Dominic knew the reason he was still alive was because of the man—but he didn't trust the man in front of him.
His body still ached from the fight, his ribs throbbing with every shallow breath. The cold night air did little to ease the sharp stabs of pain running through his limbs.
But he wasn't dead.
That meant something.
Dominic's eyes flicked toward the stranger—the man who had stepped out of the shadows so casually, as if he had been there the whole time.
Dominic's fingers twitched slightly. He didn't like this.
Didn't like being at someone else's mercy.
And this man... this man could kill him in an instant.
Dominic had never trusted anyone before.
And he wasn't about to start now.
---
The night was still, the slums eerily quiet. The only sounds were the distant murmurs of thieves and beggars shifting in their sleep.
Garrick stood a few paces away, completely at ease.
His gray-blue eyes flicked over Dominic before he sighed.
"That look in your eyes… I've seen it before."
Dominic remained silent, his breathing slowing.
Garrick smirked. "Let me guess. You think I want something from you."
Dominic's expression darkened slightly. "Everyone wants something."
Garrick chuckled. "Good answer. You'll live longer thinking like that."
Then his amusement faded. His voice turned serious.
"But you're also a fool if you think you can survive alone."
Dominic gritted his teeth. "I've survived just fine without anyone."
Garrick snorted. "Yeah? And how did that fight go for you?"
Dominic's jaw tightened.
He had lost.
He had been too weak.
And he hated that.
---
Garrick studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Do you want know why i am interested in you"
Dominic hesitated.
He didn't trust this man.
But he needed to know.
He gave a slow, reluctant nod.
Garrick sat on a nearby crate, resting his forearm on his knee. His gray-blue eyes held no kindness. Just understanding.
"The world isn't fair, kid. You should know that by now."
Dominic said nothing.
Garrick exhaled, then began.
---
"Everything in this world revolves around bloodlines," Garrick said. "They're the foundation of strength, status, and survival."
Dominic listened carefully, his wariness not fading, but shifting.
"Most people don't have them. The weak stay weak, and they die forgotten." Garrick's voice was blunt. "But those born with power? They rule."
Dominic not letting the man finish, cut him short " I know all this, get to the point"
Garrick seemingly not bothered by that continued "Bloodlines are inherited through generations. You don't just 'get' them."
Dominic noticing that Garrick didn't react badly to his earlier interruption.
Was stunned for a moment but still listened to what he was saying. And what he heard shocked him.
That didn't make sense.
Dominic hadn't inherited anything.
Or at least… he didn't think he had.
"So how did i awaken, was it because of that strange dream"
He stayed silent as Garrick continued.
"But here's the thing—bloodlines aren't equal."
Dominic's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Garrick leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "There are tiers to power. And the higher your bloodline, the more the world bows to you."
---
Common Bloodlines – Weak abilities, mostly useless in battle. People with these can barely be considered 'gifted.'
Noble Bloodlines – These belong to the ruling families, the warrior clans, and the powerful merchants. Their abilities are strong enough to set them apart from normal people.
Royal Bloodlines – The greatest of rulers are born from these. Their abilities alone can shift battlefields.
Divine Bloodlines – So rare that only a few exist. The power of these bloodlines can shake the foundations of the world.
Dominic's fingers twitched. Where did he fall in all of this?
---
Dominic's expression hardened. "Why are you telling me this?"
Garrick raised an eyebrow. "Because you don't know a damn thing. And in this world, ignorance gets you killed."
"That's not an answer."
Garrick smirked slightly. "No, it's not."
Dominic's hands clenched. He hated this.
He hated being the weaker one. The one with no information.
Garrick was testing him, and he knew it.
The man was telling him things, but not everything.
---
Garrick exhaled. "Wars have been fought over bloodlines. Empires have been built and destroyed because of them."
Dominic's jaw clenched. He already knew the world was cruel. But hearing it like this? It made his stomach tighten.
He was already at the bottom of the chain.
Garrick sighed. "The Solar Empire is the worst example of this."
Dominic's eyes flickered. He had heard of them.
The most powerful empire in the world.
A place where bloodlines determined everything.
The strong ruled. The weak were crushed.
And in that empire, there were five noble houses.
---
"Five great houses rule beneath the emperor." Garrick's voice was steady. "Each one controls a different region, and each one is built on bloodline power."
Dominic frowned. "What about the emperor himself?"
Garrick's smirk returned slightly. "He's not just strong. His bloodline is divine."
Dominic felt something in his gut twist.
The emperor's bloodline…
A divine one?
---
Dominic stayed silent, processing everything.
Bloodlines controlled the world.
The empire crushed the weak.
The strong ruled.
Garrick watched him, then shook his head. "You don't really get it yet. But you will."
Dominic's hands clenched into fists.
He didn't want to be weak.
He didn't want to be nothing.
Garrick stood up, brushing dust from his coat. "I have seen prodigies, assassins, and warriors. But i have never seen someone like you-untrained, half dead and still standing."
Dominic looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Garrick smirked. "You want to be strong, don't you?"
Dominic hesitated.
Then, finally, he gave a small nod.
Garrick's smirk faded. His gray-blue eyes sharpened.
"Then get ready."
Dominic frowned. "For what?"
Garrick's voice was calm, but firm.
"Cause as of today I Garrick Osbourne will be your master and guide you till you become strong enough that even the strongest of nobles will kneel before you."