Fiend's Bloodline

In an immaculately white canteen, several children were seated, most of them with bandages on their bodies and bruises signs of rigorous training. After all this is a Hunter Center.

After the First Cataclysm, a major event that upended life on Earth following the crash of a massive meteorite into the ocean decades ago. Initially perceived as a contained incident after diverting the meteorite's trajectory to minimize damage, this event had unforeseen consequences. The meteorite's effects triggered a series of geological and climatic changes disrupting ecological balance and paving the way for the emergence of the Fiends, terrifying extraterrestrial creatures. These Fiends began to emerge from the ocean depths, becoming an increasing threat to humanity.

To counter the growing Fiend menace humanity developed a radical solution, identifying and selecting individuals with a unique compatibility with Fiend blood.

These individuals, after surviving risky experiments became the Hunters. Hunters can absorb and master the superhuman abilities inherited from the Fiends, making them the ultimate defenders of humanity against this extraterrestrial threat. This process of merging with Fiend blood, known as Bloodline inheritance allows Hunters to acquire specific abilities, enhancing their effectiveness in battling Fiends of varying danger levels. This was not counting the Second Cataclysm, an even more devastating event than the first.

It involved the impact of a second meteorite that crashed directly onto a populated continent, causing massive destruction and unimaginable devastation. Hundreds of millions of lives were lost, and Fiends emerged in even greater numbers, becoming even deadlier and more aggressive.

This event was named as such by the survivors due to its devastating scale, strengthening the Fiends' grip on the planet and increasing the pressure on the Hunters and what was left of humanity. This event marked a critical turning point in humanity's desperate struggle for survival against the extraterrestrial forces threatening to annihilate it completely.

And here we are, humanity has begun identifying children capable of inheriting a Fiend's Bloodline and grouping them in complexes called Hunter Centers aiming to train them from a young age and prepare them to receive a Fiend's Bloodline. Needless to say, most of the children gathered here didn't have much of a choice. After all, humanity is facing a planetary danger with no room for tenderness. However, as most children gathered in different Centers have lost their families to the Fiends, they already harbor a sense of hatred toward them.

At a table, several children were eating their breakfast. A 12-year-old child with chestnut hair and green eyes, his arms covered in bandages, was listening attentively to the conversations of others.

"Aren't you too stressed about finally receiving your Bloodline?"

"After everything I've been through, like I'd be stressed about something like that!"

"You're only saying that because you're set to receive a Level 5 Bloodline..."

The green-eyed, chestnut-haired child, Seth, was listening intently.

He sighed.

'It's the big day, I suppose.'

After finishing his meal, he got up to return his tray. On the way back, some children called out to him.

"Seth! You're ready, aren't you?"

Seth shrugged.

"I guess."

Another child intervened.

"Man, you have to realize, a Level 8 Bloodline is just insane!"

Fiends are classified into eight levels of increasing danger. Levels 1 to 3 are considered manageable for well-equipped humans, although Level 3 Fiends are generally avoided. From Level 4 to Level 6, only Hunters can effectively combat them. Level 7 Fiends are rare but capable of devastating an entire region, while Level 8 Fiends, extremely rare, have been responsible for some of the worst disasters in human history. Over the past decades, humanity managed to eliminate four Level 8 Fiends, a costly feat resulting in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people. Furthermore, there are only two Hunters who have inherited the blood of a Level 8 Fiend.

The Hunter lineage is as varied as the Fiends they fight. The more powerful a Fiend, the fewer individuals can share its Bloodline, unlike lower-level Fiends. Once a child inherits a Fiend's Bloodline, a technology developed by scientists called the "system" is integrated into them. This system helps control their Bloodline and powers, crucial for maximizing the Hunters' effectiveness in their desperate struggle for humanity's survival.

Seth looked at him for a few seconds before responding with a smile.

"Well, they've repeated it enough times for me to realize, don't you think?"

It's no secret which child will receive what level of Bloodline.

"If you say so, well, we're heading out. You're going to the training room, right? The Bloodline assimilation is in an hour, and they've advised not to strain our bodies."

Seth watched the children walk away and continued on his path.

'They're right, I should take it easy today.'

The entire center was immaculately white. Despite the rigorous training the children have undergone since they were six and the various knowledge they must accumulate daily about Fiends, humans still find ways to socialize somehow.

Even Seth, despite his eccentric behavior that causes many children his age to avoid him has made friends during his six years in the Hunter Center.

