Ancestral Lineage

Leon strolled through the maze-like forest, his demeanor exuding arrogance and confidence. His blue hair swayed gently in the breeze, glowing faintly under the dimming light of the setting sun. His blue eyes gleamed coldly, reflecting the icy air of superiority that surrounded him. By his side was Zilda Frith, her head resting on his shoulder, her light red hair flowing alongside his in perfect harmony. She clung to his arm, her hand comfortably under his armpit. Zilda, often referred to as the campus mistress, was known as Leon's most loyal and brazen supporter.

The group of seventeen moved together, though their appearance was more like a casual picnic outing than a dangerous survival mission. They wore their academy-issued tracksuits, save for a few who carried visible weapons. The environment around them seemed to freeze with every step. Metallic trees and grass-like crystals shattered into specks of frost and snow, the handiwork of two identical boys in the group. The twins, both blue-haired like Leon, flung small snowballs with casual precision, their faces locked in identical smirks as they froze everything in their path.

"Boss!" called a tall, wild-haired boy with an unruly mop of brown curls. His voice was deep and booming, matching his impressive height. "When are we putting the plan in action? And what's the big idea, anyway?"

Leon didn't pause as he answered, his expression casual but with an edge of malice. "Let's just say... I want them to enjoy their little outing before I crush their spirits." His voice dropped, and his eyes grew colder. "Completely."

"Them?" a slender girl with sharp green eyes asked curiously from Leon's left.

"Yes," Leon said, his voice dripping with disdain. "That pathetic Ethan Smith and his group of little minions. This isn't just about him anymore. I want to take everything he holds dear."

"And the plan?" Zilda asked, her tone soft but with a playful lilt. Her hand moved slightly, trailing along his chest as she looked up at him.

Leon smirked, slipping his hand down to slap her behind, drawing a small gasp from her. "A beast horde avalanche," he said simply, his tone as nonchalant as if he were discussing the weather.

The group erupted into excited murmurs and laughter.@@novelbin@@

"Nice, boss! Always the schemer."

"And ruthless too! As expected of a Tyrant."

"Unlike that baby vampire," someone added with a sneer.

Zilda, ignoring the public display, pressed further. "And Clara? What about her?"

Leon's grin widened, his expression darkening. "Ah, Clara. My sweet, sweet Clara. She'll be the centerpiece of Ethan's torment. First, I'll save her from the beasts—make him feel utterly powerless. Then, I'll take her and make her mine. Right in front of his eyes." He chuckled cruelly, the sound sending chills through some of his companions. "In fact, maybe I'll take all his girls and let you guys have the leftovers. Wouldn't that be fun?"

The group roared with approval, their voices filled with both excitement and malice.

"You're the best, boss!"

"This is going to be legendary!"

"You'd really let us—?"

Leon raised a hand to silence them, his grin still firmly in place. "Do your jobs, and I'll reward you. Simple as that."

Before the conversation could continue, a sudden noise cut through the forest—branches snapping, heavy footfalls pounding against the ground. Leon's sharp eyes darted to the distance, his grin vanishing. Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"Formation!" he barked, his voice commanding. "We've got company!"

The group quickly fell into a defensive circle, each member readying their abilities or weapons. From the shadows of the forest, a pack of **Red-Bone Apes** emerged. Each stood over seven feet tall, their crimson fur shining like polished stone, and their skeletal-like faces twisted into snarls. They pounded their fists against the ground, their aggression palpable as they surrounded the group.

"Finally, some action," Leon muttered, his grin returning as frost began to gather around his hands.

---

The apes attacked first, moving in coordinated strikes. Their leader, a massive alpha with glowing red eyes, lunged toward the group with a deafening roar. Leon stepped forward, raising his hand as a wall of ice erupted from the ground, blocking the attack and sending shards flying.

"Don't just stand there! Show me why I keep you around!" Leon shouted.

Zilda was the first to move, a wicked smile on her lips as her hands ignited with molten lava. "Leave some fun for me, babe!" She unleashed a torrent of lava, creating a molten barrier that slowed the advancing apes. The heat clashed with the icy air, creating a thick mist that obscured the battlefield.

The twins moved next, their attacks synchronized. One created a blizzard to freeze the ground beneath the apes, while the other launched ice spikes from above, pinning one ape to a tree. "Too easy," they said in unison, their smirks never wavering.

The wild-haired giant, Brandon, charged headfirst into the fray, wielding a massive hammer that crackled with electricity. "Let's see if you boneheads can handle this!" he roared, slamming the hammer into the ground and releasing a shockwave that sent several apes flying.

The others followed suit, each showcasing their unique abilities. Mira manipulated the ground, creating sinkholes that trapped the apes in place. Trevan darted between enemies, his lightning-fast movements and strikes leaving scorch marks on their crimson fur. A slender boy with dark hair and a wind affinity created razor-sharp gusts that cut through the apes' defenses, while another used water to ensnare them in freezing torrents.

Amid the chaos, Leon stood at the center, directing his team with calculated precision. He explained his plan in bits between issuing orders, his voice calm despite the battle. "The beasts in this forest are predictable. All we need is the right trigger to send them into a frenzy. The beacon I've acquired will do just that. It'll draw every creature within miles straight to Ethan's camp."

An ape broke through the defenses, charging at Leon with a feral scream. Without even glancing at it, he raised his hand and froze it solid with a burst of icy energy. The shattered remains fell to the ground as he continued speaking. "Ethan will be too busy trying to survive to notice us. We'll strike when he's at his weakest."

