Authors Note: Long Island chapter will come later today. Enjoy this chapter for now.
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Another typical morning in the small town of Manthan.
"Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!"
Sounds of children shouting fill the air but raises no alarm.
"Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!"
"Endure as long as you can! Build your body! Even if you never become a spirit warrior, you can still become a warrior if you have a strong body. But without a strong body, you will never become a warrior, let alone a spirit warrior!" A strong voice goaded them to exert more.
Loads of children grunted and maintained the horse stance they were practicing. Arms stretched straight ahead, they bent down their knees and tried to keep themselves steady. Initially everyone could do it. But as exhaustion kicked in, legs trembled, hands flickered and beads of sweat dripped down on the eyes annoying the students to no small degree.
As time trickled, people fell down on their rumps unwilling to tolerate the pain.
Light grade students were only required to maintain a horse stance. Bronze grade students had weights tied on their hands and legs. While the silver graders, in addition to having weights, had to hop up in place as and when the instructors attacked. If they got hit, it was very painful, for the stick used had behind it the strength of warriors.
Very few faces could keep the courage as people hit the ground all around them. Most belonged to older students. Although there was just one child in the light grade, whose hands and feet seemed as steady as they were in the beginning. An 8 year old named Sa Muni.
"Next!" the command was given to start the next exercise.
Having to do such strenuous exercises every day made the children of Manthan grow quite sturdy. And they needed to be as complacence was not a luxury. The small town was situated at the base of the famous Malabar mountains. It was not just a single mountain, rather a mountain range.
Near the base of the mountain, close to the town, lived normal creatures. Non magical, but still fierce and dangerous. Anyone not a spirit warrior would find it difficult to fend off these animals. It was often heard that someone of some house got attacked by a bear or a tiger.
Even higher and deeper within the mountains were the abodes of magical creatures of all kinds. Numerous, strong and deadly! If a normal person were to meet them, 9 out of 10 times they would die. The one time when they survived would be when they were extremely lucky.
That said, people also could not live within protected walls always. There were farmers, hunters, woodsmen, merchants and all sorts who needed to step out. Surviving in these surroundings required strength.
The morning exercises ended and Sa Muni made his way to his home.
"Hey sis, I am home..." Sa Muni yelled.
"Wash up....food's almost done." Sa Meri's voice came out from the kitchen.
Sa Muni took off his shirt, showing his glistening muscles in the sun, his soft skin belaying the strength held in those muscles. Sa Muni looked like any other 8 year old kid, childish and immature. Bright black eyes, soft white skin, lustrous hair which was cut short and pink lips made him look attractive. If he grew up some more maybe he would be counted as one of the handsome men comparable to the moon.
Sa Meri had grown up too in the last 2 years, her beauty becoming even more brighter like the sun. Long cascading waist length hair tied with a green jade clip, red lips and deep black eyes. Her soft white skin shone with youth and vitality. Her laugh would make any man's heart flutter. But just like a sheathed blade, her beauty guarded her immense strength for she was also a level 3 spirit warrior.
"It's ready. Come and eat." She called.
Today, only two people sat together to eat.
"When is Father coming back?" Sa Muni asked.
"Ah he should be back by this evening, I think. He just went to the next town." Sa Meri said.
"Are you listening to teacher and working hard?" She asked.
"Yes, I am sis."
"Good. Work hard. This is the most important time right now. Teacher Manlu is helping you out so you must be respectful."
"I will, sis."
After lunch, Sa Muni headed towards the mountainside. A little deep within the mountains, in a large clearing, Tri Manlu was standing.
"Teacher.." Sa Muni saluted.
"Hmm...let's get started shall we," saying that Tri Manlu walked towards another place.
Near the end of the clearing was a shallow stream. And as it fell down the mountain, the water crashed down on the rocks from up high making a small waterfall.
"Step into the stream."
Sa Minu did as he was told.
"Horse stance." Sa Minu quickly took the horse stance.
