Tunde woke up this time to the rays of sunlight filtering into his room, pure terror gripping him that he had missed the break of dawn as he cursed silently, scrambling to his feet. Rushing to the restroom, he paused, staring at the white paper on his desk, very sure it wasn’t there the night before. He picked it up.
“To the student of mine,
Congratulations on defeating three initiate high-rankers of the clan. You now sit at rank 15 in the entire rankings of the initiates of Jade Peak. Suffice it to say that we have eyes on us, or rather, you have eyes on you.
Even as you read this letter, a pair of iron cuffs should be shimmering to life on the desk in front of you.”
Tunde glanced at the desk, seeing a silver pair of thin cuffs staring at him, swearing to himself that they hadn’t been there a few seconds ago. He turned his eyes back to the letter.
“They are the next step in your training, but I must tell you, they come with a risk, a shocking one I can only hope you would brave. Also, make your way to the knowledge hall with the books I gave you. There you will meet your second tutor. There shall be no physical training today, at least, not the one you’ll be expecting.
They will guide you in ensuring you maintain the precise breathing methods I taught you and then some. I expect results by the end of the day. Come find me at the training hall.
Elder Joran.”
Tunde dropped the letter as it crumbled to ashes. Checking within himself, he winced with the realization that he had abandoned the breathing method. His body, while filled with Ethra, had stopped its circulation, sitting within his form like a placid creek. He clasped the manacles on in an instant, pausing the breathing technique to see just what would happen, still staring at the cuffs. A jolt of pure stinging energy coursed through his body as Tunde sank to his knees in shock and pain, wheezing as he felt his Ethra heal him.
Immediately resuming the breathing technique, he felt the pain lessen, staring at the cuffs with the inscriptions written on them. He knew the elder had a propensity for pain, but not as sadistic as this, and the moment he tried removing it, another jolt shot through his body. Tunde fell onto his back, his body matted with sweat as he breathed heavily. How had the elder gotten to his room? Had Ryka let him in? And if so, was he that tired that he had not noticed such a presence within his surroundings?
With an active reminder of the pain on his wrists, he took a bath, marveling again at the fact that he had access to warm water and not the cold streams back home. Technology wasn’t something he was used to, but he was proud of himself for acclimating just as fast as he could. He had seen floating vessels back home when the ‘great lords’ had come to obtain the resources they had harvested or, in most cases, found in the sprawling landmass of their settlement.
Watching from within the perceived shelter of the settlement as the silver and black oval-looking vessels hovered a few meters above the ground, like they themselves disdained the very grounds those they considered their lessers were standing on while the great ones watched their elderly load crates after crates into the vessels themselves.
A few minutes later, he was back in his robes, feeling his body cycle his Ethra around as he made his way out of the room, books in the leather bag across his shoulder. Whenever a door opened and an initiate peeked out, they nodded at him, the words “high ranker” never straying from their mouths as a sort of greeting. Tunde found it as embarrassing as it was strange to him, making his way down into the tavern itself where the tables were empty and only Lady Ryka at the main table, seemingly cleaning. He wondered when she found time to rest or even sleep, seeing as he always met her at the tavern. She smiled at him.
“You look better and tired all together,” she said in greeting.
He raised his wrists, revealing the cuffs. “Elder Joran was here?” Tunde asked.
Ryka nodded. “Came at the break of dawn, apparently the venerable elder decided to check on you. I’m guessing that’s his idea?” she asked.
Tunde nodded. “A training device, a painful one at that,” he replied.
“Sounds like the elder, alright,” she said.
A meal later, with lots of jolts as he reflexively forgot to maintain the breathing technique, resulting in lots of spills, most of which were apparently amusing to the lady, Tunde was ready to leave the Red Blossom House.
With directions in hand, Tunde left Petal Street, making his way quietly through the busy streets filled with people displaying wares and other sorts of businesses. Making his way through the crowded streets, he heard a few whispers here and there regarding himself, ignoring it as he pushed onwards. The last thing he wanted was to be embroiled in another fight.
A few jolts later, he was in front of a large structure. Large white columns greeted him in the distance as he drew closer, the streets getting sparser, the roads going from rough-hewn grounds to smooth interlockings. The structure gleamed the closer he got to it, tiled steps leading to large bronze doors where two disciples stood guard. The statue of a woman with rimmed glasses and flowing hair cradling scrolls stood at the entrance, staring down at him like he was beneath her notice.
Making his way to the doors, he flashed his student tag to the disciples who eyed him once, no doubt having heard about him before letting him through. He stepped into a behemoth of a hall, long giant bookcases that stretched as far as his eyes could see. Bustling people moved around, some floating in the air sporadically to pick a scroll or book before landing and continuing, others among the long rows of desks and tables that accompanied the shelves.
In awe for a second or two, he shuffled when a cough echoed at his back. A short woman stared up at him expectedly. He turned to her, bowing a bit.
“Apologies, was I blocking the path?” he asked politely.
The woman eyed him up and down. “You know, for the initiate that caused such a ruckus yesterday, you don’t look like much,” she said.
