Darkness began to envelop Terrakula's gothic castle, and inside, Steve, dressed in his usual black attire, walked confidently toward the grand dining hall where Terrakula was waiting for dinner. He carried a large tray covered with a deep blue cloth, containing a luxurious meal. The dining table was massive—fit for many guests—but Terrakula sat at it alone.
Terrakula (calmly): "You're a bit late, Steve."
Steve (with care): "Apologies, Terrakula-sama. I've brought your dinner as requested."
He walked toward the table and placed the tray gently upon it.
Terrakula (gazing at the food, then smirking): "When was the first time we met, Steve?"
Steve: "Oh… that was two years ago, when I was fifteen. That day, you gave me a new life, Terrakula-sama—just like you did with the others."
The scene flashes back two years earlier, when Steve was just a rebellious street thief. He wore ragged old clothes and stole food from vendors in the Darkova market. At that moment, Steve snatched an apple from a vendor and sprinted off before the man even noticed.
Vendor (chasing after him): "Hey, you little punk! Give me back my apple!!"
Steve darted through the crowded market, unaware that several people were watching him closely. Suddenly, a group approached him from all directions, trying to trap him.
But Steve wasn't ready to surrender. In a split second, he stopped and his expression shifted to fierce determination. He took a deep breath, then began punching and kicking his way through the crowd, knocking one down, stomping others in the chest, leaping over more. His strength was unusual for his age. He didn't stop running until he'd dropped them all.
Steve (running again, face tense): "Leave me alone!"
No one expected a teen boy to have that kind of power. From afar, Terrakula watched the scene intently. Before Steve could flee again, he found her standing in front of him, smiling.
Terrakula (with a mysterious smile and calm voice): "Interesting… this boy has unusual strength. I might need him in the future. You're quite special, aren't you?"
Steve looked at her suspiciously, but froze—he felt something strange.
Terrakula (smirking): "How about changing your life and becoming part of something bigger? You've got limitless potential."
Steve: "What do you want from me?"
Terrakula: "I'll give you the luxurious life you've always dreamed of. What do you say?"
With a questioning look, Steve nodded. He didn't know what Terrakula had in store—but he knew that moment would change his life forever.
Back in the present, in the castle:
Terrakula: "Dear Steve, you know I don't like being alone, don't you?"
Steve: "I know, Terrakula-sama. Akira, Niuro, and I are here to entertain you—unlike Count Dracula, who vanished years ago."
Terrakula (biting into her chicken): "I often wonder how your life would've turned out if you hadn't met me. Would you still be that lost boy in Darkova's streets?"
Steve: "I don't know, Terrakula-sama. My life wouldn't be what it is without you."
Terrakula (softly, with a sarcastic tone): "I suppose you're one of the few who truly appreciates the life I gave them, aren't you?"
Steve (slightly tense): "Yes, Terrakula-sama…"
The scene shifts now to Akio, Ken, Ann, and Akira, walking through the streets of Darkova after sunset. They laughed and chatted as they walked, while Ken smoked cigarette after cigarette without pause. Akira noticed.
Akira (annoyed, looking at Ken): "Hey, can't you stop smoking for one minute? You're choking us, man!"
Ken (exhaling smoke coolly): "Mind your own business."
Ann (looking at Ken admiringly): "Ken-san, you look so handsome when you smoke!"
Akira stared at her in disbelief.
Akira (shocked): "What?! You too? I can't believe this!"
Ann (cheerfully): "I don't know… Ken-san just looks really attractive when he smokes. Even though it's a bad habit."
Ken (coldly): "You two just live to annoy me, don't you?"
Akira (grumbling): "You should quit. You wanna die at twenty, you gloomy teenager?"
Ken (putting the cigarette back in his mouth): "Don't underestimate me."
Akio (laughing): "You're so stubborn!"
Akira (smiling): "Well, I think I'll head back home now."
Akio (surprised): "Huh? Why? This evening's been fun!"
Akira: "Terrakula-sama needs me. I work with her at the castle."
Akio (eyes widening): "What? Did you say Terrakula?!"
Akira: "Yeah. Is there a problem?"
Akio (staring at him, stunned): "We… we came here looking for—"
Ann quickly placed her hand over Akio's mouth to hush him.
Ann (shocked): "So… that castle in front of us is the Scarlet Duchess Terrakula's palace?!"
Akira (smirking, pausing): "Listen, I think I should give you all an invitation to something special tomorrow."
Ann (pausing, curious): "An invitation? To what?"
Akira: "A palace party. Terrakula is hosting one tomorrow—and she expects some important guests. Since you're here, I think it'd be fun to see you there."
Akio (trying to process what he just heard): "A party… at Terrakula's palace? I can't believe it!!"
Akira (confidently laughing): "Of course. Just don't cause any trouble like you always do."
Akio: "Alright, thank you!"
As Akira talked about the party, a shadow silently passed behind them—it was Terrakula, watching from afar, hidden in the darkness with a sly smile, eyes scanning the new visitors.
Terrakula (to herself): "Good thing Akira beat me to it… this'll be the perfect occasion to observe everyone up close."
Her gaze landed on Ken, who was listening attentively to Akira while smoking.
Terrakula (eyes widening, smile growing more devious): "So this is Yukaji Ken? Quite handsome… he'll definitely entertain me tomorrow!"
Akira began walking toward the castle gate.
Akira (waving back): "Meeting Terrakula-sama is never boring. Just make sure you wear your best!"
Terrakula watched them carefully, fully aware that tomorrow night would be anything but ordinary. Then she entered the castle quietly, climbing the stairs to the upper floor, where the child Lionel was held in a cell. As she approached the iron door, she noticed food remnants on the floor—bits of bread and pieces of cheese.
