Demonic Revelation: Zytherion

Camio who was holding onto the Demonic Sword wasn't affected by the revelation, in fact, he was curious as to how Vecna could know such advanced information that lowlife like him shouldn't be aware of now.

But he didn't have time to put forward this question since his surroundings was wrapped into a Blood Abyss, reminding the True Demon about the memory pieces he saw from his soul fragment after Vecna vanquished him.

{"You shouldn't be fearful of some will of a Lowly Demon. It's only the marks left in his bioproducts that containing a small fragment of his Willpower."}

{"Get rid of this maggot before he does something stupid to your sword. It will be pitiful for you to lose such a good blade."} remarked Lamech, as he explained to Vecna some information about 'Willpower'.

'Hmph, as if I would let him do as he pleases. I was just interested to see what else he held under his sleeve. Since I understand is only a Willpower and he is limited, I shouldn't worry.'

'Activate. Blood World.'

[You have sacrificed 50% of your Vitality.]

As Vecna activated his Blood World ability using the instant cast that required him to sacrifice half of his life, a surge of dark, viscous energy enveloped the surroundings, transforming the once familiar workshop into a landscape of crimson pulsating veins and swirling eddies of blood. 

The very essence of the Blood Abyss seemed to respond to Vecna's command, resonating deeply with his own dark desires and aspirations.

Within this macabre realm, the clash between the Vampire Lord and the Archdemon intensified. 

Camio, wielding the Demonic Sword with an air of confidence, found himself confronted by the raw power of the Blood World, an embodiment of Vecna's unrestrained thirst for control and dominion. Every movement he made was met with an equal force of opposition, as if the very essence of the Blood Abyss sought to defy him.

["To think a young Thrall like you could possess such power. Are you Beriache's Direct Descendant? Or just some Irregular?"]

Hearing that, Vecna only scoffed as he stood at the center of the chaos, a beacon of calm amidst the storm of darkness. Without a sword, he was using his Blood Magic and Mastery to fight against Camio.

Nonetheless, there was a sense of loss in Vecna's body, the sword become like an extension to his Blood Powers, without an outlet, he couldn't bring out all of his madness.

["Don't you feel like talking with an old friend? You owe me a lot, kid."]

"What are you saying, demon? You know that your illusions don't work on me, so just stop."

["Hmph, say what you wish, I'm only using 10% of my current power. You would have been dead it if was me personally."]

Camio looked at Elysia and Maribel, and with a wide sinister grin, he unleashed his demonic power, beginning to swirl around him, and enveloping Vecna, but to no avail as he was unwavering against the Demonic Powers.

["You have quite the Beauties at your side. Unlike the lowly bitches in Hell. Should I make them mine too? I'm missing maids for my Palace."]

'This guy is like an annoying cockroach, continuously appearing in your face and not dying.'

{Stomp on his head.}

'Right on it, Lamech. Can you take care of the Blood Monsters while I cast my Missile Torrent?'

{"Tsk, making me work. This will cost you some sacrifices."}

'Yeah, yeah. We'll have lots of Orcs for you, Great Vampire.'

Within the surreal and macabre realm, the battle between Vecna and Archdemon Camio raged on, escalating to a level of intensity that sent shockwaves through the very fabric of the Blood Abyss.

Camio, his towering figure shrouded in dark, tattered robes, swung the Demonic Sword with a sense of arrogance and power. His crimson eyes blazed with defiance as he tried to wield the demonic energy against Vecna. However, his every strike was met with an equal and opposing force, pushing back against him. 

It was as if the Blood World itself recognized Vecna as its master and protector.

Vecna, standing at the epicenter of this chaotic confrontation, exuded an aura of unwavering calm. He was no longer the fledgling Vampire that had once faced Camio within the depths of the Siegfried House. 

He had grown in power, his command of the Blood World now absolute as his Mana Continued to rise.

The Blood World pulsed around him, a swirling maelstrom of sinister and dense energy. It amplified Vecna's abilities, lending him the strength to face an Archdemon. With each clash, he harnessed the powers of blood and darkness, using them to repel Camio's assaults.

Camio's frustration and arrogance began to wane as the battle continued. He could feel the unyielding power of the Blood World, which had become an extension of Vecna's will. The more he struggled, the more apparent it became that his defeat was inevitable.

In the end, Camio acknowledged his loss. With his remaining willpower, he took a step back, his presence within the Demonic Sword weakening.

