A rumbling from the depths of the Crypt filled Lucas's entire realm with bone-chilling vibrations. The three Skeleton Warriors he had just summoned stirred restlessly, their blue-flame eyes flickering like candles in the wind. Lucas felt something fundamentally shift—as if reality itself were being distorted.
[CRITICAL WARNING: Ancient Seal has been broken]
[Mythic Entity detected emerging from hibernation]
[Recommendation: Leave the Crypt area immediately]
But Lucas couldn't move. Not out of fear—though that was there—but because something was pulling him to stay. It was as if a magnetic force was calling him to witness what was about to happen.
The stone floor of the Crypt began to crack. The cracks spread like a spider's web, emitting a blood-red light that grew ever more intense. The air became thick with the scent of iron and something more ancient—the smell of a burial ground that had been sealed for centuries.
From the center of the floor, a structure slowly rose to the surface. It was no ordinary wooden coffin, but a black stone sarcophagus decorated with intricate carvings. Every detail of the carving spoke of power, blood, and immortality. Atop the sarcophagus was a symbol that made Lucas shudder—a thorny rose wrapped around a crowned skull.
The Skeleton Warriors took a step back, their movements showing some sort of...reverence? Or fear? Lucas couldn't tell. Either way, even his undead could feel the overwhelming presence emanating from within the sarcophagus.
The lid of the sarcophagus began to move with a deafening grinding sound. Red smoke poured out of the cracks, forming spirals that danced in the air. Lucas felt the pressure in his chest increase, as if the atmosphere itself had become denser.
Then, silence.
For a few seconds that felt like eternity, nothing happened. Lucas held his breath, gripping his improved dagger even though he knew it would be useless against whatever was coming out of the sarcophagus.
A pale hand—whiter than marble—emerged from within the sarcophagus. Long fingers with black nails gripped the edge of the stone, and slowly, the figure rose.
Lucas had never seen anything so stunning and terrifying in his life.
The woman who emerged from the sarcophagus was the embodiment of deadly gothic elegance. Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her waist, contrasting dramatically with her porcelain white skin. Her ruby eyes gleamed with ancient intelligence and unimaginable power. Her lips were blood red, curved in a mysterious smile.
The dress she wore seemed to be made of darkness itself—black silk flowing like living shadows, adorned with intricate dark red lace. Around her neck, a black diamond choker with a red rose pendant gleamed with its own light.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Mythic Entity identified]
[★★★★ VAMPIRE QUEEN - SERAPHINA DRACUL]
Level: ???
Type: Ancient Undead - Mythic Tier
Specialization: Blood Magic, Domination, Necromancy
Status: Recently Awakened
Loyalty: UNBOUND
[WARNING: Mythic units have the ability to destroy your entire territory in a single attack. A cautious approach is strongly advised.]
The Vampire Queen—Seraphina—stared at Lucas with a gaze that seemed to see through to his very soul. When she spoke, her voice was like velvet dipped in poisoned honey.
"Centuries have passed since I last breathed night air." She climbed out of the sarcophagus with the fluid movements of a great cat. "And what awakened me was... a young Lord with the scent of blood that... appealed."
Lucas swallowed. He could feel the power radiating from Seraphina—not just physical power, but something deeper. Power that had been honed over centuries, power that could easily destroy everything he had built.
"I... I did not mean to wake you," Lucas managed to get out through his parched throat. "I was only trying to use the Crypt to—"
"To summon that pathetic skeleton?" Seraphina laughed, a sound that sounded like cracking crystal bells. "Oh, sweet child. You have done far more than that. The blood essence you gathered, the ritual you unknowingly performed... all of it has weakened the seal that imprisons me."
she walked around Lucas like a predator sizing up its prey. Each step she took was silent, as if she were floating a few millimeters above the ground.
"But I'm not mad," she continued, stopping right in front of Lucas. They were mere inches apart, and Lucas could feel the chill radiating from her body. "Quite the opposite. I... owe you."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Vampire Queen Seraphina is evaluating her spiritual connection with the Lord]
"You know, in my long sleep, I dreamed of a Lord who would come. A Lord who would dare to wield dark power, who would not be afraid to stain his hands with the blood of his enemies."
Her red eyes gleamed with something hard to define. "And it turns out... you are younger than I imagined."
Lucas felt dizzy. Seraphina's presence was overwhelming, like standing in the middle of an electromagnetic storm. "What... what do you want?"
"What I want?" Seraphina tilted her head, her expression changing to something almost... vulnerable. "I want to serve. I want to have a purpose again. For centuries I have slept in the darkness, alone with the memories of a kingdom that has fallen and vassals that have turned to dust."
She reached out, her white fingers almost touching Lucas' face. "You have given me a second chance. A chance to rise and build a new kingdom. A chance to... feel again."
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Vampire Queen Seraphina offers an Eternal Bond]
[Warning: The Eternal Bond is an irrevocable contract. Mythic units will be completely bound to the Lord, but the Lord will also share some of their essence with them.]
[Consequences:
The Vampire Queen will become a permanent loyal unit
The Lord will gain access to advanced Blood Magic
Minor physical changes to the Lord (enhanced night vision, increased regeneration)
Deep spiritual connection between the Lord and the Vampire Queen]
[Accept Eternal Bond? Yes/No]
Lucas stared at the panel, his heart pounding. This was a decision that would change everything. He could feel Seraphina waiting, her red eyes never leaving his face.
"I will not force you," she said in a softer voice. "But know this... without a spiritual bond, I will not be able to survive for long in this world. My seal may have been broken, but the power that awakened me will soon fade. I will return to hibernation, perhaps for good this time."