"Now walk towards the falling water. But you cannot lift your legs above the water. And..." He put a thick rock on Sa Manlu's head. "The rock cannot fall."
"Yes Teacher!"
Last year, Sa Minu's physical ability had improved rapidly. So much so that even if he were to be put together with the silver grade students, he wouldn't suffer. How could it not invoke jealousy? Even Tri Manlu felt jealous. In almost half his age, he probably would reach his level.
Tri Manlu sighed but shook his head. He has his destiny as the child had his own. But others may not share his thinking. So last year, he made a proposal to Sa Ban that Sa Muni should be trained separately from others. At first, Sa Ban was deeply concerned and afraid. But after hearing Tri Manlu's explanations he agreed.
So he decided to train him in secret. Anyways, Sa Minu had already surpassed the normal training regimen and needed harder challenges.
Smack! "Don't let the rock fall! Resist the current! Maintain balance! Control your breath! Your breathing controls your power.."
"Yes Teacher!"
"Next, you will walk on your hands. Your feet are strong because you walk with them. You will make your hands strong by walking with them too. Make your hands as strong as your feet!"
"Yes Teacher!"
"Next, do a 1000 pull ups and a 1000 pushups on your fingers...."
The training was severe and uncompromising. But even though he got extremely exhausted every time, Sa Minu loved every minute of it. He felt alive when the exhaustion invaded and he could feel himself improve bit by bit.
"Teacher, how long do I have to hide my strength?" Sa Minu asked.
"Young lad..." Tri Manlu sighed. "You still have not seen much of this world. If you had a large powerful clan behind you, perhaps you could be so bold. But as you are now, people will take without asking."
"Teacher, what do you mean?" Sa Minu was confused.
"I guess it is time I told you about this. Tell me, do you know how a beast spirit increases it's strength?"
"Yes. The human partner shares his cultivated spiritual energy with it."
"Right. But there is another way. Less known among common people but well known among spirit warriors. It is by absorbing the souls." Tri Manlu said.
"What! Absorbing the soul? Is that true?" Sa Minu was horrified. The soul was the entire essence of a being. It is the soul which enters reincarnation. But without it...he could not even imagine.
"It is true, unfortunately. Most people do not have powerful souls, atleast till they become spirit warriors. But you already have a powerful soul. It is why your learning is so fast and your physical ability improves so quickly. There would be many who would desire such a powerful soul. Which is also why, you should always be careful in front of other people." Tri Manlu explained.
"Yes Teacher. I will be careful." Sa Minu nodded.
"But if you can become a strong spirit warrior then you need not be afraid. Your enemies will be afraid then." Tri Manlu laughed.
"How do I become a spirit warrior?" Sa Minu asked with eagerness. "How do you contract with spirits? Do we have to find them?"
"Usually the beast spirits find you. Remember, they can use spiritual energy to find you. This is the most common way. This is how I found my beast spirit. There have also been a rare few who have found their beast spirit, albeit accidentally. Spirits are good at hiding. Look around you, there could be many beast spirits but you won't be able to find a single one. Either way it is a matter of luck."
"So if I just wait here, a beast spirit will come to me?"
"If only it were so simple." Tri Manlu sighed. "Spirits do not leave their hiding places easily, lest they find themselves in danger. They will only come out when they find someone they wish to make a contract with. But they cannot sense you until you come close. We have to travel to many places to find a beast spirit. For example, you have been coming to this clearing for the past few months. There might be tens of beast spirits hiding nearby, but none have approached you. It means none of them are willing to make a contract with you. So you will need to look in another place."
Sa Minu nodded and looked around hoping to get a glimpse of a spirit. Tri Manlu laughed.
"Alright. Today we shall embark on the first step to become a spirit warrior. The soul. First is finding it. The soul is not an object so you cannot say that it is in this organ or that, though it is definitely somewhere inside your body. So first look inside yourself. Understand your body. Find your soul."
