Danmachi: Echoes of a Vampire God

The first thing he felt upon waking was pain... again.

A deep, constant burning, like live embers coursing through every one of his muscles, every nerve, every centimeter of his skin. He was so sore he could barely make out what was around him.

'Where… am I?'

The question crossed his mind like a faint whisper, barely audible even to himself. The second thing he noticed was the dripping. Water falling in a steady rhythm from some point on the ceiling. One drop… another… and then one more. Some brushed against his face, cold, soft.

He opened his eyes with difficulty.

The ceiling above him was made of a familiar wet stone, smooth and curved, covered in a layer of bluish crystals that sparkled like tiny stars. The place was much smaller than where he had fought the Moss Huge, but no less magical.

Around him, water covered much of the floor like a crystal mirror. The blue light filtering through the crystals gave the place a dreamlike, unreal tone, as if he were trapped in a memory.

But he wasn't floating. He wasn't on the water.

He was lying… on something soft. Something warm.

He blinked several times and looked up.

Marie.

He was resting on her lap, like before.

The "bed" they were on wasn't an ordinary bed—at least not one he was used to. It was a massive seashell, opened like a flower and as large as a bathtub, with a padded center full of fabrics, soft furs, and makeshift pillows.

And around them, scattered seemingly at random but placed with a certain care, were piles of objects—pieces of rusted armor, broken swords, loose jewels, half-folded tunics, opened chests, broken necklaces, empty perfume bottles, a dormant magic lamp, small golden boots, a cracked mirror, a clock with no hands.

'Is this her… room?'

A mermaid's nest.

For some reason, he didn't need to think twice. He just knew. There was something in the atmosphere, in the way the space enveloped him, that reminded him of the place she had taken him before, on the 25th floor. The same intimate air. The same ordered chaos.

And then… the memories returned.

The fight. The roar of the Moss Huge. The energy, the explosion. His body falling. The darkness.

Then, the dream. The city. The girl. The alley. Her words. Her hair.

And in the end… the kiss.

His face turned red instantly.

'What the hell did I do?! Did I stick my tongue in?!'

'And she… she didn't stop me!'

His heart skipped a beat. Not only had she not pushed him away… she had accepted it. He remembered perfectly how her lips had moved slightly against his. The warmth. The wetness. The surrender. The soft moan that escaped her throat. Her expression when they pulled apart, as if she hadn't wanted it to end.

'And on top of that I told her I was in love with her! Damn idiot!'

He covered his face with both hands, wishing he could bury himself under the sheets. He tried to move, but his body still protested with every motion. With difficulty, he managed to turn his neck.

And then… their eyes met.

Marie was watching him in silence. A soft smile was on her lips, calm, warm, almost serene. But her eyes… they glowed with something more. Something he couldn't define right away. Tenderness? Joy? Love? Pos…sessiveness?

Kael swallowed hard, uncomfortable.

"Kael… is feeling better now?"

Her voice was barely a whisper.

Sweet. Melodic.

But in his mind, a thought flared like an alarm.

'Something's definitely not right. No… nothing is right.'

Marie didn't say a word about the kiss. Didn't mention it. Didn't look at him strangely. Didn't ask. She just slid her fingers across his forehead, with a gentle, patient, almost motherly caress. Her fingers, warm and moist, glided across his skin with tenderness.

"Kael can rest a bit more if he wants."

And at that moment, Kael felt his soul almost leave his body.

On the outside, he just had a slightly red face and a tense expression on his lips. He looked uncomfortable, yes… but no more than that.

Inside, however, was complete chaos.

'Why doesn't she say anything? Why is she acting like nothing happened?'

No answer came. Only her silence and the soft dripping of water as it fell.

Minutes passed. Or maybe hours.

Kael, still weak, tried to sit up. It was difficult. His muscles complained with every attempt, his bones felt like lead. But Marie was there. She helped him silently.

And even so, even sitting, Kael felt on the verge of collapse.

Empty. No energy, no strength, no blood. Just a body dragging what little remained of itself.

