I Own the Multiverse's General Store!
Chapter 104 - The Beginning of a Long Journey

Chapter 104: Chapter 104 - The Beginning of a Long Journey

The desert winds still howled in the distance, whispering of the battle that had just reshaped the vampire realm. With Dracula broken and bleeding beneath the weight of his own sins, Lucius walked toward destiny—his stride unwavering, Lilith beside him, her hand interlaced tightly in his.

They left the cursed castle and its fading legacy behind.

A few miles out, nestled deep within a shifting veil of magical distortion, a hidden cave served as their rendezvous point—a place Alexia had once used to keep herself hidden from Dracula’s influence. Walter had created the barrier himself, centuries ago. Not even the vampire king could detect it.

And now, the spell had been lifted.

As Lucius and Lilith approached, the entrance shimmered into view, revealing a warm golden light flickering from deep within.

Lilith tightened her grip on Lucius’s hand.

She already knew what lay ahead.

And she hated it.

—

Inside the cave, three figures waited.

Walter stood first—an ageless being, tall and statuesque, draped in simple robes that belied his incomprehensible power. His long, silver hair flowed past his shoulders, and his eyes... stars burned in those sockets. He had seen the birth and death of worlds and carried the wisdom of countless cycles.

Beside him stood two vampires.

Alexia.

And Luna.

Alexia—the progenitor of all vampires. She radiated power now, the air itself bending slightly around her in deference. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly, and her form was regal, elegant, and deadly. Freed from the curse of the necklace, she had become whole again. A living storm of ancient might.

And Luna...

Luna was the embodiment of seductive beauty. Tall, curvaceous, with silken lavender hair cascading down her back and icy blue eyes that sparkled with mischief. She leaned lazily against a stone wall, lips curved into a smile the moment she saw Lucius.

"Look who finally showed up," Luna purred.

Walter turned first.

And bowed.

"Lucius."

Lucius returned the gesture with a nod. "Walter. It’s been a long time."

"Too long," the ancient being replied, voice calm but carrying infinite weight. "And now, at last, you’ve begun walking the road you were always meant to."

Lilith’s eyes narrowed immediately as Lucius’s gaze drifted from Walter to Alexia... and lingered.

"Lucius," Alexia said, stepping forward, her voice smooth, regal. "You removed the seal. After all these centuries..."

She stood before him and placed a hand on his chest, not seductively—but reverently.

"I can feel the world again. The stars. My bloodline no longer burns in chains."

Lucius met her gaze.

"Good. I’ll need you at your full strength. There’s still so much to come."

Alexia smiled faintly, a rare soft expression. "Then I am yours."

Lilith’s face twitched.

Alexia didn’t stop. "I’ll follow you. Fight for you. If you wish it, I’ll even offer my blood to bind a deeper pact."

Lilith’s fingernails dug into her own palm. Her jealousy wasn’t subtle—it burned like wildfire.

Lucius turned slightly, taking in the way Luna sauntered forward next.

She gave him a long, appreciative glance before wrapping her arms loosely around his neck, breasts pressing gently against his chest.

"You looked hotter than ever when you were beating Dracula into the dirt," she whispered in his ear. "I might have a new favorite fantasy now."

Lucius smirked. "Is that so?"

"Mmm." Her fingers trailed across his chest. "You’ll have to show me how much stamina you’ve got later."

Lilith snapped.

She stepped between them, pushing Luna’s arm away with far more force than necessary.

"That’s enough," she said, her voice tight. "We didn’t come here to flirt."

Luna raised an amused eyebrow. "Oh? You must be Lilith. The lapdog with attachment issues."

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me."

The air in the cave chilled. Alexia tilted her head slightly, watching the two with measured interest.

Lucius exhaled slowly and raised a hand.

"Stop."

Lilith stepped back, albeit reluctantly. Her hand found its way to Lucius’s arm, clinging like a jealous wife. "They’re getting too close," she hissed under her breath.

Lucius leaned in.

"They’re not threats. Not to you."

That made her hesitate.

But only slightly.

Walter, having watched in silence, finally stepped forward. His voice cut through the tension like a blade of reason.

"Enough posturing. You all have roles to play in what’s to come. And there is much to discuss."

Lucius turned to him, eyes sharp.

"I want answers."

Walter gave a small nod.

"Then you’ll have them. Sit."

