The next morning, with the first light casting a soft glow through the windows, Henry made his way to the patriarch’s office. As he walked, he noticed the subtle change in season. The autumn air was crisp, and refreshing, and painted the landscape in vibrant shades of gold, crimson, and amber. As he went to the main family mansion, he heard the rustling leaves against the branches. The leaves too, seemed to signal the time to leave was fast approaching.

As he approached the heavy oak door, marked with the emblem of the Bearington crest, Henry took a moment to gather his thoughts and steel himself for the conversation ahead. The office of the patriarch was a spacious room, lined with shelves filled with ancient weapons and skill books, evidence of the clan’s rich history and knowledge.

The large desk that dominated the room was made of the same dark-stained oak as the meeting table from the night before, a symbol of the continuity and strength of the clan. Behind the desk sat the patriarch, emanating immense authority. His gaze was sharp and penetrating as he examined Henry upon entrance.

“Good morning, grandson,” the patriarch greeted, his voice deep and resonant. “You surprised quite a few people with your victory yesterday.” He laughed happily, then peered at the tattoo between Henry’s buttoned shirt. Henry’s top button was unbuttoned, and the top of the tattoo was just visible. “Good, I can see the etchings of the clan’s crest. Hopefully, it didn’t hurt too bad,” he laughed amused.

“The tattoo hurt like hell,” Henry sighed, deciding it was initially best to tell the truth.

The patriarch leaned forward in his chair, with a pleased expression. “It hurts, so you will never forget your oaths to the clan. The family must live by the clan’s creed.”

“I understand!” Henry said saluting the patriarch.

For Henry, the Bearington Creed was like the ten commandants on Earth, in that they were more similar to strongly enforced guidelines than laws. The creed had seven ordinances: Strength in Unity, Honor Above All, Courage in the Face of Adversity, Protectors of the Forest, Wisdom Through Knowledge, Respect for All Life, and Legacy of the Ancestors.

“The creed is something that every descendant must endeavor to follow. Do you understand?”

Henry quickly nodded in agreement.

“Then swear the creed!”

Henry cleared his throat, then began repeating, “Strength in Unity Under: We are one family, one force, united under the watchful gaze of the Great Arctos. Our strength is forged from the bonds of kinship and loyalty, unbreakable and enduring.

Honor Above All: Our word is our bond, and our honor is our life. We live with integrity and speak the truth. To betray the clan's honor is to forsake our place within it.

Courage in the Face of Adversity: We face our challenges head-on, with the heart of a bear and the resolve of the ancients. Fear has no hold on us, for our courage is born of knowing that we fight for something greater than ourselves.

Protectors of the Forest: As guardians of our lands and people, we commit to their defense against all threats. Our swords shall rise in the protection of the innocent and defiance like our ancestors Arctos.

Wisdom Through Knowledge: We seek wisdom in the battles of the past and the signs of the present. Our decisions are tempered by knowledge, for through understanding, we find the path to true power and prosperity.

Respect for All Life: Though we are warriors, we honor the sanctity of life in all its forms. Our might is wielded not for domination, but for the preservation of balance and harmony within the realm.

Legacy of the Ancestors: We honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, and we strive to build a legacy worthy of their memory. Our actions today shape the Bearington Clan of tomorrow, and we shall not falter in our duty to the future.”

“Good, then let me be the first to officially welcome you to the family. While the creed is etched on your chest, carry it in your heart. Here take this!” he said, tossing a bronze placard.

“What’s this?” Henry caught it and turned it over in his hand.

“It’s a clan contribution token. You can trade it for skill books, weapons, or serve as payment.”

“How many would it take to reinstate my mother?”

“Fifteen gold contribution tokens. If you accomplish that, not only will your mother be reinstated, but I’ll also appoint you as a branch family head.”

Hearing that, the token’s weight felt significant, not just in its physical heft but in what it represented—a potential key to securing his mother's place within the clan and securing a stronger partnership with the clan.

“I’ll reinstate my mother,” Henry said, his resolve hardening.

“I have no doubt.” The patriarch nodded, a look of approval in his eyes. “We digress, let’s get to the matter at hand. This is your award for your victory in the coliseum.”

System Message:

The requirement for bloodline acquisition has been met

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The patriarch reached into a drawer and pulled out a small, intricately designed vial, placing it carefully on the desk in front of Henry. The vial shimmered with a crimson glow.

“This vial contains the Bearington bloodline and essence of the Great Arctos,” the patriarch explained, his voice imbued with a sense of reverence for the object before them. “This blood will enhance your strength, agility, and constitution. A fitting reward for a true Bearington.” He smiled coyly.

System Message:

Congratulations! The host has acquired rare Bearkin Bloodline: Bearington Bloodline

Henry’s eyes widened as he stared at the familiar notification. Then he looked at the glowing crimson blood sloshing in the tube. Henry picked up the vial, feeling a surge of energy just from holding it.

“I can see the greed in your eyes,” he laughed boisterously. “That’s good, the youth should covet such things.”

In the world of Heaven's Gate, bloodlines are powerful legacies that determine an animal’s or Beastkin’s innate abilities, potential for power, and sometimes even their status within society. These bloodlines are tiered based on their rarity and the magnitude of power. Bloodlines ranged from primitive to divine.

