The cold ran down his skin, his heart heavy, his eyes opened quickly, his body was paralyzed.
In front of him, a malicious smile, a slide of hands over his body, the eyes were penetrating, the well-defined curves throwing themselves at him, the red soon fell and acted without control.
Henry woke up in bed without understanding anything, above him was Agrippina, but she was different than always, instead of a gentle smile her lips slid over his body, her firm hands that had previously touched his shoulders went down to his waist, her eyes that were previously full of brightness became dark even containing a strong color, her hair, which was previously long and kept tightly tied in a bow, ran down her body, something inside her body told him to continue, so he did not stop.
— I'm glad that after so long we found each other. I can finally have my wish fulfilled.
Henry's hands passed over Agrippina's back, but when he brought them to her hip, pushing her close to him, he didn't feel Agrippina's characteristic scar, which he had seen only a few times in his life.
— Who are you? Why do you have Mrs. Agrippina's face?
She stripped Henry completely of his clothes and threw her lips at his groin, making him unable to help but writhe in pleasure. His mind didn't want it, but his body craved it.
"But I'm not Agrippina, actually, but our relationship is warmer this way. Now, your mother will receive payment for all these years of love."
Henry's hands, instead of throwing her away, brought her closer to him, he held her arm tightly, intertwining their fingers, his mind was taken by a memory.
Above a dark forest, her hot breath was the only thing I could see beyond the blood staining the ground. Following the crimson path was a woman wearing golden armor and carrying a black spear with a silver tip.
His mind was dragged back into reality as he felt his body being taken over by an endless force.
— You're finally remembering who you are. Only the meeting of our bodies can make you whole again.
Agrippina moved her jaw intensely in an up-and-down motion, then she screamed in ecstasy. She brought her body on top of Henry's, turned to him, and gave him her wrists to hold, which he did the same.
— Why am I doing this? I don't want to! But something inside me asks for it.
Henry put his knees on the bed, and advanced firmly forward, making Agrippina's body become rigid, the tips of her toes touching the mattress.
— This, this keep going, don't stop, I don't care about humans and the domain, I only care about you!
The young man, without understanding, cast his eyes towards an uncovered mirror in the hallway and, upon seeing what he was doing to the one he considered mother, he was not disgusted, he felt more energized to continue, to the point that he stood with his knees bent high and positioned his hips above Agripina on all fours on the bed.
— While you and Alice watched Agrippina's actions, I took the body to see you giving yourselves to each other, because that was my right over you!
Agrippina's movements became more violent, she left that position that was filled with rage and opened her legs right in front of Henry, he advanced looking at her face, their groins met intensely moving together with their hips in opposite directions.
— You've always watched us, but why? What are you?
Agrippina gave a wide smile and wrapped her legs around Henry's waist, thrusting her breasts into his face and making him suck on them. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
— Who am I? I will be the one who will nurture you like a mother does with her child, I will nourish your true nature until you truly awaken.
Henry felt his body tingling intensely, a liquid came out of Agrippina's breasts and he drank it, but when he moved his face down he noticed blood running down from her nipples and reaching her lips.
But that didn't disgust him, it awakened a more intense desire in him, gave him more energy to continue moving his hips, no matter how much ecstasy he felt, it would never disappear.
— Where is Alice? What did you do to her.
—She must be dead by now, I actually feel like she isn't. But she's surrounded by powerful demons, and unfortunately you won't see her again.
Henry's mind was filled with memories of his beloved, and it was enough to give him the strength to free himself from Agrippina's arms.
— What a shame, then I must give you what you want, but sooner or later you will return to my arms, my love.
Her crystalline crimson gown appeared again over Agrippina's body. She raised her hands, and the room was filled with endless darkness, and from it emerged shapes that moved toward Henry.
— I will then fill your soul with pure darkness, if you do not want my pleasure.
The beings trapped Henry's body, making him unable to move. The shadows slid over his body, heading towards his mouth. His face pressed against the bed, forcing him to look at the nearby mirror. In it, he saw the item from the wolf's altar take on a glowing form.
