Secrets of the Book of Night

Back in the inn, the night had stretched into the early hours of dawn. Elysia's restlessness had finally given way to a light doze, her dreams a mixture of memories and hopes. 

She dreamt of her homeland, of Silverwood Kingdom, and the loved ones she had lost. But amidst the melancholy, there was also a glimmer of something new, something she couldn't quite define, a shadowy figure extending its hand toward a lonely girl.

When the first rays of sunlight crept into the room, Elysia finally succumbed to a deeper sleep, her mind finding respite from its tumultuous thoughts. Maribel, on the other hand, was already up and ready, her energetic spirit seemingly unaffected by the night's events.

Vecna, having been reading from his Divine Artifact, the Book of Night, didn't seem fazed by the girls' rest. He looked up as Maribel greeted him with her usual vivacity, his expression retaining a hint of indifference.

"Morning," Maribel chimed, her tone lively.

"Hmm," Vecna glanced up from the pages of the book, his expression composed and his demeanor calm. 

"Morning. How long have you been standing there in silence?" Maribel inquired, her curiosity evident.

"Not long," Vecna replied with a small chuckle. "I just returned from my own rest. Perhaps an hour or two ago. I didn't keep track."

As Maribel rose from her bed, she gracefully moved closer to Vecna, her nightgown revealing her alluring curves, an embodiment of mature elegance. Her confident steps led her to Vecna's side, her playful demeanor undeterred by his stoic presence. 

Settling onto his lap, she peeked over his shoulder, her curiosity piqued by the contents of the Divine Artifact.

With a twinkle in her eye and a touch of jest, she leaned closer, her words a mixture of cheekiness and suggestion. "Pardon my audacity. I hope you don't mind a mature lady taking a bit of your time."

To her surprise, Vecna didn't react negatively to her playful gesture. Instead, he chuckled softly and allowed her to peek into the contents of his Divine Artifact. What she discovered was a page detailing something intriguing, something that spoke of Vecna's unique abilities.

To her surprise, Vecna didn't react as she expected. Rather than rebuffing her or showing discomfort, he chuckled softly, his calm demeanor unchanged. He allowed her to glance at the contents of the Book of Night, revealing a section titled [Blood Servant System].

★ [Blood Servant System]

"Blood Servant System," she read aloud, her gaze flitting over the text. It explained how Vecna could turn individuals into his Blood Servants, allowing him to keep track of their progress and well-being. 

Maribel couldn't help but be fascinated by the depth of Vecna's Vampiric powers, and she marveled at the almost divine nature of these abilities.

'What is this page all about?'

Maribel's curiosity burned brightly as she considered the implications of Vecna's unique abilities. With genuine intrigue, she looked at him, her gaze probing yet respectful.

"Vecna," she began, her voice tinged with curiosity, "this Blood Servant System... it's more than just a mere spell, isn't it? I mean, being able to monitor and connect with your servants even when you're apart, it's almost like… divine magic."

"I doubt Beriache was capable of pulling this when she was casted on Middle-Earth as she lost her Authority as an Archdemon."

She unintentionally revealed another bit of information that stirred Vecna's curiosity, but he was wearing his 'Vampiric Persona Mask', forcing himself to stay calm and indifferent. His crimson eyes meet Maribel's in a steady gaze. He didn't seem taken aback by her observation, as if he had expected such questions.

"You're right," he confirmed, his tone even and thoughtful. "It goes beyond the scope of a typical Vampiric Skill. The Blood Servant System is a manifestation of my Divine Authority that has been passed to me by the previous wielder of this power."

"However, I'm currently limited beyond your understanding because of particular reasons I might share with you depending on your performance. What you need to know is that this Power will also help you girls grow stronger since it's intricately linked to my Vampiric Powers."

"So, if I understand correctly," Maribel mused, her tone thoughtful, "you're like the leader, the ultimate authority of the vampires. The one who holds the true power of their bloodline."

Vecna's smile remained enigmatic, his reply measured. "In a way, yes. I bear the legacy of the First Progenitor, Caine, the one who brought the vampiric race into existence. The Blood Servant System is a part of that legacy, an ability that allows me to maintain a connection with those I turn into my servants."

Maribel's curiosity danced in her eyes, her interest in Vecna's revelations genuine and unfeigned. She couldn't help but lean in a bit closer, her proximity to him increasing as her excitement grew.

"And this power... it's almost mythical in a way, isn't it?" she mused, her voice filled with wonder. "The ability to form bonds that transcend the limitations of time and distance."

Vecna's gaze remained unwavering, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. "Indeed," he agreed, his tone carrying a hint of self-assuredness.

As the conversation continued, Maribel's mind buzzed with newfound knowledge. She was captivated by the implications of the Blood Servant System, the depth of its connection that extended beyond divine interventions.

However, her playful and inquisitive nature couldn't be contained. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned even closer, her ample figure pressing lightly against Vecna's chest. It was a casual gesture, a teasing intimacy that seemed to come naturally to her.

"But why share this with me?" she questioned, a note of genuine curiosity in her voice. "Why reveal something so personal?"

Vecna's composed expression softened, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of seriousness and warmth. His fingers found a subtle resting place on her waist as he answered, his tone sincere.

