“Zuri.”

A voice called.

I opened my aching eyes to find Lham standing over me.

The morning sunlight bounced off his shiny bald head and I could better see the lines on his skin.

“Come on. I may be here to offer you guidance, but I will not carry you.”

I nodded before sitting up.

My head ached, my feet were sore, my stomach ached and I was cold but I bit my teeth and forced myself onto my feet.

“The night gave me a lot of time to think about what you told me. You know, our initiation process is one which aims to teach both the student and master and by your words I was reminded that life can be so cruel, but worry not. If you pass this test, you will be welcomed into a family that will treasure you like none other.” Lham said with a gentle smile.

I nodded before placing my hands on my hips.

“Mmm? Time is moving. Go on.” Lham said making my face twist in both pain and confusion.

“This journey is still yours to take. I will merely answer whatever questions you may have and assist you with things here and there. Giving you fruit yesterday was not me trying to help. I just wanted to offer my newest student some treats.”

I nodded before walking in the direction of the stream with Lham closely in tow.

“T-this world… how did humans get here?” I stuttered while taking fairly slow, but continuous steps.

“Mankind, along with the mud crawlers and dragons arrived on Edenton five hundred years ago during an event known as the great collision. Mankind, led by the Moon King, built Lanceberg while the dragons and mud crawlers made their homes in the northern and the southern parts of the continent.”

“Mud crawlers?” I asked while taking deep and painful breaths.

“Ah- they are actually called Rendaro. Dark beings from a dark world. They are a barbaric race which swiftly fell under the might of the Moon King and his armies.”

“Why were you fighting them in the first place?” I asked as the stream came into sight.

I then looked to the left and walked in that direction.

“Like I said. They are dark being who use dark magics. Allow me to elaborate. Summus is the culmination of all the good in the universe, right?”

I nodded.

“He also governs over the good or natural parts of the cosmos. The aspects light, life, heat, cold, time and space. Beings that are able to manipulate these aspects are beings blessed by Summus and with this blessing they are able to control the very elements. However, just as there is good, there is also evil. Remember the void I spoke of before?”

I nodded.

“Yes, it’s dreadful curse is also capable of reaching towards Summus’s creations and granting them dark powers. Powers like granting a person the ability to manipulate the very darkness of the void itself and… the power over death.”

I stopped walking.

“Death?”

“Yes. Witches and evil wizards are capable of drawing out the very power of death and they can use it as a potent, but silent weapon.” Lham explained.

I nodded before continuing along the stream.

“Where did the dragons come from?”

“An old and broken world which had no name. The damned lizards were not a talkative bunch so even if we asked, they would not be able to tell us. All we know is that the only intelligent ones among them were their Queen, King and Prince.”

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“How does magic work exactly?” I asked as I eyed the many fish that swam past me in the stream.

“Telekinesis. Moving something thing from one place to another using nothing but your mind. I wish I could demonstrate exactly what I mean, but alas, I cannot use magic. That being said, the concept is pretty simple.” Lham said as he walked up to me.

He then raised his fist and pointed at it.

“If I was a light magician, I would be able to draw in the surrounding light and create a ball of it around my fist. I could then throw the ball wherever I wanted or even use it as a source of light once the sun fell.”

I nodded before tightly clutching my aching stomach.

“If you do not eat, you may not make it up the mountain. You also look rather cold.” Lham observed.

I nodded before looking around.

The fish were still swimming by and so I decided to make another funnel.

I also asked Lham how he created the fire the night before and thankful he told me how although he said he wouldn’t help.

I nodded before gathering everything I needed.

I then grabbed a long straight stick and vigorously spun it above a dry piece of bark.

This went on for a few moments and I eventually saw a bit of smoke coming from the bark.

I raised the stick but dropped my arms upon seeing that there was no ember within it.

I looked at Lham for answers, but he simply shrugged.

I sighed before attempting to start a fire and eventually, my hard work created a small ember which I quickly used to create a small fire.

