LENIN

A couple of days he had passed after Maro's awakening of his Solum.

It was still unbelievable to think he had awakened his Solum before turning one. The only person that I knew who had done that. . . Never mind that now.

What was more interesting was that his process was much quicker than most.

When I did it at the delicate age of 5, I had to hear a Deus say some old stuff I couldn't care about.

It wasn't like he said anything special to me.

Now, when I think about it, I don't know what he said about my prophecy. I listened to every five words he said.

But enough about that now; it was time to relax as I used the kettle to make some tea.

Could you even go wrong with drinking tea?

I think not!

"Well, aren't you in a lovely mood?" Kassie smiled as she wrapped her arms around me.

I looked up to see that gentle, beautiful smile of hers, "You know, it's sort of a celebration for Maro being able to awaken him at such a damn early age." I let out a slight snicker. "But I didn't think we'd have to make him awaken though. . ."

As much as I loved that Maro could use Solum naturally, another part of me didn't want him to have that much power, as someone as young as him wasn't ready for that.

Kassie tapped my shoulder lightly, "We're raising him. Trust me, he'll be the best version of both of us."

That was enough to soothe my stress, and I smiled gently. "I mean, hey, he may have awakened early, but I'm pretty sure there's someone who practically awakened when she was born."

She looked a little smug as she casually shrugged her shoulder, "I have no idea who you're talking about."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes at her, "Trying to play the humble card, huh?"

Kassie returned the laughter as she poked my cheek, "Of course, I play the humble card. Who else will lower your ego if I'm not there?"

I tapped my chin, "I suppose you have a point, but where's the fun in that?"

As we continued being playful, a slow but unsettling feeling came into my stomach.

I was sensing something at the moment, and it was coming closer.

"You feel that?" Kassie replied, even though she had begun to feel it more than usual.

I nodded, "I do."

I placed my hands together, emitting Purpura. "I'll see you in a couple of seconds."

Kassie smiled nodding

WHOOSH!

Time had stopped altogether, and I could only use it for a few minutes until time resumed.

I exited the cottage to see what was outside as I temporarily left my body and became part of the spiritual plane.

A part of me didn't want to figure out what was outside, but I had to.

We had visitors, and they weren't the fun kind.

Soldiers from the Juvo Kingdom had arrived on their horses battle-ready and were right outside the cottage.

It would be a few more minutes before they officially arrived to mark their presence.

WHOOSH!

"They're here." I declared

Kassie tilted her head, "That soon?"

I nodded, placing my hands on her cheek, "Take Maro, use the underground system. . . I'll alert the others that you'll be arriving; they'll be waiting for you."

"What about you?"

I smiled softly, "Like I said, it's time to let that ego be used."

She returned my soft smile, "Don't go too overboard on me, will you?"

Despite her joking manner, I knew what she meant.

Kassie wanted me back in one piece.

I would give her exactly that.

"Of course," I kissed her hand, "Now go." I gestured as Kassie slowly backed away, taking Maro and everything she needed as I opened the hatch for her.

Now, all I needed to do was buy time for them until she met up with some people.

I prepared to drink some Purpura Solum, just in case.

Like that, I stepped outside the cottage to see them all standing there.

The soldiers surrounded the cottage, and one of them, who appeared to be the general of this little battalion, stood proud and strong, sitting on top of his horse.

"We wish you no harm, Lenin." He declared, booming his voice as he ensured he was brimming with grand authority, "The King of Juvo has no intentions to harm you in any way. He only wishes for you to listen to his simple request."

I stood there in silence, analysing every one of his men, including him, and what they would do.

He began to open his scroll, clearing his throat, "You are either to return to the Juvo Kingdom or return the women."

Yet again, I stood there in silence, not moving a single inch.

The General eyed me, taking a deep breath, clenching his fist as he raised his hand. "The King is giving you mercy, and you dare reject him?"

"I do." I declared, "You will never get those two options. . . Tell the King of Juvo that I despise him, and if he dares to come near my wife. . ." I paused for a moment, looking at all of them surrounding me.

"Then he will meet the same fate as all of you. . . Nothing but death." I answered.

"So be it!" The General struck his hand down as the soldiers roared, their blades in their hands, charging right at me like wild animals without a second thought about who they were messing with.

BOOM!

In an instant, half of the soldiers who came charging carelessly towards me had been sent flying back, hitting the trees in the process; they were sure to be dead now.

I formed a Purpura sword, gripping it firmly as I steadied myself for the others to come.

Their armour rattled with every step, and they came to me like an annoying swarm of beasts, relentless and unforgiving in their attacks.

Each face was a mask of their fleeting determination.

