The throne room was heavy with silence. Shadows across the walls like living things, moving subtly in the flickering light of the torches. Oban could feel every heartbeat, every breath echoing inside him. He had never felt anything like it But this room, this power, this presence.
Coming from somewhere-
Aijack stepped forward, his figure tall and imposing. Without a word, he extended his hand.
"Since you've accepted, you will stay in this castle," he said calmly. "It is your home now."
Oban hesitated only a moment before taking the hand. The contact was electric, a subtle warmth running through his veins. He looked up at Aijack, who gave a small nod, as if judging him in that single moment.
"Hungry?" Aijack asked, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
Oban shook his head. "No… I'm okay."
Aijack's lips curved into a faint smile. "Nonsense. You are a new vampire. At least drink something."
Oban's eyes fell on the glass in front of him. The deep crimson liquid shimmered slightly, and he could feel its pull on him. His body tensed, a war going on inside him. His mind said no, but his hunger was stronger than his will. He leaned forward, lips brushing the surface, and drank.
The warmth spread through him instantly. His senses exploded. The sound of the torches, the faint hum of magic in the walls, even the subtle pulse of the floor beneath him—it all became vivid, clear, alive. His head spun in a thrilling way, his body tingling with energy.
[System: Blood intake detected. Physical stamina increasing. Hunger partially satisfied. Alert: Energy surge registered.]
Oban blinked. The System's voice in his mind was calm, guiding. It wasn't flashy, it didn't show numbers—but he could feel its presence, like a quiet mentor. His hands tingled, and his vision sharpened. Every shadow, every slight movement in the room, seemed magnified. He had never felt power like this before.
Amrin, standing silently nearby, excused herself. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment, a faint smile on her lips, before she vanished into the hallways. Left alone with Aijack, Oban's heart thumped wildly in his chest.
"Well, boy," Aijack said after a long silence, "how did you become a vampire?"
Oban hesitated, unsure if he should reveal the truth. "Uh… naturally," he said. "I mean… I was… born this way."
Aijack's eyes narrowed slightly, a knowing edge in them. "I understand. You don't want to say it. That is fine. Secrets are precious in this world. And our existence… it is treasured, feared, and hidden."
Oban let his gaze wander to the window. The darkness outside stretched endlessly, unbroken. No sun, no moon, no stars. Just the vast emptiness of the Dark Dimension.
"Yes," Aijack said, following his gaze, "this is the Dark Dimension. Light does not flow here. Time is different. Space is different. Only the strong survive in such a world."
Oban shivered, not with fear, but awe. "How… how were vampires created?" he asked, curiosity mixing with excitement.
Aijack's expression darkened. His voice lowered, slow and weighty. "Before the cosmos, before even creation, there was Knull. He existed alone, unmade, eternal. Then the Celestial Gods arrived, filling the void with light. Stars, planets, life itself—they began to form. But Knull… he hated it. Darkness, solitude, power… that was all he desired."
Oban's heartbeat quickened. "And the vampires?"
"They were his creation," Aijack said. "Seven vampires of his bloodline, intended to control the universes. But ambition breeds betrayal. The seven turned on him. Using chains forged from eternity itself, they bound him and cast him into a prison no one knows. Still, even in that prison, Knull's power persisted."
Oban's mind raced. "The Night Beasts… are they his doing too?"
Aijack nodded slowly. "Billions of them. Sent to Earth long ago, before humans even knew of vampires. Vampires and humans fought together to survive. Over centuries, our species grew stronger. Humans forgot us, myths faded, but we endured. That brings us to now… 2083. The world continues quietly, unaware of what walks in the shadows."
Aijack's eyes met Oban's. Sharp, piercing, unyielding. "Vampires are not lazy. Power comes not only from blood, but from body and mind. You will train. You will push yourself. You will grow. Or you will remain weak."
Oban's fists clenched. The energy coursing through his body sang with potential. He was hungry—not just for blood, but for knowledge, strength, life itself.
"One last thing…" Oban said. "Do humans know vampires exist?"
Aijack's expression darkened slightly. "No. After the 16th century, humans forgot. We manage blood carefully. Hospitals, blood banks… they see nothing. They cannot recognize us. We remain hidden, as we must."
Oban nodded, letting the information sink in. The darkness outside seemed alive, whispering promises of danger, challenge, and power. He flexed his fingers, feeling subtle strength flowing through him.
"Good," Aijack said, breaking the silence. "Now go. Train. Learn to control your powers. Master your body. Only then will you survive."
Oban stepped outside into the cool night. The wind cut at his face, but he relished it. His senses flared—the slightest movement of leaves, the faintest vibration of distant creatures, the distant hum of hidden vampires. Amrin's presence lingered in the background, calm and steady, a guide waiting for him.
He clenched his fists, tasting blood on his lips, feeling the surge of life within him. He was ready.
[System: Training module available. Objective – Master vampire abilities. Hint – Blood is fuel, not limit. Observe, adapt, experiment.]
The Castle of Foreverness stretched endlessly behind him. Towers faded into shadows, corridors wound away like serpents, and distant rooms whispered secrets of centuries past. Oban breathed deeply. This was not just survival. This was growth, power, life itself.
He flexed his legs, feeling muscles tighten and strengthen almost instantly. Shadows shifted around him, alive with energy he could now sense.
[System: Tier 6 entity detected nearby. Recommended: Observe and learn, avoid conflict until mastery improves.]
Oban's heartbeat quickened with excitement. The Dark Dimension felt alive, almost like it recognized him, testing him. Every nerve in his body screamed to move, to fight, to push further.
"This is it," he whispered to himself. "This is just the beginning."
The hunger inside him was no longer fear—it was anticipation. Power, hunger, challenge, knowledge. The castle, the endless shadows, the Dark Dimension—it all stretched before him, infinite, daring him to step forward.
Oban's eyes glinted. He would survive. He would grow. And one day… he would leave his mark on this world.
A shadow flickered in the distance, faint and quick. Oban's muscles tensed. He could feel the strength rising within him, subtle yet undeniable.
He took a deep breath, letting the cold night wash over him. The System pulsed faintly in his mind, guiding but silent.
[System: New objective – Begin initial vampire training. Suggested – Focus on physical control, blood absorption, heightened senses.]
Oban's fangs tingled. His claws itched. He could feel the raw strength waiting to be unleashed.
The Castle of Foreverness stretched endlessly behind him, its walls alive with whispers of centuries past. Somewhere deep within, the hum of ancient power called his name.
Oban smiled, teeth glinting faintly. The Dark Dimension was infinite, the castle eternal, and his journey had begun.
He would train. He would grow. He would survive.
And tonight… he would take his first real step into becoming more than human, into becoming a vampire of the Dark Dimension.