It was the early hours of the morning. Derek woke up to a loud knock on the door. He lazily came down from the bed and acknowledged the wake-up call. It was Lydia..."Master Derek," She bowed, "Mr Walter would like you to join him in the training room. I have prepared attire for your session. It is in your closet." She stated and turned around to leave without a reply from him.
Another five minutes and Derek was out in the training room. For some reason, he felt very uncomfortable with the tight pants and continued pulling at them. They gave the illusion that there were glued to his skin.
In the training room, was his friends, Bastet and Mr Walter. It seemed like he was the last to appear. Bastet was having a conversation with Mr Walter, but on seeing him, She bowed as Mr Walter also followed.
Derek did not know how to respond. It had only been a day, he was still very fresh to this whole 'Writer noble' of a thing. Should he bow or wav
"On the issue of releasing your friends to be free of Writer's influence, it is indeed possible." On hearing this, Derek was very excited but Mr Walter burst his happy bubbles before they got too big. "But it is not going to be easy. Also, it's at a cost. One am sure you can't afford even if you could." "And what is the cost!?" "It's your soul rune." Walter went further to explain. "Every Writer as I have said before has what is called a soul rune. An especially unique feature of a writer that cannot be duplicated. There are only three hardcore ways to be free from the survey of Writers. The first is for a mortal to become familiar. Now, I know that might sound easy but in truth, it is extremely difficult. The probability for that is usually one in a million, not to add that the person must be very submissive to you. And the level of anima needed is also incredible. We talking anima from say
Bastet took several steps back. And sat on the floor, in a very carefree manner. It was very different from how she carried her self usually.Tiny and the others thought she was doing it in regret of her earlier actions. Her fingers kept on shaking and she hug herself to hold back her emotions. but her eyes were getting moist with tears. She suddenly got up and reached for Derek. Pulling him out of Tiny's embrace and into her own. She stood up and disappeared out of the room with him in her hands.It was happening again. It had been a long time since the last one. But something was different this time around. It was that Derek knew it was happening. This time around, he saw himself as a wealthy businessman. One that had accomplished schemes and tricks to enjoying the sweet position he now sat. Anybody in his position should be happy, but he was a sad man. His children had all ended up being a nuisance to society. They all lived
Derek came out of Bastet's room and went to the training room. On getting there, he discovered that Aesir and Tiny had already gone back to training but Madeline did not. She sat at one edge of the room and just watched.This particular room was different from the one Derek and Walter used. It was oval in shape, with stairs leading to the centre. Much like how a stadium looked like. except it was not that huge.Derek came and sat beside her."So you didn't die?" she teased."Naa! I didn't die." he laughed while scratching the back of his head. He looked at the two people cutting and slashing at the ant creatures and back at Madeline."You done with training?""Naa!" She replied and bowed her head on her legs. After some time, she started crying. Derek was at a loss for what to do. He did not remember hurting her or saying an
Derek sighed. He was at a loss for what to do. He paced the room back and forth but could not think of anything. Then a question popped into his head. "How can a Writer annul the contract?""It is easy really. According to my research, you just need to leave a soul rune imprint on the symbol of the contract." On hearing this, Derek's eyes brightened. If It was just leaving a soul imprint then that was easy. All he needed to do was find a way to get in contact with Kareem. All the while he had been studying on runes. He had been interested in soul imprints when Walter told him about his father's soul imprint on the family plane and made a few research here and there to be sure he was still alive.Soul imprints were very easy to give. It was like leaving a bloodstain behind. It really did not affect the Writer much and was far easier than resonating with runes. The only downside was that he needed to physically leave the imprint
Derek dragged his body back to his room and fell on his bed. He woke up in the morning feeling shittier than he had ever felt in his entire life. He could barely sleep. The pain in his chest in collaboration with what happened last night kept him awake. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see those two red glaring orbs mocking him.By some miracle, he had made it to morning. He had thought of asking for some medicine, but Lydia was mad at him and asking Bastet would just reveal what happened, and that would not be good for either him or Lydia.He dragged his weak body to the training room. But meditation training did not help to settle his mind. And for some reason, the pain in his chest kept acting up whenever he tried resonating with runes.Since Walter was not around, he was essentially his own teacher. Meaning that training was over whenever he willed. Since his training was not working, he went to
