An exhausted Heziyn was suddenly jerked to the side as Musa fell to his knees as rain and harsh winds pelted his body.

It was early in the morning but one wouldn’t be able to simply tell by looking up as the thick clouds blocked most of the morning light.

“Come on! We must keep moving!” She yelled but the boy was far too tired.

The Ilem had also suffered several nose bleeds after flying the two across Hatua and towards the western mountains so she wasn’t able to carry the two any further.

“Aunty, please! Can we stop for a moment!” Musa cried but Heziyn refused to let go of his hand. That is, until she suddenly let go and fell to her knees while grabbing her throat.

A panicked Musa wondered what was wrong with her while the Ilem turned her gaze ahead.

Her eyes then widened upon seeing an old man approaching from further up the mountain with a single hand raised.

He wore nothing but a dirty loincloth and wad covered entirely in scars.

His eyes also glowed red along with his wild hair and beard.

Musa realized that it was he who was hurting Heziyn and so he stood up and raised his hand while frantically waving them.

“Please! Don’t hurt her!” He cried but the man simply raised his other arm and the Ilem subsequently fell down while desperately grabbing her own throat.

“Please! Stop! We’ll leave your mountain! Just stop hurting them!” Musa screamed as the man walked up to him.

He then leaned down to face the weeping boy before looking the boy over with his bright red eyes.

The man then let out a grunt before lowering his hands and as he did, his eyes stopped glowing along with his hair and beard.

Heziyn and the Ilem gasped for breath while Musa remained standing in front of the man who slowly opened his mouth before letting out a single breath of foul smelling air.

“Ua.”

Musa’s eyes widened but at this point, Heziyn was able to move freely and so she stood up and wrapped her arms around the boy.

“We apologize for whatever wrongdoing we may have-“

Heziyn stopped as the man raised his hand.

He then nodded up the mountain and began walking in that direction.

A frightened Musa turned to Heziyn who bit her teeth before taking slow steps after the man.

The Ilem walked up to Heziyn with questing eyes but Heziyn shook her head making the Ilem nod.

The three then followed the man up the mountain and into a cave which was littered with bones and dried blood.

At its centre was a small fire which the man pointed at.

Heziyn, Musa and the Ilem sat around the fire and watched fearfully as the man looked them all over.

He then let out a sigh before crossing his arms.

“My apologies for the rude greeting.” He said with a light, raspy voice.

“I cannot remember the last time I saw other people and the last people I ever saw weren’t very friendly.” The man said.

“My name is Makaa, Envoy of the Flame.” The man said with a slight bow.

“Umm… hello, Makaa. My name is Heziyn. This is Musa-“

“Son of Ua.” Makaa growled making Heziyn frown.

“Yes but… how did you know?”

“The boy and I may have met in another life, in another time.”

Heziyn winced in confusion.

“Why have you come here? To this barren place?” Makaa asked.

“We are on the run from Ua.” Heziyn explained making Makaa glance at Musa again.

“I’m guessing it has something to do with boy.”

Heziyn nodded.

“Where do you plan on taking him?”

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“I… don’t actually know. To be honest, I never thought I’d make it this far, hehe.” Heziyn chuckled before breaking into a painful cough.

Musa clung closely so her but she gently placed her hand on the boy’s head, assuring him that she was alright.

“Do you know of any safe places? Because Ua will undoubtedly send her forces here as soon as possible.”

“Mmm… there is Kimbilio to the far south but I can’t confidently say we’ll be safe there since a number of her forces are stationed there. Abanafash is also no good.” Heziyn thought aloud while tapping her chin.

Makaa looked up for a moment before narrowing his eyes.

His gaze then returned to Heziyn and Musa.

“There really isn’t a place on this plane that Ua can’t reach-“

“What about… the land my older brother sent the Chofumah to?” Musa softly asked making Heziyn’s eyes widen but Makaa frown in confusion.

Heziyn explained everything Jua had learnt and done in his efforts to free the Chofumah.

“It would seem as though cruelty does not through blood flow.” Makaa scoffed while Heziyn’s eyes darted back and forth.

“Mmm… that means we’ll need to go to Abanafash but… I’m not sure who’s an ally or a enemy over there. We could try our best to sneak in but… if I am discovered…” Heziyn’s eyes quaked as she spoke.

“No. I was prepared for this.” Heziyn breathed while wrapping her arm around Musa.

Makaa’s eyes narrowed.

He then turned to the Ilem who silently sat next to Heziyn.

“Mmm… it seems as though you are in dire need of allies.”

Heziyn looked up into Makaa’s eyes.

“And I am need of some help as well. So why don’t we make a deal.”

“Go on.”

“I will take you to Abanafash and ensure the boy sets sail for the land beyond the horizon and you… will teach me magic.”

Heziyn’s brows furrowed.

