My Blood Legacy: Reincarnated as a Vampire

Dante and Akira surged forward at an incredible speed through the desolate lands of Hell, each step sending waves of heat rippling through the hostile environment. Neither their breath nor their pace faltered; they pressed on with unyielding determination toward the heart of Hell. Yet, in Dante's mind, a troubling thought lingered: how long had he been here? It was impossible to tell. That uncertainty gnawed at him, along with the growing concern about what might be happening in the world above.

"Dante."

The unexpected voice brought him to an abrupt halt. He turned to the side and saw a figure he had grown familiar with: his other self, Alter-Dante. The expression was serious, though it carried that same unnerving calmness.

"Finally decided to show up," Dante remarked, his tone slightly sarcastic but his eyes sharp. "What is it now?" Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

Alter-Dante remained silent for a few moments, as if carefully choosing his words, before finally speaking. "Lucifer is dead."

Dante felt the weight of those words hit him like a wave of heat, more intense than the inferno surrounding him. He closed his eyes for a moment, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "I figured it would happen sooner or later... But hearing it still stings."

Akira, who had stopped beside him, observed the exchange silently but stayed on high alert. Alter-Dante tilted his head slightly, as though analyzing Dante.

"What's the situation?" Dante asked, his gaze filled with determination and concern as he looked at Alter-Dante.

Alter-Dante crossed his arms, his face set in grim seriousness. "The Horseman of War is fighting Astaroth. It's a colossal battle. The balance is shifting, but... things aren't going well for him. Astaroth is growing stronger by the second, as if he's drawing power directly from the chaos around him."

Dante narrowed his eyes, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "I see." He took a deep breath and turned to Akira, who was already preparing to move forward. "We need to finish this here as fast as possible. Every second we waste in this Hell, Mary Rose continues wreaking havoc up there."

Dante turned back to Alter-Dante, curiosity and frustration evident in his voice. "Can you see what's happening up there?"

Alter-Dante shook his head, his expression growing even more somber. "Unfortunately, my perception is limited to Hell and your direct presence. Since you're here, we're completely in the dark regarding the upper world." He paused before continuing in a slightly more hopeful tone. "However, once the Progenitor Function is fully activated, you'll be able to track demons anywhere, seeing through their eyes yourself. But for now, that ability remains out of reach."

Dante clenched his teeth, frustration evident on his face. "Great. Another reason to finish this and unlock everything I can. Being blind like this is bad enough; I don't even want to imagine what's happening while we're stuck here."

"Then stop wasting time." Alter-Dante smirked slightly, his tone laced with irony. "The faster you finish this job, the sooner you can regain control of the situation up there."

Dante nodded, resolved, and turned to Akira. "Let's end this."

Without another word, they began running again, their silhouettes cutting through the flames of Hell like shadows driven by urgent purpose.

...

[Minutes Earlier, Qliphoth Clearing]

Astaroth grinned cruelly. "You're tired, Lucifer. I can feel your energy faltering with every strike. You can't beat me anymore."

Lucifer gritted his teeth and responded defiantly, "I'm still here, aren't I? The light never fades completely."

With a war cry, Lucifer charged at Astaroth, his blade slicing through the air in an arc that seemed to tear the fabric of reality itself. Astaroth blocked the blow with a simple motion of her hand, her dense energy absorbing the impact like an impenetrable wall. The battle raged on, an exchange of blows that shook the World Tree to its core, each strike echoing like thunder on a cloudless day.

But something was changing. As the fight continued, Astaroth seemed to grow stronger, her aura becoming increasingly oppressive. It was as if the World Tree itself was being drained by her presence, feeding her with primordial energy. Lucifer was fighting not just an enemy but also the very environment that should have been his ally.

The Horseman of War, mounted on his demonic steed, observed the battle with sharp eyes. His black armor glowed with fiery runes, and his massive sword rested on his shoulder. He was not just a spectator; he was waiting for the right moment to act. When he noticed Astaroth's growing advantage, he finally moved.

"Enough!" roared the Horseman of War, his voice booming like thunder through the valley. His steed neighed, exhaling flames, and he charged at Astaroth with terrifying speed. His sword, imbued with infernal power, descended like a meteor toward the mistress of chaos.

Astaroth barely had time to turn before the strike hit her, sending her flying backward in an explosion of energy. She tumbled across the ground but quickly rose, her expression filled with both fury and excitement. "Ah, finally! Someone worthy of my attention!" she shouted, her energy intensifying even further.

Lucifer used the moment to catch his breath. His body was covered in wounds, but he couldn't allow the fight to end here. He knew the Horseman of War couldn't face Astaroth alone. Together, they might have a chance.

