The Courthall was filled up and crowded with more villagers trying to get inside and listen in on the meeting. The Village Elders sat down in their respective chairs as Kai stood in the middle. Elder Eyfos looked pensively at Kai and towards Katja who was sitting nearby.

  “We are here tonight to address the current situation regarding the young Kaiser's request as a proxy of the Orizen Highguard Council, Hayashi Retsu.”

  Kaiser's demeanor was calm. If it's regarding the request, then it could have been done in the morning. There was something missing that Kai didn't anticipate. Another Elder stepped up. He had a long blue mane that reaches to the ground.

  “As previously stated, Elder Eyfos had used his right as a leader to vote and agree with the request of Sir Retsu's proxy. Upon reviewing the reports of nearby danger such as the harrowing monsters like the Hagrefir, the rest of the Elders of the Grant Village have voted to rescind the original decision.”

  Kai's expression turned grim as he stood silent. Katja wanted to say something but was too scared to speak up against the Elders. She only knew of one person with such gall, and that was Salazar. So she went out of the courthall and quickly went towards the south tower to ask for his backup.

  Kai lifted his head and calmly asked the Elder.

  “I understand the concerns of the Elders. Is there a way we can comprimise? A guide is all I need to reach Halcyon.”

  “You have displayed your capability of survival against such monsters, but what of the guide on his way back? Would you leave him to fend for himself?” Asked a Lady Elder beside Elder Eyfos.

  “It is already more than courteous enough of us to even consider the matter again.” said the blue maned Elder

  “Please, this is important to me. I need to reach Halcyon as soon as possible.”

  Kai looked left and right to see if any of the Elders would sympathize with his plight. Yet, none of them did. Even Elder Eyfos looked down in defeat. He was the only one that was on Kai's side, but once the others have voted, he has no power.

  Elder Eyfos wonders and spoke his mind, “Why are you pleading so adamantly,

  young Kaiser? While you are the proxy of sir Retsu, I am sure he will understand our predicament.”

  “I hold a promise. One that benefits me more than him. I have to do what I can to uphold my end of the bargain.”

  Elder Eyfos seems puzzled by his statement.

  “A promise? To whom? Sir Retsu?”, the Lady Elder

  “A promise between a proxy and his master does not concern the Village and its safety!”

  At that moment, something within Kai snapped. No one was fast enough to react. Kaiser left a tiny explosion where he stood and charged forward to where the foulmouthed Elder was seated, holding their robe in his hands and slightly lifting them. Suddenly, Greyson came running from outside the Courthall and jumped next to him, pointing his blade at Kaiser's neck followed by Mautir and several guards that were present..

  “Stand down, runt!”, said Greyson.

  “Greyson, don't !”, yelled Katja who came running after him.

  Salazar walked into the courthall after her and held her back from doing anything stupid. He frowned as he looked at the less than ideal nature of the situation. Before he could think up of a way to de-escalate the situation, the blue haired Elder spoke up and gave him an order.

  “Captain Salazar! You are abandoning your post at the south tower! Your insubordination will be overlooked once you apprehend this fool!”

  Salazar's mood wasn't any better than Kai's. Everything regarding this situation was all too convenient. Mautir was as loyal to the village as Greyson, while Salazar himself wasn't too attached despite being a Captain. If Salazar were the one to be given the order, Kai would not have been here. The sudden meeting in the night was also convenient to avoid the eyes of the public as they would have been opposed to this due to their liking of Kaiser after yesterday's incident. All of this could lead to making Kaiser an enemy. Something that Salazar wishes to never happen.

  “Elders, I ask you, why does this need to be announced in the middle of the night?”

  “This is a pressing matter of our own survival and prosperity, of course it should be prioritized immediately!” Said the Lady Elder.

  “As the one that made the report, I have specifically stated that there were no signs of any other Hagrefir or dangerous monsters nearby. I also added in another report of additional scouting earlier in the day that suggests no immediate danger.”

