Five rings.

One for each one of us.

When I first awakened my Vampire Aspect, I wondered why it took the shape of this odd Soul Armament. Five rings, each representing one aspect of control over the Universe. The Azure ring was the first one to be awakened.

The day Irina performed the ritual and made me into a True Vampire, my first ring awakened. As I reflected on that day, perhaps my desire to gain control over my crippled life triggered the awakening of the Spacetime ring. With that power, I could pull my weight within the Everwinter House and earn the respect of Matriarch Innocence.

The next ring to awaken was Lilith’s. Creation, an ability reflective of Lilith’s creativity and beautiful mind. Using the power of Creation, I defeated Sirius Moonreaver, a Vampire standing at the top of the food chain.

Reuniting with Ysabelle and awakening the ring of Destruction was likely to be one of my most cherished memories. Struggling with the cold of Eyghon’s stomach, we bonded and laughed in the face of a desperate situation. And the only way out of the helpless situation was to awaken a power that could plough through any obstacle in my way.

The Life ring… A ring that was dedicated to Rosa and her unrelenting dedication to me. For decades, she had been watching over me. Protecting me with her vision and never leaving my side. With the power of the World Tree, she would guard and protect me. Only stepping in when my life was in severe danger.

These four rings didn’t just represent the connection to my power but also my relationships and love for my four wives.

Which was why…

“Let’s finish our wedding ceremony.”

I dragged the four girls out of their beds and redressed them in their wedding robes. Although the wedding venue had been partially destroyed by Thanatos, I could easily recreate the entire place in a blink of an eye.

However, I opted not to invite any of the guests back.

I didn’t see the point of inviting them on such short notice, and besides, this was an intimate affair. There was no need to get irrelevant parties involved.

Bringing the four girls back into the wedding chapel, I recreated the fantastical scene of the past. Sanctified halls filled to the brim with ornate pillars and painted glass. Marbled floors and ceilings with immaculate designs depicting our shared past experiences… And most importantly, I had regrown a sprout of the World Tree and summoned Sora out to be our official minister of marriage.

“I didn’t expect you to want to start yet another wedding. Aren’t you afraid of another wedding crasher?”

The quirky fairy, seemingly annoyed about being awakened from her slumber, frowned and protested.

“Don’t worry; no one can disrupt my wedding anymore. At least, not from this Universe.”

“Wow, someone has become a Universe-level powerhouse now, huh?”

I chuckled and looked back at the floating fairy.

“… Sora, didn’t you already know that?”

“I knew you would lead the World Tree to eternal life, but I didn’t expect you to become the future Hegemon.” Sora folded her arms and pouted. “Now I understand why we were so desperate to preserve the timeline. Your powers were compelling us to do so.”

“Haha, sorry about that.”

Sora spoke the truth. Due to the ‘flow’ of the Universe that was altered by future me, everything that happened was destined to be. Even the World Tree and Sora’s desire to force Rosa to watch me get mortally wounded by the Outer Demon was all by my own will.

It was essential for my birth and growth, but even then… It left a sour taste in my mouth.

Which was why…

“I’ll spend my lifetime repaying this debt.”

“Hmph! Of course, you will!”

Sora smiled with radiance, not knowing my words weren’t meant for her. However, I didn’t bother correcting the Spirit of the World Tree. Smiling with glee, I looked away from the jubilant little fairy and at the four beautiful Goddesses walking down the aisle.

All four were glowing with the brilliance of a thousand suns, each more lustrous than the other. My breath was taken away, and my face froze without thinking. I’d seen their naked bodies a million times before, but nothing beats seeing them in that signature white gown…

A gown that proves that they were mine.

“Brother…”

“Jin…”

“J-Jin…”

“… Jin”

All four of them called my name with sheepish eyes. The last time, we were stopped by a dastardly gatecrasher and several curious eyes. But this time, we were all alone. My eyes met theirs, and they met mine.

Stuck in an infinite loop, none of us wished to look away and destroy this moment. But ultimately, Sora’s annoyed voice woke us free from our stupor.

“Ahem… Can we begin now?”

“Hah, yes.”

Sighing, I gestured for the four to finish their wedding march. In no time at all, all five of us were standing at the altar, staring at the sapling of the World Tree with fervent eyes. Sora, the officiant of it all, gulped once before starting her short monologue.

“Ahem! We are gathered here today…”

The little fairy started talking, but unfortunately, we were not listening. We were entirely focused on each other, and for the girls, their eyes were plastered on the four rings laid out on the altar. Because it happened so suddenly, only Lilith knew how I awakened my Vampire Aspect and what I planned to do with those rings.

But it didn’t take long for the rest of the girls to figure out what had happened without my explanation.

“Do you like my surprise?” I winked at them playfully.

“I-It’s… The best wedding ring ever.” Irina gulped and reached out for her ring. Instinctively, all of them knew which one belonged to them.

“Ahem! I’m not done yet!” Sora sharply protested as she was cut from her monologue, drawing groans from the four girls.

“There’s no need for that,” I laughed and waved the little fairy off. Standing before them, I grabbed the rings and started my monologue.

“I, Jin Valter, solemnly swear…”

“… to love, honour, and cherish you forever…”

Then, I took out the ring that once gave me the power of Creation and walked over to Lilith. Touching her immaculate fingers, I gave yet another kiss on her hand while fitting the ring on her. Watching her solemn face bloom into a resplendent smile greatly warmed my heart.

“… even if the Earth stops spinning or the Universe stops beating…”

Next was Ysabelle. She was the most nervous of the four, so I caressed her beautiful face and leaned in for another kiss. Bringing the former ring of Destruction with me, I fitted it onto her ring finger and greatly enjoyed the view of an Amazonian warrior turn into a coquettish bride.

“… I swear always to be true. To always protect you. As your husband.”

And finally, Rosa. The one who sacrificed the most for me and deserved this final ring the most. The ring of Life. Placing it onto her fourth finger, I made my final oath before the World Tree and, more importantly… To my four beloved wives.

“I give you this oath, darlings. Will you accept me as your husband?”

“…”

The four girls started shaking. For a brief moment, a split second, a fear that they would reject my proposal doused my heart. However, it was fortunate… I didn’t have to worry at all.

“Of course, we do!!!”

All four shouted in unison as they leapt from their positions and into my loving arms. They ripped open my suede tuxedo and began the unromantic deed of consummating their marriage in a sacred chapel.

Well, not that I was complaining.

Be it a thousand years from now or a million, I will always answer my wives’ desires.

Why?

Because I’m their husband, after all.

“Urgh… What am I even doing here?”

Sora’s complaint was drowned out by the sexual noises tainted this sacred ground. Not that any of us would listen to her either way.