Ancestral Lineage

Ethan tensed. "What do you mean by that?"

Nethrix’s voice dropped to a solemn tone, carrying a weight that made even the swirling miasma around them seem to still. "The first option is that they remain here, tethered to you, as your subordinates—bound by the system, growing alongside you as you ascend."

"And the second?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nethrix’s expression darkened further. "They move on. Fully. They’ll cease to exist in every sense of the word—no soul, no trace. Simply gone."

Ethan’s breath hitched. "That’s... cruel. Isn’t there another way?"

"No," Nethrix said bluntly. "This is the way of balance. They’ve already defied death to be here with you. That privilege comes with a price. They can’t linger indefinitely without purpose."

Ethan glanced at Kael and Dri, both of whom held his gaze with unflinching resolve. "And... do they get to choose?"

"Of course," Nethrix replied, his voice softening slightly. "They always have the choice. But understand this: whatever they decide will be final. There’s no coming back from it."

Kael’s crimson eyes flickered as he gave a faint smile. "It’s not your burden to carry, Ethan. Whatever path we choose, it’s ours alone."

Dri nodded, his golden eyes calm yet resolute. "We’ve already made peace with our existence. Focus on your journey, not ours."

Ethan clenched his fists, his emotions churning. "Still... I don’t want to lose either of you."

Nethrix placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Then prove to them that staying is worth it. Show them the future you’re fighting for."

The chamber fell into a heavy silence as Ethan stared at his companions, determination hardening his features. He would make their choice one they wouldn’t regret.

"Then will you stay a bit longer?" Ethan asked Kael and Dri, his piercing gaze locking onto theirs. The sheer intensity of his eyes seemed to ripple through the space around them, cracking the illusory world.

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Kael met his gaze with a small nod, a flicker of respect in his crimson eyes. "We will."

"It seems you’ve chosen the third option," Nethrix suddenly interjected, his proud smile stretching across his sharp, handsome face.

"""HUH?""" The three of them exclaimed in unison, their confusion breaking the solemnity of the moment.

"Oh, my bad," Nethrix said, looking far too pleased with himself. "I forgot to mention... there was a third option all along." His grin widened triumphantly, as though he’d been waiting for this moment.

"This old fucker..." Kael muttered under his breath.

"Old age comes with being senile, apparently," Dri added, his tone dry as ever. Your next chapter awaits on novelbuddy

A massive black vein bulged on Nethrix’s forehead, a sign of his rapidly dwindling patience. "Watch it, you two," he growled before returning his attention to Ethan. "And you—aren’t you going to ask what it is?"

"What is it?" Ethan asked, cutting through the banter with a calm but curious tone.

Nethrix smirked, giving a slight nod of approval. "It seems you’re the only rational one here apart from me. The third option is... fusion or integration."

"Fusion?" Kael asked, his tone filled with both awe and skepticism.

"Yes. You three will fully integrate into a single being, becoming one. In your case, since they’re already dead, there won’t be any fight for personality dominance as there normally would be. You’ll gain all their abilities, skills, and unique traits, along with fragments of their personalities. It’s an ultimate bond of unity and power."

Kael’s brows furrowed. "Like, seriously?"

"Yep," Nethrix said with a casual shrug. "I’m Death for a reason. I hold power over souls and spirits."

Dri crossed his arms, his golden eyes narrowing. "So, do we have to do anything? Something like this should come with a cost, right?"

"Right, but you needn’t worry," Nethrix replied. "Your ultra-great-grandma—my beautiful wife—took care of all that. All you need to do is transfer the last remnants of your power to Ethan. Once that’s done, the fusion will complete naturally, and Ethan will become whole."

"And what happens after that?" Ethan asked, his voice steady.

"You’ll likely reach the threshold of the Master level in your world—or maybe even the Grandmaster level, depending on how well your body adjusts. That’s all I’ll say for now. Do you have any other questions? Our time here is almost up. Fate’s starting to notice us."

Ethan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Is there a way to meet the other ancestors? And... what about Trevor? Isn’t he your descendant too?"

Nethrix tilted his head, his grin widening. "Good questions. The others will meet you when the time is right. For now, your world is too unstable, and interference from them could cause... catastrophic consequences. As for Trevor..." Nethrix’s expression softened slightly. "Sharp as ever, I see. Yes, Trevor is my descendant too, though he comes from my wife’s bloodline—a vampire. You, however, are the first-ever perfect hybrid of the two bloodlines. My dear wife is... quite doting. She prepared a few gifts for you and Trevor."

