The morning sun was veiled by a shroud of toxic fog that clung to the terrain like a sinister predator. The Riverscale Valley, a treacherous expanse known for its Rotthistle plants and dense foliage, was now a battlefield. The Beast Wave had grown in ferocity over the past few days, with countless creatures surging forth, threatening the borders of the nearby clans and territories.
For the Riverscale Clan, however, it was a distant concern. Their fortified walls and strategic position meant the threat had yet to breach their lands. Still, the ominous roars and cries of battle echoed faintly in the wind, a grim reminder of the chaos unfolding just beyond their reach.
In the heart of the valley, the air was heavy with the acrid scent of Rotthistle plants. These dangerous flora released a toxic fog that was both corrosive and disorienting, creating a natural cover for the Fog Creepers. The serpentine beasts thrived in the dense, poisonous mist, their scales blending seamlessly with the environment. Their movements were unpredictable, striking at unsuspecting Vein-Weavers with swift, venomous precision.
A squad of Vein-Weavers from the Thousand Bird Sanctuary struggled against the terrain. Clad in light armor bearing the insignia of the Thunderhawk Clan, their leader, a woman with crackling electric veins running through her arms, barked orders.
"Form a barrier! Do not let the fog spread further into our territory!"
The squad moved swiftly, their bloodline abilities sparking to life. Bolts of electricity arced through the air as they attempted to disperse the fog. But the Fog Creepers were relentless. One of the creatures lunged from the shadows, its elongated body twisting mid-air. Before it could strike, the woman unleashed a concentrated bolt of lightning, reducing it to ash.
"Stay alert!" she warned. "These creatures don't attack alone."
As if on cue, more Fog Creepers emerged from the mist, their crimson eyes glowing ominously.
Further along the valley's edge, a detachment of warriors from the Leonin Dukedom engaged a pack of Shadowfang Wolves. The wolves were a constant threat during Beast Waves, their pack mentality and uncanny coordination making them formidable opponents.
"Hold the line!" roared a burly man with golden fur streaking his arms, a member of the Duke's elite guard. His voice carried the authoritative weight of the Leonin bloodline.
The warriors formed a semi-circle, their weapons gleaming with the craftsmanship of their renowned forges. The Shadowfang Wolves circled them, their movements synchronized as if controlled by a single mind.
One wolf darted forward, testing the group's defenses, only to retreat just as quickly. Another lunged from the opposite side, clawing at a soldier's leg before being struck down by a halberd.
"They're testing us," muttered one of the younger warriors, sweat dripping down his brow.
"Let them test," the golden-furred leader growled, his eyes narrowing. "They'll find that the Leonin do not break."
As the wolves lunged en masse, the Leonin warriors countered with ferocious precision. Their strikes were calculated, their movements honed by years of training. Still, the battle was far from easy. For every wolf that fell, another seemed to take its place.
Meanwhile, in the skies above the valley, the Thousand Bird Sanctuary's forces launched an aerial counterattack. Gryffins soared through the air, their riders expertly navigating the chaotic battlefield below. The Thunderhawk Clan's bloodline abilities gave them an edge, their mastery over electricity allowing them to strike from above with devastating accuracy.
"Focus on the Rotthistles!" a rider shouted.
A formation of gryffins descended, their riders unleashing arcs of lightning that incinerated the toxic plants. But even as they cleared the fog, new threats emerged. Packs of Shadowfang Wolves darted out from the underbrush, their fangs bared and their howls echoing like a battle cry.
The gryffin riders were forced to retreat to higher altitudes, regrouping to plan their next move.
"This wave isn't normal," one rider said, his voice tense. "The beasts are more coordinated than before."
"It's almost like someone is controlling them," another muttered.
At the valley's western edge, the Leonin Dukedom launched a full-scale counteroffensive. Their warriors, clad in armor infused with the essence of their bloodline, moved with unmatched ferocity.