“But you used magic on us.”

“Ah… what you saw was an instinctive response. I can feel the magic in the air and in the ground but I don’t know how it works. I want to know so that I may better prepare myself for the coming day.”

“Which day?”

“The day when Mount Kupumzika burns.” Makaa said before turning to the painting on the caves front most wall.

It depicted a mountain covered in ash and at the mountain’s foot was a dark tree.

“I will tell you about the day if you agree to teach me.”

Heziyn turned to her Ilem who didn’t respond.

“Alright. I’ll teach you but going to Abanafash will be extremely dangerous… we may all die.” She said while holding Musa a little tighter.

“Mmm… I may die in trying to help you but I suppose the Mti will simply find another person to act as Envoy of the Great Flame.”

“Mti?” Heziyn asked as her eyes slowly widened.

“Are you of Mbegu blood by chance?” She gasped making Makaa close his eyes.

“This body is, yes but the spirit was birthed anew by a messenger of the Mti. That messenger brought me to this place so that I may await the day although I feel as though I may not live to see it if I stay here in stagnation. That’s why I want to learn. So that I may increase my chances of survival.” Makaa explained.

“Huh… alright. However, I’m no magician so I’ll teach you the theory while our dear Ilem here demonstrates everything. We must also be quick. Ua’s warriors could crash into this place at any moment.” Heziyn warned but Makaa bowed in response.

“I look forward to learning all you have to teach.” He said as a single clap of thunder shook all of Hatua.

I turned to the palace atop the mount and winced upon hearing Ua scream.

“WHAAAAAAAAT!?”

Modo flinched as he knelt before Ua who’s face was still as twisted as the day before.

“They are heading south under Akili and Kuhani’s leadership, ma’am.” He said through gnashed teeth.

Ua’s face twisted further and it seemed to get to her because she began scratching at her temples.

Her breaths were frantic and her eyes darted back and forth, much to the dread of the maids who hid behind the pillars.

“Mmm… call every warrior who is still loyal to me here and then send a few teams west to look for my baby and that thieving bitch.” Ua said and Modo hesitantly raised his head.

“and the rest?” He asked but this just made Ua’s eyes widen further.

“Isn’t it obvious? We’re going to wipe those fuckers off the surface of the world. Although I won’t leave this place until Musa is back in my loving arms.”

Modo nodded before standing up and rushing out of the palace.

Ua then made her way to her bedroom where she grabbed her crown although it was a bit too heavy for her so she used Gravity Magic to hold it up.

“I tried, Lady Sav’ta. I really did but ungrateful they remain. To the point that they would try to rob me again.” She said while placing the crown on her head.

“Wipe them out. Start anew. Soon Musa will be back and I’ll punish him for ever considering a life apart from me.” She said as the skies continued to tremble due to the storm.

The weather in Y’shuah wasn’t as bad although it was also raining.

Training in the dark of one of the many deep caves were Azar and Chozek who were covered in sweat after a full day of intense exercise.

“Alright. That’s enough, let’s do a quick demonstration before calling it a day.” Pazia said as he stood up.

Azar and Chozek fell onto their asses and watched as Pazia removed his clothes.

He then began flexing all of the muscles he could while standing completely upright.

“Switch your eyes to Soul View.” He instructed and even I obeyed by peering at his Uyil Belts which slowly spun within him.

“Uyil Torsion is essentially forcing the soul into a state of rigidity. By twisting our belts and making them taut, we affirm our existence. We are here and here we will remain!” Pazia yelled before twisting all ten of his Belts simultaneously.

He then let out a pained cough as even his diaphragm contracted.

Azar then raised his hands and tried absorbing his Life Energy to no avail as the green glow within stuck closely to his core.

Pazia allowed his Belts to slacken and gasped for air before grunting and standing completely upright.

“That is what you are trying to achieve. There is a limit, however. I do not know the exact measurements but if you stretch something too far out, it’s bound to break so always practice caution. I imagine the reason why I experience so much pain when twisting my belts is because I twist them all at once but I feel as though this the best way to ensure that no magician can affect your insides from afar.” Pazia explained making Azar and Chozek nod.

“Good, now let’s head back home and have some of those pies that Chozek made in the morning!” Pazia said while hopping back into his clothes alongside his students who joined him in returning home.

However, upon reaching the old chief’s house, they were greeted by several guards who allowed them inside.

Pazia’s eyes then narrowed as he saw Emunah and Kukiyah sitting in the living room across Ayit who sat in his old chair.

“Ah, you’re finally here. For a second I thought you’d all gotten lost in the bowels of the Cavern.” Emunah smiled making Pazia’s brows furrow.

“To what do we owe this great honour?” He asked as Azar and Chozek stood behind him.

“Well, to cut the pleasantries, I want to marry Chozek and make him Chief of the Chofumah.”