22 The Will That Shatters Worlds
Boom. A Water Clan warrior had his arm severed by a beastman 's brutal axe . Blood gushed out like a wild fountain. Without hesitation, another Water Clan warrior, overcome with rage and a desire for revenge, charged forward with his sword in hand. It glowed with the power of the water element, pulsing as if alive.
Cut. In a precise diagonal arc, the warrior's sword tore through the chest of one of the beastmen . A deep gash opened, spurting scarlet blood, tinging the air with the metallic stench of death.
Roar. The beastman completely ignored pain and defense. With an animalistic roar that shook the ground, he took the axe and struck a violent blow. The blade penetrated the Water Clan warrior's leather armor as if it were wet paper.
Staggering, the warrior shielded himself. The previous blow had been absorbed by the armor—now torn and useless. Another impact could seal his fate.
###
John spoke without stopping, his voice brimming with direction. He remained stunned, almost dumbfounded. The words echoing in that room, spoken by a child of only eight years old, were not just experimental—they were unsettling.
Calmly, John picked up one of the documents scattered across the table and began to read it aloud.
— According to reports this week, the territory's meat and fish market is at a standstill. This has caused widespread disruption in Novo Redondo, especially due to the shortage of fish.
His reading was clear and unhurried, as if he already understood more than he was saying.
— Many mercenaries and lower-class families depend on dried fish as their daily meal. Dried meat is also in high demand in the market. Middle-class families have a high choice of fresh meat and fish. With their training interrupted, all these social classes are dissatisfied.
John put down the report with almost dramatic solutions and looked Ceto in the eyes.
— Keto, who supplies meat and fish to the market?
The man still seemed lost in thought, his eyes wandering as if searching for answers in the void. John then introduced his voice lightly, firm, like a commander demanding discipline:
— Keto
With that, Ceto woke up from his reverie and immediately replied:
— Yes, young man.
John opened his eyes impatiently.
— I asked: who supplies meat and fish to the market?
Ceto took a deep breath and replied:
— Fresh and dried fish are supplied by Water Clan .
John frowned, his eyes narrowing into a serious line.
—How is this possible? Is just one clan responsible for supplying fish throughout the territory?
Ceto nodded slightly, as if explaining something obvious.
— The banks of the Pindus River cross most of the region controlled by Water Clan . The other clans are not allowed to approach without permission. Furthermore, the remaining stretches of the river are dangerous: the currents are too strong, making fishing virtually impossible.
He paused briefly, reflecting, then continued:
—With their mastery over the water element, they are naturally the best at supplying fish on a large scale. No other group can compete.
John nodded, absorbing the information. Then he turned his eyes back to the report.
— It says here that the market is out of fish. Do you know why?
Ceto replied calmly:
— I've already sent someone to investigate that. The results should arrive by the end of the afternoon.
John nodded slightly, then stepped forward:
— Very well. What about the meat?
Ceto responded immediately, as if reciting something familiar:
— The meat comes from various sources: some mercenaries, hunters... But most of it comes from the beastmen of the mountains. They are the main suppliers.
John rested his fingers on the report, analyzing it in silence for a second. Then he spoke:
— The meat supply has been interrupted. Apparently, the beastmen have cut off distribution. And there is no explanation in the report...
Hearing this, Ceto lowered his head slightly in embarrassment. His expression carried a mixture of frustration and shame. In recent times, the region holders within the territory had failed to report their activities as frequently as they should. Tension had been growing silently.
Fernando and Ceto were focused on other issues. Somehow, communication between the territory and the regions had become slow, almost drawn out, as if each message had to cross a dense fog of bureaucracy and disinterest.
"Young man," said Ceto, with a sigh, "I have already sent people to investigate that as well."
John smiled, serene.
— It's okay. You don't need to worry about that matter. I'll look into it myself.
Ceto narrowed his eyes, confused by the sudden confidence in the boy's voice.
Before he could question, John turned to Isa and said:
— Isa , go call your aunt for me.
The girl nodded and left the office silently.
Ceto, still intrigued, asked:
— Young man... how do you intend to deal with these matters?
John was about to answer when the door opened. Felicia walked in with calm steps, followed by Isa. Hearing that John was calling her, she didn't think much. With no urgent tasks at that moment, she decided to answer the call without complaining.
"What do you want with your aunt, John?" he asked , arching an eyebrow.
