《King of Kings》


 Beginners Quest, Chapter 0: Ursus Tribe

    The sun''s first rays painted the sky with vibrant hues, a bird soared through the dawn breeze. The land was dry but complimented the sparkling waters of the shore.

    But on that day, the shores dry land were stained by the smell of reeking corpses and its pool of leaking blood. Perhaps those corpses were a cumulation of battles from previous dates in time. Regardless time moves on and now they''re simply a thing of the past.

    At the apex of a hill that stood before shore was a man with long straight brown hair and appeared to be somewhere around six feet, with a dirty brown hooded cape. He had a rusted crown on his head. It looked to be made of something cheap, like a crown crafted straight from a swordsmith if that was even possible. His gaze met the shore before him, and despite the horrific scenery he couldn''t help but look into the sea mesmerized.

    Beside him was a boy, he stood around 5 feet 6 inches tall, had Dark Brown hair, and wore a white Viking-styled long-sleeve shirt with dirty brown pants. He wore a cape, it was ragged, with an ominous blue, and brown bear symbol on the back of it. His gaze was crystal-like the sparkling water of the sea. The hooded man was Bjorn and the boy beside him was his brother Bo.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    5 other people were behind these two. They too were caught up by the sea. Despite the bloody atmosphere, the brothers and the 5 other members only recognized the beauty of such a large body of water.

    With his hand held high, and a tear running down his face, Bjorn had announced,

    " At last, we have made it... Away from this wretched land and to the real world..."

    A mesmerized face of optimism and an awestruck Bo.

    241 years ago the world speculated this group''s mighty Tribe had been wiped out of the face of the planet, and vanished into a dead man''s land known as the Outlands.

    However, with these waters that stand before them, the drought of dead dreams has been washed away into a memory of the past. The waters had inspired a single thought for this group...

    Revival.

    The Ursus Tribe is back...

 Beginners Quest Chapter 1: KING

    KING

    It was a modest village, scattered with small straw-made shelters. The middle of this small village was surrounded by an abundance of it''s townspeople. Something had caught their attention and was responsible for such an unusually packed gathering of people. They all seemed eager as they circled around the magnet of the attention.

    What was in the circle of the townspeople, was a fragile weak child who had chains wrapped around his wrist. He seemed to be a slave. Surrounding the child was a group of five warriors, each dressed in half burgundy and brown fur cloaks. Strangely enough, these five had all been beating this weak fragile child for the better half of an hour. They were boastful, they felt entitled to this child''s body as if they owned him, it was like he was a toy.

    They didn''t have a thought of care for the child they were mercilessly beating. Neither did the townspeople who gathered to watch this wicked beatdown. The only thing the crowd felt, was a great sense of joy. This was merely just a form of entertainment to them.

    "Yeah kill that slave!" "Don''t let him get up!" The townspeople chanted, almost begging for more entertainment.

    Despite the dehumanizing scenery. The village had somehow not cared for any of its disturbance at all.

    Amongst the crowd of townspeople, there was Bjorn who was concealing himself in the dense atmosphere. He was wearing his brown hooded cape but was cloaked in a wide straw hat long enough to cover his face from the public eye. He too witnessed the brutality of this beating. He clenched his fist tight, rage surged within him as he observed this weak man''s life being snuffed out. He blazed with fury and deep-rooted thoughts formed in his heart.

    "Another one beaten... This world is disgusting." He looked to the sky aimlessly, like a cry for change.

    1 month later

    It was the crack of Dawn, with the sun shining upon a vast forest. Of course, trees were abundant. However, the palettes of all the tree''s leaves appeared with strange colors, they all seemed to have strange shades of pink and purple much like a cherry blossom tree. But their stems and branches were more reminiscent of giant maple trees. The trees were tall, standing around 40 feet. And from a bird''s eye view, you would think this vast forest was a nest for giants.

    Amongst the endless giant trees of this fearsome forest, there seemed to be a small stone hut set out on a campsite. Though the small hut seemed to be made as a place of convenience for only a limited time, it was built with a sense of care. Like it was a place for a small village family, this small hut was made with rooms for each person who stayed within it. Giving each one a place they could rest their heads.

    On top of the hut was a blue flag logoed with the sign of a brown bear. This flag marked the sign of the Ursus Tribe.

    It had been around 2 months since they left the wretched Outlands. In that time they sailed the seas for about a month and ended up finding themselves on the shore of a foreign land. This land being the gigantic forest their small hut resided in.

    Just outside their hut, some of the tribe members had gathered around a campfire, one of them being Bo. Of the members, 1 seemed to be telling a story of some sort.

    The man telling the story looked to be in his mid to late 20s and stood around the height of 5 foot 9 inches, his hair was black, and had he a distinct style of 2 loose hair buns on the right and left side of his head with loose hairs falling down the side of them. He wore a ragged grey and brown vest, and what stood out most was on his back. On his back was A bow and quiver for him to place his arrows. His name was Nero.

    He seemed to be telling a story of sorts, where he fought in a battle back when he and the Ursus Tribe were still in the Outlands.

    He claimed as he told his tale, "It was a fierce battle against a formidable enemy warrior, who possessed a powerful axe known as a Mantle."

    "Does anyone know what a Mantle is?" Nero inquired, He prompted the other members to answer.

    Immediately Bo raised his hand and spoke passionately,

    "Mantles are weapons that have their own unique supernatural abilities, they come mostly in standardized weaponry such as swords, axes, spears, Bow, Arrows, etc. But mantles can actually be anything that grants supernatural Powers."

    Nero applauded Bo''s response. "Correct Bo! And the guy I faced had a Mantle that could form an impenetrable body barrier. His strategy was to shield himself and launch attacks from within, thinking he was invincible. However, he overlooked a vulnerability on his backside."

    Anticipation is reflected in the faces of Bo and the others at the campfire.

    Nero proudly declares, "So it was up to me, Nero the Sniper of the Ursus Tribe, to save the day! I took my shot, drawing my arrows perfectly hitting the enemy in the blind spot on his back. Taking down the fearsome Mantle owner In one fell swoop."

    All the members were struck with awe by Nero''s heroic feat.

    Regretfully, Nero adds, "It''s unfortunate that I can''t share more battle stories with you kids. Over the years our Numbers have trickled down steadily. And now we''re down to just seven members in our Tribe. With such numbers, we can''t take on any formidable foes. It''s hard to believe that we were one of the strongest tribes in the world so long ago."

    Everyone around the campfire''s heads were tilted down facing the reality the state of the Ursus Tribe is in. However, Bo, ever so optimistic, became a beacon of light. He jumped up and exclaimed,

    "Quit with the worrying, won''t you! We''re not done yet, we still have battles to fight! Because when I''m older, I Bo will revive the Ursus Tribe''s name and become the King of the Conquerors!"

    Both Nero and the kids looked at Bo with raised eyes. Nero seemed unenthused by his statements attempting to temper Bo''s energetic manner, "Okay... Let''s calm down now. Here you go spouting out your silly dreams once again. Bo, I think you fail to understand that to become the King of the Conquerors, you have to rise above all. Meaning You must be greater than every man, every warrior, and every King in this world!"

    Undeterred, Bo confidently asserted, "If that''s what it takes, then I will become the greatest King the world has ever seen. And rise above all!"

    The two other members jump to their two feet standing alongside Bo. One was around 5''6, with short spiky black hair, and his eyes were lime green. He was shirtless and carried two swords on his hip. This child was Leif.

    The other kid was much smaller than Bo and Leif standing at 5''2, with a dirty blonde and messy bowl cut, what stood out on him was his goggles. They looked more like glasses but were thick around the circles. This kid was Kirby.

    Both the boys were about the same age as Bo being preteens.

    Together tagging along with Bo''s optimism, the two declared. "Yeah, Bo is right. We''re gonna become great warriors too!"

    Overhearing the conversation, a girl had been stepping closer and walked in on the three boys and Nero at the campfire. She seemed to be around the same age as the rest of the boys, she stood about 5''7 with long and brown messy hair, had awfully pale skin, and her eyes appeared dead. Along her waist was a strap of gildawn knives each one with completely different shapes and sizes. This girl''s name was Eira.

    Standing just next to the campfire she abruptly interrupts the boy''s celebration and Nero''s story accusing Nero of spinning a tall tale. "Nero, you really gonna tell these guys such a false story?"

    "A respected warrior like me would never need to tell such a lie." He bluffed in response.

    However, Eira rebutted, "Right... well, unlike the rest of you, I''ve been to the battlefields from a pretty young age, and I fought alongside Nero, and during that particular encounter, the man that stands in front you guys abandoned the battlefield fleeing like a coward with a ten-year-old me. Isn''t that right Nero?"

    The boy''s jaws were on the floor. Leaving the room in a state of disbelief Eira walked off, stating, "You guys can keep listening to his lies if you like, but you should keep in mind that more than anytime ever, our tribe has to face the truth now.... There''s food I left in the hut if you all would like, but only come if you plan on speaking the truth about our tribe."

    Seeking confirmation, the 3 boys asked. "This isn''t true, right Nero?" However, Nero seemingly couldn''t muster up a sentence to deny Eira''s claims.

    Both Bo and Leif could only be left in disappointment leaving the campfire. "Really lame of you Nero." "I should have known it was a lie." The two boys shamed him on their way out as they smelt the tempting aroma of food inside the nearby hut. However Kirby still being supportive, told him, "Hey, I still think your stories are cool. Even if it may be a folks tale."

    "You really think so?" Nero sniffled his nose and raised his head to Kirby. But as Kirby watched both Bo and Lief sprinting out of the campfire for food, he couldn''t help but follow along in his curiosity. Leaving Nero alone with a campfire of his shame. As he sat alone at the campfire, he was left with those lingering words of Eira, "The truth huh... I guess she''s right. It''s time to face the truth about the state of the Ursus Tribe."

    The four kids Bo, Kirby, Leif, and Eira sat around a table surrounded inside the hut. On the table was a display of desired meats and an abundance of vegetables too, the kids had already begun feasting on the plethora of food provided.

    As they all ate there was a lingering awkward feeling in the room, it seemed as if something needed to be addressed amongst the four kids. Finally breaking the quietness Eira spoke her mind. "You know, despite his false tales, there is one true thing that Nero said back there... Now that we''ve fallen to only 7 members over the past year, the stories have run dry, we can''t do anything with these numbers."

    The room was still anxiously quiet as everyone halted from finishing their feast. What had previously felt like awkward silence had been proven just to be the reaction of a harsh reality. In the back of everyone''s mind, this reality had already been thought upon far before Eira brought light to it.

    Everyone''s heads were staring directly at the floor, perhaps it was anger or disparity, regardless the room had now been shrouded in tension. Amongst the 4 kids, Bo had been clenching his fist tightly

    " So what now, we just lay here in this hut until we die?" Bo muttered.

    "Well, I wouldn''t go that far... but maybe we moved too soon. That story Nero told wasn''t too long ago, It was just a few years back in the Outlands, that was right before the king had decided we would make a push to leave the continent. Even back then we had a couple thousand survivors left. Now look at us. Perhaps the king had made the wrong decision."

    Bo stood up wiping his arm across the dining table pushing aside all the food that laid in front of him. "Don''t say that! My brother didn''t make a mistake! For over 240 years, our tribe''s numbers had been steadily dropping in that savage continent, even our ancestors couldn''t stop that. If we stayed any longer, we would be dead by now!"

    "And how much more does 7 mean to 0?" Eira rebutted, leaving the entire room stunned, Bo couldn''t even muster up a word. Her tone was calm yet the urgency was evident in her words.

    "In the past year alone, our tribe''s numbers, have shrunk to a number border extinction, and all of us have felt the damage of that result. Right now what we need is consistency. If the king thought guiding us into a deep path of death for the last year was the right idea, fine then. But to lead us out of the continent and leave us here in the middle of this giant forest with no guide, no idea, no clue on what he has planned or what he''s doing throws everything we''ve struggled for this last year away."

    Bo was bewildered, from his view he couldn''t comprehend the thought of his brother being wrong. "You''re... You''re wrong. He wouldn''t leave us for dead. He''s the King, HE''S MY BROTHER!" He slammed his hand on the table leaning his face closer to Eira, his confusion turned to an outburst of frustration.

    "Oh right, then where is he? You would know, right Bo? Come on tell us Where is the king, Where is your brother... Where is Bjorn?" She rebuttedThe author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    He couldn''t reply, nor could he come to terms with the harsh reality of Eira''s words. He could only stand across the table from her frozen as if he were a statue.

    Realizing the peak of the argument had ended, Kirby finally felt the need to step in cautiously. "Please I don''t like seeing us argue like this, Eira, Bo." The two hardly even processed Kirby''s words. Recognizing the lack of care for Kirby''s words, Lief grabbed Bo and began marching with him on their way outside, "Come on Kirby let''s get the hell out of this mess!" He yelled. Following the two Kirby trailed his way out of the room, leaving Eira to herself.

    Nearby the camp just barely into the deep forest, the three boys Bo, Lief, and Kirby had decided to calm themselves down on the heated confrontation that had just taken place.

    After marching into the forest, Lief tossed a wooden sword towards Bo. Both Bo and Kirby were left confused as to what Leif was implying. "Come on, spar with me! Let''s forget about whatever just happened with you and Eira."

    Bo dismissively responded, "Nah, I''m better off."

    "Ah come on, one little argument and you can''t fight no more huh!? I didn''t know being a puss comes with the title ''brother of the King!''" Leif was reluctant despite Bo''s unenthused attitude.

    Being adamant Bo disregarded any and everything. "Try whatever you want. I''m not sparring today."

    He took a seat on a nearby rock giving himself time to reflect. However, just before he could give himself any time to get comfortable, Leif picked up the same wooden sword that was tossed toward him earlier and used it to smack him across the face.

    Collapsing Bo to the ground, Bo and Kirby were startled by the unhinged actions of Leif. "Why would you do that Leif!?" Kirby gasped.

    Spitting blood while holding his right cheek, Bo looked up to Leif with spirited eyes, replying, "You just keep persisting, a fight is what you want? Fine then, keep the sword I won''t need it."

    "You cocky bastard." Leif grinned deviously.

    For the next several hours, the two boys sparred till the sun blazed, with Kirby watching on the side. Ducking his head under Lief''s incoming sword, Bo kicked him by the legs causing what looked like an already beaten-up Leif to collapse to the floor. Leif''s body was completely swollen from his arms to his legs and face, yet his daring grin was still as evident as it had ever been.

    "That''s your 42nd loss in a row now. I think that''s enough sparring for the day." Bo stated looking down at Lief''s swollen body.

    "Bo''s right the sun''s about to fall anytime now." Kirby included.

    Being reluctant Lief implored one more time, "Ah come on one more fight won''t ya!? It might not look like it, but I still got some fight in me!"

    Bo and Kirby glanced at one another startled and in confusion, both simultaneously thinking, "Is he serious?"

    Putting an end to the antics Bo replied, "Listen, I thank you for helping me get my mind away from me and Eira''s argument earlier, but at this point sparring any longer would just be a waste of time. I''m going..."

