Blood of Immortals

Dante sat in a lotus position on the cold floor of his apartment, his eyes closed, breathing steady. Slowly, he felt himself drift away from the physical world and enter the depths of his mind. It was like stepping into another dimension—vast, silent, and shimmering with ethereal energy. Floating in this mental void, he noticed three glowing orbs suspended before him.

Each orb pulsed with a unique aura:

The Dragon Orb emanated a fiery crimson glow, its surface swirling with molten energy.

The Phoenix Orb radiated a golden light, warm and soothing, with trails of feathers seemingly dancing in its glow.

The Vampire Orb was a deep, ominous black with streaks of red, pulsating like a heartbeat.

Dante stared at them in awe. "These must be the powers I hold now," he thought, realization dawning upon him. Intrigued and driven by curiosity, he reached out and touched the Vampire Orb.

The moment his fingers grazed its surface, a surge of energy exploded from the orb, coursing through his body like wildfire. In the physical world, his body convulsed violently. His veins bulged and turned dark as his blood boiled. He clutched his chest, coughing up blood, as waves of excruciating pain wracked his body.

"What… is this?!" Dante gritted his teeth, his entire being screaming in agony. It felt like his blood was being replaced—no, transformed—into something entirely different.

Despite the torment, Dante refused to succumb to the pain. He forced himself to focus, willing his mind to stay strong. But the agony was too much. Minutes felt like hours, and eventually, his consciousness gave way, and he collapsed into darkness.

---

Hours Later

When Dante finally woke up, the first thing he noticed was the coppery scent of blood. He slowly opened his eyes, and his heart skipped a beat. He was lying in a pool of his own blood, mixed with a strange black liquid that reeked of impurities.

Shakily, he got to his feet, his body surprisingly steady despite the ordeal. His clothes were drenched, clinging to his skin, and he felt sticky and filthy. Without a second thought, he headed to the bathroom and stripped off his bloodied garments. Turning on the shower, he stepped under the stream of water, letting it wash away the grime and blood.

As he cleaned himself, he caught his reflection in the bathroom mirror.

The person staring back at him was… different.

His once-average height had increased noticeably, and his body, which was previously lean and unremarkable, was now muscular and defined, like a finely sculpted statue. His pale skin gave him an otherworldly appearance, and his once-ordinary face now held an almost predatory allure.

But what truly shocked him were his teeth.

Two long, sharp fangs protruded from his upper jaw, unmistakable evidence of his transformation.

"I… I've become a vampire," Dante whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and awe. He leaned closer to the mirror, running his tongue over the fangs. They were sharp, lethal, and undeniably real.

Then, a new realization struck him—vampires were notoriously vulnerable to sunlight. Would he, too, be unable to walk under the sun? A pang of anxiety gripped him, but he pushed it aside. "I'll test that tomorrow," he resolved.

For now, he needed to understand the changes in his body.

---

After drying off and dressing, Dante returned to the living room. He stared at the wall, lost in thought. His eyes focused on a crack in the paint—and then, to his astonishment, he saw through the wall entirely. He blinked, disoriented, but the vision didn't waver. He could clearly see the apartment next door, its furniture, and even a stray cat lounging on the windowsill.

"X-ray vision?" he murmured, bewildered.

Wanting to test further, he went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. Without hesitation, he pressed the blade against his palm and made a shallow cut. Blood welled up instantly, but before his eyes, the wound closed itself within seconds.

"Incredible," he breathed. "Regeneration."

Excitement bubbled within him as he contemplated what else he might be capable of. For now, though, he had discovered three abilities: his enhanced physique, rapid healing, and the ability to see through objects.

---

Meanwhile, in a Distant Land

Far away, in a grand and luxurious palace, a figure sat in a lavishly decorated chamber. The room was dimly lit, with ornate furniture and silk drapes adding to its opulence. The air was thick with an aura of ancient power.

On the massive bed, a woman reclined gracefully. Her beauty was otherworldly—porcelain skin, ruby-red lips, and piercing eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom and secrets. She smirked to herself, her expression one of amusement and satisfaction.

"So, you've awakened at last… Darling," she purred, her voice dripping with allure and mystery.

She raised her hand, and with a snap of her fingers, a butler appeared at the doorway, bowing deeply.

"Yes, my lady?" he inquired, his tone respectful yet curious.

The woman rose from the bed, her movements fluid and elegant. "Prepare everything in my absence," she commanded. "I'll be leaving for a while."

The butler's eyes widened in shock. "My lady… you're leaving the palace?"

It had been centuries since she had last ventured beyond these walls. The thought of her leaving was both shocking and exhilarating.

"Indeed," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The butler hesitated, then bowed deeply once more. "As you wish, my lady. I will ensure that no one notices your absence."

Satisfied, the woman dismissed him with a wave of her hand. Once alone, she whispered something under her breath, and her form shimmered before vanishing into thin air.

---

Back in the Apartment

Unaware of the mysterious woman's movements, Dante continued testing his newfound abilities late into the night. As he sat back down, his mind raced with possibilities.

"This is just the beginning," he thought, his crimson eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll uncover the full extent of my powers—and I'll use them to reshape my destiny."

For the first time in years, Dante felt truly alive.