What comes with wisdom is learned through heart

I've spent some time again spending time with my Nina. But I think it's about time for me to go and get Lóng's blessing. I ask Lex to send me there, but Low wants to come with me, so she teleports us to the city of Tianlong. The territory that Lóng rules is called Tian. I had my hood in my face just in case. I notice that people here are mostly beast folk like they were in Teteocan. There were some demons and elfs here and there, but it was mostly beast folk. I notice that there are way more people in here than in any other city I visited. Even Atlas comes second in comparison. They had tall buildings that seemed to house most of the population.

We asked around where can I find Lóng and most of what we heard was that we'd have to enter the golden district and try to ask there. I asked for directions and they told me how to get there. It was an upper level district that houses the most wealthy people in Tianlong. To get there, you must have a pass and given that I don't know anyone here, I don't have any. Low was bit confused as to why we cant just walk in there, and I told her.

- There is a system that doesn't allow us to enter upper level district. They want to keep it that way so that the people there can feel more comfortable.

- Then how do we get there?

- That is the question.

Then we hear a voice that we didn't recognise calling for us.

- Hey you demon and hooded fellow.

- You mean us.

- Yes you. What is your business here?

I notice that the man who is talking to us has a long straight beard and mustache. His Hair color is white due to age and he had a demon tatoos on his face. He also had small horns. He was wearing a blue eastern clothes that had few red parts. He also had a fan in his hand.

- You seem to be looking for something. What might that be?

- We are looking for an entrance to the golden district but we have no a pass.

- Oh, I see. Then what are you looking in the golden district?

- We are looking for dragon lord Lóng.

- Oh, then I have an excellent proposition for you two. Would you follow me and I explain it on the way. My name is Li Gon

We look at each other and we decide to go with it.

- Let's go.

- Excellent. Then...

He starts to walk and we follow him.

- Do you know if the institute of Chian?

- No, we are quite new here.

- Well it is a school that I happen to be one of the board members. In Tian, there is sometimes a test that is called "champion's challenge". Once you enter that contest, the great Lóng will read each and every one of the papers submited. If there is one paper that interests the lord, he will call for you to enter his sanctum that floats atop the golden district. This is test is your ticket to meet the lord of wisdom himself. Do you wish to enter that competition?

- But we can't write the letters of this language.

- No need to worry. The test can be writen in any language you wish for. The instructions are also in common, so you don't have to worry. What do you say?

- When is this competition taking place.

- Couple weeks from now.

- I see. Do we really have a permission to enter?

- Anyone can enter. As long as you impress the lord of wisdom, then you are free to meet him.

- I see. Well, then we will take this test.

- Excellent! Now, we are just around the corner.

We go to a big eastern house that has plenty of servants greeting us in. We follow Li and he orders some of his servants to get us something. We enter a room that smells comfy. Mister Li then says.

- Wait for a moment here.

He leaves us to wait for a while. Then he enters the room with his servants, carrying tons of books. They put them on the ground and he tells us.

- Now then. Now that we got all that we need, it's time for you to go to work.

- What do you mean?

- These books are for you two. To study for the champion's challenge.

- You mean we have to read all of this.

I stare at the mountain of books.

- Indeed. If you read these, you will have solid understanding when you write your answers. Now then, would you care for a joke?

- A joke? Sure, what is it?

- Knock knock.

- Who's there?

- Li Gon.

- Li Gon who?

- Li Gon these nuts.

The room is silent for a while. Me, Low, the servants there and mister Li stood there in silence for a while. Then mister Li breaks the silence by mumbling to himself.

- Well damn it. I thought that joke was a hit.

He clears his throat.

- Anyways, I leave you to these books. Call the servants if you need anything. Now then, strenght be with you!

He and the servants leave the room and now it's only me and Low. Low thens says.

- Guess it's time to read.

- I guess.

We then spend couple of weeks reading all kinds of books. There were lots of books about poetry, arithmetics, novels and history. But today was the day we do the test. We wake up well rested and go to eat breakfast with mister Li. He starts the conversation.

- So, todays the day.

- Indeed it is.

- Have you two read enough.

- Plenty.

- Hope you will do enough to impress his lordship.

- I hope so too.

Then we notice that our breakfast had a text on it that said "Do your best!" Aah, thank you whoever made this.

We ate and we were about to go to the exam. A servant was there to quide us to the right place. We wave when we leave Li's house while he is waving back and we left ready to take on this exam. But I shouldn't be too positive. There are many people in Tian that are takin this exam. I must give my absolute best.