It was then that he remembered the vision he had of the forest, the silver spear, so he gathered all his strength to get up from where he was.
— No matter my past, no matter who I am, or who you want me to be, I just know that I will do everything for Alice's smile!
In the midst of the darkness a flash of light appeared, the shadows were pushed aside, and it soon gathered into a sphere that took the form of David.
"Please save my daughter and my wife! I will give you the strength to do so, but in exchange you will lose what matters most to you!"
Henry, seeing the image of David, smiled and forced his body to get up from the bed.
— If it's to make you happy, I'll do anything! No matter the price, father!
The item on the altar launched itself into Henry's hand, taking the form of a black spear with a silver tip. Even though he had never held a spear before, he manipulated it with a twist, hitting all the darkness squarely.
She soon united into one Being.
— Legion, stop him. I will prepare the ritual so that the worlds connect, the demons will finally dominate the earth!
The demon shook his head, then took the form of a winged being with six wings and several eyes on his body, carrying a sword in his hand.
He advanced against Henry, who instinctively dodged the attack, Legion then flew upwards, directing an attack from below, Henry turned the spear to defend himself, when the sword had just slid over the handle completely, he brought his hand to the center of the spear and struck Legion in the back.
"You are strong, but this is only the beginning. I will become much stronger after feeding on the souls of everyone in the village! This won't be the last time we meet."
Leviathan disappeared, Agrippina was no longer there, Henry's focus was to find Alice, but before leaving he heard David's voice.
"Take my daughter's diary with you; it will be extremely important for everything to be resolved. Goodbye, son."
David's voice no longer echoed. With the only certainty that he would save Alice, Henry set out to leave the castle, which was infested with darkness and evil. His only guide and strength was Alice's spear and diary, and so he left.
The torches stood in front of the group, everyone's eyes were taken by the red of the fire, their progress was slow through the streets of the village, they knew it was a false step, but Astolfo remained calm, even letting a smile escape his face.
—Go back, I sense the presence of something of extreme power! Come to me, Berith, at my call.
The black cat jumped from a tree where it was and opened a macabre smile, letting its long tongue touch the ground.
— I don't feel anything, we must go without fear of anything.
"Good demon, but I've already studied and catalogued all of your race. You only speak the truth when asked. So I ask you, which nobility of your house will we face?"
The cat threw itself onto Astolfo's shoulder, ran its tongue over his face, and raised the hairs on his body, making them become as thin as the tips of blades.
—Behold Legion, the demon who brings suicide and depression to men. When your blood spills, he takes over men's bodies. But he is weak.
Astolfo drew his sword and placed it right in front of his face. A light emerged from his hands and completely took over the sword.
—You insist on lying when not asked, how sweet. Then take my sacred sword, bathed in the baptismal waters of the apostles!
The cat's fur turned golden, its size increased, becoming as large as a lion. Its eyes became rubies, its claws like diamonds, and its fangs protruded from its mouth, as sparkling as silver.
His tail fell, taking the form of a long black scythe, with a golden blade, towards Astolfo's sword, the two merged, its handle became white wood, and its tip was carved with angel wings.
— I ask you, Berith, what will this blade touch, what will it become?
Berith let out a long roar, and dug his claws into the ground, making all the darkness present there take shape into black bodies with red eyes.
— Everything it touches will shine like pure gold, just like my claws, whatever they tear will become part of my vision.
The shadows advanced against Astolfo, the young man spread his legs, slid his hands over the cable, took a step forward and split the horizon in half, turning the darkness into an intense glow.
— Your eyes can only see the future, nothing more, isn't it, blind cat? Because your eyes shine like the sun and make you dark.
Berith took her black cat form again and stood in front of the group, the shining statues around her shattered into pieces.
"You're right, human. Be my eyes, and I'll be your prey. We must go quickly, before he reaches us."
Alice saw the whole situation, impressed by every blow the young man delivered, she herself felt all the adrenaline running through her body, the lightness of Astolfo's heart resided in hers.
— What's going on with this book?
The item that the young woman carried in her hands had its pages written in a language that closely resembled the one her father taught her, and she silently read what was written.
