Thunderheart Awakening

Chapter 24 — Thunderheart Awakening

The crimson lights in the distance multiplied.

One.

Two.

Five.

Then dozens.

Aether stood before the ancient shrine, his damaged metal rod held loosely in his hand.

The massive ancient wolf remained beside the shrine.

The Crimson Fang Wolf stood protectively over her pups.

Nyx's golden eyes followed every movement between the trees.

Lyra was different.

She was staring at the shrine.

A strange sensation was spreading through her body.

Her Thunderheart Physique was reacting.

Aether noticed the change.

"Lyra."

She looked at him.

"I feel something."

"Where?"

She placed a hand over her chest.

"My heart."

A faint blue spark appeared between her fingers.

Then another.

The lightning around her body suddenly intensified.

The ancient wolf turned toward her.

"Thunderheart."

Lyra's expression changed.

"You know my physique?"

"I know what it once meant."

The wolf looked at the shrine.

"This place was built to awaken bloodlines and physiques that have reached their limits."

Aether immediately understood.

"Her physique has reached its current limit."

The ancient wolf nodded.

"She needs a stronger foundation."

Lyra looked at Aether.

"What does that mean?"

Aether studied the shrine.

"The Origin Energy here is extremely pure."

He paused.

"If your body can withstand it, you might be able to break through."

Lyra clenched her fist.

"Then I'll do it."

Aether looked at her seriously.

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"Don't force it."

"I know."

Lyra stepped toward the shrine.

The moment she entered the crimson light—

BOOM!

Lightning erupted around her.

Her long dark hair lifted into the air.

Blue-white arcs of electricity covered her entire body.

The ground beneath her cracked.

The system appeared before Aether.

[Thunderheart Physique detected.]

[Resonance with Ancient Bloodline Shrine: 31%]

[Origin Energy absorption beginning.]

Aether watched carefully.

Lyra's body began absorbing the surrounding Origin Energy.

Her breathing became heavier.

The lightning around her grew more violent.

"She's taking too much."

Aether took one step forward.

The ancient wolf stopped him.

"Wait."

Aether looked at it.

"Her physique is rejecting the excess energy."

"Not rejecting."

The wolf's eyes glowed.

"Purifying."

Aether looked back at Lyra.

The chaotic lightning slowly began changing.

Instead of spreading randomly, it started flowing around her body in controlled paths.

Her heartbeat became audible.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

Each beat released a pulse of lightning.

Lyra suddenly opened her eyes.

Blue lightning flashed across them.

[Thunderheart Physique synchronization increasing.]

[43%]

[61%]

[78%]

Lyra gritted her teeth.

The Origin Energy continued pouring into her.

Her cultivation began rising.

[Origin Awakening — Initial Stage]

[Origin Energy: 91%]

[95%]

[99%]

The lightning around her suddenly condensed.

Then—

BOOM!

A powerful wave of energy exploded from Lyra.

Aether raised his arm to block the pressure.

The Crimson Fang Wolf protected her pups.

Nyx dug her claws into the ground.

The entire shrine trembled.

The system appeared.

[Breakthrough Successful.]

[Lyra]

[Species: Human]

[Origin Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 2]

[Ability: Lightning Manipulation]

[Physique: Thunderheart Physique]

[Potential: B]

[Status: Stable]

Aether smiled.

"Finally."

Lyra slowly opened her eyes.

The lightning around her had disappeared.

For a moment, everything was quiet.

Then she looked at her hands.

A small spark appeared between her fingers.

She closed her fist.

The spark became a concentrated bolt.

She smiled.

"It feels completely different."

Aether nodded.

"Your control improved."

Lyra raised her hand.

Lightning gathered around her palm.

Instead of exploding outward, it compressed into a thin blade.

She swung it toward a nearby tree.

A clean cut appeared across the trunk.

The tree slowly tilted.

Lyra stared.

"I couldn't do that before."

"Your Thunderheart Physique has strengthened."

Aether examined her carefully.

"Your body is also faster."

Lyra looked at him.

"Want to test it?"

Aether smiled.

"Later."

A sudden tremor interrupted them.

The crimson lights in the forest moved closer.

The ancient wolf raised its head.

"They've arrived."

Aether turned.

Figures emerged between the trees.

Humans.

Dozens of them.

Some wore dark armor.

Others wore robes.

Several carried weapons covered in strange symbols.

Aether activated Origin Analysis.

The system displayed several results.

[Human — Origin Awakening Stage 2]

[Human — Origin Awakening Stage 3]

[Human — Origin Awakening Stage 4]

[Human — Origin Awakening Stage 4]

[Human — Origin Awakening Stage 5]

Aether's expression became serious.

"There are more than I expected."

Lyra stepped beside him.

"So what do we do?"

Aether glanced at her.

"How does Stage 2 feel?"

Lyra smiled.

"Good."

Lightning gathered around her feet.

"Really good."

Aether nodded.

"Then stay beside me."

The first group entered the shrine's boundary.

Their leader was a tall man wearing crimson armor.

He looked at the ancient wolf.

Then at the shrine.

Then at Lyra.

His eyes widened.

"The Thunderheart Physique."

One of the people behind him immediately became excited.

"She's awakened it."

The leader raised his hand.

"Capture her alive."

Lyra's expression changed.

Aether stepped forward.

"No."

The leader looked at him.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with."

Aether's grip tightened around his weapon.

"Neither do you."

The leader laughed.

"You think one Stage 2 human can stop us?"

Aether glanced toward Lyra.

Then toward Nyx.

Then at the Crimson Fang Wolf and her pups.

His expression became completely calm.

"You're misunderstanding."

He raised his weapon.

"She isn't alone."

Lightning erupted beside him.

Lyra stepped forward.

Blue-white electricity wrapped around her body.

The ancient wolf lowered itself.

Nyx's claws dug into the earth.

The Crimson Fang Wolf bared her fangs.

For the first time since entering the shrine—

Aether smiled.

"Come."

The enemy cultivators charged.

And Lyra disappeared in a flash of lightning.

The nearest enemy didn't even see her move.

BOOM!

She appeared behind him.

Her palm struck his back.

Lightning exploded through his armor.

He was thrown across the ground.

Lyra stared at her hand.

Aether looked at her.

"Not bad."

Lyra smiled.

"I told you."

Another enemy rushed toward her.

This time, Lyra didn't retreat.

She raised her hand.

Lightning condensed into a spear.

Her eyes sharpened.

"Try me."

The spear shot forward.

The battle for the Bloodline Shrine had begun.