“Brother Haruki, what happened to your face.” Asked Koren, trying to avoid Hope’s yapping and laughter from his mind.

Haruki, with tears in his eyes and a bun in his mouth, replied “I died and went to heaven.”

Koren didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, brother Haruki was always like this. He turned toward Sumi who was looking at Haruki as if he was a lost lamb.

“Hello Sister Sumi, thank you for taking care of senior brother, but I need to talk to him about training and stuff, if you would excuse us.” Said Koren followed by a light bow.

“It’s fine, he’s been stuffing himself too much anyways. I’ll leave him in your care.” Said Sumi as she got up and walked towards one of the pregnant ladies, probably her mother.

“No!, my Sumi, my Buns.” Yapped Haruki. “At least leave the buns, I’ll starve without them.” He yelled as his eyes teared up.

“Koren, you better have a good reason.” Said Haruki as he stopped his antics and looked at Koren, who was holding his face in embarrassment.

“Um, Senior brother, can you please follow me outside, I have something to tell you.” Koren Asked.

“Fine, fine. Let’s go.” Replied Haruki impatiently, as the three walked out of the cabin.

“OK Koren, we’re out now, lay it on me.” Said Haruki irritably, as he crossed his arms and stood next to Koren and Enri, near the ship portholes.

Koren sighed, and started to tell Haruki all about his background. Haruki calmly listened, he didn’t say or do anything while Koren spoke.

“And that’s when we first met Senior brother, the village is in danger, and I have a way to save them.” Said Koren.

Haruki remained calm, but both Koren and Enri knew that this was far from the normal Haruki. Koren could see it in his eyes, the rage, and also a hint of shame.

“I have to go speak with my brother.” Said Haruki as he stormed off.

“Senior brother, no, wait!” yelled Koren as he and Enri both chased after Haruki.

“Senior brother, stop!” Koren was finally able to stop Haruki before he reached the top of the stairs.

“I know you are angry, but you have to understand they were doing this to protect everyone. Complaining to Uncle Sappa won’t accomplish anything.” Said Koren as he let go of Enri’s hand and grabbed Haruki’s arm from behind.

“Please listen to me, I have a plan, but I need you to help me.” Said Koren hurriedly, before Haruki could wrestle away.

Haruki turned around and looked at Koren, he spoke “I’m sorry about what happened to your family Koren, I’m ashamed I never even considered about your circumstances.”

“But Koren, you are even younger than me, what can you possibly do to help?” Asked Haruki.

“I will show you, but I need you to promise, that you will help me.” Replied Koren, as he let go of Haruki’s arm.

“Brother Fatty, I trust Koren, he is not lying, he can help us.” mumbled Enri.

“OK, I promise. Show me.” Said Haruki.

************

In a fairly small room, lit with crystals inscribed with runes, stood two men. They looked human, but they were different, from humans in some ways. Both men had a light red skin tone, feline ears, and a tail. These were the characteristics of the Raavi.

General Ralf Arvo was holding a quill, as he stood next to a desk and signed a document. He looked up at the cleric and handed the signed document over.

“I want my orders followed to the letter or someone will lose their head.” Said General Arvo irritably.

“Yes sir, I’m on it.” Replied the Cleric, as he hurriedly ran out of the room.

Ralf looked at the ceiling and smiled. This crystal was called a runestone. The runestone’s used throughout the city were actually supplied by his clans runology masters. He just looked at them once, and all the ‘light runes’ inscribed on the crystals deactivated as he left the room.

Ralf Arvo was the head of the Arvo Family Clan, one of the most powerful clans in the Raavi Empire. His clan controlled 3 cities and several businesses, that made him one of the most influential individuals in the empire.

He could still remember it, the day he celebrated his 237th birthday, and subsequently achieved minor completion of the duality path. He had saved the life of the emperors beloved concubine, and was thus awarded the opportunity to visit the ancestor’s ‘Soul Stone’. With the help of soul stone’s aura, he successfully broke through from ‘major accomplishment’ to ‘minor completion’ in days. He was promoted from commander to general, and also became the head of his clan.

He was almost 297 years old today, and was quickly approaching the lifespan limit of 300 years of the ‘minor completion’ realm. Ralf had been stuck at minor completion of his duality path for 6 decades.