    He began walking off back to the Camp. However, just before Bo was too far away, Leif mustered up his last strands of energy rising to his feet, Coming to help hold him up Kirby gave him a shoulder to lay on. Leif was panting and spoke with a sense of urgency, "You''re finally realizing now huh!? All these spars we have, just one big waste of time! Ya know Bo, you might not want to hear it, but what Eira said was right!"

    Bo''s footsteps came to a halt, intrigued as to what Leif was trying to say. Along with Bo''s halt, Kirby''s eyes had opened up in worry for the words Leif was about to utter.

    "It''s time we start accepting the reality of our Tribe, and stop waiting for your stupid brother to control our every move! You see Bo, you''re not the only one with big dreams of becoming something, I do too and I''m sure Kirby does as well, and maybe even that grumpy bastard Eira too." Staring into his sword he spoke with conviction, " And I know one thing that''s for sure, Waiting here in these good-for-nothing woods won''t do anything about it. Sooner than you think Bo, these dreams that we want to live, we''re going to have to go out there and achieve them you hear me! We don''t have our entire life to waste here anymore!"

    Absorbing every word Leif had let off, Bo picked his footsteps back up and began marching even quicker to the camp.

    Returning to the camp it had finally hit sundown, and in the peak of night, the Ursus Tribe had all fallen asleep, with Bo being the exception.

    After the confrontations and constant back-and-forths with Leif and Eira throughout the day, his mind couldn''t let him rest, even in the comfort of his bed. He could only keep remembering the words both Eira and Leif left him with, "Where is Bjorn?" "Sooner than you think Bo, these dreams that we want to live, we''re going to have to go out there and achieve them"

    He was conflicted, though he was unwilling to accept those harsh words at the moment, deep down he knew they spoke the truth. He reflected, "Bjorn has no choice but to come back, so he will. But if he doesn''t..." His eyes widened, "Am I worthy enough... to become a king?" He began to crawl himself into a ball on his bed and constantly repeated, "He''ll come back, he''ll come back, he''ll come back..."

    The Next Morning

    Bo had still been stuck to his bed, however eventually over that dreadful night, he was finally knocked out and had fallen deep into sleep. With footsteps rushing quickly into his room, Kirby tugged onto Bo''s shirt rocking him back and forth, he began urging him to wake up, "Hurry Bo! Come on!" He kept bugging.

    Forcing Bo to wake out of his sleep, he slowly opened his eyes and saw the joyful urgency in Kirby''s eyes. So he asked, "What''s the rush?"

    "YOU WERE RIGHT BO! YOUR BROTHER! THE KING... HE''S BACK!"

    "....What??" With squinted eyes Bo replied.

    The news was an immediate shock, struggling to process what he had been told Bo rubbed the morning crust off his eyes and got off his bed. Dragging him along Kirby rushed Bo outside the hut busting them through the front door.

    Just outside of the hut was a brightening gaze of the morning sun, the harmonic rhythms of the chirping birds, and Bjorn in his brown hood with his long luscious straight brown hair flowing in the wind, Cloaked in his wide strawed hat this time tilting it to the sky so everyone could see his face. Piggybacking him was the same fragile slave boy who was being beaten by those five guards.

    Lifting his head, showing his ocean blue eyes, the brown hooded man observed the 4 kids in front of him.

    "BJORN!" Bo, Kirby, Leif, and Eira exclaimed exuberantly. The kids rushed him, all of them leaping in for a hug.

    Slightly distanced away from Bjorn and the kids. Was Nero walking towards a man with a cart full of food who looked strikingly similar to himself. The two stood around at the same height, both with the same fair skin, the same jet-black hair, and similar facial features. However, he styled his hair in a man bun and was shirtless with scars across his body and a sword to his hip. Lastly, the man''s eyes were like a predator, they were sharp and piercing. This was Nero''s twin brother Namon

    "The king isn''t the only one who came back today. Looks like your hunt went well?" Nero asked as he and his brother stood in the distance conversing while watching the kid rekindle with the king.

    Namon vaguely acknowledged his brother''s question glancing at him briefly before looking back to the kids and the King.

    "While I was out hunting in the giant forest, I ran into him, Bjorn that is." He stated.

    "What was he doing?" Nero asked.

    "I don''t know. He was just sitting there, next to the big trees, with that same fragile boy he''s carrying. The only thing I knew when I looked into his eyes was that he was tired... extremely tired." Namon answered.

    A moment of silence went by.

    Nero added, "I assume it won''t be long before we find out why. A meeting between the three adults has been well overdue."

    The kids kept clinging onto Bjorn, squeezing him tight, despite the doubt everyone once had, the reassurance of their King had washed any of it away.

    "I told you guys! Bjorn would never leave us for dead!" Bo shouted with excitement, after hearing those words, Bjorn lifted his head and took one step back from the kids, all of them looking up into his eyes. As he glanced upon the 4 kids once more, he spoke softly as he stated one of each kid''s name, "Eira, Kirby, Leif, and my little brother Bo. I''ve missed you all so much." He couldn''t help but smile. However, right afterward he tilted his head down blankly staring at the grass, his face turned expressionless, and he kept walking towards the front door of the hut. Just before he could enter he called out the twins.

    "Namon, Nero. We need to talk."

    "Right!" The two marched over to the hut trailing Bjorn.

    The youthful excitement of this reunion was cut short. As Bjorn walked in through the door, the kids finally realized the child that was piggybacking Bjorn leaving them puzzled, "Who is he?" They wondered in unison.

    With a tone of authority, Nero directed Bo and the other kids, "You guys go play a game of tag won''t ya, this is a matter for adults." Disappointment clouded the children''s faces as Nero securely closed the door of the hut, relegating them outside the meeting space.

    "What''s up with those guys?" Lief questioned.

    "I''m not sure. But I''m just glad my brother is finally back, and now that our king is here we can move forward with our plans." Bo replied.

    In the hut, as the door closed on the kids, Bjorn rushed to one of the rooms, stating, "The kid needs to rest his head." As he laid the slave boy''s head down on one of the beds.

    Nero quickly scratched his intrigue on the boy, "About the child, who is he?"

    Taking a second to reply Bjorn gathered his thoughts, and replied, "He''s a slave. I found him a small village not too far from here. As for why he''s here, I asked him if he wanted to escape. and he told me "More than anything in this world."" The twins struggled to respond.

    "Now then, shall we talk?" Bjorn asked.

    The three sat themselves down around the long table of the hut. Nero opened the conversation, "It''s been some time since we''ve gotten together like this hasn''t it? Well, I think it''s only right to ask first, Bjorn how was your trip, find any place to get some nice jewelry, maybe even some lovely woman?" Nero leaned his shoulder in while raising an eyebrow.

    Cutting Nero off Namon firmly asked, "Enough with the small talk. Let''s get straight to it. Before you left to go on this "trip," you told us it would decide the future of our Tribe. So now that you''re here, what is it? What did you see? What is the future of our Tribe Bjorn?"

    The room atmosphere suddenly fell, Bjorn''s head tilted down and his tone carried disappointment as he expressed, "It''s all the same, both the Outlands and the outside world. It''s all repulsive." The room was silent until Bjorn added, "It seems my apprehensions have proven true. I fear..."

    "They say over 240 years ago back in the Outlands, the world had faced a war that was greater than any war in history, until our Tribe... No, our King Boad stepped in and ended it all.

    They called that war the Battle of Kalen Dale, which was the name of the Outlands at the time. A war that saw millions of lives lost, and at the peak of it all, our tribe had fallen victim to countless casualties as well, leading to our eventual fall from the top. However, despite the Tribe''s situation our King Boad, had risen above the controversy of the war, and in a dying sacrifice, he ended it all.

    From those final moments, Boad became recognized as the second-ever King of the Conquerors, a god amongst men, and the one who brought peace to a world of war. In his final words before passing, he declared, "To rise above all."

    That is what it takes to attain the power of King Conquerors. One man must rise above all of humanity. Ever since those words echoed across the land, the world plunged into a frenzy of power-seeking, territorial conquest, and chaos for this vague meaning he''s given. ''Chaos'' is the only term that fits the state of this world."

    Namon interjected sarcastically, "Thanks for the history lesson, but that''s not what we asked for. What does all this history talk of our tribe determine, what are you aiming to convey?" he inquired.

    Bjorn answered, "In the last month, during my journey in this foreign land, I now understand the chaos that has ensued since Boad''s death. The reaction to the death of a god, It''s chaos is all the same, just like the chaos that plagues the Outlands. My explorations unveiled a world just as grim as the one we escaped."

    Namon''s and Nero''s eyes had widened.

    Bjorn continued, "Women and children alike enslaved and abused by warriors like the child I brought back, rampant land raiding, death from starvation, hopeless families in a desperate search for a home, the list can go on and on. The world is simply just a mirror to that of the Outlands. The Turmoil persists

    The battle may be over for this tribe now, however my battles have just begun. This Ursus Tribe holds no more purpose for me and my goals. I must forge my own path."

    Namon''s seemed unphased. "It was only a matter of time, so ... you''re leaving aren''t you?" he calmly acknowledged.

    Meanwhile, Nero grieved tears streaming down his face. Though visibly infuriated, Namon tried to steady his emotions, muttering, "Come on... toughen up. We should have known this bastard would leave us."

    Standing near the door, Bo managed to catch snippets of the conversation inside the hut. Leif advised, "Bo, come on let''s go. What''s going on in there is none of our business."

    He waved off Leif''s words, As he kept his ears peeled and lingered against the door.

    "This can''t be true... right?"

    In the hut, Namon asked, "And what''s your purpose for leaving us?

    Bjorn stood to his feet and began explaining, "Every King and Warrior bears a purpose for their fight. I, too, have one. I only yearn for a world where peace reigns. The unending war I''ve witnessed throughout my life has consumed me. What is peace? That''s what I aim to uncover, regardless of the cost. And if this world cannot provide that peace I search for, then I will create it myself!"

    Namon clenched his fist tight, " Then let us help you! We made it out of the outlands together, I''m sure we can fight any battles the Outside world has to offer." he suggested, "No you guys have already fought enough. And for the kids, over the past year, they''ve watched their tribe fall from a mere 1000 members to an even worse 7. They may be great at hiding it, but that type of loss takes a toll no child should bear."

    Bjorn''s expression turned resolute. "I''ll forge this path on my own."

    Nero began sobbing, tears and snot running down his face, he questioned Bjorn, "Isn''t our Tribe good enough, Bjorn? We''ve always followed your lead, every command."

    Namon, his gaze icy, added, "This stupid dream you chase. It could even make you leave the only thing you have left. You and your little brother are the same, a pair of two dream-chasing idiots."

    Amidst the turmoil, Bjorn chuckled, acknowledging Namon''s insight. " You always knew me best Namon."

    Fed up with Bjorn''s decision, Namon got up, stating, "Alright. I''ve had enough of your bullshit I''m getting out of here. Come on Nero let''s leave" However, just before they could exit the room. kicking the front door of the hut wide open Bo stomped into the room.

    He was flustered, fists clenched and veins bulging as he shouted at his brother. "YOU''RE LEAVING?!!!" His emotions were raw. Eira, Leif, and Kirby turned their heads to the door, with their mouths dropped to the floor.

    Bo stormed into the room, intensely staring into the ocean blue eyes of Bjorn. "What are you talking about leaving Bjorn?!" he demanded.

    Despite Bo''s visible frustration, Bjorn remained calm insisting on his decisions. "I''ve pondered this already deeply, the path I have ahead of me strays from that of the Tribes. So I''m giving up my position and Bo... I want you to claim the role of the new King of the Ursus Tribe."

    "BO????!!"

    The declaration elicited cries of disbelief, from all the other 6 members inside and outside the hut was raised eyes and jaws dropped.

    And in the mind of the joyful child, who only believes in the one-sided ideas of his world, Bo the brother''s king could only utter one word.

    "Me?"

 Beginners Quest Chapter 2: KINGS PART 2

    KINGS PART 2

    Still in the Hut of the Ursus Tribe Camp was the intervention of Bo''s fury against his brother''s deliberate decisions.

    Bjorn''s unexpected decision left Bo incredulous, his tone was resolute, and his brows were scrunched into a frown. "Enough with your fa?ade already! I thought you''d never abandon the tribe until it''s been revived, isn''t that why we''ve fought all this time out of the Outlands?"

    Bjorn''s gaze met Bo''s. "I fought to embrace a world of enduring peace. But that true peace still eludes."

    "What''s this obsession with peace? Kings and warriors fight to strengthen their nation. Isn''t that the essence of a King''s purpose? Wasn''t that the plan all along?!" Bo raised his voice and clenched his fist.

    Bjorn''s smile was gentle, his words meaningful. "Bo, you still have so much you must learn to comprehend the essence of being the type of King you aspire to be, not every King and warrior shares the same purpose. In time, you will understand. Even for you, if you aspire to be the King of the Conquerors, you must rise above all and claim the kingship of not only your tribe but of the world. Imagine the magnitude of that dream. Are you certain you''re willing to dedicate yourself to it and capable of bearing that weight?"

    Bo''s frustration peaked, a vein bulging from his forehead, and eyes wide. He looked sharply into the eyes of Bjorn once more, and he could only see a crack of a smile gleaming from his brother''s face.

    He began marching his way out of the hut and away from the camp entirely, his steps resounding with anger. The rest of the Tribe only eyed him as he went on his way.

    "Bo, where are you going?" Kirby asked in a shy manner.

    "Away." Bo quickly responded before fully sprinting off into the giant trees pink-leafed trees of the strange forest.

    In the Hut Namon and Nero gazed at Bjorn once more before shutting the door on him and walking off, as well with the Leif Eira and Kirby.

    Leaving Bjorn sitting alone at the long table, his fake smile deceased as he began frowning, his forehead wrinkled and his palm clasped against his head. Finally, he thought,

    "My time here will see its end... tomorrow."

    In the strange forest, Bo found himself alone with his thoughts, reclined on one of the logs of the giant trees. His mind was puzzled.

    His purpose for leaving the camp was for introspection. "Only a coward leaves tribe high and dry. A real king would rally and build the Tribe alongside him." He laid himself back on the log, a simmering anger coursing through his bones.

    His mind began venturing into his past.

    During one of those memories, Bjorn had asked Bo a question a few years back, "So you want to be the King of the Conquerers huh? That''s a pretty tough task, so what makes you want to accomplish this?"

    Bo''s response seemed simplistic, "It''s because leading warriors and fighting in battles is cool! What else would be cooler than that?!"

    Suddenly Bjorn began laughing, and he kept going, he slapped his knee, held his stomach, and did anything else that resembled a laugh at something that was hysterical.

    "I didn''t think I made a joke?" Bo retorted.

    "Is that all?" Bjorn rhetorically asked, "Well I guess you''re still a kid at the end of the day, so I won''t blame you for your feeble thoughts. But come back to this question years from now and we''ll see if you have a real reason to reach this goal."

    Coming to the back to the present, as Bo idly sat on the log he contemplated his past beliefs. "I can admit Bjorn was right back then. My reason was childish, I can see that. But what about now? To revive our tribe, is this goal not a good enough reason to aim for the title of King of the Conquerors? Have I not aged since those days? I don''t understand what he means"

    "Is there some deeper meaning to being a king?" Silence enveloped his thoughts. He clenched his fist, his eyes were intense.