Tunde blinked at her, confused.
“Then again, nothing that damned geezer does makes any sense these days,” she muttered to herself as she began walking hurriedly.
Tunde watched her walk a few meters before she paused, sighing as she glanced up before turning to him.
“What? Were you expecting me to beg you to come along?” she said, her voice loud enough to draw a few stares.
Tunde sputtered, caught off guard.
“Or were you expecting I give the student of Elder Joran, who tore his way through to high ranker in a day, any more special treatment than my time?” she said again.
Tunde internally sighed, understanding what was going on. Coming to him slowly, he bowed.
“Apologies, great elder, forgive my manners,” he said loudly enough.
The whispers broke out again, a few initiates along with disciples staring his way as he made his way to her, seeing the little smile tug on her face as she led on in silence. Perception was everything to them in the clan, it seemed, and while he had no idea just who she was, the way she spoke denoted she was someone high-ranking in the clan or, better still, in the knowledge hall.
Making their way deeper into the hall, Tunde passed hundreds of rankers as they read through books. They stopped at a large door, bronze with a golden handle and the name ‘Elder Ming’ on the door. Opening for her, they stepped into a large room, large enough to rival his room back at the Red Blossom, she sighed, dropping onto a soft foam-like seat before staring at him.
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“Initiate Tunde, shadow Ethra affinity, rank 15, and affiliated with the Red Blossom House of Petal Street, correct?” she asked.
“Indeed, great elder,” he replied.
“Cut it,” she said as she glared at him.
“I’m merely doing this as a favor for my husband, who, for some reason, expects an old disciple such as I to walk on eggshells around a mere mid-tier initiate,” she said.
Tunde was unsure of what to say. “Elder Joran is your husband?” he asked gently.
Elder Ming’s eyes widened as she gave a short laugh. “Good heavens, no! I doubt that infuriating bastard could ever settle down,” she said.
Tunde did a double take behind him to ensure the elder adept was not somehow in the room, seeing as Elder Ming spoke so carefreely. She snorted at his reaction.
“He really has you terrified, doesn’t he? I am married to the one you may know as Elder Wren,” she said.
Tunde bowed. “Oh, then I apologize,” he replied.
She gave a nonchalant grunt before gesturing at him to sit on the other soft seater, Tunde sinking into it comfortably as he glanced around the bare room, which was only filled with books in a corner and some other unrecognizable items and gears. She pointed to the books in his hands.
“How far gone are you?” she asked.
He brought out the books, holding the first and only one he had read. “Only the histories of the Bloodfire continent,” he replied.
Elder Ming gave another sigh, Tunde somehow feeling she viewed him as dim-witted from the looks she shot him.
“And just how well do you know the history of the continent?” she asked again.
“In fact,” she said, pausing him as he made to talk, “tell me everything you know,” she ordered.
Tunde took a deep breath, preparing himself. “There are four continents on Adamath as well as two large oceans and the forbidden lands,” he started. “Bloodfire resides at the northernmost part of the map; its relatively closest continent is Silvershade. The continent is home to two cults and two empires who rule together,” he continued.
Elder Ming snorted. “A load of crap we peddle, but please, continue,” she said with a lazy wave of her hand.
Tunde jolted from the shock of the cuff as he cut off his breathing before restabilizing himself, Elder Ming tutting.
“Nasty piece of work, breathing cuffs. You must be abysmal at breathing techniques if the elder was forced to use it,” she said. “Makes you wonder how you defeated three high rankers; our rankers must be falling in caliber,” she muttered to herself.
“The two cults are the Heralds and Artificers’ Guild, the two empires being the Talahan Empire, where we reside with the Heralds, and the Technocracy, where the guild runs their half of the continent with the Arcanum clan,” he said.
“Good, at least you have that part of your studies done,” she said.
“The Talahan Empire is ruled by the imperial clan, the Talahan, led by Master Kaius Talahan, the highest ranker of the entire empire,” he said.
“Technically, minus the various masters and fabled regent of the Heralds, but you know, propaganda must push and all that,” she cut in again.
“Pardon me, but are you saying he isn’t?” Tunde asked, confused.
She eyed him again, Tunde sure she viewed him as dim-witted this time. “Tell me, do you know why I spoke to you that way outside?” she asked.
Tunde paused for a few seconds before speaking. “To ensure everyone knew who I was?” he answered tentatively, wincing at a jolt again as he cursed silently.
“Was that a guess or a definitive answer, initiate?” she asked.
“Definitive,” he answered immediately.
She stared for a few seconds more before nodding. “Yes, it was. Ranks mean everything; you should know that by now. And if the official books say Lord Kaius is the highest ranker of the empire, disregarding the monsters of the cult, then yes, he is. Are we clear?” she said.
Tunde nodded, glancing down at the book and then at the woman. The message was clear: don’t take things at face value. She waved at him again to continue.
“The empire is broken down into various clans and sects that swear allegiance to both the empire itself and the cult. Five major clans hold the most power in the empire,” Tunde started again. “One of which is our clan, the Verdan clan, popularly known as the Jade Clan for our use of jade affinity,” he continued.
