Seated around the village's main campfire, Arthur welcomed the youth.

"Hello, I am Arthur, chief of this village, who might you be?" Arthur inquired.

Smiling, the youth replied in kind, "pleasure to meet you, chief Arthur, I am Aku of the Asante Tribe."

Arthur nodded," my familiars informed me that they didn't find you, but instead, you found them. Or more accurately, you were heading in this direction looking for something. Is that true?'

"Correct, for generations, my tribe and I have been waiting for your arrival. Every month we send someone into the valley to confirm your arrival."

Confused, Arthur couldn't help but ask, "hmm, why is that?"

"I am not too sure of the reason myself, but our tribe chief should be able to enlighten you. My only purpose upon finding you is to invite you to meet our tribe chief."

Curious as to why a tribe would spend generations waiting for his appearance, Arthur pondered for a bit before silently nodding.

"So be it, I shall meet your tribe chief. But first I need to inform someone of my departure. Please wait for a moment."

Standing up, Arthur went to find Myrddin. After a brief discussion, Myrddin understood the situation and requested Arthur to be cautious. Acquiescing, Arthur went back to the Village Manor* and garbed his black sleeveless leather armor.

[*changing village hall to village manor, and village center to village hall*]

Leaving Luna behind to aid Siegfried in case of any emergency, Arthur, along with Aegon and Cal, began their journey to the Asante tribe.

The journey to the Asante Tribe held no suspense. During this period, Arthur and Aku chatted, and from a light probe, Arthur found out from Aku that his tribe was located at the mouth of the valley. He also found out that for generations, the Asante Tribe had prevented anyone from entering the valley or they themselves for settling within it. Indirectly this also answered one of Arthur's questions regarding why such a perfect geographic location for a settlement was virtually untouched.

After hearing this, Arthur's curiosity in the Asante Tribe piqued.

After five hours of traveling on the familiars at a leisurely pace, the outline of a 3-meter wooden wall appeared on the horizon.

As they approached, they met two guards in leather armor wielding spears. Similar to Aku, they also had white tattoo-like lines forming patterns over their dark skin.

Upon seeing Aku, they bowed courteously as they immediately made way for them to enter the village.

Noticing Aku's treatment, Arthur couldn't help but comment, "your status seems to be quite high within your tribe."

"That's only because the tribe chief is my father," responded Aku with a light smile.

"Hmm? You refer to your father as chief?"

"Of course," Aku answered as he spread his arms out. "When I am in my armor, my father is the chief, and I am his soldier. When I am in my tunic, I am his son, and he is my father. The differentiation ensures that we handle our duties and responsibilities with our tribe's needs first."

Having nothing to comment, Arthur simply nodded his head in understanding.

Upon entering the village, Arthur was caught a bit off guard. Though he wasn't expecting anything, he still had a base level of expectation.

Within the village, the people of the tribe were going about their business. Occasionally children will dash pass them chasing each other.

As Arthur observed, he noticed that everyone within the tribe seemed a bit thin. Judging by how loose the soil was, the problem was evidently the lack of food. As they proceeded into the village, Arthur also noticed some wear and tear in the houses. Upon seeing this sight, Arthur couldn't help but shake his head, if the tribe had expanded into the valley, they would have enough resources to ensure they wouldn't end up in their current situation. Thinking about the tribe's rule of prohibiting settlement in the valley, Arthur's interest in meeting the tribe's chief couldn't help but grow.

Eventually, the group arrived at a large circular manor.

Stepping down from his black panther, Aku turned to Arthur," give me one minute to inform my chief of your arrival."

"Of course," replied Arthur as he jumped off Aegon while Cal floated lazily onto his head.

As Arthur jumped off, Aegon's Russian-like voice drummed his ears, "I'm going to take a nap, don't wake this father up." When his words ended, his body dissipated into particles of light, floating to the Familiar Mark on Arthur's chest.

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After a minute, and true to his word, Aku returned an invited Arthur into the tribe's manor.

Stepping into the manor, Arthur arrived in a grand hall with an inversely domed floor. Seated at the head of the hall was a well-built man dark-skinned man. His current topless appearance revealed well-developed muscles, which seemed to complement his white Celtic circle tattoo-like markings. But, what caught Arthur's attention were his crystal blue eyes that seem to sparkle like a million stars. Through contrastive, it gave the man an air of peculiarity.

With a flash of white, he smiled and invited Arthur to take a seat.

As Arthur sat across from him, he introduced himself." A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Cisse of the Asante Tribe."

"Likewise, Chief Cisse, I am Arthur. Aku informed me that you and your people have been waiting for me for quite some time and requested to meet me."

"Straight to the point. I like it." Chuckled Cisse. "And correct. My people and I have have been waiting for your arrival for generations. As for why it is quite a long story, would you like to hear it?"

Arthur nodded, signaling for him to continue.

