Secret

Ade walked quietly within the walls of the city belonging to Sunflower. In the front of him, the tribe member who was serving as his guide walked with an arrogant air that Ade could clearly see.

"He does indeed have the right to be arrogant".

Ade looked at the city before him and at the houses. In his mind, he remembered the houses made of wood and hides in his tribe. Compared to them.... no, there was in fact no room for comparison.

During the journey, Ade saw far too many members of Sunflower. The city was bustling with activity. Even the beast skins the men and women wore were of much better quality than Ade's. There were even a number of them who wore sack cloth that only the elder could wear in their tribe. Ade looked at his surroundings, then at the walls of the city far into the distance. He remembered seeing six other tribes, which were like Ondo tribe outside the city walls when he was still midair it was obvious that the citizens there did not have the right to live within the city permanently. They could only live outside.

On the way, Ade saw a lot of trade houses. The land which he walk on was not made out of dirt either. It was covered by smooth stones which were flat. When he stepped on it, the ground was hard. Ade who was used to soft soft terrain found it uncomfortable. Ade also saw several giant spears about hundreds of feet long hanging on the city wall. They gave off a savage aura. It made those who looked at them chills down their spines.

"Are you done looking"? A piercing voice turned Ade's attention away from his surroundings. It was the guide from the sunflower tribe. He looked at Ade as he smiled with arrogance which had turned into a mocking smile.

He was not laughing at Ade alone but jeering at the people who came from smaller places and had similar expressions of awe.

"You can look around later. You'll be staying here for a while so, you can wonder as much as you like anytime you want. I suggest you get out of your house at night. The night scenery in your tribe can't be compared with the likes of Sunflower ".

"Follow me now. We can't have the Elder waiting for long ". The tribe member patted Ade's shoulder, then turned around and walked forward even more quickly

Ade followed in silence.

Right in the center of the sunflower city within the altar, were rooms. The Elder of the Sunflower, The man in red who had reached the awakening realm was sitting in one of the rooms with his legs crossed. The Elder of the Oyo tribe, Lore was sitting across him calmly.

Between them was a chess board, there was also a cup the size of a fist in each of their hands. There was hot steam coming from the cups, along with a nice fragrance spreading around the room

"Lore, when you came back, you gave me this chess board and chess pieces , you even taught me how to play chess. You must have wanted to avoid from being lonely and also wanted someone to cure boredom. Then he lifted his head and smiled.

"This chess board came from the Hulu tribe. I heard that an ancient from Hulu made it in the image of an item from land faraway.... It's a pity. I haven't touched this in years. Now I can't win against you anymore ". The elder took a chess piece and placed it on a corner of the board as he spoke softly.

"Lore, I have always admired you". The man in red sighed as he looked at Lore, who was looked old and wizened. Memories of when they were young appeared in his head. In his memories, the person before them had been so energetic and proud... Among those of the same age, there was no one who did not know his name.... Yet, who would have thought the prodigy in the past would have become such a wizened old man. "You should not have been born in Oyo tribe..... If you had agreed to the elders promise and become his valiant, the elder of Sunflower would not be me, but you.

"Besides you wouldn't have found your training to be so difficult. You should have reached the awakening realm long time before I did.... The elder even mentioned that you were the one who held the most promise to reach the the Abyss realm among all the people he's met in his life."

When he spoke of the Abyss realm, a bright light appeared in the man's eyes and there were filled with longing.

Lore was silent. When he heard the mention of awakening realm, there was bitterness and nostalgia on his face.

"If only you had agreed to the elders promise that year and took vio la as your wife and joined Sunflower, the elder would have used all the resources within to help you reach Abyss realm "... The man in red smiled bitterly.

"Se an, it's all in the past now ", Lore said slowly.

"That's right, it's all in the past now.... " when the man in red heard Lore calling his name, he shook his head and sighed. "You were only willing to see me, your old friend this time because of the child who was standing beside you right? He should be the baby you brought back that year ", Se an looked at Lore and spoke slowly.

"That's one of the reasons. " Lore raised his cup and blew at the beverage, then took a sip.

"I won't hide from you. Indu tribe's Siba will arrive at the awakening realm anytime now! Lore, if you ask me to kill him, then... " Se an hesitated for a moment, then be shook his head. I can't do that. If he manages to reach Awakening realm, it will be a great help to Sunflower. Even if you agree to my request all those years ago, I still won't do it. "

"It's fine." The elder smiled slightly. He thought as much. Se an was not as friendly as he seemed. They both knew more than anyone about their dispute. "You have your problems I understand. This is between me and him. It most come to an end eventually! I came here today to make a trade with you!

"Oh? go on." The Elder of Sunflower, Se an spoke slowly as a light flashed briefly in his eyes. The elder spoke softly. His voice was faint and only Se an could hear him. Once Se an heard it, his demeanor did not change. However, he closed his eyes and appeared to be deep in thought. The elder did not urge him. Instead, he took the cup and sipped his drink slowly.

"Elder, I've brought Ade here".

"Send him in." Se an still kept his eyes closed. Foot steps gradually approached from afar amid the silence of the room.