Ancestral Lineage

Three Ethans of varying heights lay side by side on an endless, grassy expanse that seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. The air was calm, carrying a faint hum of energy, as though the very fabric of this realm thrummed with life. Above them, the sky was a breathtaking kaleidoscope of shifting colors—vivid blues melting into golden browns, streaked with deep, fiery reds.

Two suns hung in the sky, their presence commanding yet serene. The first was a brilliant, shining gold, radiating warmth and life. The second was an ominous red, its light colder, almost oppressive, as though it carried the weight of a forgotten history. Together, they seemed to represent the dichotomy of the two Primogenitors, their eternal influence casting shadows across the surreal landscape.

In the center lay Ethan, his gaze fixed on the ever-changing sky above, his thoughts as turbulent as the colors shifting overhead. Flanking him were two others—Kael and Dri—each a reflection of himself yet distinctly different.

To his left, Kael was the tallest of the three, his form radiating an air of control and authority. His expression was sharp, his crimson eyes glowing faintly, betraying an intensity that simmered beneath the surface. He exuded the confidence of someone who had seen much and understood even more, his silence laden with purpose.

On Ethan's right lay Dri, the smallest of the three. His youthful appearance was softened by a look of quiet contemplation. His golden eyes carried a depth far beyond his seemingly innocent demeanor, as though he bore the weight of knowledge, he could not yet articulate. He was calmer, his aura gentle but unsettling, like the stillness before a storm.

The three lay in silence, each lost in their own world, yet tethered to one another by an invisible thread. The kaleidoscopic sky reflected their inner turmoil—a chaotic dance of emotions, memories, and possibilities.

The Ethan in the middle finally broke the silence, his voice quiet but carrying a weight that seemed to ripple through the space.

"Do you ever wonder... if we'll come out of this as one?"

Kael turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes narrowing as he studied the sky. "One... or none. It depends on who we choose to be."

Dri's gaze remained fixed on the sky, his voice soft but tinged with uncertainty. "Or what we choose to let go of."

The words hung in the air, their meaning as elusive as the shifting colors above. For a moment, it seemed as though the suns grew brighter, their contrasting lights blending, casting long shadows across the field.

Ethan closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling with a deep breath. In this timeless expanse, the three of them were connected by more than shared memories—they were fragments of something greater, something waiting to awaken.

"Do you know who—or more precisely, what—I am?" Dri suddenly asked, his calm yet enigmatic voice breaking the silence.

Ethan opened his eyes, glancing at the smaller version of himself with a curious expression. "The origin of the dwarf race, I presume?"

"Correct," Dri said with a slight nod, his gaze unwavering. "But I am far more than just that. Let me put it this way: each Primogenitor has a special purpose. They are the personification of an element, an essence. Leech here"—he gestured toward Kael—"is the personification of Blood and Vitality, which equates to Immortality. Dwarves, however, unlike the ones in your world, are creators and craftsmen. We are born of the earth itself, molded to shape and give purpose to things."

Ethan furrowed his brows, trying to piece it all together. "Doesn't that essentially make you gods?"

Dri chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, kid. Gods are far more complex beings. Primogenitors might seem godlike to mortals, but we are not gods. Primogenitors are personifications of elements or essences, while gods are something far beyond that. If you think about it, we are representations of what they fundamentally are. Gods embody the absolute concepts we personify."

Kael, who had remained silent until now, leaned forward slightly, his crimson eyes glowing faintly with an indescribable intensity. "To put it simply, while Primogenitors wield the essence of existence, gods are existence. If a Primogenitor were to challenge a god directly, it would end in utter devastation—for the Primogenitor, mostly. However, there's an exception."

Ethan tilted his head, intrigued. "An exception?"

Kael's lips curled into a faint smirk, though his expression darkened slightly. "Yes. In the entirety of cosmic history, only one Primogenitor ever managed to defeat a god. And I say defeat, not kill. Gods cannot be truly killed, not by us. How this Primogenitor achieved such a feat remains a mystery. After the battle, he vanished without a trace, leaving his essence behind. He was eventually replaced by a new Primogenitor, as is the cycle. Theories claim he might have ascended to godhood himself, but no one truly knows. It's just as likely that he paid a price too great to ever return."

Dri's expression grew solemn as he added, "The truth of that story lies buried in time, but it serves as a reminder. Even we Primogenitors are bound by limits—shaped by the very essence we represent."

Ethan looked between the two, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of their words. The balance between Primogenitors and gods was far more intricate than he'd ever imagined, and the notion of a Primogenitor transcending that balance left him both awed and unsettled.

"So... what does that mean for me?" Ethan finally asked, his voice quieter now, heavy with the weight of realization.

