** EPISODE 30 — *"THE SACRIFICE OF BLOOD AND MOONLIGHT"***
The storm pulsed like a living heartbeat over the abandoned cathedral, lightning splitting the sky in violent veins. The moon—blood-red tonight—hung low and heavy, as if it understood what was about to happen.
Lucian stood at the center of the shattered marble floor, his body trembling with the weight of the decision he never wanted Isha to make. His fangs were visible, his eyes sharpened with fear he was trying hard to hide.
Isha stepped forward, her hands shaking but her gaze steady.
Her voice was soft, but it sliced through the air.
**"Lucian… this is the only way."**
He grabbed her shoulders, almost desperate.
"Isha, you don't understand what this ritual does. You won't just turn immortal… you could lose everything. Memories. Feelings. Even your soul."
She smiled gently—heartbreaking in its softness.
"You gave me a world I never knew existed. You gave me a home when I had none. If this saves you… I'll pay any price."
Lucian's breath stuttered. Not even in his darkest century had he felt this helpless.
The ancient vampire council began chanting, their voices low, echoing like whispers of the dead. The circle of runes around Isha began to glow crimson, pulsing with ancient power.
Lucian tightened his grip on her hand.
"Isha, please. Don't do this for me."
"I'm doing this *for us*." She lifted his hand and kissed his knuckles softly.
"Lucian… if I forget you… promise me you'll find me again."
His voice cracked.
"Isha, no—"
But she stepped into the ritual circle, and the magic roared to life.
---
The air thickened, vibrating like a living storm. A beam of moonlight crashed through the broken roof, striking Isha's chest. She gasped, arching back as the ritual began draining her human essence.
Lucian tried to rush in, but an invisible barrier shoved him back violently.
"Isha!" he yelled, slamming his fists against the barrier.
"LET ME IN!"
Her eyes found his through the red glow.
"Lucian…" she whispered.
Her voice was already fading.
The ritual symbols tightened around her, spiraling like chains of light. Her veins glowed silver, her heartbeat slowing, the air around her growing icy.
Suddenly—pain exploded across her body. She screamed.
Lucian roared, his vampire nature overflowing. He slammed, punched, clawed at the barrier until his hands bled.
"STOP THE RITUAL!" he screamed at the council.
"YOU'RE KILLING HER!"
"This is the price of immortality," the High Elder answered coldly.
"Her memories are the offering."
"No," Lucian whispered, voice breaking.
His eyes filled with blood-tears.
"Not our memories… please…"
Isha's body trembled violently. She looked at him one last time.
Her voice was barely a breath:
"Lucian… I love—"
Her sentence was cut off.
A burst of white light exploded, throwing Lucian back across the floor.
The chanting stopped. The storm calmed. The air stilled.
Isha's body collapsed onto the marble.
Lucian, shaking, crawled to her, pulled her to his chest.
Her heartbeat was gone.
But her skin was cold… not dead.
Just changing.
Transforming.
He held her tightly, crying into her hair.
"You did this for me… and I couldn't save you."
His voice broke apart.
"Isha… come back to me. Please."
Her fingers twitched.
Lucian froze.
Her eyes slowly opened—no longer warm brown, but silver like moonlight.
Alive.
Immortal.
But empty.
She looked straight at him… with no recognition.
Like he was a stranger.
Lucian's heart collapsed in his chest.
She whispered, voice foreign, emotionless:
**"Who… are you?"**
Lucian felt the world fall apart.
Not even death had scared him this much.
Because now…
she was alive…
But she was no longer *his* Isha.
---
**EPISODE 30 COMPLETE**