"I was born without seeing my mother's face, since I was little I was told that my mother was a prostitute and my father a man who lost himself in his own pain."
"My birth was a miracle, my mother was already dead, but even so my body survived, thanks to this misfortune, I know that the veil between the worlds is thin."
"You see my memories, don't you? I can see yours too, and there's only Henry in them. How lucky you are to have someone by your side."
— If he didn't exist, all the fallacies about me would be true.
Astolfo walked towards Alice, crossed his arm with hers, and put his head on her shoulder.
—Then let's find your light soon. I feel like I'll finally find my place in the world.
The moon rested on the tip of the castle, the clouds drawn in the sky took on elongated shapes similar to the trunks of trees, where their roots became fingers that met the night that was torn apart.
"The time has soon come, when the veil in the night will become the gates to my father's kingdom. Because of this, O guardian, I will use the purest blood to open the gates."
The Queen of Hearts watched the moon as her wrists spilled blood onto the bodies of the naked women impaled by stakes that did not pierce their bodies, but rather their souls, staining them.
The darkness present there was like a cocoon for the demon legion, on the ground the body of the man he possessed, without any trace of humanoid, only a miasma that gradually took over the bodies of the impaled virgins.
— I will use your souls to purify mine, with the beating of my wings I will be able to rise to the heavens and open the gates of hell!
The clouds in the sky gathered into a single form and descended toward the legion, purifying it of all darkness. Its wings turned white, its slender body and green eyes, its long black hair touching the ground as its feet remained high.
— I have become the white dove, the symbol of peace and love. I will make the two worlds one!
Before his feet even touched the ground, his wings closed so quickly that they created a strong gust of wind.
— Like I would let that happen. David led me here!
Henry's body was covered in a thick darkness, so similar to hair, and in his hands he carried a silver-tipped spear.
—How could you possibly do that, human? You know better!
The Queen of Hearts watched the situation with a smile on her face, the scarlet crystal dress formed over her.
—I read Alice's diary too. These women aren't really virgins, they just practiced the mikveh!
The Legion launched an attack against Henry. A golden longsword appeared in his hand, striking the young man from below, but he blocked it and advanced, directing the attack at Legion's face, leaving a deep cut in the middle. Black blood dripped onto the ground.
"You're just a wolf pretending to be a sheep, your blood is dark, demon. You thought they were virgins because of the Queen of Hearts, didn't you? I think she tricked you."
The raging demon let out a long roar, taking control of the women's bodies. They rose, and black wings covered their bodies near their eyes.
— It doesn't matter, I'll open the gates of hell one way or another, but first I'll finish you off, you insolent bitch.
Henry tried to advance against the Legion, but the women around him advanced against him, he made the difficult decision and held his spear firmly and attacked.
— I can save your souls, in exchange for mine.
"Henry's touch is so warm, his gaze reaches into my soul, he pulls me out of the darkness that has swallowed me."
"You know, I don't know if I'll burn this diary when I'm older, but if not, I hope that one day Henry will read it so he can see with his own eyes how much he is a part of me."
The young man held tightly the spear he was carrying, thrusting it into his own chest, and then all the darkness that came from the women's bodies was swallowed by his being.
—That's what I wanted! Behold, Legion, the resurgence of the great demon Marchosias.
— Shut up bitch, when I send you back to hell, that woman you took would be mine for eternity.
Legion directed the attack at the Queen of Hearts' neck, she then smiled, the crystalline dress came out of her body taking the shape of a sword, and with a simple movement pierced the demon's skull.
— No. I am the daughter of Lucifer, the spark of light he took from himself. This body descends from the originator of the first sin, incest, the sister of Cain and Abel. I do not call myself queen on a whim.
The Queen of Hearts drank the blood that dripped from Legion's face, reveling in it. The crystalline red that covered her took the form of stakes that tore into Legion's body.
The black blood then merged with the crystalline, taking the form of beings with long wings and snake heads.
— My children born of the blood of demon and angel, Nephilim, listen to your mother, and you will kill everyone in front of you.
Henry's body became like a statue, as did his spear, which was taken over by darkness, while his mind wandered through his memories, through his origins.