We enter the institute and we are guided to the test room. I had to take my hood off during this exam. And since magic wasn't allowed during the exam, I couldn't use illusion magic to hide that I'm a human. Immediately I got some stares but I moved on. When we were seated, I was given the wobbly chair and when they gave us pens, I got two that were tiny. They even gave me a sharpener just because of this. I can feel the racism.

Then we were handed the papers. One stack was where we were supposed to write and one was the stack with guestions. When we got the mark, we turned our papers and started doing the test. The first question was "what does the tulip's name mean in the language of flowers?" Well luckily I knew the answer. The next question was "name every tourist spot you know that are in Atlas." Easy question. Next... "write a story about a flower that has over 2000 letters."

...

What? ... Don't worry, you got this.

The rest of the exam went on pretty smootly, but I doubt that my answers were enough to impress the lord of wisdom. Oh well.

We then went back to mister Li's house and we told how it went.

- There were some guestions that were hard to answer, but at least I answered every question.

- Me too. I almost didn't remember what the first question's answer was, but I managed to remember. I think I did very well.

Mister Li says.

- Well, let's hope lord Lóng is impressed. Feel free to stay in this house as long as you like.

- Thanks, but I think we will head back to Atlas.

- You say that like it's an easy feat. Does this mean you can teleport in great distance?

- Not me, but Low can.

- So she can... Well, just remember to inform the servants when you are here and that you will come back in a month.

- Will do. Let's go Low.

Low then teleports us to Atlas. We then spent the rest of the month just staying in Atlas. Playing with Nina, teaching Nina and helping Mary with her work. I could have tried to get the other blessing that I'm missing, but I'm currently so nervous that I can't focus on that right now. I'm in no hurry to do that anyways. I need to be part of my kid's life too. I'm too curious what Lóng will think of my exam.

And so, the month was spent away in Atlas. We went back every now and then to visit mister Li, Stella, Lex, Relse and even Teno. Now that the exams have been evaluated, we only had to wait to see the results. We asked that the results would be sent to mister Li's residence. Then the day came when we got the letters. Me, Low, mister Li and couple of servants we got to know were nervously waiting to see what's inside the letters. Low opened the letter first and we saw the results. Low passed the exam and she had a golden pass with her name on it that allows her to enter Lóng's sanctum. It had some magical properties as well. The servant were jumping from joy. Then it was time for me to open the letter. When I opened it, it said that I didn't pass, but I still got a golden pass with my name on it. What is this?

I asked mister Li what this means, and he said.

- I think that means that, while you didn't pass the exam, you were invited to the sanctum. I don't know why this is though.

- But why would I be invited?

- That you must ask from the lord. The time to enter the sanctum is a week from now. Get ready and come when the time comes. I will prepare a suitable attire for you two.

We then waited for a week for this meeting. We got back to mister Li's house to dress up properly. I got an dark blue eastern clothes and Low got light gray eastern clothes. It was late and the sun had already settled We then were guided by one of the servants to where we must go. It brought us great joy that we could enter the golden district. I got few looks from people since I wasn't allowed to use illusions in golden district. What surprised me is that the servant that came with us had a pass as well. Perhaps some servants have the pass for their bosses. We then enter a lift that took us up in the sanctum. On the lift we parted ways with the servant. The sanctum glimered with golden lights to all who were below. When we were up there, we saw another a cat folk person waiting on the sanctum. He introduced himself to Low but not me.

- Pleasure to see you madam. My name is You Buo and I'm one of the three people that were accepted to this sanctum. What might your name be madam?

- My name is Low and this is Nor.

- So your servant's name is Nor. Well good evening to you. Now that your master is here, I think that you can go now. We need to just wait for the third to arrive.

- The third is already here.

- I beg your pardon?

- Nor is the third one.

- Surely you jest. A lowly human couldn't possibly be invited to this place.

- Show it to him Nor.

I show him my pass fot the sanctum.

- This... How can this be? A lowly human got accepted in the holy sanctum? I can't...

Then a person with feathery wings came to us and said.

- Welcome to the Lóng's holy sanctum. My name is Pao and I'm here to quide you to my master's room.

- Excuse me, but why is mere human invited to this holy place?

- It was the will of lord Lóng.

- That can't possibly be it. It must be a fake invitation or something. A human coudn't possibly bear the real one.

- With all due respect, I can sense from here that the invitation mister Nor got is indeed his.

