A large crystal that was divided into thousands of sections, only one of which was white and the rest red, lay above them on the bed frame. As soon as the white section turned red, it vibrated vigorously producing a loud deafening noise. It roused me and Enischy from our sleep. Fina groaned drowsily. Enischy smashed his hand into the crystal's flat upper surface. The noise stopped and all its red sections turned a crystal white with each passing second turning a section red. I got off the bed. Enischy tried to do the same but Fina refused to let go of his arm and snuggled with him more. I left Enischy there, struggling to free himself. I went straight to the bathroom, washed my face using some cold water from my bucket. I took Fina's bucket and filled it with water from a large basin at the upper right corner of the room. Next to it was a small plant that had a large pod at its apex and a small succulent stem supporting it. I tapped the top of the pod and it opened to reveal a neatly arranged stack of driorite stones that were all white. I took one and tapped it, turning it all red and making it begin to vibrate. I dropped the stone in the pail of water, muffling its sound as it vibrated inside the water. I put it down and grabbed two more buckets and filled them with water too. I left one right next to the Fina's and left with the other as I quickly paced towards the door and opened it. On opening it, I found the Gathron practicing his sword technique outside. I remained stock-still as I gawked at his movements. He was graceful with his sword yet I could feel an immense power and brutal force within each slash. I quickly snapped out of my trance and made my way to the garden. There I found mother pruning some Oringatang trees; massive trees whose fruits had a clear membrane and red juicy, fleshy insides.
"Morning Ergon"
"Morning"
"Were you playing with Fina last night?"
"Huh?"
"I could hear you guys nearly all night. Goodness, you must be exhausted, I wonder why Enischy didn't stop you two"
I sighed. I somewhat expected this.
"I apologise and I'll try my best to use my time wisely"
She smiled and patted my head, "That's my boy."
I headed deeper into the garden as she got back to work. I came across the green Ngaripe vines, with their small round berries glimmering in the sunshine. They had intertwined themselves around long wooden poles using their slender stems. I watered the vines and afterwards, picked their berries and put them in the bucket. I quickly headed to the kitchen. I put some of the berries in a mortar, took a pestle and started crushing them into a brown powder. I took a wooden can containing Oringatang fruit juice and poured the red fluid into the mortar and stirred the mixture. I then put the contents into a bowl and place it on the window and washed the mortar clean. I ground the rest of the berries into a brown powder, added some Bresmine fruit juice and continued grinding them. I placed it in the sun too. By the time I finished, Enischy had managed to get Fina up and headed for the bathroom. There he found, some warm water with a driorite stone within it. He removed the stone, smiled and tapped it turning it all white. He dried it and placed it inside the pod next to the water basin. He used the water to wash Fina's face and dries it. He quickly washes his face with some cold water. They both head to the dining table to find me setting the table. Fina took her seat as Enischy came to assist me set the table. I placed five cups and five plates on the table. I took a wooden kettle from the lower compartment of the cooking counter and filled it with water from a vine above the cooking counter. Enischy grabbed the bowl that now had small, round, red Ngaripe beverage berries. I passed the kettle to him. He grabbed it and dropped two of them inside. The water started steaming and turned a deep red. I grabbed an empty wooden can from a compartment above the counter and filled it with the purple content of the mortar. I put a lid on it and put it back where it belonged. I then took my seat as Enischy finished up serving the Ngaripe beverage. Our parents soon strolled in and upon seeing Enischy serving the beverage they were all smiles.
"Thank you Enischy for preparing breakfast," said our mother enthusiastically.
"Huh?" Enischy responded confusedly.
"As expected from my boy," Strox said proudly.
"Uhh, no it wasn't me who prepared all this, it was Ergon," Enischy said pointing at me.
They looked at me a bit shocked. I sighed.
"Brother's just being humble," I said. Upon hearing this mother quickly shifted her focus back onto Enischy.
"Enischy, it's not good to lie, even if it's for someone else's sake," Veralia scolded.
"That's right, you destroy whatever manhood they have left," Strox added.
(Excuse me?!) I thought.
Enischy stared at me for a moment. I shrugged my shoulders. We all sat down and ate breakfast, though it was quiet, since Enischy didn't speak or initiate any conversations but only stared at me. I, however, didn't dislike that. It was good to have some peace and quiet, especially after last night. We soon finished our meals.
