44 Ki Reservoir

Indell's Family Mansion,

A large white opulent mansion that had been in his family for the last 100 years.

In the central hall, a large spiral staircase dazzled Howard as he held onto Monica's hand with her eyes glittering like crystal balls. Feeling her leaning against his shoulder, Howard smiled before turning to see Jenny playing with her horns.

Indell took them into the main dining room where a large feast had already been prepared. Howard's favorite song, Moon Dance, was being song by a woman in a white dress with a live band slamming noise through the halls.

"We can meet and eat," Indell snickered and sat at the side of the table. "Barabin, I owe this all to you. Please take a seat at the head of the table."

"I-I'm really glad I met your grandmother," Barabin smiled and gulped, seeing the bountiful selection of food, which included an entire lamb, chicken, and pig. "I guess all the money I saved up for her helped out after all?"

"It's made our family rich," Indell laughed, opening up a briefcase. "Anyways, to keep this short so you can celebrate, once every hundred years, the Furnace opens a special place." Indell pointed down at the map. "They call this place the Ki Reservoir. It has thousands of pounds of Coagulated Ki. The Aresoul are under contract by the Exland Empire to win that area at all costs."

'However, we can't let that happen." Indell said, crossing his arms. "Do you want to know why?"

"Doesn't that even work on regular humans?" Howard said, looking at the sheet, "Why would magicians need it?"

"They need it for training, but to the Exland Empire needs it more. It's the equivalent of liquid gold," Indell said, smiling. "The Exland Empire uses that to create those generals you fought. The two men with swords."

"So what?" Monica said, "Howard swatted them away like flies."

"Yes, but the Aresoul can also use it. They want to conquer the entire furnace right," Indell said, tapping his fingers. "Well, if they are able to keep the Ki Reservoir open, they'll be able to train magicians at a much faster rate!"

"I never heard of it," Barabin said, crossing his arms, "Where did you get this information?"

"The-the Exland Empire is good at many things, but are extremely secretive. This also made it easy to hire someone to get this information. Sometimes, keeping secrets makes you vulnerable."

'So, we go to the Ki Reservoir, and then what?" Howard interjected, smiling while eating form a large leg of a lamb. "The Aresoul are stronger than us, right?"

"Not all of us," Monica pointed at Barabin, "You could beat them right?"

"It would start a harsh battle. Unless there is a good reason, I'd rather not interfere when the Furnace opens," Barabin looked down at the map, and held it up. "The Aresoul keep their strongest hidden in the shadows. Just like we do. It have to be for a good reason. How much damage would this do to the Exland Empire?"

"For the next hundred years, they'd be at half strength." Indell smiled, "You guys can live for a long, long time right? If another portal appears, you can destroy them with ease in the future! Wouldn't that be great?"

"They are the least of our problems. The Furnace past this point has been unexplored by the Varlen, Aresoul… There could be dozens of other beings in the Furnace." Barabin cleared his throat. "Teacher Annibell never told this to you all, but the Furnace opens in ten locations. We suspect there are at least 30 different nations hidden that we've never met."

"Yes, I found something in the archives about the Yurenklan. I believe they are experts at making portals." Indell said, "Perhaps you can use them to make contact with me."

"Never heard of them before, either," Barabin said, nodding his head, "Thank you grandson. I know this will make things hard for you."

"It doesn't make sense," Howard said, turning his head to the side, "Why take such a large risk? Didn't Reece just contact you days ago?"

"I'll be honest. Coagulated Ki would be worth billions per ounce if it got to the surface. If you take over the Ki Reservoir, you'll have access to it for a hundred years. You know what I mean, right Barabin?"

"I do," Monica said, crossing her arms. "It's one of the reasons Zack went into the Furnace last year. He wanted to create a pathway. When the Furnace closes, the entire middle of the Furnace is dark and dangerous. However, if you make a path in the sand, you can find your way to a certain place."

"Exactly," Indell said, "The old pathways will disappear, and you will be able to claim areas in the Furnace that will be yours for one hundred years."

"There is one thing though. Different parts of the Furnace open up ever year," Barabin said, "In a cycle of one hundred, so isn't every year a once in a hundred year event. Why do the Exland Empire need this specific Ki Reservoir?"

"Ah, you know about that, obviously," Indell brushed back his long black hair and smiled. "That's because this isn't ordinary Coagulated Ki. It works on even regular humans because of the terrain in the Furnace. Just like different oceans create different types of salt, this area has very special minerals. I believe it increases strength, and stamina."

"Hmmm, that's interesting,' Howard said, "So, I'm guessing you'd want some of it."

"No, hahaha! What would me being strong do to help me? I spend most of my time planning," Indell gently patted his grandfather on the back. "This is about wanting me to help my family. My great grandmother would've wanted it. I also don't like the Exland Empire very much. The weaker they are, the better."

"Well then, enough about the serious stuff. You'll be teleporting back to the Furnace in 12 hours. Why don't you all do some normal things. Most of you are younger than twenty-five. Go have fun being kids!"

"Howard, let's go," Monica blushed, pulling his hand, "It's getting dark. Watch the stars with me or I'll bite you!"

"Wait, where's Jenny?" Howard said, seeing that she'd never entered the room. "Is everything okay?"

"She's on the phone with her parents," Indell crossed his arms, 'I-I talked to her when we walked in. Don't worry, when you go back in a couple of hours, she'll have some very interesting stuff to show you."