“I heard the shapeshifters have come out in droves, they like to eat children and then take their place, that’s why the Chief wants to send us to a new village.” Said Ugo as he turned to Enri and continued “Isn’t that right boss.”.

Enri wasn’t in the mood, she had spent the whole of last night crying and screaming at her parents. She wanted to stay with them, but they sent her off. She wasn’t even sure if she will ever see them again.

‘I’m no one’s boss, I’m so weak, I can’t even protect Amma and Abba.’ Thought Enri as she looked at Ugo and yelled “Leave me alone”.

She just got up and ran towards the exit of the small cabin. Koren who was also sitting there as well, could feel the sorrow and anger in Enri’s voice. He apologized to Ugo and ran after Enri.

Koren saw Enri taking the stairs to the top deck of the sand ship. “Enri, stop!” Koren yelled.

Enri looked back at Koren, and her gaze softened, but the sorrow in her heart was ever present. She looked at the small metallic brooch in her right hand, a silver flower with tiny hints of gold in the petals, it was made by her father. He must have worked very hard to make this for her.

“Enri, you can talk to me about anything, you know that right.” Said Koren as he approached the stairs.

“Brother Koren, Can you please tell me what is going on, are my Amma and Abba going to be OK.” Asked Enri as a single tear wrestled its way out of her eyes and fell on the brooch, followed by a torrent of more tears.

Koren looked at Enri, and was reminded of his own circumstances when he first came to shale village. He looked straight at Enri and gently said “Enri, I want you to trust me on this. Aunt Zena and Uncle Tanru, as well as everyone in Shale village will be OK.”

Koren walked up towards Enri, reached out and rubbed away the tears flowing down her face, he calmly took her hand in his, and led her back down the stairs.

“Brother Koren, I trust you, but I need to know. I need to know why they sent us away.” Asked Enri as they reached one of the portholes , her hand still clasped by Koren.

“Are you really going to tell her, it might make her more worried.” Said Hope, as she walked next to Koren, only visible to him.

Koren didn’t indulge Hope, she was someone always present inside his head, so she knew his answer.

“Enri, do you remember how I was found. You never really asked me where I’m from. The truth is my village was attacked.” Said Koren as he calmly looked at Enri, trying not to alarm her too much.

“My family and everyone I ever knew were gone. My grandfather was the village chief, even though he was injured, he still carried me to safety, but he too perished, leaving me alone to roam the desert, trying to find help.”

“That’s when you found me, you were the first person I saw after my grandfather passed away.” Koren stopped as he noticed the panic and terror in Enri’s eyes.

“Enri!, I asked you before, and now I’m asking you again, Do You Trust Me?” he bellowed.

Enri, who as pretty shaken up, realized that she was only thinking about herself and her family. She looked at Koren and wondered how he could possibly be so calm and composed when he had lost his whole world.

“I’m sorry Koren. I’m sorry about your family, about your village, and Yes I do Trust you.” Said Enri gently.

“I have a secret, a secret I’ve never told anyone before.” Said Koren and just as he was about to continue, he was stopped by Hope.

“Hey…hey…HEY!... Koren you can’t tell anyone. This is too dangerous, you are not only putting yourself in danger but her as well.” Yelled Hope as she suddenly appeared in between Koren and Enri.

“don’t worry big sis, I won’t tell her everything” said Koren internally so only Hope could hear.

“What secret?” Asked Enri.

“This secret.” Koren smiled and raised his right hand.

A small flame started to flicker in Koren’s hand, the flame was very little, but it appeared out of nowhere and continued to dance about on Koren’s palm. Enri looked at the flickering flame and almost Yelled fire.

‘How… How is this possible. Brother Koren is an Earth Spiritualist, how can he control fire’ thought Enri.

Koren could see the shock and amazement on Enri’s face, he wasn’t any different when he first saw the different elements on his display’s status bar.

“This is not all” Said Koren as the flame disappeared and a miniature cyclone appeared in his hands.

“This…this is impossible, how can you do this…” mumbled Enri in utter shock and disbelief.

