I took the kids out for ice cream with their mother, but before that, I explained to them that Nam had passed in battle. My kids didn't take this well, Nam was like an uncle to them. My wife was heartbroken when she got the news earlier today but said it was a bittersweet relief. There was only one causality. Seeing as we were literally carrying the biggest target in this war, his death still hit her hard. She thought of Nam as a younger brother, and she felt devastated. It reminded me of the time Kaya died.
The loss of a comrade brought tears and sadness to my family, which made the situation bittersweet. I'm glad that they cared so much about him, but they thought that I could have been the one dead. The thought made me wonder how they would've dealt with the news of my death. A simple ice cream treat couldn't cheer up my boys, at the very least.
I wish we were in times of peace again, I don't want to leave my family.I grew up in a single parent household, and I don't want that for my kids. It's hard, though, to leave my responsibilities at the Creed, especially since I'm up for consideration to be an Elemento, something I've wanted as a boy. This conversation was one that tested my marriage. I asked Lula if I should just quit the Creed and take up farming like my father. She asked me to follow my heart and not think of my family as a burden.
I told her I would be leaving tonight after the funeral, but I would be back before sunset tomorrow. Of course, she didn't take the news well and was angry the entire way through town. After all the hard work I put into making her happy today, thank you, Khalila.
The boys cheered up a little after having their favourite ice cream, but I could tell my oldest had concerns. After all, he is turning ten very soon, and he's starting to understand what kind of world we live in. My youngest is turning five and maturing faster than I want him to. He says he can't wait to awaken. He hopes he is a flash Artemer like me and his brother, but I know he just wants to join me in battle, so he doesn't want to worry. His older brother tried the same thing when he awakened, said daddy, train me so I can fight with you. What kind of father am I to bring children into this world when we are at war. I don't want my boys to grow up into being soldiers, but men who have families and lives. Not for their to be cut short just as I've seen with so many young men, some fought for house and honour others for revenge. That won't be the fate my boys will share, I'll die on the battlefield that ends this war. That's a promise to them and my princess.
The sun began to set, and time drew near for the funeral. My boys begged to join me, but this was a ceremony for the Creeds and Nam's family. I made my way to Maximiliano and dawned the hood of my Pallium. Other warriors were making their way to the headquarters as well. The bell rang, and some of my brothers and sisters gave their condolences with a pat on the back as they donned their hoods. An indication to the townspeople that we, the Creed, were going to put one of our own to sleep on the pyre.
Candles lit the way for us Creeds as the shopkeepers and people who lived in the central place them on their windows. Some people stood on the streets holding their candles in silence. They probably didn't even know who passed away. They needed not to, a fallen Creed was a friend; protector; child and family member to all here in Electrium. Regardless of whether they knew you or your rank, a death was something to mourn.
I hope the candles burn as brightly for me when I pass, and I hope I'm celebrated as loudly as possible in the celebratory party. The giant wooden doors opened to us Creeds that were making our way into Maximiliano. We all passed the receptionist table that had been empty in a long while, and there was always someone manning the station. We made our way to the Lady Rosalind's Rose garden that was at the back of Maximiliano. At the centre of the labyrinth rose bushes was the pyre, and it was grand. Members had placed items that were valuable to Nam, those that arrived the same as me made their way to the pyre.
We each placed an item for our brother to take to the afterlife with his own items. I placed a doll he had made for my youngest. He offered it to me before we left for ice cream. His body was covered in bandages with a seal mark on them, this was to prevent his body from coming to life on the pyre. That happened once when a military officer was being put to rest, and he woke from the dead but not alive, the manipulation of the Perdita blades. Damn Terragons! Lord Justice stood next to the wooden pyre, not much taller than him. He had adorned his own Pallium.
"We are gathered here, not to just mourn a son."