["You've grown stronger, Vecna. But this battle is far from over. I'll await you in Hell, where we can finally settle the score and answer the questions that linger between us."]

"Next time we meet, I might as well kill you again."

["You wish, kid. You wish. Ohh, as a parting words, you should be careful. Baal has already contracted a Necromancer."]

"Why should I care about another Archdemon?"

["Ohh, you should care about Baal. Afterall, he was the one that casted out your Progenitor, and also the main actors in making our Lord, Curse your Race with Eternal Sloth."]

With those words, Camio's will was washed away by the overwhelming powers of blood and darkness, dissipating into nothingness. The Demonic Sword, once a vessel for his essence, fell silent but its sinister presence still lingered.

Vecna, having emerged victorious, turned off the Blood Abyss, leaving out everyone in his presence shocked at his powers.

Elysia, Maribel experienced for the first time how terrifying Vecna's Vampiric Powers truly were, while Garret, the simple blacksmith, was on his knees, praying to Goddess Rebecca, scared beyond his mind.

"This must be a nightmare. The Evil Demons are lurking inside my mind. Goddess Rebecca, cast them out. Ohh, gentle Light, cast the Demons away." 

{"This ungrateful animal! He dares to pray to those Bastards in my presence! I'll kill you."}

{"You don't deserve to breathe the same air as me."}

Lamech, when he heard about Garret's prayers and pleas to Rebecca, snapped and the crimson eye from the Book of Night blazed with Blood Magic, as the essence of blood started to spread towards Garret forming a sinister monster that scared Garret further.

Thinking that this was it, he closed his eyes when he saw the Monster's Maw snapping wide open, and ready to bite his head off, but then the sound of a flick spread around, and all of the Blood Essence returned to the Divine Artifact

"Calm down, Lamech. Why hurt the innocent who don't know the truth?" spoke out Vecna as he held tighter on the Book of Night, his right hand morphing as he transformed into his Vampiric State to suppress the Ego of the First Generation Vampire.

As Vecna's vampiric form took hold, his eyes glowed with an intense crimson hue, and his fangs elongated. The air around him crackled with an eerie energy, sending shivers down the spines of those in his presence. 

Garret, still on his knees, felt a mix of relief and disbelief wash over him. The monster that had threatened to devour him had vanished, and he opened his eyes cautiously to find Vecna standing before him, now in his vampiric state.

"Rise, Garret," Vecna commanded, his voice carrying an otherworldly resonance. "You have no reason to fear me." As Garret slowly got to his feet, he couldn't help but marvel at the power emanating from Vecna. The simple blacksmith had only heard tales of the supernatural, but now he was witnessing it firsthand.

Lamech, the ancient being within the Book of Night, simmered with anger and frustration. "Why must you protect these weaklings, Vecna?" he hissed, the crimson eye within the book glinting ominously. "They are nothing but insignificant ants in the grand scheme of things."

Vecna's vampiric aura intensified, a dark energy swirling around him. He continued to reprimand Lamech, his voice dripping with authority. "They may be insignificant in your eyes, Lamech, but they are innocent lives caught in the crossfire. I won't let you harm them without reason."

The air grew still, the tension between Vecna and Lamech palpable. Elysia and Maribel watched in wide-eyed astonishment as they witnessed the clash between these two powerful beings. The room seemed to darken, shadows deepening, as if the very essence of darkness was being manipulated by their confrontation.

Lamech's eye flickered with anger, but he begrudgingly acquiesced. "Very well, Vecna," he conceded, his voice laced with venom. "But mark my words, there will come a time when their fragile lives won't matter to you anymore."

Vecna nodded, his vampiric aura receding slightly. "The day you can convince me of that, Lamech, is the day I will not hesitate to put an end to their existence. Until then, they are under my protection."

As the tension dissipated, a wave of relief washed over Garret. He had witnessed a power struggle beyond his wildest imagination, and praying to Goddess Rebecca suddenly felt like a distant memory. He cast a grateful gaze at Vecna, still in awe of the vampire's strength and resolve.

"Thank you," Garret managed to say, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know who or what you are, but you saved me. I won't forget this."

Vecna's eyes softened momentarily, a flash of vulnerability piercing through his usually stoic expression. "No thanks are necessary. It would be a pity for Summit's Crest if they lost their reliable Blacksmith."

