My journey out of the capital is almost uneventful.

But, despite my effort to leave under the cover of darkness, eyes follow me as I leave the walled-in section of the city.

I feel them following long before they act.

A gap in the guard patrol gives them the opportunity.

Ratty clothes and dead-set eyes approach me.

Knives are held by the men.

"Give us your money!" one man demands.

I look from him to his fellows. They've encircled me.

"No."

Surprise and then anger stir in these brigands.

"Fool!" one curses.

As they approach I let loose a 360-degree wave of chi.

The five men are blown back with tremendous force.

The dust blows past the confused men.

A whistle sounds and I disappear into the night. The guards can figure it out.

The world beyond the slums is as hopeful as when I'd passed through them not too long ago.

My journey leads me West, homeward bound.

I feel him as he approaches.

I sigh as I wait for him.

Zach takes a knee as he meets me. "Sir, your presence is requested by the Council."

I'm surprised, "The Council is still around?"

"Sir, the council has been rebuilt since word of your return reached the slave lands to the South. Most of those on the Council were not party to the Judgment."

I am torn as I think of the implications for my family should my identity be discovered by the Jal.

"Sir," Zach implores. "This is a chance we haven't had in 15 years.

"The traitors have no part in this.

"We need to bind the council from the loose alliance we have now into something real.

"We need you, Meridian."

I listen to the man's speech knowing that I will go with him.

Silence carries as he waits for my response.

"Okay."

Excitement shows on Zach's face as he comes to his feet and starts running.

I stand there for a moment scratching my head.

And, then, I take up the chase.

Chi enhances our speed and we sprint for hours on end.

The land grows progressively more barren as we run from one horizon to the next.

A week passes with only brief rests.

The land is desolate, and sandy, with soil and hard rock.

When I was here as Meridian, I fostered rebellion for years.

The hatred and desire for revenge that the slaves held was useful for me to draw them to my side.

A large village of houses built from muddy clay finds us.

Eyes watch from shelter as Zach and I enter the town.

We slow to a walking pace.

I hear the rattling of bones as we approach the largest house.

Smoke rises from a chimney in this house.

The rattle of bones is almost hypnotic as I enter the building.

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A final cast is collected and the building goes silent save for the crackle of a fire at the center of the room.

I look around and see fierce, angry, faces.

My robes, my seal, everything about me stirs hatred in their hearts.

Zach leaves my side and joins his brother.

I walk towards the fire when I hear someone spit on the floor.

With the one comes several more.

"What is the meaning of this?" someone yells.

I search the faces until I find a dark-skinned man piercing me with his gaze.

"Barbarian, have you deceived us?"

Ivona steps forward, "No. This is Meridian."

The man laughs, stirring a round of laughter until the man speaks again.

"This is Meridian the scourge? Meridian the uncontrolled?" He pauses, "Meridian the immortal?"

I find myself feeling self-conscious of all these titles the man brought up.

Ivona looks into my eyes, "Yes."

The man steps out from his faction.

"Little prince, are you Meridian?"

I look from him to the expectant faces, "I was Meridian. Now, I am Adam."

The man's nostrils flare.

"Prove it."

I sigh, "For some I've shared secrets. But, I do not know you. How would you have me prove myself?"

The man wets his lips, "Power."

I see several heads nod up and down.

I shrug.

"Can I get the spiritualists to come forward?"

Puffed-up chests step forward.

"Do you all know the soul link ability?"

They nod their heads, confused.

"Do it with me, now."

I open my soul to them all.

By doing this I put myself at risk of them hurting my soul. But, it's worth the risk.

I consciously see their spirit seeds of various sizes pop up in the same space as my own.

But, then, mine isn't a spirit seed. It is a vine that would seek to defy heaven. And, it is massive.

One man screams as he forms the link.

The rest stoically measure what they see.

"How is this possible?" one woman asks.

"What is this?"

The soul link lasts until, one by one, they leave the link.

"It could be a trick."

Murmurs of uncertainty pass through the gathering.

"What did you see?" the dark-skinned man demands.

