Ryle's boots thudded against the stone path as he stormed into Vaelthia's cave, carrying a sleeping Thea in his arms.
The massive cavern, carved into Dragon Mountain, was dimly lit by glowing blue crystals. Warm air filled the space, the scent of old parchment and herbs lingering in the air.
Ryle barely took two steps inside when—
SMACK!
A powerful clawed hand struck his head, sending a loud thwack echoing through the cave.
Ryle grunted, nearly dropping Thea.
"Ow—hey, sorry, Vaelthia—"
"CALL ME MOM!!!"
Vaelthia's golden eyes burned with fury as she glared at him, arms crossed. Her long, obsidian-black dragon wings folded behind her back, her fiery red hair swishing as she moved.
Ryle sighed, adjusting Thea in his arms. "Fine, fine… Mom."
Vaelthia huffed, satisfied, before gesturing for him to put Thea on a nearby cushioned seat. Thea mumbled something incoherent before snuggling into the chair.
Ryle straightened and crossed his arms.
"Alright, Mom. Who the hell are the Astoria family?"
Vaelthia's expression darkened. She turned, pacing toward a large table filled with ancient scrolls and dragon bones.
"...The Astoria family is a low-class vampire bloodline that once rebelled against the Vampire Kingdom."
Ryle blinked. "...Rebelled?"
Vaelthia nodded. "They lost. And as punishment, they were nearly wiped out."
Ryle frowned. "So how did they survive?"
Vaelthia ran a clawed finger over the surface of a faded map of the old world.
"Ignilth saved them."
Silence.
Ryle's fingers twitched.
"He gave them a place to live near Dragon Mountain. In return, they pledged loyalty to him. Some of them even… worshipped him."
Ryle clenched his jaw. "So that's why they're so obsessed with him."
Vaelthia nodded. "Every member of the Astoria bloodline has carried an unshakable reverence for Ignilth. They see him as a god—some as a savior, others as a king."
Ryle let out a slow breath, piecing it all together.
"But that doesn't explain why I was given the Astoria name."
Vaelthia paused. Then, with a heavy sigh, she turned to face him.
"Because Ignilth chose it for you."
Ryle froze.
Vaelthia continued, her voice softer.
"Ignilth named you Ryle because it's a common vampire name."
She watched as Ryle's golden eyes flickered.
"He gave you the surname Astoria to maintain the bond between the family and Dragon Mountain."
Ryle slowly exhaled. "So what, he wanted me to be their leader?"
Vaelthia hesitated. "...Not exactly."
Ryle's brows furrowed.
"Ignilth originally intended for you to become the King of Dragon Mountain."
A bitter chuckle escaped Ryle's lips. "Well, that didn't happen."
Vaelthia smiled softly. "No. It didn't. Because you didn't want it."
She leaned against the table, eyes glowing.
"Instead, you trained Dravenith to be king. Ignilth watched over both of you with a mix of disappointment and amusement."
Ryle scoffed, rubbing his temple. "That old dragon ruined my life, huh?"
Vaelthia grinned. "Oh, you have no idea."
Ryle raised a brow. "What now?"
Vaelthia's grin widened.
"He ordered you to be trained in Blood Lust."
The air grew heavy.
Ryle's smirk disappeared.
"Blood Lust?"
Vaelthia's tone turned serious.
"A vampire ability that any race with blood can use."
She met Ryle's gaze.
"It grants immense power… but takes away your sanity for a day."
Silence.
"Ignilth hoped you would only use it if Dravenith or I were ever in danger."
Ryle narrowed his eyes.
"…Well, isn't that comforting?"
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The entire cave shook violently.
A massive dragon burst through the entrance, sending boulders flying.
Dravenith.
His black scales gleamed in the dim light, his massive wings kicking up dust. He skidded to a stop, his golden eyes filled with rage.
Vaelthia's expression turned deadly.
SMACK!
She smacked Dravenith's snout.
"BE CAREFUL WHEN ENTERING THE HOUSE!!!"
Dravenith growled. "Sorry, Mom, but this is urgent!"
Ryle and Vaelthia exchanged a glance.
"What happened?" Ryle asked.
Dravenith gritted his teeth.
"Dad's body has been stolen."
Silence.
Ryle's blood ran cold.
Vaelthia's eyes widened.
"…What?" she whispered.
Dravenith took a deep breath.
"Ignilth's body was supposed to be buried after his battle with Marquis Elden."
"But instead—"
He clenched his claws.
"Emily kidnapped a priestess and forced her to use a spell on him."
Ryle's fists tightened. "What spell?"
Dravenith's voice turned grim.
"Eterna Sanctum."
Vaelthia's eyes widened in horror.
Ryle's stomach twisted. "Explain. Now."
Dravenith took a shaky breath.
"Eterna Sanctum prevents a body from decaying… permanently, and also heal a broken corpse."
Ryle's heart pounded.
Emily had stolen Ignilth's body.
But how?
Cut to Emily Astoria
Emily sat before Ignilth's perfectly preserved corpse, smiling.
The legendary dragon's body remained intact, his black scales still radiating an ancient power.
Behind her, two figures stood in the shadows.
Cassandra and Natalie.
Emily's personal assassins.
Both women had been obsessed with Ryle since childhood.
Cassandra pouted. "Ohhh, you got to fight Ryle? I'm jealous!"
Natalie nodded eagerly. "We should've gone too!"
Emily ignored them, her gaze focused on the ancient book in her hands.
Noctis Vitae.
The legendary text of the Astoria family.
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"I only have 200 souls…" she murmured.
"Far from the 666 needed to revive Ignilth."
Her fingers tightened on the book.
She knew.
Ryle would stop her before she reached 666.
So—
She needed a distraction.
Emily's smirk widened.
She turned to the sacrificial altar beside her.
The air grew thick with dark magic.
Emily raised her hand.
"Rise, Archmage of the Eternal Night."
100 souls burned away.
The ground trembled.
A dark figure rose from the shadows.
When the Archmage opened his glowing crimson eyes, he immediately knelt before Emily.
"Goddess…" he whispered.
Emily sneered.
"Disgusting. I don't care about you. Just kill Ryle."
She turned to her assassins.
"Go. Fight him again."
Cassandra and Natalie grinned.
"Oh, we won't just fight him."
"We'll turn his body into a trophy."