"Meditate and look inside yourself. Unfortunately, one cannot be told where the soul is. Instead I will give you a hint. Follow the energy."
"Yes, Teacher. Um..I am confused." Sa Minu said.
"Do not worry. Begin and you will understand." Tri Manlu replied.
Sa Minu closed his eyes and meditated. His body was tired. But as he meditated he felt himself recovering slowly, like the trickle of a raindrop.
He looked more closely at his throbbing muscles and the blood flowing through his veins and arteries. His heart beat rhythmically to push the blood around his organs including his brain. His lungs inflated and deflated with his breath.
And then he saw it. Fine lines like golden thread which reached out from the world outside into the body, connecting to it. There were many fine golden threads which seemed to reach everywhere in the body.
'Is this the energy?' Sa Minu followed these golden threads to find out where it connected in his body.
'This is amazing. These threads connect to no organ but passes through them. Like sewing a doll.'
He followed the golden threads deeper into his body bypassing organs and blood vessels and bone.
He went still deeper inside where he found a small ball of light. It looked like the crystal ball he had often seen those soothsayers use. Surrounding it was a large dark empty space. Sa Minu thought that this dark empty space looked as vast as the night sky, except without the stars. But then he ignored that thought. After all it was part of his body so it couldn't be larger than it, could it?
'So this is my soul.' Sa Minu somehow knew.
The small crystal ball, that was his soul looked even more insignificant, when compared to the large space it was surrounded by. The soul was emitting a soft gentle light which looked bewitching. Upon closer inspection, he found that the light was getting scattered due to a fine thin mist surrounding the soul. Many golden threads were entering it.
But where it was located he couldn't be sure. It was inside his body, but not part of any of his organs. It was like it was a part of, but at the same time, not part of his body.
Sa Minu opened his eyes, suddenly feeling refreshed like he had just had a cool drink of water in the summer heat. He looked towards Tri Manlu.
"Do not look so confused." Tri Manlu laughed.
"The soul is special. It is part of you but also not made up of elements which makes your body. It resides within it but also not in it. The space the soul lies in is what we spirit warriors call a Soul Space." Tri Manlu explained.
"Also when you found the soul, you might have noticed a bit of spiritual energy surrounding it. This energy is like your life energy which is provided by your body. If this spiritual energy is used up, your body will die."
"But you can raise this spiritual energy through training after learning how to cultivate spiritual energy. That is after you become a spirit warrior."
Sa Minu nodded.
"Currently your soul space is empty. But once you form a contract with a beast spirit, it will reside in that soul space. There are two advantages for it. One, the spirit is protected. And two, by residing in your body, it prevents it's ascension. On the other hand, by residing in your soul space, the beast spirit provides protection for your soul."
"Teacher, is it so that no one can absorb your soul?"
"Not only that. You will eventually learn that as there are physical attacks, there are also spiritual attacks which are aimed at the soul. Having a powerful beast spirit as protection sounds wonderful, doesn't it!" Tri Manlu laughed. "Also it is your body which surrounds the soul. As long as you do not die, no one can get to your soul. Which is why remember to be careful."
"Yes Teacher! Teacher, what does a beast spirit look like? How will I recognize them when I see them?" Sa Minu asked.
"Haha! Young lad, you really have wonderful questions. I never thought of asking this to my teacher, ever! Well, let's just say that you will know when you see them. I can't describe how they look anyway. Although within your soul space, they may take a form you are comfortable with." Tri Manlu laughed.
"Alright, enough of this for today. It is already near sundown and we should not stay in this forest." Tri Manlu said and he started to pack up the few things he had brought for today's training.
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Back home,
"Sis, I am back!" He yelled. He ran inside to see if his father had reached yet.
In the courtyard, he found his father and sister.
"Father..." Sa Minu began but suddenly froze upon looking at his pale face. His father was wearing a particularly frightful face at this moment. He turned to look at his sister and found that she was also looking pale and her eyes were full of tears.
