Meeting

Rite of passage. A trial of sorts, given to the heirs of the villages recognized by the Council of Elders, ancient beings much like Enki, said to live for multiple generations and built the foundation of how humans lived despite the countless threats present.

Unlike usual communication between neighbors, all information was confined between the recognized villages, thus Taetel, being from a lesser village, remained blissfully unaware of the situation at hand.

His fate was left at the hands of others. If—

“When will we arrive?”

“In an hour or so.”

“It’s been two days,” Taetel hummed. “Are you sure I’m not being taken to a secluded area to be killed?”

Honami pinched the bridge of her nose, not bothering to respond.

In theory, being accompanied by ten guards should put Taetel on high guard; the thoughts, however, wouldn’t leave him, creating periods of time where he would be vulnerable.

Once again, Taetel found himself lost in his thoughts, recalling the information Honami gave two days ago.

According to her, the rite of passage was used to improve relations between the villages. On the surface, that was the official statement from the elders. Since Enki’s village had remained for generations, intricate details about the ceremony were at their disposal for them to use. To think an old man like Enki was part of the Council of Elders. Interesting.

Why not send their current heir to the clan? The rumours placed him as a capable fighter, obviously weaker than Taetel, still capable nonetheless though.

“We’re here.”

“Finally. Traveling isn’t my thing.”

The group arrived in front of two massive pillars. Side to side, they formed a gate, well-maintained stone steps guided them up the lengthy path.

“From here you keep walking until you reach that second gate,” she said and pointed towards a stone statue.

“Sounds good. Make sure you don’t die on the way back.”

“I won’t.”

Taetel gave a dismissive wave before he entered the second gate.

His heart stopped.

For a second, that is.

This strange sensation like his heart was about to explode or jump out of his chest made him falter. He leaned the palm of his hand against the nearest pillar available, pushing his weight onto it.

And just as fast, it was gone. Taetel recovered as if nothing had happened. If anything, his body brimmed with energy. The soreness of his muscles from the previous training and fighting was gone, replaced by a soothing, feather-light caress that healed him. Strange. Abnormal, even.

Ignoring this, Taetel proceeded with his walk, not wanting to spare any more questions to an unexplainable phenomenon.

“Incoming! You, sleazy looking guy, out of the way!”

A trembling, high-pitched voice grew louder by the second. By the time Taetel had turned around, a girl came strikingly close to crashing into him, Taetel used his palm to redirect the girl’s trajectory—nudging the girl’s body away at the last second, sending her tumbling towards a pillar. Her pink eyes widened and her mouth went agape.

“Ow!”

She went headfirst into the smooth surface of the pillar and instantly clutched her face, murmuring what Taetel could only assume to be complaints.

“Ouch! I think I hurt my ankle…”

“That’s what happens when trying to mimic those rolling enchanted beasts.”

“Okay—but!—you didn’t have to push me!”

“You told me to get out of the way.”

The girl slapped her palms on the ground. “Nuh uh! I told you to move, which are totally two different things, I’ll have you know!”

“You’ll never see me showing that horrible display of control! What are you, a reckless little kid? Gahahah!”

Taetel boldly laughed in front of the girl’s face, earning a grunt from her as she stood up and pointed a finger at Taetel’s armor, which was far from intimidating as she barely reached his shoulder.

“You’re right! I wasn’t thinking clearly. Thanks for the advice, worker.”

She grinned and slapped Taetel on his back.

“Ah, speaking of that. Do you happen to know where the gathering for the meeting is? I happen to be the first one here, you see…”

“You’re going the opposite way.”

“Wha—! No way! They said it was around here.”

“Who’s they?”

The girl hummed and tapped her foot against the ground, somehow in deep thought. “Well, my people!”

“Well, they are wrong,” he said, barely containing his lips from moving upwards.

“Wha—! Really? So where is it!?”

“Over there.”

Taetel pointed in the opposite direction, a random location that most likely led to the temple. Probably. Maybe. Well, it wasn’t his problem.

“If the worker says it, then surely it must be correct. Okay! I got it! Thanks a lot, sleazy looking guy!”

She frantically waved goodbye with both of her hands and then sprinted back where she came from. The sheer speed she covered in the short amount of time was surprising considering not too long ago her face kissed the pillar with full force.

“They really let anyone here, huh?”

Taetel rubbed his neck, unsure of how to proceed. He found a nearby seat by the steps. However, right when Taetel was about to sit—loud and fast steps approached his location.

