Chapter 12: Brothers

Vasu was baffled by Zaria’s question.

He furrowed his brows and tried to figure this young boy out who was standing in front of him.

Suddenly his eyes glowed with recognition as he seemed to have remembered him.

He abruptly blurted out, “The banishing cliff boy with the broken leg!”

Zaria got startled at such a response. He had not seen this reaction for some years now. He realised that this man was not one to think before he speaks. He didn't get offended by it, though. He was quite used to such reactions. But before he realised, his title changed to what it is now. It was just that people were afraid of the Third Head Priest that they avoided calling him names on his face.

He just smiled helplessly as he lowered his gaze slightly.

When Vasu saw his expression he realised how rude he had been with those words. He explained in a hurry, “Oh no! I didn't mean anything bad or something by it. You shouldn't feel ashamed about it.”

Zaria just gawked at him! He sure was a strange one. Why would he feel ashamed? He wasn't the one with the rude words coming out of his mouth at the drop of a hat!

Vasu's face became a little red as he spoke with a little embarrassment, “Actually, I...I am not good at remembering names. So I just associate other's faces with something. It's easier for me that way.”

Zaria was a little amused by his display at this moment. Although he wasn't offended by his words or something, he still felt a little uneasy inside. Now, however, he found him quite honest and frank. At Least, he was better than those who slandered others behind their backs. And besides, he was his senior, he didn't need to mind his feelings that much. Zaria suddenly had a completely different impression of him.

Zaria opened his mouth to say something. But before he could say something, Vasu interrupted, “Deal!”

Zaria closed his mind and gave Vasu a confused look.

Vasu continued, “Oh! You asked me to teach you, right. I'll teach you.”

“Wait, what do you want me to teach you?”

“I haven't asked you your name, silly me! My name is Vasu. What's yours?”

“And you don't have to call me Master or anything. Just call me Senior Vasu or simply senior or just Vasu is fine too.”

----

Zaria just stood there with his jaw dropped.

This man simply loved to talk!

He kept going on and on without letting up.

Zaria didn't even have the opportunity to cut his tirade short.

“Oh! Why aren't you saying something?”

“Someone will think that I am talking to myself.”

“You know how bad that will look!”

Zaria was again rendered speechless. But he didn't let that opportunity go and immediately budded in, “Senior, My name is Zaria and I have just opened my Mooladhara Chakra and I ask for your guidance to teach me how to make use of it in martial combat.”

He told everything in one sentence, afraid to miss this golden chance before this senior of his went off with his words on his own again.

Surprisingly, Vasu didn't speak and actually pondered for a while. He asked, “You are in grade three, right?”

“Indeed” Zaria didn't need to hide it, anyway.

“Then why don't you ask your Gurus there. They are much more qualified than I am.” Vasu asked.

Zaria replied without hesitation, “I have never attended any energy based martial class in my life. The grade three and above classes are suspended until the annual reshuffling examination. Besides…” he paused here momentarily before speaking again, “The Gurus may not take me seriously.”

There was no sign of complaint or grudge in his voice. He simply stated the truth as it were.

As airheaded as he seemed, Vasu realised the undertones of his statement. He was no outsider so he knew a fair amount of things about 'the banishing cliff boy with the broken leg’. The fact that this young boy didn't show a slight bit of grievance, somehow, touched him deeply.

He thought as to whether he would be able to stay as indifferent as this boy in such a situation.

He couldn't say for sure.

He suddenly smiled warmly at Zaria.

Zaria was bewildered by his smile. He couldn't find a reason to smile in what he had said earlier. He didn't say anything, though. He just shook his head and thought he couldn't get in the head of someone as strange as this man.

Vasu suddenly said, “Alright I will help you. But you don't have to consider me as your Master. It would make me feel like those old codgers. Just think of it as me giving you pointers.”

Zaria got extremely excited when he heard this. Truthfully, he had not expected that he would agree at all. He was, after all, only a stranger. Furthermore, there was no merit in getting involved with 'the banishing cliff boy with broken leg’. He initially wanted to meet someone who had taught him before or someone who he might know. That way he might be able to work out a way to convince them to train him. But after he saw this young man, he couldn't help himself and harden his heart to ask for his help. It just felt right. And thus he shamelessly came over.

But who would have guessed that Vasu would agree so easily.

Zaria had his mood brighten after that. He unintentionally eased his nerves a bit and said, “I will do as senior has asked.”

“Alright then, let's go to my place. It's better there as no one will bother us.” Vasu said as he put his hand on Zaria's shoulder.

“I don't mind.” Zaria replied.

Then Vasu packed his things and led Zaria to his home.

Zaria followed eagerly. He really hadn’t thought for it to go this smoothly. He was itching to learn all sorts of things since he had opened his Mooladhara Chakra. He was extremely excited!

However, as he followed, he was not able to see the glitter in Vasu's eyes and his mischievous smile.

-----

After travelling for a while, they finally reached Vasu's home. He lived in a very ordinary looking house. However, there was a huge courtyard in the middle.

Outside the front door, Zaria looked a little hesitant. It has been a very very long time since the last time he entered someone else's house. And thus he was quite nervous. He hadn't had this kind of feeling for a long while. Though, he was feeling somewhat happy too.

Vasu could sense his unusual behaviour from the side. He smiled and said, “It's alright. I have two younger brothers living with me too. They are both in grade three like you. Though, in a different batch. I hope you become good friends with them.”

He tried to lessen his nervousness. But Zaria got even more nervous now!

Friends!

He had almost forgotten the term!

He started to regret his decision even before starting.

No! I have to do this! What do I have to lose anyway.

However, as he thought about the Princess, he cast away all the nervousness and entered the door.

Vasu followed closely behind.

But just as they entered, a wooden khadau came crashing down at them.

Zaria was startled and ducked instinctively.

The slipper hit Vasu, who was following behind, directly on his face. It left a deep red mark too as it fell.

A voice rang out angrily, “You damn old bum! I am done with you! Your theory is useless! It almost killed both of us. You better pay us what you promised or we will tell Senior Guru Of your experiments!”

Two silhouettes emerged as they stomped the ground angrily while glaring at Vasu with deathly gazes. Their hair was a mess and smoke was coming out of their skin which was like charcoal. It looked like they had just come back from a burning purgatory.

Vasu glanced at them and then at Zaria before looking at them again. He looked a little embarrassed.

“Alright! Alright! I'll give you what you want. Just don't rat on me.” he said in a jiffy.

“Who would believe you! Just pay up right now or else we don't have anything to talk about anymore.”

“Don't you believe your elder brother! If I say I will pay you that means I will pay you.”

“No we don't believe you! You stinky old bum!”

----

Zaria just stood there not knowing what to do. When suddenly the other one, who was with the one who kept arguing with Vasu, noticed him.

He blurted out, “Oh! The boy who offended senior Utkal.”

The other one also looked at Zaria when he heard his brother and stopped arguing with Vasu and said, “It’s him! The zero energy third grader.”

Zaria just laughed wryly.

Zero energy third grader? That is new.

Are these two like this strange senior too?

What have I gotten myself into?

He suddenly felt a huge headache coming his way.