Chapter 10: The Golden Insects and the Rise of Reed

The ground trembled beneath Reed's small feet as the Crimson Family's army marched towards the Golden Tribes' stronghold. The early morning sun, obscured by thick clouds, cast a strange, oppressive light over the battlefield. The stench of fear lingered in the air like the scent of a coming storm. Reed, though young—barely six years old—was already a force to be reckoned with. The awakening of his power had propelled him into the Bone Casting stage, transforming him into something more than human. His lightning, once wild and uncontrollable, had become a part of him, and every movement he made was executed with precision and deadly intent.

Beside him, his father—standing like a mountain amidst the army—towered above. His presence alone was enough to freeze the hearts of anyone foolish enough to challenge him. The Patriarch of the Crimson Family was in the Overlord stage, a being capable of manipulating the very forces of magnetism and bending the laws of nature to his will. He could level entire cities with a flick of his fingers, and none who opposed him had survived for long.

But today was not just about the might of the Crimson Family. Today, Reed was to prove to the world that his bloodline's power was unmatched, that he was not just the heir to a family, but the embodiment of a force that no one could defy. And the world would learn just how deadly the storm inside him could be.

The Golden Tribes, as their name suggested, were a vast network of insectoid creatures—massive golden insects that had ruled over this region for centuries. These creatures, though impressive in size and strength, were nothing more than insects in the face of the Crimson Family's might. Their society was organized in a strict hierarchy, with the strongest among them reigning supreme. Their warriors were monstrous, their chitinous bodies capable of withstanding attacks that would shatter lesser beings. But they were nothing compared to the forces arrayed against them now.

The Golden Insects had long been a threat to the Crimson Family, their numbers and influence growing too large for comfort. But the Crimson Family had prepared for this day. The battle today was not one of survival—it was a performance, a display of overwhelming power designed to crush the Golden Insects and send a message to anyone who might consider challenging them.

Reed's father, his voice low and authoritative, gave the command, and the army moved in unison, their steps shaking the earth beneath them. The warriors were confident, resolute, but Reed, standing next to his father, felt a peculiar calm settle over him. His heart beat steadily in his chest, his mind clear. His power surged with anticipation, the storm within him waiting for its release. Today, he would show the world that the Crimson Family was the true ruler of the lands.

The Golden Tribes' stronghold came into view, an eerie, sprawling fortress made of gleaming golden chitin that glimmered under the clouded sky. The air was thick with the hum of the insectoids, their wings buzzing like the sound of a thousand wasps. The fortress was surrounded by dense, unyielding forests, and towering statues of insect warriors lined the perimeter, their eyes glowing with malevolent light. The Golden Insects had clearly anticipated a confrontation, but they were woefully unprepared for what was to come.

As the Crimson Family's forces advanced, Reed's senses heightened. The insects, their massive forms moving in waves, began to emerge from their stronghold, their mandibles clicking menacingly. The air became thick with the scent of pheromones, the insects communicating with each other in their native language, a sound that filled the air like a cacophony of buzzing. They were preparing for battle, but it was clear they had no idea of the storm that was about to be unleashed.

Reed's father raised his hand, and the field of magnetic energy around them rippled. The soldiers of the Crimson Family stopped in their tracks, awaiting the next command. The battlefield fell silent for a moment, as if the world itself was holding its breath. And then, Reed's father spoke.

"Let them come," he said, his voice low and filled with authority. "Let them witness the power of the Crimson Family."

At his command, the first wave of insectoid warriors charged forward, their massive legs thundering against the ground. They were fast—faster than any human could move—but they were no match for the might of the Crimson Family. As they neared, Reed's father raised his hand again, and the earth beneath the Golden Insects cracked and split, opening up massive chasms that swallowed the first wave of attackers whole. The ground shook, and the insectoids screeched in panic, but it was too late. They were already consumed by the magnetic forces that tore at the very fabric of the earth.

