Chapter 10 — When the Blood Answers the Call
I smiled.
Then—
A roar erupted from the depths of my soul.
ROAR—!!!
It rattled the chamber, raw and primal.
Something inside me refused to be called a cub. Refused to be underestimated.
Something snapped.
Lightning surged through my veins.
My white tail, streaked with bright blue stripes, whipped violently behind me. Aura exploded outward, wild and untamed. My pupils sharpened into those of a White Tiger.
Predator. Not prey.
Anger, rage, killing intent—
They flooded my mind like a river unbound.
> [WARNING: Bloodline attempting to break seal]
Emergency suppression activated.
Error.
Error.
Error.
…
…
The system screen fractured red, then went dark.
Gone.
I locked eyes with my brother.
He roared.
ROAR—!!!
Blue flames erupted around him, scorching the ground. Reality itself seemed to bristle at his presence.
I moved first.
BAM!
Fist met ribs, followed by a compressed air strike.
BOOM—!!!
Shockwaves tore through the chamber. My brother skidded across reinforced flooring, cracks forming beneath him. Runes flared desperately, repairing damage.
The observers reacted.
"What—?!"
"That power—where did it come from?!"
I ignored them. My blood roared louder than their words.
Lightning danced across my skin, arcs of blue and white tearing the air. The crushing gravity that once threatened to pin me down now felt… lighter.
Not because I was invincible.
Because I had begun to listen.
My brother steadied himself, blood at the corner of his mouth.
Then he laughed.
Not mockery. Pride.
"So you finally showed your fangs," he said, aura surging higher. "Good. If you're going to stand as a White Tiger—then stand properly."
The gravity spiked.
3500×.
The air screamed. My knees bent—then straightened. Slowly. Deliberately.
Lightning cracked from my feet as I stepped forward.
"This time," I growled, voice no longer fully my own,
"I'll show you who the real cub is."
The chamber trembled.
At 5000×, reality protested. Runes burned blinding azure, pushed beyond their intended limits.
Yet I stood.
Not because it was easy.
Because something ancient had awakened.
Heart beat once.
BOOM.
Lightning answered. Pain existed—but no longer ruled me.
Across from me, my brother smiled. Approval.
"You're finally listening to it."
He vanished.
BAM!
The impact struck like a cannon. I was blasted backward, feet carving trenches. Lightning discharged violently on contact.
Smoke curled from my arms.
I grinned.
"So fast," I muttered. "But I can see you now."
Time slowed—not because I controlled it,
But because my perception had sharpened to meet it.
He struck again. I twisted. His kick shattered the air beside my head. I countered—upward elbow reinforced with raw aura and lightning.
CRACK—!!
He blocked—but slid back. Silence fell.
This was no longer training.
This was blood testing blood.
I attacked. No hesitation. Fist. Palm. Knee. Elbow.
Each strike carried will. Each movement screamed defiance.
My brother met me head-on, blue aura forming claws around his hands. Every collision sent shockwaves through the chamber.
BAM! BOOM! CRASH!
Then—he stepped inside my guard. Too close.
Forehead slammed into mine. Stars exploded.
His hand closed around my throat, lifting me.
"Power without control will get you killed," he said calmly.
My vision dimmed.
Instead of resisting—I let go.
I listened.
Lightning calmed. Not weaker. Sharper. Controlled.
My aura condensed inward, burning blue—efficient, precise.
My brother's eyes widened—just slightly.
I grabbed his wrist.
Gravity snapped.
BOOM—!!!
I slammed my feet, twisted, and drove my shoulder into his chest.
He flew back. Hard.
No laughter this time.
Runes flickered. Warning sigils flared.
The machine's hum became erratic.
Then—
"That's enough," someone said sharply.
The observers moved in, surrounding me.
The chamber trembled.
And I stood at the center of it all.