My Blood Legacy: Reincarnated as a Vampire

The silence that followed Dante's words was almost palpable, as if the very light of Heaven hesitated. Raphael clenched his fists, and the peaceful expression on his face shifted to something darker—a carefully restrained fury. Uriel remained still, but her golden eyes burned with intensity, scrutinizing every word from Dante as if they were daggers aimed directly at him.

"You dare accuse the Heavenly Mother of something so vile?" Raphael asked, his voice low but laced with a contained anger that could make mountains tremble.

Dante shrugged, the smile never leaving his lips. "Accusation? No, no, dear. It's a fact. But I understand—truths that don't fit your narrative are hard to swallow." He began circling the two archangels, like a predator taunting its prey. "You live in this golden bubble, ignoring the cracks in the Veil, the cries from the mortal world, and the rising chaos in Hell. Meanwhile, I'm down there, playing chess with monsters and cleaning up the mess she left behind."

Uriel finally spoke, her voice sharp as the edge of a blade. "If these claims are false, your head won't leave here attached to your body, Dante."

Dante stopped abruptly, raising a finger as if lecturing distracted children. "See? That's what I like about you guys—so quick with the threats. It's refreshing, really. But if you want proof, just ask the 'Heavenly Mother' herself. I bet she won't deny it. Of course, she might... omit a few details."

Raphael narrowed his eyes. "You claim to have acquired both Virtues and Sins. That's not something you can do without consequences."

"Ah, the consequences." Dante sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "Believe me, I feel them. Carrying them is like dancing with a dragon—fiery, dangerous, and honestly, quite exhilarating. But you lot prefer to stay up here, pretending the chaos down below doesn't affect you. Am I wrong?"

Uriel stepped forward, her presence radiating power. "If you've truly done what you claim, then you're playing with forces that could destroy everything. We're not blind to the chaos, Dante, but you act like an arsonist blaming others for the fires you set."

Dante tilted his head, studying Uriel with sharp curiosity. "Interesting. Maybe you're the only one here who understands what's at stake. But tell me, Uriel, if the world's already burning, don't you think it's time to set a bigger fire to consume the ashes? A divine reset, so to speak."

Raphael took a deep breath, crossing his arms. "You want to speak to the Mother, don't you? Why? Just to boast about your supposed achievements?"

"Oh, Raphael, always so literal." Dante grinned. "I want what she promised me—divine power. It's the final component for my... transformation." He paused, letting the word linger in the air. "And before you ask, yes, I'll use it to save the world. Well, in a way."

Uriel narrowed her eyes. "In a way?"

Dante shrugged again. "Let's just say I'm still figuring out what'll happen. I'm giving it time to understand the effects."

The silence that followed was even heavier than before, until Raphael finally spoke. "If the Heavenly Mother has received you, then the decision is hers. But know this, Dante—any misstep, and there will be no mercy."

Dante's grin widened, and he spread his arms. "Ah, Raphael, mercy was never something I expected. I just hope you can keep up." As he spoke, Dante let a sliver of his aura slip out.

"!!!" Raphael and Uriel instinctively recoiled, their eyes wide as they struggled to process what they were sensing.

"This... shouldn't be possible," Raphael muttered, her voice trembling. The rosy glow around her flickered, unstable. "You're fusing... opposing forces. Spiritual and Negative. This is an abomination!"

"Ah, 'abomination,' your favorite word, isn't it?" Dante mocked, stepping forward. Each of his movements seemed to make the ground tremble, as if Heaven itself was contemplating rejecting him. "You love labeling what you don't understand. You know what's funny? This power you call an abomination was built from pieces of Strelitzia's own creations. The Virtues, the Sins... all part of her system. So, tell me, who's the real monster here?"

Uriel, silent until now, finally drew her sword, the blade radiating divine light. She pointed it at Dante, her eyes burning with determination. "It doesn't matter how you obtained this power. If you threaten the balance of Heaven and the cosmos, we will not let you continue."

Dante tilted his head, his smile growing even more menacing. "Ah, balance. That meaningless word you love to throw around to justify your inaction. Balance is just an excuse for doing nothing. You think you have control over everything, but look at me." He gestured to himself, his aura swelling further.

"You didn't even know your daddy was a mommy—imagine trying to grasp balance! Fufufu..." Dante began to laugh, and then, "Did you know this world is fals—"

"That's enough, Dante." Strelitzia's voice cut through, silencing him before he could say more.

Dante stopped mid-sentence, momentarily surprised, before his trademark mocking grin returned. Slowly, he turned to face Strelitzia, now fully visible. Her presence emanated absolute authority, her wings radiating a light that outshone everything around her. The very atmosphere seemed to calm in her presence.