As Derek fell straight into the waters below, the only thing on his mind was his newfound hatred for firstly, Bastet and secondly gravity. The moment his body came in contact with the water, he passed out."Where am I?" This place felt both familiar and yet unfamiliar. Yes, he remembered now. He had been here before. This place; was empty, with no land yet his feet felt solid beneath them. There were tiny dots like stars. "Was he dead?" He thought.And then the scene changed. He heard laughter behind him and turned around. It was some kids around the ages of 13 and 14. They were laughing at a boy around their age. Even though he appeared tall, he was skinny and looking sickly.Derek suddenly remembered this scene. No, this day. It was around two years ago, Aesir was sick with chickenpox then. He wanted to cheer his friend up and decided to buy him the latest issue of his favourite comic. He met the bullies on the bridge
Bastet led lazily on a couch. It had been nearly a week now since she dropped Derek in the centre of the Red sea. If not for the ever reducing sea level and the strong aura that came out of it, she would have thought he was dead. Now, that would be a real disaster.After waiting tirelessly the first day, she erected a small cosy hut for herself and a big dome to cup the aura of the origin rune.Inside the simple looking and unattractive mud house was a sight that gave meaning to the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It was a far distance from what it looked like outside in both size and status.The interior decoration was done by Lydia with extra brackets on the word "comfort", It had silver glowing runes littered on the walls for regulation of temperature but it was evident that it was more for beauty. There was a simple but artistically looking luxurious bed in the centre and a comfortable
Derek went back to the temple alongside Bastet and Lydia. They went through the zodiac gate and popped up in the training ground. Tiny and Aesir were training with spears while Madeline was sleeping by the side with her new book covering her face.Tiny and Aesir stopped training and approached when they saw them come out the Zodiac gate. They were already worried after not seeing him for some days. Especially Aesir, he was starting to feel maybe the advice he gave Derek most have made him go do something he probably shouldn't.But when they came close enough to see them properly, both Tiny and Aesir froze in their steps. Their eyes were widened in shock. Tiny immediately turned to Bastet, "What did you do to him." She asked."Me!? I didn't do anything." Bastet smiled shyly, "Except maybe dropping him in a very large pool of water.""What!?" Tiny instinctively raised the spear in her han
"Welcome Madeline, we have been waiting for you!" A voice whispered and she turned about to the sound of the voice.There stood a very tall slim woman. She had on a white crop top that revealed her very slim waist leadingdown to her white blouse. She had a pair of glasses on, and she smiled sweetly to Madeline."Where I'm I!?...And who are you!?" Madeline asked."Follow me! I'll explain" she said, gesturing to Madeline a path that opened up in front of them.Madeline frowned and at first did not want to, but still followed behind the woman taking gentle steps.Through a yellow path in-between trees that surprisingly had both carrots and cabbages growing on them, to a hut on a hill side. Madeline followed, while her eyes examed her environment with nothing but wonder and surprise.At the small hut, the woman entered, and then she gestured for Madeline to follow. Although she did not want to, she had no choice and followed.Madeline thought that her sense of reality was warped because
Aesir willed and his sword acted as an assist as it went straight for the bird's other wing.*Caw!*The eagle screamed in pain. Manila ran straight for it. And mounting it's back, she delivered a crushing blow to its neck.*Caw!* It screamed again. However, she did not stop for a bit and after the fourth blow, the eagle passed out. Derek and Aesir stared at her in surprise as she slowly stood from the eagle's back. She made fierce eye contact with Derek and then looked away. Aesir turned to Derek with a brow up, and Derek raised his hands in surrender, "what I'm innocent. I swear!" "Of course you are." Aesir smiled and walked away.Manila began work immediately. The plan was to use the bird as a distraction for the scorpions so that they could pass.The best way to do this would be for them to make sure that the beast could no longer pick up flight.Manila was unsurprisingly skilled at this. She cut out the feathers of the beast.Aesir and Derek also joined her and helped. Soon eno
"Exactly! So if you can't solve them, why bother about them? Yet, before you lies a problem that deserves you immediate attention which you can or at least try solving. But you are too concerned with the rabbits in the wild to realize that you should first deal with the one on your plate." Priestess Ada adviced.She smiled and walked away, "Don't forget, listen as a passerby and it will flow naturally." Madeline watched the back of the old lady leaving as the words she had just spoken played again and again in her head. She sat crossed leg once more as she continually told herself to let go. Her eyes closed tightly and suddenly the thoughts as expected came once more.This time around, she decided not to quiet it or silence it. Rather she let it flow naturally.At first she couldn't help but be swept up in the thoughts and the different scenarios they played. Some even ended in tragedy. And this made her ache in worry. This was a disadvantage of over active thinks. A disadvantage t
