The Five Kings: First Step

Hopian 126 - You Rui- Blessed Me

A/N: Hey! Just wanted to thank you all for the support, last chapter got a surprisingly high amount of reads. On that note-

Last chapter, Karia "woke up" inside of her own soul, to where the souls she took with her Blessing resided. After a relatively happy reunion with Sariel, and a conflicted reunion with Kodan- Karia went to talk with the strange Bersia, who could apparently see into the future now.

After giving Karia many cryptic warnings and hints for the future, and after "decapitating" Kodan, Bersia kicked the three out of her room using her Blessing.

Karia's P.O.V.

"I'll try and remind you about some of that stuff she said before you wake up. But yeah, Bersia is something else huh?" Sariel says as he stands up, then leans down and lends me a hand which I grab- and use to stand back up.

"Never thought I'd feel what it's like to be sent to the guillotine! Damn that was weird, kinda fun though after I stopped panicking. The time Bersia turned me into a rat wasn't so fun though." Kodan says with a laugh as he starts patting his head, like he's making sure it's still there after Bersia made it disappear before.

"Hah. Or the time she turned my arms into rubber while I was sleeping. I hope you're OK here Karia, I know you must be extremely weirded out right now." Sariel says with a sympathetic smile as he pats my shoulder.

"Eh. I think I needed this. Something so bizarre and supernatural, that reminds me that there's more to the world than just crappy people and society. Thanks for getting Bersia to talk to me." I say with a shrug- and almost go in to give Sariel a hug, but stop when I remember what we just talked about.

"So? Want to talk about your plans, or something else? Not sure how much time you have left here." Sariel asks with a bit of a frown- aw, I don't want to leave you either. But still, I'm keeping the promise I made to myself a year ago.

"Since I'm not dead, and since I know that you forgave me Sariel... I want be better. I know I get hot headed a lot, and I want to get better at thinking more. I want to be happier, kinder- just better in general, I guess. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror, and feel proud of who I am. I want to make you proud too. ...But I don't know where to start. Sariel you were always pretty wise. And Kodan... well- you led the Red Fists for 10 years. Even though you were pretty scummy, you must've been a good leader to get your as group as strong as they were."

"Hmm? So what, you're asking for advice from the "scumbag" criminal now? What a change of heart, I'm flattered. Kidding, I'm glad you were able to realize that the Red Fists weren't AS bad as you thought a few months ago. Sure. I can try and tell you what I think I did right, and how to avoid the mistakes that led me and my group to be- yeah pretty scummy." Kodan says with a laugh, but it turns into a genuine smile after.

"I'll try and help you out too of course Karia. We can also use Bersia's "visions" she just told you, to help you come up with future plans. For starters- it looks like you didn't get arrested, since Bersia said to stay with Seric. Unless she means in jail?" Sariel says as his mouth hangs open a bit in surprise.

"C'mon, you used to know Hopian Army protocol better than I did. They'd never keep me and Seric in the same cell, let alone the same area." I shake my head with a smirk which Sariel facepalms at.

"OH right- my bad, yikes. But um... more seriously though. What you did to free Seric was fucked. Like, super fucked- and I was pretty close to hating you for it when I saw it happen. I know you weren't trying to kill any soldiers when you were escaping Vegahold. But you should've known an ability like Kodan's "Shower of Strikes" would have caused at LEAST a few casualties. Like come on Karia- even just ONE of those fists can break through a steel door." Sariel starts to criticize me, which makes my heart sink a bit... he never used to swear. Kodan must have corrupted him.