The Duke's own son, a young Vein-Weaver with flowing golden hair and the regal bearing of a lion, led the charge. His roar reverberated across the battlefield, bolstering the morale of his troops.
"For the Leonin Dukedom!" he bellowed, his claws glowing with golden light as he tore through a pack of Shadowfang Wolves.
Despite their strength, the dukedom's forces were beginning to show signs of strain. The Beast Wave was relentless, and for every beast they slew, more seemed to pour out of the valley.
"We can't hold them off forever," one of the commanders admitted grimly.
As the day wore on, the Beast Wave showed no signs of abating. The Thousand Bird Sanctuary and the Leonin Dukedom continued their desperate struggle, their forces stretched thin but unyielding.
---
Clan Council Meeting, Riverscale Clan
The Riverscale Clan's council chamber, a grand circular hall carved from smooth stone, was adorned with intricate tapestries depicting koi swimming through a sea of tea leaves. The air was tinged with the soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea, a subtle reminder of the clan's heritage. Around the central table sat the council, each member bearing distinct features of their Tea Koi bloodline, their scales shimmering under the soft glow of the chamber's lanterns.
At the head of the table sat Clan Leader Rokuan Koicha, a dignified man with flowing silver hair streaked with strands of deep black. His Black Tea Koi bloodline gave him obsidian-hued scales that trailed along his jawline and neck, their polished surface reflecting the wisdom and strength he commanded. His sharp gaze moved across the gathered council members as he opened the meeting.
"The Beast Wave persists in the Riverscale Valley," Rokuan began, his tone measured. "It grows more aggressive by the day. What is to be done?"
Elder Koicha Hira
Elder Hira, a venerable figure with faded lavender scales indicative of her Lavender Tea Koi bloodline, leaned on her cane as she spoke. "The valley is vast and treacherous. The Thousand Bird Sanctuary and the Leonin Dukedom are more directly affected than we are. Let them exhaust their forces. We should not risk our resources when the wave has yet to touch our lands."
Her words were calm but laced with apathy, her age and experience often lending her arguments weight among the council. She was the vice-Leader of the Herb Farmer Faction, held dominion over the valley's expansive fields, specializing in the cultivation and refinement of medicinal herbs and alchemical remedies. Their influence extended beyond the clan, supplying rare and powerful herbs to neighboring clans and distant traders.
Youth Representative Koicha Haruto
Haruto, a brash young man with bright mint-green scales marking his Mint Tea Koi bloodline, immediately countered. "That's shortsighted, Elder Hira! What happens when the wave grows too large for them to handle? It's better to strike preemptively than to wait for the beasts to reach our walls."
He crossed his arms defiantly, his tone carrying the fire of youth and ambition. His faction, the Tea Koi Farmer Faction, controlled the Riverscale River, raising and cultivating the prized Tea Koi. They were responsible for sustaining the clan's resources and ensuring the highest quality fish for trade and cultivation advancements.
Marshal Koicha Itsugo
Marshal Itsugo, a battle-hardened man whose Earl Grey Tea Koi bloodline was evident in the stormy gray of his scales, interjected. "Youth Representative Haruto has a point, but our forces are not limitless. The terrain favors the beasts, and we would lose more soldiers than necessary if we acted without caution. However, I do suggest preparing defensive strategies and bolstering the border."
The Marshal's pragmatic approach was shaped by years of combat experience, the leader of the Martial Arts Faction that upheld the clan's honor through rigorous training and discipline. His guidance was sought when the clan's survival relied on strength and strategy.
Treasurer Koicha Ryoko
Koicha Ryoko, whose Rosehip Tea Koi bloodline gave her crimson scales that shimmered like sunlight on ruby, frowned. "Even defensive preparations will drain our resources. Do not forget, our treasury is already stretched thin after last season's drought. We cannot afford to act recklessly."