“What else is our clan known for?” she asked.
“Protection of the outer wastelands as well as mining and production of jade crystals and Ethra crystals found in the grounds of the outer wastelands,” Tunde replied.
Elder Ming nodded. “Good, it is what has allowed us to maintain our position as one of the top four clans of the empire. Each of these clans has some vital role or the other they play for the empire now, don’t they?” she asked.
“Yes, we represent the natural resources of the dry land that the empire has within their grasp,” Tunde said. “The Briar Clan to the west of the empire hold the agricultural power of the empire; their affinity for life and plants places them solidly within the top five,” he continued.
“Farmers, but the deadly type. Also, the book doesn’t reveal that they can literally steal decades from your lifeforce to add to theirs, even their initiates capable of stealing years. Quite the scary ones, those Briars,” Elder Ming said offhandedly.
“The Acacia Clan is known for their water Ethra affinity and help in ensuring the empire’s access to water due to our position on the map,” Tunde said.
“I personally believe they hold the entire empire in their grasp, no joke, seeing as the emperor himself is married to one of them, but that will be a debate for another day. Next,” she said.
“The Thoren Clan is known for being beast tamers. The book wasn’t too clear on that,” Tunde said.
All it had written was that their domain was home to a lot of beasts native to the continent, beasts that were either used for war or for other exotic means such as meat or as pets. Elder Ming nodded.
“Yes, another secretive clan. The truth is that their capabilities as warriors surpass their ability as tamers. Rumors even suggest they have extended roots in the Silvershade continent, seeing as they have half-Sylveran features,” she said, almost as if talking to herself.
She turned to him. “Well, that’s as much as any initiate should know about currently. Take a break from histories; it won’t be of much use to you now. Read up on Ethra affinities and all its related branches,” she said.
Tunde nodded, then paused. “Pardon me, elder, but I do have a question,” Tunde said hesitantly.
“Don’t we all? Go on,” she said.
He nodded, speaking. “The histories mentioned we are in the second age but didn’t elaborate. What does that mean?” he asked.
The book called their current time the “Second Age,” a new beginning, but it left it at that—the next page was blank. Elder Ming mused on it for a few seconds before speaking.
“When I was young, two centuries ago,” she started.
Tunde gave her a once over, keeping his Ethra sight to himself. It seemed all the elders he had seen were centuries old; perhaps the use of Ethra extended the lifespan of an individual? He would do his research later.
“I was told by my teacher that he had heard a rumor, possibly from someone in the cults, that our world is an amalgamation of various others fighting to meld into one planet,” she said. “It was his theory or explanation as to why each continent—or even half-continent—has such distinct cultures. We prefer the way of battle and weapons; the guilds believe in the supremacy of technology; the Silvershade continent as a whole abhors all forms of technology, and the list goes on,” she continued.
“He said the coming together of these continents shattered the true Adamath, or whatever it was called then. And he believes that somewhere within the rifts where the strange creatures of the beast surge come from are other fragments, waiting to be melded with Adamath—the start of a new age,” she finished.
Tunde shivered reflexively, Elder Ming losing the thoughtful look on her face.
“But I call it nonsense—probably just some old ranker or empire wanting to add flare to the name. Either way, it’s none of our business. Now, off you go,” she said as she waved at him to leave.
He bowed to the elder, leaving the room as he replayed what she had told him over and over, for some reason, the story staying in his mind.
*******************
The midday sun was just coming out when Tunde left the hall**, stepping out of its cool interior into the hot weather of Jade Peak. With the book on Ethra and its properties in hand, he considered making his way back to the Red Blossom House and waiting until evening before heading to the training hall. He paused, shaking his head as he placed the book within his satchel and turned towards the direction of the training hall, making his way briskly along.
He pushed himself faster with Ethra, feeling it course through his veins smoothly, like a well-oiled machine with little to no stress. He shot onwards, the breeze blowing across his face. Vaulting to the top of a roof, he felt the air on his face as he opened himself to his sight, the different colors of Ethra flowing around him. A soft smile tugged at his face, Tunde unsure why he felt like laughing. It took him a few seconds to understand: freedom.
The moment he understood that feeling, he came to a halt, feeling tears run down his cheeks as he wiped them away, choking back a half sob and half laugh. His own destiny was within his hands. True, he might be one of the lowest of the low currently, but he had been worse than that before; he had been non-existent. Now he was a high-ranking initiate of one of the top five clans of an entire empire, the realization doing something to his heart and mind.
He stared at the skies, swearing to himself, right then and there, that he would reach as high as he could before he was cut down. He swore not just to himself, but to his family, those who died for him to reach his current position. He swore to his sister, that little light that died before she even knew just how terrible reality was.
He swore to his mother and father, those who had tried their best to shield him before they too succumbed to the hand of power. He swore to his clan, the settlement, with all their tales and stories of ancient but powerful ancestors who had passed, and right there and then, he swore that he would take that legacy on, and one day, he would return to pay homage.
One day.