Dreiki’s eyes felt heavier than his feet. Even though he had spent the last week resting and meditating, he was still tired. He couldn’t tell if it was a result of poor sleep, or the after effects of using his Ux so much. Either way, the dreams he’d had were weird ones. Warped versions of previous Ux dreams he’d experienced drifted through his memory.
Dreiki yawned, doing his best to keep pace with Savekio and the rest of his companions. Over the past week, each of them had proven they could wield Ux. It seemed the ritual was effective for that much, even with Savekio’s intervention. Dreiki was happy that they could all come with him, but he worried for Rixam in particular. He had a somber look on his face ever since they left the ceremony.
“Is it true we’re heading to dragon territory?” Rixam asked.
“We are,” Savekio said flatly.
“What about the other Venator Knight children? Shouldn’t we be visiting more villages and helping them? We can read those documents now, can’t we?”
“Rescuing every village from the poachers would be akin to bailing water out of a boat without plugging the holes first. We might get ahead for a moment, but it would not solve the issue. We cannot be everywhere at once.”
“I understand that, but-”
“No one said you must follow me and my disciple.”
“But I can’t do anything on my own!”
“You’re concerned about your sister, right?” Dreiki said.
Rixam sighed, “Yeah. Yeah, I am. I’m worried that by the time I find her… I don’t even wanna finish that sentence.”
“Grandpa, what did you do with those documents from earlier? Were they useful?”
“I handed them off to my other contacts. They are currently looking into those matters.”
Dreiki turned to Rixam, “See? People are already working hard to handle the situation.”
Rixam clicked his tongue, “I know, I know. It’s just frustrating. I’d be a fool not to follow and learn everything I can, but at the same time, I don’t feel like I deserve to while my sister’s probably locked up somewhere getting sold off.”
“If you feel you don’t deserve it, then meditate on those feelings. My training is not a gift, it is a burden which you must choose to carry with all your strength,” Savekio said, “My only condition of following is that you do so with all of your conviction and none of your regret.We are not beyond the point of no return yet. If you wish to back out now, you still can.”
Dreiki moved to speak, but Savekio placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head, “Let him make his own decisions, Dreiki.” He walked over to Rixam, standing over him, “You have unlocked your Ux. From there, you will be able to get more powerful than most others if you keep consistent with the drills and techniques you’ve picked up in the past few months. I’m sure you can grow into a fine warrior without me.”
“And what about Dreiki?” Rixam asked, “Am I even needed here?”
“Regardless of whether you are or not, I don’t think it should influence your decision. Right now you’ve got one foot in and one foot out. Make your decision to which end you want to stand, and do not look back.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Gornax put a hand on Rixam’s shoulder, “Wherever you’re going, I’m going with.”
“You shouldn’t do that for me, Gornax.”
“But I want to. You’re my good friend, and I aint gonna leave you alone.”
“And if I choose to leave?”
“You heard Savekio, we can get strong on our own with what we’ve learned.”
Rixam pulled Gornax’s hand from his shoulder, “I know how much you want to keep following, Gornax. You should be a bit more selfish.”
“I am being selfish right now. Wherever you go, I go. It’s not like we won’t cross paths with Dreiki and Luna again. Besides, we’ve got those kids back in Kul Creek. Imagine what we could teach them!”
“You’re saying you want to leave too?” Dreiki said.
Gornax shook his head, “It’s weird, but I’m in between too. The two of you are my good friends as well, but if Rixam wasn’t here with me, I couldn’t put my heart into things. That wouldn’t be fair to either of you. Of course, if Rixam stays, I’m content with that too. As long as we’re in it together.”
Rixam sighed, “I get it. You should really have some agency of your own, though, Gornax. Don’t always follow what I do.”
“Who else is gonna keep your dumb ass alive?” Gornax chuckled, “We made a promise a long time ago, and I don’t intend to break it for anything. You get stronger because you wanna rescue your sister. I get stronger because I wanna look out for the brother I chose to have. Choose what your heart says, Rixam, and I’ve already made my choice a long time ago.”
Dreiki felt a lump in his throat, but he put on a poker face. Savekio was right. If Rixam was only following him around because Dreiki needed him, then it would not be good for either of them. Rixam had to make this decision on his own and follow through with it.
Rixam squatted down into the snow, scratching his head, “Shit, you’re not making this an easy choice.”
“If you follow us, you have to come to terms with the fact that your sister is not my, nor anyone else’s first priority. That is your journey, and your goal,” Savekio said, “Even if I empathize with your plight, your burden is yours to bear alone. You are not my disciple.”
“But you’d help me if I stayed?” Rixam asked.
“I’m already helping along with the rest of my contacts. However, our help does not discriminate. There are more children than just your sister who must be rescued.”
“I see. So that’s how it is. I get it.” He took a deep breath, “These ‘contacts’ of yours. You think any of them would be willing to look with me?”
“I’m sure you could find one of them, yes.”
Rixam laughed to himself, “You know what’s shitty?”
“What is it?” Dreiki asked.
“If my sister was here, she’d tell me to keep following you and to not worry about her. She would want me to take advantage of this opportunity and get as strong as I can. That’s just how she is. I’m caught in between what I should do. Maybe it’s greedy to think I can have both.”
“I’ll tip the scales, then,” Luna chimed in, standing over Rixam and flicking his forehead, “Go to your sister and get her back, so I can meet her. She sounds like a better person than you.”
Rixam grinned, “That’s about the sweetest thing you’ve said to me, Feathers.” He stood up, “You know, I’ve always needed honest people to make these kinds of decisions for me. I’m gonna miss you the most.”
Luna laughed dryly, looking away.
Dreiki swallowed, holding his chin up, “So then…”
“I’m leaving. All of you have done so much for me already I’d be a fool to try and ask for more. Even if I forced myself to follow all I’d do is slow you down.” He thrust his fist out toward Dreiki, “I’m gonna go find my sister and bring her back. When I do, let’s have a match, just you and me.”
Dreiki was stunned, his sadness melting away into a warm smile. He bumped fists with Rixam, “Don’t take too long. Give me enough time and you won’t be able to beat me anymore.”
Rixam laughed, “Let’s hope not!”
Savekio nodded, “Head on your way, and let my contacts in the village know about your situation. You have my blessing to utilize their strength so long as it does not inconvenience them.”
Ezo whined, bumping into Rixam and licking his hand. Rixam stroked the drake’s head, “I take back what I said earlier. I’m gonna miss you more than Feathers, Ezo.” He took one last look at everyone before turning and trudging away, “Until we meet again, Dreiki.”