We walked in silence for half an hour before reaching a small sunlit glade in the heart of the dark forest. Although I say it's small, the glade had the area of 3 Yankee stadiums combined (approx. 2104.4m2), with a lake towards the center. Off towards the right side of the glade stood a smaller hollow tree.
When we entered this tree, there stood one altar made of stone and a mausoleum directly behind it elevated by marble. The mausoleum was shaped like coffin sized platform, and on top was a statue of a man. He had pointed ears and long locs going all the way down to his lower back. His face although tilted towards to ground, had a very pleasantly calm expression.
The statue was adorned in what appears to be actual armor, but only a chest plate, left pauldron, gauntlets and reinforced rider boots. Underneath the armor was a silken mage's robe which appeared elegant and well-tailored as it flowed down the statue's bust. He was kneeling in prayer with a sword in hand. The blade was stabbed downwards into the marble mausoleum whilst clasped by the handle in both hands.
Despite being somewhat far from the settlement, the area is very well kept as if visited on a daily basis. As we approached the mausoleum within the hollowed tree, the Elder directed me towards an altar sitting before the sepulcher. There, I noticed 3 items floating on it, a sword made of some kind radiating magoi material, an old book, and a crystal vessel containing what I think is blood. All three items seemed to hum in unison, awaiting us. Standing before this altar, Elder Alamdarra spoke,
"Little Yuriy here lies your ancestor. We dark elves are deeply indebted to him, therefore, to keep his memory alive, we honor him in such fashion. Notice on the altar are three items. The first is his sword called Primal Contemplation. This is his blade forged using solely magoi and his understanding of the elements. This sword is the embodiment of all his understanding of magic. The second is his journal which he left for his descendants to read and learn from his life's story and experience."
I listened to the Elder describe the items left on the altar. They were definitely ancient but only one of the two aforementioned items looks to have withstood the test of time. The other might turn into dust if I so much as look at it. I inwardly reminded myself to be careful not to breath in that direction, just to be safe. With this thought I asked the Elder,
"Does my mom or dad know of these relics?" I asked, to which the Elder replied,
"Yes, it was here, your mother and father both gleaned some information needed to further their advancement in magic and combat. However, the journal can only be view once by those who are not tasked with preserving the lineage. If you decide to take up that burden, then both his sword and journal will be presented to you when you come of age after passing your rite of inheritance since it is different from a typical rite of passage."
"Rite of inheritance? I'm guessing this is some kind of test unlike a coming-of-age journey, right?"
"Correct, the rite of inheritance can only be taken by the rightful heir of the lineage and will test one's worth before their ancestors. As this world's tradition mandates; only one may inherit the lineage of a family. Should one fail the rite of inheritance, depending on the seriousness of the trial, their lives may be forfeit."
Elder Alamdarra said, leaving a major disclaimer regarding the rite. If I decide to accept and take the trial, I will need to pass and live, or die as a result of failing. No real room for error in that regard. Anyway, Elder Alamdarra until now mentioned two of the 3 items on the altar but not the third. Noticing my inquisitive expression he continued,
"The last object is a crystal vessel which holds the blood of your ancestor. The crystal is made of pure magoi and came into being when the blood bond was formed between him and our clan. Should you be willing to bear the burden of preserving your lineage, and pass the rite of inheritance, know a single drop of the purified blood essence will be used to ignite your blood and transmute it."
Gasp!!
A magical study was left in dad's study mentioning this phenomenon, Blood Transmutation! This in theory, allowed the individual to either inherit a more power bloodline, and elemental affinity while keeping their own. Or, they can become a 1st generation member of that race by completely swapping their blood and resetting there cultivation base. No matter which outcome occurs, the benefits outweigh the losses.
In the cases of the former, the individual had little to no external changes. However, they gain the ability to manipulate magoi like that of the inherited race as well as perform racial abilities. Mages who experience the former are usually the best of the best.
Not to mention they have a high chance of becoming Grandmaster stage mages. In the case of the latter, the individual undergoes a complete metamorphosis gaining the benefits and weakness of the inherited bloodline. Mages who experience the latter even though have to start over will no doubt grow atop an even firmer foundation at an increased rate.
Elder Alamdarra said my ancestor's purified blood essence is in there. I also remember being told once, Ancestor Yuriy was from a tribe of dark elves long extinct due to the demonic dragons. Does that mean I have a chance to inherit a long-forgotten power!?
What if I could get my hands on all of the blood essence? I'd immediately choose to completely swap my current bloodline since I have yet to start training and may even receive an additional perk from doing so. With great excitement (while masking my scheming) I listened to the elder,
"I can see you like the benefits of taking up this burden. However, you shouldn't be blinded by the power. Know this, you will be bound to the same pact your ancestor was bound to. Many before you tried and died during transmutation. Others passed the trial but betrayed their duty. Their fate being worse than death." Cooling off after hearing this, I replied,
"I understand. For every benefit, there is a price; there are no free meals. It would be better for me to develop using my own effort instead of relying on an outside source. Who's to say the price I pay for assistance won't outweigh the reward I receive. Better to not rush into this at the moment."
"Indeed child, nothing great comes for free. Only this will be the closest you will ever get to a free blessing since the inheritance was left behind for your ancestor's descendants such as yourself. You still have time to think of your next steps, but don't wait too long. For now, let's head back for a meal. Afterwards, we'll discuss your preliminary training."
After nodding to the Elder, he started walking towards the settlement in the same manner we came to this area. I on the other hand, wanted to take another glance at everything. I have much to think about. Then again, it's a no brainer for me. I have two choices, either inherit the Markov lineage and maybe die along the way or be a pathfinder and go out on my own. Not really much of a choice. I will choose bloodline inheritance! The sooner I get the blood the better.
My primary issue however, is how do I go about getting this blood? The Elder mentioned I have to pass the rite of inheritance trials in order to qualify for a single drop. Not to be that guy but fuck all that. Why do I need to settle for a measly single drop, when I can have the whole damn thing?
Currently, I have little to no elven blood in me. Thus I am mostly a human and may suffer without this blood. Moreover, I have no idea what elements I have an affinity for. Now let's consider the worst case scenario. I may be the poor fuck who can't actually use magic and has no elemental affinity despite all the meditating I've been doing and that endowment crap the Elder was spouting.
No matter what, in front of me was a sure way to develop my abilities at an extremely early stage. The benefit was unsurmountable to say the least. As for the price for power… Let's face it, I never expected to be able to eat for free the moment this life began. Deep down I have this feeling, someone is waiting to suck me dry of all they think I'm worth.
I will be damned to lie down peacefully and offer myself up to some jackhole!! No, the only option is to grasp this power now, and fuck worrying about the price since I can 100% guarantee the price is nothing compared to what I have to gain nor what I have to lose if I don't grasp this chance.
Finally determining my next actions, I approached the altar. As I peered at the three items, I prepared myself to be labeled a sinner for my future deeds. Despite that, however, what happened next was completely outside of my expectations. As if understanding my intent, the crystal vessel containing the blood began to glow in response. At first, I did not pay it any mind, but then the glow intensified with a sharp audible ringing. (SHIIII!!) While screaming a long-forgotten sound rang,
"Congratulations! You have unlocked the achievement; New Life begins here! This is unlocked by activating the bloodline inheritance trails! You have earned ~System Menu~!"
-End of Chapter