There was a sadness in her voice that touched Lucas' heart. Beneath the strength and fearsome grace, he saw something very human—the fear of being alone.
"If I accept..." Lucas hesitated for a moment. "What must I do?"
Seraphina smiled, this time a genuine, warm smile. "The bonding ritual is quite simple. All you have to do is place a drop of your blood... on my lips."
Lucas' face flushed. "A drop of blood... on your lips?"
"Blood is the essence of life, especially for vampires. By touching your blood to my lips, you are allowing us to share essence. And the most... intimate way to do that is..."
Lucas understood. He had to kiss Seraphina on the lips while giving her his blood. It wasn't just a business contract—this was something much more personal.
He took a deep breath and decided. "Yes. I accept the Eternal Bond."
[Eternal Bond activated]
[Ritual preparations begin...]
The air around them began to change. Red particles of light began to dance between Lucas and Seraphina, creating a ritual circle that floated in the air. The Skeleton Warriors stepped back further, making room for the ritual to take place.
Seraphina held out her hand, and Lucas took it. The vampire's skin was cold as ice, but there was a hidden warmth beneath it.
"Cut your left finger with the dagger," Seraphina instructed, her voice shaking slightly. "Just a little." Lucas used the improved dagger to make a small cut on the tip of his index finger. A drop of fresh red blood flowed out, glistening in the ritual light.
"Now…" Seraphina pulled him closer. Their faces were mere inches apart. Lucas could see his own reflection in those ruby eyes. "Give me your blood."
Lucas raised a wounded finger to her lips. As the drop of his blood touched her red lips, the vampire queen closed her eyes in an expression that was almost… ecstasy.
Then, without hesitation, Lucas kissed her.
The world exploded into an unimaginable sensation. It wasn't just physical contact—Lucas felt their souls collide, merge, become something greater than the sum of their parts. He could feel her memories—of majestic palaces, of bloody battles, of centuries of crushing solitude. Instead, she could feel Lucas' fear, his determination, and his hidden hope to be something greater.
The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like eternity. When they parted, Seraphina's eyes were no longer cold and distant. There was warmth there, there was… love?
[ETERNAL BOND - ESTABLISHED]
[★★★★ VAMPIRE QUEEN - SERAPHINA DRACUL]
Level: 87
Type: Ancient Undead - Mythic Tier
Specialization: Blood Magic, Domination, Necromancy
Status: Bonded to Lord Lucas Thorne
Loyalty: ABSOLUTE (100%)
[Lord Lucas Thorne - Status Updated]
Blood Magic Affinity: Unlocked
Night Vision: Enhanced
Regeneration: +300%
Spiritual Connection: Seraphina Dracul (Perfect Synchronization)
Lucas felt the change immediately. His vision became sharper, especially in the dark. The small cut on his finger had healed without a trace. And most amazingly, he could feel Seraphina's presence even with his eyes closed—it was like an invisible string connecting their souls.
"My Lord," Seraphina knelt down with perfect elegance. "Seraphina Dracul swears to serve and protect until the end of time. My life and death are yours."
[Population: 4/15]
[Mythic Unit Bond: Vampire Queen allows the Lord to control high-level undead and access advanced Blood Magic rituals]
Lucas helped Seraphina to her feet, his face still red from the kiss. "You... you don't have to kneel. We... we are partners now."
Seraphina smiled a smile that could melt ice. "As you wish, my beloved Lord."
But the intimacy of the moment was suddenly cut short by a tremor from outside the Crypt. It wasn't a magical tremor like before—this was a physical vibration, like the footsteps of thousands of feet moving in unison.
Lucas and Seraphina exchanged glances. The vampire queen's eyes suddenly became sharp and alert.
"Someone's coming," she said, her voice turning cold and deadly. "Many. And they're... angry."
Lucas ran out of the Crypt, followed by Seraphina and three Skeleton Warriors. The sight that greeted him made his heart stop.
Along the eastern horizon, an army was moving toward his territory. Not the small goblins he was used to. These were kobolds—scaled humanoids with larger statures and a distinct military organization. They moved in formation, carrying spears, shields, and war banners bearing the emblem of a red dragon.
[THREAT ALERT: Kobold War Party detected]
[Estimated Size: 200+ units]
[Threat Level: EXTREME]
[ETA to Lord Hall: 2 hours]
[Warning: Current population (4 units) SEVERELY outmatched. Immediate evacuation or significant reinforcement recommended.]
Two hundred kobolds. Lucas only had three skeleton warriors and one vampire queen—even though she was a mythic unit.
"Seraphina," Lucas said in a trembling voice. "Can we defeat them?"
The vampire queen stared at the kobold army with an unreadable expression. "Under my normal condition, two hundred kobolds would be just a warm-up. But I have only just awakened from centuries of hibernation. My strength has not fully recovered."
She turned to Lucas, her red eyes gleaming with dangerous determination. "But if my Lord wills it, I will fight to the last drop of blood. We may not win, but we will make them pay dearly for every inch of this land."
Lucas stared at the approaching kobold army. The choice was his—to run and lose everything he had built, or to fight against impossible odds with the vampire queen he had just bonded with.
The ground beneath his feet shook even harder. The war cries of the kobolds began to ring out in the distance, deafening with their hatred and hunger for blood.
Lucas took Seraphina's hand, feeling the strength and calmness flowing from their bond. The decision had been made.
"We fight," he said in a voice that was steadier than he had felt. "We protect this land at all costs."
Seraphina smiled—a predatory smile that revealed gleaming white fangs. "As you will, my beloved Lord. Let us show those kobolds what it means to defy the dark kingdom."
The sun was beginning to set, and the battle that would decide Lucas's fate as Lord was about to begin.