    He remained reclined on the log of the tree, immersed in his resolve until nightfall descended.

    As darkness settled, Kirby''s voice reached Bo in the woods, piercing his solitary reflection.

    "BO WHERE ARE YOU!" Kirby echoed.

    "Look up," Bo replied. Raising his head above, Kirby realized Bo lying on the tree log.

    "There you are! You''ve been out here forever. The tribes worried about you. Can''t you come back?"

    Bo was irresponsive looking off into the stars of the midnight sky. Kirby doubled down, "I know what''s happened with Bjorn is weighing a lot on you. But I think it would be best for you to rest your head."

    Bo kept looking aimlessly into the stars, his eyes squinted, he seemed puzzled, and spoke reflectively, "Look Kirby, These stars... are so high in the sky." Kirby tagged along, both of them now looking deep into the stars. Bo took a deep breath and pointed at the stars, continuing,

    "I''ve always wondered if someday I could touch one of those stars, maybe if learned how to fly or got a weapon that could grant me that power, maybe then I could touch a star. Kirby, do you think if I devoted my life and gave everything up to reach that star, I could do it?"

    "Well I''m not entirely sure. But I imagine if you gave everything up and devoted your life to finding a way to reach that star. It would become a lot easier." Kirby replied.

    Bo''s eyes widened, contemplating Kirby''s words he reached a decision. He rose from the log with newfound determination, stating. "Alright then! I know what I must do...I''ve got it figured out!" His eyes were fierce, and his expression was serious.

    "What?" Kirby wondered what Bo could''ve possibly could have concluded.

    Jumping off the log, Bo began sprinting back to the camp in new spirits, and Kirby followed yelling, "He wait up!"

    Bo''s tone held a fervent energy as he shouted, "TOMORROW I KNOW WHAT I MUST DO!" His determination was palpable, even if the specifics eluded Kirby. Bo was ready to face what lay ahead.

    Meanwhile, within the realm of dreams, Bjorn, on the eve of his departure from the Ursus Tribe, the king was traversing the troubled realities of his memories.

    At the night''s peak, Bjorn''s mind had sunk deep into the depths of his past.

    The reel of nightmares or rather his haunted past flickered, casting light on moments etched deeply into Bjorn''s mind.

    He remembered the pouring river from his eyes, and the despairing echoes from his mother as the tragic news came about from a stressed warrior.

    "Your Father, no... the King has fallen! In a great battle, he was slain. He fought to the death and will be honored forever." The news could leave the 13-year-old Bjorn distraught, he kept whipping his arms across his eyes but his tears kept flowing like a river. The man of his life and the only person who could shield him from the horrors of this world, is gone forever.

    His mind continued wandering to other moments of his life, the birthing room, where he stood by his mother''s side, watching as his younger brother Bo was brought into the world. Amidst the chaos and strife of the Outlands, the beauty of seeing his own brother brought into this world could only spark a new dream.

    He clenched his fist, asserting as he looked into the eyes of his newborn brother, "I''ll find peace. If it exists I''ll find it... I swear."

    However, a significant chapter disrupted this flow, reframing his destiny. Bjorn''s memories rewound to the day when a man emerged at the door of his small wooden hut home, urging shocking news to Bjorn and his mother,

    "Due to the passing of your father, there is now a hole in our Tribe that needs to be filled as soon as possible. Starting from today Bjorn you will take the crown and be announced as the new King of the Ursus Tribe!"

    This abrupt shift propelled him into a position of leadership at the age of twelve. Something his tender mind was not ready to handle.

    His mind continued wandering from this juncture, new companions entering his life like Namon, and Nero. He would spend the next 14 years fighting battles with his tribe and leading them to victories. Over those years he went from a mere child who could barely command his men. To a true leader and King of his tribe.

    The path of training led to an ascension of strength, positioning Bjorn at the pinnacle of the Ursus Tribe. In the 14th year of his kingship, he guided the Ursus Army, channeling their collective might towards a single purpose, declaring to both Namon and Nero his ambitions.

    "I want to see the outside world, the world where peace remains abundant." He knelt before them. "Bare with me and my selfish wish, I beg you two and the rest of this tribe we have... to ride with me through hell and escape this wretched Outlands. So I can achieve this dream."The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Both Nero and Namon looked at each other before stating, "If it is your wish, then as the king''s warriors, we will help you achieve it."

    This marked a pivotal turning point in his life, a determination to break free from the Outlands'' cycle of chaos. Yet, the journey was flooded with nothing but death and agony. Every loss exacted a toll, every life taken bearing its weight upon his conscience. The cost of his command became a grim reality, and despite the pain, the vision of peace remained tantalizingly close.

    With this hell he had asked his tribe to follow him through, the guilty conscience made his resolve solidified; the pursuit of peace transcended mere ambition, morphing into an unwavering necessity. Something he must obtain by any means.

    <hr>

    Coming back to the present, the following day had arrived. In the hut of the Ursus Tribe camp stirring from his slumber, Bo roused himself in the early light, he rubbed his creased eyes and scanned his surroundings as he hit a morning stretch, as his eyes searched around the hut a realization dawned upon him: "He''s not here!" A resolute determination coursed through Bo''s veins, prompting his declaration, "The time has come."

    Swiftly, Bo jolted outside busting straight through the doors of the hut, before him was the small green grass field that surrounded the camp, past the field were the giant pink and purple leafed trees of the forest, and a gentle embrace of sunrise bathing the camp in a soft golden glow.

    From a distance covered in the sun''s glow was a figure moving further away by the march. Bo''s steps carried him towards the distant figure, finally reaching a point where the figure became clearer. He began sprinting, and let out a cry,

    "BJORN!!!"

    Turning to face the approaching Bo, Bjorn met his brother''s sharp eyes, grinding teeth, and popping veins with an expressionless demeanor. Bo''s anger couldn''t even trigger Bjorn to blink once. His voice rang out once more, shouting, "I WON''T LET YOU LEAVE!"

    In response, Bjorn''s lips curled slightly, forming a subtle smile, "Why''s that?"

    Bo''s response was swift pointing his finger at Bjorn, "I propose to you a duel. If I defeat you, you''ll have your freedom to leave. But should I emerge victorious, you must remain as the King of the Tribe."

    Bjorn looked off Bo with eyes blanker than a sheet of paper, "Haha well I''ll be off now." He replied chuckling as he continued marching away completely disregarding Bo''s proposal.

    "BJORNN!!!" Bo shouted with all his might, causing Bjorn to halt once more.

    As he looked back at his younger brother the fire in Bo''s eyes extinguished any doubt of his seriousness and his fists were clinched together tightly. Observing him, Bjorn''s inner thoughts revealed his assessment of Bo''s resolute determination, "His eyes... They Tell it all. He means this."

    Bo thought, "I don''t care if he''s stronger than me! I''ll win this fight. I''ll make him stay even if I have to force him to." Unspoken vows coursed through his being, igniting an unyielding resolve.

    "Behind all that anger, I feel some level of uncertainty, okay sure you''re serious about stopping me from leaving. But for what reason?" Bjorn asked.

    Suddenly Flailing out from his hood was his hand tossing a weapon to Bo. It was a classical-looking Hammer with a wide head and thin handle. What stood out was its head''s design. It was smooth around the edges and was made with a strange foreign material. It had a strange green, blue, and yellow tint to it, making it unique from the average hammer. The Hammer looked more like it was made for design than putting it to use.

    Catching the Hammer the unexpected gesture left Bo momentarily surprised, his voice tinged with curiosity, "What''s this for?"

    Bjorn''s reply was deliberate and purposeful, "I wanted to give you a weapon to aid your role as the new King. This Mantle is known as Materia, A Mantle that''s been passed down from king to king for generations. Think of it as a passing of the torch, from one king to another."

    "And with that, I now pass Materia on to you."

    As the Mantle changed hands, an ethereal aura enveloped the scene, casting a radiant golden glow that bore witness to the mantle''s transfer. Yet, Bo''s focus was fixed on the battle that lay ahead, overshadowing the magic that surrounded him.

    Guiding Bo''s attention back to the matter at hand, Bjorn shared insights about Materia''s "This Hammer you hold is real helpful, it can manipulate all non-organic matter. However... because you have just acquired this Mantle it might not be immediately usable."

    With resolve ablaze, Bo''s declaration carried a tinge of defiance,

    "You can keep it, I don''t need this Mantle."

    "I''ll ask again. The uncertainty you''ve been showing doesn''t make much sense to me. Your dream is to become the King of the Conquerors, yet when presented with your biggest step to making that dream a reality, you run from it and even challenge me to come back. Why?" Bjorn Asked.

    Bo had halted his anger, he opened his mouth yet no words could come out.

    "Well, If you won''t answer, then think I have the answer for you. Bo, you are afraid. You''re afraid of making mistakes, you''re afraid of your own dream, and you''re afraid that you don''t know what it means to be a king."

    Bo''s eyes were raised with worry, and he looked down in shame. His inner doubts were finally coming to life through Bjorn''s words.

    "Fine, since you''re too afraid to accept your role as the king, then I''ll make you accept it. I accept your challenge to duel. Whoever falls first loses."

    He reached his hand into his hood to draw his weapon, but before he could Bo snapped out of his shock,

    "Wait." He asked

    The scene shifted into silence, a pregnant pause broken as Bo looked at his hand holding the mantle Materia clinching his fist harder, "I''ll admit it, I don''t fully understand all this king stuff yet. I want to become stronger and help this tribe however I can, but I never saw myself taking that next step to my dream in this manner any time soon, I just don''t think I''m ready yet. Before we fight... I want to understand... what it takes to be a king, what is it that you know that I don''t?" The silence that followed was laden with unspoken thoughts until Bjorn''s answer broke its stillness.

    He probed Bo''s convictions with a chilling question, "Bo what are you willing to sacrifice to fulfill your dream? Is it the tribe, is it your morals, is it your innocence? Do you know what it takes to obtain power? To conquer a land?

    In this world a free man who strives to achieve his dream is also a slave to it so he can reach the level of achievement he hopes for. He sacrifices whatever it takes to achieve these dreams.

    I to remain a slave to my goals. I killed innocent people, conquered land, and rode my own people to death. I''m not saying that it was the right thing to do, but if I hadn''t done these things, I would have never moved closer to my dream. This is all to reach my goal... to achieve peace. And I still haven''t achieved it yet, I thought I could once we made it out. But that was only the beginning."

    Bo''s eyes were wide, his bones were shaking, and a creeping feeling of distrust grew within him. The chilling reality of this revelation left Bo in shock, confronted with the reality of what it meant to ascend to the throne.

    "You see Bo a king is no different from an ambitious free man, me, you, and all those who dream must accept that thing must be lost to ascend. And for you who dreams greater than all, I''m certain your sacrifice will even surpass mine... But that''s fine because that''s what it takes to be a king."

    Bo''s widened eyes started narrowing down, and he tilted his head down and spoke softly.

    "You''re wrong. I don''t know what type of twisted meaning you''ve created for yourself, but I don''t believe you or anything you''ve said." He began to shout. "I won''t become you! I won''t sacrifice this tribe! I won''t sacrifice my morals or anything else that goes against who I am! I''ll become the King of the Conquerors, not a slave! So just draw your sword!"

    "Hmm You really are greedy."

    Bjorn took one final deep breath.

    The wind began to stir, blowing pink and purple leaves to dance around the two brothers as they stood off across each other. The two locked in a silent confrontation a visual embodiment of their conflicting ideals. Both represent a different interpretation of kingship, be it Bo''s desire to chase his dreams without sacrificing his values or Bjorn''s belief that kingship requires relentless sacrifice.

    What does it mean to be a King?

    The impending duel materialized as Bjorn dug into his hood and unveiled his mantle, it was a blade sparking with a cascade of brilliant pink, yellow, and orange flames encapsulating the surrounding environment. It''s known as Helios.

    "I won''t hold back on you!" He yelled

    He began sprinting toward Bo. Noticing Bjorn sprint, Bo had to prepare himself holding Materia up to cover off the incoming attack. However, with each step Bjorn inched closer, Bo realized the immense power his brother possessed. An aura of a blinding light casting around Bjorn like a stroke of lighting.

    At this moment Bo thought, "I''m too weak... no. He''s just way too strong!"

    In one fell swoop, Bjorn had sliced across his brother''s chest in seconds Bo dropping to the floor.

    His blade found its mark on Bo''s chest, leaving behind a deep wound. Bo was bloodied and laid out on the floor, he kept taking heavy breaths, gasping for some air. Finally, a tear began to fall his face started to scrunch. He slammed his fist to the floor yelling,

    "DAMMMIT!"

    The truth of Bjorn''s departure was finally settling upon him. Not even looking back Bjron kept on marching away from the camp as if nothing happened.

    Lying on the ground with blood staining his chest, Bo had felt a wave of conviction course through him as he watched Bjorn walk away.

    He thought, "That''s it, he''s gone. I have to stick up to my word right? I can''t just sit here and pout, I need to move on."

    He shouted out to Bjorn, his voice echoing, "BJORN! LISTEN UP ALRIGHT!" Hearing Bo''s words he came to a halt.

    "I may not understand anything about what it means to truly be a king. And maybe I''m still the dumb ambitious kid I was all those years ago, but I will promise you this before you leave. As the new King of the Ursus Tribe, I will revive our name across the entire world, AND BECOME THE NEXT KING OF THE CONQUERORS!! DO YOU HEAR ME!!"

    Bjorn swooped the hoodie over his head replying, "Then keep moving toward your goal and growing, even if your naive mind is the death of you. After the storm, whether right or wrong come back to me and tell me the result of your dream."

    He kept marching away from the camp until he faded into the giant forest trees unable to be seen again.

    After Bjorn''s departure, Bo could barely even keep conscious. His body had finally given and he had knocked out.

    He remained dazed on the grass for hours with his deep wounds until Leif, Kirby, and Eira awoke and found him there, surprisingly content despite Bjorn''s absence. Concerned, they rushed over to see Bo, only to notice blood staining his chest.

    They spoke in unison, "What the hell happened to you!?"

    But he brushed it off shrugging both his shoulders.

    "Nothing much." He answered as he jumped off the ground.

    "Bjorn''s gone and he''s not coming back. Leif, you were right yesterday, It''s time we take action to achieve our goals. So starting from today we don''t look back."

    "Took you long enough to realize I was right ya idiot," Leif replied

    "Yeah alright." Bo shrugged him off. He then grabbed Materia from the floor making the rest of the group shift their attention to it. "Hey look at this, a Mantle handed down by my brother. Nifty isn''t it?"

    Eira, skeptical, asked, "It''s Materia isn''t it."

    "Right, it is. The mantle that declares a passing of the torch, and it is now mine. Meaning..."

    Bo stood off looking into the sky with his finger pointed up and declared, "As the new leader of the Ursus Tribe, I expect everyone to heed my commands. My First order I''m giving you all is to attend to these wounds."

    His demand had left Leif, Kirby, and Eira with puzzled faces as they went on about their day, seemingly ignoring his words and even chuckling. Leaving Bo with raised brows and meaningless words.