My sword slashed through the air with utter determination.

The clash of metal rang out as I met the enemies head-on, my movements swift and calculated as they dropped to the ground.

The only sounds were the shrieks and cries of them all.

The more soldiers came tumbling down, wanting their end to be my sword.

"Tenebris crepitus!"

BOOM!

That was the last explosion that needed to be served amongst these soldiers who were crippled by this battle.

Most of them I pitied.

They had fought in a battle they could not win because they wanted me to return to the Kingdom of Juvo.

Funnily enough, the only one sufficient enough to realise everything that had happened was none other than the general himself.

He coughed out blood viciously as it dripped onto his broken armour that had been torn in half as a result of the explosion.

Half of his ear was gone because of it.

I felt terrible for his sorry state as I began to kneel beside him. "You fought well. . . But like I said, I would keep my promise that you would see nothing but death."

I slowly nodded.

No other man I believed could be assigned to this mission, being sent to their death.

The General didn't have the strength to say another word. That was how much pain he was suffering.

I raised my hand as I began emitting Purpura; slowly but surely, the wounds that I had inflicted on The General were reverting.

I couldn't heal all of his wounds, but I tried my best.

"W-Why are you healing me."

"I want to send a message to your King." I declared, "Tell him to back off if he knows what's best for him." I answered as I walked away, heading to the cottage for the underground escape.

I looked over my shoulder and saw The General struggling to get up his horse, but I knew he was grateful that I had spared him and would tell the message to the King of Juvo.

KASSIE

I wonder how Lenin was doing.

I was confident that Lenin would return in one piece, but I wondered how long it would take him.

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It took me a couple of days to go to the location where Lenin had requested that I go with Maro.

Who would have thought he would make us go here out of all places?

A small village far north of Juvo where no soldier would ever go because this was where the most dangerous Plantea Beast would be.

The Kingdom of Juvo believed it would be too hassle to deal with villages, which were considered a lost cause.

After all, Plantea Beasts constantly attacked the town due to the lack of technology provided to this village called Facia.

It was an independent village that wouldn't even be considered part of The Juvo Kingdom, and that was how worthless they viewed the Village of Facia.

Most who lived here wanted a peaceful life or were running away from something.

We were both of that.

"Kassie, how are you settling in?" Rachael asked, disrupting the thoughts that were clouding my mind.

I nodded gently, "I'm doing fine. I'm just thinking about things."

Rachael sat beside me, "We knew that this day would come. After all, Felix informed me that you guys would come here one day. . . But we didn't expect it to be so soon." She looked over at Maro, who was sleeping peacefully and soundly.

That was all I could ask for.

"But now your family is more at risk than ever."

Rachel's words were nothing but true.

"Are you sure you're okay with us staying here?"

Rachel nodded, reaching out to my hand and squeezing it, "We owe our lives to you, and it is thanks to you and Lenin that Felix and I were able to have Naomi."

I couldn't help but smile gently, as Naomi was around the same age as Maro. It was a small world, after all.

Rachel said, "I should check on Felix now to see what he's up to." She parted ways with me, leaving me with just my simple thoughts.

Despite everything, I was grateful we could find a place to stay. But I needed to take a quick stroll around the village to see what I was truly getting into.

The village was pretty quiet, but that didn't stop the kids from enjoying running around and having the time of their lives. It was lovely to see people having fun, even enjoying themselves.

You could call that the innocence of a child and how they could be carefree without a care in the world.

That was something that everyone needed to experience.

On the other hand, I never got to experience the pure innocence kids have in their lives; it wasn't meant for me.

However, that doesn't matter now; what is more rewarding than that is seeing Maro experience childhood innocence.

It was all that I could ask for in this life.

I sat patiently on a bench, taking everything around me as I watched in contentment and peace. It was most certainly a nice feeling to be experiencing now.

"What are we looking at?" A voice chuckled.

In an instant, my ears rang as I looked to hear that familiar voice.

I knew that voice from anywhere.

Lenin.

I had to restrain myself from jumping out of the seat and rushing into his arms to feel his long-awaited embrace, but I just sat on the bench with a warm smile, and that was all that he needed to know how I was feeling about him at this very moment.

He sat down, and I placed my hands on his shoulder and inspected him. "An easy fight?"

I couldn't help but smile.

Lenin sheepishly smiled as I wiped the sweat off his temple, "They were normal soldiers, Kassie. Nothing special, really. . . I was hoping that they would give me a tougher challenge." He muttered with a disappointed look on his face.

"I expected you to be here sooner." I nudged him on the rib, "If I were fighting the soldiers, I would've been here in two days." I chuckled, joking around with him.

He let out a slight snicker, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me closer to him.

