A week had gone by since Karim’s last lesson with the old master which was also the last time the two had seen each other. His mother, Korina, told him that both his grandfather and father were busy, having left and that she did not know when they would be back.

Although disappointed that he would have to wait to have his questions answered, Karim did not slack on his training. In fact, he was working so hard that it had become the topic of much discussion around the castle.

The maids, guards and family members that had happened to watch him train at the grounds were all left shocked, awed by his determination, work ethic and talent. So much so that rumors began spreading around the castle and even the surrounding town of his unusual training that bordered on torture.

People who heard these stories had mixed reactions, some were gratified by their young master’s performance, others were left more curious, some were annoyed and others indifferent. However, this variety was to be expected from the dwelling of Nobles.

As for the person who was causing all this commotion, well he was currently getting treatment. The rumors of his training bordering on torture were not all hyperbole. It had gotten so intense that Korina had to bring in a priestess from the Church of light to take care of his injuries as he was ingesting too many healing pills on a day-to-day basis, something that could prove dangerous if he continued at his current pace.

Laying face-down and shirtless on his bed, Karim was currently trying his best not to groan in pleasure from the priestess’s healing of his injuries, much to her amusement.

She was dressed from head to toe in white robes, inlaid with hundreds of tiny glittering golden jewels that formed the image of a torch lit by starlight rather than a flame. Her blonde hair that cascaded down to her knees was starting to grey and there were faint wrinkles on her face however, one could still see the traces of a once breath-takingly beautiful brown skinned maiden despite the toll time had taken.

As a priestess of the church of light Kuhani was taught from a young age how to hone her ability to control the light element to heal. The church was initially created by House Hikari long ago to form a lineup of individuals that would focus only on perfecting their healing ability.

They would also be tasked with preaching about the greatness of the House by doing extensive charity work, opening hospitals where they healed the commoners for free, building and running schools and churches, among other things. All to increase the favorability and weight of the House’s name in the people’s hearts.

Therefore, there was no god behind the religion of the church, it was and still is just a publicity and propaganda machine for the Royal Houses. House Hikari started it but after the split, House Taa too formed its own church, one that is more influential today than its counterpart.

Feeling the waves of soothing heat that were coming from the fingertips of the priestess, Karim was absorbed in bliss. He was even starting to believe that it was worth it to be injured in return for this treatment.

“All done. Rest for a few minutes just in case though.” Said the priestess, amused by the face he was making.

“Uh,huh” replied Karim, trying to hold on and bask in the feeling for a little longer before it dissipated.

She then left his room, notifying Sherry who was waiting outside that she was done.

Not long after, Korina came into the room.

“Look at you drool, aren’t you embarrassed?” She said laughing. Thanks to the family’s relationship with House Taa, they could afford to invite a priestess of Kuhani’s caliber to tend to Karim’s wounds on a daily basis however, she was still worried about her son burning out. While the injuries of the flesh could be taken care of, mental fatigue was not so easily dealt with.

“Aren’t you tired of staying in the house all day?” She asked.

Dazedly sitting up, Karim wiped the drool from his lips before stretching his limbs, faint popping sounds echoing out as he did so. “It’s not like I’m sitting around doing nothing.” He replied, yawning.

“I know, everyone can see that you’re working hard to improve and I’m proud of you.” Said Korina.

“But?” Karim interrupted.

“But…you need to get out more. Make new friends, or just go and play with prince Kufu. There’s more to life than just training and getting stronger.” Korina exclaimed, taking a seat next to him.

“I’m waiting for grandfather to return. There are things I need to know.” Karim murmured, avoiding Korina’s love filled burning gaze.

“I don’t know what the old master is teaching you nor do I care but, I hope you’ll listen to me when I tell you not be in a hurry to grow up. Your grandfather is not going anywhere but I can’t say the same about your childhood and the things that will define it. Like your friends, and the memories you make together. Do you understand?” she asked, fiddling with Karim’s sweat drenched hair.

“I suppose.” Karim whispered.

