Raja Kint put his deliberations to the back of his mind and looked at the earthly cultivation technique again. He placed his hands on the ground and closed his eyes. Focusing his attention toward the earth he immediately felt the earth ki.
Next, he deviated from the technique and attempted to manipulate earth ki itself. Focusing on concentrating the earth ki. A nail-sized sphere of earth ki appeared before him. He opened his eyes and looked at it curiously. This earth ki was truly interesting. He then decided to fuse it with his ki. With no issue, nature ki assimilated the earth ki.
Raja Kint didn’t feel any different and decided to focus on reaching the inner ki realm's tenth stage.
The day smoothly went by as he took out the many resources he’d saved up to increase his cultivation speed. By nightfall, Raja Kint has nourished his smooth muscles and is focusing on his cardiac muscles.
Once morning arrives Raja Kint has exhausted his resources but also nourished all his cardiac muscles. Next, he would focus on his bones.
Without the resources, he would be slower than before. Unless he increased his outer ki realm stage. When the sun reached its highest point the brown-eyed girl returned with food. The two conversed for a bit before she left.
She would return when the moon was just beginning to rise. Handing him food and conversing.
As Raja Kint is in his cage, on the third day of his imprisonment news struck the tribe.
The Chieftain woke up alone in his home. He quickly makes some food to eat before setting out for the day. Greeting his fellow tribe members as everyone moves about to work and have fun. He glances toward the jail and sighs. Another issue I have to worry about. Maybe I will just send the young man away with his plant. But I have a feeling that what the boy said about the outsider being helpful to the tribe. Might actually come true.
He began walking toward the right side of the village. He walked through the training field where the men practiced their combat and formations. With changes occurring all around them, the Chieftain knew his tribe wouldn’t be excluded forever.
He waved to the men prepared to lay down their lives. Melancholy coloring his mind. If only I found a way to break through. We wouldn’t have to be in this mess. Even with the wisdom of generations before I still can’t find a path.
Soon enough he reached the building for strategy and planning. Pushing the door open he was greeted by eight men. Four of whom accompanied him to meet Raja Kint. As usual, they started the day by going over any new news.
Eventually, mid-day arrived and shouts were heard outside the tent. One of the men opened the tent as a young man delivered a letter.
The young man quickly stammered, “The Shinrin Tribe sent a messenger saying that war will reign upon us!”
The pupils of everyone in the room dilated. The Chieftain could only sigh to himself at the news. The young man was sent away as the man opened the letter, reading aloud.
“Shizen Tribe, it is time for your demise. Our rivalry ends in 3 weeks.” The man tossed the letter on the table as the room fell into silence.
The Chieftain spoke, “For now let’s separate and take a break. We mustn’t be hasteful in our actions. Convene in three hours.”
The men acknowledged the Chieftain’s words and left. Leaving the Chieftain alone in the room. He left to return to his home. Once inside he walked to his bedroom. Pulling on a vine that opened a secret door on the floor. He walked down spiral stairs of dirt before reaching the bottom. Flickers of flames lighting the area.
Before him are many books stacked together on a shelf. On a table are papers with non-coherent writing. He walks to the table and sits down going over the papers. I fear that after me we may not have another chance for some generations. But can we survive another few generations? The Shinrin Tribe has conquered two other tribes. Making themselves even stronger.
His eyes narrow as he exhales a breath of air. Massaging his temples, leaning back in his chair. “I have to be close… where is the path?”
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Suddenly Raja Kint appeared in his mind along with the young boy. He gets up and leaves the secret room. Going to the home of the boy. Walking through the tribe he takes in the smiles of the women, boys and men. Soon he sees the young boy from the group of five. He wasn’t the taller of the two boys. Although he showed a hint of cunningness in the situation. The Chieftain called the boy over.
The boy bowed, “Toshiro Shinzen greets the Chieftain.”
“Why did you side with the outsider at the gate?”
“I think he’s someone worth befriending. I know it’s not our way to mingle with outsiders. But instinctually I think he’s a good person to know. Plus, I think he knows a bit about the circumstances of our ancestor.”
“Go on.”
