"Now let's discuss the matter at hand.", the Chief started. The chief priestess stood up and moved around Todd like a hawk surrounding it's prey.Todd could hear her speak some foreign language he has never heard of before. " Truly it is him, Chief. I can feel the same energy, the energy of the ancient ones." The chief priestess then moved towards Todd and touched his forehead. Suddenly, an energy wave erupted out of Todd. The aura of his energy was heavy and the pressure could be felt across the room. " Wonderful, this is absolutely wonderful.", the chief priestess said laughing, almost maniacally." I have never seen such power before, Chief. We have been blessed." The room was filled with murmurs and smiles as everyone in the room stared at him as though he had blotted the moon out of the sky. Todd tried pulling himself together and looked at the priestess.
Todd was led to the next room awaiting an explanation to what happened to him and what would happen to him in the village. He could somewhat make guesses of what they were discussing in the next room. " Maybe they are deciding on how to make me into one of those warriors, or maybe to be a palace servant?"
Just then, the guards came in to get him. As he was brought before the Chief once again, he could feel all eyes on him. This made him a bit uncomfortable and nervous. " Todd, would you mind telling us who you are and what brought you here?", the Cheif asked. Bewilderment and confusion clouded Todd's mind due to all that was happening and had happened to him. However, he began to speak about when he was in the orphanage and the agenda of the orphanage to when he was separated from his only friend Alice,... " Don't worry Todd. You're here now. Everything will be ok" The Chief said. He didn't know why but Todd could feel a sense of belonging and safety around these people. He turned to everyone in the room and gave his utmost respect to them for all they have done for him.After what seemed to be an hour or two, the meeting ended and Todd was ushered back into his room.
He went ahead to take his bath and laid on his bed, recounting what had happened in the meeting. "That energy, that feeling. I have never felt it before. So strong yet calm. I would want to feel it all day", Todd said. He closed his eyes trying to relive the moment and immediately he felt the energy rush in again. He then tried channelling the energy throughout his body. However, he felt a block to his attempt as he reached his chest. He was stunned as to how the energy turned erratic and thus couldn't break free, as if it were tied into a knot. He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Kubati and Wekem headed towards Todd's room, waiting for him to step out. Just as they reached his doorstep, Todd also got out and seemed to be in a hurry. " Relax, relax. Why do you seem to be in a hurry this blissful morning?" Kubati asked as he stepped right in front of Todd, stopping him in his tracks. " I was hoping to see you two", he replied. " In such hurry? What is so important that you came out in a haste? Did something happen yesterday?", Wekem asked. Todd could see the worried looks on the faces of the sibilings.To ease the mood, he gave a slight smile and said," oh, nothing serious happened.", not wanting to probe furthur into what happened yesterday. Seeing Todd's reluctance in wanting to continue the topic, the sibilings decided to make nothing of it. " Alright, where should we go to now?", Kubati asked looking at Todd and his sister and then to the village. " Actually, I had wanted to go meet the Chief priestess.", Todd said. The chief priestess! Wekem exclaimed. " Why the chief priestess?" Todd, seeing that he couldn't brush off the topic, briefed the siblings on what happened yesterday. " Well then, off to the forest we go", Kubati said. The chief priestess lived in a hut hidden in the forest away from the people. A place where she could connect with nature and hear the voices of the gods. As the road to her place was quite far, Wekem took the opportunity to tell Todd the story of the chief priestess. " Oh not that story again.", Kubati said. Nevertheless, Wekem began the story, with a low and soft voice.
" A long time ago, in this forest we walk in right now, there was a trial been held, the crown prince trial. All the princes were sent into the forest to test their battle strength and their ability to conduct the team that followed them. This battle was said to be a very tough one . It was said that some men even died and others were traumatized for life. They fought against the great beasts and abominations of this forest to collect spirit stones. Spirit stones were the stones found within the core of every beast. The stones were ranked in accordance with the rank of the beast. There were 6 ranks of spirit stones, the basic tier spirit stones, intermediate tier, king tier, Lord tier, sacred tier and the demi-god tier spirit stones. The number of beasts decreased as the rank went up. The demi-god tier beasts were even told as legends since they had not been an appearance of one. The prince to kill an abomination in the Lord rank and bring it's spirit stone back was to be the crown prince.
