Lucien awoke in the ruined cathedral beneath a fractured stained-glass sky. The scent of blood, sex, and sulfur still clung to the air.
Seraphiel lay beside him—bare, glowing faintly from their fusion. Her breath was steady now, but the crack in her divine core had widened. The more he touched her, the more the holy left her... and the more his mark bloomed across her skin.
He liked it.
Too much.
> [Blood Imprint Strength: 67% – Host Seraphiel now channels Lustfire Aura passively.]
Lilith sat nearby, sharpening a knife, naked from the waist up, letting the cold wind kiss her skin. She smirked as she caught Lucien's gaze.
"Done breaking your little angel again?"
Lucien stretched, rising from the bloodstained altar slab. "She's stronger now."
"Or more ruined," Lilith murmured.
He ignored the bite in her voice. "We're leaving tonight. Palace of Thorns."
Lilith stood. "Good. You need to face your sister… or you'll start dreaming about her again."
Lucien tensed.
Because he already was.
---
That night, the trio traveled through the obsidian-blighted forest of Duskroot. The trees whispered lies. Shadows followed them. Seraphiel clung tighter to Lucien now—her body was changing, sanctified magic warping under the system's corruption. Her once-white wings had gone ash-grey.
Lilith noticed it first.
"You're turning into something else, Seraphiel."
Seraphiel touched her reflection in a river—horns barely budding from her scalp.
"I know."
"And you're okay with that?"
Seraphiel turned to her, lips dark and eyes wild. "I've never felt more alive. More wanted. More… his."
Lucien stopped walking.
He felt it then—an enormous pulse.
Not just bloodlust.
Something ancient.
Calling him.
---
They reached the outskirts of the Crimson Bride's Hollow—a ghost-village buried in mist, bones littering its walkways.
> [New Area Discovered – Hollow of the Crimson Vow]
[Warning: Domain of the Blood Bride, Aralynn Nightveil – Status: Possessive]
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
"She's one of the bloodline heirs," Lilith said grimly. "Father locked her in a bridal coffin when she tried to kill her own groom."
"Why?" Seraphiel asked.
Lilith smirked. "Because she only wants one man. Ever. And if he leaves her, she eats him."
---
The wind howled.
A bell rang from the chapel tower.
The door opened on its own.
Inside stood Aralynn Nightveil—hair long and deep burgundy, skin alabaster white, curves encased in a blood-slicked wedding gown. Her eyes glowed with tears and madness.
And joy.
"You came…"
Lucien stepped forward, ignoring the shiver that ran down his spine.
"I'm not yours."
She giggled. "You will be."
---
Suddenly, the doors slammed shut. Chains coiled around the walls. Candles ignited with red flame.
> [Domain Locked – Escape Disabled Until Blood Vow Completed or Rejected]
Lucien growled. "System—options?"
> [1. Accept her vow. Gain access to her Blood Doll Army and Necrolust Magic.]
[2. Reject and defeat her in a Bride Trial. High Danger. Unknown Cost.]
Lilith stepped beside him. "Careful. She's not just horny. She's crazy."
Seraphiel whispered, "She's beautiful…"
Lucien smirked. "That's the problem."
---
Aralynn floated toward him, veil dragging across the floor like smoke.
"I've waited centuries, Lucien. I've dreamed of you. Danced with shadows. Slept in your name."
"I don't even know you."
"But I know you," she said, cupping his jaw. "Your power. Your scent. Your ruin. You were made for me."
She turned to Seraphiel and Lilith.
"But they're… in the way."
She raised her hand—
Chains launched from the walls, wrapping around Seraphiel and Lilith, hoisting them into the air.
Seraphiel cried out, wings flaring.
Lilith screamed. "Lucien!"
> [Trigger Event: Bride Trial Initiated Prematurely]
Lucien growled. "Let them go."
Aralynn's lips brushed his.
"Make me."
---
He exploded forward, tackling her through the chapel pews.
Blood-magic shields clashed, altar flames erupting. Lucien bit down on her shoulder, drawing blood—divine vampire ichor.
She moaned instead of screaming.
"Oh yes… take me then!"
> [Trait Absorbed – Blood Seductress Lineage Fragment Acquired]
> [New Skill – Bride's Kiss: Charms, Weakens, and Steals Vitality with Oral Contact]
Lucien wiped his mouth. "You're insane."
She sat up, chest heaving, gown torn. "Only for you."
She snapped her fingers. The chains vanished—dropping Seraphiel and Lilith to the ground. They coughed, gasping.
Aralynn stood, her gown now half-burnt, revealing long legs marked with ancient vows carved into her thighs.
"I'll give you a choice," she said softly. "Claim me. Make me your bride."
Lucien clenched his fists.
"And if I don't?"
She smiled… too wide.
"I'll marry your corpse."
---
> [System Decision Point – Must Choose in 10 Seconds]
1. Claim Aralynn
2. Reject and Initiate Final Trial
Lucien looked at Seraphiel—her corrupted purity.
At Lilith—her waiting hunger.
And then… at Aralynn.
Beautiful.
Deadly.
His blood…
was singing.
---
He made his choice.
---
Ten minutes later, Lucien sat on the chapel altar.
Aralynn straddled his lap, veil gone, lips swollen from their blood-binding kiss. Her thighs squeezed his hips, the vow rune on her pelvis glowing like lava.
> [Blood Vow Complete – Aralynn Nightveil is Now Bloodbound Bride No. 1]
> [Passive Trait – Deathless Loyalty: Will defend Lucien to death and resurrect once per moon cycle.]
She kissed his neck. "Now you're mine."
Lucien pulled her closer, eyes glowing. "No. You're mine."
She gasped—body arcing with corrupted pleasure.
Lilith and Seraphiel watched, silent.
The harem had grown.
And so had the danger.
---
But as Lucien stood, shirtless, victorious—his system flashed red.
> [Warning – Bloodline Bond Detected: Critical Opposition Approaching]
> [Target: Brother-Class Entity – "Valcros the Hollow Star"]
> [Bloodline Tier: Starborn Abyss – Older Than Death]
Lucien turned.
A black comet streaked across the sky, heading straight for the chapel.
Aralynn paled.
"Not him… not now…"
Lilith gripped her sword.
Seraphiel's wings flared.
Lucien cracked his knuckles.
"Let him come."