Book of The Lightborn: Rise

Beyond One's Reach

"So, who won?" Kilon asked Menoel intrigued, scratching his chin. He had to stay at the forefront, so he wasn't able watch the match, but was just as curious as anyone else.

"It got down to Efeheem and Avaanel by the end," Menoel responded, scratching his neck with disbelief in his eyes.

"Wasn't Melonius doing well?" Kilon continued.

"Well, it was found by Eharel that foul tricks were at play by Melonius, once he got out and could observe the match closer. They, of course, punished him properly." Menoel explained. Kilon started to lean his head to his right to hear Menoel better. "And in the end, Efeheem posed a question to Avaanel's question. She was bluffing about some knowledge regarding a secret scar that Manna had, and Efeheem said he knew about the scar, which he didn't, also bluffing. And so the time passed," Kilon couldn't take his ears off for one second "So they hit each other with a slap. They both wanted to hit the other first, in order to kill momentum from retaliation, but by doing so, they infused themselves with too much light and knocked each other out," the conclusion leaving Kilon breathless.

"That explains all the gasps," Kilon added as he smacked his face in annoyance.

"You promised something brother?" Menoel asked, referring to bets they placed.

"I did send a promise to teach the winner some advanced wind manipulation. Now they both won, so I figure I'll have to teach the two." Kilon responded a bit frustrated.

"Well, you can look at it as if they both won, or both loosed," Menoel added his look on the matter. Kilon liked the idea, yet he was a man of his word, so he didn't have a reason to back out of it, he also wanted to spend time doing something with his siblings.

"Although, I have to say. Wouldn't it make sense that it's counted as a stall of sorts? Since they knocked each other out?" Kilon asked, trying to make sense of it.

"Ah. I guess the last rule didn't reach you," Menoel responded "After Avaanel got in, they added a new rule, so that, if you fall unconscious, you forfeit the match, much like leaving out of your own will." he explained.

"I see, it makes sense." Kilon said silently, a shiver following on his back as he recalled the sound he heard that followed the last slaps. "Anyway, the road forward seems pretty clear. We shouldn't have much to worry about." he told Menoel, his eyes filled with hope. Menoel simply nodded in approval, their much sought location drawing closer, as one more sun has passed.

Ten suns later

"There is a valley between those mountains, much like in the Shivering Lands, but the winds don't blow between them as they did back then." Menoel assessed.

"No. Though, they carry a different breeze," Kilon could tell "It's a bit colder than here, yet rich. It's as if, it carries life with it." he was feeling the air of a dense forest yet to be seen. "Let's carry on. Tell Avaanel to continue doing it once every size." Kilon issued, size referring to the length of the group.

"Understood," Menoel affirmed "I bet she will be happy to have it a bit easy," he continued, Kilon looking down frustrated. "It's not your fault, you know? Without you, we wouldn't be half the way we're at now.".

"That doesn't mean I couldn't have done something sooner," Kilon responded, scratching at his body aggressively.

"Are you okay brother?" Menoel asked worried, rays of light emanating from Kilon's body in places.

"I'm fine. I didn't control the light well, so it's my fault," Kilon kept beating himself over.

"Maybe we should rest, we've been going at it for-" Menoel tried to suggest, but Kilon's sharp look cut through what he wanted to say. "Look, Kilon. I understand how you feel, they were my brothers and sisters as well, but we can't have you collapse or shatter from inside before we arrive there.".