My father, who was one of the princes, had in his team,a woman called Nana. This woman was of unknown background. It had intrigued most people that a woman with no background was to partake in the crown prince trial ,supporting my father. She even made a name for herself, during the crown prince trial ,as she was able to tame the beasts, leaving them vulnerable for attack. It was even said she was of great help to my father in killing the abomination."
Todd seemed very interested in the story as it was evident in his expressions. This made Wekem slightly chuckle. "Are the abominations still in this forest?", Todd asked. " No they're not. At least for now." , Kubati replied. " What do you mean for now?", Todd questioned. "You see, there are specific times they come out. They come out when a strong magic surge washes across the a place and a portal opens. However, recently there have been reports on some sightings of these abominationsin other towns. They seem to be getting stronger too. That's why we train all day preparing for what's ahead.", Kubati replied. As they continued with their chit- chat, the sound of leaves rustling behind them could be heard. They turned and readied themselves for what or who was to come out. But to their relief, it was Nana. " Ah children, what brings you here? I was not expecting anyone to be here during these hours. Did something happen back in the village?", Nana asked. " You need not worry Nana. Nothing of that sort happened. We are here because someone couldn't wait to see you.", Kubati said teasingly looking at Todd. " Oh really! Then let's head inside", she said playing along.
"Feel at home my dear children", Nana said as she passed to them some herbal tea. "Now what brings you home". Todd sat upright and stated his reason for being here. " Oh I see. So you have problems channelling. It was expected. I saw a clog up in your chest due to the energy overload.", Nana said. Nana went back and brought a bowl of something which seemed to be a potion. " Drink up boy", she said. Todd took the bowl which they referred to as a 'calabash' into his hand and drank its content. Suddenly he could feel the erratic knot in his chest release and he could channel throughout his body. Being the first time Kubati and Wekem had experienced such pressure, apart from that of their father's , they were surprised and short of words. "You're strong, Todd.", the siblings blurted out in amazement. " You think I am strong?", Todd asked, smiling coyly. They talked over and over again, keeping Nana company till it was almost evening.
"Let's head back home", Wekem said looking up into the sky. " That's true, it's getting late children. You should hurry home and make sure to extend my greetings to your father .", Nana said as she escorted them to the outskirts of the village. "Bye Nana", they chorused. "Today was fun", Wekem said.The trio attracted a lot of attention as they walked side by side. This time, it wasn't just because of the village's beauty or handsome prince but the presence of an outsider who seemed to be close with their role models. This meant he meant that he was someone of importance.
The trio continued talking till they reached the palace. As soon as they had reached the palace, they were met with a message to meet their father at the meeting room. Not wasting time, they rushed to the meeting room. They saw the Chief pacing up and down the room. " Where have you been?" You made me worried. You know there have been rumours of abominations lurking in the dark. " Oh dad, you didn't have to worry about where we were. We admit we were wrong not informing you where we were but we were safe. We payed a visit to Cheif priestess, and Todd needed a little talk with her.", Wekem said trying to calm her father down. "That's fine. But next time, you must inform me about your whereabouts or at least take some guards with you.", the Chief said. " Ok dad.", the sibilings said in unison. " Todd! I hope you had a good time today?", the Chief asked. " Yes, your Highness. I had fun today. I have also heard a lot about the village from Kubati and Wekem." "That's great. You can join Kubati tomorrow in his training session", the Chief said, entreating them to sleep early. With the Chief gone, they happily discussed the activities they would do the next day. Kubati then asked Todd, " Todd, do you know any battle magic?" " No" , Todd replied. "That's great, I get to teach you some battle magic". Todd, who didn't know any magic apart from travelling and astral projection, was very expectant of his first magic lessons tomorrow. " Battle magic huh?", Todd murmured as he drifted off to sleep.
The next day , everyone was up early performing their activities as the day proved to be a long one. So was Todd and the sibilings. They were present at the training arena where some warriors and novices were training. Usually, there were days where classes were held for the novices, to train them with the appropriate skills and knowledge of battle magic. Today was one of those days. That explained in the number of young people trooping to the arena. " I guess it's time for me to leave.", Wekem said as she gathered whatever was left of the food she brought for the boys and turned to leave. "Thank you very much Wekem.", Todd said. This made her flush red a bit and Kubati ceased the opportunity to tease his sister. As soon as she left, the instructor came in with a stern expression. The novices lined up, being riled up to receive their first instruction.