“Great. Take this and give the prince a call, tell him you’re coming to visit him.” Uttered Korina, taking out a spirit tool she had already prepared from her storage bag that looked like a badge that bore the insignia of House Night.

“What, right now?” Blurted Karim.

“Yes, now. I’ve already asked Lark to take the day off, so you’ve got nothing better to do. I’ll ask Sherry to come in and help you get you ready.” Chuckled Korina.

“But..”

“No buts, do this for me.” Stated Korina.

………….

A few days ago,

In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by jungle, lay the ruins of what looked like a once magnificent courtyard. Weather-worn stone pillars littered the space surrounded by dead clumps of grass. There were half-crumbled buildings scattered around the area accompanied by cracked blocks of stone broken up by meandering tree roots.

In the middle of this decay stood a figure whose body was entirely submerged in an awe-inspiring mix of flame, shadow, and earth. The figure stood motionless, as if dead, and from the looks of it he had been like this for a while.

It was not until a sudden gust of wind came whistling over, destroying some of the already dilapidated buildings that the figure suddenly woke up.

“Oh, good work following the clues here.” The figure said, his voice sounding raspy and strained. His words directed to the cause of the wind, a hovering old master who had just arrived.

The old master then snapped his fingers creating three shadow doors beside him. A bearded man of similar age to the old master came walking through one of the doors, his body armor glowing with blinding golden light and his eyes radiating an eerie gold.

Nazil came through the next door fully clad in armor and following his arrival came the current King of the Royal House Taa, Krown, who bore a striking resemblance to the glowing old man.

“And this time it looks like you’ve wizened up and brought scary allies.” The figure tittered, looking at the glowing old man.

“A mere puppet projection.” Cursed the glowing old man. “Is chaos all you seek?” He then asked, questioning the figure below.

“Chaos? Never, all my people and I want is freedom and answers.” The figure chuckled.

“Bullshit. So, it’s freedom that motivates you to desecrate the dead, feeding on them to gain power, or is it the pursuit of answers that did that?” roared Nazil.

“You’re oversimplifying it, try not to think of it as feeding but more like…”

“You disgust me. Your very existence disgusts me. An abomination. What even are you?” The old master interrupted, angered. His voice echoing and reverberating for miles.

“There’s no need to for that is there now. After all, was it not your founder that created our cause?” The figure said, his tone colder than before.

“And without the inspiration Taa gave to those before me, I would not be here today. One man, suppressing all the Nobles with his horrifying strength, talent and his trusty traitorous servant in tow, how poetic.” He chortled directing his gaze at the glowing old man.

A brief silence ensued for a moment after that.

“You’ve gotten quiet.” Said the figure, finding himself a broken pillar to sit on.

“You know not how foolish the words you speak truly are.” Said the glowing old man, the power contained in his voice causing the ground to quake.

“Perhaps. But if I’m lying then why don’t you tell me the truth then?”

“We didn’t come here to talk. We will find your real body and then you will pay for what you’ve done. You are nothing but the latest in…” The old master warned.

“Again, with the threats. Is that all you people are capable of? Besides, pay for what I have done? I haven’t even started yet.” The figure interrupted.

“Meaningless bluff from a coward who won’t even show himself.” Krown scoffed.

“Oh, that wasn’t a threat.” Replied the figure cackling. Waves of elemental power gushed towards him. Fire, earth and darkness elements frantically surged towards his position causing extreme gusts that laid waste to the surrounding area. Aside from the four hovering figures above, everything in the vicinity was either being flung away or crushed into powder by the pressure of the figure’s growing aura.

“This is a threat.” The figure shrieked, conjuring above him a giant hound with three heads that was comprised of nothing but the three elements of fire, darkness, and earth, sending it to attack the group of four.

“Hahaha, I didn’t come in person because I’m busy and I didn’t think I need to, but not to worry I’ll be seeing you soon and when I do, the Nobles will become a thing of the past.” He cackled, his figure dissipating into nothingness.

The old master looked at the giant hound and couldn’t help but frown, “Nazil, Krown, you two stay back. Your father and I will take care of this.”