Chapter 14: The Bloodline Stirs
The night air was sharp, rich with the scent of ash and mountain pine. As the howls of the Crimson Howl pack quieted, a strange vibration pulsed through the earth beneath their feet—deep and rhythmic, like a heartbeat awakening from slumber.
Kael stood still. His eyes were locked on the Lawfire Fang Stone, but something deeper stirred within him… not in his mind, not in his body—but in the soul of the pack.
System Notification:
Mission Complete: Establish Ritual Laws
Reward Unlocked: Stage One Bloodline Awakening (Chaos Bloodline)
Pack Sync: 11%
Bloodline Type: Pack-Bound (Shared)
Active Abilities: Locked
Passive Mutation: Awakening Instinct (Minor)
A surge of warmth flooded Kael's chest, then spread outward like wildfire. His breath hitched as his vision blurred. But it wasn't pain—it was connection.
Dozens of voices echoed in his mind.
Gritting his teeth, Kael staggered, gripping the edge of the stone. He wasn't the only one.
All across the circle, pack members groaned, some falling to their knees, others clawing at their chests as their bodies reacted to something ancient—something buried in their blood.
"The Bloodline…!" Flam hissed, clutching his arm, where red-black markings shimmered beneath the skin.
Then it began.
Eyes shifted color—from wolf gold to a deep crimson hue that pulsed like embers. Fur shimmered faintly under moonlight, and even the weak felt a new strength hum beneath their bones.
System Broadcast:
Chaos Bloodline — Stage One Unlocked
Pack Instinct Amplification: +10%
First Awakening Ability: Devourer Mark (Ritual Required)
Warning: Bloodline Control is unstable until Sync reaches 30%
One of the younger pups—Jorrik—let out a sudden howl and collapsed to the ground, convulsing. His wolf tried to awaken too soon.
Kael moved quickly, kneeling by him. "Hold on, Jorrik. Don't force it."
The boy's limbs twitched, his eyes glowing too brightly. Kael focused, his instincts flaring. With effort, he pressed a palm to the boy's heart and growled—not in command, but in guidance.
A few seconds later, the boy's breathing slowed.
The rest of the pack watched, wide-eyed.
Varric stepped forward from the shadows, arms crossed, voice deep and certain. "This is only the beginning. Bloodlines awakened through ritual grow with unity… not ego."
Kael nodded. "Then we make sure no one walks this path alone."
A pause.
Then Kael looked toward the horizon—where the mountain fog curled around a distant ridge. His expression hardened.
Because just beyond that fog… the wind carried a different scent.
Burnt fur. Rotting metal. Magic touched by poison.
System Notification:
External Threat Detected:
Source: Broken Fangs Raiders
Rank: Mid-Tier Pack Fragment
Estimated Arrival: 2 Days
Kael's jaw tightened.
The bloodline had awakened. But war was coming.
And the Crimson Howl wasn't ready… yet.