CHAPTER 9 - FREEDOM AND RESOLVE

"Brother!"

A small boy with red hair crawls to his brother with tears streaming down his face. These two are known as the children of the Kaen, a notable family, known for their red hair and innate ability to grow with the Fire Affinity, both magically and Qi based. The older of the two is known as Ruben Kaen. He is an airhead who discovered his blessing at a fast rate, somewhat mastering it before the age of 10. The younger one is called Seiji Kaen, known throughout the country of Chaun as the one blessed by Ifrit, Vassal of Flames.

RUben kicks the metal door at his feet until someone opens it. It is the bandit who periodically checks on the slaves, ensuring that they are still alive up until the time that they are sold.

"What's with all this banging kid?! You woke up the boss!"

"Do I look like I care?! Wait until I'm free!"

Ruben spits on the shirt of the bandit. Seeing this, the bandit begins to step on Ruben, beating him until he coughs up blood. He then kicks Seiji in the face, sending him into a wall.

"You're lucky that the boss needs you too."

The Bandit Guard walks out of the room and closes the door. After it closes, it opens again. This time, a man, wearing old clothing and a scarf walks in. He has a scruffy beard and smells of alcohol.

"What a noisy pair we have haha!. I trust that you two are enjoying yourselves?"

"Die in a fire!"

"Ironic, aren't we? Regardless, I need the kid in the corner who is unconscious."

"Hell no! Wherever he goes, I go and that's final!"

"It isn't up to you, kid."

The Drunk man then slams Ruben's head into the floor, instantly knocking him out. He then walks over to Seiji and unlocks the chains that were restraining him, placing the keys on his belt as he walks past Ruben to leave the room. Soon after, Ruben's eyes open and he takes his head off the floor, revealing that he has the keys in his mouth.

"I didn't think they would take me lightly. Now then. Time to go save Seiji!"

When the drunk man walked past, Ruben bit the link that held the keys, catching it in his mouth. He then put his head back on the floor. The drunk man did not notice and as a result, Ruben frees himself from the chains and rushes out of the room. He finds a couple guards, walking in his direction in an enclosed space then points his hand in the general direction of them, setting the corridor ablaze. Ruben then runs in the opposite direction, searching for the Drunk. During his search, he realizes that he is getting nowhere and proceeds to focus.

"It's been a while since I summoned you. Wake up, Rico!"

A pillar of flames appears and a small bird, enveloped in flames flies out of it. It was given the name Rico by Ruben.

The Summoning and communing of spirits is only found in a certain family. Those are the Akijo. However, there are specific instances where others are able to replicate that of the Akijo. Ruben is an example of this as before he was born, in another world, he was a notable spirit cultivator who boasted thousands of spirits under his command. When reincarnating, that skill became his blessing, Blessing Of The Spirits. This allows him to control spirits that are directly linked to him. These spirits are not bound by affinity, making his abilities different from the Akijo, and allows him to gain strength when they gain strength and vice versa.

"Rico, go scout the area and look for my brother. Report to me when you find him!"

Rico flies up and searches the camp while Ruben sneaks around the camp. While doing so, he feels an intense amount of pressure, approaching the camp with full hostility. He heads in that direction while Rico flies towards it. While hiding behind some crates, he looks at the exit to see a person walking in. They had no upper garment and there were tattoos which spread across their body. The person was muscular and had red hair along with a symbol of a black sun crest on his right hand. While this person walks into the camp, various people step out of his way, making a path for them. Upon further inspection, it seems to be a male.

Ruben begins to advance closer to this individual, while still hiding behind crates. The unknown male walks into a building and after 3 minutes, he walks out holding Seiji in one hand. Rico flies down to Ruben awaiting orders but does not receive any due to Ruben shaking in fear. Eventually, he slaps his face and stands up.

(This is not the time to be afraid! My brother is in danger and I can't afford to lose him!)

"Rico! Attack him!"

Rico screeches as it flies up in a blaze. It then flies down, spinning and aiming at the unknown man who was holding Seiji. While Rico was about to connect the attack, the man takes his left arm and punches Rico into the ground, dispersing the spirit.

"What was that?!"

"A bug."

With all the commotion, Seiji wakes up, looking at the current predicament.

"Huh? Whe- Where am I?"

"Go back to sleep, boy. Soon, you will be in a new land."

"Where's my brother? He was supposed to keep me safe. He promised."

Tears stream down Seiji's eyes as Ruben remembers how the two got into this situation. It happened at night, a week ago, Seiji asked Ruben to take him outside to finally enjoy some fresh air. This would be the first time Seiji would leave the Kaen family compound as he was seen as a treasure that they must protect.

"How many times do I have to say it Seiji? If I take you outside then I'll be the one in trouble."

"You don't know that and besides, the only person who is here is our elder brother Hikyu. Mother and Father are currently on a business trip. Come on, please!"

"Seiji you're making this difficult…"

While they were talking, the door to the room opens and Hikyu walks in smiling. He was wearing a Yukata, with the flame symbol of the Kaen, stitched on the back. His hair was crimson red, long and free. He wore a red ring on his finger which glowed periodically.

"Why not just go, brothers? You have my permission."

"Really?! You heard that right, big brother Ruben?!"

Ruben stares at Hikyu, whose smile never dropped during the conversation. He then looks at Seiji, who was full of energy and excited.

"Fine. But if anything happens, we are coming back immediately, ok Seiji?"

"Sure! Thank you elder brother! Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, my brothers."

While heading into the forest of Chaun, the two brothers were attacked by bandits and instead of being killed, they were kidnapped.

…

Presently, Ruben panics mentally, running away almost instinctively.

(I must get stronger! Wait for me Seiji!)

While Ruben ran off to through the exit, Seiji catches a glimpse of his brother leaving without him.

"I've been… abandoned..?"

His eyes then change from bright and vibrant to pale and dead. The unknown man takes Seiji and leaves the camp soon after.

Things seemed quiet until the area began to brighten, while still being night time. When the bandits look up, they see a giant fireball which gets launched into the camp.

[END OF CHAPTER 9]