They look among themselves and then to me.

"Power."

A withered old woman steps forward. "You got what you wanted Herrus. Now let me have a turn."

The dark-skinned Herrus makes a face before turning away.

"Oh my, but you are a cute one," the withered woman says as she steps up to me.

She pats my cheeks and feels my arms.

"I never had the opportunity to meet Meridian, Adam. My, you are trained with the sword.

"As I understand it, Meridian never learned the sword. Unfinished business, perhaps?"

I shrug under her scrutiny.

"Tell me," she says. "What do you think we should do for our revolution to not end as yours did 16 years ago?"

I brush her and her question aside.

"Let's make one thing clear. You summoned me. It was not I who formed this council. It was all of you.

"My purpose in coming here was not to take command of this movement.

"The last time I counted on people like you, I was abandoned to the Jal.

"To be clear, Meridian died.

"I am not your leader. You are the leaders. Get your shit together."

I am on the verge of shouting as I glare at the band of misfits.

I take a long moment to stare down Herrus, the old woman, and the various leaders who didn't speak.

And, then, like the wind, I depart from the structure.

The Boros brothers and Ivona do nothing to stop me.

Before I get too far, I hear them chanting, "Meridian the immortal."

I put them out of my mind as I walk away.

Day and night pass as I walk with chi-enhanced feet.

I find my thoughts turning to Siri.

I had grown so used to her presence while we were at the academy.

Now, she is in seclusion with her family, while I am an unemployed scholar.

The path home is long and not without hazard. But, finally, my home of Reyl is before me.

I think to myself that I wouldn't trade this home for anything.

Why must my ghost haunt me so?

"Brother!" Mai eagerly rushes out to see me.

Her eyes are drawn to the seal on my neck.

"You passed," she claps her hands.

"You had doubts?" My eyebrow raises.

She chuckles, "Mother and father will be pleased."

I am led into a room where my parents are talking.

I can't help but feel tension in the air as I interrupt their conversation.

"My son," Father stands to receive me.

Mother looks on warmly.

"I passed," I show him my trophy.

Father laughs, "I never doubted. Tell me your ranking."

He is elated when I tell him.

"This is a joyful moment. We will have a feast."

My parents go about ordering the preparations.

Mai looks up to me, "Brother."

"Yes?"

She blushes, "Mother and father have found a marriage partner for me."

I feel somewhat melancholic to hear she will leave the household should she marry.

"Have you met him?"

She nods her head.

"What did you think?"

She looks off, "He seemed kind."

I'm uncertain of what I should say to her about it.

"Try to get more meetings with the man. You might find him more than just kind."

She nods.

"I wish it could be like how you and Lady Li got to know each other.

I pat her on the head. "If he's a bad husband, I'll come dismantle his house and take you back."

Mai smiles, "Thank you, brother."

We chat while we wait for the party to be made ready.

The feast is relatively small. But, I appreciate those who come.

The branch heads offer their praise.

"Cousin."

I turn to see Cousin Yu. He looks proud as he bows to me.

"Cousin, you have always shined like the brightest star in the sky."

I wave aside his compliment.

"Yu, what are your plans after your coming-of-age ceremony?"

He looks somewhat embarrassed.

"I have asked the family to send me to the Royal Academy."

Surprise takes me as I measure my cousin.

"Do you believe yourself ready?"

Yu scratches his head, a rueful smile on his face.

"I have taken my studies very seriously since you showed me the example of what it means to be a scholar."

I smile encouragingly, "I wish you good fortune in your pursuit."

The festivities come to a close and I retire for the night.

In many ways, the party was a send-off.

Unemployed as I am, it is time I seek out employment.

Father has put forward the census bureau and I believe that to be my path.

I close my mind to thoughts of work and meditate on my spirit vine.

It grows larger with every passing day.

I find myself at a loss for what I would need such power to achieve.

The heretic's purpose remains.

I sigh. War then.

I am torn about what I should do.

The insurrection has rallied behind me. But, if I fight for the cause I once championed, I risk losing everything I have as Adam.

I continue my meditation.