I looked at Nam's family. Hong's frail frame was in the arms of her mother. Tears ran down the eyes of the women, and the men held themselves strong with their father leading them. It was a kind noble unlike many, but when I saw his hands trembling, I just couldn't look at him in that light. He was a man before a noble, and this man is a father who just lost a son. I couldn't imagine the strength I would need to just stand firm at my child's funeral. Looking at Nam's body on the pyre was just too much for me, I wonder.
"But a brother; friend; leader but most importantly of all a warrior." Lord Justice continued. "And here at the Creed, the loss of one of our finest hurts us the most. It makes me wonder who's next, which of my children will lay on a pyre again in my sister's garden. In times of war, it is considered luck to have the luxury to burn a body here at the pyre. Enemies are never that kind, even though he can't take his spirit weapon with him. Kindness must be accepted whenever. However, I know this. I've seen it for centuries, warriors falling in battle with their spirit weapons still manifested, victors keeping them as spoils. That was inhumane to me." His tone at the end was seethed with anger. "A spirit weapon is akin to a piece of your soul. When Spade took his axe, he left with a piece that should ascend with Nam today. I wonder what became of Kaya's." I saw Maya twitch at the mention of her brother, she stood with the other Flash Tyrants. "I'm glad I can give Nam something I might not have myself…a proper burial, my only regret is that it's not fit for a king."
"It's more than enough!" Nam's father spoke out. "His wish as a boy was to turn to ash in the Creed's garden as did his uncle's."
His uncle was my predecessor, the original founder of the Flash Tyrants. Cries from the women reminded me of the day he, too, was on the pyre.
"Thank you, Lord Nguyĕn I promise you that the Creed repays blood with blood."
Indeed, we do, I'll make sure of it, Spade.
"We've placed these possessions of Nam in the hopes he can take them to the afterlife. I also implore you all to pick a rose from the bushes and gift it to Nam before his ascension."
We each picked a rose from the bushes. They were thornless and made picking them much easier. Many imbued some of their chi into the roses before throwing them into the pyre, I did the same, and so did his family members. Lord Justice was the last to place his rose, black in colour from the imbued chi he placed it on the pyre.
"Farewell child, may we meet again. Pax vitae."
"Pax vitae!" We all said in unison.
"Hong, send off your brother!"
Hong had held on her rose, which was set ablaze by the Creed. She looked at the flame and then her mother. This was to let her know she was ready to walk on her own. She did so and placed the flaming rose on the pyre. The oil was set ablaze, and the wood of the pyre caught fire. One by one, we all turned our backs. We began to walk away from the burning corpse of our comrade. This is how you say goodbye to a warrior of the Creed. It has been this way since the Creed was born. Their soul ascending is a private matter for only the family to watch. Rest in peace, Nam, you will be missed. I only hope you're reunited with Kaya.
I was amongst those who left Maximiliano immediately in silence, I was not only one with duties to perform afterall it was times of war. Many flashports took place, some with other individuals, this is why it's a requirement to have a flash Artemer in a party. They were heading far and wide, the work of a Creed is never done, I would know. I have my own mission to attend to in Fuse, lightning cladded my body. I looked up at the sky, a dark grey thunder cloud forming above me. A bolt of lightning rained down on me, I only looked at it, moving in slow motion as I lowered my hood. I never get tired of looking at a violent lightning bolt move from the sky to the earth. It's the most beautiful thing in the world.
The bolt struck me, and I disappeared from my position in Electrium. Then, a moment later, I was in Fuse, next to the guild hall I marked the last time I was here. I looked around my surroundings, and things hadn't changed that much. A dark-skinned woman stood on the outskirts of the landing port. She walked up to me. Her walk only displayed her curvature even more, and she bowed to me.
"You must be Capitaneus Dakila Stastny of the Flash Tyrants." The woman said as she adjusted her hijab.
"Yes, are you the Guardians' escort?"
"One of a few, there are three of us."
"Then take me to him. He must make it back to Electruim in time for the exam."
"It won't be that simple."
"Yes I know of his protection."
"Then I assume you have a plan to work around it?"
"Yes, Lord Justice asked me to take him into town and allow him the chance to know me."
