Chapter 44:

A/N: Just to make things clear to everyone, "…" is a verbal conversation, while '…' is an internal conversation or thought.

Thank you all for your continuous support, it means a lot to me. Reading through the comments you leave has made my day on multiple occasions and I am so glad that people look forward to what this story will bring. You're all the best.

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Walking out of the cave, Topaz walks over to his father and grandfather and gives them a smile.

Alex: "Ok, that spear looks badass."

Grandfather: "How did your conversation with our ancestors go?"

Topaz: "It want surprisingly well actually."

Alex: "Who did you speak with?"

Topaz: "I spoke with Tera Nemea, and her soul completely resides within my spear now."

Grandfather: "Bullshit! Don't you dare desecrate that name with your slander."

Tera: 'Topaz, hand your staff to him. I have some choice words for him.'

Topaz: "Hey old man, hold this."

Topaz hands his grandfather his spear and watches with amusement as his face goes white the moment he grabs it.

Alex: "Topaz, why did you hand him your spear."

Topaz: "Tera said she had some choice words for him."

Alex: "You really have her soul residing within your spear. Holy Ohm, I knew you would be the strongest of us some day."

Grandfather: "T-Topaz, h-here's your spear b-back."

Topaz takes his spear back from his hands.

Tera: 'He shouldn't cause you too many problems from now on.'

Topaz: 'Thank you.'

Tera: 'It was my pleasure, grab onto your father's shoulder for a moment.'

Walking towards his father, Topaz reaches out and grabs his shoulder. Alex looks into his eyes with a questioning look on his face.

Tera: 'Alex Nemea.'

Alex: 'Lady Tera, it is truly an honor.'

Tera: 'There is no need for that Alex. You should be proud of your son for all of the things he has been through in life already.'

Alex: 'I don't need to know what he's been through to be proud of him. He's my son and I will always be proud of him.'

Tera: 'Good, I would like you to know that I support your decision to leave the tribe with your family. After your father is dealt with from desecrating the sacred custom of the tribe, hand the reigns over to Leo. His heart is pure, like Topaz's, and he will lead the tribe well.'

Alex: 'As soon as the challenge is completed, we will get right on that.'

Tera: 'There's no need to wait that long. In two days when the other combatants return to begin their spirit walk is when you should start the trial and announce your departure.'

Alex: 'That works for me. I just hope they all take Leo as chief well.'

Tera: 'If they don't use my name to throw your weight around.'

Alex: 'I hope that doesn't become the case, I don't wish to take advantage of your name like that.'

Tera: 'Don't overthink it so much Alex, now let's return to the village. There are people waiting for your return.'

Topaz and the other two make their way back into the village. Topaz's grandfather walks towards his own home and disappears inside. Topaz and his father make their way back into his parent's home. Opening the door, Topaz steps in and sees his mother, Emma and Neo in the kitchen smiling and having a good time while cooking.

Alex: "Hey Sara, we're back."

Sara: "Welcome home dear. How did everything go?"

Alex: "All I'm going to say is that Topaz never fails to impress."

Sara: "Oh? What this time?"

Emma: "Did he get a decent spirit for his spear?"

Alex: "Pfft, decent spirit she asks. He has probably the strongest spirit residing in his spear."

Emma: "Strongest spirit?"

Topaz: "Emma, the spirit I bonded with and now resides within my spear is Tera Nemea."

Emma's eyes go wide at the reveal and she rushes over, grabbing Topaz's shoulders.

Emma: "Did you really get her?! That is so cool."

Topaz grabs onto her shoulder.

Tera: 'Greetings child.'

Emma: 'Oh. My. Ohm. Lady Tera, you're the biggest role model for me. I hope I can be half as strong as you were someday.'

Tera: 'Calm yourself child. While I am honored that you think so highly of me, you must not compare yourself to anyone else. Doing so will only tear you down mentally. You are plenty strong as you are already. Continue being yourself and you will do just fine.'

Emma: 'Thank you very much Lady Tera, I will keep your advice in mind.'