"Move forward!" Reed's father bellowed, his voice carrying over the battlefield. The Crimson Family's warriors surged forward, their weapons drawn, as the insectoids retreated in disarray.

But Reed was not focused on the battle around him. He could feel it—the storm inside him, restless, eager to be unleashed. He knew this battle was not one of survival. It was a performance, a spectacle to show the world the true might of the Crimson Family. And today, Reed would be the star.

With a deep breath, Reed summoned the lightning within him. His tiny form crackled with energy as arcs of electricity surged around his body. His eyes, glowing with power, locked onto the massive form of the Golden Insect leader. This insectoid creature was a level four monster, a being capable of wielding tremendous power. Its massive golden exoskeleton shimmered with unnatural strength, and its glowing eyes locked onto Reed with a menacing glare.

The Golden Insect leader hissed, its wings beating furiously as it shot towards Reed with terrifying speed. It was a creature of pure instinct, its only goal to destroy the Crimson Family and protect its people. But it was no match for the storm that Reed had become.

With a swift motion, Reed raised his hand, and the storm answered. Lightning crackled in the air, shooting from his fingers like a whip of pure energy. The bolt struck the Golden Insect leader with such force that the air around them shimmered with the impact. The insect's exoskeleton glowed brightly before shattering like glass, sending shards of golden armor flying in all directions. The insect screeched in agony, but Reed's lightning did not relent. He continued to unleash bolt after bolt, each one stronger than the last, until the leader of the Golden Insects was nothing but a pile of smoldering remnants.

The battlefield fell into stunned silence as the storm subsided. The remaining insectoids, witnessing the fall of their leader, hesitated, confusion and fear evident in their large, multifaceted eyes. They had never seen anything like this before. The Golden Tribes, once proud and fierce, now trembled before the power of Reed and his father.

Reed stood still, his breathing steady as the storm around him dissipated. His small body crackled with the residual energy of the battle, and for a moment, he felt invincible. The world around him seemed to fade away as the storm within him settled into a calm, unyielding force.

His father, standing behind him, was a figure of immense power. With a single motion of his hand, the magnetic field around them shifted again, and the remaining insectoids were thrown to the ground, their bodies unable to resist the magnetic pull. Reed's father moved forward, his hands outstretched as he manipulated the magnetic forces around the battlefield. The insectoids, powerless against his control, were swept up like leaves in the wind, their bodies twisting and breaking under the pressure of his power.

The rest of the army, seeing their enemies defeated with such ease, followed their leader's command and began their charge. The remaining Golden Insects, no longer able to resist the combined might of the Crimson Family, broke and scattered in every direction. There was no hope for them. They had been crushed in the face of overwhelming power.

As the last of the insectoids were either crushed or driven from the battlefield, Reed turned to his father. The storm inside him had subsided, but the fire in his eyes burned brighter than ever. He had proven himself, not just to his father, but to the entire world. Today, the Crimson Family had demonstrated their superiority, and Reed had been at the center of it all.

His father looked down at him, his face unreadable, but there was a glimmer of something—pride, perhaps—in his eyes. He reached out and placed a hand on Reed's shoulder, his grip firm.

"You have done well, Reed," he said, his voice filled with quiet approval. "But remember, this battle was never about survival. It was about showing the world what the Crimson Family is capable of. And you, my son, are the storm that will carry us forward."

Reed nodded, his heart swelling with pride. He had proven himself today, but he knew this was only the beginning. The Golden Tribes had been weak, but there were greater challenges waiting on the horizon. The Crimson Family's power was unmatched, but Reed understood that he still had much to learn.

He was ready.

As the dust settled over the battlefield, the army began to regroup. The world had witnessed the power of the Crimson Family today, and Reed knew that their reputation would now be feared more than ever before. He had stood at the center of that power, and the storm had answered his call. But Reed was not just a child anymore. He was the future of the Crimson Family—and the storm within him would never be tamed.