Her voice was pragmatic but edged with frustration, a tone often heard from those managing the clan's strained resources. Along with Haruto, their supervised the Tea Koi Farmer Faction, emphasized sustainability and efficiency in resource allocation, often at odds with the demands of military action.
Diplomat Koicha Shiran
Shiran, a suave man with soft golden scales of the Chamomile Tea Koi bloodline, an elder of the Riverscale Academy, leaned forward with a practiced smile. "Perhaps we should consider aiding the Thousand Bird Sanctuary and the Leonin Dukedom in a limited capacity. A show of goodwill could strengthen our alliances and ensure their aid should the wave turn toward us in the future."
Haruto's face twisted in annoyance. "And what makes you think they'll help us? The Riverscale Clan has always been left to fend for itself!"
Shiran raised a brow. "Because diplomacy is not about the past, young one. It is about the future." His calm demeanor, rooted in his faction's focus on subtle political maneuvering and alliance-building, sought to preserve the clan's long-term stability.
Class 3 Creator Koicha Rina
Rina, whose soft pink scales reflected her Rosehip Tea Koi bloodline, spoke with a gentle but firm tone. "Casualties are already mounting among the neighboring territories. Even if the wave does not touch our lands, the spiritual imbalance it causes will affect us. The Rotthistle fog is already spreading, and it poisons more than just the valley. We cannot turn a blind eye."
She was the leader of the Herb Farmer Faction. She was deeply rooted in alchemy and spiritual well-being, focusing on healing and the natural balance of energies. Her perspective was one of caution, seeing beyond the immediate threat to the deeper consequences of inaction.
As the discussion continued, tensions rose. Each council member defended their position, and while some found common ground, others remained staunchly opposed to any immediate action. The debate grew heated when Haruto slammed his hand on the table, his frustration boiling over.
"We can't just sit here sipping tea while others die! This is cowardice!"
Elder Hira's eyes narrowed. "Mind your tongue, boy. Caution is not cowardice. It is wisdom earned through years you have yet to live."
Marshal Itsugo leaned back, his tone gruff but calm. "Enough. This argument isn't solving anything. Clan Leader Rokuan, the decision rests with you."
Rokuan, who had remained silent throughout the debate, now rose from his seat. His presence commanded the attention of the entire room, and the council members fell silent.
"We will not act rashly," Rokuan began, his voice steady and authoritative. "But neither will we turn a blind eye to the suffering of our neighbors. Creator Rina, prepare our creators to provide aid to the Thousand Bird Sanctuary and the Leonin Dukedom. Offer our expertise, but do not deplete our resources entirely."
He turned to Marshal Itsugo. "Fortify the border. Send scouts to monitor the wave's progression and report back regularly."
Finally, he addressed Shiran. "Begin diplomatic talks with the Sanctuary and the Dukedom. Let them know we are willing to assist, but ensure our interests are protected."
The council murmured in agreement, their initial disagreements softened by Rokuan's decisive leadership.
As the meeting adjourned, Haruto approached Tatsume, his frustration still evident. "Clan Leader, with all due respect, I still think we should do more."
Tatsume placed a hand on Haruto's shoulder, his expression softening slightly. "Your passion is commendable, Haruto, but passion must be tempered with wisdom. Recklessness will not save our clan. Patience will."
Haruto nodded reluctantly, his youthful defiance giving way to a begrudging respect.
The council dispersed, each member returning to their duties with renewed purpose. Though the Riverscale Clan's actions were measured, the wheels of change had been set into motion. The Beast Wave loomed on the horizon, and the decisions made in that chamber would shape the clan's future in ways none of them could yet foresee.
---
Rokuan Koicha returned to his mansion at the heart of the Riverscale Clan with the steady stride of a man who commanded power. The mansion, sprawling and adorned with elegant koi motifs etched into its stone walls, was the centerpiece of the clan's leadership. Here, his Main Koicha Household family resided—his wife, children, grandchildren, and trusted retainers who had served him faithfully for years.
