It's blank! There's nothing written in here you idiot," stammered Xiang.

"Heh?" Hoshi mumbled, surprised.

"Don't worry, I will try my best to get your mind fixed." Xiang placed his hand on the orange haired friend's shoulder.

"I haven't lost my mind! I forgot that only I can see what's written inside." Hoshi swiftly removed Xiang's hand.

"What do you mean?"

"Back then." Hoshi began reminiscing.

"I don't understand, there's nothing in this book." Hirishima was perplexed.

"One of my regular visitors found this book buried deep in the soil close to the forest's breeding grounds. It seemed worthless at start but since I had a hunch that there must be more to it so I bought it for a few coins. Please tell me, you can read this Hoshi," recalled Tatsuki as Hirishima, who was holding the book trying to make sense of it, handed it over to Hoshi.

Hoshi took a few moments to try and read the book but had no luck either.

"It's blank for me as well."

"That can't be, there must be something we are missing." Tatsuki got lost in thought.

"Hoshi, try infusing your eyes with that red glow you sometimes do, maybe that's the key," Hirishima suggested.

"That must be it! Seems like you have a mind as well," Tatsuki added, looking at Hirishima.

"Hey," Hirishima frowned.

"Fine."

Hoshi closed his eyes to focus his aura around his entire body to enter his first state. He then opened his eyes to reveal a subtle red glow on his irises.

"You were right! I can read it now!" Hoshi excitedly announced once he saw words written with red ink that emitted a faint red light.

"What does it say?" Tatsuki and Hirishima grew impatient.

"The first page here reads, In thy manus are analects hinting thy impetus to aggrandize thy power. If thee want to effectuate change in thy world, find the remaining transcripts concealed by thy ancestors in Pandara's terra firma by thyself," read Hoshi.

"What does this mean? Tatsuki?" asked Hirishima.

"Whoever wrote this must've had an intellect superior to us. I can make some sense of it, but don't take it to heart. I think It is addressing someone specific for starters. If that someone is Hoshi, then it is telling him that this book is indeed the key to increase his power. Also if he wants to change this world's order, he has to single handedly find some pieces of writing that are buried by his ancestors beneath Pandara's soil," stated Tatsuki.

"Pieces of writing? You mean he has to embark on a journey alone and search the depths of Pandara for these?" Hirishima questioned.

"I guess so," replied Tatsuki.

"It can't be!" Hoshi quickly turned over to the next page and got alerted.

"What's wrong?" concerned Hirishima.

How's this possible?" Hoshi's hands started shaking in shock.

"What is?" Tatsuki inquired.

"What's written on this second page. These are the exact words I once found on a piece of paper back on my planet," Hoshi spoke, sweating ever so slightly.

"What!? Really?" Hirishima was equally as shocked as the reader.

"Yes. That page got burnt up at that exact moment after I read it. There is no way anyone could have recorded that, let alone bring it here on this planet!" emphasized Hoshi.

"What sorcery is this?" mumbled Hirishima.

"What does it say?" asked Tatsuki.

"It says, thou were plucked from the ground to fulfill thine ambition, Soon thy garth shall be revealed."

"That's easier to decrypt. It basically says that you were picked from the ground to fulfill your own ambition. Soon, your garth? Will be revealed. Not sure what garth is supposed to be symbolising here." Tatsuki also felt puzzled at that last phrase.

"Isn't Garth archaic for a garden?" It suddenly occurred to Hirishima.

"Yeah but what could the one who wrote this mean by a garden? Anyhow, this is seriously a breakthrough in the lore of the Exilirians!" Tatsuki excitedly said.

"It would be best for everyone if you kept this entire thing between us Tatsuki. I don't want anyone to start targeting Hoshi for his power," Hirishima solemnly requested.

"I'll shut this wrinkled lips if you buy me a drink later."

"Deal," sighed Hirishima.

"So, that's why I am here. I left Sir Hirishima's house about four months ago to explore this side of Pandara alone. The last transcript I found hinted the location of the next in the cave of Fenikkusu. An old timer at Heiwa village told me that I will gain more information about the cave in the city of Hyõkõ. That's where I am headed next," concluded Hoshi.

