"For the second time in her immortal life, Kiss-shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade set foot in Japan. The first time, she had gained a minion. This time, she had come to die.

She was not afraid—at least, that was what she told herself. The Iron-Blooded, Hot-Blooded, Cold-Blooded Vampire did not fear death. She was above such things.

And so, when three vampire hunters descended upon her, she did not fight. She did not struggle. She merely watched, allowing them to tear her apart—her limbs severed, her heart unknowingly stolen. In her arrogance, she had believed herself beyond pain, beyond regret. But as she lay on the cold ground, broken and bleeding out, she felt something she never expected.

Dread.

She didn’t want to die.

Then came the boy. A mere human. He stumbled upon her ruined form, and for the first time in centuries, she saw true terror reflected in mortal eyes.

Good. He should be afraid. She was Kiss-shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. Even like this—especially like this—she was still a monster.

With all the dignity she could muster, she demanded his blood

"You there... human."

"I am Kiss-shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade, the king of apparitions, the mightiest of vampires. And yet, look at me now—reduced to this wretched state, my limbs stolen, my power fading. But even as I lie here, broken and dying, I am still above you.

"So listen well, for I shall only say this once.

"I offer you a chance to serve a purpose greater than your fleeting, meaningless existence. A fair exchange -Your blood, your body, everything that you are... in return for the continuation of something far more grand than yourself. A human’s life is a fragile thing, destined to wither and fade. But I? I am eternal. I am absolute. And yet, I find myself at the mercy of something as insignificant as you.

"So kneel, human. Offer yourself to me. Become MINE so that I may live."