Izai’s gaze was stolen by a statue of Kahuni Yanesu. Its weathered features frozen in a triumphant expression. The figure stood tall, one hand confidently resting on its hip while the other pointed boldly to the skies.
The 20-foot statue stood at the entrance of the Kahuni Yanesu Gale-Port. Originally built to service Air-Ships during the Divine War, the port was now mainly used for commercial flights. The Gale-Port soared into the sky, its needle-like structure piercing the clouds.
Three observation decks jutted out from the tower, each progressively narrower. The top deck, the largest, was where most passengers caught their commercial flights. The middle deck handled cargo and logistics, while the lowest deck was reserved for the wealthy and influential who required their privacy.
Olav’s eyes were now fixed on the statue. He nudged Izai. “Your ancestor, huh?”
“Really, friend?” Koralo asked, surprised.
“Yeah, they have the last name too,” Olav said, sticking a cigarette in his mouth.
Izai promptly yanked it out. “That’s not my ancestor,” he corrected. “Mine was the other brother – the one who fought for the Vasotoro Empire.”
“Ahhh…” Koralo murmured, before planting his palms on their back. “Follow me, friends.”
At the entrance, they presented their IDs.
“Purpose of your visit?” asked the Folk manning the desk.
“Imagine. These two boys,” Koralo said, drawing them closer, “never seen Gale-Ship close before. Today is that day.” He smiled.
The lady cocked an eyebrow but inquired no further.
They entered the needle-like structure. Inside were various rooms that operated as shuttles to take them to the top. Inside one of these shuttles, Izai noted how it looked like some of the train and tram carriages he had been in. They were closely packed with other KinFolk as they ascended the needle-like tower, his face buried in a MegaFolk’s armpit.
Eventually they passed through another round of ID checks.
They moved past the retail stores, and boarding gates filled with Kin from all realms of Aradahi. Through the massive glass windows, commercial ships hovered above, their gigantic cigar-shaped bodies slicing through the sky. Each was adorned with the colours and emblems of its realm – some grand, like the orange ships from Costadore, others more modest, like the purple ships from the Ansula Islands.
Izai recalled his father’s advice, “if you ever gotta take a Gale-Ship, just pay extra for a MegaKin ship. Your legs will thank you for it.” His mother had once endured an eight-hour flight across the continent on a Folkling ship. Ever since that trip, she walked funny.
Past the floating Gale-Ships, the Dikomai Sea stretched out, its waters dotted with Sail-ships. In the distance, Izai could just make out people Air-Sailing. Koralo pointed down to a Skyway that curved below them, connecting the top deck they stood on with the middle deck.
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“Gale-Port on south side of river where most cargo goes. Folk Family… well, they bit sour about it yes? They want government to bring cargo down here,” he stomped pointing to the middle deck. Koralo ran a hand through his hair, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “You up for fun friends?”
“What kind of fun?” Olav asked.
“Harmless fun,” Koralo replied, tapping on the glass window. “Good source tells me Durai bringing in a Solar-Pearl necklace.”
Durai Li was one of the many bastard children of Mart Li, the leader of the Folk Family. Durai had managed to worm his way up to being Mart’s successor, much to the chagrin of the other Li siblings. The necklace he was smuggling in was worth about 250 000 Yibi.
“What’s so special about it anyway? It doesn’t have of the benefits of Solar-Sao,” Izai responded.
“You wrong my friend. Normally, Solar-Sap ultimate form of Fire-Sap. Thanks to alchemists, now it do wonders – healing, lighting things up, fuel for Carts and Ships. But here, alchemists magic really shines. They use Solar-Sap’s Essence to infuse into pearl. Pearl becomes attention of room, drawing attention, always at corner of your eye without annoying too much. Understand?”
“No. I’d still find it annoying,” Olav added.
“And you want it for yourself?” Izai asked.
“No, no, no. It’s for missus. But only for special occasions yes?” Koralo said, clapping and rubbing his hands together. “The best part is Durai can’t go to police because he’s smuggling. Don’t want to pay taxes, so he delivers it to third deck.”
“What if they find out it’s us?” Izai continued.
Koralo smiled. “Folk Family won’t know one thing. Too busy fighting each other. Durai will think it’s his brother ,” he mused, “or sister or aunt or uncle.”
“So, what’s the plan?” Olav asked.
“Working on one,” Koralo grinned. “Wanted to know if you boys are in.”
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Later, Izai boarded a train on the north side. He watched as the skyscrapers and historic buildings slowly fade away, replaced by the more industrial south side as they crossed the river.
He made his way to Tai’s house, where he was given a funny-tasting potion. It had the foul taste of sulfur and rotten eggs. He felt the urge to vomit but managed to keep it down, mostly for the sake of Tai’s dust-coated furniture.
Soon, he felt a strange feeling. His cells began to itch, vibrate, and pulse until he felt tired and sluggish. Even the act of walking became a chore. It felt as he had suddenly put on a lot of weight.
“I’ve drained your Vitality so you can go through your Duration Cycle slower,” Tai explained as he brought out a wooden dummy.
“When all your V-Core points drop to 1, you regain them day by day. In the Mythic Phase, you gain 1 point per day. Then 2 points in the Still Phase, 4 points in the 1st Dominion Phase, and 8 points in the 2nd Dominion Phase. I guess in the Divine Phase its instant. All of this is if you don’t go into Cell-Lock mind you.”
He then reminded Izai that instead of his Startup being 0.11 seconds, it was now 1.1 seconds. His Active went from 0.08 seconds to 0.8 seconds, and his Recovery from 0.11 seconds to 1.1 seconds .
Izai took his stance before the wooden dummy, feet spread apart, knees slightly bent. He twisted his torso, and his right fist shot out in a straight line, with his knuckles striking the wooden pole.
“Now do it with your pulse.”
Izai followed instructions. This time, he felt the Essence swirl within him, guiding his torso, and propelling his right fist forward. For a brief moment as his knuckles smashed into the wooden pole, he felt a surge of energy release from his knuckles before the Essence guided him back to a neutral stance.
“Good. Good. You feel that? That’s what you’re meant to follow. Understand it. Learn how to guide it.” Tai now lounged in his chair. “Now, do a side kick.”
Izai planted his back foot firmly, positioning himself at the optimal striking range. He felt the Essence take over, driving his hips forward and extending his leg in a straight line. His heel struck the wooden dummy with force, and he felt the energy expel before returning to his neutral stance.
“Good. Now, let’s do that over and over again.”