John smiled slightly, finally assuming an expression that matched his age. Then he spoke, almost as if asking for a sweet:
— Aunt , I want to go to the Water Clan region. Can you take me ?
— To the Water Clan? For what?
John yawned slightly and replied naturally:
— I want to collect some data.
Felicia thought for a moment. She also needed to go to the Water Clan—the fresh water in that region was essential for the primary evolution rite. It was an important elemental component, and its supply was running low.
With that in mind, she nodded.
— Okay. I'll go with you to the Water Clan.
John turned to Ceto.
— Okay , I want you to prepare the report with everything I asked for earlier. Oh, and let my mother know about our destination.
Ceto bowed his head slightly.
— Don't worry, young man. Everything will be ready when you return.
John nodded, satisfied, and then looked at Felicia.
— Aunt...
(continued?)
— Auntie, can Isa come with me?
Felicia glanced briefly at John, who was looking at her with an anxious expression. Then she looked at Isa—the girl had the same expectant gleam in her eyes. She sighed, surrendered.
— Okay. She can go.
Felicia, Isa, and John flew toward the Water Clan region. Surrounding the three of them was a soft force field formed by spiritual energy—a creation of Felicia's. Within it, the weight of their bodies seemed to disappear. It was as if they were gliding on the wind.
At first, the speed was slow. Isa and John could admire the landscape beneath their feet, pointing out animals they had never seen before, strange trees and hills covered in thin mists. With each new discovery, a question arose. And, patiently, Felicia answered.
But patience has its limits.
After half an hour of being a walking encyclopedia, Felicia sighed deeply and suddenly increased her speed. In an instant, the three of them became a beam of light cutting through the sky.
The force field protected the two young men from the wind and pressure. To them, everything outside became blurry—a swirl of distorted colors. It was impossible to see clearly.
After about two hours, they began to slow down. Felicia hovered in the air, stopping approximately a kilometer away from the Water Clan region.
The woman's brow furrowed. Her "spiritual sonar"—a refined sensory tracking ability—expanded, covering a thousand meters around her. She smelled the metallic scent of blood in the air. Shrill, muffled sounds of battle echoed in the distance.
John noticed the subtle change in his aunt's expression.
— Aunt... what happened?
Felicia hesitated for a second before answering.
—We arrived at a bad time. It seems there is a battle going on.
John knew what that meant. In Fernando's absence, Felicia was the most powerful fighter in the territory. Part of him wanted to see what was going on... the other part wondered if she could protect them at the same time.
— Aunt... can we take a look?
Felicia nodded.
— I'll stop them then...
She began to gather energy. Earthy crystals began to float around her, a sign of the awakening of the Earth element. But before she could make the move, John raised his voice:
— Auntie , is there any way you can take us there... without us being noticed?
Felicia stopped. Her lips curved into a slight smile.
— Oh... so it's espionage you want? — She blinked. — Well, I think I can find a way.
— Of course. If I decide not to be noticed, even your father would have to make an effort to find me, so imagine those little ants. Even if we were right in front of their noses, they wouldn't see us — said Felicia, winking mischievously.
She concentrated for a moment and added two extra layers of energy to the force field. The air around them shimmered like liquid glass. Then they hovered, slowly descending until they could see the scene from above.
From the south bank of the Pindo River, the Water Clan faced the beastmen . Two armies clashed, swords and axes reflecting the afternoon sun.
Forces present
Water Clan
200 primitive fighters (front line).
100 evolved : 70 elemental warriors, 30 mages.
Six of the mages wielded amplification staffs, ‑silvery-blue runes pulsing beneath the watery glow.
Beast men
250 bovine-looking warriors , their fur marked by scars.
100 of them had already awakened their barbarian power, all wielding titanic axes.
Below , the primitive Water Clan wore fine leather and carried polished spears; the less experienced, standing firm at the forefront, trembled under the pressure. In contrast, each beastman displayed part of his torso bare, muscles taut as steel cables, his bull-like head exhaling hot breaths.
Boom. A beastman stomped on the muddy ground, opening a gap; three Water Clan warriors were swallowed up by the onslaught and fell.
Boom. A Water Clan warrior had lost his arm to an axe blow; his companion had stepped forward to avenge ‑himself, sword raised, blade glowing with liquid essence.
Cut. The sword described a diagonal arc, slicing through the creature's chest. Thick blood spurted, staining the riverside stones.
Roar. The wounded beastman bellowed in fury, the sound reverberating across the hillsides.
