Write and Read

"El... Eldest... Brother!"

Sohrab was shocked, he was the only one who didn't know about Shahdar.

"WHAT!"

Runa retorted.

"Even I was surprised when I get to know that Daan has an older brother, who's apparently alive as well."

Sohrab looked at her with strange eyes.

"Umm, yeah but I am wondering about another thing…"

Runa made a question face and asked.

"What other thing?"

Sohrab continued.

"If he is the older brother of our old Daan. Then... how old would he be?"

Runa clenched her fist in anger but didn't say anything.

Zanda also lost his cool and whispered in Sohrab's ear.

"If you say something stupid again, at the time like this, I will cut these horns of yours and use them for drinking."

Sohrab gulped and stood straight.

Daan, on his knees, started crying. He covered his face with his useable hand to hide his tears but he didn't know how to stop his sobbing noise.

Shahdar hugged Daan, the warmth of his older brother eased him. All these years Daan had been carrying the burden of everyone as there was no one he could share it with. Seeing his elder brother, Daan felt as if a huge rock had been lifted off of his heart and soul.

"What are you doing, Danny, you are the king now. The king of everyone, including me."

Daan hugged Shahdar back and retorted as he wailed.

"There wasn't a single... day when I didn't... miss you."

Shahdar had also awakened his bestial instincts, he was 2.8 meters tall and his physique was even better than Daan's.

His mane was dark brown and with many battle scars covering his whole body, he looked way more ferocious than any orc or beastperson present.

Shahdar was trained from birth to be a successful tribe leader, as he was the first son of Badmushk Godlyn and he proved that by holding back his tears.

"It's okay, Danny, I'm here now, get up."

Daan took a deep breath and wiped his tears.

"What about our other brothers?"

Shahdar looked at Akash and others with a side-eye.

"I will tell you everything later."

Shahdar hugged Daan again and whispered into his ear.

"Danny, I'm as happy as you are but you are now a King, not a mere tribe chieftain. So, act like one. You can't show any weakness now"

Daan gave back an affirmative eye signal and stood up.

Shahdar made sure that no one listened to what he had said to Daan, but he was unaware that there was someone present with powers beyond their imagination.

Akash Tagar smiled while looking at Shahdar as he thought.

"This fellow is a way more suitable King than Daan."

Akash moved towards the door and spoke.

"If you are done with your patch up, follow me outside."

Everyone followed him, they walked in an unknown direction. One whole day and night passed before they reached a forest. All the four beastpeople except Shahdan were stunned while the two orcs were calm.

None of the beastfolk had ever seen a forest, it was as vast as their eyes could see. Only orcs knew of this forest and that's why Botal and Zanda were not shocked.

Akash looked at Shahdan.

"Have you been here before?"

He retorted respectfully.

"No, My Lord."

"Then why you are not as shocked as the rest of the beastpeople?"

Shahdan didn't reply to Akash, he narrowed his eyes to see the forest more clearly. After a few seconds, he lowered his head, took a deep breath, and replied.

"At the end of The Beast Valley, there is a humongous mountain, the largest one here. We named it Behemoth Mountain.

When I was a kid, I had always wondered what would be behind that mountain, I've always been ready for surprises.

After we lost the battle against the orcs and were captured, they sent us to that cave. It was the first time we had ever seen such glittering stones. So, when I saw this forest, I was already used to new sights like this."

Akash looked at the forest and smiled.

"You are an interesting beastman."

Shahdar laughed in response.

"Haha, if you are saying that, then I have no choice but to believe it."

Everyone laughed including the two orcs.

Afterwards, Akash flew up in front of everyone, staying still mid-air.

"I came here to teach you two things:

First, one is how to become as powerful as me. Second, I will teach you how to write and read the universal language."

All seven of them looked at each and then finally Kaki Bajor asked Akash.

"Apologies, but what is write and read? We have no knowledge of these things."

Akash continued.

