MARO

It was time for a grand adventure!

Never had I been more excited as I could finally go on an adventure, this time with my father and mother.

I had heard a little about his conversation with Mum, but I couldn't listen to it as much as I wanted to; after all, my ears were still unable to hear everything.

The loudest voice was the thoughts that I could hear in my head. I was so curious to see what Vestiga had to offer.

Father had placed me inside a little makeshift bag, holding me as I prepared to see something more than a small cottage.

Could we also discuss how my father put me in a bag? Isn't that a little bit dangerous?

That could be what they did in this world; who knows?

Still, I was excited to see the outside world for once.

But that wasn't the only good part of this adventure; I would spend even more time with them now.

For the first time, as my parents waited outside patiently, someone else had arrived. A carriage was currently arriving at our cottage, but it didn't blend in with the environment of our humble estate—but never mind that now.

A man stepped foot outside the carriage. He gave a deep bow to my parents, and they returned the favour without saying any words to each other.

That was interesting; not a single word was said, but a simple exchange was enough to show respect for both parties.

Soon enough, I entered the carriage with my parents, who were talking about all kinds of things and bantering with each other.

As I watched their little conversation, I couldn't help but feel that through these simple moments, I got to see their connection and why they were such a great team.

I was loving this life more and more now.

The road the carriage was taking us was deep into the luscious forest. I couldn't help but analyze and look at everything in my surroundings.

Everything here was new to me: the plants and even the animals. They were all unique and different from what I usually saw in my old life.

Soon enough, we made our way to the market, which was bustling with people, walking past each other with smiles of joy on their faces.

It almost reminded me how people would shout to the other side to communicate their message.

However, I was expecting a different market.

Despite the market being flooded with people, it was clear that this was far from the level of an actual market in the Kingdom of Juvo.

From what my mother had read about the Kingdom of Juvo, it was said that the markets there were on a whole other level, with transactions being done in the blink of an eye.

Compared to a local market like this, it was nothing.

But still, I could see the local transactions that people were making with one another as we ventured deeper into the markets.

The deeper we went, the more I could experience the culture in these markets. People's ingenuity and innovations were displayed here for us to see with our own eyes.

A couple of guards were present, wearing the emblem of the Juvo Kingdom on their armour. They scanned the area, ensuring everything was in place and in order.

However, I noticed that my father and mother were doing their best to stray away from them whenever they had the chance.

Finally, we stopped as my father examined what the merchants had for us.

As we approached the front line, crowds came to this store to look at whatever this merchant was selling.

My father had gotten a closer chance to look at his product.

"The best Purpura Solum that Juvo has ever seen!"

The merchant boasted proudly with a crooked smile on his face.

If anything, he looked more homeless than an actual merchant.

"Hey, Kassie?"

"I know what you're going to say." She smirked, giving a nod of approval.

While the merchant continued boasting about the product he was selling, my father stood there looking at it, and something told me he wasn't impressed.

"Where did you get the Purpura Solum?" My father asked. "Finding Purpura Solum is extremely rare, especially in these parts."

The crowd slowly died down as they heard my father's question.

With an expected grin on the merchant's face and his chest puffed, he was ready to give him an answer: "I found in the mighty dungeon of Exsupero!"

All of the people surrounding us began to murmur in awe.

From their facial reactions, Exsupero seemed to be something out of the ordinary.

I had only learned a few things about it.

It was known to be one of the most dangerous dungeons, and many people had tried to enter it, but only a few had ever escaped.

You were lucky if you returned with your whole body intact.

A slight grin was worn on my father's face. . .

The energy was about to shift.

"You're lying," he chuckled. "You seriously don't expect me to believe that, do you?"

"What!" The merchant declared, "You think I lied about going to Exsupero! Have you not seen the scars that I was left with?" He showed his arm to see deep wounds etched on his skin.

Everyone around us was too quiet to know what to say next.

Everyone except my mother was still determining where this conversation was heading.

Despite not showing it on her face, she felt the same way my father did.

That this merchant standing right before us, so proud, was nothing but a liar.

"Is that so?"

WHOOSH

In the blink of an eye, the little store and the merchant that came along with it flew in the air, and my father landed a swift punch to his chest as the merchant hit himself against the rock.

My father's fist was left with purple traces, but it was so quick that no one could see it.

Holy sh*t, I was surprised that I didn't entirely fall off.

I was also surprised he didn't kill the merchant with that punch.

"Sorry, kiddo." He chuckled, ruffling my hair, which was already messy enough from everything that had just happened. "I am certainly not a good father," he joked.