"That's understandable. Please follow me."
I guess there is no need for her to introduce herself, I don't mind. Security details, especially military, barely introduce themselves. It helps protect the identities of not only the security but also their clients. Just in case someone goes around asking about them, we made our way into the guild reception floor. One of many branches scattered everywhere in the world. I saw familiar faces in the building, some of which were at the ceremony moments ago with me.
"Well if it isn't the great Capitaneus Dakila." A man from the Ark clan said to me.
"Capitaneus Demarcus, it's been a while." I said. My escort simply made her distance from me but waited at my right. The Capitaneus patted his left chest three times, and I returned the gesture.
"I heard of Nam. Apologies for your loss. I heard it was also a Venalicium that did him in."
"Yes, his name was Spade."
"If I find this Spade, I'll rip his spine in honour of Nam."
"Thank you, Capitaneus Demarcus."
"You are on an important mission?"
"Important and secret."
"Hahaha! Say no more. I'm also heading to Electruim to receive my orders from Elemento Kaizaiten with the HellHounds."
"Then you can't be wasting time talking to me. You don't want to be in his temper."
"You're right, brother, pax vitae."
"Pax vitae."
He left and was followed by his team, and some members were from his clan like his Legatus and others from other nations. A flash Artemer in a squad is a must, and he had three, some of which had Ark blood. The Ark clan is the most prized warrior clan in Ignis and to us the Creeds, ever since its origins. There has always been an Ark in our ranks, though due to their heritage. Arks don't live long, yet they live everyday to the fullest. Eat, sleep, fuck and battle. Some don't even have a care in the world, I blame that on their instincts. Beast-like in every way but noble and loyal like a dog, it's no wonder their crest is a canine.
I carried on with my path led by the terrain women. Her walk attracted the eyes of many. We went up the stairs till we made it to the third floor. The room we headed to was the farthest from the staircase at the corner. She opened it and gestured to me to follow.
In the room were two men, who, from how they were positioned, were military. One stood at the window peeking out into the city, and he acted as surveillance. The other guy stood on the left side of the entrance. Both their weapons were concealed but ready to be drawn if need be. On one of the beds laid a boy, his hair was what caught my eye. It was a long dread, but that wasn't the weird part, I know how dreads should be, and those were too perfect. The thing that really caught my eye was that they were green, a deep, somewhat natural green like tree vine. Wait a minute, those are vines.
"Lord Koba, please wake up when Capitaneus Dakila has arrived." The man at the window spoke.
"Mm..mm..auhh!" The boy yawned as he woke up and stretched himself.
"Capitaneus Dakila, it's a pleasure to meet you." The man standing next to me said.
"The pleasure is mine."
"Surely you understand that we can not share our names, protocol."
"That's how militaries work, so it's expected now."
"Angola, are we all leaving now? Is Sheppard and Mandla coming along as well?"
"Yes Master Koba." The woman replied.
"Lord Koba, you mustn't mention our names in front of strangers…by the gods never mind."
"I'm sorry I didn't know."
"Don't be Master Koba, Mandla is just being paranoid as usual." Sheppard intervened.
"And a bum." Angola interjected, and the boy giggled. This only showed me just how innocent he is. I've seen boys his age not knowing anything but being prepared for this war. They don't have that kind of smile. This world will surely eat it up eventually. That's the kind of world we live in.
"That was unnecessary."
"But it is true, this is no stranger. It's Capitaneus Dakila Stastny of the Flash Tyrants, the protégé that left. The Blue Tyrant and so many other names that I can't mention in front of Master Koba." I see why these people were assigned his escorts. Most military personnel are stiff individuals. These three are miscreants, but have incredible chis. "I'm a huge fan, by the way." Sheppard held out his hand, and I shook it. "Sheppard Bana, Lieutenant, and these two are under my command."
"Thank you, Sheppard, Angola, and Mandla."
"No need to introduce yourself. Your reputation speaks for itself."
