As I emerged, I noticed the guards.
With a mere glance at me, they returned to their original stances. They totally ignored my presence.
"Ria, come on, let's go," Thalia's voice echoed in my ears. "You had some guts eavesdropping on the Elders' conversation."
"I wasn't … it was that I was going and… You know what, forget it. So what are we doing now?"
"We will meet Captain Dai for further instructions."
"They don't believe I'm the Ryuu, right?"
"I do, so don't worry."
"So where can we find Captain Dai?" I asked.
"He should be in the Water Faction headquarters. Come on, I'll show you," she replied, gesturing for me to follow her through a narrow passage between two walls.
"There are six factions in the kingdom. They are the Wind, Water, Earth, Fire, Lightning, and Special Division Squad."
"What's the Special Division Squad?" I inquired.
"It's the faction for people with special techniques."
She placed her hand on a stone that glowed and pathway opened up before us.
"Welcome to the Water Faction!"
The Water Faction appeared like a lush island adorned with waterfalls and fountains. The breathtaking sight made me wonder if the Fire Faction would be in flames and…
"Hey, Thalia!" Many people swarmed around Thalia, bombarding her with questions. She was as popular as Suzune.
The thought saddened me.
"Ria, come on, let's go," Thalia called to me, making a subtle gesture. That's when I realized that everyone's attention was now focused on me.
"What's going on here?" I heard that same voice. It was Captain Dai, and everyone immediately dropped to one knee.
Silence filled the surroundings. I could even hear the waterfall now.
"Captain Dai, the Elders requested that you attend to an urgent matter," Thalia spoke up.
"And what could that be?" he asked, his expression filled with confusion. Thalia glanced at everyone, signaling Dai it was private.
"You may all go," he declared with unwavering authority.
"Yes sir!" they all responded in unison, their voices filled with respect and obedience. Once they had departed, Dai turned his gaze towards us, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"So, what is it, Thalia?" he inquired.
"The Elders have instructed you to seek out her technique," Thalia explained.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, taken aback. "But why me? I mean, this seems like a task more suited for Asaraki Shotake. Why entrust it to me?" he pondered, placing a hand on his chin. I didn't think he was addressing me, so I remained silent, observing the conversation unfold.
"Ria, follow me," Dai commanded, his voice firm yet gentle.
"Follow me, and you'll understand soon enough." With those words, he led the way into a nearby room, gesturing me to join him.
As I entered the room, he tossed me a technique orb, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Go ahead, let's see what you can do," he encouraged.
I complied, activating the orb, and to no surprise, the same thing occurred as before. Dai's expression shifted. It showed surprise and intrigue. He retrieved a book from the nearby shelf and began reading it.
"I heard you sent Thalia to fetch me," I spoke up, breaking the silence.
"Yes, I did," he replied without lifting his gaze from the book.
"Did you know my parents then?" I inquired, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"No, I didn't," he answered.
"How did you know I was in the human realm or wherever I was?"
A brief silence hung in the air.
A small smile escaped his lips.
"I should have explained everything from the beginning. You see, I have spent countless years researching the Ryuu and its powers. I have delved into its past, its secrets. And yes, I knew the previous Ryuu."
"You knew her?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Yes, I did," he replied, placing a finger to his lips. "But this must remain our secret, understood?"
I nodded.
He knew a lot about the Ryuu. He also made the machine that led Thalia to find me.
"That's how we were able to locate you by connecting the past Ryuu's essence," he explained.
"What happened to her?" I asked
"She passed away like normal."
"When a ryuu dies another is immediately born. But now, the question remains, are you the Ryuu?"
I pondered on his words, unsure of my own identity.
"Only you can discover the truth," he said, his voice filled with conviction.
"Come with me."
Together, we ventured deep into the heart of the waterfalls, where a small trickle of water flowed. It was a secluded place, hidden from everyone.
"Ria, I want you to strike that wall," he instructed, pointing towards a massive rock. "We need more water in this area."
I hesitated, doubting my strength. "But that's a solid rock!" I protested.
"You can do it," he encouraged, his faith unwavering. "Cloak your hand in your Tàh, and if my theory is correct, you will break through."
"How do I do that?"
"Calm yourself, breathe"
I obeyed.
"Now feel your essence... Feel Tàh"
I tried.
And at first it wasn't working but I began feeling the same energy I felt when Red hurt my dad but this was different.
This was calm, peaceful.
I followed his instructions, enveloping my hand in the energy of my Tàh. I felt a familiar tingling. The mahogany-colored energy surged forth. It spiraled out of control.
"Imagine the shape you desire," he advised.
"Visualize it in your mind." I pictured a pair of gloves, like those worn by professional boxers.
The energy obeyed my command, taking the form I had imagined.
"Now, Ria, strike the wall!" he exclaimed, excitement evident in his voice.
I charged toward the rock, delivering a powerful blow. But to my dismay, my fingers shattered upon impact.
I glared at the Captain of the Water Faction, frustration and anger welling up within me.
"Don't look at me like that," he said. "You hesitated, and that's why you lost control." He handed me a vial of water. "Rub this on your fingers," he instructed.
"What is this water?" I inquired.
"It is special water. It has healing properties."
To my astonishment, the excruciating pain in my fingers vanished. With a determined spirit, I clenched my fist and struck the rock once more. This time, the water within the rock began to flow out.
"Ha! You've done it!" Captain Dai exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. But he composed himself, realizing my presence.
"What happened?" I asked, looking at Dai for answers.
"I have my theories, but I will confirm them before sharing. For now, act as if you belong to the faction, alright?" he replied.
"Alright, sir," I responded, feeling dissatisfied with his vague answer.
I went back into the room and found Thalia and the others there.
"Have you found a technique yet?" she inquired further.
"Not yet, but he said it will happen soon," I assured her.