- And now you are calling a lowly human a mister! Oh how far you, the servant of our lord, have fallen.

- If you have an issue with it, come and tell lord Lóng about it.

- I will surely get to the bottom of this.

- Then all three of you, follow me.

We all then follow Pao to the hall that could house a dragon or two. There was a man behind veil that we couldn't see through. Only his shadow was shown. I assume that he is Lóng himself. We then bow down and he starts to speak.

- Greetings students, welcome to my sanctuary. Please, rise up.

We do so.

- Now, all of you have come here after completing the exam with admirable results. That means you are all worthy of my blessing.

- Just wait a second.

- What is it? Did something displease you?

- Yes. With all due respect, why have you allowed a human to enter your sanctum?

- Humans are like any other mortal in this plane of existance. They have the right to ascend to heavens if they are worthy as much as the other races.

- That surely isn't right. They are warmongering race that hunted our ancestors like they were some game.

- Unfortynately, their past was that what caused a great war between humans and other races. But the fact that they hunted any other race like they were some beasts is simply false. I was there when the humans invaded. The war took many lives, but humans back then respected their enemies and let people live if they fell under their rule.

- But they are simply animals! They come to our cities, steal our food, rape our women and corrupt our childen. Please, if you have some heart left for your subjects, please throw that damned human out of the sanctuary. It's for your own self image.

- The one who is acting like an animal is only you. Every race has it's bad apples, but that doesn't make the whole race an evil existance. Retract your words and appologise to Nor this instant Il.

- But.

- Do you think that my wisdom betrays me?

- No! Of course not! It's just...

- Then appologise.

- I'm... I'm sorry for my rudeness towards you. You have my... utmost apologies.

- Now do you accept this apology Nor?

I say.

- I accept.

- Good. Now Il Buo. Come forth.

He does so.

- I give you a blessing of wisdom as you have proven your worth by the exemplar work you have done.

- You honor me, my lord.

- Now, feel free to leave. Pao.

Pao answers.

- Yes master. Right this way mister Buo.

They start to leave. But not before Il gives me a nasty look.

When they are gone, Lóng starts to speak again.

- Now that that's done with. You two, come forth.

We do so.

- You both have done well for what I've seen. Unfortunately, since those who have passed the exam will become public knowledge, Nor wasn't allowed to be passed. They even destroyed Nor's exam and pretended that it didn't exist. But luckily, little bird told me beforehand that Nor was entering, so I restored his work with my power. Publicly speaking Nor, you haven't passed the champion's challenge and thus, you haven't recieved my blessing. Do you understand Nor?

- Yes I do.

- Good. Now then, may the both of you have my blessing and may your future be quided by wisdom.

I feel weird inside.

- Thank you lord Lóng.

- Thank you.

Lóng then makes the veil transparent. What we saw was surprising. It was mister Li. He had long blue draconic tail with red spikes coming from the top.

- Hello Nor and Low.

- Mister Li is, lord Lóng?

- Not quite. Li Gon is my offshoot that has the ability to do independent actions. He is still part of me, but he isn't quite me either. We share senses and memories, so we do act quite similarly. But there are some differences in us that you can notice.

- This is... wow.

Low says.

- This is an interesting turn of the events. Why did you help us?

- I saw that both of you had something special inside you. Low had an godly aura, even if only a dim one, and Nor had not only voidborn's soul as part of him, but also blessings of five of my siblings. Both of you were people that I had great interest in.

- Don't tell me you used preferential treatment when looking at our papers.

- I can neither confirm nor deny this claim.

- You... You say you are wise, but still you are easily swayed by fevoritism.

- Don't get me wrong, if they had been total nonesense, I wouldn't have accepted you. You proved yourself enough by your fantastic immagination and stories.

- So he indirecty admits it.

- I can neither confirm nor deny that.

- You cheater.

- Hey, I'm no cheater. I use complicated set of judgments in my evaluations. Just because I knew the people personally, there was more for me to evaluate than what the papers said.

- Again you admit it. All be it indirectly.

- Let's move the subject. Congratulations.

- Thanks.

I say.

- Thanks. Also, care to explain what happened with humans and other races?