Up above, John held his breath as he watched.
— Aunt , can you get us even closer without us being seen? — he asked in a low voice.
Felicia smiled, her eyes shining with confidence.
—Silent spying, then? Hold on tight ‑. Let's glide through the fog currents.
The force field became ‑nearly translucent. With a slight nod, Felicia guided them in a gentle dive, like shadows blown by the wind, ready to witness—and perhaps intervene in—the fate of the Pindo River.
The barbarian warrior completely ignored his opponent's defense. With a roar that made the ground vibrate, he swung his axe sideways. The blade pierced through the Water Clan warrior's leather armor like wet paper.
The warrior staggered back. The impact had not directly injured him thanks to his armor, but it now lay torn—a second blow and he would be lost.
Roar. The beast-man seemed filled with divine fury. White smoke escaped from his flared nostrils. He advanced, spinning his axe like a propeller of destruction.
Cut.Cut.Cut .
Three primitive Water Clan warriors were literally cut in half. Their bodies fell before they even realized they had been hit. Against a raging barbarian warrior, there was no room for error. The axe cut like an enchanted blade, swift and relentless.
— Water ball! — shouted a clan mage, raising his staff.
A translucent sphere shot out at high speed, colliding with the barbarian's axe.
Boom! The water exploded into drops and steam. The barbarian staggered back three steps, but remained standing—his eyes even wilder.
— Great ball of water! — another wizard took advantage of the distraction to chant a second incantation.
With a fluid and precise gesture, he summoned a dense sphere over three meters in diameter. The spell plummeted from the sky with the weight of a holy waterfall.
Boom!
The impact was devastating. Five primitive beastmen were crushed and torn apart instantly. The barbarian warrior leading the charge fell to his knees—his chest bleeding, his armor shattered, one eye gouged out.
Seeing the opportunity, a Water Clan warrior rushed over. The water element enveloped his body in a living barrier, shimmering with a protective aura.
— For the Clan! — he shouted , charging with all his might.
Stab. The blade tore through the barbarian's chest, piercing his heart. A spasm shook the creature's body.
But instead of falling down immediately, the barbarian warrior laughed.
A hoarse, wet, almost childish laugh. An insane smile spread across his blood-covered face. With his free hand, he grabbed the wrist of the warrior in front of him, pinning him down.
— We will die together... — he murmured , and his body began to glow red.
John, watching from above, felt a chill run down his spine.
— Aunt... is he going to self-destruct?
Felicia, with a somber face, replied:
— It's not a common technique... it's a barbaric last resort. He's burning his own energy core.
Seeing the blade pierce his heart, the barbarian warrior did not hesitate. With an almost supernatural strength, he pushed his own body against the sword, deepening the blow even further until the steel pierced his back, breaking his heart into pieces.
In a final act of madness, he grabbed the elemental warrior in front of him in a fatal embrace. And even with the life draining from his eyes, he bent his knees, took an awkward leap—and the two bodies fell in the middle of a small Water Clan battle formation.
His voice choked with death and insanity, the barbarian bellowed:
— Dieeeeer !!!
BOOOOOOOOM!
The barbarian warrior's evolution core exploded like compressed dynamite. A fiery blast of savage energy swept across the battlefield. Ten Water Clan members were instantly torn apart, some reduced to charred shadows, others thrown with severed limbs and shattered armor.
The barbarian warriors roared with ferocity. That suicidal act, far from causing fear, further inflamed the fighting spirit of the beastmen .
" Retreat! " " Retreat now! " the Water Clan officers shouted , their voices shaking at the carnage.
The warriors began to retreat. It was obvious: facing them in hand-to-hand combat was pure madness. The beastmen were not only strong—they were completely insane , they did not fear death. They fought as if they were possessed by ancient demons of war.
— Warriors , retreat! Archers , cover the retreat! — ordered a woman in blue armor, the captain of the vanguard.
A volley of arrows cut through the sky like a rain of silver needles, flying towards the wild creatures.
ROAR!
One of the greatest barbarian warriors stepped forward. With a colossal roar, he clapped his hands in the air in front of him. A beam of brutal wind expanded into an invisible arc. The arrows collided with the air pressure, many breaking before reaching their target, others deviating from their trajectories and falling powerlessly to the ground.
ROAR.ROAR.
The barbarian warriors responded in unison, like a single enraged beast. They were war machines with boiling blood. Raising their axes, they began a merciless pursuit, running like wild beasts after their prey.
