Blood of Immortals

The first rays of dawn pierced through the curtains of Dante's apartment, illuminating the room with a soft, golden glow. He stirred awake, his body feeling unfamiliar yet powerful. The events of the previous days played in his mind—the transformation, the pain, and the discovery of his vampire abilities. But one glaring flaw lingered in his mind: the vulnerability to sunlight.

As he sat on the edge of his bed, his gaze shifted to the window. The sunlight streamed in, painting bright patches across the floor. He clenched his fists, determination bubbling within him. I need to know if this weakness is absolute. I can't live like this, hiding in the shadows forever.

Slowly, he rose and approached the window, each step deliberate and cautious. The warmth of the sun seemed to mock him, a barrier he couldn't yet overcome. His heart raced as he stood just inches away from the light. Taking a deep breath, he extended his hand toward the sunlight, his fingers trembling.

The moment his hand crossed into the light, pain seared through him. His hand vanished, disintegrating as though it had never existed. The sensation was unbearable, a sharp agony that shot through his entire arm. He stumbled backward, clutching his wrist as he gasped for breath.

The pain was unlike anything he had ever felt, but as he sat on the floor, staring at the stump where his hand used to be, he noticed something remarkable. His hand was regenerating, the pale skin knitting itself back together slowly but surely. The process was agonizing, and he bit down hard to keep from screaming.

"What the hell was I thinking?" he muttered through gritted teeth.

After several minutes, his hand was fully restored, though the memory of the pain lingered. He flexed his fingers, marveling at how seamlessly his body could heal. Yet the experience left him shaken. The sunlight was no joke.

Dante sat back against the wall, his thoughts racing. "If I can't walk in the sun, then I'm no better than a caged beast. I need to find a way to overcome this."

---

Determined to find answers, Dante decided to meditate and explore the orbs within his mind once again. Sitting in a lotus position, he closed his eyes and focused, his breathing steadying as he slipped into the depths of his consciousness.

When he opened his eyes, he was once again in the vast expanse of his inner mind. Before him floated the two remaining orbs, glowing with an ethereal light. The vampire orb was gone, consumed during his first transformation. These two orbs—one representing the dragon and the other the phoenix—seemed to hum with energy, beckoning him closer.

He approached the orbs, his gaze shifting between them. The dragon orb radiated a fierce, fiery aura, while the phoenix orb shimmered with a golden, almost divine light. Both were powerful, but he had to choose.

After a moment's hesitation, Dante reached out and touched one of the orbs.

The instant his fingers made contact, a surge of energy coursed through him, overwhelming every sense. His physical body back in his apartment convulsed violently, blood spilling from his mouth as veins bulged across his skin. The pain was beyond anything he had endured before, a relentless wave that threatened to break him.

Despite the agony, Dante forced himself to focus, refusing to let the power consume him. He gritted his teeth, his mind sharpening into a singular resolve: I won't be defeated by this.

The struggle continued for what felt like hours, his body trembling as it tried to adapt to the power surging through him. Eventually, the pain became too much, and his consciousness faded.

---

When Dante woke up, the room was eerily silent. He groaned, his body aching as he sat up. Around him, the floor was stained with blood and a dark, foul-smelling liquid—impurities expelled during his transformation.

He stumbled to his feet, his muscles feeling different, stronger. "What the hell happened?" he muttered, looking at his hands. His skin was no longer pale; it had a healthier, more radiant tone. His body felt lighter, and as he moved, he realized he was faster, more agile.

He stepped into the bathroom, eager to see the changes in the mirror. What he saw left him speechless. His reflection revealed a transformed man—his body was more muscular, his posture commanding, and his eyes held a glint of untamed power.

"I… I look like an entirely different person," he said, running a hand through his hair.

But what truly shocked him was the realization that his vampire weaknesses seemed to have vanished. He tested it by stepping toward the window. The sunlight streamed onto his hand, but this time, there was no pain, no disintegration. The sun felt warm against his skin, a sensation he never thought he'd experience again.

He laughed, a sound filled with relief and triumph. "So that's it. The second orb must have enhanced my body, erasing the vampire's flaw."

---

The next step was clear. Dante needed to learn how to control his newfound abilities. He couldn't afford to lose control or let his power go to waste. But this wasn't something he could do alone.

In this world, there were three prestigious academies dedicated to teaching Evolvers—those who had awakened mythical or supernatural abilities—how to master their powers. Each academy specialized in different forms of magic and combat:

1. Inferno Academy, known for its mastery of fire-based magic and combat techniques.

2. Void Academy, where students learned to harness the mysterious and dangerous void magic.

3. Storm Academy, famed for its lightning-based magic and speed-enhancing techniques.

While each academy had its specialty, they all provided training in other forms of magic and combat, ensuring that their students became well-rounded warriors.

Dante knew that attending one of these academies was his best chance at mastering his powers. The entrance exams were set to take place in a week, giving him just enough time to prepare.

---

For the next week, Dante pushed his body and abilities to their limits. He practiced martial arts, honing his combat skills while testing the limits of his strength and speed. He discovered that his regeneration ability had improved dramatically—cuts and bruises healed almost instantly.

He also began to experiment with his enhanced senses. His vision was sharper, allowing him to see in the dark with perfect clarity. His hearing was heightened, picking up sounds from great distances. And his reflexes were almost superhuman, enabling him to dodge attacks with ease.

But there were still questions that lingered. What other abilities lay dormant within him? What powers did the dragon and phoenix grant him? He knew that attending one of the academies would provide the answers he sought.

---

As the week passed, Dante found himself standing at a crossroads. Each academy offered unique opportunities, but he could only choose one. Inferno Academy's fire magic was powerful and destructive, a tempting option for someone who wanted to dominate in combat. Void Academy's mysterious magic intrigued him, its potential for manipulation and strategy unmatched. And Storm Academy's lightning-based magic promised unparalleled speed and agility, a perfect complement to his vampire and dragon abilities.

Dante smirked, his confidence growing with each passing day. No matter which academy he chose, one thing was certain: he would rise to the top and master his powers.

For now, he stood at the brink of a new chapter in his life, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead. The world of Evolvers was vast and dangerous, but Dante was determined to carve out his place in it.

End of Chapter 6