Hana had followed closely behind her brother as they walked back home. He carried a soft smile on his face the entire way back. She pondered what could have happened to her brother to cause this abrupt change but she could not think of anything.

Unable to take it, she finally asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” he spoke in a tranquil manner.

Just then, the front door opened and two voices could be heard.

“I wonder why it had suddenly started to rain out of nowhere.”

“Mn, we’ve had weeks of sunshine, that sudden down pour is a bit weird.”

The voices belonged to a man and woman. When Hana heard the voices she became extremely excited and ran towards two figures in front of the door.

“Mom, dad!” Hana went up to the two and gave them a hug.

“Hana, did you two have fun today?” the mother asked. The mother had a soft looking face and a slender figure. Her long silky brown hair reached all the way down her waist which made her look enchanting.

“You won’t believe this, but brother has recovered!”

“What!” they both exclaimed

“Son, I-is this true?” the father was shaken. He had a burly type figure with jet black hair. His steps caused creaking noise on the wooden floors wherever he stepped.

“It’s good to see you both.” Relic gave a slight bow. His eyes were sharp like that of an adult and he spoke with confidence.

The two couldn’t contain their emotions. The mother, with tears in her eyes, covered her mouth with her hands while the father rushed up and gave Relic a hug.

“My son, you are back.” Soon tears also fell down from the father.

Relic was speechless; the memories of his family were almost non-existent to him. It was as if he suddenly gained a family out of nowhere and he couldn’t quite explain what it was that he was feeling. However, he was sure of one thing, it wasn’t a bad feeling. “Thanks…” he returned the hug.

...

The family immediately had a celebration and set out a feast. While eating, Relic learned much about his family and the place they resided in.

Their parents were owners of a small restaurant within this town. The mother was called Marie while his father was known as Lavender. They were childhood friends who married at a young age and have lived in this town their whole lives.

The place they lived in was called heaven’s peak, residing in the desolate region of the Primordial Snake King. Countless species of spirit beasts roamed the forest below, any of which could easily rip regular mortals to shreds. However, thanks to the height of the mountain this town rested on, it provided a natural barrier against the spirit beasts who sought to attack the humans.

He also learned that there lived an extremely powerful cultivator here. This cultivator took up the position of mayor and took care of the affairs of this town. Thanks to him, there were rarely any disturbances from unruly wanderers who came to this town to rest.

Relic continued to listen to the things his family was saying, not ignoring a single word. By the time they were finished it was already late in night and they all retired to their rooms.

His parents hugged both their children good night and headed to their rooms.

Relic and Hana had long shared a single room and retreated to their own room. Inside was a single bed which Hana immediately went into.

“Brother, what’s wrong? Come to bed quick, it is nice and warm.” Noticing Relic stood still, she patted the bedside next to her.

“Thank you, but I think I will just sleep on the floor.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “What are you talking about? We’ve been sleeping together since we were born. Why would you sleep on the floor?”

Relic smiled and asked, “Hana, how old are you now?”

“Eight.”

“Mn, you are practically a young lady now. The bed is for the young, us old folks must make way for the young.” He said undisturbed.

“Old… brother, you are younger than me… have you already forgotten?”

Relic paused and quickly realised his mistake. With a panicked face, he said, “T-that’s right! HoHoHo, it seems I’m still recovering.” He gave an awkward laugh. It had only been a short time since he awoke and he still had the mind of a century old cultivator. Comparing to other cultivators, Relic was still considered a youngling in the world of cultivators. However, Relic lived life as a mortal for most of his years and he would always treat those younger than him with care.

“Brother...you have such an old man’s laugh...”

Cough...Cough...

Relic tried to disperse the awkward tension.

“Ah, it seems I still need time to clear my mind. I think I will meditate through the night, so you can just have the bed.” He quickly sat against a wall and entered into a lotus position. Within moments he carried a serene expression and stopped moving.

Hana stared blankly at how quickly her brother changed the subject.

She continued to stare at him for a good 10 minutes before giving up and settled into the bed. “When did brother ever learn how to meditate?” She wondered to herself.

As she lay on the bed, she tussled around, unable to find a comfortable position. They had slept together since as long as she could remember. Now sleeping by herself for the first time, she found herself feeling like the bed was empty. “Has the bed always been this large?” she muttered before slowly drifting off to sleep.

…

Morning arrived and the Astor family had breakfast as they always had except it was now noticeably more cheery. Marie and Lavender were astounded by their son’s ability to speak with such clarity and sophistication. It was as if they were talking to an adult version of their son.

“Son, since you have forgotten so much about our town, why don’t you go with your sister and reacquaint yourself with the people in this town. When you are ready, you can come visit us at our restaurant.” Marie said.

“Mn, that sounds like a plan!” he replied.

They soon finished their breakfast and the parents headed off to work, leaving their kids by themselves.

Hana quickly grasped his hand and said, “Leave it to sister to guide you around.” She puffed up her chest.

“Mn, I’ll be in your care.”

The two twins toured around town. They went to the market place, the stores, and even around the edges of the mountains where agricultural farming was taking place. Relic praised the usage of the land and set up of this town. In the many cities and towns he had traveled in the past, there weren't many who utilized their space as efficiently as this town did.

Hana eventually led Relic towards the center of the town where a large blue crystal stood in clear daylight. It sparkled with a radiance which brought about a calming manner to all those who witnessed its beauty. Yet when Relic’s eyes fell upon that crystal his jaw immediately dropped in shock.

Hana saw the astonished look on Relic’s face and laughed. “Beautiful isn’t it? The mayor has said that this crystal is used to notify others that we are a sovereign state. I’ve asked Father about it before and he told me that it means we are separate from the kingdoms and the sects who rule the large areas of lands. ”

“This mayor… who is he?” Relic could not contain the surprise in his voice.

