“I beg your forgiveness and understanding, master.” Kel said with his head bowed.
“I don’t really understand what you mean by that, Kel.” Micro replied with a honeybun in each hand and one in his mouth.
Tae sat across from Kel and Micro at their usual table, overlooking the beautiful landscape below. The sun was still high over the hills in the horizon, but the wind had grown colder in the mountainside temple. The steam which rose vigorously from the bowls of meat next to the mountains of baked treats in front of Micro made it hard for Tae or Kel to see him properly, but they were relieved to hear him sounding content.
“Just admit it, Ke-” Tae stuttered.
“Be honest, young master. You enjoyed that even more than I did.”
“Words best left unsaid, as you surely know…” Kel replied with a look of disapproval.
“Is your cousin going to the tournament?” Micro asked.
“Not this year, master.” Kel replied with a slow shake of his head.
“But he looked confident.” Micro though aloud.
“One might say his greatest virtue is his confidence, yes.” Kel half smiled.
“His grandfather was the elder brother to my own, you see… If my grandfather hadn’t challenged his elder brother and won the position of sect leader long ago, then the position of heir to the sect would naturally have fallen to him. We trained together happily as children, but our families grew apart when my father…”
“So you’re his boss then?” Blue asked, popping her head out from behind a bowl with a mouthful of beef.
“You don’t seem boss-like.”
“Would pixies know of such things?” Kel retorted with a frown.
“Huh?” She shouted with an intense glare.
“You’re looking at the biggest boss you’ll ever see! You see that little yellow guy up there? That’s what being bossed around looks like!”
“I see…” Kel turned a confused glance to the small bulge in Micro’s chest pocket where Trill was likely sleeping, then shook his head to dispel the awkward mood that arose from picking a fight with Blue. He cleared his throat and turned back to Micro to continue.
“While it is his right, perhaps even his duty, to challenge me for the position of heir to the Fire Mountain Turtle Sect, that does not excuse his arrogance, though it cost him dearly today.” Kel said, finally unable to completely stifle his laughter.
“I’ve never seen a Core Card won or lost so quickly, master. I will never underestimate another after witnessing your ways.”
“I was surprised that he just gave it to me!” Micro laughed along.
“Your family really is kind. You’re lucky, Kel…”
“Master…” Kel suddenly bit his lip, his eyes beginning to water.
“I realize how petty a matter my family’s history must be to someone who has overseen countless generations. I humbly thank you for sharing your perspective with my lowly self…”
“Family is important.” Micro replied, his own eyes closed as he enjoyed another honeybun.
“I hope we meet them again soon.”
Kel’s worries alleviated as he enjoyed his meal with Tae, Micro, and Blue, and soon the sky was dark once more. However, as Micro yawned while looking over the barren dishes on the table, he was surprised to see Kel stand up suddenly and stretch his legs.
“I think it’s about time we prepared to depart.” Kel announced to the table.
“I believe so, young master.” Tae added, standing up and beginning to stretch her own legs.
“What’s happening?” Micro asked shortly before belching.
“Always so busy…” Blue mumbled while lying on the table half asleep.
“The tournament is tomorrow morning, master.” Kel replied.
“It’s time to go.”
“Oh!” Micro shouted happily. He stood up quickly, but sat back down immediately after realizing how full of beef and honeybuns he had become.
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“One minute, please…”
“Of course, master.”
Kel and Tae walked to the edge of the balcony to discuss something while Micro began the process of converting all the food he’d eaten into energy he could freely circulate through his body. He was surprised by how fast the process went this time, but recalled the experience he’d accumulated in the Fire Mountain dungeon.
“I think I’m getting the hang of this, Blue!” He said while patting his less bloated stomach.
“It does feel easier to do after climbing that stupid mountain…” She sighed as she did the same.
“Young master, the sect leader will see you now!” A young man suddenly called out from the entrance to the cafeteria.
“Wonderful, thank you.” Kel replied to the man, queuing his return.
“Come now, master. There is one formality left to tend to before our journey begins.”
~
“So, it’s already that time again…” The sect master said with a nostalgic smile.
“And we have three representatives this year… My heir, a guest, and an attendant…”
Micro and Tae knelt behind Kel in a large hall, surrounded by sect elders and disciples, all of whose heads were bowed in the direction of the sect leader as he spoke.
