Old Man Ri Var

What was he going to do with us? This old man, who had a strength unfathomable to either Kal or Ba Rel, wanted to discuss what to do with them? That was a totally scary prospect! He could do whatever he wanted with them and what could they do about it.

Kal looked over and noticed the two dragon kids. They seemed fine, in fact, they seemed to be in a good mood. Perhaps this old man wasn't so bad.

"Sir, I'm sure whatever you have planned for us is fine," Kal said.

The old man looked back at the dragon twins and then at Kal. What a clever kid. He had watched Kal playing with this other kid, the one from the Syndicate. From the very beginning, this youngster named Kal was leading the dance. Other than getting swept up in this own illusion formation he did a great job pulling the wool over the other party's eyes.

Ignoring Kal for a moment, the old man looked at Master Ba Rel.

"What do you Syndicate people think you're doing here?" The old man asked.

Master Ba Rel was suddenly worried. What were they doing? They were trying to catch those two dragons! Seeing how happy the pair seemed to be, Master Ba Rel knew that he shouldn't admit to that so easily.

"What do you mean senior?" Master Ba Rel asked.

"I mean what is your organization doing on my world hunting these two dragons?" Master Ba Rel asked.

"You're world?! I had no idea that this planet belonged to anyone!" Master Ba Rel said.

"Where's your founder at? Has Kyrs run off again?" The old man asked.

This man knew the founder and even referred to him by his first name! Master Ba Rel was even more intimidated.

"We think he's meditating senior." Master Ba Rel said.

"Ah, he's run off again for some new adventure. He probably didn't even leave instructions. That old man of yours sold this planet to me a few million years ago. The condition of the sale was that no one was allowed on my planet without my permission. What are you Syndicate people doing here?" The old man asked again.

"Senior, we didn't realize that this world was your property. I'm sure it was a mistake that we were dispatched here." Master Ba Rel said. In his heart, he was screaming! "I'm going to kill whoever is not doing their job. They've sent me to a world owned by a being at the level of our founder! What are they trying to do get me killed?!" Master Rel thought.

"Ok, ok, I can see that you don't know anything. You should have your men leave immediately. I'll allow you to send them a message. You don't have to worry about getting home, I'll get you back to the Syndicate later, but your men must leave! Tell them that these two dragons are my guests. If they come after them again, I won't be so nice.

You should also leave a message for that irresponsible founder of yours that when he gets back he should come and speak with old man Ri Var! I'm very upset with him. How many years have we been friends and he can't even carry out a sale properly." Ri Var complained.

"Right away master Var!" Master Rel said. He quickly sent instructions to his men before turning his attention back to Master Var.

"Good, you're a kid who can get things done." Master Var said.

After taking care of Master Rel, Master Var looked once more to Kal. This time, without saying a word he picked Kal up, turned his around in his hands and finally set him back down on the ground. Kal would be offended if he weren's so terrified.

"I wanted to ask you some questions but I see your soul is covered in seals. Those seals are a bit annoying. Let me help you out with those." Master Var said.

Master Var waved his hands and made signs using his fingers. A strange thing happened as Kal's soul was pulled out of his body. His soul form was lit up from all of the seals placed upon his soul. His souls looked like it was covered in exotic tattoos.

Master Rel was shocked and horrified to see this. Was Kal really suffering from so many soul seals? Who had done such a thing to him? Kal was little more than a slave. No wonder he went so far out of his way to save these dragons. He probably didn't have a choice.

With this realization, the last little bit of resentment Master Rel had towards Kal was dispersed. It's true that Master Rel said he didn't blame Kal for tricking him. He was very grateful to Kal, but part of him resented being lied to by his brother. HIs next question was, "Who could have captured this Wiley fox?"

Before Master Rel could spend too much more time thinking about Kal's situation, what happened next completely surprised Master Rel! All of the seals covering Kal's soul were shattered. It was like breaking glass that faded away into nothingness.

If anyone was shocked among those gathered here; their shock paled in comparison to Kal's. Kal knew who placed these seals on his soul. It was the Zimwarn Emperor! The genius of a thousand universes, a man whose soul technology was unbeatable. His unbeatable technology was so easily destroyed by this man.

Kal was free. That was the nex though that kept going through Kal's mind over and over again. "Freedom." He had served as a slave to the Zimwarn crown for so many years. Now he was free.

After freeing Kal's soul, Master Var put Kal's soul back in his body. As soon as Kal was placed back in his body, he shook and started to cry uncontrollably. He was a smug, confident, manly man and yet, having his freedom after so many years returned to him made him break down in tears.

"Do you think we can talk honestly now?" The old man asked.

"Master Var, any question you have I will answer it both truthfully and unrestrained. It's the least I can do for the freedom you've given me." Kal solemnly bowed towards the old man.