"Ah, Strelitzia," Dante said theatrically, taking a step back and giving an exaggerated bow. "Always so punctual when it comes to shutting me up. You have a real talent for ruining my jokes, you know?"

Strelitzia ignored his provocation, descending gracefully until she stood level with Dante. Her glowing eyes held a mix of frustration and something resembling... exhaustion. "You've crossed enough lines for one day, Dante. There's no need to reveal truths they're not ready to hear."

Dante raised an eyebrow, amusement still clear on his face. "Ah, but how will they ever learn if no one challenges them? You know as well as I do they live comfortably in this convenient ignorance."

Raphael and Uriel appeared even more confused and wary but remained silent, watching the clash between Dante and Strelitzia unfold.

"Dante," Strelitzia said, her voice sharp. "You came here with a specific purpose. Do not stray from it."

He chuckled quietly, crossing his arms. "Yes, yes. Focus. Always so pragmatic, aren't you? Very well, let's get straight to the point. I'm here to claim what you promised me."

Raphael stepped forward, visibly uneasy. "What was promised? What kind of deal have you made?"

Strelitzia raised a hand, silencing her with a simple gesture. "That is none of your concern, Raphael. This matter is between Dante and me." Her gaze returned to Dante. "And it's time to settle it."

Dante smirked, clearly pleased. "Now we're speaking the same language." He took a few steps toward Strelitzia, his aura dimming slightly, though it remained overwhelming.

Before anything else could happen, he glanced over his shoulder at Raphael and Uriel, winking arrogantly. "Don't worry, children. This won't hurt. Well... not for you, at least."

Strelitzia sighed deeply, visibly restraining herself from rolling her eyes. "You'll never change, will you?"

"I change constantly," he replied with a grin. "That's why I'm so interesting."

Dante crossed his arms, tilting his head as he looked directly at Strelitzia. "You know what I'm here for, and you know I won't leave without it. So why prolong the inevitable? Give me the divine energy."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Strelitzia remained silent for a moment, her eyes scrutinizing Dante as though deciding something crucial. "Do you understand what you're asking for?" Her voice was calm but laden with seriousness. "Divine energy isn't just power. It's a burden. It means carrying a piece of the cosmos' very essence, and it comes with consequences."

Dante laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, don't worry. I'm already full of burdens. One more won't make a difference. Besides, I don't have time for moral lessons, Strelitzia. The world is falling apart, in case you haven't noticed."

"I have noticed," she replied, her tone unwavering. "And that's exactly why I'm hesitant. Giving you divine energy could either bring balance or completely destroy what's left of this world. You walk a fine line between salvation and ruin, Dante."

He shrugged. "Balance has never been my strong suit. But doing what needs to be done? Now, that's another story. You know I'm the only one who can handle this."

Strelitzia closed her eyes for a moment, as though meditating on her decision. When she opened them again, an intense light radiated from her, and her wings expanded, filling the space with a celestial glow that even made Raphael and Uriel step back in reverence.

"You're right," she said, her voice now carrying an almost divine resonance. "This is a critical moment. And as much as it pains me to admit it, you're the only one capable of bearing this burden right now."

Dante's grin widened, almost relieved, yet still exuding his signature confidence. "Finally, some sense. So, shall we get this over with?"

Strelitzia extended her hands, and a sphere of pure light began to form between them. It was so bright it seemed impossible to look at directly, but Dante didn't avert his gaze for a second. He stepped forward, extending his own hands.

"You understand there's no going back after this," she warned. "This energy will change you in ways even I can't predict."

"I'm used to change," he replied, his eyes glowing with determination. "Now, give it to me."

Strelitzia nodded slowly, and with an elegant motion, she pushed the sphere of light toward him. As soon as the divine energy touched Dante's hands, it expanded, engulfing him in a vortex of pure power. The chamber was filled with a deafening roar, and Raphael and Uriel had to shield their eyes from the overwhelming brilliance.

Dante felt the divine energy invade his body, burning like fire and freezing like ice simultaneously, every cell vibrating with unimaginable power. He screamed, not in pain, but in release, in acceptance. His form began to glow, his aura expanding to levels even Strelitzia seemed surprised by.

When the light finally receded, Dante stood, breathing heavily. His body still radiated a golden light, his eyes now shone like stars, and his presence was almost oppressive.

"Well," he said with a weary but triumphant smile, "I guess that takes care of the divine energy problem."

Strelitzia watched him for a moment before speaking. "Leave. You have what you wanted."

"Of course, everything is perfectly aligned now," Dante replied with a smirk. Then, with a flicker of his energy, he disappeared, tearing through the Veil that protects Paradise once more as he went.