- Very long time ago, humans lived in peace in a place they called Ihm. There they dealed with each other with no knowledge of other races. Then came the six so called human gods that called themselfs "the kindled." No one knows where they came from, but rumor has it that they gained their power through some dark ritual. They presented themselfs as the guides for humanity and they ruled the other humans with an iron fist. Their powers were unmatche by all the the existing humans. The kindled led the humans that worshiped them as god to conquer other lands. So they sailed and attacked other civilisations in the name of conquest. They killed other races with amazing strenght that wasn't seen in anywhere else. Like they were under some spell or something. They conquered and conquered, until they finally reached the dragon lords lands. There they were put to a stop. But they didn't stop there. They called for the aid of their gods that could kill even a dragon lords. Many of the dragon lords perished during the war and many were scarred by the ruthless war. Until the true gods gave their aid to the still existing dragon lords and with their newfound strengt, they defeated the false gods and finally the humans quieted down and retreated to their homes. Many humans had settled to the newfound lands, so the human presense never faded, but the hatred still remained. They weren't the first false gods, but they were the ones that caused most havoc through Norbul. So the story goes.

- That's some story for sure. What were the kindled?

- We still don't know. They were undeniably as powerfull as gods. They werent the first ones nor the last. There are still those who carry whatever power those kindled and their comrades had. Some still call them gods or demigods. Humans weren't the only ones that became these false gods.

- Now I have to wonder what they were. You said that many dragon lords perished. Is that true?

- Yes, there were many of us before that insident. So many that we aren't even the third of the number that we originaly were. Many of the weaker ones perished. We even lost one of our stronger ones that could spar with Fafnir. We called those times "the age of gods and monsters." There were no other way of putting it.

- You called yourselfs monsters?

- The monster population was way bigger in those times. We didn't call ourselfs monsters. We called ourselfs gods in that sentence. Even if we didn't intend so, we were classified as gods in many eyes of the mortals. We were and still are, for lack of a better word, false gods. At least the voidborn granted the remaining dragon lords the power to send mortals to their special afterlife.

- Wait, that doesn't make sense. Kholkikos was supposed to be the guardian of Kholkis, the aftelife of those who worship dragons. How can the afterlife be created long after these events?

- Ah, so you know of Kholkikos. Well, the explanation is quite simple. We just didn't have the power to give them a permission to enter that afterlife. It was first done by Mors. Kholkis was originally meant to be afterlife for dragons. When mortals started to worship dragon lords as gods, the voidborn granted other mortal races the ability to enter that afterlife.

- Ah, now I see.

- Now then Nor, back to a different topic. Now you only have Ryū to take care of. She might be bit of a tough one, but she means well. She is still tired from the war. As are we all.

- I keep that in mind.

- Also, feel free to visit me anytime you like. Not only Li but also me. Just make sure that I'm not in an important meeting or anything.

- Will do. See you later.

- See you later.

We then leave and we are back in Atlas. It's finally done. The pressure is finally over. Now to spend some guality time with my Nina. I go to her room and say.

- Nina. Dad is here.

- Not now dad, I'm trying to study.

- Oh... Okay... Sorry for disturbing you.

I close the door and I can feel something in me break a bit.

- She is growing too fast.

Low looks at me and says.

- Don't worry about it. She only wants to help Mary as soon as possible. Now that you have been here for a while, she's gotten a fill of you to the point that she can focus on studies.

- I... I get it. I guess it's time to ask Lex some answers.

We go to Lex.

- What is it?

- You have told me about the five gods.

- Yes?

- Then how about the rest of them?

- I don't follow.

- The kindled.

- Did Lóng tell you?

- Yes he did.

- Then he said something unnecessary.

- Tell me what you know.

- What does it matter to you anyways?

- I want to know what happened.

- You have some memories of Soul. Just use them.

- They are foggy and hard to make sense out of.

- Then it isn't my problem.

- Why are you so defencive in this matter?

- Because it is not important.

- I heard what the kindled did. No, I know what the false gods did. Tell me how they came to existance.

- ...

- Tell me.

- It was an experiment that happened 47 000 years ago.

- An experiment?

- Yes. We tried to test out how mortals would handle raw the power of origin. We gave them a portion of our power. The aim was to make others like us or other types of gods. Lesser gods if you will.

- You gave mortals a powers of gods.

- Yes.

- Then why did they cause havoc on the world?

- We didn't know it at the time, but mortal bodies can't handle the power of origin. The power of origin is too great for them and they slowly lose their minds. They become more sporadic with their actions and lose their sense of empathy. Those are the most common symptoms, but it's different for each one. Like Soul said, we should've stoped when the first one went mad.

- Why didn't you stop then?

