Chapter 9: Something new.
Two days after I woke up, we take our leave of Herminway pass. I did not see the elder after he gave me the old tome. I wonder where he might've gone.
The book was bland, nothing fancy to it. Just the words 'path of the twilight throne' written in gold letters on the spine. It was a curious thing. Frankly because I couldn't read it.
Not because I didn't understand the language, but because it was completely blank.
A book of mysteries.
I asked Quan about it, he doesn't seem to know anything important or how to decipher the damn thing. But he did say artefacts like this were not common.
There was one other person I could ask, but Ash has been unresponsive to my prodding.
On our way out, we stop at the graveyard again. For my benefit. I say my final goodbyes, I didn't cry --- though it was a near thing.
We travel through the forest, deeper than I've ever gone. On our journey Quan never stops teaching, even while we rest he makes up lessons depending on his mood... At least, I think it's based off his mood.
I learn about forestry, hunting, geography, mapping, a little bit of herbalism here and there. Lots of mundane things that could help me. It was a slow going process as opposed to my weapons training and core refinement.
By now I have gotten rather good with the bow, if I do say so myself. And I do.
The next weapon I chose were polearms.
Specifically short spears and a halberd. I like the extra range they offer during close combat.
We've been traveling due north-northeast, I have no idea where we're going and I don't think I care much. All my focus was on improving myself.
By the third week, Quan initiated a new challenge for me: duels. I have to fight Kassia. Everyday.
Everyday she hands me my ass on a platter. Today was no different. But each day I last a tad bit longer than I did the previous one. I noticed. She noticed. Quan noticed.
We keep up the tempo, without slowing down. Traveling and training became a routine. I find time to study and question Quan about the outworld. He answers as best he could, but always encourage me to discover for myself. In his words, "Nobody knows everything this world has to offer, not even the gods. I have heard rumors of other worlds, but nothing I can confirm. So my boy, discover the secrets of this world for yourself. It could make you, or break you."
I have to agree with him on that one.
As the days turned to weeks I began to notice something about my beloved companion; Kassia Is a battle maniac!
I think she looks more alive during a fight than at any other time. Or maybe she just enjoys beating the stuffings out of me a little too much.
The trek through the forest was continued. It was gigantic, filled with all sorts of flora. The deeper we go, the denser the Vita became. I couldn't pinpoint the difference, but I could tell it affects the environment in diverse ways.
"Vita operates on a spectrum level. Having a wide range of affinities, everyone has an aptitude for a specific type. For example, my aptitude with the fire affinity is quite high at seventy-three percent. That puts me in direct contrast with the water affinity, which is just at eight percent."
"So, you're implying even the environment can have a specific affinity type?"
"Ah, We have a genius among us. Yes, yes... That is correct. How did you figure it out?"
"I can sort of sense a difference in the Vita from different locations. For instance," I point to a copse of withered trees that look like old twigs held together by spit and spite. "... That gnarly looking gathering feels like death."
"Those are called blackrot, highly poisonous. Nasty business. Alchemist use them to make poisons... And yes, you're correct again. They're death attuned." He gives me a funny look. "You're just full of surprises aren't you..."
A few days later, we come to the edge of the forest, Quan calls for us to stop, while he scouts ahead. I don't know what kind of danger he was expecting, but he's been on high alert for while now.
Kassia and I wait, she climbs an enormous kapok. while I settle on the stump of dead tree. I pass the time practicing channeling energy from my cores through my channels, in measured bursts. Trying to reduce wastes. It was grueling but necessary.
My underdeveloped cores cannot hold much energy, as I've not yet gotten a technique to cultivate Vita and increase my capacity. Refining the energy is a chore, but I persevere.
I'm not sure how much time pass before Quan makes his way back. Kassia notices him first --- that girl has insane perception.
"Beyond the forest is the Nravan mountain range, that runs along the Daiyi sea. The good news is, we make it pass the mountain and we're in the Purrian continent; meaning we can probably make it to the Hira dynasty in two years or so, depending on travel speed and progress on your path." Quan wasn't wasting time, everything he does has a purpose. Him laying everything out like this can only mean one of two things.
One, he's had a change of heart and is sharing this information to stoke my sense of adventure. Yeah right, fat chance of that happening.
Two, there's a complication along the road. This is more likely.
"The bad news is there's a nomadic tribe of bone giants currently occupying the mountain pass. And they have a taste for human flesh."
I knew it!
I look forward, towards the range in the distance. Well, I was looking forward to a change of scenery. And this was something new.
"Flesh eating bone giants doesn't sound so bad." I say with a small smile on my face.
I would come to regret those words soon enough.