"I'm Akiyon Koba!" The boy shouted and was embarrassed when we all turned to him. "Did I do something? I thought we were introducing ourselves."
"I know who you are, Lord Koba, in fact I'm here for you."
"I'm not a Lord." The boy said.
"Lord Koba, you are a noble of Terra." Mandla professes
"I don't think I'm a noble, Gemanda says Lords are nobles who live in big houses of stone. I live in a tree, so I can't be a noble."
"That is true, but your bloodline is that of nobility." Angola told the boy as she closed the door behind me.
"So I am a noble, will I also live in a big stone house?"
"If you want."
"Can the stone house move like trees back home?"
"Ahh no Lord Koba. Stone houses don't move." I interjected.
"Stone houses are weird." The boy commented.
Wow, he really is ignorant of this world. He doesn't even know that much of society. Well, if I grew up in a magical forest with moving trees, I guess I would also find that normal.
"Indeed they are Lord koba, I really need a house that could follow me everywhere. Sleeping on my comfortable bed is all I ask for sometimes." He laughed at my joke. It was good to have my humour appreciated. "You want to see the city and eat some ice cream."
"Ice cream?" The boy held his chin. "What is that, Angola?"
"It's a cold treat that tastes sweet and…"
"You had me at sweets." His eyes lit up. "Let me grab Anrumba." He took his long staff covered with bandages, which I assume was Anrumba.
"Is it wise to take your staff…"
"Anrumba." He interrupted.
"An-room-ba with you, we will only take a trip around the city and come back here. Also, what if someone steals it or you lose it, Fuse is a large city."
"I don't go anywhere without him."
Him? It must be his spirit weapon, then if he's giving it pronouns, I call mine a her, but don't l men do that? Why doesn't he just unmaterialise it, or it's just a powerful family heirloom.
"That's understandable, Lord Koba."
"Please Capitaneus Dakila Stastny, please call me Akiyon."
"Of course lor…I mean Akiyon. Call me Dakila."
"Really does that mean you and I are now friends."
"If you are a good friend? Then yes."
"I am! I mean, I'm a good friend." He held out his hand and shook it. A sudden green light enveloped me, and everyone else was just as shocked.
"What just happened?" I asked.
"It seems you've been accepted by the forest. We may flashport to Electruim immediately." Angola answered.
It was that easy. A simple handshake made things set.
"I'm sure you're thinking it was that easy right now, but Mandla was electrocuted unconscious the moment he touched Lord Koba." Sheppard said as he placed his hand on my shoulders and whispered something to me. "If you betray his trust or that of the forest, the next time you touch him. Being smited will be the least of your troubles."
Angola's demeanour had also shifted, and Mandla's stare cemented to me that this was a serious matter.
"Stop bullying, Dakila! He is my friend now, and the forest only accepts good people."
"What does it mean about me?" Mandla asked.
"Um it means you have a ways to go."
Angola and Sheppard burst into laughter at the boy's response
Sheppard pointed at his comrade. "You hear that Mandla, even a forest, thinks you need to work on being kind."
"Mister Dakila, can we still get ice cream?"
"Of course, then we will leave."
"Okay let's go!" he led the way out the door.
Titen's POV
Morning came or what felt like morning to my internal watch, I am hungry, so that's another indicator. At night, I could hear the guards changing, ao I knew that I slept till a guard change was necessary. I stood from my bed and began with stretching my back, and then every other joint and bone was next on the agenda. I attended what I felt needed to attend more than once.
My workout began with fifty push-ups, then crunches, which were followed by handstand push-ups, and then to end my session, I finished off with squats. I went back to stretching my body, and the door was opened by a guard. I stood up and looked at the man no younger than Nam, it's not that often I've heard for Creeds to make it to fifty. Some die before that or retire, it's demanding work being a Creed.
"Turn around and put your hands behind your back."
