"Relax everyone, it's the real one."

By the time the red sun was rising, the settlement had already awakened and a flurry of activity was going on. Notably, there were many hunters making their way back from their hunting expeditions. Though this was not a new sight in a lavelian settlement, what stood out the most was the sheer numbers.

Never before were there so many hunters milling all over the place, and many weren't even from the settlement, but this was in anticipation of what would happen tonight.

The hunters weren't the only ones that were milling all over the place. There were large numbers of merchants and all manner of trades. In many lavelian settlements that were beside the large water bodies, or rivers, they also learned to fish. Despite being so far from any water body that contained fish, there were stalls that were being set up selling fish. Indeed it was quite a spectacle.

Apart from the trade practitioners, there was the target market. Both vasils and lavels flooded the settlement, causing rapid expansion especially due to the case of the vasilian visitors. Lavels were used to the outside, and they could easily construct a shelter. They didn't even need to though, while out on hunting expeditions, they just slept in the elements, their powerful hide sufficient enough to protect them. They were indeed at the top of the food chain, no beast would dare provoke them unless they had no option, so they had little to fear.

For the vasils, they too were powerful enough to keep safe even in the wild, and they wouldn't be outdone by lavels. However, they still preferred to remain safe than sorry. Though they always regarded themselves better than the lavels, it wasn't lost on them that the lavels were indeed more powerful than they were, and in a melee battle, they stood no chance. Since they would be sleeping at close proximity with the lavels, they needed some form of protection.

Furthermore, there were plenty of merchandise that was being sold and exchanged, hence, there was need for establishment of secure locations. The shelters being constructed were therefore built with safes which were nigh impregnable.

Dane saw an opportunity to utilize his space element skills to make spatial artifacts for them, but all that would have to wait. For now, he was celebrating the fact that his currency was slowly catching on. There was no better place to introduce this means of exchange than in such a large gathering, and it was also building the profile of the settlement.

The deal he had struck with Barcova was that he would give him 100 jades every 2 days. For the first 2 times, he would also add 50 jades to give away as samples.

After the first day of their introduction, Barcova managed to give away, and eat, the first batch by the evening of the first day. This had caused instant sensation across the entire settlement. Even the leader of the settlement had investigated the source of this wondrous object that gave clarity.

Filos, the leader of the settlement where Barcova lived, was able to pick up of something others didn't. Notice his designation was leader, not head. This meant that he exercised a measure of control over all the vasils living in the settlement. His wasn't a forced submission, but rather, the vasils willingly followed him.

This was because he was among the very few vasils left that had awakened an ability. He was absolutely powerful, and Dane recognized him as a Grade F+, meaning he had more power. However, his output wasn't because of some Fate power blessing, but due to hard work and determination, he had trained his power even without a guided curriculum as the Dane one provided.

This was an even harder feat, and he had progressed to the point where he could actually generate wind blades. It was under his mastery of the wind element that he learned to make proper bows and arrows, and though they were still nowhere near the kind of weaponry that were used in the galaxies, at least they qualified to bear those names, a bow and arrow.

One of the hardest thing to muster while making a bow and an arrow is something called archer's paradox. While aiming, it always seems as though the bow itself is in the way, and upon release, the arrow instead would be deflected by the bow, rather than guided by it. Some bows are made where they eliminate the bow entirely from, a bow that bends to allow passage of the arrow. However, without proper understanding of weapon making, such a feat was impossible.

Indeed the only way to overcome this is in the creation of the arrows itself. Like the making of a wheel, this is indeed a hallmark point in the making of the bow and arrows. They shouldn't be underestimated, for worlds have risen and fallen by the power of this revolutionary technology.

In order to reach such heights, Filos had made significant strides in his mastery of the wind element, and the moment he ate the gem, he could feel a significant boost in his power. These items could actually affect power levels, he couldn't believe it.

As a proud vasil, he had noted with concern that there was a general decline of the number of vasils that could awaken the ability. This was because he had grown under the patronage of such vasils, and seeing very little that could take on the power, he was truly worried. This was further exacerbated by the fact that the lavels were also beginning to awaken powers. A very suspicious thought had crossed his mind, one that he didn't want to be true. Could there be a change in the times, was it now the turn of lavels to gain power?

