The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 83: A Nightmare born

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: A Nightmare born

Avery’s trembling hand gently traced along his wife’s lifeless cheek. His tears fell one by one onto her cold skin, soaking into her blood-matted hair.

"Wh-why... why are you sleeping here, Piper?" he choked not wanted to believe reality, he start shaking her gently, his eyes desperately wanted to see her smile.

But her body didn’t respond.

Reality hit him like a hammer. He collapsed backward, staring blankly at the ceiling.

No... this can’t be real. I promised... I promised to protect her. In all situations. How... how did this happen?!

His hands gripped his head, hair tangled between his fingers as his shoulders shook violently. His eyes, red from crying, darted to her throat—slashed brutally, the wound still fresh.

Then his eyes widened.

The knights... the armor... the church insignia.

"They... the church people... they killed her. My wife... they called her a demon."

His voice cracked as he reached out again, brushing a blood-soaked strand of hair behind her ear. His hand trembled.

"She was kind... she accepted me even when I had nothing. When I was just a failure. And they call her a demon,?!"

He leaned down, pressing a kiss against her bloodied forehead.

Then, with fury overtaking grief, he slammed his fist into the floor.

CRACK.

His knuckles split. Blood poured down his wrist.

"AHHHHHHHH! WHYYYYYY?!"

Suddenly, behind him, something... shifted.

A red thread—deep crimson, barely visible to the eye—extended from the air behind him, weaving through space like a living serpent. It wrapped gently, ominously, around the base of his neck.

A low, malevolent voice whispered into his ear, velvet and venom wrapped together.

"Avery... they killed your wife."

The voice grew louder in his mind, echoing with righteous rage.

"The Church... they lie about kindness. They call others innocent people’s demons, monsters. But in truth, they are the killers. They are the true evil, hiding behind white robes and divine words."

Avery’s grief-clouded eyes sharpened with fury.

Yes... yes. Those bastards. The cross symbol was on their backs... they were from the Church. You’re right.

The voice chuckled—dark and pleased.

"That’s what I’m talking about. You want revenge, don’t you? But the Church... they have divine power, relics, blessings. You can’t fight them as you are. But... if you make a deal with me and become my knight—"

Avery’s tear-streaked face turned still.

The voice continued:

"—you’ll have the strength. To avenge Piper. To bring them down. All of them."

Avery wiped his tears with his bloodied hand.

Then—

A memory. Sudden. Vivid. Like someone has stab a knife into his soul.

Flashback – one Month Ago

THUD.

A loud crash echoed from the living room.

Avery, startled, rushed out of the bedroom. His eyes fell on Piper, collapsed on the floor, her eyes wide in fear.

"Piper! Are you alright?!"

He rushed to her side, grabbing her by the waist and helping her sit up.

She looked at him with a haunted gaze.

"Avery... the voic... no promise me if something happens to me... if someone kills me someday..." she whispered, voice trembling. "Promise me you’ll live. Don’t... don’t seek revenge."

Avery blinked, confused.

"What? Piper, what are you talking about? Who would—? No one’s going to hurt you."

Piper shook her head slowly, a sorrowful smile on her lips. "Just... promise me."

Avery frowned deeply, gently lifting her chin to meet her gaze.

"I don’t know what’s scaring you... but no one’s going to lay a finger on you. I swear. I’ll protect you."

A single tear rolled down her cheek. She nodded, smiling despite the fear in her eyes.

Back in the Present

Avery’s body trembled.

He whispered, barely audible: "I’m sorry, Piper... I can’t keep that promise. I wasn’t able to protect you ."

He clenched his fists, his voice rising with raw pain.

"I won’t forgive them sorry piper but i will take revenge they kill my only reason to live. i will not spare anyone the Church. the killers. Not any of them will be spared."

The red thread pulsed, glowing and thickening.

"I-I accept the deal..."

Avery’s voice was trembling, heavy with pain.

A deep chuckle echoed in his mind—dark, triumphant.

"Hahaha~ Excellent. Now, say it clearly: Demon mind General, I accept your deal."

Avery stood up, his body trembling with rage and grief. He gritted his teeth and screamed into the empty room:

"Demon mind General! I... I accept your deal! Give me the power to kill those bastards!"

The red thread around his neck pulsed—then tightened. It vanished into his skin.

Avery’s body jerked.

"What’s... happening...?"

He collapsed backward, unconscious before he hit the floor.

His black hair slowly turned a glowing shade of violet. His skin became paler, almost ethereal.

The pact was sealed.

Meanwhile, in Another Realm...

