Nath

Tossing and turning, Nath tried to sleep yet sleep eluded him. He couldn’t help but keep thinking back on the story from earlier. Listening to the crackle of the fire and the soft snores of the other children to make sure none were awake; he slowly removed the pelt covering himself and stood up. Looking around him at the other sleeping children, he quietly made his way outside of the log hut, making sure that he did not wake anyone. Before he went out he grabbed a fur coat in order to protect himself from the chill of the night.

Stepping out onto the front porch, he slowly sat down on the wooden steps leading down and looked out at the village before him. Even at this time of night a child like him could see as clearly as if it was day. There were several huts placed along the natural winding path down the side of the mountain. Stones had been placed as foot holds for areas that were too steep to traverse easily in the path. The other wooden huts were all much smaller than the one he and the other children slept in, having been made only for 2 people. Looking down the path, he could see the wooden watch tower manned at all hours in case a monster was stupid enough to approach the village.

Looking above him, he could see the night sky that was illuminating the mountain. Stars spread across the sky for as far as he could see. The giant moon shining pale blue hung in the middle of the sky. Wrapped around the moon and the stars was a twisting line of light in dazzling shades of blues, greens, purples, and reds.

Lowering his head to stare at his small childish hands, through the fog his breath produced. Slowly making a resolve to himself, his open hands clenched into childish fists. The serious expression of his face was not one normally seen on an eight year old’s face.

In his previous life, he had been in charge of his people. Having to fight through countless dangers and yet at the end still dying before he was able to see if his actions mattered. Yet this second life showed that all his hard work had paid off. Although the world and everything in it had changed completely from what he had known before, people still existed. He may not be able to start cultivating at this age, but he can start training his body to become an even better vessel for when he goes through the bloodline ritual in 6 years.

Closing his eyes and steadying his breath, he let his mind's eye look within himself to locate his human bloodline. Feeling it run through his veins, like roots of a tree, releasing a power of nature and growth into his body. Slowly expanding his senses outward, he could feel the energy healing and urging his muscles to grow faster and stronger. He also could see the unnatural cold energy that made it past his furs; make its way towards his heart, the source of his human bloodline, yet any that did was eaten by his bloodline to make him grow even stronger.

Coming out of his meditation, he slowly opened his eyes only to be startled. Standing before him was the chief of his village with a board smile across his face. His chiseled and bronze chest bare to elements with him only wearing pants and arm guards. Softly the man spoke.

“I know you might want to grow stronger through meditation and feeling nature, but you're still a growing boy and need your rest.”

With a trouble look he said “Hurry back inside and sleep. You don’t want the whole village worrying over you if you get a cold.”

Nodding his head vigorously Nath went back inside to get some rest.