Chapter 10 – Ashes and Allies
Three days had passed since the night Hollowfen burned.
The smoke had finally cleared, leaving only ash, silence, and the smell of charred earth. The once-bustling village now stood half-empty — doors left open, carts overturned, the wind whispering through abandoned homes.
Blue, Kin, and Rito walked the cracked road every morning, staring at the ruins left by their friend's rage. The image of Gus — his fiery wings cutting through the night — still haunted them all.
Families had begun packing their lives into wagons, heading for distant towns untouched by war or witches. The few who stayed behind spoke in whispers of curses and monsters, avoiding Blue's family altogether.
Kin's Choice
Kin stood outside the remains of his family's home, watching his mother fold the last of their clothes into a sack. His father leaned against the doorway, face streaked with soot.
"You're sure about this?" his father asked quietly.
Kin nodded. "Yeah… I can't leave them now. Not after everything we've seen. Blue and Rito need me."
His father sighed, pulling a small pouch from his coat — gold coins that shimmered like sunlight. "Then this will help us start again, son. That man, Xavier, gave it to us. Said it was for the family of the brave."
Kin's chest tightened. "He didn't have to—"
His mother smiled sadly. "He wanted to. Let us go in peace, Kin. We'll build a new life. You stay and fight for this one."
When their wagon rolled away hours later, Kin stood with Blue and Rito on the edge of the road, watching until the dust faded from sight.
Rito's Revelation
That same afternoon, Rito climbed the hill toward the manor. Selene was waiting outside, her silver hair catching the late sunlight.
"You wanted to see me?" Selene asked.
Rito hesitated, then nodded. "I… I need to talk to my mom. About the fae thing. But I don't know how to ask."
Selene's expression softened. "Then I'll come with you. Some truths shouldn't be faced alone."
When they reached the small cottage on the outskirts, Rito's mother opened the door — and froze the moment her eyes met Selene's. For a long second, no one spoke. Then the woman bowed her head slightly.
"I know what you are," she said to Selene. "Royal blood. You hide it well."
Selene smiled faintly. "And you've been hiding, too. From your daughter."
Rito's heart pounded. "Mom… what are you talking about?"
Her mother's voice trembled. "Your father wasn't human. He was fae — from the old forests. You inherited his blood, his light. I thought I could protect you by keeping it secret, but… I see now that I only made you weaker."
Rito felt her breath catch. "So it's true. I'm not human."
Selene placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're more than human. The choice now is whether you'll run from it — or use it."
After a long silence, Rito lifted her chin. "I'm staying. There's too much I still don't understand. About the witches. About myself."
Selene smiled proudly. "Then you've already made your choice."
Rebuilding
Later that evening, Blue stood with Kin and Rito on the outskirts of the broken village. The last of the wagons disappeared into the trees.
"Well," Blue said quietly, "that's everyone."
Xavier's voice cut through the silence. "Good. Now it's time to put this town back together."
Rito blinked. "Wait — we're rebuilding this? There's no way—"
Xavier just smirked. "Who said you're doing it alone?"
Moments later, the air shimmered — and five figures appeared at the edge of the ruins. Three hybrids and two vampires. Their leader was a tall, dark, lean man with long braids and eyes like polished obsidian.
"Hey guys," he said with a grin. "We made it."
"Zak," Xavier said warmly. "Glad you came."
He turned to the others. "Everyone, this is Zak — leader of the Ironfang pack. He and his crew are the best at what they do."
Blue, Kin, and Rito exchanged nervous glances, but Zak just smiled. "No need to be scared, kids. We're all family here — in one way or another."
Selene stepped forward, nodding to the vampires. "Nice to see you both again."
"Always an honor, Lady Selene," one of them replied with a bow.
Rebuilding in the Moonlight
Then, in a blur of supernatural speed, the work began.
Walls rose. Roofs reformed. Fires were quenched with enchanted water. The hybrids carried beams that would crush human arms; the vampires fused stone with magic and ancient silver from the old world.
Three hours later, Hollowfen was no longer ruins — it was reborn. Stronger. Wiser. Gleaming beneath the moonlight.
Blue stood at the village center, staring in awe. "How… how did you do all that so fast?"
Selene chuckled softly. "Royal blood, dear. Sunlight and silver can't kill us. Only fae or witchcraft can. Everything else is just… a nuisance."
Blue nodded slowly. "So that's what makes you different."
"Not different," she said. "Just older."
A Promise of War
When the last wall was set, Xavier called everyone to gather. "Thank you, Zak. You've done more than enough."
Zak crossed his arms. "Don't mention it. Anything for my maker."
Blue blinked. "Maker?"
Zak smiled proudly. "That's right. Your father turned me. I was dying once — and he gave me a second life. I owe him everything."
Xavier shook his head with mock annoyance. "You owe me nothing, Zak. But I do have one more favor to ask."
Zak raised a brow. "Anything."
"I need you to forge weapons — and gear. For these three." Xavier motioned to Blue, Kin, and Rito. "They're going to need it."
Zak's smile faded, replaced by grim respect. "Then it's true — the witches are moving again."
Xavier nodded. "And this time, they're not hiding."
Zak turned to his pack, voice sharp. "Then we fight. You're not alone in this, Xavier. If it's a war they want—"
He unsheathed his blade, the silver edge glinting against the moonlight.
"—it's a war they'll get."
The others echoed him, steel ringing in unison.
And under the rising moon, the rebuilt village of Hollowfen — born from fire and blood — stood once again, ready for the storm to come.