    Not too far away standing at the door the twins Namon and Nero overheard Bo''s demands. Nero asking,

    "Does he really think this is how being a king works?"

    "Bjorn really left him as our leader? how in the world are we following this kid''s orders? Yup, we''re screwed..."

 Beginners Quest Chapter 3: The Greedy

    The Greedy

    It had been 3 days since Bjorn''s departure, leaving Bo with the mantle of Materia. The Ursus Tribe was nestled in their camp amid the pink and purple-leafed forest, a haven within the heart of nature.

    Bo gazed at the ocean blue sky, with his brown hair flickering in the gently in the calm wind. He pondered, "To reach my goal, I need strength, and this mantle Materia can give me that. But for some reason, it''s still not working. I know Bjorn said it wouldn''t be able to work right away, but it''s been 3 days now."

    "I mean I''ve tried everything."

    He thought of the unfolded persistent attempts he made to activate Materia''s powers. Ranging from praying, trying voodoo, hitting it against a wall, and even outright begging for it to work, the days had been marked by countless attempts, and each one met with failure. Frustration had grown within him as he clasped his hand around Materia staring into it intensely.

    "Maybe this stupid hammer won''t ever work. I''ll give it one more try, but this time I''ll need someone smart to help do it. I can''t do this on my own."

    Leading himself to the wooden front door of the stone-made Hut for help, Bo busted through the curtains leading to one of the member''s rooms and sparked a conversation, "Kirby, you''re the only one I know who''s smart enough to decipher the mystery of activating Materia. Can you help me activate it?"

    "Uh... well, I can give it a try I guess." He scratched his head anxiously

    "Great! Now it''s not easy, I''ve pretty much tried everything I could and yet it still won''t budge. But I''m sure with your brains and my persistence we can get it done."

    Under Kirby''s guidance, Bo embarked on a series of outlandish attempts to activate Materia, showcasing their determination but yielding no results once again. The Ursus Camp bustled with their efforts, yet the desired outcome remained elusive.

    Meanwhile Outside the camp, just before the forest Leif engaged in his daily rigorous training, cutting down trees with his sword and working out with exercises like push-ups and burpees. He shouted as he struggled his way to his last pushup, "ONE THOUSAND!"

    He stood himself up and sat on the floor, "I can still be better, someone out there is doing 1000 pushups without breaking a sweat." His face was scrunched.

    From a distance just slightly into the forest, he heard trees collapsing to the ground. Multiple at once. He became curious picking himself and began treading to the sound of the falling giant trees.

    As he finally made it to the source of the noise, before him was Eira cutting multiple giant forest trees at once with mere knives. He quickly hid behind a bush and observed her physical prowess, his eyes were wide.

    "Who would''ve thought she had some strength to her." He thought.

    Just before Eira was about to cut down another tree, she froze.

    "You know you said that out loud right? You should work on keeping your thoughts in your head. Just come out and show yourself." She turned towards the bush.

    Leif emerged from the bush saying, "Pretty good cutting skills, for some trashy knives."

    "Well, I''ve been fighting on the battlefields for some time now. Since the age of 7 back in the Outlands, I''d hope there''s something I learned in that time. Out of us four kids left, the only person stronger than me is probably Bo, even then I could still give him a good fight." She replied.

    "Don''t be too quick to count me out!" Leif yelled.

    "Yeah... right." She continued as she cut the tree down causing a rumble on the floor. Leif was surprised as he took one step back.

    Leif continued to observe before asking another question, "Why do you train anyway?"

    Eira came to a halt. He continued, "Usually warriors fight to either serve their Tribe or for their own goals. And to me, you''ve never struck me as someone who''s motivated by anything really. Just always dismissive and bitching about something."

    "I''m surprised you even know what the word dismissive means." She rebutted. She stood quiet for a few seconds before speaking once again.

    "I''ll tell you this. Your wrong... I serve both this Tribe and my goals." Leif fell silent, and Eira added, "I do have a goal, I do have a purpose even if it''s little it exists; it''s just none of you know what it is."

    Coming back to Bo and Kirby at the campfire of the Ursus Camp, both of them sat along the logs circling the warmth of the fire.

    In the midst of the fir was Materia covered under an abundance of wood.

    "You know what they say, voodoo is done best around a fire," Bo stated.

    "Uh, I don''t think anyone has ever said that. Actually I''m pretty sure this is the first step to burning this whole camp to a bliss." Kirby rebutted.

    "We''ll be fine, there''s a first time for everything. If Materia can''t activate after this, then there''s no way it ever will."

    Stepping out of the forest, Leif marched over to Bo and Kirby, asking, "You guys still going at it? Come on Bo, I already told you Bjorn gave you a prop hammer."

    "Oh shut up. I know you didn''t stop your training for nothing. What do you want, is to spar and lose again?" Bo replied.

    "Actually, no." He stood quiet, reflecting his tone he became more serious. "I actually wanted to ask you something."

    "Hmm?" Bo replied.

    The three boys Bo Leif and Kirby were sat around the campfire, and an awkward tension was clouding the area. Breaking the tension Bo asked.

    Shortly after a few moments, the three boys were still sitting down around the campfire with all three of them looking down, and their heads were fully tilted towards the fire. Despite the warmth of the fire, the atmosphere of the camp had turned cold.

    From a distance stepping out from the camp''s hut was Nero and Namon. Nero began marching toward the fire, his face had sparked with curiosity.

    "Why the long faces, is this all because of Materia?" He looked towards the kids yet their heads were still faced down.

    He continued attempting to cheer them up. "Hey look, how about I tell you about the time I was able to activate a mantle and use its magical powers. It was long ago..."

    "We don''t have time for this," Namon yelled, he firmly gripped Nero by the collar and dragged him away from the 3 boys.

    "Wait where are you two going!?" The 3 boys asked, with their heads suddenly raised.

    "We''re going hunting, the camp''s running low on food because you guys eat like pigs," Namon answered.

    Nero asked, "Can''t we stay back just a little longer?"

    "We have to leave now there''s no debating it."

    Namon kept marching off with Nero, and as the two kept fading further away, Nero quickly blurted once more.

    "Sticks boys, you guys need more sticks! Toss them into the fire on top of Materia and poof like magic Materia will be fine and dandy!"

    Bo, Leif, and Kirby looked at each other with unimpressed faces wondering if they should trust his word.

    Just before Namon and Nero would vanish into the deep forest, Namon had come to a full halt and turned back to Bo, Leif, and Kirby.

    He stated, "Since were gone, rightfully as the new "King" or whatever your brother claimed you to be. Bo, you''re in charge of the camp until we come back, alright?"

    Bo''s eyes opened, and a sense of realization coursed through his body. he stood at once precisely shouting out, "RIGHT!!"

    Finally, Namon and Nero had gone off into the deep pink and purple-leafed forest until they vanished from the camp''s scenery.

    "Well, it''s just us now." Said Lief,

    "We might as well continue trying to fix Matiera." Bo insisted.

    "But how? We still don''t have any answers." Kirby rebutted.

    "Well, it won''t hurt to try Nero''s advice right? After all, we are out of ideas."

    Leif stood himself up on his two feet and chimed in, "Well you guys can keep trying to figure that stupid prop weapon out. After today''s workout, I think I deserve a little break. Just 10 minutes to myself, now where''s my bed."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    He walked into the hut with his arms rocking at the back of his head.

    Bo laid back on the log surrounding the campfire, staring deeply into the fire once again. "It''s you and my Kirby."

    Suddenly, from behind both Bo and Kirby a person''s voice emerged from the woods.

    "You forgot one other person." The voice eluded.

    The two boys turned their heads directly behind them, their eyes widened as they noticed who had emerged from the deep forests, it was Eira. Her hair was swiveling in the wind as if it were a kite.

    She kept walking towards the two. Saying, "I think it''s best to lock off the camp and stay inside the hut until Namon and Nero come back."

    "But what about the voodoo we''re doing? We need the camp for it?" Bo rebutted, waving his right hand against his chest seeming puzzled.

    "Our safety is most important, if we stay in the hut the likelihood of us being loud enough to be noticed by others is much slimmer... and this voodoo crap Nero has you guys doing doesn''t actually work. Didn''t I already show you guys that man is full of shit?"

    "Well it''s worth the try, we''re out of ideas. Right, Kirby?" Bo dug his shoulder into Kirby''s and nodded his head to influence his answer.

    Kirby coughed before answering, "Yeah Eira, Bo''s right."

    Eira rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and looked off into the blue sky, "I must be the only one in the camp with a brain right now."

    As Bo, Eira, and Kirby had continued arguing by the campfire. Inside the hut of the tribe, Leif was in quick need of rest. He sluggishly threw his two swords once he kicked himself through the front door, his back started hunching as he slowly approached his room with the though salivating thought of sleep.

    Finally, he pulled the curtains to his room, and before him was a frail-looking boy with a slight build, his eyes were blue with ginger hair. His hair was flowing down to his waist yet it looked like it''d never been washed a day in his life, not only for his hair but his entire body seemed dirty frail, and wounded. He had bandages patched from head to toe and wore a small bush skirt that could only cover his private areas. He took one step back in shock at Leif

    Leif''s eyes had fully opened wide, as he fixed his posture back up standing straight again. He thought, "It''s the boy Bjorn came back with before leaving. So he''s actually alive huh."

    The boy''s eyes scowled across the room, though he seemed barely conscious he was still aware that the Ursus Hut was foreign to him.

    He spoke softly, "Where am I?"

    He looked at Leif once again with greater detail, his eyes searching him from head to toe, he assumed, "He must be a warrior."

    He then dropped to his knees, closed his eyes, and clasped his hands together as if he were praying, saying. "Sir please don''t hurt me I won''t try running again! I promise"

    "The hell''s with this kid?" Leif thought. he looked off the fragile boy.

    "Relax buddy, no one is here to hurt you."

    The fragile boy''s eyes opened up, he was surprised to hear those words from Leif.

    "All you need to do is stay your butt in this room. I''ll be back." Leif quickly sprinted out of the hut busting through the front door.

    Both Bo and Eira were still arguing against each other, trying to assert their might over one another for seemingly little reason. However, in one moment the two''s bickering would come to an instant halt.

    "YOU GUYS MIND CHECKING THIS OUT?!" Leif shouted as loud as he could.

    Bo, Eira, and Kirby''s heads all shifted to the hut at once.

    Leif shouted once again, "YOU HEARD ME THE KID BJORN LEFT HERE IS AWAKE!"

    In the Hut of the Tribe, the four kids Bo, Leif, Eira, and Kirby all stood in front of Leif''s room, pushing the curtain that covered the entrance aside. Inside the room sitting on the edge of the fur mattress that laid on top of a pile of rubble was the fragile boy, and before him, the 4 kids stood upon him as if they were shadows. The boy was visibly worried about what could happen next.

    The four kids were left with puzzled faces, they couldn''t even grasp where to start questioning the fragile boy.

    Kirby stated, "He''s been knocked out for at least the last 3 since he got here, and those bandages wrapped all across his body, could he really be hurt from head to toe?"

    Examining the fragile boy, Bo thought, "Well, He looks really beat up to me, even if it''s slight his face is definitely swollen."

    Bo leaned himself closer meeting the boy staring eye to eye, he inquired, "Do you have a name?"

    The boy, struggling to utter words, managed to weakly say, "Yes. my name... is Feng." He quickly looked and broke eye contact with Bo.

    "Feng, do you know why you were dropped off here?"

    Feng began panicking, he started blurting out his worries, "I don''t know! Actually I have to go back there! I Should leave. But if I do go back I''m in trouble, oh what can I do? It''s over, it''s all over!" His thoughts were moving quicker than his word, he put his hand against his head and his eyes were wide.

    The four kids looked at each other skeptically. Kirby whispered, "What do we do with him?"

    Suddenly, in the midst of Feng''s panic attack, Bo laid his hand on his shoulder gently. He looked him deeply in the eyes with a gentle smile, "Calm down, you''re okay. Let''s start from the top, what did you last remember before waking up?"

    Feng''s anxiety eased down, and his pulse and arms relaxed. He began pondering, before explaining.

    "There were 5 of them, beating me as usual... and everyone was laughing... all those people pointed at me. I was hurt, I couldn''t do anything about it... they were just too strong."

    His eyes widened and his bones shook, "But that man, yes with the long hat and brown hood. I could barely see him, I closed my eyes for a moment, and all those who were beating me, and laughing at me... were gone. The entire town had died at once..."

    Bo, Leif, Eira, and Feng were bodies started quivering, their eyes open as if they were a Grand Canyon. Kirby covered his mouth.

    "The only person who stood in the abyss of blood was the brown-hooded man. That''s all I can remember before fainting."

    The four kids stood frozen, all of them speechless, they tried wrapping their heads around what they had heard.

    Breaking the silence, Kirby exclaimed, "That brown hooded man, it can''t be..."

    "But it is, that man was definitely Bjorn!" Bo replied, folding his arms, his eyes where were low.

    Eira pondered, contemplating why the boy seemed so battered. Suspicious, she stated, "This kid can only be bad news."

    Everyones head''s turned toward Eira. She continued, "If what he''s saying is true. Then that means this situation can only get worse. You don''t just get away with killing an entire town. Naturally, someone will come searching for who did it. It''s best he leaves before someone finds this camp."

    Bo retaliated with an aggressive tone, "We can''t just leave him for dead out there! Where can he go to if he leaves the camp then huh?"

    "That''s not the point, kicking him from the camp falls in line with the same reason why I said we should lock ourselves inside the Hut. While Nero and Namon are gone we are most vulnerable. So we have to make sure we do anything to prevent ourselves from being someone''s prey. It''s just common sense, but I guess it''s not common with you 3."

    Bo was troubled, he clenched his fist and his mind recalled a moment from when he confronted Bjorn. " Bo, what are you willing to sacrifice to fulfill your dream? Is it the tribe, is it your morals, is it your innocence?" Bjorn stated back then.

    Finally, Bo had come to a conclusion, he firmly addressed Eira, "Namon and Nero left me in charge of the camp, so my decision is final. Feng stays here." He pointed to the floor.

    " You guys can''t possibly agree with this right? Leif? Kirby? Say something!" Eira demanded, yet no one could second her opinions.

    "Oh right I forgot, I''m the only one in the camp right now with a brain. Leif''s an idiot too, and Kirby''s too scared to ever say something. I''ll be outside since we''re not using our heads."

    She stormed out of the hut in a blaze of furry. Her frustration seeped through every step.

    The hut had fallen so silent you could hear a pin drop. However, the boys seemed unphased by Eira''s frustration.

    "There she goes again bitching." Leif remarked.

    Bo switched the tone of the room shifting the conversation, "We didn''t even get to introduce ourselves properly to Feng."

    Bo shifted his attention to Feng, "I''m Bo, these two are Leif and Kirby. Why don''t we set some games up to let our minds rest for once? I''m sure Feng would like that."

    Feng slightly grinned, hinting at a spark of comfort.