I then rushed to my funnel to find three fish trapped within the basket.

I lifted the basket before rushing to my little fire where I impaled the fish with various sticks before holding them above the fire.

I offered the third one to Lham who accepted it before sitting opposite me.

I blankly stared into the fire while our fish cooked.

“Fascinating.”

“Mmm?”

“Forgive my presumptuousness, but I do not see any hatred behind your eyes. I have met men who fell to a life of evil after simply looking at pouch of gold or something, but you… you have been through so much and yet… do you not hate anyone?” Lham asked with a saddened expression.

“I… I don’t think so.” I said.

Lham nodded before taking a deep breath.

“Survive this, Zuri and I will stop at nothing to ensure that the rest of your days are as peaceful as possible.”

“Why would you go so far for someone you’ve just met?” I asked.

“Because I feel as though I would be failing not only you, but myself. This is the reason I became a priest. To help.”

“Mmm… although I appreciate your words, I would much rather you helped me in ensuring Adia grew up into a healthy and happy man.”

“Then that is exactly what I will do!” Lham said with a frown.

Part of me thought it was cute.

Seeing an old man being so passionate.

“W-what?” Lham asked upon seeing that I was smiling.

“Nothing. I think you look nice when you’re being all passionate and everything.”

Lham’s eyes widened.

He let out a fake cough before gesturing at the fish.

“They’re done.” He said bashfully making me smile even more.

.

..

The fourth day painfully came and I laid my eyes upon Mount Nuru.

My heart fell as Lham and I stood at the bottom of mountain.

My entire body still ached, but I didn’t mind the pain us much since I had Lham with me.

He was so deeply intrigued about my time on back on earth.

I told him all I knew and he seemingly ate it up with great enthusiasm.

“Tell me, how many people live on earth?” He asked as he and I climbed up a bunch of cold, sharp rocks.

“Several billion, if I remember correctly.”

“Wow! How did your leaders manage to keep all those mouths fed?” Lham asked as he hopped ahead of me. His steps were far quicker than mine and he showed no sighs of fatigue, but his curiosity and my desire to tell him more kept me going.

“That’s the thing. I don’t think everyone was fed adequately if at all.” I said.

“Ah, I see. Then what of order. Who enforces it. Oh and what about justice? Who governs it?” He asked with crossed arms.

“I think every nation has its own idea of order and justice. It all depends on where you happen to be born. If you are born in a country with fair laws and a reliable force of law officials, chances are you’ll live a relatively peaceful life. But if you are born in a country filled with corrupt leaders and harsh laws enforced by incompetent or outright cruel people, you will most likely live a miserable life.” I said dryly.

Lham nodded as we ascended further up the mountain.

I spotted what looked like the platform where the temple was, but it was really high up and my legs were growing far too weak to move.

I needed to rest and eat.

I looked around and saw nothing but grass and rock.

I looked up and saw a few birds flying about.

If I could find their nests…

I continued up while carefully eyeing my surroundings.

.

..

I froze in place as the light of the setting sun illuminated a small nest a few meters in front of me.

It was carefully hidden with the crevices of the rocky mountain.

I walked up to the nest and saw two eggs sitting within it.

I looked around and saw that no birds were flying were flying nearby.

Lham watched with crossed arms as I sat by the next.

I then grabbed the egg and tore it over my mouth and I quickly swallowed the slimy liquid.

I did the same with the second egg white Lham sag next to me.

“You have but one day left. I have to see, although watching you and speaking with you was a rather sombre experience, I cherished every moment. If you end up failing the test and dying, I promise that your son will be taken care of.” Lham said with the same serious expression as before.

I was far too weak to speak and so I nodded before placing my hands on my legs.

If I passed the test, I would shed this body.

The one which had been so thoroughly beaten.

I couldn’t help but fell grateful and so, as my eyelids fell and I rested on my side, I thanked Summus for allowing me a chance at rebirth.