Niu's eyes fluttered open in the dim light of early dawn, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel it—a disturbance in the air, like an invisible tremor that shook his core. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. He had been dreaming, but the images that had haunted him were still fresh in his mind.
A sudden gasp from across the room made Niu sit up. His mother, Naria, stood up and raced to the window, her face pale and drawn. She had felt it too—this wasn't just a dream. It was a vision, a message carried by the bond they both shared with Faelan.
His father.
"Mother?" Niu called, his voice trembling.
"Did you see him too?" Niu asked through their telepathic link.
Naria turned to face him, her eyes wide with fear and urgency. "Niu... your father... he's in danger."
"I have to go to him," Naria said firmly, as though reading his thoughts. "He's hurt and he needs me. I won't let him die." She held Niu's face between her hands, looking into his eyes to reassure him.
"I saw the locusts breaching his defenses. I felt the lightning flowing through his body," Niu transmitted to Naria. "I saw him falling from the sky. Is he…?"
"He's fine, baby. He's strong, stronger than you think. He gained the lightning attribute. The direct strike would barely leave a scar. He didn't fall off the locust—his limbs were stiff from the lightning strike, improving his grip on the sword." Naria aimed to be as logical as possible, knowing Niu's personality.
Her voice was steady, but Niu could hear the worry that edged her words. The vision they had both seen was more than a warning—it was a desperate cry for help.
'She wants to save him.' Niu wanted to protest, to tell her he could come with her, that he could help.
"I'll be fine," Naria interrupted gently, though her eyes remained focused as she packed a few necessary items. "I have to do this, Niu. Your father is my soul bond. I can't ignore this call. But you... you will stay here."
"I know you must go and help him," Niu finally said.
"Thank you for understanding. I'll make it as fast as possible," Naria said. "You'll be safe with Elder Orimudi and two of my colleagues from the intelligence branch."
Niu nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He didn't want her to go, but he knew it was for the best.
Naria leaned forward and kissed his forehead, her touch soft and reassuring. "I'll bring him back, Niu. I promise."
Without another word, Naria began gathering her things from the wardrobe, moving with purpose as though her decision had already been made. Niu watched her, his heart sinking. He knew what this meant. His mother, despite her high status in the sanctuary, was about to leave. She was going to save Faelan.
"Here, take this." Naria handed him a crystal pebble the size of a large coin. "I created a surprise for my little bookworm. Take this into our home library and place it on top of any book you want. When I return, there will be a test, so study up, young one," she said with a gentle smile.
With that, she stood and walked out of the room, leaving Niu sitting in stunned silence. His mind raced, filled with images of his father's battle and the looming danger in the forests of Kitui.
Despite her confident talk with Niu, Naria's heart was weeping. She could not feel her soul bond with Faelan and feared the worst.
Naria took an astral form and moved through the sanctuary, following the spiritual scent of someone she had grown accustomed to. She materialized her body from the astral form, standing at the entrance of Orimudi's quarters, her thoughts racing. She had already made her decision—Faelan was in grave danger and she could no longer wait, but she had to ensure the safety of her other love.
Orimudi was one of the highest-ranking masters in the sanctuary, a trusted mentor and protector. His reputation preceded him—skilled in energy-based magic and a powerful force in battle. But Naria needed more than just assurances of his skill. She needed to know his heart, to be certain that his intentions were pure. She needed to see for herself if Orimudi was worthy of being entrusted with Niu's care.
Taking a deep breath, Naria stepped in.
Orimudi, seated by the window, felt a sudden change in pressure. He turned around to see Naria standing a meter away from him. 'What kind of stealth technique was that? If she wanted to slit my throat, I would be dead,' Orimudi thought, composing himself and masterfully hiding his shock.
His eyes, sharp and discerning, seemed to sense her inner turmoil.
"Naria," he said in his deep voice, "you look troubled. What brings you here?"
"Sorry for the intrusion, Elder Orimudi. I need to speak with you," she replied, her tone calm but firm. "There's something important I must discuss."