Who came up with the idea of putting me in a bag?

That was seriously a dangerous and stupid move that any parent could do.

I sunk deeper into the bag, accepting my fate.

"How could you do that?" A stranger shouted at my father from the back.

The crowds had grown disheartened by the events unfolding.

I was almost happy that someone called out my father's reckless behaviour until...

"You could've killed him!"

They pointed at the merchant.

Seriously?

I sunk even deeper into the bag, where I couldn't see anything happening in the outside world.

To them, that merchant was nothing but innocent, but to my family, he was a liar spewing venom to these innocent people who would believe in his words.

"Watch closely," my mother whispered as the merchant's skin returned to normal as if the scars had never existed.

Everything seemed perfectly normal from what I saw of him, but traces of Caeruleum came from the merchant, probably gained by him drinking it before the crowd had been here.

"He's just a fraud, that's all." My father answered as he looked at her, "Why don't you grab Maro? It's about time I let loose." He smiled faintly

Mother returned that same smile and nodded, picking me out of the bag.

Alas! Sweet freedom, I could finally see the situation unfold.

She held me in her arms and stepped back with the crowd, giving me a gentle smile; all I needed to know was that something extraordinary would happen here.

"Now!" My father clapped his hands together. "That man there is one hell of a liar." He chuckled, looking at the crowd. "I'm just saying, if I were you guys, I'd be pissed having to hear those words that come out of his mouth."

My father laughed, raising his hand in surrender.

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I could see the crowd's eyes looking at the merchant with daggers, with such venom.

The merchant clenched his fist, almost looking as if his head were to explode, which was practically about to happen here now.

"You are angry, aren't you right now?" He smirked, looking over his shoulder with a great grin. "How long do you think this will take?"

"Hmmm... Forever." My mother gently smiled, and my father sighed, drooping his shoulders in defeat.

"You have no faith in me, huh? I thought we were on the same page here." He chuckled as he looked at the merchant charging at him.

"I'll give you 10 seconds," my mother said smugly.

"Give me five seconds, Kassie... five."

WHOOSH!

The merchant threw a fierce punch, Caeruleum escaping his fist.

Father dove under his attack.

2 seconds

WHOOSH

With impressive speed, the merchant threw a swift kick that could knock out anyone if it landed right, but somehow, my father easily evaded the attack.

4 seconds

The merchant attempted to throw a furious series of punches, which my father could fairly dodge with minimal ease. It was then that his eyes glowed purple. . .

That the energy was about to shift.

BOOM!

5 seconds

The merchant's face had begun to turn white as he had gotten the wind blown out of him.

All my father needed was a simple, solid connection, and that other guy was out for the count.

The crowd stood silently, not knowing what to say or how to react to what they had just witnessed.

It wasn't every day that I got to see my father knock someone out; it was even better that Mom made it seem like it was just a typical day for her.

In the corner of my eyes, I noticed the guards swiftly approaching us.

"That's our time to go!" My father chuckled as my mother ran with me in her arms.

Seriously? Where was the caution?

You don't run with your child at your fastest pace because it's pretty dangerous, you know. . .

Oh well, who am I kidding? Like that was going to stop them from doing anything stupid.

Parents these days. . .

It didn't take us long to return to the haven that was our home while we recovered from what my father had done.

But there was one thing that sparked my interest.

How was my father able to use Purpura Solum without even drinking it?

Now, that was something that I needed to know.

Soon enough, we got home, and my father relaxed in his chair, grabbing a book to read. I just sat on the ground as he noticed me staring at him.

My father scooped me up in his arms, holding the book with one hand and holding me with the other.

"This might be a long time, kiddo, but hopefully, you will enjoy this story." He smiled, tapping his chin. "Who am I kidding? You probably don't understand a word I'm saying." He chuckled, poking my nose.

Little did he know, I understood every word he said.

Thankfully, it wasn't just any kid's book. It was the book I had always wanted to continue, so thanks, Dad.

After a few hours, I finally understood more about our world in Vestiga.

I discovered why and how my father could use Purpura Solum without drinking any of the liquid, and it was all based on a legend.

Huh, what a coincidence! The question I had meant to ask somehow answered just like that.

This world did favour me, treating me like some sort of prince in absolute luxury.

However, our home was far from any luxury.

It was said that deities, also known as Deus, owned the planet on which we lived.

These Deus were the ones who gifted Solum to everyone who lived on Vesitga.

While some had to drink it, it was purely genetics for others.

They already had Solum within them, which was passed down, which meant that my father was one of the lucky few who could have it with him.

