Chapter 1: Bloodbound Dominion

Inside a Dark Castle from the Styria region, deep in the Crypts of this imposing structure, there stood a coffin embroidery with a lot of ornaments, as if to signal that it belonged to someone of high status.

But the bangs from the interior of the coffin made the chilling atmosphere far creepier.

-Bang-

A hoarse young voice called out into the unknown, but no one was there to respond. It contained all the emotions the human body would possess, with the predominant one being fear and confusion.

"What's happening? Why am I here? Someone, can someone hear me? I need help!"

…

"Why? Is this Hell? I've done nothing wrong to deserve such treatment! God!"

…

The pleads slowly died down soon enough after the youthful boy inside the coffin discovered that no one would even care about his fate, and that's when he decided to abandon this pitiful attempt and wait.

He, a simple human, died once only to awake inside a dark, constraining place like this coffin. He was scared about the unknown, but as he calmed down he found it strange that he didn't feel the craving to eat food or for other bodily needs.

There was only a thirst for something he initially didn't know, but as he was grinding his teeth and biting his lips to suppress such emotions, he found out what his thirst was, blood.

'How long has it been since I got stuck in this damned body? Which cursed bastard would put me into a coffin to let me rot with the cockroaches?'

'Counting on my nail marks left on the walls of the coffin… It's been one year of confinement.'

'Honestly. I feel like butchering whoever put me here. I'll soak my fists in their minced meat while eating their intestines.'

'Fuck you, God. This isn't a second chance at all, only a ticket to Hell. Heck, even the Devil's wouldn't be so harsh with a pitiful soul like mine.'

The youngster that was in a state of mummification, dry completely of his liquids, but still surviving, continued to lash out all sort of curses to the 'Grand Creator's

This kept on going for an additional month, until his heart slowed down and he felt drowsy, as if ready to take a millennium slumber. But he forced himself to stay awake, for fear he would never wake up.

"Never! This time I might never open my eyes again. The last time I slept was two months in total."

The heartbeat continued to slow down, while the youngster looked horrible, akin to a zombified ghoul. Beat by beat, it started beating like a drum that echoed even in his subconscious space, and it brought twisted thoughts that he never enjoyed entertaining all of this imprisonment.

'Would it be better if I just kill myself? Who cares about a second chance when I've been like this for an entire year? Hah, I'm certain I've become some monster in a Fantasy World, but what's the point in enjoying myself if I can't even move my body?'

'This is just agony.'

With his dark thoughts, from his body-skin, mummified state, a crimson light flashed with the epicenter being the weakened heart that kept on preserving the vital nutrients for his existence.

'If only I had the power to move my body at will and break off this coffin lid. Afterwards, I might as well exterminate everyone in my surroundings. Yeah, that's right. That's what I would do.'

'Heh, am I getting greedy now? First I get jumped by those fucking bastards and stabbed to death? Then here in some Fantasy World imprisoned into a blasted coffin, as if I committed the greatest sin.'

'I was never religious, but fuck me. I haven't sinned much besides acting like a 'Bad Boy' to get some hook-ups.'

As he kept on wishing, dreaming for the nonexistent power in his body that would as if magically extracting him from this prison, his heartbeat got stronger and louder until it finally brought him a headache.

From his willpower and desire, with the catalyst being his beating heart, a crimson jewel extruded out from his heart before a silver chain morphed out from nothing around his mummified body.

This jewel now appeared to be in the shape of a blood-red, intricately designed pendant, containing some ancient symbols, while its design was both elegant and ominous, reflected by the dark crimson glow it emitted in the emptiness of the coffin.

With these changes, as if sensing the changes going around his body, the youngster opened his sunken-in eyes, revealing a pair of predatory crimson eyes that had a charm and dignity as if they belonged to a Devil Monarch. Along with the changes he was experiencing, the light emitted by the pendant intensified, the glow becoming more vibrant and all over the youngster, blood started forming out of nothing.

[Wake up, my descendant. It's too soon for you to slumber.]