"I'll be going out with Ergon to the savannahs today," Enischy announced abruptly.
"Why? Don't you have practice?" Mother asked.
"I haven't spent enough time with him recently, so I want to change that," Enischy stated.
"Alright then, Ergon make sure not to cause your brother too much trouble," Strox said.
"I won't..." I said looking away from him.
"What?! What about me? Who will I play with?" Fina whined.
"Don't worry dear, you can play with Kairu," Mother answered.
"But I wanna play with Enischy!" Fina whined some more.
"Don't worry, we'll play after. Sound good?" Enischy reassured.
"Lots?" Fina asked.
"Lots." Enischy answered.
She smiled.
"Guess we're off then," mother said as she and Strox got up.
"Where to?" Enischy asked.
"To the chief," mother said with an underlying disgust in her voice.
"Hope he doesn't cause trouble this time," Enischy said, chuckling.
Mother heaved a heavy sigh, "I really do."
She carried Fina in her arms and took off. Strox had long since left. Enischy quickly turned to me.
"Why do you always do that?" Enischy inquired.
"Do what?" I responded confusedly.
"Why do you never take credit for what you do and don't try me by saying you're humble," Enischy said.
"...I am a meek person." I said as I shrugged my shoulders.
"Same thing"
"What does it matter anyway?"
"Don't you loathe the way you treated?"
"Brother," I said, my voice cold, "everyone has a role to fulfil in our village and even in this family. You're Sargotha, I am Zandralla. If anything, you're the weird one."
"But I don't view it that way, you're not evil or cursed or anything, you're normal!"
"Ah yes, just like Sargotha said of Zandralla. Shame, he never lived to the end of the story," I said nonchalantly as I got off my seat.
Enischy was speechless. He looked at me puzzled.
"That isn't what a seven year old should say"
"You think too much, now let's go out already"
I said as I walked to the door. I wore the pure white cloak hanged by the door and also wore a pair of sandals. I walked out slowly at first. I didn't feel the unbearable pain I felt yesterday while I was in the sun. Truly, Shimeri and Rimache were geniuses of the highest calibre. Enischy followed, closing the door behind him.
"So what is it that we're going out to the savannahs for?" I asked.
He chuckled, "Something I learned recently. You're going to love it."
I had a good guess as to what it was. As far as I could remember, he was only on expeditions and training with villages' warriors. He probably wanted to show me a dazzling sword formation he learnt. A welcome experience, though I hoped it was something more grandiose. As we approached the main gate, the dominion guards glared at me for a second but their faces instantly changed once they noticed my brother next to me.
"My, oh, my! What a pleasant surprise Sargotha," one of the guards said.
The name seem to anger him slightly, "That's not my name."
"Apologies, Enischy, where are you off to? There's no expedition today"
"Just a morning stroll with my little brother. Problem?" Enischy asked, his voice cold and heavy as he glared at the man.
"None, wish you safe journeys but please do be careful, beasts lurk everywhere and in every kind of form" he said glancing at me for a moment.
Enischy clenched his fist but I held his hand.
"Fulfil your role, don't go against it. Besides, I'm used to this, don't worry."
"...I hate that you are."
"If that's the only thing you hate about me, you must be much more oblivious than I thought."
He was silenced again. I minded it not and continued to lead the way to my favourite spot in the whole savannah. As we approached the massive Bresmine tree, Googaling dashed straight into my arms. I kissed her on the forehead. This seemed to have caught Enischy by surprise.
"How have you been doing?" I asked lifting her up.
She flapped her wings as she googalood excitedly.
"Wow, you laid some eggs?! Can I see them?"
I let her go and she led me to a nest she had built inside the bark of the Bresmine tree. There were three eggs in the nest.
"Wow! This is exciting! Are they gonna hatch soon?" I asked.
Googaling nodded her head. Enischy stared at us, surprised.
"Can you understand her?" Enischy asked.
"Nooooo, I've been babbling non-sense to myself this whole time," I responded.
Googaling snickered at Enischy.
"Your sarcasm isn't appreciated,"
"Fine then, I can, what's the big deal about it?"
