13 The Understanding - Part 3

"So you asked them to keep it a secret for fear that someone would come after me? Is my power that rare? How did you know? You made me afraid..."

"Don't worry, kid, I'm with you. However, yes, you had better be afraid. I have traveled all over the continent since I was young and never found anyone with similar power. That is how rare you are, Kalui. Unfortunately, thanks to this, none of my friends can help you with this power, least of all me, and unfortunately humanity does not like novelty, child!"

"Why? Is it not nice to have new things? I like new things..."

"Me too. How can I explain...? We cannot think that everyone will think like us. The world belongs to the cruel ones. Bad people have no weaknesses like feelings, family, empathy... They do what needs to be done for their own good. Run away from people like that, Kalui!"

Kalui swallows dryly and asks him worriedly:

"What do I do then?"

"Live by hiding your power or get strong. Strong enough to be good and not hide!"

"What is the best way for me to be able to travel everywhere like you?!"

'I won't tell him that the best way is for him to hide his power, even though it is a safe option, one day it might not be enough... Actually, there is a third option.'

"The best way is for you to become strong without ever showing your power. Then you can live freely, and if something happens, you can defend yourself."

"All right... And what do I do to be powerful enough for that?"

"My training with you is a start, it will already guarantee your physique; besides, a friend of mine will come to teach you about his air element. Now, about your other power, only you can do something about it. I hope that you are learning with air can be replicated in the other power!"

"Will a friend of yours come to train me? Air training sounds a lot more fun than trying to hit you!"

"Ah you ingrate! Hahaha! You will probably soon change your mind! Now, about your mysterious power, do you want to hear an interesting story?" - Said Roldi as he bent forward leaning his elbows on his thighs and his chin on his entwined hands.

"Of course! You never tell me bedtime stories! Kahyu said her mother tells them every day!"

"Hahaha! I do not think this is a bedtime story! It is more like something that will pique your curiosity about the world..."

"Tell me about it!"

The child fidgeted in his chair, shaking his thin little legs.

In a lower tone of voice than usual, Roldi tells his story:

"On one of my trips, I met a wanderer from the great distant lands... He told me stories every day, all day long! I never believed anything coming from him, but it was a great time spent in the caravan. The one story I have not forgotten, is that of a powerful man who rules the entire expanse of the great lands with an iron fist. This man was described by the wanderer as an unknown Elemental, possessing a power that no one has ever seen before, or since. In his story, the traveler said that all those who defied such a man died. Regardless of distance, size, or power, everything and everyone that challenged him perished wherever they were. Of course, I do not remember the details," – Roldi returned to his normal posture, leaning his back against the chair and speaking again in his standard voice – "but that is the summary of the tale. I never forgot it because besides being very interesting, the story came directly from someone who claimed to be from the great distant lands. I think, you have a unique power like his, or maybe the same as his.

"Wow... Do you think I will be that strong?"

"I have no idea, but I do know that if one day you are someone strong, you will be a kind person and not a murderer! Always remember Kalui, ki-"

"There is no going back from killing people. You will always be a killer and have nightmares until the end of your life. Never kill someone unless it is of absolute necessity for self-defense or to save a loved one. I must never be what I do not like and always do what I would want done to me, and things like that..." - Said Kalui shaking his head.

"That's it! Very good. So tomorrow, I will show you the beautiful clothes I bought for you! In addition, some tools and things that will make this place feel more like home!"

"One thing! What is 'great distant lands'?"

"That's for another day. Now go pee yourself to sleep!"

The child stood up quickly.

"Thank you very much da-…" - He feels ashamed, bowing his head for a moment. Then he raised it, smiling. – "Roldi!"

'Yeah, I don't know how to react to that...'

"You're welcome! Let's go to sleep!"

"Ah, Roldi, when is your friend coming?"

"Well, the timing I don't know for sure. Before they took turns and came every four years. However, Enion came three years early this time, so I do not know if Jehan will come before or after four years."

Kalui sat back in his chair, throwing himself.

"Four years! Four! Years?! Why so long?"

"Hum..." - Roldi scratched his head – "I don't know how to explain it... But in the meantime you train with me!"

"It was better not to have told me then..."

"Sorry! Hahaha... Let us go to sleep. Ah, Kalui, remember; do not say anything like that to anyone. Absolutely nobody!"

…

...

...

[Year 952, day 221, Elfen territory, Mountain Valley, near the Mercy border, 1 pm.]

…

The beams of light from the afternoon sun have passed through the clouds with ease. The sky was blue and the clouds were white as snow.

Dressed in a baggy light green T-shirt and dark green shorts, a little boy with long black hair stood inside the gigantic clouds in the sky. The boy looked concentrated, trying to see something far away... Until as the clouds parted, he could see a nest on top of the mountain below him. The very moment he saw such a nest, he shouted with all his might:

"I found it! It's right on the top of this mountain!"

On dry land, far away from the flying boy, White tiger ears reacted to the cry.

"Roldi! Kalui found it! He's on the mountain top."

Sighing, the gray-haired man said:

"Ah Kalui... Why did you shout?"