Sachihiro

All the construction and deal making really isn't the best part. I did find it all interesting of course I really did as Dee knew I would.

But the fact that only a much fewer number of people had already left for Brother Asriel's 'Order' was a surprise 'cause I'd imagined people would flock there after seeing how the man did against the fae. Until Dee explained that a lot of the fae are going to be staying, and trading.

The elders and chiefs have negotiated for a trade in goods, information and education. Space was already being set out for a building dedicated to nothing but learning some of the ways these outsiders do things. Formalised education.

A concept I was first introduced to by the dwarves from Anastasia, this organised form of general education for everyone. Most people chose the less risky path of staying here and learning from the fae instead of disembarking on a dangerous journey to lands unknown for gods know how long, to learn god knows what from strangers that might not even know an Asriel.

The unknown is scary. The known is easier.

Thinking of the dwarves. I should probably look into selling those gems the shopkeepers twins sent here with me, maybe fae buy crystals.

I learn about the storage rings and how they work with mana but can be modified to work with other energies like chakra. A single solid object magicked to fold space and keep things in its invisible dimensions without getting heavier, storage item magic from the fae in exchange for some of our ore.

I've never even heard of chakra before but it's apparently something Brother Asriel puts great stock into; as Agatha says.

The digging is for a 'sewer' system, system of tunnels that will run waste-water and clean water parallel to each other yet separate under the ground. The fae want to make it lower underground so they can have deep basements above the sewers, a project the dwarves and Highlanders are in charge of. That's who the tall redheads are all over the camp are, Highlanders from the Highlands wanting to be our friends.

To be fair not all of them have red hair, not even half of them in fact but it just stands out in a human, are they even human? There is a lot going on and all of it new and interesting, the beautiful strange sidhe fae all have different aesthetic appearances with no one looking like another. From tails, rams horns, deer horns, antelope horn, strange eyes on unlikely places but they all very symmetrical, very pleasant to look at even as different as they are.

Strange complexions never before see on a humanoid body colour these people each unique from the other. Maybe out in the bigger world you'd expect white, red, blue, silver or even golden hair from beastmen and creatures of magic though but on a humanoid... all the uniqueness takes getting used to.

I eat another plate as I'm educated by the two-day experts on the new state of the world. I take it all in starstruck with a grain of salt, but I take it all in. It's when he talks about Asriel leaving that things get more exciting, and thinking.

Apparently, before he left Br. Asriel selected 278 people from amongst the tribes and went into seclusion with them for about 20 hours.

They all returned and went into seclusion with the fae one at a time. They apparently went through something called a spirit massage and acupuncture.

From there they were taken to the big-breasted southern magical in her tent for an hour each before lastly going back to seclusion beyond the hills with a few quitting before completing whatever Br. Asriel was doing to them was done. Saying he was making a fools out of them.

A few hours later. After about a day of this happening going on, the first sign of something happening was heard.

[HRAAAAA...]!

A roar of primal joy and challenge is heard from miles out in the secluded area.

An hour later another roar is heard billowing out. Sounding like it came from a wild beast a few warriors went to investigate, they didn't return.

No more roars were heard but for the next 40 hours, strange sounds and phenomena could be heard and observed. Lights sparkle in different colours in the secluded area. Thunderous rumbling from a distance while the sky clear all around, slight tremors of the ground.

All very worrying since no one wants another battle, no one wants it to come to that now. The Seers reassure the warriors, the people.

There is a protracted silence after that, then 188 Awakened Barbarians returned to the camp from seclusion.

The change of Awakening is something that is spoken of only in myths and legends amongst my people. Myths and legends that haven't been seen since the time of Bor the Great and his Chosen 200.

Over 200 Awakened Barbarians fought during the war of the Monkeys, our songs and stories speak of it. It is said they went south normal Barbarians, several hundred amongst thousands that went to fight returned.

As the years went by a few started returning a trickle at a time. Changed. Better at everything and without equal amongst the tribes. They called it Awakening and tried to teach others, none could reach it. But we kept their stories. They eventually totalled 244 returned.

They challenged each other and killed each other for they had no other worthy fights amongst their old people. Then a Norseman named Bor rose amongst them defeating each opponent and sparing their life. Bringing them together to form a tribe.

They called themselves Asgardians and their children, they called the Vikings which became a daughter tribe of Asgard. All Vikings aspired to join the ranks of the Asgardians but none ever did, none among the tribes ever Awakened again though many groups have left seeking it.

Until now.

