The moon still hung in the heavy, blood-red sky when Lucy stepped out of the outskirts of the sanctuary. The stone ruins formed a labyrinth of shadows, and the wind whistled like a distant lament. The tall grass shifted under her steps, revealing how long that land hadn't felt life.
She walked in silence, eyes alert. The island seemed to pulse beneath her feet — alive, restless, as if the very soil hid memories.
"The sanctuary is a maze… and the garden is a cemetery," Lucy muttered, adjusting her red overcoat.
"If I die here, at least I'll die with style."
The metallic sound of the pendant on her chest echoed as she approached a circular clearing. At its center, partially covered in moss, stood a black-and-gold statue, imposing, sculpted like an ancient armored warrior.
The inscriptions at the base were in a forgotten tongue, worn by time. Lucy stepped closer, running her fingers across the letters.
Suddenly, the ground shook.
A metallic rumble vibrated from the statue, followed by a deep, guttural voice — like a roar rising from the bowels of the earth.
"Whoever dares awaken my seal… shall pay dearly… with the fire of hell!"
Lucy took a step back, Nosferion already in her hand.
"Oh, great. Another talking curse. I was starting to miss these."
The statue's surface began to creak, cracking like burning glass.
Golden fissures spread across its body, and in an instant, the figure shattered—not into stone, but into spirals of black fire that burst outward.
The flames swirled around Lucy, circling her like incandescent serpents. She raised her arm to shield herself, but the fire lunged at her with full force.
The impact was brutal.
The ground split beneath her feet and the air trembled. Lucy's body was engulfed in living, blazing darkness. Her cry echoed across the clearing — a mixture of pain and fury.
The flames condensed, wrapping around her arms — and amidst the smoke, the raging fire shaped itself into black gauntlets, etched with red spiraling markings.
The pain was unbearable; her muscles trembled and her skin burned.
But Lucy endured, stabbing Nosferion into the ground to hold herself upright.
"Agh… you are… going to obey me…!"
A crimson flash lit her eyes. Her vampiric blood reacted, and the flames — once wild —fell still, fitting themselves perfectly around her wrists.
The gauntlets gleamed gold, and a voice echoed inside her mind:
"I am Chiron, fist of the abyss. Whoever withstands my flames earns the right to wield my power."
Lucy panted, sweat dripping down her skin. She looked at her hands, a half-smile curving her lips.
"Cute… and deadly. Just my type."
The gauntlets dissolved into particles and shrank into a small golden fragment, which fell gently into her palm. Lucy slipped it into the inner pocket of her coat.
"Thanks for the souvenir, Chiron," she said with irony, wiping the blood from her mouth.
"I hope you're not the jealous type when I use another sword."
The wind blew, carrying the scent of ash and iron. Lucy continued walking through the garden, which seemed to stretch endlessly.
When she reached an arch covered in dried flowers, a dense mist began to creep along the ground, climbing upward until it filled the air. The atmosphere became suffocating, almost silent — except for a soft sound… a distant, melodic laugh.
"Hm…?" Lucy turned her head, trying to pinpoint it.
The sound echoed from everywhere, as if the mist itself had a voice.
Suddenly, a feminine silhouette formed ahead. Light steps. The outline of a short skirt, knee-high socks, and long dark hair.
The mist parted slightly, revealing a pale girl with youthful features, wearing a dark school uniform, a red tie, and wine-colored eyes.
She smiled, canines showing.
"At last… I found you, Lucy."
Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"Wow. The underworld has cosplay now?"
The girl giggled lightly, innocently — but her gaze was manic.
"I'm Kalina. And you… you're the reason I still exist."
She lifted her hands, and gloves with metallic claws materialized at her fingertips, reflecting the moonlight.
"We have to stay together. Forever."
Lucy huffed, adjusting her coat.
"Oh, sure. First time someone says that to me and they're already threatening me. Very romantic."
Kalina tilted her head, eyes gleaming.
"You still don't understand… but I love you, Lucy. And the ones I love… I never let escape."
Lucy's smile turned into a provocative half-grin, her crimson eyes beginning to shine.
"Yeah… this is definitely going to end in blood."
The mist thickened, swirling around them.
Kalina's claws gleamed silver.
And as Lucy raised Nosferion, a blue spark cut through the darkness.
The new confrontation was about to begin.