In the sky, protected by Felicia's magical barrier, John, Isa and the witch herself watched the terrifying scene.
The air was thick with the acrid smell of blood, burning flesh, and magical smoke. John held his nose, but it was no use—nausea was rising like a tide. The screams, the cracking of bones, the clang of metal, and the howls of the dying were a symphony of terror.
—This... this looks like a medieval hell — John muttered, pale, eyes wide.
Isa, at her side, held Felícia's wrist tightly, her fingers trembling. It was the first time she had seen a real war, without filters, without heroic stories... just death, fear and despair.
Felicia, with a somber expression, kept her eyes fixed on the battlefield.
— This... is just the beginning.
Isa's eyes were closed, her face turned away. The sound of bones breaking, the roars of the beastmen , and the screams of pain from the Water Clan warriors were stabbing into her mind like knives. She couldn't look. It was too much.
John, on the other hand, couldn't look away—not out of courage, but out of horror. The blood, the smell, the chaos... he had to understand.
— Aunt… the beastmen are very strong… — he murmured, his voice hoarse. — What path of evolution do they use?
Felicia, with a cold expression and her eyes still fixed on the battlefield, replied:
— They use the barbarian way. They are barbarian warriors.
John's memory was quick. He had read about it before. The way of the barbarian warrior was brutal—a way that rejected the subtlety of magic and refined the body directly with spiritual energy. They turned their muscles into living weapons.
Barbarian warriors had monstrous strength, high defense, astonishing regeneration capabilities, and endurance beyond human limits. They did not use elements. They used only their bodies as weapons—bones like steel, fists like sledgehammers, and their fury... like combustion.
Will they... win?" he asked , almost dreading the answer.
Felicia shook her head.
— No. They are strong, yes. But they are also stupid.
She extended her arm and pointed to the flank of the battlefield. Several Water Clan mages were chanting incantations in unison, their staffs raised, eyes glowing with blue energy.
"You're walking straight into a trap," she said coldly.
Below , the beastmen roared with animal fury. White vapors billowed from their nostrils like the smoke of enraged bulls, while their muscles seemed to be swelling and ready to burst. Their veins pulsed like living snakes beneath their skin.
They blindly pursued the retreating Water Clan warriors—but what seemed like a retreat was actually an invitation. A bait.
Upon reaching thirty meters from the clan's rear, the mages stopped their escape and twirled their staffs in the air, shouting in synchronized voices full of power:
— Activate matrix: WATER PRISON!
WOW!!!
Beams of blue light shot out from the staffs, streaking across the sky like inverted lightning. A flash of light enveloped the barbarian warriors, and then— walls of crystal-clear water rose like liquid towers around the field, sealing them in a perfect square. The water prison was formed.
The beastmen crashed into the walls with loud crashes. Water as thick as steel. A veritable cage of liquid magic.
— Despicable!! — Sneaky humans! — How dare you arrest the Barbarian-Bo tribe ?! — I'll crush your heads!
Their guttural voices echoed between the walls of water. They howled, they swung their axes, they struck with their fists—but nothing broke through the matrix. It was like fighting the ocean.
Above, Felicia just crossed her arms.
— They set this up from the beginning. They lost lives… but now they are reaping the consequences.
John looked at her, still in shock. He felt small, fragile, helpless. This was war. No honor. No mercy. Just survival.
The Water Clan watched in silence as the beastmen struggled like cornered animals.
No one showed pity.
Felicia slowly turned to John. Her eyes, cold as the eternal ice of the Northern Mountains, narrowed with faint contempt. She was a cultivator of the higher realm—an existence who could bend reality to her will—and here she was, being bribed with… elemental earth crystals . She snorted.
"Two elemental crystals of the earth?" he repeated with dry sarcasm. "Is that what your compassion is worth? Two grains of dust with energy?"
John seemed to hesitate for a moment… but then he nodded.
— That's what I have. But... if it saves dozens of lives, then it's too cheap.
Felicia stared at him for long seconds. There was something in his eyes that she had not seen for a long time—a foolish, naive flame of heroism. Something that she despised… but that, in times past, she might have admired.
Isa also spoke, her voice shy but firm.
— I… I'll give you one too. A water crystal. If it helps. I… I can't stand to see this anymore.
Felicia crossed her arms and sighed impatiently. She didn't need this. But her gaze fell back on the water prison, where the beastmen were struggling, the water already reaching their necks. Some were already floating inert.