A mature voice rang into his mind overshadowing his heartbeat, and just the fact he wasn't alone in this Hell, triggered a slow, painful smile to appear on the dry, cracked lips.

'I don't know who you are, but just being here at this moment with me. Much appreciated.'

[Stop thinking and act upon your instincts, Child of Blood. You shouldn't embrace the Eternal Slumber. You'll reach a state even if I can't assist you.]

'It's alright. I feel better now.'

With the newfound power that circulated his body, even though it was ironic that after so many days and months, something akin to a change of 'Fates' was happening to him, and that at the expense of his mind.

However, he instinctively grasped on the powers as if it was second nature to him, and outside the coffin from the crypt, small tendrils made from blood with all sorts of monstrous crimson eyes sprouted out from the small crevices of the wooden coffin.

It was moving around navigating in the darkness, and with the rats that scrowled around his vicinity, without thinking a second he willed the tendrils to attack the rats in the Crypt, his desire to quench his thirst burning deep in his throat.

The squeal of the rats who instantly got killed, left in a skeletal form with all of their blood and nutrients being stolen by the entity inside the coffin.

This insignificant amount of blood wasn't enough to make a change in his appearance, but with loud bangs on the coffin, finally with a snap, the lid was opened, revealing a mummified young man who used the blood built in the coffin to give assistance in getting up.

Getting up after one year of lying down, he was greeted by darkness which wasn't a surprise, but instead of acting panicked or fearful, he grinned maliciously while grasping a deep breath of air to oxygenate his lungs that put on mold like a maturated cheese.

Without waiting for enemies to get alarmed that he escaped from his prison, he moved first, leaving the crypt while in his path all the rodents and even insects were turned into a source of sustenance for him.

'Mister, what is this power that you granted me? What do you want in exchange for helping me get out?'

[I wasn't one to offer you this power, it was you who willed it out and the God's System fulfilled your desire. I'm just a Soul trapped as punishment for abusing this Gift.]

'Hah, a gift? From whom? God? Sorry if I sound petty, but he could eat shit for all I care.'

[It might be hard to come to terms with this change of events, but it's the Truth. The power you descendant of mine wield is called 'Bloodbound Dominion', my Sacred Gear.]

'...'

'Sacred Gear? Gift from God? Who are you mister? How come you've got imprisoned in this pendant?'

[I doubt you'll even know who I am, if I tell you since so many years have passed. But, to make it simple for you, people in my time called me 'Impaler', that's what the Humans called me. While the Devils that I fought all of my life named me 'Nosferatu'. My name is Vlad Tepes, proud son of Wallachia.]

'I'm not in some Fantasy World, sir? Are you telling me we're still on Earth? Wait… This sounds familiar.'

Then moving into a mindspace that not even the entity residing in this 'Artifact' could access, he began pouring out all of his life experiences, especially those of his past life before waking up in the coffin.

'I might be on mushrooms right now? No, better call them spores since I'm in a crypt. I'm not sure if this is as safe an Earth as the one I've lived in, but gosh does it reeks of Fantasy World vibes.'

'Sacred Gears… Devils, Gods, Angels, Humans with supernatural powers. Yeah, thinking about all of the light novels I've read thus far, it's that one. The one about the perverted retard who got to play the Hero with his Dragon powers.'

Even if his thoughts continued to flow relentlessly, his pace wasn't changed as he created a path of death behind him with all sorts of rodent skeletons being left as ornaments to the Crypt. His eyes dropped slowly on the pendant, targeting the blood jewel that had the mirror image of an 'Vampiric' Eye on it.

'I need to confirm some elements about this world. If they match with my lore of that light novel, the idea will be greenlighted, otherwise, I'll have to dig deeper.'

[You've been quiet for a while.]

'Mister, I have some questions about this World, afterall, I feel like I've been living in a lie for so long.'

'Who are those Devils you fought? What about God? Does he even exist? Are all of the legends and myths about this World true? The Pagan Gods? The Angels? Even Dragons?'

Sounding like a lost soul who tried to clear the uncertainty of life, the youngster made sure to not leave room for interpretation regarding his past-life knowledge since it was the generic troupe that doom would follow the one who spills about his secrets.