"Then you're much more incredible than you let yourself out to be"
"Huh?" I said tilting my head confusedly. Googaling did the same.
Enischy turned to Googaling, "Hello, sorry for the late introductions, I'm Ergon's older brother."
Googaling lifted her head, looked at me and then at Enischy. She nodded her head.
"Are you my brother's friend?"
She nodded her head. I sat there, shocked. I had thought only I could talk to Googaling but it seems that wasn't the case.
(He really can do anything, huh) I thought.
"Is this what you wanted to show me?"
"Not entirely" Enischy said as he plucked a blade of grass.
He gently tapped it on my head, it was soft. Suddenly, it stiffened and again, he tapped it on my head but it was as tough as rock. He now picked a small rock and told me to watch his muscles keenly. I did. He threw the rock with little effort but the rock sped across the savannah tearing large holes into the barks of large trees in its path. Enischy then asked Googaling to throw a rock at him with all her might. She looked at him apprehensively but he reassured her he'd be ok. She nodded and slowly picked up a rock with her wing. With immense force she threw it at Enischy. Enischy extended his right hand forward and suddenly the rock hit an invisible wall and disintegrated. Enischy was completely unscathed. My jaw dropped.
"How are you doing all that?!" I asked.
"Interested I see," he said, a brilliant smirk developing on his face.
"...Fine, sure, I'm interested." I said defeated.
"Ever heard of Ki?" he said victoriously.
"Ooooh, but why show it to me? You showing off?"
"You know I don't do such pointless things"
"Then why?"
"Do you want to learn it?"
I stood still for a moment and looked at my scrawny arms.
"Muscles, fortunately, aren't a condition to start learning how to use Ki," Enischy said quickly.
"Really? I can really learn how to use Ki?"
"Yeap, wanna know how?"
"Sure!"
"First, you sit"
I sat.
"Second, try to feel Ki in the surrounding"
"How?"
"Be nothing."
"Oh I'm good at that!"
"No you're not! Think of nothing and do nothing, let only nature occupy your senses."
I stared at him a bit confused but gave it a shot anyways. I took a deep breathe and slowly breathed out, clearing my mind as I closed my eyes. I sat there, in pitch blackness seeing nothing and feeling nothing but it is only when I did so that I felt a faint warmth. Soon after, I started seeing a faint light even with my eyes closed. I focused on seeing more of this light and feeling its warmth. Slowly I could see more and more streaks of light in that darkness. Suddenly, I was able to see what was around me. I could see Googaling, Enischy and even the tiniest of insects on the ground, all with my eyes closed. I could feel the slight movement of the air, hear a distant clanging sound and suddenly, I picked up a scent of blood. I opened my eyes slowly and I perceived all in a different perspective. Enischy looked at me apprehensively.
"Don't worry kiddo, not everyone does it on the-"
"I smelt blood"
"Huh?"
"Blood, at the other side of the Mount Shrilia"
Enischy's eyes immediately glowed a bright crystal blue. He smelt it too.
(Isn't that where Phebes village is?) He thought.
Suddenly, they heard a loud explosion in that direction. They could smell fire now.
"Do you think the thunder spirit is attacking Phebes village?" I asked apprehensively.
"No, he wouldn't need a single strike if he wanted to decimate the village" Enischy said his voice cold. He could sense there was a high concentration of Ki in the air or something similar to it. That was never a good sign.
Suddenly, his eyebrows shot up as he caught me staring at him, "Theoretically."
"But anyways, you're amazing" he continued.
"Being able to feel Ki this quickly and even using it to enhance your senses, you're a really good Ki user."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, it took me a few days to even feel Ki and it took you seconds"
I looked down, not used to being praised.
"Want to move on to the next step?"
"Sure!"
"Great! This time I want you to stand."
I stood.
"Take a deep breathe just like you did before and feel the Ki circulate throughout your body."
I took a deep breathe and unlike before, I felt something warm enter me. It slowly worked its way into me. To my head, down my throat and even reaching my legs.
(What would happen if I took in more Ki?)
I quickly exhaled and suddenly inhaled. Enischy's eyes widened. Immediately, I felt as if my innards were on fire. Blood erupted from my mouth as I collapsed onto the ground in agony. Enischy quickly rushed to my side and placed his hand against my chest. With little delay, the pain eased and I felt at peace.
