On a day were the sun shines bright a boy was resting comfortably
on a meadow grass near a tree which shades him from the sun light and with his
eyes closed, he was soundly asleep. He was supposed to hunt today so that he
and his family could enjoy a nice meal but because of the nice weather the young
lad could not helped not to lie down.
He sleeps for a while and not long he heard a melody into his dream.
It was very lovely pleasing to the ear however, the sound of its tune soon
became sad and teary, it was deep yet soft the feeling from the melody made the
boy heart ache.
“Big brother River! Wake up!”
When he heard a familiar voice, River gradually opened his
eyes as he saw a cute young girl next to him.
“May? What are you doing here? You know very well that it’s
dangerous to go here by yourself”
“Hmph! whose fault is it? You were gone for a long time that
Grandma was very worried about you. I thought you were already eaten by a Magical
Beast!...that’s why I hurried to…”
“H-Hey! I understand don’t cry come on your big brother is
strong I won’t be eaten that easily so stop crying your becoming more ugly if
keep on crying”
“Who are you calling ugly?! Idiot brother!”
“Ouch!”
With a quick punched at his shoulder May vented her anger on
him. On the other hand, River didn’t feel anything yet he pretends to be hurt.
“Big brother River I brought your lunch”
“Oh! Thanks”
May brought a small basket and inside was two breads and a
cheese. The two of them shared it and not long after they had eaten, they soon
left the area.
While they were walking down the path back to the village,
River was a bit dishearten, he didn’t get anything today there were no animals
to hunt but if he were to go deeper to the forest it will be very
dangerous since its territory for most powerful magical beast.
Even if he wanted to, Granny Ma warned him already not to go
there which he promised however, if he keeps on getting nothing then he have no
choice but to go deep to the forest to hunt no matter what he needs to bring some
food since the village was poor.
The Wind Leaf Village is a small rural town surrounded by a
vast forest, only a few houses and the population are in one hundreds and most
of them were elders, women and children. The village used to have a stable life
which has enough sufficient men to hunt further to forest for food
however, last two years ago the Emperor made an edict to gather
males to become warriors from the age of 13-40’s.
The men from the village took this opportunity to leave the
village so that they can go to the capital to earn for a living and send some
money and food for the village. Unfortunately, after they left, the villagers
didn’t get any news from them. Ever since then their wives, mothers and
children that were left in the village worried sick for their wellbeing.
As the men left, the life in Wind Leaf Village became worst,
they lacked food, and sometimes they were raid by magical beast but one thing
they fear is that their village might attacked by bandits that will plunder
there weak defenseless home.
The only one that is capable of hunting and defending the village
was River who is only 15 years old and was the eldest and strongest boy in the
village. Originally, River was an outsider. He was found after a few months
when the men left.
May and the other children were playing and bathing in the
riverbank not far that they saw something floating like dead body towards them.
They immediately called for help from their elders while May carried the body
back to the shore. She was surprised that the boy was still alive but his pulse
was very weak and because she was panicking and worried she didn’t mind that
the boy was naked instead she was thinking of how to save him.
Therefore, May put her small hand toward the boy’s chest and
poured her spirit force to supply his weak heart. However, May was only 11
years old she only learn a few medical practice by using one’s own spirit force
from her grandmother and since she was still too young her energy was soon worn
out that she gradually collapse.
Once the elders arrived they knew what happened and quickly
carried the two back to the village for care. After 2 days May woke up but the
boy who she saved was still in coma. Days, months and a year passed still the
boy didn’t wake up. Granny Ma was worried about the boy’s condition therefore
she and some elders took turn in supplying his heart with their spirit force. Finally
after 13 months the boy gradually opened his eyes sadly however, he didn’t know
who he is and where he came from he doesn’t have any memories from his past.
