It was around night time when Kai woke up. His body shivered under his blanket, cold sweat poured all over his back as if something truly frightening had been going through the boy's mind. His eyes fluttered open, blinking to fight away the haze that was accumulating. His hands reached for something; his fingers touched the cold wooden surface… perhaps looking for the light or water.
Instead, what met him was the familiar surface of the book, smooth and regal. The cover felt like it had been handcrafted by someone of immense experience.
Wait… book… my mother—no. The thought cut through the hazy state of his mind. His fingers tightened at the edges, the hair on his skin rose as he remembered what had happened.
Kai had finally thought about that day—the day it all happened. He didn't want to—no. If he could, he would never want to think about it, but something had changed. His heart ached. The book has to be false… it cannot be true. It wasn't a fact or a statement; it was a plea from the corners of his heart.
His heart grew heavy, his bones felt like lead, but he pushed himself up. He had to. I need to think, I can't process anything right now.
Entering the washroom, he splashed cold water on his face, the harsh liquid waking him up to reality. The book… I have far too many suspicions about whether it's true or not.
Kai wasn't stupid. A mysterious book that told the story of the world—it was very clear that there was nothing ordinary about it. His mind rushed through the contents of the book: the zero volume that covered the story of the father of the child of prophecy, the way he met and the actions that he took, and the first volume about his son.
His eyebrows furrowed. How can I make sure if the book is true or not… The answer presented itself to him in a second: to cross-check future events.
That—I can do… he noted. He exhaled a large breath of air as he realized he wouldn't get his answers in a second. He had to wait—to plan—to act.
I should read it… complete it, he thought grimly. Looking back, the moment he turned towards the book, fresh images of his mother ran amok in his mind. His bones felt like lead, he nearly paused, as if rooted to the place.
The worst was, he couldn't even prove if the book was true or not. All that remained was the wound it kept opening. I can't even discard it now… I need to know what happened to her.
For once in the whole week, Kai couldn't bring himself to distract or not think about her. The situation made it so that the poor boy had to remember.
And just like that, fresh tears started pouring all over his face. The body of a martial artist, albeit not a true one, was still strong enough to break bones… yet Kai fell limply on the bed. His tears, agonizing and hot, ran amok. His fingers gripped the pillow, digging in as if that would stop the pain. And then… he wailed, "M—mo—mother… why did you go?" His heart ached as if someone was constantly twisting a dagger inside.
Snot and tears mixed in, covering the pillow as if their only lifeline. His body protested after some time. Getting himself up, he rummaged through the cupboard far from his room. Behind the glasses and the clothes that sat there was a simple tattered piece of cloth—the same one that had fallen at his feet that day.
Picking it up, Kai absentmindedly walked back into his room. His body crashed on the bed; he circled up, hugging the piece of cloth like it was the only thing keeping him from dying.
His tears didn't stop, the pain in his heart didn't lessen. But the smell of lavender prickled his nose, reminding him of his mother, her embrace. His legs curled up, holding the piece as close to his heart as possible.
Kai couldn't run anymore, so he did what he could—he cried, he wailed, he scratched… until his mind was tired, until his body felt drained. And then, he slept, subconsciously holding the piece as close to his heart as possible.
.
.
.
The shining sun in the sky made its presence known in Kai's home, the ray hitting him exactly in the eye, bringing his eyes fluttering open. He moved, shifting to sleep a little while longer—that was until his nose prickled. Lavender? His eyes shot open, looking all around him… until they darted back to his hands, landing on the cloth fastened in his fingers.
He exhaled, the memory of the previous night crashing onto him like a tsunami. Mother, book, murder. The thoughts ran amok his tired brain.
He sighed, blinking away the morning sun. I need to do things. Kai knew if he just lay there, he would sink into the bed, wasting days and weeks, not attending class and ultimately failing.
Mother wouldn't want that… and I am not stupid enough to kill my only way for answers, his eyes turned cold, like tundra for a second, or murder.
Pushing his weak body up from the bed, he glanced once more at the cloth. I am no longer running away from your memories, Mother… they are all that have remained of you. His eyes grew conflicted as he exited the room, putting the cloth back in the cupboard. His eyebrows furrowed, his eyes gained a menacing edge. But I will find the truth… and if the book is true, then I swear amidst the heavens—I will destroy this cult. His thoughts were a silent declaration to himself… and whoever may be watching.
"First thing I need is answers," he muttered. The events in the book were in the era of the Collegium, something that was easily six months away… which meant he couldn't cross-check it now. "What I can do is find out about this cult and this so-called prophecy."
His lips tugged upwards. Everything led to school after all.
.
.
.
From the chatter of students to the impeccable cleanliness of the fountains, school was as normal as any other day. Velryun itself might have been in grave danger, but the school? No, they would function as it was.
Kai weaved through the crowd, nodding at the familiar faces he saw from time to time. He ducked whenever he saw Minsek or Suka close to him, planning on avoiding them for the day.