Before Ethan could respond, Nethrix tossed a beautiful grey sphere with glowing blue markings at him. The object pulsed with a strange, primal energy that seemed to resonate with the world itself, causing the air around it to vibrate.

"This..." Ethan said, staring at the artifact in awe.

"A new affinity," Nethrix explained with a smirk. "The others are also undergoing changes that will shock you when you wake up. So, prepare yourself. My time here is up but remember what I’ve told you. Live your life, Ethan. We may meet again one day."

Nethrix stood from the ground, brushing the dust from his robes. His green eyes flickered with pride, acceptance, and assurance as he gazed at his descendants for the final time. "See you around, kid. And remember—no matter what happens, the Smiths must never fall."

With a mischievous and dangerous smile that sent chills down their spines, Nethrix began to fade from sight.

"Farewell, Grandpa Radar!" Ethan called out with a grin, matching Nethrix’s energy.

Nethrix gave a final smirk before vanishing completely, leaving behind an air of anticipation and purpose.

As Nethrix’s presence faded, the air around them grew heavy with silence. Ethan looked at Kael and Dri, their spectral forms flickering faintly in the dim light of the crumbling space they occupied. The sphere in Ethan’s hands pulsed steadily, its rhythmic energy resonating with something deep within him.

"So… this is it," Kael said, his voice softer than usual, his crimson eyes staring at Ethan with an unusual tenderness.

"I guess so," Dri added, crossing his arms, though his posture lacked its usual arrogance. "You better make good use of this, kid. We’re trusting you with everything."

Ethan nodded, gripping the sphere tightly as his heart raced. "I’ll honor both of you. I swear."

Kael smirked, his sharp features softening for a brief moment. "We know. You’re stubborn like that."

Dri rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. "You’ve got our abilities now, so there’s no excuse to slack off. If you mess this up, I’ll haunt your dreams for eternity."

Ethan let out a small laugh. "I wouldn’t expect anything less."

The sphere in his hands began to glow brighter, its light intensifying until it consumed the entire space. Ethan felt a warmth spreading through his chest, a deep pull in his soul that connected him to Kael and Dri on a level he had never experienced before. Their spectral forms began to shimmer and shift, turning into streams of light that flowed toward him.

The moment their energy touched him, Ethan’s mind exploded with memories, sensations, and power. He saw fragments of Kael’s life—his battles, his triumphs, his losses. The weight of responsibility that had once rested on Kael’s shoulders now passed to him.

Then came Dri’s memories, a whirlwind of sharp intellect and unyielding determination. Ethan felt the echo of Dri’s calculated decisions and his unwavering loyalty. Their emotions, their essence, their very being poured into him, merging seamlessly with his own.

Ethan’s body trembled as the energy coursed through him, reshaping him from the inside out. His veins burned with newfound strength, his senses sharpening beyond anything he’d ever imagined. His muscles felt like they were being reforged, his mind expanding to accommodate the influx of knowledge and power.

And then, as suddenly as it started, it was over.

Ethan collapsed to his knees, panting heavily. His body felt different—stronger, faster, almost unrecognizable. His mind buzzed with clarity, and he could feel the faint echoes of Kael and Dri within him, like whispers in the back of his consciousness.

He looked down at his hands, which now shimmered faintly with a metallic glow. His reflection in a nearby pool of water revealed subtle changes: his eyes had taken on a dual hue, one burning red like Kael’s and the other shimmering gold like Dri’s. His hair now carried faint streaks of silver, a sign of the fusion he had undergone.

"Wow…" Ethan muttered, staring at his reflection in awe.

"You clean up well," came a familiar voice. It was Kael’s, though it echoed faintly within his mind.

"And no excuses now," Dri added, his tone teasing but firm. "You’ve got everything you need to take on the world."

Ethan stood up, a grin spreading across his face. "I’ll make you proud, both of you."

He clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through him. The air around him crackled with energy as his presence seemed to ripple outward like a storm waiting to be unleashed.

With a deep breath, Ethan turned toward the horizon, determination blazing in his eyes. The integration was complete, and with it, he felt the weight of not just Kael and Dri, but generations of ancestors who had come before him.

"The Smiths will never fall," Ethan said quietly, his voice steady with resolve.

He stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited him.