One day after that incident, Ben and his Grandfather stay in an inn. Along with them are some of their belongings that somehow survived the fire. A chest of clothes with little to no burns, some trinkets, a few of their farming tools, some bottles of wine, and some books his grandfather owned. Ben lays down on one of the beds in their room, while his grandfather wipes the ashes off their belongings.
Ben stares at his hand where the gem had entered his body and thinks back to the events of the day before. Fighting the thugs, his new abilities, and the appearance of a stranger called Angus Clemmens. With all that happened that day, there wasn't any time to talk so Angus suggested he would explain everything after turning the thugs in to the guards.
His thoughts continue to race wondering about his new found power and what he has become.
"I wonder when he will be back?" said Ben waiting for Angus to return.
"Be patient my boy. He said he would answer your questions but first he had to bring those horrible men to the authorities first and besides we had to find a place to stay." replied his grandfather.
After a few moments of silence there was a knock on the door. "Oh that must be him." says the old man as he stands up to open the door. As the wooden door opens, a large man with a sack held over his shoulder steps forward. "Good morning Mr. Parvus. May I come in?" says Angus Clemmens with a gentle smile.
"Ofcourse come in! Ben has been wondering when you would return." replied Ben's grandfather.
"Sorry I wasn't able to return sooner, but I am here now to answer any question you may have."
"Thank you so much. Oh! Please take a seat." said Ben.
Ben's heart begins to race, both curious and eager to hear an explanation to his strange new abilities, and about the gem.
"So where should I begin to explain?" said Angus as he sits down on the stool.
"Uhm...What are you?" asked Ben.
"What am I? Well..." Angus paused for a moment as if pondering what to tell them. Ben and his Grandfather lean forward in anticipation. Angus closes his eyes and takes a deep breath and says
"I am human, like you." Angus says laughing, while Ben laughs feeling a bit embarrassed hearing the answer expecting something more.
"Hehe no, I mean..."
"You mean how I have these abilities? And more importantly how you got yours right?" said Angus seriously.
"Y-Yes I would like to know." Ben prepares himself.
"Well...let me ask. Did something strange happen to you before that whole incident yesterday?"
Ben recalls walking back to his home that morning and seeing the stone. "Y-Yes. I found a small gem in a tree stump. I blacked out after that and had a strange dream."
"I see. What you found was the gem of the Spirit of Humility, Raphael. One of the 7 Sacred stones."
"Spirit?" asks Ben with a puzzled look.
"Well this all has to do with the legend of Mortem."
"The legend of Mortem!? The demonic weapon?" exclaimed Ben's Grandfather.
"Isn't that just an old scary story?" replied Ben.
"No. I assure you it is real. If you remember, in the legend 7 sacred spirits were said to have put a stop to that demonic weapon and scattered its remains across the world. After those spirits defeated the demons they sealed their power in gem stones."
"So you're telling me that..."
"Yes. Inside you is the power of one of those 7 sacred spirits."
"A-Amazing." said Ben's grandfather, looking at his grandson who now possesses incredible power.
"But why me?" Ben asks
"I can't answer that. But I am sure the spirit saw something in you."
Ben looks at his palm, at the place the gem entered his body.
"So what does this all mean? What am I supposed to do?"
"That's part of the reason I really wanted to talk to you. You see, I would like you to join me and others like us to prepare against the evil that is soon to come." Angus declares.
Ben fell silent. In his mind he was still just a farm boy. "I can't be a warrior." said Ben "I don't really understand what this power is and I'm sure I am not strong enough."
"You can learn. Come with me. I'm on my way to meet up with the others. We can teach you, help you control and fully grasp the power you have."
"You're telling us the other spirits have awakened as well?" said Ben's grandfather
"Yes, they have. Others we still have to find. All 7 of us are destined to stand together and protect this world. Other than Ben and I, there are 3 others. I came here following a rumor about the Sacred stones, and it seems destiny has brought me to you."
"What about my Grandfather? I can't leave him alone."
"HEY! I am old but I can take care of myself. Look! I am still as strong as a horse!" said the old man trying to show off his 'muscles'.
"Grandpa, stop that…" said Ben being embarrassed "besides we don't even have a house now."
"Well how about this." inserted Angus "This is actually the reward for turning in those criminals, we could use the money to rebuild your house." He said while rummaging in his sack, taking out another large poach filled with coins.
"W-What?" questioned Ben thinking of his home now nothing but burnt wood and ash.
"How much was their bounty anyway?" asked Ben's grandfather
"Ohh not much...just about 1000 silver pieces." said Angus
"1000 SILVER PIECES!!?" exclaimed both Ben and his grandfather.
"Well it seems those guys were wanted in different cities and for trying to kidnap the daughter of the Mayor in the City of Paradiso. The Captain of the guard thanked me and gave this to me. However it was you who defeated them so it's only right this goes to you and your grandfather."
"Even with that much I don't think it's enough to fix up the house." said Ben
"Don't worry. I'll help out!" said Angus with a smile "But you need to promise me you'll think about coming with me."
Ben's thoughts leave him undecided. He does want to understand the power he has but he isn't sure he is prepared for the responsibility it bares. "Ok. I'll think about it."
"Alright!" said Angus happily. "So before anything else let me fix up part of your home."
"O-Ok" said Ben.
