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
According to what Lydia had said, he was supposed to just put the imprint of his soul rune on the contract. But Derek was not sure how long his imprint could even suppress the contract, and he did not know if it would only free Kareem but still make the lives of the Bahitis a living hell. That was not what he wanted. He desired for them to be totally freed, and so he located the contract and attempted to destroy it.He was a bit surprised when he saw the creature that represented the contract, but that only increased his desire to destroy it more. The last time Derek had made an attempt on Kareem, the evil spirit had appeared and Kareem had not even been the contract holder.Of course, it was expected that since he actually destroyed the contract, the evil spirit would appear again. Although Derek expected his arrival, what to do next was beyond him. Knowing a problem and solving it were entirely two different things.Th
Derek entered the Temple with giant strides, proud shoulders and an elegant smile to top it up. He gave his friends the treats from Mrs Bahiti and then he rushed to his room before anybody could even ask what the occasion was.Derek sat in a lotus position just as Walter had taught him. But it was not to resonate with runes. It was an assignment he was working on. One that would benefit not him but his friends.For other Writers, all they had in them was one soul rune that regardless of its quality and strength, was still inanimate. It was like a soldier having a knife while another soldier had a machine gun. Obviously, both weapons cannot be compared. But what Derek had as compared to the others was an AI system with access to all the facilities of a military base.Yes! what was supposed to be his natural soul rune that he was tracked before had already been fortified by Hayaa. Even if a wavelength lantern
The others: Aesir, Madeline and Lydia also watched with surprise. The shock was more on his friends that had been at the orphanage with him for years than it was on Bastet. That was because these guys knew that Derek had never lifted a finger in his entire life. Although he did not attack, his method of defence was in fact an attacking skill in its own right.Bastet suddenly had a silly idea as she looked at Derek's audience. She clapped her hands and the creatures attacking Derek stopped and shy away in fear. "Aesir! why don't you go a round with your friend.""Huh!" Everybody exclaimed."Yes, both of you pick a weapon each." After a few seconds of contemplating, they were both on the sparing platform with dummy weapons. Derek held a dummy spear while Aesir held a dummy short sword.Derek and Aesir looked at each other and both smiled. From the look they gave each other, Aesir knew tha
In the clash just now, it appeared to the outside world that Lydia won. But Bastet would agree otherwise. Tiny had taken her time to read Lydia carefully and only attacked when she tried to adjust her point of balance. Tiny was quick and precise, she even went for the side of the body Lydia was weaker on. If not for Lydia's flexibility that made up for the advantage Tiny had exploited, this fight would have ended as soon as it started. Lydia frowned, she was no longer going to take Tiny lightly. "This girl excelled at exploring weaknesses in a fight." She thought. What she needed to do was make up for any flaws she might show or she could try that other method. Lydia smiled in realization. She turned the other knife also in a reverse grip. Then she attacked head-on. Her hands were lowered, giving the false impression that her entire torso was opened up for attacks. Tiny saw this and even though she guessed that it was a tr
After enough encouragement from her friends, Madeline finally summoned the guts and went up the sparing platform. Bastet was already there waiting for her."As much as I want to, I won't attack first. Although if it was a different opponent, I would!" Bastet stated, "So I suggest you bring out your best cause you'll definitely not have another chance."Bastet then took out a red piece of cloth and tied it to her hand. "If you can get this scarf from me, you win." Although the task looked easy, it would be wise to remember that this was Bastet. The house familier of House Thembeka. Her title was literally 'WARRIOR' goddess of protection. The 'warrior' in her name was not words made to make her title look pretty.Madeline nodded. She suddenly sat in a cross-legged position on the floor. Everyone watching the fight including Bastet her opponent was perplexed. "What was she doing?" They thought, "Was she giving up before the fight even st
After the fight with Bastet, Madeline was celebrated so much anyone would think she won the lottery. Bastet had suggested a little party to celebrate their growth. Even though they were both winners and losers, everyone had to admit that the star of the day was undoubtedly Madeline. While Derek inquired from Madeline about the specifications of her power, Lydia and Tiny exchange opinions about their fight. Aesir on the other hand felt a bit down.Even though Tiny had always been the toughest, Aesir had always been the strongest. But now regardless of how hard he had worked, He had only barely made any improvements. Derek that was usually the weakest could now challenge him and Madeline that was always a coward could now stand out enough in a fight with Bastet. Aesir wondered if he could have stood a chance against Madeline and her creatures not to talk of Bastet herself. He felt the zeal to work harder than ever and so he took an early exit from th
Bastet dropped Aesir off in his room, "Poor boy," she whispered as she left the room. She went back to meet the others in the hall. How it happened, she did not know. But Tiny and Lydia were having an arm-wrestling competition. Apparently Tiny wanted a rematch of sorts.Bastet went back to her seat and watched the kids as they played at the table. She couldn't help but smile. She knew times like this would not always come. It was best for them to enjoy themselves whenever the opportunity presented itself.The world of Writers was never a nice one. She looked at Derek and could not help but shake her head. She could imagine how rough the road would be for him. And worse, he was part human. Those Writers in the noble families would look for every opportunity to eat him raw. She knew the only thing that could secure his life was strength.Even the House of Thembeka would not take lightly to a weak heir. And at
Derek had not returned to the hall but went back to his room. He was in no mood for celebrations. The only matter on his mind was how to rescue Maria from the Nathifa family. After nearly an entire day of pondering, he finally came up with a plane roughly in his head. But he knew he would not be able to do it alone.And so, this resulted in the small meeting in his room. Naturally, the meeting attendees were Tiny, Aesir and Madeline. Lydia was most definitely not invited. She was Bastet's acolyte. That alone spoke volumes of where her loyalty lay. Derek did not want a situation where he was snitched to Bastet because of a careless trust. The only people he could truly trust with his back turned and eyes closed are those currently in this room with him.Since Derek came back from the Red sea, he had become a lot more sensitive to runes. Although he could not control all runes, it was basically not an issue to sense their presence. He had noti
"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