Seed Of Speed

Time flowed on while Diego might as well had been a statue of scarlet-gold. The System completed its integration between the 'Seed of Speed' and Diego's soul, but it was also forced to wait on his breakthrough like the others who were watching him. The entire process started shortly after dawn and continued until the sun finally dipped under the horizon. Once the sun vanished from the sky, the Scarlet-Gold Skin seemed to be absorbed into his pores as he slowly regained consciousness.

::Keep your eyes shut and your face neutral! You managed to achieve a breakthrough while you were cultivating and several people are watching you right now:: a feminine voice rang through his mind.

(Who are you?) Diego thought.

::The consciousness of the system. You must be careful when you 'awaken'. Since I wasn't fully integrated with you and the 'Seed' at the beginning of your breakthrough, a portion of that energy escaped. 'Your father' likely would not have been able to sense it, but there are also two Shamans who are watching you. With the memories I have, I am unable to determine if they were able to sense the Godpower::

(What do I do?)

::Play dumb. 'Ishu' was never known for his intelligence, so being ignorant of that strange power is very believable. The sheer fact that the pair have not attacked you despite being stronger than Barru means that they either did not sense the 'Seed' or not sure what they sensed. Wake up now, you can't fool them any longer. I will help you speak and act like Ishu to avoid suspicion until you can manage on your own or are strong enough that it will not matter::

Diego did not question the system as he slowly opened his eyes. To his right, he saw a muscular, bare-c.h.e.s.ted man in a loincloth staring down at him. To his left, there was an old man and young woman in blue and red robes. The system seemed to supply the names for the three straight to his subconscious as he knew the lone man was his 'father', Barru Telryn, and the pair were the Shamans of the clan, a father-daughter pair known Firesand and Rainshower, respectively.

The System automatically controlled his voice when Diego opened his mouth and said for him as he stood, "Lord Father! Great Shamans!"

The Shamans merely nodded their heads at thee greeting, but Barru instantly appeared next to his son, clapping him heavily on the shoulder, nearly making him topple over although the man had controlled his strength to prevent injury.

"Ha! Who would have guessed when you were separated from your bother and the other hunters by a pack of Devil Worms, not only would you survive the encounter, but have such an incredible gain!" Barru laughed boisterously.

Diego, of course, had no idea what Barru had been talking about, but once again, the System came to his rescue and replied for him, "It was good they returned safely. I was not sure if I managed to lure the whole pack away or not. After I lost them in the Wilum Sands, I made my way back, but I was stuck by a moment of clarity when dawn rose, and things turned out as you saw."

"Good, good… I expect you to take your Days of Ascension more seriously now that you have advanced! If you can not defeat your brothers in proper combat, I will kill you myself!" Barru said with a stern expression.

"Your son understands but asks for ten days to consolidate my advance then I will challenge my brothers," the System responded for Diego, even causing his body to bow to Barru.

"Ha, ha! That's my boy!" Barru said, clapping another hand on Diego's shoulder. "I'll arrange the challenges then so that the whole clan can see!"

"Thank you, Lord Father," the System replied in his place, adding another bow.

"Let us return," Barru said.

"Please, Patriarch, allow us to bring you both back as a simple gesture of goodwill towards the young lord in honor of his breakthrough," Firesand offered as he pulled out a jeweled talisman that hung from a silver rope around his neck.

Barru did not respond vocally, only nodding before he placed a hand on Diego's shoulder and stepping forward. Although it appeared to be a normal step to him, Diego felt an instantaneous pressure applied to his entire body and he was suddenly standing a hundred feet from where he had been, next to the two Shamans with Barru.

Firesand gave Diego what thought might have been a smile, but his aged faced showed little to no expression, so it was only present in his eyes. Rainshower stepped around the father and son to stand opposite of Firesand as he began channeling his energy into the talisman. Diego's eyes could not help but widen as he watched the carved gemstone light up with a teal light. Firesand noticed his curiosity and chuckled before the glow in the jewel suddenly exploded outwards, engulfing the four of them.

Diego stepped back in alarm as the teal light shot out at him, but there was no way he could react in time. There was a strange, disorientating feeling, but when he stumbled back, he found that he was in an entirely different place.

Linen cloths of blue, red, or green were stretched between pillars of red sandstone creating the walls and roof of the room. Through the many gaps, it was clear that they were several floors up in the heart of the oasis. There was a strong scent of incense in the air and a gentle melody of windchimes rang with the breeze.

Rainshower gave a light chuckle at Diego's confusion while Firesand's eyes sparkled with amus.e.m.e.nt. Barru sighed with annoyance, but he could not fault the boy as even he was unnerved by the Shamans' magic.

"Come, Ishu, I will escort you home," Barru said as he turned and headed for a set of stairs.

Diego nodded and fell in step behind Barru, but a voice called out to him as he left.

"After the young lord secures his position, spending some time in the Hovel would do you some good," Firesand said.

::Keep walking:: the System instantly warned.

Barru continued walking as if he heard nothing, but kept his senses trained on his son. Although Diego had faltered for a moment when the Shaman spoke, he kept following behind and did not respond to the man. He gave his son a subconscious nod, deciding that he knew following the Way of the Body would take him to greater highest. In truth though, Diego was not only intrigued by the offer, it had become his first mission.

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Mission Acquired!

- Learn about the magic of the world and cast your first spell.

- Requirements: Record a minimum of five scrolls about magic and cast a spell.

- Reward: Access to the 'Spells' window and 50 skill points

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(What is this mission about? I thought that the Shamans were dangerous.) Diego asked silently.

::Although there is a risk of exposure due to the mystery of the Shamans' ability, it is also the greatest chance for you to learn about magic which will undoubtedly be of great use to you in the future. There is also the fact that you are very curious about magic which will play a role in your future missions::

(My curiosity will create missions for me?)

::If your curiosity is directed at something that can help elevate your strength or potential, then yes, missions will be created to help you excel in your chosen path::

While Diego and the System silently conversed, Barru lead him out of the Hovel which was the home of the Shamans. There was only a total of three in their clan, but that was already considered a large number. The other tens of people that Diego passed as he followed his father out of the sandstone building were the servants of the Shamans that ran all of the errands that the trio could possibly have.

The oasis housed a few hundred people and most dwelled in small, sandstone buildings with personal roof gardens to help with the limited supply of food. Only the Hovel and the Bastion, where the Patriarch of the Clan would always live, were the only buildings that were more than three floors high and had elaborate decorations of colored fabric. The Bastion was decorated with yellows, oranges, and reds giving it a fiery feeling.

The "streets" throughout the small city were nothing more than empty, sandy gaps between the lines of buildings, but that did not lessen the activity going on. Twilight between sunset and dusk as well as between dawn and the sunrise were always the busiest time of day in the desert cities when it was not too hot or too cold since the temperature would change a lot throughout the day and night.

Young children ran through the streets while older ones carried large jugs of water back to their homes. Women were carrying woven baskets filled with different things while men dotted most of the roofs as the tilled away at their gardens. There was a vibrant and joyful air in the wind that surprised Diego when he finally returned his senses to the world around him.

Emily's message had said this was a world belonging to a 'Dark' faction with corruption was everywhere and a bloodthirst that would allow them to do whatever it took to win. This simple desert town though, did not make him feel like that at all. There were genuine smiles on the kids' faces as they played, and several different melodies were hummed by the passing people as he walked. Conditions may have been harsh here in the desert and they were not as advanced with technology as Earth had been, but it still felt like a peaceful, nice place to him as they walked.