  “We have received yesterday's report, but have not seen any additional ones.” Said Elder Eyfos.

  “I've handed it personally to the Elder in charge of security, Elder Paronte.”

  Salazar looked at the blue haired Elder named Paronte. Eyfos, the Lady Elder Kimari and several others followed and looked at Paronte. His expression grew into one of exaggerated anger.

  “No immediate danger does not mean there are none! We have barely enough resources for ourselves. And we should lend our village's assets for what? A High Council member and his stupid proxy?! Listen to me well, fellow Grant Elders. Where was the High Council when we needed them? When the Eastern kingdoms drove us towards the west like an unwanted disease!?”

  Kaiser looked at Greyson and back towards the Elders. He opened his mouth and his tone was wildly different from before, there was no kindness or playfulness to it. There was only deep and calm rage. He let go of Paronte's robe and stood back down as the guards sheathed their weapons as well.

  “I see there's no difference which world I am in, there will always be people like you. You're no better than the Eastern Kingdoms you speak of, or that scummy priest of Deigsir.”

  The other Elders gasped in fear of what came out of Kai's mouth. Elder Eyfos immediately asked him several questions.

  “Young Kaiser. Please answer with a yes or no. Is Sir Retsu's request connected with the Deigsir church?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sir Retsu should have gone to Halcyon himself. Is he perhaps engaged in something that limits his actions?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are we in immediate danger? Is the church moving towards us?”

  “I don't have an answer for that. Sir Retsu was following the tracks of a priest that I previously encountered. He took someone from me. I happened to meet Sir Retsu when I first got into Orizen. He promised to chase the priest down and give them back to me. In return I should ask for a ride from this village towards Halcyon, to alert the Wanderers Guildmaster.”

  “Fancy lies does not sway us to your plight! The church has not been seen or existed since the last war!” Yelled Elder Paronte.

  “I'll quote your words then, ‘no immediate danger doesn't mean there are none.’ Maybe they're hiding in Orizen. But I sure as hell know that they've been active on Earth.”

  Elder Eyfos stood up to address the other Elders.

  “Friends, this has gone far beyond the scope and jurisdiction of the Village. Please reconsider and allow aid for the young Kaiser's journey.”

  “Eyfos, you are far too soft on this matter. If anything, we should refocus and prepare our village for the worst.” Said the Elder Kimari who was full of fear.

  “I agree with Eyfos, this could be a chance to send an envoy to ask for an alliance with Halcyon,” Said Elder Trombal calmly.

  “Fools! The Halcians will not agree on an alliance with us unless they benefit from it!” Elder Paronte refuted with condescension.

  “We should listen to reason and logic. Paronte's words makes sense! They're a city of Wanderers!” Elder Druk yelled loudly with frustration.

  ….

  The delibiration continued for almost half an hour. Finally they reached a verdict on the matter of helping Kaiser. Six agreed, while the other Seven disagreed. Kai saw amd recognized Elder Eyfos's face. The face of a fighter that had lost a battle.

  “I'm so sorry, young Kaiser.”

  Kaiser's rage was valid. He was given approval to use a carriage only to jump through hoops, doing the foraging squads work and suddenly defending the village from a possible attack from a nearly unkillable monster, only for that approval to be retracted due to the selfish fears of the ones who are in power. But, looking at Katja, Greyson and Salazar, he felt guilt. Like he was in the wrong. He knew they wanted to help, but there were too many risks for them to consider. Kai turned around and walked away, feeling defeated.

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  “Cowards. I'll do it myself then.”

  Rage swelled up within Elder Paronte due to Kai's insult, “Guards! Quickly arrest this ruffian!”

  His orders were met with silence.

  “Why are you all just standing there! Do your job or I will have you removed from your positions!”

  ”Enough, Paronte! Please read the room.” Elder Eyfos snapped and slammed his fist on the desk.

