More than two weeks had passed since Solkyr and Zhu left Renmen to sail to Xiliu. During this short time, Solkyr learned a lot of new things. He learned more about Qiuren's history and language, he also started to do some physical work on the ship to help the crew and he studied swordsmanship under Zhu.

He also tried to reproduce what he felt when he held the Rainbow Dream in his hands but he still wasn’t able to ‘get it out’. He felt like he was blocked by something, but he didn’t know what.

Overall, Solkyr seemed to be a quick learner and was very curious about a lot of subjects. He absorbed and digested knowledge at a rapid rate, which was good news because he would also have to adapt quickly to his new life in the Xiliu clan.

He also had time to reflect on what happened to him in these last few weeks. The vision of his mother dying was still vivid in his mind and although he didn’t feel much sadness, he was still affected by this event and what followed just after. He also wondered who saved him from the hands of the Knights because he had learned it wasn’t Zhu.

All in all, the trip was going well but dark clouds were looming on the horizon, figuratively but also literally.

“Sir, it seems we will have no choice but to go through this storm,” one of the sailors said to Zhu.

“Is there no way we can navigate around it?” Zhu asked.

“We could but … there is a risk we could encounter human pirates paid by the Kingdom of Volghart, especially if we go a bit more to the north, where the human colony of Geldheim is located. If we go south, there are fewer chances of that happening as the human colony of Orcitis has good relations with Renmen and Armithris but we can never be certain” The sailor answered.

Zhu pondered for a few seconds and he finally took a decision.

“We will go south then, It's safer to sail near the coasts anyway, we will have to take the risks. We don’t want to encounter a Sea Serpent or a creature like that, It would be a death sentence”

On the orders of Zhu, the crew worked together and the ship changed direction to go south and pass by Orcitis.

Solkyr knew a bit about the cities of Geldheim and Orcitis. Geldheim was a city founded by Volghartian merchants to trade with the Alkameleons Teno Clan while Orcitis was founded by Armithrian merchants with some monetary help from the Elrak family, to help fluidify the trade between Novomundis and the Jade Empire. This is what Zhu had taught him.

“Do you think we will encounter enemies ?” Solkyr asked Zhu.

“It’s not impossible, but there is a very low chance. On the other hand, a storm comes with many dangers and difficulties. I prefer to fight against pirates rather than to fight against nature” he joked.

“Well, could you teach me more about swordsmanship ?” Solkyr asked. “I want to be ready if we encounter any pirates !” he said excitedly.

“It’s a good idea but remember, you are still a child, you should fight only to protect your own life. If there is any danger, I am certain we will do well on our own. Go take your wooden swords we will train now.” Zhu smiled at Solkyr, who directly went searching for the training swords.

[A few days later]

The last few days had been pretty peaceful and the ship had finally reached the coast of Seylenthea proper. After a short stop at the colony of Orcitis to get some supplies, the boat was sailing along the coasts toward Xiliu, their final goal was near!

Solkyr was studying in his room with the boat’s chef, surprisingly. His name was Ximen Jiao. The Ximen were a cadet branch of the Xiliu clan and he had been the servant of Zhu for a long time now. Zhu was busy most of the day and so he asked him to teach Solkyr when possible.

Solkyr was currently learning Qiuren characters and specifics of the Xiliu dialect. He was able to present himself and knew how to say and ask basic things.

As Solkyr and Jiao were trying to have a small conversation in Qiuren, there seemed to be some kind of commotion coming from the bridge. Jiao told Solkyr to continue studying while he would go and ask what was happening.

A few minutes later, Ximen Jiao was back with two swords in his hands.

“Take this shortsword and stay here,” he said to Solkyr.

“What is happening ?” Solkyr asked.

“An enemy boat is approaching us so stay here and use this sword to defend yourself, I will join the others to defend the ship. Do you understand ?”

Solkyr took the sword and shook his head. He wanted to fight but he remembered what Zhu had told him. Deep in himself, he had a desire to fight, it felt the thing that was “blocking” him could be overcome this way.

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He heard the sailors and Zhu preparing to fight over him and quickly enough, their boat collided with the enemy boat violently. Solkyr was sent flying against a wall, but he quickly stood up, sword in hand to prepare against any potential invaders.

He heard the clash of swords above him and it made him remember Armithris. He felt his adrenaline going up and his blood boiling up, he felt feverish. He heard the cries of dying people, Qiurens, and humans, and his curiosity could not be quenched anymore and he decided against all advice to go up and see what was happening.

He opened the door and he followed the corridor toward the stair leading up to the bridge. He rapidly saw the light of the sun and as he was starting to go up, a Qiuren corpse started to fall down the stairs, which he barely avoided and made him take a few steps back. This Qiuren was sliced at the throat and he was nearly decapitated, it was not a sight to behold. Up the stairs, what seemed to be a human pirate stared down and saw his next victim.

“What do we have here ?” he said in a menacing tone, as he started to go down the stairs. “You must be very valuable seeing the clothes you are wearing. If you survive, you and your pretty face are going to be sold for some value I hope” he laughed maniacally.