But that also meant that I, too, could have that gift.

I won't be able to monopolize it now, but once I can walk around with my little legs, I will start preparing to activate this Solum within me.

Just give me a couple of months to do so.

LENIN

I watched proudly as Kassie ushered little Maro for his first baby steps.

It was a sight to see, and I would have loved to see it repeatedly.

Things like this made me wish time could stop altogether so I could take it all in.

It's not every day that I get to watch my son take his first steps.

Maro began walking much earlier than other babies I knew about, which was not many.

But you understand what I'm trying to say.

Kassie was proud to say she was why Maro started walking much earlier than usual.

After all, despite being a baby, Maro was a pretty intelligent baby.

If that meant something.

Not only could Maro string up a couple of phrases, but I was also utterly defeated when his first word was "Mummy."

Who am I kidding?

That was expected to happen. Maro had a favourite parent, Kassie, which was perfectly understandable.

Who wouldn't choose Kassie in their right mind?

Yet again, I was defeated by my wife.

When would it finally be my time to beat her just this once?

Perhaps never in this lifetime, but I was completely fine with that.

While he was exploring the cottage with his own two little legs, I couldn't help but notice something all too well.

He was attracted to Solum, the Solum that surrounded our little cottage.

He always wanted to go there, and I could see why.

That was precisely how I was when I was younger.

It was said that babies who were more gifted than others would understand and figure out that Solum was a vital source within Vestiga.

It was an essential natural resource that was pivotal in keeping society running.

It played a great deal in our economy.

"Do you think that Maro... . . is ready?" Kassie stood beside us as we watched Maro walk around the cottage.

I sighed deeply. "Maro probably is, but do we want this for him?"

After all, he was so young and had just started walking, so it would be better if we let him be.

Maybe.

Kassie slid her arm into mine, looking at me with a warm glow. "He should be prepared," she said.

"You're right." I sighed, forming a small smile.

She nodded. "I thought we already established that." Kassie chuckled lightly at me, "That I'm always in the right whenever we talk."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Alright, don't get too cocky on me."

It would be only a matter of time before he would be ready to activate the Solum inside him.

He would be prepared for something even more significant than himself.

I would be there every step of the way.

"We also have to consider what Plantea he'll be a part of."

Also, that was a more significant thing.

People who were born with Solum inside them also had something called Plantea.

Since my Solum was natural and not influenced by exterior influences, my powers came from a Plantea.

Only a lucky few could inhabit a power from a Plantea, but most would not be able to control it, and others wouldn't even know where to start.

I was one of them, and I had only scratched the surface of what I could honestly do.

But I was fortunate enough to inhabit a power from a Plantea.

The Plantea would pick you.

So, it made me even more curious about what Plantea would pick Maro.

From what I understood, just like the types of soil, there were types of Planteas.

Plantea Tenebris

Plantea Lumen

Plantea Ius

Plantea Leron

Plantea Deon

It was said that these plants were to which people like me would become accustomed.

The more solid connection you had with these Planteas, the more in tune you would be with the Solum within you.

The more you would be able to do unfathomable things.

I wasn't sure I would ever be able to do those things in my lifetime, not like I ever wished to possess that power.

Besides, no one was strong enough for me to use them in the first place.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

I swiftly shifted my head to the door as it appeared to be the sound of a knock. . . No one ever came here, and if they did, they wouldn't be knocking like that, as it was just an ordinary knock.

Kassie felt the same as me as I gestured for her to remain silent.

Kassie nodded, stepping back away until she could no longer be seen.

I approached the door bit by bit, thinking about who it could be.

We rarely had visitors. My hands glowed, and Purpura Solum transferred it all to my body as I opened the door.

"Le-"

I looked at the guards who had appeared in my footsteps as I tilted my head, feigning ignorance.

"Sorry, but who are you?"

The guards looked at one another, confused about what they expected. "Excuse me, sir, but we're looking for this man."

They showed me a poster of a pretty damn good-looking man.

Oh, wait. . . That was just me.

But still, why do they always mess up with my hairstyle?

Do they have an outdated picture of me or something?

I need to give them a new picture one day.

Never mind that now, but what was appealing to my eyes was the bounty that they were willing to hand to the person who could catch me.

Bags on bags of Purpura Solum would practically drown you; that was how rich a person could get if they found me dead or alive.

But I would prefer to be alive if they somehow managed to catch me.

I shook my head. "I've never seen this person before." I paused for a slight moment. "Sorry that I couldn't be of help."