Zara yawned softly as she sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Red moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a glow across the room.

She glanced down.

Grace was cuddled into her side, snoring lightly. Lilith lay curled on the other side, her expression peaceful for once.

Zara smiled and leaned over, kissing both of their foreheads gently.

"Sleepyheads," she whispered fondly.

Grace groaned in her sleep and rolled onto her side.

Zara stifled a giggle, then quietly slid out of bed. She tiptoed across the room, scooping up her undergarments from the floor.

Just as she was about to put her shirt on—

SLAM.

The door burst open.

"Hellooooo~!"

Zara froze mid-motion, standing in nothing but her panties and bra.

"Eh?"

Edith stood in the doorway, blinking once. Then a slow, mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Well, well, well~ what do we have here?"

Zara’s face turned bright red. She hastily yanked her shirt over her head.

"Edith?! What are you doing here?!"

Edith moaned dramatically, her breath suddenly heavy.

"I came to tell you it’s time to go to the castle, but honestly... I think the plan just changed~"

She slowly sauntered toward Zara, her fingers twitching playfully.

Zara backed away with a flushed face. "E-Edith! D-Don’t come so close!"

Edith ignored her, leaning in, hand reaching toward Zara’s chest.

WHUMP!

A pillow smacked her square in the face.

"OWW!"

Zara blinked, stunned. Edith stumbled back, rubbing her head.

She turned to see Lilith, now fully dressed, standing with arms crossed and fire in her eyes.

"Edith," she growled. "Get away from my wife."

Edith pouted dramatically, putting a hand to her chest.

"I was just trying to shake her hand~! my sister is So violent, tsk tsk. And for your information, I only came here to say it’s time for the ballroom gathering!"

Lilith huffed. "Yeah, sure you did. Now go. We’re coming."

Edith stuck out her tongue, turned around, and strutted out the door like a performer exiting stage.

Zara sighed in relief, clutching her shirt.

Lilith walked over, brushing Zara’s hair back gently.

"I should’ve locked the door."

Zara nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes, you should’ve."

Lilith looked Zara up and down, then gave a soft nod.

"Let’s go. Today is the noble gathering."

Zara tilted her head, confused. "Wasn’t it supposed to be a family dinner? Why did it become a noble gathering?"

Lilith let out a small sigh as she explained, "That’s true. But after the family dinner, there’ll be a ball where all the vampire nobles will come to pay their respects to Father. So, we all have to wear formal clothes. Come with me."

Zara glanced down—still in her panties—and nodded quickly, cheeks flushing.

Lilith disappeared into the dressing room and returned with a refined set of clothes: a deep red blouse embroidered with black accents, and tailored black pants.

She handed them over. "Put these on. I’ll wake Grace, then we’ll head to the castle."

Zara got dressed quickly. She stood in front of the mirror, her silver hair falling over her shoulders. With a small smile, she gathered it and tied it into a neat ponytail.

When she stepped out of the room, she paused in surprise.

Lilith was now dressed in a stunning silver gown that shimmered under the light, perfectly matching her hair. Grace stood beside her in a flowing blue dress, soft and elegant—like a calm river at dusk.

Zara’s eyes widened. "Wow..."

Lilith noticed her gaze and smiled. "So? How do we look?"

Zara blinked a few times, then walked over and gently wrapped her arms around both their waists.

"Well," she said warmly, "you’re the most beautiful girls in the world. So don’t worry."

As she said the word beautiful, an image of Hemiros briefly flashed in her mind—his flawless face, those mysterious pink eyes. Her heart skipped.

But she quickly shook the thought away, clearing her mind.

Grace smiled sweetly and leaned into Zara’s side.

"Then let’s go," she said.

Outside, Edith was waiting near the carriage, her usual revealing outfit replaced with a surprisingly modest purple gown. The fabric shimmered faintly under the moonlight, and for once, she looked more like a proper noble than the chaos gremlin she usually acted like.

As she turned and saw Zara approaching with Lilith and Grace, her lips curled into a teasing smirk. With a flutter, sleek wings unfolded from her back, catching the light dramatically.

"Wow! My sister-in-law is looking stunning today," Edith said, her eyes twinkling. "As a sign of respect, may I kiss you?"

Zara blinked in embarrassment, but before she could say a word—

"No," Grace cut in sharply, stepping forward with a scowl. "She’s my wife. Only her wives can kiss her. Hmph."

Her pout was adorable, but her glare meant. ’if you come near her you are finished’

Edith raised her hands in mock surrender, laughing. "Alright, alright, calm down, Grace. I was mostly joking."