Chapter Fifteen

"Worlds, universes—they blend over time, stitched by the primal threads of eating, protecting, and sleeping. The rest? That’s just chaos in motion." – Radan, Former Champion.

Earth - Reno

Penny and Luck

"I understand why you're going, but I still think I should come with you," Penny urged Luck as they sat on the escalator-turned-stairs in the Silver Legacy Casino, once the battleground against Morgrax and now the primary headquarters of the Crow's Nest.

"I need to. I’m bringing Mr. Reynold for company, but I don’t anticipate seeing much that requires you to leave here. These people need you. We’ll have our chance to explore together in due time," Luck said softly, nudging Penny with his shoulder.

"And who am I supposed to talk to with you and Mr. Reynold gone?" Penny joked.

"What? Tech will still be here," Luck replied, and they both chuckled. "Tech has a job, and you have a job. Both are critical for what we want to become here, but I can't be at my best until I find her."

"I know. Every moment without going out there and finding Will's family feels like repeated punches to the gut."

"I know you may not like this next part, but only half your mission is helping and growing these people... the other half is making friends…" Luck smiled wryly, making Penny snort in amusement. "When I come back, we’re going to find our families. All our families and I need you there with me. That means we need trustworthy people to look after the Crow's Nest."

"Yes, yes. But speaking of friends, are you sure you can handle Mr. Reynold for the whole trip? I can tell he gets on your nerves a bit. You might want to learn to control your emotional tells. You sparkle when you’re annoyed." Penny winked. “It’s a good thing Mr. Reynold's energy connection is nearly nonexistent.”

"Oh, he's growing on me. Just don’t tell him that. He’s a big goofball—and a goofball who sticks with family. I can get behind that. I may not have been around too many like him during my last posting. I mean, look, my best friend is Tech."

"Well, I’m pretty sure Mr. Reynold is packing his toiletry bag right now. Might be good to learn a bit from him."

"Oh, wonderful," Luck smiled, appreciating Penny as she showed her true personality.

***

Level Five

Zar'Keth Village

Full Team

Frank looked down at his empty plate as the team gathered their things to continue the tour with Kael. "Well, that tasted like kale," Frank chuckled. "Wait, does Kael just like kale?" Frank stayed within comms to avoid upsetting the boy, who had been vibrant throughout dinner.

"I think kale is the only thing on the menu," James commented. "Well, that and some orange food I saw someone carrying. Think they have carrots here?"

"Whatever it is, expect it to be earth-based. Do you think people called the 'Rooted' have a factory for processing food chemicals?" Emy joined the jesting as Frank's mouth slowly dropped.

"We aren't sure they are called the 'Rooted,' but you’re not wrong about what we’ll eat for the next six months. I'm guessing Kael highlighted the best food this village has to offer," Trish added with a smile, changing Frank's demeanor completely.

The group had been taken to a spot on the village's western side, between the residential huts and what was known as the Market. There, makeshift wooden tables and a cloth sun tarp provided shade for those enjoying a meal. The market wasn’t big but housed many makeshift "food trucks," as Will called them, each offering a scribbled menu on the side of a broader hut with a window for communication with the cooks inside. There were only about ten stations, but for the size of the village, Kael assured them it provided plenty of options. The team was amazed to see no bartering or exchange of money. Kael ordered their food, and when asked about it, he explained that the village was built on community hard work—do your share, and you’ll be supported. Slack off, and your rations might dwindle. It was almost like a gossip channel with good behavior as currency.

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After leaving the eating area, they headed to the local school, which was currently out of session. Kael explained that attending school was seen as hard work. Going to school, learning a craft, and educating oneself on supporting the village were considered as essential as cooking meals or tidying up. Despite this, most students had secondary hobbies to assist their families after school hours. It wasn’t all work and no play; kids were still kids, and at that moment, most were either watching the warriors training or playing games on the outskirts near the farming areas.

"The school has three cycles: Primary, History, and Rooting. The youngest students attend primary courses with some history—language skills, reading, writing, problem-solving, and basics of the tribe, like farming and tribal rules. History covers our tribe, local animals and plants, and the way of our people. Rooting-based classes are for those who can feel and shift energy, teaching the core fundamentals of the four primary bonding elements and how they use their Talent and hopefully become one of the ‘Rooted.’ It’s my second cycle in this course, but my sister taught me things on the side until she left…"

Emy gave Trish a subtle wink, acknowledging her correct guess about the names of those bound to the earth. Trish quickly shifted her focus, eager to gather more information. "Can we ask what happened?" she inquired softly.

