Chapter 3: Bloodline Unlocked
As Kayden and Nadia stepped through the portal, a familiar sense of disorientation washed over them. The blinding light of the second floor faded, and they found themselves standing in an open expanse. This new area was unlike anything they had encountered so far—no enemies, no ominous corridors. Instead, they were surrounded by towering, ancient trees that reached for the sky, their bark glowing faintly with symbols that pulsed with magic.
Kayden narrowed his eyes, scanning the environment. The stillness felt unnerving after the adrenaline-fueled battle with the Guardian. "Where are we?"
Nadia's fingers brushed the hilt of her daggers, her senses sharp. "This isn't the third floor. This place… it feels different."
Before they could investigate further, a system message appeared, hovering before their eyes.
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[Special Event: Bloodline Awakening]
[This trial will unlock your dormant bloodline potential. Prepare for an individualized challenge designed to test your heritage.]
[Rewards: Bloodline Skills, Attribute Boost, Rank Increase]
[Failure: Loss of Bloodline Potential.]
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Kayden's heart skipped a beat. The promise of unlocking their bloodline abilities was something they had only speculated about, but to have it confirmed like this meant they were about to experience a significant leap in power.
"Bloodlines," Nadia murmured. "This might be our key to gaining a massive advantage."
"Agreed." Kayden nodded, gripping his halberd tighter. "We need every edge we can get. If these trials unlock something as important as bloodlines, we can't afford to fail."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shimmered, and the system displayed another message.
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[Kayden Wilson: Trial of the Ancestors Initiating.]
[Nadia Parker: Trial of the Arcane Initiating.]
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Without warning, the space around them split. Kayden and Nadia were separated, the forested landscape dissolving into two distinct arenas. The world blurred, and Kayden found himself standing alone in a vast battlefield. The sky was dark, swirling with clouds, and in front of him stood an imposing figure—a towering warrior, clad in ancient armor, wielding a halberd that mirrored his own.
Kayden's grip tightened on his weapon as he recognized the face of the warrior. It was his ancestor, an unyielding figure from his family's lineage, whose legends had been passed down through generations.
The system chimed once more.
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[Trial of the Ancestors: Defeat the Phantom of the First Halberd Lord.]
[Success will unlock the dormant bloodline of the Halberd Clan.]
[Failure will result in the sealing of the bloodline forever.]
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The Halberd Lord, a legend in his family, was now his opponent. Kayden's heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm. This wasn't just about winning a fight—this was about proving himself worthy of his bloodline.
The phantom spoke, its voice echoing with the weight of centuries. "You stand before the legacy of our bloodline, boy. Show me if you are worthy to wield our strength."
Without another word, the phantom charged, moving with incredible speed for a warrior of such size. Kayden barely had time to react as the halberd came crashing down, the force of the strike sending shockwaves through the ground.
Kayden rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow. His mind raced—this wasn't like the monsters they had faced. This was a true test of skill and precision.
He steadied his breathing, activating his first skill.
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[Heavy Strike Activated.]
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Kayden lunged forward, putting all his strength into the swing. The halberd collided with the phantom's weapon, but instead of overwhelming the phantom with brute force, Kayden found himself matched blow for blow. The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, and the sheer power behind the phantom's strikes made Kayden's arms ache.
But this wasn't just about strength. It was about mastery.
The phantom twisted its halberd in a fluid motion, deflecting Kayden's strike and countering with a swift thrust aimed at his midsection. Kayden barely parried the attack, the tip of the phantom's halberd grazing his side.
"You fight with raw power," the phantom said, its tone cold. "But power without control is meaningless."
Kayden gritted his teeth. He had the strength, but he needed to be smarter. He switched tactics, using his agility and technique to outmaneuver the phantom. He circled around his opponent, looking for openings, his mind racing to anticipate the phantom's next move.
As the battle wore on, Kayden began to notice subtle patterns in the phantom's movements. The way it shifted its weight before a strike, the slight hesitation before each counterattack—it was as if the phantom was testing him, gauging his ability to adapt.
Kayden dodged another powerful swing and countered with a precise thrust aimed at the phantom's exposed side. This time, the blow landed true, and the phantom staggered.
"Good," the phantom said, its voice now laced with approval. "You're learning."
Kayden pressed the advantage, his halberd whirling through the air with deadly precision. Each strike was calculated, aimed at exploiting the weaknesses he had observed. The battle had become a dance of skill and strategy, with Kayden slowly gaining the upper hand.
Finally, with one last surge of energy, Kayden spun his halberd and struck the phantom's chest with a powerful overhead strike.
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[Heavy Strike - Critical Hit.]
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The phantom staggered back, its form flickering. Kayden stood over it, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but a sense of accomplishment surged through him. He had passed the test.
The phantom looked up at him, its expression unreadable. "You have proven yourself, Kayden Wilson. You are worthy of our bloodline's power."
With that, the phantom dissolved into a mist of energy, which swirled around Kayden before sinking into his skin. A warm, tingling sensation spread through his body, and the system screen flashed.
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[Bloodline Unlocked: Halberd Lord's Legacy]
[Abilities Unlocked:]
[Bloodline Skill: Halberd Mastery] (Level 1)
[Bloodline Trait: Warborn Strength - Increases physical attributes by 10%.]
[Rank Increase: F → E]
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Kayden's eyes widened as the new abilities and traits flooded into his mind. He could feel the power of his ancestors coursing through his veins, his body stronger and more attuned to the halberd than ever before.
He clenched his fist, feeling the surge of strength and skill that came with unlocking his bloodline. This was the edge he needed.
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Meanwhile, in her own trial, Nadia stood in a chamber filled with swirling arcane energy. Her challenge was different from Kayden's. Instead of facing a physical opponent, she was tasked with controlling a massive torrent of wild magic.
Her trial tested her mastery over the arcane, forcing her to bend the chaotic magic to her will. Sparks of energy crackled in the air around her, threatening to consume her if she faltered. But Nadia's mind was sharp, her focus unbreakable.
With steady hands, she began to weave the magic, shaping it with precision and control. The raw power of the arcane was immense, but Nadia was a natural. Her bloodline, though still locked, whispered to her, guiding her actions.
After what felt like hours, she finally succeeded in taming the wild magic. The energy coalesced into a single, radiant orb, hovering before her.
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[Trial of the Arcane Complete.]
[Bloodline Unlocked: Arcane Sovereign's Legacy]
[Abilities Unlocked:]
[Bloodline Skill: Mana Dominion] (Level 1)
[Bloodline Trait: Arcane Affinity - Increases magic power by 10%.]
[Rank Increase: F → E]
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Nadia exhaled, her body pulsing with newfound magical power. She could feel the difference immediately—her spells were sharper, her mana control more refined. The trial had not only unlocked her bloodline but had also deepened her understanding of the arcane.
As the trial chambers dissolved around them, Kayden and Nadia found themselves standing together once more, their bloodlines awakened.
Kayden looked at her, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like we both passed."
Nadia smiled back, her eyes glowing with arcane energy. "We're just getting started."
They had come far, but this was only the beginning of their ascent. With their bloodlines unlocked and their power growing by the moment, they were ready to face whatever the Tower of Ascension had in store next.
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To be continued...