"Are you ok?!" Enischy exclaimed as he held me up.
"I feel good, thanks" I responded. He sighed in relief.
"Ergon, I'm sorry I didn't warn you early enough but doing something like that can make your chest explode"
"Neat teaching your little brother something so dangerous." I said jokingly.
He lowered his head. "Sorry, I didn't think this through."
I sighed, "So what exactly did you do to me?"
"I expelled excess Ki from your body using my own"
"Is that possible?"
"Yes, it can even heal," he said as he placed his hand on my chest and soon withdrew it.
"Already done?"
"Amazing..."
"What?"
"There was nothing to be done, it seems your body heals a lot faster than expected, even for Ki users"
"Neat, I can get beat up more"
"That's not a joke anyone would laugh at"
"Name one person"
"Me"
"Any normal person"
"Mother"
"Fair point, speaking of which, she must be enjoying herself right now," I said jokingly.
***
She was not. She had already dropped off Fina at Rimache's house and was heading for the chief's house. She soon arrived at her destinations and immediately the doors flung open.
"Esteemed lady, our chief awaits you," one of the guards said.
He extended his hand to hold hers to guide her in. She walked past him, heading to the chief's courtroom. She walked in and was met with a most horrendous sight. The chief sat in his throne, with a bevy of young women kissing and pleasuring him. Every time she came there, she would always find a new group of women, each a decade younger than the last. A truly disgusting sight! On seeing me, he quickly ordered them away.
"Oooh! Veralia, what a pleasant surprise!"
"Indeed it is"
"Don't think much of it. Men do have needs," he said, chuckling, "I bet your husband has them too, doesn't he?"
She felt anger mount within her. She couldn't believe he was comparing himself to her husband! Her husband! She bit her tongue.
"Yes, he does,"
He scanned her from her beautiful and silky hair, her full lips, and her delicate shoulders to her full breasts all the way down to her seductively curved hips. He started salivating. She coughed gently, snapping him out of his trance.
"Th-the man must feel prideful having you as a wife... but if he's not satisfactory for you, you ca-"
"My husband is mine and I am his, I'll have to reject your offer"
His face twitched as he gnashed his teeth.
"And so, what did you come here for?"
"Firstly is to inform you that the Grimbaka village refused our alliance proposal outright"
"What?! Why?!"
"They stated they couldn't negotiate with a village as small as ours"
"What! Have they seen the developments I've made to the village?"
She clenched her fist behind her back.
"Worry not my dear! I'll show those heathens who they've angered. I, as Rebzu Limwuma, will make this village into a kingdom and conquer their lands!"
She rolled her eyes, "Secondly, I came to inform you of my leave to Anadacia."
"Oh, oh! Is it time for you yearly ritual already? I believe the young lass' name was Fina, right?"
Her anger had now reached heights she found to be nearly uncontrollable. She only experienced this once, all the way back in her teenage years. She remembered that man vividly. Her body shook. This chief must've been an exact replica of that man. Her anger slowly mounted to uncontrollable heights as memories of the man flooded her psyche as if some sort of flood gate had been opened.
"... so that's why I propose my son should be betrothed to Fina. She can be the first wife of my son's harem. Of course, the dowry would be immense, you would receive all manners of favours from me and your family would be cemented as only second to mine! What a deal, isn't i-"
Veralia rushed out. Out of the courtroom, out of his homestead. She knew if she stayed any longer, she would've killed him! She wondered as to what gave him the audacity to dare ask for her daughter's hand! Especially to be married to the filth that is his son! She wouldn't! She wouldn't betray her daughter, not like them and not like the rest!
She had rushed all the way to Rimache's homestead. She composed herself quickly. She opened the small wooden gate embedded onto a simple wooden wall. When she entered, she saw a tall dark woman with her black hair tied up into a large bun on top of her head with golden brown eyes focused on the work before her. Her large muscular arm lifted her hammer and slammed it onto the molten metal against an anvil producing a loud 'clang!' sound. She hammered its edges repeatedly to create a thin and sharp edge. Using her gloved left arm, she used a tong to lift the molten metal and dip it in water in a large stone basin. Steam erupted from the basin and a sizzling sound pervaded the atmosphere as the molten metal cooled. Out came a clean silver blade with a glossy appeal. She placed it next to a large pile of similar swords. She was sweating intensely.