"Father, sis, is everything alright?" Sa Minu asked concerned.
"Brother...." Sa Meri gave a glance and then pressed Minu to her chest and sobbed. Minu was flabbergasted. It was not like his sister to show her soft side all of a sudden and especially to call him brother. He was most alarmed. What could cause his strong sister to act like this?
A little while later she separated. "Sorry Minu. Your sister just wanted to hug you that time. I look kinda uncool don't I?" She laughed awkwardly, her eyes red.
"You are always awesome, sis!" Sa Minu replied to which his sister laughed, this time truly from her heart. Rubbing the tears from her eyes, she said, "Ah, I forgot to prepare dinner. I will get right on it so you just wait a bit."
And she walked off.
Sa Minu turned to face his father who still looked frightfully pale but under his gaze, he finally relaxed.
"Ah..you have come back. How was Teacher Manlu today?" He asked changing the subject.
"It was good. Today I found my soul and learned a bunch of other stuff." Sa Minu did not press the question. He could feel that whatever it was, it was a serious matter.
"That is wonderful." Sa Ban nodded vigorously. "Understanding your soul is vital to making a soul link with the beast spirit. Usually such stuff is taught to students 15 years old or higher. But Teacher Manlu seems to think that you are ready. This in itself is high praise. You better thank Teacher Manlu next time."
"Yes Father!" Sa Minu nodded.
Dinner was a sombre affair. His father and sister kept trying to joke and laugh but Sa Minu could tell that they were not their usual smiles. 'Perhaps they just don't want me to worry.' He thought.
After dinner, whilst they sat chatting about random stuff, Sa Minu raised his question again.
"Father, Sis, what has happened to make you so sad? Don't hide it and tell me please. But if you judge me not to be trustworthy, I will not ask again."
Both Sa Ban and Sa Meri were surprised by Sa Minu's words. They had always thought he was the 8 year old child they knew. And they were right for he was an 8 year old child and acted as such. But they forgot that he was quite observant and mature for his age also. They could not try to keep fooling him like this.
Eventually Sa Ban sighed.
"Son. I was being foolish. You are part of this family and this affects you too, so you also have a right to know. Before you listen to this, remember that as long as I am alive, I will let nothing bad happen to you or your sister." He thumped the table and looked towards Sa Meri. Her eyes softened instantly.
"Son, this is a matter which concerns Lord Green."
"You mean the lord of our town?" Sa Minu could not help asking. Lord Green was the head administrator and ruler of Manthan town. He was also the contractor of the Green Serpent. A 10 metre long snake like beast, with small feet and large wings. It had the ability to breathe fire out of its mouth but even with its mouth closed, it breathed out columns of smoke. It was always lazing around in Lord Green's house, occasionally snatching a sheep or pig or wild game out of the hands of the unlucky few. There were none who resisted though, if for no other reason than this was their Lord's companion. Sa Minu was always scared of this beast.
"Yes. Today, he sent a proposal for marriage to your sister." Sa Ban said simply.
"What!" Sa Minu was shocked. "The Lord Green wants to marry sis? Isn't he like the Lord? Why would he want to marry a farmer's daughter?"
Sa Meri laughed sarcastically. "Marry me...yeah right! Do you know that the Lord has five wives already? Have you seen any of them around town?"
Sa Minu nodded. "He has 5 wives? I haven't even heard of one? How come?"
"That's because he keeps his so called wives locked as prisoners. He tortures them in some bizarre play. And when they die, he feeds their souls to his beast!" Sa Meri's chilled voice sounded out.
Sa Minu was chilled to the bone. Such a horrible person had asked to marry his sister! This cannot be allowed!
"Refuse it father. We will leave this town immediately and run away. We cannot let him get his filthy hands on sis." Sa Minu was angry.
Sa Ban nodded. "Yes, that is what we will do!"
