The Dread of Damned

I woke as the sun sank below the horizon, and the full moon rose into the sky, painting the world in silver. The curtains had been drawn back, allowing moonlight to spill across the room in ghostly ribbons, casting elongated shadows that wavered against the walls.

A sharp knock echoed through the chamber. I turned my head toward the door, my mind still caught in the haze between sleep and wakefulness.

"Enter," I said.

Rowena stepped inside, her figure poised, her movements graceful. She carried herself with the quiet efficiency of someone who had served the royal household for years.

"Your Highness, this is the dress for the ceremony," she announced, her voice smooth yet reverent. As she approached the wardrobe, she hesitated only a moment before turning back, empty-handed. She bowed deeply, then exited without another word.

With a sigh, I pushed the heavy covers aside and made my way to the washroom. The water was cool against my skin, clearing the last remnants of sleep from my mind. The ritual of freshening up was methodical, precise—one I had done countless times before. When I was finished, I stepped into the wardrobe, where the ceremonial robes awaited me.

The garment was breathtaking. A silver robe of intricate design, accompanied by a dark silver cape embroidered with a full moon in shimmering silver thread. Delicate swirling patterns wove across the fabric like constellations, the craftsmanship beyond compare. As I slipped it on, the weight of the occasion settled onto my shoulders.

Outside my chambers, Lucian stood waiting.

"Your Highness, Their Majesties are expecting you in the grand hall," he informed me, bowing low.

I inclined my head in acknowledgment and strode forward, Lucian falling into step behind me.

The grand hall was a familiar sight, yet tonight it felt different, steeped in unspoken gravity. My mother, father, and Elara stood at the center, all adorned in ceremonial silver and dark silver robes, their presence commanding.

The robes clung to Elara's athletic frame with seamless elegance, while on Mother, the fabric molded to her form like a second skin, exuding both regality and quiet authority.

"You are here, my son," Mother said as she stepped forward, embracing me.

"Yes, Mother. I am here." I placed a steadying hand on her back, feeling the warmth of her presence.

She pulled back slightly, looking up at me with knowing eyes.

"Let us depart, then," I said, brushing a gentle hand over her head before stepping away.

We moved through the silent halls, our footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting. The walls, adorned with silver-trimmed tapestries, seemed to glisten under the moonlight spilling in through high arched windows. As we descended the grand staircase, the air grew heavier, charged with expectation.

The moment we stepped out to lower floors, passing through, every servant and knight flanking the pathway bowed their heads in reverence. Beyond them, At the Entrance of the grand Castle four grand carriages, each drawn by six powerful, silver-armored horses, awaited at the entrance. The vehicles gleamed under the night sky, the emblem of the moon intricately engraved on their surfaces, pulsing faintly with an enchantment centuries old.

The four of us stepped into our designated carriage, the interior adorned with velvet and obsidian inlays. The journey through the castle's sprawling gardens was quiet, the scent of night-blooming flowers wafting in through the open windows. As we reached the main gate, the city came into view—a sea of beings stretching as far as the eye could see.

Vampires, Nocturnals, even creatures of the wild—predators and prey alike—stood in silent reverence. Their heads bowed as our carriages passed. It was not just respect they displayed; it was something deeper. Something akin to devotion.

As we neared the outskirts of the Everdying Forest, the vibrant cityscape gave way to ancient woodlands, where towering trees loomed overhead like silent sentinels. The thick canopy cast shifting patterns of moonlight upon the ground, painting a moving mosaic of silver and shadow.

A battalion of the Knights of Zenith rode ahead of us, their gleaming silver armor reflecting the moonlight. More knights flanked our carriages on either side, their synchronized steps creating a rhythmic, thunderous beat—like the drumming of war. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation.

Then, at last, the trees parted, revealing the colossal structure ahead.

The Arena of Eternal Moon.

Only opened on the most sacred of nights, the arena dwarfed everything in sight. Its walls stretched impossibly high, silver spires piercing the heavens. The massive gates stood wide, capable of accommodating all four grand carriages and the battalions marching alongside them.

As our carriage rolled into the hall, thousands rose in unison, their silent gazes fixed upon us. The walls were lined with spectators—vampires and Nocturnals alike—each watching with unwavering solemnity, heads bowed in absolute submission.

Our carriage came to a stop in the center of the arena. A guard approached, pulling the door open with practiced precision. I stepped out first, followed by my family. As we crossed the threshold of the grand ceremonial doors, they swung shut behind us with a resonant finality.

The air here was thick. Heavy. Charged with something unseen. Shadows lurked at the edges of the vast chamber, shifting, waiting. The tension was tangible—one misstep, one moment of weakness, and everything could ignite like a spark in dry tinder.

At the far end of the hall, three elder men stood in waiting. Their silver hair shimmered under the ambient glow, their eyes ancient and knowing. They exuded an aura of wisdom and power, their very presence commanding respect.

As we approached, they bowed.

"Greetings, Your Majesties," they intoned, their voices a perfect harmony of reverence. They then turned to Elara and me, their expressions unreadable.

"Greetings, Your Highnesses," they said in unison.

The elder in the center spoke first, his voice deep, resonant. "We are the Three Elders of the Council of the Lunar Cycle."

"We oversee the Rite of Ascendancy," the one to the left continued, his tone measured.

"Tonight, under the ever-eternal moon, we bear witness to the passing of power," the elder to the right declared. "The future of the Grand House of Aestherisin rests upon this moment."

Their silver eyes locked onto mine.

"Are you prepared to bear the weight of destiny? To rule over the millions of vampires and Nocturnals who will live and die at your command?"

The air around us stilled.

"I am," I answered, my voice steady, my resolve absolute.

The three elders smiled—a rare, almost imperceptible shift in their expressions—before raising their hands in unison.

"Then let the Ceremony of Eternal Night begin."

The platform beneath us rumbled, rising toward the heavens as the ceiling parted. Moonlight cascaded over us, bathing us in its celestial glow.

As we ascended, I beheld the sheer magnitude of the arena. Hundreds of thousands of vampires filled the stands, their crimson eyes cast downward in absolute deference. The power of the moment seeped into my very bones.

The middle elder took a step forward, his silver eyes sweeping across the vast assembly. His voice, deep and commanding, carried effortlessly over the silent masses.

"Today, we gather here to ensure the future of the Grand House of Aestherisin. To ensure that this eternal legacy of the moon endures, that this sacred cycle remains unbroken."

The weight of his words settled over the crowd like a heavy mist, an unspoken vow hanging in the air.

"Tonight," he continued, "we stand in the presence of your prince—your soon-to-be royal highness, crown prince, and, in time, the future patriarch of the Grand House of Aestherisin. He who will oversee the lives of millions who reside under the eternal moon's banner."

A ripple of energy surged through the air. I turned my gaze toward the crowd, my senses honing in on four distinct figures. Their eyes—strange, glowing silver and blue—remained fixed upon us. I knew, without a doubt, that this ceremony was being broadcasted to the entire estate.

"Tonight, we gather to ensure the continuation of this eternal legacy," the elder continued.

"Tonight, we present to you your prince—your soon-to-be Crown Prince—the future patriarch of the Grand House of Aestherisin."

The arena fell into a hushed stillness.

"Let us introduce to you, Prince Caelan Aestherisin." He said before to other came forward.

"Then let us begin the ceremony of coronation." All three voices reverberated through the arena.