A pair of eyelids open to reveal ocean-blue eyes.

Raja Kint gets out of bed, quickly dressing himself under the hubbub of the tribe. He leaves to arrive at the barracks with the troops he’s been practicing with.

After opening the flap to the tent a thick arm wraps around his neck as his world spins upside down, slamming into the ground.

“Haha, today I’ve gotten yet another one!” roars a tall, muscular man.

Raja Kint grumbles, “Why do you have to be so annoying? I thought your name Bane is meant for the other tribes, not your comrades.”

“You all just don’t know how to have fun like me,” Bane says.

Raja Kint rubs his head as he grabs his bag and the new spear the tribe gave him. Even though months have passed since the coliseum he’s never bothered to buy a new spear. Even though he’s strong enough to bend that spear with his bare hands. With the war approaching this troop noticed his sorry excuse for a weapon during training. Hence they got him a spear meant for a mid-outer ki cultivator.

By mid-day, the entire military is prepared and will begin assuming positions.

Raja Kint walks out in his new military gear. With black wood armor plates covering his body while still allowing for mobility. And clothing made from palm leaf-sized leaves underneath the black wood. On his face, he has two marks of black paint on both sides of his cheeks. And one black mark across his forehead.

On his right hand, he has his father’s ring on his ring finger. And the regular ring on his middle finger.

He stores his gear inside his father’s ring and joins Michalis Shizen's group in waiting for their call. Leaving his body-length spear, also made from black wood. And putting it onto his back at a slant.

As an elite troop, they have separate orders they’re meant to carry out. Their mission is to patrol blindspots that the regular army won’t cover and eliminate all forces they come across. This operation is expected to meet enemy commanders and be in situations where they’re outnumbered.

Raja Kint sits down and looks at his fellow troops. Besides Bane Shizen who he also fought weeks ago proving his strength. There’s the fourth outer ki also in the troop named Jackal Shizen. With three fifth outer ki present inside the troop called, Elias Shizen, Lucas Shizen and Tobias Shizen. Lucas Shizen has a tall, lean build while Tobias Shizen has a lean build.

There’s also one other sixth outer ki who’s recognized as second in command behind their commander, Vasil Shizen. As the shortest in the group with a lean body. He’s also considered the second strongest man below the commanders. Every time Raja Kint would spar with him he was badly beaten. Which surprised him until he found out Vasil Shizen learned the techniques the Chieftain brought back to a level higher than his cultivation.

Raja Kint sat down and rested against the grass. After a few hours have passed footsteps sound outside the tent. Soon, the flaps open to reveal Michalis Shizen. During his time under Michalis Shizen Raja, Kint had to admit that he truly respected the man. Not only has he reached the eighth outer ki despite the heavenly curse. His combat ability is no less than those without the curse! Raja Kint even believed that he might be capable of facing even a ninth outer ki. Plus, despite not having the highest cultivation he is considered to have the highest combat ability besides the Chieftain.

Michalis Shizen surveys his troops as a smile breaks out. “It’s finally time for your training to be put to the test.”

Jackal Shizen says, “None of the guys here work harder than me. So of course I’ll have the most kills.”

“Hah, a joke from a little man. It’s okay to step aside when you’re scared,” responds Bane Shizen.

Raja Kint laughs as they banter for a bit more. Soon the laughing ceases and the atmosphere becomes heavy.

“We’re the elites of this tribe. If we fall the tribe falls. That can’t be allowed to happen, not when we’re so close to dispelling the curse.” Michalis Shizen watches as the men’s faces change.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Vasil Shizen says, “When you say break the curse… do you mean a path to the…” he pauses with wide eyes, “limbo realm?”

Michalis Shizen looks at Raja Kint. “This boy has been helping the Chieftain with a method and right now they’re so close that the Chieftain told the commanders. It’s not an if but when he’ll break through.”

Lucas Shizen says, “So we protect him with our lives as well then. As long as he survives our tribe’s future is secure.”