    The three boys and Feng would go on for hours playing a slue of childish games to ease their minds and get acquainted until the sun blazed. However, on the top of the Ursus Hut, sitting next to the Ursus flag marked with the brown bear and blue base was Eira. She was carefully watching the sunset. She seemed to have found solace in the beauty of the view just before the blazing sun was the abundance of the giant pink and purple trees complimenting it, and chirping birds soaring through the sky.

    She pondered, by herself, "It''s been hours, Namon and Nero should''ve come back by now. We need them... just in case."

    As she kept looking at the pink and purple leaves, she noticed that some of them had started turning grey. In mere moments More leaves started followed suit, grey leaves turning into ashes one buying all edging closer to the Ursus camp by the minute. Disturbed animal cries echoed through the forest, mingling with the sounds of men charging toward the camp.

    Her eyes became wide, and her suspicion had turned into panic. She quickly jumped off the Hut''s roof, assessing herself she thought, "What''s going on."

    Meanwhile, in the Hut the three boys and Feng were engrossed in their games.

    Kirby suggested he was laughing with joy, "Let''s play a game of charades." He continued, "Let me go first."

    He began poking his hands out from the back of his head mimicking something of a deer. Both Bo and Leif began hysterically laughing,

    "Come on Kirby that''s too easy! It''s obviously a deer."

    However amidst the joy of the boys, Feng was completely frozen, he stared as if he saw a man die just in front of him. But what he was just staring at Kirby''s mimicry disturbed.

    Kirby, noticing Feng''s unease, asked, "Is something wrong."

    All Feng could muster was, "They''re coming. The Jutonn... Is coming."

    Eira, wide-eyed and panicking, burst through the hut''s door, shouting at the top of her lungs, "WE GOT PEOPLE COMING STRAIGHT FOR US!!"

    As she flung the door open, the storm that was quickly emerging from the woods, forcefully broke through the door tossing her aside and trampling over her Eira in their path. Bo, Leif, and Kirby''s bodies were shook with chills running down their spine, and sweating profusely. Feng quickly through himself behind Bo.

    Just before them was a hurd of warriors each dressed in half burgundy and brown fur cloaks, with iron boots alike. The same clothes those 5 warriors that were beating Feng wore.

    Amongst the hurd one of the warriors strides forward, he wore a similar uniform as the rest however his cloak was fully burgundy. He was fair-skinned, with stark brown hair, a wacky combover, and a bushy mustache. He addressed Bo in a sarcastic manner, "It seems like the cape on your back resembles the flag on top of your hut, so you must be the leader here I assume? So Leader my name is Joar, as you can see my men are weary, and we need that kid behind you. So, if you wouldn''t mind..."

    Leif glanced at Bo, who was too stunned to respond. Leif''s anger was apparent, veins popping through his forehead as he looked at Eira who was being stood over by dozens of the warriors before them. He grabbed his two blades from his room and lunged at the enemy, shouting, "No one treats a member of the Tribe like that! "

    However, his attempt to attack was halted by Bo''s urgent plea, "Leif Hold on!"

    He thought, "We''re way too outnumbered to be engaging in a fight. Also, Namon and Nero are still out there hunting." He clenched his fist asking himself, "What can we do."

    Suddenly popping out from behind Bo, Feng smiled wryly and remarked, "It seems I''ve been caught again. A slave should know they can never escape, right?"

    Joar, who seemed to be the apparent leader, responded, "Yes! At least the stupid slave understands. I''ll be taking the kid now."

    Bo observed Feng inching ever so closely to Joar and his hurd of warriors, grappling with an unfamiliar emotion. He looked down and closed his eyes pondering, "It''s best I probably leave him be right? Just let him go back to those men and make sure the tribe is safe. But what type of person would I be to let him just go back to these people? I get it I hardly know this kid, we just shared names only a few hours ago, and he adds nothing to my tribe or my goals, but there''s more to this life than those things, there just is!"

    Bo looked around the room once more and thought, "So this is what Bjorn meant huh? It''s either one slave or my Tribe. I''m sorry everyone... but I really am greedy."

    Bo lifted his head and pointed at Feng, "Feng... do you want to go with these men?"

    Feng halted, his steps faltering as if a burden lifted, and he released the inner pain he had been holding back. With tears flowing down his eyes like a river, he exclaimed, "NO! I NEVER WANT TO BE TAKEN AGAIN"

    Bo smirked and folded his arms, finally coming to a firm decision, declaring, "Alright... let''s handle this then."

 Beginners Quest Chapter 4: A Clash of Will

    A Clash of Will

    The sun blazed, casting over the pink and purple-leaved forest. A heavy wind blew across the Ursus Tribe camp. Inside the camp hut, tensions were high as Bo and Leif stood their ground with folded arms before Joar and his herd of warriors in front of the huts busted open doors.

    Amongst the pack of warriors, a man from Joar''s group spoke. His eyes were wide, and he didn��t blink once. He goaded Joar, "Hey, boss, let''s just beat the kid up. What��s he gonna do about it?" His knuckles cracked.

    Joar''s right eye began twitching as if he were a bug, he clenched his fist.

    "You might be right!�� He replied.

    He looked towards Bo and continued, ��Listen. I don��t want to keep King Ignerous waiting because of some kid. So it''s either you hand over Feng and avoid anyone getting hurt, or I wipe out everyone here. Choose your poison child."

    Forced into a dilemma he had no choice but to either double down on his decision or prioritize the Ursus tribe��s safety. He tilted his head but raised it back up quickly, he spoke firmly as he raised his hand pointing directly at Joar. "I could give a damn about you or your king. I can see your ill intentions just by the look of your face. Feng has decided what he wants, so he��s staying with us!"

    Joar��s head began flustering, veins bulging through his skull before easing them down again. He looked around the hut, and kept his head down, he snarled, "Very well. You''ve chosen death." He turned to his eager companions, bloodthirsty and ready for a fight.

    "Have fun with them!" He said.

    Amidst the mounting tension, Bo took a deep breath, his heart was pumping through his chest, and sweat was falling down his face profusely. His mind began racing to formulate a plan. His voice cut through the charged atmosphere as he began issuing orders, "Leif, take Eira and get out of here! Kirby, you do the same with Feng! I''ll handle the rest!"

    Leif turned his head towards Bo with raised eyebrows as he drew his two swords. He questioned Bo, thinking, "What the hell��s this guy talking about!? He thinks he can take them all on his own!?" His brow arched as irradiance etched across his face, He looked off Bo as he stared deep into the storm of the opposing herd,

    Taking one deep breath before jolting headfirst into them.

    Bo''s gaze never wavered from Joar as he began speaking to Kirby, "Well you understand what this means, Kirby. It''s just me and you now." He turned his head back to Kirby and noticed he had already fled the scene.

    "What! Where did he go?" Bo��s octaves became shaky, his voice shifting, recognizing that he��s now left isolated as he initially planned. He immediately turned his head back in place, shifting his attention back to Joar.

    The only thing he could see was Joars wide fist buried into his face, launching him across the hut and crashing through the interior walls.

    His body lying outside on the grass with the blazing sun looking down on him. He noticed Kirby escaping the camp and running to a nearby bush.  He began slowly picking himself back to his feet, feeling every fiber of impact Joars fist packed.

    Noticing Joar inching closer to him by the step, He thought, "He��s clearly stronger than me. So I can''t challenge him directly."

    He mused, "But strength isn��t the deciding factor. I need to find a weakness, some vulnerability."

    Coming to a halt Joar shadowed over him with the sunn bathing over the camp and began chuckling. His shadow appeared 10 times the size he was.

    ��Look at you cowardice, scared. I tried to warn you, but now it��s too late�� Your death has already started!!�� Joar exclaimed.

    A piercing gust of wind blew strikes at Bo coming directly from Joars arm. Before Bo''s mind could even process the fast-approaching wind he launched himself out of the way, managing to evade it.

    ��What the hell was that? The speed of that wind couldn��t possibly have come from him�� Right!?��

    As Bo turned his head he could see the devastation that Joar��s one single swing could cause. Dozens of trees were cut in half like scissors chopping paper, the damage that was left was nothing short of inhumane.

    ��You can��t run forever. This is the Jutonn Fang, a power made for speed! A wind made to cut the weak. Let��s see if your legs can move faster than my wind.��

    He began raising his arm to the sky, un-balling his fist revealing his razor-sharp and long nails. His nails alone could pierce like a knife. He wiped his arms down with inhumane speed as if his arms had become a sword, once again the Jutonn Fang sent a piercing wind that Bo could only dodge by a hair.

    Bo assessed in his head, ��This ability he has is definitely killer, if even one of those supposed ��Jutonn Fangs�� hit me directly I��ll be completely wiped out. But to slash a wind so sharp it could only mean he��s using a ton of energy. The fatigue has to get to him at some point.�� This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    His eyes widened, ��Another one!��

    He jumped out of the Jutonn Fang��s way not just once but three times leaping from left to right. The trees just behind him were all now shredded to stubs

    .

    Landing with one knee on the ground he looked up at Joar who was drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

    "Joar''s fatigue will work to my advantage," He realized. "I have to bide my time and seize the opportunity to strike."

    Meanwhile, back inside the hut, Leif had been fighting off the hurd of enemy warriors.

    Though outnumbered and clustered by the body heat radiating all over the hut, nothing seemed to bother the boy. He sliced one of the warriors straight through the chest, with his two silver blades glistening in blood. His chest was pumping and his body was juiced by a surging adrenaline. Rather than fearful he seemed to be very inviting to their malice.

    As he kept piercing through the hearts of the Jutonn Tribe warriors, he noticed his body slowing down. Finally, the opposing herd had laid their mark on him with a blade cutting his cheek. More and more blood was being drawn to his blade, yet with each warrior that had fallen by his hands were two more following up.

    ��Dammit! There��s just too much! How the hell am I supposed to reach Eira?�� He was conflicted backing away from the herd.

    He had no answer for the overwhelming numbers he was up against. So he did what only he could do best, yell and yell ignorantly.

    ��HEY EIRA!! I know you hear me fighting off these bastards for you, do me solid and GET THE HELL UP WONT YOU! Isn��t it you who said you have something to fight for, or am I wrong!! Ya think you can get anything by sitting your ass on the floor!?��

    Everyone came to a halt in synchronization, purely out of confusion.

    ��Oh please, you think I would let myself die that easily.�� She confidently asserted.

    In the midst of the herd, she rose to her feet. The surrounding warriors were intrigued and even impressed.

    ��So you''re still alive even after a hit like that from Joar? That��s quite impressive.�� One of them said. They chuckled, refusing to take her seriously in any way.

    Eira wiped the inkling of dirt left on her face from the hut��s floor, her face was expressionless. She drew a knife from her satchel, its head was diamond-shaped and its base was slim with three holes running down the middle as handles. She clinched onto the knife and took a deep breath.

    ��Type B: Cloud!�� She murmured just before launching the knife to the floor.

    A thick fog began covering the campus��s hut, it was as if a smoke screen had been let off. The fog''s thickness was completely blinding. The warriors couldn��t see anything, a confusion started breaking out amongst their ranks questioning this girl,

    ��Dammit, she has a Mantle!�� ��You''re telling me this girl got powers!?�� Their frustration was peaking, the thought of being lost in a fog this thick and all of it stemming from merely a knife.

    Amongst the confusion, her subtle chuckle loomed across the room.

    ��Now sleep.�� She said.

    Knives flew piercing through the robes of every warrior surrounding her.  No one could tell from where, what direction, or how she was doing it. The fog began clearing up, it was evident that the herd of warriors were all collapsed to the floor and knocked out; Eira being the only one standing amongst them.

    {Mantle: Dormant Gildawn Knives}

    Leif��s jaw dropped. ��She��s a damn monster. To think those knives were her mantle this whole time.�� He thought.

    ��I hit them with ��Type C: Drain�� They should be knocked for at least the next couple minutes�� Eira stated.

    ��We have to be quick, where is Bo?�� She questioned.

    Leif pointed at the busted wall Joar had previously made. Looking through the wall Eira could only see a cloud of dust but she knew that Bo was out there fighting.

    Suddenly walking up to the two was Feng, with tears flowing down his face like a river, he approached the two wobbling over to them and tightly gripped onto Eira��s top.

    ��Why? Why!? What��s making him do this, he can��t take him all by himself, and he barely even knows me! Why is he doing this for me!?�� He cried,

    ��I know, It��s my fault�� I��m useless. But look at him�� he doesn��t deserve to die because of me!�� He shouted desperately,

    Both Eira and Leif looked outside once again after the dust cleared off, their eyes were wide looking at Bo.

    The boy''s body had been completely damaged. Scars from head to toe, leaking blood from every wound. It seemed that Joars Jutonn Fang had hit him�� and more than once, yet he was still on his two feet, even a subtle breeze could knock him down at that point yet his body refused to collapse.

    ��I��ll ADMIT IM IMPRESSED! YOU JUST WON��T GO AWAY!�� Joar gleamed inhaling and exhaling mightily.

    ��Surely�� one more will do the trick.�� Joar raised his hand to the sky once more. However, just before he could wipe his arm down, a sharp pain appeared in his stomach causing his body to freeze. His jaw was wide open and his eyes were popping out of his face, as he looked down all he could see was a pool of blood and a sword sticking through his stomach.

    ��From behind?!�� He questioned.

    He suddenly trembled to his knees and collapsed on the floor revealing Leif withdrawing his blade from behind with Eira standing alongside him, however, their eyes were set upon what was before them.

    The two quickly ran to Bo, hoisting both his arms over their heads being the only thing holding him up.

    ��It��s fine now, you did okay alright, you''re always trying to be the hero ya asshole. We��ll take the rest from here okay?�� Leif said to Bo.

    Leif smiled.

    ��It��s not fully over yet though, we to got make sure all the warriors I knocked out back at the hut are eliminated for good before they wake back up�� But I think we got this one.�� Eira stated.

    ��Lief hold on to Bo I��ll handle the ones in the hut.�� As Eira began running back to the hut, the weight of battle finally brushed off the Tribes shoulders.

    However, just before Eira could enter through the destroyed wall of the hut, a sharp gust of wind slashed her back, immediately knocking her unconscious.

    Bo and Leif��s eyes were broad, the weight they had just been relieved of suddenly doubled.

    ��A Jutonn Fang? But how could that be possible���� Bo thought, as he looked toward Joar and noticed him slowly rising from the floor while holding his blood-splattered stomach.

    ��I have a job to finish�� and I won''t let you kids get in the way of it.�� Joar persisted while coughing up blood.

    He finally rose to his feet once more and raised his hand to the sky. ��As I said your death has already begun.��

    Just before Joar would wipe his arm down, Leif��s body moved before he could even process what was happening and shoved Bo completely out of the line of fire. Leaving himself to deal with it all.

    Bo''s heart sank as he watched Joar wipe his arm down. Each nanosecond felt like a lifetime, leaving only an inkling of time to shout pointlessly as he watched his friend fall.

    "LEIFFFF!"

 Beginners Quest Chapter 5: Materia

    Materia

    In the Ursus Tribes Camp

    The orange evening sky set upon the damaged camp and all its laid-out bodies, and the once pink and purple leaves turned into grey ash. Leif and Eira now knocked unconscious too. To think the Jutonn Fang was essentially a one-hit knockout attack on people even slightly weaker than Bo is a truly terrifying thought.