Marie noticed. She didn't need words to understand. She saw it in his posture, in his breathing, in how his hands trembled trying to support himself.

Then, with that usual tenderness of hers, she came closer. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and hugged him gently. Kael's body tensed immediately, but he said nothing.

Before he could react, he heard her voice by his ear—

"Does Kael want to drink Marie's blood?"

And this time, it wasn't nervousness that paralyzed him. It was the weight of what that question meant.

Marie understood. She had learned over those days by his side about the connection he had with blood. And she hadn't just observed… he himself had confirmed it. His energy, his power, his very existence… were tied to blood.

And now… she offered herself. Willingly.

Kael hesitated.

He knew how risky it was. He knew he could lose control by drinking her blood. But he also knew something else—in his current state, not even hundreds of magic stones would have an effect. Not without energy to amplify. Not without a starting point.

And using his skill… was completely out of the question. He didn't want to become a monster before reaching the surface.

The most reasonable thing would've been to wait. To let his body slowly regenerate with the little blood Marie had already given him when she healed him. In a few days, maybe, he'd be fine again.

But that was the problem.

He didn't have days. He had five.

Five days before the protagonist arrived in Orario.

Five days before his entire plan fell apart.

Drinking Marie's blood… was his only real option.

And he decided. Kael lifted his gaze.

Marie flinched slightly. Not out of fear, but because of the intensity in his eyes. She had seen that look before. A mix of resolve, restrained hunger, and something darker pulsing within.

He lowered his gaze to her neck. Marie felt it immediately.

Her body reacted before her mind. Her cheeks turned a deep blue. The fins on the sides of her face fluttered softly. A shiver ran down her body.

Kael leaned in, guided by something deeper than thought. An impulse. An instinct. A certainty. He knew that place… her neck… was the most direct source. The most intimate. The purest.

Marie opened her eyes slightly, surprised by the direction his face took even though she had already felt his gaze, but she didn't pull away. Not even a little.

Not a single centimeter.

Her breathing quickened. A tremble ran through her. Small, but real.

And then… he bit her.

Gently. Slowly. His fangs sank in carefully, as if they knew the way. Her skin gave in, warm, pliant. A drop slid down… but his lips caught it before it fell. He drank. Once. Then again.

And with each sip, his weak and empty body came back to life.

His pulse quickened, yes, but not like before. He was no longer a starving beast. It was something more controlled. More present. For the first time, Kael felt he could master his impulse. Not repress it… but guide it.

Marie trembled under his lips. She made no sound, but each shudder spoke for her. The faint spasm in her back, the way her breath hitched for seconds, the growing heat on her skin.

And Kael… could feel it all.

He could feel the slight tremble in her vocal cords. The restrained gasp. As if a moan was hiding in her throat, clinging to silence by sheer willpower.

The blood tasted different. Richer. More alive.

It wasn't just magic that ran through her veins. It was emotion. It was trust. It was surrender.

Kael kept control. He drank slowly, as if each sip were sacred. He sucked with firmness, but with tenderness. His tongue occasionally brushed the wound, cleaning it gently, almost reverently.

Marie had her eyes closed.

She placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. Her body didn't know how to react. Her tail trembled. Her back arched in a slow rhythm, as if her body floated between pleasure and confusion.

Until Kael pulled away.

She opened her eyes slowly.

They were bright, slightly clouded. Not from weakness. Not entirely. Her face was flushed, and her breathing was erratic. As if she had just come out of a deep dream… or something much more intimate.

Her lips parted. But she said nothing. She just looked at him. And that look… That strange look that seemed to pierce through him, as if it saw him completely and didn't judge what it found.

And it wasn't just her gaze.

It was her closeness, her silent surrender. Her still uneven breathing. The way she had let him approach, without hesitation, trembling only from nerves… not fear. It made his heart race uncontrollably.

Marie was still panting softly, her head tilted. She didn't seem to fully understand what had just happened or the heat in her body… but she accepted it. She accepted it with all her being.

Kael looked away.