"Yeah, it's no secret. Kalil'Ryn, now just Kalil, was the first fire-bonded user in our family. My dad saw it as a great step in integrating fire-based wielders into the tribes. They often leave for the Dark Lands due to the Taint's stronger call on them. She, well… ended up like the rest and joined the Dark Lands. My father says he sees her, but I haven't been allowed to witness those exchanges."

"What exchanges?" Trish pressed on.

"You would have found out eventually. Pretend to be surprised if my Dad tells you," Kael said. "Peace is kept through sacrifice. The mountain requires tidings, and the Dark Land tribes collect on its behalf. A quota is maintained to keep our village peaceful."

"What does your village give?" Emy asked, irritation barely masked.

"Weapons, precious metals, and food. The food is believed to be eaten by the Northern Tribes."

"And everyone is just okay with that?" Emy responded.

"I'm not!" Kael tried to sound heroic but then lowered his voice. "That stance isn’t widely shared. Spreading rumors of fighting these demands risks our peace. Only a few participate in the exchanges—Higher-ups in the Warrior’s guild and leaders—but the conversations grow more hostile daily, no matter how hard my Dad tries to hide it."

The team didn't press Kael further, sensing his reluctance. They knew the status quo would need to change for their mission to succeed. Kael then led them to the farming patches, passing kids engaged in a soccer-like game with a makeshift fur-covered ball. The farming fields behind them were dense but orderly, resembling the neat rows of vegetation you'd see driving along the interstate.

The team passed by the Infirmary next. Their visit was brief, as the local healer Lysa was busy tending to a deep cut on one of the villager's forearms. Nadia held back from helping, even though it pained her to see the man struggling, vowing to return soon to assist. They first needed to understand the tribe's dynamics before revealing their unique Talents.

Once they exited, the team heard a muted roar from a crowd of younger boys and girls, their heads peeking over a tall fence in a poor attempt to stay hidden. Kael pointed out that the primary training ground for warriors lay behind the wall. As the group drew closer, two young kids tumbled off the fence line just as two warriors soared into the sky. The “ting” of metal echoed as the group cautiously approached, witnessing something extraordinary: the warriors seemed to be flying and fighting simultaneously. A faint left, a step in the air, rising upwards only to bring the blade down, the other warrior sidestepping across the sky to narrowly avoid the strike. It was a graceful dance in the air, and the team watched in amazement.

Within moments, the team quickly realized that the fighters weren’t flying but were shifting the air density with each step, creating makeshift foot platforms, allowing for multi-level combat that didn’t match typical fighting events. This ability to rise and fall on command increased striking options and dodging capabilities. The group stayed fixed on the battle, watching it end as one warrior landed a light blow to the stomach of the other. Bowing in the sky, the two descended with ease.

"Do you want to train to do that?" Will asked Kael, his eyes wider than those of the rest of the team, fixated on the movements he had just watched.

"Maybe! But those two were both Wind users. We have a fair amount of those who can fight like that, but it depends on how I connect with the earth when my time comes."

"I may need you to introduce me soon," Will said, still staring at the fence, clearly lost in thought about the potential he saw within those warriors.

"I know, and I can, but I won’t be allowed to stay for long… Anyway, it’s getting dark, and I should show you to your huts so you can set them up before night fully falls."

"Wait, what about that last building over there?" Nadia motioned to another large, circular building, simple in stature.

"Oh, that’s just the local junk storage. Items found across the lands are delivered there. None of them work, but I guess we keep them for show. All working devices or objects get sent immediately to the Northern Tribes. Most people, including my father, consider the building a trash heap, but I sometimes like exploring there. Imagining some of the tech might work. The pile has stayed relatively the same size over the years, but occasionally, those mining in the mountains find something and drop it off to old lady Sutt, who watches over the remains."

"Tech?" Trish’s ears perked up.

"For lack of a better word. Things unnatural to this earth. Created things. Things we do not understand nor wish to understand." Trish's heart raced as she heard Kael talk about the trash heap. She fought to remain calm, intent on exploring the area immediately.

Keeping his word, Kael finally brought the team to a smaller space within the center of the village, where trees and huts wove together to create miniature houses for the residents. The space given to the team was an empty plot between a canopy of trees; however, only tarps lay on the ground.

"Please don’t tell me this is our house?" Will said over comms as Kael spread his arms. "Welcome to your new home!"