"That's alright. If you spot him anywhere, please report to the Juvo Kingdom." They answered, and I could see one of them simply eyeing me.

"Well, we just wanted to let you know that he's a very wanted man. We'll return later in a few days if you have found any new information." One of them patted me on the shoulder.

Before I could say anything, they had already left.

Well, that was odd.

They just left without pressing me for more answers.

Seriously, what were they doing back at The Kingdom of Juvo?

They were never this sloppy when I was there.

It made sense if...

When they had finally disappeared, Kassie emerged from the shadows. "So... . . is it time to move?"

I sighed, looking over my shoulder, "Yeah, it's time."

I may have "fooled" the guards, but whatever they were here for, something told me that they would come back wanting a more proper answer.

Well, that's what I expected if they were smart enough to do so.

Something also told me that they already knew we were living in this cottage, but they never dared to make an advance because if they did, they would surely meet a fate worse than death.

So why now?

"But before that, let's get Maro ready." I declared, "Besides, I think it's time we reunited with some people."

It was about time that I did.

It is a long time coming.

MARO

I had overheard conversations between my parents but could only pick up a few words. But they were the most essential words to pick up on.

We would be moving away from the little cottage I had lived in all my life, which was only almost a year ago, but that didn't mean I wouldn't miss all the memories I had made here.

But why was I moving?

That is a whole other story I didn't know about, but whatever it was, it must have been severe.

My parents took me not far from the little cottage, but it was a place I had never been before. The walls around us were filled with ancient letters that I could not comprehend.

I sat patiently on the sunken floor for whatever was coming next.

I could hear them discussing whether it was too early to do something like this to me and whether I was even ready for it.

My mother gave me a parting kiss before leaving me alone with my father.

This would be a two-person team.

My father sat in front of me, gesturing to me to do the same as he took a deep breath.

He extended his hand right in front of my face as Purpura started to form, emitting a bright light throughout this process. My father gave me a reassuring smile that lifted whatever stress was on my mind.

"Alright, I know you can't understand me and that, Maro. But this is going to be all about you. You'll see soon enough." He nodded as the Purpura light on his palm grew brighter until it shifted to utter darkness—until there was nothing but pitch black.

I rubbed my eyes slowly to see a desolate and barren planet.

It wasn't the plane I was living on; I was no longer on the planet I had grown accustomed to. One thing was for sure: there was not a single life in this place. . . So I thought.

In the far end, a glowing spark came closer and closer until it was right in front of me, towering over me.

It was a female goddess, a Deus.

"Hello there, little one." An angelic yet soft voice boomed, alluring me in. If anything, I wouldn't have been surprised if she was the embodiment of beauty, grace, and wisdom. This person right in front of me was someone to respect.

I couldn't help but look at the ground, unsure if I could even make eye contact with her.

"You are the first person ever to step foot, and I am honoured to lend you the powers of a Deus like myself." She bowed gracefully, but I could notice her shaking, not because she was nervous but because this was her first time doing something like this.

When I think about it, doesn't that mean the same thing?

Nevermind that now. . .

To me, she seemed inexperienced in these parts of things.

She was not like the other Deus, the ones my father had described them as.

They were supposed to be high and mighty, imposing their strength on you to show you what they were worth.

To put you in your place.

But something about this Deus told me otherwise.

The Deus slowly moved her hands in the air as Rubrum began to leak out of her body, which soon transferred into my little body.

The power, the strength—everything was coursing through my veins. It was an ethereal experience, something that I had never felt in my life before.

Until it was finally all gone.

I slowly looked up to see Deus' eyes widen as a gentle smile was worn on her face. "Woah. ... You have an interesting but dark future ahead of you." She answered calmly, but I could see in her eyes that she wasn't expecting whatever she saw. "We're both in for something. .," she muttered slowly.

What did she mean by that? Also, how could she tell me some dangerous prophecy like that with a smile?

Yeah. . . She was pretty weird.

Not only that, but the fact that the power of a Deus allowed them to see into the future was more than overpowered.

What did she have to do with me?

"You have a long journey. . . Stay safe." A gentle twinkle in her eyes as she nodded at me.

When I blinked again, she had already disappeared from my sight.

I blink once more to see my father in front of me now.

"You're back." He smiled, scooping me from the ground. "You must be tired? Let's head back home."

It was a satisfying feeling, but one thing was for sure: I still had a question that I never got answered.

The Plantea I had been on differed from the other Planteas I had been told about in the books, but maybe I needed to know more.

After all, there was still a lot more about Vestiga that I needed clarification on.

But for now, I will sleep on it.