"Talking"
The Great Tomb of Nazarick - 6th Floor Amphitheater
Moments after Momonga and Alucard's departure, the Guardians rise from their kneeling positions, following Albedo's lead. The ancient stone walls seem to absorb the lingering shadows cast by the dhampir's presence.
Third Person POV
Mare shakily pushed himself to his feet, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was going to faint. That was so terrifying, seeing Lord Alucard unleash his true vampiric nature."
Aura sprang up with barely contained excitement, her voice trembling with awe. "Seriously! I was sure the darkness radiating from him would consume us all."
Cocytus rose with deliberate grace, his tone carrying notes of shock and deep admiration. "To think they would wield such ancient, terrible power."
Albedo clasped her hands together, her voice filled with reverent worship. "When our lords reveal their true supernatural authority, they command the very shadows themselves! Even more magnificent than I ever imagined!"
Demiurge adjusted his glasses with practiced precision, his tone matter-of-fact yet respectful. "Indeed, though such mastery over darkness is only to be expected from our masters."
The other Guardians turned toward him as Cocytus voiced their shared concern. "They seemed pleased by our vow of eternal service. I can only hope that assessment is correct."
Aura's expression brightened considerably. "Actually, they were completely different when they were alone with Mare and me! Behind that cold, aristocratic demeanor, they showed genuine kindness."
Albedo began to tremble slightly, suppressing soft sounds of pleasure as Aura continued.
"Lord Momonga even offered us refreshment when we looked weary, and Lord Alucard..." Aura blushed deeply, placing a hand on her head. "He acknowledged our combat prowess with the grace of true nobility and... granted us a moment of his paternal attention."
Albedo's breathing grew heavy, a distinctly lustful smile spreading across her face as she fantasized about receiving such aristocratic favor.
Mare nodded earnestly. "That just proves they're true lords of the night! Their supernatural power and ancient wisdom make them absolutely magnificent."
Unable to contain herself any longer, Albedo turned to face them, her expression radiating both desire and absolute devotion. "Exactly as you say, Mare! Lord Alucard was transcendent! Though I committed a grave transgression earlier, I sensed no wrathful judgment from him. He perceived our devotion and responded with the cold mercy befitting his station! Of all forty-one Supreme Beings, he stands as the eternal prince of darkness, gracefully allowing Lord Momonga to rule while he serves as the shadow behind the throne. When all others abandoned us to face eternity alone, our immortal lord mercifully remained!"
Sebas cleared his throat, making his presence known. "If there's nothing further required, I shall return to my duties. I'm uncertain where Lords Momonga and Alucard have withdrawn within the tomb's depths, but wherever Lord Momonga goes, my place is at his side."
"Very well," Albedo replied imperiously. "If anything occurs, inform me immediately—especially if Lord Alucard summons me personally! I will answer his call, no matter what must be sacrificed! Though if Lord Alucard desires my presence in his private chambers, I'll need time to prepare myself properly. I must make myself worthy of his ancient bloodline... unless, of course, he prefers me in my natural state, in which case I'd be more than willing to—"
"You've made yourself perfectly clear," Sebas interrupted with a bow. "Now, if you'll excuse me." He departed into the tomb's shadowed corridors.
As Sebas left, Demiurge noticed Shalltear still prone on the ground. "Is something amiss, Shalltear?"
The others turned their attention to her as Cocytus asked with concern, "Are you injured? Afflicted?"
Shalltear rose with a massive blush coloring her pale features, her voice trembling with obvious arousal. "Hmm? No, I'm exquisite! I simply became... overwhelmed. Lord Alucard's vampiric presence was so intoxicating and commanding that my very essence responded... intensely."
[Author's note: The bloodlust runs deeper than expected.]
The Guardians collectively groaned in disgust.
"SHAMELESS CREATURE!" Albedo shrieked.
"WHAT?!" Shalltear snapped back. "Don't pretend his dark majesty didn't stir something primal within you! Lord Alucard shared his vampiric aura with us..." She bared her fangs, crimson eyes gleaming. "If such sublime darkness doesn't awaken your deepest desires, you must be truly dead inside that pristine exterior!"
"YOU BLOODTHIRSTY PARASITE!"
"The Supreme Beings crafted me to embody the night's hunger—I embrace it! A sanctimonious harpy like you could never understand!"
"KEEP BARING THOSE FANGS, LEECH! SEE WHAT IT EARNS YOU!"
Their murderous auras exploded outward, dark energy crackling like supernatural lightning as debris scattered across the ancient amphitheater floor.
Demiurge sighed heavily. "Right... Aura, I'll leave the sisterly discord to you."