"Working next to the kiln must be doing a number on you"
"Oh! Veralia!" she chuckled, "This old thing? We've known each other since I was twelve! She can't harm me."
She said as she pointed at the black tinted stone kiln, with a slightly raised opening that glowed a brilliant orange as it was filled with large firestones. A pan was within it, with a molten substance within it.
"The workload your husband left me is what's doing the trick"
Veralia glanced at the pile, "What are these for?"
"I don't know, he just strolled in here yesterday asking me to make two hundred swords"
"Two hundred?! Don't we only have ninety-seven warriors?"
"Yeah, sounds crazy, I know"
"Why'd you accept?"
"Your husband is uhh...."
She reminisced the events that took place yesterday. She had just rejected Strox's request.
"Oh, I didn't know it was too much for you"
"No, I didn-"
"Shush little one. It's understandable, you are, after all, a woman"
Her anger instantly mounted to volcanic levels. She slammed the hammer onto her hand, a cold wind erupting forth. She took in a deep breathe.
"Fine, I'll do it," she said grudgingly.
"No, no, no! Please don't! I'm a man, how could I make a woman do all this work? I'd bring shame to all men! Please sit, I'll find a man to do it. There's, in fact, one in this village, the chief's uncle! A woman like you could only be his backup"
Veins slowly surfaced onto her face. She shook with indignant anger. She walked up to him and looked up into his eyes.
"What make?"
He smiled, "Simple blades made from Gringoria ore."
"They will be ready in a week's time"
"I already knew that"
"Cunning bastard"
"Oh I know"
"... You're lucky Veralia's patient, I'd pound you to high heavens"
"I'm not one to dislike a pounding," he teased
Rimache jerked in his seat nearby, "What? What're you talking about?"
She sighed as she remembered the incident, "... very convincing."
"I still don't get what you guys were talking about," Rimache said, walking up to them from the wooden building to the left side of the homestead.
He was tall man, dark, large white beard with a receding hairline.
"Don' worry about it," Shimeri responded nonchalantly.
Rimache shook his head. He turned to Veralia.
"I assume you're here to pick up Fina"
"Yes, where is she?"
Suddenly, Fina came rushing out of the main building at the complete opposite side of the gate, all while giggling and laughing. In pursuit was an amber haired boy with a relatively good build.
"I'm going to catch you!" shouted the boy menacingly.
"Kyaa!" screamed Fina as she giggled and laughed.
The parents laughed.
"It seems Kairu has taken a liking to Fina," Rimache said amidst hearty laughter.
"Strox and Enischy wouldn't like that," Veralia said laughing along.
"Speaking of which, where's Ergon? That little weirdo," Shimeri inquired.
"Weirdo?" Veralia asked, vexed.
"Yeah, last time he was here, he watched me make swords for the entire day,"
Veralia's eyes widened. She didn't know he was so interested in swords.
"Oh! Mama!" Fina exclaimed as she rushed towards her.
She embraced her daughter, holding her close to her bosom. She loved feeling her daughter's warmth, her ever joyful and energetic countenance, though she was a bit mischievous; a side of her she didn't dislike. Indeed, she wouldn't sell her to anyone. She'd face down the entire continent if it meant preserving her daughter's freedom. She picked her up.
"Good bye Kairu. Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Shimeri," Fina said as she waved her hand.
Shimeri was pleased. Rimache smirked.
"With those arms of yours, you're definitely the man of the house"
Shimeri's jaws snapped as she gnashed her teeth. However, she quickly calmed herself as she smiled.
"Good luck starving for the next month"
"Wha-?"
"Goodbye Fina, come visit us again," Shimeri said waving her hand.
They left the homestead. Kairu had a gloomy countenance. Shimeri smirked, she ruffled her son's hair.
"I want her as my daughter-in-law, understood?"
"Mom!" he exclaimed, his face all red.
She chuckled. Rimache was completely shook.
"Wha- what kind of starve? I-uh-I-one's worse!"
