Family Reunion I

Ask a group of people on how they want to die and majority of them would answer painlessly and instantly. Some of them may even answer that they would rather not wake up than slowly die in agonizing pain.

*Zzzt… Zzzt.

If Clay were to remove the piece of cloth covering his ears, he would be able to hear the cries of the three struggling Scorpion River Prawns as they take their final breaths. He had to cover his ears as the sound the prawns were making is similar to a dog begging mercy to be killed. After a few more minutes, they finally stopped moving as the roots of Lievrem Flowers invaded their blood veins and took root on their hearts and continuously spread all over the prawn’s bodies. The fact that these magical beasts do not have souls is what consoles Clay as he brutally guided the roots of the flower and forced it to eat its prey for an entire evening.

Clay carefully planted the Lievrem Flowers at the edge of the pond near the Psuedo Spiritual Vein before going home. It is already morning and he is exhausted.

Yesterday when he left the cabbie driver to die, he ignored what was said about destiny nor did he entertain the idea of the leaving the planet or cultivate again to protect himself from the Soul Seal that is slowly ticking inside him. Certainly the idea of destiny is plausible but not convincing enough. To him, their meeting is just one of those coincidences that littered the world.

As for that Soul Seal, it is still a mystery as to why and who would place it on him. If he has an ability to remember his past life, why would not he remember anything prior his life on earth. And what could he have possibly have had done that someone sacrificed all of his strength to place it on him and why did no one track him down nor tracking him down now.

The only thing that gives him peace of mind now is that he was advised it will unseal within 50 years and this is more than enough time for him to live a fruitful and die of old age. And if it does unseal one day, he’d be too old to be threat.

He is still grateful though with the information shared to him. It did shed some light as to who and how everyone on earth died. But then again nothing really changed now that he knew who the perpetrators are. He feels bad that human life on earth had been extinguished but he does not feel the need to seek vengeance as he was on his death bed when Immortal Emerald Soul Sect arrived. Besides, even if he hypothetically exterminated the entirety of Green Mist Soul Sect as revenge, the life on earth he knew had long ceased and people should move on .Unless killing them would undo time, then he might consider.

After taking a bath, he heated the kettle for a nice morning tea before hitting the bed. As he grabbed a cup from the kitchen drawer, he heard a soft knock on the door.

“You home, Clay?”

“The door’s open, elder.”

Clay did not hear the door squeak nor felt footsteps so he put down the cup and walked towards the entrance. When he opened the door, he was surprised the village head is accompanied by young beautiful woman. She is stunning and gorgeously attractive but her physical appearance is not as striking as the faint aura she is emitting. This is the first time Clay has met a Foundation Establishment Expert during a regular day and his initial thought is that this scene must be the legendary arranged marriage.

“I was just preparing tea. Come on in.” Clay warmly smiled.

Clay’s train of thought immediately shifted when the visitor walked in but the village head stayed outside and even closed the door when the woman stepped inside.

The lady coldly said, “Spare me the hospitality but I wish to talk to you about your brother. I assume you’re Clay Nera, twin brother of Pionar Arshua, right?”

“I’ like to say no and I’m afraid I won’t be much of a help. Not only did the Arshuas disowned me but the last time I have seen my brother was 29 years ago.” Clay maintained the warm smile on his face.

“He’s currently in prison and part of his punishment is that only direct blood relatives can visit. I hope I can tag along. I can promise you that this will be the first and the last I will ask this favor.”

“I remember having a very supportive father and two younger brothers. What happened to them?”

“It would be better if you ask him that. I have a flying car and we can reach there in less than 30 minutes.”

“There is a reason I was disowned and my presence may stir more troubles. I sincerely ask this young lady to give up.” Clay apologetically responded.

“When you were in a coma, your brother found time to bring you medicines to support your growing body. His crime can only allow visitation once in fifty years. At least be thankful for once. Will you come?”

Clay was tongue-tied. He had always thought that his twin should have had already forgotten about him yet listening to the truth made tingling in his chest. It just never occurred to him that his twin would actually care for him.