"It's fine, it's fine, I just have some questions for you. If you answer them honestly I'm willing to give you a reward." Master Var said.

"Please ask your questions," Kal said. He was serious when he said he would answer any of his questions. Kal owed this man a huge debt. It's true that BS42 promised to return his freedom after the dragon mission, but Kal didn't feel too much gratitude towards him. He knew BS42 was in much the same situation as he was. However, the difference was that BS42 was willing to be sealed as punishment for his past sins. Kal had never been willing to be made into a slave.

He didn't hate the Emperor, he even felt a lot of respect for him. However, how could he love anyone who had enslaved him? That was impossible. Now he was the master of his own destiny.

"Who designed your body?" Master Var asked.

This questions surprised everyone. Master Rel was shocked because this body wasn't Kal's real body. Was it possible to change bodies?

Kal recovered from his shock and answered.

"My body was designed by Prince Heken of the Zimwarn Empire. Currently, he is like I was, enslaved by his brother, the Emperor of the Zimwarn Empire. He goes by the name of BS42 and is the Warbox of the Emperor's youngest son, Prince Dr. Lorne Longoak. At this time Prince Longoak is a Five-clawed Gold horn and Wu Di hybrid, named Ying Xiong." Kal held nothing back. He no longer had to be loyal to the Royal family. He didn't wish any harm to come to Lorne, he liked the kid, but he owed too much to this old man.

"This Prince Heken took a Five-Clawed Gold Dragon and paired him with a Wu Di Clan warrior? This Prince is pretty capable. It's unfortunate that his abilities are still low. I bet I could teach him how to improve his craft. I'm sure he's self-taught?" Master Var asked.

"Yes, Prince Heken invented the field of species synthesis. Like his brother, he is a genius. His brother, the Emperor, is a genius in the fields of soul technology and mechanical engineering. Prince Heken, or BS42, is a genius in Species Synthesis and soul body integration." Kal said.

Master Rel was absolutely gobsmacked! With these technologies what couldn't a person do? Which Empire couldn't he conquer? Is that what was going on? Was this Zimwarn Empire invading the Dragon Empire?

"I would like to meet this Prince Heken or BS42." Master Var said.

"I'm also interested in this young prince, the hybrid. According to the twins over here, he's quite the unique character. I'm also curious how well his dragon and Wu Di heritages have been integrated. I suppose I should invite him over, he is a part of my Wu Di clan after all." Master Var said.

"Senior, you're from the Wu Di clan?!" Kal asked in disbelief.

"Yes, you might say I'm their oldest living ancestor." Master Var said.

"Are you aware of what has happened to your Clan?" Master Var asked.

"I am, I am receiving compensation for the evil done to them by the Dragon Clan." Master Var said coldly.

Kal looked at the twins who for the first time looked worried.

"Master Var, I'm sure you have a grudge against the Dragon Clan, but these two young dragons are innocent. I hope you can forgive them." Kal said.

"Your little friends are safe. I must admit, I thought you would be happy to know there might be a grudge between me and the Dragon Clan." Master Var said.

"No sir, there are many good people that are part of the dragon clan. The new Emperor, in particular, is a just ruler. He has put his best foot forward trying to repair the sins of the past. He has also been at the forefront of innovating positive change in the Empire. There are many good dragons like General Long, whom I've worked for over the last few thousand years." Kal said.

"That's why I haven't wiped out the Dragon Clan. It may have had a very problematic start, however, it has certainly become a force for good in the universe." Master Var said.

"You've done very well answering my questions little Kal. As a reward, I will fix your body and increase your potential." The old man said.

Without even having a chance to respond, Kal felt his body wrapped up in mental energy. His soul was removed once more. This time a special energy, that Kal couldn't ignore, enveloped his current body. Master Var considered it for a few moments before a purple energy enveloped the body and then moved inside the body itself.

Kal's soul could sense his body going through a series of changes. He wasn't sure what was going on but he was sure that Master Var was going something good. Kal could hardly wait to find out what he did to his body!

After a little over an hour, Kal's soul was reunited with his body. Kal immediately investigated the state of his body with his spiritual sense. He could see and feel the changes in his body. His body was improving second by second. He was experiencing one breakthrough after another, until finally! His body arrived at the Saint Realm!

He could hardly believe it. Even more, he found moving the energies in his body far easier than in the past. Kal withdrew his spirit sense and came back to the real world. He started moving his body and practicing some moves. He was so comfortable in his body he felt like he was in his original body.

BS42 was a genius at creating bodies. The problem was that whenever Kal changed bodies he always felt constrained and that things just didn't fit right. Now, however, he felt none of that. He felt like this body was actually his.

Kal bowed on the ground getting on his knees and kowtowing to Master Var in gratitude.

"Now, I'd like to meet this little child, Ying Xing." Master Var said.