Strongest Family System

The first scream echoed through the forest as steel clashed against steel.

The battle exploded the moment the James warriors pushed past the forest. Their tight formations unraveled among the roots and uneven ground. Shields were snagged on the low branches, and boots slipped in the soil, still moist from the morning mist. The Osborns, no longer retreating, pivoted and struck back with a sudden, fierce determination.

The sound of blades clashing echoed through the morning air, bright flashes illuminating the underbrush, while the cries of men merged with the forest's own deep groans. Heavy smoke clouds ascended from the blown-up talismans, swirling around the tree trunks and masking any activity.

The hidden Osborn formations glowed softly, with runes flickering to life on the bark as the sigils activated.

Spears of light lashed out, catching the forefront of the James clan off guard and tearing their ranks apart.

Warriors slammed into each other at arm's length—shouts, blood, the bite of steel. Osborn defenders fought with desperate precision, retreating and turning into an ambush, every strike measured, every step planned. James's warriors, emboldened by numbers, hacked through the thicket with raw fury, their momentum carrying them forward like a flood.

Above the canopy, the true powers held themselves apart.

John Osborn hovered in the sky, robes snapping against the rising winds. His aura of Soul Manifestation Realm pressed down faintly, a quiet warning that he had not yet joined the fight. Beside him, Elder Chris radiated cold calm, and another Osborn elder—a broad-shouldered man with streaks of silver in his hair—stood with sword in hand, eyes narrowed as he measured the enemy.

Across from them, Mathew James floated high, a spear of silver light resting casually at his side. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, observing the chaos below with grim satisfaction. Two other elders from the James clan stood beside him, their spiritual energy radiating through the treetops. And just beyond, Billy Walker stood motionless, hands clasped behind his back, his presence strangely calm. Yet his faint grimace betrayed an intent sharper than any sword.

The forest shook beneath them as their clans tore into one another.

Below, an Osborn talisman ignited with a roar, swallowing half a dozen James warriors in fire. Moments later, a James elder's hand gesture split the ground itself, roots exploding upward to scatter Osborn defenders.

Robert, fighting on the ground, ducked beneath a flashing sword, driving his blade clean through the gap in a James warrior's armor. He pulled free, his chest heaving.

The battle had only just begun, but the forest was already becoming a graveyard in the making.

Robert moved among the front lines, his sword cutting in sharp arcs. Every swing carried weight, every strike measured, for he knew he could not afford recklessness. Around him, the Osborn warriors fought in tight formation, their shields locking together as James' blades hammered against them.

Not far away, Sarah ducked under a wild strike and drove her blade upward, cutting through a man's ribs. Her hair clung to her sweat-streaked face, but her eyes burned with focus as she turned immediately to the next foe.

Eissa, a few paces over, slammed her hand into the ground—roots surged upward, binding three James warriors mid-charge. Before their screams could echo, she leapt forward, her sword flashing in the filtered sunlight. Three clean cuts, three bodies falling limp into the roots' grip. She did not even glance back. Her blade was already swinging toward another.

Emer charged forward with sheer force, his broad shoulders pushing through the enemy ranks. His sword came crashing down on a shield, shattering it to pieces and sending the man behind it sprawling. Each blow made the ground shake beneath him.

Next to him, Ronan was the opposite—quiet and composed, his spear moving like a shadow, expertly finding the weak spots in armor and slipping through throats with ease.

Together, they made their way forward.

Taylen stood behind the forward line, bow drawn with unshakable precision. Every arrow shot forward, glowing gently with the runes that had been inscribed on the shaft.

One pierced through a James warrior's visor; another pinned a man's leg to the ground, leaving him helpless for the Osborn blades to finish.

Sai darted between the fighters, swift and light, his twin daggers flashing like streaks of silver. He quietly slipped behind an opponent who was too preoccupied to notice, delivering a sharp cut across their back, then quickly dropped low to hamstring another opponent.

With every opponent he killed, he returned to the fluid motions of battle, his gaze already fixed on the next opponent.

Above them, Elder Alex moved with calm authority, his staff weaving arcs of light. Each strike of the staff unleashed ripples that pushed back groups of enemies, buying the younger fighters a breath of space. When a James elder tried to break through, Alex's staff cracked against his blade, sparks bursting as their clash sent shockwaves rattling the trees.

Through it all, Robert never lost sight of his clanmates. His chest tightened at the sight of blood, at the screams that filled the forest, but he steadied himself. They had drawn the James clan into this place for a reason. Every clash, every step backward into the deeper woods—it was all part of the plan.

The clash in the forest became more and more brutal with each passing moment. Harden James could feel a fierce fire burning in his eyes as he witnessed his fellow clansmen fall one by one to the deadly Osborn blades. The sight of their blood soaking into the ground made his chest clench with rage. His grip on the sword wavered, not because he was scared, but from the rage that was tearing him apart from inside.