    Standing amongst the unconscious and laid-out crowd was only Joar, putting his hand over the pierced hole on his blood-leaking stomach. His gloating demeanor filled the air as he limped toward Bo, his fingers curling around Bo''s collar as he picked him from the floor and held him up by the tip of his white shirt, a rush of triumph coursing through Joars veins, looking into the dreaded and heavy eyes of Bo. Joar had wide eyes, his brows arched, and veins popping from his head, furious yet relishing the moment of victory.

    He sneered, "You should have taken the easy way out kid, you''re an idiot, a real fucking idiot. Some brats like yall are better off just handing the slave over. You have any idea who you''re messing with?! You know what happens to people when they test the Jutonn Tribe kid?!��

    Bo''s expression remained soulless, with low eyes and head pointed to the grass. His eyes full of despair gazed at the malice in Joar''s, and his voice trembled only able to mutter his words softly,

    "Whatever it is�� Just leave my people out of this." He pleaded.

    Joars fist dug into Bo��s face, questioning him, ��Your people, you mean the people that you just sacrificed for a slave? These people?�� Joar pointed at both Leif and Eira��s knocked-out cold bodies, ��They must be a bunch of fools, to follow a man who chooses a mere slave over his companions.��

    His tone became more aggressive. "I mean seriously did you actually believe you could win this fight?��

    Joar calmed his temper, he took a deep breath before he spoke.

    "I should kill you, but this fight has already been decided, and I came here for only one purpose.�� With a disdainful flick of his wrist, Joar released his grip on Bo, letting him slump back to the grass.

    Bo''s attention shifted away from Joar, and his desperate gaze turned to his fallen comrades, faintly reaching his arms out to Leif and Eira.

    His voice quivered, "Leif, Eira... Can you hear me? Say something, please!"

    He scanned the area with his eyes looking for where Kirby could have gone. His heart sank and he realized, "I��ve failed. I''m no good��" He admitted to himself, his voice tinged with despair.

    His eyes became moist, water evident yet no river flowed. His body struggled to swallow down a still-beating heart.

    He muscled with every fiber in his bones to pull Materia from his utility belt around his waist. His gaze met his mantle, his voice tinged with anguish.

    "I don��t know what to do, I need your help do something, you bastard! For once do something!" He yelled at Materia.

    Limping his way back to the hut, Joar grabbed and picked up Feng with little to no reluctance. Regretfully Feng had already realized that he had been caught.

    ��Just please leave him and his friends alone.�� Feng faintly whispered as his body hung by Joar��s shoulder. His heart treaded calmly, and his eyes were shallow.

    ��That��s not for a slave to decide. You realize you will be punished for what you��ve done today right? So I suggest you just keep your mouth closed unless you want to end up like them.�� Joar replied, his tone stern.

    His herd of warriors one by one slowly regained their consciousness after Eira''s Type C: Drain wore off, all of them rising back to their two feet once again.

    ��She got us good.�� One of the warriors said, unplucking Eira��s knife from his thigh.

    ��You''re all lucky I got the job done while you were asleep. You idiots get yourselves together, we''re heading back.�� Joar insisted.

    As Joar and his forces proceeded, a keen-eyed warrior looked back at Bo lying on the floor staring into Materia with dreaded eyes, and reported to Joar, "What about that kid? You think we should finish him off ?"

    Joar regarded Bo with a disdainful expression, his response swift and cold, "Go ahead. He was getting on my nerves anyway." He replied looking off ahead of him.

    One of the warriors began marching toward Bo while drawing their sword, each step approaching Bo��s demise.

    The evening blaze had fallen into the bleak skies of the night. A solitary figure watched the camp from the shadows of the nearby woods, he was hardly visible surrounded by the giant trees of the forest. The man''s presence was obscured, a mysterious silhouette against the trees, and standing on his shoulder appeared to be the silhouette of a lemur.

    The man''s voice carried softly on the wind, a whisper he let out "Heeee he he, looks like I might have to step in." Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    The warrior��s steps were deliberate, and calculated as he closed in on Bo. He taunted, his voice dripping with malice, "You''re not even going to try to defend yourself?"

    However, Bo��s eyes were fixated on Materia, still pleading for it to work. His response absent to the approaching warrior. The warrior stood just centimeters away from Bo, raising his silver sword high, feeling the cool breeze of the night sky.

    Yet, just as his blade descended, a piece of the ground next to Bo erupted, a spike of rock jolting upward and through the heart of the opposing warrior killing him instantly.

    As if he were the sun a, radiant golden aura began emerging around Bo��s body, the same glow that had appeared when Bjorn passed Materia onto him. However, the glow was spiked not just hovering over his skin, but spiking as if it were a constantly shifting current.

    ��What do we have here?�� The man hidden in the shadows questioned.

    Bo painstakingly stood to his feet again, firmly gripping Materia off the grass. His eyes set ablaze with the golden aura covering it. He turned his gaze toward Joar and his retreating forces still unaware of the dead warrior Bo left behind, a fierce glint in Bo��s eyes lit as he noticed Feng laying on the shoulder of Joar.

    ��He heeeeee, this''ll be fun, looks like someone''s Mantle has activated!�� Said the man in the woods.

    {Mantle: Materia}

    The ground underneath Joar and his herd began shaking, causing them to halt.

    ��An earthquake?�� Joar questioned.

    He immediately turned his head looking for the cause. All he and his herd of warriors could see was a glimpse of Bo shrouded in his blinding golden aura.

    ��He��s still alive.�� a glimpse of hope sparked in Feng''s eyes.

    Joar''s eyes were squinted, frowning sternly, �� He should be dead by now, and the hell is this glow around him?�� He said.

    His gaze of confusion turned into an explosive outburst once he noticed the warrior Bo had already impaled earlier.

    His demand was clear, ��KILL HIM NOW!��

    The herd all simultaneously drew their blades charging Bo at once.

    However, sharp stones began piercing the warrior''s hearts and bones of the warriors from the ground and descending on them from above. Branches from the forest trees elongated and stretched wide, impaling the warriors. Unnatural heavy winds blew from east and west. All forms of matter worked at once against the Jutonn Warriors and waving his hammer from left to right, the conductor of it all Bo, standing in the middle of the madness.

    The vast majority of Joar��s men left as impaled corpses, speared heads, and mushed rubble.

    ��What��s even going on?! How is this kid even doing this? Just who the hell are you!�� Joar thought.

    His heart pumped out his chest further with each second. Still keeping one hand on his blood-stained stomach, he gripped Feng tighter with the other. He concluded,

    ��If I can just escape before it��s too late, then maybe����

    Suddenly the ground underneath Joar and whatever was left of the decimated herd rose levels above everything else.

    He lost his balance as the ground kept rising, he felt the cold blood of his comrades as he tried to pick himself up but it was no good. He looked at Bo standing before him. Bo was oozed in his gold glow as if he were a beacon in the dark sky, dipped in the blood of the herd he had just pulverized.

    He limped toward Joar and stopped just a few meters away.

    Joar��s eyes were wide, his body drenched in sweat, and he could barely even remember to breathe with the sight of this judgment staring down at him.

    He hopelessly drew his sword, waving it side to side aimlessly. But in a matter of a second, his sword vanished into smoke. Bo had changed its state of matter into gas.

    Stuck to the grass with no answers left Joar was frozen in disbelief only waiting for what Bo would do next.

    Bo''s sharp eyes poured into Joar''s soul, an unspoken promise of retribution.

    He demanded, ��Give him to me and I won��t hurt you.��

    Without second-guessing, Joar left his grip on Feng tossing him toward Bo. Even Feng was terrified of what Bo had become; however, he was the closest to the thought of safety. He stood behind Bo quickly.

    Bo raised Materia high summoning his last reserves of power. The surrounding environment of the forest waters, rocks, and giant trees began formulating around Materia, creating a colossal arm comprised of a massive portion of the Forest. The enormous appendage swayed menacingly, casting a shadow that eclipsed the entire Ursus Camp.

    Terror overcame Joar��s men, and many fell unconscious, leaving Joar to face the cataclysmic fist alone.

    The magnitude of his peril finally registered as he gazed upward, witnessing the culmination of Bo''s newfound power. All of his bravado crumbled in the face of overwhelming force.

    Bo''s voice was a low, resolute rumble as he addressed Joar,

    "Run."

    With a single, earth-shaking punch, the colossal arm struck Joar, propelling him through the air. Joar''s body twisted and contorted as he sailed across the landscape, his screams fading into the distance. The impact shattered trees, razed the terrain, and obliterated any remnants of Joar''s forces.

    When silence returned to the Ursus Camp, Bo sank to the ground falling unconscious, drained by the exertion of his newfound power. The colossal arm dissipated, and all its earthly elements fell. His golden glow started fading away.

    The dirt underneath him and Feng started crumbling. Holding Bo tightly, Feng slid down the crumbling dirt until he fumbled down the Ursus campgrounds, losing his grip on Bo.

    While lying on the camp floor, Feng looked at his hands he couldn��t stop shaking.

    ��We''re still alive somehow.�� He thought. Though the battle damaged everyone in the camp, he could only let out a big sigh of relief.

    ��At least it��s over. Where��s Bo?�� He thought.

    He turned his head, and behind him was Bo, laid out on the ground, and the shadowed man with his lemur behind Bo.

    The man''s face appeared more visible. He stood a little over six feet and looked mature. He was redheaded with short messy hair and scruffy stubble. His eyes were lime, his eye bags heavy, and his skin appeared rugged with wrinkles. Though his facial features suggested a struggling man, his fancy dark green and golden cape, smooth silver clothes from top to bottom, and golden crown suggested otherwise.

    Feng was left speechless unable to utter a word and fell unconscious.

    The man bent down to Bo and smiled uncontrollably. His voice was a whisper, laden with both praise and admonishment,

    "He heee, That was quite the show you put on. You really are Bjorn''s brother huh? But you still have so much to learn.�� He said. ��So much potential, but you still have no clue what it takes to be a king.��

    With those words, the lemur on his back leaped to the camp''s floor and released a smoke bomb,

    Finally, the man stated,

    "Welp, let��s get the kid out of this mess. He hee, This is gonna be fun.��

 Beginners Quest Chapter 6: Fear the Jutonn Tribe

    Fear The Jutonn Tribe

    The Next Morning at the Ursus Camp

    The sun''s gentle rays painted the morning sky with hues of gold and pink, Nero and Namon were laden with a bucket of desired meats from their hunting expedition. The two were strolling toward the camp and debating with each other.

    ��You think I should''ve stayed at the camp with the kids last night?�� Nero asked.

    ��Are you asking that because you were scared to kill a goat or because you care about the kids?�� Namon rebutted.

    Nero insisted, ��Hey look I��m the one asking the questions alright. I��m just saying�� don��t you think it was a little irrational to just leave the kids out here without us yesterday?��

    ��Maybe, It��s bothering me too honestly, I doubt those weak pricks could protect themselves against a cat. All that��s been on my mind lately is what Bjorn told us the night before he left.�� Namon answered while tilting his head down.

    ��Ahh, you��ve been thinking about it too right, to ��protect these kids no matter what��. It��s a heavy task he��s asking.��

    ��But it��s one we have to do, that was the last command he gave us, which means we have to fulfill it as his warriors. That son of bitch knew what he was doing.��

    The two reached the camp, however, the scene that greeted them could only leave drawn-out faces of distraught and enlarged heavy eyes. The once bustling camp was now a cluttered mess of broken trees, a random assortment of rocks, dirt, and debris mounting up to look like a hill of rubble.

    The camp had simply become a shadow of its former self. The twins exchanged bewildered glances, panic riddled across their faces, before making their way toward the center of what used to be the camp.

    What they saw was enough to confirm their unspoken suspicions. Kirby was hunched over against a pile of rubble, he covered his eyes with his arms while curling into himself like a ball. Eira and Leif were lying nearby, their forms unconscious and battered with scratches all over them.

    ��What the hell happened!?�� Namon clinched his fist, his face almost red as his panic fused with his anger.

    Nero quickly knelt nagging at Eira and Leif''s unconscious bodies, ��Come on, you guys say something!�� he pleaded.

    Kirby lifted his head, his eyes low and heavy, ��T...They��re still alive. B..but they''re injured, really injured.��

    ��Well, you two find a way to wake them up then!�� Namon insisted.

    His sharp eyes urgently scanned the scene and realized something was off.

    ��Bo�� Where is Bo!?�� He yelled.

    He started sprinting searching across the camp swiftly, tossing away the rubble to see if his body was hiding between the crevices of the heaps of rock. Endless worries flowed in his mind like a river.

    ��What happened here? Where��s Bo? Who did this to the camp?�� These thoughts kept circling through Namons head.

    He kept scattering around the camp in search of Bo until he lifted one particular rock, and underneath it was Feng cradled and shivering. Namon observed Feng��s skeletal body, from his lonely eyes of guilt, and his hardly scathed skin.

    Namon��s tone was aggressive as he demanded answers, ��So it was you who did this?" He pointed his sword at Feng.

    Feng''s eyes became wide, he quickly stuck his arms pleading as fast as he could, ��WAIT!��

    ��If you just admit to it, I��ll do you a favor and make your death quick,�� Namon replied, pointing his sword even closer.

    ��Wait please sir I�� I can explain, it��wasn��t me I promise.��

    ��Well then who did it!?�� Namon demanded sternly.

    Kirby pleaded desperately, his voice cutting through the tension, ��Stop Namon, it wasn��t Feng!��

    Interjecting vehemently Kirby stepped forward and answered the lingering question, ��The one who caused all this�� was Bo.��

    Namon lowered his sword, confusion wiping away his red flustered face, "So then where is he?�� He asked.

    ��WE  DON��T KNOW OKAY!�� Kirby shouted at the top of his lungs, he finally reached his breaking point.

    Silence settled upon the camp, the only inkling of sound that could be heard was Feng��s sniffling. His eyes had become moist, and guilt had palmed his heart. He muttered, ��He��s right sir��  everything that happened yesterday still hardly makes any sense. I�� Just don��t understand why, why did he protect me yesterday. Why?��

    Namon��s eyes had narrowed, pondering the nagging question in his head, ��Protect? What the hell is he even talking about?��

    Breaking the tension, Nero yelled from a distance, ��You guys get over here!  Leif and Eira are awake!!�� Namon and Kirby hurried on over, setting aside the boiling tension, just before Namon left he grabbed Feng from the rubble he hid in and took him with them as well.

    Namon, Nero, Kirby, and Feng were gathered around Leif and Eira who were slowly rousing from their unconscious state. The two struggled to open their eyes, they rubbed their hands across their sharp wounds. Suddenly both their eyes became disoriented and bewildered by their surroundings, they realized the wreckage that was once the camp.

    Both their voice was a barrage of questions similar to the ones Namon had asked before, their concern was evident as they sought to piece together what had happened after they were knocked out.

    Namon held up his hand, his tone curt. "Enough questions. What we need are answers."

    Namon then turned his attention to Feng, his grip tightening on his sword as he approached. "You''re the one who knows what happened yesterday right, alright then explain everything from the top."

