Ancestral Lineage

The group moved as one, their steps careful and deliberate. The forest was unnaturally silent, the usual sounds of wildlife conspicuously absent. The air grew colder, and an oppressive darkness gathered around them despite the faint light filtering through the canopy.

Ethan took the lead, his senses heightened. He could feel Angitia's presence coiled around his arm, her psychic awareness extending his perception. Every rustle of leaves, every faint crack of a twig sent a ripple of tension through the group.

"There," Terry whispered, pointing ahead. A faint glow pierced the shadows—a soft, pulsating light that seemed to beckon them forward.

As they drew closer, the glow revealed itself as the entrance to a cave. The opening was jagged and foreboding, framed by twisted roots and hanging moss. A faint, otherworldly hum emanated from within, the sound vibrating through their bones.

Ethan halted, raising a hand to signal the team to stop. "This is it," he said, his voice low. "Harley, stay behind me. Jerry and Terry, watch the flanks. Ferdinando, cover the rear. The rest of you, guard the perimeter and keep your eyes peeled for any sign of danger. I will keep Galeno here with you." Ethan stated as a huge dark gold rift opened beside him. Galeno stepped out, his form casting a huge shadow over all of them.

"What do you think is in there?" Ferdinando asked; his voice tight with unease.

Ethan didn't answer immediately. His crimson eyes were fixed on the cave's entrance, his mind racing. The energy radiating from within was powerful, almost overwhelming, but it felt… wrong. Twisted. "We're about to find out."

...

The team entered the cave, their steps echoing off the damp, uneven walls. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and something faintly metallic, like blood. Ethan held Xandros at the ready, the greatsword's blade casting a faint red glow that illuminated their path.

As they ventured deeper, the pulsating light grew stronger, bathing the cave in an eerie, shifting glow. Strange symbols etched into the walls seemed to writhe and shift under the light, their meanings indecipherable but undeniably ancient.

"This place gives me the creeps," Terry muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Stay focused," Ethan said, his tone firm. "We don't know what's waiting for us."

Suddenly, Angitia's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and urgent. "Master, something is coming."

Ethan froze, raising a hand to halt the group. His senses flared, scanning the darkness ahead. At first, there was nothing. Then, faintly, the sound of scraping—like claws against stone.

"Defensive positions!" Ethan barked. The team moved quickly, forming a tight circle with their backs to each other. Harley's golden aura flared, casting a protective glow over the group.

The scraping grew louder, accompanied by a low, guttural growl. From the shadows emerged a creature unlike anything they had faced before. It was massive, its body hunched and twisted, covered in patchy fur and jagged scales. Its glowing yellow eyes burned with malevolence, and its elongated claws dripped with a black, viscous substance that hissed as it hit the ground.

"What the hell is that?" Jerry whispered, his as a spear of wind formed in his hands.

Ethan's grip on Xandros tightened. "A Guardian," he said grimly. "Whatever's in this cave, it doesn't want us to reach it."

The creature roared, the sound reverberating through the cave and shaking loose bits of stone from the ceiling. Without warning, it charged, its movements unnervingly fast for its size.

Ethan met the charge head-on, Xandros clashing against the creature's claws in a shower of sparks. The force of the impact sent him skidding back, but he recovered quickly, his eyes burning with determination.

"Spread out!" he ordered telepathically. "Harley, keep the buffs coming! Jerry, and Terry, attack from a distance. Ferdinando, use your poison to slow it down!"

The team sprang into action. Terry unleashed a volley of lightning bolts, their arcs illuminating the cavern as they struck the creature's side. It howled in pain but didn't slow, its claws raking against the ground as it lunged at Ethan again.

Ethan dodged, teleporting behind the creature and slashing at its exposed back. The blade bit deep, ichor spraying as the creature roared in fury. It twisted, its tail lashing out and catching Ethan off guard, sending him crashing into the cave wall.

"Ethan!" Harley shouted, her golden energy flaring as she sent a wave of healing his way.

"I'm fine," Ethan grunted, pushing himself to his feet. His crimson eyes locked onto the creature, his resolve hardening. "Keep it distracted!"

Jerry's Wind Spear struck again, aiming for the creature's legs. Ferdinando's poison seeped into its wounds, the black substance sizzling as it ate away at its flesh. The creature staggered, its movements growing sluggish.

