The world of Valeria was created by the god, Berilin. It was recorded in the great scrolls that he used spirit and world energies to breathe life into every living being on the planet. Every living being, therefore, had the ability to store and manipulate spirit and world energy given enough practice. For this reason, some humans, blessed by Berilin were able to manipulate spirit energy to produce various elemental powers. These blessed individuals were known in Valeria as Elementum warriors. The strongest of the Elementum warriors divided the planet into various kingdoms that they ruled over.

Valeria was divided into three continents of warring nations. It was a hostile world where the strong thrived over the weak. In the middle of the northwest continent of Nor, the thriving Kingdom of Katar could be seen. It was the most popular kingdom on the continent because of its natural resources and ideal location. The great and turbulent Tiger river divided the kingdom in the north while the Hiland Mountains divided it in the south. The country was only second to the Gusto Empire in size and military strength and dominated the continent with their defensive structures and overpowering armies. It was in the northern region of Seabo, in the Gontu district where the trees ended, and the river began that Sydenham Town resided.

6 years had passed in the town without much change. Tommel's manor had, however, become too lively not to notice. For one, it was livelier with the sounds of pitter patter as two little rascals scampered from the kitchen. The one in front had a blonde ponytail tied together with a length of straw. He wore a loose fitted brown shirt with short grey trousers and straw shoes plastered on his feet. The joy was evident in his eyes as he laughed while running away from Gary, the cook. Crumbs and stew were trailing at the side of his chubby cheeks as he tried his best to outmaneuver the older man. His best friend, Erik, was somehow keeping up with his haphazard running, showing that this wasn't their first time doing this. They headed for Bill's room first to trade their spoils for information after another successful pillage of the kitchen.

"Today we've finally secured enough food to last us the week!", Khal exclaimed in elation while Erik continued panting for breath. "Khal, Bill isn't here. We should leave his share here and proceed to grandfather's study before he grounds us like last time," Erik warned as he kept looking through Bill's window for signs of Gary. "Ok, Erik, lets clean up and meet each other outside the study," smiled Khal as he snuck through the window towards the bathhouse. Erik could only sigh as he straightened his posture and took a deep breath before walking in the opposite direction towards his father's quarters.

By the time Khal finally showed up outside Lord Tommel's study, it was 9:30 am. Erik was already waiting with a slight smirk before saying, "I win again slowpoke." "Only because you have two maids to help you wash," joked Khal as he tried to knock on the study room door. "Come in, gentlemen," was all they heard before Khal got a chance to knock on the door. They walked in wondering how he always knew when they arrived. "I assume you're both ready for the scheduled quiz?", Lord Tommel asked sternly as he noticed Khal's eyes somehow found more interest in the ceiling. "Khal! A gentleman always maintains eye contact and never shows his feelings on his face. You should follow Erik...even though I know he didn't study either," added Lord Tommel as he rolled his eyes and sighed heavily.

"But grandpa, studying is boring, I've already memorized most of Katar's history and geography like you've taught us. When will you let me read them?", Erik pouted at his stone-faced grandpa. "Oh, if you can clearly recite Katar's history, I'll think about it," Lord Tommel smiled as he reclined in his chair.

"Well, Katar was founded 200 years ago by the Seabo, Talawa and Cormac tribes. They united against the Northern Gusto Empire that tried to invade Seabo's fertile lands. Gusto was defeated by the combined might of the sea-loving Seabo, horse-riding Talawa as well as the hardy Cormac and was successfully pushed out of the northern front. Gusto has been building military power ever since and after 100 years, they were successful in conquering the nearby peace-loving Kingdom of Durmond. Now, they're at our doorsteps again, sending probing attacks on the northern wall," said Erik in a bored tone as he recited the lesson. "The same Tiger River that preserves the fertile lands of Seabo also protects us from the Pilon Empire to the West. The southern Hiland Mountains of Cormac form a natural border against the Kingdom of Xelo but the Kingdom of Burg to our East shares our savanna lands and pose a constant threat to our way of life. This is why our military power must never waver in these continued trying times.... this is why, grandpa, I think these lessons are a waste of my time. I have no talent with the sword like Khal but I can serve our country in my own way," Erik pleaded as he tried to persuade his grandfather.

Lord Tommel sighed and shook his head. Every day his grandson would pester him about the lessons. Only he knew why the boy needed to be taught everything he knew. Without it, no matter how strong he became in the martial way he could not survive in a world without information. It was the only way Tommel could rest knowing that danger lurked in the darkness. "Do you have anything to add, Khal?" Lord Tommel asked. Khal immediately stopped daydreaming as he heard his name mentioned. Turning around to the stern Lord, he immediately straightened up and answered, "My Lord, just like Erik, I believe I have no need to learn history and geography; reading has never interested me. I prefer to become a Knight like dad always wanted and serve in my own way just like Erik."