The Horseman and Lucifer attacked in unison, their actions perfectly coordinated despite their differences. The Horseman's sword was brutal, each strike a whirlwind of destruction that forced Astaroth to retreat. Meanwhile, Lucifer used his agility and precision to target her weak points. For a moment, it seemed they were gaining ground.

But Astaroth was no ordinary foe. She laughed, a sound that made the air around them tremble. "Is this really the best you can do? Pathetic."

With a gesture, she summoned a storm of darkness that engulfed both warriors. Lucifer and the Horseman were tossed around like ragdolls, their bodies crashing into the massive roots of the World Tree. When the darkness dissipated, Astaroth stood there, untouched, looking at them with disdain.

Lucifer tried to rise, but his strength was fading too quickly. The Horseman of War also seemed to be at his limit, his breathing heavy and labored. Yet neither of them retreated.

"You don't understand, do you?" Astaroth said, walking toward them. "I am the embodiment of chaos. The more you fight, the stronger I become. You're only delaying the inevitable."

With a swift and ruthless motion, Astaroth plunged her hand into Lucifer's chest, her fingers enveloped in pulsating chaotic energy, gripping the still-beating heart of the once-mighty King of Hell. The world around them seemed to freeze in that moment. Lucifer's eyes widened, disbelief and pain etched onto his face. His lips moved as if to speak, but no sound escaped.

With a look of pure contempt, Astaroth tightened her grip, crushing Lucifer's heart in a cold, merciless act. A wet, sickening sound echoed as his lifeless body crumpled to the ground, devoid of life, like a puppet whose strings had been severed.

"Goodbye, 'Sovereign of Hell,'" Astaroth mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She held up the crushed heart with a curious, almost theatrical expression before bringing it to her mouth. Sinking her teeth into the demonic flesh, she chewed slowly, savoring every drop of Lucifer's essence. As she swallowed, a sadistic smile spread across her lips.

"Disgusting... but effective," she remarked, a disturbing gleam in her eyes. The dark energy of Lucifer's heart began to pulse within her, spreading through her body like a tidal wave, radiating across the infernal landscape.

The Horseman of War roared with fury, his blade glowing with renewed hatred. He charged at Astaroth with everything he had, but she caught the strike effortlessly, her hand gripping the sword as if it were nothing. "And you think this will be any different?" she asked, her cruel smile widening.

The battle continued, but now it was the Horseman alone against Astaroth. He fought with desperate ferocity, but it was clear he couldn't defeat her on his own. Every blow he landed seemed to have less effect, while Astaroth continued to grow stronger. She toyed with him, dodging his attacks and delivering strikes that left him weaker with every exchange.

At last, the Horseman of War fell to his knees, his sword slipping from his grasp. Astaroth stepped closer, her smile now an expression of absolute triumph. "You fought well, Horseman. But it wasn't enough."

Before Astaroth could deliver the final blow and seal her victory, the world around them shifted abruptly. The World Tree, which had seemed utterly subdued, began to radiate an intense golden light that clashed violently with the oppressive darkness of the Inferno. A pure, primal, and incomprehensibly powerful energy surged from its roots, climbing the trunk and spreading outward like a pulse of life amidst chaos. It was as though the very essence of creation was reacting to Lucifer's sacrifice and the Horseman's relentless struggle.

Astaroth took a step back, her eyes wide with shock, surprise flickering across her face for the first time. "What... what is this?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with both disbelief and frustration. The golden energy resisted her presence, burning away the darkness around her.

The Horseman of War, who had fallen beneath Astaroth's overwhelming power, slowly lifted his head. His eyes, once shadowed and resolute, now glowed with the same celestial gold radiating from the World Tree. It was as if the light had been etched into his very soul, restoring his strength. Using his sword for support, he rose to his feet with a determination that made the air around him hum.

"As long as war exists, so shall I," he declared, his voice reverberating with a weight that seemed to echo through all existence. Each word boomed like thunder, imbued with the immortal strength of his title. He grasped his sword again, and it responded to his touch, glowing even brighter, as if reforged by the golden energy itself.

Astaroth narrowed her eyes, sensing the drastic shift in power. "You're only delaying the inevitable," she growled, trying to suppress the nagging feeling that the balance of power was shifting against her.

The Horseman stepped forward, his stance now straight and unshakable. "Plague, Famine, and Death... They are powerful but fleeting. They are cycles that can be contained, assimilated, and forgotten." He raised his sword high, and its blade radiated an intensity so profound that the surrounding darkness recoiled, as if fearing its brilliance. "But War... War is eternal. It never dies. It is the essence of conflict, of desire, of resistance. I am War."

"Submit." He commanded.

A surge of demonic aura unlike anything ever seen erupted from his body, enveloping him in a blazing inferno of pure destructive power.