Shimeri only smiled at him and got back to work.
***
The brothers were preparing to go back to their village. Googaling looked rather sad as she held Ergon's hand. Ergon picked her up and held her tight.
"Hey, Enischy, do you think it's possible for me to take Googaling to the village?"
"We'd first have to ask our parents"
"Can you ask them for me?"
"Why? Can't you do it?"
"Come on! When will you ever do me a favour?!"
Enischy's eyebrows twitched as he heaved a heavy sigh. "Fine"
"Neat! Now for my demand"
"Huh?"
"Remember your promise yesterday? You were to do anything I requested of you"
"You've just used your chance"
I smirked and shook my head. "Wasn't that a favour you were doing for your adorable little brother"
Enischy eyes widened. He smirked.
"You're good."
"Oh I know. For my request, you're to teach me how to read"
"...I expected something much worse."
"What do you take me for?"
"Fine then, though is everything else left to me?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's all up to you"
. He smiled. I put Googaling down.
"I'll come back for you soon"
Googaling nodded. Enischy and I then went back home. I quickly rushed to the library, impatiently pulling Enischy along.
"You're really excited"
"Who wouldn't be?"
Enischy smiled. Ergon climbed onto a chair as Enischy grabbed a book and a dark purple stone behind the left shelf. He placed it in front of me and opened it. My eyes widened. The pages glowed a bright orange and slowly a drawing of the human body appeared on a page. There were paragraphs of cyan symbols on every body part but before I had a chance to examine them, Enischy tapped the page. It quickly changed to a cyan page as the symbols changed into an orange colour but the body had disappeared and in its place was a drawing of a grotesque beast. It had no skin, unless one counted its bare muscles as skin, no eyes, a large mouth with dagger-like teeth, four long arms and two long legs that were on their two clawed toes. It had a lanky appearance but even I couldn't help but feel a bit terrified.
"...Trying to give me nightmares, are ya bud?!" I said as I quickly tapped the page. It didn't change at all. I tried again and again yet it was all the same. I glared at him as he grinned.
"Hoho! The almighty Ergon is scared of a drawing! What a man he is!"
"Says the man who asked for relationship advice from a kid!"
"...Damn your good"
"Hmph! Of course I am! Now change the damn page!"
"No can do, I'm using this beast to teach you the basics"
"What?!Why no-"
"I quote 'Yeah, it's all up to you'"
"...Damn"
He grinned from ear to ear. I sulked, for the first time, he had outsmarted me. I swallowed my pride and accepted my fate. He embarked in his teaching with a limitless enthusiasm. As we continued his enthusiasm quickly turned to confusion and shock. I had managed to grasp all the basic symbols and could even write all of them without reference. However, my handwriting was bad, a fact that greatly frustrated me.
"Have you ever written or read before?" he asked.
"What? Of course not. Why even ask such a thing"
"You're really talented then. To grasp all this this quickly is impressive"
I averted my eyes and looked at the book, a smile plastered across my face.
"Of course I would! Man can conquer whatever he has unlimited enthusiasm for!"
He smirked, "You sure? I'm confident it was my brilliant teaching strategy"
"Maybe," I said as I glanced at the drawing. I didn't quite feel as scared of it now. I read one of the paragraphs on it and I grew rather interested in this beast, the Ostrogorth. It was one of two beasts that could use Ki, the other being the Orcs. This fact bothered me.
"Confused by something?" he asked.
"Can't Googaling use Ki? Why does it say that only the Orcs and Ostrogorths can?"
"Googaling can because she's special"
"How so?"
"She's a mutant; a beast that had gained enlightenment"
"Do remember I'm a seven year old"
"I doubt that"
"Just explain what enlightenment is!"
"It's when a beast gains intelligence and a Ki manifestation"
"And wh-"
"A unique power"
"Then do you have a manifestation?"
"Whoa there bud! I just started studying Ki, I wouldn't have one"
"Is it really a big deal?"
"Of course! Only three warriors in this village have awakened theirs; Kiriku, Kungatha and our father"
"And how do you awaken it?"
He smiled, "We'll have another Ki training session tomorrow. For now, I want to teach you more about beasts, sound good? "
I nodded. He took a short breath and tapped the page again. It quickly changed colour to a dark red but this time I managed to get the trick. I raised my finger and tapped it. The page changed colour yet again. He was shocked for a moment then smiled.