With a laugh, Cisse began. "It all actually began not on this land but a land far from here. The land of my forefathers – Tsew Acirfa. In this land, three powers reigned supreme, the Mali Clan, the Ghana Clan, and the Songhai Clan. With each incapable of dominating one another, they effectively split the land into three. For generations, all three powers competed against each other, and for better or worse, their rivalry strengthened and sharpened them. As time passed, so did the strength of each Clan's unique bloodlines. The unique thing about Tsew Acirfa is that its people can't embark on the Celestial Path because of their bloodlines. But, it's also because of their bloodlines why they were all incredibly strong and powerful. The Mali Clan had the Domnus King bloodline, the Ghana Clan had the Warrior King Bloodline, and Songhai Clan had the Tempest King Bloodline. However, it is because of these bloodlines that these three Clans met their downfall.

The fall began when a man by the name Primus Zulu arrived on Tsew Acirfa. He came from a similar land to Tsew Acirfa called Htuos Acirfa. Upon his arrival, he met with the clan leader of the Mali Clan at the time with a promise. His promise? He could elevate the Domnus King bloodline from the regal grade to the imperial grade. As for the significance of this, all three clan's bloodlines were at the regal grade, and comparing a regal bloodline to an imperial bloodline is like comparing heaven to earth. If such an advantage was given the Mali Clan, wiping the Ghana and Songhai Clan would be a matter of one snapping fingers. And as fate would have it, upon hearing that and all Primus Zulu needed was his bloodline seed, the Mali Clan leader happily agreed. Unbeknownst to him, Primus Zulu had met with the other clan leaders for the exact same thing. With three regal bloodline seeds in hand, Primus Zulu vanished. When the leader's realized what happened, they couldn't help but lament their foolishness. Regardless they had to pay the price.

Without their bloodline seeds, the three clans' bloodline grades began to plummet from regal to noble, to advanced, to intermediate, and finally to basic. With the grade drop, so did the clans' overall strength. With no other choice, each clan summoned their Oracle Spirits to guide them on what to do. Perhaps they should have done that before handing their bloodline seeds to a stranger but alas who would pass up a once in a lifetime opportunity to crush their enemies an reign supreme.

Regardless, when the Oracle Spirits appeared, they only bore foreboding news. Primus Zulu was returning with an army, and he had somehow fused the three bloodline seeds with himself to create a new bloodline of the imperial grade – big oof. But all hope was not lost. Though the clans were facing destruction and enslavement, each Oracle Spirit offered their clan hope. They each told their respective clan leader to send out their youngest child with a small group of people off the continent. Only a small group would be able to sneak past Primus Zulu's incoming fleet. With no choice, the leader acted in haste to sent out their youngest. The Mali and Songhai Clan went in their foretold direction with swiftness. As for Ghana Clan, their Oracle Spirit mentioned that there was a great opportunity for a revival and even a chance to rise to the pinnacle of the realm. It pointed to a direction and told the Ghana Clan leader to wait for the arrival of someone who would walk out from the valley of five mountains. As it dispersed into traces of the light, the Ghana Clan leader with haste sent his youngest child, Asante, and a few other people in that direction.

As Asante and his people landed on new land, they began their search for a valley of five mountains. Eventually, they found it after losing a few of their people to the dangers of the realm. Nonetheless, that is how my people arrived here. And just like our Oracle Spirit stated, you arrived from the valley. As for how, with how mystical the realm and fate is, it is not my place to question. Though this land is young in comparison with the realm, is it actually over a hundred years old. As for why my people forbid anyone from entering the valley, it's in accordance with our former clan's beliefs. To not tempt fate to change foreseen destinies, that destiny must have as little interactions with it as possible. Hence, why we only send someone once a month and prevent others from settling or approaching the valley."

As Arthur listened, he couldn't help but subconsciously nod. The story had actually answered all the questions he had. It also made sense why the tribe's current state seemed to be a gradual decline. The tribe was stuck between a rock and a hard place. To retain their hope of a resurgence, they had to guard the valley against others and couldn't touch it either. They also couldn't leave as the natural resources around the area gradually declined over generations. Noting this, Arthur couldn't help be impressed by the Asante tribe's dedication and will.

Regardless, a question remained. What happens now?

As though reading Arthur's mind, Cisse took a deep breath and exhaled sharply. "As per my forefather, Asante, stated before he passed away when the person from the valley arrives, the tribe should be handed over to them. But in a world where might is right, and weak are mere sheep up for slaughter. As Tribe Chief, can I trust that my people and I will be safe with you?"

"Of course, though my overall power is currently weak. I have confidence that those with me shall never lack security, shelter, or food. Though the realm is full of danger, risk and opportunity go hand in hand. Even though my current power is weak, it should be more than enough to handle any threats on the outskirts of this land." Answered Arthur confidently.

Hearing Arthur's words, Cisse smiled. "Is that so? Then allow me to test that."

As Cisse's words fell, the white tattoo-like Celtic circles on him began to turn red as a red aura burst forth, dancing around his body like a fire. In a swift motion, Cisse stood up and with step appeared before the now standing Arthur.