  The foul-mouthed Elder took a look around the room. Salazar looked down at the ground. He was angry at the Elders for causing them to lose a strong ally and instead made him into a terrifying enemy. Everyone made way for Kaiser to walk out. Katja fell to her knees and silently cried. Greyson ran to the side and puked as he was disgusted at his own actions that didn't align with his principle.

  Kai had taken a few of the equipment from the weapons storage. He equipped himself with leather karchag armor, steel vambrace and greaves. Before he arrived at the gates, Katja, Salazar and Greyson were already waiting there for him. Katja spoke out first.

  “Are you planning on going by yourself?”

  “There's not much of a choice. I'd love it if you guys could join, but I know that is not gonna happen.”

  “What makes you so sure, runt? You think you know everything? That you can do everything?”

  “Are you kidding me, Greyson?”

  Kai rushes towards Greyson, grabbing his chainmail and lifts him up against the wall near the gate.

  “I know I was out of line, but your first instinct was to point your blade at my neck! And you're mad at me for expecting you to be anything but loyal to your cowardly leaders!?”

  Kai threw him to the ground and wanted to pounce on him and throw a few punches at his face but Salazar cut him off and extended his hand, holding Kai back.

  “Cool your head, Newbie. We just want to talk.”

  Kai took a deep breath and quickly brushed his hand away, before throwing a jab at Salazar and knocking him back a few steps, knowing his guard was down.

  “Damnit, Newbie!”

  “There's nothing to talk about and I have a name. So knock it off with the Newbie shit or I'll knock you out, asshole.”

  “Kai, stop!”

  Katja grabbed onto Kai's arm and tried to pull him back while trying to hold back her own tears. Kai sighed as he couldn't bring himself to fight Katja. She remninded him of Rin. He raised his arms in surrender.

  “Fine, I give.”

  Moments later, they all sat down near the gate. Katja gave a wide smile to Kai, giving them a chance.

  “I'll ask the elephant in the room then. Is your sister the person that the priest took?”

  Kai gave a loud sigh and nods, giving confirmation to the first of many questions.

  “I assume you'll wait at Halcyon to rendezvous with Sir Retsu and your Sister?” asked Salazar.

  “That's the plan.”

  “You think he can save your sister? I'm not saying he can't, he's a High Guard. But let's assume that the church has been hiding, they wouldn't have been idle all this time. I can't imagine how much strength they must've stacked up.”

  Everyone looked at Greyson and judged his remark, wondering who's side he was on.

  “I honestly can't tell. The priest was scary, scarier than the Hagrefir. But I've known Sir Retsu's character from a local legend. Meeting him the first time and seeing his skill, I could tell. The legends didn't do him enough justice.

  “And what will you do once you reunite with her? You probably can't go back to Earth.”

  “I know that. I've already accepted it. There's probably a chance to save her in time before mine and her body decomposes on Earth. I'd just be happy if I can keep her soul safe and away from his dirty decrepit demonic fingers.”

  Along with the last few words, the calm rage from within Kai seeped through once again.

  “Alright, that settles it then. Wait here.”

  The two Guards stood up and each walked away in a different direction, leaving the Captain alone with Kai.

  “Do I want to ask what's going on?”

  “You are selfishly choosing your own path, and we are choosing ours. In conclusion, we're going with you.”

  “Oh hell no, I will not be responsible for causing you guys to lose your jobs!”

  “You're not. This is our choice.”

  “And I'm choosing to ignore it.”

  Kai stood up and walked away towards the gate. His tracks were halted by several summoned clones by Salazar.

  “They're not illusions, aren't they?”

  “You're the smartest Newbie I've ever met.”

  “Asshole.”

  Moments later, Katja came back with Lady Eleanor and Simian, bringing travel bags and food while Greyson came back with four Rodaspins, one for each of them to travel on. What they came back to was a fight scene between Kai and Salazar. They're shocked that neither cared enough to stop and see that they have ruined their surroundings, including the Village gate. Katja was the most furious out of everyone there.