And after a brief silence from the being inside the pendant, 'Nosferatu' started his explanation with a long sigh.

[I was just like this in my early days, the time where I have yet to awaken the Sacred Gear and face all the challenges life threw at me. But in hand-sight, all of the beings... monsters, you've mentioned, do exist. They limit their contact with Humans, and are mainly focused on manipulating them from the shadows, either them being Angels or Devils.]

[As humans, we've always been seen as pathetic existence in the eyes of those monsters, but at least God wasn't that pathetic in leaving us without a chance at defending us. He did go out on his shield in the Great War from what I've heard.]

'So God is dead. Then… I heard that you mister was a Vampire. And… I'm also one if I'm not mistaken otherwise I would have been dead in the first week of my confinement in that coffin. How you got Cursed with Vampirism?'

[It's a complicated history. You might not believe me, but the Great War between all Factions of Angels, Devils and Fallen Angels was staged in my Era, and I was a soldier for the God's Faction.]

[However, I have killed my General who tried to switch camps with the Devils after Lucifer corrupted him. You might know or not his name, his name is Astaroth.]

'So, for breaking the Chain of Command and attacking your superior, you've been Cursed? Should I call this narrow-minded for God to punish you for doing what you considered just?'

[Well, I didn't just kill Astaroth who was an Archangel. I killed all of his Angels who were in cahoots with the Devils. This triggered outrage from the Angels who believed I was just a crazed butcher set on spilling blood. Not far from the truth, but my main focus was on killing the Ottomans who were backed by the Devils.]

[I lost so many occasions of wiping those damned Turks because of Astaroth gaslighting me with fake promises that he would support me if Lucifer would make his appearance.]

'That's unexpected. In history this information was never mentioned.'

[Of course it would never be recorded in Chronicles of that time, especially for the Human side. We suffered just as much as the other factions.]

'One more question, before I switch my focus on escaping from this prison.'

[I'm all ears.]

'How have you died? It says you were backstabbed by your soldiers. Is that the truth or just lies written down by your enemies? You don't have to answer if you don't feel like it. Just a curiosity of mine.'

[No harm done. Just after serving my prison time for my actions against the Angels, and after I adjusted to my Vampirism affliction, I prepared myself for another campaign against the Turks to lower their power. The Great War reached a stalemate without any faction winning, and the big shots also died like flies in summer's heat.]

[I was arrogant, one might say overconfident on my newfound power of Vampirism that synchronized with my Sacred Gear, I was my strongest while the Devils the Fallen Angels and Angels were on decline.]

[Without the support of any of the factions, I set on with my campaign, hard bent on annihilating the Turks along with the Devils supporting them.]

'It ended in betrayal?'

[They played dirty. I got ambushed by all of those vermin. Lucifer's son along with the Satan supporters, the Fallen Angels lead by Azazel and unexpectedly, the Angels lead by Michael.]

'But why?'

[Why? Hahaha, you might find it amusing too. When I asked that bitch, Michael, he told me I was too great of a Danger for the Balance of the World if let to grow in power. His father thought that cursing me with Vampirism would weaken me, but I made that power mine.]

[It seems my children also inherited that Curse, so it must have been hard on you, young one. To suppress that urge of drinking human blood, to suppress those carnal sins. I'll never be able to atone for my sins.]

'Sir, it's fine. I don't really care about this Curse, as long as we can make good of its powers. As for atonement, maybe God has placed your Soul in this Sacred Gear for this goal.'

[This sounds like something that an old man would do. What is your name, child?]

'Carl. I'll be in your care, Count.'

While the conversation between host and possessor continued on, reconfirming for Carl that he was in the universe of Highschool DxD novel, based on how crazy the backstory of the Historical incidents from the life of the Warlord, Vlad Tepes, sounded.

Yet, 'Nosferatu' was not like how he expected him to be, a crazy psychopath whose life was commanded by the thirst of blood and the idea of seeing his enemy die in agony, far from it. He sounded like a mature gentleman, friendly but also a bit Stern when he pointed out that once they are out of this place, he would give him tasks to achieve.

