Chapter 11: The path I take
There is no need.
Gasps echoed through the hall as the main figure of Liraen's tragic back story appeared.
"Th-That's….
"C–Commander Aeronis!"
Liraen, Grak'Mar, and Volgran froze in shock.
Aeronis smiled. "Long time no see, you three."
Grak'Mar and Liraen rushed toward him, while Volgran rose to his towering height, turning to face the commander.
"Commander!" the three shouted at once.
"How are you all doing?" Aeronis asked warmly.
"We're good, Commander!"
"Ha ha ha! You three haven't changed at all." Aeronis's smile deepened. He was glad to see that the students he had trained twenty years ago were still alive and still remembered him.
I knew they'd be just fine. Aeronis smile his face really grateful
Liraen wanted to speak to him but words caught in his throat. Even after all these years, after that incident, fear still lingered in his chest. He had run from the truth back then, also from the fact that he was afraid.
"Commander…"
Aeronis tilted his head. "Hm? What's wrong, Liraen?"
"It's been so long since that day… I just want t—"
"There's no need to feel guilty, Liraen." Aeronis raised his hand and gently placed it on Liraen's head, cutting off his words. "It was never your fault."
He looked at the three of them in turn, his expression softening. "What matters is that you're alive. All of you."
"I–I… I'm sorry…" Liraen's voice trembled. His chest tightened, tears threatening to fall.
Aeronis gave him a reassuring smile. "I forgive you, Liraen. Truly. You were never to blame."
"Th–Thank you… Commander!"
Liraen's voice cracked as tears welled in his eyes. The guilt he had carried for years weighed heavily on him.
Aeronis smiled gently. "And I, too, must apologize to you. It was never my intent to leave you behind all these years. Duty called me to countless battles… yet at last, fate has brought me back to you three."
"It is our fault as well, Commander," Grak'Mar replied solemnly.
"Volgran sorry, Commander," Volgran added, his tone grave.
"We lost the spirit to rise as Realm Protectors again," Liraen whispered.
The three of them bowed deeply before him.
Aeronis's expression grew firm, though his voice remained steady and dignified.
"I know… no, I have always known. Even if I were in your place, I might never have walked that path again. I do not blame you. In truth, I respect the choice you made."
His commanding presence sharpened as he raised his hand. "Enough. Raise your heads."
Slowly the trio raise their heads to look at Aeronis face, They notice his eyes looking at someone, He is looking at Kael….
"At least…..," Aeronis said, his voice firm yet calm, "there is one who dares to challenge this uncertain fate."
His gaze toward Kael, though Kael kept his eyes fixed on the Might Splitter in his hands.
"Yes… that human," Aeronis continued, a faint smile touching his lips. "Even my own students have surrendered to despair, fate ensured another would rise in their place. That is what I have understand about this world."
"Kael?" Aeronis called.
Kael snapped to attention. "Yes, Commander!"
"Your name is Kael, correct?"
"Yes, Commander."
"We crossed paths this morning on the surface, remember?."
"Yes, Commander!"
Aeronis laughed, the sound deep and hearty, breaking through his noble composure. "Hahaha! you always be so formal with me? There is no need for such behaviour." He reached forward and gave Kael a firm, approving tap on the shoulder
Even though Kael could not sense any Might Influence, he could tell just by looking at Aeronis
This man is strong.
"Kael," Aeronis said, his tone shifting to one of gravity, "there is something I wish to ask you."
"What is it, Commander?"
"I could not help but overhear your conversation earlier. I even witnessed your duel with Liraen. Tell me do you truly desire to become a Realm Protector?"
"Yes, Commander," Kael answered without hesitation.
Aeronis studied him in silence, his gaze piercing. Those eyes… He had seen them before on countless battlefields. Eyes that carried resolve.
"If that is the case," Aeronis said at last, "I shall train you myself before the ceremony."
"Really?!" Kael's face lit up with unrestrained excitement.
"But," Aeronis's tone hardened, "do not expect what you imagine. My duties shall call me to many battles. At most, I can only devote one day each month to you."
Kael's excitement faltered slightly, though his determination did not waver.
"As for your daily training," Aeronis continued, turning his noble gaze toward his former student, "that, I entrust to you, Liraen.
"You can count on me, Commander!" Liraen said with renewed resolve.
