Ultimate Level 1-Chapter 464: Evolving

“I’m sorry, come again?” Fowl asked. “What does that even mean?”

Max was only slightly listening to them, his mind still reeling from what had just taken place.

I… she gave me her bloodline? How is that even possible?

Ask Tanila. She appears to know more than we do.

Still holding a few pieces of clothing, Max looked up at the woman he loved and saw that her gold eyes were wide.

“What… how did she do this?”

Riletta made a shushing sound.

“That is not to be discussed in the presence of everyone. Please, if you five would follow me.”

Cordellia’s hands lifted him, and Max followed the older merwoman, almost not noticing the look of frustration on Coburn’s face.

She took them to a doorway and down a short hall and finally into a small room with a circular couch.

“Sit, relax. I will return in a few minutes with some food and drink. It appears you have much to talk about.”

As Riletta moved past Max, she lifted a hand and brushed his cheek.

“Those garments are yours, along with her gift. Treasure them. May you never forget the faith she has put in you.”

Everyone was still standing near the door as it slid shut. Tanila coughed to get their attention.

“Sit. I’ll explain what I know, but we need to sit.”

Almost as if half asleep, the rest of the party followed her instructions, each one still looking at Max.

“How do you feel? Are you okay?”

He nodded at her as he licked his lips. “I’m a bit in shock. Not from anything that happened physically but just from what she did. I didn’t realize that could happen that way.”

A cough came from their mage as she shook her head. “Wait… you already know about the bloodline?”

“Uh… yeah. From having killed Riniya & Kazrak. I… uh didn’t mention anything because I wasn’t sure what it meant and didn’t want to talk about it until I knew more.” ȑãɴ𝘖ᛒЕS

“Of course, he’s already done something like this,” Fowl muttered. “And by this, I mean what the hell are we talking about?”

Sighing, Tanila glared at their warrior who leaned back slightly as he got his first real glare from the gold-eyed elf.

“Each god has a bloodline. Thuyja has granted us, the royal family, hers. My eyes and hair are part of what tells you I possess it. If what Max has said is true then most likely something about Kazrak was a distinguishing feature as well. He might have been hiding it, like I can mine, but I doubt it. Someone like him doesn’t strike me as someone who would do so.”

“Maybe his size?” Cordellia asked.

“It could be. Regardless. Each bloodline has other perks. While most won’t tell you what they are, they add tremendous power and strength to what is called a true descendant of the god. From what I’ve learned, the bloodline that Phaius handed out is gone. That is why the queens are a former shell of what the human kings and queens once were and most likely made the deal they did for power, allowing their people to be used as cattle.”

“So how does one get a bloodline? I mean does a god… you know… do the naked dance and–”

Batrire smacked Fowl with a brush and had a bar of soap in the other.

“What, woman?! There ain’t no children here! I’m guessing even Cordellias has done the–”

A pillow hit their warrior in the face, and Max saw the look of anger in their archer’s eyes.

“Finish that statement and so help me I’m going to shove my foot so far up your arse you’re going to taste the crap I stepped in.”

Fowl balked, holding up both hands and closed his mouth.

“No one knows,” Tanila replied with a chuckle. “All we know is that the bloodline can be granted in some ways like Nereid did. It is protected in ways you wouldn’t believe, which is why…”

She paused, gently rubbing her stomach as she glanced down at it.

“My father… this child is already in danger for being half-human and half-elf. But the fact it will carry the bloodline of my people… Once he finds out, a target will be on their back forever.”

Finally regaining his senses, Max stored the clothing he had been holding and scooted closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and placing the other on her stomach.

“No one will ever hurt our child or you. You know that.”

She sniffed and nodded. “Words and the ability to carry them out are two different things,” she replied. “Not that I doubt your commitment or intentions, but I think we both know there is still a gap in our power compared to a king. Dagon has done more than we realized by showing us that true power. Even what I have isn’t equal to my father.”

“I’m sorry, dear. Can you tell us what you have exactly? Beyond the golden hair and eyes that make you look like a goddess?”

She chuckled at Batrire’s words and sighed.

“I… can. For so long I fought this form because of what it unlocks; in my mind, it was all about power and strength. If you remember, I mentioned that my mother stays in this form because she cannot overcome the desire to look that way or feel the way it makes her. While I’m in this form all of my stats are doubled.”

“Holy elf–”

“Tits,” Cordellia finished their warrior's curse.

“You’re serious? Double?! As in times two?”

Nodding at their healer, Tanila tapped her wrist where the bracelet was.

“Imagine cutting off that kind of power and strength because when you have it and know people struggle to be around you. The choice is to allow them to act like a servant or slave or limit yourself.”

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“But I don’t feel that kind of pressure… I mean… I guess it’s there, but it’s not like it was the first few times you displayed it. Why?”

“Friendship? Acclimation? Strength? I’m not sure. There were elves in our castle that could withstand the power and pressure. If memory serves me, all of them were incredibly strong.”

“Okay, we’re drifting off the path,” Fowl said. “So what do you mean that Max is evolving?”

