Mutagen

Day 148 - 1:22 AM - Mountain Sanctuary, Catanduanes

Bloodline. It was an idiomatic way of to refer a family history and ancestry and genetic heritage. It could also pertain to one's Lineage.

To most modern common people, the term itself was not widely used, as such, irrelevant.

However, to people of the hidden side of the world, it was a very important word.

After all, it could dictate the capabilities of a person.

Some families had unique traits that could only be passed on to their children. To families of magicians and cultivators, it could either be a talent or a trait.

In the case of Mark's family, one of Mark's ancestors might have been a pureblood that managed to escape the culling of the Blood Demon race.

And to avoid the sight of the Observer and the Eyes, that ancestor lived a normal life of a human. Thus, that person might have married a normal human. However, as the partner was not turned to a Blood Demon, it became the start of the decline of the bloodline of Blood Demons.

As the ancestry went further without any Blood Demon among the family, their blood of the Blood Demon race inside them became thinner and thinner. It was until it could not be recognized anymore, like how the race ended up.

However, even though it was already thin, it still caused some difference compared to other humans. And the fruit of that was the members of the family like Mark, Gennie, and Aliya.

Mark was not an exception to this rule as before he even became a Blood Demon, and even before the Psycrystal found him, he was already an Empath. He was also capable of controlling his adrenaline. It must be their hidden bloodline at work there.

Looking at these Spirits and Elementals, Mark could tell that they absolutely had no idea what was going on. Nevertheless, while their goal was to prevent the Demons from increasing their numbers, they still protected the family for generations.

Thus, Mark decided on something.

"Say, if the Demons here in Catanduanes are gone, are you Spirits and Elementals here going to continue on protecting them?"

"Don't joke around." Instead of Iraya that was being asked the question, it was Ordulk that replied. "If the Demons here are gone? We've been fighting them for generations, and their numbers never dwindled at all."

"Can you shut up? I'm not asking you." Mark said. "Besides, I only asked if."

"You!!!"

Ordulk stood up from his seat. From his display, this Tamawo was quite a feisty one. Though by what it appeared to be, his own actions were also the reason he was being thrown with rude words.

"Ordulk, settle down."

Iraya said, glaring at the enraged Tamawo.

Since Iraya was the leader of this place, Ordulk could only get back on his seat. However, it seemed that he was still discontented.

"What a narrow-minded guy."

Mark remarked.

"I already said before, please stop riling them up," Iraya said with a sigh. "As for your question, the answer is yes. Even if there are no Demons left here in Catanduanes, we will continue. While preventing the Demons are our primary goal, we also had a promise to keep and a debt to pay. Though I hope that you won't pry about these things."

Mark nodded. Although he was curious about that promise and debt, he was satisfied with the answer.

"By the way, since my brother had some of you guarding him, my sister should be the same. They how did they fall on the hands of the other faction of the rebels?"

That question made Iraya shrug.

"It's because we have rules. We can't just jump into everyone's business, especially if it only involved humans. Also, it was not like they were currently in grave danger. Of course, we will take action otherwise."

"I see."

Mark understood their reasoning.

At this time, Mark stood up.

"Can you lead me out?"

Mark said to the Diwata.

"Are you leaving already?"

Gennie also stood up and asked.

"I have many things to do, Aunt Gennie," Mark replied to his worried Aunt. "And since you guys can't do it, I'll be going to retrieve my sister from her captors."

"I see." Gennie smiled. "It might be a short meeting, but I'm glad to see a nephew of mine seem to be doing well."

Mark smiled back. What a kind aunt.

At this time, Aliya stepped forward.

"I will go lead him out."

She said.

"Then, I will leave it to you."

Iraya agreed.

Leaving the shade of the Spirit Tree, Mark and Chaflar followed Aliya. However, it was not just the two of them. Bituin was also here, hovering above Aliya's right shoulder.

"It's a pity that you're a Demon."

Aliya suddenly spoke. The way she said her words had quite an old intonation, despite using slightly modern language.

"Why is that?"

Mark asked.

At Mark's reply, however, Aliya's shoulder drooped.

"You're calling Gennie, Aunt. But nothing for me, huh?"

This made Mark scratch his head.

Although they had not met for a long time, Mark knew that Gennie was his Aunt from his memories. On the other hand, while Aliya was supposed to be a long lost relative, it was the first time Mark met her to call her any name. Besides, what should he call her? Great to the nth power Grandmother? There was no way for him to know which Generation she belonged to. By her behavior, it was also possible that she even lived way before Spanish Colonial times.

However, Mark could tell that Aliya was just being lonely. Being a Spirit, her loved ones had been long gone, and none of her current descendants knew about her. Only Gennie was present here too.

Guarding her descendants without being able to interact with them, she would definitely be lonely.

And Mark thought that it would not take much to grant a little request from her.

"Then, should I call you Grandmother?"

Mark asked.

Normally, being called Grandmother would receive ire, especially if the woman looked young. In fact, Mark looked older compared to her in terms of both appearance and behavior.

However, hearing Mark calling her Grandmother, her eyes lit up.

"Grandmother, can you tell me now why is it a pity?"

