With war on the horizon Silva's rapid progression came to an end, no longer did he focus solely on breaking through the last stage of the Body Tempering Realm. It might have seemed counter intuitive, but Fal insisted that there were certain skills Silva needed to learn that would be more beneficial in the coming years.
"But shouldn't reaching the Spirit Manifestation be my primary goal, you said it yourself that possessing the means to defend myself with Qi is paramount," Silva questioned as he placed his stone on the board sealing of a sector and claiming it as his territory, "Surely the more time I have to master my application of Qi the better."
"In any other situation I would agree wholeheartedly," Fal answered while playing his turn placing a stone that surrounded a small group of Silva's pieces capturing them, "However you must consider the time line, in five years war will be upon us. When that time comes the Empire will most likely mobilize the Imperial Army and establish a perimeter along the outskirts consisting of several camps. Those camps will then be placed under the command of a Clan, who will bear the responsibility of repelling any Warband and their Fiends."
"With my father still in seclusion, who will take charge of our armies?" Silva asked as he ignored his loss of stones and focused on consolidating a defensive front, blocking off another section.
Fal responded by going on the offensive once more, capturing more of Silva's stones, "Elder Jantu will take up the position of General in your father's stead which is unfortunate timing."
"Politics?" Silva questioned and Fal nodded, "This war will be a chance for your brothers to display their strength and leadership. Each will receive control of a squadron and be entrusted with missions to carry out as captains. With Jantu having the final say in military assignments I have no doubt that he will give the most favorable missions to your brother Reinga."
"So the First Elder is supporting the First Born," Silva summarized as he placed a stone far away from his claimed territory.
Fal paused, staring at the isolated piece before placing his stone next to it beginning the process of surrounding it, "Yes, while Yula has claimed Tenga and Dantu has placed all his hopes in Bua. They will all act as advisors during the war ensuring that their investments don't meet a sudden end."
"Hmm sounds complicated, hopefully in the chaos they'll not have time to think about me," Silva commented off handedly as he placed another stone on the board extending his territory.
"I wouldn't hope for it considering you'll also be given the rank of captain in charge of your own squadron." Fal corrected, making Silva pause, "Even with my heritage?"
Fal smirked and placed his piece, "Yes even as a bastard your father's blood still runs through your veins, and that gives you status. Treating you as just another clan member would be a slight on your father's honor and none can risk drawing his ire at such a crucial stage."
Silva opened his mouth to say something but Fal anticipated his next question, "No, you cannot refuse the assignment, and it's not just for the sake of appearances. If you refuse to become a captain that puts you at a lower ranking than your brothers meaning that if you don't swear allegiance to one of their factions they could all give you an order and you would be bound by Imperial law to carry it out or face charges of insubordination. If that happens not even your father will be able to protect you from the consequences."
Silva sighed, but didn't protest any further as he stared at the board before looking up at his uncle, "I pass."
Fal grinned, "I pass as well, very well played."
"I still didn't come close to winning," Silva said though there was a light in his eyes showing he had enjoyed the game despite losing.
"Yes, but with every game you're refining your strategy and it's already at a respectable level," Fal commented as he started to pick his pieces off the board.
"Should I go more on the offensive?" Silva asked for advice seeking to improve.
"Why, because I won by doing so?" Fal answered Silva's question with one of his own, "Does copying my methods assure you victory?"
Silva left the question unanswered but the Fal's message was clear and a second later he stood up, "Come it's time for another round of sparring, I'm eager to see how you'll apply what you've learned.
---
Fal was sent sliding back across the courtyard kicking up a small blizzard with his passing as he disturbed the thick blanket of snow covering the cobbled stone. Digging in his feet, Fal brought himself to a sudden stop creating a small shockwave that cleared away the snow in a small radius around him.
Standing up straight, Fal looked over at Silva who hadn't moved or given chase, instead he remained rooted, his legs firmly affixed like trunks holding up massive canopies. Taking in the sight, Fal grinned as a surge of immense pride made his heart race, 'I couldn't have asked for a more compatible disciple.'
Over the last three years Silva had truly come into his own, flourishing in a way that Fal had once only dreamed of. It was not a quantitative chance, Silva was still in the third stage of the Body Tempering realm, his body hadn't gone through another baptism, he hadn't unlocked the natural laws hidden within his physique. The transformation Silva had undergone was one of quality, a subtle but profound difference that Fal found to be far more elusive than pure advancement.
From Fal's perspective Silva had begun to truly embody his path, incorporating its ethos into every aspect of his life. Such an undertaking was no small feat, and Fal believed was only possible due to Silva's unique nature, having lived his entire life as a mortal and died as one.
That was the conclusion Fal had reached, one that Silva had never confirmed or given reason to suspect, but Fal could sense it within his nephew.
When choosing a direction with no clear guide, there would always be some doubt as to whether one would end up at their chosen destination. Removing these doubts was paramount to walking one's path, but to do so came at a cost, it required a moment of absolute faith. A situation where the traveler had no other option but to trust in the ideals and reasoning that had carried them to such a critical terminus often reached by clashing with another at the same milestone or even one beyond. The one who emerged to continue their journey would find their path more defined than ever as if an invisible fog had been scattered by a south blowing wind.
Fal had experienced several of those moments himself, often on the battlefield fighting against an enemy. And after so many years Fal had begun to sense it in others as well, those who had walked paths that brought them within death's reach and yet stayed true to their beliefs.
At first Fal believed that Silva was the same, and in many ways he was, but there was one key difference, his path hadn't brought him within death's reach, it had led Silva into death's very embrace. For most that would have been the final terminus, an ending that some would face with stern resolution of indignant defiance. Even Fal who had lived for thousands of years could never separate himself from the most primal of fears.
But somehow against all odds Silva's mortal understanding had allowed him to see death not as an ending, but a new beginning, a way to create and continue a new path with unshakable resolve. After all, what greater obstacle could there be, than death itself.
"Is everything alright Uncle?" Silva suddenly asked, breaking Fal out of his train of thought.
Standing up with a smile, Fal let his hands drop to his sides, "Yes, I was just coming to a decision, I believe it's time for you to choose a weapon."