The moment the God of Darkness vanished, the weight of his words still lingered in Lucian's mind. He reached for his pendant, but the instant his fingers brushed against it, an overwhelming force seized him. Before he could react, space twisted around him, and he was forcibly teleported into an unknown dimension.
Lucian stood atop an ancient ruin, floating in the vast emptiness of the universe. The air itself pulsed with a presence both ancient and omnipotent. Before him, three objects levitated in the void—a potion, a tome, and a sword.
Curiosity guided his hand as he reached for the potion. The moment his fingers made contact, a shimmering inscription materialized in the air:
Umbral Elixir Rank: Multiversal Class Effect: Can restore mana and heal even the gravely injured.
Lucian's eyes then fell upon the ancient tome, its cover adorned with cryptic sigils pulsating in black and red light. The title emerged as he touched it:
The Abyssal Chronicle Rank: Unknown Effect: Records the origins of the Multiverse and answers all inquiries of its wielder.
As he flipped through its pages, the black-inked letters shimmered ominously, shifting to form new words:
"Lucian, my essence may have faded, but my knowledge remains tethered to your soul. Should you seek the truth of the Multiverse, this tome will guide you."
Lucian's gaze finally landed on the most formidable artifact—the sword. A raw, immeasurable power radiated from its blade, sending shivers down his spine. The inscription glowed menacingly:
Ebon Vow, the Nihility Fang Rank: Multiversal Class Description: Twin sword of Obsidian Oath. Once wielded by the supreme Ruler of Darkness.
Lucian grasped the hilt and channeled his mana into it. A single swing unleashed a crescent of destruction, slicing through the fabric of space itself. A distant planet trembled and split apart from the mere aftershock.
"Incredible…" Lucian murmured. "I barely used a fraction of my mana, yet its power is immeasurable."
A sudden realization struck him—Selene and the children must be worried sick. He stored the sword, tome, and elixir within his subspace ring and teleported back to the Blackthorne estate.
The Gathering of the Blackthorne Family
The moment Lucian reappeared, the air shifted as Selene materialized before him, her expression a mix of concern and relief.
"Are you alright, Patriarch?" she asked softly.
"I am," Lucian assured her, his voice steady.
She hesitated before speaking again. "Who was that being? And what was his purpose on Earth?"
Lucian exhaled. "He was a God… but there is much more to the story. Gather the children in the hall. There is much I must reveal."
The Blackthorne family assembled, their expressions filled with curiosity and unease. Aurelius, Darian, Valen, and Seraphina sat attentively, awaiting his words.
Lucian stood before them and recounted the true history of their lineage—their ancient origins as the vanguard of the God of Darkness's forces, the war against the God of Light, and the downfall of their once-glorious Blackthorne Clan.
Aurelius clenched his fists. "So that explains why we are naturally stronger than other Hunters."
Darian, ever the strategist, frowned. "Does this mean… we don't truly belong on Earth?"
Lucian's gaze darkened. "In the eyes of the Universe's laws, we were never meant to remain here."
Seraphina's sharp mind pieced the puzzle together. "Then that must be why the Blackthorne magic is leagues ahead of the modern era."
Lucian nodded. "Yes… but this is only the beginning."
The conversation lingered for a while longer before Lucian excused himself. There was one more thing he needed to test.
Reviving the Dead: The Return of the Elders
Lucian walked alone to the Blackthorne Graveyard, his heart heavy. He stood before the tombstones of his parents, Maximilian and Seraphina Blackthorne. The weight of his past was suffocating, yet now, a sliver of hope glimmered.
He opened The Abyssal Chronicle and asked a single question:
"Can I bring back the dead?"
The tome pulsed with dark energy, and words etched themselves onto the page:
"If one revives a soul from Heaven or Hell through personal power, they return as the undead. However, Blackthorne bloodline members are safeguarded by a sealed dimension, separate from the grasp of other Gods. They can be revived without consequence."
Lucian's breath hitched. It was possible.
He turned to their graves and uttered a single command:
"Arise."
A tremor shook the graveyard. Darkness coiled around the tombs, and with a burst of raw energy, Maximilian and Seraphina Blackthorne emerged, reborn.
Maximilian's piercing gaze met Lucian's, and a wide grin spread across his face. "Lucian… well, damn, it seems my son grew up into one hell of a man. Now, where are those bastards that put me in this grave?"
Seraphina, ever the sharp observer, surveyed their surroundings with narrowed eyes. "By the look of your face and this graveyard, I assume we've been dead… and you just brought us back."
Lucian's voice wavered with emotion as he explained everything—the war, the fall of their clan, and his meeting with Rhaziel, the God of Darkness.
Maximilian's eyes widened, then softened as he looked at Selene and the children. "Does this mean… I'm a grandfather?"
Lucian smirked. "Not just a grandfather. You are once again the head of the Blackthorne family."
Seraphina turned to Lucian, her eyes sharp. "And what about you?"
Lucian's expression darkened. "I have been chosen as the next God of Darkness. I must leave to fulfill my duty."
Maximilian folded his arms. "Then who will oversee the family?"
Lucian ask everyone to leave the room except his father.
Lucian placed a small black box in his father's hands. Inside were two items: the Eclipsium Elixir and the Transcendence Pill.
"With this, you can regain the power we lost over the centuries," Lucian said. "Use it to guide my children. Train them well. In ten years, I will return."
Maximilian's grin widened as he took the box. "So that's why you brought us back. Smart boy."
Lucian grasped his father's wrist, and with a pulse of dark energy, he shared the memories of the ancient war.
Maximilian's face twisted in fury. "The soldiers in white armor… they are the forces of the God of Light, aren't they?"
Lucian nodded. "And we will reclaim what was lost."
Maximilian smirked. "Then let's begin. But what will tell to the world."
Lucian's voice echoed through the halls of Blackthorne Manor as he unleashed a 9th-class spell, rewriting the minds of every being on Earth. The world would forget the existence of the God of Darkness and the dead of my parents.
And as his power reshaped reality, Lucian whispered his final declaration:
"The Blackthorne Clan will rise once more."