"The Chronicles of Ancient Humanoids: A World of Extinct Species and Mythical Beings Coexisting"

Title: The Pleistocene Pantheon In a parallel timeline, the history of hominids took a drastically different turn. Every extinct human species such as Neanderthals, Homo habilis, Homo floresiensis, Homo antecessor, along with others (Homo erectus, Homo longi, Homo heidelbergensis, etc.), did not merely fade into extinction. Instead, they adapted and evolved with an augmented kind of intelligence that can be likened to Homo sapiens. The Neanderthals, embodying their strength and robustness, established a civilization nestled within mountains. Homo habilis, applying their adeptness at tool use, crafted impressive monolithic structures and complex engineering feats. Homo floresiensis, calling upon their tiny stature, created expansive subterranean cities hidden away from the eyes of other civilizations. The famed Homo erectus found a home in the North American region, having traversed through a Bering Strait land bridge between 1 million and 800 thousand years ago, evolving into what we now know as Bigfoots, or Homo americanum. Their mighty size and strength suitably fitting the colossal landscapes of the American continent. The Pleistocene also saw the enchanting birth of species like fantasy elves, or Homo dryadis. Having been evolved from intermingling between varied human species, they inherited extraordinary longevity and were endowed with a magical affinity for nature. They formed communities within lush, ancient forests, co-existing harmoniously with the flora and fauna. Similarly, Homo sanguis or vampires materialized, evolved from certain species adapting to the absence of sunlight, hence exhibiting paleness, light sensitivity, and a mutation resulting in a predominately iron and protein diet, giving rise to their notorious association with drinking blood. Mermaids, or Homo marinus, evolved from those who lived near regions abundant in bodies of water, eventually adapting to life underwater. Their lower bodies evolved to a fishtail-like structure, and they have developed advanced underwater societies. Homo montans, or Yetis, are rumored to be offshoots of a hominid species like Homo neanderthalensis or Homo heidelbergensis, who found refuge in the harsh terrains of the high Himalayas and evolved to survive in such stark, frost-ridden landscapes with a beastly presence, like mythical guardians of the mountains. These species, in all their unique traits and civilizations, developed a system of trade, alliances, and diplomacy, mirroring the complexity of human society, but with drastically varied cultural norms, traditions, and ways of life. Their shared intelligence birthed an extraordinary world rich with diversity and spectacle, dispelling the myth that Homo sapiens are the only symbol of sentient evolution. The Pleistocene Pantheon, as they were collectively known, stood as an imaginative testament to the diverse universe that hominid evolution could have created.