    ��O..Okay sir, I��ll try my best.�� Feng gulped.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    <hr>

    [After Fengs Explanation]

    After Feng��s recap of last night��s events, the camp had fallen silent. Namon��s eyes were wide struggling to put together his thoughts together,

    ��So you��re telling me this all happened in one night.�� He asked.

    Kirby answered, with his head low. "Yes, it wasn��t just Feng who saw it all, I did too. Bo decided he wasn��t going to let those warriors take Feng. He fought against them, and right on time, Materia activated. I think it was just luck that he didn��t die yesterday, really it��s luck that none of us died at all.��

    Namon looked at Feng, a mixture of bewilderment and exasperation on his face. "Sudden and stupid decisions, Bo really is Bjorn��s brother.�� He thought.

    Leif chimed in, ��So after me and Eira got our ass handed to, where the hell did Bo go?��

    Feng replied, his voice carrying a tinge of hesitance, ��It��s all still so foggy to me. A��All I can remember was a man standing behind Bo as he fell, I can��t remember what he looked like. Maybe one of the Jutonn warriors had managed to survive Bo��s attacks, all I know is that the man took Bo and ran off.��

    ��So where we going from here?�� Leif asked.

    Amidst the suffocating tension, Eira��s emotions surged to the surface, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. She stood abruptly, pointing a resolute finger at Feng, her expression hardened.

    ��I think it��s obvious what we need to do next.�� Her voice was fierce, her words unyielding. ��Feng should never show his face around us again. I knew he��d be trouble the moment I laid eyes on him. After everything that��s happened the chaos, losing Bo there��s no reason for us to keep dragging this burden around. He��s a danger to us all.��

    Her gaze burned with intensity, though her posture remained calm, making her judgment even more chilling.

    Kirby, desperate to push back against her condemnation, scrambled for words. ��But�� don��t you think that��s a little too harsh? Come on, guys, help me out here. Isn��t this going too far?�� He turned to Leif and Nero, his eyes pleading for support.

    But Nero sighed heavily, his voice grim. ��It��s harsh, sure, but she��s not wrong. We can��t afford to paint a target on our backs when we��re already vulnerable. We still don��t even know where Bo is.��

    Kirby��s gaze snapped to Leif, his last hope, but Leif avoided his eyes, his jaw tight as if battling his own inner conflict.

    Eira took a step closer to Feng, her glare unrelenting, her voice now like iron. ��Seems like the majority agrees with me. So, Feng, if you��d kindly����

    Kirby stammered, his voice trembling, ��B-but����

    ��No,�� Feng interrupted, his tone low and resigned. ��She��s right.��

    His words were heavy, carrying the weight of his guilt. ��If it weren��t for me, your King would still be here. I��ve brought nothing but trouble to your tribe. You��re better off without me.��

    His shoulders sagged as he turned, dragging his weary feet away from the ruined camp. His head hung low, his frail frame trembling with each labored step. It was as though the weight of the world bore down on him, his breaths shallow and uneven.

    ��Wait.�� Namon��s voice broke through, sharp and unexpected. Feng froze mid-step, his body rigid as Namon rose to his feet.

    ��I agree with Eira,�� Namon admitted, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. ��You��ve caused us nothing but grief. But if we send you away now, everything Bo did yesterday, his sacrifices, his pain it will all mean nothing.�� His voice cracked, but he pressed on, his conviction growing stronger. ��And if Bo really is in the hands of the Jutonn Tribe, you��re the only one who knows how to find him.��

    The group fell silent, Eira��s fiery glare softening ever so slightly.

    ��So,�� Namon continued, stepping closer to Feng, ��you��re staying. Not because we want you here, but because that��s what Bo wanted. And because, like it or not, we need you to help us find him.��

    Feng turned back to face the tribe, his lips trembling, his knees buckling as he collapsed to the ground. He pressed his forehead against the dirt, tears flowing freely, his body shaking with raw emotion.

    ��Thank you,�� he choked out between deep, shuddering breaths. ��Thank you all. I promise�� I��ll do everything I can to help find your King. I won��t let his faith in me go to waste.��

    ��Don��t get too comfortable, and definitely don��t be a thorn in our side or I��ll have you dead myself,�� Namon answered.

    He looked to Eira, ��Are we fine with this?�� He asked.

    She took a few seconds before nodding slowly.

    Nero chipped in bringing a new light to the conversation, ��Alright now that we got that out the way, we can move on to what��s next. If we''re gonna rescue Bo from the Jutonn Tribe, then Feng, we��re going to need as much of an inside scoop on them as we can get.��

    Feng lifted his voice quickly, ��Of course sir��I-I��ll do my best.�� He proudly answered.

    He began explaining, ��Over the past 5 years, the Jutonn has established themselves as the strongest nation in the continent were currently in Leola. Since they last landed here 5 years ago, the tribe has already conquered 7 nations, mine included.

    With each tribe conquered they��ve enslaved all its people like me, and many others. They''ve taken everything they have to offer. They��re easily the most formidable tribe in the continent and it��s mainly due to the strength of their King�� Ignerous.��

    He continued, ��If we want to save Bo, we have to capture him without running into any battles. There��s simply too much of them to fight off.��

    ��Okay, so we swoop in on them grab Bo before they realize us and we��ll be fine,�� Leif said, dumbing the magnitude of the situation.

    ��W-Well it��s not that easy. You see there��s more than one place that the Jutonn Tribe could have taken him.�� He continued, ��The Jutonn have made up to 7 bases from Tribes they��ve conquered pulse the main base that they made on their own. All prisoners are eventually sent to the main base, but before then, there shipped to one of the conquered bases.

    Given that it��s only been a day, the likelihood is that Bo is in the process of being shipped to one of the 7 conquered bases.��

    ��So you''re telling me we''re gonna have to check all 7 bases before Bo gets shipped to the main base? That''s ridiculous.�� Eira said, her tone hostile.

    Namon replied,  ��It''s not the best situation, but even if we don��t know where he is, we still have to check.�� He continued, ��Tomorrow, we��ll make our move and start heading to the outer bases.��

    Kirby''s tone anxiously shifted, ��Why not now? Wouldn''t it be best to look for him as soon as we can?��

    ��Well, you''re not wrong Kirby,�� Namon replied rising to his feet and eyeing the 4 kids of the camp.

    ��But if we were to go now, what would happen if one of you got us caught or even worse killed? You see for the first time the adults of the group were not here to watch you kids. And the first thing you guys do is almost get yourselves killed. If it wasn��t for Bo��s mantle activating, all of you would be dead without question.

    The truth is�� this group isn��t ready. You��re not strong enough. You don��t think ahead, you don��t act like a team, and you don��t understand the risks. Right now, you��re nothing but liabilities. I can''t stand working with liabilities��

    The words hung in the air, heavy and cutting. The group stood in stunned silence, the weight of Namon��s rebuke sinking into their hearts. Kirby looked down, guilt gnawing at him, while Leif''s hands balled into his fists, his face flushed with shame. Even Eira, usually defiant, clenched her jaw, her anger tempered by the sting of truth.

    Namon raised one finger, ��However, that��s just my opinion, and you can change that, with a little test.�� He said.

    Leif, Eira, Kirby, and Feng''s eyes lit open simultaneously, and they all gazed at Namon with a strand of hope.

    ��I��m sure Eira knows this test, so I��ll spare you guys the details. All I can say is if you fail this test, Nero will simply stay hidden with you guys while I go search the Jutonn bases. However, if you guys manage to pass, then I��ll be glad to have you come along with me to rescue Bo.

    "It all depends on how you perform tonight in this test. So you guys better get your asses together, and prove me wrong for once.��

    Nero grinned cunningly, his laughter echoed as he stood up next to Namon, ��Alright, that��ll be some fun, let��s see if you guys got what it takes.��

    The four kids stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes gleaming with an unshakable resolve that seemed to cut through the heavy air around them.

    Eira��s fierce gaze burned like wildfire, her clenched jaw and steady stance a testament to her unwavering commitment.

    Kirby��s face softened with a quiet hope, his lips pressed into a thin line, yet the faintest glimmer of a smile hinted at the belief stirring within him.

    Leif��s furrowed brows and hardened expression spoke of determination forged from frustration, his intense stare fixed on the horizon as if daring fate to challenge them.

    Even Feng, though his shoulders sagged under the weight of guilt, raised his head, his tear-streaked face alight with newfound purpose.

    Their expressions, though varied, shared a common thought: ��We will save Bo!��

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, far away from the camp, in the depths of the dark Bo had found himself in a pitch-black room, His eyes fluttered open. He turned to his left and right but all he could see was a void

    Lost in this small room''s abyss, he finally asked himself, "Where am I?"

 Authors Note: Health Conditions

    Hey ya''ll I know It''s been about 2 weeks since a chapter upload and I feel terrible about having this happen, but recently I have been dealing with terrible health conditions.

    I''m unfortunately dealing with kidney stones and large ones at that. I''ve been dealing with the pain over the past couple of weeks, but the pain definitely reached its peak in the last 2, I could hardly even sit down properly during this time. (Kidney stones suck.)Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Thankfully I''ll be going through a procedure soon to get rid of them all at once. After that, I''ll be back and writing chapters like nothing ever happened!

    I aim to get as many chapters out this year as possible.

    I hope everyone reading this has been good, and Happy New Year to you all.

    Koze,

 Beginners Quest Chapter 7: Enter Fazel Loxodante

    Enter Fazel Loxodante

    Bo''s senses slowly returned to him, dragging himself out of the bed and murky abyss of unconsciousness. As he blinked away the haze, he found himself in a dimly lit room, the source of illumination coming from a single flickering torch mounted on the wall. The air was heavy with the musty scent of age, and Bo couldn''t help but wonder,

    ��Where am I?��

    A sudden noise from behind made his head snap around. His heart raced as he heard the faint rustling of movement coming from the direction of what seemed to be a door. Instinctively, he stepped away from the door, his body poised for action.

    The door was already creaked open, revealing a narrow strip of light that sliced through the darkness. Bo''s tense muscles relaxed slightly as he realized that whatever had caused the noise was outside the room. Curiosity gnawed at him, compelling him to investigate further.

    He peaked his eyes through the creak and saw two what seemed to be monkeys hunched over a rough-hewn wooden board. Their tiny fingers deftly moved colorful pebbles in an intricate pattern.

    ��Are those monkeys?�� Bo thought, his gaze fell upon the peculiar game they were playing. Is that a game of Mancala? Where the hell am I?��

    His eyes were wide, and he could hardly process what was happening in front of him. He pinched himself, hoping to wake from what he thought was possibly a dream, but nothing changed.

    He carefully watched the monkeys play their match as they critically analyzed each of their moves,

    ��Every move they make is well calculated, these can��t be monkeys right?��

    A crowd of two more monkeys and two gorillas made their way around the corner of the hall and stood around the monkeys playing Mancala. Despite the clear differences in the animals they all mimicked similar body language, bright smiles, laughter, and the glint of joy in their eyes.

    ��You guys still playing that silly game? How many rounds it��s been now huh?�� One of the gorillas asked with the right side of his mouth raised.

    Bo��s breath immediately stopped, and his eyes almost bulged out of their sockets, ��There��s no way�� that gorilla just spoke?�� He thought

    His mind concluded, �� That��s it, there��s no way this place is real, I gotta get the hell out of here.�� He looked toward the left of the stone-aged hall, a turn to get past the crowd was just around the corner.

    ��If I can just sneak past them���� He thought.

    With cautious steps, Bo made his way out the door and into the hall, his eyes scanning the crowd behind him. Just before he could make it around the corner he turned his head back once more at the small crowd of apes and gorillas, however, they all had their heads turned to him too.

    The monkeys froze, their round eyes widening as they locked gazes with Bo. It was a surreal tableau, a human staring at monkeys and apes in stunned silence, each side rapidly opening and closing their eyes unable to comprehend the reality before them.

    Bo��s eyebrows slightly pushed together and his lower lip trembled,

    ��Shit���� He thought.

    ��AHHHH!�� One of the monkeys let out a high-pitched screech.

    The other monkeys and Gorillas, scattered down the hallway running away from Bo, they echoed a cry,

    "A HUMAN!!" They shrieked in unison.

    Bo was taken aback by the monkeys'' sudden panic. He raised his hands in a gesture of reassurance, his voice gentle as he called out, "Wait, hold on I mean no harm!"

    His words fell on deaf ears as the primates turned and fled down the corridor, their tiny feet pattering against the cold stone floor.

    ��Hey hold on a minute!�� He called after them, his voice carrying confusion. "I should be the one scared here!"

    He started chasing after the primates,  his heart punching through his chest, turning each corner from left to right.

    The primates led Bo up a stone spiraling staircase, their pace quickening as they ascended higher and higher. Bo''s breath quickened too,

    ��These guys are quick!�� He thought.

    After reaching the peak of the spiral, the primates burst through a large wooden door at the end of a hallway, Bo trailing them all the way through.

    Stepping through the busted door, was a room unlike anything Bo had seen before. A wooden space with vines eroding the stone walls, a large window covered by bars, half-eaten meat across the room, and a foul stench clinging to the air.

    Bo held a hand over his  nose as his eyes scanned his surroundings, ��Ugh what��s with the smell?�� He asked.

    His eyes were drawn to a figure seated on the ground with an amber mat under it. It was a man with medium red hair whose back was turned to the large window.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    The monkeys wasted no time in announcing his presence,

    "Chief Fazel! A HUMAN, A HUMAN!!" Their voices dipped with urgency.

    The man turned his head back at the door looking at the small crowd of primates,  it was the same man who captured Bo last night after his fight against Joar.

    ��Hmm?�� Fazel looked just behind the crowd and noticed Bo.

    ��He heeee, he��s woken up.�� He thought, a smile protruding his face.

    He turned his back to the large window in front of him, ��No need to worry�� he��s not an intruder. Excuse us for a minute, I want to have a word with him.��

    The crowd of primates looked back at one another with furrowed brows and shrugged shoulders before leaving the room and shutting the door on their way out. Leaving Bo and Fazel in the room alone.

    A freezing silence grew in the room before Fazel broke the ice,

    ��Don��t be a wimp, you can move closer.��

    Bo was hesitant to take a step forward, each step he took was slower than the last.

    He came to a halt standing just a few feet behind Fazel. He tried easing the thick tension between the too-prompting conversation

    "Never thought I would see talking monkeys.  I figure you know a little about what''s up with this place right?" His eyes shifted down to Fazel.

    ��He heee just a bit,�� Fazel answered.

    "Well judging by how the others outside addressed you, then you must be the leader here?"

    Fazel''s response was succinct yet affirming, ��Perhaps.��

    ��Okay, then I have one more question for you, and I��ll leave you be. Where am I? I''m on a time crunch, and I have people I have to get back to as soon as possible.

    Fazel''s demeanor was relaxed, he took a sip of tea next to him and replied,

    "He heeee, the place you''re in is far from your camp,  where you reside is in the city of primates, the Jungle Kingdom. Where at least 5 hours away from the hut you stay if you sprint the whole way, so I��d suggest you stay put for a little while." He continued sipping his tea.