Enough!" Harden yelled, his voice slicing through the chaos like a thunderbolt. He moved forward, his aura exploding in a fierce wave that caused even his own soldiers to recoil. His intense stare was locked on Robert Osborn, who remained steady among his kin, his sword already slick with the blood of James' warriors.

"You believe that killing my people will have no consequences?" Harden growled, baring his teeth. "Then come at me, Robert. Let your clan see just how quickly I can crush you!"

With each step he took, the ground trembled, his sword lifted high, fueled by a thirst for blood. The surrounding warriors instinctively stepped aside, creating a path for the tempest that was about to unleash.

Robert Osborn stepped ahead of his own lines, his expression calm but sharp, like swords drawn from the forge. His knuckles turned white around his blade's hilt, but his gaze did not waver.

"So you finally step forward," Robert said evenly, his voice carrying above the clash of battle around them.

Harden's lip curled. You will regret every strike you took against my clan. I will cut you down and mount your head on Osborn's gates."

He lunged.

Steel screamed as their swords collided, sparks spraying into the air. With full strength, Harden charged forward, his blows heavy and intended to crush. Robert's arms shook with each swing, the shock echoing through his bones. But he refused to back down. His sword was a flawless piece of skill, with counters that forced Harden to change his stance and parries that deflected just enough.

Through the splitting of trees and the cries of warriors, the sharp ring of sword on sword pierced the ground as it rumbled with the sound of their battle. Harden let out a mighty roar, flames dancing along his sword, but Robert slipped past him, his sword gleaming with a cold, bright light.

He cut a shallow line across Harden's shoulder, drawing blood.

"You fight with anger," Robert said coldly. "That makes you blind."

Harden's eyes burned hotter. "And you will burn for those words!"

Their battle raged, but elsewhere the storm spread.

Sai Osborn stepped forward, his spear spinning in a deadly circle. Liam James rushed to meet him, a pair of axes in hand, muscles bulging with each swing. The two collided with a thunderclap, the spear thrust against crossing blades. Liam's raw strength battered against Sai's technique, sparks bursting as wood and steel met. Sai's feet slid back across the soil, but his eyes never faltered. He twisted his spear in a sudden arc, striking Liam's side, only for the man to roar and swing both axes in a crushing blow.

To their left, Sarah Osborn faced Blake James. Her twin blades flashed like lightning as she moved with measured grace. Blake's broadsword returned her blows with an explosion of sparks, each one strong enough to split the ground beneath them. Sarah ducked beneath a killing strike, her blades crossing in an upward sweep that nearly tore his weapon from his grip. Blake snarled, aura flaring, and pressed harder. Their duel was like wind against stone—her speed against his strength.

Essia battled Keith James with a deadly and sharp sword. During his battle, Keith used two curved daggers that flew in and out with predatory accuracy. Essia cut wide and pushed him back, then thrust forward sharply. Keith twisted aside, his daggers grazing her arm, leaving a streak of blood. She hissed but struck again, the force of her blow sending her tumbling into the roots of a tree.

Meanwhile, Taylen's laughter rang out as he faced Telvis James. Fire bloomed around Taylen's fists, each punch exploding like thunder as it met Telvis's earthen shield. Every step Telvis took caused the ground to tremble, and stones rose in response to his commands as Taylen blasted through every obstacle, his fists burning. As fire and stone met in a fierce, deadly dance, the ground trembled, and shockwaves surged through the trees.

Elder Adam of the James clan was facing off against Elder Alex of the Osborns in the center of the conflict. The sky seemed to shatter with every spell they cast, and their battle was nothing short of intense. Alex made huge shields of glowing runes that twinkled like tiny suns, while Adam summoned dark storms of lightning, bolts crackling through the clouds. Alex's runes shattered spectacularly when Adam's lightning struck.

With each blow, trembling the ground beneath, their duel transformed the forest floor into a battleground of light and shadow.

Warriors from both clans clashed in waves on the ground, bodies falling, blood soaking into the ground, steel ringing out. But the chosen duels, where their skills, rage; and pride were most intense, continued to be the center of attention.

Robert and Harden fought at the heart of it all, their blades a blur. Harden's strength drove him forward, but Robert's calm precision cut through his rage. Sparks lit the air as Robert deflected another crushing blow, then countered with a strike to Harden's chest, the sword biting into his armor. Blood was streaming from Harden's eyes as he staggered, but his anger was unwavering.

"I will not fall to you!" Harden bellowed, flames roaring back to life around his sword.

Robert's gaze sharpened. "Then come. Let the battle decide who survives."