**chapter 6**

**CHAPTER 6: Alliance**

Deep within the Avalonian forest, a group approached the Void Clan.

"Father, when will we arrive?"

A sixteen-year-old girl, strikingly beautiful with long black hair, turned to her father, embodying grace and charm.

"Alice, when we step outside, address me as Sect Master," the Heavenly Demon replied, his expression serious. Yet, unfazed, Alice continued to pester him. Their bond was strong, especially after the loss of her mother. Suddenly, a red pillar of light pierced the sky, followed by streaks of black and gold. The Heavenly Demon was taken aback by the display of Bloodlines; he realized he was already late for the gathering.as he hurried his mount and his sect people to hestine there pace.

Damon felt a surge of happiness that day. In his previous life, he had been consumed by madness, knowing only the path of slaughter to gain a bit of sanity. But now, in this new existence, he was granted the chance to embrace sanity. All he desired from the ceremony was to enjoy himself and connect with his people. As he approached his grandfather from the Panda sect, he enveloped him in a warm embrace. "Grandfather, you're radiating youth!" he teased, laughter dancing in his voice as the old man playfully stroked his beard.

"Hohoho, it's only natural for me to age like honey," his grandfather chuckled, fully aware that Damon knew just how to brighten his spirits. Surrounded by family, he felt at ease.

A fat senior from the Panda sect approached Damon, beaming with joy. "You've grown so big!" he exclaimed, delighting in the sight of his young friend.

"Ah, Senior Brother James, you still look as round as ever!" Damon laughed back, his humor infectious.

"Oh, you mean my muscles!" James responded, a hint of pride swelling within him. In his mind, he envisioned himself as a formidable figure. Damon chuckled, reveling in the jovial company of his rotund mentor.

As Damon's uncles from the branch family arrived with their children, eager to forge connections with him, he welcomed them with open arms. He knew that for his future ambitions, he would need a strong network—an army, if you will—and expanding his ties was essential.

"Thank you all for joining me on this grand occasion," he began, his voice steady and inviting. "But there is another special guest I wish to introduce: my friend, Heavenly Demon Blaire."

Blaire entered with his daughter at his side, flanked by three true disciples from his sect. The respect he received filled him with pride as he made his way to his seat. On his journey, he caught a glimpse of Damon, and his heart raced with admiration. "Such a heavenly genius," he murmured to himself, intrigued by the young boy's potential.

"Father, who is that?" Velma asked, her curiosity piqued. "You'll find out soon," he replied, focusing on the unfolding events.

"Attention, everyone! A small competition will be held among the young ones," Gerald announced, prompting the children of the Void Clan to step forward and head toward the arena.

"Damon!" called his mother, Dora, as she presented him with a gift: an axe named the Avalonian Axe and a pair of gauntlets. The excitement in the air was palpable as the ceremony continued, promising a day filled with camaraderie and competition.In the heart of the arena, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, thickening with anticipation as the ceremony unfolded, heralding a day brimming with camaraderie and fierce competition. Among the participants, two figures emerged: Kai and Rowan, both scions of the illustrious Lucas and Alvine families, each bearing the prestigious Gold Grade bloodlines and standing as middle Commander realm experts.

"The rules are simple," Gerald announced with a commanding presence. "No lives shall be taken; any lethal moves will be dealt with severely." As the young warriors squared off, they vanished from sight, revealing the astonishing speed characteristic of the Void Clan. Their swords clashed, a dance of skill and power. Kai, eager to dominate the spotlight, executed a technique known as Void Flow, his blade slicing through Rowan's defenses, narrowly missing his chest as a void shield sprang into place.

"That was close," murmured an onlooker, but Kai was relentless. He unleashed a series of Void Flow slashes, shattering Rowan's shield in a display of flawless technique. "We've got some impressive juniors in the Void Clan," the Heavenly Demon remarked to Gerald, admiration evident in his voice. The battle concluded with Kai's victory after a fierce exchange.