- We hoped that it was an singular case. We wanted them to become the rulers of their respected lands and help the people around them. We picked only those that showed promise in our eyes. We were so confident that it would have worked.

- Yet you doomed many people to suffering.

- It's not like there weren't any successful people that could hold on their sanity. There were people who learned to control themselfs and quietly became local deities. Their decendants still roam to this day. Who knows, perhaps some of the original kindled still lives out there.

- Do you regret it?

- No. It was an exellent experiment. Even if the results weren't optimal.

- You sacrificed hundreds of thousands of lives just for the sake of the experiment! How can you be proud of what you done?!

- It got us closer to the limits of mortals. The conclusion is that very few mortals can become sane gods.

- And you did it just because you wanted more people like you! How can you look at those people and say that their deaths were worth it?!

- You sound a lot like Soul did back then.

- Then you should have listened her! Do you have no empathy towards those who lost their lives?!

- All I'm saying that it was worth the sacrifice. If I could have done it differently, I would have done it.

Low says.

- So you're not apologising.

- Why should I apologise? In case you have forgotten, I'm a original power who helped to create this world. This is our great experiment. We do not care what happens to our great experiment, we just want to see what limits it has. Aktor and Relse might not admit it, but they feel the same way. What's a little to have events that kill most of the people in this experiment? In the end our experiment will still exist if all the high inteligence races disappear. True, we might have lost a couple of interesting people, but there is still time for someone similar to appear someday. This is our great experiment. What happens in the experiment is secondary.

- You... why are you like this? These people have lives. They live every day so that they can see the following day. Why don't you respect that?

- What matters is what results we get. Nothing else matters for the longevity of our great experiment.

- Perhaps I was wrong about you original powers. You and Delirus weight mortal lives the same way. The difference is that you just want to see what they do on their own.

- Don't compare me to that lunatic.

- He is one of you isn't he? She was just born later in time.

- ... Soul was the only one of us who valued the mortals like you two do. Yet she did something that she stoped us from doing.

- What do you mean?

- Have you ever wondered what's your body made out of Nor?

I ask.

- What?

- You once died a mortal's death. Your body disappeared then and there. But where did your body come from?

- I... I don't know.

- Well I know. Soul created a pseudo divine body that could house a soul from origin. But to make sure the body would funciton properly, she had to had more strenght in her soul. That's why she picked someone who was drifting to the end of the circle. She took up on your soul and fuzed together with the wondering soul. In the end she created an amalgamation of a soul that wasn't either from origin nor Norbul. It had the pieces of both, but not a whole part. You aren't neither that wonderer that you were back then, nor are you the original power of soul. You are amalgamation called Nor and this is why I don't think you as Soul. That pseudo devine body you use is something that shouldn't exist. You are a mortal soul with a pseudo devine body and a soul of a original power. Do you know what that means?

- What?

- It means you are, while everything else in you is from origin, a mortal soul. Meaning you are like those kindled. Even if most of you consists of origin, the mortal part of you eventually can't handle the power of origin. No matter how hard you try, the mortal part of you will eventually drive you mad. Just like it will Aktor.

- You... what... No... that's... Wait... What do you mean just like Aktor.

- While his body was created from original power, the parts that are making an devine body, aren't actually a devine body. He is mimicing the devine body, but it isn't in reality that. His power is locked in a body that will eventually, corrode his mind to the point of madness. It might be slow, but he has been at it for at least 30 000 years. He can't even die by his own will anymore so that he wouldn't end up causing havoc. He isn't seeing Relse for this reason alone. Relse is the only one that could bring him salvation, but he can't let his brother bear the quilt of killing him. His memories have started to erode as well. He can't remember sertain parts of our past that he clearly should be able to. We only have each other, yet he dosn't want to be seen by us. I have now lost two of my siblings, yet the other one wont admit it.

- He has something like that going on.

Low asks.

- Are you okay Nor?

- I... I think I need something that distracts me. Send me to the islands where Ryū is.

Lex answers.

- If that's what you want.

Then Low says.

- Wait no! ...

And I'm in a beach of an island. I look around and there isn't anyone here. Huh... So Aktor is... and I am... Huh... this is lot to proses.

- Oh? Didn't expect to see you here.

It's a very familiar voice.

- Hey Nor.

- Hey Aktor. What are you doing in here?

- I'm just wondering around. You?

- I'm... here to find Ryū and get her blessing.

- Is that so. Sit with me for a bit.

He sits next to me. I sit as well. We are both sitting on sand and the sun is setting. Aktor asks.

