Oath of Twilight

Twilight shrouded the library of Linden University, with the ancient stone building bathed in warm golden hues of the setting sun. Gothic spires pierced the sky, surrounded by century-old oak trees that added a touch of mystery to this temple of knowledge. Lianna Claude sat at a desk in a corner on the third floor, engrossed in a yellowed tome on ancient mythology, occasionally jotting notes in her notebook.

The soft light of the desk lamp outlined her delicate profile—light brown hair casually tied in a ponytail, with a few loose strands falling beside her slightly pale cheeks. As an ordinary junior history major, Lianna had an unusual interest in mysticism and ancient legends, though in her mundane life, this remained merely an academic pursuit.

"Strange..." Lianna whispered to herself, her fingertips tracing over an illustration of a blood moon in the book. The crimson moon was encircled by ancient text, emanating ominous portents. Over the past few weeks, these descriptions of the "blood moon" had triggered inexplicable palpitations, as if some long-forgotten memory was attempting to surface.

A crow's caw from outside interrupted her thoughts. Lianna looked up toward the window—an unusually large black crow perched on a branch, its eyes gleaming with an eerie red light in the twilight, staring directly at her. Lianna frowned, feeling a sudden chill, and instinctively wrapped her sweater tighter around herself.

"That dream again..." she sighed, rubbing her temples. Lately, she had been dreaming of blood-red moons and deep wolf howls. The dreams were so vivid that she often woke up in cold sweat, her heart racing. There was also a pair of eyes in her dreams, always watching her from the darkness, just like that crow.

"The library will close in fifteen minutes," came the gentle reminder through the PA system, interrupting Lianna's thoughts.

She glanced at the antique wall clock, which showed nine forty-five. With a sigh, Lianna began gathering her books. Today, she had discovered new clues about the "blood moon" in an ancient text—it was said to be a sign of the balance between two worlds being disrupted, awakening dormant bloodlines. These mysterious descriptions left her inexplicably uneasy.

"Just stress, probably," Lianna muttered to herself, stuffing the last book into her backpack. With final exams approaching and paper deadlines looming, anyone would feel tense. She tried to rationalize these unusual feelings, but deep down, she knew there was more to it.

The students around her gradually packed up and left, and the library grew quiet. Lianna shouldered her bag and walked toward the staircase. The third-floor reading area was almost empty, with only a distant professor still deeply engrossed in research.

Just as she was about to descend, the main lights of the library suddenly went out, leaving only a few emergency lights casting a weak glow. The entire building was instantly shrouded in shadows, with wooden bookshelves casting dark silhouettes like reaching claws. Lianna frowned; this was unusual, especially before closing time.

Then, a piercing sound of breaking glass came from the entrance hall, accompanied by several terrifying screams. This was followed by the dull thud of heavy objects falling and some animal-like growls.

"What's happening?" she stood vigilantly at the top of the stairs, instinctively gripping her backpack strap. Her heartbeat amplified in her ears as Lianna felt an unprecedented sense of danger.

Footsteps rapidly approached from the first floor, but they weren't ordinary human steps—too fast, too light, like some beast running. Lianna felt an inexplicable chill crawl up her spine. She retreated a few steps, hiding behind a nearby bookshelf, holding her breath.

"Her scent is in this building," a cold male voice came from downstairs, carrying some inhuman quality. "Split up and search. Remember, the Council wants her alive."

Lianna's heart pounded like a drum. She didn't know why she was hiding, but every cell in her body screamed danger. She tiptoed deeper into the bookshelves, hoping to find a back door to escape. However, just then, the stairs transmitted slight vibrations—someone was coming up, moving at an unnaturally fast pace.

Three figures dressed in black tactical gear burst into the reading area. They moved with agility, their eyes piercing, searching for something with precision even in the darkness. Lianna held her breath, observing through the gaps between bookshelves. When one of them turned toward her hiding place, she was horrified to see that his eyes glowed with an unnatural amber light in the dark, and his slightly open mouth revealed fangs—unmistakably beast-like!

"I've found her," the man emitted a low growl, his voice carrying a predator's coldness. "The scent of the Blood Moon Child, no mistake."

