Asher stepped out of the collapsing altars, the Grimoire of Creation in his hand, and his soul alight with the power of Primordial Creation. The air shimmered around him, heavy with a presence that felt both ancient and intimate, as if it had been waiting for this very moment.
A voice, deep and resonant, echoed within the inheritance space.
"You… You have come at last."
Startled, Asher turned his gaze to the center of the collapsing realm, where the crimson liquid began to converge into a humanoid form. The figure took shape slowly, revealing a tall man with pale skin, jet-black hair streaked with silver, and crimson eyes that burned with an otherworldly glow. He wore regal attire, a mixture of dark armor and flowing crimson robes, and atop his head sat a crown made of blood-red energy that pulsed with vitality.
"I am the First Bloodcrown," the figure said, his voice laced with power and melancholy. "A fragment of the Progenitor, left behind to guide and judge those who seek my inheritance. You are not the first to stand before me, but you are… different."
Asher met the being's gaze, his hand instinctively tightening around his sword. "Who are you, truly? And what do you mean by the Progenitor's fragments?"
The First Bloodcrown's expression softened, and he gestured for Asher to sit on the platform that had formed beneath them. Asher hesitated but complied, sensing no hostility from the ancient being.
The first Bloodcrown then begin to tell the story of the progenitor which Asher already know, but he acted like amazed from time to time, giving impression he is hearing it for the first time.
"I am unlike the other fragments," the Bloodcrown began. "When I was cast out from the Progenitor's being, I drifted for unknown years before I finally find a place where I can pass this ability I carry, I fell into this world—a place rich with life, struggle, and beauty. In my aimless wanderings, I encountered a woman of the vampire race. Her name was Valeria."
At the mention of her name, the Bloodcrown's crimson eyes flickered with warmth and pain. "She was unlike any being I had ever encountered. Strong-willed, kind, and unyielding, she saw me not as a fragment of a god but as a man lost in his own eternity. Against all odds, I… fell in love."
Asher raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the rare glimpse into the Progenitor's humanity.
"We built a life together," the Bloodcrown continued. "For centuries, we shared joys and sorrows, and in time, I used my power of Primordial Creation to forge a gift for her and our descendants—a supreme lineage ability, the Bloodcrown. It was a manifestation of my love for her, a legacy that would grant our family unparalleled strength and unity."
Asher listened intently as the being's voice grew heavier with emotion. "But even with all my power, I could not defy the natural order. Mortality claimed her, as it claims all. I could not follow her into the embrace of death, for I was bound by the Progenitor's curse of eternity. When she passed, I returned to what I once was—a fragment, a remnant will. I could no longer remain among her descendants as their leader or their kin. I became their guardian, watching from the shadows, ensuring that the Bloodcrown lineage remained unbroken."
The First Bloodcrown paused, his gaze distant. "Yet even my presence began to fade as my descendants grew strong and independent. I retreated into this coffin, waiting for the one who could inherit not just my power, but my memories, my will, and my desire to protect those they love."
Asher leaned forward slightly, his voice steady. "And you believe I am that person?"
The Bloodcrown's piercing eyes met his, scrutinizing him with an intensity that made Asher feel as if his very soul was laid bare. "You carry the mark of Primordial Creation. You have faced the trials of this place and emerged victorious. But power alone is not enough. The Bloodcrown is not just a weapon or a tool—it is a legacy built on love, sacrifice, and the unyielding will to protect what matters most."
The air around them grew heavy as the Bloodcrown rose to his full height. "Prove to me that you understand this. Show me that you are worthy of carrying not just my power, but the essence of my heart."
With a wave of his hand, the First Bloodcrown summoned a trial unlike any Asher had faced before. Shadows coalesced into forms resembling Valeria, his descendants, and countless others he had sworn to protect in his long existence. Each shadow was an embodiment of their struggles, their pain, and their hopes.
"If you wish to inherit my power, you must face their truths and accept their burdens as your own. Only then will you be worthy of the Bloodcrown."
Asher stood, his expression firm. "I am not selfless to carry countless lives on me, but I do know that no matter what I will protect the ones I love." New novel chapters are published on Novel~Fire. (n)et
"good , That's exactly I want but words are not enough "fragment said as he unleashed the army at him.
The trial began, and Asher plunged into the memories of the First Bloodcrown, facing the echoes of love, loss, and responsibility that had defined the Progenitor fragment's existence.
Asher's surroundings shifted, plunging him into the heart of the First Bloodcrown's memories. The crimson light dimmed, replaced by scenes of vivid life—a bustling village nestled beneath a canopy of ancient trees.
He stood as a silent observer, watching the memory unfold. There was Valeria, a striking woman with silver hair and crimson eyes, her presence commanding yet gentle. She moved among her people, helping, laughing, and exuding a warmth that seemed to brighten the entire village.
The First Bloodcrown, in this memory, was no regal figure but a man cloaked in simple attire, standing at her side. His gaze lingered on her with an intensity that spoke of love deeper than words could express. Asher could feel the fragment's emotions radiating from the scene—a mixture of happiness, longing, and an underlying dread.
Suddenly, the memory shifted violently. The village was aflame, the vibrant laughter replaced by screams. Vampiric warriors fought desperately against an invading force of monstrous creatures that seemed born of chaos itself. Valeria, a beacon of power and grace, stood at the forefront, her blade drenched in the ichor of her enemies. The First Bloodcrown fought beside her, wielding his unmatched power to shield their people.
But even gods and warriors have limits.
Asher watched in horror as Valeria, despite her strength, was struck down. The chaos surged forward, overwhelming the defenders, and the scene dissolved into darkness.
"You see now," the First Bloodcrown's voice echoed in the void. "The burden of failure. Even with all the power I possessed, I could not save her. I could not protect what I held dear."
The darkness gave way to another scene. Centuries later, Valeria's descendants thrived, their Bloodcrown lineage ensuring they stood as rulers among the vampires. The First Bloodcrown watched them from the shadows, his heart heavy with pride and sorrow. He was their silent protector, their unseen guardian.
But as time passed, even his presence began to wane. His descendants, though powerful, no longer needed him. He was a relic of a past they barely remembered.
Asher was abruptly pulled back to the present. The crimson liquid from earlier reappeared, swirling around him. The shadows from the trial began to rise again, taking the forms of Valeria, her descendants, and the villagers he had failed to save. Their voices echoed in the space, accusing him, questioning him, pleading with him to answer for their fates.
"Will you bear the weight of their hopes and their pain?" the Bloodcrown's voice asked. "Will you wield this power not for yourself, but for those who look to you for salvation?"
Asher gritted his teeth, the weight of their gazes pressing down on him like a physical force. "I will," he said firmly. "Power without purpose is meaningless. I've faced loss, I've carried burdens, and I've made mistakes. But I've never stopped moving forward. If this legacy is built on love and responsibility, then I will honor it."
The shadows surged toward him, merging with the crimson liquid. The energy engulfed Asher, burning through his soul, testing his resolve. His vision blurred as he felt the essence of the Bloodcrown entering his very being. The memories, the emotions, the hopes of an entire lineage poured into him, threatening to overwhelm his mind.
But Asher held firm. He embraced the pain, the loss, and the love, allowing them to become a part of him.
When the light finally subsided, Asher stood alone. The First Bloodcrown's figure reappeared before him, his expression softened with approval.
"You have done what few could," the Bloodcrown said. "You carry not just my power, but my will. Remember this—Bloodcrown is not a weapon for destruction; it is a shield, a promise to protect those you love. Wield it wisely, for its power comes with a price."