Aeronis gave a firm nod of approval before turning back to Kael. "And one more thing, Kael."
"Yes, Commander?"
"I witnessed your battle with Liraen. Tell me… what were those things you wielded?"
Kael raised the objects in his hands. "These? They're my own inventions, Commander." He held up the Might Splitter in one hand and the alloy plate in the other.
Aeronis's eyes narrowed with intrigue.
"Remarkable… truly remarkable. To fight without drawing upon Might, and yet to stand your ground it astonishes me. I have never witnessed one battle in such a manner.
Even for a commander, to step onto the battlefield without Might would be a trial most could scarcely endure."
"I truly admire how yo—"
A sudden voice rang out, sharp and urgent. Commander!
Everyone turned, eyes scanning the surroundings in search of the source. Everyone except Kael. His gaze remained fixed on the Might Splitter in his hands. He hadn't heard a thing.
"Kael? Did you not hear that?" Reyvik's wolf-like ears twitched as he caught the sound again.
"Hm? Hear what?" Kael blinked, confused.
"The voice," Reyvik said, tense.
Before Kael could respond, Aeronis raised a hand to the crimson dragon badge upon his chest. His expression grew grave as he spoke into it. "Yes?"
All eyes turned toward him.
Kael tilted his head, puzzled. Why is he talking to his badge? He shook it off. Must be some kind of Might ability. Better if I don't think too much about it. With that, he returned his focus to the weapon in his grasp.
From the badge, a frantic voice crackled: We need to move now! A strange situation has been reported!
Aeronis's eyes narrowed. His reply was steady, carrying the weight of command. "Understood. I am on my way."
Aeronis released his hold on the dragon badge and let his gaze sweep over them lingering, for a moment, on Kael.
"It has been an honor to speak with you, Kael," he said, his voice carrying both warmth and dignity.
"But duty calls, and I must take my leave. We shall meet again soon.
Until then… take care, all of you." He gave a respectful nod to Liraen, Grak'Mar, and Volgran.
"Yes, Commander!" they answered in unison.
Aeronis returned the nod. Then, in a blur—
SWOOSH!
He soared across the vast underground chamber, his figure cutting through the air before vanishing into the elevator shaft that led back to the surface.
All eyes followed him.
"Wow! That was fast!" Nylum exclaimed, still stunned.
"He is a Commander," Nibsken replied matter-of-factly. "What else did you expect?"
As the group remained awestruck by Aeronis's display, Kael broke the silence.
"So, Ren?" He turned toward Liraen. "When do we start?"
Liraen blinked, snapping out of his daze from watching Aeronis's departure. "Whenever you're ready, Kael. We have two years and a few months before the ceremony."
Kael gave a firm nod, his expression thoughtful.
"Hmm… I have much time than I expected"
Thud!
Durmuk clapped a heavy hand on Kael's shoulder, nearly jolting him forward. A wide grin spread across his face. "HAHAHAHA, Train that body and Mind ma boy! I believe in ya!"
Kael glanced at him and nodded. Durmuk, though slightly shorter, carried an undeniable presence. "Yes, boss… thank you."
"Oh! That reminds me of ya stuff ma boy." Durmuk snapped his fingers.
He lifted two fingers to his lips and let out a sharp whistle. Fweeeet!
A dragonoid with crimson scales descended from above, clutching a black, square object.
"Boss!" the dragonoid called as he approached.
Durmuk gestured with his hand. "Here. Put it down."
The dragonoid landed with a solid thud, placing the object carefully at Durmuk's side.
"Is that all, boss?."
Yap!
Alright! Then with another mighty beat of his wings swoosh! The red scaled draganoid soared back into the air, returning to his work.
Durmuk tapped the box with a grin. "Yer box, my boy."
Kael blinked. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that." He crouched and lifted the black box with both hands.
"What's that, human?" Grak'Mar asked, brow furrowed.
"This?" Kael turned it over in his grip. "I found it while cleaning my room. I've no idea what's inside."
Nylum peered closer, curiosity in his voice. "Strange… It's just plain black. Not even a mark or decoration. What could possibly be in it?"
"Yeah… I'm not sure what's inside this box either. It doesn't seem like it can be opened…" Kael muttered, turning it over in his hands.