“You lied!”

It was the same girl. Great.

“Nah.”

“Yes you did! You told me the wrong direction! That’s called lying!”

“I don’t work here so either way I’m not responsible for telling you.”

“You don’t!?”

Apparently, the idea of Taetel not working left her mouth wide open.

“S-so, what are you here for? An intruder? Gasp.”

“…”

Watching the girl caused Taetel’s gaze to go from confused to slightly concerned.

“Hey, overgrown little girl. Did you get lost? This isn't a place for you to be playing at.”

“How rude! I look my age!”

She retorted by puffing out her chest. She had a point. She did look around Taetel’s age, if that meant anything. Regardless of her development, Taetel was certain her brain was the one thing yet to mature.

“Ahem, anyways! I’m Mina. Everyone calls me Minny, so you can also call me that!”

“I’m not calling you that…”

“Huh? Why not? It sounds wayyy cuter than Mina.”

Taetel took a second to respond, choosing the safest option—neither.

“I’m Taetel, by the way. The greatest warrior—“ Taetel stopped himself, his gaze focused. “Yeah, I will not sound like her…uhh.”

It, unfortunately, was too late. Mina’s eyes lit up as she skipped closer to Taetel, getting awfully close.

“Aha! I knew it. You looked so suspicious wandering in circles that I knew you were up to no good!”

“I’m just like you. An heir to a village.”

“Hmmm…” she mused, looking like she was trying to pry into his soul. “You don’t look particularly strong though…”

“…”

Taetel’s cheek involuntarily twitched.

“But I believe you!”

Her village was doomed. Over. Done for. The end. Taetel sent mental support to them, though it was all in his head. At least the thought would count. Better than nothing.

“Whoa, two people made it here before me! I should really learn to be on time.”

This time a guy’s voice broke the silence. Before Taetel could respond, Mina did.

“It’s fine! We two are early. I think.”

Unlike Mina, the guy’s demeanor sparked Taetel to approach him with his usual bravado. Being slightly taller than him, Taetel noted how unremarkable he looked—plain clothes, plain armor, even his face was plain. He looked like the type of person to be forgotten.

“What were you two doing?” asked the guy.

“Talk—“

“Becoming friends! I love meeting new people!”

Taetel looked away as the two chatted, giving him the chance to slip away and take a seat. Finally, some peace. Since Taetel didn’t have much to do, he stared off and let his thoughts take over. Now that he thought about it, the direction that he faced made it seem like he was staring at the pair.

He let out a yawn. The guy approached him, his eyes full of curiosity.

“Why don’t we have a spar? It’ll take a bit before the rest get here and I’m always looking for ways to get stronger!” he said.

What ideas did Mina fill this guy’s head with?

“Fine by me. Let me show you some of my prowess.”

“Ooooh. You go, guys!”

Aside from gauging the abilities of the heirs from recognized villages, Taetel obviously agreed since the guy was the weakest-looking person in here. Surely the guy should curse himself for choosing the wrong person to spar. Taetel should probably go easy and not humiliate him too badly. He wouldn’t want to embarrass the guy in front of the love of his life.

“Name’s Zaleos! Pleasure to meet you, Taetel!”

He introduced himself while unsheathing his weapon, a dagger. The edge of the blade had a single line running down it, so faint that Taetel almost missed it. He stared at it longer than necessary. With a smooth motion, Taetel unsheathed his sword and then tossed the scabbard aimlessly, not wanting to hang from his waist.

Taetel let the sword drag by the ground, circling around Zaleos. By all means, Zaleos should’ve made the first move as the dagger gave Taetel the advantage. Taetel, however, had other plans.

He dashed towards Zaleos, swinging the blade towards his neck. With a precise motion, Zaleos parried it. Then out of nowhere, he maneuvered past Taetel’s range of attack.

Fast…!

At the last second, Taetel stepped forward, the dagger slashing where his head would be. Taetel turned around and delivered a kick at Zaleos’ side, the sheer force sending the guy staggering back.

“You’re pretty strong!” he smiled, beaming with energy.

“Of course I am. Who do you think I am?”

Zaleos grinned at Taetel’s words. He changed the grip on his dagger before throwing it towards Taetel’s direction. The speed at which it traveled was underwhelming as Taetel easily sidestepped it. Unconcerned with it, Taetel readied himself to attack when, from the corner of his eye, the dagger changed trajectory and closed in on him.