Terrakula (with a faint smile): "Interesting, isn't it? Seems like Akira really has grown up and changed. He's no longer the selfish teenager I once knew… which means I need to get rid of him. There's no place for grown men in my castle."
She stepped into the cell, where Lionel lay sleeping on the floor, unaware of her entrance. Terrakula slowly approached, watching his gentle breaths. A wicked smile crept across her face, and a chilling gleam appeared in her eyes.
Terrakula (softly, as she moved her hand toward his face): "Have you ever thought about the consequences waiting for you here?"
She placed her cold hand on his forehead and whispered gently into his ear, her voice both seductive and terrifying.
Terrakula: "Wake up, little one. The time has come."
Suddenly, Lionel felt something cold touch his forehead, and his eyes shot open. He tried to move, but a heavy force pinned him down. Terrakula had gently lifted his head in her hand.
Terrakula (with a demonic smile as she leaned toward his neck): "Did you really think that fool would save you?"
Lionel (weak and trembling): "W-what do you want from me?"
Terrakula (tilting her head, then laughing): "I want to taste you, little one. Don't try to escape this fate. You're my little toy now."
Without hesitation, Terrakula sank her sharp fangs into his neck. Lionel's eyes widened in terror, and he began to scream in pain, tears spilling down his cheeks.
Lionel (screaming): "No… no!!"
She didn't respond. She simply began drinking his blood slowly, savoring his pain.
Terrakula (laughing wickedly as she drank): "You're absolutely delicious… but so very weak. You feel the pain, don't you? This is the truth you must accept, little one. There's no escape."
Eventually, Terrakula stopped drinking and pulled his head away. She stared at him quietly—his eyes barely open, vision blurry, and on the verge of unconsciousness. She left him and locked the cell behind her, descending to the middle floor.
At that time, Akira had just returned to the castle. The first thing on his mind was to check on Lionel. He rushed to the upper floor and entered the cell quietly, scanning for him. When he reached the dark corner, he froze in shock.
Lionel lay motionless on the ground, face pale, eyes unfocused, body trembling, and blood pouring from his neck.
Akira (stunned, staring at Lionel): "Lionel… what happened to you?"
He rushed to him, eyes scanning his weak body. Something tightened painfully in Akira's chest, but he tried to suppress it.
Akira (with suppressed anger): "That damn woman… she did it fast."
Lionel (weakly, looking at Akira through barely open eyes): "Akira… I… it hurt… I can't breathe…"
Akira was angry and heartbroken, but powerless to confront Terrakula directly. He touched Lionel's forehead and felt the alarming heat of his body.
Akira (to himself): "This is bad. His temperature's burning!"
He carefully lifted Lionel onto his back. Even though he was trying to abide by Terrakula's rules, his heart was breaking. He couldn't leave the boy like this. Breathing heavily, each step weighed down by what he had witnessed, Akira made his way out of the cell. The truth was clear—he would have to make a decision he wasn't yet ready for.
As he hurried, Lionel lost consciousness, clinging weakly to him. Akira's heartbeat thundered in his chest as he ran.
Akira (in a sharp whisper): "Lionel, I won't let you die!"
As he neared the large exit door, he sensed movement ahead—and stopped.
Terrakula (from the shadows, cold smile): "You're late, Akira."
Akira (gritting his teeth, tense): "You did this. He's like this because of you!"
Terrakula: "Oh? How sweet, Akira. It's the first time I've seen a beast save a human child."
Akira: "Enough! You've crossed the line, Terrakula-sama! I've served you for years, obeyed your commands—I'd do anything for you… except harm the innocent! I swore I'd repay you, not become your monster!"
Terrakula (smiling deeply, mockingly): "Oh, Akira… you think this is about promises? But you know I don't live by rules of emotion and loyalty."
Akira (struggling to contain his fury, his eyes widening): "You have no right to hurt others just because you can. I can't take this anymore!"
Terrakula (calmly walking toward him): "Do you think you can stop me? You're just a piece in my game, Akira. No matter what you do, you'll never escape me."
Suddenly, she lunged forward. Before he could react, her hand clamped around his throat, her eyes glowing with malice.
As he tried to escape, she tightened her grip. He readied his claws—but she saw it coming. With a swift move, she slammed him to the ground, crushing him with increasing force. Akira groaned in pain, powerless against her strength.
Terrakula (expressionless): "You can't run from me, Akira. You may be strong, but you still have much to learn. If you want to resist me, you'll have to understand Blood Vakin."
Then she unleashed her true power—Blood Vakin—the ability to control others' blood. Suddenly, Akira felt a burning agony spread through his entire body.
Akira (breathing heavily, in pain): "You… what are you doing?!"
Terrakula (coldly): "I'm playing with blood."
Akira felt his blood moving inside him. His left hand clutched his chest, trying to resist. But the more she stepped forward, the worse it got—until it pierced his heart. He screamed in agony.
Akira (low voice, trembling): "I… won't… let you… kill me…"
But she ignored him. Using her power, she forced him to walk—his body nearly collapsing, her eyes full of mockery.
Terrakula (calm, soft voice): "You thought you meant something to me? You're nothing. And I'll kill anyone who stands in my way."
She dragged his shattered body down the long castle corridors. He was nearly unconscious, unable to resist. In her rage, she had forgotten about Lionel by the door.
Moments later, Steve entered the castle. As he stepped inside, he found Lionel's limp body on the floor—and Akira's blood smeared across the hall. The sight froze him in place.
Steve (quietly, stunned): "What happened…?"
To be continued…