Chapter 27: Change

*Souta*

"You were the writer?" I asked.

Davina smiled as she flipped the page once more. "Indeed. I believe we sages are being reborn in this generation for a reason."

I crossed my arms. "Wonder if it has to do with the immediate threat. Though, couldn't the gods just make the age of the chosen one happen already?"

"Think they cautious. Our powers come from the gods. The chosen are to have powers that make everyone else in the clan pale in comparison. With the rise of the Dark Lord, they're probably afraid they might lose their chosen before they can impact the world. Our gods are strong and wise, but they aren't all-powerful and all-knowing," Davina said.

I stared at my fist. It had managed to push the God of Dawn back a bit. Though, who knew how much of his power he showed?

"Basically, think of it like putting all your eggs in one basket. You have to be careful with the basket or you'll lose days' worth of eggs," Dean said.

"Oh, that makes sense! But why did they have to put all of them in one basket? Couldn't they have split them up?"

"It's because of the upcoming dangers. The Ethereal Stones are said to be born into the age of political, social, and cultural chaos."

"Culture?" I asked.

"Our ways of life will be uprooted. As to what those threats are, even we Diamond clan members have no idea. Well, we do have an idea of what our nation faces."

"And what would that be?" I asked.

Dean sighed. "It's best you don't tell him, Davina. He might be the reincarnation of the Citrine Sage, but he's still a stranger and a foreigner."

"Uh, we're in my country so technically you're the foreigners here."

Davina chuckled. "He has a point there, Dean."

The buff young man averted his gaze and scoffed.

"I won't say much, but it does involve an object that dates back to the time of the legendary Quartz clan," Davina said.

The Quartz clan, huh? According to the stories that Mom told me as a kid, the Quartz came from the union between a god and a human. They created a kingdom that covered most of what was now eastern Astoria and western Sanuri. It lasted for thousands of years until they disappeared. No one who knew about them was sure what caused their end.  Dad said it was probably a violent end. Mom thought it was a less bloody splinter of the different branches into their own clans. We knew for a fact that the royal family would become what is now the Amethyst clan. It would also go on to produce my clan and Ava's Rose Quartz clan who descended from the keepers of ancient knowledge.

"That's a bit of a wide range," I said, grinning.

She laughed. "True. They were long-lasting. It's something from around the start."

The start? So, they were very old indeed. The era of the sages was around five thousand years ago according to Angelino, Ava's father. While the Quartz clan came about five thousand years prior to that.

"But what kind of object is it? A weapon?"

She crossed her arms. "It can be used as one. Their use can destroy not only our home country but change the universe itself."

My eyes widened. I knew the Opal could control the four basic forces of the universe, but that had limits of range and others Sehun, Sekin, and the other members probably only knew.

"W-what? Wait, if you know what it does then does that mean someone used it before?" I asked.

Dean nodded. "The most recent use was to prevent a great cataclysm over two thousand years ago, making a meteor that could end life intangible, allowing it to safely pass through our world."

I blinked. "So it can make meteors intangible?"

"Yeah. The Pearl Clan did that," Davina said.

"How many are there?"

Davina walked over to the small window. "As far as I am aware, three. Although..."

"Hey, don't leave me hanging!"

"There are rumors of a fourth, on the opposite end of the continent. But it might no longer exist. Without a clan to protect and maintain it, it probably has gone into a state of disrepair by now."

True. Ten thousand years of no use would do that.

"How could the ancients create such things? And why does what we have now seem to pale in comparison."

Davina swung her arms behind her back. "Good question. According to the records of my clan, it was because of the folly of the clans. Even in the time of the sages, there was war between them. So my ancestors used their 'weapon' to end the bickering. As such, the era of the great clans came to an end and the rule of everyday people was born. They were free from the yoke of us supernaturals. But it came at a cost. The average person couldn't use the crystal based technology the clans left behind. Such arose from a mix of lack of knowledge as well as power."

"S-so Dad was right. The Quartz clan was ended in war."

She sighed. "My ancestors who prefered to watch could no longer do so. So atrocious was the bloodshed. Only by putting an end to the bickering, could peace return to the continent. Alas, the Opal managed to forge an empire from the ruins several generations later. But they kept their powers to themselves."

True. There were rumors the royal family had some kind of power, but everyone thought it was ancient magic. The truth that it came from a crystal within their heads would probably be stranger to them if they knew.

"Wait, why did the Diamond keep ruling?"

"Our system of government is a constitutional monarchy. Father has little formal power outside of our clan. It was done so by our ancestors to maintain peace between us who were gifted by the gods long ago and modern people."

"I see." I furrowed my brow. "Hold on, I know the legend of the Quartz, but how did your people get their powers before the Diamond Sage David?"

She sighed. "My people have always had powers for as long as we can recall. Something that probably comes from our original world."

