CHAPTER 397: THE START OF THE WAR

(Third Person).

Dawn came quietly, a silver mist veiling the edges of the horizon, the faint hum of tension lingering in the air like static before a storm.

Draven’s estate was alive with movement. Warriors and servants moved briskly between the cars lined up in the courtyard, loading bags, weapons, and fuel tanks.

Engines were checked, radios tested. Every sound carried a purpose—the calm before a carefully timed exodus.

From the balcony above, Meredith watched everything unfold. The morning air was cold against her skin, her hair pulled back neatly, her expression thoughtful.

Below, the werewolves worked like clockwork under Jeffery’s supervision, while Dennis barked the occasional order, his energy sharp but controlled.

Draven stood apart from them near the main gate, speaking quietly to a few of his top warriors.

Even at a distance, his presence commanded the space—composed, steady, and unmistakably in control.

When Meredith descended the stairs and crossed the courtyard, he turned toward her almost as if he had sensed her presence. Then he raised a questioning brow.

"I couldn’t stay inside knowing everyone else is working," she replied, meeting his gaze. "Besides, I wanted to make sure everything is going smoothly."

A faint smile ghosted across his lips. "It is. Jeffery has the convoys ready. Dennis is overseeing the secondary vehicles. We are just waiting for the moment the vampires breach the city borders."

They walked together across the courtyard, weaving between warriors, tightening gear and checking weapons.

Meredith could sense the restlessness in the air—a quiet hunger for movement, for the release of what they had all been waiting for.

"How long do you think before the vampires attack?" she asked, a little restless, as she couldn’t wait for the war to start and come to an end.

Draven’s eyes lifted toward the far skyline—the faint outline of Duskmoor barely visible through the haze.

"Soon. There is a greater chance it’s happening today."

Meredith nodded slowly. "And the government house?"

"You, Jeffery, and a few of our people will come with me," he said. His tone dropped lower, quieter. "The rest will defend the convoys and await our return. We find the lab, destroy everything inside, and leave immediately."

Just then, Dennis approached them, rolling up his sleeves, his expression unreadable.

"Everything is packed. The drivers are on standby, and our scouts are keeping watch near the city borders. Nothing is moving yet."

"Good," Draven said. "Keep them on the outskirts. I want to know the moment the first vampire crosses into the city."

Dennis nodded, glancing toward Meredith. "Looks like it’s going to be one long night."

"Not longer than necessary," Draven replied.

Just then, Jeffery strode over, a radio device in hand. "Alpha," he said, lowering his voice. "One of our lookouts reports movement near the northern perimeter. No contact yet, but the scent trail matches the vampires."

Meredith’s heart gave a faint jolt, though she said nothing.

Draven’s expression sharpened, the air around him shifting. "So it begins."

Jeffery nodded. "They are not attacking yet — just scouting the area."

"Then we wait," Draven said firmly. "No one acts until I give the signal."

Jeffery inclined his head and returned to his post.

Dennis sighed under his breath. "The calm before the carnage."

Draven’s lips curved faintly. "Exactly."

He turned to Meredith again, his tone softening just slightly. "Go inside and rest for a few hours. When night falls, we will move."

Meredith wanted to argue, but she knew better. Instead, she nodded and gave him one last lingering look before heading back toward the mansion.

---

The sun had sunk low behind the hills, bleeding streaks of amber and violet across the horizon before finally giving way to dusk.

The moon was rising again, round and pale, casting its silver glow over the vast grounds of Draven’s estate.

Meredith stepped out on the balcony outside her room. She was so obsessed that every now and then, she would step out to see what was happening below her. She didn’t want to miss any detail.

Her hands rested lightly on the cold stone railing. Below, the courtyard buzzed with muted activity—warriors preparing weapons, vehicles positioned strategically, guards pacing along the perimeter.

The air was tight with anticipation, the kind that hummed quietly before everything fell apart.

A faint breeze swept through, stirring strands of her silver hair. For a long while, she just watched the stillness, the order, the deceptive calm.

Then, a familiar warmth stirred inside her mind.

"You are quiet tonight," Valmora’s low and ancient voice murmured, smooth as silk.

Meredith’s lips curved faintly, though her gaze stayed on the horizon. "Just thinking."

"About the battle?"

She nodded slowly. "About what comes after it. About whether we will all make it home."

There was a pause, soft, like a breath through the wind. "You will leave Duskmoor tonight," Valmora said, her tone steady, prophetic. "That much I can see clearly. But not everyone will survive the night."

Meredith’s fingers tightened around the edge of the railing. "What do you mean?"

"Blood will run in the streets before dawn," Valmora continued, her voice carrying that eerie calm that came with visions. "The vampires will not show mercy. Many humans will fall. The chaos will clear the path for you and our people to return home, but the price will be high."

Meredith swallowed, her heart heavy. "And what about our people? Will we all survive?"