Solkyr took a few more steps back as he saw this man approach him. He held his sword, ready to defend himself and kill this man. He felt his body heating up and for a second, he had the sensation of something burning up inside him.

The pirate suddenly ran toward Solkyr and directly attacked him. Solkyr barely evaded his attack and tried to hit him but he parried his attack.

“It’s not with attacks this weak that you will kill me !” the pirate said as he made a powerful attack not on Solkyr but on his sword. Solkyr tried to parry but was disarmed easily by the pirate, his sword flying meters away from him.

He looked everywhere around him for a new weapon but it doesn’t mean that the pirate stopped attacking him. He launched himself at the young child, not stopping once. He swung his sword and Solkyr managed to avoid his slash but barely. His senses were on full alert and he felt like he was in another world. Even if he was in danger of dying, he never felt so alive in a sense.

In a moment of distraction, the pirate finally managed to slash him on his right arm. He felt a sharp pain and he saw his clothes were ripped and a non-negligible amount of blood started dripping down. He tried to stop the bleeding with his left hand but it was clear Solkyr was at an even greater disadvantage.

“You should surrender kid, there is always a chance you can live right ?” the pirate laughed.

Solkyr thought as quick as he could in his little head and he felt he had no other choice, but he had a plan.

“I … I will surrender,” he said seemingly hesitant.

“What a sensible child, let me tie you up !”

The fight on the bridge was still going on as Solkyr could hear steel clashing against steel. He didn’t know how long it would take but he was certain Zhu would win.

As the pirate approached him and he was defenseless, he had a vision. He saw the same knight who burned his face approaching him with a large and horrible smile on his face. Solkyr was scared when he saw the flame being summoned in his hand. He remembered the pain he felt when this same knight burned his face.

It was this that was blocking him, a fear he had buried deep inside him and at this moment, something snapped.

The vision ended and the right side of Solkyr’s face started to emit smoke. The pirate stopped, surprised, and Solkyr used this time to his advantage. He pointed his bloody left hand toward the pirate and suddenly, a fire started to appear, a red fire. The pirate had no time to react as suddenly a bolt of fire was launched straight toward his chest. This bolt hit him and the red flame started to burn intensely. He dropped his weapon in panic as he tried to put out the flames.

Solkyr’s senses were foggy from the loss of blood but he used this moment and quickly went for the sword the pirate dropped. It was too big for him but he had no other choice, he couldn’t find his shortsword and he didn’t know how long the fire would last.

With his sword in hand, he ran to the man who was still struggling and he started to swing it like a savage. Soon, his sight was bathed in blood but not his, his enemy’s blood. For a moment, he was not human, he was an animal fighting for his life.

The pirate started to scream in terror and pain as he tried to flee without success. His legs were slashed so he tried to crawl as quickly as he could but Solkyr continued slashing, slashing, and slashing.

Only when did the pirate stop breathing, Solkyr stopped using the sword and collapsed unconscious due to blood loss and fatigue.

[A few hours later]

Solkyr woke up and he had a feeling of déja-vu. He looked around him and he saw he was in his room, Zhu was seating on a chair reading a book. He felt very tired and he felt pain on his right hand and all over his body.

“So you’re awake,” Zhu said coldly.

“I am” Solkyr simply answered.

A long silence ensued as Zhu continued to read and Solkyr wasn’t able to move.

“Why did you go out of your room ?” Zhu asked while he put his book away.

“I needed to, you wouldn’t understand what I felt back then” Solkyr tried answering him.

“I will listen to what you have to say anyway, so tell me, Solkyr.”

“I felt something was holding me down, I felt I had to fight and win. There is this burning sensation inside me that craved for a fight, for revenge on what happened to me, to my face.”

“When I fought against this pirate, I saw it. I saw the knight who burned me and I knew I had to kill this fear, else it would consume me in the end” Solkyr tried to explain.

“I see,” Zhu said. “But you must understand what you are capable of. It’s a miracle you survived. When we found you, you had lost a lot of blood. You could have died !” Zhu told him while seemingly angry.

“If you want to join the Xiliu clan, you will have to understand discipline and order. You will probably have to stay in bed for the time being so think and reflect about your actions. During this time, we won’t teach you anything, consider it your punishment, for now.”

“I … understand. I will do better next time.”

“I hope you will understand you are lucky to have a ‘next time’” Zhu said as he stood up and started to walk toward the room’s door.

“Wait !” Solkyr said. “I have something to show you”

Solkyr took his hand out of the blanket covering him and suddenly, a red fire started to appear from it. When he did, smoke started to appear from the right side of his face. A few seconds later, the fire disappeared.

“It explains why the body of the pirate was partially burned. You are lucky and gifted, I hope you will understand how to use your gifts without putting your life in danger. Rest well Solkyr” Zhu said as he exited the room.

“Thank you …” Solkyr said as he slowly began to sleep once again.

End of Chapter 6