"Wait… Boss said earlier this box glows when someone activates their Might and touches it. Why don't I try that? Kael murmured.
Kael looks at Volgran and thinks. Yeah! Why not I ask Volgran for help
Volgran! Can you help me with this?" Kael showing him the black box on his hand
"Alright!" Volgran rumbled, his massive frame shifting toward Kael.
Durmuk barked out a laugh.
"Hahaha! Ma boy, I've already had titans try it before! Not even their strength could pry it open. That box is tougher than it looks!"
"I'm not trying to open this box, boss," Kael said absently.
Durmuk tilted his head. "Hmm?"
"You said it glows and shows markings when someone with Might ability touches it, right?" Kael asked.
"Aye," Durmuk nodded. "But it depends on what ya used before touching it. For example when that dragonoid flew here, he only used his wings, not his Might. That's why nothin' happened."
"I see…" Kael muttered. "So it reacts to the last Might element someone used."
Then he turned to the giant. "Volgran!"
"Ya!"
"Form a fireball and launch it into the air. That way, your last use will be fire Might. Then touch this box."
A grin spread across Volgran's face. "Okay!" He raised his hand, flames gathering in his palm.
ZWOOSH!
Volgran summoned a blazing fireball in his palm and hurled it high. The flames streaked upward before bursting into sparks that faded against the underground level ceiling.
"Volgran, ready!" he rumbled.
"Good. Now touch the box," Kael ordered.
"Okay!"
The giant lowered his massive hand onto the black box.
The moment his palm made contact, the surface came alive. A glowing orange outline spread like fire racing through cracks, forming symbols that looked like ancient script. The markings aligned along the edges, encircling the box until it seemed less like a plain object and more like a relic carved by the ancestors themselves.
"Whoa… what's that?" Nylum gasped, his water eyes wide with wonder.
"That's shiny, Human!" Nibsken exclaimed, nearly bouncing with excitement.
"Woooh…" Volgran's jaw dropped, stunned by the sight.
"Awooo!" Reyvik's ears twitched, his tail flicking with excitement. "That looks like some kind of strange pattern!"
Yaahh, That symbol…That what I want to tell you earlier Ma boy. Durmuk speak up.
Liraen and Grak'Mar narrowed their eyes, studying the glowing symbols. But no matter how hard they focused, the markings refused to make sense.
"Hmm… What is that, Kael?" Liraen finally asked.
But Kael didn't answer. He spaced out looking at the symbol forming like a weird pattern
"Oi, Kael!" Liraen call him again
Kael didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the box, his face pale, as though he had seen something impossible.
At last, he whispered, "No way…How does someone know about this…?"
"Kael!" Liraen pressed, voice sharp. "You understand these patterns, don't you? What language is it?"
Kael slowly shook his head. "That is not a language, Ren. Nor an alphabet."
The air grew heavy. Everyone gasped.
"Then what is it?" Nylum asked, baffled.
Kael exhaled shakily. "This… is a number."
"Number?" The word rippled through the group, their confusion only deepening.
Numbers… the true foundation of this realm…at least for Kael. To him, numbers are more than symbols; they are the only logical compass that allows him to understand how this world turns, despite its dangers and uncertainties. Numbers also help him to understand the outcome of everything that he does or will do….
Numbers… the true language of the universe.
"Numbers… the true language of the universe." Kael's eyes grew distant, his thoughts racing. "I must decipher where these numbers lead… They seem to build, one upon the other. I've seen this pattern before, but… I can't recall where."
Grak'Mar tilted his head. "What is 'umbar,' Human?"
Kael glanced at him. "It's a number, ogre. Number.
Grak'Mar nodded try to understand.
As Kael stared at the glowing numbers etched across the top of the black box, a voice suddenly broke his focus.
"Kaaael!" Nylum cried.
Kael glanced up, startled. "What is it?"
Nylum's watery form rippled, his gaze fixed beneath the box. "I see something—strange patterns, glowing outlines on the bottom! The light's reflecting off my feet. Quick, turn it upside down!"
Kael hesitated, tightening his grip on the cold, black surface.
"Uh… okay…" he muttered, carefully flipping the box over.
Kael carefully flipped the box. The moment he did, an entirely new set of markings appeared abstract, curling lines that twisted in bewildering patterns.