"Ahem," Aliya cleared her throat. "It's because if you're not a Demon, you could have become a Spirit like us. If you did, you could likely stay here with us. No one would accept Demons here, you see. You're even the very first Demon to step here as a guest."

Mark could not help but sigh, hearing that. This woman was really lonely. Mark could imagine him being pampered by Aliya as her grandchild. While it would not be bad, it would not suit him at all.

"I'll refrain from that," Mark replied. "I have my own family that I can't leave."

"Huh?" Aliya stopped walking and looked at Mark. "If I remember correctly, you're Michael and Marian's older brother, right?"

"I am, is something wrong?"

Mark was confused.

"I heard them talking about you before when I visited them. They said that it was quite impossible for you to find a wife because you're are something called a shut-in."

Mark rolled his eyes. Although it was true, he wanted to punch someone.

Holding in the retort he wanted to say, he replied.

"That's outdated news. I already have a wife and three children to take care of."

Mark's words jolted Aliya. Her eyes started to shine.

"Where are they? Are they with you? Will you let us meet them? What about your parents, did they know about it? Can you bring them here next time?"

Aliya started to bombard Mark with questions like a typical Grandmother that was excited about her grandchild. Mark felt troubled though. Even Bituin started to float away from the agitated woman.

"I won't be able to bring them here without resistance, Grandmother."

Mark said.

"Why?"

Aliya was confused.

"They are also of the same race as I do."

Mark's reply made both Aliya and Bituin frozen.

"Did this have to do with you becoming a Demon?"

Aliya asked with concern.

However, Mark shook his head.

"It's the opposite. I'm the one that turned them."

"Huh?"

One more time, Aliya and Bituin froze.

"Are you perhaps something like Aswangs? I have never heard of Blood Demons before."

Aliya's concern was getting deeper and deeper.

"No, Blood Demons are different," Mark assured the concerned woman. "Rather than a disease-like one that can turn humans into Half-Demons, we are real Demons. Besides, like elder Aswangs and Mananagals, the other party's consent is needed for me to turn them into one. We also don't crave anything and can continue living like usual. Nothing had changed aside from having abilities of a Blood Demon."

"That is... That is quite unusual..."

Aliya said though she understood that Mark was not lying from Bituin. A Demonic race that could spread but have no side effects. It was definitely unusual.

After all, the humans that became Aswang and the like would start craving for human flesh and blood. It had a heavy impact on both their manners and lives. That was why even if they did not want to, their instincts as a Demon would take over and force them to hunt whenever they could.

But now that Mark mentioned it, aside from a cold attitude, Mark definitely behaved no different from a human.

Aliya could believe that Mark was saying the truth even without Bituin's help.

On the other hand, Mark only shrugged. The bloodline of Blood Demons flowed in their veins, both Gennie and Aliya, included. However, it was better not to disclose that information since it might cause a lot of complications.

Soon, they reached the border of the sanctuary. Although the topic about Blood Demons made Aliya quite awkward, she recovered soon and started prattling at Mark about a lot of things. She even started to call Mark Grandson halfway.

Mark listened to her all the way. This lonely ancestor of his was definitely blowing off her loneliness this way, and there was no harm done. 

Was this how it was like to have a good grandmother? That was what Mark had in his mind. After all, his grandparents that he met so far left bad impressions on him, both on his mother's and father's sides.

That was why it was the first time that Mark felt a grandparent wanting to pamper him.

It was not a bad feeling, although he did not have time to enjoy it.

"Hah..." Aliya sighed. "I can only bring you here, Grandson."

From her expression, it was obvious that she wanted to spend more time with Mark.

"No, it's fine already." Mark smiled. A genuine smile. "By the way, Grandmother, do you know where the Demons here in Catanduanes are lurking?"

"Where they are lurking?" Aliya tapped her chin. "From what I heard recently, they moved at the southeast edge of the island. They had been capturing humans that went there under the guise of evolved animals."

"I see."

Mark nodded, taking note of it.

"Why did you ask?"

"I just want to know so I can avoid that area."

Mark replied.

"I see." She smiled. "Then, you better be careful."

Suddenly, Mark was embraced. He could not help but froze a bit.

"Visit again soon. Next time, bring your family. I'll try to convince the others to let them in."

It was kind of awkward for Mark. However, he could also feel the warmth from her.

"I'll try to visit again, Grandmother."

He said as Aliya let go.

From there, Mark stepped out of the border, turning the surroundings hazy.

The moment his sight turned to normal, the sanctuary was gone, and he was standing at the foot of a wide mountain.

Mark could not help but sigh.

"If I met her when I was younger, my life would have been bright."

That was what Mark felt, meeting Aliya.

With those thoughts in mind, Mark jumped onto Chaflar's back and flew towards the west direction.

***

Back inside the border of the Sanctuary, Aliya stood for a bit before turning back.

"Let's head back."

She said with a sad smile. Surely, she was happy to meet a descendant of hers. And of course, sad to see him leave.

With those emotions, Aliya headed back to the center of the Sanctuary. She did not notice, however, was Bituin, hiding its gloomy color.

Bituin definitely detected that Mark was lying when he asked about where the Demons lurked here in Catanduanes. However, the ball of light did not want to ruin the atmosphere and tried to hide it.

It was suspicious of Mark as to why he would lie there.