Dean cleared his throat.

Davina turned around, face bright red. "Uh, forget your heard that."

I tilted my head. "What world are you from?"

"I said forget it!"

"Want me to erase his memory, My Lady?" Dean asked, stepping toward me.

Davina dashed in front of him and waved her arms. "Don't do that!"

"You sure? He knows too much."

"Okay, I'll stop asking," I said, sighing. I laughed. "Probably will spare my mind from being blown again."

She furrowed her brow. "I probably should've kept quiet."

I grinned. "It's okay. I love learning new things!"

Davina smiled. "It's good to see your happy-go-lucky nature remained in reincarnation."

I put my arms behind my head. "I'm not all that happy-go-lucky. Sometimes, I am a big worrywart."

She gasped. "Really?"

I nodded. "Usually when it comes to my friends and family."

She crossed her arms and smiled. "Don't we all? I worry about Dean too." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Especially when all he does is train sometimes."

Dean turned away. "I have to grow stronger to protect you."

"If you truly care about me, then protect your health. What good would getting stronger be if you get sick?"

He sighed. "That's why I take vitamins and eat well."

"I do that same stuff but I still get sick sometimes," I said. I grinned. "When that happens, I take a day off of school and sleep in."

"See. Sou takes the time to get better!"

I blushed.

"That's not special. Everyone should make an effort to do that."

"Then why don't you?"

He grumbled.

"Mom makes me chicken soup too! It's the best!" I said, rubbing my stomach.

"Do you not have something you need to be doing?" Dean asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

I laughed uneasily. "Yeah, actually. I probably should head home to eat. Mom said we would be having dinner late, but it's already pretty late." I glanced at my orange watch and gawked. Not much time had passed at all since I met them outside the library.

Dean scoffed. "Forgot that I paused time earlier?"

I smiled. "You Diamond folk really are something. Well, I better get going before it does get late!"

"Wait. Dean, can you take Sou outside? I plan to stay a little longer reading."

He sighed. "Fine."

Davina pulled up a seat and sat back down. "Thanks, D."

His cheeks reddened slightly.

I snickered. "I see how it is."

He glared at me but I continued to give him an impish smile. Ruffling his hair with one hand, he held out his other, forming a pink vortex.

"H-huh? Space powers?"

"Something I picked up from the Pearl clan," Dean said before pushing me into the portal.

I turned around. The vortex closed before I could ask what he meant. People couldn't just pick up abilities from other clans. Unless he had an ability that allowed him to do so. But he was a member of the Diamond clan, so that wasn't possible. Or was he mixed? Hmm, what power did kids belonging to two clans get? Maybe Ava knew.

My face reddened. But, if I asked her that, she would probably make a joke about me being interested in her. Which couldn't be further from the truth!

I sighed and walked away from the library. If only I could've talked to Davina a bit more. Was going to ask her if she had a place to stay at. Although, we already had one guest.

"Hey, Sou!" a little girl yelled, running over to me. Her hands were caked with mud.

"Rakia!" I yelled, picking her up and spinning around in a circle. "Say, why are your hands muddy?"

"She was helping me get some onions," Dad said. In his arms were bulbs of various colors. "She was a big help."

"Yeah! Daddy originally wanted you to help, but since you weren't here, I volunteered."

Dad grinned. "My little girl is as responsible as her Mommy."

I laughed. Guess that made me as irresponsible as him, huh?

"I'll go help Mom in the kitchen then," I said, putting Rakia on my shoulders.

"Yay! Sou's cooking!" Rakia yelled, swinging her arms into the air.

I laughed. "I'm helping, not doing the whole thing."

"Still."

Dad blinked. "Do you like better your big bro's cooking than your mommy's?"

"I like them both, but Mommy gets tired of cooking. If only I were bigger, I could help her."

He eyed the onions on his arms. "I see."

"It would be good if you helped when I can't," I said.

Dad looked up but then back at his harvest. He knew he was good for fieldwork and stuff out of the house, but when it came to working inside, he was downright useless. At least he got to relax during the winter. Mom's job was year-round and thankless. Maybe I shouldn't have given her additional issues by not waking up on time for school.

"Hey, Tsuna. Guess who we found outside," Dad said as soon as he opened the door.

Mom looked over her shoulder and smiled when she saw me. "Oh, Sou! You're back earlier than I thought. How was the trip around town?"

"Eventful. I met an old friend. Well, technically new, but talking to her felt like I was talking to someone I knew a lot longer," I said, grinning.

Dad raised an eyebrow and smiled. "She?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't start again." Although, I did feel funny around Davina. Wonder why that was. Could there have been something between our past lives? Hmm, it didn't seem like it. She definitely treated me like an old friend rather than a lover. Maybe it was all that charm she oozed.

"Cain. Remember what Ava and I told you last time?"