Kael's smirk returned, but his tone was firm. "That's something only you can decide. Every Primogenitor's journey is unique, Ethan. But one thing is certain—your choices will shape more than just yourself. They'll shape the very essence you personify."

"And the world that essence touches," Dri finished, his gaze unwavering.

"I don't get it," Ethan admitted, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Neither do we," Dri said with a faint chuckle, his gaze distant as if he were remembering something long lost. "We were already dead and gone, plucked from the threads of existence. Plus, we're from different realities. But as I said earlier, Fate isn't something you can just tamper with. Even gods are mere pawns on her chessboard. She chooses what she wishes to do with any of us, and we are powerless to stop her. How we were summoned into this newly created reality is a mystery—one only the Empress and the Golden Emissary might know. They are beings so far beyond us that even gods dare not cross their paths."

Ethan frowned, his mind racing. "You keep talking about these two beings, but I don't know who they are. It feels like they're close, but I don't know them."

Dri laughed softly, a hint of knowing in his golden eyes. "Oh, you'll know them soon enough. They are closer than you think, far closer. But for now, let me explain why this is important to you. There cannot be two Primogenitors who embody the same concept. That's where the conflict lies—between you and Trevor. I believe that's why I was summoned alongside Leech: to maintain balance. Yet, even so, there's another in your world who is only a few steps away from achieving Primogenitorhood. They're destined to become the next Creator. That means you cannot take that path."

Ethan's expression darkened as he processed Kael's words. "Then what am I supposed to be?"

"That's where the Empress and your Path come in," Kael said, his voice steady, almost reverent. "You embody the Primordial Path of Order and Mysticism. Order is essentially Balance, but refined and dignified. Mysticism grants you dominion over the unknown, the arcane, and the hidden truths of existence."

Dri nodded, his earthy voice grounding the conversation. "What we've theorized is that as one who is fundamentally human—possessing humanity's unparalleled adaptability—you have the unique potential to bridge the impossible. You can embody both Primogenitors at the same time. A perfect hybrid of Blood and Creation."

Ethan's eyes widened, realization dawning on him. "You're saying I can be… something entirely new?"

"Exactly," Kael said, his tone almost excited now. "You're not bound to the limitations of a single concept. You're something Fate herself crafted for a purpose we can only guess at. You're the key to something far greater than even we understand."

"But with that potential," Dri added, his tone turning somber, "comes responsibility—and danger. Your Path isn't an easy one, and those who seek control will stop at nothing to bend you to their will. That's why we're here—to prepare you for what's coming."

Ethan swallowed, his gaze hardening with resolve. "Then I guess I don't have a choice, do I?"

Kael smirked, his fangs glinting in the dim light. "Oh, you have a choice, alright. Just not about the Path. Whether you embrace it or run from it, it's already yours. What you choose to do with it… that's up to you."

"Hmm... you mentioned Creation," Ethan said, turning to Dri. "What exactly is that?"

"Creation is the essence of a Creator's magic," Dri explained, his tone carrying the weight of millennia of experience. "It's not just about crafting or shaping—it's about bringing things into existence from nothing. Creation magic lets you bypass the tools and methods others require. You don't need a forge to craft or shape; you are both the forge and the craftsman. It's the raw ability to mold the universe to your will."

Ethan's eyebrows furrowed. "That sounds... insane. But how does it work?"

Dri chuckled softly. "It is insane, kid, and not something just anyone can handle. Creation magic is tied to your essence and imagination, but it requires balance and precision. It's not just about summoning objects or shaping the environment; it's about giving those creations purpose. That's where your strength will lie—if you can master it."

Ethan leaned back, processing the information. "But how would I even start with something like that?" Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire

"First," Dri said, leaning forward with a knowing look, "you'll need to awaken an affinity to complement your position as a Creator. Without it, you'll only scratch the surface of what's possible."

Ethan blinked, utterly bewildered. "Another affinity? Seriously? I already have a hard time wrapping my head around the ones I have now!"

Dri laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that was oddly reassuring. "I get it—it sounds overwhelming. But this isn't just about adding another ability to your repertoire. This is about finding the essence that resonates with who you are and what you're destined to become. Creation requires harmony with your inner self and the world around you. You'll need something that aligns with your Path and enhances your potential as a Creator."

Ethan rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "I don't even know what to do with the affinities I already have. How am I supposed to awaken another one?"

"Don't worry," Dri said with a grin. "That's what I'm here for. I'll guide you through it. Awakening an affinity isn't just about raw power—it's about understanding yourself. And trust me, once you figure it out, things will start to make a whole lot more sense."

Ethan sighed, the weight of his destiny pressing down on him. "I don't know if I'm ready for all this."

Kael smirked from the side; his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "You don't have to be ready, kid. You just have to start. Readiness comes with the journey."

Dri nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And who knows? You might just surprise yourself."