The lower corridors beneath Arkhelion Academy were not just hidden structures—
they were remnants of a world the nobles had tried to bury.
And Lucian Veylor had now become the archaeologist of immortality.
His footsteps echoed slowly.
The damp stone walls did not reflect sound like ordinary echoes—
they breathed,
like the past itself screaming to be heard.
A dim red glow from shadow crystals flickered across the walls,
casting monstrous silhouettes of Lucian’s cloak—
as if even his shadow carried murderous intent.
He carried no lantern.
He needed no light.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[SYSTEM: Sensory Synchronization – 92%]
Navigation Mode: Active
Thermal Scan | Sound Mapping | Air Pressure | Molecular Vibration Detection
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[Surveillance Active]
[Thermal Signature Detected – 14 meters ahead]
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
He halted at a junction.
Three tunnels stretched like the mouths of a labyrinth.
But only one pulsed—
a heartbeat that refused to die.
An old steel door stood at the end of the corridor.
Unguarded. Unlocked.
But far from harmless.
Lucian placed his hand against the surface.
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[OBJECT IDENTIFICATION: “Blood Design – Alpha Version”]
Status: Dormant | Internal Energy: Stable | Classification: Forbidden
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
“So you really are here...” Lucian whispered.
But his voice held no awe.
Only confirmation—
and judgment.
The door groaned open, its metallic cry like a dying relic.
Inside... time stood still.
Massive glass tubes filled the chamber.
Some were shattered, leaving behind stains like dried blood.
Others still glowed—
not with light,
but with warnings from a past long buried.
At the room’s center...
One pod.
And within it, a boy.
Silver hair.
Facial structure nearly identical to Lucian.
But his eyes were shut.
Half his face was cracked—like porcelain on the edge of shattering.
The blood floating inside the pod…
was black.
As black as a starless night.
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[GENETIC ANALYSIS: 67% Match to Subject: Lucian Veylor]
[Structure Type: Partial Clone / Alpha Version / Status: FAILED]
[Project Name: “VEYLOR ALPHA”]
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Lucian narrowed his eyes. “A clone?”
The System responded like a breath in the silence.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[Additional Explanation]
Top-secret project.
Objective: To create an immortal Veylor bloodline—untouched by age or morality.
This entity is the first prototype of the “Undying Blood.”
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Suddenly, a wave of memory surged forward like a violent current.
His father’s voice.
A late night.
The study.
"Our bloodline must never end."
"The weak will not be preserved."
"Those worthy... will be replanted."
“So I’m not the heir,” Lucian murmured.
“I’m... raw material.”
His gaze pierced the glass—cold, calculated.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[OPTION AVAILABLE: Absorb Genetic Fragments & Extract Residual Memory]
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Lucian touched the panel.
And the truth unraveled.
The screams of a child denied existence.
The scalpel that cut not just flesh—
but hope.
And the old scientist who kept whispering—
"The Veylor blood... must endure."
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[CORE MEMORY EXTRACTED]
Key Quote:
"Veylor blood is not heritage. It's a formula. One that can be engineered."
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
In the distance... footsteps.
Three figures.
Black cloaks.
The Veylor emblem on their left chest.
Eyes veiled in shadow magic.
“Cleaners,” Lucian muttered. “They knew I’d get this far.”
He didn’t panic.
He didn’t retreat.
He smiled.
His blood-red eyes glowed.
And the System responded.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[ACTIVATE MODE: Targeted Massacre]
Algorithm: Prioritize Silent Execution
Target: Genetic Entities Tied to Project Veylor
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The lights went out.
The corridor drowned in pure darkness.
But for Lucian...
Darkness was where he was reborn.
And as the first scream tore through the silence—
The Villain began to dance...
among the stained legacy of his blood.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...