To hear Daewon tell it, there is no such thing as an ugly Awakened. Apparently, Gordga, an old warrior woman from the village who has been too old to fight for over twenty years is now hale and healthy and fucking the younger men to the amusement and joy of many.

Hein the Bear, the ugliest man to have ever walked the face of Gaia is now Hein the Stud among the women after his awakening transformation. Making up for lost time and all the rejection he must have endured I'm sure. Not that Awakening has made them look different; it has just made them symmetrical. Seemingly fixing every defect to leave a perfectly hale human specimen behind.

Their skin baby smooth yet tough, more difficult to pierce. Their hair is long, lush and bouncy. Even balding old men gained their hair back and got their youthful energy back. But the older people still look mature, just very healthy good looking mature.

It's the few that were already young that have gained Br. Asriel's and the fae's ageless visages. Seemingly being anything from 25 to 45 years old and looking fresh, very fresh with appearance being the most obvious of changes.

Those that tested themselves don't seem to notice much but all who watched the spar saw how much faster and stronger Hein has become. How wounds that would have resulted in them going into the Rage were shrugged off with surprising casuallity.

According to Vicar who watched the demonstrative spar, it was an unnerving sight. It's a strange new world and I want my part of it, I also want someday Awaken I also want to be more than I am.

"Where is my stuff?" I ask, already making plans for my future. I can see now that staying here could actually be very good for me with all the exciting things happening. As the thought comes to follow those that already left for Brother Asreil's tribe I dimsis it, I have no idea where this camp Asriel sent the other prospects is but I'm a tracker, I could follow a two day trail if they didn't try hide their tracks.

Or...

"Ma has it at the new campsite."

I nod at my brother, clasping forearms then embracing Daewon.

"I think I will follow the ones Asriel sent away. Staying here now and learning from the fae would be exciting, but... I have always wanted to explore the world. And that Asriel... There is something about him that I want for myself."

We look at each other, maybe for the last time, Dee nods.

"I understand. I also find myself with more options than I have time to pursue. We all do," he says gesturing to two new friends.

"Send my greetings to Om if he ever gets out of that mountain," I say smiling and jog through the camp.

Finding ma is easy, as everyone seems to know who Divina is.

She gives me a hug and a long talk about Freydìs and her death. How she knew we were involved I can't even begin to guess. I tell da and her my plans and remind them to send someone for the hermit while the fae are still around healing people.

Within the same hour, I am off to find Ava and Tea, only to find out that Tea was mated to Dustin two days ago and Ava left for the Br. Asriel's 'Order'.

I stand, not sure what to do until I notice the golden-haired busty southern magician. Maybe she could get Asriel to draw me another map south. Make my life easier.

"Excuse me," I say to get her attention as politely as I can.

The woman stands at 5 feet 2 inches max. She looks oldish but really good in a cute femininely delicate way. Really really good.

"Yes?" She says looking at me with striking eyes.

"I... Ahh... I... was wondering if I could see Brother Asriel.'' Her eyes looked like slits for a moment but not like a serpent, but horizontal like a sheep. To say I'm creeped out would be an understatement.

"Asriel is gone."

"He left with his recruits?" I ask surprised. Dee didn't mention that. Did he?

"No. He went North with Mira," she says walking away.

But there is nothing north. "But there is nothing North," I say, pondering this. Following her.

"Well there is definitely something there. I saw him looking at it on a map." She stops to say, looking at me tilting her head.

"You want to follow them?" She asks, but she knows.

"Yes," I say as though not in control of my own mouth. What happened to going south I wonder. I'm annoyed at Tea and Ava for moving on with their lives without saying anything. But that's irrational. I was unconscious for three days.

"They are headed towards the mountains. Through the small one in the middle then northeast. That's all I could figure out of their route."

"Thank you. I'm Hiro by the way."

"Crysta," she says and walks away.

I go back to ma to tell her my new plans.

"That Asriel is a dire wolf in the guise of antelope. Be careful," she says hugging me. Passing me the pack she prepared.

"I will. Thanks you ma."

She hands me one of the new storage rings.

"I know you have one in that purse you looted already. And I know you won't be able to see wants inside them until you Awaken. But here."

She hands me the storage ring. "It has half a ton of raw celestial ore inside it.'' Testing put it in for me. ''Hopefully you can find a good use for it worthy of the people.''

"I have a bad feeling that this world and our entire way of life is in danger and we need all the allies we can buy. Strong ones, and we need to arm them properly. May the spirit of Gaia be with you my son."

"Thanks ma," we kiss, and I'm off North.