The suite had settled into a warm, glowing atmosphere — soft chatter, gentle laughter, the lingering shimmer of system ascensions still pulsing faintly around the girls.
Sakura sat shyly beside Hina, still overwhelmed by her transformation. Reina leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, trying (and failing) to hide how light she felt. Jasmine remained close to Zumi for a while, her demeanor softer, more open than anyone had ever seen.
Then the conversations began to branch.
Ana slid onto the couch next to Jasmine, eyes sparkling as she took her hands.
"Okay, Jas — you missed so much. Let me fill you in."
Jasmine nodded, posture straight but expression visibly curious.
Ana continued in a rapid whisper:
"So first — after you left with your dad, Zumi started making moves. Big ones."
"I already know about the hotel," Jasmine said calmly. "And… the alliance with the Dreadmire family."
"Right, right," Ana said, waving her hand, "but that's not even the half of it."
She leaned in closer.
"Zumi is building a casino across the street from the hotel. A massive one. Jonathan Gale is leading it, and Kathy's been helping design the entire flow — security, rooms, investment layout, everything."
Jasmine blinked. "That… sounds like a lot."
"Oh, it is. And all of it goes straight into the Kogane Empire."
Then Ana lowered her voice even more.
"And Jasmine… Zumi really is the reincarnation of the Monkey King."
Jasmine's eyes widened — a rare sight. "…He told me some things. But not the full story."
Serafina, overhearing, smirked and glided over.
"Oh, I can explain that part."
Reina, Sakura, and Hina all leaned in too.
Serafina sat on the coffee table, crossing one leg elegantly over the other.
"Yes. He is Sun Wukong reborn. Not figuratively. Quite literally."
Jasmine stiffened.
"…That's insane."
"Not really," Serafina shrugged. "He feels like him. Smells like him. Fights like him. Breaks destiny like him. It's very on-brand."
The girls laughed — except Jasmine, who looked both stunned and impressed.
Ana squeezed her arm.
"There's more."
"Bia," Ana said, tugging the now-black-haired goddess closer, "is one of the Four Goddesses he must awaken and gather."
Jasmine's eyes widened again.
She turned sharply toward Bia — studying her, as if seeing her for the first time.
"I… remember you," Jasmine whispered quietly. "When Zumi saved my father. You were there. But back then… your hair was pink. Pink pigtails. And your eyes were pink too…"
Bia giggled proudly, brushing her black hair with crimson streaks over her shoulder — the long locks now flowing freely instead of tied up.
"Ohhhh that. Yeah, it shifts depending on how deep my bond is with Zumi."
She tapped her crimson eyes playfully.
"These changed too."
Jasmine blinked in awe.
"…Thank you," she said softly. "For helping heal my father."
Bia shrugged, genuinely warm.
"If Zumi tells me to do something — I'll do it. Anything he needs. And if he cares for someone, then I care for them too."
Jasmine felt something warm in her chest — respect, and maybe even affection.
Ana then dove into the next topic.
"Also! Zumi has a soul space now. Like a whole world inside him. And he already found the Goddess of Nature — Leafa. Her real name is Thalassia."
Jasmine's jaw dropped.
"…He has an entire goddess resting inside him right now?"
"Yup," Hina said proudly. "And it's beautiful in there. Like a divine garden."
Serafina nodded. "It's the closest thing to paradise a mortal will ever see."
Zumi finally stepped in with a calm smile.
"One day, I'll bring all of you there. It's safe now."
The girls exchanged excited looks — even Jasmine's stoic face softened with anticipation.
The next few hours drifted by in laughter, whispered secrets, shared stories.
Sakura slowly came out of her shell.
Reina bonded quickly with Serafina — far more than anyone expected.
Jasmine, for the first time in years, looked… peaceful.
Aurora snuggled into Zumi's lap. Bia curled against his shoulder with her long black-and-crimson hair spilling elegantly over him. Hina and Gia debated strategies for training the Kogane Dragons.
The room felt full. Alive. A forming pantheon.
And then—
Three slow knocks.
Everyone looked toward the entrance — not afraid, not tense… simply surprised.
They were calm.
Because every single woman in that room knew one truth:
If danger came, Zumi would protect them — even if they couldn't protect themselves.
Serafina tilted her head, curious.
Hina leaned slightly forward.
Reina straightened but remained relaxed.
Jasmine blinked and whispered, "Who could that be…?"
Bia, however, smiled.
"Ohhh… I think I know who."
Zumi stood.
"They're here."
Ana whispered, "The Dreadmire Queen…"
"And Princess Bethany," Zumi confirmed.
The energy outside the door felt ancient, cold, regal — but no one flinched.
Serafina smirked.
