The wind howled through the broken ruins of the old vampire sanctuary, carrying with it scents of dust, blood, and forgotten history. Russ stepped cautiously over crumbled stones, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor etched with runes glowing faintly red.
"This place gives me the creeps," Minx muttered behind him, her tail twitching.
Russ didn't respond. His attention was fixed on the pulsing symbol ahead—an emblem shaped like a coiled dragon eating its tail. As his palm brushed it, the entire wall shuddered and groaned, revealing a secret passage cloaked in void energy.
Behind them, Geo exhaled sharply. "That's… not natural. I've seen void energy before. But this—this is ancient."
"It's responding to me," Russ said, almost dazed.
"Because you're not just anyone," Layla added, stepping forward. "You're a Talen. And whatever your father did here—this place remembers."
The corridor led them to a chamber far older than the ruins above. Walls made of obsidian-like stone vibrated as if alive, and strange glyphs shimmered across the ceiling. In the center was a monolithic altar, and above it floated a book—no, not a book—a codex, formed of hovering plates of bloodsteel etched with glowing script.
Russ stepped forward, compelled by an invisible force.
"Don't touch it!" Geo barked.
But it was too late. The codex snapped open, pages spinning in midair, and a voice spoke—not aloud, but directly into Russ's mind.
"Blood of the progenitor. Bearer of the fractured system. Heir of the Void."
Russ fell to his knees, overwhelmed by visions. He saw his father, Quinn, atop a mountain of corpses, shadowed by a great winged creature. He saw the ancient creators of the vampire race—Primarchs—sealed in dimensions beyond comprehension. And then, he saw himself—standing before a mirror, his reflection twisted, corrupted by void tendrils crawling through his skin.
"Russ!" Layla rushed to him, shaking him.
He gasped and opened his eyes. The codex had vanished.
"I saw… everything," he whispered. "Or at least—pieces. The Primarchs… they're not gone. They're imprisoned. And someone is breaking the seals."
Minx stepped back. "You mean... those ancient vampire gods? They're still alive?"
"And worse," Russ added. "They're watching."
The ground trembled. A crack tore through the chamber, and void energy surged upward like a geyser. From it emerged a figure—humanoid, tall, cloaked in void mist. Its face was hidden, but the pressure of its presence drove everyone to their knees.
"You have awakened the Codex of Ashes," it said in a voice layered with countless echoes. "And now the path begins."
Russ struggled to his feet. "Who are you?"
"I am what remains of the Custodian. Guardian of the Void Gate. Your father sealed the Primarchs… but one escaped. And now, only you can find the gate and prevent his return."
The figure pointed a skeletal finger at Russ. "The system inside you is not complete. It is a fragment of what once was—a splinter of the original power. But even a splinter can change the fate of worlds."
"Why me?" Russ demanded.
"Because Quinn Talen refused to become a god… but you will not have that choice."
And with that, the Custodian vanished, leaving behind a single glyph—burned into the stone:
"The Gate of Oblivion shall open in thirteen days."
Russ stared at it, heart pounding. "Thirteen days…"
Minx sighed. "Well, I guess we're on a timer now."
Geo chuckled dryly. "Wouldn't be an adventure without one."
But Russ didn't smile.
Because deep down… the darkness had already begun to whisper.