- So... What is on your mind?

- So you saw right trough me.

- I have a knack for these types of things. I think. So, what is it?

- Lex told me what I truly am. He also told me what's happening to you.

- So he did, huh. ... You know, there was a moment where I wondered "am I truly the same me after I die? I mean, my soul is still the same, but am I still the same person?" Things like that. You know what I later figured out?

- What is it?

- Is that it doesn't matter where the person you are comes from. You now, is the only you. You can't change the past. What you can do is what you do next. Do what you feel is right and move forward. Do anything, but never stop moving and blaming yourself of you past mistakes. Carry yourself to the next day and the next. Just keep going. I know that it might get tough sometimes, but don't just stay still. If you need help, then find help. Surely there is someone who cares for you. No matter what the reason is. This is my lesson to you. Do you understand?

- I... I think I feel a bit better.

- That's good.

- But now I'm only left to think what will happen to you.

- Jumping from the worries about yourself to the worries you have for others. Sound like Soul to me. And at the same time, not quite.

- Are you okay?

- I would be lying if I wasn't scared a bit. But it is inevitability that I can't change. One day I must ask my brother to erase my body entirely. Then will I be set free I wonder? Where will my soul go? What will happen to those I leave behind? It is difficult to imagine. I know that my soul will remember and stay unchanged for the most part, but what I'm experiencing now is quite scary. I still have centuries left in me. And that's if I stay in this body only. Given that my body can change, it makes that even bigger number, but when that time comes... Nor.

- Yes?

- When I'm on the edge, will you help my brother push me over the edge?

- I will. That is if I'm still sane.

- Thank you. Wait, did Lex tell you that your mind will break?

- Yes he did.

- Don't bite in on that nonesense. He is just angry that we couldn't make things like you in the past and that Soul could do it in the second try.

- What do you mean second?

- Well...

- I know about the kindled.

- Well, if you know then... She just tested to make one of the kindled herself. She felt immediately bad when she found out that her kindled started to lose her mind.

- I see. What makes you so sure I wont get mad.

- Well, first is the nature of your soul. Even if you have a mortal's soul, the part that takes all the damage from the origin is probably Soul's soul. This is my theory anyways. I believe that it's true, knowing her. Second, your adaptation ability constantly helps you withstand the effects of origin. That also appies to your soul. You soul is constantly blasted by original power wheter you like it or not. Even if your mortal soul doesn't take the damage, it still is part of your whole soul and thus, will receive the protection that comes from origin. You are lucky guy you know. But take this as a grain of salt, since this is just my theory. Meaning that it's just an educated guess. I'm still confident in this theory though.

- That... helps a lot. Thanks.

- Any time.

I stand up.

- Well then. It's time for me to find this Ryū.

- So you are. Speaking of Ryū.

Aktor rises and we hear something coming out of the water. It was a giant sea dragon. But this looked a bit different from the others. Was it...

- Greetings mortals. Or should I call you a full voidborn and a half voidborn.

- You can tell?

- Obviously. It's writen in your hearts. And I can see your memories as well.

- I assume that you are Ryū.

- It is I. Dragon lord Ryū. The lord of the heart. Now then, for the reason why you came to see me. How about you battle Ron.

- Battle Ron? How is that possible?

- Simple. Like this.

She does something and I fell to the ground. When I open my eyes, I'm in a forest of somekind.

- Battle yourself as you would any other enemy.

- Where did you.

- You are in your mind. I would ready myself if I were you. Ron is coming.

I ready my weapon. I don't have the sword of time with me. Just a normal steel sword. The I sense Ron's attack coming from behind. I dodge and try to attack. He dodges as well and runs to the woods to hide. I try to chace him, but with no luck. Then I sense him coming from the sky and I lose my left hand. I don't have any sircuits in this place. Only me and my sword against Ron. He starts to taunt me.

- Is this the best you can do? You have relied on your abilities for far too long. Now that they are taken away, you are just a novice fighter.

I pick my hand and heal it back to it's place. It's an advanced level spell, but I manage to put it back. Good thing that I have magic on me. How about I try to bind him. I try and he dodges.

- You really think that I would just let you bind me? You have really disappointed me.

He attacks and we exchange blows. His speed is something that I can barely keep up with. Just barely. He gets some cuts on me and I don't even get a chance to fully attack. I can only focus on defence. Then I see an opening and I attack. However, Ron counters that attack and cuts my back. I fell to the ground.

