THE TENSION BUILDS

For a week, Ethan found himself caught in a whirlwind of confusion and determination. His training continued with the same rigor, his days filled with grueling practice and strategic discussions with the senior members of the Tenth Family. But amid all this, his mind was clouded with worry and indecision about Amelia and Lila.

Both girls had stopped speaking to him, creating a chasm of silence that stretched on endlessly. They were struggling too—torn between their deep feelings for Ethan and the impossible situation of sharing him. They could hardly eat, lost in their thoughts and overwhelmed by their emotions. Ethan could see the toll it was taking on them and knew he had to do something before he left for the Tenth Palace in a month's time.

One evening, he decided it was time to address the issue directly. He needed to lay everything out in the open and hopefully find a path forward that could work for all of them. He called Amelia and Lila, asking them to meet him by the lake in the forest under the cover of night—a place that had always held a sense of calm and reflection for him.

A NIGHT OF CONFESSIONS

As the moon rose, casting a silvery glow across the still waters of the lake, Ethan waited, feeling the weight of what he was about to do pressing down on him. He could hear the sounds of the forest around him—the rustle of leaves in the wind, the distant call of an owl—but all he could focus on was the tension building in his chest.

Amelia and Lila arrived separately, their expressions guarded and uncertain. Despite their distance over the past week, they were drawn by the same desire for resolution.

“Thank you for coming,” Ethan began, his voice steady despite his nerves. “I know this situation has been incredibly difficult for all of us. And I know I’ve put you both in an impossible position.”

Amelia looked at him with a mix of hope and sadness. “Ethan, we don’t know how to handle this. We both care about you deeply, but we can’t keep going on like this.”

Lila nodded, her usual fire dimmed by the weight of her emotions. “I don’t want to lose you, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m just one of two. It’s not fair to anyone.”

Ethan took a deep breath, his heart pounding. “I’ve thought about this a lot. I’ve decided that I’m not going to leave either of you. I love you both, and I can’t choose between you. But I understand that’s not fair to you. So, I’m leaving the decision to you. Whatever you decide, I will respect it.”

Both girls were silent for a moment, their eyes locked onto Ethan’s, searching for a sign, some kind of clarity. The tension among them was thick, heavy with unspoken words and emotions.

Suddenly, a chill ran down Ethan’s spine. His senses, honed from years of intense training, picked up on something—a presence unlike any he had ever felt before. It was dark, overwhelming, and filled with an eerie energy that sent a cold shock through his body.

His eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the disturbance. Across the lake, in the shadows, he saw it—a figure cloaked in darkness, standing unnaturally still. It was watching them, its presence ominous and suffocating.

Amelia and Lila followed his gaze, their confusion growing as they saw the fear and urgency on Ethan’s face. “Ethan, what’s going on?” Lila asked, sensing something was terribly wrong.

Ethan didn’t answer. His body was tense, his breath shallow as he kept his eyes fixed on the figure. Then, without warning, the figure began to move—gliding across the water with a speed that defied logic. Within moments, it stopped just a few meters away from them, still hovering above the water. Only its glowing red eyes and a twisted smile were visible beneath its hood, sending shivers down Ethan’s spine.

“So, you’re the supposed leader of the Tenth Family,” the figure said, its voice a chilling whisper that seemed to echo through the trees. “You don’t look all that impressive.”

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Amelia and Lila were frozen in place, unable to comprehend what was happening. They could clearly see the fear etched across Ethan’s face and the way his body seemed to tremble in response to the figure's presence.

“Who are you?” Ethan demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

The figure let out a low, mocking chuckle. “Hasn’t Xanthos told you about me? How disappointing. I am the one who has returned.”

“Returned?” Ethan muttered, his mind racing to piece together what this meant. “You’re the one he spoke of… the one searching for me.”

The figure’s smile widened. “Ah, so you do know a little. But do you think Xanthos can control me? I am beyond his reach… and yours.”

Ethan straightened, his fear morphing into defiance. “I’m not afraid of you.”