Granny Ma thought that he may be a child of a traveller that
was attacked by bandits and was robbed. Fortunately, the boy has no fatal injuries
but his pulse and body were very weak that it took another month for him to get
off the bed. Those who took care of his needs were May and the other children
who found him that’s why the boy was very fond of them especially May.
“Since you came from the river I’ll call you Big brother River
from now on”
With a smile like a sun May gave the boy a name.
…
…
“Grandma we’re back!”
May called out as she rushed towards the elderly woman who
is sitting on a chair outside of her house.
“May did you go to the forest on your own again? How many times
to I have to tell you not to”
Once May heard her grandma stern voice, she was so scared that
she immediately went back to River side and hid behind his back.
“Grandma there is no need to worry because I have big brother
with me”
Granny Ma helplessly shook her head as she didn’t further scold
her granddaughter. Two years ago when her son May’s father left, Granny Ma was
extremely sad and anxious she had a bad feeling that once her son left she
would never see him again who would have thought that the feeling came
true. She not only lost a son soon she had also lost her daughter-in-law who was
sick in bed and eventually died. Because of these misfortunes that fell on
them, she and her only granddaughter was left alone in a small house until they
found and taken shelter of a boy that they saved.
Granny Ma looked at the boy with gentle eyes like seeing her
own grandson. She remembered when he was first brought back to the village he
was so weak and unconscious but because he was still breathing life Granny Ma
and May refuse to abandoned him therefore she sacrifice most of her energy to
save him and soon the other villagers shared the responsibility too since they
thought that this young boy would be their only hope.
After the boy regained his strength, he was in charge on hunting
and defending the village from wild beast surprisingly he was very strong with
a spear and a dagger made from a simple material he could kill a pack of wolves
and hunt a Giant bear. Nevertheless, if he encounter magical beast with high
intelligence and strength Granny Ma knows that River will not be a match and
will lead him to his death.
It is because River’s spirit vein is sealed which he is unable
to produce any spirit force to practice but to make it up River has a special
unique physique he is stronger than any other boy of his age but the one thing
she took noticed is that River has a very high speed recovery.
During the time when the village was invaded with a pack of
wolves about a dozen or so River defended the villagers and killed the entire
pack by himself, which almost cost him his life. When May saw him covered in
blood she cried nonstop fearing that he might die. Fortunately, River survive
but strangely after a few days of his recovery all of his injuries were all
gone as if they didn’t exist leaving no scar only a smooth yet tough skin, not
only that Granny Ma discovered that his body was much sturdier than before his
strength actually improved. It didn’t take long that River went hunting without
difficulty only coming with a few minor wounds.
“Granny Ma I’m back. Sorry I didn’t get any meat today but
me and May got some herbs and mushrooms” River smiled while showing the grassy
herbs and some edible mushrooms.
“River there is no need for you to apologized you did well
enough, come take some rest first while I’ll cook some soup and bake some bread”
“Granny Ma I’m fine I’m not tired, I’ll walk around just in
case anyone needs my help”
“Okay just remember to come home on time for dinner. May come
help back inside to prepare”
"Yes grandmother” May wanted to tag along with River but
seeing her grandmother alone, she just can’t leave her.
River on the other hand had already left. It has been his daily
routine to walk around the village in case anyone would need his help for heavy
jobs because most of them are elders and women.
“River, are you patrolling as usual?”
“Aunt Cassie do you need anything?”
“Yes if you’re not busy can you help me cut some fire woods”
“No problem”
With that River went over to Aunt Cassie’s house.
During the time when Granny Ma and May were living alone, it
was Aunt Cassie who went every day to their house to help them. She stood as a
motherly figure for May after her mother died and with Aunt Cassie’s children they
became close with May as if they were siblings.
“Big brother!”
Once River went inside the house, a lovely 5 year old girl
rush over him and gave him a hug.
“Len Len how are you…wait why are you crying?”
“Brother is bullying me again!..wuu…”
“I did not! You’re such a cry baby I only borrowed your doll
to play you don’t have to tell big brother about it!”