Valmora was silent for a moment, long enough for Meredith’s pulse to quicken. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter.

"Do you wish to save them?"

"Yes," Meredith said instantly, her voice fierce and unshaken.

"You can only save those near you," Valmora said softly. "Not all. Fate is not that kind. When the night burns, keep your focus on those you can reach, and you will have done enough."

Meredith turned her gaze upward to the sky. The moon had climbed higher, its light painting her face in pale silver.

"You speak as if you already know what will happen."

"I do," Valmora answered gently. "But so do you, deep down. You can feel it, can’t you? The city is on the edge of its last breath. By dawn, it will no longer be the same."

Meredith exhaled slowly, her thoughts heavy with the weight of what was coming. "Then let it be over quickly," she whispered.

Valmora’s voice softened, almost fond. "It will end, Meredith. But remember — your courage will matter more than your sword tonight."

A quiet resolve settled in Meredith’s chest. The fear that had lingered through the day began to fade, replaced by something steadier, more substantial.

She looked out again toward Duskmoor — the faint glow of city lights flickering in the distance, unaware of the storm about to descend upon them.

"I will protect those I can," she said quietly, more to herself than to Valmora.

"And that," Valmora whispered, "is all the moon asks of you."

---

The air in Duskmoor was unnaturally still.

The streets, empty only an hour ago, now shivered under the first distant echoes of screams. A low fog crept through the alleys, glowing faintly under the scattered streetlights.

But somewhere in the shadows, something stirred swiftly, silent like a predator.

Then, suddenly, chaos erupted.

From every dark corner and rooftop, vampires surged out, eyes blazing crimson.

They descended on humans like shadows swallowing light, tearing through flesh and concrete with the same ruthless hunger.

The city drowned in noise—shattering glass, gunfire, and the choked cries of terror.

In the government district, armed soldiers opened fire blindly, but their bullets did little more than enrage the creatures.

One of the vampires leapt onto an armoured vehicle, crushing its windshield before ripping the driver from his seat. The soldiers scattered.

Within minutes, Duskmoor was already burning.

---

Far from the chaos, at the northern edge of the city, Draven stood outside his estate, the moon a silver sentinel above him.

The howls of distant wolves echoed faintly from the woods as his people—hundreds of them, assembled in disciplined silence.

Fifty vehicles lined the courtyard in five separate rows, each marked and organized according to the convoy plan he had given them earlier.

Jeffery stood before one group, giving his team final instructions. Dennis checked the other convoys, moving swiftly between them with his usual restless energy.

Meredith stood near Draven, her long silver hair tied back, her eyes reflecting both the fire of resolve and the faintest trace of dread.

Draven lifted his gaze toward the horizon. Even from here, the faint orange glow of burning streets was visible. He clenched his jaw. "It’s begun."

Just then, Jeffery jogged up to him, his tone urgent. "Alpha, word just came from the scouts—vampires have infiltrated the west and south ends of the city. The humans are fighting back, but they won’t last long."

Draven nodded once, his face unreadable. "We move according to plan."

He turned to address the gathered wolves, his voice carrying effortlessly through the night.

"Each group will leave through separate routes. Follow your convoy leaders and maintain distance until you reach the Eastern border."

Then, his gaze swept across the crowd, sharp and commanding. "Stay quiet, stay hidden, and no unnecessary heroics. We return home together."

A unified growl of acknowledgement rippled through the werewolves.

Then, he turned toward Dennis. "Ensure the second and third convoys depart first. You will lead the third group. Once you clear the woods, send word back."

Dennis grinned faintly. "Sure, Alpha. Try not to blow up the city before we are gone."

Draven didn’t smile, but his eyes glinted briefly. "No promises."

Dennis chuckled and jogged off, shouting orders as engines began to hum one after another.

Jeffery came to stand beside Draven again, his tone lower now. "We will have to move fast once we enter the city. If Brackham’s lab is as hidden as we think, finding it amidst the chaos won’t be easy."

"That’s why we are going during the chaos," Draven said quietly. "No one will be watching us."

Meredith looked at him, her heart heavy. "Do you think we will find it tonight?"

Draven turned his head toward her, his expression softening. "We have to."

A sharp howl rose from the distance, one of their scouts signalling the first convoy’s departure. Draven raised a hand, signalling his acknowledgement.

The first line of vehicles began to roll out, their headlights dimmed, and engines kept low to avoid detection.

Then the second convoy followed, each taking its designated route toward the eastern escape.

Soon, only Draven’s small group remained, two cars waiting behind them.

Jeffery adjusted his jacket, his eyes glowing faintly gold in the moonlight. "Once we finish the job, we will meet them at the checkpoint in the woods."

Draven nodded. "We won’t take long. Let’s finish this," he said.

Then, they climbed into their cars, engines roaring softly to life. The final convoy slipped away into the night, leaving behind the darkened estate under the watchful eye of the full moon.