THE DARKHEART SAGA

ng the

pte

, a crypt lay hidden-a tomb carved into the heart of stone, untouched by the world above for ages. I

silence

one groaning under the strain. In the center of the cavernous space, a sarcophagus of dark obsidian sat undisturbe

crack, the lid of the s

igid from her long confinement. Slowly, she pushed herself upright, gasping as if surfacing from deep water. Her skin was

had aw

ld stone. Memories surged through her mind, fragments of another time-of fire, blood, and betrayal. She presse

urmured, her voice

ned unbroken. The aching void in her chest confirmed it. The absence of

to sharpen, the dullness of sleep giving way to an acute awareness. She could hear the faint drip of water from a cra

eyes narrowing as she scanned the

s. Elira's gaze fell on the shattered remains of the protective seals that had once encased her

ong slumber had not dulled her strength. If anything, she felt more po

r ears. It was distant but unmistakable-a rapid staccato echoing through the layer

he whispered

es? The memories of her exile were hazy, her mind clouded by the long years of isolation

nt. The air grew colder as she neared the surface, the earthy scent of the tomb replaced by the sharp tang of t

er heightened senses picking up the faint scent of blood on the wind. The sound of mort

t, her dark hair flowing behind her like a shadow. The tre

own square, their flames casting flickering shadows on the surrounding buildings. Figures moved through the chaos-soldiers in dark uniforms, armed

arnage, the scent of blood and fear thick in the air. But it wasn't just the mortals being

iency and ruthlessness that spoke of training, their weapon

Domi

ime-a mortal organization dedicated to the eradication of her kind. But this...

ir terror palpable. She clenched her fists, the urge to interv

she s

niform, his dark clothing marked by dirt and blood. He carried a young girl in

. He shielded the girl with his body,

d her. It wasn't love-her curse ensured she could never feel that

, she stepped ou

form a blur as she closed the distance between them. Her hand shot out, gripping the barrel of one rifle and twisti

r skin, but she didn't falter. Her vampiric strength and speed made her a f

their weapons destroyed. Elira stood amidst the

mixture of awe and wariness. "Who... wha

the girl in his arms, her heart tightening at the sight. "Leave thi

He gathered the girl in his arms

s silent again, save for the crackling of flames in the distance. She gla

her absence, and it seemed she

s, Elira vanished into the darkness, her thoughts fil