"Because you and Elysia are more than just puppets to me," he replied, his voice gentle. "You've become companions on this journey, and it's only fair that you know about the aspects that shape my character and abilities."

A fleeting, playful smile tugged at Maribel's lips as she met Vecna's eyes. The atmosphere between them was charged with a unique connection that seemed to deepen with each passing moment. Was this the effects of the Blood Servant System that enhanced the bonding between Master and Servant.

She could only wonder, but in this moment she found the feelings she was experiencing rather sweet. In her long life, she only felt this when she found her husband, but lost them when she lost him to the Fire Emperor, the Ancient Dragon called Trauka, a powerful dragon ruling over the Serpentspine Mountain that Talima Kingdom was calling home.

"Besides," Vecna continued, his tone shifting ever so slightly, "you seem to have a certain knowledge about the current state of the Vampire world. It would be advantageous for me to have you by my side, willingly, rather than through force."

As their conversation weaved between intrigue and playful banter, Vecna's gaze held a contemplative gleam. It was almost as if he had a hidden card up his sleeve, a surprise he was eager to share with Maribel.

"You know," he mused, his tone carrying a touch of mischief, "there's something else in the Book of Night that might interest you."

Maribel's interest was immediately piqued. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in a bit closer, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Vecna's fingers gently turned the pages of the Book of Night, stopping at a section that held a new revelation. 

★ [Blood Magic System]

Maribel's proximity to him remained unchanged, her figure still pressed lightly against his chest. It was a subtle closeness, a playful yet teasing act that seemed to be testing the boundaries of their camaraderie.

"What's this?" Maribel asked, her gaze shifting between the text and Vecna's face. "Blood Magic System? That sounds intriguing."

Vecna's lips quirked into a knowing smile, his gaze meeting hers. "Indeed, it is. This section of the book holds another ability that I possess as a Progenitor."

As Maribel's curiosity grew, she couldn't help but let her playful side take over. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she shifted slightly in Vecna's lap, her movements subtle yet intentional. She wanted to see just how long he could maintain his composed demeanor, especially with her curvaceous body so close to him.

"Mind if I take a closer look?" she asked innocently, her fingers reaching out to gently touch the page of the book.

She could see some pages blank, while others were filled with characters of a magically enchanted ink. Whoever created this Book wasn't an amateur thought the mature woman, as she nestled into Vecna's lap.

Vecna's reaction was measured, his expression remaining relatively unchanged. He allowed her to inspect the page, his fingers still casually resting on her waist. 

Maribel's fingers traced the characters on the page, her gaze focused as she absorbed the information. Yet, her attention was divided, her peripheral vision catching Vecna's composed facade. She couldn't help but test the waters, shifting her position slightly to see if his resolve would waver.

Vecna's reaction was subtle, his lips curving into a hint of a smile. His fingers gave a gentle squeeze to her waist, a silent acknowledgment of her playful attempts. He maintained his poker face, his demeanor unfazed by her teasing.

Yet before long, she suddenly got serious, forgetting about her play with Vecna, her expression growing more intrigued as she absorbed the information. The image of the spread deck of cards, all of them upside-down, caught her attention. 

The crimson eye on the back of the cards seemed to hold an eerie presence, almost as if it was peering directly into her soul.

'Ego! That eye is the embodiment of the Artifact's Ego! I can feel it.' thought Maribel to herself.

'This is the Ego of a Divine Artifact. The best I could do was a Legendary Ego in Talima's Shame.'

"Vecna, this image… it's like the very essence of the Artifact is watching us," she remarked, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and wariness.

Vecna's eyes remained on Maribel, his lips curving into a faint smile. "You have a good eye for Objects. That eye is the embodiment of the Ego residing in this Book. It's still slumbering. I might consult you with ways to wake the Ego, but not at this time."

Maribel's intrigue deepened as Vecna's explanation continued. She watched as he formed a Blood Missile in his palm, his control over his vampiric powers displayed effortlessly. The power he held was both captivating and intimidating, a blend of beauty and danger that she couldn't help but admire.

The atmosphere in the room had taken on a playful and relaxed tone, and Maribel decided to capitalize on it. With a sly smile, she leaned in a bit closer to Vecna, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"You know, Vecna," she began, her voice a teasing whisper, "I've been thinking about our little chess matches in the past. It seems like we've both grown and changed since then."

Vecna's gaze met hers, a hint of curiosity in his crimson eyes. He remained silent, allowing Maribel to continue with her playful banter.

A slow, knowing smile played on Maribel's lips as she leaned in even closer, her presence almost intoxicating. "I wonder, can you still keep your composure in the heat of the game? Especially now that we've shared some… intimate insights into each other's abilities."

Vecna's lips curved into a small smirk, a challenge evident in his expression. "Are you trying to provoke me, Maribel? You know that it's a foolish idea, your Automatons suffered because of your mistake of taunting me."

She chuckled softly, her gaze holding his with a mixture of playfulness and genuine interest. 

"Maybe. You should try them when they're not sealed by Kolm's Runes. But I'm also genuinely curious. Can the great Vecna, the one who keeps his emotions in check even in the face of danger, maintain that same level of control during a chess match with me?"

She leaned in even closer, her lips almost brushing against his ear, her voice a sensual whisper. 

"Right now."

Vecna's eyebrow raised in curiosity, but his expression remained composed. "Oh? Right now?"