"I didn't know I was a prisoner." I joked but did as he said. He cuffed both hands with chillium bracelets and directed me out of the room, still sweaty and breathing, not lightly. I walked down the hall into a different place I went, not far from my cell. The door was opened for me to take a bath and towel with soap, and they pushed me in.
"Clean up, the exam starts in an hour."
I guess this was the reason why they didn't give me time to wear my shirt. I took off my pants and headed into the bath.
"It's cold." I thought outloud.
Several minutes later, I knocked on the door after cleaning myself up, I turned around and placed my hands behind my back. I was escorted back to my room and to my surprise were changed out. Instead of my old light blue nagajuban, it was exchanged with a similar one but grey and black hakama. Two black tabi layed next to two sune ate and two sode. I looked at the floor and saw two waraji, I picked them up and placed them next to my feet.
"Yep definitely my size."
The two guards stood out to the door for one particular reason. My sword was on my bed as well.
"Hurry up and get dressed."
There were other things on my bed, but too much armour was never my style. This is the gear of a samurai most of it. I started with my nagajuban or what people call here a shirt. My black hakama or pants followed, I tied the top with my hakubutai. My tabi or socks followed after with both sune ate or shin guards onto both my legs. I gestured to one of the guards to help tie my side onto my left arm, which was a vest sleeve while I left a lone long sleeve.
It was so long was so long my knees. I went for my sword and inserted it into my hakubutai, I didn't sense any hesitation from the guard as I did so. Expected of a veteran warrior not to be shaken by someone grabbing their weapon. The waraji or sandals were the last to be put on, and I tied my hair into a ponytail with my string.
"Why tie your hair like that? It makes you look feminine."
"Would you prefer pigtails?" I joked with a grin larger than my face. He probably hasn't met a Terragon before now. This is how we all tie our hair.
"Let's go." The guard said.
I guess he didn't like jokes. I led the way out of the cell and went to the opposite side of the room I bathed in, we were heading for the stairs. I made it to the first or ground floor of Maximiliano where the receptionist was at work. It was early in the day so there weren't that many people. The receptionists and everyone looked tired but the moment I was recognised they woke up from their slumps.
The states were what I had come to expect, full of hatred and disgust as if I started this war. Others didn't care much, they just glanced and went about their business. One Fulgurian woman at the receptionist table smiled and waved at me, I did the same. One of her co-workers didn't like this and started pulling at her cheeks, she was beautiful even then. It is to be expected that any association with me would displease the other woman, she is Terrain afterall.
I was directed down a corridor till I made it to some sort of coliseum , where other individuals were gathered. The guards made me hold out my hands and unlocked the chillium bracelets, it felt like the weight of the world was taken off my shoulders. They made their way out of the coliseum and left me at the attention of everyone there, who gladly stared at me with disgust. There whispers in the distance, it was like they've never seen a Terragon before. Oh wait! If they did they wouldn't be alive today. I made my way to my own corner and everyone made sure to keep their distance, I just stood in silence with my eyes closed.
A flashport in the middle of the coliseum took me out of my silence, I recognised that chi, Dakila I thought. There were four other chi signals with him but one stood out to me, it was the boy's. His chi in a way felt like mine, but that would be impossible unless he too was an evol. The boy said his goodbyes to his comrades he came with and asked Dakila something. Dakila simply looked around and pointed directly at me. The boy smiled at me and said his goodbyes to Dakila, he mesmerised not only me but everyone else in the coliseum. His long green dreads and his chi were astounding as he walked closer to me.
"Hello, are you Titen?" He asked.
"Yes, what do you want?" I hoped my attitude would deter him, he simply held out his hand.
"I want us to be friends." He said with a smile bigger than life.
"Friends?" I tilted my head in confusion. "Is this some sort of trick?"
"Why do you say that?" The lightskin terrain's face turned from joy to confusion. "I just want to be your friend."
"You must not know who I am, otherwise you wouldn't be asking me to be your friend."
"Why not? You and I are the same."
"We are not the same."
"Yes we are, you have an evolved affinity and so do I. That's one of the reasons."
"And the others?"
