Elysiana reached into a hidden pouch at her waist, her movements deliberate and unhurried.
She produced a small vial, its glass etched with glowing runes, containing a viscous red liquid that swirled like captured blood.
"First, you must drink this elixir. It is brewed from sacred moonbloom essence and the tears of the goddess's springs."
"What does it do?"
"It will ignite the curse's core, awakening the first sin. But be warned: it will bring an insatiable thirst. After, you must drink from Nyami. Her blood, pure and attuned to healing, will stabilise you."
Nyx's eyes widened, staring at the vial as if it were a serpent. He took it gingerly, the cool glass warming in his palm.
"Nyami's blood? Drink it? Like... like a vampire? That's... are you serious?"
Nyami smiled reassuringly, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink, but her posture remained submissive and devoted.
"Yes, Master. It's necessary. My blood carries strong restorative magic; it will temper the elixir's drawbacks."
Elysiana continued, her voice steady.
"Indeed. We will awaken the sins one by one, methodically. The first to stir must be Gluttony —the hunger that devours all. It is the gateway, the sin that feeds the others. Once balanced, we proceed. Nyami has consented; her devotion to you makes her the ideal vessel."
Nyx looked at Nyami, worry etching his features.
"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you. This sounds... intense."
Nyami's eyes sparkled with unwavering loyalty, her hand tracing a light circle on his knee.
"You won't hurt me, Master. I'm far stronger than I appear. My healing magic will mend any strain. Trust in this —it's for you, for your power."
Elysiana extended the vial fully.
"Then begin. The church draws near; we must complete this initial step before entering the sanctum."
Nyx uncorked the vial with trembling fingers, the scent of iron and sweet nectar rising sharply.
He glanced once more at Nyami, who nodded encouragingly.
Tipping it back, he drank the contents in one swift gulp. The liquid slid down his throat like molten fire, burning a path to his core.
He gasped, clutching the empty vial as heat bloomed in his chest, spreading like wildfire through his veins.
"Ah... it's burning," Nyx rasped, his vision tinting red at the edges, the world sharpening into crimson hues. His breathing quickened, ragged and desperate, a parched thirst clawing at his insides —not for water, but for something richer, vital.
Nyami moved without hesitation, her hands slipping around his neck with gentle firmness.
She shifted onto his lap, her body pressing close, the warmth of her seeping through her uniform.
"It's alright, Master," she whispered, her voice soothing, gentle, almost heavenly in its calm allure.
She tilted her head, exposing the pale curve of her neck, veins pulsing faintly beneath the skin.
"Drink from me. Let it flow. I'm here."
Nyx's mouth watered uncontrollably, two small fangs emerging from his normal teeth, sharp and insistent. Driven by the thirst, he leaned in, his lips brushing her skin before his fangs pierced the soft flesh.
Strong and rich flavoured blood flooded his mouth —warm, metallic, laced with a sweet undertone that sent ecstasy rippling through him.
"Ahh♡~" Nyami yelped softly, the sound sexy and breathless, her body arching slightly against him. Her arms tightened around his shoulders, holding him close as he drank deeper.
The taste was intoxicating, better than any wine or nectar, flooding his senses with euphoria.
Clarity began to return amid the haze, the burning easing into a warm glow.
Nyx tried to pull back, his hands on her waist, but Nyami's grip held firm, her voice a husky murmur.
"Not yet, Master. It's still not enough. Drink more... take what you need from me."
He obeyed, fangs sinking deeper, blood flowing steadily.
But as he drank, the heat intensified, his body igniting from within. Sweat beaded on his brow, his skin flushing hot.
Betraying him, his arousal stirred fiercely, his hardness pressing upward, poking against Nyami's slick heat through their clothes.
Nyami let out a small moan, low and throaty, her hips shifting instinctively.
She ground her core against him lightly, the friction sending sparks through both.
"Mmm~... Master..." she breathed, her breath hitching.
Elysiana's voice cut through, calm but authoritative.
"That is sufficient for now. You can stop now Nyx sama."
Nyx obeyed reluctantly, his fangs retracting as he separated from her neck.
A single drop of blood trickled down her skin, crimson against white.
Instinctively, he leaned in and licked it clean, the flavor lingering on his tongue like a promise.
Nyami shivered at the touch, then slid off his lap with graceful poise.
She adjusted her uniform, pulling the top back into place, though a faint mark bloomed on her neck—a badge of their intimacy.
"There... all better," she said softly, her eyes meeting his with a mix of subtle desire.
Elysiana produced a transparent orb from her pouch, its surface smooth as glass, about the size of a watermelon.
She handed it to Nyx.
"Now, channel your mana into this. Let it flow freely; it will reveal the awakening's success."
Nyx took the orb, his hands still tingling from the blood's warmth.
Closing his eyes, he focused, drawing on the newfound energy humming in his veins.
Mana surged from his core, pouring into the orb. It began to glow, shifting from clear to a deep blood red, pulsing with inner light.
A soft smile graced Elysiana's lips, her halo brightening. Nyami's face lit with similar joy, her hand squeezing his arm.
"Well done, Nyx sama," Elysiana said warmly.
"Congratulations. You have achieved a proper awakening. Gluttony stirs within you, tamed properly for now."
But the triumph was short-lived.
The orb's color darkened abruptly, swirling to pitch black in an instant.
Creekek💥
A low hum built, then shattered outward in an explosion of dark energy.
Shards flew, nicking Nyx's hands with small cuts, blood welling up in thin lines.
Nyx hissed in pain, dropping the remnants.
"What—?"
Nyami rushed to his side instantly, her concern palpable.
"Master! Let me see." She took his hands gently, her fingers tracing the wounds.
Pink mana blossomed from her palms, enveloping his skin in a warm, soothing glow. The cuts knit together seamlessly, the pain fading as if it had never been.
"There... healed fully. You're safe."
Elysiana sighed, her expression turning grave as she brushed a shard from her skirt. The carriage slowed, the church's gates looming ahead.
"It appears the curse resists fully. The darkness is still lingering unstable. We have no choice but to try that method after all."