The return was naturally calm. The animals had fled to another part of the forest because of the fight between James and the creature.
James was walking behind the little boy; in a way, it was also to teach the little boy how to orient himself.
The little boy had gotten lost at least three times, which had made them take two extra hours before finding their home again. During the whole way, he didn't stop talking about the previous fight; he was excited to know more about the awakened. James had already taught him the basics of combat. But it looked like the boy was addicted to fighting, thought James while laughing at the absurd things the boy was saying.
Finally, they arrived in front of their home.
A large house with one floor stood before them. The earth around had been cultivated, forming a modest garden for the house. In front of the door, like a bodyguard, a lion with golden fur was lying down.
Sensing presences, the lion opened his golden eyes. After recognizing James and the boy, he closed his eyes again.
"Solga! You'll never guess what I saw!" The boy ran toward the lion with an enthusiastic expression. He started explaining everything in detail, from beginning to end, without sparing anything.
The lion listened with his eyes closed. From an outside view, one might think the boy was talking to the air. But James knew the lion was listening attentively. After living two years with them, James had understood that Solga was anything but normal: he understood human language perfectly and seemed like the boy's reflection, except calmer by nature.
Last year, while they were still searching for a place to live, the boy had been wounded by a small creature. The lion had felt such immense rage that it had triggered James's instincts. He, a Saint, had felt danger from an animal four years old.
It was incredible. Thinking back on it, James had already seen that rage in the boy. Their anger was far too strong.
"This is way too dangerous…" thought James.
As he was opening the door, Solga looked at James with a gaze that clearly meant thank you.
James waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, I was just doing my duty as a father."
After saying that, he entered the house.
The inside was particularly modest; it was warm. James sat on the couch and turned on the TV to follow the news. Even though he had left his position as general of the Empire, he truly wished the wars would end.
Thinking back on it, James was filled with regrets… As his thoughts circled, the little boy, who had just entered, jumped on him.
"Shit! What's your problem?!" shouted James.
But the young boy didn't listen. He was watching the news on the TV with curiosity.
James, who regained his senses, picked up the boy and put him on his knees.
"To end this territorial war, our Sultan has personally gone to the battlefield…" said the journalist.
The boy pointed at a man with golden hair and bright red eyes who appeared on the screen. According to the journalist, that man was their Sultan.
"Sultan? What's a Sultan?" asked the boy, curious.
"The Sultan is the leader of our Empire. It's like he's the big boss," answered James with a nostalgic expression. The boy noticed James's look when he saw the Sultan.
"You know him?" he asked.
"He's an old friend… yes, an old friend," said James, clearly lost in his thoughts.
Not wanting to disturb him, the boy continued watching the news.
The Sultan, in the child's eyes, looked charismatic. He gave off an overwhelming aura of power. His short golden hair reminded the boy of his own.
Without meaning to, he began comparing the Sultan and James.
James was a tall man, with black hair and ocean-blue eyes, with tanned skin that almost resembled his own.
James was strong. After two years spent with him, he had seen James's strength with his own eyes. But despite that… the Sultan, as he appeared on the screen, emitted a feeling of absolute supremacy.
"Are there people stronger than the Sultan?" asked the boy.
James placed a hand on his chin, thinking.
"There are three others, about at the same level. I've already told you about them… now let's see if you did your homework," he answered with amusement.
The boy thought and proudly declared:
"The Empress of the Va'hlis Empire, the Emperor of the Dantès Empire, and the Emperor and his Empress of the Primus Empire!"
"Exactly. Good job.
Even if the couple of the Primus Empire is well known for their strength, our Empress, the Sultan's wife, is not to be underestimated either… even if she never beat me in a duel," added James with arrogance.
The little boy rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. For him, it was probably one of James's many lies. Once, James had told him he was important in the Sun Empire and that he fought head-to-head with the Sultan himself… but he didn't believe him at all.
If James was so important… why would he waste his time with an abandoned child?
"So… when are you going to tell me about the awakened? I want to become as strong as you too!" shouted the boy, excitement shining in his golden eyes.
James wanted to talk to him about the awakened much later, at least until the awakening of his powers. But seeing the boy's enthusiasm, he couldn't help but change his plans. He muted the TV, placed the boy on the couch and stood up.
"There are several types of awakened in the world. Can you name them?" asked James, like a teacher questioning his student.
The boy raised his small hands.
"I know, I know!" he shouted.
"First, there is the category of awakened: the Novice rank, where everyone begins the path of strength. Then, the Advanced level; we get closer to transcendence. But before that, we climb to the Master rank, the last step before transcendence. Not many people reach that stage. Everything depends on each person's potential… some even stay stuck at the Novice rank, such is Kara's choice."
"What do you know about Kara?" interrupted the former soldier.
The child took his time to think, then said:
"Kara is the will of the world. It is said that long ago, Kara was one of the gods who created this world. The others disappeared, but the goddess, she, is still present. She became the core of this world. She doesn't take care of people who don't catch her attention. Few people know her story; you could count them on one hand. But Kara isn't indifferent to her people. No.
She helps each of us awaken our powers during the awakening ceremony. Sometimes, she gives names to those who catch her attention. 'True names', as we call them. The people who carry a true name are rare… but known worldwide."
James nodded.
"You forgot to mention that not everyone becomes awakened. Which makes many humans fear the awakened. There is even an empire of non-awakened people."
"Yes. The Primus Empire," the golden boy noted.
"Good. Now, tell me about the step after transcendence."
"After transcending to the Master rank, there are two stages, because not all Masters have the same strength: the initial stage and the final stage," he said.
He paused, then continued:
"After the Master rank, there are the Saints. They are practically considered demigods. Their level isn't clear, because most Saints avoid fighting each other. There are about sixty Saints in the world; they are extremely rare. Few people become Saints. The way to become one? I don't know. All I remember is that you need enormous potential.
After them, there are the Sovereigns, who are the current emperors and empresses. Our Sultan is a Sovereign."
James listened attentively. Seeing that the boy didn't continue, he smiled and ruffled his hair.
"Looks like someone did his homework," James said, laughing.
"You forced me to learn!" shouted the boy.
James ignored him, pushed the boy gently aside and stood up to go to the kitchen.
But before he could take a step, the golden boy grabbed the fabric of his sleeve. Head lowered, voice trembling, he asked timidly:
"Why didn't you give me a name… until now? Did I do something bad?…"
His voice trembled as if he was holding back something deep inside.
That simple question caused a tsunami in James's mind.
What have I done? Because of my hesitation… I made him feel this way. I wanted to find him the best name possible…
While he reflected, a particular memory resurfaced: a discussion with the Sultan… his old friend.
James smiled. He picked the boy up in his arms.
"Of course I have a name for you. You will be… Aureel. The one who is protected by the golden light… yes, Aureel."
He looked into his golden eyes and, in a voice both serious and warm, said:
"From today on, you will be my heir. My son.
Auréel Gold. That will be your name from now on."