"Are you serious!? That cave is guarded by the Ao Fenikkusu! The most ferocious creature of the mountains!" Xiang yelled.

"Of course I know that! Fighting that phoenix would only make me stronger. And I need to be strong if I want to defeat the demons!" Hoshi was determined.

"Haven't you gotten strong enough training by yourself and living in the wild for four months? Don't throw your life away at the fangs of that creature!" Xiang insisted.

"I definitely have progressed. I have gone through Sir Hirishima's harsh physical training for six months including practice on swordplay. Also, I have found two more transcripts since I got that book after surviving various savage beasts and the arduous landscapes of Pandara. But this is no way near enough! In order to wipe those bloodthirsty demons off this world and to avenge my people, I have to become the strongest that I can! And for that I have to push myself through the impossible!" Hoshi's eyes were full of ambition as he loudly conveyed.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Understood, we really can't be any more different. Your striving to become the best version of yourself while I am here, hunting small creatures for a simple life with my mother after I ran from my duties as the next king of Pandara." Xiang's words accompanied a faint smile on his face.

"Say, why did you actually run away?" asked Hoshi.

"I am sure the elite swordsman told you about who I was and what happened to me. Right?"

"Yes, the second I heard that from Sir Hirishima, my eyes were filled with tears for you. But one thing I didn't understand, you wanted to become the King and change Pandara for the better. What happened? What made you give up on that dream?"

"Before I confronted my father outside the lake of solace, I only had one goal. Kill him and take the crown so that I can end all corruption and disparity in Pandara. But after he mentioned my mother, I realized what I really desired. It was to save the one and only star in my desolate sky and keep it shining bright. After I finally found her, I became selfish and left the crown with the warriors with a new goal. To protect and keep my mother happy." Xiang's smile faded away as he talked.

"Do you love your mother?" Hoshi swiftly asked.

"Of course. She is my whole world."

"I see. I am only now beginning to understand what love is, it is the urge to protect someone by all your might," Hoshi mused.

"Yeah, but the definition of love is different for many people," opined Xiang.

"Are there different types of love?"

"Yeah, the love for someone like your mother differs from the love for your current or future life partner," imparted Xiang.

"I managed to read about that other type of love when Sir Hirishima was out on a mission. For whatever reason he keeps me away from those kinds of books. Anyways, it said that it involves physical contact, about sticking something inside another's"

"(Where is this boy going?)" Xiang got alerted.

"Food's ready!" Xiang's mother interrupted Hoshi as he was now occupied by the delicious smell of the cooked meat.

"(Phew, thanks mother. Things would've gotten awkward)." Xiang took a breath of relief.

"This looks amazing! Thanks for the meal!"

Hoshi stared at the perfectly cooked rabbit meat with various vegetables roasted under charcoal served on a single plate placed in the middle. The meat oozed juice when cut into pieces as its aroma filled the entire room. It was accompanied by bowls of cooked rice and a spicy vegetable curry.

After eating, both old accomplices stood outside the house and conversed.

"I know where the city of Hyõkõ is but I am unsure about the cave of Fenikkusu," told Xiang.

"So, what's the plan?" asked Hoshi, fixing his rucksack and katana on his waist.

"Let's go to the Hyõkõ guildhouse. It's a dedicated place where hunters get ranked and get jobs or contracts for different stuff sorted by danger levels. I am sure there will be a hefty bounty on that phoenix on its notice board! Also, there is a library just next to it containing information about all seen creatures in Pandara. We will gain more information about how to beat that dumb bird and where to find it," Xiang stated, sheathing his sword with a leather grip and iron pommel in a brown wooden scabbard.

"Wait, you will actually help me defeat it?" inquired Hoshi.

"Nope, I just want a bit of the reward," Xiang swiftly replied.

"Huh? What makes you think I will give you any?" jested Hoshi.

"I am not asking you. I am begging you. Please, me and my mother need it. Alone, I can only hunt a few small creatures with the shitty gear I have. They don't cash in for much at all at the guildhouse." Xiang suddenly became solemn.

"Why not join a guild?"

