《A Dragon's Soul》


 Chapter 1

    Tyran was memorized by the brilliant blue light that burst from the exam. It was not often that a rare cultivator came from the farmland east of the Capitol. While he was happy for his cousin, he was also jealous that he would get the opportunity to train with master mages and body cultivators. Only one in a ten-thousand people could match a blue grade cultivator, so it made sense that the emperor would treat them like royalty. Tyran hoped that the exam orb would at least show that he was an uncommon grade cultivator, so he could travel in the military. Since one in ten people possessed this trait, Tyran was being reasonable, especially considering he was related to the new rare cultivator, Feng.


    Whenever the orb came to their little village, Markyt, the town transformed from a bleak existence into a festival ground, celebrating the talented youths that would escape their dreary existence. Festival stalls opened, serving delicious street food and games for the masses. People from surrounding villages flocked Markyt, so they could have their sons and daughters tested. Even if Markyt didn¡¯t find any notable cultivators, the profit gained from the their neighbors made it well worth their time. Shops and restaurants were packed full of people like cattle. Tyran waited in-front of one his favorite pubs, which was conveniently located across from the stage that held the exam orb.


    He waited for Feng to escape the frenzied crowd and make his way to his table.


    ¡°Congratulations!¡± Tyran excitedly shouted as the new prodigy approached.


    ¡°Thanks, I going to miss you cousin. But I¡¯m sure I won¡¯t be lonely living in the emperor¡¯s palace.¡± Feng said with a shitty grin


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll get lucky and join you.¡± Tyran responded


    ¡° When are you taking the exam?¡±


    ¡°In a couple of hours.¡±


    Time passed as they watched people walk up the stage and take the exam. Sometimes a green hue would be emitted, showing that the person taking the exam was uncommon grade. Most people, however, received the gray light that represented common grade talent. Some contestants cried as their dreams were crushed, while others were indifferent. Many hopefuls watched intently, waiting for their time to shine. As Tyrants turn to take the exam drew nearer, he decided to leave Feng and walk towards the guards that controlled access onto the stage.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.It was as easy as handing over the ticket he had been provided and walking up the short steps. The anticipation was excruciating. He waited for the announcer to call out his name and the army captain, in his polished armour, to instruct him.


    ¡°Place your hand at the center and focus your chi on it. Don¡¯t take your hand off until I tell you to.¡± the captain instructed.


    Not wasting any time Tyrant, gently touched the cool exterior and started to focus his chi on it. Energy passed from his hand into the crystal for what felt like eternity. When he could no longer hold his concentration, he let go, opened his eyes and looked towards the speechless crowd. Tyran was confused. He had not seen any light come from the orb. Why was it white? There wasn¡¯t a white grade. The rarest grade was black.


    The shame the boy felt was immense, not only did he fail to receive an uncommon grade, he didn''t even acquire a common one. He quietly made his way off the stage, trying to hide himself in the crowd. People where shouting that he was a demon, thinking the reason he didn¡¯t receive a grade was because he was some sort of monster. Not even Feng his cousin and long time friend would come up to him.


    Trying to escape the numerous of insults and jabs towards him and his family, Tyran dived into the dark forest that bordered the village. Taking many turns left and right, he lost himself and his pursuers, in the foreboding woods. Leaning up against a tree, the young boy decided to sleep. He didn¡¯t care about the many dangerous creatures that lurked in the shadows. If they killed him, at least he wouldn¡¯t have to worry his family. He wouldn¡¯t have to deal with the hatred he had created.


    Rising from the horizon, the sun spread its light over the forest. It''s rays touched the boy, waking him up. Tyran slowly hoisted himself, using the tree as leverage.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time you wake up. You don¡¯t want your breakfast to get cold¡± the mysterious man exclaimed.


    Tyran was surprised that someone was able to find him. He was shocked that the person that found him, didn¡¯t instantly chop of his head.


    ¡°What you do want with me?¡± Tyran muttered as he took a bite out of the bacon sitting in-front of him.


    ¡°You made quite the commotion yesterday. You should¡¯ve seen the people scatter into the woods looking for you. Probably the third worst reaction I¡¯ve seen.¡± said the man


    ¡°So I¡¯m not the only person who failed the exam?¡±


    ¡°Who said anything about failing. No, you just contain a monster soul.¡±

 Chapter 2 - Bright

    The young cultivator and the old man headed back to the capitol where Tyran would have his soul tested. On the way the boy learned about the history of land. He learned about the time before cultivating was formed, how people would die early of diseases and get run over by the magical beasts scattered across the highest peaks and the lowest valleys. Only after making a deal with the world''s gods did humans truly thrive. It was up to young cultivators to repay the debt to the heavens by touching their realm. The old man spoke of the many ways others had passed through heaven¡¯s gate, each one being unique.


    Not a lot of stops were made between Markyt and the Capitol, since the old man didn¡¯t want to risk drawing attention to the boy. Many people came to the orb exam and it wouldn¡¯t surprise him if they still remembered the ¡®Demon Child¡¯. If they could avoid conflict with the villages, there journey wouldn¡¯t cause a riot.


    Eventually they reached the city gates of the Capitol, the sheer height of the walls amazed Tyran. No buildings above one-story were built in his little town, but here they shot up into the sky, floor after floor. He could see people look out from their high towers, staring down at the large crowd as they made their way from one side of the city to the other. Stalls were packed next to each other, the hue of their tents trying to entice people to come over and view their goods. Shouting was common, as people tried to find each other in the sea of merchants, mercenaries, and servants. To Tyran, the city was a mysterious place filled with everything desirable.


    Carrying the boy on his back, the old man took many turns in the labyrinth of alleyways until he reached a grand building made out of carved stone. He dropped Tyran onto the ground and they walked in together.


    ¡°Welcome back Master Wu¡± said the man behind the reception desk.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you Ning. It''s been awhile.¡± said the old man as he clasped arms with the receptionist.


    ¡°Who''s your little friend¡±


    ¡°This is Tyran. He''s a new recruit and I¡¯m thinking about taking him as my disciple.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to test him now, or should we wait until I notify the emperor?¡±


    ¡°We might as well get it out of the way now. That way we have something to actually tell his majesty.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯ll go prepare the chamber.¡± said the receptionist as he got up and left through the back.


    ¡°What was that about?¡± asked Tyran.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough.¡± replied Master Wu with a grin on his face.


    They took a seat in the few chairs in the room, waiting for Ning, the receptionist to return. While they waited, Tyran was overwhelmed by the hospitality that these people showed towards him. Not only did he receive tea, they brought him an assortment of food to try. He thanked the waitress for her kindness and she blushed before hurrying back to where she came from.


    Tyran was downing his third plate of food when, Ning beckoned them behind the reception desk. They entered a room that was white on all sides. Told to sit in the center, Tyran quickly sat. He closed his eyes and focused his chi on the walls. His spirit monster emerged, dancing across the walls, adding splashes of color to the dull interior. Minutes passed until Tyran became fatigued.


    ¡°Amazing¡± mumbled the old man ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a solar dragon spirit inhabit a human before.¡±


    Ning didn¡¯t respond since he was in a state of shock. Not only had he never met a person with a dragon spirit, he had never heard of any dragon with that essence. With no martial paths developed with this form of Dragon, Tyran would have to form his own. While training the boy would be tough, his future was as bright as the sun. Master Wu would not let go of such untapped talent, and planned to fight to the death to insure that he was trained by him.