Raja Kint furrows his brows. “I haven’t been training for you all to protect me. I made a promise to your Chieftain and I plan on keeping it.”

“He’s right, we aren’t here to sacrifice ourselves for him so dispel that thought. He’s a soldier like all of us. We’ve trained with him these past few weeks and know his strength firsthand. He’s one of us for life, a brother.” says Vasil Shizen.

The men nod their heads in agreement. Bane walks over and punches Raja Kint’s shoulder causing him to fall over. “One of us, brother.” he says with a smile.

Raja Kint stands up as everyone turns back toward their commander.

“Let’s grab our shit and get going.”

“Yes commander!”

Raja Kint stands outside the tent as the others throw their bags over their shoulders.

The nightmares will probably persist through this entire ordeal. I wonder if I could’ve helped my family this much if we’d still be together. Raja Kint looks toward the ground. If I was strong enough I could still be sparring with Ruhai. And help Hikari even though she can be annoying. Heh, it would be nice to still be with mother. At least I have father but I’ll rarely see him since he needs time to recover. If he even can, he only has part of his soul left. I can only hope mother is in better condition.

Raja Kint’s vision becomes blurry as he closes and wipes his eyes. Tears wetting his hand. Maybe this is my first step towards fixing things. If I can save these people, can I save my family? He shakes his head to clear his mind as footsteps near the tent’s flaps.

The troops burst through the flaps as everyone ventures outside the tribe. Into the forest for war. During his time with the tribe. Raja Kint learned the layout of the forest. The entirety of the forest is considered a huge circle. With five tribes holding the most territory and resources. There are weaker, smaller tribes layered throughout as well. The Shizen Tribe is in the northern forest. Whereas the Shinrin Tribe is in the middle western forest. The usual time to travel between these tribes is about ten days walking.

The tribes that the Shinrin Tribe already took down are about a 7 days walk further south. Hence this is where the plan comes into play. With such a long walk the Shizen Tribe is banking on the fact that the three tribes combined will be tired. Giving themselves the chance for a powerful first strike.

The man who leads the Shinrin Tribe is considered the second strongest man in the forest. With the Chieftain as number one. The difference is that the Chieftain doesn’t desire power or influence. Whereas the Shinrin Tribe leader seems to want to unite all tribes. The Chieftain told Raja Kint that he thinks it has to do with their ancestors' inheritance. And potentially outside interference.

As Raja Kint is traveling through the forest he wonders about this world. I know nothing about this world. But it seems there are secrets to be discovered. And I haven’t even traveled much in this world. Ugh, it’s still embarrassing that I was immediately caught. I need to return one of these days.

Soon night falls and Raja Kint goes to sleep as Lucas Shizen and Tobias Shizen cover watch for the night.

Raja Kint opens his eyes to the sight of blood, the sounds of battle cries and the scent of metal. Raja Kint roars, “FAMILY, WHERE ARE YOU!” He hears his sister’s voice and rushes over. Only to see above his sister. The daoist with the brush. His eyes turn red as he rushes forth. Only for the brush to tap the air and his sister begins to disintegrate before his eyes.

“BROTHER RUN!”

Raja Kint stops, with overflowing tears and runs toward the voice.

“Run somewhere el-” Ruhai Kint’s voice cuts off. Raja Kint looks through the tears to see his brother disintegrating.

Raja Kint looks up at the daoist with an agonizing heart. “WHY DON’T YOU DIE.” Raja Kint looks up at the daoist as these words continuously resound in his head. Loneliness washed over him as he fell to his knees. He extended his right hand toward the daoist wanting to crush her in his palm.

Lucas Shizen is sitting in a tree surveying the land. In the corner of his eye, he notices something and looks over. Finding Raja Kint’s right arm reaching into the sky as his palm seems to be grasping… or crushing something. He turns back around.

“I guess the kid also has weird sleeping habits.”