"I tried, many times. Whenever I showed my face nobody wanted to form a party with me or let me in their guild. Frustrated from this, I pretty much started a fight with everyone there and barely escaped," Xiang replied, looking down.

"Fine, I will let you take most of the reward. I don't have much need for it anyways. Besides, if you die there will be no one left to protect and take care of your mother. I can't let that happen," Hoshi spoke, smiling faintly.

"I can't believe you are way younger than me sometimes. Thank you, Hoshi. I will forever be in your debt." A few tears escaped Xiang's eyes but he couldn't shed more.

"Don't expect me to do all the work! You are going to help me prepare and gather intel on that Phoenix regardless!" Hoshi informed, loudly.

"Ehh? Sure I guess. So, ready to go?" Xiang wiped his face with his hood and pointed forwards.

"Yes!" Hoshi excitedly replied.

"Leaving so early? I was preparing a bath for you, young one," Xiang's mother suddenly interrupted from their house window.

"A bath kinda sounds nice," mumbled Hoshi.

"Yeah! We are leaving now! You see, he is kinda in a hurry!" Xiang grabbed Hoshi's wrist and began running deeper in the forest.

"What's the big idea?" Hoshi solidified his legs and managed to halt Xiang as well.

"You don't know my mother, her attitude is a bit different to people that are not his son. I can't let you have any ideas," cautioned Xiang.

"I don't get it. What ideas?" puzzled Hoshi.

"Forget it, the city is this way, get a move on!" Xiang left the boy behind and ran towards the right.

"Hey! Wait up." Hoshi moved his legs swiftly in order to catch up.

After briskly walking through the forest which became less dense by the second, both halted against a wooden fenced cliff just left of the trail they began following for a few kilometers.

"I present to you, The city of Hyõkõ!"

Xiang forwarded his left arm towards the vast view of a massive city built upon different levels according to the green sloping mountains. The city's signature round houses constructed from white marble and stone gave a fetching mosaic appearance. Their roofs were different from the tiled ones back at the marketplace but were dome shaped with black ceramic or marble. Many of these houses were built above ground level and people used ladders to reach them. To connect the entire city, large wooden pathways, bridges and circular platforms supported by tall pillars on which people had set up various shops were built. Their wares mostly consisted of hunting equipment, various types of meat, arrows, swords and colourful fruit. Blacksmiths and Craftsmen were abundant and were indulged in their work with sedulous care.

"Amazing! This architecture is very different and more creative from the marketplace!" praised Hoshi.

"They built most of the city above ground level to stay safe from the various beasts that lurk in the forests below. Since it gets pretty cold here during the winters, they paint their roofs black to absorb the heat from the sun more efficiently," explained Xiang.

"Fascinating. Must've taken a lot of blood and sweat to make this a reality." Admired Hoshi.

"You know this city was once the capital of Pandara and the king resided here instead of the marketplace. Its harsher climate, presence of dangerous beasts and it being far from the border made the past kings to shift their location and inhabit the marketplace. There! You can see the old Palace right there on top!" Xiang pointed towards a large white Palace built on top of the mountain standing in the middle of the city.

The palace's architecture was more in line with the houses around it but had much thicker pillars and larger rooftops to support its significantly bigger size. There were naked wooden rods pointing outside from each of its corners, hinting the presence of previously raised banners. There were copious amounts of windows made of stained glass of various bright colours overlooking the artistic balconies, fountains, statues, gardens and stages of the palace.

Hoshi was totally mesmerised at the beauty of the palace as Xiang continued, "There, a level below on the front is the guildhouse. That's where we are headed."

The guildhouse was constructed differently than the rest of the city, as it had more of a cuboid look. The edges of its roof made up of green tiles had lanterns hanging down, shining on the various signs and banners it had on its walls. The rest of it was made up of stone which was painted brown and its main door was made up of green painted wood which opened outside towards a large fountain. That fountain received its water from a natural spring travelling from the top west only to join a river on ground level connected by a fast flowing waterfall. That river ran its course throughout the entire bottom of the city.

"I am lost for words. It's so beautiful." Hoshi marvelled at the incredible sight.

"Yeah but only on the surface," mouthed Xiang.

End of chapter thirty.