"We don't have many friends either." The boy giggled, I joined him because it was true. "You laughed, you see I'm a good friend. Friends make each other laugh, so do you want to be my friend."
"Sorry no. I just don't trust you."
"You don't, Gemanda said to show someone my power if I want to make them my friend."
"You don't…"
"Great Ark Art: Emergence!"
Did he say Great Ark? A tree with vines emerged from the ground as the boy twirled his staff. I've never seen another evolved affinity before, but this one felt so familiar to me. Such great power I thought, he must really be him. The Great Ark forest Guardian.
"I see, then I still don't trust you."
"What!?"
An approaching figure drew near and nearer, his chi reminded me of the Arc woman that brought me that tasty food last night.
"Well I must say that is a impressive tree you creoied here." The orange-haired boy said.
"Creoid what is that?" Akiyon asked.
"You don't, you mean it isn't a creo."
It is not common knowledge but us evols can make somethings like a creo yet we don't call them creo, due to because we do not determine its shape.
"No, it's a tree."
"Well I can see that much, greetings my name is Katon Arc." he held out his hand.
"My name is Akiyon Koba, want to be my friend?" He went to take Katon's hand but immediately Katon withdrew his own hand, fear enveloped his otherwise cheerful face.
"What was that?" He asked.
I was confused. What's wrong with his hand? Either way I'm glad I didn't take it, if the Arcs are good for anything. It's their inhuman instincts that's why most party's try to recruit them and their insane power. Katon wouldn't be afraid to touch him without a reason.
"Oh sorry, I forget sometimes. Angola said not to touch anyone."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"The forest will smite whoever it deems bad to me, she said."
It's a good thing I didn't touch him.
"Well in that case let us test this smiting!" The Arc boy shouted and held Akiyon's hand with zero regard, he was enveloped by a green light. "Nothing happened to me." He sounded disappointed.
"Well that must mean you're good."
"It must mean that indeed kid! Hahaha!" He bursted into a loud laughter, forcing the attention onto him. The Arc boy is tall around five feet eleven or ten and looks a little older than the other boy who stood behind him. Their chi signals are nearly identical so they must be closely related. The other Arc is half terrain, he must be his brother from another mother. "Lotien come shake this kid's hand."
"…." The other stood in silence this entire time but closely watched me when I first entered. Now his eyes were focused solely on Akiyon as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. I don't blame him, the Great Ark Guardian is a mystery to everyone in the realm yet we all know of him including my family.
"Are we now friends?"
"Friends!? No! We are brothers just like me and Lot."
"I've never had a brother before."
"I'm glad to be your first, what you say Terragon? Want to be my brother as well?" He looked at me very differently from Akiyon, it wasn't the usual look of disgust. It was as if a predator would stalk his prey.
"No, I'm fine being an only child."
"Hahaha! I wouldn't know how to live with myself. My little brother is my world."
"You're embarrassing me." His brother commented nonchalantly but kept his gaze fixed on Akiyon.
"C'mon omega don't you feel the same way about me?" He looked at his brother with a brightness that nearly brightened the sky before dawn could do it.
"You want to be my friend omega or is it Lot?"
"Lotien is fine Great Ark Guardian."
"Well Terragon It's a pleasure to meet you at last."
"The pleasure is all mine. Was it Katon right?"
"Excuse me." A Terrain boy announced but was looking at Akiyon. Are you really the Great Ark Guardian?
"Yes."
The boy bowed and some of the other Terrains did the same, including Katon's brother. In seconds of his arrival he had drawn in a swarm of people to my position. They began to overwhelm him with questions while eyeballing me distastefully at the same time.
"Are you really the Ark Guardian?"
"Why is your hair green, is that even hair?"
"Is it true that…" The questions continued.