Derek could not help but look at them and observe them. These were not like the scorpions he knew from earth. For one, they produced webbings from their tail end. Also, there seemed to be very organized and particularly busy.Some of them were bigger, but those big ones were few. And from the looks of it, they monitored the activities of the smaller ones. These creatures were hard at work building it seemed."Scorpion colony! We will have to navigate round them." Manila spoke."Navigate?" Aesir asked, "how far are we talking of?"She pointed to the hill far in the distance. "That far? But that will take at least an extra day off our schedule." Derek added."Yeah! It will. But it will be far better than to have those things have our scent. Cause ones they do, they will follow us for a very long time." Manila advised."Hmmm. Is there no way to distract them?" Derek asked."Well, there are a couple of ways that could work. However, we don't even have the necessary materials to make tha
Madeline nodded her head in understanding to Chief Sasha's words."So what does this have to do with aura?" Madeline asked."Well! Every thing." She picked up another stone from the ground, "according to your definition of aura, then aura is this object in your hands. And has stated earlier, it weighs you down over time." Chief Sasha turned and threw the stone into the water, then she turned once more and slowly released her aura, "However, if you understand that all it is, is an extension of your body, then behold the weight is gone. After all, your hands have always been attached to the rest of your body and you don't hear them complaining."Those words suddenly stroke difference to Madeline. She felt like she was at a state where she wanted to understand. In fact, the enlightenment was just Infront of her, however, it was a yard bit out of reach.She even sat on the ground as she tried to think hard on Chief Sasha's words. However, for the first time in a while, her brain was una
"huh!?" Madeline could not believe what she was hearing."Don't worry! I am not as weak or fragile as you think. I am sure you noticed that we are a small tribe. Yet, we have survived for so long with terrible neighbors such as the Kaka tribe. Although we rarely bring out our full force, we are definitely not weak." Chief Sasha smirked a bit.Madeline nodded and then she commanded the Cerberus to attack. The beast used one of its paws and a heavy blow landed on the chief. *Bam* Some where within the carven, Priestess Ada was attending to a pregnant woman when she heard the boom of the attack. She raised her head and sighed, "So the the training has started."She pretended not to hear it and continue with the pregnant woman in front of her.....Meanwhile, Madeline was panicking. There was a lot of dust and it was difficult for her to see what had happened. As far as she was concerned,she had crushed the chief."Chief Sasha!" She called out in a low tone. Afraid that her eyes might m
A few hours later, Derek ,Aesir and Milan said their good byes as they started their journey to the Gaka tribe.However, before they did Priestess Ada had come to see Derek one more time."Please take care of yourself properly Repono. And if there is absolutely anything you need, do not hesitate to contact me. I maybe far from you, but some of the things I can do will very much amaze you."Once she said this, she touched behind his ear and Derek clearly felt another radio rune added to the one he already had.Radio runes were special but not ominipresent. One had to be within a certain range for it to be used.Derek knew that If she was giving him one, then it meant that she was sure of reaching him as far away as even the Gaka tribe.A sudden realization hit Derek. One that he had not thought of before. Priestess Ada was a Familiar. Which meant that she could also weave runes.He remembered his experience at the cave when he first came and the one that had happen during the fight aga
"And what might the main dish be?" Milan asked with raised brows. Chief Sasha did not exactly know how to have this talk with her daughter. But she knew that she had to. "Erm... Milan how old are you now?" "I am nineteen now!" Milan replied, "but in a couple of months, I'll be twenty." "Oh! That's nice. That's around the same age I was when I had you. Oh, how I remember it like it was only yesterday. That was the happiest day of my life. You were so little and so adorable. Your butt was not this big and chest this full then. It was all so..." "Mother!!!" Milan stopped her. Her cheeks had become red from embarrassment. "Just go straight to the point. Please!" Chief Sasha laughed a bit, "okay! I understand you are a big girl now." She sighed and then laughed some more. Apparently, she was still rolling down memory lane. "So tell me. What do you think about that Master Writer?" Chief Sasha asked. "Huh!?" This question had taken Milan off guard. "What do you mean mother?" "I mean
Meanwhile, back at the mountain that belonged to the Waka tribe, Derek sat crossed legged in a cave assigned to him. This cave was by far a better one than the one he had and his friends had been sharing on first arrival. Also it was decorated appropriately and it even had a bed in the middle made of several animal fur. Derek had already given out instruction that he would loved to be left alone for a while, if not the entrance to this place would have been crowded by people. With rumours of the tribe having a writer as a guest, every body wanted to meet him. Also, tales of his marvelous feat from the battle earlier in the day had reached their ears.He was as good as a god to them at this point. At the entrance of the cave already lay all sorts of gifts for him. However, Derek was not all that interested in playing messiah at the moment. He just had too much on his mind. Too much problems that needed his attention. One of which was the pressing matter that both his women were mis