    ��M��My camp!�� Bo��s eyes were shut,  his fist was clenched tightly and a vein was bulging from his neck, ��How do you know my camp!?��

    ��Uh oh,�� Fazel said, devoid of answering Bo��s query.

    Bo curled his fists around Fazel''s collar and picked him up. He stared into Fazel''s deep eyes and asked,  "What happened to my friends, and why did I get taken here!?"

    "Calm down," Fazel''s lips curled into a wry smile. He advised, his voice carrying a touch of humor. "One question at a time, and we can discuss it over a cup of tea."

    Bo''s frustration simmered beneath the surface still curling his fist around Fazel''s collar, his octaves became shifty.

    "I don��t got time to sip tea with you old man. I''m the king of my tribe, and my people need me to lead them. You would understand being the chief here!.��

    A pregnant silence engulfed the room, the tension was so thick you could cut it, and Bo''s unease grew as Fazel''s wry smile faded.

    The two��s legs collided, Fazel, flipping Bo over and leaping away. Replying,

    "Me and you have no understanding," Fazel declared, his words firm and unwavering. Bo''s eyes had grown wide picking himself from the floor, his body tensed as he assumed himself into defensive stance.

    Fazel Continued, "I don''t waltz around claiming morals I can��t protect, I could never risk my people''s lives for the freedom of one slave,"

    Bo��s eyes had opened wide like a gaping ocean while his body was laid out on the floor, ��What did you say.�� His brows arched.

    ��You heard me right the first time, me and you have no understanding, not even in the slightest. Especially after what I saw from you yesterday night.��

    Bo''s voice struck a resolute edge as he pushed himself to his feet, his eyes locking onto Fazel''s gaze, ��Yesterday!? What the hell would you know about yesterday night!?��

    ��He heee what would I know, hmm now let me think.�� Fazel gazed at the ceiling with his hand caressing his chin.

    ��What I��ve come to know about you is that you are too impulsive, too naive, and way too big of an idiot to understand what it means to be a leader.�� He finally answered.

    ��I could care less about none of that! Yesterday night, I found out that I was the slave''s only hope of being free. If you think I��d be such a monster to let him go back with those men, then maybe you''re right, me and you wouldn��t understand a single thing about each other.�� Bo replied with a conviction etched into his tone.

    The room had grown cold and still, if a pin had dropped you could hear it. The stark difference between the two bumping against each other like a rock and a hard place.

    ��Now where��s Materia? I''ll find my way back on my own.�� Bo said.

    His eyes scanned across the room and noticed Materia sitting in the corner. He began marching towards his mantle until a swift and unexpected movement, Fazel intercepted him, his foot connecting with Bo''s chest sending him crashing against the wall.

    The impact jarred Bo, leaving him momentarily breathless struggling to regain his bearings.

    Fazel took a deep breath and stated, ��I��m afraid I can��t let you do that.��

    He continued, ��Based on what I��ve seen last night and what I��ve been told about you, I think you may be the most interesting person I''ve seen in quite a while. However, although you are interesting," Fazel''s tone turned more somber, "you will without a doubt die early into your journey. I''m certain of it."

    Bo''s eyes widened, his heart racing at the ominous declaration.

    "I''ve heard around that you believe you will become the next King of the Conquerors, correct?" Fazel asked.

    Bo��s affirmations hung in the air reluctant to nod or even shake his head.

    "If you want to even see half of that dream come true while sticking to your funny ideals, then death is inevitable for you�� if you have no power."

    Fazel began slightly chuckling, he lowered himself into a defensive formation as if he were bracing himself for battle saying,

    ��Heee he, But you know what, if you wish to leave so badly I��ll let you go�� but only if you can get through me first.��

    Driven by a surge of aggression, Bo caught his breath and picked himself up from the wall, he murmured, ��You bastard!��

    He rushed towards Fazel devoid of any strategy. Fazel''s voice rang out, a stark reminder of their differences. "I''m not the same as your little friends."

    The words hung in the air as Fazel''s fist connected with Bo''s body, crashing him into the room walls once more.

    As Bo slowly struggled to his feet, he noticed Fazel kneeling on the floor.

    Bo''s had slowly widened almost gauging out of its sockets. Before him was Fazel rising to his and drawing a golden staff from the floor, it had dull edges on both sides and it was more than lengthy.

    With wrinkles forming across his face and drowsy eyebrows the realization had struck Bo, with renewed force he was facing a Mantle user. Who wielded power that he couldn''t comprehend.

    {Mantle: Midas}

 Beginners Quest Chapter 9: Midas

    Midas

    "Power is necessary if you want to be anything in this world." Fazel''s voice dripped with malice as he pointed his staff forward.

    Bo''s body started quivering, and his breaths became heavy, he speedily pushed himself off the wall

    ��This guy is strong! And what he��s holding is definitely a mantle!�� He thought.

    His eyes shifted to the corner of the room where Materia sat,  ��If I can just grab Materia I can even the playing field.�� He affirmed himself.

    With one resolute breath, Bo charged at Fazel, his fists clenched.

    Fazel''s voice carried a touch of triumph as he uttered a single word, "Midas!"

    As Bo charged, five crimson dots suddenly materialized on his body, two on his right arm, one on his left leg, and two on his lower abdomen.

    Bo quickly came to a halt. ��What��s going on?�� he questioned the significance of these dots.

    Fazel was already in motion, closing the distance between them with a fluid grace. Before Bo could even realize it, he had already been attacked with a swarm of punches from Fazel with inhumane speed. Each punch landed on one of the red dots.

    Bo��s body trembled to the floor. He was immobilized on each spot Fazel had marked a dot. Fazel��s hits seemed to be even stronger than the punches he had sent before.

    Laid out on the floor and head spinning Bo shouted in agony his eyes shut tight, and he reflected,

    ��My body�� I can feel the pain in each marked spot. It feels like it all happened at once, I could have sworn he only punched me one time, or�� is it that this guy somehow managed to hit all 5 of his targeted dots before I could even react!?��

    Fazel''s voice cut through the haze of pain, his tone jolly. "Heeeeee he he, The staff I hold is called Midas. The power to create a weak point on any spot of one''s body."

    He marched over right next to Bo and bent down to his level. Once again a crimson dot appeared on Bo��s stomach. However this time instead of punching Bo who was already unable to move, Fazel simply flicked his finger on Bo��s stomach.

    Despite being hit with a mere flick, Bo still felt an incredible amount of pain, holding onto his stomach while turning from side to side.

    ��You see when I say this I mean it truthfully, me and you aren��t even in the same stratosphere of power,�� Fazel stated as he watched Bo roll in his discomfort.

    He continued, ��I saw through your plan, you wanted to go grab Materia because you thought that was your only shot at trying me. You''re like an open book, I bet you didn��t even know that you could activate Materia without having to hold it�� or maybe not, because you''re not advanced enough to do that yet are you?��

    He took a deep breath, ��The truth is boy, you''re too weak�� But I can change that.��

    Despite trying to cope with the pain Bo��s mind had shifted its attention to Fazel��s words, his eyes were wide tentative about what Fazel would say next.

    ��I��ve been sent by your brother to do exactly that.��

    Bo''s eyes widened, he thought of what Fazel just said, "Bjorn?" He thought.

    He looked back at him and replied, ��How do you know Bjorn?''''

    ��I met him for the first time a few days ago, and he��s invited me to be the first member of his new group�� on one condition. As long as I  train his little brother.��

    Bo looked away, rebutting painstakingly, ��Well I guess you won��t be joining his group. I don''t need no training from one of Bjorn��s ��friends��.��

    He continued, ��Just tell me where I can exit so I can get the hell out of here.�� His voice was firm.

    Fazel responded, his demeanor calm, ��Bjorn told me there may be a chance you would have a problem with it.��

    Fazel stood up and turned his back to Bo while eyeing the view the large fenced window provided, ��Yesterday you almost died against a small pack of warriors, who may I add were nothing more than some rag tags looking for a good report. If you think those guys were a big deal, then that means you''re not even one percent strong enough to reach your dream, never mind being a King.��

    He looked back at Bo again, his tone darkening, ��If that''s all you plan on accomplishing, then I won��t bother you any longer.��

    Fazel stood void of any noise, patiently waiting for a response whether verbal or not.

    Bo was still rolling from one side to another, his eyes held tight together. He felt excruciating pain, the 5 targeted dots had felt like holes piercing through his body, his bones in those areas had felt like rubble, his nerves were pinched, and his muscles were steadily sore all at once.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "Every second, the soreness doubles!" The thought ripped through his mind like a desperate scream. He couldn''t stop it. He couldn''t fight it. The agony wrapped itself around him, suffocating any remnants of willpower he had left. "Even if I had Materia, there''s no real way I could beat this guy... Even yesterday, if it wasn��t for Materia kicking in at the last second, I��d be dead! Dammit��why am I so weak?!"

    A hot, suffocating wave of frustration and self-loathing crashed over him. His mind became a blood-red ocean, a storm of doubt and regret swirling within its depths. Every failure, every moment of hesitation, every second where he had been powerless it all poured into him like a poison. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms, but even that pain was insignificant compared to the unbearable truth screaming inside him.

    He wasn��t strong enough. Not yet. And at this rate�� maybe never.

    Regardless he clawed himself to his feet even if it was the last thing he could do, he pleaded desperately, ��You''re right, yesterday I did almost die, I put my tribe in danger, a-and I don��t even really understand how to lead my tribe yet. But what could you do to change that?! Even if I take your training you won��t just turn me into the King I need to be, there''s not enough time! You said it yourself, I''m not even one percent ready to achieve my dream, so how the hell are you gonna change that?!!��

    Fazel was unphased, his back still turned to Bo, ��A farmer can��t just throw on a crown and transform into a king, the same way you couldn��t just throw on a crown and become one either. Kings don''t grow on trees, rather they are molded like a sculpture. No matter how detailed the sculpture may be, it��s still made out of simple shapes like a circle or a square.��

    Finally, Fazel turned his face to Bo, a gleaming smile gaping between his lips, ��What I��m trying to say is, if you think there��s anything that can turn you into a real king overnight, then you��re better off just giving up now. But if you''re willing to learn the basics like just knowing how to be a warrior, hee hee�� then you have the right guy. All I need is 10 days.��

    Bo��s head tilted downward, reluctant to stare Fazel in the eyes, ��I hear your offer, b-but 10 days is just too long without my Tribe, who knows what could happen to them now that I��m not there�� I need to get back to them!��

    Fazel��s patience snapped. His voice, laced with disgust and unwavering resolve, cut through Bo��s words like a blade. ��And then what? What will you do when you return? Have you even thought about that!?�� His eyes burned with frustration, but beneath it, something deeper; expectation. ��What difference will it make if you come back as the same person!?��

    He stepped closer, his presence towering, his voice ringing with conviction. ��Bo, you are a King now. That title isn��t just for show, it��s a burden, a promise. And because you wear that crown, you must live up to it.�� His gaze locked onto Bo��s, daring him to understand. ��So when you return to your people�� there will be a change.��

    Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. The air in the room felt thick, charged with the weight of the choice that had yet to be made. The world seemed to slow, no wind, no movement, just the shallow rise and fall of their breaths.

    Suddenly. A breath. A shift. A decision.

    ��Dammit, it��s too good to pass up.�� Bo thought.

    Bo raised his hand and replied, ��Alright�� Fazel, if power is what you need to try and reach this inconceivable goal of King Conqueror, then for the next 10 days, I want you to train me so I can protect my Tribe and move closer to my goal.��

    Fazel glistened with a bright smile shaking Bo''s hand, saying,  ��Of course brother of Bjorn.��

    He bent down to grab his cup from the amber mat and took a sip, ��So then, how about that tea I offered earlier?��

    ��Uhhh I��ll pass.�� Bo��s face soured refuting to look at Fazel''s unpleasant smile.

    As if on cue, the intrusion of an impressively imposing ape slammed through the room''s large wooden doors.

    He had rough scratch marks etched across his body, he was far larger than Fazel��s six feet, and his mass doubled the weight of any silverback, then again the ape was clearly different from the average silverback, because despite its black and grey fur, his skin appeared bright like the skin of a monkey, and his eyes were shaded with the hint of burgundy.

    ��Chief is everything alright!?�� He shouted with a deep tone, he was panting heavily.

    ��Who is he?�� Bo thought a spasm of worry crossed his face.

    The ape lifted his head and scanned the room. His eyes met Bo and a prickling sensation shot up his spine immediately raised his golden toga that scraped the room floor and assumed a combat stance.

    ��I��ll handle him.�� The Ape firmly stated.

    Bo stared at the ape before him mindlessly, paralyzed before Fazel placed his hand on his shoulder. Fazel��s eyes faced the ape standing in front of the two, his cheeks ballooned and his lips pressed against each other barely able to contain himself,

    ''��Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha. Wallo please, not too serious all the time, is fine, you almost made the kid shit himself.�� He continued, ��Me and the boy next to me  we''re just having a little altercation, but everything is fine now.��

    Suddenly, Bo collapsed. His knees buckled, and he hit the ground hard, his breath escaping in a sharp gasp. His trembling hands clutched at the glowing red dots searing into his flesh, pain radiating from them like fire spreading through his veins. His vision blurred, the world around him fading into a haze.

    Fazel''s eyes widened.  A realization crept into his chest as he took a step forward. ��Did I push him too far?��

    His voice came quieter than he intended, edged with something dangerously close to regret.

    "I... I may have done too much damage to him by using Midas."

    <hr>

    Fifteen minutes had passed and a group of  health workers swiftly made their way to the room and assisted Bo

    ��You sure where we should help the human out Chief?�� One of the monkeys asked from the pack.

    ��He��s a patient just like another person is in this kingdom right?�� Fazel rebutted.

    The pack of primate health workers gazed at each other with shrugged shoulders and unsaid questions before picking Bo��s unconscious body up and leaving the room.

    Another 10 minutes passed before Fazel would leave his room, on his way out after locking his giant doors, his path was blocked by an imposing figure Wallo, the ape who had barged into Fazel and Bo��s conversation earlier.

    Wallo��s anger was unmistakable, his voice a sharp mix of disbelief and outrage. ��What is a human doing in our Kingdom, Chief!?�� His eyes burned with fury, his stance tense.

    But Fazel remained still, his posture unshaken, his gaze steady as if Wallo��s outburst were nothing more than a passing wind.

    ��That boy is my student now,�� he declared with no hesitation. No room for argument.

    Wallo��s breath hitched, his jaw tightening. His body tensed, muscles coiling like a predator preparing to strike. not out of violence, but out of frustration.

    ��You know how the Kingdom feels about humans, Fazel!�� His throat felt tight, the words bitter on his tongue.

    Wallo waited for a response, no words escaped Fazel''s lips.

    ��Is that it? You won��t say anything else?�� He asked out of frustration.

    "I have nothing to say." Fazel responded, firm. The tension between the two was tight but left no more for conversation, forcing Wallo to march down the hall in a storm.

    Watching Wallo storm down the hall left to him to reflect on his words, ��Whether I treat this kingdom with an answer or not it''s all pointless, my days here are coming to an end.��