The most basic level of bloodline, primitive, grants no enhancements to physical or magical abilities. Primitive Beastkin are aimless, either following innate biology or being a pack leader.

A step above primitive, common bloodlines offers minimal enhancements, such as improved strength, agility, or minor magical affinities. While still relatively widespread, Beastkins with common bloodlines can achieve success with the right training and determination.

Uncommon bloodlines start to diverge into more specialized abilities or traits, such as enhanced senses, elemental control on a small scale, or moderate boosts to physical or magical prowess. Beastkin of these bloodlines may find themselves sought after for specific roles within their communities.

Rare bloodlines provide significant enhancements and often become influential leaders. Many possess enhanced mental capabilities. Rare bloodlines can drastically change the fate of their clans.

Epic bloodlines are exceptionally powerful and scarce, conferring abilities that can alter the course of battles or significantly impact the world around them. These might include formidable magical powers, transformation abilities, or otherworldly physical strength. Beastkin of epic bloodlines are often destined for greatness, becoming heroes or villains of lore.

Legendary bloodlines are almost mythic, granting abilities that seem to defy the laws of the world. This could include powers that can shape or destroy entire landscapes. Those who inherit legendary bloodlines are few and are often propelled into positions of immense power and responsibility.

The pinnacle of bloodline power, divine bloodlines are gods or ancient powers. Their god-like abilities are the result of understanding universal laws such as creation, resurrection, or control over time and space. These Beastkin are normal servants of gods and are exceedingly rare and are often regarded as deities or demi-gods.

The acquisition of a bloodline can dramatically shape an individual’s prowess, with higher-tier bloodlines opening doors to unimaginable power and prestige. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and the bearers of potent bloodlines often find themselves faced with challenges and adversaries that match their newfound abilities.

Henry clenched the vial tightly, careful not to let it slip. He was excited but tried to remain stoic. Thanking the patriarch, he bowed and turned to leave. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, the patriarch’s imposing voice echoed in his ear.

“Oh, one last thing before you leave. I heard you met with that delusional Kenai and his alliance. I’m curious, to learn what you discussed?” His voice was calm but demanding.

“If you’re familiar with the alliance, I expect you already know their objective,” Henry deduced.

“I do…but I’m curious to know what’s your role?”

Sighing, Henry recounted the events from his initial invitation to the previous night, carefully omitting sensitive details. He also mentioned Kenai's threat to him.

“You’re telling me you’re an innocent bystander in all this?” the patriarch asked, tapping his knuckles on the desk.

“Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth?”

The patriarch looked at Henry’s eyes judgmentally, trying to decipher whether fact from fiction. “I don’t believe you, but I do believe you would do what’s best for your mother. You’re cunning, I like that about you. To think I had such a courageous, cunning, capable grandson this whole time,” the patriarch smiled as Henry turned and left his office.

Henry, with the vial secure in his grasp, made his way through the crisp autumn air back to his parents' apartment. The significance of what he carried—and what it symbolized for his future—weighed heavily on him, yet also filled him with a sense of anticipation. This was more than just a physical journey; it was a step towards fulfilling his destiny within the Bearington Clan.

Upon arrival, his parents and Heather were waiting for him in the den. He spotted his parents and Heather’s nervous faces.

His mother's eyes were the first to meet his, filled with a mix of concern and curiosity. “How did it go?” she asked, her voice steady but betraying a hint of nervousness.

“It was fine,” Henry offered a reassuring smile, pulling the bronze placard and the vial from his pocket and placing them on the coffee table for all to see. “He gave me a token and vial.”

“Is that the bloodline potion?” Heather asked analyzing the substance. “Do you mind if I examine it, I promise not to spill any?”

“Good ahead,” Henry smiled, watching her chemist’s curiosity take over. She looked like a cat with a ball of yarn.

“Is that wise?” he looked at Heather worriedly.

“It’s fine,” Henry laughed, watching her write down her observations.

“Then let’s celebrate! What do you want for breakfast?” Lindsey, relieved by her son’s happy mood, had a sparkle of excitement in her eyes as she anticipated celebrating Henry’s achievements.

“It's not every day we get to celebrate with our son,” he said, clapping Henry on the shoulder. “Your mother's right; this calls for a celebration. Let’s celebrate at a restaurant.”

Henry turned his attention back to Heather, who was now deeply engrossed in examining the vial with a mixture of scientific inquiry and awe. “Be careful with that,” Henry teased lightly.

Heather looked up, her eyes sparkling with fascination. “This is incredible, do you know how many alchemists have speculated on this? The energy emanating from this vial is unlike anything I've encountered!” She handed the vial back to Henry with a hint of disappointment.

Henry, vial in hand, made his way to his room, his heart a mix of anticipation and a slight excitement about what was to come. Sitting on the floor, knees crossed, Henry took one last look as the early morning light filtered in softly, casting the room in a serene glow. He knew the process of integrating the Bearington bloodline would be intense, perhaps even painful, but he was ready to embrace whatever came.

Closing his eyes, he uncorked the vial. The crimson liquid inside seemed to pulse with energy, a visible manifestation of the potent bloodline it contained. Taking a deep breath, tilted his head, and consumed the contents of the vial in one swift motion.