The Chosen

Travel Talk

Daniel woke up, quite unusually even for himself, just before the break of dawn. He immediately rose and prepared for another leg of his travels. He also did not want to keep Jisung waiting. Humble and polite as he was, Daniel preferred waiting than to be waited for. He left his room with all his belongings just before 7 in the morning and waited for Jisung in the small lobby near the reception area. Meanwhile, Jisung only appeared half an hour later and was surprised to see Daniel waiting for him.

"Good morning! Sorry to keep you waiting." Jisung casually greeted.

"It's alright. I am the one who wants accompany you. It is only proper that I should be early." Daniel responded.

"Shall we go now?" Jisung offered.

They made their way to the train station and boarded one of the bullet trains of Energetic Express, the kingdom's one and only train company. It will only take the train an hour and half to reach the capital of Malman-Oh. As it was still very early, there were only a few passengers. Jisung and Daniel chose the pair of seats facing each other with a table in the middle. The seats across them was occupied by an old woman carrying a wooden walking stick. The train was to leave in 10 minutes, so they decided to take their breakfast in the train, which, conveniently, was offered for free once you present your train ticket. Both Jisung and Daniel ordered the set of pancakes with blueberries and orange juice for their morning meal. The train departed just as they were about to finish their respective food. Jisung smoothly started a conversation while proof-reading his papers.

"So, tell me Daniel, where did you come from?" Jisung initiated.

"I am just from the neighboring province of Omm" Daniel answered.

"Really? What brings you to Malman-Oh then?"

"I was instructed to find someone in Malman-Oh."

"Hmmm... curious, very curious." Jisung paused, "Who?"

"Someone of grave importance." Daniel said with a firm voice along with a soft smile, "If you don't mind, may I ask how old are you?"

"I am 27. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to confirm whether or not you are really older than me. Are you a magic-user, Jisung-hyung?

"Actually, yes. I have telekinesis ever since I was born."

"Telekinesis?" Daniel asked most especially since he does not know a single thing about powers despite the fact that his journey highly involves powers and magic.

"It is the ability to move things with your mind." Jisung demonstrated with a flick of his finger, "How about you, Daniel? Are you a magic-user, too?

"Unfortunately, no. I have no powers. By the way, may I ask what is your article all about?"

"Ooohh... I know you'll get interested in my story once you heard about it." Jisung spoke in a rather creepy tone, "My article is about the possibility that the eleven Chosen is alive after all this time." he finished.

Daniel flinched when he heard about Jisung's article. "Really? How can you say so?" he asked with a subtle hint of nervousness.

"Well, I found this lost book of the first seer that has all the basic information related to the Chosen. It says that only when the current group of Chosen dies or steps down, the Seer Successor will be selected and the new group of Chosen must be selected within 11 years since the death or abdication of all their members. Guess what? Three days ago, it was the eleventh year since "Burn It Up". If they really died, a new set of Chosen should have been selected by now. Instead, no new Seer, no new Chosen. And the only one who knows this information is me, Yoon Jisung." Jisung happily explained in hushed whispers.

"Wow, that is very interesting. Can I know more?"

"Oh, really? Ok, so there is this one thing in this lost book that I still cannot my wrap my head around. It says something about a prophecy or something..." Jisung's words faded as Daniel got lost in his thoughts.

Daniel may have urged Jisung to continue, but he wasn't really listening after that. Deep inside his mind, he was nervous and taken aback on how accurate Jisung's article was. On the other hand, Jisung continued to passionately elaborate the findings of his research. He talked for most of the way as Daniel pretended to listen, only picking up small details from time to time. Then, a voice announced that the train was approaching the capital of Malman-Oh, stopping Jisung from his story-telling. Daniel and Jisung prepared to exit the train. After a few minutes, the train finally arrived at the final station. When the train doors opened, Daniel was welcomed by the tall skyscrapers of the capital of Malman-Oh.