Chapter 17: Marked by Fire
The moon had reached its peak—full and heavy in the sky, casting silver light over Black Ash Vale. Beneath its glow, the Crimson Howl prepared for war.
Weapons were sharpened. Bones etched with runes. Younglings were hidden deep within the dens. And Lucien, the rogue, stood under guard at the edge of camp, hands bound not by rope but by wolf essence—a spiritual tether drawn directly from the Lawfire Fang Stone.
Kael paced the center of the training circle, bare-chested, sweat glistening under the torchlight. He wasn't restless—he was listening.
The system hummed like a storm behind his eyes.
System Notification:
Bloodline Sync: 29%
Chaos Bloodline Reaction: Unstable
Next Threshold Ability: 30% — "Mark of the Devourer"
Warning: Passive Overflow Detected in Select Members
He gritted his teeth. The awakening was accelerating—too fast.
Suddenly, a loud growl echoed from the northern ridge. Flames erupted into the air.
A scout crashed through the treeline, bleeding from the shoulder.
"They're coming—fast. Two groups. Not just Broken Fang. There's something else with them. Something… wrong."
Kael's mind clicked.
"System," he whispered, "can I use the Devourer Mark?"
System Response:
Devourer Mark: Unlocking in Progress...
Threshold: 30% Sync Required
Current Status: 29.7%
Emergency Override Possible — Risk: HIGH
He had no time.
Kael's body burned. His pulse thundered in his ears. He stepped forward, forcing his will into the system.
"Override."
The world shattered.
Red light exploded from his chest, spiraling around him. A deep, pulsing symbol of an open maw appeared on his forearm—glowing with the chaos bloodline.
System Update:
Devourer Mark Activated (Unstable State)
Target: Optional
Effect: Ritual Hunt Initiated — 12 Hours Countdown
Assimilation Capacity: 15%
Current Sync: 30%
---
Warning: Premature Use Will Result in Blood Frenzy if Failed
Kael gasped, dropping to one knee. The mark seared like magma under his skin.
But the system quieted.
And his power sharpened.
Around him, the pack stared in silent awe. Flam stepped forward, eyes wide. "Alpha… what is that?"
Kael rose slowly. "The first gift of the bloodline. A power that can only be claimed through the hunt."
Varric's voice cut through the crowd—deep, distant. "Then it must be fed."
Kael turned to the edge of the camp, where flames were rising from the northern trail. Shadows moved just beyond the treeline.
Broken Fang had arrived.
And they weren't alone.
Beside them, twisted wolves moved—fur matted with glowing veins, their forms warped by something unnatural. They reeked of forbidden magic and broken rites.
Lucien stepped forward under guard, his eyes wide. "Those… those aren't pack. Those are morphed. Someone's fusing bloodlines—illegally."
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Flam, Tamir—form the first wall. Protect the ritual ground. Vira, with me. Lucien…"
He paused, then tossed him a short blade. "You want vengeance? Earn it."
Lucien caught the weapon, and something flared in his eyes—not just gratitude, but hunger.
As the enemy charged, Kael raised his hand.
The Devourer Mark pulsed crimson.
And the Crimson Howl roared to meet the fire.