He watched as everyone turned their attention back to him.

“I think I already know the question you're going to ask,” he said. “You want to know specifically what I know or have?”

“Always the smart one,” Tanila replied.

Smiling back at her, he took a deep breath. “I gained 20% from Riniya and 20% from Kazrak after killing them. When Nereid did what she did, I gained another 20%.”

Tanila tsked her tongue and tapped her chin. “Well, that does pose a problem… you have three bloodlines in you, and I’ve never heard of that before. Usually it’s just one, and I’m not sure how the three even mix or what that would mean on the power it provides. All I know is the little my father drilled into me about protecting the bloodline, and how it was a gift, and that if we ever completed the tower, we could start our own.

“Part of me wanted to complete the tower because… because I wanted to be different from what I saw in my family and didn’t want to follow his path.”

“You’ve done a great job making your own way,” Max stated. “Still, I don’t know anything beyond that either. I could try to summon Phaius again and find out more, or perhaps Dagon would be willing to share some knowledge.”

“Perhaps. He might be willing to do that. Still… I’m not sure what all this means.”

Max noticed his friend holding his hand up.

“Uh… why are you raising your hand?”

Clearing his throat, Fowl shook his hand a few times at everyone.

“I’m going to ask a question… it might sound… dirty… but it’s not. So don’t be tossing pillows or smacking me with stuff.”

He watched as all three women raised an eyebrow at the same time.

“No promises,” Batrire muttered. “Spit it out.”

“So… Max and Tanila are having a baby… that happened before he killed those two… which means the baby they’re having will only have one bloodline?”

Their mage started to snort and then began to laugh, her eyes watering from how hard and long she laughed.

After a moment, Tanila wiped both eyes and smiled at their warrior.

“That was a fantastic question and the answer is, I have no idea. From what I know, which again is limited, I don’t know. Just as Nereid gave hers away, and as I mentioned before, there are ways to transfer it. When we complete the tower, and if he can get one, who knows.”

What would that do for a child? I mean I know you don’t know everything but based on what Tanila has said, if she gives her full bloodline, and I have my own bloodline and can transfer some of it to our child…

Then they would be incredibly powerful. Both in good ways and in bad.

When words get out, many might fear them.

Others might seek to use them. This path we walk is unlike anything I can recall from my memories. There must have been some time when two bloodlines merged. Phaius could most likely answer that question as well.

It looks like I will need to try to have another conversation sooner rather than later.

Later is better. Finish the tower. We need to get stronger. Tanila is right. Her father is going to be just like Dagon if not worse. You’ve seen her power and know what she is capable of. Imagine a King with access to potions with red skills and hundreds of years to grow stronger.

“Max?”

Her voice brought him back, and he smiled, tapping his head.

“I’m fairly certain we’re not going to solve anything at the moment, and I doubt I’m suddenly going to grow longer ears, have hair all over my body, or grow gills.”

Fowl chuckled and stroked his beard.

“If there’s one thing for sure we know won’t happen, it’s you getting any hair.”

All of them laughed and took a moment to let the actions they had accomplished today sink in.

Eventually, Riletta returned with some food and drinks, Coburn in tow.

“Forgive me,” the councilman said as he bowed. “I… the action of a friend for thousands of years caught me off guard, and I now see the wisdom in her choice. To lose her hurt and that she had not warned me beforehand was even harder. Know that I am again grateful for what you have done for us.

“Our people are dancing everywhere, celebrating a victory that has long been believed impossible. Now we shall have enough food to reproduce and replenish those we lost.”

“Uh… I got a question,” Fowl said as he set down his cup. “How much food do you get for a win like this?”

A devilish grin appeared, and Coburn looked almost evil for a moment as he rubbed both hands together.

“We are going to feast on fifteen percent of both races.”

“Um.. uma.. I’m sorry, what?”

A chuckle came from Riletta as she gave Coburn a gentle shove.

“Forgive him for acting like this, but yes, we will get to eat a portion of their population. The Ausaura are actually quite tasty and can be prepared in many different ways.”

Max watched as his dwarven friend turned a little green.

“Perhaps instead, we could go ahead use the portal. While we appreciate your hospitality, we have a tower to climb, and time is always an important factor in our life.”

Both of the older merfolk laughed and nodded. “Forgive us… living four thousand years makes you forget that others are in a hurry. We can go right now if you are ready.”

***

[ Tower Floor 64 Reached ]

[ Completion of Tower Floor 63 Achieved ]

[ Full Level of Tower Experience Granted ]

[ Calculating Results of Previous Floor ]

[ … ]

[ … ]

[ Results Totaled ]

[ Time Spent on Floor is within top 10% ]

[ Number of Kills on Floor is tied for 1st ]

[ Calculating Rewards ]

[ Potion - Elixir of Stats ]

[ Potion - Elixir of Stats ]

Max shook his head in disbelief as two golden potions appeared at his feet on the obsidian floor.

“Two?!” Fowl exclaimed. “We get two?”

“Yup! It appears we’ve tied for first place.”

Laughter and cheers came as everyone raced forward to claim their prizes.

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