Chapter 404 Eyes of the Vampire King
Before Ziues could react, his growth halted abruptly. He began to shrink back to his normal size, his body trembling as it reverted. Suddenly, a sharp pain seared through his neck, and he felt his head leave his shoulders. The Demon King held Ziues's head aloft by his hair, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as Ziues's body floated away helplessly.
"I did warn you that I would put you on a pike, didn't I? Though I think keeping you alive a little longer will be fun," the Demon King smirked, his voice dripping with sadistic glee.
"Damn you!" Ziues cried out, his voice weak and desperate. "This wasn't how things were supposed to go!"
"Fortune favors the one who plans ahead and doesn't indulge in their food. Now, silence," the Demon King stated, casting a dark energy around Ziues's head. The energy seeped into Ziues's eyes, making them go pale as death seemed to wrap around his face, a cold numbness spreading through his mind.
"This state should keep him sedated for a while," the Demon King mused, examining Ziues's lifeless eyes.
"How long until you think they notice I kidnapped him?" the Demon King asked, his tone casual, almost bored
The Vampire King chuckled, his fangs gleaming in the dim light. "I will do some recon work of my own. But honestly… I think you have a little while. They will be slow to act on most things at the moment, but the second they realize what happened here, you can bet things won't be great."
He paused, his eyes narrowing with a hint of concern. "So, I hope your plan to have Ty as your reaper pays off and you get that gate of yours open. Things could get very messy between the 12 universes again."
He then shifted his focus, his tone becoming more commanding. "Right, well, I will trust Elithira to retrieve the finger and Kirana to work on pinpointing their location. In the meantime, schedule a meeting with each of our 12 elite guards. We will need to properly plan the coming months along."
The Vampire King nodded and smiled, his fangs glinting in the dim light. "Of course. We will also try to keep track of Erebos and update you when we can. Until next time, Demon King."
The Demon King floated a few hundred miles away from his castle, the wind whipping around him as he watched the Vampire King disappear into a swirling portal. The portal zipped closed with a soft hum, leaving the night eerily silent.
Muttering under his breath, he said, "I sure hope I'm making the right bet here, Father… this isn't exactly how you said things would play out." The weight of his decisions pressed heavily on him as he sighed deeply, the sound lost in the vast emptiness around him.
As he approached his dark, foreboding castle, its towering spires looming against the night sky, he felt the cold stone steps beneath his feet. The grand staircase seemed longer than usual, each step echoing with a sense of impending doom. The severed head he carried felt heavier with each passing moment, its eyes staring blankly into the abyss.
Upon reaching the throne room, he entered with a heavy heart. The air was thick with the scent of old magic and power. With a decisive motion, he slammed the head onto a pike, the sound resonating through the room. He then cast a powerful locking spell over it, the air crackling with dark energy as ancient runes glowed briefly before fading into invisibility.
"I will keep this under lock until I need it," he murmured to himself, his voice echoing softly in the vast hall. The flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
With another weary sigh, he said, "Time to get some sleep and ponder over the next moves to make." He turned and made his way to his chambers, the heavy doors creaking as they closed behind him. The weight of his responsibilities and the uncertainty of his choices weighed heavily on his mind as he prepared for a restless night.
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Transition Shift
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An unknown distance away, in another realm, the Vampire King stepped out of the portal and into his domain. His universe, though small, was a masterpiece of gothic architecture and haunting beauty. The sky above was a perpetual twilight, painted in shades of deep purple and crimson, casting an eerie glow over the landscape.
His castle stood tall and majestic, a sprawling structure of black stone and intricate spires that seemed to pierce the heavens. The walls were adorned with ancient tapestries depicting battles of old, and the windows, made of stained glass, depicted the legacy of his bloodline. The light from within gave them an almost ethereal glow, casting multicolored reflections on the stone floors.
As he walked through the grand entrance, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing the vastness of the castle's interior. The main hall was lined with towering pillars, each carved with scenes of victory and conquest. Torches mounted on the walls flickered, casting long shadows that danced in the dim light.
The Vampire King paused for a moment, taking in the familiar scents of his home - the faint smell of old parchment, mixed with the metallic tang of blood from the recent hunts. He moved gracefully down the corridor, his footsteps echoing softly. The hallways were lined with portraits of his ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow him as he passed by.
Reaching a grand staircase, he ascended with a sense of purpose, his thoughts drifting to his daughter.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
She had promised to assist Nanako, and he knew she would be heading down to the planet soon. He admired her resolve and strength, qualities that mirrored his own.
Reaching the top of the staircase, the Vampire King entered his private study, a sanctuary filled with a soft, ambient light.
The room was lined with bookshelves, each packed with ancient tomes and scrolls.
A large wooden desk sat in the center, cluttered with maps, documents, and an array of mystical artifacts. He approached the desk and picked up a crystal orb, its surface swirling with a misty glow.