Chapter 4 - Chosen

Buzz Cut eyes shone intensely red, raging anger hid just beneath the surface, he spat out a pile of crimson blood, scanned the crowd with his scarlet eyes and walked towards the village chief. Upon seeing this, the Village Chief, a 70 year old man that stood at 5ft 4, with wrinkles that exudes experience, knees weakened and legs trembled, he held immense fear for the raging man walking in his direction, "Take me to rest.", a deep, ragged voice, barely audible, rumbled from Buzz Cut, after which he collapsed onto the dusty floor, covering him in dirt, unconscious.

Silence.

Not a single sound was made but the rumble of a snore.

Finally recollecting his thoughts, the village chief dispersed the crowd, picked up Buzz Cuts' dishevelled body and carried him to his abode. As the body was carried away many in the remaining crowd thought of killing Buzz Cut and stealing his possessions, as they would definitely be worth a pretty penny, however this didn't last long, as the fear of someone finding out and then the most likely eradication of them and their families, made the idea less appetising.

Still slightly shaken, Aryan and his family returned to their home were they carried on with their usual duties, however Michael stayed at home with Jasmin as there was no hunts planned for the day. A couple of days quickly passed, as the sight of Buzz Cuts bedraggled body soon fell towards the back of their thoughts, Aryan was working of the farm, toiling away as usual, Jasmin, Michael and Adam were at home, either repairing the house, cooking dinner or practising maths, when a knock sounded at the door, thinking it was his neighbour again, Michael quickly opened the rotting plank without second thought but was momentarily stunned at the sight before him. Stood there, next to the excited Village Chief, covered from head to toe in blood soaked bandages, was Buzz Cut.

"What are you doing here?", Michaels face quickly changed to one of annoyance, "I haven't got the time to deal with your bullshit today, bring out the boy.", Buzz Cut's irritated face responded, "What?", confusion soon set on Michaels face.

However the Village Chief quickly cleared up the confusion, "There was another reason the Cultivators are here, its to search for talents, children with high intelligence or unnaturally strong bodies, for their organisation, The Forgotten Sect, it is a chance for your son to become a legendary Cultivator, could you imagine what that would do for the village! To have a Cultivator backer.", shocked replaced the confusion on Michaels face, 'A Cultivator for a son! That must be the luck from a thousand ancestors! No, I must ask Adam first, it's his life after all.'. "I'll get Adam now.", Michael hurried into the house with a confused Adam and Jasmin in tow, "What's going on?", asked Jasmin, "Our son might be able to become a Cultivator", Michael quickly replied with excitement, his previous hatred of Cultivators nowhere to be seen, if his son became a cultivator he would be able to keep himself safe in this unforgiving world, and that is all that mattered to a father. "So this is the boy you mentioned", Buzz Cut intently eyed the boy while continuing with a rumbling voice, "I hear you are rather smart, is that true, boy?". "Erm, I mean, yes I am", regaining some confidence Adam continued with an immature voice, " I can read, write, add and subtract", "Hmm, that is impressive with your background and age. It's decided then, I'll give my recommendation to you, pack your stuff and return with me.", replied Buzz Cut.. "What?!", Adam, exhilarated, shouted in shock, although Michael and Jasmin were also happy for their son, they still had to make sure he wanted to do this, "Are you sure about this Adam?", "Of course I am, I want to become strong and be able to protect", although hearing this Michael and Jasmin still couldn't help but be concerned for Adam. "Good, be ready by tomorrow we will set off at sunrise." , and with that Buzz Cut left, with an excited Village Chief, following close behind.

As the sun set, Aryan returned home to an excited Adam and concerned parents, before Aryan could even ask what happened, Adam ran up to him shouting, "I'm going to be a Cultivator!", seeing Aryan's shocked face, Michael filled him in on the recent events. Aryan sat there with shock and excitement on his face, "Wow, my little brothers going to be a Cultivator!", how could he not be excited and proud, his little brother was going to be able to run as fast as the wind and break trees with a single punch, however Michael and Jasmin didn't share the same amount of jubilation, they didn't know if this was the right thing to do, they saw what had happened to Buzz Cut, just from a simple Mission, and who knows what happened to his companion, Darren. Adam was just a little boy, he wasn't old enough to make these kinds of life changing decisions.

The two parents were stuck in perpetual contemplation until the next day.

Waking up early with excitement, Adam and Aryan washed, dressed and ate the specially prepared meal made by their mother, ready for a life of adventure, Adam carried his bag, that contain a wooden toy car and two sets of clothes, and left with the rest of the family to meet Buzz Cut at the exit. On the way Michael and Jasmin still held apprehensive expressions, but they quickly arrived, "Good, you're on time".