Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3096

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3096

Inside the valley lay the Highland Tribe’s fertile farmland. Beyond it, however, the scenery changed completely. A narrow path—barely wide enough for a single person—snaked downward from the towering canyon walls into the unknown below. The passage was deep and lightless, forcing travelers to rely on torches to move forward safely.

Ordinary members of the Highland Tribe were forbidden from approaching this place.

This time, the group consisted only of Andrew and the four outsiders, along with Othniel, the Highland Tribe’s patrol commander, and Tobiah. The commander was Othniel’s son—the giant man Andrew had slapped earlier. As for Tobiah, Knox’s elderly father, he was carried on a stretcher by two burly warriors.

The small party moved in silence as they made their way toward the forbidden ground.

The dark passage clung to the cliff face of the vast canyon, twisting and winding endlessly forward. After a while, Nyx spoke in surprise. “This was carved out inch by inch… What an enormous undertaking.”

Knox nodded. “This secret passage took several hundred years to complete. Generation after generation of Highland Tribe members devoted their lives to it.”

Hershel walked at the front, leading the way. When they paused to rest, he glanced at Andrew, scratched his head, and gave an awkward grin. “Sir, I apologize for my rudeness earlier.”

Andrew smiled. “It’s nothing.”

Hershel was about the same age as Andrew, only a few years older than Knox. His features were firm and resolute, and he was already a capable young warrior. More importantly, his talent was exceptional. At a glance, Andrew could tell that one day, Hershel would break through to the martial god level and become a pillar of the Highland Tribe.

Andrew reached into his clothes and tossed a yellow pill toward him.

Hershel caught it instinctively, confusion written all over his face.

Othniel’s expression changed instantly. His eyes widened as he exclaimed, “An elixir? That’s a rare treasure! You fool—thank Mr. Lloyd immediately!”

Andrew waved it off with a smile. “No need for formalities. This elixir will help strengthen your body. When I return and gather the proper materials, I’ll refine better ones for you.”

He looked directly at Hershel. “You have great talent. I can help you reach the martial god level. When that happens, you’ll be one of the Highland Tribe’s elite warriors.”

Hershel’s face lit up with joy. He dropped to his knees at once, bowing repeatedly.

Andrew laughed helplessly and quickly pulled him back to his feet.

Highland warriors were simple people with straightforward minds. If you were their enemy, they would face you without fear and fight to the death. But if you earned their respect, they gave it wholeheartedly.

From everything Tobiah and Othniel had said earlier, Andrew already understood what kind of man Arcturus had been—simple, sincere, and good-hearted, a former slave who had risen through sheer strength and integrity. That temperament had been passed down through the generations, barely changing at all.

Tobiah’s clouded eyes swept over Andrew, but he said nothing.

Carried by the two warriors, Tobiah remained in the middle of the group. Andrew walked ahead and did not see the old man’s gaze. But he didn’t need to. At his current level, even the faintest shift in intent or attention around him could not escape his senses.

There was no doubt Tobiah had seen him give the elixir to Hershel.

That single act filled Hershel and Othniel with joy—and caused the other Highland Tribe warriors to look at Andrew with new hope in their eyes. The meaning behind those looks was unmistakable.

Andrew could guess what Tobiah was thinking.

Regardless, he needed the strength of the Highland Tribe’s warriors. So he acted openly, without pretense, doing exactly what he believed was right—right in front of Tobiah.

This wasn’t bribery. It wasn’t manipulation.

It was respect.

In time, Andrew believed Tobiah would understand.

After several hours, light finally appeared at the end of the passage. When they emerged, a ruin hidden deep within a towering forest greeted them. The surroundings were deathly silent—no birds, no wind—so quiet it felt as though they had stepped into another world entirely.

Even the young Highland warriors fell silent, their earlier energy gone.

Nyx whispered, “The dark energy here is ancient… and it hasn’t dissipated at all.”

Andrew nodded calmly, his expression unchanged.

Tobiah had his bearers set him down. After straightening his clothes, he climbed a stone staircase and motioned for Andrew and the others to follow.

At the top stood a stone statue.

It wasn’t particularly massive—about twenty-five feet tall—but its presence was overwhelming. It depicted a powerful werewolf, petrified in stone. Beside it stood a tall, muscular man, frozen mid-leap, his fist smashing into the werewolf’s face, tearing flesh apart.

Though locked in stone, the moment radiated explosive force.

The man’s other hand was buried deep in the werewolf progenitor’s heart. At the same time, the werewolf’s massive head was lowered, its two enormous fangs sunk deep into the man’s neck.

Tobiah brought over a bowl filled with liquid and splashed it before the statue.

Othniel led the other warriors, including Hershel, to kneel before the stone figure of the man. They chanted in the Highland Tribe’s ancient language, clearly performing a ritual of worship.

Andrew and his companions watched silently from the side.

Knox stepped forward, knelt, and bowed as well. Then he rose and turned to Andrew.

“This is the forbidden ground of the Highland Tribe,” he said. “The larger figure is Fenrir, the first werewolf progenitor. The other man is our ancestor—Arcturus the Unbroken.”

Andrew nodded and reached out toward the statue.

Tobiah warned him gravely, “Andrew, once you touch it, you’ll be drawn into a vision of the ancient battle between Arcturus and Fenrir. Fenrir’s statue is formed entirely of pure dark energy. Anyone who touches it risks corruption and mental contamination. You must be extremely careful.”

Andrew paused only briefly.

Then he calmly placed his hand on the statue.

His entire body shuddered.

The world before his eyes dissolved. Nyx and the others vanished.

In their place, Andrew was plunged into an ancient battlefield—thunderous roars, screams, and the sounds of slaughter crashing into his senses all at once.