Astolfo was at the front of the group, Berith slipped through the darkness in the trees, the demonic cat's laughter penetrated Alice's mind, making her remember her dream, until she felt a tightness in her chest.
The young woman fell to the ground, next to her was Roland who did nothing while Oliver approached from the back with his hands behind his back and a deep look at the young man.
— What happened to my body, why does my chest hurt so much?
The young woman, without caring about those around her, increased the neckline of her dress with her own hands, and saw an intense darkness rising up her breasts, it pulsed as if it wanted to take over her heart.
—I knew this would happen if we made such careful decisions. What are you going to say about this, Gregório?
The gentleman cared much more about supporting Alice by running towards him than about answering Roland in his rage.
— So the prophecy is getting closer, but this is unnatural. Calm down, Alice, be strong, and your heart will swallow the darkness itself.
Astolfo, who was previously at the front of the group, threw himself back, Berith took her free form while the scythe met Oliver's neck.
The boy was different, his eyes shone golden, while his hands slid towards Alice's body, running his hands over her breasts.
—Stay away, Oliver! Your Theosis is not complete, that's why your mind has been invaded by the desires of Alice and Malphas.
The scythe swung downwards, then Oliver spun around and defended himself with his arm, which was then engulfed in thick darkness that took the form of a shield.
"Shut up, Freak! I'll satisfy this human's needs, I'll make her moan with pleasure, why don't you do the same?"
Gregório quickly pulled Alice out of the fight between Astolfo and Malphas taking Oliver's body, while Roland was more worried about finding Murmur in the form of Rabbit who ran away from him.
"Don't think I'll feel sorry for you for taking Oliver's body! I know he's strong and can handle a lot of pain!"
Oliver then took over by darkness and punched the scythe, causing its blade to be taken over by darkness, losing its golden tone, after which he let the darkness take over him completely.
The fingers of his gauntlets had large black claws, and instead of a helmet on his face, he wore a mask bearing the symbol of his ice. His boots had wide toes, and over his shoulders he carried a black cape.
— I am Malphas, the demon of artisans. Everything that is created by the hands of men I can shape or destroy. No fortress stands before me.
Berith lunged forward, attempting to strike Malphas with his claws, but Malphas quickly gained immense speed, striking him squarely with a downward kick. Berith then retreated into the shadows.
— I leave this battle to you, for I am too weak before the one who manipulates the jewels made from the minerals he created.
Astolfo advanced with his sword, not fused with the scythe, and then imbued it with only the light of his Theose. Malphas cast darkness on the sword, but it was repelled.
"Evil and good repel each other no matter where. I'll only need my swordsmanship and Alice to defeat you, just ask."
Malphas, enraged, ran towards Astolfo, the young man put a hand behind his back and lunged forward, the demon feinted him preparing a kick, but Astolfo was faster, he opened his legs, moved his back leaving them open and the hand that was there went to the hilt of the sword, he then gave a quick spin aiming at Malphas' chest.
— You think you're smarter than me? Insolent human!
The darkness present in Oliver dissolved and hid in his shadow, making the blow reach the boy's chest.
— Now Berith!
The cat using the extension of Oliver's shadow leaped towards Alice and Gregory, taking its liberated form, making Astolfo's sword become the scythe that touched the young man's chest, turned into shining gold.
— I understand, what should I do, I ask you demon of the Alchemists, Berith?
The now blind feline lowered his head towards the young girl, his hand touching, causing the darkness present in his body to stop growing.
—Seek Oliver's Soul within yourself, gather his Theose, complete it! But I must tell you that your soul is at stake.
Alice looked at Astolfo, who shook his head.
"Just tell me what I ask. Why was Oliver taken by Malphas?"
Berith then opened her eyes, the red rubies penetrated Alice's soul.
— The bond made from the ring uses a strong desire, it is what you have cultivated the most was Eros, so when a soul is not in complete Theosis it invites the demon to take control.
Alice soon understood everything, then closed her eyes and searched her heart for a weak light that was corrupted, her free hand slid over the diary and was guided by the memories there.
