Kaligard was unlike anything Viana had ever seen.
The hidden valley was surrounded by high snow-covered peaks and glowing forests. A calm lake sat at its center, frozen under moonlight. Wooden cabins dotted the land, smoke curling gently from their chimneys. Magic flowed through the air — ancient, warm, and protective.
But even in this peace, Viana felt something stir inside her — power… and restlessness.
She had questions. She had fears.
And she was about to begin the toughest journey of her life.
---
A few days after their arrival, Vikram led Viana to a clearing at the edge of the forest.
"This is where you'll train," he said, handing her a black bracelet. "It helps control energy surges. If your power ever overwhelms you, squeeze it."
Viana nodded, slipping it on. "Am I really that dangerous?"
"Not dangerous," Vikram replied. "Just... powerful. And untrained."
Ahaana stepped forward, tying her long hair back. "Today, we see what you can really do."
---
The first few days were hard.
Viana struggled to balance her vampire speed and werewolf strength. When she tried to run fast, her wolf instincts kicked in, making her lose focus. When she tried to use her senses, her vampire side took over, pushing her into a trance-like state.
"Again," Vikram said gently each time she fell. "You're learning."
"Control your breath," Ahaana advised. "Let your mind guide the beast."
But frustration kept building. Her hands would spark with red light, her claws would burst out, and sometimes her eyes would glow so fiercely that even the ground trembled.
One day, she lost control completely.
She roared — a sound that was not human — and everything around her exploded. Trees cracked, snow melted, and the air pulsed with heat.
When it ended, she was on her knees, crying.
"I can't do this," she whispered. "I'll hurt someone."
Vikram knelt beside her. "Then let us help you."
Ahaana placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "The fire within you isn't something to fear, Viana. It's your gift. You just haven't learned to hold it."
Viana looked up at them. "How did you both learn?"
"We had each other," Ahaana said. "We stumbled. We fell. But we never gave up."
---
That night, Viana sat by the frozen lake, staring at her reflection.
She saw her glowing eyes — one golden, one red.
She touched the surface of the ice. "Who am I really?" she whispered.
An old voice answered from behind, "You are the prophecy."
Startled, Viana turned. An old woman stood nearby, wrapped in layers of fur, her eyes cloudy but wise.
"You're the child of day and night," she said. "Of sun and shadow. You will either end the war… or start it again."
"What do you mean?" Viana asked, heart pounding.
The old woman smiled faintly. "You were born of love that was forbidden. That love broke the rules of the old world. The Council fears what you are. But others believe you are the balance this world needs."
Viana's hands trembled. "I don't want war."
"Then learn. Grow strong. Because soon, others will come to test your strength. And you must be ready."
She turned and walked away, leaving Viana with more questions.
---
The next morning, Viana returned to training with a new fire in her heart.
This time, she didn't fight her instincts — she *blended* them.
She ran like a wolf but thought like a vampire. She struck fast but kept her focus sharp. Her claws were quick, her mind even quicker.
Vikram watched her with pride. "You're becoming more than either of us were."
Ahaana smiled. "She's becoming herself."
---
One evening, Viana woke up from a strange dream.
She had seen a figure — cloaked in shadows — standing at the edge of Kaligard, whispering her name.
She got out of bed and walked to the edge of the valley.
And there, standing just beyond the protection spell, was a boy.
About her age. Pale-skinned. Dark eyes. He wore a torn coat and carried no weapons.
But Viana could feel it — he wasn't human.
He saw her and smiled gently. "I've been looking for you."
"Who are you?" Viana asked, stepping closer.
"My name is Rayen. I'm like you. A hybrid."
Viana froze. "That's not possible."
"I didn't think so either," Rayen said. "But I am proof. And I've come with a warning: they know you're here. And they're coming."