"Ohhh… this will be interesting."
Bia clasped her hands, practically vibrating.
"Long time…"
Jasmine turned to her sharply.
"You… know them?"
Bia beamed proudly.
"Yes. I was there when Zumi allied with them. They're our sisters too — and they love Zumi just as much as all of us do."
Jasmine's eyes widened in stunned fascination.
Before anyone could say another word—
Zumi took a single step forward…
And opened the door.
The door opened with a soft click.
Cold, ancient air swept into the suite — carrying the faint scent of roses, moonlight, and something unmistakably vampiric.
And standing there were two breathtaking figures:
Carmella Dreadmire Tall, regal, silver hair flowing like liquid starlight. Golden eyes glowing faintly. Her burgundy gown clung to her curves with effortless grace.
Bethany Dreadmire, with Dark waves of black hair cascading down her back. Crimson eyes sparkling with excitement. A lace-black dress embracing her elegant, gothic aesthetic.
The entire room inhaled sharply at the sight.
But Carmella and Bethany?
They didn't hesitate.
Not a single dignified, royal second.
The moment their eyes landed on Zumi—
They launched forward.
"ZUMIIIIII!!!" Bethany squealed.
"Beloved!" Carmella gasped with a breathless smile.
Both women jumped on him at the same time, colliding into his chest with supernatural speed and strength.
Zumi staggered half a step — more from surprise than force — as Carmella wrapped her arms around his neck and Bethany practically climbed into his torso, hugging him like she hadn't seen him in years.
It had only been a couple days.
But for vampires who loved him?
That was too long.
Bethany pressed her cheek against his chest, clutching his shirt tightly.
"You didn't visit! You didn't call! I missed you SO much!" Her voice was melodic, dramatic, overflowing with princess-level affection.
Zumi chuckled, one hand going to her head to stroke her hair.
"I missed you too, Beth."
Her tail-like braid practically wagged from joy.
Carmella, usually the picture of unshakeable vampiric royalty, buried her face against his neck.
"I felt your absence in my very soul…" Her voice trembled with emotion — a private confession spoken openly.
Zumi kissed the top of her head.
"I'm here now, Caramel."
She tightened her embrace, a pleased hum vibrating her chest.
Serafina widened her eyes.
"…Wow. They're intense."
Bia giggled proudly. "That's what it looks like when Zumi makes a vampire fall in love."
Gia whispered, "I've never seen Carmella Dreadmire act like this…"
Hina nodded. "She looks like she hasn't eaten in days — and he's the meal."
Reina froze, watching in awe. "R–Really? They act like that… for him?"
Aurora wagged her tail. "Yes! Master is very lovable!"
Zumi wrapped both arms around Carmella and Bethany, pulling them close into a single, warm, grounding embrace.
Bethany's legs lifted slightly as she melted into him, letting him support her weight.
Carmella pressed closer, her hands sliding around his waist, clinging with centuries of longing.
The girls watched in stunned silence.
Two of the most feared beings in the underworld—
The undefeated Vampire Queen.
The immortal Princess.
Both acting like soft, affectionate kittens in Zumi's arms.
Carmella pulled back first — but only far enough to kiss him.
A slow, deep, intimate kiss on the lips that made half the room gasp quietly.
Bethany immediately followed with a kiss on his cheek, then another on the other, then one on his forehead.
"You smell the same…" she whispered. "Warm. Alive. Like safety."
Sakura whispered, blushing hard: "Z–Zumi attracts vampire royalty too…?!"
Kasumi: "This man is unstoppable…"
Kathy, bright red: "Queen Carmella Dreadmire is literally the strongest woman in the underworld… and she's acting like THAT…"
Ana: "I love our family. This is chaos."
Serafina smirked, arms crossed. "I like these two. They're dramatic."
Reina stood with her arms crossed but her cheeks burning. "So THESE are the sisters Bia talked about…"
Bia stepped forward proudly. "Yep! They're ours. They love Zumi just as much as we do."
Jasmine lifted an eyebrow. "…So this is the Queen who terrifies the Ten Families."
Carmella finally lifted her head, eyes glowing gently as she looked at Jasmine.
"Yes. And you all belong to Zumi… so you belong to me as well."
Bethany waved happily from Zumi's shoulder. "Hi sisters~!"
The girls softened instantly.
Carmella stepped back (barely), still holding Zumi's arm.
"I must apologize for arriving at such an hour…" Her voice was soft, elegant. "We would have come the moment Gia contacted us — the moment we learned Zumi wished to see us."
She touched her chest lightly.
"But vampires are weaker during the day. It has been a long time since we traveled under the sun… and our strength does not recover quickly."