"You want to be my friend?" He asked everyone the same question even though you could see that he was overwhelmed. It's no wonder why the Terrains are fawning over him, he is akin to a myth to them, not just us outsiders. The states were inescapable for me, curiosity and animosity blocked Akiyon from me. I simply took the message and moved to a different section to have my space again. I was avoided and looked at as I made my way to a new space, I didn't mind the stares just as long as I was left alone. I stood in my new corner and was avoided by a plague by those who were in close proximity to me. I closed my eyes for a second and opened them when I felt the breath of someone on my face. I opened my eyes to the figure of Akiyon, how did he get so close without me sensing? "Why don't you want to be my friend?"
"Are you forcing me?"
"No I'm not." His expression went from cheerful to sad, this angered many individuals even the guards who watched from the stands.
"Huugh!" I exhaled. "It's not that i don't want to be your friend, I'm just not the kind of friend you want. I'm a Terragon."
"I'm a Koba."
"It seems you don't know much about this world, Koba."
"I know that the Perdita blades must be retrieved from bad people, that all Gemanda told me."
"Those people are my family, that's why everyone here hates me. Including even Capitaneus Dakila who brought you here."
"Dakila doesn't hate you, he said you saved his life."
Dakila said that, either way it doesn't change that this kid is bad news. I know that if he touches me I'll be smited, due to its condition. We are polar opposites, I can tell that much about him and he should too. Then why does he want to be my friend so badly? I've never met someone whom I've never felt indifferent but I actually am annoyed by this guy. What is his deal, is this some ploy for me to lower my guard or something else entirely?
"Stay away from him Great Ark Guardian." One of the Terrain said as he touched Akiyon shoulder. Immediately after doing that he flew back a few feet, his body was shaking as if he was being electrocuted. Akiyon turned to see the boy unconscious and ran to him immediately.
"I'm sorry, are you okay?" He lifted his head and placed his hand on his forehead. "Great Ark Art: Mother's nature." A green light emanated from his hand and the unconscious boy woke up immediately. Healing capabilities, that is impressive and useful. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, actually never better. Forgive me for touching you without your permission Great Ark Guardian."
"Call me Akiyon Koba,you want to be my friend?"
"It would be my honour." The boy stood. "My name is Enza of house Vala. I know your family, house Koba."
"You know my family, how are they?"
"They are a noble house, a symbol of honour to our people. I could say that about you."
As the two boys were talking an ominous but powerful chi signal appeared, it gave me goosebumps. It entered the coliseum and had everyone stunned, what made the situation worse it was coming my direction. It came from a Luxian boy, other Luxians bowed their heads to the boy being entourage by two strong boys in their own right. Katon and his brother headed towards the three Luxians but then as the sun finally fully rose, an even much more powerful individual appeared. He looked down on us from his podium, it was Lord Justice the leader of the Creed.
"Welcome warriors to the six hundred and fifty third Creed acceptance exam, my name is Justice." Other figures appeared alongside the Lord Justice side on the podium and took a seat on the ten chairs present there.
I know them, the monk sat on the red chair, he is Headmaster of the Dragon Temple and also the Fire Elemento. The next individual took his seat on the grey chair, he is Hanzuki Tobita. The Metal Elemento, their chi signals were nothing to scoff at.
"For the rules of your exam to be explained you have one minute to choose your partner who will partake with you. Those without a partner will not be allowed to move forward!" Lord Justice announced as he looked only at me, as if he didn't know what was fucked up with this condition.
People started to break up into groups of two and Akiyon unsurprisingly was swarmed with requests. I looked around to check my other options but those eyes and smirks told me everything. I decided to take my only option and walked up to him.
"Hey!" He quickly fled the group and came straight to me as a dog would to his master. "You want to be my partner?"
"You mean it, will you also be my friend?"
"Of course, why not?"
"Let's shake on it." Well I guess there isn't any avoiding it now, I took his hand cautiously. If contact with him began to electrocute even the slightest part of my hand, I'm backing away. To my surprise I wasn't smited instead a green light enveloped me, it's warm I thought.
"Well then Akiyon I guess we are now friends or partners. Partner." I smiled at him.
"Partner." He smiled back