Lucas sat on a large stone throne inside the ancient vampire castle. It looked impressive from the outside, but inside... it was cold, broken, and smelled like old socks and burnt meat.
He looked at the small group gathered before him—vampires in tattered cloaks, some injured, others looking at him like he was a ghost.
The silver-eyed girl from before stood by his side. "Everyone, this is our Ancestor, Lord Lucas! He has awakened after three hundred years!"
The group dropped to one knee instantly.
Lucas blinked. Three hundred years? That's how long this body's been asleep? No wonder my back feels like I slept on bricks.
One of the elders raised his head. "My Lord, please forgive us. We have failed to protect the castle… and the bloodline."
Lucas cleared his throat. He didn't have a speech ready, but he knew one thing: they were in deep trouble. And someone needed to take charge.
"Uh… right. I've seen what happened out there," he said, trying to sound cool. "We've lost a lot. But we're still here. And that means we can rebuild. Together."
They stared at him like he had grown a second head.
"Also," he added, "someone please find me something to eat that doesn't scream or bite back."
A few of the younger vampires chuckled. The tension broke slightly.
The silver-eyed girl leaned in. "My Lord, do you… remember me?"
Lucas paused. "Uh... refresh my memory?"
She looked a little sad but smiled. "I'm Mira. I used to be your personal guard."
"Ah yes, Mira," he said quickly. "Still very... guard-y. Good job."
Note to self: learn everyone's names before I make a fool of myself again.
Just then, a loud thud echoed from the main gate.
One of the scouts rushed in, covered in dirt. "My Lord! A beast horde is approaching! At least fifty, maybe more!"
Lucas stood up. "Beast horde? Great. Nothing says 'welcome back' like a giant angry welcome party."
Mira drew her sword. "We'll fight to the death."
Lucas shook his head. "No. We fight to live."
He looked out the broken window toward the forest.
"If this world wants to throw monsters at us, then fine. But we're not dying in a ruined castle. We're going to survive… and one day, we'll build something stronger than all of them."