The three walked backed to the remains of the Parvus farm. Angus walks in front of the remains of the house. He closed his eyes then when he opened them, raised both of his hands in the air and the giant axe appeared in his hands. He then slams the butt of the axe on ground and suddenly the rubble was pushed away and stone rose up in the form a large two story house, without the roof and openings for doors and windows. The stone was smooth and sturdy. The facade of the house was supported with pillars and so looked exquisite that it almost resembled that of a small royal manor. The inside of the house was decorated with beautiful carvings on the bottom of the walls, the ceilings were higher, the rooms were larger, the staircase curved beautifully to the higher floor.
"Haha well I guess that does it for the walls. I can only control the stone but I'm sure now the reward can cover the rest."
"A-Amazing!" said the old man in disbelief as he stared at an almost complete home much larger and far more exquisite than what they had before.
"Well, shall we get started then?" said Angus with a gentle smile.
Ben stands in shock and in joy as he sees the new home that has appeared. "Thank you...Thank you Angus! You are incredible!" he yells as he runs towards Angus in amazement and gratitude.
"Haha it's no problem. Don't forget your promise now. I expect to hear your answer when we finish whatever it may be, as long as it's your choice."
"Alright." Ben replied with a smile yet in his mind he is still unsure.
A week passes and during that time they have returned the belongings that have survived back to the home, they painted the walls, built a roof, placed a door and the windows. They also rounded up the animals they could find back to a temporary fence, while the barn was to be rebuilt by artisans soon. They had meals together, laughed together, and all that time Ben continues to think over Angus's request.
The night falls on the seventh day of them working and everything had just been finished. Ben's grandfather begins preparing a feast while Ben and Angus sit on the roof top under the light of a full moon and the stars resting.
"That was quite a week huh? said Angus happily "Your grandfather is a wonderful person, not to mention a great cook!"
"Yea he is. He is also really happy. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time."
"Are you scared about leaving your Grandfather alone?" asked Angus.
Ben reminisces about his past. He thinks about his parents, his mother saying "I love you" and his father's warm smile. Then he recalls a fire, his mother's tears and pillars engulfed in flames crashing down. Ben's thoughts start to weigh on him as looks at Angus with worried eyes and nods.
"Don't worry. I won't force you to come with me. If you believe staying with your grandpa is what's best then I support you."
"Angus?" asked Ben as they sit on the roof top under the light of a full moon and the stars.
"Yeah?" Angus replied with a smile.
"What made you decide to be a warrior?"
Angus took a deep breath and looked up in the sky. "My family."
"You have a family?"
"Yea I do! I have two sisters who are always bugging me to play with them, my mother who makes great meals, and my grandmother who always cares for everyone." He says with a smile on his face "The last thing I want to happen is lose them." Angus gazes on the horizon, and says "I don't fight because of what's up ahead. I fight because I love what I left behind."
Ben smiles thinking to himself of what a magnificent person Angus is and wondering if that's something he should do too. "You're a great person, you know that? Thank you Angus....for everything."
"You're welcome buddy."
"Boys it's time for dinner! Get down here." yelled Ben's grandfather from the ground floor.
They both made their way to the kitchen to celebrate the completion of the house. The three of them laughed and ate all through the night. After the celebration Ben's grandfather and Angus had fallen asleep. Ben still awake, walks outside his new home and leans by one of the stone pillars, takes a deep breath, and looks around him feeling conflicted. Happy yet at the same time forlorn. Relieved yet stressed. Mixed feelings bounced around in his body and soul.
"What should I do?" he ponders to himself.
Day has come once again and the sun has risen. As the light moves through the clouds in the sky and the trees of the forest, the new home Ben and his grandfather now own looks even more splendid. The three men rise from their slumber and Ben helps his grandfather make breakfast, while Angus prepares his things, ready to travel once again.
After a hearty meal shared by them, Angus stands picks up his things.
"I should get going now. Thank you so much for the meal and your hospitality." says Angus standing by the front door.
"Leaving already?" replied Ben's Grandfather "Would you like a bottle of some wine I made before you go? A few bottles managed to survive the fire."
"Sure! That would be nice."
"I'll be right back." The old man said with a smile "Oh! Ben, would you mind helping me with something?"
"Sure thing grandpa." replied Ben. As Ben follows his grandfather to the kitchen he notices a bag on the kitchen table.
"Grandpa what's this?" he asks.
"It's your bag. I packed it with a change of clothes, a canteen for water, and some food to last you for a few days." said the old man
"B-But grandpa…will you be ok by yourself?"
"Stop worrying about me. I'm fine. I have a brand new house, I have my health, and I lived my life. Now, I want you to live yours." As his grandfather said this Ben is speechless and no words could come to his mind.
"Ben? Do you want to go with him?" asked his grandfather. Ben was silent for a moment but lightly nods.
His grandfather opens a chest filled with clothes. From the chest the old man pulled out a dark brown leather jacket and handed it to Ben.
"This belonged to your father Ben. He once told me that you would wear this one day when you have become a man." Ben holds the jacket with his mind full of nostalgic memories. He smiles and puts it on.
"It fits perfectly." said his grandfather as he pulls in Ben and gives him a hug. "I know you'll make me proud."
"I love you grandpa."
"I love you too."
The two finally return to the living room where Angus was waiting near the front door, but now Ben is dressed in his Jacket and a bag ready for a journey ahead.
"Is your offer still open?" asked Ben.
Angus lets out a big smile and yells in joy "Of course it is!"
"Let's make a toast for your safe journey!" said Ben's grandfather holding a tray with three glasses of wine.
They all smiled and yelled "Cheers!" with that and having said their final goodbyes, their new adventure begins.
"Well then Ben, we're off to Kumano Mountain to the Temple of Yamabushi!"