- Honestly, you are too naive. Thinking that I would leave an opening. Hah! You novice.

I heal my wound the best I can.

- If this is the best you can do, why don't you just let me take over? Forget our previous agreement and let the better version of you go wild. Like, you pretend to care for that spawn of Rihin like it's your own. It's not our fault that she came to existance. It's Rihin's fault. We should have just went to her cell and cut her throat before she gave birth to that spawn. If I get control, I will cut our ties with those people in Atlas and make short work of them. Mary, that nany demon, those servants, that stupid pope and even Nina. I will kill them all and you can't stop me.

- I... I wont let you!

- Ouh, you think you can stop me. Then...

He starts making cuts all over my body. Beating me senseless and throws me to the ground.

- See, you can't even win against your true self. You stay in the shadow of a illusion that you are a good person. You're not! We both crave for that sweet taste of vengence and bloodshed. Let me take care of it and we will finally have what we want.

- No... You are wrong... I'm not like that... Only you are... And deep down... even you know... That there is good out there... not just senseless bloodshed... So why don't you open up... and just do something peacefull like collecting things.

- I... Can collect the heads of my enemies.

- Where are you gonna put them?

- I... I don't know... We don't have a official place that we call home. But I will find one.

- And you think the people will just let someone stay close when they hear that you collect heads.

- That's... Then I just kill them.

- Then you will be all alone.

- I wont be! Low will be there!

- Will she? ... She was controlled by an a strong liquid that wasn't her.

- But...

- She's not coming back. Unlike you who stays in my head.

- No... She will come back! I will make her come!

- With what? You are going to go and search information from people that we both hate?

- I... I will find a way! I'm the stronger on here. I will find a way.

- Why don't you just live in peace? Listen to the birds sing in the distance.

- Listening... birds...

- Do you hear it?

*Chirp* *Chirp* *Chirp*

Lot of birds singing can be heard in the forest.

- Isn't that a nice sound?

- That's... soothing.

- Why don't we learn how to tell which bird is which. Travel the world and hear them all sing.

- That... that sounds nice.

- Good. Then can I stay in control so that you don't make the birds fly away?

- That's... But then I...

- Pleace. Do it for her.

- I... Got it. As per our previous agreemend, I will be there when you call me. You shall be the one in charge.

- Thank you.

- Don't forget to learn more about birds.

- I will do my best. And why don't we collect the weapons of our enemies?

- That's... sounds like fun. Then I can remember the times when they died.

- Then I'll do that too.

- Then... I leave it to you.

He disappears and I'm left alone now.

- What else do you want from me Ryū?

- Hmmm... You have conquered your inner demon. So I think that part is ready. Then...

I fell unconscious. After I wake up I see a man in a room building something. He is using some sort of magic to make it, but he seems to be on a hurry.

- Excuse me?

My voice sounded like a woman's voice.

- Hah! Who's there.

Suddenly a spear apears from out of nothing while pointing at me.

- You... Ah, Ley. Don't scare me like that. What do you need?

- Ley, no I'm...

Wait, is this a memory of sorts? The spear appearing, was it Creation's ability? Let's play along.

- Sorry, I'm a feel little weird today. What was your name again?

- You mean you don't remember? Hmmm... Then it's really getting worse. I must work more quickly.

He returns to his work and ignores me.

- Wait, I didn't get your name.

- It's Nol. I'm your brother.

This is... part of a time when I saw that one memory.

- I remembered that you are my brother, it's just that I was missing your name.

- Is that so. Then it's good to hear.

- What are you working on?

- So you can't remember this one either. Well... don't worry about it.

- Could you please tell me.

- It's better if I don't remind you.

- Please brother.

- Ah, when you act like that, I can't say no. I'm building your new body.

- What is wrong with my current body?

- It's... fading away. You are slowly dying. Mot lives in denial and Hex just thinks it's nature running it's course. Hex might not say it, but he is worried when... no, if that day comes.

- So you are trying to build something for me that might keep me alive longer.

- It WILL keep you alive. I'll make sure of it.

This doesn't feel right. Didn't Soul die because her power was dimming out? How would puting her in a new body help?

- You shouldn't spend time trying to fix something you can't fix and focus on what still is there.

- No, I can fix this. I'm the original power of creation and there's nothing I can't build.

- The problem isn't my body, it's my whole soul.

- This will work. Just trust me. I will make everything better. Just you wait.

- Nol.

