Walking through the streets, I notice an air of uncertainty seems to be hanging over the town. As not only are the guards more on edge, there are also less people on the streets and those that do appear are quick to leave.

Speeding up my pace, to get out of this suffocating city. I see my sister standing at the gates dressed in her red leather armour looking more vigilant than usual, with her new attendant Helen watching over her like a hawk. I’m guessing, unlike with Rafael, Father has taken a more aggressive approach to ensure nothing goes wrong today.

“Sister you ready?”

“Of course, I’ve been waiting for a while. Do you think we’ll run into goblins again?” With a mischievous grin she asks a stupid question, to which I can only flash a weary smile as Helen seems to sweat profusely, Which is quite an odd site as Helen is built like a mountain.

“Hopefully not sister, I’m sure it’ll be a relaxing trip” Preying nothing goes wrong we head off into the forest.

It’s always been a beautiful place with the massive trees and lucious wildlife, the forest has been a natural retreat for me during the first year after my brother left, but recently Father has been on edge. And with the kidnapping of more and more civilians he has placed a ban on these outings. I imagine he only allowed today's outing since this should be the last day the bandits are around.

The fresh air of the forest fills up my lungs and seems to relax all my worries, the warm sunlight that shines through the gaps in the leaves warms my soul, as the gentle wind cools me down and I felt like all my worries were leaving me, my dear sisters scream stopped all that.

“AHHHH, I’m bored.”

*Sigh* Since we left she’s done nothing but complain, all I wanted was a quiet outing, but no. She has to scream and shout like an animal, I look at her like I’m looking at a feral cat and she seems to catch the look on my face as she looks like she’s about to go off on another tantrum.

“Sister, what did you expect? With fathers troops making their way through the forest all the wildlife is hiding. Even then, your shouting will just keep on making the prey run away.”

“*Hmpf* Still, as the little brother you should do something to entertain your sister, otherwise I think a spar is in order.” There she goes again, I don’t know who she’s taken after but, she’s becoming more twisted as she grows. I look around before deciding to come back another day, probably by myself this time.

“Have you ever been to Bren’s bar?”

Sat in my little corner, opposite my sister, I look at Rafael; who is currently sitting on another table with Helen. Making them look like quite a par considering Helen still looks bigger then Rafael who is tall for a man.

“Sister, is Helen part giant?” Whispering to my sister I check her reaction to see if she’s going to lie.

“Yes, she is, only a quarter though. If she was half she would be twice her size.” Even though she is speaking with confidence I still don’t believe her, I’m pretty sure that would be physically possible. Although they might breed in a different way I don’t think that’s how genetics work.

“What, you don’t believe me?” Sensing my scepticism, she’s quick to be offended but I know it’s only fake. Seeing movement out of the corner of my eye, I see Paulissa has made her way over.

“Ahh, so the young master brought his sister today. Well the more the merrier, today’s special is roast White hog. Do you need time to order or are you ready now?”

Looking to Alice to suggest I’m ready, I see her about to speak up, “ hi, do you have any Calcarisaurus or any mosstery would be great?”

Seeing the look of confusion on Paulissas face I can tell those meals are a cut above what she can offer, “We’ll have two roast hogs please”

“Of course, water as well? “

“Yeah”, Looking at my confused sister I can tell she’s been quite sheltered, actually thinking she could get D or above rank food here. Not that this place is shabby, just such meals are made in the better restaurants or those tailored for adventures.

“Why don’t they have them?” Seeing the genuine look of confusion on her face, I make sure to hold back my laugh but I can tell it’s still showing.

“Ok, listen, in the lower city the best food you’ll be able to get is E rank, and that’s usually considered a treat.”

“But how do they live like that? Lower ranked food isn’t that nice.”

“You’re only saying that because you’ve lived your whole life on at least D rank food, most farmers only eat E rank food on special occasions, like Birthdays and such.”

“Hmm”

Leaving her to contemplate in silence, I scan the bar for Dara. I haven't seen her recently but she’s my only friend outside the compound. She will usually come running over to the table but she must be out today.

As I was musing over Dara, Paulissa came over with the food. The white hog roast was essentially a pork roast from earth with a sort of broth on the side and roast veg to share. Quickly giving Paulissa 2 silver for her troubles I dug in, while watching the strange faces Alice would make.

“Haha, what’s wrong?”

“It’s not that bad”

“Told you so”

After finishing our meal and having a bit of small talk I notice somebody heading over, Dara is slowly making her way over, likely intimidated by Alice considering they're both 10, but I lock eyes and quickly wave her over.

“Dara come over, this is my sister, Alice.”

“Alice, this is Dara, my fiend.”

Watching them lock eyes and seemingly judge each other, my sister seems to give in with a small grunt, as Dara proceeds to sit beside me. “Well Dara how’ve you been lately?”

It’s been two months since I’ve seen her, and she seems more refined, like she’s finally opened her core. Seeing the smile appear on her face, I believe my conclusion was correct.

“Yeah, you guessed it, I’ve finally awakened, I’m now a level 1 Qi apprentice. My father will be teaching me privately from now on.”

“Congratulations, it’s been overdue, but I know you’ll quickly shoot up in levels.”

“hahahaha”

Feeling my body run cold, I look over to the source of the laughter to see my sister, giggling away. I see Dara putting on a brave face, but I know she’s hurt, afterall, she’s the same age as Alice but awoke four years after.

“haha, Oh, sorry I didn’t mean to but, I think It’s just a bit funny.”

That seems to set Dara off as she quickly stands up before storming off leaving me and Alice alone. Looking at Rafael, I see the look of concern on his face, but I know this is my problem to deal with.

“Sister, that wasn’t nice”

“I’m sorry, but Joseph, I don’t think you should associate with these people. Today has definitely been an eye opener for me, yes, but I think we are just too different. Joseph you opened your core at 5, that’s amazing you’ll go far, even though father won’t give you the position of city lord the duke has already scouted you. You're cut from a different stone, she will probably remain here, in this bar, for the rest of her life. It’s cruel but I think connections like this are better off being severed early.”

After finishing her little speech she stands up and quickly leaves with Helen in tow. Left alone, in silence, I now realise just how quiet the bar is right now. Looking around I see that everyone is staring at me, suddenly feeling the pressure I run to leave the bar.

Standing outside I see that it’s currently raining, I notice the different people stumbling around running to get home, and the muddy water that is slowly beginning to build up in the streets. Looking to the sky, I see the murky clouds descending over the city, ‘I wonder if there will be thunder?’ musing to myself my vision suddenly becomes black and I’m no longer in the Rain. Pulling off the coat that had been thrown on me I looked to see Rafael standing there.

“Joseph, you’ve never been one to be influenced by others, so why start now?”

Feeling a smile creep onto my face I quickly put the coat on and hide my smile, setting off to the blacksmiths with a bit more vigour in my step. It's been a while since I’ve spoken with my old friend.