Vampire Progenitor System
Chapter 194: The King And His Lords (read the next - before reading this one)

Chapter 194: The King And His Lords (read the next Chapter before reading this one)

The castle gates had been opened for the first time in decades.

The High Keep pulsed with movement now. Banners were torn down, corridors swept clean, ruined chambers reinforced. The courtyard had been overtaken by shadows and silence—but now, light flickered. Fires in the braziers. Blood lamps lit the walls. The heart of the Vampire Realm had started beating again.

The Origin Clan moved like a tide. No orders needed. Each knew what to do.

Jax was welding reinforcements into the broken walls with precise arcs of mechanical flame. Vel blurred past him, dragging shattered columns upright like they weighed nothing. Serah spread her bloodthorns across the outer windows for defense while Kira stood in the grand corridor, whispering silent curses into the stone to create traps only she could undo.

They weren’t preparing for guests.

They were building a throne.

Valena led the vampire lords through the archways. Some stayed quiet, others whispered behind their gloves. They passed a large chamber—several slowed as they saw a figure inside.

"Lucifer?" one asked.

The figure turned. The same face. Same eyes. Barefoot. Calm. Pale skin and dark hair damp with sweat. He stood silently in the center of the training hall, his body relaxed but unreadable.

It was Clone Lucifer.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t move toward them. He just pointed down the eastern hallway without emotion.

Valena nodded. "That way."

They continued.

No one dared question the clone. Something in his silence felt final. He feared no one. No presence—not even Dracula’s—shook him. Only one name made him blink. Lucifer.

And when they stepped into the true throne hall, they finally saw why.

Lucifer stood at the base of the Thorned Throne. His back to them at first, cape swaying gently, fingers stained with dried blood. The scent of the realm’s old magic surrounded him—dark, ancient, clean. The throne hadn’t been touched in over a century. Now it bloomed.

Vines of black rose and crimson thorn curled behind the obsidian seat. It had grown—not built—around him. Like the realm had remembered something. Or someone.

He turned slowly as they entered. His eyes weren’t red. Not now.

They were black. Lined with threads of gold.

He looked like a prince and a ghost. A warrior and a god. And yet, his voice was quiet.

"You came."

Dracula was the first to step forward. He said nothing at first. Just studied Lucifer carefully. No judgment. Just memory. Remembrance of a time when someone else stood like that. When Damaris did.

"You’re different," Dracula finally said.

Lucifer nodded.

Lord Helvain scoffed from the side. "You’re not a king either."

Lucifer glanced his way once. That was enough.

Helvain’s mouth went dry. He didn’t know why. His heart didn’t pound, but it stopped.

Lucifer ignored him and stepped forward. "I didn’t ask you here to prove anything. You came because the realm called you. Because blood called you."

Lady Nira frowned. "Bloodlines shift. Power moves. That doesn’t make you the ruler."

"I didn’t take the throne," Lucifer said. "It opened for me. And I took my place because this realm was abandoned. Forgotten. Broken."

He looked directly at them now.

"I’m not your old king. I’m something else. Something new."

"What exactly?" asked Lord Verek, arms folded.

Lucifer stepped forward. Each word was clear, grounded.

"I’m the Progenitor now."

Silence.

Even Dracula’s eyes narrowed.

"That’s not possible," Lady Sive said quietly. "Damaris was the first and last."

Lucifer didn’t smile. He didn’t raise his voice. He lifted his hand—and from his palm, his blood glowed black-red.

It didn’t drip. It moved. Alive. Sentient.

Then it flared—and the air bent.

Every vampire in the room felt their veins hum in response. Not pain. Not pleasure. Just submission. Their blood recognized something older than blood itself.

"I didn’t take this title," Lucifer said. "It was born with me. Carved into me. And I’ll do what Damaris would’ve done."

"And what’s that?" Dracula asked.

Lucifer met his eyes.

"Unite the realm. Set fire to the dead roots. Erase every coward who hid in the shadows while our people rotted."

No threats. No rage.

Just truth.

Helvain tried to speak again. "We’ve survived fine without—"

Lucifer turned toward him fully. Just a shift of presence.

And Helvain dropped to a knee, gasping. Blood leaked from his ears. His armor cracked.

Lucifer didn’t touch him.

"You speak like a king," Lady Nira said, her voice lower now. "But where’s your crown?"

Lucifer looked to her. Then to Dracula.

"I don’t need a crown. I need loyalty."

Dracula stepped forward again. Slowly.

He looked up at the throne. Then at the boy who now stood before it.

"I once stood here when your father ruled. Damaris didn’t demand respect. He didn’t even ask for it. He simply was."

Lucifer didn’t answer.

Dracula’s gaze lingered on his face—then lowered.

And for the first time in a thousand years, the great vampire lord—Dracula, father of bloodlines, horror of ages—knelt.

To someone younger. Someone new.

"Then so be it," Dracula said.

"I will follow."

The others watched in stunned silence. Some didn’t move. But some—Valena among them—bowed too. Then Lady Sive. Then Dremal.

Not everyone.

But enough.

Lucifer looked over them all. Not smug. Not proud.

Just ready.

"This place," he said, "will become the new fortress of the vampire race. The Origin Clan will run it as our center of command. Each of you will keep your cities. Your bloodlines. But you’ll answer when called. No more hidden wars. No more silence."

Dracula nodded. "And if we don’t?"

Lucifer didn’t blink. "Then I’ll come to your gates. And it won’t be to talk."

Outside the throne room, the sound of hammering echoed. Vel yelled orders. Serah hissed at one of the younger vampires to move a banner. Jax stalked past the entryway with a half-finished suit of armor over his shoulder.

Origin wasn’t waiting for permission.

They were already home.

Lucifer looked one last time at the lords who hadn’t bowed.

He didn’t ask again.

He didn’t need to.

The realm had shifted.

And the Throne didn’t accept debate.

It accepted blood.