  “What the hell are you guys doing!?”

  They both stopped fighting, but not before Kai landed a last Salazar's head. Kai then got of him and tried to clean himself up. Salazar also stood up and did the same.

  “Who started it!?”

  Both were being childish and pointed to each other. Lady Eleanor can't help but laugh at the situation. Kai's expression seemed better than he was earlier today, which made her feel relieved. But she also noticed the change he caused in the others. Katja has been more assertive in her actions, Greyson has gained respect for an outsider and Salazar has finally found a rival that he can go all out with. Meanwhile Greyson was calmly attaching the travel bags onto each Rodaspin's underbelly.

  Without giving them a beat to prepare, a loud bell suddenly rang three times, indicating an emergency in the village. Guards, villagers and Elders came running. Rast and Qwen were there first.

  “Boss? What's happening? Was there an attack?” Asked Qwen

  Before Katja could answer, Elder Paronte came with the guards fueled with fury when he saw the scene.

  “What is the meaning of this?! Explain yourselfs!”

  “Fuck this. Lady Eleanor, move back!”

  Kai ignited his Ember and collected the green flames around his right foot. Once Lady Eleanor stepped back, he proceeded to do a roundhouse kick and threw the fire from his fit to the ground, drawing a line between the villagers and his new travel group. Salazar quickly got on to his Rodaspin, mounting the side shield that's equipped with a specific saddle. Greyson gave everyone riding goggles before he and Katja mounted their own Rodaspin.

  “Like I said, smart for a Newbie.”

  “Yea well, no looking back now.”

  “I seriously regret this.”

  Kai followed their actions and saddled onto his Rodaspin.

  “Do you know how to ride it?” asked Katja, worried for his safety.

  “Just go! I'll learn as I follow!”

  Katja nods and looks forward. She taps on the Rodaspin's back twice and braces herself as it rolls forward into a wheel while the saddle stays in place with her position. The Rodaspin then rolls forward with incredible speed and leaves clouds of dirt in its track. The other two did the same and held on to their own rides as they rode away. Kai looks back at Lady Eleanor once more and said his goodbyes before joining them, riding into the sunset

  “Thank you for everything, milady!”

  Meanwhile near the gate.

  “Lady Eleanor, did you aid them?” Asked the furious Elder Paronte.

  “Yes, I did, Elder. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

  “Stand down, Paronte.”

  Elder Eyfos finally came to the scene, walking slowly with his cane.

  “They would have gone on the journey, with or without our consent.”

  “We lost four Rodaspins and a few of our finest guards, how dare you take this lightly!”

  “Sir, we received reports from the storage. They took several armors and the Hagrefir materials with them.” said one of the guards.

  Damnit! Guards! Mount up and chase them down!”

  “They will do no such thing, Paronte.”

  “Stand down, Eyfos, or I will be forced to hold you in prison for obstruction of justice.”

  Paronte gave the signal and several guards unsheathed their weapons, pointing towards Eyfos. Paronte smirks as this was finally his chance to usurp Eyfos and take control as the new Leading Elder. However, he could've not anticipated what will transpire in the coming moments. The ground started to shake as several dozen roots came out, forming into multiple golems. More roots formed around the village walls and gate, reinforcing them and summoning giant man-eating plants. The golems moved to surround and protect Eyfos.

  “Elder Paronte. I have increased the defense and security of the village. This is more than enough to compensate for the loss, is it not?”

  “What is this? How are you doing this?”

  “Let's just say, it was a parting gift from the outsider you despised oh so much.”

  “You can't get away with this, you old fool! You'll run out of Ember and Zero out soon enough.”

  A bright shine suddenly engulfs Lady Eleanor, changing her looks into her younger gorgeous form. To Paronte's dismay, she has barely used much of her Ember. Without anyone elses knowledge, Kai had evolved the Ember within her to a monstrous degree. Paronte was the one to be imprisoned soon after.