Free Web NovelChapter 11: Chapter 11: The Black-Red Elixir
The Shaman turned back to the roaring bear totem, lifting a heavy clay chalice filled with a thick, glowing fluid The liquid rippled with a mesmerizing, dark light, swirling with deep crimson veins that seemed to pulse to the rhythm of the drums.
"The Blood of the Ember!" the Shaman announced "Drink, and let the ancestors ignite your inner spark, unlocking the path you are destined to walk!".
One by one, the youths stepped forward to take a deep gulp from the chalice As they drank, their eyes would flashed with a bright light, their bodies shivering as the system of the world integrated with their primitive souls.
The Shaman moved down the line, his face rigid, until he finally reached Kellar The old priest’s eyes filled with undisguised disgust He clearly didn’t want to waste a single drop of the sacred elixir on a slender, inadequate boy Yet, despite his personal hatred, he didn’t dare go against the law of the ancestors Trembling with suppressed rage, he held out the chalice.
Before Kellar could reach for it, Tor leaned over from his left, his massive, tree-trunk frame casting a heavy shadow over Kellar.
"You better refuse that cup and give your portion to me, little bird" Tor whispered, his voice dripping with malice "If you drink that, I am going to make your life a living hell Do you hear me, you fucking idiot?".
Kellar didn’t even turn his head He ignored the heavy youth, treating him like nothing more than background noise He stepped forward with confidence, took the heavy clay chalice from the Shaman’s hands, and drained his entire portion in one smooth, continuous gulp.
The fluid burned like liquid iron sliding down his throat, a sudden surge of raw, violent energy exploding straight into his chest.
Ding!
[System Integration in progress... Ancestral Elixir absorbed successfully!]
Kellar exhaled a hot breath, a wild, sharp gleam flashing in his emerald green eyes He handed the empty chalice back to the stunned Shaman, then slowly turned his head to look directly at Tor.
With a cold, arrogant smirk, Kellar raised his right hand, extending his middle finger straight up in the air right in front of Tor’s face.
Tor blinked, staring at the lone finger in utter confusion The primitive hunter had no idea what the gesture meant, but seeing Kellar’s sharp, mocking grin and the disrespect radiating from his eyes, he didn’t need a translation He knew exactly what it was: a blatant, unadulterated insult.
Tor’s face flushed a deep, furious purple, his massive fists clenching so hard his knuckles popped.
"You’re dead, you scrawny piece of trash" said Tor.
Tor lunged forward with a furious roar, his massive, heavy fist swinging in a brutal arc aimed straight at Kellar’s jaw The strike carried enough raw force to crush a normal boy’s skull, but to Kellar’s mind, the movement was entirely telegraphed, clumsy, and riddled with errors.
Instead of backing away, Kellar stepped directly into Tor’s blind spot Utilizing his slender, agile frame, he dropped low to the dirt, ducking beneath Tor’s extended arm like a swift sewer rat darting through a gap in a pipe.
Tor’s massive momentum carried him forward, his fist hitting nothing but empty air as he stumbled into the dirt, losing his balance in front of the entire village.
A sudden burst of mocking laughter and rowdy jeers erupted from the surrounding hunters watching the spectacle Kellar didn’t say a word He smoothly rose back to his feet, brushed a speck of dust off his shoulder, and calmly stepped right back into his designated place in the semicircle, looking entirely unbothered.
Tor scrambled to his feet, his face burning bright red with humiliation He bared his teeth, gripping the handle of his stone axe as he prepared to launch into a full, bloodthirsty frenzy.
"Enough!" the Shaman snapped, letting out a sharp, irritated huff as he slammed his bone-adorned staff hard against the ground.
The old priest’s icy glare locked onto Tor, freezing the heavy youth in his tracks Even a brute like Tor didn’t dare disrupt the sacred ceremony further under the eyes of the ancestors Growling under his breath, Tor reluctantly backed off, his eyes shooting murderous promises at Kellar.
The Shaman scoffed, turning away to continue distributing the black-red elixir down the remaining line of youths.
From the center of the clearing, the Chieftain watched the brief exchange, a deep, booming chuckle escaping his massive chest as he looked toward the frustrated priest.
"Forgive them, Shaman" said the Chieftain. "They are just young cubs overflowing with too much energy before the hunt".
The Shaman finished handing out the very last drop of the elixir to the final youth in line He slowly turned his back on the crowd, facing the towering, roaring monument of the fire-bearing beast Reaching into a small leather pouch at his waist, he scooped out a massive handful of a glittering, pitch-black powder.
With a wild chant, the old priest threw the dust straight into the open, roaring mouth of the black bear totem.
BOOM!
The monument erupted A massive, deafening explosion of fire shot straight up toward the heavens, the blinding green and crimson flames expanding outward to swallow the entire central clearing But instead of burning heat, a thick, heavy wave of strange, swirling purple vapors rolled over the youths.
Kellar took a sharp breath, his lungs filling with the sweet, intoxicating mist.
Within seconds, the roaring crowd, the thumping drums, and the entire primitive village began to blur and dissolve into nothingness The dirt beneath his feet vanished, replaced by a cold, endless void of swirling starlight and dark smoke.
As the fog slowly parted in front of him, Kellar found himself standing alone in a strange, boundless realm Rising out of the dark mist directly ahead was a titanic, glowing entity—a monstrous, primordial black bear made of pure, crackling cosmic fire.
The ancient beast lowered its massive, burning head, its glowing crimson eyes locking onto Kellar’s soul with a crushing, suffocating glare.
