Kaara had never been inside a tent enchanted with human magic before. Deka’s tent was on the smaller end of the ones Kaara had seen around camp, but only on the outside. The moment she stepped inside, she saw an expansive well-established home complete with crystalline lights, servant familiars, woven rugs, a warm bath, and a king sized bed. There was even a long table in the center of the room where Deka sat to welcome them. She exited the tent to inspect the outside, just to be sure there wasn’t some sort of secret camouflage or invisibility. Much to Deka’s amusement.
Humans were incredible.
“Finished inspecting my tent? It’s quite impressive magic, isn’t it?” Deka said.
“Yeah! This is incredible, how does it work?”
“I am unfamiliar with the specifics myself. I let the humans deal with that. There’s quite a few rooms in the Emperor’s palace which have recently been renovated with the same enchantments. In five years, they will likely be using this spacial magic to create pocket dimensions for martial combat. Imagine if the size of arena battlefields were no longer limited by the stadiums they’re built in? We could host entire war games in a single arena.”
“Five years huh?” Kaara said. She would be seventeen by then. She wondered what type of person she would be by that point, “You could store a lot of food with this!” she said, “Like if you enchant a backpack or something.”
“Very astute of you. The humans have already managed to make such items. It was the starting point for a tent like this, in fact.”
“I see you’re still living in luxury without bothering to understand the lessons the Altix is meant to teach you. That’s all this is at the end of the day, really,” Amaro said.
Deka chuckled, “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Xirxus. Exhausting myself with sleepless nights and uncomfortable bedding is counterproductive to becoming stronger. I can see the bags under your eyes, and I’ve decided not to waste precious sleep over silly things like ‘grit’ and ‘toughness’.”
“It just means you’ll break easier during a fight.”
“That’s rich coming from someone who has lived their entire life in the Xirxus manor until now. You were already sleeping in silk sheets locked away from the world like a princess in a fairytail. And yet here you are, stronger than most, acting as if a few days roughing it in the woods has made you any stronger.”
“I’d be happy to show you just how much stronger I am.”
“Oh? So I take it you’re here to decline my offer?”
Kaara stepped in between them, “No, we’ve come to accept it, but we’ve got a few things we’d like to discuss first before making a deal.”
Amaro collected himself, “She’s right, we can fight later. For now, we’ve come as representatives of the others.”
“Well at the moment, Kaara’s a better diplomat than you are. I have half a mind to destroy those scrolls out of spite.”
“Speaking of those scrolls,” Kaara said before Amaro could say something in retaliation, “you said you could read them right? You also offered to teach us if we joined you. Why would you do that?”
“Well, it’s not as if I could teach just anyone. I’ve got an eye for those who are capable of using Ux, but don’t fully comprehend how to control it. And the secret to reading these scrolls lies in being able to control your Ux.”
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“Ux. You’ve said that before. What is that?”
Deka waved his hand dismissively, “I’m not going to get into any specifics. Just know that it is the power beyond simple magic. It allows us to heal quicker, run faster, hit harder, and cast high level spells. We erase our presences with it, we defend from magic with it, and we read blank scrolls with arcane knowledge reserved for only the most deserving of eyes.”
“I’m guessing Ux also allows you to see who else is currently using it?” Amaro said.
“Not quite. There are signs to look for, however. I’ve no doubt the two of you can see in the dark with near perfect clarity when you focus on it. But do either of you remember a time when you couldn’t?”
Kaara nodded, “I’ve only recently been able to do that.”
“I’ve always been able to see in the dark. At least, I think so…”
Deka smirked, “My experience is closer to yours, Amaro. However, plenty of xiozi- even nobility- do not share our experience. In fact, one reason I’m offering to teach you is that you’ve already shown the ability to read it. It’s just that you seemed to have discovered it by complete accident.”
“And you think we’re all capable of using this ‘Ux’? Even if I’m the only one who can read it?”
“Oh most definitely. Kaara’s magical might is proof of that alone. Her friends are all hunters and huntresses capable of seeing in the dark like owls. I also know that the six of you are among the few who have at least partially awakened their Ux. As much as I hate to admit it Amaro, you and your siblings are impressive right down to the weakest among you. All of you show signs of intermediate Ux techniques. Raktus’s hearing, Sancta’s high level magic, the weapons that Tulos can forge. It’s no surprise that the two eldest are also the two furthest along to fully awakening their Ux.”
“I see you’ve been watching us all closely.”
“Only because of our little bout during dinner. I hadn’t expected to find worthy rivals in the Tibur camp, but I was pleasantly surprised.”
“So that’s what it is. You can see who’s stronger based on this Ux thing, and you want to get as many of them under your banner as possible.”
“More or less. Even if I said I could win this little war game without your help, I also know it would not be a guarantee unless you join me or abstain from the battles. Seeing as almost half of you are Tibur, and how more than half of you are smitten for a Tibur, it was only a matter of time before you opposed me.”
Kaara thought about that. Would she have joined Tadios or Deka in the war games? She had no issue with either, and she knew that Tadios would understand if she joined the other team to keep things balanced. She always had, in previous years.
“Well I think you’re correct in your assumption, but I doubt I would have participated at all.”
“My opponents are those who have partially awakened their Ux as well. And my greatest adversary, leading the Tiburs, has fully awakened his Ux just like me. Even if he might not fully comprehend the source of his power like I do.”
Kaara raised an eyebrow. Was he talking about Tadios?
“Why do you want to win so badly?” Kaara asked, “It’s not like there’s a reward for it, this sort of thing happens every year.”
“When you have all the material wealth you want, the immaterial becomes all the more valuable to you. The adults have eyes on us. They have expectations of us. They’re currently betting which heirs will show promise as future generals. The reward for me is glory. I want to win because of the statement it makes, not because the Tibur can offer me a silly present of bones or fur.”
“In other words, if you lose, it would be another flaw in your legacy,” Amaro said, “You have to win because the adults expect you to win.”
“I knew someone like you would understand me, Amaro.”
“Not quite. I’d much rather just lose intentionally than allow myself to be guided by the expectations of others.”
“And that’s where you and I differ, Amaro. You shy away from expectation, and I am emboldened by it. Regardless, what are your conditions for joining me? I see you have not brought your giant of a brother with you, so I take it you trust my word.”
“You likely have other methods of lying so Raktus would be useless. However, the reputation and honesty of your word as a Prince is important to keep, so I doubt you would go back on it.”
“Yeah!” Kaara said, “You might be a dickbag sometimes, but at least we know you’re honest!”
Deka rubbed his temple, “I think I’ll take back what I said about you being the better diplomat. State your terms before I kick you out and use those scrolls as kindling.”