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“No! You took Mie Mie away…brother is bullying me…wuuu..wuu”
Seeing the two children quarrelling again River sighed, Gusto
and Lenssie were the same age and same birthday however, these two don’t get
along big or small they always fight on everything.
“Gus, give it back to Len Len”
"But big brother I need it to play”
Gusto cried he didn’t want his toy to be given away but River
gave him a firm stare he wanted Gusto to be obedient.
“…Okay, here happy now!”
Len Len immediately grabbed her doll back, after hugging it she
cutely stick out her tongue towards her meanie brother.
Of course Gusto was angry but before he could retaliate his mother
had already stop him.
“Good heavens when will you two behave, quickly the two of
you go back to your room”
“But mother I want to play with big brother!”
“Me too!”
“No! This is your punishment and your big brother is busy”
“Aunt its fine after I’m done I’ll play with them”
“”Yeahyy!!”
Having heard their big brother, the twins yelled with joy.
…
…
And so after cutting all the fire woods, River played with
the twins until they were satisfied. Aunt Cassie invited River to stay for dinner
but he refused he promise Granny Ma to be at home for dinner therefore, Aunt
Cassie packed some food for them. River wanted to refuse it again but Aunt
Cassie insisted, in the end he can only comply.
After eating dinner, River went at the backyard to train. He
doesn’t know how to practice martial arts but somehow he can train his body to
become stronger. He trained during morning and evening and during the day he
will hunt for food if not he will run around the village or help same tough
task. River was only 15 years old but his body is special, he has a lot of
stamina for both practice and work without even straining himself.
“If only I can release my spirit force, I can become stronger
that maybe going to the deep forest will be easy”
Granny Ma taught him that every living being has a spirit force
flowing in their spirit vein. The force is use to empower the body giving it
more vitality such as inhuman strength, longevity and even knowledge. In order
to sense the spirit force one must have a deep connection between his body and
spirit. Once it successfully awakens the next step is to guide it through the
entire body like flowing water into the stream.
As the spirit force circulates it will give energy for the
body to have a tremendous amount of power and that energy is used to
strengthen martial arts or skills this energy is called Battle spirit. Nonetheless,
it depends on how much a person can produce and how strong his battle spirit
has.
There are a lot of ways on how to enhance one’s spirit force
such as training both mind and body, others use items like elixir or rare treasures,
some who encounter life-threatening situation that will force for a breakthrough.
Finally, Granny Ma told River about the different 7 ranks that were recorded
and each in every rank must accomplish 10 levels in order to step to next
higher rank.
(from bottom to highest)
Earth Spirit Rank
Elemental Spirit Rank
Saint Spirit Rank
Tyrant Spirit Rank
King Spirit Rank
Emperor Spirit Rank
Sovereign Spirit Rank
As Granny Ma ended her discussion, River was so eager to practice
his spirit force sadly River found out that he has a sealed spirit vein which
he can’t produce spirit force towards his body.
He was very depressed as he can’t become an expert. Granny
Ma encourage him that even if he doesn’t have spirit force he still has his
strong physique that can match a 5- level Earth Spirit Rank but because he can’t
practice further he can only live as an ordinary civilian.
River didn’t want to live as an ordinary person, he wanted to
become an expert to become stronger not only for himself but for the people who
saved him. He wanted to have strength so that he can protect them give them more
food from hunting or even go to the capital and look for clues about the
men especially May’s father.
Therefore, every day he trained very hard hoping that one day
his vein will unsealed and when that day comes all the goals he made will come
true including on finding his own past.
River continued his training and after throwing some punches
and kicking, he then meditates. He was trying to connect his body into the deep
of his spirit.
He closed his eyes concentrating on every fiber of his body,
while his consciousness dived into an empty pitch black space. This space is
his spirit vein which has no trace of force that can be felt yet River
continues to dive deeper to search for it.