I rested my head against his shoulder.

"Way to rub in my face; I was taking my time to keep one of them alive."

I raised my eyebrow in amusement, "The General?"

He smiled and nodded, "I wanted to send a message to the King of Juvo."

I didn't need to ask him anything else about the message.

It wasn't any message. It was a threat.

Knowing Lenin, this meant that he wanted the King of Juvo to back off. From what I heard he did to that battalion, the King would be more cautious about what he would do next to them.

"Can I ask you something?" Lenin asked.

"Of course you can. Anything."

Lenin paused for a slight moment, "What did your prophecy say. . ."

My Prophecy. . .

It had been a while since I heard about that, as this was the first time we had discussed this topic, only when we were younger.

Those born with Solum naturally within them were given a prophecy every single one.

My prophecy was vague.

"I will lead him to the path of Gloris." I looked at Lenin.

He blinked for a slight moment. "You think that's me? I'm the one who leads them to the path of Gloris?" I could see that Lenin was deep in thought. "It can't be me. . ." he muttered.

I squeezed his hand, "It never said when you'd lead; it's just said that you would."

"So we can still live our lives normally for now?"

I smiled.

That was all Lenin needed to hear to feel a bit more calm.

"Rachel and Felix want to see, you know?"

"Gotcha." He stood from the bench, "See you and Maro in a bit?"

"See you in a bit."

LENIN

It had been a long time since I visited The Village of Facia. The last time I arrived, this place was more like an oasis for people, but now times have changed.

That was a clear fact on its own, and there was nothing that I could do to change it.

It was a pity to see the Village in this state, but of course, the Kingdom of Juvo paid no attention to a village like this.

I managed to go to a familiar area that had changed far too much for me to like.

Different buildings but the same people that lived there.

I watched Felix and Rachel talk to one another as they noticed me approaching me.

"By the Deus's. . . I never thought I'd see you again."

"Me too." I chuckled as I hugged Felix.

He was one of my best friends, and although I hadn't seen him in forever, it was nice to know he was still alive.

Felix patted me on the shoulder, looking at me with a bright smile. "Rachel and I always expected you, but we didn't expect you to be here soon."

I chuckled nervously, "It seems as though they found out where we were sooner than I thought."

"Well, we're glad you're here to stay, even if it has to come to these circumstances." Rachel chimed in.

I could always count on them to be there when I truly needed them.

"Speaking of which, you have a son!?" Felix questioned me in excitement, "Since when did that happen?" He punched my shoulder playfully.

I scratched the back of my head, "Surprise. . . Yeah, we felt like we needed something else in our life."

Rachel nodded, smiling, and nudged Felix, "That's exactly what Felix and I thought."

Wait a minute. . .

"You guys also have a kid?" I tilted my head in confusion.

I never thought this would happen; I can't believe it did.

They both nodded, "Yeah, the same age as Maro." Felix happily declared, nudging me on the ribs, "Trying to copy us, huh?"

I chuckled, shoving him away, "Whatever you like to think." I looked around at my surroundings a bit more, which Felix noticed.

It looked like a lab of sorts.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, "This place here is a little start-up project that I made in my little fun aspirations of the world of science!" He raised his fist in the air.

Rachel laughed nervously, patting Felix, "Still need resources."

Felix returned the same nervous chuckle, slowly placing his hand down. "Right. . . We still need to do that, " he muttered.

"Resources?" I asked curiously.

Felix nodded, "I got so excited that you came here that I forgot that I needed to get Solum and other minerals to power this science lab."

I smiled as I raised my hand, showing him my palm emitting Purpura.

"Now you're just showing off," Felix muttered, smiling, "It's a good start, but still, we're going to need a bit more firepower than that."

"Well, what can I do to help?"

"There's been some pretty vicious attacks from some Plantea Beasts that come for the Solum we have on the farms." Felix continued, "We try our best to defend our farms, but they're so relentless that we can't do anything but just watch."

I remembered that the only thing that would be a problem in this village was the occasional.

I smiled, placing my hand on his shoulder, "Things will change now that I'll help you."

Felix sighed, smiling softly at me. "Thank you. We'll need all the help we can get."

"So when do we start?"

"How about in a couple of hours?"

"That can be arranged," I nodded, ready to do anything to help a once-amazing village.

A few hours had passed, and now it was the dead of the night.

This was when the Plantea Beast was said always to attack.

They never attacked the village people, only the Solum, as that was what they needed to survive.

As I stepped foot with some of the other civilians preparing themselves with the bit of armour they had on their body.

This village's lack of material is a testament to this, and Felix's leadership of this expedition was crucial.

