MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 405: Waving the black flag

As Blake, Randal, and Reggie struggled against the overwhelming pressure, their faces contorted with pain and effort, Duncan began weaving his final technique. Blood rose from the numerous wounds on the rooftop, swirling and mixing with tendrils of shadow.

"Blood and Shadow Fusion: Eclipsing Chains," Duncan intoned, his voice filled with dark triumph.

The mixture of blood and darkness solidified into gleaming, obsidian-like chains that wrapped around the three binding them tight. They cried out in unison as Duncan lifted them into the air with a gesture, suspended helplessly before him.

Blake struggled against the chains, his face contorting with pain and frustration. "How... how are you doing this?" he gasped.

Duncan's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Your techniques were impressive," he admitted, his voice almost gentle. "But in my hands, they transcend their limitations. This is the power of true adaptability, the mark of a god among vampires."

Reggie, his face pale from blood loss, managed to speak through gritted teeth. "You won't... get away with this..."

Duncan chuckled darkly. "A foolish deduction. I already have."

From their vantage point, Elena and Damien watched in horrified awe, their faces pale and eyes wide with disbelief. The display of power they were witnessing defied belief.

Elena's voice quivered as she watched the scene unfold. "No vampire could do this… He told no lies. He truly is a god!"

Damien, his eyes transfixed on Duncan, could only nod in stunned agreement.

Duncan stood tall, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction as he surveyed his captives. Blake, Randal, and Reggie hung suspended in the air, bound by the pulsing, obsidian-like chains of blood and shadow.

"Now," Duncan's voice cut through the night air, dripping with malice, "let me show you the true depths of your inadequacy."

He raised both hands, palms facing his captives. The chains began to glow with an eerie, red light.

"Blood and Shadow Fusion: Void Consumption," Duncan intoned, his voice resonating with power.

The chains suddenly came alive, writhing and pulsating. They began to sink into the flesh of the three vampires, eliciting agonized screams. Blake, Randal, and Reggie thrashed in their bonds, their faces contorted in excruciating pain.

"Can you feel it?" Duncan asked, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Your very essence being drained, your powers being consumed?"

The air around them began to distort, warping with the sheer energy being unleashed. Tendrils of darkness shot out from Duncan's body, intertwining with streams of blood pulled from his victims. This swirling vortex of power converged between Duncan's outstretched hands, forming a sphere of pure, concentrated energy.

"This is the culmination of your abilities, refined and perfected," Duncan explained, his voice eerily calm amidst the chaos. "And now, it will be your undoing."

With a forceful thrust, Duncan sent the sphere hurtling towards his captives. It expanded rapidly, engulfing all three in a maelstrom of shadow and blood. The rooftop shook with the impact, concrete cracking and steel beams groaning under the strain.

When the energy dissipated, Blake, Randal, and Reggie fell to the ground, their bodies broken and battered. The chains had disintegrated, leaving deep, smoldering wounds where they had been. They lay motionless, their clothes in tatters, skin pale and lifeless.

Duncan surveyed the scene with a look of bored satisfaction. "And so falls the last resistance," he murmured.

But then, against all odds, there was movement. Blake, his body full of cuts, bruises, and burns, began to stir. His fingers twitched, then his arm moved. Slowly, agonizingly, he started to push himself up.

Duncan's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face. "Impossible," he breathed.

Blake, through sheer force of will, managed to get to his knees. Blood poured from countless wounds that refused to heal, yet determination burned in his eyes. He raised his head, meeting Duncan's gaze defiantly.

"I... won't... give up," Blake gasped, each word a monumental effort.

Duncan's surprise quickly gave way to amusement. "Fascinating," he mused. "Your tenacity is almost admirable, Blake. Almost."

Blake opened his mouth to retort, but suddenly felt a cold sensation wrapping around his legs. He looked down to see shadows coiling up his body, immobilizing him. Confusion crossed his face as he realized these weren't Duncan's shadows.

Across the rooftop, Randal was similarly encased in shadow, his eyes wide with surprise. Even Gunter's prone form on the ground was being enveloped by the dark tendrils.

"What... Reggie, what are you doing?!" Blake shouted, twisting to look behind him.

There stood Reggie, his arms outstretched, tears streaming down his face. His whole body trembled, but his hands remained steady as he controlled the shadows.

"I'm sorry, Blake," Reggie's voice cracked with emotion. "We can't win. Not like this. Not now."

Understanding dawned on Blake's face, quickly replaced by anger and frustration. "No! We can't retreat! We have to keep fighting!" He struggled against the shadows, but they held firm.

Duncan watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. "Ah, dissension in the ranks. How entertaining."

Reggie shook his head, more tears falling. "Blake, please... we'll die if we stay. We need to regroup, to get stronger."

"Listen to your friend, Blake," Duncan taunted. "He seems to be the only one among you with a modicum of sense."

"Damn it, Reggie! Let me go!" Blake yelled, but he was already sinking into the shadows. He could see Randal and Gunter's unconscious form similarly disappearing.

He locked eyes with Duncan, teeth grinding "I'll kill you!!!! I'll kill!!!!!" He said, throwing out his hands with frail blood constructs that collapsed before they even reached Duncan. Duncan all the whole stood with a look of amusement.

Reggie locked eyes with Blake one last time, his gaze filled with remorse and determination. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

As his friends vanished into the shadows, Reggie turned to face Duncan. The vampire god raised an eyebrow, curious.

"A noble sacrifice?" Duncan mused. "Or perhaps just foolishness?"

Reggie stood his ground, though fear was evident in every line of his body. "Neither," he managed to say. "Mark my words, we will return. And I'll be leaving with your head," Gunther said with a quivering voice.

Before Duncan could respond, Reggie too sank into the shadows, disappearing from the rooftop.

Duncan stood alone, surrounded by the destruction of the battle. He let out a long sigh, a mixture of disappointment and boredom.

"How anticlimactic," he muttered to himself. 'Still,' he thought, 'they now know true fear. They'll spread word of my power. And when they return...' A cruel smile played across his lips. 'Well, I'll be waiting.'

From their hidden vantage point, Elena and Damien exchanged looks of shock..

Damien's thoughts spiraled with unease. 'Have I gravely misjudged the wisdom of forging an alliance with this being? The extent of his power surpasses any measure I had anticipated.'

•••••••••************^^•••••••

End of an arc and the beginning of a new one.

Thank you for sticking along thus far.

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Into the spirit realm!!!

Next arc

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