The four teenagers were terrified by the blue, rough-skinned creature with spikes on its head. The brown-haired girl tried to understand how they could hear something when it had no mouth. With no idea what that thing was, the three of them looked to the black-haired girl for answers, but she only shook her head.
Analyzing the being's clothing, she tried to recall what her grandmother had taught her about the different types of robes. Chinese-style robes specialize in the control and creation of Fiu techniques; Greek-style ones focus on developing physical abilities and combat styles; Japanese-style robes are devoted to knowledge, study, and learning about ancient cultures and histories… But these garments looked more like those of a monk from some kind of Academy of Sages. That meant it was probably someone seeking something. They watched carefully, reassured by the presence of their master.
The faceless being bowed toward the warrior, and once again they all heard the warm voice echo in their minds:
"Please, Great Barrier of Power, help my people!"
The dark-skinned boy looked at the adult, who shook his head and answered out loud:
"Look, Oksilis—no idea where you know me from, but I'm not interested. Get lost."
He finished by signaling his students to follow him.
The faceless creature clenched its fists, tears spilling from where its face should have been. Emily noticed and, worried, tapped her master's shoulder to get his attention.
"What is that thing?" she asked.
The warrior answered immediately, "How do I say this without raising too many questions…? Well, I can't think of a way. So—he's an alien."
Those simple words, delivered so calmly, shocked the teenagers. They immediately turned their eyes back to the strange visitor. The blonde wondered, Alien life? Is it real? Does the government know about this? Is he here to negotiate the planet with the Barriers? No—he asked for help. He wants the master for something.
The brown-haired girl began to tremble, clutching her stomach as she remembered movies where extraterrestrials incubate their eggs inside humans and burst out of their bodies. The boy with yellow-tipped hair smiled brightly.
"That's awesome!"
He rushed up to the alien to examine it closely, making the being uncomfortable. How does he speak our language? How can we hear him if he has no mouth? What's his planet like? he thought. Heh, I guess I'm starting to feel like a Jedi.
The most shocked of all was the green-eyed girl, who whispered to herself, "Why did my grandmother never tell me about this?"
Jayden cleared his throat loudly to regain their attention, but it was useless—his students were far more interested in the visitor.
Jayden (irritated):
"Brats, move it! We're training! You said it yourselves—that's what you want so you don't fail again, right?! You'd better be ready, because once you get through this training, we'll test your abilities in something very fun."
He smiled cruelly to himself.
Francesca (serious):
"Master, at least won't you listen to why he wants your help?"
Tyron (smiling):
"That's right! He asked for help—you should at least hear him out!"
Emily (worried):
"Ty, don't get so close! It could be dangerous!"
Jayden flicked Francesca and Tyron on the head and shot them a murderous glare.
"Since when do you give me orders?" he snapped, then looked at the alien. "Besides, I don't know him. If he wants help, he can ask the Council of Masters—not a Barrier."
?? (surprised):
"You don't remember me?"
Jayden (annoyed):
"Have you ever interacted with me?"
?? (serious):
"Not directly. Years ago—as you can tell from my attire—I am a Minister tasked with ensuring that, on various planets, the Society of Users is accepted so our influence, believers, and followers may grow and maintain balance. On one of my first journeys, I became separated from my group and ended up lost in a vast jungle. A beast attacked me, but two young men saved me—one wielding a massive sword, the other a smaller, thinner blade. They showed me the way back. As I was leaving, I managed to see you, sir."
Jayden looked up at the sky, thinking.
"…Ah. You're the idiot because of whom I had to stop a class after you alerted a herd of blue boars. What was your name again?"
The alien chuckled softly.
"Niter, sir."
The teenagers noticed Jayden's irritated expression, which made the visitor lower his head, remembering how harshly he'd been scolded years ago. Jayden sighed and motioned for him to leave.
"But—!" Niter began, only to be cut off by a killing glare. Behind Jayden, a massive reddish lion seemed to snarl, making the Oksilis swallow hard.
Clutching his necklace again, Niter remembered something Jayden had said to his students. He tilted his head toward the warrior and spoke directly into his mind:
"Sir, are you aware that participation in tournaments now requires completing at least one mission assigned by the Society of Users?"
Jayden froze, then appeared instantly in front of him, grabbing the top of his robes.
"Since when?!"
"Since the Confederation's activity increased!" Niter answered, terrified.
Jayden sighed and told his students, "Go wait in front of the cabin. You—sit down and explain this and your request."
The teenagers obeyed reluctantly—they wanted answers too. It struck them as strange that the alien had mentioned the Society of Users, the same group the green-eyed girl's older sister belonged to, and that their master had changed his stance so quickly.
As minutes passed, Tyron couldn't stop bouncing his leg, dying of curiosity. Alexa seemed calmer, perhaps relieved that Valeria's group truly posed a threat. Emily read something on her phone, while Francesca sat with her eyes closed, listening to music.
Curious, Tyron stepped out of the tree's shade to spy on the conversation—only to feel an overwhelming presence. A gigantic beast glared down at him from atop the cabin. He fell backward, alerting the others.
"What happened, Ty?" Alexa asked.