"You're fast to catch on"
"You should've just told me it used Ki"
"It wouldn't be as fun but how did you figure it out?"
"You breathed"
"Wha-? ...Fair point"
He taught me about the Awkrions; a bird as massive as a Bresmine tree and often used their large feathers as projectiles to decimate its prey and Karinodori; beasts with clear skin enabling one to see their grotesque blood red innards and apparently attacked anything that entered their territory. It had no eyes just like the Ostrogorth but it had an internal ear that it used to detect prey. They were a ferocious beast since out of most beasts in the land, they had the most brute strength and three of them were enough to decimate a village as large as Phebes. Well, if uncle Widam wasn't around. Suddenly we heard the door open behind us and a low growl. We quickly turned. It was Finaria.
"You scared us you little rascal!" he said as he moved toward her and patted her head.
I stared at her for a little while and suddenly she pounced on me attacking me with a flurry of kisses and licks, very ticklish licks. I laughed hysterically whilst trying to stop her.
"I get it, I get it, I missed you too," I said as I kissed her on her snout.
I got up and patted her on the head as she parred melodiously.
Soon after, our little sister and mother arrived at home and found us in the library.
"Big brother!" Fina said as she dived into his arms.
"Oh, what's this? Can Ergon read?" mother asked Enischy.
This caught Enischy a bit by surprise. He looked at her a bit puzzled, "It'd be appropriate to ask him"
This made her slightly angry, "Since when were you so rude! I didn't raise you like that"
She said pinching his cheek.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"Mama! Please don't hurt big brother! He didn't mean it!"
Hearing her little daughter plead so desperately quickly calmed her down. She heaved a sigh and let go of his cheek.
"Don't repeat that again, understood?"
He quickly nodded his head. She closed the door as she headed out to the kitchen. Fina continued to snuggle with Enischy. I glared at Enischy.
"Keep your promise,"
"She's pretty mad at me right now mayb-"
"No, it has to be now"
"Don't force big brother to do something he doesn't want," Fina interjected.
"He has to"
Fina got very angry, "You're Zandralla's vessel, you go do it!"
'Zandralla's incarnate' she said. I was all too familiar with that term but surprisingly it hurt when she called me that.
"Fina! Don't say that to your brother!" he said as he knocked her on the head.
Her eyes quickly welled up with tears.
"It's true! *hic*"
"Apologise right now!"
"But-"
"Fina...apologise"
She grabbed hold of her dress tightly, "So-sorry, Ergon"
I looked at her, her head lowered, looked at Enischy who in turn looked at me. I rolled my eyes.
"Apology accepted"
He smiled, "Now you two be good while I'm gone, no bickering"
I nodded, Fina remained silent. Enischy left the room, closing the door behind him.
"I hate you," Fina stated frankly.
"I can tell"
"You made Enischy shout at me! I'll never forgive you!"
(Goodness, what is this drama) I thought.
"I don't mind"
My nonchalant attitude seemed to irritate her more. She gripped onto her dress even tighter. She glared at me with the ferocity of a beast. Even Finaria was more shocked than I was. I was used to this. She was about to say something when Enischy came bursting back into the room.
"She accepted!" he said.
"Really?!"I said, leaping up into the air.
"Let's go get her right now!"
Finaria stared at me confusedly.
"We're going to get you a friend!"
Her eyes widened a bit then she growled.
"Oh don't be like that. You'll have fun together!"
She turned her head the other way. I chuckled. She was adorable.
"So let's go quickly!"
"Eh? Why me too" he asked.
"The dominion guards won't let me pass the gates with her if you're not there"
"Fine I'll g-"
Suddenly, Fina grabbed onto his hand tightly. She looked up to him, her crystalline large azure eyes adorably cute. Enischy hesitated for a moment but quickly wiggled out of her grasp.
"Don't worry Fina, I'll be back soon"
She started crying and ran out the room. "Stupid big brother! I hate you too!"
Mother looked at us livid as she consoled her. We quickly made our way out the house before she could say anything. Enischy couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
"Why did she say something like that? She rarely said anything like that"
I stared at him.
