The woman stopped a few meters away, her ruby eyes scanning them with an intensity that seemed to pierce through their very souls. She smiled—a smile that was equal parts alluring and chilling.
"Welcome, Asher Magnus," she said, her voice smooth and commanding yet soft enough to send a shiver down his spine. "I see you've brought company."
Asher gave a polite nod, keeping his gaze steady. "She's my... partner," he replied cautiously, unsure of how to address the situation. Freya scoffed at the word but didn't interrupt, keeping her eyes locked on the enigmatic woman.
The woman's smile deepened as her gaze lingered on Freya, who stiffened under the scrutiny. "Interesting. You've chosen well," she said cryptically before returning her focus to Asher. "Shall we begin?"
"Begin what, exactly?" Asher asked, unsure of her intentions.
The woman chuckled, a melodic sound with a hint of menace, and looked directly at Asher. "You are the master of this plane. What else but exploring it?" she said with a smirk.
Asher nodded slowly, realizing the truth in her words.
"By the way, my name is Catherine Bloodcrown," she said with a slight bow, her gaze unwavering. "I am the strongest existence within this demi-plane."
Asher blinked, recognition dawning on his face. "I saw you… when I was bonding with this plane."
"Yes," Catherine replied with a faint smile. "You saw a fragment of my presence during the bonding process. I was wondering when you'd decide to visit this realm," she added, her tone tinged with amusement.
Asher nodded again, his expression contemplative. "I guess it's time to see what this place holds," he said. Freya stood quietly beside him, her gaze darting between the two as she tried to gauge the situation.
"So, you are the realm spirit?" Freya asked, her tone curious. In many dungeons or realms, it was common for them to birth a will, often called a realm spirit.
"No, I am not that," Catherine replied smoothly. She raised her finger, and with a flick, a small figure materialized—a little girl dressed in a black gothic gown, her eyes wide with a mischievous glint.
"She is," Catherine continued, gesturing toward the girl.
"Why do you call me?" the little girl asked indignantly, crossing her arms as her gaze turned toward Asher. He looked back at her, intrigued.
"She's the spirit of this place," he clarified, his tone calm.
Hearing his words, the little girl's eyes lit up, and she suddenly darted toward him. "Master~~!" she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice as she clung to his arm.
"Yes, she is," Catherine said with a small nod, amusement flickering in her ruby eyes as the girl continued to cling to Asher.
"Alright, alright, give me some space," Asher muttered, gently trying to push the girl back. Freya watched the scene with her arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You've certainly made some unique friends here," she remarked dryly. The latest episodes are on the Novel~Fire. (n)et
Catherine, still watching with that enigmatic smile, added, "She may look small, but do not underestimate her. She's as much a part of this realm's power as I am."
Asher nodded, already sensing that the little girl was stronger than Catherine. The only issue was clear—neither of them could leave this plane. That much he had gathered about this peculiar place.
"So, what do you want to see first?" Catherine asked, her tone calm and inviting.
"Somewhere I can learn more blood-related techniques," Asher replied plainly. Immediately, the others in the room groaned or rolled their eyes.
"Of course, you'd pick that," Freya muttered with a sigh, while the little girl pouted and chimed in, "That's boring! You should come with me! There are lots of interesting things to explore here!"
Asher shot them both a flat look. "I'm not here to play," he said, his voice measured but firm.
Freya raised an eyebrow and gave him a mockingly serious salute. "Yes, yes, as expected of Mr. Workaholic. So, what's this 'serious' place you want us to see?" she teased.
The little girl nodded, clapping her hands. "Fine, follow me, then. But don't blame me if it gets too intense~!" she said with a mischievous grin. She began leading them down a hallway that shimmered with an eerie, shifting light.
Freya casually grabbed Asher's arm and dragged him along, ignoring his bemused expression. "Come on, stop brooding and just follow her. Who knows, maybe you'll find something fun for a change," she said with a smirk.
