Embrace of the Lycan - Chapter 1

Foreword
This story takes place in the Underworld universe. Chronologically, it follows on from the recent Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, so it would be beneficial for you to have seen that. However, if you have only seen the first Underworld, Rise of the Lycans retells the love between Lucian and Sonja, whose death by her father Viktor’s hands was the start of the catalyst of the war between Vampire and Lycan. If you have not seen any Underworld films, then you can get a plot synopsis here.


Chapter 1
The sun was beginning to crest over the horizon. As the light hit the Vampire corpses that lay around the courtyard scene of the battle, they began to combust. The flames also caught and destroyed the dead Lycans now reverted back to human form. Lucian and the others turned their backs on the fortress and headed into the forest. There were about 60 men in total, some of them old comrades, and others, the newly turned slaves from the two estates they had sacked for weapons. Once back at their camp, they set about attending wounds. Lucian sat down heavily on a fallen tree and put his face in his hands. He sighed, and pushed his fingers back through his hair. He could not feel the winter mountain breeze that brushed at his tangled locks, as he was completely, and utterly, numb. The cold rage he felt against Viktor and his Death Dealers sat like a rock in his belly. Watching Viktor’s corpse sink into the sewer water had not brought the relief he had hoped for. His lust for revenge still burned hotter than a dying sun.

Raze stood watching him, like a huge black monolith. ‘Lucian,’ he rumbled. ‘Where do we go now?’

Lucian lifted his head and looked at his lieutenant, and realised that he had a responsibility to his people, his Lycans. He looked over towards the larger portion of the group, and saw his people weary from the fight. There were one or two of William’s children amongst them, those Lycans unable to take human form. Lucian had always considered them nothing more than beasts, but they had accepted him as their leader too, and he was grateful for the assistance they gave in the battle. Some had escorted Lucian and their new brethren back into the forest, where as most seem to stay at Viktor’s stronghold, guarding it from any possible re-infestation of Vampires.

‘Our priority is food and shelter, and getting out of the area,’ Lucian replied.

Sabas and János were approaching as Lucian spoke. János said, ‘The village I was taken from over 30 years ago, Hidas, is about 15 miles west from here, at the foot of the Mecsek mountains. We should be able to find everything we need there.’

‘Then lead the way, friend,’ sighed Lucian. He gripped János’s shoulder and nodded a thank you to him. As the three of them walked towards the rest of the group, Raze just shook his head, and then followed. When they reached the main section of the group, Kristo nervously spoke to Lucian.

‘We are grateful for everything you have done for us, but … some of us feel that we want to make it on our own.’

Lucian looked at Kristo, who was refusing to look him directly in the eyes, and nodded. ‘You owe no loyalty to me. Go … if that is what you want.’ He then marched past Kristo, and didn’t look back.

About half of the group of Lycans left the safety of the woods and their feral brethren, and followed Lucian without question. It was little after noon when they arrived in Hidas. It was agreed that János would approach first and see what sort of welcome this group of freed slaves would receive. He returned soon after to say that he had spoken to a elderly villager there, who explained that there was little love for Viktor and his Death Dealers, as most of the young men had been taken over the years and ‘converted’ to swell his ranks of slaves. The village now was under populated, houses stood empty and fields unattended. The village was dying. Lucian felt that this was just what they were looking for. It would be a place to lick their wounds, and to form a community of Lycan. They would strengthen their pack and no longer live as slaves, but as free men – until the day the Vampires returned.

And return they would, Lucian thought. His expression darkened once more. Even when he had been in full throes of his battle with Viktor, he had not failed to notice the simpering clerk, Andreas Tanis, escape with the coffin’s of the sleeping Elders, Amelia and Markus. This was all that would be needed to form a new coven of Vampires. In time they would want to enslave him and his kind anew, to once again be there day light guardians.

Lucian stood on a crumbling wall to address his men. ‘Lycans! We have removed the shackles of our masters, and I do not intend to replace them with new ones. You all had homes once and a family. You can again.’ He pointed along the path. ‘This village can be that new beginning for us. There are many things to be done, but I know that none of you are afraid of a little hard work.’ He smiled sadly at those looking at him and was rewarded by a smattering of nodding heads, and noises of agreement.

‘We can live…. as men. As free men. But keep in your heart the knowledge, that as Lycan, we will always be treated as monsters by humans. The fear of living alongside the savagery of William’s pure bloods these past years will taint their acceptance of us. It is up to you to show that we are much more than animals. We are Lycan!’

The men cheered as Lucian jumped down, and they all headed towards the village.

On the outskirts of the village they passed the first small cluster of homes that were evidently unoccupied and in need of repair. Several of the Lycan split from the main group and wandered around the ruins. Lucian turned to watch them for a second. He saw them pointing at holes in the roof and cracks in the walls, in consultation with each other. He could clearly see that they were willing to take this opportunity. He left them to their deliberations, and continued with Raze, János and Sabas and the others towards the quiet centre of the village.