"Why am I here? This is not the place for me, but father and mother, you need this, I will do everything for you!"
"I saw her today and she was so beautiful, but it's better to forget about it, I made a promise and I'm going to keep it, no matter what I sacrifice!"
"I can't forget her voice, I know she loves me, but I need to do what's right, this is wrong, I'm a member of the order and she's a nun."
"But why did you do this to her? To you, she is nobody, that is not true."
In front of Alice was Oliver on top of him, a young woman with long blonde hair and green eyes, her body was naked, her advances were too intense.
— You are filthy and horrible Malphas, why did you take this form, just to hurt a child?
The young woman looked at Alice, her eyes turning golden, her smirk towards her.
— A demon is like that. Human weakness fascinates us, excites us, just as he does with you.
Malphas took the form of Henry and went to meet Alice, in an instant the space was cut, both were already in bed, with their naked bodies and Malphas' touch passing through their body.
— My desire for Henry is not only of the flesh, it is of the soul too, it is sacred just as my father taught me.
Alice threw Malphas away, soon the surroundings became a dark forest, Malphas took the form of a wolf, with bat wings, a snake's tail, just like in the nightmares that haunt Alice.
— Look straight into the true form of your beloved. He is just another demon like me, he also loves your weakness.
Alice shivered and took steps back, she looked at her breasts and the darkness that had stopped spread through her body, reaching her throat.
His knees touched the grass and his body was swallowed by darkness. Tears fell from his eyes.
— This is what I wanted, now given to Theose, I can then become strong and possess you as I want, indeed as my employer wants.
Oliver, who had remained standing and watching everything, broke away from Malphas and went towards him.
— I will not let another person become someone else's object or be discarded, that is my promise.
Malphas looked at Oliver, the moment this happened the darkness that spread through his body turned golden, Alice took with her a handful of Berith's hair that took the shape of a knife, it pierced her own chest, creating an opening for all the darkness to penetrate inside her.
— Now I order you, Malphas, demon master of craftsmen, to build the memory that I once lost, for then I will know the truth about myself!
Everyone was transported to that rainy day. On a table sat Alice, still a child, on one side of her mother and on the other her father.
On the little girl's chest there was a black wound that pulsed intensely, giving rise to eyes that spread across her body.
Agrippina knelt on the ground in front of the image of the Virgin Mary, her back was shown, on her was a deep wound so similar to her daughter's.
David took a dagger to his own skin and made a six-pointed star seal, his blood ran down his wife's back, absorbing all the darkness from Alice to Agrippina.
The wound on Agrippina's back closed, but it became larger.
When she opened her eyes, Alice found herself in Gregor's arms, holding her tightly, with his head resting against hers. The first thing she did was scream.
— Now Astolfo!
The young man then threw his hand over the blade of the scythe, cutting it, the blood then went to Oliver, making the gold break like a shell.
— You are really strong, my contractor!
Malphas stepped out of Oliver's shadow, taking the form of a man emerging from the darkness wearing a top hat and an elegant suit.
— Malphas? What? So I finally arrived at Theose?
Astolfo stroked Oliver's curls, but soon regretted it, as it was his hand that was cut by the scythe's blade.
— All thanks to Alice. Now Berith returns to his restrained form. Alice ask him how much it costs.
Berith sat on Alice's lap, and doted on the young woman with her chilling smile on display.
— What was the price of everything Berith?
The cat jumped from Alice's lap and landed on Astolfo's shoulder.
—The darkness once sealed became a source that strengthens your soul, but in exchange your most precious treasure was taken.
Alice, not understanding what Berith had done, wandered in her thoughts until she realized something. Her body began to tremble, and she opened the red book she carried with her right in front of her.
— I will save my mother and end all this, I will kill Marchosias, and for that I will use my own Theose!
A darkness emerged from Alice's chest, it took over her body completely, the book she was carrying was taken by intense flames, the black layer that covered her served as fuel for the flame to become complete and consume her completely.
Her eyes turned red, her short hair turned long white, the flame concentrated in her hands giving rise to a Scarlet Rebecca, above her amidst some sparks appeared a short blue dress, over it a white apron.