The Crimson Binding Blood Formation purred with power as the Bloodthorne knights moved in synchronicity to subdue the Calamity before them. The two Golden Blood Knights, Salim and Taisho, led the assault. They weaved intricate patterns with their blood essence and conjured colossal crimson arms that slammed against the Golden Bull Thork with bone-jarring force.

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

The bull staggered under the relentless barrage. The explosive impacts shook the Blood Domain and sent ripples through the crimson energy that surrounded them.

"Its… not fighting back…? But why…?” A Bronze Blood Knight said in confusion.

"Focus! Do not underestimate the beast! Our duty is to subjugate, contain and deliver this monster for research!" A nearby Silver Blood Knight reprimanded the Bronze Blood knight’s lack of focus.

They had been pounding on it relentlessly and still this bastard won't go down? Unacceptable!

"Its aura... It's weakening! Could it be our attacks are actually working?” Salim's keen eyes spotted a slight flicker in the bull’s normally imposing energy field that hinted at exhaustion.

"Excellent work! Prepare for the finishing blow! Let us show this beast that going against the Bloodthorne's might always leads to utter defeat! Especially, in the Crimson Blood Prison!"

Upon hearing their Commander's confirmation, each Knight nodded grimly, then began channeling their blood essence, their very life force, into the Crimson Binding Blood Formation.

Red light pulsed intensely within the Blood Domain as their power converge to activate a far more deadlier attack.

"HYAAA!"

In unison, they slammed their hands onto the crimson floor.

From all corners of the dome, hundreds of red swords began materializing with potent blood essence. Then with a silent understanding of the impending spectacle, each monstrous sword slowly adjusted its trajectory towards the massive bull at the center. Their intentions were as transparent as their bodies; kill the monster or die trying!

Raphael looked up and witnessed the spectacle with abject terror. “Hundreds of… swords! What?!”

He felt a throbbing migraine wash over his being like a wave.

Shao Jin’s potent life force and energy reserves were in constant conflict with his human core.

Those crimson swords coming from every direction!

He couldn't escape!

"Oh, God…”

As his vision blurred and consciousness wavered, he let out a scream that mirrored the conflict raging within his very core.

Inside his Cosmic Mind Sea, turmoil was brewing.

Crackling streaks of golden light spider-webbed across the massive blue sun that represented Raphael’s Solar Consciousness as if attempting to shatter it and merge entirely! The pulsating glow flickered. At its center, a blinding white spark was desperately trying to withstand the assault, but…

"KILL!"

"KILL!"

"KILL!"

Shao Jin’s primal bloodlust resonated through Raphael's mind. Was he urging him to fight back, or…

Raphael desperately tried to resist Shao Jin’s overwhelming influence, but those crimson swords closing in meant certain doom. The desperation and primal survival instincts started breaking through the barriers within.

He didn't have much time!

In the midst of this battle for mental dominance, a dark red orb broke free from the eroding blue sun center, shattering the initial form then reformed quickly before settling into a newly formed Astro Soul Orbital.

It glowed faintly as if breathing for the first time. The energy resonating from it was that of darkness and destructive thunder.

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Within a few moments, its red glow condensed further into a fearsome crimson Soul Planet with swirling black bands and deep, crackling crimson lines that resemble lightning. It was a spectacle worthy of the gods!

This Soul Planet’s appearance caused the surrounding cosmos to tremble. And with its birth…

“KILL!”

Raphael echoed Shao Jin’s pronouncements in a loud bellow as if he had just been freed from prison after serving a thousand years. A brand-new Soul Power ignited inside him that had a distinct scent… that of blood.

An impossibly black energy expanded outward from his trembling and morphing figure as he held his hooves to his head to suppress the agonizing migraine. This black energy flowed like a tidal wave of pure annihilation and rapidly consumed the Crimson Blood Prison that trapped his mighty frame.

The knights froze. Their domain, it was being devoured, consumed and was merging into something even more potent and frightening, for their entire vision was overtaken by a void of nothingness that felt as real as the spears in their hands.

"The blood…? Where did it go? This is…”

“Oh God… It’s a Dark Domain! This beast… It possesses Dark Domain powers!”

Even the veteran Golden Blood Knights were stunned. They instinctively knew they were in grave danger as they could sense their energy reserves diminishing, as if being sucked away.

But why?

