Whispers of the past

Three months had passed since Thanos and his comrades had begun their rigorous training at the War Gods Military Academy, and their progress was undeniable. The soldiers had hardened, their bodies sculpted through relentless drills and physical conditioning. Even without forming the upper dantian, Thanos had excelled in many aspects of cultivation, particularly in his physical prowess, reflexes, and Qi control. However, as the days bled into weeks, a widening gap became more apparent between those who had successfully formed their upper dantian and those, like Thanos, who had not.

For Thanos, the lack of an upper dantian meant he was limited in his soul cultivation, leaving him at a disadvantage. Soul cultivation, linked to the upper dantian, was crucial for spiritual insight, mental clarity, and developing advanced techniques like domain creation. Without it, Thanos and others like him were left vulnerable in certain aspects of combat. Yet, he refused to let it stop him. He pushed himself harder than ever, honing his body and mastering Qi techniques that did not rely on the soul.

As Thanos gripped the hilt of his training sword, the sweat from his brow dripping onto the dry earth, he exhaled slowly. He had completed his drills for the day, but the gnawing sense of being left behind still weighed on him. He had witnessed the difference in combat performance between himself and Seth Gordon, who had fully formed his upper dantian. Their training battles showcased Seth's ability to manipulate Spirit Qi with a finesse that Thanos couldn't yet match.

After one particularly grueling sparring session, Thanos sat alone, gazing at the horizon as the sun dipped below the city walls. The enemy beyond Earth, the Eldorian Elves, had been quiet for months. It was as if the gods themselves had pressed pause on the invasion. The mechs that once appeared as terrifying harbingers of war had vanished. Word had spread that the gods had intervened, forcing the elves to wait until the end of the ten-year ban. Earth had eight years and nine months left to prepare. But even with that buffer of time, the weight of the looming conflict never left the minds of the world's leaders—or the soldiers preparing to defend their home.

Thanos knew that war was coming. The countless meetings of world leaders, the construction of shelters, the formulation of battle plans, all signaled one thing: Earth was racing against time to fortify itself for the inevitable.

***

Meanwhile, deep within Flaming Bull City, an ancient discovery had shaken the city's historical scholars and military leaders alike. An excavation team, led by none other than Princess Imani Obarisiagbon, had uncovered a ruin that had long been buried beneath the shifting sands of time. The architecture of the ruin hinted at something extraordinary: it was believed to be the former residence of one of the Seven Great Families, a lineage blessed by the Lord Buddha himself. Despite the ruin's age, much of the structure had remained intact, but the telltale scars of battle were etched into its walls.

Imani had been the first to set foot inside the ruin, her curiosity drawing her deeper into the history of her people. She had studied the carvings, the remnants of ancient Qi techniques, and the halls that once housed powerful cultivators. Yet, as she and her team delved further into the site, they encountered signs of conflict—evidence of a power struggle between the Seven Great Families. The destruction of the residence had been the aftermath of one such battle, a reminder of the city's turbulent past.

After her initial report to King Obadele, the king had forbidden Imani from continuing the expedition. He feared that his enemies, emboldened by the growing tension between the noble families, would target her. The city was a powder keg, and Princess Imani was too valuable a figure to lose.

But Imani was not one to be caged. She confronted her father, her voice firm but respectful. "Father, I am not a prisoner in this city," she had said, standing tall in the royal chamber. "I am meant to rule it. How can I lead if I am hidden away like some fragile treasure? Let me see our history with my own eyes, and let me prove that I can protect myself."

Obadele had hesitated, his protective instincts warring with his respect for his daughter's strength. In the end, he relented. He allowed her to return to the ruin, but not without a contingent of his strongest soldiers to ensure her safety. The king had also asked Captain Shaun to assign additional soldiers from the War Gods Military Academy as escorts. Among them, Thanos and Shino were selected, along with three others.

***

Thanos felt a surge of both pride and anxiety as he stood alongside the escort team. Escorting the princess was no small task, especially given the dangerous political climate. Flaming Bull City was on the verge of unraveling, with noble families plotting in the shadows. He couldn't help but feel that he was being pulled into something larger than just his training. The weight of responsibility felt different from the battlefield drills or Qi exercises. This mission was about the future of the city.

As the expedition party prepared to leave for the ancient ruin, Thanos couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just an archaeological investigation. The tension in the city had been palpable lately, and though there had been no direct attacks, rumors of rebellion within the noble families were spreading. The Nzekwu family, in particular, had been mobilizing forces, and the discovery of the ruin—an emblem of ancient power—seemed to have stirred the pot further.

Imani Obarisiagbon rode at the front of the group, her posture regal yet relaxed, her gaze determined. She had earned the respect of many within the city for her wisdom and strength, but Thanos knew that she, too, was burdened by the expectations placed upon her. She was to be the ruler of Flaming Bull City one day, and this journey was part of that legacy.

The soldiers moved in silence as they approached the outskirts of the city, the air thick with anticipation. Thanos glanced at Shino, who walked beside him, his expression calm but focused.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Shino asked quietly, his eyes scanning the horizon.

Thanos nodded. "This isn't just about the ruin. There's something more at play here."

Shino smirked. "Always is."

As they drew closer to the ruin, the echoes of ancient battles seemed to hang in the air. The crumbling walls and weathered statues told stories of a forgotten era, but Thanos couldn't help but wonder what new stories would be written in this place. And how, somehow, his own fate might be tied to it. Perhaps on this journey he might find something that would be of help to his cultivation.