He took a deep breath.

'Damn it…'

His body burned. His heart pounded. But he couldn't give in... Not now.

Not when… he knew he'd have to leave soon.

Kael took another deep breath.

Then he opened his eyes.

He remembered what he had to do.

Kael unconsciously ran his tongue over his lips, still tasting her. He could feel the energy slowly flowing through his body, like a serene fire returning warmth to his veins. His heart, which had barely moved before, now thundered strongly, as if it finally remembered it had to stay alive.

And still… he couldn't meet her gaze.

Marie was still looking at him. Her large, almost crystalline green eyes were clouded by something Kael didn't fully understand. She was still blushing. Her cheeks were still tinged with that soft blue that seemed even brighter against her damp skin.

He swallowed hard.

It wasn't just her blood that had stirred him. Not entirely.

It was her.

And Kael… couldn't stay there.

Not with that look. Not with that weight. Not now.

Looking to escape the moment, he forced his lips to move.

"The Moss Huge…"

Marie blinked, surprised.

The tension's magic broke like a fragile membrane. The mere mention of the name was enough to bring her back to the present. Her body, once relaxed, tensed slightly. A tremor ran through her shoulders. Her fins twitched, and her expression faltered.

"Kael… wants to go back there?"

Kael nodded. He tried to sound calm, though he knew he wouldn't succeed.

"I just want to check something. That bastard… had absurd regeneration. And from what I saw, it could split its body to survive if needed. If we don't make sure…"

He didn't finish the sentence.

It wasn't necessary.

Marie nodded slowly, lowering her gaze. Her breathing was still a bit unsteady, and the blush was still visible on her cheeks, as if it refused to fade. But she stepped aside gently, giving him space, and helped him stand.

Kael took a new set of clothes Marie had—his previous ones had been destroyed in the battle, even the tunic she'd given him didn't survive.

He felt an intense gaze as he changed, but decided to ignore it in silence.

It wasn't elegant, but it served its purpose. Once ready, he glanced at Marie. She understood. They began to move.

Kael walked out with a bit more strength. His body, though still sore, no longer felt empty. He had energy. He was functional again. The water reached his knees, and with each step, the gentle ripples created circles on the surface that reflected the ceiling's crystals.

Marie led the way, gliding softly through the water without saying a word. It wasn't a tense silence. It was peaceful. Almost… intimate. A tacit understanding, as if their thoughts no longer needed words.

When they finally arrived at the cavern where the battle had taken place, Kael stopped.

What he saw… surprised him more than expected.

The majesty that had once left him breathless was gone. The cave, which had once seemed like a divine temple, was now a field of ruins. Shattered rocks, fallen stalactites, broken ground, scorched walls. The air still smelled of ash and old blood. The crystals that once lit the place with a mystical glow were now dull, lifeless, as if life itself had left them.

Only one remained.

And it glowed.

Kael saw it immediately.

A purple crystal, the size of his head, embedded among rocks and debris. Its light was intense, alive, like a heart still beating beneath the earth. A core. The core.

Kael slowly approached. He dug it out with his hands, carefully clearing the broken stones around it. When he held it between his fingers, he felt the warmth it emitted. It was real. The core of the Moss Huge. Its magic stone.

It was dead.

They had done it.

He had kept his promise.

Kael stared at it for a long time, tempted—it was much larger than the magic stones he was used to. The energy it emitted was intense. He could feel it, like static on his skin, like a spark under his tongue. He knew that if he absorbed it now… the boost to his energy would be immense.

He had earned it.

And still… he didn't.

Instead, he turned. Walked toward Marie, who was watching from behind, head tilted, confused. And without saying a word… he offered her the magic stone.

She looked at him, perplexed.

"Huh…? No… Kael was the one who defeated it. Kael should…"

But he didn't let her finish.

With a small smile, he took her hand, gently, and placed the core in it.

"This was the monster that tormented you for so long. The one that took your home. The one that made you hide, that made you live in fear. You should have this. Absorb it. I want you to get stronger, Marie. I want… that when I leave, you can protect yourself."