The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows over the meticulously manicured gardens that surrounded the mansion. Rokuan was greeted at the entrance by his personal butler, a dignified man with deep rosewood scales—a reflection of his Rosehip Tea Koi bloodline.
"Tameko," Rokuan acknowledged as he stepped into his home, his voice calm yet commanding.
Tameko bowed slightly, his gaze steady. "My lord. Welcome home. Everything is prepared."
Without delay, Rokuan led the way into his office chamber, a space reserved for the weighty decisions of clan matters. Once seated, he gestured for his butler to speak.
"Report," Rokuan said, his tone low and measured.
Tameko adjusted his posture, his expression calm. "The Riverscale Academy has recently concluded a promising event, my lord. Several youth between the ages of 18 and 20 have demonstrated remarkable progress. Your first, second, and third grandsons—Rokuro, Taizen, and Hoshin—have proven themselves among the top performers. Alongside them, your grandnephews Renji and Tetsuo have cemented their places as core disciples."
Rokuan listened intently, his obsidian-scaled hands folded on his desk. "And their cultivation levels?"
"All five are at the Intermediate Vein Expansion," Tameko responded. "Thanks to the academy's recent distribution of resources, they've managed to reach this stage earlier than expected."
Rokuan nodded, a subtle smile crossing his lips. He rose from his chair and moved to a nearby window, the sprawling estate below bathed in golden hues. After a moment of reflection, he gave a command.
"Send them additional resources," Rokuan said, his voice firm. "Enough to push them through to the Final Vein Expansion. And invite them all to the Sacred Pool."
Tameko bowed once more. "It will be done."
The Sacred Pool
The Sacred Pool was a legend in itself. Hidden beneath the mansion, accessed only through a concealed passage, it shimmered with a mysterious, otherworldly glow. The waters were said to amplify a cultivator's growth at least fivefold, offering more than just training—it opened the doors to profound awakenings.
Those who bathed in its depths at the Final Vein Expansion Stage could awaken their bloodlines and access the abilities associated with them. For Rokuan, the Sacred Pool represented the ultimate opportunity for his grandchildren—especially his three grandsons—to awaken the Black Tea Koi bloodline like him.
As the sun set, casting hues of crimson and gold into the mansion, Rokuan's thoughts drifted back to his sons and their potential. He was eager to see their progress, to watch them ascend into the next level of power.
Returning to his seat, Rokuan's expression shifted, and he gestured for Tameko to continue.
"The Lad," Rokuan said, the keyword hanging in the air like an ancient curse.
Tameko paused, his expression neutral, yet a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. "Xianlu remains a mortal," he said after a moment. "He did not inherit the aptitude of his father or grandfather. It is possible his mother's bloodline is to blame—sold into servitude, her origins are a mystery. We never truly knew her lineage."
Rokuan's jaw tightened at the mention of Xianlu's mother. Their people, after all, had long histories tied to power and purity, and Xianlu's existence—a mortal son—was a stain on that heritage, not to mention the wrongdoings of his father.
Tameko continued, "On another note, your brother... was hospitalized recently." His voice softened as he mentioned the name.
Rokuan leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant as the memories surged. The firelight flickered across his face, illuminating the mixture of emotions he rarely let anyone see.
Rokuan and Daiten Koicha were both awakened with the illustrious Black Tea Koi bloodline, the strongest and most coveted within the Riverscale Clan. Their shared lineage made them natural rivals for the position of Clan Leader. The Riverscale Patriarch had always said, "The clan's future will be decided by strength, wisdom, and the will to lead."
Daiten, the elder by three years, was a force of nature in his youth. Strong, charismatic, and honorable, he had been the shining star of the clan. His martial prowess was unmatched, and his wife was a cultivator of the Lavender Tea Koi bloodline, renowned for her beauty and grace. Together, they were the embodiment of a perfect union—a symbol of the clan's strength and harmony.