"Whoa! Not so fast—you can't abandon me to this!" Aura protested.
Already walking away, Demiurge called back, "If blood is spilled, I'll intervene. Master Alucard once told me that a woman's fury burns hotter than hellfire itself."
Mare simply mumbled "Um..." and followed Demiurge, while Cocytus departed with obvious annoyance. "By the ancient powers... is this REALLY worth such violence?"
"You too, Cocytus?" Aura called after them.
Male Guardians' Perspective
As the three male Guardians distanced themselves from the conflict, Demiurge mused thoughtfully, "Their bloodthirsty rivalry aside, I'd be quite fascinated to witness the results of such a union."
Mare looked at him with confusion. "What?"
"It would strengthen our supernatural bloodline and secure Nazarick's dark legacy."
"I'm not sure I follow."
Demiurge sighed before continuing. "Every immortal lord requires an heir to carry on their lineage, don't they? Lords Momonga and Alucard remained with us through eternity's call, but someday they may depart to join the other Supreme Beings in whatever realm awaits. Therefore, it would be prudent if they left progeny to whom we could pledge our eternal loyalty. While I cannot imagine Lord Momonga capable of siring offspring, Lord Alucard's vampiric nature... that presents intriguing possibilities."
Mare glanced back at the still-arguing Albedo and Shalltear. "So you're suggesting one of them should bear Lord Alucard's dhampir heir?"
"HERESY!" Cocytus roared. "If we serve faithfully through the ages, such measures won't be necessary!"
Demiurge looked toward the ancient stones, his tone becoming somber. "Then you've already failed to understand our lord's burden, my friend."
Demiurge's POV
My words caused everyone—even the fighting Albedo and Shalltear—to stop and stare. They'd never heard such melancholy in my voice before.
"What? How... how have I failed to understand?!" Cocytus demanded.
"Because Lord Alucard already bore the weight of loss... his beloved was taken from him by the very darkness he now commands."
The Guardians gasped in collective shock. Shalltear was first to speak, her voice filled with vampiric rage.
"WHAT?! Who dared harm someone precious to our lord?! WHO'S THE WRETCH WHO BROUGHT HIM SUCH ANGUISH?!"
"I understand your fury, Shalltear, but the one responsible was none other than Alucard's own father—Dracula himself. The Prince of Darkness, consumed by grief and hatred after humanity murdered his beloved Lisa."
They looked confused, so I continued with bitter knowledge. "It's a mercy you don't comprehend that tragedy—it shows how ancient the wound truly is. If you think we embrace darkness, Dracula's wrath was an abyss that nearly consumed the world. He... in his madness, he forced his own son to destroy him, to end the nightmare he'd become."
[Based on the fragments Lord Alucard shared during our training in the vampiric arts.]
Everyone gasped again. I heard Mare weeping for his lord's ancient pain while Aura embraced her brother, tears streaming down her own face. Albedo stared at the ground, clenching her fists until her hands bled.
"How... could fate be so CRUEL! The burden he carries—"
A familiar voice cut through the shadows, tinged with world-weary authority.
"Do what? Shoulder blame that isn't yours to bear? My student speaks truth—the past is a tomb I've long since sealed. If you two wish to stand beside me in this eternal night, you'll need to understand that some hearts bear scars that time cannot heal."
I looked up to see Raven Branwen materialize from a crimson portal, her red eyes gleaming in the amphitheater's dim light, black feathers dissolving around her form.
"Ah, Raven. Punctual as always."
Third Person POV
"Forgive the dramatics, Demiurge," Raven said, her voice carrying its usual sardonic edge. "I've been surveying the boundaries between worlds—wanted to ensure no unwanted visitors crash our little gathering." She extended her hand, and shadows coalesced into a sealed letter. "Your orders, as requested."
Demiurge nodded approvingly as he took and examined the missive.
No doubt my lord anticipated our situation. He must have foreseen these complications and ensured Raven could monitor the various dimensional rifts around us.
"Excellent. Now, I believe we should honor our master's commands, don't you, Albedo?"
"Yes! Of course—back to our duties! But Shalltear," Albedo's voice carried a dangerous edge, "we will settle this matter later. In private."
"I'm counting on it," Shalltear replied, fangs glinting.
Albedo surveyed the assembled Guardians, her tone commanding. "Now then... it's time to begin our preparations. The night is long, and our lords' will must be done."
As she spoke, the Guardians dispersed into the tomb's shadowed depths. The camera lingered on Albedo's silhouette as she walked into the darkness, her form becoming one with the ancient shadows before the screen faded to black.
End of Chapter