"... T-That's indeed true." remarked Garret who took a breath of relief, seeing how Vecna reverted back to his charming and handsome appearance, unlike his vampiric state.

As the dust settled, Elysia, Maribel, and Garret stood in silence, grappling with the enormity of the events that had unfolded before them. 

Reclaiming the Demonic Blade, Vecna held it in his hand, immediately he got reminded of what Maribel said that was important for the crafting process.

'Are names important for Weapons? Isn't that what authors like to lie that is important? Most Mythological Stories had such phenomena where God's Weapons had name, meaning.'

'In the end, isn't a weapon just a scrap metal used to kill another being?'

'Yet… In this circumstances, I wish to believe this story. That granting names to weapons, brings meaning into them. Akin to life.'

His mind raced to find a name that would suit its power and potential. He knew that the right name would unlock its full potential and unleash its true force. Closing his eyes, he delved deep into his memories and drew upon the ancient texts of forgotten languages inside the Divine Artifact.

Moments turned into minutes as he searched for the perfect name. Images of battles, legends, and ancient prophecies flashed before his mind's eye. Finally, a name emerged from the depths of his subconscious—a name that resonated with darkness, power, and a sense of dread.

"Zythirion," he whispered, his voice carrying a weight of both determination and reverence. "I name this blade Zythirion."

[Ding!]

[User has named the Demonic Blade, 'Zythirion'. The Rating of the Blade will reveal itself.]

As the name reverberated through the workshop, an energy surged through the blade, causing its surface to ripple with dark tendrils. The once scorching heat transformed into a controlled warmth that engulfed Vecna's hand, connecting him to the weapon on a profound level.

Elysia watched in awe as the blade seemed to come to life, its dark essence swirling and pulsating with newfound power. She could sense the strong presence emanating from Zythirion and couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Then, a new voice sounded inside the Workshop, triggering Garret to involuntarily tense, thinking it was another Demon.

["I kneel down to you, my Blood Master."]

["I shall serve my Master, as your Knight."]

'...'

With Zythirion in his possession, Vecna felt a surge of confidence coursing through his veins. 

"Maribel? Could it be? An Ego has been born inside the Demonic Blade?"

Maribel stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the transformed blade. "Indeed, Vecna," she said, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Zythirion has awakened. It has transcended its previous state and has become more than just a weapon. It now desires to serve you as a faithful knight."

Garret, still on high alert, cautiously approached the now sentient blade. His hesitance morphed into curiosity as he witnessed the intricate patterns on its surface moving like living shadows. He couldn't help but be intrigued by the potential power that Zythirion now possessed.

Vecna's gaze never wavered from the blade. He could feel a connection forming between himself and Zythirion, a bond forged by the act of naming the weapon. It was a bond that went beyond master and servant. 

It was a pledge of loyalty and commitment from Zythirion, a promise to fight alongside him and protect him at all costs, even if it has abandoned its 'Chivalrous' side and descended into a Demonic Path. 

Who said Demon's didn't have Honor?

[Ding!]

[Global Announcement: A Demonic Sword has appeared in the World, under the hands of the Empress of Battle Gear.]

[Heroes should be wary of facing the Demonic Sword.]

'... Fuck off, stupid system. Why should others know what I'm up to nowadays?'

Still, even if Morpheus tried to create a sense of awareness for the Players, Vecna's sense of gratitude welled up as he realized the significance of this moment. 

There's rarely Global Annoucements inside Satisfy, and those are reserved only for extraordinary achievements.

He had crafted countless weapons throughout his life, but none had ever manifested a personality of its own. Zythirion was different. It had chosen him as its master, recognizing the darkness within him and accepting it as a necessary force in their shared journey.

["This faithful Knight awaits your response, Master."]

"Zythirion," Vecna spoke, his voice resonating with a mixture of respect and gratitude. "I accept your pledge. Together, let us walk the path of shadows and bring forth the change we desire."

As his words hung in the air, the blade seemed to pulse with approval. A surge of energy coursed through Vecna's body, filling him with a newfound strength and conviction. He could sense the vast potential within Zythirion, waiting to be unleashed.

'Search Item: 'Zythirion'.'

[Zythirion]

Rating: Unique (Growth)

Durability: 351/351 | Attack Power: 605-795 

* Attack Speed +15% | Critical Strike Chance + 15%

* All stats increased by 10%

* Sword Mastery Level +4.