Bethany nodded aggressively, hair bouncing. "So we waited! We came the instant the city grew dark enough for us to move at full power!"
Then she threw herself against Zumi again.
"And hug him. And smell him. And make sure he wasn't hurt!"
Zumi laughed under his breath as both vampires clung tighter.
Carmella and Bethany finally settled into the suite's velvet chairs, still close enough to Zumi that their bodies brushed his legs whenever they shifted.
The NYC girls gathered around them — cautious at first, then increasingly fascinated.
Hina, sitting beside Serafina, watched quietly. Reina leaned against a pillar, arms crossed but eyes observant. Bia curled into Zumi's side like a loyal wolf.
And Serafina?
She stood boldly, one hand on her hip, eyes glowing with amused intrigue as she examined the two vampires.
Carmella's molten-gold eyes met Serafina's violet ones.
For a moment… no one breathed.
Darkness recognized darkness.
Power recognized power.
And ancient feminine divinity recognized vampiric royalty.
Then Serafina smiled slowly, sensually.
"Well, well… no wonder he likes you two. Your auras are delicious."
Carmella laughed softly, melodic and dangerous. "A goddess of darkness. I felt the pull of your presence from the hallway."
Bethany's eyes sparkled. "You're so pretty! And cold! And dark! We match!"
Serafina flicked her bangs and winked. "We're practically sisters."
And just like that, the Triad of Darkness formed:
Serafina — Divine Darkness Carmella — Royal Vampire Shadow Bethany — Eternal Gothic Flame
They gravitated toward each other naturally, forming a cluster of dark radiance that made the room feel like an elegant midnight cathedral.
Kasumi whispered, jaw dropped: "They're… BEAUTIFUL…"
Ana nudged Kathy. "Perfect goth queens."
Kathy nodded vigorously. "Actual royalty-level perfection…"
Jasmine raised her brow. "I can see why the underworld fears them."
Aurora waved her tail excitedly. "They look like story characters! Like… vampire princesses!"
Carmella smiled gracefully. "We take that as a compliment, dear."
Bethany grinned. "Zumi has excellent taste, after all."
Gia blushed fiercely. "You two… you're unreal."
Bethany giggled. "Gia~ You're cute too!"
Rivalry didn't turn poisonous — instead, it sparked a competitive, feminine electricity:
Jasmine's stoic fire Reina's warrior heat Gia's quiet devotion Hina's fiery goddess aura Serafina, Carmella & Bethany's darkness Bia's divine strength Kasumi & Sakura's shy beauty Ana & Kathy's steady loyalty Aurora's supernatural affection
All orbiting the same sun — Zumi Kogane.
And they felt no jealousy.
Only belonging.
Carmella placed a hand on her heart.
"I love him deeply. Even after centuries."
Bethany grabbed Zumi's arm with both hands. "I love him more than blood!"
Serafina smirked. "You all already know how much I love our king."
Bia lifted her chin proudly. "My heart belongs to him completely."
Ana blushed. "Same…"
Kathy nodded shyly. "Me too…"
Kasumi whispered, "Forever…"
Sakura hid behind her sleeve. "I–I admire him so much…"
Reina looked directly at him. "You already know where I stand."
Jasmine inhaled softly. "…I love him too."
Gia's voice trembled. "He's everything to me."
Aurora chirped joyfully. "Daddy! I love you the MOST!"
Laughter filled the room, warm and bright.
The vampire queen and princess felt it — they truly belonged here.
Stories were exchanged.
Giggles erupted.
Playful jabs were traded.
Serafina, Carmella, and Bethany bonded over dark aesthetic jokes:
"If we stood together at night, we could start a cult."
"We already have one: it's called 'Zumi.'"
"You're right. He's the religion."
Reina and Jasmine sparred verbally. Hina and Bethany compared their flames. Kathy braided Aurora's hair. Kasumi taught Sakura how to use lip gloss.
It felt like a strange, beautiful family.
An empire of love, darkness, fire, and devotion.
Then—
Zumi clapped his hands softly.
Not loud.
Not forceful.
Just a gentle sound.
Yet instantly…
Silence.
Every girl froze.
Eyes turned to him.
Breaths halted.
Bodies straightened.
Not because of fear— but because the man they loved…
was about to speak.
Carmella's hand slid into his.
Bethany leaned forward eagerly.
Serafina's eyes glowed.
Bia clung to his arm proudly.
Hina sat tall.
Reina's heart pounded.
Jasmine's expression calmed.
Gia's cheeks warmed.
Kasumi and Sakura held their breath.
Aurora's tail went still.
They all waited. United. Devoted. Ready to hear the words of the only man each of them had chosen to love.
And the room held its breath…
Awaiting the king's next decree.