---

The battle raged on for nearly an hour, the team systematically wearing down the Red-Bone Apes. By the end, the forest floor was littered with frozen bodies, molten craters, and scorch marks. The group stood victorious, though many were winded and bruised.

Leon surveyed the carnage, his cold smile returning. "Not bad. Now, let's rest. We have a long month ahead of us."

...

Ethan Smith tightened his grip on his greatsword, its polished edge gleaming faintly under the metallic forest's dim light. Around him, the buzzing cries of the Skyclaw Harpies intensified. Their silver feathers reflected the dying sunlight as they circled above like vultures, their talons glinting menacingly.

Ethan exhaled slowly, his red eyes narrowing as he scanned the swarm. His opponents weren't ordinary foes. These were Silver-ranked Skyclaw Harpies, swift and deadly predators, led by a Gold-ranked alpha whose aura weighed on the battlefield like a suffocating shroud.

Beside him, Angitia, his 36-foot-long serpent spirit beast, coiled gracefully, her crimson scales shimmering as if freshly polished. Her sleek crystalline horns glinted, and her black eyes bore an unsettling calmness. The closed third eye on her forehead pulsed faintly, a subtle but ominous glow emanating from it.

Behind him, Galeno, his massive tortoise companion, rumbled lowly. His sturdy form and imposing shell seemed immovable, a fortress of living armor that radiated resilience.

"They're coming," Ethan muttered, his voice steady as he held his blade at the ready.

Without warning, a harpy dove at blinding speed, its claws aimed directly at Ethan. He reacted instantly, thrusting his free hand forward. Psychic energy surged outward, catching the harpy mid-air and holding it suspended. Its wings flapped furiously, but Ethan's telekinesis was unyielding. With a flick of his wrist, he slammed it into the ground, the impact cracking the crystalline soil.

"Angitia, Galeno, let's move," Ethan commanded telepathically.

Angitia's massive form surged forward, her movements a mesmerizing blend of power and grace. Her sleek body weaved through the battlefield with ease, her jaws snapping at an incoming harpy. She caught it mid-flight, her fangs sinking deep into its flesh. With a sharp twist, she flung the lifeless creature aside, her black eyes already locking onto her next target.

Galeno lumbered forward, his claws gouging into the ground as he prepared for impact. Two harpies swooped down simultaneously, their claws scraping against his shell, but their attacks barely left a mark. With a guttural roar, Galeno spun, his tail sweeping one harpy into a tree while his claws crushed the other.

Ethan moved with calculated precision. His psychic powers gave him complete control over the battlefield. He lifted boulders with telekinesis, hurling them at the harpies to scatter their formation. When one tried to flank him, he teleported in a flash of purple light, appearing behind it and driving his greatsword through its back in a single, fluid motion.

The leader finally descended, its golden feathers radiating an oppressive light. Its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over Ethan as it let out a deafening screech.

"Gold-ranked," Ethan murmured, his muscles tensing.

The harpy leader lunged at him, its talons outstretched. Ethan raised his greatsword to block, the clash of metal and claw sending sparks flying. The force of the blow pushed him back, but he held his ground, gritting his teeth as he absorbed the impact.

Angitia struck from the side, her massive tail whipping through the air and aiming for the harpy leader. The creature dodged, its wings flaring as it ascended rapidly. Angitia's black eyes glinted as her third eye began to glow brighter. A surge of silvery-blue energy gathered at her horns before erupting in a concentrated beam that shot toward the harpy leader.

The harpy twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the blast. It countered by diving toward Angitia, its claws slashing across her scales. Though the attack drew no blood, it enraged the serpent. Angitia hissed, her body coiling as she prepared another strike.

Meanwhile, Galeno created tremors with each step, his sheer weight disrupting the ground beneath him. He stomped the earth, causing a massive fissure to erupt and swallow two harpies attempting to land.

Ethan seized the opportunity to engage the leader directly. He teleported above it, his greatsword glowing faintly with a mix of psychic and earthen energy. With a powerful downward slash, he forced the harpy leader to dodge. Using telekinesis, he altered the trajectory of his sword mid-swing, catching the harpy off guard.

The blade grazed its side, drawing a shriek of pain. Angitia seized the moment, lunging with her jaws wide open. Her crystalline horns glowed as she sank her fangs into the harpy's wing. The creature thrashed violently, but Angitia's grip was unyielding.

Ethan landed smoothly, channeling his Earth affinity. Spikes of stone erupted from the ground, aiming to impale the harpy. The creature broke free of Angitia's hold just in time, but not without losing several feathers and part of its wing.

The harpy's flight faltered as it struggled to stay aloft. Ethan wasted no time. He surged forward, his greatsword cleaving through the air with lethal intent. The harpy raised its talons in a final attempt to defend itself, but Ethan's blade struck true, slicing through its chest and ending its reign.

The remaining harpies let out panicked cries and scattered, their morale shattered.

Ethan sheathed his sword, his breathing steady despite the intense battle. "Good work, both of you," he said, his voice echoing in their minds.

Angitia slithered to his side, her coiled form relaxing slightly. Her third eye dimmed, though her black eyes remained sharp, scanning the horizon for any lingering threats. Galeno nodded in approval, his massive shell gleaming under the fading light.

Ethan allowed himself a brief moment of respite, unaware of the hidden malice watching him from the shadows. Miles away, Leon Richards smirked, his plans slowly taking shape. Ethan's battle might have been over, but the true storm was yet to come.