Prologue

                                    

                                          
In the enchanting land of Eldrith, five esteemed families – the Auclairs, Aeolus, Achelous, Heroux, and Hermes – have formed an extraordinary bond with legendary creatures. Think dragons, Griffins soaring high, Leviathans and Hydras ruling beneath the waves and even grounded Cerberus. Rumours whisper of shared ancestry, a fascinating blend of sirens, vampires, werewolves, witches, and succubi. God bestowed them with singular, overarching powers to preserve equilibrium while retaining their extraordinary heritage. The Auclairs wield the magic of Eldrith, the Achelous command the seas as sirens, the Heroux and Aeolus rule the night as werewolf and vampire, and Hermes captivates as both succubus and incubus.
Peace thrived through agreements among the family leaders, a sacred pact to temper their ambitions. Yet, forewarnings proved accurate – greed kindled, triggering fierce competition for the mythical creatures. Brimming with restlessness, the younger generation began to treat these majestic beings as trophies rather than allies. Hidden beneath their united facade lay individual secrets, setting them apart. The peace was shattered when ambition-fueled attacks on the Auclairs fractured their unity.
From the ashes of this brutality arose the surviving Auclairs, resolute on exacting vengeance. Little did they know, their actions stirred ancient malevolence. Among them, Roseanne Esmeray Auclair, stripped of all but fury, pledged to obliterate her tormentors, a promise tied to her concealed connection with Diana Valentina Achelous.
"Diana."
"Or should I address you as my former fiancée?" Diana instantly recognized the scorn lacing the low voice.
Roseanne's golden eyes blazed with intensity, framed by flames that mirrored the screams of the tormented. Ash and a pungent scent clouded the air, a tumultuous scene.Roseanne meticulously dismantled her adversaries in the shadows, foreshadowing a night akin to countless others for the Achelous. Roseanne's resolve was unwavering, fully aware that fate might bring her face-to-face with her former love. Over seven years had elapsed since their last encounter, a tragic event etched into Roseanne's heart. Yet, this event held the potential to reshape both their lives.
Diana's voice resonated with resentment. "Your voice... unforgettable, Roseanne."
"Achelous, I'm flattered my name still lingers after all these years. After all, we were engaged," Roseanne's wry grin dared Diana to confront her.
"Would that undo the havoc you've wreaked?"
Diana's hiss unveiled darkness in Roseanne's eyes, a fusion of rage, bitterness, and resentment. Diana couldn't help but blame Roseanne for their current predicament.
Unperturbed, Roseanne advanced towards Diana, a blazing inferno accentuating her presence. "Diana Valentina Achelous, I won't cease until every trace of your presence is erased from Hvalba. You will beg for release long before my wrath subsides. At the very least, you'll taste the anguish that's been my constant companion."
Achelous unleashed a howl, yet Roseanne's power surged, closing the gap between them. A subtle shift of the blade and Diana felt Roseanne's breath upon her. Pain pierced her heart swifter than thought, darkness swallowing her as Roseanne's haunting words lingered.
"Welcome to my hell," Roseanne whispered, the last echo Diana heard before oblivion embraced her.

"They speak of an eye for an eye, warning that it leads to collective blindness. But why should I willingly surrender my sight when they might still relish theirs? Embracing sainthood won't alter the course, only marking me as a vulnerable prey for them to extinguish my remaining vision. Inevitably, I'd be left with nothing but submission to my foreseen demise. Why, then, should I choose such a fate for myself?"