Chapter 1. Prophecy and Fate

Malus City

Dwelling as a human would be challenging for a first-timer, pretending they lacked any aptitudes. However, Lucas and Arleth embraced it for the betterment of their future, not as a hardship to endure. They now had a seven-year-old daughter, living like a human, and remained undiscovered. Behind their smiles were great stories yet to be told. The great Lucas and Arleth had yet to uncover the truth about Clover, their daughter’s future—the Chosen One.

It couldn’t be denied how they went through almost seven years living as mortals. No one had found out who they were and where they came from. They claimed to have come abroad and decided to settle there. One drunk suspected them of being werewolves and vampires as their eyes twinkled every time the sun’s rays hit them.

However, people dismissed him as crazy, attributing it to his perpetual drunken state. In the end, no one believed it, and they maintained as normal a life as possible, despite life’s hardships.

On the side of the street lay a blue-painted house with a balcony just above the main entrance and a garage on the side. A black car moved backward and turned to face the main road. There, Lucas was in the front seat, opening the door, wearing his teaching uniform as a Physical Education teacher in a community school in Malus. To survive the challenges, he needed to be as hard-working as possible.

“Arleth and Clover, what’s taking you so long? We are going to be late for work and school!” yelled Lucas, leaning against his car while scratching his head, waiting for them to come out.

“We are coming, honey! Wait a minute there and relax; we still have time!” Arleth cried out, searching for her sandal below the sofa.

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Clover stood in her cute school uniform with her backpack and walked towards Lucas’s car. Arleth followed, wearing her veterinary uniform as she worked in the community veterinary hospital. She settled in the front seat, while Lucas took the driver’s seat.

“There is an event at school next week. I guess you both should come and see me performing on stage,” said Clover from the back. “It’s a werewolf and vampire role-play.”

“Of course, Clover! We will come!” replied Lucas. He then started the car engine and drove off.

“Expect us to be there, hon,” added Arleth, glaring at Clover in the back. “Be good in your school, okay?”

“I always do that, Mom. I mean, I always want to find a way to make you and Dad proud of me,” replied Clover, smiling and holding the strap of her bag. “I love you.”

“We love you too…”

Since the school wasn’t far, Clover was dropped off first by Arleth, while Lucas stayed in the driver’s seat, watching them enter the gate. Later on, Lucas drove to where Arleth worked as a veterinarian. The vehicle stopped again, Arleth got out, turned in front of the car, and then stood beside the open window of the driver’s seat.

“Have a nice day, dear,” she said.

“Remember, we are humans. Make sure you don’t heal animals using your strength,” warned Lucas, pointing at her.

“I’m no longer a werewolf. My inner werewolf is gone. So you better not mention it again,” reminded Arleth.

“Yeah, my bad.”

Arleth only chuckled. “Love you and see you this afternoon,” she retorted, standing at the side of the road and looking at his car that had moved away.

She couldn’t deny that she tried one time to heal an animal and wanted to save it from the claws of death. However, it wouldn’t work anymore. No powers would come out, and her abilities were gone, which the Head Guardian had told the truth about.

“It was gone so that I am now a true mortal.”

Meanwhile, Lucas arrived at the school where he currently worked. He parked the car and went inside the faculty room to prepare. Well, his standing wasn’t even seen as a vampire and once a great warrior who defeated Evander.

***

Three days passed. In that span, their happy lives turned into a mess when Lucas and Arleth saw a flash report about a person who died, seemingly attacked by suspected vampires. However, the authorities didn’t believe such a thing happened, thinking someone made fun of them to deflect their wrongdoings on those fictitious vampires.

However, hearing such news kept Lucas awake. He stood in front of his daughter’s room. He opened the door, seeing Clover lying in bed, snoring loudly, which made him smile. He closed it slowly before she could wake.

He turned to leave but was startled by his wife.

“Oh God, you scared me,” whispered Lucas, placing his palms on his chest and exhaling.

“Sorry,” replied Arleth, smiling. “I know you are scared about the news. What do you think about it? Is it a sign that someone continued Evander’s legacy?”

He nodded, wrapped his arms around Arleth’s shoulders, and said, “Yep. I guess it was them. No one can do such things, not the Unity League. They knew the three race rules we gave them before we left. To serve and protect them, even if their life ends in the war.”

“What if we send our daughter to Braeburn?” suggested Arleth, leaning her head on Lucas’s shoulder. “I am worried about her future.”

“Let’s think about that later. There’s no need to rush.”

***

“There were ongoing massive killings of confirmed vampires in our city. Many dead bodies were scattered around and were bitten by suspected vampires,” said the flash report on the television. “Vampires, spotted on the security cameras, are now going to the nearby areas like Malus…”

Hearing such news awoke Lucas and Arleth while their daughter, Clover, hugged Arleth tightly, scared of the information, especially since vampires were expected to attack the area they were currently living in.

“This is because of that prophecy. It is happening now,” whispered Arleth. “When the time arrives, they will find and kill us all as part of their revenge for defeating Evander.”

Lucas felt the worried look of his wife Arleth.

“We have no choice. Evacuate Clover to Braeburn, and we should face them,” decided Lucas. “It is for the best of our daughter’s future.”

“Is that the final decision?”

“Yes, and we have no time to overthink. We should move.”

“Fine.”

Lucas moved to the second floor and packed Clover’s essential things.

He knew they would die that night. They expected their fate, and they wouldn’t set aside the truth.

Later, he moved down and saw Arleth kneeling in front of Clover, wiping the tears falling from her eyes and explaining everything that was happening. Little Clover couldn’t comprehend everything Arleth was explaining, about the prophecy, their fate to die, and for her to be the Chosen One, which she somewhat understood but didn’t know what to do.

“Remember what I said. Whatever happens, do not leave the camp. Stay with them, okay, honey?” Arleth explained, then stood staring at Lucas standing on the side, who didn’t say anything.

Later, they moved out using the alternative route, the nearby woods, and did their best to reach the camp before vampires could get to them. Fortunately, no challenges were faced in the middle of their journey. They successfully sent Clover to Braeburn, letting Lowe and Lupe, Arleth’s friends from the Unity League, take good care of her.

Their daughter was away from them. Still, it was for her good.

They returned to their home within fifteen minutes of travel and waited for the vampires to arrive.

As expected, vampires immediately pushed the door open, destroyed the windows, and successfully entered their house. Before shifting into a werewolf and a vampire, Lucas and Arleth bid farewell to each other.

Arleth hugged him and said, “I hope you and I meet in another life.”

“Me too. I love you, Arleth. Our daughter is in good hands, and we can die peacefully,” replied Lucas.

With that, they removed their hands wrapped around each other and faced the vampires who destroyed the door. Arleth jumped and was about to transform into a white werewolf and attack the vampires, but she failed, and the vampires had already pushed her to the ground.

Lucas changed and fought the rogue vampires and members of the elites. He used his typical moves and hoped to defeat them. However, it was unexpected and unprepared, so he fell to the ground and was too weak to fight back.

Rogue vampires killed Arleth first. Lucas was about to crawl and hug her, the vampire stepped on him and sucked his blood until he died.

“Your fate has arrived. Now die…”