Rokuan, by contrast, had been the quiet storm. Calculating and strategic, he lacked Daiten's easy charm but made up for it with an unyielding ambition. Where Daiten inspired loyalty through his deeds, Rokuan garnered support through careful alliances and a ruthless understanding of power dynamics.
The rivalry reached its peak when Daiten was declared the official heir to the clan. Rokuan had been furious but controlled his resentment. He knew that to defeat Daiten, he would need patience—and the right opportunity.
That opportunity came when tragedy struck Daiten's family.
Daiten's son was a rebellious and unpredictable youth, a disappointment despite inheriting the rarest bloodline of the Tea Koi Bloodline. Lacking discipline and direction, his constant clashes with the elders and reckless behavior shamed his father, who struggled to control him.
Not long after, Daiten's wife, fell during one of their missions together. Her death shattered Daiten, who had always drawn strength from her unwavering support. The once-mighty heir began to falter, his grief consuming him.
Matters reached their breaking point when Daiten's son squandered his father's fortune to purchase a slave woman from a Grand Caravan, a scandal that not only shattered Daiten's reputation but also stripped him of his influence within the clan. In a fit of desperation and shame, Daiten banished his son and withdrew into a bleak existence, drowning his grief for his late wife in alcohol.
The final blow came during a critical mission intended to redeem himself and repay the debts left by his son's recklessness. However, an unexpected ambush from a Qi Beast left Daiten gravely injured, returning to the clan as a cripple, his former glory reduced to a distant memory.
With Daiten's fall from grace, the path to leadership was clear. Rokuan seized the opportunity, leveraging the support he had meticulously cultivated over the years. His calm decisiveness and strategic mind won over the elders, and he was named the new Clan Leader.
Though Rokuan outwardly maintained respect for his brother, their relationship had irrevocably changed. Daiten, stripped of his status and influence, retreated to a distant corner of the clan, living in obscurity with his adoptive son.
Years later, rumors began to swirl that Daiten was raising a child—a grandchild, it was said—but no one heard word of his reckless son. The scandalous heir seemed to have vanished entirely. Now, Daiten lived a quiet life, running a modest tea shop in the clan's market district, his once-storied ambitions replaced by the simple routines of brewing and serving tea.
"Daiten… " Rokuan murmured again, his voice low.
Tameko's expression remained impassive. "Yes, my lord. His injuries have left him far from the man he once was. Creator Mayumi may have aided in his recovery, but it is clear she has respected the terms of your blood oath. The Veinroot herb remains beyond his grasp."
Rokuan's lips tightened into a thin line. The Veinroot herb, a rare resource capable of restoring crippled cultivators, had been the subject of a pact between him and Mayumi. She had sworn never to provide it to Daiten in exchange for something.
"According to the physician under our control," Tameko continued, "Daiten was only given remedies to ease his pain—not a true cure."
Rokuan nodded slowly, the firelight reflecting in his obsidian-black eyes. "Good. Let him live with the weight of his failures."
But as he said the words, a flicker of something unspoken lingered in his heart. Regret? Resentment? Perhaps a mixture of both. Daiten's fall had paved the way for Rokuan's rise, but it had also left a scar on the Riverscale Clan—and on Rokuan himself.
The room lapsed into silence. Rokuan's mind churned with thoughts of legacy, of power, and the weight of responsibilities that had long defined his rule.
"Continue monitoring them," Rokuan instructed.
Tameko bowed again. "As you command, my lord."
As the evening deepened, Rokuan sat alone in his chamber, gazing into the flames of a ritualistic hearth. The flickering light cast long, dancing shadows across his face, a constant reminder of the legacy he carried. His three sons—each a testament to his ambition—were poised to take their rightful place among the most powerful of the Riverscale Clan.
In the depths of his soul, Rokuan held hope. With the awakening of his grandsons in the Sacred Pool, his vision of unity, power, and supremacy would be realized once and for all.
The Riverscale Clan was his to command.
And no mortal, no rival, could stand in his way.