Nylum's voice trembled like a ripple on water. "I-Is that… number too?"
Kael frowned, studying the strange design. "No… this isn't a number."
"What is it then?" Liraen leaned closer, brow furrowed. "It looks… chaotic. Like a curling maze."
"I don't know," Kael admitted softly. "I'm not sure what this is."
Durmuk rubbed his chin, squinting. "Hmm. Aye, I don't know it either, ma boy. Might be somethin' you'll have to figure out on yer own."
"Yes, boss…" Kael muttered, though his mind was already spinning. "But to do that, I'll need to go home first."
"Boss!" Kael suddenly blurted, then turned to his friends. They exchanged quick hand signs each one silently urging him to ask. He looked back at Durmuk. "Can we leave earlier today? Just this once?"
Durmuk studied the boy for a long moment. He knew Kael well enough to see the weight behind his request. Kael never acted without reason.
Then, Durmuk let out a booming laugh. "Hahahaha! I knew you would ask! Do whatever ye want, ma boy. I've got work of my own to finish." With a casual wave, he turned away.
Kael exhaled in relief, a grateful smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, boss…"
Kael looked around at his friends. A small smile tugged at his lips. He knew most of what he had said earlier would make little sense to them. They weren't dumb, far from it. They simply lived in a world where the very concepts he spoke of had never been understood.
"Alright, guys," Kael finally said. "Let's head back to my place."
"Volgran!" Kael called. I wanna go back home!
The giant bent down immediately, extending one massive hand. "Yah!"
Kael stepped into the broad palm. His friends' eyes followed him closely.
"I'm coming too," Liraen said, using his wind Might to float beside Volgran giant figure
"Me as well!" Nylum's watery body rippled excitedly as he slid up from Volgran's foot all the way to his shoulder platform, perching like a gleaming stream atop a rock.
"Same," Grak'Mar rumbled at the same time as Nibsken.
Nibsken bounded up to join Kael in Volgran's hand, while Grak'Mar clung easily to the giant's left leg, his muscular ogre arms gripping tight.
"Fine with me," Reyvik muttered, ears twitching. He leapt nimbly into Volgran's palm beside Kael.
"Ready?" Kael asked.
A chorus answered back. "Yes!"
Volgran lifted his hand to his shoulder platform, letting Kael, Nibsken, and Reyvik jump onto the broad wooden platform with metalic bars fixed there.
Meanwhile, Grak'Mar dangled comfortably from the giant's leg, and Liraen soared beside them, strong wind current under his feets carrying him with effortless grace.
"Alright let's move! To the monster elevator!" Kael pointed ahead, his voice echoing across the cavernous space.
Step by step, Volgran's massive feet thundered against the ground.
THUD.
THUD.
The seven of them made their way across the vast underground level.
Then Nibsken notice something floating above them
"Look at that, Human!" Nibsken's sharp eyes caught the distant glow. A cluster of crystal platforms had begun to float, levitating around twelve colossal diamond pillars.
"It's almost night outside," Kael murmured, his voice soft with thought.
The Might crystals drifted upward, their glow awakening as they reacted to the nightfall above. It was their silent signal—darkness was near.
This realm has so many wonders left for me to uncover… yet I must grow stronger if I am ever to reach them. Kael's thoughts raced as he gazed at the enormous Might crystals rising into the air. Even after seeing the sight countless times within the underground level, it still stirred something wild inside him.
After several long minutes, Volgran's strides carried them to the base of the monster elevator. This time, with all his friends accompanying him, Kael didn't bother with the balcony. They would rise together, from the bottom.
Volgran stepped onto the colossal platform, carrying his four companions atop his shoulders, while Grak'Mar still clung to his leg.
Liraen descended lightly, his wind carrying him down to the platform's cold metal floor.
Thud.
He landed, eyes glinting. "Ready, everyone?"
"Yes!"
Liraen knelt, pressing a hand against the steel. Instantly, green-blue lines flared to life, tracing elegant arcs of wind across the floor in a glowing pattern.
The platform shuddered.
KRNNNNNK—CHHHHK—GRRRRWWWWNNK…
Groaning like an ancient machine, the elevator began its slow ascent, carrying the seven of them back toward the surface.
End Of chapter 11
What will Kael and his friend discover?
And with that
Kael's journey to become the realm protector has just begun!