The moon bathed the castle in a soft crimson glow. The air smelled of iron and roses the scent of victory.
Tonight, the Vampire Houses gathered inside the Hall of Shadows, a vast chamber of black marble and silver flame. A feast had been called to celebrate Ethan's victory over the House of Thorns.
Ethan sat at the head of the grand table, his three wives beside him. Lilith wore a dress woven from living blood roses, regal and dark. Seraphina shimmered in frost-silver silk, her gaze calm but unreadable. Aria leaned back in her seat, golden eyes dancing with mischief.
All around, vampire nobles whispered among themselves. Some with awe, others with fear. The Eternal King had returned and the world was trembling because of it.
[System Notification: Prestige Increased All Vampire Houses recognize your sovereignty.]
[Bloodline Resonance: 2.5%]
[New Passive Skill Unlocked: Royal Presence Instills fear and submission in lower bloodlines.]
Ethan's fingers drummed on the armrest of his throne. He could feel the power pulsing in his veins, but deep inside, he also felt a disturbance something cold and watching.
Lilith leaned closer, whispering, "You feel it too, don't you? The court isn't united. Some of them want your crown."
Ethan nodded slowly. "Let them try."
Moments Later The Betrayal Begins
The music swelled, haunting and beautiful. Servants poured dark crimson wine into crystal goblets. The nobles laughed, feasted, and toasted to the King's name.
Then, the lights flickered.
A low hum filled the air a vibration that made Ethan's fangs ache.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Blood magic…"
The chandeliers shattered. Dozens of daggers made of bone rained from above. In a flash, Aria leapt onto the table, deflecting the blades with a scream of fury.
"They're attacking during a feast? Cowards!"
The hall erupted into chaos. Shadows danced, blood splashed the walls, and screams filled the night.
From the darkness emerged a cloaked figure his aura thick and ancient. His voice dripped venom.
"The throne belongs to none. The King died once. He can die again."
Ethan rose from his throne, eyes blazing with scarlet fire.
"Who are you?"
The figure lowered his hood revealing pale, tattooed skin covered in runes of decay. His eyes glowed black-red.
"I am Valen, the surviving heir of the House of Mirrors. The one you slaughtered in your past life."
Ethan's system flared.
[Warning: Hostile Entity Detected "Ancient Vampire: Valen the Mirrorbane."]
[Power Level: SS-Rank]
[Threat: Extreme]
The ground trembled. Valen's body split into reflections dozens of mirror-clones, each wielding a different weapon. The nobles screamed as illusions turned to reality.
Lilith's eyes widened. "Mirror Bloodline! He can divide his essence infinitely!"
Ethan smirked. "Good. Then I don't have to hold back."
He spread his arms. The world turned red.
[System Activation Blood Dominion Lv.3]
[New Skill Unlocked Crimson Judgment]
Lightning of blood tore through the hall, vaporizing the clones one by one. Ethan's aura formed a crimson crown over his head the mark of the true Eternal King.
Valen lunged from behind, blade aimed at Ethan's heart.
"You always fall to betrayal, King!"
But this time, Ethan turned and caught the blade mid-strike.
"Not this time."
His hand crushed the weapon, and with one motion, he drove his fist through Valen's chest.
[Skill Trigger: Eternal Eyes of Judgment Active]
Valen screamed as his soul burned inside his own reflection. The mirrors shattered and with them, his essence.
The hall fell silent. Only the sound of blood dripping from Ethan's hand remained.
Lilith approached him slowly, her voice soft. "You remembered that technique… You truly are the King again."
Ethan looked at her, his eyes still glowing faintly with bloodlight.
"And I'll make sure no one betrays me ever again."
[System Update: Bloodline Resonance 5.0%]
[New Quest Unlocked: The Origin of the Eternal Night.]