"Well... to me."
"...You broke your promise"
"Huh!? What promise?!"
"To play with her lots after she came back"
Instantly, he froze on his tracks.
"You know, I don't have to go with you, you are the Gathron's son after all!" he said as he turned back. I grabbed his toga.
"And where is said Gathron?"
***
The Gathron had headed out to Phebes village. He didn't know why but he felt an instinctual urge to check in on them. He never felt like this before. Especially towards Phebes village, a power house in the eastern Shrilia region. Even more so than Anadacia and all of the Kaka tribe. However, this feeling of his grew more and more as he got closer and closer to the village. To his utter dismay, his instincts were absolutely on point. A horrific scene lay before him. The village walls had been torn down, most houses had been burnt down to a crisp and human corpses lay strewn everywhere. He saw the bodies of children in the playground area, most of which were either half devoured, had their innards torn out or had holes within their bodies. He felt disgusted. He wondered if Widam had failed and the Mandriulli launched a counter offensive but he quickly disregarded that possibility. Widam wasn't that weak. Besides, if the children were still in the playground, that meant the village didn't have time to evacuate them. They must've been surprise attacked by an overwhelming force and the Mandriulli didn't meet that criteria. They would've been spotted long before they even reached the village. However, the elimination of this possibility only left one other. The scar across his chest throbbed. There really was one. It was the only possible explanation. The power and speed to overwhelm such a village could only come from a beast king and the army it wielded. However, the only issue was that there were no beast corpses. He couldn't believe that the village had been overwhelmed to a point that they couldn't even kill a single beast in their defence. He continued walking through the decimated village. Suddenly, he spotted two battle axes with distinctive green streaks along their lengths. His eyes widened with shock as his eyes lay upon a massive charred mass.
(Is this Widam?!)
He quickly opened his first limiter and analysed the charred mass and to his utter dismay, it was Widam. He was stupefied. He couldn't even imagine there was a monster that could lay waste to Widam's body with such ferocious unforgiving force.
(Was there even a beast that could use elemental forces?!)
He thought but he had never had of such a thing but, suddenly, something flashed in his mind. His body shook. He tried his best to shake off the idea but couldn't. He remembered vividly the first time in his life since his birth he felt true terror. He was crossing the Anuib mountain range to the south when he met that being, nay, it was more of a god! A beast the size of entire mountain ranges, wings that covered the entire sky, a body completely covered in ice and eyes that pierced directly into his soul lay before him that day. His body shook ever more violently the more he remembered. Though that beast wielded the elemental power of ice, he reasoned that there could be a similar beast that wielded the elemental power of fire; fire hot enough to turn the toughest body in the continent to nothing but ash. Suddenly, that inexplicable feeling came back again only this time, urging him to quickly rush back home. He wasted no time and quickly took off, his heart palpitating all the while.
***
Ergon and Enischy had already picked up Googaling and were heading back home, Ergon completely sailing on cloud nine. Enischy's face was solemn. Something felt off. The amount of Ki in the air was somewhat dwindling. No, it was as if it was being pushed out by an unknown force. He also noted that there were very few beasts in the area.
(This isn't good)
"Ergon let's hurry up an-"
Suddenly, a black lightning bolt appeared out of thin air and headed straight for us. He quickly grabbed me and dodged the lightning bolt as it struck the ground with an earth shaking force. It caused a painfully deafening noise in my ears. Fire immediately erupted blocking our path to the village.
"Just where did that come from?!" Enischy exclaimed.
Abruptly, I collapsed onto my knees as I looked up. Enischy too did so and his entire body froze. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Massive dark clouds with colossal sized white portals within them engulfed the sky. Black bolts of lightning erupted from within the clouds and struck the earth with an intense ferocity as to produce loud booming sounds across the savannah. There were wails and screeches of thousands of monsters from within the white portals but suddenly we heard something unthinkable. We heard a roar from within the white portals so cataclysmically loud and terrifying that it shook the entire land and even fell mighty trees, so apocalyptically powerful that even from within the portal it sent titanic shockwaves throughout the land. Something unbelievably monstrous was within those portals. I stared up, at the portals, at the dark clouds, at the
STORM DUNGEON!
-END-