Teng P.O.V.

"ZUUURAAA.” I growled at the beast.

I did not understand how the oaths worked but I felt an increase of energy in my gut and in my heart. Strange, so different from what I was told in the folktales when I was growing up.

I needed to get close enough for a kill.

“I can see it!” I saw the incoming claw strike from the fearbeast.

I lunged forward while evading the right claw counter of the bear. Thrusting forward just under its jaw and into his heart area.

GROOF!

The Bear missed my head as he tried to bite if off. With the two blades pointing I hit the musky beast with a full speed body blow, blades in front.

This was crazy, I knew it. But out running this thing with an injured man on my shoulders was asking for even bigger trouble. I didn’t know how but with the oath, I could barely feel the energy flow coming from the bear.

He was more powerful than me. I had made a mistake in judgement.

The blades penetrated the beast’s skin and made him bleed but not enough to reach his heart.

The bear roared in pain and turning his massive body at a speed only possible for a mana infused beast he smashed me with his rear. The massive blow sent me flying back. I fell very close to where Ikrei was bleeding.

“I have broken a few bones for sure.” I said feeling my right arm like a lump. No feeling of movement.

The blades were inserted in the bears hide. No weapons and a broken body. As I looked at the beast I felt as my dreams and ideals were being crushed under the weight of reality.

Whatever power the blessing had on me by the oath it wasn’t enough to even deal a serious injury to our beastly hunter.

“Only so much for a hero.” I said in defeat.

Somehow the blessing, the oath or whatever you may call it, was keeping me conscious.

I heard footsteps from the bushes and before the bear could even move, the sound of arrows flying through the air came.

The arrows hit the bear precisely on his vital parts, the heart, the eyes, the kidney areas. It was done with such precision that I was getting even more nervous.

Around these parts of the wilds only experienced hunters and awakened have such abilities. Soon, seven figures appeared in front of me. Six were wearing dark hooded cloaks and the one in front looked like a hunter. He had the usual hunter gear. I could tell it was expensive.

“Yer yer, who are you lad?” The imposing bearded red hair man asked.

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“Just a range scavenger sir.” I answered sitting up meekly while holding my broken arm.

“Now now, why you saying such things? The man said while pointed at the haversack that was lying open behind me.

The orgon crystals on the floor were a dead giveaway.

“We just got lucky to find a deposit of crystals inside the mountain range sir.” I said.

“You see those blades over there in the bear? Those cannot be bought by just scavenging your way through life. I can sense energy leaking out from you.” The man took out a sword and pointed it at my neck.

“Yer yer, who are you really? He asked with a very serious look in his eyes.

Comprehending my extremely dangerous situation I decided to answer truthfully but not everything.

“I am just an orphan scavenger that got very lucky, we found a deposit of crystals and with the help of my friend over there we were trying to buy our way to some small riches.”

“And how far and where is this deposit you speak off?” He asked again.

“About half days’ hike from here, the bear over there had made it his den.” I said.

“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” The man commented as he sheeted his sword.

“I’ll be going to check that deposit up the mountain, it seems I found something interesting.” He added tuning his head towards the other six people.

“This boy has an energy core that is not Malgrunian. The energy he is emitting makes it obvious.” One of the cloaked men voiced.

“Do as you wish. But in exchange do take care of that bear hide for me.” The man ordered as he left.

Before I could notice anything more he was gone from my sight.

“You two deal with the fearbeast, don’t damage the hide.” A hooded man gave the orders.

“And the two of you are coming with us, do not resist.” He expounded as he slowly placed his hand on the grip of his sword.

The man moved forward and without resistance, he lifted me up like a sandbag over his shoulder. He turned around and ordered another two to grab Ikrei from the floor. The last one was picking up my haversack with the crystals.

As the two men were about to hoist my brother up, a loud voice was heard.

“HALT!”

The hooded man that was carrying me turned around to face the voice.

Another hooded cloak figure appeared before us. This one cloak had an auburn colored fabric with golden symbols on its borders.

I recognized it immediately. A hierarch of the temple of Zur!

“Help me brother.” I shouted while trying to free myself without success.

“You will release them by my authority.” The hood came down from the cloaked person.

Tanned skin, delicate features, lush hair and deep hazel eyes. I had never seen someone that beautiful before.

She stood before Ikrei preventing the two men from touching him.

“Lady Alzra." Said the man who carried me while also removing his hood.

“My name is Tosen, a Zigur.”

“You are carrying a Zurian practitioner, you will release these boys to me.” The woman said in a gentle tone.

“This boy is not under your direct supervision; we will ascertain such claims at our discretion. May I remind you, this is the Eternal Kingdom.” Tosen replied.

“Zurians protect the weak, the helpless and the innocent. But specially, they never abandon their very own.” She retorted.

“You expect me to believe that an awakened core of the Zurians appeared in the Eternal Kingdom without going through your rites and teachings? Without your guidance?” Tosen asked in a mocking tone.

“The Light of Zur is the light of life, the light of miracles.” She said while swaying her cloak revealing daggers.

“Why don’t you ask him what happened?” Alzra suggested in a firm tone.

I tried to speak up but some strange force prevented me from speaking. My tongue was in a twirl; I couldn’t do it.

“Lady Alzra, may I remind you that our peace agreement hinges upon nonviolence against one another. You can always take it up to the High Court for grievances.” Tosen said as he grabbed me even more firmly.

I felt like I was going to pass out.

I looked at her trying to relay my need for help through my eyes.

“Please, please, help me. I am weak, helpless and innocent.” I thought.

The woman just looked back into my eyes and smiled.

Somehow I heard the woman’s voice inside my head.

“I KNOW.”

It sounded so peaceful, like a long lost embrace, surrounding me from all sides. I wanted to rest. I needed to rest.

And just like that, I fell asleep.