* The skill 'Crimson Shadowguard' is generated.

* The Skill 'Shadowstrike' is generated

* The Skill 'Demonic Aura' is generated

* Decreases the healing ability of the target by 50% when they are hit.

* A critical strike will cause a bleeding status that will last for 3 seconds. The bleeding damage will be proportional to your attack power.

* The target's bleeding effect will be maximized when three combos are achieved. At this time, the damage done to the target will increase by 200% for 1 second.

* When five combos are achieved, the target's thinking ability will be destroyed for 0.3 seconds. At this time, you can link the skill 'Blood Sword.'

* When a member of God Yatan uses this sword, it reduces the enemy's evasion rate by 25%, 

Zythirion is a sword made by the Empress of Battle Gear, Maribel Ironforge, using the bio product of an Archdemon, and the Ego of a 'Knightblade'. 

While the sword in its essence is Demonic, it will not fight against its Master, yet, involuntarily the wielder will suffer the backlash of the Demonic Power. The Ego of Zythirion will strive to protect its master. 

★ If the User is a Human, the constant wielding of Zythirion will turn them into a Demon.

Conditions of Use: A person who received Zythirion's Pledge.

Weight: 290

.

[Crimson Shadowguard - LV.1]

Type: Active

Crimson Shadowguard is a defensive skill that enhances the character's ability to withstand attacks and protect themselves and their allies. The skill focuses on enhancing evasion, damage mitigation, and crowd control, making the character a formidable force on the battlefield.

- Defense Boost: Increases the user's defense by 20% for a duration of 60 seconds

- Evasion Boost: Increases the user's chance to dodge incoming attacks by 10% for a duration of 10 seconds.

- Damage Reflect: Reflects 15% of the damage received back to the attacker for a duration of 10 seconds.

- Taunt: Draws the attention of enemies towards the character, forcing them to attack the character instead of allies for a duration of 5 seconds.

.

[Shadowstrike - LV.1]

Type: Active

Shadowstrike is a deadly melee skill that allows the player to harness the power of shadows to strike their enemies swiftly and efficiently. By utilizing their stealth and agility, the player can deliver quick and powerful attacks, gaining the upper hand in combat.

Strikes the target with a swift and accurate shadow-infused strike, dealing 780% attack damage with a 50% armor penetration, and reducing the target's movements by 20% for 5 seconds. 

Skill Mana Cost: 550 MP

Skill Cooldown: 120 seconds

.

[Demonic Aura - LV.1]

Skill Description:

Demonic Aura is a powerful skill that taps into the dark forces of the underworld, empowering its user with a malevolent energy. It envelopes the user in a sinister aura, enhancing their abilities while instilling fear in their enemies. 

[Level 1 - Searing Presence]

The Demonic Aura skill is awakened, generating a subtle, flickering red aura around the user. Enemies within a small radius around the user experience a slight decrease in their physical and magical defense. The aura dampens the morale of opponents, reducing their attack power by a minor amount.

- Decrease in physical defense: 5%

- Decrease in magical defense: 5%

- Decrease in opponent's attack power: 3%

Skill Mana Cost: 50 MP/sec (once the Skill is Canceled, the Cooldown will begin)

Skill Cooldown: 5 minutes

.

Reading all of the information related to Zythirion, Vecna couldn't help but be amazed at how versatile and strong the former reliant Knightsblade has evolved into. The Sword that would try its best to protect him with its Defense Boost buff, was now encompassing all aspects of the fight.

'There's something that has been troubling me. Why wasn't the sword, Legendary? I used quite the Deluxe Materials for the crafting.'

{It's not as simple as you think, kid. Even if you have a 'God' forging is at times a matter of luck.}

'Luck…'

{Now, you seem to be complaining that you didn't get what you wanted. Are you some kid?}

'I'm not complaining. It's just the idea itself that intrigues me. Can this feature of crafting be manipulated?'

{Manipulate what? Come on, don't make this Great Vampire think he is normal between the two… Wait…}

'Yeah, can the outcome of what weapon or armor you want to achieve be manipulated?'

{I haven't thought about it that deep. Usually, I would just commission the work to the Imperial Forger, and be done with it. Usually, I would have gotten Legendary Artifacts, because August was that Lucky.}

'Luck… Tell me, Lamech. Is there a God of Luck'

{... Fortuna. There is a God of Luck, indeed.}

'Then, there's a chance of manipulating such outcomes. But, the variables need to be reasonable. You can't feed on the forge trash and expect to get a phoenix.'