Next, it was Damon's turn. Bursting with energy, he leaped onto the stage, embodying the strength of a middle soldier realm warrior. Spectators exchanged glances, questioning whether this young man truly belonged to their clan or had descended from the heavens themselves. Recognizing Damon's prowess, the Heavenly Demon Blaire summoned one of his top disciples to challenge him. Without hesitation, the disciple approached, displaying the strength of a beginner Commander realm.

Damon's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Just what I like," he thought, the gauntlets on his hands gleaming with promise. Wasting no time, he employed Crazed Step, leaving behind afterimages as he closed in on his opponent. With a swift motion, he launched into Void Fury, throwing a flurry of punches. Yet, his opponent was no slouch; with a deft slash, he met Damon's attack, halting it in its tracks.

Feeling the surge of battle, Damon stretched out his hand, summoning the Avalonian Axe with a flick of his wrist. It soared into his grasp, and without a moment's hesitation, he hurled it towards his adversary's head, infusing it with void energy. The Heavenly Demon disciple, taken aback, attempted to counter with his sword, but the axe was unyielding. Suddenly, he sensed Damon's presence behind him, a punch aimed squarely at his head.

A wave of danger washed over the disciple as he instinctively repositioned himself, narrowly avoiding the incoming axe. The thrill of battle coursed through Damon; as he seized the axe with ease, channeling his energy into a powerful throw. The audience gasped as the weapon, charged with shimmering purple void energy, hurtled through the air as if guided by an unseen force, locking onto its target.

"That's enough!" Gerald's voice rang out, his figure stepping onto the stage just in time to intercept the axe. Cold sweat trickled down the Heavenly Demon disciple's brow; for a fleeting moment, he had felt the chilling grip of fear.

The hall resonated with anticipation, every flicker of torchlight casting long shadows across the grand chamber. Gerald stood at the center of the dais, his imposing figure radiating authority as he raised a hand to silence the murmurs.

"Thank you all for joining me on this momentous occasion," he began, his voice carrying effortlessly to every corner of the room. "Tonight, we celebrate more than tradition. Tonight, we welcome a guest of great renown."

All eyes turned to the arched entrance as the heavy oak doors creaked open. In stepped Heavenly Demon Blaire, his presence commanding as he moved with an aura of quiet confidence. At his side, his daughter Velma mirrored his poise, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Flanking them were three of Blaire's most trusted disciples, their discipline evident in their every step.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, reverent and cautious. Blaire absorbed the respect in the air, his pride swelling as he made his way to his seat. Yet, his gaze caught on a lone figure—a young boy who seemed to glow with an unspoken brilliance. Damon. Blaire's heart quickened, his lips moving in a soft murmur. "Such a heavenly genius..."

Velma leaned closer, her curiosity barely restrained. "Father, who is that?"

"You'll find out soon enough," Blaire replied, his voice tinged with intrigue as he turned his attention back to the proceedings.

The atmosphere thickened as Gerald's voice rang out again. "Attention, everyone! To honor this gathering, a competition will be held among the younger generation."

The declaration sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Young warriors of the Void Clan stepped forward, their determination etched onto their faces. Among them was Damon, whose mother, Dora, approached him with a radiant smile. She presented him with an exquisite axe that seemed to hum with latent power—the Avalonian Axe—and a pair of gauntlets etched with intricate runes.

"Use them well, my son," Dora said, her voice steady despite the pride shining in her eyes.

The crowd buzzed with excitement as the participants made their way to the arena. In its center, the air seemed to vibrate with energy, the tension almost tangible. Among the contenders were Kai and Rowan, scions of the Lucas and Alvine families, their names synonymous with prestige. Both bore the coveted Gold Grade bloodlines, their strength marking them as middle rookie realm experts.

Gerald's voice cut through the murmurs like a blade. "The rules are simple: no lives shall be taken. Any lethal moves will not be tolerated."

The duel began in an instant, the two warriors moving with such speed that they seemed to vanish, their clash a blur of steel and sparks. Kai's blade gleamed as he unleashed the Void Flow, a technique that sliced through Rowan's defenses with surgical precision. Rowan countered desperately, a void shield springing up just in time to deflect a fatal blow.

