The Long family estate, once a symbol of power and prestige, now stood as a shadow of its former glory. Its sprawling gardens were overgrown, the towering gates weathered by time. Inside the grand yet fading mansion, the atmosphere was tense.
Drake Long paced back and forth in the hall, his brows furrowed with worry. His once-proud demeanor had been worn down by years of hardship. Beside him, Alysa sat on the edge of a worn velvet armchair, her hands clasped tightly together. Though only fourteen, her composed expression belied the fear simmering beneath the surface.
"It's been hours, Father," Alysa said, her voice trembling slightly. "We should send someone to look for him."
Drake stopped pacing and turned to her. "We don't even know where to look. The accident was close, but the forest…" He shook his head. "It's dangerous out there, especially at night."
Alysa looked down, biting her lip. The Long family's decline had left them with few resources and fewer allies. Once a clan that commanded respect and loyalty, they were now reduced to three surviving members: Drake, his son Aiden, and his daughter Alysa. Most of their former allies had long abandoned them, yet a handful of loyal employees had stayed. It was these individuals who now guarded the estate, their loyalty unwavering despite the family's struggles.
"Do you think…" Alysa hesitated. "Do you think the crash was intentional?"
Drake's jaw tightened. He didn't want to frighten her, but he couldn't ignore the possibility. he still remembered how his family was driven out of the capital, and the death of his father and twin brother. The world was cruel, and some would seize any opportunity to exploit their vulnerability.
Before he could respond, the faint sound of footsteps outside the house caught his attention. He held up a hand, signaling Alysa to be silent.
The guards stationed outside were unusually quiet. Too quiet.
Drake's hand instinctively moved to the antique sword mounted above the fireplace. He wasn't a fighter, not anymore, but he wouldn't let harm come to his family without a fight.
Alysa's eyes widened as she heard the sound too. "Father…"
"Stay behind me," Drake ordered, his voice low and firm.
The front door creaked open slightly, then stopped. A shadow moved in the dim light of the porch. Drake gripped the sword tightly, his pulse quickening.
But before he could act, there was a soft thud, followed by another, and then silence.
The door pushed open fully, revealing a figure standing in the doorway.
"Aiden!" Alysa cried, rushing toward him.
Drake lowered the sword, relief washing over his features. "You're alive…"
Aiden stepped inside, his clothes slightly torn and his expression unreadable. Behind him, several motionless figures lay sprawled on the ground outside—assassins who had failed in their mission.
"What… what happened?" Drake asked, his voice a mix of confusion and concern.
Aiden didn't answer immediately. He closed the door behind him and walked into the hall, his movements deliberate and calm. He looked at his father and sister, both of whom were staring at him with a mixture of relief and shock.
"They won't bother us anymore," he said.
Drake glanced at the bodies outside, then back at his son. "Aiden, what's going on? how did you…"
"I'll explain everything later," Aiden said, cutting him off. "But first, I have to share something with you."
Aiden led the two of them to the family shrine deep within the estate
Alysa clung to his arm, her eyes wide with worry "Are you okay? You look… different."
Aiden looked down at her, a faint smile softening his otherwise serious expression. "I'm fine, Alysa. Better than fine."
Drake noticed it too. His son's presence was different—more confident, more commanding. There was an aura about him now, something powerful and undeniable.
Aiden began to recount what had happened to him as he fumbled with a stone pillar revealing a stone pillar with a hidden compartment where a small intricately designed box quietly lay. Aiden opened the box to reveal nine purple pills slightly glowing.
"This is the Dragon dew pill," Aiden gave a pill to his father and sister "It will help you awaken your bloodline,"
The father and daughter chose to trust Aiden, swallowing the pills without hesitation. Aiden placed his hands on their foreheads sharing with them the divine dragon sutra the two immediately assumed the lotus position and started meditating. The Long family realized that their quiet existence was over. The world they thought they knew was about to change.
Aiden joins his family in meditating, spiritual energy surges towards them as he activates the divine dragon sutra.