But, he had a company he long wished to have in this year of solitude that twisted his mind.

Making his way up from the Crypt, his enhanced senses alerted him about the presence of living beings with high quantities of blood compared to the vermin he used to funnel his dried body.

Approaching those beings akin to a snake that had infra-red vision centered on the heat released by its prey, Carl willed out his Sacred Gear's power and the energy he collected from the vermins he devoured in the Crypt bellowed out.

Unbeknown to anyone in this Castle, a Slumbering Monster had awakened and was set on vengeance, but Carl didn't lash out immediately as he overheard a conversation from the two Guards that watched over the Crypt entrance.

"I heard that the abomination will be Executed next year after he gets further weakened. How much is truth the maids spoke to bullshit us?"

"The quicker that Krassius bastard dies the better for Carmilla's future…"

"There's no point in being scared about that half-breed monstrosity, even if it took the join effort of Lord Karnstein, Lady Isolde and Lady Lysandra to suppress that murderous bastard. Just hearing his pleas and begging's all these months was like music to my ears."

"Shhh, don't speak or young lady Elmenhilde will hear you. You know how much she cared for that Krassius bastard."

"For the future of the Carmilla Faction, we need to take out those irregular abominations."

Carl who eavesdropped on their conversation without the Guards even noticing his presence, heard some familiar name dropping, but it wasn't to the point he cared about his future actions, as he approached the unsuspecting Guards.

"Hmm? It got damp all of a sudden?" Looking around himself he didn't notice anything out of order, but once his eyes dropped down, he noticed a large pool of blood from which a 'Monster' lunged out with his shriveled hands that had beastly claws.

"Impossible!"

"What's wrong man?" inquired another of the Guards wearing a confused expression on his crimson eyes.

He saw the monster impaling the heart of his comrade with those beastly hands, striking directly on the Main Vital Point of a Vampire, the heart with a ruthless and bloodthirsty aura, and before the second Guard could do a thing, from the blood pool under his feet the 'Monster' created a sword that he used to piece his heart.

"Krassius Bloodriver. But how? The Seal should have been unbroken even by the likes of you."

The Guard glanced at this person in fear while puking a mouthful of blood, and before his dying eyes, the mummified monster started to regain vitality in his flesh at the expense of the blood of his comrade and his own.

"Not even saying 'Sorry' for imprisoning an innocent person for so long. I guess your death is deserved."

"Innocent? You bastard, you dare say that after attempting to kill the Heir of the Queen. You deserve to die."

"That's all you had to say in your last breath?"

"I wish you an excruciating death, impaled by the Church dogs and washed in Holy Water."

Carl who used his 'Bloodbound Dominion' to absorb the blood of his targets, as one of the main abilities of this Sacred Gear which enhanced his already innate Blood Absorption powers as a Vampire, started to regenerate his past appearance.

His hair that lost its luster as it got silver, rejuvenated as it got as dark as night, while his crimson eyes glowed with newfound power.

[You are quick to adapt to the Sacred Gears abilities, but don't grow reliant on them. Usually only my children could use Blood Magic but that type of magic drains one's body too quickly. However, with Bloodbound Dominion, you can use such Blood Magic at a low cost.]

'Mhm, this sensation running in my veins is quite addicting. What else can the Sacred Gear do?'

[You're still too early on the introduction for Bloodbound Dominion. I told you about 'Blood Manipulation' which it seems you're natural at, then another ability would be 'Blood Absorption'.]

[For now stick with the Basics, since you don't have the control for the rest of Abilities.]

'Understood. Based on those unique abilities, it feels that this Sacred Gear is quite high on the food-chain.'

[Of course. Bloodbound Dominion is a Longinus that was granted to the first sinner, Cain. Once you tap on all of your potential, you might be stronger than those lizards who ravaged the lands in Europe.]

Cleaning up the mess, leaving only skeletons wearing clothes, Carl didn't linger too long around the entrance of the Cryth as he chose to shift his clothes into those of the Guards and proceed infiltrating.