He had a goal today, and the first step of it all was to meet the teacher who could tell him about the history and science behind the events. The same rounded teacher with big round eyes—Mrs. Humphrey, the teacher of 'history of the Seiryun Empire'.
She should be in the teacher's quarter by now, perhaps settling down her stuff, he noted, his steps calm and deliberate as he quickly reached the teacher's quarter.
His eyes landed on the door, the only entry to the place. He knocked on it, calmly opening the door to peek his head inside.
His eyes widened slightly. Smooth, cold air rushed at his face, his gaze landing on a construct embedded in the wall—a shining marvel of esoteric substances, which gleamed by itself. It had a small duct, an opening which periodically pushed cold air out. With its small circular shape, Kai had no idea what to call such a thing.
One thing he did notice was the obscenely bright blue stone—the Tundra Ire—something that was considered to have a chilling effect, found near the mountains in the north.
Shaking his head, he turned to find the teachers, only to look at the twenty different desks parted in regular columns. The teachers had simultaneously turned their heads at him, gawking as to why a student had come unannounced. Talk about being center of attention.
Shrugging his shoulders, he spoke, "Can I excuse Mrs. Humphrey for a minute?"
The teacher, Mrs. Humphrey, raised an eyebrow. She nodded, getting up from her seat, pushing the mahogany wood chair back into place. Her round body carried itself with grace. She smiled kindly, her chubby cheeks parting slightly.
"What is the matter, Kai?" her voice unhurried and calm.
Kai stepped out of the room, with her following him, until they were alone in the corridor. He lightly looked around, breathing deeply. Now or never, Kai, he hyped himself up as he spoke with a determined gaze.
"I have some questions about the beast rampage, the Beast–Human Equilibrium Doctrine, and some other issues… would you be willing to help me?"
Mrs. Humphrey raised another eyebrow before she lightly smiled. "Boy, you want to know about history and concepts? Of course I will help you. Come, I have around twenty minutes free anyways." She motioned slightly, taking the lead, bringing Kai into her empty classroom.
"Sit," she spoke, motioning at the chair beside hers.
After arranging themselves, she looked at him. "So first, tell me what you exactly wish to know," her eyes twinkled, "and maybe even why."
Kai nodded. "I want to know everything about why mystical beast rampages happen… which means I want to understand the doctrine too." His eyes reflected the conflict in his soul. "As for why?... Sorry, ma'am, it's something personal." His voice was calm but low, as if the issue was pricking at his heart.
Mrs. Humphrey, seeing the state of the child in front of her, softened. Must be due to the Crimson Rampage recently… I heard about his mother too, a good woman but an unfortunate one. She thought before lightly coughing to gain attention.
"Alright then, listen up, Kai." Her voice turned serious. "First thing you have to understand is the Beast–Human Equilibrium Doctrine. Do you know what happens when you kill too many wolves in a forest?" She looked at him, expecting a response.
He nodded. "The ecosystem grows out of control, naturally killing itself."
"Good." She nodded. She looked outside the window, to the city sprawling outside in its quiet majesty. "The mystic beasts—they're not just predators or threats. They're Ki regulators. Their very presence stabilizes ambient Ki in certain regions. Just like old predators did for ecosystems in the past."
She continued, "Ambient Ki is poisonous to not just humans but the environment itself. It is far too harsh, so the environment found a way to survive—the mystic beasts."
She smiled as she looked at him. "They are just normal animals, a panther, a cat. Yet the Ki evolves them, making them more, making them mystic." She lightly tapped the table. "But that comes at a price. The evolutions bring rage, anger, and confusion."
Before she could speak, Kai completed her thought. "Hence the rampage. To become Ki stabilizers, such a process is imminent."
He raised an eyebrow. "However, what happens if we take out all animals from a region?" he questioned.
She nodded. "Good question—we die." Her answer fell like a hammer on a nail. "Ambient Ki is poisonous to even some high-level martial artists, let alone normal citizens. It is an inevitable process." She waved her hand. "Hence came the Beast–Human Equilibrium Doctrine."
Kai nodded. No wonder there were entire cities' worth of jungles sprawled with mystic beasts. "And the color coding is just the strength difference, right?" he questioned.
She nodded. "Yes. The weakest would be a Green rampage—a martial artist at the first stage is enough to deal with it. Then Orange, then Yellow… finally Crimson." Her voice grew heavy. "Though there is a level above that. It has only happened once, back around five hundred years ago, before the formation of the Seiryun Empire. Something unlikely to occur again."
Kai nodded, his mind processing through the science behind the issue. His eyes grew focused on her as he prepared to ask the next question. "It might be silly, ma'am, but can the rampage occur artificially?"
Mrs. Humphrey almost had her eyebrows to the top of her forehead. "Artificially?" she murmured more to herself than to Kai. "Well, honestly—"
A knock halted her movements. Kai's head snapped to the door, only to see Mr. Kalin standing menacingly, his arms crossed. His face remained stoic as he spoke.
"I am afraid it's the time of my class. I hope you can continue your conversation afterwards."
Kai nearly sighed. Sometimes, I really want to strangle you, Mr. Kalin.