Several gods make up the world of Gaia. There are gods that continue to make their presence felt occasionally through divination. They are the so called Felt Gods. Some religions can be shallow and interpret a falling of a leaf at a certain river a divination but there are also ones that have more strict standards.
4000 years ago, one of the gods of Creation, Linawa observed how humans were discriminated by the other races. It was a Golden Rule among gods to never intervene in the lives of the creatures of Gaia. A god may create his Champion, someone that can pass on his ideals; one may also create a special place in Gaia for the race he supports, to live with better conditions. But once a god intervenes in a major way such as providing an innovation to a certain race that may upset the balance in powers, they will automatically be erased from the Heavens. Several gods love the humans but no one wanted to be erased.
Even knowing this, Linawa secretly placed several innovations to change the lives of humans. Eventually, he became the target of the eyes of other gods who disagreed with his actions.
"I am not disturbing the balance! I am creating it!" he defended himself from other gods "Can't you see that the humans are near extinction!"
"Who cares? the strongest survives. It is because they were made vulnerable from the start that is why they are facing this."
"If they go extinct, why don't you create them again?"
Despite garnering support from many other gods, Linawa's actions still proved to be futile. He was then scheduled to be punished and removed from the Heavens. A punished god is made human and is sent to live without his memories.
Linawa knew the plans of him being eradicated from a god friend who also love the humans but cannot protest. Before the scheduled date, he got his Pilander, a big hammer with wings, and struck the Metal Tree of Life, a creation in his domain. Sparks mixing with the powers of mana showered in his domain and spread throughout Gaia. It was a like a meteor shower in broad daylight, and night for those at the other hemisphere. After this, the lights remained suspended in the air like fireflies. It was a sight to behold but only lasted for a moment. The phenomenon was known as the Lighting. After this event, a new branch of magic flowed in Gaia with the source being the small flickering light called Sparks. While most magicians used mana, the users of the new branch of magic called Sangka were called smiths.
Lasting on whatever was left in Linawa's energy, he appeared among humans and said, "to survive, create." Linawa's presence was never felt again by humans after that but the fact that the power of the sparks still exists, many humans believed that he will come back again someday.
The exact method for one to be recognized by the sparks is not known but was established by common folk that a passionate person in their work is found by the sparks. These people are called the Smiths.
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Near the campfire...
Alab cannot believe what Arthur just showed him. In Alab's request for another showcase, Arthur deeply breath and clenched both his fists. From the flame of the campfire, several flickering lights spread slowly around them and Arthur manifested a bow as if conjuring. Arthur shot the bow in a tree nearby and a large hole formed from it.
Arthur loved the bow. For him, to maintain a distance from an enemy was an intelligent style of fighting. You inflict damage and you are far away from danger. However, the family of Clover are proud of their close combat styles.
"Are you aware of the Sparks?
"Uh--a little."
"You see, it can be inherited through a Will who is approved by the Remnant. Have you ever seen any of it?"
"No"
"Well, the Remnant is some sort of a ghost that floats around until he founds someone with the Will."
"That is definitely a useful Sangka. Why are you not even using it and why are you telling me this?"
An infinite number of arrows can be considered a cheat. By having an infinite number of arrows, Arthur has solved the problem with several enemies getting near because of the need for more arrows. Any soldier who wishes to go up the ranks in the army will not hesitate to show this, but Arthur was different.
"I... I never wanted to be in the battlefield. If someone knew I have this power, I will only live a life that is full of violence. If ever I die, through my Remnant, I want you to have it, in the condition that you will join as one of the retainers of my family."
Alab was surprised by this. What he thought was just an act of initiating and mediating a group was a comforting paradise for Arthur, his support group. Arthur being an observant noticed this and saw Alab as a very intelligent person and someone very different from the soldiers he met in the current war. If ever he met a tragic faith, he wanted to bring someone in his family that could help his family to further prosper.
"But you will not die. Your chances of surviving increase much more if you use that bow," said Alab even though he cannot support his words with his capabilities. The only thing Alab has is his magic rented from Mahika Rental Stall and nothing more. Even the knowledge he got from Lucas was not complete. Alab was a newbie in Gaia in all forms. Wars can easily be predicted if what side will win or lose is what is concern, but it will be very difficult to say who dies and survives among the foot soldiers who directly face the danger.
"But there's nothing recorded about sangkas used in fighting. Every sangka is based on production because Linawa's a god of creation... People may regard me as a devil, especially the Witnesses of Linawa! You don't know how that church crucifies anyone that's different from their beliefs."
'Again, his mind is back into disarray... He needs assurance.'
Alab placed his hands on Arthur shoulders.
"But there is also nothing recorded about Sangka used in fighting regarded as evils, right? If the Sangka mainly focuses on creation, maybe it's about creating... a path."
Suddenly, Caesar came out in one of the tents. Arthur's increasing tone must have awoken him
"I've heard some commotion, is everything okay?" asked Caesar.
Arthur immediately withdrew his bow.
"O, nothing! we were just continuing some topics from a while ago."
"Okay! I will be going back then... and Arthur! Do not forget my reward!" said Caesar and returned to his tent.
Alab finally agreed with Arthur to accept his conditions after declining several times trying to emphasize that he will not die. Being the one Arthur trusted, he did not want to further burden another soldier with Arthur's secret and thus, just accepted it.
"So, it's just like that?"
"Yes, nothing really special happens until I die."
Just after saying a simple 'Yes', the Will was formed within Alab. Both eventually retired in their designated tents.
After lying on his bed, there was one thing Arthur thought, 'The sparks were still around us and Caesar acted normally... did Caesar not see it or is that Lucas was the only able to see them aside from me?'
On the other hand, Alab's thoughts were much more different, 'I cannot join men whose hands are stained with blood while mine's not. I wish to just run away and explore this world, but I cannot until this war ends.'
After hearing the sentiments of his fellow soldiers, and giving a promise to one, Alab just cannot leave anymore as he pleases.
Alab fell asleep and woke up in Mozza. There was Merlin sitting comfortably on his sofa. Without even waiting for Merlin to speak. Alab rushed and ran through the door where he initially almost fell. He opened it and fell.