The five boys cut a path through the forest floor at a good pace. Still relatively close to home, they were relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings. The forest was showing its first signs of autumn, with the occasional leaf turning yellow or red. Large trees dominated the old forest creating a canopy the group could walk under without difficulty but provided an almost otherworldly light as it filtered through the leaves and branches above them. The clean forest smell dominated everything as they travelled.

"So, you're the famous Hoon Quan, disciple of the beautiful Master Asha." Tran Junjie said excitedly as they walkedď. "What's that like?"

"Famous? How so, I'm nobody." Quan replied.

"He means mysterious." Tran Zao corrected his brother. He gave a more dour impression than his twin. "We rarely see you when you're not training or following one of your masters around."

"I suppose that’s true. I have a lot to learn. Having two Masters is demanding while I learn enough to catch up with all of you. They keep me on a pretty short leash these days."

"Ahh yes, the duel that never happens," Junjie laughed. "It's become a monthly betting game, will they or won't they."

"Ugh, why is everyone betting on my life lately?" Quan groaned. "I don't know when that will change," he added with a look at Qin, who only shrugged back without looking him in the eye, all but confirming his suspicions someone was behind his constant challenges.

"Is she always that mean? You must hate your master after humiliating you like that." Tram wondered.

"No, she's good. I earned the punishment. If I have to display little humility to earn her favour again, that's okay." He smiled ruefully.

"I agree! I'd do it too if it put me in her good books," Junjie jumped in. "Then we can spend all day sparring, sweaty bodies wrestling."

Quan rolled his eyes at the outrageous suggestion. "That is not at all how things go!"

"Not at first, but one day…" he trailed off wistfully.

"Forgive my brother." Zao said, "he is the Sect pervert."

"What? She's sexy. You can't deny she is the most beautiful woman in the sect."

"Tram, please save me from this conversation. Tell.me.about these Arrays we are going to check out."

Tram laughed and nodded, "What do you want to know?"

"Everything, I guess. I know Master Chiro uses runes in the forge. I think they are related?"

''Runes and arrays are distant cousins, I suppose." Tram started. "Runes are far simpler. They are mostly limited to one simple action and draw their power from the user. Arrays are almost infinitely complex and can do many many things. They can be powered by one or more people using it or by spirit crystals, giving you a lot more options as well. The ones we will be inspecting use crystals to last a while and are simple alarms that send an alert to a monitor station in the Sect."

"What kinds of things can you do?"

"Oh wow, so much. Shields and attacks, especially elemental ones. Ki gathering for a ritual or to make a better cultivation area. Alarms, like I mentioned, which means a detection and communication element. Some can be used to scry. I've even heard of transportation Arrays, but those might be just a legend. In theory, just about anything, you can think of if you’re smart enough to build the array."

"I'm sure it takes years to learn all the formations, but how quickly can you set one up."

"Oh well, that depends. A really advanced and complicated one might take years. Some are meant for battle and can be cast instantly using battle flags or spirit stones."

"You'll have to show us later."

"Oh, I don't know." Tram visibly wilted at the suggestion, "I'm not very good at battle Arrays."

"But he's a genius at standard Arrays," Qin jumped in. "He's the youngest in a generation to be approved to repair the sect's border arrays. Don't underestimate him!'

Tram perked up under the praise, and Quam had to admire the way Qin had jumped in to keep his spirits high before things could go off track.

"That's impressive. I look forward to seeing your work out here. How long have you been studying Arrays? It sounds like the most complicated area I've heard of." Quan resumed his questions.

"Well, my dad is the Sect array Master. So, for as long as I can remember. He used to give me little puzzles to figure out when I was a kid. I found out much later they were logic puzzles given to new students."

"'Sounds like your father planned your life for you. That's okay with you?"

"Why wouldn't it be? Isn't that how all parents work. I enjoy it, and it's a well-respected field. I'd say he chose right." Tram defended.

"Good for you then. What about you two," Quan asked, looking at the brothers again. "Are you following your father's footsteps?"

"He's a hunter for the sect. We haven't picked a calling yet, but we both went with scouting and tracking arts, so possibly. Something similar, at least." Junjie quickly answered, leaving Zao to just nod in agreement.

"And before you can ask, Qin here is a purr warrior breed. His father is Master, whose father is an elder, like his father before him until the start of time, I think!"

"That's quite the legacy," Quan said. "Prince of the Sect"

Qin’s eyes narrowed at the suggestion. “Hardly, I have to work just like everyone else.”

“Is your father your master, this great rival of Asha’s?” Quan asked.

“No, thankfully, they decided I took after my mother and I trained with another master more suited.” Qin held out his hand and said, “Turns out they were right,” as fire engulfed his hand, it was a small flame, but visible to all as a sort of glove from his wrist up.

“Oh wow,” Junjie said, “I didn’t know you could manifest an element already.”

Qin smiled, “Just barely, but it proves I have the right master. My father is a strong earth user but has no fire talent at all.”

Quan shook his head, “Damn, I was hoping I might be catching up to you, but you’re still running ahead. I haven’t even discussed ‘manifesting an element’ yet. I’ve just started training with my spear here.” He jostled the wooden spear resting on his shoulder.

“It will be your next step when you’ve cleared all your meridians.” Qin supplied helpfully. “It took me months of meditation to do it the first time.”

“I guess we know who would win the match if you had one!” Junjie added in.

“Be nice now,” Zao admonished.

“No, it’s fine,” Quan said, “I’m sure he’s right. I was surprised you invited me with your group, to be honest.” He added, looking at Qin.

Qin shrugged, “I was thinking about your comments on Rivals when we first met, and how you’ve kept to yourself, and decided to reach out and see what happens.”

Quan laughed, “Well, in the city, A rival is an enemy usually, but there are friendly rivalries too. But usually, it’s a friend you decide to compete with, not a rival you.” Quan shrugged, “or I’m just an idiot, but you caught me off guard. Probably cause it was all talk of rivals while preparing to fight. If you’re not in a fighting sect, throwing a punch usually means someone is very angry or trying to hurt you.”

“I should have considered that,” Qin said, “I don’t know anyone from outside the sect.”

“No one?” Quan said. To which Qin shook his head, and the others agreed quickly. “How can I be the only student from the city or the other small towns and farms?”

“Some of the older students or adults came from there,” Tram answered, “just none of the current students that I can think of.”

Quan frowned, “That’s very interesting.” Something to consider there. Quan thought to himself.

“Well, either way, I think this will be fun. So thank you.” Quan finished.

"How about you since you've quizzed all of us?" Qin asked. "I'm sure you all know already. My father was a blacksmith, when I showed I could cultivate, I was brought to Master Chiro who was willing to take me later than the other masters since I already had training as a blacksmith. I begged to learn to fight too and Asha took pity on me so long as I worked hard and did what I was told. Then I went and accepted a fight she told me I wasn't ready for, and I've been in pain ever since."

The others laughed at his pain. "Ahh well, we all do something stupid at some point," Tram said.

“Okay, now about Asha,” Junjie started.

“Pervert, go find us some fresh meat for supper.” Qin cut in with a laugh.

“You are no fun at all! I have days to get my questions answered.” Junjie said as he and his brother trotted off in separate directions for a quick hunt.