The night was black and cold. Klaus advanced alone toward Vareck's castle, body tense, senses on alert. Armed with silver blades and claws ready to emerge, he moved like a shadow. A werewolf guard patrolled near the east entrance. Klaus leapt, partially transforming mid-stride. His claws slashed the enemy's throat before he could scream. The body collapsed without a sound.
Further on, two sorcerers were speaking in low voices. Klaus slipped behind them. He tossed a stone to distract them, then pounced on the first, snapping his neck with a precise strike. The second cast a fire spell, but Klaus dodged with purely lupine agility and drove a blade into his heart.
The fights chained together. A vampire-sorcerer hybrid tried to catch him off guard with an illusion. Klaus closed his eyes for a moment, trusting his sense of smell, and slashed the air where the scent was strongest. The enemy's real body appeared, already dead. A supernatural hunter fired an enchanted arrow; Klaus caught it mid-flight and sent it back into his opponent's eye.
He advanced, eliminating the guards one by one, until a shadow lunged from behind him. A violent blow slammed him into a wall. Before he could get up, magical chains immobilized him.
"Well, well… guests?" a mocking voice called out. "But I don't recall inviting anyone."
Vareck stepped forward, a cruel smile on his lips.
Klaus growled, his eyes burning with hatred.
"Vareck, you monster… I'm going to kill you for Katrina."
"Katrina… Oh, I see."
Vareck approached, crouched down, and seized Klaus's chin, forcing his head up while he struggled uselessly.
"You must be the famous Klaus… Hmm. I understand Léana's obsession with you. You're not bad."
Klaus said nothing, simply glaring at him.
"You know, it's… annoying, isn't it? You don't love her. You don't even want her. But me, who wants her happiness, I'm ready to give her everything… and she wants nothing. Nothing… except you."
Vareck straightened up, a flash of malice in his eyes.
"You know what? I suddenly have an idea. Why not make you disappear? That way, Léana forgets you… and you can join your Katrina in the grave. A beautiful love in the afterlife. But for now… keep him prisoner."
At those words, Vareck's minions seized Klaus and dragged him by force into the depths of the castle.