“Eh?”

“You are only partially right.” he spoke in a solemn manner. “This blue crystal is used not merely to notify other human settlements of its sovereignty, but also as a beacon for certain spirit beasts to stay away.”

“But how could a mayor from a small town like this possibly get their hands on a sovereign crystal…” His countenance grew more serious as various questions popped up in his mind.

“What? H-how do you know?” she asked, astonished.

Hana had taken care of her brother for the last four years, never leaving his side. The reason was because her brother was involved in an accident when he was younger which rendered him incapable of communicating with anyone else. When he had suddenly recovered she was overcome with joy. Even though her brother now seemed like a completely different person, she had assumed it was just a side effect from his sudden recovery.

Yet, Relic was now saying things he should have no clue about. How could he possible understand these things?

Relic snapped out of his contemplation and turned to the worried looking Hana.

“Hana, that…”

Suddenly, a deafening beast roar sounded out followed by loud screams of terror. Crowds of people heard the noise and begun to walk towards the origin of the sound.

Hana and Relic also quickly headed towards the sound. What they saw would make any children cry and adults to shiver.

Bodies were littered across the ground. Several men were collapsed on the floor as they laid unconscious. There were children who were completely frozen in fear that they didn’t even notice a small yellow puddle expanding beneath them. You could see several cuts and bruises on their body, but none were as injured as a little girl who was currently unconscious and being circled by a large spirit bird beast.

“Sophie!” Hana cried out. She took a step forward but was quickly held back by her brother.

“Is she your friend?” he asked.

Hana nodded with tears in her eyes.

“You can’t go it is too dangerous.”

Hana turned to the motionless body of the ground. A large gash on the girl’s head could be seen with blood flowing out endlessly. Hana bit her lips, hoping someone would jump in and save her friend.

The spirit beast continued to circle around the little girl and was not even paying attention to the others. Some of the spectators were able to help some of the injured men and children but none of them dared to get too close to the spirit beast.

The beast itself was the size of three adult men. It had the alternating colours of a raging flame, intertwining both deep red and orange. Its ornate tail was the most eye catching. If one were to look at it they would be drawn in from the divinity of its appearance. As the beast strutted around the girl, it carried a look of superiority, as if it looked down on all creatures.

“A Divine Paradise Peacock… how could there be one here?” Relic felt more and more confused ever since he had woken up. The sovereign crystal was something so rare you would have better chances finding 3000 year old spirit plants. Yet, here it was, in an average town filled with mostly mortals. Now there was a Divine Paradise Peacock which was ever rarely seen in the human territories in this same town!

“Just what is going on?!” Relic muttered.

Suddenly, a jeering voice could be heard coming behind the Spirit beast.

“Ah...brat, haven't your parents taught you to look where you are going?” a young man spoke as he looked at a brown stain on his clothes. To his side were two well-built men wearing matching robes. They stood behind the young man in a manner which would indicate that they were his guards.

“Bad children need to be punished. A broken leg should do.” He snapped his finger.

The spirit bird beast turned its head and glared angrily at the young man.

“What, do you want to disobey me again?” A ring on his finger suddenly glowed and the beast roared in pain. It fell down to the ground and shook violently as it let out pained cry.

“Beast, you have already been in my possession for several months now. If you just listen to my commands you wouldn’t have to feel any pain. Now, you can either follow my orders or you can go through another session of pain.”

The bird beast coughed up a mouthful of blood before slowly getting up and walked towards the unmoving girl.

“Good, now crush her left leg!” the young man said with a sinister smile.

It raised its one of its legs; ready to strike down, when suddenly a middle aged woman came rushing in.

“Sir, please spare my daughter!” the women who came embraced her bloodied daughter in her arms.

“Oh you are the mother of that girl? That’s good; your daughter did not look where she was going and bumped into my clothes, staining it. Do you know how much these clothes are worth?!” he angrily shouted.

“We’ll compensate, please just spare my daughter!” she cried out.

The young man thought about it and then shook his head in a helpless fashion. “Very well, I’m not totally cruel.”

The mother bowed repeatedly, thanking the young man for his kindness.

“Since you are here now, you can take responsibility on her behalf. Break both her legs.” he pointed at her. Her face immediately paled when she heard his words.

This time the bird beast did not hesitate and instantly lifted up its legs and struck down on the woman's legs. Sounds of bones breaking could be heard before a piercing scream came out of the women. The crowd cried out in shock and many of the children hid in their parents clothes.

“S-stop, our mayor will not stand for this!” a person from the crowd shouted

“Yea, once he catches you, you will regret what you are doing!” another said

Once the mayor was mentioned, the crowd instantly became riled up.

“Ha...haa...Hahahahahaaa” the young man held his stomach in laughter.

“You people really are from a backwaters area. Do you people even know who I am?” he snickered. “Let me enlighten you folks, I’m from the prestigious Yan family of the Rain Fall region. My family is one of the three major powers within that region, owning land masses several hundreds of thousands of kilometers. Do you really think I would be scared of a mayor from a tiny town like this?”

He walked towards the mother who was still wailing in pain and stomped down on her stomach. She spat out some fluids which happened to land on the young man’s clothes.

“Why can’t you people be a little more sanitary.” he sighed, “Break all of her limbs!”

The spirit beast complied and once more lifted up its leg.

The crowds of people wanted to help but they all knew none of them could do anything to help. The spirit bird beast was menacing and powerful. Several men who tried to confront it earlier laid on the ground and were still unconscious.

Just as the spirit bird beasts was about to strike towards the women’s other leg, a rock came flying through the air and struck its eye. The bird beast flinched slightly and stumbled a step back. It shook its head and turned to see where the rock came from. It saw a girl who was panting with an ashen look on her face.