Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

**EARLIER…**

In the towering, ominous structure at the heart of the Crimson Coffin, a chilling air filled the vast throne room. At its center, a man cloaked in pitch-black robes lounged on a magnificent, high-backed throne. Shadows seemed to cling to him, giving him a sinister aura. His face was partially concealed by his hood, but his piercing, ruthless eyes gleamed beneath it, surveying the room with silent authority.

Beside him, to his right, sat a young woman in her early twenties. She had pale skin, her complexion almost ghostly, and a beauty that was both fierce and elegant. Her long, ginger hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face in striking contrast to the dark attire she wore—a gown made of finely woven scales, glinting under the dim light like the armor of a predatory creature.

On his left, a young man stood in silence. He appeared to be the same age as the woman, and they shared an uncanny resemblance, from their fiery ginger hair to their sharp, chiseled features. Clad in black armor covered in jagged spikes, the young man's demeanor was cold, his expression as harsh and unyielding as the spiked plating that protected him. The resemblance between them was striking; only the woman's flowing hair and two huge melons on her chest set them apart.

Suddenly, the heavy doors at the far end of the throne room swung open with a resounding crash. A middle-aged man, dressed in dark robes, hurried inside, his face lowered in deference as he knelt on the polished stone floor. He bowed deeply, his gaze fixed to the ground in submission.

"My Lord," he spoke, his voice quivering slightly, filled with both reverence and a trace of unease.

The man on the throne, known as Lord Cade, leaned forward, his voice a low rumble that echoed through the chamber. "Rise, Azu."

Azu obeyed, rising to his feet, though he kept his head respectfully lowered, eyes never daring to meet his master's.

"Speak, Azu," Lord Cade commanded, his tone both calm and terrifying, like the quiet before a storm.

"My Lord," Azu began, his voice steadying as he delivered his report, "I come bearing news. Some humans have been spotted in the Valley of Colonies territory. It appears they have ventured to our planet to hunt."

At these words, a dark smile tugged at the corners of Lord Cade's mouth, his gaze narrowing with amusement. "Humans, on our soil. I knew their greed would drive them here eventually," he said, a soft, menacing laugh escaping him.

Seated beside him, the young man, known as Lucian, let out a disdainful scoff, his tone icy. "Humans never learn. If they're in the Valley of Colonies, they've likely encountered the Ants by now. The Ants will devour them; there's no need to waste our soldiers on such pathetic creatures."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Lucian was Lord Cade's son, inheriting both his father's ruthlessness and cunning. The young woman beside Lord Cade, his daughter and Lucian's twin sister, watched her father with an expressionless look.

Lord Cade's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with an ominous light. "I don't intend for all of them to perish," he replied cryptically, casting a glance at his children. Both Lucian and his sister, Roxy, looked at him, puzzled by his words.

"What do you mean, Father?" Roxy asked, her voice soft yet filled with curiosity.

"A few days ago," Lord Cade explained, "the priest informed me that an Apex Mutant host has emerged in the human world. He only recently awakened his abilities, meaning he's still weak. We must find him and eliminate him before he grows stronger."

Roxy and Lucian's eyes widened, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and excitement. The Apex Mutant—one of the most feared entities—had resurfaced, and this could change everything. Experience exclusive tales on empire

Lord Cade continued, his tone darkening. "Our scientists and engineers have failed to create a portal or another rift leading back to the human world, meaning we can't reach him from here. However, now that humans are on our planet, all we need to do is locate them and use their portal to gain access to Earth."

Lord Cade's gaze swept over his children, lingering briefly on each before he delivered his command.

"I need one of you to go to the Valley of Colonies, find these humans before the Ants consume them all. Gain their trust if you can; help them, even, if it will make them more cooperative. And when the opportunity arises, follow them back to Earth through their portal. Once there, find the host and bring him to me."

Lord Cade's voice filled the room, chilling and resolute. Lucian and Roxy exchanged glances, both feeling the gravity of their father's instructions.

---

The deafening roar of an Ant echoed through the narrow cave, shaking loose stones from the walls. Isaac swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he braced himself, his eyes fixed on the monstrous creature bearing down on him.

But suddenly, a surge of energy swept through the cave, and the massive stones blocking the entrance were blasted away, scattering like pebbles from an unseen force.

Isaac's attention snapped toward the entrance. His eyes widened in shock as a figure emerged—a young woman in scaly black armor, holding a spear firmly in her right hand.

Her long, ginger hair swayed around her as she advanced, her presence exuding raw power. She looked to be in her early twenties, but the aura surrounding her was that of a seasoned warrior. The Ants, sensing the danger, hesitated, shifting backward in instinctive fear.

Isaac gaped at her, disbelief painted across his face.

'Who is she? And where does she get such a terrifying aura?' he windered, unable to tear his gaze away.

Roxy, the woman who had entered, scanned the cave with a sharp, assessing look. Her eyes flickered over the carnage, the scattered bodies of fallen humans.

Her expression hardened as she assumed the worst. But when she spotted Isaac standing in the shadows, alive, she let out a small sigh of relief.

With swift precision, Roxy unsheathed her blade, gripping it tightly as she launched forward. In a blur of motion, she appeared in front of the nearest Annt, her blade already poised to strike. Before the creature could react, she swung her sword with deadly accuracy, decapitating it in a single, clean stroke.

A spray of dark purple blood erupted from the severed neck, the Ant's head hurtling to the ground with a sickening thud. The rest of the enormous body crumbled beside it, lifeless.

Isaac's mouth fell open, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed. 'Did she just—' He swallowed, his thoughts a swirl of awe and confusion.

'She killed the Ant with one strike. Who is this woman?'

Roxy barely paused, her blade dripping with the creature's blood as she turned her gaze on the remaining Ants. Without hesitation, she darted forward, her movements a blur as she evaded a spray of black acid launched by one of the Ants. She sidestepped effortlessly, the acidic liquid splashing harmlessly onto the cave floor.

She reached the cluster of Ants, and with a flick of her wrist, her blade sliced through the air, severing the heads of three Ants in rapid succession.

Their bodies collapsed in a heap, the blood pooling around them. The last remaining Ant reared up, emitting a high-pitched screech. But before it could attack, Roxy leaped into the air, her blade raised.

With both hands gripping the hilt, she brought the weapon down with a powerful, decisive strike. The blade buried itself into the Ant's skull, and it let out a final, agonized shriek before collapsing in a heap of broken limbs.

Roxy pulled her sword from the creature's head, flicking the blood from its blade with a practiced motion. She took a moment to survey the defeated mutants, her gaze cool and unbothered. Finally, she turned to Isaac, who stood in stunned silence, sweat pouring down his face, his breath shallow from fear and amazement.

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A/N: So far no Golden Tickets or Gifts...Sad ◉⁠‿⁠◉