A Sudden Attack!
Once they were satisfied with their appearance, they ventured back into human territory.
Upon their return, they chose to reveal their transformation into a new race called "witches" to the public, omitting the details of the elixir's creation process. The humans accepted this revelation with joy and enthusiasm, embracing the idea of witches with open hearts.
A hundred years had passed, and their kind had evolved into one of the world's mightiest and most renowned races. However, there was a catch; they were only two in number. Recognizing the need to expand their family, they decided to embark on a night of passionate love-making.
Nine months later, as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of their triplets, they became puzzled by Witch Ruela's prolonged pregnancy.
Yet, their conviction in the triplets' well-being remained steadfast, leading them to consider a profound possibility: they were no longer entirely human.
After years of patient waiting, the moment finally arrived, and Ruela began to give birth to their triplets. The cries of the three infants filled the room, marking a joyous occasion.
"Uwa! Uwa! Uwa!" echoed the newborns, announcing their arrival.
Overwhelmed with joy and relief, they were greeted with warm congratulations. "Congratulations, Witch Ruela and Rafael. Your triplets are safe and healthy. Please, give them names."
Ruela and Rafael shared a loving look, and Ruela spoke first.
"Ahmm... okay, the only girl with red hair, your name is Witch Ami. The boy with red hair is Witch Habi, and the last boy with black hair will be Witch Barro."
Rafael couldn't help but jest, "Honey, it's clear that Ami and Habi take after you with their red hair."
With a playful grin, she added, "As for Barro, it must be from your genes, fufufufu."
***
A century had come and gone, unveiling the undeniable greed that had overtaken all species, with humans at the forefront, driven by the knowledge that their infinite mana was coveted by many.
As time progressed, various races, all desiring the power that Witch Ruela, Rafael, and their triplets possessed, began to mobilize. When the Gero family realized the looming threat, war erupted.
The five witches found themselves battling against a multitude of races, fighting for their survival.
The prolonged conflict left them on the brink of death, forcing them to make a harrowing decision.
With no alternative, they chose to separate, each disappearing into an undisclosed and perilous location, leaving behind a legacy of uncertainty. A million years passed, and the world remained oblivious to their whereabouts. The relentless search persisted, fueled by the desire to find the lost witches.
***
Then, a breakthrough came.
"Got it, Shantal?" Mom inquired, her voice filled with determination.
Shantal nodded in agreement. "So that's why there are only five witches in this world, and we can't seem to locate them.
Their experiment brought them here, to Forest Daryle."
Dad chimed in with optimism, "Yeah, I don't know if we're just lucky or not, but maybe this will become our permanent residence."
As they settled into their newfound refuge, the family had to face the reality of their situation. "Okay, okay, okay, first, we need to clean this hut," Witch Ruela insisted, and Father and Shantal obediently nodded.
Yet, the cruel hand of fate could not be denied. Unbeknownst to them, King Jus had issued a secret order, sending three elite assassins of the highe peak stage to eliminate the Gero family.
The power system, with ranks spanning from Beginner, Final, Grand, Epic, Peak, Legendary, Ancient, Mythic, Saint to Universal stage, presented a formidable hierarchy. Each stage had three sub-stages: low, mid, and high, showcasing the complexity and depth of the power dynamics at play.
The Gero family had nearly completed the arduous task of cleaning and refurbishing their hut and underground lab when the tranquility of the moment was shattered by an unexpected and devastating explosion. As the deafening blast reverberated through the air, it was quickly followed by the arrival of a formidable tornado, stirring up chaos within the confines of their once peaceful abode.
"Uhh urg! What happened? Mom?? Dad??" Shantal cried out, struggling to rise from the ground amidst the chaos and wreckage.
Before any explanation could be offered, the family found themselves under siege by a sudden and violent assault. With deadly precision, the high peak stage assassin unleashed the powerful incantation known as "Blade Wind," directing it towards Shantal, who stood there defenseless, her eyes wide with shock.
In a desperate attempt to protect his daughter, Father's reflexes kicked in as he summoned his own magic, invoking "Wind Shield" in a swift and determined manner. A shimmering, semi-transparent barrier formed before Shantal, poised to ward off the impending Blade Wind. However, the sheer magnitude of the attack proved overwhelming for Father's defensive measures.
The Blade Wind, like a razor-edged tempest, tore through the Wind Shield and slashed into Father's body with brutal force. The gash was deep and grievous, leaving him in agonizing pain, his strength waning rapidly.
The stark power differential between Father, who was at the mid grand stage, and their attackers, who were all high peak stage assassins, became glaringly apparent. The adversaries were not a solitary threat but a trio of exceptionally skilled and formidable foes.
As the first assassin unsheathed his wickedly sharp sword, he lunged forward with fearless determination, charging openly towards the Gero family. Father, weakened and gravely injured, had little time to react, and the assailant's blade sliced horizontally with ruthless precision.
Mother, with her keen sense of urgency, immediately unleashed her magic, casting "Wind Blast" to counter the imminent danger. The whirlwind of wind energy surged forward with incredible force, but fate took a cruel turn as it collided with the "Wind Shield" of the second assassin, the defensive barrier promptly nullifying the impact of the attack.