***

Seth pushed the door to the training room and entered. The place was vast, equipped with all sorts of machines and combat equipment. At the other end of the room, he spotted Evan, his best friend, stretching while waiting for him.

Evan looked up and smiled.

"Seth! Ready for our little sparring session?"

Seth responded with a slight smile.

"Always. It's been a while."

Evan approached, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"I've improved, you know. Maybe this time, you won't get off so easily."

Seth raised an eyebrow.

"We'll see."

This would probably be their last fight before the Bloodline assimilation, which would last three years. During this period, each child would be in a semi-conscious state to properly assimilate their Bloodline, a duration that could slightly vary from one individual to another. After that, each would be sent into the field to improve and gain experience, starting with fighting lower-level Fiends.

The two friends exchanged a few friendly words, talking about the upcoming inheritance ceremony. Although Seth was often withdrawn and cold, with Evan, he allowed himself to be a bit more open.

"Are you really ready for today?"

Evan asked while adjusting his combat gloves.

Seth nodded.

"I suppose. Not much of a choice anyway."

Evan smiled.

"Alright, then let's get to work. Ready?"

Seth nodded and got into position.

"Ready."

Seth and Evan faced each other on the tatami, the atmosphere tense as they got into their combat stances. Seth slightly bent his knees, lowering his center of gravity for better stability, while Evan stood ready, his footwork quick and light.

Evan attacked first, a quick punch aimed at Seth's head. Seth deflected the blow by raising his left forearm obliquely, creating a barrier against the attack. Evan immediately followed with a low roundhouse kick aimed at his legs. Seth lightly jumped to avoid the kick, landing with remarkable agility.

'Fast,'

thought Seth.

Evan took a step back before charging again, his feet dancing on the tatami. He feinted a punch before delivering a low kick, trying to destabilize Seth. The latter pivoted on his left foot, but Evan surprised him with a straight right that found its mark, lightly hitting Seth in the face.

Seth stepped back, shaking his head to regain his composure. He countered with a left hook that Evan barely blocked. Evan retaliated with a knee strike to Seth's stomach, forcing him to retreat again.

'Bastard.'

Seth thought as he repositioned himself.

The two boys circled each other, looking for openings. Evan attempted a roundhouse kick, but Seth blocked it with his shin, absorbing the impact. Seth immediately countered with a quick punch aimed at his friend's jaw. Evan parried with his forearm, but Seth feinted, changing direction at the last second to strike Evan in the side.

Evan staggered, surprise and pain evident on his face. Seth followed up with a sweep, using his leg to take Evan down. The latter tried to get up, but Seth was already on him, immobilizing his friend with a firm hold.

The fight was over. Evan, panting, raised his hand in surrender.

"Still as ruthless..."

Seth released his hold and offered his hand to help Evan up.

Evan grabbed Seth's hand and stood up, still out of breath.

Seth shrugged, a rare but genuine smile on his lips.

"Someone has to keep you on your toes."

Then suddenly, a voice echoed through a loudspeaker, calling the children to gather.

[Everyone, gather in room EA7!]

The two boys exchanged a glance and started heading towards the room. The closer they got, the more children they saw gathering towards the designated room, their sharp eyes ready for what was to come.

Arriving in the room, several men in white lab coats were gathered in front of the children. One of them, with a robust physique, stepped forward.

"Well, I don't think I need to explain what's going to happen. Just know that we will separate you into five groups for better organization. The names of each corresponding to their group are displayed on the screen behind me."

The children nodded simultaneously.

The man continued.

"Alright. Let the first group step forward and head into this room."

Evan looked at Seth with a smile as he walked away.

"See you in three years!"

Seth sighed.

"You better wake up before me if you don't want another beating."

The man in the white coat continued announcing the different groups. Strangely, the children's behavior was no longer that of children. Their gazes were sharp. Then it was time for Group 3, which included Seth.

He moved towards the room with the children in his group. There, several capsules were lined up, some different, likely for higher-level Bloodlines. One capsule, in particular, stood out with a special design. Next to it, Seth's name was marked. He approached the capsule, which opened with a touch of his hand, recognizing him. A voice from a loudspeaker startled the children, instructing them to enter the capsules, assuring them that the rest would happen automatically.

Seth closed his eyes and stepped inside. The capsule sealed shut, and after a few seconds, Seth felt a sharp pain in his back as something pierced him. As he struggled to stay conscious, the pain became overwhelming and he felt himself losing awareness.

Then everything went black.