The gathered elders and Ash's companions stood frozen on the cracked grounds of the Nocturne estate, the air still thick with the acrid scent of charred blood and ozone from the battle above. The massive crater where Liam had fallen smoked faintly, the Ninth Calamity prince's broken body lying motionless at its center—silver hair matted with blood, robes torn, aura flickering like a dying ember.
No one dared approach.
The silence was suffocating, broken only by the distant howl of wind through the estate's spires and the faint crackle of residual lightning.
Kaelthyr watched with narrowed eyes, his gaze locked not on the fallen prince, but on the sword at Ash's side.
Primordia gleamed even in stillness—liquid black metal veined with rose-pink light that pulsed like a living heartbeat, exquisite beyond anything he had ever witnessed. The power radiating from it was palpable, a potential that hummed with promise higher than any relic from Eternal Clans or ancient ruins.
'System… what kind of sword is that?'
[Host, this disciple of yours… has somehow attained a ranked weapon exceeding the known peak of Paragon.]
'…How the hell is that even possible?' Kaelthyr demanded internally, his disciple growing more mysterious—and dangerous—by the second.
[Not sure, Host… and not just that, his bloodline is far more potent than any vampires.]
While Kaelthyr communed with his system, the other elders finally found their voices, shock giving way to fury.
The gathered elders struggled with the respect and affection they felt for Ash, yet even now they couldn't just sit back and watch.
Alucard, the Sovereign, stepped forward first—his usual calm shattered, crimson eyes blazing as he stared at Liam's ruined form.
"This… this is an outrage! The Second Prince, Ninth Calamity, reduced to this by a mere Third Calamity? The main clan will surely tear this branch apart for such disgrace!"
Isolde's icy composure cracked completely, fangs bared in a snarl that echoed across the grounds.
"You dare lay hands on our Prince? I'll flay you alive and hang your wings as trophies!"
Ester remained silent longer, but her hands trembled with barely contained rage, eyes fixed on the crater as if willing Liam to rise. When she spoke, her voice was low and venomous.
"The Nocturne name… will not be defiled...."
Damon roared outright, massive frame shaking the ground as he slammed a fist into the earth, cracking it further. "I'll crush you myself! Rip those wings off and feed them to you! How dare you touch the Prince?!"
Connor panicked visibly, face drained of color, sweating bullets as he backed away a step.
"T-this… the Prince… he's… no, this can't…" His voice cracked, artifact already half-raised in trembling hands.
Seth just shook his head slowly, a knowing, almost resigned smile on his lips. He'd seen this coming from miles away.
Ash smirked through it all, catching every word and every threat. He didn't mind, though, noticing the affection from those speaking was still on the rise... so he simply ignored them.
He looked at Raven and the others slowly walking toward him—worry etched on their beautiful faces, steps cautious over the cracked ground.
"Don't worry," he said honestly, voice warm and reassuring as he spread his arms slightly.
"He won't die. Nor did I ever plan to kill him."
Raven let out a long sigh of relief, tension draining from her shoulders as her bloody eyes softened.
She smiled faintly, stepping closer. "W-where did you get that sword? It's… incredible."
"Right…" Summer chimed in, shadows curling excitedly as she went in for a hug, pressing close against his side.
"It's the most powerful weapon I've ever seen, like the stars themselves were being swung."
Ash smiled, returning the love—arms wrapping around her, then pulling Raven and Katherine in too.
"Well… I made it," he said with a casual shrug, as if discussing the weather.
The confession caused more confusion to ripple through the onlookers—elders exchanging stunned glances, whispers rising like smoke.
'He... he made it?' Kaelthyr thought, utterly stunned.
But before anyone could voice outrage or questions, Ash spoke again, eyes shifting coldly to three people: Silas, Elowen, Connor.
He separated from his women and walked slowly, deliberately.
"Now, now, now…"
He started with Silas first.
His blood-drop eyes turned hollow, a pinkish haze drifting from them like mist over a grave."
"You see, I understand my women are all beautiful… so it's only right they're desired."
Silas paled, stumbling back.
"But nagging them repeatedly after being told no… well, it's a big no."
|Law of Blood|
SNAP!
Every drop of blood circulating through Silas's body burst outward in a violent spray, splashing to the ground in a massive crimson pool that steamed in the air.
SPLASH!
THUD!
Dead. Body crumpling like a discarded puppet.
Ash's gaze shifted to Elowen.
"Ah… I truly hate hurting beautiful women…" he said, voice downcast, almost regretful.
SNAP!
THUD!
Same fate—blood erupting, body falling lifeless.
Connor sweated bullets, artifact already glowing.
The moment their eyes locked, he activated it—FLASH!—disappearing in a desperate ripple of space.
"Damn, I kind of forgot about that…" Ash spoke with a shrug, turning back to his women.
"You were going to kill Connor as well?" Katherine asked in confusion, blonde hair shifting as she tilted her head.
"Correct… he's the reason this prince came here anyway."
He looked at Raven.
"By starship… it should take you about a Year to reach Nocturne Prime, right?"
Raven's eyes narrowed at the eerie accuracy, but she nodded.
"Yes, if we don't run into factions… or void beasts, we'll be fine."
"Good. I want you to return—with the prince and this branch clan. The Astral Clan are no pushovers.... If you guys stay longer, and you'll be eliminated."
"Ridiculous!" Damon roared, veins bulging.
Ash ignored him completely.
"But… didn't you say you had leads on the stolen artifact?" Raven asked, confused.
"Exactly… I'll bring it to you personally in one year. By the time you reach home, I'll be there."
He smiled, giving each woman a lingering hug and kiss—warm, possessive, reassuring.
Before leaving, he turned to Kaelthyr.
"Oh, Master… I'll see you soon."
Cryptic, teasing.
Then he disappeared completely from the Nocturne Domain.
When he reappeared, he took out the token Sia had given him. A bit of mana channeled—the portal rippled open like water disturbed by starlight.
He stepped through.
Instantly appearing in the Cloud Domain of Sia.
-----
The two women sat upon cloud thrones, eyes closed in cultivation—Fay with long blonde hair falling down her back, illusory leaves floating around her in gentle, deceptive spirals. Sia beside her, pale blue hair flowing with the wind, clouds swirling in serene, ever-shifting patterns.
Behind them, the World of Elaris orb floated—still intact, but the wall of death had expanded massively, devouring almost everything visible, a faint crack marring its surface so small it went unnoticed.
Ash appraised and copied it.
[Origin Orb (???) – Artifact forged with Origin Aura. A self-contained world stemming from the Second Cosmic Cycle. Assimilation triggers profound evolution]
'Shit… more of that?' He thought, and upon seeing the Origin Aura, he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. He replicated the Orb completely, and a seed took root within his inner cosmos.
He clapped his hands softly.
The two opened their eyes—wariness flashing like drawn blades.
Then recognition.
Then shock.
No fox features. Wings. Bronze skin. White hair. Blood-drop eyes.
And power—Third Calamity, dense and overwhelming, far above their now Second.
Fay's cheeks flushed deep pink, emerald leaf eyes wide as illusory leaves around her faltered and dissipated. 'He… he's gorgeous. Like a deity.... carved from desire itself… those wings… that hair… '
Sia's pale blue hair stilled, face blooming crimson as clouds around her throne swirled chaotically.
'His power is now… above us? And he looks… those eyes, that smile… I want to…'
Ash smiled, their desires were as clear as water in his eyes.
"Well, you two are very beautiful as well~"