But Sa Meri interjected. "What delusions are you entertaining dear father? Our opponent is the level 7 spirit warrior. Not to mention he is the rare kind with a living beast. If not him, then just his beast can kill all the people of this town. Also where would we run? He is the Lord. One command and all the surrounding villages will turn against us. Also nearby towns will not shelter us. Do you wish to head into the mountains? With Minu who is not even a spirit warrior? How long would we last there?"
"Also the Green Serpent is a selfish beast, so the Lord is bound to be very selfish himself. How could he allow us to simply run and hide? I bet he has people keeping watch right now. And even if we manage to run away, he would not forget about us. His selfishness will keep the hunt on us forever and the consequences at that time may be far more severe."
"Also don't forget about Minu. He is just 8!"
"Curses!" Sa Ban shouted.
Sa Minu understood a lot of things. But how could there be anything more severe than being tortured and killed?
"Sis, how could there be something worse than death?" He asked.
"Ah Minu, forget that. I shouldn't have mentioned it." She looked horrified.
"Please sis. Tell me." He was scared after looking at his sister's expression.
"Spirit warriors have a soul space." Sa Ban started speaking at this moment. Sa Meri showed a very relieved face like the huge weight had been taken off her.
"Yes, Father. I know."
"Do not interrupt." Sa Ban scolded. "You know that beast spirits reside in the soul space. But if you do not have a beast spirit, like the Lord, your soul space remains empty allowing you to contract with another beast spirit, albeit a weaker one. But there is taboo method which only the spirit warriors know of. That is you can trap a soul in there as well."
Sa Minu was horrified. Suddenly, dots linked together to make a pattern and he realized.
"Could the soul not escape that soul space?" He asked.
"If it were the soul space of a weaker practitioner, it is possible. However..." Sa Ban said.
"So the soul will remain trapped there, so what! Once the person dies won't one be released?"
"One could. But within that soul space, the captured soul does not have any power. Whereas because of the soul link, the person will have control of spiritual energy. It can be used to attack the captured soul. Torture it!" Sa Ban shivered.
Sa Minu shivered as well. This method was taboo for a reason.
"So even if we suicide, we cannot escape....hahaha...what a bastard!" Sa Meri gave a hollow laugh.
"But if he cannot find us and we die, how could he find our souls to capture?" Sa Minu said.
After his words, both Sa Ban and Sa Meri looked shocked.
"There was that method!!" Suddenly they were very excited. They wanted to live. But even if they had to die, they would choose to die only once instead of the constant torture one would face if their soul was captured.
"Yes, let's head into the mountains!" Sa Ban suddenly said. "Even his beast will not dare come into the mountains. If our luck holds, we will be able to escape and live. Even if we die, we die once."
"Do not worry father. As long as it's the mountains, I know a few places where we can hide." Sa Minu said.
"Haha son, do not underestimate your father, I have been roaming these mountains far longer than you." Sa Ban exclaimed.
"Father, brother....you really....." Sa Meri had tears in her eyes. Just for her, her father and brother were willing to die. She could not allow that. She would face torture every day of her life if it kept them safe. No, she could not allow that.
Just then, a loud crash was heard as several soldiers stormed in.
"Don't even think of escaping! Capture the girl. Kill the rest!" An ugly middle aged man wearing a violently orange dress shouted. His skin was sagging and his eyes looked evil. Sa Muni suddenly shivered. Was this Lord Green? In all his short life, he had never got a chance to see the Lord, only his beast, so he didn't know.
Just like he didn't know how evil the Lord really was. But his question was soon answered.
"Capture the girl in the name of Lord Green. If she escapes, you will all lose your miserable lives!" He commanded.
Suddenly, tens of soldiers attacked with all sorts of weapons.
"Meri, take Minu and run! I will stop them here!" Saying which Sa Ban did a beast transformation. His muscles increased in size tearing his clothes. His skin turned brown and his eyes became animal like. He was only a level 1 spirit warrior, and his beast was the not so powerful Brown Wolf spirit, but to these normal soldiers he was still a threat.
