The storm had passed, but the scent of death lingered in the air.
The castle's blood red banners fluttered in the cold wind, and the once-quiet halls now echoed with whispers of awe and fear.
Ethan sat upon a black throne carved from obsidian and bone. His wives stood beside him Lilith to his right, regal and proud; Seraphina to his left, calm as frozen death; and Aria behind him, wild, protective, and restless.
Below, kneeling vampires trembled as they looked upon him the reincarnated Eternal King, the one who had ruled the night before history itself.
"Rise," Ethan said, his voice carrying an unnatural command.
They obeyed instantly, unable to resist. His aura wrapped around them like a crown made of flame and shadow.
Lilith smiled softly, watching him. "You see? The Bloodline answers only to you. Even ancient lords must kneel."
Seraphina's voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. "Yet the throne of night is not whole. Three of the seven Vampire Houses still refuse to swear fealty. The House of Dusk is gone but the House of Thorns, the House of Crows, and the House of Mirrors will not bow so easily."
"Then I'll make them kneel," Ethan said.
Aria grinned, baring a single fang. "That's my King."
Later that night, Ethan trained in the Moonlit Courtyard.
His blood energy flowed like molten light, coiling around his body. Every strike shattered the air, every movement carried divine weight.
[System Notification: Bloodline Power Increasing…]
[New Ability Unlocked Crimson Authority Lv.1: Bend all lesser vampires to your command.]
[Current Bloodline Resonance: 0.8%]
Lilith approached, her crimson eyes glowing in the dark. "You are learning faster than any King before you."
Ethan stopped, breathing lightly. "This power feels… infinite. But also dangerous."
She smiled sadly. "That's because the Eternal Blood hungers. It wants domination, control. You must learn to command it, or it will command you."
Before she could say more, a messenger vampire burst into the courtyard his body shaking.
"M My King! The House of Thorns has sent an envoy. They request… a Blood Duel."
The air froze.
Seraphina appeared behind him, her hand gripping his shoulder. "A Blood Duel means war. If you accept, you must fight their champion alone."
Aria smirked. "Good. I was getting bored."
Ethan looked toward the horizon, where a crimson moon hung above the mountains like an unblinking eye.
"Prepare the arena," he said coldly. "If they want a duel… I'll show them what it means to challenge a King."
Midnight The Blood Arena
The moonlight turned the sand red. Thousands of vampires gathered to witness history the rebirth of the Eternal King.
Across from Ethan stood the champion of the House of Thorns a giant in black armor, his weapon a spear of bone and shadow. His eyes glowed like dying embers.
"You may have their fear, boy," the champion growled, "but you'll never have their respect."
Ethan didn't answer. He raised his hand. The ground cracked.
[System Activation: Blood Dominion Lv.2]
[New Passive: Blood Absorption Active]
The champion lunged.
Their clash shook the world.
The spear struck like lightning but Ethan caught it barehanded. His blood energy surged, wrapping around the weapon, melting it into nothing.
"Respect?" Ethan said, his eyes glowing crimson. "I don't need respect."
He vanished then appeared behind the champion, whispering in his ear.
"I am the night they pray to."
He drove his fist through the giant's chest. Blood exploded outward like fire. When the mist cleared, Ethan stood over the ashes of his enemy, his aura towering like a storm god's.
Silence.
Then the crowd roared, chanting one name:
"Eternal King! Eternal King! Eternal King!"
Lilith smiled faintly from the royal balcony. "Our King has returned."