Twelve years had passed since the devastating war between Valem Dreadmourne and the unknown enemy that vanished into legend. Peace had returned, but questions still lingered.
In the heart of Drakemire Village, under the leadership of Crimson Lord Velarik, today marked a significant event — the annual Blood Rank Ceremony. Youngsters of age twelve would finally get their potential measured by the sacred Bloody Rock — a mysterious artifact believed to be linked to ancient Blood God heritage.
Among the excited crowd stood a boy with disheveled black hair, crimson-flecked eyes, and a calm but distant expression — Kaen Draven Bloodborne. Raised by his mother, Elira Dreadmourne, and caring for his little sister Lyra, Kaen had lived a quiet life, always in the shadow of a father he never met.
The square was filled with parents, elders, and elite guards from the Crimson Oath, including Captain Thorne Veylin, a sharp-eyed warrior with immense pride in the village's legacy.
As children stepped forward one by one, the Bloody Rock glowed and displayed colors that represented their bloodline tier:
Red — Mortal Vein
Silver — Bloodforged Core
Gold — Rare Ancient Lineage
Black — Unknown or Unmeasurable
Some cheered as their ranks showed promise. Others wept. But when Kaen stepped forward...
The crowd grew silent.
The Bloody Rock flickered violently... then cracked slightly — for the first time in recorded history.
No rank. No color. Only silence.
Whispers broke out.
> "The rock... broke?"
"He must be cursed."
"What kind of bloodline could do that?"
Even Thorne Veylin narrowed his eyes. But Elira, watching from afar, simply closed her eyes and whispered,
> "Just like his father…"
Kaen stepped back without emotion. But deep inside him, something stirred. Something ancient. Something unmeasurable.
And far away, in a frozen wasteland, a shadowed figure opened one blood-red eye and smirked.
> "So... the boy has awakened."
---