Plans

"Today is day 4 of the Early Water Month, the Kalhas have occupied this region now. The rains aren't too heavy for the time being and would stop or start for no rhyme or reason. The news of the Kalhas would have reached Burkurel City by now. They would probably be in a passive situation when rain doesn't fall and could only retaliate during rainy times." Re'Kha probed the storage ring, feeling its smooth curves.

"So, to prevent unnecessary deaths, Burkurel City would probably have no plans to retaliate, for the time being. They would wait, attack the beasts surrounding the city during times of rain and retreat the moment it stops. So, they would only attack earnestly during Peak Water Month. It would take even longer for them to collate their forces and damages, and send an expedition force towards each settlement." Re'Kha took in deep breaths, clearing her mind of all distractions as she thought.

"The Burkurel Ju Clan is situated in the west in Burkurel City. The five settlements under it are situated to its west. And, as the western settlement, this place is the furthest away from Burkurel City, so this would be the last place that would receive help. They would wish to complete it before the Peak Water Month ends, so I have time until then to recuperate and plan my escape."

Their region had four seasons: Water, Fire, Thunder, and Metal. Each season was further divided into three months: Early, Peak, and Late.

Each season was symbolised by the Elemental Qi that would dominate the region during the time. And, each month established the level of the Elemental Qi's dominance. In Early Water Month, Water Qi would start to grow abundant and suppress the other three elements. Rains were heavy on this month.

In Peak Water Month, the dominance of Water Qi would be at its peak. During this month, rain would fall without break for the entire month. And, during Late Water Month, the dominance of the Water Qi would continue to wane until it attains equilibrium with the other elements.

Followed by it was the Early Fire Month where Fire Qi would start to become abundant. So on and so forth, all four elements rotated in a cycle. Among all the seasons, the water season had the most distinct characteristic, thanks to the frequent rains. It created a beneficial habitat for the Water Qi Harmonisers, increasing their power.

In the current situation, the Kalhas were weak to the rain, or rather, the Water Qi in it. Normally, perceiving a Kalha was a doom sentence. One would become delirious and gauge their eyes out. When there was heavy rain, the Kalhas would become fairly inactive.

Moreover, even if one gazed at them by mistake, as long as they drenched themselves under the rain, the effect of the Kalhas on them would subside and disappear. So, rainy times were the best to eradicate the Kalhas while suffering the least number of casualties.

In their calendar, each month had 30 days, while the Peak Elemental Months had 31 days. There also existed a special day after Late Fire Month, the only day when all elements were in perfect equilibrium. It was known as the 'Day of Equity'.

Currently, Re'Kha had around a month before she had to escape from the settlement. After all, when reinforcements arrived, they would know that she was living in the settlement. That in itself wasn't a matter to worry about. But, the worrying fact was the identity of the household she had taken refugee within.

They were part of a secretive organisation; their reach and power were unknown. So, the fact that she stayed in their house meant she was privy to their secrets. She would be assassinated soon after.

Moreover, she didn't know the extent of their reach in society. So, her best option was to escape before they found her and head to the other settlements, and make it seem like she had been travelling from a different direction.

'My best bet would be to head to either the northern or western settlement of Burkurel Ka Clan. That would also conform to my tracks before the ambush.' Re'Kha felt anger rising in her, thinking of her betrayal. Suspicion dominated her mind, unable to trust anyone.

She knew that among the perpetrators behind her assassination attempt, some were from her Clan. Conflict of interests, political manoeuvres, and seizing of power, any and all among them could have been the cause for her to be targeted.

If she was given the choice, Re'Kha would have preferred to live somewhere else while investigating the scene in her Clan, only making a move when she was confident. But, reality constricted her. "I can only grow stronger by staying within my Clan. The Portals to Earth are controlled by the Clans and are inaccessible to outsiders. My only hope to gain entry into them is through my Clan."

She sighed, sleeping on the bed, closing her eyes. She was tired, quickly falling asleep. The rolled-up cloth banner slithered over the floor, slowly approaching her, its speeds increasing as time passed. Formless energy radiated from Re'Kha as she seemed to be experiencing a nightmare.

The cloth banner arrived under her bed and extended one end of it towards her, gently placing itself on her face. Feeling some difficulty in breathing, Re'Kha moved her hand, pushing the cloth banner away from her face.

The cloth banner remained still for a long time after which it slowly moved, wrapping itself on her arm. It absorbed the formless energy Re'Kha radiated, becoming livelier as time passed. Sweat covered her forehead as she shook her head from time to time.

Her hand grabbed hold of the blanket, gripping it tighter while she tossed and turned, feeling some difficulties in her breathing. She seemed to be struggling a lot while sleeping, the injuries in her body further aggravated the situation.

To the cloth banner though, this was a steady source of nourishment. It didn't make any abrupt action, slowly coiling itself around Re'Kha.