His choice of actions made 'Nosferatu' grin as he was reminded of the times he had to employ such tactics to get deep in the enemy lines to wreak carnage on the Devil worshipers.

Satiating his bloodthirst just a bit for his lucidity to return, he paused and reconsidered his set of actions, since it wouldn't be a 'Brilliant' idea to slaughter everyone here, he might not even be capable of pulling that off with only one day of wielding his Sacred Gear.

Monstrosity or not, those Guards made it clear to him that he was defeated in the past, and him being stuck in that coffin in confinement was the result of his past-self recklessness

'I'll be damned if I allow those assholes to imprison me. Let's make my way out of this building, before they discover my absence.'

Nosferatu took on a silent stand as he wanted to see Carl's abilities and what his worth was, and it wasn't like his assistance was needed by the young man whose physical abilities returned to a state that his past life body couldn't achieve even after working out for years.

Carl had to be careful and not appear suspicious in his movements, thankfully for him his features were obscured by the Guard Attire that was reminiscent of a Knight. He passed along the hallways and reached the entrance hall guarded by a series of guards.

"Maggot, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on watch at the Crypt?"

"..."

'I can't seem to escape without a fight. If I speak to him, he might pick on the fact I'm not one of the Guards.'

'From this point on, I can sense many of those Guards stationed ahead at the entrance of the building, but they are mainly centered on the upper floors of this building. So, the big shots should reside there. It'll be wise if I don't stir up the wasp nest too much.'

'As much as I want to kill those bloodsucking mosquitos, I'm not retarded to believe that I am the Hero that brings salvation to the World.'

Carl gazed coldly at the Guard who questioned him, and choosing option A in this dialogue selection, he remarked casually. "I want to take a break from standing watch over the Crypt. My partner is there on watch in case something happens, but is unlikely. That abomination, Krassius Bloodriver has been sealed away."

"Lazy bastard, just because that crazy fuck was sealed doesn't mean things are all smooth. After your small break, you better return on watch, less your Head's roll before Lord Karnstein for slacking."

Carl passed by, reaching for the entrance of the Castle, but was stopped by the Guard's words once again, who reminded him in a casual tone. "Ohh, I got some news for you two Crypt maggots. Queen Carmilla will visit that Krassius bastard. The saying goes that she wants to recruit him after she tamed him for the incoming war against Tepes."

"I will see it done and clean around the Crypt for Her Majesty."

Having said everything that was on his mind, the Guard ignored Carl who was closer and closer to his freedom, and with the encompassing expanse of the Mountain Scenery in his vampiric sight, a voice, alarmed, was the one to stir up the nest of wasps.

"Close the Gates of the Castle! This is an emergency! Jonas, Henrich have been killed, the Crypt is empty! Krassius Bloodriver has escaped his Prison!"

The reactions of the Guards at the Castle's Gates were one of confusion, especially for the Guard who spoke with Carl moments ago, as he spoke to the rest. "What the hell is that Ulrich talking about? Wasn't that maggot who wanted some fresh air, Henrich?"

"Oy, Henrich, is that some prank?"

Nevertheless, before anyone could react, the Guard 'Henrich' made his way out from the interior of the Castle, and from his initial quick walking pace, they tried to get his attention, but to no avail, he didn't respond nor turned back.

Alerted by this change in behavior from the Guard, they set on to apprehend Carl who by now exploded in speed, his blood-red pendant flashing with crimson light.

"CLOSE DOWN THE BARRIERS! BLOODRIVER IS ON THE RUN!"

Carl noticed a tangible magical barrier surrounding the Castle starting to shrink down in closing, acting like a guillotine to his chances of survival in this wretched world as a Vampire.

'The hell if I'll allow myself to die without a fight!'

He split open his palm while his expression was twisted in dark emotions, allowing blood to flow rapidly instead of waiting for his 'Bloodbound Dominion' Sacred Gear to activate to generate blood using his constrained mana reserves.

The Guards stationed on watch over the Castle's Barrier noticed Carl rushing with blood circling around him like autonomous guardians. Taking out their swords they wanted to buy some time for the Barrier to enclose, but something shocking happened when on Carl's back a pair of wings morphed out of blood.