The crowd held its breath as the exchange intensified. Kai's relentless assault shattered Rowan's shield, forcing him to yield. A wave of cheers erupted, the Heavenly Demon himself nodding in approval. "The Void Clan's juniors are truly exceptional," he remarked to Gerald, his admiration clear.

Then it was Damon's turn. He stepped onto the stage with a quiet confidence, his every move exuding raw power. Whispers rippled through the audience. Could this young warrior truly be one of them, or was he touched by the heavens?

Sensing the challenge, Blaire beckoned one of his top disciples. The young man stepped forward, his strength evident in the steady grace of his movements. A beginner Commander realm expert, he carried himself with the weight of experience.

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as Damon calmly stepped onto the stage. Despite the excitement in the air, his demeanor remained composed, even nonchalant. His focus was on adjusting the gauntlets on his hands, as though his opponent was of no consequence. The Heavenly Demon's disciple, brimming with arrogance, felt his pride sting under Damon's unbothered gaze.

Enraged, the disciple released a surge of spiritual energy, his aura rippling through the arena as he sought to suppress the boy before the fight even began. Yet Damon didn't flinch. He raised his eyes, locking them with the disciple's, and delivered a glare so piercing that it sent a jolt of unease straight to his opponent's core. For a moment, panic flared in the disciple's heart, but he quickly masked it, shaking off the creeping dread as he stepped into the arena.

The moment his foot touched the stage, the fight erupted. With a roar, the disciple dashed forward, his blade flashing in the light as he unleashed a flurry of rapid slashes aimed at Damon. Each strike was precise and deadly, but Damon moved like a shadow, weaving through the attacks with effortless grace.

The disciple leaped into the air, twisting mid-flip as he exhaled a barrage of fireballs that streaked toward where Damon stood. The flames roared with destructive intent, engulfing the spot in an inferno. Yet, as the smoke cleared, Damon was nowhere to be found.

"Crazed Step," someone in the crowd murmured in awe. Damon reappeared several feet away, his stance steady and his eyes gleaming with quiet confidence.

"You're not bad," Damon remarked, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of challenge. "Show me everything you've got."

The disciple snarled, preparing to attack again, but Damon was already in motion. With a sudden burst of speed, Damon's fists began to glow with swirling void energy as he unleashed "Void Barrage." Punch after punch sent ripples through the air, each strike releasing spheres of crackling energy that streaked toward the disciple.

The disciple's fireballs collided with the void spheres in a spectacular explosion that lit up the arena. "Boom!" The shockwaves rattled the stage as the crowd gasped, shielding their eyes from the blinding light. When the dust settled, Damon stood unscathed, his gaze unwavering.

But he wasn't finished. With a commanding gesture, Damon summoned the Avalonian Axe. The weapon answered his call, soaring through the air with a faint hum before landing in his hand. Without hesitation, Damon charged forward, the axe glowing faintly as it cut through the air in a powerful arc.

The disciple's confidence faltered as he narrowly evaded the strike, the sheer force of the swing leaving a deep gash in the ground where he had stood moments before. His heart pounded as he realized the extent of Damon's skill. "What is this boy...?"

Damon's movements were fluid, his strikes precise and relentless. The crowd watched in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the boy who moved with both brutality and confidence, his every motion radiating natural talent.

Determined not to disappoint his master, the disciple retaliated with a desperate burst of power. Lightning crackled along his arms as he unleashed a flurry of punches, bolts of energy streaking toward Damon. But Damon's response was swift. He swung Avalonian, its blade meeting the lightning and splitting it into two harmless arcs that fizzled into the ground.

"Did he just... redirect it?" someone gasped, disbelief rippling through the spectators.

The disciple froze, staring at Damon in shock. For the first time, he understood the vast gulf between them. Damon stood tall, his expression calm yet intense, as if daring his opponent to continue. The crowd erupted into cheers, their awe and admiration for the young warrior undeniable.

In that moment, Damon wasn't just a boy. He was a force—a prodigy destined to carve his name into history.