Sweating coldly, he replied, "I think I just discovered what an Aura Pulse is."
Jayden (serious):
"So let me get this straight. You suspect that on your planet, your leader and a member of the elite are hiding something, and you need support to confirm whether your conspiracy theory is true. Fine—but first, is your planet officially recognized as part of the Society of Users?"
Niter (nodding):
"Yes. The less privileged class accepts Users, though others do not. But for centuries now, we've been considered part of the Society."
Jayden:
"Good. Now tell me—what does this new manual say about needing at least one mission?"
Niter:
"The one with the light-blue cover, gold edges, and a green dragon emblem. Why?"
Jayden went inside, searched through a pile of disordered books, found the manual, and skimmed it rapidly. He read aloud:
"Due to political issues within the Society of Users and to maintain a participatory role with our allies, all ranks—Student and Master/Grand Master—are required to complete at least three Minor Conflict missions or one Major-level mission. Depending on rank, a minimum number of missions is required to demonstrate experience as a figure aiding order and balance…"
Confirming it was true, Jayden tossed the book aside angrily and returned to the backyard.
"Major level, huh?" he asked.
Niter nodded.
With few options left for his plans, Jayden whistled for his students to return. Once they sat down, he closed his eyes and spoke:
"I know you have a lot of questions. The obvious ones are probably: Why does the Society of Users deal with extraterrestrials? And how do beings from other planets know about Fiu when it's practically nonexistent on your world? Well, thanks to this idiot who likes sticking his nose where it doesn't belong—"
He flicked Niter on the head.
"—it's time you hear the story that gives meaning to all those dark doubts. It all began millions of years ago… when the first humans were just beginning to appear."
FLASHBACK
Nature ruled the Earth. The first intelligent beings barely survived—fighting the climate, hunting for food, and more often being prey than predator.
In a tribe of about thirty people, during a storm, the chieftain's wife gave birth to a child. The baby laughed joyfully as an elder woman who assisted the birth held him. He was the leader's second son. Smiling, the infant accidentally released a burst of energy from between his tiny fingers. It struck the cave ceiling, making the elder women exclaim—still without a true language—"Fiu! Fiu!" mimicking the sound of the discharge.
After ensuring the baby was healthy, the tribe's great leader entered the cave carrying a toddler of three or four years—the older brother. The child stared in amazement at his little brother, who fit in both his hands. The father lifted the newborn proudly and stepped out into the storm, shielding him with animal hides, pounding his chest so the tribe would recognize the new family member.
Time passed. The nomadic tribe moved constantly in search of food and water. Against all odds, the child survived to age five. One morning, while the strongest men were hunting, he slipped past his mother's watchful eyes and ran laughing across a vast meadow, farther and farther from the tribe's safety. He reached a large river and played along its shore until he spotted a lizard. Inspired by his older brother, he grabbed a branch to hunt it.
Chasing the animal, he strayed far from the settlement, near the mountain's base. As he watched his prey cross rocks in the current, his mother's scream rang out behind him. From the water rose the head of a Sarcosuchus—a monstrous crocodile-like creature, fourteen meters long and weighing nearly ten tons.
Terrified, the boy waved his stick, trying to scare it away. To his mother's shock, the river responded to his instinctive movements, hurling the beast out onto its back on the shore. The boy froze and began to cry.
The Sarcosuchus rose, enraged, now targeting the mother. Paralyzed by fear, she couldn't move—but the older brother, watching from the tribe's edge, hurled a crude spear. It pierced the beast's ribcage. Roaring, it turned toward the ten-year-old boy, who showed no fear and threw another spear straight through its skull, killing it.
The hunters returned, cheering wildly for the chief's firstborn. Ignoring the celebration, he rushed to his little brother, still sobbing. He lifted him onto his back and carried him away from the river. Though still frightened, the younger boy felt warmth and courage as he heard—without his brother moving his mouth—"I'll protect you, little brother." He smiled, then startled at having understood something without words.
That night, the tribe celebrated like never before. After eating some of the Sarcosuchus meat, the younger brother drew what he had felt—a cloud filled with countless shapes. The older brother admired it briefly before offering him a rib. The boy refused, letting his brother eat.
From then on, the elder joined the hunts. The tribe grew—from thirty to ninety. The older brother became their shield; the younger used his abilities to control earth and water, bringing abundance. His greatest feat was parting a river so the tribe could gather fish with ease.
Years passed. One summer, the elders told the chief—through crude signs—that it was time to choose his successor. Torn between his sons—the powerful, confident Agnar and the kind, gifted Zugner—he delayed his decision.
On the day of judgment, the brothers faced each other in a ritual duel. Despite having the chance to strike, Zugner stopped, unwilling to hurt the brother who had always protected him. He turned away.
The tribe was horrified. Enraged by this perceived cowardice, Agnar struck Zugner down, beating him savagely as the tribe cheered. Bleeding, Zugner apologized through tears.
Agnar was named chief.
With brutal gestures and unspoken fury, Agnar banished his brother:
"I EXILE YOU, COWARD. YOUR PUNISHMENT IS TO NEVER RETURN—WALK UNTIL THERE IS NO GROUND LEFT TO STEP ON."