— Tsc . Useless — he muttered. — But… okay. Let them die in another way.
She snapped her fingers.
On the battlefield, the Water Clan mages were still chanting their incantations. The water was bubbling. The water level was over five meters, and the barbarian warriors were submerged in despair. They pounded on the liquid walls with their monstrous fists, but they couldn't escape. It was like dying inside the womb of an invisible monster.
It was then that the sky thundered.
ZZZAAAAAAASSSHHH!!!
A spear of golden light descended from the heavens, splitting the firmament like a tear in the heavens themselves. The spear struck the center of the water prison—and in an instant, the entire array exploded into a thousand scattered currents , as if the sea had been crushed by a star.
BOOOOOOOMMMM!!!
The explosion killed no one, but it sent ripples across the field. Mages were thrown to the ground. Archers fell. Dust rose in walls. When everything cleared…
Felicia was there. Floating.
She walked down calmly, with her hands behind her back, as if she had just gone for a walk.
"Enough drama," he said, his voice clear. "You've set your trap. Congratulations. But you've had enough fun."
The wizards, still dazed, raised their staffs—but hesitated.
The Water Clan commander narrowed her eyes.
- Who are you?
Felicia laughed softly.
— A bored old woman with time to spare… and not enough patience.
She blinked and turned, ready to return to heaven. Up above, John and Isa were waiting anxiously for her.
Before disappearing, she snapped her fingers once more. All of the unconscious beastmen were enveloped by thin threads of light, and gently levitated away from the battlefield.
John smiled. Isa sighed in relief.
Felicia, however, turned to face them again. With a dry expression and sharp words:
— Now give me the damn crystals. I didn't save anyone out of charity.
Felicia's hand opened in disdain, and John, swallowing his pride, handed over exactly two elemental earth crystals. "Very well. I will help... but only this once," she said coldly.
In the next instant, a crushing pressure fell upon the field like a divine cloak.
The elements of water and earth collapsed, howling like caged beasts. Water Clan mages and warriors screamed in despair, their magics fading into thin air like smoke. The liquid prison shattered into a thousand shards, evaporating as if it had never existed.
The ground shook. The sky darkened in the blink of an eye. Black clouds swirled in circles, swallowing the sun. The wind died. Time stood still.
On the ground, the cultivators were paralyzed. Fear seeped into their bones, as if their very bodies understood that there was no escape.
Some warriors were shaking so hard they fell to their knees. Others... could n't even do that. Urine dripped down the pants of some of the leaders. The difference between existences was overwhelming—and now, painfully visible.
Two of the commanders, trying to maintain some dignity, prostrated themselves with their foreheads on the ground and whispered in trembling voices:
— Dear teacher... forgive these fools if they have offended you...
They looked up—and what they saw chilled their souls.
Three figures floated in the sky, enveloped by a yellow-brown aura. In the light of that dark firmament, they looked like ancient gods, judges of the heavens.
The crowd could not resist.
It didn't matter if they were soldiers, beasts, or wizards: they all knelt, without understanding why — they just knew that they were facing something they could not defy.
The battlefield fell into an unearthly silence. Not a whisper. Not the sound of the wind.
Felicia watched them from above, her eyes glowing like those of an ancient predator. If she wanted, she could turn them all into minced meat with a thought. She didn't need to attack. Her very existence was a weapon.
Like deities descending from the firmament, the three touched the ground.
When Felicia's feet touched the ground, the pressure disappeared . But no one moved. No one dared to breathe. The shadow of fear still hung like a veil.
Author's Note
If you've made it this far, know that my heart beats faster with gratitude for every second you dedicated to this story. 🙏✨ This chapter was intense — the fall of a prison, the rise of absolute power... Felicia descended like a goddess, and the world fell silent. But what now? What will happen to the survivors? Will the beastmen bow down or seek revenge? And John... did he pay a fair price?
🔥 If this chapter made you shiver, sigh or even frown... then comment! I want to know what you thought, what you expect from the next one, and most importantly: 👉 What would you do if you were in John's shoes?
📈 Voting helps the story reach more readers. If you liked it, leave a powerful VOTE and show that you are with us on this journey!
💬 And of course , share your favorite theory or scene in the comments. Your opinion helps shape this universe!
Until the next chapter... and remember: sometimes, a simple look is all that separates mortals from gods.
With gratitude, — Aníbal99
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