The snow had stopped falling.
Only silence remained—broken temple walls, shattered pillars, and the scent of burned holiness lingering in the air. At the center of it all stood Lucien, his chest bare, divine mark pulsing gold over crimson. Around him, his brides caught their breath: Lilith, licking blood from her blade; Aralynn, still glowing with bloodlust; Elira, trembling from the aftermath of her surrender.
And the former Goddess of Judgment knelt at his feet—stripped of divinity, wearing only a torn shimmerveil. Her golden eyes stared at him, confused… angry… and aroused.
"You fell," Lucien said. "Now you rise—mine."
> [System Notification: Divine Conversion in Progress – 27%]
[New Status: Mortal Demi-Bride – Class Pending Approval]
The goddess spat blood to the side. "I am not your servant."
Lucien leaned down, tilting her chin. "No. You're my prize."
And then he kissed her.
Hard. Deep. Slow.
---
[Erotic Event Triggered – Divine Submission Phase 1]
The goddess's resistance faltered as his tongue dominated hers, and her hands, once clenched in defiance, gripped his shoulders. The divine energy in her veins tangled with Lustfire and broke apart.
She moaned.
Lucien's hand slid between her thighs. "Say it," he whispered.
She gasped, body arching.
"…Yours…"
> [Status Update: Goddess of Judgment – Bonded as Bride #4 | Title: Lady Veridiah]
[Trait Gained: Divine Edict – Law Conversion Boost, +Faith Drain Immunity]
The bond sealed as she climaxed, her back arching under him. Her wings, now faint shadows, wrapped around his torso.
---
But the heat faded quickly.
Because the skies above Nivhym split with a thunderous howl.
A sound deeper than death.
Colder than the Void.
Lucien stood up instantly, instincts flaring.
The clouds pulsed blood-red.
Lilith's eyes narrowed. "Something's coming…"
Aralynn gripped her staff. "No… someone."
> [System Alert – Priority One Broadcast]
[The Crimson Matron has awakened.]
Lucien's heart skipped.
> [Warning: The Crimson Matron is tracking your brides. Estimated arrival: 48 hours.]
Seraphiel, far off, staggered into the chamber, panting. "I felt her… in my head…"
Lucien turned to his system. "Who is she?"
> [Classified: Mother of the Tyrant Bloodline. First Bride of the System.]
Lucien's fists clenched. "My mother?"
> [Yes. She intends to reclaim her throne—and her sons.]
---
Scene Shift – A Blood Moon Rises
Far beyond the northern mountains, in a black citadel wrapped in chains, she stood.
The Crimson Matron—tall, elegant, and monstrous.
She wore a gown of living shadows and a crown made of her victims' bones. Her skin was pale, cracked with ancient runes. Her eyes burned red… but not with rage.
With desire.
She sat on a throne made from the skulls of failed tyrants and licked blood from her fingers.
"My sweet Lucien…" she purred.
"They've made you strong. They've made you... ripe."
Then her voice turned venomous. "But my brides were mine first."
---
Back in Nivhym – The Iceblood Temple
Lucien stood with his harem gathered around him.
They felt it too—a tension in their wombs, a pull in their souls. Something dark wanted them. Not just to kill them.
To claim them.
"She's coming for you all," Lucien said. "She'll tear you apart just to make me kneel."
Elira shivered. "What do we do?"
Lucien stepped forward, aura blazing. "We fight fire with blood."
He looked at Lilith. "Gather your shadow contacts. I want every brideborn survivor found."
Aralynn nodded. "What about the southern duchies? There are three rumored heirs hidden there."
"Get them," Lucien said. "I'll seduce them before she rips them apart."
Veridiah, the fallen goddess, smirked. "You plan to collect faster than she can hunt?"
Lucien turned to her. "Yes. I'll build an empire of blood, lust, and loyalty so strong… she won't even recognize me."
---
Later That Night – The Planning Begins
Lucien stood at the edge of the frost balcony, gazing at the red moon. Aralynn approached him from behind, arms wrapping around his waist.
"You're different tonight."
"I have to be," Lucien said. "I used to think the system was guiding me. But now… I see the truth."
"She was the first," Aralynn whispered. "She made the rules."
"And I'm going to break them," he said. "Every. Single. One."
He turned, grabbing her hips.
"You said three brides are hiding in the south?"
She nodded. "A fire witch in Emberhold. A twinblood werewolf girl in Silvertide. And a cursed priestess in the ruined city of Varn."
Lucien's eyes burned.
"Good."
He kissed Aralynn hard, pushing her against the wall. "Let's start with the fire witch."
---
> [New Arc Unlocked – Bridehunt: Southbound Seduction]
[Objective: Claim the Next 3 Blood Heirs Before the Crimson Matron Reaches Them]
[Failure Penalty: Bride Elimination. Power Drain. Memory Erasure.]
---
In the distance, the Crimson Matron's laugh echoed through the skies.
And somewhere, one of the southern brides…
...was already dreaming of him.