The figure’s eyes gleamed, and its smile twisted even more. “Then you are a fool,” it hissed. It raised a hand, and dark, crimson energy began to form around it, swirling like a vortex. “Let me show you what true power looks like.”

With a swift motion, the figure unleashed a Blood Swipe. Ethan instantly recognized the danger, but he could tell this was different from any Blood Swipe he had seen before. The attack split into four tendrils of blood mid-air, each one twisting and turning toward Amelia and Lila.

“No!” Ethan shouted, his instincts kicking in. He moved with incredible speed, positioning himself between the girls and the attack just in time. The tendrils slashed across his back, and a sharp, intense pain tore through him. He staggered, gasping as he realized that his injury wasn’t healing as quickly as it should. The pain was beyond anything he had felt before, sharp and burning, leaving him struggling to stay upright.

“Ethan!” Amelia cried out, rushing to his side. Lila’s eyes were wide with fear as she saw the blood soaking his shirt.

The figure laughed, a cold, hollow sound. “So, you’re using your blood,” it sneered. “The famous Blood Shadow technique. Only those born of a Vampire God’s bloodline can use it. But it comes at a high cost, doesn’t it?”

Ethan’s eyes blazed a fierce red, his anger surging. His presence shifted, becoming more intimidating, a reflection of his deep-seated rage and desperation. He felt a power rise within him, one he had never tapped into before, driven by a need to protect those he cared for.

“How dare you attack them?” Ethan growled, his voice filled with fury.

The figure seemed amused. “Ah, now it gets interesting.”

A BATTLE IN THE MOONLIGHT

Ethan launched himself at the figure, his movements fueled by adrenaline and rage. He aimed a powerful strike at the figure’s chest, but it dodged effortlessly, its mocking laughter echoing around them. “Is that all you’ve got, young leader?”

The two engaged in a fierce exchange of blows by the edge of the lake, their movements nearly imperceptible to the untrained eye. Ethan’s attacks were filled with raw power, but the figure seemed to anticipate his every move, countering each strike with ease.

“You’re strong,” the figure taunted, “but strength without control is meaningless.”

Ethan could feel his energy draining. The use of his Blood Shadow technique was taking a toll, and the wound on his back continued to bleed, the pain growing with every passing second. His vision blurred slightly, his body screaming in protest, but he refused to give up. He had to protect Amelia and Lila.

As if sensing his desperation, the figure unleashed another attack—a wave of dark energy that sent Ethan flying backward. He crashed into the ground, sliding to a halt near the girls, his body battered and bleeding.

“Ethan!” Lila screamed, rushing to his side. “Please, stop! You’re going to get yourself killed!”

Amelia knelt beside him, her eyes filled with tears. “You can’t keep doing this. You need to stop.”

Ethan struggled to his feet, his breathing ragged. “I won’t let him hurt you,” he said, his voice filled with a raw determination.

The figure watched them, clearly amused. “Ah, young love. So touching, so fragile. But love won’t save you from me.”

THE ARRIVAL OF XANTHOS

Just as Ethan prepared to push himself back into the fight, a familiar, powerful presence filled the air. Xanthos was on his way. Ethan could feel his uncle’s energy closing in, his urgency evident. The shadowy figure seemed to sense it too, its eyes narrowing.

Before the figure could make another move, a voice cut through the tension, coming from behind Ethan. “Going somewhere, Xanthos?” It was a soft, almost melodic female voice filled with a deceptive calm.

Ethan felt a shiver run through him. He recognized the voice—one of Xanthos’s most formidable allies, who rarely showed herself. His uncle's presence was now even more critical.

“Keep yourself safe, Ethan. I’ll be there soon,” Xanthos thought, his focus clearly on reaching Ethan in time.

Ethan steadied himself, his eyes locked on the figure still standing above the water. His breath came heavy, his body ached, but his mind was clearer than ever. He had to hold on, had to protect the ones he loved, until Xanthos arrived.

The fight was far from over, and Ethan knew that more than ever, he needed to draw on every ounce of strength he had left.

The true test of his power and resolve was just beginning.