As Jon and Riya approached the Towering steps of the council hall, with pillars carved with tiger fangs.
"Master…" she whispered, "The council… they can strip people of their bloodline"
He placed a hand on her back. "I know."
"Are you sure you want to face them?"
"I don't have a choice," Jon replied.
"You are really different from my former master," she whispered.
The doors slowly opened.
Inside was the heart of the Black Tiger Bloodline.
The Tigers Den.
The Center stood a circular chamber with seven massive throne, six of them was already occupied by high ranking Black Tiger Bloodline.
Only the center throne was empty.
Each of them look at Jon with curiosity and suspicion.
Riya bowed, "Riya Blackfang greats the council."
Jon didn't bowed.
How arrogant,one of the Elders murmured
Another Elder asked. "you killed a white tiger scout on your First night. Care to explain why"
Jon stepped into the circle, with a calm expression.
"He attacked me.I defended myself."
"That's not what we heard."
Another voice joined.
"Some say you killed him too easily."
"Should I apologize for being strong?"
Riya forced down a gasp.
The elders were all amused.
"So," one elder said. "You have a big mouth after all."
WARNING
Emotional hostility detached.
Recommendation: Maintain controlled aggression.
I'm here because you summoned me," Jon said. "Say what you want."
A female elder tapped her claw against her throne.
"What we want… is to test your right to the Black Tiger name."
Riya grabbed Jon's sleeve. "A test?! Now?!"
But Jon already stepped forward.
"I accept."
A tall mascular young man step in
Rogan Blackclaw.
"Oh no…". Riya said.
"You know him?" Jon asked.
"He's… one of the elite enforcers."
Rogan cracked his neck.
The Council raised their hands.
"Begin."
Rogan moved first, exploding forward.
Jon sidestepped.
Rogan grinned. "Fast. But"
He spun, sweeping low.
Jon jumped back, claws forming.
SHING!
Jon slashed, their claws colliding in sparks.
Riya watched from the corner.
"Master, be careful!"
Rogan slammed his foot down, cracking stone.
"You've got instincts but you're still a baby tiger!"
He came down with a crushing overhead claw.
Jon blocked with crossed arms.
Boom!
The floor shattered beneath them.
Jon slid back a few steps but didn't fall.
"Is that all?"
Rogan lunged again, faster, wilder.
Jon weaved, countered.
Until Rogan suddenly shifted into a partial beast form, muscles thickening, rage.
"Oh," Jon muttered.
"So it's like that."
Rogan slammed him into the wall.
"Master!" Riya screamed.
Dust exploded around them. Rogan pressed a claw to Jon's throat.
"You're strong," Rogan whispered.
"But not strong enough."
A fatal strike was incoming But then.
HIDDEN FUNCTION UNSEALED
Bloodline Accelerator: level 1
Allows temporary boost in bloodline mutation.
Duration:10 seconds.
Cool down:12 hours
ACTIVATING
His veins glowed black,with his eyes, savage light.
Jon's aura exploded.
He caught Rogan's claw mid-swing.
Rogan froze.
"What?!"
Jon elbowed him in the gut
CRACK!
Then slammed him into the floor.
Boom!
The elders were shock.
"Interesting…"
"He triggered mutation amplification…'
"No, something else."
Jon stood over Rogan.
"Get up."
Rogan staggered, coughing blod.
"You're a monster."
Jon didn't deny it.
They clashed again.
Jon's claws moved like shadow slicing through Rogan's aura.
SHING!
Rogan's arm guard broke.
Then Jon drove his knee into Rogan's ribs.
CRUNCH!
Rogan collapsed.
Silence fell.
Jon stepped back, breathing steady.
Rogan on the ground half dead.
And smiling through blood.
"…Damn… you're the real thing."
He passed out.
The Council watched Jon in silence.
Then
Slow clapping.
One elder smiled.
"Welcome, Jon Blackthorn. You have passed."
Riya ran to him.
"Master… you did it."
He placed a hand on her cheek.
"I told you I would."
Her face turned red.
Rasha walked in.
"Am I late?" she asked casually.
The Council members stiffened.
"What is a Spirit Wolf doing here?"
"This meeting is private"
Rasha ignored them.
Her eyes locked on Jon.
"There you are," she said with a dangerous smile.
"I felt your power spike. Impressive."
Riya stepped in front of Jon.
"Why are you here again?!"
Rasha tilted her head.
"I came to check on the man who cut me."
"Should I not?"
"D-Don't talk like that!"
Jon sighed. "Both of you… calm down."
The Council demanded answers.
"Why do the Spirit Wolves take interest in him?"
"What is your purpose here, wolf girl?"
Rasha brushed her silver hair behind her ear.
"I came to warn you all."
"And him."
"Warn me about what?"
"Assassins."
The room temperature dropped.
"White Tigers," she continued.
"They crossed into your territory tonight."
"They're coming for you, Jon."
"Tonight?!". Riya asked.
Rasha nodded.
"And they're not scouts. They're killing elites."
Jon clenched his fists.
The Council erupted in argument.
"Impossible! Our borders"
"They must have used blind zones!"
"Prepare the guard!"
"We can't allow"
NEW QUEST:
SURVIVE ASSASSINATION
Difficulty:High
Reward: Bloodline purity+5 percent.
Failure:Death
Riya grabbed his hand.
"Master… what do we do?"
Rasha answered for him, leaning close
with a wolfish smile.
"You fight."
Shadows thickened around the chamber.
Footsteps.
They're already here, Jon said.
He grabbed Riya by the waist and pulled her to his side.
"Everyone stay alert."
The torches went off
Darkness swallowed the room.
Elder voices shouted, claws igniting.
Jon's eyes glowed.
Rasha shifted into half-wolf form beside him.
Riya stayed behind him, trembling but ready.
The first whisper came from the darkness,
"Found you…"
"Come on, then."
White Tiger assassins dropped from the ceiling.
six of them.
Jon cracked his neck.
Rasha bared her fangs.
Riya held her breath.