My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

Solomon closed his eyes as tight as he could, not daring to twitch a muscle. Maybe it was because he was a fifth ring vampire, close to the deity status of the ninth ring but he knew that this was a deity over deities.

The being was immense, its power unimaginable, and though it was currently asleep, he instinctively knew that waking it would be catastrophic. The primal fear that was gripping him intensified at the thought, every fiber of his being begging him to remain still, to do nothing that might draw the attention or even worse, rouse the ancient entity.

In the next moment, the being's Aura descended upon him and he was almost wiped from existence. His soul shuddered and almost disintegrated, held in place by the sheer force of his will.

Hysteria filled him as he realized what was happening. The being reached deep into him and drew out a drop of his vitality, examining it. A moment later, it swallowed the drop of vitality, the energy disappearing from Solomon's senses.

The being seemed to stare deep into his soul, though remained asleep. It rifled through his secrets, his hopes, his dreams. The man he had been and the vampire he had become. When it got to his tattoos, it paused, focusing on one in muted curiosity, before faint approval radiated.

Solomon had no warning. His vision suddenly went blinding white and when the light cleared, he was standing in a fog of darkness. Everything was solid as if this reality could not be wiped away, even by the being itself.

He knew where he was, the name of the place shoved inside his head as if no other name would be allowed.

He was looking at the abyss.

This time, he wasn't alone with the being. A man was standing in front of the being, his golden eyes piercing through the darkness.

It was the progenitor. It had to be.

The progenitor stood, protected from neck down by a black leather armor, every inch of its surface covered by glowing runes and sigils, similar to the ones carved on the same door Solomon was currently attuning himself to.

Everything was vivid and more grounded than reality but he knew what this was.

A memory.

The being's memory.

The progenitor's hands moved frantically, carving and burning runes and sigils into the air, each one burning with a fiery light. He created a web of lights, using it to communicate with the being.

The progenitor's expression was calm, almost reverent, as he survived the sleeping being's attention and made a deal with it. A deal that involved the creation of a series of locks, including the one Solomon was attuning to at that very moment.

He watched as the locks were forged, each one designed to protect items of power. Solomon watched as the progenitor set aside the locks and created a last object. His golden eyes shone as he forged it.

A simple, unremarkable metal breastplate with concentric circles etched into it.

A key to his domain. A key to his throne.

Solomon's vitality surged as he recognized the key. He had seen it before, back in Faewall. In a place where no one bothered about it or even claimed it.

It was a key so insignificant that no one had wanted it, yet now he understood its true value. The key could open a special and final lock. The lock to the castle where the progenitor's throne sat, empty.

Before he could process this revelation fully, the vision ended abruptly, and Solomon was dragged back to reality.

Solomon collapsed to the floor, heaving deep breaths despite being a vampire and having no need to breathe.

His hands came up and grabbed his chest, his vitality surging, the terrifying feel of the being's Aura slowly fading away.

He looked up as the door glowed a final golden before returning to its previous inert state. The attunement process was complete, and the lock had accepted him.

Ivo chuckled as he looked down, noticing Solomon's pale expression. He exchanged a knowing look of amusement with Armand.

"That's a normal reaction." Armand said with a slight smile. "Meeting the old being can be… overwhelming, can't it?"

"What the fuck was that?" Solomon swore as he leaned his back against the wall, slowly calming down. His hands trembled involuntarily and he couldn't control it.

"After this, you won't meet him again." Ivo said. "At least on this lock. You could meet him on another lock. Who knows?"

Solomon looked up at them. Why weren't they asking about his… vision of the progenitor? Hadn't they seen it when they'd done their attunements.

He bashed the back of his head against the wall, the momentary pain grounding him. This meant that he was the only one to have seen the memory. The being…, no. The guardian had seen something among his tattoos and had let him see it.

Ivo and Armand had no idea of the hidden truth he had just uncovered.

"Now that you're calm, we should go see the Ascension well, shouldn't we?" Ivo said. "Take a look at your future possessions."

"No need for that." Solomon raised a hand, declining their offer. "I've seen enough for now." Using the wall as support, he rose to his feet. "Maybe another day." He said, his voice steady.

He turned and left, walking back up to exit the building. He didn't wait for Ivo and Armand, walking briskly to his car. He opened the door and flopped into his seat, starting the car and driving away.

As he drove away, his mind kept circling back to the key. Whoever possessed it would have the power to find the progenitor's throne and claim the title of King.

Solomon gripped the steering wheel tightly, his thoughts racing. He knew where the key was, but with the Shield Wall in place, he was trapped in the city until Itachi returned.

The war now seemed small. Insignificant. Compared to the Ascension well or the territories of a city, the vampire throne was much more bigger and important.

The moment the Shield Wall was taken down, he'd go to Faewall and retrieve the key. But for now, he needed to focus on an equally pressing matter. Becoming a prince.

Ezra' Matten had stolen his chance and bound the relic to his soul. With them trapped together inside, this was his perfect chance. He would find a way to claim Ezra's soul, no matter the cost.

As long as he had the soul, he'd have the relic.

It was time to get a new tattoo.