He sighed as he walked over to the sick. "I remember," he said, dumping the onions.

Ava? What did she tell Dad?

Dad pulled up his sleeves and began washing his hands, followed by the onions.

"I can do that ya know," I said.

"Let me do at least this much," he said, keeping his eyes firm.

Now I had to know what Ava and Ma told him.

Mom smiled and went over and kissed him on the cheek.

His face flushed, but he continued to do his work. Usually Dad would laugh like a total dummy. Not that I was much different. If Sehun kissed me on the cheek I would probably have a goofy laugh too.

Once I was done with my signature tomato with onion sauce, I poured it into the cooked chicken mom had been making.

"Smells yummy," little Fuma said, laughing as he tapped his arms on the table. Fumie still used a high-rise seat.

"It sure does," Dad said with a silly grin.

I put a hand on my hip and scoffed. "Well, look at who made it."

"Daddy and I helped too! Our onions give it flavor," Rakia said, smiling as Ma gave her her portion.

Dad stared at the pot. "Say, have you been eating double, Sou?"

I gulped. "Uh, yeah. You do always say that a growing man has to eat."

He laughed. "True. No wonder you've been putting on more muscle as of late."

I smiled. "You think so?" For most of my life, I'd been a twink.

He flexed his arm. "Yup. You might look like ya old man one day."

"I hope so!" Dad might've been annoying, but he was handsome. Hmm, that plus goofiness was why I liked Sekin. Some psychologists said that people tended to go for those like their opposite-sex parent, but since I was gay, that would be the same-sex parent for me. Hmm, Purpura was as annoying as him. Sehun was more like my mom if anything. So maybe it wasn't exclusively dependent on one's sexual orientation. Funny as Ava was like Dad.

I grumbled. Why did I think of that pesky girl again?

"What's wrong?" Pa asked. 

"Huh?"

"You zoned out for a second and grumbled."

"Did you get into an argument with Ava again?" Ma asked.

I sat down. "Not really. We've been getting along fairly well. As well as we can," I said.

Pa smiled. "That's good."

"Yeah. Friends shouldn't fight!" Rakia said.

"Buddies forever!" Fumie said, swinging his sauce-filled hands into the air.

I chuckled. "Did you get that from a tv show?"

"He's been watching a lot of that card show," Rakia whispered.

Oh, the dragon friend one! Brother wanted a plushie of Dranir. Personally, I preferred season one. Even if people did call it cliche. Guess I was a basic guy.

"Dor! Dor!" Fumie said, giggling.

Dad's walked over and put his bowl into the sink. "Well, I better hit the hay."

"So early?" Ma asked.

"Yeah. Have to get up early tomorrow to make breakfast." He rushed out of the kitchen.

Ma sighed. "That man's just like his son."

I grinned at Fumie. "You hear that, you're like Pa."

She smiled. "Very funny mister. I meant you!"

I chuckled. "You didn't say which."

"Think we're all energetic," Rakia said, grinning.

Ma giggled. "True. Now, let's go and sleep too. I don't exactly trust your father alone in the kitchen yet."

Ouch.

"I'll wash the dishes," I said, eating my food.

Ma smiled as she passed me. "Thanks, Sou."

I pulled up my sleeves and picked up all of the remaining plates from the table.

"Scrub, scrub, scrub," I sang.

"Need some help?" a voice asked.

I would've jumped and broken the dish I had, but oddly, I'd grown used to him.

"Why do you always sneak up on me?" I asked, pouting as I put away the dish.

Purpura smiled and took the plate from my hands. "Because it's fun to see the face you make."

I wiped my hands on an orange towel and turned away. "Well, don't expect to get a reaction from me all the time." I laughed. "Next time it might be you who gets scared."

Mora laughed. "As if! I can sense you walking from a mile away."

I rubbed my chin. Wait, that didn't give him sensory overload? Or maybe it did... That would explain why he slept as much as a cat.

"Can you turn it off?"

He looked up at the oranges carved on the cabinets. "I could, but I rather not."

I smirked and inched closer to him. "Scared that I'll get the jump on ya?"

He shook his head. "If it were only you I had to worry about, I would gladly lower my guard."

His violet eyes returned to the dish.

Was he worried he could be taken at any time? Given what happened to him, I couldn't blame him for being cautious. I touched my neck, recalling the sensation of cold metal against it. He was so scared that he would threaten total strangers.

"You can go on ahead. I'll finish up here," Purpura said, scrubbing away.

I nodded. "Thanks. Your food is in the pan."

"Thanks." He smirked. "You know, if you train a bit, you might be able to surprise me."

I gasped. Wait, did he mean by making my presence disappear? How would I do that? Couldn't I end up accidentally erasing myself while trying that?

I dug out the paper that Ava had made me earlier. Maybe the training regimen had some answers.