Akin to a Fallen Angel, he exploded again in speed, propelled by his wings crafted by this Sacred Gear 'Blood Manipulation' ability, but in his spite, he turned some of the 'feathers' into razor-sharp blades that he sent toward their necks, decapitating them in the process.

[What are you doing? Why waste your mana by killing those insects?]

'I know is dumb, but I wanted to do that and remove some tension from my body. I think I got some more juice in me before I'm drained. But heck, I don't even know where I am. Any ideas, mister Dracula?'

[Let's see… With the features of those mountains… The lake? We're either in Swiss Cantons, Savoy, Millan or the Habsburg Territory of Tirol or Styria.]

Getting a list of possible locations from 'Nosferatu' wasn't helpful to Carl whose option at hand was to continue flying like a bird of prey, and his eyes dropping on a spring, he took on an aerodynamic position like 'Superhero' and followed this spring that would spill into a river.

He only turned his head once to gaze at the Dark Castle, and it brought a sense of familiarity that wasn't part of himself. That's when he felt a piercing headache that caused him to lose control of his Sacred Gear ability and later on free skydive and collapse like a meteor.

He felt pain all over his body, with some of his bones being broken, but miraculously nor not for this Vampire, he was alive, breathing heavily.

'What's going on? What's with those memories? Childhood memories? Some good, but mainly bad… Half-Vampire Krassius Bloodriver. Son of the Vampire Lord Bloodriver…'

It felt as if looking into a photo album initially, but the memories continue to flow sending the watcher into a movie of life experiences.

Unbeknown to Carl for how long he had crushed down, he assimilated all of the memories of the one known as the 'Abomination' and grimacing as he moved his limbs, he cursed out loud.

"Poor bastard."

'You've been treated worse than a dog, and still expected some affection from your rotten father. At least, there's some hope that your human mother is still alive. I'll get to the truth in the future, not to worry about it.'

'You're also only 16 years old. So young for a kid to experience all of those horrors. Tsk, tsk, nasty psychopaths, just because he's a half-breed, doesn't mean he's worse than you. Now, this reminds me of Gasper Vladi from the series. But he escaped quite young thanks to his friend, Valerie Tepes, and got picked up by Gremory.'

[Boy, are you there? You've been nonresponding for one hour. Shouldn't you get going before your enemies catch on you?]

'Ahhh, it was that long? FUCK! Good to know that I remember where we are.'

[Hmm?]

'Styria. Hochschwab to be precise.'

Getting up, he put in place his bones before activating his 'Bloodbound Dominion' to manipulate his blood and repair his messed-up organs. It didn't take too long for him to depart, following the spring, and as time passed inside the Castle of Hochschwab, the residence of Vampire Lord Karnstein, a commotion was on stage.

"You imbeciles, how many times have I told you not to get inside the Crypt without reinforcements! How many times have I not told you to not listen to his cries and pleas, that he'll reform and get in line!"

"Who was it? Who let that thorn out from his coffin!?"

"..."

Silence, no one was willing to answer the middle-aged man with blonde hair, it was until a young girl, short in size climbed the stairs down to the commotion, her crimson eyes slightly displeased by all of the chaos.

"What happened, Father? Has that fool, Bloodriver, made another scene?"

She looked with contempt at the Guards, and even at the middle-aged man, her doll-like appearance a strange contrast between her cold tone.

"My Elmenhilde, this is nothing you should worry about. It's just a small inconvenience, and I've already sent my hunting dogs to catch up with Bloodriver."

"If Lady Carmilla hears that you've lost Krassius, it will be hard to appease her fury, father. Consider yourself indebted if you don't catch Krassius." remarked the young girl, playing with her light blonde hair, as she formed a smirk on her petite lips.

Returning back to her private chambers on the upper floor of the Castle, she gazed with her crimson-eyes in the distance, and couldn't help but chuckle at the thoughts running in her mind.

"It's either our misfortune or fortune that you escaped. Time will tell if a half-bred like you would amount to something. Only know that I will miss your departure, elder brother."