Chapter 18: Blood That Burns, Blade That Waits
The cleansing ritual was meant to be simple.
A rite of purification. A chance for Veira, the cursed warrior of the Betrayer's Court, to sever her remaining ties to wrath — and to prove her loyalty to Eros Sanctum.
But as the black moon rose over the sanctum's highest tower, nothing felt simple.
The Preparation
Veira stood in the center of a magic circle carved into the obsidian floor, runes glowing with gold and violet light. Her cloak had been shed. Her armored corset undone. Her arms—normally wrapped in chains—were bare, revealing the full curse that coiled around her flesh like burning veins.
Sophia and Kyra watched from the edges, ready to intervene if needed.
Elaris stood behind the altar, hands raised, whispering the ancient Lust Rites of Detachment.
And Alex stood directly before Veira, the Crimson Fang strapped to his back, pulsing faintly — as if it sensed something… kindred.
"This will hurt," Alex said quietly.
Veira's voice was even. "Good. It should."
The Ritual Begins
Elaris called out:
"By the name of the Sovereign Flame, by the bonds that burn but do not bind—We strip the wrath, keep the will,Burn the chain, not the blade,And awaken what remains."
A pillar of violet fire erupted around Veira. She screamed — not from pain, but from resistance.
The wrath within her did not want to let go.
Veira's eyes turned fully crimson. Her aura flared — sharp and violent. Black chains writhed around her like serpents. Her voice deepened.
"He is coming."
The system screamed.
[Warning: Dormant Curse Activation]
Wrath Core Residue ReactingPossession Risk: CriticalCounteraction Required – Reclaim her mind or sever her soul.
Alex stepped into the flames.
The moment he crossed the circle, Veira attacked.
No hesitation. No warning.
She launched at him like a bolt of lightning, fists crackling with cursed energy. Her chain-whips lashed through the air, tearing into the stone around them. Her face was still hers—but her eyes burned with another will.
Alex ducked low, pivoted, and drew Crimson Fang.
It wasn't a full-blown duel.
It was survival.
Veira's speed was unnatural — a blur of pain, precision, and rage. Her strikes were wild but deadly, enhanced by the wrath trying to consume her. One chain lashed toward Alex's throat.
He parried with the flat of his blade — barely.
The impact numbed his arm.
"She's not in control," Kyra shouted from the edge. "You have to reach her!"
Alex closed his eyes for a second, then opened them — and let his aura surge.
Not with lust.
With memory.
He didn't speak to the curse. He spoke to Veira.
"Do you remember the moment he broke you?" Alex asked aloud, deflecting another strike.
Veira snarled, whip curling toward his leg — but paused. Just a fraction.
"He made you his blade. But I know that look in your eyes. You never wanted to be a weapon. You wanted to matter."
The chains hesitated.
She trembled.
Alex stepped forward.
"I see you, Veira."
He dropped his sword.
"You are not his."
He opened his arms.
"You are mine. If you choose it."
Veira screamed — a terrible, broken sound — and the fire exploded outward.
The curse shattered like glass.
She collapsed into Alex's arms, sobbing.
The system pinged softly.
[Cleansing Complete]
Wrath Core RemovedEmotional Anchor FormedBond Progress: Veira – Tier 0 → Tier IUnique Title Unlocked: Blade-Touched SovereignEffect: You can now awaken bounded weapons through emotional resonance
Veira lay unconscious in one of the healing chambers, guarded by Sophia and Elaris.
Alex sat alone in the sanctum's inner shrine.
Crimson Fang now rested across his lap — and it was glowing.
A line of text appeared in front of him.
[Bounded Blade – Crimson Fang]
Status: Dormant | Soul-Bonded | LockedRequires: Resonant Echo + King's Command + True NameAwakening Possible
A faint whisper echoed in his ears.
"What name will you give me?"
Alex stared at the sword.
The weapon that once fell with him.
Now reborn.
Waiting to be named again.
But before he could answer—
The alarms blared.
Kyra burst through the door. "Someone's breached the lower village."
They rushed through the corridors and reached the main plaza — where the body of a rookie Sanctum scout lay in the center.
Dead.
No wounds.
Just a symbol carved in glowing runes across his chest:
A rose, wrapped in barbed chains… bleeding black ichor.
Elaris knelt beside the body and paled.
"I know this mark," she said. "It belongs to the First Court. Before even Asmodeus."
Sophia looked at Alex.
"What the hell is the First Court?"
Lilith's voice echoed in their minds, crystal-clear for the first time:
"The gods that came before. The ones we broke… and who now want to break you in return."
That night, Alex stood before the Sanctum Core. Alone. Lost in thought.
Then the air shimmered.
Lilith stepped from the flame.
But this time… she looked human.
No chains. No shadows.
Just a woman with red-gold eyes, dressed in a flowing robe of midnight silk.
"You're close," she said softly. "To becoming something more."
Alex stared at her. "You chose me. Why?"
"Because the others wanted a tyrant," she whispered. "And I wanted a king who could break his own chains."
She stepped forward.
"And because I was once like you."
Images flashed in Alex's mind.
Lilith — as a goddess of freedom, cast down by gods of control.
Lilith — caged. Betrayed. Burning.
"I created the Lust Domain not for power… but for liberation. And then Asmodeus made it into a throne of chains."
Alex felt his pulse slow.
"So now what?"
Lilith smiled faintly.
"Now you free it. But know this—every step closer to godhood will cost you something. A bond. A memory. Maybe even your name."
She reached out and touched his chest.
"You must choose who you are… before your sword does."