From the looks of it, those who were all here were volunteers wanting to keep the Solum that they had safe.

"Look who arrived!" Felix applauded as the others looked at me with different reactions.

"Can this boy even fight?" The women scoffed with their arms crossed, looking at me disinterestedly.

Her face had marks of battles fought and scars earned, but the beauty of her look enhanced her, adding depth and character to her features.

Her dirty brown hair emphasised the surroundings that we were currently in.

Something told me that the others were feeling the same way about me.

"Now, Tara, there's no need to be aggressive." Felix smiled, calming everyone down as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. This guy here is going to turn the tide for us."

"Please, " another person scoffed. "We already have all the people we need for an expedition."

"Lusan, have some faith in my man here."

I cleared my throat, grabbing everyone's attention. "If it makes you feel better, I'll gladly observe you guys." I did my best to bow to them all politely.

"Woah, woah." Felix asked me, "Are you sure you want to do that?" He whispered in my ear.

I nodded, "It's the only way that they'll let me tag along with you guys." I answered as Felix could not return the nod as he looked at the others.

"Let's get to it!"

While we walked to the farm, I was behind everyone else to see how the others and everyone else felt.

Lusan and Tara seemed prepared for what was to come, even if the only thing I saw was their backs.

With Felix leading the charge, I never would have thought that he would be leading a group of people.

When we were younger, it was the other way around. I was just glad to see how much he has changed.

As we finally approached the farm, there was nothing there—at least not now.

"So this is where you farm, Solum?"

Felix looked over his shoulder, "Yeah, but it gets smaller and smaller because you know all of these Plantea Beasts."

Solum was a valuable resource; it would be worth it if you could sell it.

People could get rich with only a little Solum.

"These damn Plantea beasts constantly attacking our home for scraps of Solum."

I heard Tara grumble.

These Plantea beasts were doing a number on these people living here.

Also, speaking of Plantea beast. . .

"They're here." I declared as they all looked over at me.

"How do you know that?" Tara asked in an annoyed tone, but I could tell she was inclined to listen to me as she gripped the hilt of her sword a bit more tightly.

"Let's just say I'm different."

Lusan widened his eyes in disbelief, "You're a Solum user?" He paused for a moment, looking at Felix. Doesn't that make sense for him to be part of the noble houses in Juvo?"

Felix nodded, answering his question.

We shared silence as we readied ourselves for an upcoming battle.

WHOOSH!

PHOOSH!

The Plantea beasts came rushing at us as a pack of Plantea Parvuns pounced, thirsty for a piece of blood.

They were a twisted form of plants and beasts.

That was what most Plantea Beasts were usually like.

It lunged forward, its vines lashing out with deadly precision, but my Purprus sword gleamed as I met its head-on.

With each swing of my blade, I cut through the tangle of vines reaching out to me. The beast thrashed and withered, its roars echoing as I continued my attack.

More came to swarm as I slashed them down fairly quickly. In the corner of my eye, I noticed that the others were doing good but still struggling.

As I was attacking the beast with my sword, I quickly raised my hand against the Plantea Parvuns, who were attacking Lusan as he attempted to fend them off.

I emitted Purpura out of my hand.

BOOM!

The Purpura had utterly ruined the Plantea Parvuns and incinerated them all.

Lusan took a deep breath and gave me a nod of thanks.

I continued to emit Purpura as I incinerated all the remaining Plantea Parvuns that came to attack.

Until there were simply no more.

They were now taking a moment to recover as they slowly looked up at me.

"Purpura. . ." Tara muttered lowly, "Seriously, who is this friend of yours." Tara said in a sense of respect, asking Felix.

"Told you he'd be changing the tides for us." Felix winked at me proudly.

It was the first time they had managed to fend off the Plantea Beasts without gaining any damage.

Seeing that something so simple could mean something so big to others was fascinating.

"Look at the Solum that they dropped." Felix gleamed excitedly. "We can use more of this to plant some more for our farm."

Depending on the Plantea Beast, the better Solum they would drop as a gift for your success in battle.

But it was the same for us as well.

People who died also dropped Solum, and you could use that Solum intake for yourself usually; it would be temporarily.

However, if you were to kill someone who had Solum genetically, that would be a different story. Kill that person, and you will have that Solum forever.

But that rarely happened because it would be either too dumb to even think of killing someone like that or too rare to find someone like that in the first place.

"This is some amazing stuff." Lusan smiled. If we keep this up, we might be able to get more Solum!"

While everyone was talking about Solum, I was just glad that I could do anything to help protect and restore this little community to be what it was.

"Alright!" Felix clapped his hands together, "Drinks on me!"

Something told me that I would have a great stay here. . .