“I will not be defeated so easily this year, grandfather.” Kel asserted, lifting his head to meet his grandfather’s eyes.
“I will bring honour to your sect!”
“I would rather you bring us power, young one.” The sect leader grinned.
“I have considered your words for some time now, and I must admit to you all that my ambitions may have dulled with age…”
“No, master!” Several disciples cried out.
“Your long reign has seen us thrive despite what is happening in the world!” An elder shouted.
“Thrive…? I wonder…” The sect leader said as he raised his hand to quiet his comrades.
“For a wandering soul to drift in with an ominous breeze and master our sacred art with ease… I wonder where we lost our way…”
“Grandfather…!” Kel gasped.
“I thought your father was a fool for chasing unreachable dreams… Dreaming of an Amber Fire Mountain Turtle Sect…” The sect leader closed his eyes.
“I was a fool to discourage him… But I will not make the same mistake twice.”
“I don’t know what to say…” Kel’s voice quivered.
“Say nothing, if it suits you.” The sect leader spoke resolutely.
“Bring our sect to new realms. Bring us power. Do what my son never had the chance to do…”
Kel held back his tears and bowed deeply without a word.
“Tae…” The sect leader turned his eyes to the attendant kneeling behind Kel.
“Your family has long served the sect, but I was blind not to see such talent could come of them… You have my apologies as well.”
“You honour me, master!” Tae blurted out with excitement, her face revealing her pure joy.
“It is you who brings honour to our sect, child.” The sect leader stated, shaking his head humbly.
“You remind us all that the path which disciples of this sect walk is not just a matter of fulfilling one’s duties, but a quest for ever greater power, regardless of the potential costs.
At this statement, the elders in the room became agitated, some whispering to each other in disapproval, but the sect leader ignored their remarks.
“And the one called Micro…” The sect leader continued.
“Hello again, master!” Micro said as he stood up and waved, drawing a dozen rage-filled glares from the surrounding disciples. Several of them gasped when his feet left the floor for a moment, still having trouble controlling his strength outside of the Mountain Art dungeon.
“Hello, indeed…” The sect leader replied with a gentler tone.
“The path ahead will not be easy for you, as you know…”
“I have to fight people so they’ll be my friend, I think…” Micro replied with a frown.
“I’ll do my best!”
“I trust you will, but your fate is beyond the comprehension of us here.” The sect leader continued.
“The evil goddess, Nora, and her twisted cult… We can only hope their business with you is finished. Our sect cannot protect you in the imperial city to the South, so keep your wits about you at all times. The magicians are invisible to us, but they are always out there, waiting…”
“I’ll try not to run into any of them.” Micro said in agreement.
“Thanks, master!”
“Very well.” The sect leader rose from his seat, followed by the rest of the people in the hall.
“I really must be getting old… Look at me rambling on like this…”
He cleared his throat and suddenly filled the room with a powerful aura, causing almost everyone who could hear him to take a step back. Micro, Kel, and Tae were the only ones who seemed to be truly unaffected by the immense pressure of his spiritual energy, a fact that went unnoticed by few.
“As is our tradition in our ancient sect…” The sect leader declared with a booming voice.
“I give these young ones before me the blessing of the Jade Fire Mountain Turtle Sect in defending our honour at the annual conference tournament in the imperial city. There, you will display the sacred arts of our ancestors before the world. There, you will learn of the world. And there, you will challenge the world. May you grow through this experience, young ones, and may we all share in your victories!”
Kel straightened his back and summoned his turtle armour for all to see, filling it with as much energy as he could muster and letting his aura radiate throughout the room to the delight of almost every disciple present. Tae then followed his example, lifting her fist into the air and coating herself in the same armour. Enjoying the spirit of the event, Micro was the next to display his armour.
The sect leader then watched in horror as a pixie-sized suit of turtle shell armour jumped on Micro’s shoulder, but he was relieved to see it go unnoticed by most of the people there.
“This is fun!” Micro shouted to his friends in matching armour.
“I’m glad, master!” Kel replied.
“Let’s do them proud, shall we?” Blue laughed, kicking Micro’s ethereal helmet.
“Let’s go make some new friends!” Micro cheered.