Taetel clicked his tongue and dodged, yet the dagger managed to scrape past his left hand, digging into the skin and leaving an open wound.

Zaleos caught the dagger and lifted it up, dragging Taetel's blood across the edge of the blade. A light emitted from the dagger and it changed form, replicating Taetel’s weapon.

“That’s a good weapon. Now let’s see how to use it!”

With practiced ease, Zaleos handled the sword in a manner Taetel hadn’t seen before. Each time Taetel attacked, he was swiftly counterattacked. His attacks were deflected for the sake of creating the opportunity for Zaleos to swing the blade that aimed for the opening he created.

At first, Taetel matched the intensity. However, as the attacks increased in speed, so did Taetel. Forced to do this, Taetel’s stamina would, at some point, run out and he would lose. Taetel’s gaze hardened as he delivered a particularly rough slash, the two blades clashing. He pushed with strength, trying to get Zaleos to retreat.

Taetel was the one pushed back. Taking a step to the side, Zaleos was back in swinging distance.

Way too fast..!

The sheer speed of Zaleos’ swordsmanship overwhelmed Taetel, backing him into a corner.

No. He wouldn’t lose. Taetel wouldn’t lose to someone like him. Such an unremarkable being wasn’t suited to best him in a duel.

With that, Taetel sidestepped out of the range and, in a newfound burst of speed, let his arm do the rest. A green light enveloped his blade.

“…!”

He swung.

Zaleos’ eyes widened as he had no time to react. The sword would eventually reach his neck.

“Now, we can’t have that, can we?”

At the last moment of contact, with the blade inches away from touching Zaleos, a hand grabbed the blade with three fingers, stopping it from moving. It wouldn’t budge no matter how much strength Taetel put on it. Eventually, he let go and pulled back.

“Relax. I was going to stop at the last second,” he said, dismissively waving his sword. “This is just a friendly spar, after all, right Zaleos?”

Taetel nudged Zaleos with the tip of his sword's handle, earning a small nod from the guy.

“See? There was no need to stop us.”

“It’s far from logical to turn the meeting place into a dueling ground. I suggest you think more before recklessly dragging other people into this. And Charlotte, you’ve been there watching them for a while. You should’ve stopped them.”

The voice belonged to another person, a guy who was way too serious. Right behind him, a girl followed, her face neutral, showing no emotion.

“You’re right. I was planning to, but I got a bit distracted.”

Taetel’s focus went back to the person who stopped the blade—Charlotte. She had quite the sharp and mature features for someone her age. She held a hand on her cheek as if concerned while Mina nodded like she was part of the conversation.

“Taetel was losing! And then boom, he suddenly won! It was so surprising.”

“Aha? I see, is that so?”

Charlotte’s response was that of mock offense, sparing a glance at Taetel before answering Mina in a sweet tone.

“It’s because he used his Divine Art.”

“Divine Art? You mean that super special attack?”

“That one.”

Mina tilted her head and placed a finger on her lips.

“But if it’s so strong and powerful, how come you stopped it? Are you secretly a God?”

The serious-looking guy stepped up, crossing his arms. “Each Divine Art varies on the person. No attack is the same. Regardless, his must’ve required preparation since Charlotte was able to stop it.”

“Ishmael. Don’t interrupt people's conversations, okay?”

“It’s of no concern to me what you might think. All I saw was someone clueless and in need of assistance.”

“Taetel, using your Divine Art for a spar is a bit…”

Zaleos’ voice trailed off as if unsure what to say. Which probably had to do with him realizing that certain death was close.

“That’s right, you shouldn’t be so reckless, got it? I don’t want to be forced to watch over you,” said Charlotte.

Who did she think she was? A mother figure? She had no right to speak to Taetel in such a condescending manner.

“List—“

“Children blessed by the divine. Welcome to the rite of passage. We will now confirm your presence.”

An old, bald man spoke out of nowhere. He had a green colored robe on, his arms holding a staff. The sight of authority caused every single one of them to stop their actions, focusing on the speaker instead.

“6th heir to the village of Eris.”

“Me, me! Mina, in the flesh!”

“1st heir to the village of Sethlans.”

“It’s a pleasure to work with you all!”

“2nd heir to the village of Sekhment.”

“My, how embarrassing to be called out like this.”

“4th heir to the village of Vithar.”

“Present.”

“5th heir to the village of Notus.”

“That…would appear to be me.”

And lastly.

“3rd heir to the village of Enki.”

“Let’s get this over with.”