Lord Tommel sighed. "Well then, I have a proposition for you young lads," he said while stroking his beard. "Erik, if you can teach Khal history and geography, I'll teach you whatever you prefer to learn. Khal, if you recite it well, I'll order Sergent Michael to teach you the sword." No matter how much he tried, Lord Tommel could not force the boys to understand the importance of the lessons. He would then have to use a new approach. Erik was stunned. He never expected their pincer approach to work on the old man as well as it did. Erik had come up with the idea and planned everything from start to finish. He even anticipated that without Khal learning the lessons, they would never get off. That's why he taught the entire lesson to Khal just 3 days ago in case everything didn't go as planned. Khal just smiled as he winked at Erik. He had complete faith in his best friend. Sure, he didn't learn the lessons as quickly as Erik, but he knew to himself that Erik was an academic genius. Any other children their age would still be learning to read and write but here they were, learning history and geography.

"Hmmm...", Lord Tommel said as he stroked his beard again, something he began doing 5 years ago when he first started growing his silver beard. "Now, it's almost lunch, but Gary has informed me that you already ate. Therefore, you will both remain in the study focusing on this map of Valeria, these geography books as well as the etiquette manual", he added as he stood up, ready to exit the study. He left the boys groaning as he walked down the hallway, finally showing his annoyance at being slighted by the 2 juniors.

That afternoon, Lord Tommel was in a terrible mood. In all his years as a teacher, he never thought that he would find his greatest challenge after his retirement. He completely disregarded the fact that all the students that passed his lessons were at least 14 years old. To him, Erik, who had so much potential, was too nonchalant about the lessons and Khal spent too much time daydreaming about knights. Sure, they were both ahead than most students he taught but this fact is what drove him to challenge them beyond their age. Maybe if he could produce another scholar like himself, Duke Braxton would award Erik with the title of Baronet and save his manor when he finally died. He knew better than most nobles that the life of a commoner was much harder. Simply eating every day would be a blessing. Sure, there were opportunities to procure food but between bandit raids and wild animal attacks, no commoner could freely live without concerns. He could only sigh as the maid prepared him for lunch.

Later that evening, Erik and Khal were at the barracks after completing their study for the day. "So, your Dad isn't coming home until tomorrow afternoon?", Erik questioned as he stared at Sergeant Michael barking orders at his soldiers during the evening drills. "Yes, that's why you need to hurry up and pick the lock so I can finally read the letter mom left me," responded Khal as he completed his final sets of pushups. "Why can't you wait till you're 15 like your dad said?", asked Erik. "Because, even though I know pa loves me and tries his best, he's never spoken of mother. The only reason I know her name is because of Uncle Bill. Bill showed me the letters that mom left for pa last year when pa was busy at the market. How do you think I found his collection of military books?" Khal smiled, but Erik could tell it wasn't genuine as he set to work on the lock.

Clank! "There, all done," Erik said as he finished opening the lock on the small chest. Khal quickly got up from his slouching position and dusted himself off. He had been waiting for 6 months to read the letters his mother left for him. His dad only left for the market every 6 months after the crop harvest. It was a full day's journey from Black Barony to Gontu's Market and with that timeframe in mind, he begged Erik to help him.

He wiped his hands on his trousers and with his hands as clean as he could manage, he opened the chest to see a blue necklace with some sort of water stone embedded in the pendant. Below the necklace were 3 letters addressed to him from his mother. Each had a specific age written on the envelope – 8, 10, 12. He quickly opened the one with 8. After 30 seconds of reading, tears came to his eyes and he quickly sat down with his back facing the wall.

"My beautiful Khal, I'm so sorry that I could not speak with you in person. By now, you're 8 years old and almost a man. You should now be able to understand what I want to tell you. You are the descendant of a proud family of warriors. We are from the Igbal region of northern Seabo in the Barony of Tale. Your grandfather is the commanding officer at the Northern wall of Igbal. If all else fails, seek out your grandfather for help. Show him this pendant and he will shelter you from any trouble. Please take care of your father in my stead. He has been through a lot and he deserves to be happy. We will talk again when you're ready for the rest of what I have to say to you."

Khal was quiet as tears fell from his face. Since he knew himself he always thought he was just another commoner under the pity of a local baronet. He never despised it, but he always felt a longing for something greater. He knew he had it better than most commoners. Even though he never had to scurry around for food on a daily basis, he saw what other commoner children had to do to get by. He and Erik had always vowed to work their hardest until they could support their family without worrying.

"Erik, were you serious about becoming a noble?" Khal asked. Erik had left his friend to gather himself without making a sound. Now that Khal initiated the conversation, Erik responded, "Yes, I've seen how worried grandpa looks when he thinks no one's watching. If he wasn't so famous in Seabo, Baron Black would not have readily accepted us living in his Barony. We will lose the manor and prestige we currently have if grandpa dies. Without it, we will go back to fending for our daily lives. I have to become a landed noble so that I can protect my family. Only then will I be able to find answers about my parents." Erik said the last part with a stone in his throat. "Then, Erik, let's do it together. You become a noble and I'll become your sword and shield," Khal responded solemnly.

Erik smiled at his friend, happy that his friend thought so highly of him. He knew Khal meant what he said and he knew that together, they could overcome anything. "Sure, Khal," Erik said as he got up and they both recited the Katarian pledge.