However…
“Ahhh!!!”
As he was diving into the abyss, he felt an extreme painful
shock like he was strike by a 10,000 lightning bolts causing damage to his
physical body. However, he didn’t give up he tried to surpass the invisible barrier
in front of him. River dived deeper but every inch the hellish pain
intensifies.
“Kuuhh!”
Nonetheless, his physical body gave in and because of the severe
damage he received, he vomit a mouthful of blood causing him to collapse.
…
…
When River was about to wake up he found out that he was already
laying down and under his head was carefully supported with a soft
pillow-like, while a gentle hand was brushing the bangs of his hair. He felt
very ease like a child was being pampered and when he looked up to the person
who was caressing him.
It was May.
May’s eyes were moist and red from crying, when she saw River
unconscious and there was amount of blood she couldn’t helped not to panic, she
ran towards him checking his pulse and breathing until she was relief that he
was fine.
However she was still worried about him and so she laid his
head into her lap making sure that his body can recuperate while she patiently
waits for him to wake up.
“May…”
“Hmm?”
“Are you crying?”
“…”
“I’m sorry” River apologized, seeing her crying because of
him made him felt guilty.
“Why are you so stubborn? You’re always pushing yourself too
much” May cried while she wiped her teary eyes with her sleeve.
“I…I’m sorry”
“Is that all you can say?”
Hearing May’s voice with a hint of anger, River steadily sits
up facing May as he lowered his head.
“I’m really sorry so please don’t be angry at me”
“…Idiot, I’m not angry I’m just…River can you promise me something”
Upon hearing his name, River knows that May’s next words will
be serious that he must prioritize. May usually called him Big brother River
because he is older by just one year but when she called him by his name River
heart quicken. For a very long time he value and care for her. He didn’t
know what kind of feeling it is but he knows that May is a very special existence
to him than anyone else.
Her smile, laughter made him very happy but when she is sad
and depress, he also felt the same way. Somehow he has this unknown warmth connection
between them like she’s part of him.
“What is it? As long it is in my capability I can promise you
anything” River said as he reached out to hold May’s hand.
“Then…can you promise me not to force yourself on opening your
spirit vein. Forcing it may cause you harm and since you’ve been doing it over
and over again your…your killing yourself, so please stop it I don’t want to
see you hurt…so please I beg you”
May pleaded as she tightly gripped River’s hand, she was afraid
of letting him go. Ever since her father left and her mother died. May’s heart
was almost broken from despair but when River came to her life her heart once
again felt hope on living. That’s why she can’t bear seeing him hurt she was so
scared that River might leave her alone.
“I…”
River hesitated in giving his answer, he didn’t know if he
can comply with her wish but he really needs power for them to survive. If he
can’t practice then how he will be at ease that nothing will happen in the future.
Maybe 3 to 5 years nothing bad will happen but thinking how the
hunting ground with less prey he feared that the strong magical beast from the
deep forest will search for a new hunting ground which is the Wind Leaf Village.
River can’t risk that.
May was anxiously watching him. Taking him long to answer made
her heart full of grieve. River has always values his promise that’s why he’s
having second thoughts. She knows him very well that he prioritize everyone safety
than to himself.
“May…I, I’m sorry”
Finally, River answered and May already had anticipated it
but seeing him guilty as if he had done a serious crime made her heart ache in
pain. She then holds his hand toward her lips and gently kissed it.
“You don’t need to be guilty I know you want to protect everyone
including me but please just this once. Can you promise me that you won’t
die…please?”
Feeling the warmth from his hand, River’s heart trembled as
he gives a reassuring smile.
"Yes I promise I won’t die. I promise to live for a hundreds…no
a thousand years, I promise I will live!”
River promised and swears with all his heart even if
he was tortured by excruciating pain he will struggle to live, even if he encounter
danger threatening his life he will survive to live and even if everyone wishes him to die, he will fight them to live.
This is my promise my oath…