12 Miles Below - Chapter 37: Back into the frying pan

Koi Niles has always been alone. Quiet halls and empty lunchtimes are his familiar companions. Grades matter to him; they’re his way out.Ashley Miller owns the school corridors. Captain of the ice hockey team, confident smile, and a name everyone knows. When a class project pairs them together, Connor sees a chance. But Ashley disappears, leaving Connor to carry the weight.Days later, under the harsh lights of Connor’s part-time job, Ashley returns. This time, it’s different. He stands up for Connor, turns the tide against the bullies. A simple act of kindness that feels new and warm.They share moments—short walks, brief talks, the understanding of two worlds colliding. Friendship grows where none was before.But Ashley holds a secret behind those bright eyes. One evening, worry leads Connor to Ashley’s door. What he discovers there changes everything he thought he knew.

What if the balance of the world depended on a single awakening?In the ancient land of Bathalumea, a once-mighty civilization now fractured by time and turmoil, whispers of a forgotten power begin to stir. Haraya, the fabled ability to shape reality itself, was long thought to be a myth, buried alongside the sovereign bloodlines that once wielded it. But Haraya was never truly gone—it only waited.Now, as a new age dawns, the power begins to resurface. Across the sacred grounds of Bathalan, through the storm-laden waves of the Bagyuna Ocean, and into the shadowed ruins of Gintara, the resurgence of Haraya sends ripples through a divided world. The balance between order and chaos begins to tip, drawing the attention of powerful factions who see in it the key to domination—or destruction.Among them, a descendant of the lost power emerges. Haunted by tragedy and driven by the dream of rebuilding what was lost, they find themselves entwined with Haraya’s awakening. But as the forces of greed, fear, and ambition converge, they must decide: will they wield Haraya to heal a broken world, or will it unravel under the weight of those who seek to claim it?From the volcanic heights of Kaluyara to the enchanted forests of Aralyon, and into the unfathomable depths of the Diwang Abyss, Bloodline: Sovereign’s Awakening weaves a tale of hope, sacrifice, and reckoning. As ancient powers clash and the threads of fate tighten, one truth becomes clear: the return of Haraya may save the world—or destroy it forever.“Bloodline: Sovereign’s Awakening” is a tale of reckoning and renewal, where a power lost to time could unite a fractured world—or be extinguished forever, leaving its promise unfulfilled.

ps: Parallel Blue Star (No World War history) (Advocates anti-war) (Fictional survival)--------------------------------Scene OneGreat Xia Federation, in a certain game live stream.“Alright, this anti-war game experience ends here, 4 points, let's look at the next anti-war game... huh?”“The beginning is an immersive storyline? It's called... 'Normandy Landing'”“It looks like a landing operation storyline. The streamer is now on an assault boat, but the position is a bit behind, can't see what's ahead.”“I need to move forward a bit....”The immersive experience game streamer mumbles as he walks to the front of the assault boat.Scene Two“Brothers! Zhao Ming the old rogue has updated the DLC again! Charge!”“Let me see.... Damn?! This time Zhao Ming the old rogue actually lets players experience the storyline of entering the Third Empire, amazing!!!”“Let me see where I am now, Berlin? Isn't this the capital of the Third Empire, what's the mission?”Woo—buzz—woo—buzz—“Hmm?”“Why is the air raid siren sounding?”“????”“Damn!”“Zhao the old rogue!!!”Boom—!!!!—Zhao Ming: Actually... I'm a filmmaker, do you believe it?

On the 15th of March 2139, the world mourns the passing of Darius Stone, billionaire broker, and philanthropist.

Yet while his family and friends put his body to rest, Darius wakes up to find himself reborn into a younger body in a different world.

A strange voice informs him that his soul has been transported into the magic-filled world of Faust on the behest of a mysterious Goddess called Vena, for the sole purpose of entertaining her through his struggles.

In this world where any dream can be achieved with enough effort, he sets out to become a Supreme, an existence above Mortals and even Gods!

.........

Warning: This novel features a villainous protagonist. If you have enjoyed Warlock of the Magus World, then you should be able to tolerate Darius Stone’s actions and choices throughout the novel in terms of Morality.

Note: This story is slow-paced in order to allow for better world-building and development. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action story, this might not be for you.