Orimudi gestured for her to sit, but Naria remained standing. Her spiritual energy swirled around her, a silent display of the power she held within. She didn't want to waste time with pleasantries.
"I need to go somewhere," Naria said, her voice steady. "Somewhere far from the sanctuary. And I can't take Niu with me."
Orimudi's expression remained neutral, though a flicker of concern crossed his eyes. "I understand. You're worried about him. I can assure you, Naria, the sanctuary is well-guarded. He will be safe."
Naria nodded but wasn't finished. "I want you to look after him. Personally."
Orimudi raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request. 'She is leaving without a directive from the council.'
"I would be honored," he said slowly, "but you already know I would do everything in my power to protect him."
"I know," Naria replied, her voice softening. "But I need more than just promises."
She took a step closer to him, her spiritual aura pulsing with an intensity that made the air between them hum. Orimudi felt it immediately—her power was far stronger than he previously had guessed.
Orimudi met her gaze, his expression unreadable. He knew what she was about to do. It was her ability to peer into the minds of others, to glimpse their true thoughts and intentions, that had made her an elite of the intelligence wing.
"I need to see," Naria said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to know that you will protect him with everything you have."
'I have secrets, well so does everyone.' Orimudi reasoned.
There was a long pause before Orimudi nodded slowly. "Do what you must."
With a deep breath, Naria extended her spiritual energy toward him, forming a delicate link between their minds. She had done this before, used her telepathic abilities to communicate with others or even to read surface thoughts. But this was different. This was deeper.
She pushed gently into Orimudi's mind, past the surface memories and fleeting emotions. She wasn't interested in idle thoughts.
'I seek your core—your deepest intention, your truest feeling.' Naria searched through Orimudi's mind. It was a difficult process, one that required both willpower and skill, but Orimudi did not resist.
At first, she encountered the usual noise—scattered images of training sessions, memories of conversations, the disciplined thoughts of a veteran fighter. But Naria pushed further. She did not pry into his personal life but focused on her singular question: 'Would you protect Niu? Would you truly safeguard my child with your life?'
For a moment, everything was silent. And then she found it—a thought, clear and unwavering, buried deep within his mind. A single sentence, but one that carried the weight of a lifetime of loyalty.
"I will protect the reincarnate with my life."
The words resonated through Orimudi's mind, and Naria could feel the strength behind them. They weren't just words spoken out of duty or obligation. They were a promise. A vow. Orimudi's resolve was absolute, his loyalty unshakable. He would protect Niu, no matter the cost.
Naria felt bad for what she was about to do, but she knew she needed a contingency plan. She had been around humans enough to know - loyalty was for dogs.
Naria focused on her maternal instincts and created a copy of them in Orimudi's mind. She was inserting a heart trigger into Orimudi's subconscious mind—any thought that did not align with safeguarding Niu would be overwritten before reaching his conscious mind. It was a violation of the elder's sense of self, but a mother could never be too careful.
Satisfied, Naria withdrew from Orimudi's mind, the link between them dissolving like mist. She stepped back, her expression softening for the first time since she had entered the room.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "That's all I needed to know."
Orimudi inclined his head, acknowledging her gratitude. "I would never let anything happen to him, Naria. You have my word."
Naria nodded. She knew that Orimudi's word was as solid as stone. He would keep his promise. And now she could focus on what needed to be done.
"I'll be leaving soon," she said, already planning her departure in her mind. "You'll take over his training while I'm gone. I don't know how long I'll be away."
"Understood," Orimudi replied. "I'll continue his lessons. He's progressing well."
Naria's heart swelled with pride at the mention of her son. Niu was special—more special than he even knew. And now, with Orimudi's protection, she could leave with a little less fear in her heart.
"Thank you, Elder Orimudi," she said again, her voice filled with emotion. "Take care of him."
Naria disappeared into a mist. She used astral projection to send her mind and spirit a distance away, summoning her body through space, similar to calling a spirit beast. This was a spirit technique she had devised to mimic teleportation, and if you asked Orimudi, that was exactly what he had just witnessed.