He looked at the lady in her eyes and smiled. Judging from the way the she talks, Clay could already guess they have a deep and special relationship. Whatever circumstances that this lady needed him to be able to visit his twin, if this would somehow repay his brother, then his only choice is to agree.

“Do I need to dress up?” Clay politely asked.

The young lady said no and stepped outside to summon a flying car. Clay did not show any emotions of surprise as he entered the car. Similar to the boat-like magic tools he used to play with during his life at Gar Wahgar planet, it is operating using Formations to levitate.

Clay maintained his silence as they travel. For some reason, he just doesn’t feel the need to ask her name just like the cabbie driver. As they approach their destination, Clay noticed they are not far from the 35TH Branch School.

When the car landed, military personnel in combat suits came to greet them. Clay did not utter a word and closely followed the lady. The security is tight the lady even had to surrender her spatial ring. After fifteen minutes, they were brought inside a room with a long table near the wall.

“Need I remind you that if you do anything, including your Qi touching the prisoner will be punishable through harsh labor up to imprisonment of 10 years. Once you step out of the door, you won’t be able to enter again and lastly, you only have ten minutes”, said the guard before and summoned two seats from his spatial ring before leaving them both.

*Hisshh

The wall near the table made a swishing sound as it receded on the side revealing another white room with a prisoner seated with his hands chained on the table. The prisoner’s head had been shaved clean including his beard. The man has no cultivation but despite being a prisoner, he looked healthy. Clay would like to say a word but he noticed the young lady was about to burst into tears. He would like to give the two some privacy and walked to the door but upon realizing he won’t be able to enter again once he stepped out, he stood on the corner.

(I’m sorry I am breaking our engagement.)

*Sobs

(Don’t be. After all, I’m a criminal. You don’t want to get married to someone like me. Look at you. You’re beautiful, very accomplished. You’re outstanding in so many aspects. Forget about me and move on. Think of it like a nightmare.)

Clay meekly stood in the corner as he listened the two break their vows. He does not understand why his brother who’s supposed to be a one in million talent had his cultivation crippled and his freedom taken away and is suffering a lifetime imprisonment. Either he has committed an unforgivable crime or he had offended someone not to be messed with. Clay watched the timer.

(Wrap it up. You only have one more minute)

The two wanted to hold hands but the room is separated by a transparent glass. The young lady apologized one more time before exiting the room. Clay walked closer to his brother and looked his twin in the eyes.

“Thank you for bringing her along.”

“No, thank you for taking care of me while I was unconscious. At least tell me what happened.”

“Our father arranged the deaths of our younger siblings. My emotions forced me to kill everyone involved starting with dad and Aunt Reetha. I had always suspected he caused mother’s death and if I have not intervened, you probably have died as well. Anyway, case closed and we never really spoke so I trust you can move on just fine.”

(You’re time is up. Please step out of the room.) The sliding wall started to move towards the center.

“Is there something you want me to do?”

“Have you heard about Lievrem Fl…. You know what, forget about me and live a simple .. ..”

*Tshhh

The sliding wall completely blocked his view separating the rooms one more time.

A guard entered the room as he prepared to drag Clay and said, “I’m doing this for your sake. If you don’t come out now, you might be facing some nasty consequences.”

“He was about to say Lievrem Flowers. I hope I’m not asking too much” Clay obediently stood up and followed the guard.

“Provided he does not cause any problems during his lifetime imprisonment, he can be administered a hallucinogenic substance as a reward during his final moments. The most commonly used is the toxic compound released by Lievrem Flowers however it is not a thing you can buy without any backing. I know this is hard to accept but I suggest you don’t come back here again for your safety.”

Clay did not need the guard to further elaborate. He has done his research about this flower and he just came from the south and planted three of them in his secret garden. The substance is very potent that it would create an illusion so real the host’s dreams will be granted within a dream. It is indeed tragic but a happy ending.

“Is there a way to buy his freedom?”

“The person who wants him rot in prison is not ordinary. Even Ascendants could not do anything. What do you think a farmer can do? I’m warning you one last time. Forget about your brother and move on unless you want to die that badly.”

Clay smiled and thanked the guard then left the prison facility dejected.