{Okay, stop digging that rabbit hole. Check out the sword to see how it feels at first wield.}

Wielding the Demonic Blade, Vecna moved to the courtyard and began performing precise and fluid drills with the longsword. 

Each strike showcased his advanced sword mastery, leaving Garret in awe of his skill. As Elysia, the Elven Princess, watched with wide eyes, she couldn't help but be "wowed" by the agility and precision in Vecna's swordsmanship.

Meanwhile, Maribel stood nearby, nodding her head nonstop with a proud smile on her face. 

"Yep, that's my work. Not quite a Masterpiece, but it's up there with my rest of the work. If I was in my prime, this would have been a Legendary for sure."

"My Lady, what you have crafted is beyond a Masterpiece." praised Garret who couldn't take his eyes off Zythirion. 

She felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing that she had successfully completed her job of crafting such a formidable weapon. She even patted her own shoulder in self-approval, feeling a swell of pride.

"Is good that you opened your eyes to reality, brat. I was about to hit you in the head with your own hammer."

"Hahaha, take me for an ignorant fool, my lady. Do you think I could become your apprentice?"

"Pfff, no way. I'm not taking any apprentices. Not until I achieve my ultimate masterpiece to transcend this Shell of mine."

Saying that with a serious tone, not long after as she watched Vecna's swordsmanship, she started to smile proud of what she was seeing.

Vecna, noticing Maribel's admiration, stopped his showcase of sword skills and cast "Blood Requiem" into the air. 

"I guess, this will be all for those in attendance." remarked Vecna while his cold, crimson eyes were watching in the distance, sensing the presence of a group of people.

With a resolute strike of the 'Blood Requiem', the night sky transformed into a mesmerizing scene of swirling crimson as blood-like patterns painted the canvas above. The ethereal display added a touch of drama and enchantment to the atmosphere.

Impressed by Maribel's craftsmanship, Vecna praised her for the exceptional job she had done with Zythirion. 

"Maribel, your craftsmanship has exceeded my expectations," Vecna praised, sheathing Zythirion with a fluid motion. "This sword is a masterpiece, I shall repay you without delay."

Maribel's eyes glinted with a mix of pride and humility. She brushed off his compliment. "I appreciate your kind words, Vecna, but it wasn't the exact result I was looking for. Still, fortunately I didn't make a mess of myself to craft an Epic Rated Sword." 

"I held on my end of the bargain." said the crimson-haired beauty gazing into Vecna's charming eyes.

Vecna nodded, acknowledging that part, and shifting his expression to a defeated one, he plays along to Maribel. "Indeed, you did. When the War with the Orcs is over, I will take you on a Date. What does Valoria sound like?"

"Mhm, you better not make my date boring."

Elysia, overheard the chat between the two, and still captivated by the display, chimed in, 

"Vecna, your mastery over the sword is truly impressive. It wasn't anything like this in the past, you only stuck to your Basics."

"And, I don't know what was that about a Date… But I also want one."

Vecna, slightly taken aback by Elysia's unexpected request, raised an eyebrow. He glanced between Maribel and Elysia, pondering the situation for a moment. The mischievous glint in his eyes returned as he formulated a plan.

"Very well, Elysia," Vecna said, a smirk forming on his lips. "I shall grant you a date as well, but only on one condition. You must prove yourself and showcase your talent against the Orcs. Earn your way into my affection."

Elysia's purple eyes widened with excitement and determination. She couldn't resist the challenge presented to her, especially when it involved a chance to spend time with someone like Vecna.

"You have my word, Vecna," Elysia said, her voice filled with determination. "I shall not only prove myself in battle but also demonstrate the full extent of my abilities."

Maribel, observing the exchange between Vecna and Elysia, couldn't help but feel a sense of rivalry ignite within her. She knew the upcoming battle would be her opportunity to show Vecna her own strength and skill.

"And I, too, shall give my all in battle," Maribel declared, her voice steady and resolute. "I won't let Elysia steal all the glory."

Vecna chuckled, pleased by the newfound competitive spirit between the two women.

"Not necessary. But, very well," Vecna said, his tone tinged with excitement. "Let the battle against the Orcs become the stage where you both prove your worth. Impress me, and perhaps the date will be more than you ever imagined."