"Hmph! Only a level 1 spirit warrior. He should pose no problems to you all." The ugly man shouted to the three soldiers standing with him. After that, they did a beast transformation as well.
"Curses! A Brown Bear, Three-eyed Frog and Black Wolf! All of them are level 2 spirit warriors!" Sa Meri shouted.
"What are you still doing here....get away...did you not hear, you stupid girl!" Sa Ban shouted exasperated.
"Father! but..." Sa Meri started.
"No buts...go!" Sa Ban shouted angrily.
"Do not let those two escape!" And suddenly soldiers attacked Sa Meri and Sa Minu. Sa Meri instantly did a beast transformation. Two feathery wings sprouted out from her back as her skin turned yellow. She grabbed Sa Minu and took flight.
"A Yellow Eagle! She is level 3! Tch! Flying types are so annoying. Brown Bear, this man is yours. The rest of you, go track them. They cannot escape or Lord Green will have our heads!" Three-eyed Frog shouted.
"""Yes!""" was the only thing Sa Minu heard before he was carried out of range.
Some time before, at Lord Green's mansion.
Loud sounds of screaming and suffering were coming out from the depths within the mansion. In an underground room, various instruments were laid out. In a corner a young woman was tied spread-eagle and naked on the wall. A young looking man, with green eyes and green hair wearing a green suit stood in front of the woman, whipping her. Her screams resounded in every inch of this space, clearly heard by the few guards who stood at the back. A man entered the room.
"Wing, the letter has been sent. If they know what's good for them, they will probably accept. But why do you chase after a common farmer's girl. I have heard of her beauty but you could find many lovelier than her. How about the daughter of that rich snob, Li Mei. She is quite the beauty too." the ugly middle aged man dressed in an orange dress asked Lord Green.
"Uncle Mo, you just do not understand. Li Mei is normal. She won't last five days. But the farmer's girl I have heard, is not only beautiful but also a spirit warrior. Wouldn't she last a long time? I wouldn't want my playtoy to be destroyed so easily." He replied.
"Also, the Green Serpent is close to a breakthrough and I want some powerful souls. She is just 18 but a level 3 spirit warrior. Her soul should be fairly powerful. I will give her soul to the Green Serpent...after I have my way, that is." And then he laughed.
Anyone who heard this laugh shivered uncontrollably. Even the Uncle, Green Mo, shivered at his nephew's words.
"So why wait till now? Couldn't you have abducted her earlier?" Green Mo asked.
"Ah Uncle, I still dare not break the laws of our Emperor. Otherwise, I would really have to kill all the people in the town, including you. So just do as I say."
Green Wing had always been selfish. Even when he was a kid. But after becoming a spirit warrior and contracting with the Green Serpent, he had become one hell of a sadist as well. In fact, he couldn't be called sane anymore. But his intelligence and cunning were still intact or he wouldn't have remained the Lord of this town and would have been persecuted already.
Green Mo sighed. It was by the grace of the Green family that no one dared to offend his nephew, Green Wing, the administrator of the town of Matheran. But even his family knew to what depths he had fallen and sent him to this small town near the edge of the Karmapatta kingdom. Perhaps to get rid of him.
However, Green Wing was getting more powerful. Especially since he contracted with the Green Serpent. Maybe the process twisted his mind or maybe that's how he was originally, but his nature had become far worse. Truthfully, Green Mo feared his nephew. He followed his orders only because he was afraid.
But Green Wing had been generous with him and he knew it. He was rich and living a comfortable life. And he wielded power through his name. What were a few women compared to that!
"Uncle, I feel that the farmer's family will try to run. Go capture them for me. Give me the girl. You can do whatever you want with the rest." Green Wing laughed loudly.
Green Mo left immediately and the sounds of screams renewed in that underground place.