After they all ate their fill, they gathered around to talk about what had happened.
"So... you taught Remy a cultivation method?" Kael asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and surprise.
Kael knew that cultivation methods were usually guarded secrets, something one would never share lightly. Yet here Alden was, freely passing it on to Remy. The weight of that gesture filled Kael with deep gratitude. He didn't fully grasp the true value of the cultivation method, but he understood enough to realize that even if he sold everything he owned—his belongings, even himself—it still wouldn't be enough to repay Alden for what he had given them. The weight of that generosity struck Kael hard.
Without a second thought, Kael slid out of his wheelchair and knelt on the ground in a dogeza-like bow.
"Thank you... thank you so much... I have nothing of value to trade for your knowledge. I can only offer my deepest gratitude... I'm truly sorry," Kael said, his head pressed to the ground.
Both Alden and Remy winced at the sight. It was never Alden's intention to make Kael feel indebted, yet his gesture had somehow created a huge misunderstanding.
For Remy, seeing Kael kneel and bow to someone else struck a deeper chord. Kael had never bowed to anyone before, and Remy had always admired his resilience and stubbornness. Now, watching Kael humble himself for someone else, not for his own sake, filled Remy with a sense of helplessness and frustration. He hated seeing Kael like this.
But Remy couldn't bring himself to stop Kael. He understood the value of the cultivation method—he experienced it himself after all. It tore him, realizing how powerless he was, unable to prevent Kael from lowering his head to someone else. Though Remy didn't particularly like Alden, he could only follow Kael's lead and bow in earnest.
Pride? What good was that if he was too weak to protect it? Remy could only blame his own weakness. He vowed to grow stronger—strong enough that both he and Kael could lift their heads high, so that Kael would never have to lower his head to anyone ever again.
Alden, watching them both, felt a heavy pang of guilt. He didn't want them to feel this way.
"Don't do that, Kael," Alden said, kneeling beside him, voice firm but kind. "I shared the cultivation method because you saved my life. I think my life is worth the value of that method. This is my repayment for what you did. You don't owe me anything."
Kael blinked up at him, then to Remy and grinned wryly. "See, Remy? Sometimes doing good deeds pay off. We've hit the jackpot this time."
Remy sighed, squeaking in resignation as he followed Kael's playful lead. The heavy atmosphere lightened as Kael found his usual playful energy.
*****
Later, Alden and Remy stepped outside to continue their training, leaving Kael alone in the cave. As the silence settled around him, Kael's thoughts wandered, eventually landing on something he hadn't considered in a while. His eyes drifted towards the small pile of belongings he had stashed away.
"Talent crystal, huh... I think I left it in there."
He wheeled himself over, pushing aside worn scraps and blankets until his fingers brushed against a faintly glowing stone. He'd forgotten about it for so long, dismissing it as worthless because of his damaged origin root. But now, holding the crystal in his hand, he couldn't help but wonder.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to know what his talent actually was. The priest had said it held extraordinary potential, after all.
Curiosity and doubt battled within him. He hesitated for a moment but then made up his mind. He stared at the crystal, its soft glow reflecting in his eyes.
"It can't hurt to try... right?"
Kael took a deep breath, focusing on the crystal, preparing to absorb its power. He felt a faint pull from the crystal, the first trace of energy starting to flow into him—but just as he began, the ground beneath him trembled.
The shaking intensified rapidly, as though a giant was walking nearby. Kael's eyes snapped open, and he looked toward the cave's entrance. The vibrations grew stronger, the very air vibrating with energy.
"What the...?"
Kael muttered, clutching the crystal tightly as the earth continued to quake.
Fearing the worst, Kael wheeled himself out of the cave, his heart pounding. As he emerged into the open, the sight that greeted him froze him in place.
High above in the sky, two beings were locked in a ferocious battle. Their figures twisted and clashed in mid-air, each impact sending shockwaves through the earth below. The sheer power of their fight was incomprehensible. The force of their blows ripped through the surrounding forest, uprooting trees and shaking the ground beneath Kael's feet.
The energy was overwhelming, unlike anything Kael had ever felt before. His breath caught in his throat as the shockwaves from their battle began rolling toward him, tearing apart the ground on its path.
Suddenly, a voice rang out over the chaos, cutting through the noise.
"Kael! Get down!"