“When we told him about the story of our ancestor he mumbled something under his breath. I didn’t hear clearly but I think he mentioned heaven. Not only that but he’s so young and so strong. Even when we were moving through the forest he learned our movements extremely quickly. Not looking any worse than the four of us. Even with the situation at the gate he was calm the entire time and willingly gave himself up. This lets me know that his mind and comprehension are truly top-notch. He might even know something to help us break the curse.”
“You trust him from all of this. With his extraordinary qualities, this could all be a trap.”
“Maybe so, but I’m willing to bet he isn’t a trap.”
The Chieftain stayed quiet for a moment before softly chuckling. “You’re a smart kid, have you ever thought of being Chieftain?”
The boy showed surprise, “Of course, I want to be Chieftain.”
“Thank you for everything.”
The Chieftain walked outside of the tribe to meditate. Such a talented boy, this type of boy is truly a rarity. Didn’t that girl Odayakana say she also knew a talented boy only nine years of age? Those two couldn’t be the same could they… It’s only been a few months.”
The Chieftain furrows his brows before opening his eyes. He walks to Odayakana’s house and knocks on the door.
A man at the mid-outer ki realm opens and quickly greets the Chieftain with a bow.
“May I speak to Miss Odayakana?”
“Right this way Chieftain. Odaya the Chieftain is here to see you.”
Soft footsteps sound as a woman rounded the corner.
“Odayakana Shizen greets the Chieftain.”
The Chieftain smiles, “It seems you’ve broken through to the earthly ki realm, Congratulations.”
Odayakana thanks the Chieftain for his praises before inviting him to sit. Quickly, she prepares some tea as she sits down with her husband.
The Chieftain asks, “Can you tell me a bit about this talented boy from your experiences?” He notices her eyes light up as she begins talking. Soon enough the time to reconvene in the room is approaching and cuts her short.
Leaving her house to travel to the building to discuss the Shinrin Tribe. Arriving at the tent he sees everyone there. Suddenly discussions begin on the Shinrin Tribe. Once the moon begins to rise the Chieftain brings up Raja Kint. The room easily agrees to give him his plant. With the Shinrin Tribe now declaring war. They didn’t want another loose piece under their noses. Neither did they want to kill him in fear of his backers' vengeance.
The meeting soon ends and the Chieftain returns home. While home he suddenly feels weird fluctuations. “This isn’t earth ki, this is more like a law. Who in the village beside me can grasp laws?” Suddenly he gasps, “The boy!”
Earlier in the day, shortly after mid-day.
Raja Kint is in his cell currently absorbing more earth ki. He’s decided to test it out as a potential path for the outer ki realm or even the limbo realm. As he’s absorbing the earth ki he suddenly feels the nature ki acting weirdly. Suddenly, his body is experiencing pain.
Raja Kint’s eyes narrow as sweat forms on his forehead, his breathing becoming rugged. What shocks him the most is that he feels his nature ki pulling attributes from the earth ki. Although he has to test what exactly the attributes are. Even for the muscles and bones he’s nourished so far. He feels a sturdiness unlike before coupled with excruciating pain.
The man who looks over the jail had left at this time so Raja Kint was alone. He began writhing on the floor. Feeling as though his muscles and bones were about to explode.
After an hour of torturous pain, it finally begins to subside. Raja Kint sits up mumbling to himself, his pupils becoming brighter. The door opens and Raja Kint snaps out of his reverie. The man returned and headed to the back. Some more time passes and the girl returns with food as usual.
After she leaves and the man leaves for the night. Raja Kint says, “This earth ki holds the secrets to earth law. After all, the earth never needed the heavens. The earth has been strong enough to support itself. And will always be strong enough to support itself. Even with the collapse of heaven. Earth will remain indestructible.”
Suddenly Raja Kint placed his hand on the ground beneath him and manipulated an opening to escape. He shook his head deciding not to escape. At this moment he recognized a blue light shining on him, the moon. He turned around to look at the moon. At this moment, feeling closer than ever before to the stars.
At this moment the Chieftain felt the fluctuations of earth law and quickly arrived before the prison.