"Writing is the process of using conventional symbols in specific patterns to communicate thoughts and ideas in a unique and lasting form. Generally, writing is done with a brush or a pen on a thin sheet of papyrus, parchment or paper, made specifically for that purpose in varying sizes. I'll show you how to acquire the necessary materials to make them all.

Whereas reading is the process of looking at the now written symbols and trying to understand their meaning. They all carry different meanings depending on each individual symbol and the manner they're arranged in. Don't worry, this will all eventually make sense to you all."

Zanda's eyes widened, Botal also looked at him in amazement. Akash caught their surprise and asked.

"What is it?"

Botal Langmachi replied.

"It is... it is exactly what Zanda said to my brother, Duglu."

Akash looked at Zanda.

"Can you repeat what you said to Duglu?"

Zanda nodded.

"I told him to create some symbols which only we could make and understand with each of them containing a different meaning which would help us in conveying messages without fear of it leaking in times of emergency and wars"

It was Akash's time to be shocked. To think there was already someone in this Stone Age era who had thought so far ahead, and it's even an orc, not a beastperson. He asked Zanda.

"Then what happened? Were you able to create them?"

Zanda lowered his head, clenched his fists in despondency. Botal tapped his shoulder and continued in his stead.

"My brother, Duglu, rejected the idea and said we don't need to waste our time on these stupid things.

Duglu and Zanda had huge arguments over it, the orcs were divided into two until it was finally decided that they would both fight to the death to determine whose path we would follow.

But, before the fight, Zanda admitted his defeat. Following which, my unrivalled brother deserted him and his supporters to protect and manage the cave for him."

Akash looked at Zanda with interest.

"Didn't you claim yesterday that you were as strong as Duglu, why did you surrender then? Were you afraid?"

Zanda's eyes burnt with anger as if Akash had hit his sore spot.

"I, Zanda, fear no one. Not even you, even though you can kill as easily as lifting your finger."

Akash raised his eyebrow.

"Oh, then why did you decide to pledge your loyalty to me?"

Zanda replied without any hesitation.

"It was not because of fear but rather, admiration. At first, I followed you because Botal was following you but now you have earned my respect."

Akash replied without any expression.

"Back to the question, why did you surrender if you were not afraid?"

Zanda answered proudly.

"I didn't want to hurt my own people. Our fight would have ignited a civil war and the lives of innocents would be put in danger unnecessarily. So, I swallowed my own pride for the good of all orcs."

Akash was amazed, he was highly impressed by the wisdom of Zanda and his ability to think of the big picture.

The orcs he knew were not this intelligent and only blindly followed their leader, but Zanda had thought differently and even tried to oppose his leader, hoping to change things.

"I'm very impressed, Zanda.

Everyone, it's time to start training. The reason I brought you here, all the way from Orc Village, was to eliminate all distractions and allow you all to focus solely on your training. You guys are the future pillars of this world.

Now, all of you make a gap of 10 meters between each other and sit in the lotus position."

Sohrab scratched his horn again and looked here and there.

Akash saw him and continued

"It is a way of sitting which helps in focusing and cultivating. Sit cross-legged on the floor, one foot placed on top of the opposite thigh with its sole facing upward and heel close to the abdomen. The other foot is then placed on the opposite thigh as symmetrically as possible. The pose requires very open hips."

Akash looked at everyone.

"Did you guys understand what I just said?"

Daan Godlyn replied.

"I think I did."

Daan tried it and was able to successfully sit in the lotus position.

Following Daan, the second successful one was Zanda Dubin.

The third one was Sohrab Khan which really astonished Akash.

The remaining 4 eventually succeeded as well after a few attempts.

A normal person usually needed a Cosmic Pill to sense the cosmic power and unlock its first channel. In here, Akash didn't have the time or materials to make one, so, he did the other way.

He placed his hand on the back of Daan Godlyn.

"Daan, I will send a bit of my power into you. Try to feel it and gather it to unlock your channel, it will be painful but you have to bear it, understood?"

Daan nodded.

"Close your eyes and tell me when you are ready."

Daan closed his eyes took a deep breath and replied.

"I am ready, My King."