Fragments of shadows

Rasmus, the Crown Prince of the vampire court, experienced the familiar surge of adrenaline. His senses, honed over centuries for survival, noticed the discordant array of impending threats: the deep growl of werewolves, the eerie murmur of witchcraft, and the metallic scent of blood.

 He adjusted his silver-studded robe, which concealed the lethal grace of his physique. Tonight, there was no hiding in the shadows.

 A variety of emotions flickered in his eyes as he turned to face the castle. He turned back, squinting his eyes as he stared at the approaching darkness.

 Suddenly, individuals emerged from the shadows: men and women dressed in contrasting attires; some wore robes, while others wore tight, fitted attire. They gradually encircled the Crown Prince and his five blood guards.

 Four of the guards immediately assumed defensive positions; the fifth just stood there with an uninterested expression while Rasmus had a sardonic smile plastered over his face.

"Well, well" , one of the women sneered, her voice dripping with malice,

"Look what the shadows dragged in: the Prince and his little pets."

 Rasmus smiled, a chilling display of predatory charm. "I trust you brought your best tonight, witches. This is a fight I've been wanting to have for years."

"You know it doesn't have to be like this. Just surrender her, and we can continue to live in peace as we always have."

 Elara is mine and mine alone, Rasmus snarled, his fangs showing his possessiveness.

 "I know there was no point in talking to you; as long as you both live, the human world will never be safe."

"You must be delusional to think the werewolves care about the safety of humans."

The werewolf, evidently their leader, let out a guttural growl. "Words, words, Vampire. Your blood and that of your beloved will paint the streets tonight."

"I have no time for you, Alpha Derek, or has the court of the wolves had their forces stretched so thin that could only send someone like you" ?.

"Attack, bring his head to me" , he yelled. Several of the men and women began to transform. They started growing hair on their bodies rapidly, while their bones were constantly being broken and repaired.

 The shadows twisted, giving birth to monstrous forms. Some looked like hulking werewolves standing on two legs with rippling muscles beneath matted fur.

 The others looked lean and agile, standing on four legs with developed lean muscles covered by fur of different colors. The only notable similarity was the yellow eyes they all had, which burned with fury.

 The wind blew heavily and chillily as the remaining witches closed their eyes and began to chant something inaudibly. When they opened their eyes, all that could be seen was plain white.

"Oh, Serafina, can we begin now" ?Rasmus asked, looking a bit bored but tense.

"I hate you so much," Serafina said and walked forward. Stretching forth her hands, she chanted some words.

A stream of yellow energy entered into the werewolf's body, buffing up their physical capabilities and greatly energizing them.

 "Attack them now!" Serafina shouted. The werewolves rushed towards Rasmus and his five guards, ready for a fight.

 Rasmus and his men began to transform, except for the fifth blood guard. Claws appeared in their hands instead of fingernails, their teeth elongating into sharp fangs, and their irises changing to the color of blood.

 The werewolf lunged, claws extended, aiming for Rasmus's throat. Rasmus, effortlessly evading, delivered a swift kick to the creature's chest, sending it sprawling. Using his supernatural physique, he jumped to the werewolf and swiftly broke its neck.

 He started to levitate into the air and looked down on the werewolves and witches with an unconcealed fury.

You have the guts to challenge me, he said in a deep, angry voice. "You weak flesh-eaters. I, Rasmus, crowned Prince of the vampire court, condemn you to death for threatening me and my beloved." 

"Burn" , he smiled sarcastically and said, his fangs curving into a wry smile and his eyes glowing red with a pulse of ancient power for a second. 

Half of the entire people brought by Serafina and Derek immediately caught fire. Rasmus's eyes became totally red, with no trace of white whatsoever. 

Serafina chanted some words, and a flood of water appeared out of nowhere and drenched all her burning comrades. 

But it was too late for most, as they had already become ashes before she was able to cast the spell. 

She exhaled heavily after casting that spell and looked at Rasmus with unbridled fury. She chanted again and conjured a giant serpent out of the shadows. 

The serpent was very huge, with a body full of thorns and scales. It was emerald green in color and had slits of green energy instead of eyes.

"I'll deal with this, my lord," the fifth blood guard said.

"No problem, Kallion, just deal with it quickly; I want to be reunited with my love," Rasmus replied, staring at him with his bloodshot eyes.

Kallion's irises turned red, and shadows surrounded him, trapping him in darkness. The shadows dispersed to reveal a new Kallion.

His silver hair, which was usually loose, was now tied into a knot. His blood-red eyes gave an ethereal feeling, and his poker expression remained unchanged.

He was clothed in silver armor that shone under the moonlight, with runes engraved all over the armor. In his hands was a sword that shone a bright silver. The sword had intricate patterns and runes carved into it. Anyone looking at the sword could tell the immense power it contained.

Kallion transferred the grip of the sword to his left hand and used it to slash open a deep cut on his palm. He now held the hilt of the blade in his wounded palm.

 The sword immediately came to life, absorbing the blood offered by Kallion. Its patterns started to glow a dark red, and the pattern spread in a vein-like way that all connected to Kallion's palm.

The runes on the sword became non-existent on the blade, but started to appear on Kallion's arms, making him glow in an ethereal way. Shadows started to envelop him and soon covered him.

 From the shadows, only his blood-red irises could be seen, along with his sword and the runes on his arms. The rest of his body looked like a moving mass of shadows.

"All right, let's do this," Kallion thought. The shadows enveloping him spread out and formed wings at his back.