Asher sighed but let himself be pulled along, trailing after the little girl as she hummed a cheerful tune. The dark, gothic atmosphere of the plane surrounded them, and the air seemed to grow heavier with each step, as if the very essence of the realm was alive and watching them.
Catherine, on the other hand, chuckled softly as she observed the playful bickering between Asher and Freya. Her ruby eyes sparkled with amusement as she trailed behind them.
"Finally, I can leave this suffocating hole," she murmured under her breath, her voice laced with satisfaction. For centuries, she had been bound to this plane, waiting for someone strong enough to bond with it. Now, with Asher as its master, her chains were effectively loosened, granting her the freedom she had long desired.
She followed after the group, her elegant strides betraying a hint of anticipation. This was her chance to see the outside world once more, and she was determined to make the most of it.
Catherine's history was as tragic as it was steeped in power. Once a free and mighty being, she had been bound to this castle by the previous master, a tyrant drunk on his strength. He had underestimated her cunning and wrath, and when he dared to overstep his bounds, Catherine killed him with her own hands. But in doing so, she triggered the curse he had placed as a fail-safe, sealing her within the castle's confines.
For over 15,000 years, she endured this imprisonment. In the first millennium, she desperately searched for a way out, but the curse proved unbreakable. Resigned to her fate, she entered a deep slumber in her coffin, her power lying dormant as the castle awaited a new master who could reclaim the realm and free her.
Now, Asher was here—a new master, and perhaps her only hope of regaining freedom. He was different from the last one. Though young, he exuded a composed strength, and most importantly, he seemed free of the arrogance or lust for power that had doomed her previous master. Catherine found herself cautiously optimistic but remained skeptical—after all, humans were often predictable in their flaws.
Her vampiric beauty, which could bend the will of even the strongest of beings, had no effect on him. Freya, who tried to resist her allure, showed signs of being drawn in, her gaze occasionally betraying a hint of awe. Yet Asher remained untouched.
This immunity wasn't due to discipline alone but stemmed from his Supreme Blood ability—a gift that made him immune to all harmful effects, whether they be poisons, illusions, or even charms. Catherine couldn't help but be intrigued by this unique trait. It meant she couldn't manipulate him, but it also meant he wasn't a slave to primal desires like so many others had been.
As they stepped out of the castle, Catherine paused at the threshold. Her expression remained neutral, but the boundary line shimmered faintly, a stark reminder of her invisible prison. The little girl beside her—grinning mischievously as usual—commented, "Oops, I forgot. She's sealed here."
Freya glanced back, raising an eyebrow. "Sealed? Why's that?"
The little realm spirit shrugged. "I don't know all the details. It was before my wisdom was awakened fully."
Asher turned toward Catherine, his brow furrowed. "What happened exactly?"
Her crimson gaze met his evenly. "The master before you—he was arrogant and thought his power gave him the right to... take what he wanted. He tried to force himself on me. I killed him, but he cursed me in his final moments, binding me to this place." Her voice was calm, but there was a quiet fury in her tone as she recounted the events.
Asher's fists clenched at her words. "That really happened?" he asked, his voice low and measured, he can't just believe her words.
Catherine's lips curved into a faint, almost challenging smile. "You have a blood-related ability, don't you? Why not check the truth for yourself?" Her words carried a subtle edge as if testing his resolve.
Freya folded her arms, looking between the two. "Blood-related ability? She saw your family lineage ability?"
"I wonder if she saw mine" she mumbled to herself.
Ignoring Freya's question, Asher stepped closer to Catherine. "How would I do that?"
"You need only focus on my bloodline's core," Catherine explained, tilting her head slightly. "A being with your power can glimpse fragments of a person's essence through their blood—if you are willing to connect for a moment."
Asher hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. "Alright. I'll try."
Catherine extended her hand, palm up, offering it to him. Her confidence was unshaken, and her gaze locked on his. "Then let's see if you're as capable as you seem, Master."