✨ Chapter 13 – The Modified Dead
They moved quickly across the academy's courtyard, heading toward the private wing reserved for advanced investigations. The sun was still low, casting long shadows across the stone paths.
Ariana walked in silence between Kai and Zane.
But something tugged at her memory.
Something old.
Something she'd read years ago when she was bored at home and had sneaked into her father's forbidden library shelf.
A page from an ancient book flashed in her mind.
A note she'd written at age ten.
A name.
A diagram.
A fate.
Her steps slowed.
Kai noticed instantly.
"Ariana? You okay?"
Ariana blinked, breath catching.
"I… I remembered something."
They all turned to her.
Rylan raised a brow.
"Something important?"
Ariana swallowed, heart racing.
"Yes. Really important."
---
## **The Book From Her Childhood**
Ariana pressed a hand to her forehead.
"When I was younger… I used to sneak into the restricted section of our family library."
Calen smirked.
"Of course you did."
Zane nodded. "Makes sense."
Ariana continued.
"I found records about vampires. All types. But the one that stuck with me was the story of the last known Dark Vampire."
Kai asked quietly,
"The one who supposedly went extinct?"
Ariana nodded.
"Yes. He disappeared from all known territories for almost five years. People thought he was hiding or hunting."
Rylan frowned. "Okay… and then what?"
Ariana's voice dropped.
"When they finally found him… he was already dead."
The four boys went still.
Kai's eyes darkened.
"How?"
Ariana shook her head.
"No one knew. His body was intact, but he had no magic core left. Like someone drained him completely."
Zane's brows furrowed.
"That doesn't happen naturally."
"No," Ariana agreed.
"And here's the part that scared me when I first read it."
She took a breath.
"There was a researcher — from the Old Order — who secretly examined his body."
Kai leaned closer.
"What did he find?"
Ariana whispered:
"His DNA was altered."
The silence was instant.
Heavy.
Cold.
Rylan whispered, "Altered how?"
Ariana's hands shook.
"The part of the DNA that controls vampiric evolution — the part that determines how their magic works — was changed. Not removed. **Modified.**"
Calen's expression darkened.
"Modified for what?"
Ariana's voice trembled.
"For control."
Rylan swore.
"Someone tampered with a Dark Vampire. Someone powerful."
Zane nodded slowly.
"And if that vampire was modified…"
Ariana finished the thought, voice shaking:
"…then the ones who attacked the academy last night weren't normal Dark Vampires."
Kai's jaw clenched.
"They were **engineered.**"
---
## **The Assignment Deepens**
Ariana's heart hammered painfully.
Dark Vampires were terrifying enough on their own.
But **modified** Dark Vampires?
That meant:
* They didn't evolve naturally.
* They didn't return on their own.
* Someone created them.
* And someone sent them.
"We're dealing with an experiment," Ariana whispered.
"A dangerous one."
Zane's eyes softened at her trembling voice.
Kai placed a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"We'll figure it out. You remembered this for a reason."
Ariana nodded shakily.
"I have more notes at home. I copied some of the book before my father locked it away."
Rylan grinned. "Perfect. We'll steal it."
"Borrow," Kai corrected.
Calen smirked. "Steal elegantly."
Zane sighed. "Children."
---
## **The Sound-Proof Investigation Room**
When they reached the west wing of the academy, Headmaster Solarin was waiting for them.
"I've arranged a private chamber for your investigation," he said.
He opened the door with a wave of his hand.
Inside was a large circular room:
* Walls lined with bookshelves
* A wide table in the center
* Floating lamps giving warm light
* Recording crystals embedded in the ceiling
* A magical door with six locks
* And most importantly…
**A sound-proof barrier shimmering across the walls.**
Ariana stepped inside first, eyes widening.
"This is…"
"A classified research chamber," Solarin said.
"Only instructors and special assignment teams have access."
Rylan whistled.
"We are SO important."
Zane ignored him and studied the walls.
"Nothing can be heard outside this room."
Calen flicked ice into the air.
"And nothing can be scryed inside it."
Kai turned to Ariana.
"This is where we'll work."
Solarin nodded.
"Your assignment is officially expanded. Your new objective is to determine:
1. **Who modified the Dark Vampires.**
2. **How they resurfaced.**
3. **Whether they are creating more.**"
Ariana bit her lip.
"Headmaster… why us?"
Solarin met her gaze.
"Because you are the only group with firsthand experience… and because you, Ariana, remembered a piece of history no one else alive has seen."
Ariana's heart pounded.
Kai placed a hand on her back.
"We'll handle it. All of us."
Rylan smirked.
"Let the vampire hunting begin."
Calen stretched his arms.
"I've waited my whole life for something like this."
Zane gave Ariana a small nod.
"We trust you."
Ariana swallowed hard.
"We do this together," she whispered.
Kai's voice was low and certain.
"Always."
A/n: just wanted to check how you guys were doing. Thank you for the 2k+ views