Echoes of the Abyssal Blade: Path to Free Will-Chapter 82: Sunstone Piercer

After learning more about Ayaka, Alori, and Aloka’s native language, he became interested in their customs and way of life.

Being able to converse with them made Jonan quite satisfied with himself, and learning more about their customs and common knowledge, he was also curious about their fighting arts, but he did not ask them deeply about it; he just asked them about the fundamentals that they were aware of.

He also became interested in their Path to Power, because it seemed entirely different from theirs, where those from Dreavows continent used aura, the natives here used something called "Intent".

Most of their actions were mainly physical. Looking at the three practicing their fighting style, Jonan could feel that they did not even use an ounce of aura.

He often wondered about the native’s physical appearance, but now, observing them in action, made him realize that their physique was not for show.

He also found that the oil thing, which they called nectar, was important for them; it wasn’t simply for bathing or cleaning, but consistently making a habit of using it makes it easy for their skin and bones to toughen, and other nectars are used for increasing the physical strength in later stages.

All three of the native teenagers treated Jonan in quite a friendly manner, and Jonan reciprocated with the same feeling toward them.

After a few days had passed by, the elders of the native tribe called for Jonan for dinner in the central rock cottage, with everyone present.

All of them were curious about the foreigner from a different land from theirs.

The evening air in the colony was heavy with the scent of smoked herbs and rich nectar oils.

Torches blazed softly along stone paths, casting flickering light upon the curved stone buildings of the colony.

Jonan followed Ayaka, Alori, and Aloka toward the heart of the colony, the central rock cottage, which stood taller and more ornate than the others.

As they approached, a low hum of conversation and laughter could be heard from within.

Jonan’s heart started to beat a little faster, due to being close to the teenagers, he had no problem conversing with them, but now he would be in front of the leaders of this land.

The entryway was defined by two massive pillars hewn in the shape of intertwined beasts. Ayaka signaled with her hand, implying that he go forth alone as a gesture of respect and independence in their culture.

Jonan entered through the archway, and an uneasy hush settled over the murmuring voice inside.

The cottage interior was warm, with fireplaces supplied with logs for burning all around.

On the walls hung intricate paintings; these depicted battles, shows of the heavens, and the very origin of the natives of this colony.

In the center of the room stood a long table carved from a block of stone cast right into the floor. Around it were seated the elders, men and women with age-marked faces and eyes glimmering with ancient knowledge.

Seated at the table’s head were two men one old almost beyond reckoning, silver hair clinging in thin strands to his shoulders, his misty eyes alert and his skin etched with the map of time.

Next to him sat a man of more solid build, broad-shouldered, and sharp-eyed; probably in his early fifties, with his black hair braided with strands of gray, was the middle-aged chief of the Dragon’s Tooth colony.

The old man gestured with one hand. "Come, Boy, come here, sit and eat with us."

Jonan bowed very slightly act he had learned from observing others, then took his place at the side of the long stone dining table.

It was a common dining room.

The food was passed around: root stews thickened with ground nuts, seared meats marinated with strange-but-good-seasonings, and a nectar-like wine that warmed his throat and chest.

While eating, Jonan observed that none of the elders were addressing each other directly. Rather, they seemed to wait.

The middle-aged man finally spoke, his voice deep and steady. "I am Raenir. You have already met some of our best youth. They say you are respectful and curious, and it is good that you are just curious, and not threatening."

Jonan nodded. "Thank you. It has been a great honor to live and learn among you."

Raenir studied him for a long moment. "You ask many questions about our Fighting Arts."

Jonan smiled faintly. "I can’t help it, In our land, we fight using different tools, and we have different ways to fight, and yet... you are stronger than we are physically, especially your youth. I see no enchantments, no obvious tools of power, but it’s in your movement. In your will."

Jonan tried not to reveal much about the aura path from Dreavows, as he was repeatedly told by his predecessors not to let anyone witness their Battle Arts, as that would come with its own problems, in the Abyssal Ruins, Jonan will have to learn the native’s fighting art, without making them concerned.

The old man chuckled, his voice dry and cracking. "Yes, our fighting art is our tribe’s pride, because of this, we are able to hunt the monsters, or else, we would have become their food long ago."

Jonan nodded his head. "As you all can notice, I do not have any fighting arts, nor is my physique strong like your all, I would really appreciate it if you take me under you, and help me survive in this land, as my friends must have told you, even I do not know, how I got to these lands, I entered a cave, and found myself here."

The old man joyfully leaned forward and patted Jonan’s back at the mention of his friends, who were none other than the three teenagers.

Raenir, who was sitting beside them, was also pleased with the foreigner’s attitude and added, "Well, if you want to survive in these lands, then you will have to listen our orders, without fail, and we will help you with your strength, you really look too feeble, how did the people of your land survived?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Jonan absorbed the question, his thoughts were spinning, and within an instant he replied, "I am honored to be under your care, and I am ashamed to say this, but I am not someone well known, from where I am, but the people of my land are not to be underestimated, while their powers are different, please do not underestimate them."

Slowly nodding, Raenir said, "Yes, never should we underestimate anyone," and turning to his men, he warned, "Remember what happened with the Toad’s Eye colony, how that place was destroyed overnight just because they were too proud."

Tapping hard on his chest with a bony finger, he said, "Let’s put aside the unpleasant talks; we have a foreign friend who has come from far away. We must see to it that he fits well within our lands."

Jonan felt a shift in perspective. In Dreavows, strength was everything, respect was earned through strength, but here they all respected each other by working hard and tried helping each other, while being empathetic towards everyone, and being in unity.

In his heart, he liked the people of this land.

As the meal wound down, Raenir stood up. "Come with me."

Jonan followed him out into the cool night, beyond the cottage and into a circular courtyard of flat stone. Torches flared to life as Raenir passed his hand over small braziers.

And he reached a room which looked regal and sacred, and entered the room, where a rusted long spear was embedded silently, and some offerings were present near it.

"This is our temple of worship," Raenir said. "Here, each youth, before learning to become a hunter, is to be blessed by our ’Sunstone Piercer’."

"Only when you are blessed by our ’Sunstone Piercer’, will you have a chance to go forward easily, and with more strength in our fighting arts."

Jonan was flabbergasted, just what kind of mystical place is this, and what does this ordinary-looking spear do to help someone’s talent in getting stronger?"

Raenir looked at him steadily. "Oh, I thought your land must also pray to their own gods for blessings, but it seems like that is not the case."

Jonan shook his head, indicating that he did not know much.

Raenir remained at the edge, and said, "In this land we have our own gods, and the ’Sunstone Piercer’ is our god; it blesses us with talents to go forward, and it has no pattern, it can give different type of talents to others, there are also cases in which one might not be blessed, it is all based on luck, so we don’t blame anyone."

Jonan was again stunned by the natives of this tribe’s understanding and compassion, just why were the people of Dreavows not like this.

But he was still confused, how could a rusty old spear help the people of this tribe awaken any talent which will make them more stronger, and help them in gaining strength faster.

"I have never heard of such practices in Dreavows, but why are the people of this land dependent on this spear, do the other colonies also get their blessings from this spear, or do they have their own gods," thought Jonan to himself.