It didn't make sense! This monstrous creature before them was obviously not a Bloodthorne descendant! Why could it use such potent Bloodthorne Soul Power? Had their lineage also fallen to this Calamity’s dominance? Or could there be a link so ancient that it predated their understanding of history and creation itself…?

These questions would have to wait for now, especially when there are far pressing matters!

“FEED!” The Golden Bull Thork’s voice, amplified by untold levels of energy reverberated through the cavernous expanse.

Salim’s intuition screamed!

Something dreadful is about to happen…

Before the realization had completely sunk in…

Screech! Screech!

WHOOSH!

Hundreds of vicious Shadow Bats with razor-sharp claws and eyes burning with unyielding ferocity erupted from the now enormous black wings of their master, forming an undulating, terrifying wave of obsidian terror.

“What’s that noise?”

Salim quickly activated her potent Blood Sight ability that pierced through the blinding darkness of the Dark Domain that now trapped them.

She was greeted by images of blood and guts splattering against her armor in a violent manner that terrified even her cold heart, especially upon recognizing those weaker members of their squad being dismembered by hordes of bats. They were tearing their foes into pieces!

Those Bonze Blood Knights didn't last long against that relentless and efficient horde, and after them, the Silver Blood Knights suffered the same fate.

Salim then felt an arm wrap around her that pulsed with power. She turned…

One of the veteran Silver Blood Knights was already screaming from the agony of his legs being ripped off, his upper body then disintegrated as he desperately try to cast a technique.

But even as Salim thought of a strategy to survive, another Shadow Bat wrapped its sharp claws around her armored throat and whispered:

“Sorry… Emperor’s orders… DIE!”

Crack!

Instinctively she unleashed her trump card, a powerful defensive maneuver, which barely saved her from being decapitated by those dozens of bats, all screaming:

“FOR MASTER!”

“FOR MASTER!”

"This Dark Domain! We need to escape its effects, or we won't be able to activate any Soul Techniques to defend!" Taisho screamed at his struggling Commander but then a powerful voice of judgement stopped his escape maneuver just before he attempted to cleave the blackness in half with his giant axe!

The bull's golden horns crackled ominously.

And within the space between, a blinding white-golden sphere materialized.

It radiated pure energy that illuminated the heart of the Dark Domain.

Then...

"Helios Stream! DIE!"

The Helios Stream exploded outward. A searing golden torrent engulfed Salim and Taisho in its blinding light as they hovered in awe of that spectacle, leaving them no time to act or react or even think. And in their final moment of awe, terror, helplessness and utter hopelessness, they only managed to mutter with wide pulped open eyes,

“How…?”

BOOM!

“What was that…? It… vanished? Such destructive power! Master’s might has reached the pinnacle of evolution!”

“Right, right. All glory to master!”

The echoing screams and splattering viscera was like a symphony as they dined with the fervor of a pack of rats on garbage. This went on until a powerful rumbling voice silenced those insects.

“Silence! Your emperor has no time for celebration.” Raphael then took in a long breath before a primal roar echoed across those peaks, announcing his ascension to power and dominance over those weak fools who dared to challenge a real “Golden Bull Thork!”

“ROAR!”

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The entire Blood Domain began to shudder and convulse violently as its radiant red brilliance dimmed slowly until only the dark dome remained above which now reflected their victor's overwhelming might!

From the tips of each blood spike and from the walls of that now-shrinking prison, streams of crimson lifeblood rushed like a river back to its owner who was a monstrous golden figure in the dark. The Bull Thork’s horn began to glow brightly.

Then the impossible occurred.

The blood… it was being absorbed through its tips and being assimilated as his new strength which further magnified his primal aura. Even Raphael felt it, the rush, the dominance and how addictive the hunger for more blood could be.

This was new, terrifying, yet exciting!

Once the crimson rivers stopped and the Dark Domain pulsed its last energy before merging seamlessly with its caster, not a drop of blood, flesh, bones, nor weapons remained. All that was left were faint whispers from the Shadow Bats as they rejoined with their Emperor’s wings with full bellies.

“Hmm… I’ve awakened a Soul Orbital and something else… My bloodline powers. That Dark Domain just now… This is the only explanation?”

WHOOSH!

Raphael's dark wings flapped with an instinctive grace. The thrill of flight, the ease at which it defied gravity, that was liberating.

The only place he was going was South.

Escape was all he desired now, so, escape he must!