Somewhere in a dark room, lit by a bluish fire.
A hooded figure glides through the darkness, kneeling reverently before an imposing black stone throne.
Servant:
"Lord Alpha Drakar..."
The imposing, amber-eyed Alpha werewolf raises his head from the shadows of his seat.
Alpha Drakar:
"Did you hear what happened, Nero?"
Nero:
"Yes, Lord Drakar. But... he's not one of us."
A deep growl escapes the Alpha's throat.
Alpha Drakar:
"And how do you explain that the marks on the victim bear the signature... of a werewolf?"
Before Nero can reply, a deep, calm, and icy voice rings out from the doorway.
??? :
— Because it is one… quite simply.
The Alpha jumps to his feet, his fangs half-bared. A man wearing a long, blood-red cloak enters, his gaze piercing. His pale skin and aura are enough to chill the blood.
Alpha Drakar:
— Well, well… what do I owe the Vampire King's visit to, Astarion?
A tense silence falls. But already, another voice, this time female, rises in the room.
???:
— That's not the right question, Drakar.
The Alpha turns, and his eyes narrow. A woman in a robe of shadow and stars appears as if emerging from nothingness. Her eyes shine with ancient wisdom.
Alpha Drakar (bows slightly):
— My Lordship, Lady Morrena… Queen of the Witches. What a surprise.
The Vampire King takes a few steps forward, his boots echoing on the stone floor.
Astarion:
"You know very well why we're here. An attack has taken place. A murder... on neutral territory."
Drakar (snarling):
"I promise you I will find this troublemaker... and he will be punished severely."
But Lady Morrena raises her hand, her rings glittering with an unearthly glow.
Lady Morrena:
"It's useless."
Astarion (frowning):
"Useless? Why do you say that? He's a werewolf, you said so yourself!"
Lady Morrena (serious):
"Yes... but an outlaw werewolf. An outcast. He doesn't obey Alpha Drakar, nor any of our established laws."
The silence grows heavy. The Alpha sits slowly, frowning, deeply troubled.
Drakar:
"Then who does he obey?"
Lady Morrena closes her eyes for a moment, as if saying that name would awaken an ancient pain.
Lady Morrena:
"Someone we thought was gone... An entity hungry for chaos. Someone who wishes to reignite war, not only between us, but against humans as well."
Astarion takes a step back, livid.
Astarion (whispering):
"You mean...?"
Lady Morrena opens her eyes again, a dark glint in her gaze.
Lady Morrena:
"Yes... He's back."
Drakar (whispering):
"Who?"
Astarion (whispering):
"Vardek"