"Thalia, who is your friend?" a boy called out from downstairs. He must have seen me before. Thalia glanced at me, and I nodded, giving her permission to introduce me.
"Guys, this is Ria," but Captain Dai's return interrupted her.
"Ria, Thalia, follow me," Captain Dai commanded, and we obeyed.
¶
"No one can know that Ria is the Ryuu. I've read your report. We still don't know how that man Red found Ria. We must expect a traitor among us working for X. So, for now, no one can know. Tell everyone that she will be taking the exam, and I brought her here to learn about our faction. Do you understand?" Captain Dai explained to Thalia.
"Understood, sir!" Thalia saluted once again, and Captain Dai gestured for her to return inside. "Alright, go back and inform them of what I told you. Ria, come with me," Captain Dai instructed, leading me away.
"Water technique: Liquid Transposition," he said. An orb of water enveloped us.
"What is happening?" I exclaimed.
"Don't be afraid, remain calm," Captain Dai reassured me. The orb filled with water. When it descended, we found ourselves standing in front of a white curtain that covered half of the room.
We were in the presence of the Elders.
"You have arrived, Dai," one of the Elders acknowledged.
"Yes, I have," Captain Dai replied.
"Ria," the voice of the woman, Sijeni, spoke. "Do you believe yourself to be the Ryuu? Well, all the evidence points to you being the Ryuu," she said, referring to the device that located me and my Tàh.
"I don't have any techniques," I objected.
"But you do have one," she insisted. "You have the physical manifestation of Tàh."
"I don't understand," I admitted, feeling lost.
"Dai, please explain it to her," she requested, handing over to Dai.
He looked at me and began to speak. "Every Kaizu has energy within them. It manifests in different ways when we draw it out of our bodies. For some, it appears as techniques, like Fire or Wind, and for others, like me, it manifests as Water."
"But I still don't understand where this is leading," I said, seeking clarity.
"You are different, Ria. You can manifest your Tàh without it transforming into anything else," Dai explained.
"And is that a good thing?" I asked, unsure of what this meant for me.
"Yes, it is," he replied, his excitement evident. "Now, you can shatter other people's Tàh because you directly affect it and overcome their techniques."
"I can do that?" I asked.
"Yes, you can!" Dai confirmed. "You see, when two Kaizu's Tàh clash, the stronger one always prevails.
It doesn't matter if it's fire against water. If the fire user is stronger, he'll win because his Tàh is more powerful. But in your case, since your Tàh manifests…"
"My Tàh would be the strongest," I finished his sentence.
"So, you are the Ryuu," another voice chimed in from behind the white curtain. "You will remain under Dai's guidance until further notice, and you must learn to control your powers.
Have you heard of the prophecy, Ria?" the voice asked me.
"Yes, I am meant to stop the impending war," I replied, recalling my purpose.
"That is a part of it," the voice continued, but another voice from within interrupted. "That is all you need to know."
How many voices were there? And what did they mean by saying that's all I needed to know? Was there something else, something dangerous?
Once again, the woman named Sijeni addressed me. Her voice carried a sense of authority and determination. "You will take the Knights entrance exam."
"Then, you will join the esteemed ranks of the Tàh knights," she said. "I understand that you must have inquiries, but fear not, Dai will provide you with all the answers you seek. Now, you may take your leave, for there is another who requires our attention."
"Gratitude to the esteemed elders," Dai inclined his head, his left hand resting on his chest. With that, we departed. As we made our way, my eyes caught sight of a person with black hair. He wore clothes like Dai's, but only in black.
"Greetings, Captain Dai," the figure addressed.
"Ah, Captain Kurozaka, how fares the Special Techniques Division?" Dai reciprocated the greeting.
"All is well," Kurozaka replied.
"Were you summoned by the Elders, Captain Kuro?" Dai inquired.
"Yes, indeed. And you?" Kurozaka returned the question.
"I went to speak with them," Dai responded.
"And who might this be?" Kurozaka's gaze shifted towards me.
"She is my niece. She will be residing with me at the Water Faction headquarters," Dai explained.
"Very well, I must take my leave then. I wouldn't want to keep the Elders waiting," Kurozaka stated.
"Until we meet again," Dai bid farewell. We resumed our journey.
"Who was that?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.
"That was Captain Kurozaka Sotsuya, the Captain of the Special Techniques Division. But let us not dwell on that for now. You must prepare yourself for the upcoming examination next week," Dai urged.
"What examination? You mentioned it before as well," I asked.
"It is the Knights entrance exam," Dai explained. "They only accept three individuals as Knights of the Tàh."
"What exactly is a Knight of the Tàh?" I hastened my steps to catch up with him.
"Knights are divided into three categories. The first, the War Knights, are responsible for combat in the ongoing war. The second group, the Knights of the Tàh, oversees the city and its people. And finally, the Royal Knights have the highest rank. They safeguard the Royal Palace," Dai explained.
"But if my goal is to bring an end to the ongoing war, wouldn't it be more fitting for me to become a War Knight?" I queried.
"I understand your perspective, but as the Ryuu, you must garner the support of the people in the kingdom. And the only way to achieve that is by becoming a Knight of the Tàh," he explained.
He used his Water Technique: Liquid Transposition again. It transported us back to the Water Faction headquarters. The water enveloped us, and in an instant, we found ourselves in a different location.
"Now, take some rest. You only have one week to prepare, but don't worry, I'll ask Thalia to assist you," he said, turning away and beginning to walk.
"Goodnight, Dai," I bid him farewell.
To my surprise, he turned back with a smile. "So, you can communicate with me," he remarked. "Goodnight to you too, and remember, it's Captain when addressing me."
As I gazed up at the sky, standing in awe, I couldn't help but think how breathtaking it appeared from where I stood.