He knew that if he died, no one in his family would be able to secure the family’s estate. Other Family Clans would swoop in and cannibalise their properties, hence he had been trying to find a way to breakthrough for a long time.

When his grandson told him about the path sword of Halfrist himself, he made up his mind to acquire it at any cost. Although the sword wouldn’t be of any use to him, but he could gift if to the emperor, and gain the privilege to once again visit the ‘Soul Stone’ of the ancestor of the duality path Rayvus.

To practice the duality path, the Raavi need extremely strong souls, they use the worlds elemental energy to temper their souls repeatedly, until it results in an external aperture for the souls power. This is called the ‘Soul Stone’ and it appears on the Raavi’s forehead. The Raavi can use the power of the soul stone to manipulate objects and in some cases, elements.

Ralf touched his own forehead, and could feel the warmth emanating from the light blue ‘Soul Stone’.

‘I must get this path artefact, no matter the cost.’ Thought Ralf as he calmly walked towards the garrison of soldiers under his command.

************

“This is not possible, no way. This is a trick, isn’t it. There’s no way a human can do this, no way.” Mumbled Haruki as he tried to touch the flame dancing about on Koren’s palm.

“Ouch… OK that’s real fire. But how, you are an earth spiritualist.” Asked Haruki ,as he felt the flame’s heat.

“That’s, not all senior brother, I can also access the other elements.” Said Koren as he changed his elemental points to wind, and water. Water started float out of the animal skin bag on Koren’s back and then a windy cyclone scooped it all up and blew it at Haruki face.

“Big Sis!!” Yelled Koren internally as Hope was helping him control two elements simultaneously, and decided to spray the water on Haruki.

“hehe, I think he gets the point now.” Said Hope with a giggle.

“I’m sorry Senior brother, I got carried away.” Said Koren apologetically.

Haruki was flabbergasted, he rubbed the water off his face with his sleeves, and then looked at Koren.

“Koren, what you can do is incredible, but that doesn’t mean you can save the village from the Draconians” said Haruki trying his best to stay calm.

“Its not me who will be fighting, but someone else. I have to go and ask that person for help.” Said Koren.

“well technically you are a different person when you wear the Armor, but your kind of stretching the truth here Koren, will he really believe you.” Asked Hope, with her brows raised.

“How can I help?” Asked Haruki flatly.

“Well, this guy is a real dummy.” Said Hope, trying to contain her laughter.

“I need to leave the ship, but I don’t want everyone to worry. I need senior brother and Enri’s help to keep everyone thinking I’m still on this ship.” replied Koren as calmly as possible.

“OK, how long will you be gone” Asked Haruki, as he wrinkled his brows.

“2 or 3 days” said Koren, slowly.

“No Way!, we cant lie for that long.” Haruki Bellowed.

“Please, you just have to tell them I’m in the toilet or I’m sleeping. Hold out as long as possible. If they find out, then just tell them you don’t know where I am.” Said Koren.

“OK we will try, so when are you leaving.” Asked Haruki.

“Right now. There’s no time to waste.” Koren replied with delight, he showed Haruki the bag on his shoulders.

“OK fine, but you have to promise me that you won’t put yourself in any danger.” Said Haruki, as he handed Koren some of the buns form his bag.

“Take them with you, for Goodluck.” Said Haruki with teary eyes. Koren wasn’t sure if the tears were for him or the buns.

“Don’t worry, that person is very strong, I will be safe.” Said Koren ardently.

Enri, who hadn’t had much chance to say anything, suddenly grabbed Koren’s hand. She looked at Koren, who was just a little older than her.

“Brother Koren, I will see you again, won’t I?” Asked Enri, as her face turned red, and her eyes moist.

“Yes Enri, we will meet again soon, I promise.” Koren replied with emotion.

Koren opened the porthole and jumped out.

Haruki, just looked on, he was shocked. He didn’t think Koren would just jump out like that. Then again, just a few minutes ago, he thought no human can control more than one element.

Enri, didn’t fret or cry anymore, she cleared away her tears and stood with confidence. With her hands on her hip and her nose tilted upwards she turned to Haruki and said “Lets get going brother fatty, we need to keep our word.”