The Tablet of Seven and the Divide of the Races (Part 2)
Leo felt the weight of the System's voice bearing down on him as it announced the next stage of his awakening. "It's time you learned about this world," it intoned. The voice was distant yet powerful, resonating in the core of his mind, compelling him to listen.
The System's presence filled his consciousness, an eerie void stretching out before him. As it spoke, images began to form in his mind—a history that he had never known but was about to be revealed.
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### **In the Beginning: The Seven Races**
Long ago, this world was governed by seven great races: Vampires, Werewolves, Humans, Dragonewts, Elves, Giants, and Demons. They ruled vast lands, their powers unrivaled. But over time, wars, betrayals, and the passing of ages caused many of these races to fall into extinction. Now, only four remain: the Vampires, Werewolves, Humans, and Dragonewts.
In the present day, the world is divided as follows:
- **Vampires** control **40%** of the land. Their territories are vast and expansive, dominated by ancient castles and shadowy forests. They are ruled by noble bloodlines, each stemming from the powerful Origin Tree. The Vampires value strength and blood purity, constantly vying for supremacy among themselves.
- **Werewolves** hold sway over **35%** of the lands, primarily in the dense, untamed wilderness. They live in tribes, bound by loyalty and a fierce sense of kinship. Known for their raw strength and speed, they are always on the lookout for ways to climb higher in the power hierarchy, especially against their rival Vampires.
- **Dragonewts**, though they occupy only **20%** of the territory, are regarded as the strongest race. They reside in secluded, mountainous regions far from the eyes of other races. Unlike the others, their existence is a well-guarded secret, known only to high-ranking officials. Their power is unmatched, stemming from the ancient dragon blood running through their veins.
- The remaining **5%** is neutral territory, a mix of lawless zones, mercenary outposts, and rogue cities where no single race holds dominance. It is a dangerous and unpredictable area where alliances shift and change like the wind.
The **Humans**, once a thriving and diverse race, now exist only as slaves. Branded with a **slave mark**, their freedom is stripped away, their powers stunted by magic and force. They serve the other races, toiling in mines, fields, and palaces, their spirits broken by centuries of subjugation. But this was not always their fate.
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### **The Forbidden Stone Tablet of Seven**
It all began with the **Forbidden Stone Tablet of Seven**. Legend says that God himself inscribed the laws of the world onto this tablet and hid it in seven different places. The Tablet declared:
*"When all races unite in power, the balance remains unchanged. But every ten years, each race must send their strongest warrior to the Catacombs to fight. The race that loses shall become slaves, and the victor will receive divine gifts from heaven."*
Hundreds of years ago, the Vampire royalty discovered this prophecy. Ambitious to become the dominant race, they organized a grand event. They invited the strongest warriors from each race, promising them immense rewards. Unbeknownst to the participants, this was not merely a tournament—it was the ritual mentioned in the prophecy. Each warrior fought, believing it was for gold and glory, while in reality, their battles decided the fate of their entire race.
The Dragonewt warrior, far stronger than any other, defeated all challengers with ease. The Dragonewts were crowned the top race and granted immunity from servitude. The Vampires, unable to best them, settled for second place. The Werewolves took third. With no powerful champions to represent them, the Humans fell last. As the lowest-ranked race, they were branded with the slave mark, forever cursed to serve.
Realizing what had happened, the Dragonewts chose to isolate themselves, withdrawing from the world's conflicts. They still send a warrior every ten years to maintain their position, but otherwise, they remain hidden. The Werewolves, determined not to fall further, fight fiercely to keep their standing. For the Vampires, securing their dominance became an obsession. They control the narrative and suppress the truth about the Catacombs from the general populace, keeping their true purpose a secret.
Only the leaders of each race and a select few know the truth about the Catacombs. The humans, however, have been left in the dark. Most of them don't even know why they're enslaved, only that they are bound by an unbreakable curse.
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### **The Hidden Truth of Human Potential**
The Vampires, in their greed, kept one crucial piece of information from the other races. The Forbidden Stone Tablet contained another secret: humans possess an extraordinary adaptability. When they consume the blood of other races, they can inherit their abilities. A human could gain the enhanced senses and strength of a Werewolf, the speed and agility of a Vampire, or even the mystical powers of a Dragonewt.
This hidden potential is what the Vampires feared most. If humans ever discovered this secret and began to harness their latent powers, they could disrupt the established order and challenge their masters. Thus, the Vampires suppressed this knowledge, keeping humans in the dark about their own capabilities.
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### **A Leader's Desperate Search**
As the next Catacombs battle approaches, the human race leader has been secretly searching for someone who could stand against the other races and finally free humanity from its shackles. A warrior who could tap into the hidden potential of human adaptability and match the strength of a Werewolf, the speed of a Vampire, and the magic of a Dragonewt. The leader believes that if humans could just win once, the slave mark could be broken, and their race would no longer be subjugated.