- Don't worry about it. Big brother will keep you safe. The same way I always have.

- Nol.

- So you just sit and wait. I will be done in no time. And when I'm done and you stop fading, we can all laugh like we always have.

- Brother.

- Now I need to get back to work. Just hold on. I will get this done.

- Brother.

- There isn't anything I can't make.

- Brother.

He just wont listen. He says that Mot is in denial, but so is he. He is trying to find a solution to unsolvable problem. No! This can't be it.

- Nol!

- What is it?

I grab his hand and drag him away from the thing he is building.

- What are you doing? I need to finish this before...

- Now listen to me! You can't fix me! I'm going to be gone soon and you only spent your time with your machine that can't solve the main issue! Just spend the time I have with me, Hex and Mot! Now that our time is limited, we must make the best of it!

I feel a sharp pain in my head that leaves as quickly as it came. Nol starts to speak.

- But... But...

He starts to cry.

- Don't worry. As long as I have all of you by my side, I will leave this world happy. Now let's go find Hex and Mot.

He wipes his tears out of his eyes and says.

- Yes. Let's do this.

We then spend time together. All five of us. Me, Hex, Xeh, Nol and Mot. All together to until my last breath. It was a death I wanted.

But not the death I had. When I lived this, I failed to get them spent time with me. Perhaps I was hoping that Nol's plan would actually work out. Perhaps I wanted to live in the way that they thought they wanted until I died. But in the end, when I collapsed while walking around Atlas, I saw them all gather around me for the last time. When they all knew that it was my time, they all had a sad look on their faces. Faces that made me worry about their future. Will they be able to stay together and live like we used to? With this worry in mind, I used last of my strengt to make myself atherial and I slowly built up my body.

When I was building my body, I saw my brother again. This time I saw him killing his friend he met. I felt bad for his friend who made a noble sacrifice. I could feel that my brother would regret this moment for a long time. So I took it up the task to myself and helped this dying soul to live again through my power. I needed another soul's help anyways, so this was a good oportunity. I just had to make some changes to the body I was making while keeping that soul close by. When I was done, I fused our existances together and we became one being that would be called Nor.

This is the story of our origin. I'm no longer Soul and you are no longer the wonderer. We are now one being called Nor. Don't worry about it. Like our brother said "it doesn't matter where the person you are comes from."

I thank you for this opportunity, but now it's about time you stop toying with us little Ryū.

I wake up on the beach and I have a weird feeling again. I see Aktor and Ryū there so this must be the real life. Aktor says.

- Never thought that she wanted to stop me back then. Perhaps I should have listened her.

- We all make mistakes.

- I know. Just thinking out loud.

Ryū says.

- How do you feel?

- A bit weird, but fine overall.

- Good, then it's time for me to leave.

- Wait! What about the blessing?

- I already gave it to you while you were waking up. Now if you excuse me.

- Why are you in such a hurry?

- I'm a busy dragon lord. Many matter require my input.

- But it's already night.

- ...

- You just don't want to talk with one of us, is that it?

- Well... fine I tell you. I just don't like to stay around with the people who have my blessing.

- You are scared of you mind being read?

- Aren't we all?

- What does a dragon lord have that she should be afraid of their minds being red.

- No worries. Just let it slide an we will be good. Smooth as water.

I use the mindreading ability. I see some girl in a dragonewt form being worshiped by people and pampered by a woman that I recognise. It was Ley.

- Don't look!

- Already did.

- Nooo! Don't tell anyone what you saw, you hear!

Aktor says.

- I saw it too.

- So the first time you use it, you use a window that shows it to everyone! Aaah! Don't either of you say a word to this to anybody! Especially to my siblings! And that image came to me only because lady Ley talked in your memory!

- I promise to never tell.

I say.

- Neither will I.

- Good.

- How do you see a memory without leting anyone else know?

- You just focus seeing it in your mind.

- How do you search for a sertain memory?

- You just have to look around. Usually you can find them by focusing on a memory of a sertain thing.

- I see. Thank you anyways.

- Then I will take my leave.

Aktor then says a final word.

- Don't get too spoiled now kid.

- Shut up!

And with that I have become a dragon hero. Apparently I'm way more powerfull than I was before. Though I can't really feel anything yet. I say my goodbyes to Aktor and call Lex to send me where Low was. She must be worried about me.

So I spend couple of hours getting Low to understand that I was fine. After I convinced her, we went to sleep. This was one of the days Low wanted to sleep together again. So did Nina.