted eyes seemed to judge every soul below.

  Seraphine stood beside her father, Lord Theoren Valencrest, her crimson eyes reflecting the solemn glow of hundreds of candles. Across the table, Mereth Covenus stood tall — regal even in her silence — with Eslene and Varain flanking her. From the east, Kazane Hitoshi and his son Arame, both calm yet sharp-eyed, observed everything with quiet calculation. At the far end, Elric Callus stood like a mountain, his commanding presence silencing even the whispers of the younger hunters. Beside him, Lucien stood straight-backed, while Sarville remained at his side, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

  Between these titans of lineage stood Saint Fariel, the Holy Vatican’s radiant figure — his golden robes catching the light of stained glass that painted the marble floor in colors of divine splendor.

  “By the grace of the Holy Light, I thank you all for answering our call,” Fariel began, his voice steady and warm, echoing through the hall. “The Shadow Realm stirs once more. What was thought to be myth now bleeds into reality again. As it was in the First Age, when man trembled before the darkness, it comes again — hungrier and more cunning than before.”

  Murmurs spread through the gathered representatives.

  Lord Theoren’s gaze hardened. “Then this message you spread through our lands… the invasion — it is true?”

  Fariel nodded slowly. “Indeed, Lord Valencrest. Our Seers confirmed multiple breaches along the veil. The shadow tides are growing restless. If left unchecked, the darkness could engulf the mortal world within the decade.”

  “Then what are we to do?” Mereth Covenus’ voice was calm, though her expression was one of suspicion. “Your Holy See summons us, yet offers no proof. I have read your reports — they are filled with prophecy, not evidence.”

  Fariel’s lips curved faintly. “And yet your daughter returned from the Shadow Realm, did she not? You have seen what stirs within that abyss.”

  The room fell silent. Eslene clenched her fists but said nothing. The memory of those haunting eyes and the suffocating presence of the Vampire Lords still lingered in her mind.

  From the east, Kazane Hitoshi broke the silence. “Words of darkness come easily from men who thrive in shadowed politics, Saint Fariel. What do you truly seek from us?”

  Fariel smiled — but it was not a priest’s smile; it was the smile of a man who had already calculated the outcome. “Unity. To gather the strength of the four great Houses and the Holy Order, to march under one banner. Humanity has stood divided for too long.”

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  Elric Callus leaned forward, his tone booming through the hall. “And who will lead this so-called unified front? The Vatican? Or your blessed knight?”

  A pause.

  Fariel extended his hand toward the massive double doors at the far end of the hall. “You will see.”

  The doors opened with a deep groan, and golden light flooded in. From that light emerged a woman — tall, ethereal, her platinum hair flowing like moonlight. Her eyes were pure and soft, yet they held a depth that seemed to pierce through one’s soul. Clad in pristine white and gold armor etched with runes of divine light, she moved with silent grace.

  Every hunter in the room instinctively stiffened. Even seasoned warriors felt the overwhelming presence emanating from her.

  “This…” whispered Varain, his hand trembling over the hilt of his sword. “She’s not human…”

  Fariel’s voice carried with holy reverence. “Allow me to introduce — Saint Serena Corvan.”

  The entire chamber froze.

  The name echoed like thunder. Corvan. A name long erased from history, associated with the ancient Vampire progenitor — Draculius Corvan.

  Eslene’s eyes widened, and even Mereth, who rarely betrayed emotion, felt her breath catch. Lucien’s gaze darted to her, disbelief written across his face.

  Seraphine’s crimson eyes narrowed sharply. “Corvan… You claim this woman bears the name of the first of the Damned?”

  Fariel raised a hand, calm as ever. “Names are but echoes of the past, Lady Valencrest. Serena is not of the darkness. She is light incarnate — the chosen of our Holy God. The very manifestation of the Origin of Light.”

  Kazane’s brow furrowed. “Origin? The same ancient essence you priests once called forbidden to even mention?”

  “Yes,” Fariel said with reverence. “Serena bears the true Origin of Light — the first ever bestowed upon humankind. She is the shield and sword against the coming darkness. And she shall lead the Divine Vanguard — under the command of the Holy See.”

  The hall erupted in murmurs again — disbelief, awe, and quiet fear.

  Lord Theoren leaned toward his daughter, his voice low. “This is no ordinary play. They are moving the pieces faster than ever.”

  Seraphine nodded slightly. “A holy pawn cloaked in divinity,” she whispered. “They intend to unite us by fear — not faith.”

  Eslene’s mind spun. Serena Corvan… Origin of Light… If that is true, then what of Kevlar? Could he be… Her eyes darkened. She could almost feel the shadow calling again from the realm beyond.

  Fariel raised his hand, silencing all. “I understand your doubts. But in times like these, we must act with faith. The strategy is clear: fortify the eastern borders, seal the northern passes, and form three major legions — one led by the Callus and Covenus alliance, one by the Valencrest and Hitoshirezu, and the final holy legion under Saint Serena herself.”

  Elric’s eyes narrowed. “So you intend to put her at the center of this war.”

  “It is the will of God,” Fariel replied simply. “And it is through her that victory shall be attained.”

  For a brief second, Fariel’s eyes flickered — not with light, but something darker, more cunning.

  “May your faith guide your resolve,” he finished, lowering his hand. “Tomorrow, we convene at dawn to finalize troop deployment. For now, rest. The dawn of a new era begins.”

  As the assembly broke, each house left with heavy thoughts.

  Eslene remained behind for a moment, watching Serena walk quietly beside Fariel, her serene face unreadable. The light that radiated from her seemed almost… unnatural. Like a flame too pure to belong to this world.

  Varain whispered to his sister, “She looks more like an angel than a human.”

  Eslene didn’t reply. Her gaze was distant, heavy with unease. “Angels… fall too,” she murmured.

  And high above the cathedral, as the bells tolled across the Holy City, a shadow moved across the moonlight — unseen, yet ever watching.

  Far beyond the borders, in the endless dark of the Shadow Realm, a violet spark flickered briefly within the abyss.

  It pulsed — once, twice — as if answering the awakening light.

  The convergence had begun.