Lianna felt her blood freeze. They were looking for her? Why? She was just an ordinary student! A terrifying thought flashed through her mind: perhaps those dreams and unease weren't without reason. Instinct drove her to turn and run, but it was too late—the "man" had circled around the bookshelf with incredible speed, appearing before her and roughly grabbing her arm.

"Miss Claude, your blood is very precious to us," he grinned grotesquely, revealing more fangs at the corners of his mouth, greed flickering in his amber eyes. "The Blood Moon night approaches, and you are a crucial piece."

Lianna struggled, but his strength far exceeded that of a normal human. "Let me go! Who are you? I don't know you!" Her voice trembled with fear, but she tried to remain calm.

"You will know everything soon," another attacker approached, his skin pale as paper, lips unnaturally crimson. "We will take you to the Council, where you'll learn your true purpose."

Just as Lianna was about to despair, a black shadow flew in from the window, glass shards scattering everywhere, crashing heavily into the attacker holding her. It was a tall man, his black coat flapping dramatically, his deep eyes flashing with determination. His movements were as elegant as flowing water yet deadly, taking down the attacker with a single strike.

"Hold onto me!" the man grabbed Lianna's hand, his voice low and firm. His palm was warm and strong, giving Lianna an inexplicable sense of security.

Before Lianna could react, the other two attackers had already pounced. To her shock, one of them began to transform while charging—bones made terrible cracking sounds, muscles contorted beneath the skin, limbs elongated, spine curved, and a human face stretched into a wolf's form! Crimson saliva dripped from the half-human, half-wolf mouth, hissing as it hit the floor.

The other moved so fast he became almost a blur, his nails transforming into sharp claws, his bloodless pale skin and eyes glowing unnaturally red in the darkness—characteristics of legendary vampires!

Lianna stared wide-eyed, feeling her worldview completely collapse in that moment. She had read about these creatures in ancient texts but never imagined they actually existed, let alone that she would become their target.

"Don't look at them, come with me!" the man in black—Leon—positioned himself in front of her, drawing a silver-gleaming dagger from his waist. His posture displayed the demeanor of an experienced warrior, every movement filled with precision and power.

When the werewolf attacked, Leon avoided it with incredible agility while precisely stabbing the dagger into the attacker's shoulder. The werewolf let out a painful howl, the silver weapon leaving burn marks on his skin. Black blood flowed from the wound, emitting a pungent odor.

Meanwhile, the vampire circled behind Lianna, attempting a sneak attack. Instinctively raising her arm in defense, Lianna unexpectedly felt a surge of power she had never experienced before—like a dormant volcano suddenly awakening, a mixture of icy and scorching energy coursing through her veins. As the vampire's claws were about to reach her throat, a pale purple energy burst from her palm, throwing the attacker several meters back, crashing through three rows of bookshelves.

Lianna stared at her hands in disbelief, where faint purple light still lingered. "Did I... do that?" her voice trembled slightly with shock.

Leon didn't seem surprised; if anything, he looked relieved. Seizing the momentary lull in the fight, he pulled Lianna toward the library's back door. "Your power has begun to awaken, a sign of the approaching Blood Moon. They sensed it, that's why they came looking for you."

"What are you talking about? I'm normal!" Lianna gasped, following Leon through narrow corridors, the angry roars and footsteps of pursuers close behind. "What are these creatures? Why do they want me?"

"No, Lianna Claude," Leon turned to look at her, his eyes flashing with a peculiar light, neither human nor like those monsters, but something in between. "You were never ordinary. You are the hybrid offspring of werewolf and vampire, a bridge between two worlds, and the key when the Blood Moon descends. Your parents concealed your identity and powers to protect you, but the time has come, and the truth can no longer be hidden."

Lianna's world completely overturned in that moment, her twenty-year-old identity crumbling like a sand tower. She looked at the gradually rising moon outside, feeling something both strange and familiar well up inside her—the moon seemed to be slowly turning red, and some power within her was resonating with it.

Her peaceful life had abruptly ended; unknown adventures and dangers awaited her ahead—and this was just the beginning.

The Blood Moon approaches, and the Twilight Oath calls.