Ethan seized the opportunity. With a roar, he activated Bloodlust, the power coursing through him and into Xandros. The greatsword glowed with an ominous red light as he charged, his movements a blur. He leaped onto the creature's back, driving the blade deep into its spine.

The creature let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into a pool of black ichor.

Silence fell, broken only by the team's heavy breathing. Ethan pulled Xandros free, the blade gleaming as the ichor slid off its surface.

"Is it over?" Ferdinando asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Ethan didn't answer. His gaze was fixed on the deeper recesses of the cave, where the pulsating light had grown brighter. "No," he said quietly. "This was just the beginning."

The team followed his gaze, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and determination. Whatever lay ahead, they knew it would be unlike anything they had faced before. Oh, how wrong they were.

Ethan took a step forward, his grip on Xandros tightening. "Let's finish this."@@novelbin@@

...

"The fuck is this?!" Ethan's face was twisted in annoyance and irritation.

"An orb," Terry said in a dry tone.

"I can see that, thank you," Ethan replied sarcastically.

"Calm down honey," Harley chuckled as she patted Ethan on the back.

"We risked our lives all for an orb," Jerry was almost on the verge of tears.

In front of them was a golden orb, mounted atop a huge rock. There was nothing special about it apart from it glowing in the dark cave.

Ding!

Item Identified!

Glicos' Orb (???): It's a sealed artifact.

...

'You know, this doesn't help in any way.'

*It's not my fault that the stupid artifact is sealed! *

'Bitch!'

*Idiot! *

*Anyway, your device can be fixed. *

'What do you mean? I hope it's not what I'm thinking.'

*Hehe! *

'Fuck you!'

*I would love that. *

'Why didn't you do it earlier? And what was with all the formalities and shit.'

*I wanted to test somethings out. Check your stats after this. *

'Okay, but it better be good or else...'

*Or else what? *

'...'

*Hey! *

Ethan ignored the rantings of the system as his device came back online. He then grabbed the orb and left the cave with his friends.

…

"Sir Exil! We just recovered the signal of the jammed device of the AMA student. It's back online."

"What is his situation now?"

"We are still checking the cam feed... he appears to have met up with his teammates..."

"What?!"

"That's what's here. He's also fine from the signals we are getting apart from the red dot on top of his icon."

"Hmm... keep your eyes on him."

Exil commanded as he left the supervision room. He took out a small orb from his pocket and tapped on it. A silver holographic screen appeared with an image of Carmen on it.

"Exil. Any updates?" The voice of Carmen sounded from the device.

"Yes. His device came back online and he appears to be fine but..."

"There's something following him. We haven't figured what it is yet but I suppose it has something to do with his device jamming."

"Very suspicious. Keep your eyes on him for me please."

"I will. How is it on your side?"

"There's no noticeable progress. The only lead I have is the supervisor who met the students before they entered. He appears to be missing."

"What? Axel is missing?"

"So, that's his name. He's nowhere to be found here."

"Hmm... I will take control of investigation here. You focus on your side."

"Thank you Exil. I owe you one."

"It's nothing young miss. It's my duty."

"I will update you on any leads I find."

"Will do same here. Take care."

"Bye!"

...

Ethan sat beside Harley on a huge rock staring down below at the 100+ students who were eating rations they'd prepared for the outing. They had secured a safe clearing surrounded by tall trees and a huge earth spikes.

Harley was currently feeding him some meat and blood juice.

"You know, I am very glad you are here with me."

"Awwn! Thanks honey. Have you contacted the other girls?"

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"Not yet. My energy is very low currently."

"Have you tried the Soul Mark?"

"..."

"You forgot that, didn't you?"

"Don't put words in my mouth."

"You are really bad at lying."

"I never said anything. "

"You forgot."

"You have no proof."

"I have one. You blush slightly and look cuter when you lie."

"How's that proof?"

"I can also sense your emotions through the mark. "

"Fuck!"

"We are outside!"

"I didn't mean that!"

Warning!

Host's Health Levels Are Extremely Low!

Healing And Recuperation Is Strongly Advised.

...

"Harley. Can you heal me?"

"I thought vampires didn't need healing."

"..."

"Fine. Just lie down... not on my lap!"

"I love soft things. "

"I'm not soft."

*Snore!*