Koren smiled, this was the effect he expected. “Enri, I have a way to protect everyone in the village. I didn’t have that chance back when my village was attacked, but I won’t let the same thing happen to your home too.” Said Koren gently.

“But…but…” Enri, still in shock, kept mumbling, and could not come up with a reply.

“Come with me, let’s find brother Haruki. I need both of your help.” Koren, with Enri’s hand still tightly gripped in his, led her to the a cabin right next to the one they came out of.

************

“Who is stationed at the border?” asked Uther as he stood straight with his back to the door.

“It’s General Ralf Arvo.” Replied Andre as he adjusted his Armor.

Andre was putting on his Armor in the lower decks of the ship. They were approaching the outer ring of the Oasis. He and his men would have to travel the rest of the way on foot so as not alert the humans. Although he did not need his Armor, he preferred it to the bland robes usually worn by locals.

“Arvo, he’s the head of the Arvo Family Clan, one of the top 10 Family Clans in the Raavi Empire. He should be in the capital, how did you manage to have him sent to the border” Asked Uther irritably. The Princess’s letter left out many details of the plan, and Andre wasn’t the most pleasant fellow to talk to, his kiss ass attitude really got on Uther’s nerves.

“It wasn’t me sir, It was the artifact. The 3rd Prince is a very well-known degenerate, as he mostly spends his time harassing noble women, and indulging in the pleasures of the clementine flower house. It’s truly a mystery how the 2nd princess is fond of him. However he is also somewhat useful as he managed to befriend the successor of the Arvo Clan, and has since been in touch. On the princess’s orders, he slipped some information about the path artifact, and the rest is history.” Replied Andre gruffly, as the leather straps tightened around his ribs.

“Tell me Andre, were you planning to have me buried as well. Ralf Arvo is one of the most powerful beings in existence, he reached the minor completion of the duality path decades ago, and is also very accomplished in the Spiritualist path. I would have no chance to flee if he decided to capture me.” Uther Asked, his piercing gaze making Andre’s horns quiver.

“Sir, when it comes to fleeing, even General Korver can’t catch you. Are you saying a tiny Arvo’s can do what the Tyrant General can’t.” Andre replied with a shudder, hoping for Uther to remain calm.

“Nevertheless, I should have been made aware of him.” Bellowed Uther, the weight of his voice making Andre shed a few scales.

“Yes Sir, it won’t happen again.” Replied Andre hurriedly.

Andre and Uther both walked up to the top deck. Uther was in his draconian form, his large scales gleamed with a dark azure light and his gigantic stature dwarfed Andre, who was also in his draconian form on top of wearing a bulky battle Armor.

“How long till we reach the outer ring.” Asked Andre.

“We will be there in a few minutes sir.” Replied one of the ships crewmen.

“I will inform the Prince, you prepare to depart.” Said Uther as he walked towards the 4th Princes cabin.

“Yes Commander.” Replied Andre impatiently.

************

Koren walked in the cabin with Enri. The cabin was the same size as the other one, but was occupied with mostly some of the pregnant women.

Koren looked over to find Haruki huddled near the window with a young girl around the same age as him. This person was familiar to Koren, he had met her when he went to the Inn with Haruki.

Koren walked over, still clasping Enri’s hand.

“Brother Haruki.” Koren called out as he approached.

Haruki who was busy talking with his beloved Sumi, recognized the voice and turned around, and gave both Koren and Enri a scare.

Haruki’s antics that fateful day had landed him in a lot of trouble, but the chief and his brother Sappa let him go for some reason.

However, the matriarch was mad as a bull and ran over him with her earth spiritualist abilities. His face looked like a huge red and green rotten tomato. But it was all fine and good, as the condition of his face made Sumi, who always ignored him, actually concerned about his wellbeing. She even brought some steamed buns for him to eat.

“Brother Haruki, what happened to your face.” Asked Koren, trying to avoid Hope’s yapping and laughter from his mind.

Haruki, with tears in his eyes and a bun in his mouth, replied “I died and went to heaven.”