They gathered around a large stone table at the heart of the cavern. Sigils lined its surface—some glowing softly, others pulsing with forgotten languages.

Walter stood at the head.

"You’ve already taken the first step. Defeating Dracula was not just a display of power—it was a test. One placed by the remnants of the Old Order to measure whether you were ready."

Lucius leaned forward. "Tested by who?"

"The remains of the previous Multiverse King’s pact. Every potential successor is shadowed by trials—some hidden, some cosmic. Dracula’s rise was no accident. He was empowered for a reason. But now... that chain has broken."

Lucius’s eyes narrowed. "So what comes next?"

Walter extended his hand.

A circular image appeared above the table, shifting—a projection of the multiverse itself. Countless worlds spiraling in and out of each other, infinite possibilities entwined.

"To become the King of the Multiverse," Walter said, "you must be acknowledged by its core. There is a seat beyond all things—The Throne Eternal. But it will not accept just power. It requires dominion. Authority. Balance. Purpose."

Alexia listened silently, her eyes reflecting stars.

Luna idly toyed with a dagger, still stealing glances at Lucius.

Lilith barely looked up. Her entire focus remained locked on her man.

"You must gather the Four Pillars," Walter continued. "Representations of the prime forces—Creation, Destruction, Time, and Chaos. Each one guarded by beings who have existed longer than most universes."

"Where are they?" Lucius asked.

Walter smiled.

"If I could tell you, it would not be a worthy path. Each Pillar must be earned. But I can guide you to the first one."

He turned his gaze upward.

"There is a world beyond this one. A sealed realm called Veralis, ruled by the Architect of Time. She once served the previous King... until she chose isolation after his fall. She holds the Pillar of Time."

Alexia finally spoke again.

"She will not give it willingly."

"No," Walter agreed. "But if Lucius wins her favor—or bests her in trial—she will kneel. She is bound by ancient law."

Lucius stood.

"Then that’s where I’ll go next."

"Wait," Lilith said, gripping his arm. "You just fought Dracula. You’re not resting?"

"There’s no time," he said. "The longer I wait, the more unstable the multiverse becomes."

Walter stepped closer.

"There is more. When you claim a Pillar, it does not simply grant symbolic power. It changes you. You’ll absorb fragments of the original King’s will. Each one brings you closer... and more dangerous."

Lucius arched an eyebrow. "Dangerous?"

Walter nodded. "You may lose parts of yourself. The Throne’s influence is vast. You must keep hold of your will, or it will consume you."

Lilith rose and stood beside him. "Then we’ll go with him."

"No," Walter said sharply. "Veralis is a place of temporal instability. Only Lucius can pass the threshold safely. He is the only one who holds the power."

Lilith looked furious.

Luna grinned. "Sucks to be you, huh?"

Alexia, ever calm, added, "Then we prepare here. Strengthen the rest of our alliance. Recruit. Build."

Lucius shook his head. "No, follow Lilith, she will show you the way to the Multiverse General Store where the rest of my women are all located."

Lucius turned, looking at each woman, admiring their beauty and might. His life surely had taken a change in the past month. Everything had went past so fast that he was now thinking of taking over the entire Multiverse.

Alexia—his strongest ally, the first vampire, the one with wisdom and strategy.

Luna—sultry and dangerous, unpredictable but loyal to power.

Lilith—wild, beautiful, possessive... and his.

Each one drawn to him. Each one necessary in their own way.

He stepped forward and placed a hand on Lilith’s cheek.

"I’ll return. You’ll be with me soon enough."

She closed her eyes, leaning into his palm.

"You’d better," she whispered. "If you die, I’ll kill you."

Lucius smirked.

Then he turned to Walter.

"When do I leave?"

Walter raised his staff.

"Now."

A vortex tore open behind the cave wall—a swirling gate of golden light and temporal threads.

Lucius walked toward it, pausing at the edge.

He looked back once.

Three women watched him. One desperate. One intrigued. One calculating.

And Walter... silently watching fate unfold.

Lucius stepped through the gate with confidence and unwavering faith.

The air warped.

And just like that—

The journey to claim the multiverse had begun.

It would be a long one. But a journey that Lucius would accomplish like always.

Arriving on the otherside of the portal, Lucius found himself in a world of nothingness, stuck in the empty skies as a distant figure could be seen.