The next couple of days passed quickly but uneventfully for Topaz. He spent his time with Neo or his family doing very little, training with his spear, or sparring against Emma. Topaz currently finds himself sparring with her once again while Neo watches from the sidelines. Parrying a wide swipe from her, Topaz lunges at her and swings his spear at a downward angle, forcing her to jump back off balance. Pressing forward to keep his advantage, Topaz feints another downward slash, but changes it partway through to a horizontal slash. Emma blocks the slash but is caught off guard by the power behind the hit and is sent onto her back.

Emma: "I yield. Well fought Topaz."

Topaz: "Same to you Emma.

Emma: "It's almost scary how quickly you picked up this aggressive style of spearplay. You sure you haven't used one before?"

Topaz: "Aside from the little bit I borrowed Leo's to fight the alpha deathworm no, I have never used a spear before."

Tera: 'Part of it is the blood of a chief that runs through your veins Topaz'

Topaz: 'Good to know, thank you.'

Topaz: "Tera says that part of it is the chief's blood that runs through me."

Emma: "Not surprising there."

Alex: "Topaz and Emma, come here. The rest of the challengers have returned. It's time."

Topaz: "Guess it's time to get the show on the road."

Walking over to the main plaza of the village, Topaz, Neo and Emma gather around Sara, Leo and Stella. Topaz's father makes his way to the front of the crowd and raises his hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

Alex: "Everyone, I would first like to congratulate all of the challengers that completed their first task. Anyone who didn't complete it can attempt it again in a month. We must now discuss something rather heavy. It was brought to my attention that my father attempted to sabotage one of the challengers in the first challenge."

????: "What? There's no way he would do something like that."

Alex: "I understand everyone's uncertainty, I myself find it very hard to believe. But we have a recording from the very people paid to attack the challenger stating exactly what had happened."

Alex plays the recording and everyone just turns towards Topaz's grandfather with anger and disgust in their eyes. His only defense is looking at the ground. Whatever Tera had said to him a few days prior really messed with his mentality.

Alex: "I know you all will no be pleased to hear this, but his punishment will not be to the extant that you all expect. Many of you are already aware of it, but for those of you who aren't aware, Topaz returned with his completed spear a few hours after the challenge began, and because of that, he began his spirit walk and completed it already. Much to my and my fathers' surprise, Tera Nemea is the spirit bonded with Topaz, and because of how powerful Topaz's spear is, her soul is able to reside within it in its entirety. Which means she is able to communicate with Topaz or whoever is in contact with the spear. All I am going to say, is that she had some very choice words for my father when he was handed the spear."

????: "What, so he is just going to get away with it because he was admonished by one of our ancestors?"

Alex: "No, because of his actions, he is losing any power he may have had. I will also be relinquishing my position as chief to completely remove him from the powerline."

????: "What, who will be chief in your stead?"

Alex: "I have decided to make Leo chief instead of myself."

Leo: "Are you sure about that sir?"

Alex: "There isn't anyone I believe to be better suited for the position, and Lady Tera agrees with me."

Leo: "Very well then. I will try to be the best chief I can be then. And with Stella by my side I know I won't be able to do anything too dumb."

Alex: "My family and I will be leaving the tribe for an unknown period of time, if not indefinitely. My wife hasn't seen her family in many years, and there is a lot of the world that I would like to see myself."

????: "You're really leaving sir."

Alex: "Yes, my family and I will be leaving in the morning. Thank you all for everything."

After Topaz's parents say their goodbyes to those they wish to, they make their way back to their home. Along the way they hear a call coming from behind them.

Emma: "Wait up. There's something I need to ask you guys."

Alex: "Emma, what can I do for you?"

Emma: "Can I come with you guys?"

Alex: "You wish to come along with us? Why?"

Emma: "I'm sure you remember my parents dying many years ago from the alpha deathworm. Well after they were killed, your father took me in and raised me to be a strong warrior for the tribe. Learning that he wasn't the person that I thought he was has really shaken me, and I feel like the only way I can recover will be to leave."

Alex: "I'm ok with it if Topaz is, he's the only reason that we have this opportunity."

Emma: "Topaz, I know you and I started off on the wrong foot, but would you-"

Topaz: "Sure."

Emma: "What?"

Topaz: "I said sure, you can join us. I know better than anyone what it feels like to fell like you don't belong. And I know that my family and my friends elsewhere would love to make another friend, so feel free to come with us. Pack up your things, we will be leaving in the morning."

Topaz watches as she quickly turns and runs back to her home.