Leon was awakened by the flickering of candle light at his bedside. He groaned as he attempted to turn his head- the bones in his neck felt like a rusty hinge as he looked around him in disorientation. Where am I? he thought to himself, playing the last memories that he could back in his mind. There was that stupid guy… Seth? And then that Elijah came… and then… his memory finally clicked as he remembered punching one of the green hooded figures in the back of the head shortly before another one of them roundhouse kicked him into the convenience store.

“Relax. You’re going to be all right,” came Elijah’s voice from the other side of Leon’s bed. “Your entire spine was snapped from you crashing into that building. Because of the severity of your injury the bone mending process will take a little longer than usual.” Elijah then sighed and shook his head, “This would be much faster if I had those Mend Medicine Pills.”

Leon raised his eyebrows at Elijah, “so, are you an angel?”

“Not quite,” he chuckled. “I am… an Elder of the Exalted Guardian Society. We are- were a sect of Immortal Cultivators tasked with protecting the Earth from other powerful beings like ourselves. Unfortunately, I am the last one left, but hopefully not for long.”

“Is that why you came for that other kid? Seth?”

Elijah nodded. “I suppose I can tell you more since I am just going to wipe your mind later anyway…” he paused, “I was tasked by the Sage Sovereign of our sect to rebuild the Exalted Guardian Society. The primary condition that potential recruits have to meet is that they are pure of heart- such people are not the easiest to find. When I discovered Seth, it was a no-brainer. Did you know that he’s the reason why I chose to save you? If it weren’t for him, I would have left you in the side of that building.”

“I guess you forgot that I tried to help you while that dork just stood there and watched you almost get your ass kicked,” Leon tightened his jaw and looked away with a huff.

Elijah cleared his throat and looked down, feeling ashamed for how he had just treated the kid, “what is your name?”

“Leon,” the trouble boy replied, slowly bringing his gaze upon Elijah once again. “So, you’re gonna train Seth to be powerful like you?”

“That is the goal, yes, and perhaps even more powerful if I do my job properly” the Cultivator responded, “I am Elijah, by the way.”

“Would you teach me how to be powerful too?”

Elijah shook his head slowly, “I’m sorry, but as I’ve said- I can only accept individuals who are pure of heart. Unfortunately, you do not meet those qualifications.”

Leon clenched his teeth together tightly as he felt his eyes watering up involuntarily. “I have nothing in this life…”

Elijah looked up with a questioning expression.

“I have no parents. No friends. No Home. No future. My parents left me with my aunt when I was just a baby and disappeared. My aunt didn’t want anything to do with me and besides putting a roof over my head and having food in the fridge sometimes, never even gave me the time of day. I’ve always had to look out for myself,” Leon sniffed and cleared his throat. “If you send me back, then nothing will change. If you teach me to be powerful like you, then I can have a new life. I will do anything if you train me to be like you.”

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Elijah let out a heavy sigh and nodded slowly. “Once you fully recover, I will give you a chance. I cannot promise more than that. You would be wise not to scorn it.”

“I won’t blow it, I swear!” Leon grinned in excitement as the tears faded.

“Good. Now then, just rest. Focus on getting well. Now is your opportunity to be the best version of yourself that you could ever imagine,” Elijah told the young man before standing and leaving the small room.

Leon watched the light flicked cast shadows that seemed to flicker on the wall next to him. This is perfect. Now I won’t have to go back to stupid school or my dumb aunt’s home. This really is my chance to the best that I could possibly be. I will become more powerful than anyone could believe. I’ll become more powerful than Seth and even Elijah!

Three weeks later Leon’s spine was fully mended as if he had never been injured to begin with. In fact, he felt better than he ever had, especially with such lofty thoughts to dwell on during his recovery period.

Once he was able to walk again, he began wandering around the strange place that Elijah had brought him to. It seemed like an abandoned church or mansion. There was also a strange feeling that overcame him- a feeling that he couldn’t quite place. It was as if the very air around him invigorated him and gave him more energy and focus. As he meandered on, he noticed one of the rooms’ doors was slightly ajar and he decided to investigate.

The door creaked a little as Leon pushed the door open only to find Seth sitting cross-legged on the floor, now dressed similarly to how Elijah was dressed.

“Leon! You’re all better!” Seth grinned as he slowly began to stand.

Leon stood there in the doorway, surprised at first to see Seth, but his look quickly became a scowl.

“What’s a matter?” Seth blinked and raised his eyebrows.

“How come you asked Elijah to help me even after I pushed you into oncoming traffic?” Leon’s eyes narrowed.

Seth sighed and nodded slowly, “I’ve seen you around town before. I’ve seen how you push people around and bully them. How you smoke underage and generally cause trouble wherever you go. I know that you probably come from a rough home life and, well, I felt bad for you.”

“Felt bad for me?” Leon’s gaze pierced through Seth. “I don’t need your pity! You’re lucky that Elijah was there to save you, otherwise you would have been run over and probably killed!”

“That’s enough, Leon!” came Elijah’s voice as he appeared in the doorway behind the young man.

Leon felt as though he were about to jump out of his skin as he turned around, startled by the sudden appearance of Elijah.

“Do you not have any sense of humility or appreciation? I haven’t even tested you yet and somehow, you’ve already miserably failed!”

“Wait! I just- I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. It’s not that I-” Leon stood there feeling embarrassed for having been caught acting like such a jerk to Seth.

Elijah shook his head and looked to Seth who only shrugged.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I promise that I’ll straighten up…” Leon asserted. “This is all still new to me.”

Elijah exhaled deeply before meeting eyes with Leon. “I will still train you… however, rather than Seth who is getting right into the exercises for learning how to build and control his spirit essence, you will start off the old fashion way: as a servant to the sect.”

“A servant? You’ve gotta be kidding!” Leon bemoaned.

“I can assure you that I am not,” Elijah narrowed his eyes. “You will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the chambers, the library, the meditation room, the training grounds and the mess hall. If you have any downtime and if Seth finds it in his heart to share some knowledge with you, then perhaps you might learn something in the ways of Spirit Essence cultivation.”

Leon folded his arms across his chest, silently fuming as he contemplated what Elijah proposed. “There’s no other way?”

Elijah closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Fine. I’ll be the best damn servant this sect has ever known!”

“Excellent,” Elijah smirked with amusement. “You will find your servant’s robes on your bed. You will begin your new duties tomorrow.”