Leo, lying in a daze, felt the weight of this newfound knowledge. He realized the enormity of the task ahead. He wasn't just fighting for himself now; he was a symbol of hope for an entire race. If what the System had revealed was true, then he might be the one the human leader had been waiting for—a warrior capable of changing the fate of humanity.
The System's voice echoed one last time. *"Prepare yourself, Leo. The Catacombs await, and with it, the fate of your people. The true battle is about to begin."*
Leo stood there, stunned by the sheer weight of everything the System had just revealed to him. His mind was racing, piecing together the fragmented truths about this world—the Forgotten Stone Tablet, the Catacombs, and the devastating implications of the battles waged every ten years. The realization hit him like a thunderclap: the tasting of blood, the humans' hidden power, wasn't something new. It was an ability they had all along but never understood.
"So, humans can gain the abilities of other races by consuming their blood," Leo muttered, trying to make sense of it. "Then, what's the point of this System? If we could always do that, how is your power any different?"
The System responded with a calm, almost amused tone.
*"You are correct, Leo. The latent ability to inherit powers from other races has always been part of human potential. However, it is uncontrollable and random. When a human consumes the blood of a Werewolf, a Vampire, or even a Dragonewt, they might gain strength, speed, or heightened senses. But they have no say in what ability is bestowed upon them. It is left to chance, and the effects are often unstable, temporary, or even dangerous."*
Leo frowned, the pieces slowly falling into place. "So, it's just luck, then? Whatever we get is entirely up to chance?"
*"Precisely,"* the System continued. *"But that is where I differ. I grant you the power of choice. With me, you are not limited to the whims of fate. You can select the specific abilities you want to acquire and level them up. You have access to the **Origin Tree** of each race. Every race has its strengths, unique traits passed down through generations from their original ancestors, the purest form of their bloodline. With the System, you can access these Origin Trees, trace their lineages, and draw from their powers. You can choose, evolve, and enhance your abilities deliberately."*
Leo's eyes widened. The implications were immense. This wasn't just about tasting blood and hoping for the best; this was about having the power to shape his growth, to pick the strongest traits from each race, and mold them into something entirely new. He could carve his own path, enhance his strengths systematically, and overcome his weaknesses with intention.
"And... this Origin Tree," Leo began cautiously, "how exactly does it work?"
*"Imagine it as a branching network of abilities,"* the System explained. *"At the root lies the most basic, innate traits of a race. As you consume the blood of that race, you can unlock these roots and gradually work your way up the tree. The further you progress, the stronger and more refined the abilities become. You could start by obtaining basic vampiric speed, then upgrade to blood manipulation, and eventually reach the ancient blood magics of their ancestors. You can trace the Werewolves' ferocity back to their primal, beastly power or access the Dragonewts' ancient draconic flames and mystical arts."*
Leo's mind raced, picturing the potential pathways he could take. It was as if an entirely new world had opened up before him—a world of limitless growth. He could take the speed of the Vampires, the strength of the Werewolves, and the magical prowess of the Dragonewts, combining them into something no one had ever seen.
"Hold on," Leo interrupted, a thought suddenly striking him. "You said something about me joining the fight for the Catacombs?"
*"Indeed,"* the System confirmed. *"In fifteen years' time, two battles from now, you will be one of the chosen representatives for the human race. Your task will be to secure a victory, to finally end the curse of servitude placed upon your people. That is your destiny."*
Leo's heart sank. Fifteen years felt like both an eternity and the blink of an eye. He would need every single one of those years to prepare, to grow strong enough to stand against the champions of the other races. He clenched his fists, a surge of determination welling up within him.
"But that isn't your mission right now," the System continued, cutting through his thoughts. *"For now, your focus must be on survival and growth. You need to familiarize yourself with the powers I can offer and start building your strength. Only by mastering your abilities and unlocking the potential within the Origin Trees can you hope to stand a chance in the Catacombs."*
Leo nodded slowly. He felt the fire of a new resolve burning in his chest. For so long, he had wandered without purpose, his future shrouded in uncertainty. Now, he had a clear path laid before him—a monumental challenge, yes, but a purpose nonetheless. He would train, grow stronger, and fight not just for himself but for the liberation of his people.
"Understood," he said, his voice filled with newfound resolve. "Let's get started."
The System responded with an approving hum. *"Very well, Leo. From this moment on, we shall begin. The path ahead is arduous, but you are no longer walking it alone. Together, we will break the chains of fate."*
The System then said your main goal for this world is to attain the title"Bloodline Progenitor ".