„Next one, Step forward!" an intimidating voice bellowed.

With hesitant steps, the young girl clad in rags stepped in front of the table. Her eyes fixed on the torn toenail she got earlier today when she tripped over a stone.

"Name, Age?" The voice clung again.

Without looking up the girl answered. "Kira, 15!"

The man to whom the intimidating voice belonged wrote it down.

"Touch the stone!" He commanded.

Kira had watched dozens of other kids do the same today it was all that the town did all this day. Watch kids touch a stone. She was certain that that wasn't a normal stone because why would the ever-serious adults watch them all touch a boring stone? For now, she hadn't figured it's true purpose. She slowly put her hand on the stone. Immediately she felt a foreign energy force its way through her body. It wasn't painful but gentle yet forceful. As quickly as that energy came it was gone again. Kira felt weirdly empty after it was gone already missing that sensation.

The stone blinked two times with a faint light. 'That's new?' She wondered. The stone never did that all day.

"Finally!" The man said with elation in his voice. "Go stand behind me"

"Why?" Asked Kira surprised by her confidence.

The man didn't answer her and already called for the next kid to step up. Kira looked around in confusion and saw the crowd whisper and shoot glances at her.

Then the Mayor came to her and ushered her behind the Man.

He whispered to her "Don't offend the Immortal!"

Kira raised an eyebrow at the Mayor "How is it offensive when I ask what is going on."

The Mayor looked perplexed for a second before he replied "The Immortal is already in a bad mood because except for you he hasn't found any recruits."

"Recruit for what?" Kira asked still not satisfied with the information.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Stupid Orphan, you seem to know nothing." The Mayor cursed with disgust.

"And whose fault is that?" She retorted with a challenging look.

Anger flashed in his eyes and before Kira could react her head already met the ground with a dull sound. Instantly the square went quiet. The Man who just dismissed another kid. Slowly turned around and with a questioning stare fixed the Mayor.

The Mayor an Ex Warrior stood tall and mighty but under the eyes of the Bored Man he became like a mouse, he squeaked. And before he could say his reasoning his arm dropped to the ground with the same thud Kira's head had made. Kira was a smart girl but she had no idea what just happened. She was sure the Man did something to cut the arm of the Mayor but he hadn't moved at all. Another thing she couldn't wrap her head around was how there was no sound the Mayor was screaming in agony blood splashed like a fountain out of his stump. But there was only silence.

"This girl has already more value than any of you here, we don't care where someone comes from, we are only interested in someone's future. With spiritual roots, her future is brighter than even that of your precious King!" He said with a monotone voice.

"Spiritual Roots?" A candle went on in Kira's head. Now the puzzle made sense to her. She remembered overhearing people talk about them. It's the only requirement to cultivate Immortality. She had never dared to believe she possessed something this rare and precious.

Her head hurt if from the punch, the fall or the thinking she didn't know.

After another half hour, the last of the young folks were done testing. She was the only one who was selected.

With a swift motion, the Man appeared behind her. Shocked gasps went through the crowd.

Kira felt an invisible force wrap around her. Her heart skipped a beat it was the same enchanting mysterious force from the stone. But this time instead of penetrating her body it firmly wrapped around her. She never felt as safe and secure as in the embrace of this energy. She didn't even freak out when she suddenly saw the landscape change beneath her and they were flying with astonishing speed through the sky.

She did feel a little bit dizzy from the fast-changing surroundings so she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of this force on her skin. Until she fell asleep in its strong embrace.

Kira awoke in a crashing pain.

This man the Immortal threw her on the ground where a lot of other children were already gathered.

And before Kira could curse the man he was gone.

"Are you ok?" a sweet voice asked from the side.

Kira's head spun around directly coming nose to nose with the most beautiful face she had ever seen. A smile flashed to her face the pain instantly forgotten. Kira slightly nodded. A relieved smile adorned the girl's face.

Kira's smile widened such an encompassing smile the girl had.

After seeing Kira's reaction the girl flushed a little bit.

"What is your name," asked Kira.

"M- Mizu", the girl stuttered with a smile.