She looked at him, speechless. Her fingers slowly closed around the crystal, as if afraid of breaking it. Her gaze dropped. And then she understood.

'When I leave…'

Yes.

Kael was going to leave.

She always knew. Always understood that he wasn't part of her world, that his presence was a miracle, but also a visit. Something temporary. A promise with an end.

But that didn't stop it from hurting.

Marie pressed the core to her chest. And in a low voice, almost like she was talking only to herself, she murmured—"Then… since Kael is leaving… let him stay at least tonight with Marie. At night… the monsters are more dangerous. It's better if Kael leaves tomorrow…"

Her excuse was clumsy. Childish. Hesitant.

But her voice trembled.

And her eyes… her eyes shone with a fragile hope. As if she feared that, if she didn't say those words, he would vanish.

Kael couldn't speak at first.

His heart… ached.

He looked at her in silence. He couldn't bear to see that sad face.

And then she, seeing he wasn't answering, came closer. Her voice cracked a little.

"Marie… just wants Kael to spend one last special night with… her…"

And there, Kael's brain short-circuited.

'A special… night? She's… inviting me to do that…?'

His face turned scarlet.

His heart skipped a beat. His throat closed. His breathing turned erratic. He stumbled a step back.

"N-no, I… I mean…"

Marie looked at him, and her smile faltered. She thought he was rejecting her. That he didn't want to stay with her.

And that… was more than Kael could take.

He sighed.

"All right… I'll stay tonight."

Marie's eyes lit up instantly. Her smile returned with almost magical strength. Without a word, she took his hand and led him back to the previous cave. The dimmer glow on the walls signaled nightfall, wrapping the cave in a soft veil.

After leaving him in the cave where he had woken up, Marie disappeared for a few minutes. Kael waited, nervous.

When she returned… he almost choked on his own saliva.

She was wearing only the old shirt he had given her days ago. Big, torn, damp in some spots… and absolutely nothing else. No shells.

He was supposed to be used to it… but after everything that had happened, and with the look she gave him, it was impossible not to get nervous.

She looked at him, in silence.

And then… raised her arms.

A silent request she often made when they went to sleep —she wanted him to carry her.

Kael swallowed hard again. His mind was chaos, but his legs acted before he could think too much. He approached and lifted her gently. Marie rested her head on his shoulder naturally, without fear, without tension.

Her body… fit against his as if it had always been waiting for that embrace.

He carried her to the improvised bed in the cave. They lay down together. Kael tried to stay relaxed, but he couldn't. His entire body was tense. Every muscle a taut string. And then, Marie climbed on top of him.

Her weight was barely noticeable, but her presence… overwhelmed him.

'The time has come… come on, Kael… be a damn man.'

But then… she crawled inside his shirt.

'What the hell… isn't she supposed to be shy?!'

Her head rested right over his chest. Her arms slowly wrapped around him.

And… nothing else happened.

Kael stayed still. Closed his eyes in nervousness, waiting… for something. But nothing.

When he opened them, carefully… he saw her.

Asleep.

Her breathing was slow, calm. A soft smile graced her lips. A familiar one. The one she wore when she felt safe. Happy. Comfortable. At peace. At home.

And Kael understood everything.

Of course.

They were talking about Marie.

The innocent, sweet, transparent Marie.

Even if her body, by impulse or desire, asked her to take a step further… she didn't even know what that meant. She didn't understand the act. Had never considered it. Didn't know it.

The only way she even knew about kisses… was from the story he had told her before. The one about the mermaid and her prince.

And still, she had accepted it. Because she trusted him. Because she loved him in a way so pure it hurt.

Kael let out a low laugh. Just a breath. And also, a bit ashamed of himself.

'I'm an idiot…'

He wrapped his arms around her carefully, with affection and care. Just like the kind she always gave him.

"Good night… Marie."

And then he fell asleep. Protecting her. Loving her.

As always.

As if, even if he had to leave at dawn, a part of him… had already stayed behind.

With her.