He had no idea just how true his suspicions were. As Dane had been following the though process of all the major leaders and heads, he knew of this train of thought, and that was why he chose to introduce the jades in this settlement. This was because he knew Filos would be looking for a way to bring prosperity back to his race, and he had just offered him one.

Even now, there was still no known procedure to determine how or why powers awakened. Although the general trend was that only in extreme conditions did anyone awaken their powers, there were many that placed themselves in extreme conditions but it did not work. In some cases, the vasils that attempted even died, dissuading many from attempting it.

At a time when Filos and many others were looking for a way to increase the power levels of the vasils, such an awe inspiring gem couldn't be ignored. Under orders, the guards had arrested Barcova and brought him before Filos. An extremely frightened vasil stood before a mighty looking vasil, seated in an elevated seat. The makings of a throne. The vasils were truly ahead of their times.

"Sir, I am sorry, I cannot tell you where I get these gems. I have been sworn to secrecy and I would die before I disclosed their identity." Barcova was putting his best acting, Dane thought. Dane himself overlooked the fact that Barcova actually believed what he was saying, he knew he'd die should he disobey the orders given by the vasil, who represented the mighty dragon he'd encountered.

"So what does he want?"

"I don't know, he wouldn't tell me, all I do is follow his instructions. He warned me that if I was compromised, he would disappear forever."

Barcova's words struck deep. No one wanted this delicacy to end, and so for a while they let the vasil be. They had initially followed him, but to their shock, he wasn't so easy to track, even to a point where it seemed he disappeared. After a day of not being around, he came with a fresh batch, and a very starving vasilian settlement almost welcomed him in red carpet.

In no time, they were done, and Dane realized he might have to increase the production. As this went on, more and more vasils were hooked to the jades. Though they were excellent commodities for exchange, if one had some extra, popping one was not such a bad idea.

There was a massive proliferation of the hexham jades, so much so that in preparation of the lavelian festival, Barcova had delivered 2000 jades. Filos was in ecstasy, and all the vasils easily greeted the sight, but Barcova assigned them a responsibility.

It was pretty simple really,the mysterious craftsvasil wanted to expand his market, and he wanted their help to do so. For the merchandising vasils, they saw this as a favor. In their eyes, this mystery vasil could have chosen to work with any other settlement, and it was a real honor that he chose to work with them. They wouldn't look a gift horse in thew mouth now would they?

"So, even you are here?" Arlos approached Filos after noticing his entry. He had a long line of vasils that followed him, as a form of delegation from his settlement.

"How could I miss such a magnificent show?" Filos responded warmly, and with a hearty slap on his shoulder, Arlos received him. This was the official mode of greeting where two leaders were involved, as a sign of respect for both settlements. They went ahead chatting behind. Trailing behind, one vasil was present who never thought he would get to appear as part of a delegation of his settlement. He wasn't much of a joiner but damn, hanging out with the dragon has it's benefits.

As the day wore on, and at gathering dusk, there was hardly any room left for anyone to make a shelter. Preparations were underway.

It started out as a raucous, a commotion stirring. Curious, many turned to look what was going on. The raucous turned into screaming. Before they could tuck tail and run, many realized that it wasn't screaming but cheering, yes, these were shouts of celebrations!

The clans were finally welcoming their heroes back. The representatives that would each take a stand and contend for the right to rule, propelling their clan forward for the next generation! As was customary, on the eve of the Farriga festival, the heroes would return for a welcome like no other. It was like showing them what they would gain should they win the competition, a taste of what championship feels like.

Dance and song ensued, and a celebration like no other. Each clan outdoing their best. In Bado's clan, the custom was that the champions would lay in relaxing mud, and choice lady lavels would come to bath them. There wasn't any sexual contact though, as such activities would weaken the champion. This was just a form appreciation to the braves that would face the challenge.

Despite this being her moment to enjoy and celebrate, Maple found no joy. As a contender, she was among those who were being celebrated. Though they couldn't find a male lavel to bath her, but the young maidens that bathed her were full of worship and admiration. That was all well and good, as she preferred it that way, her source of extreme discomfort was the way Thea had her hands all over Bamboo.

As the clan's top beauty, she was given the role of bathing the team captain. Bamboo didn't notice Maple's reaction and at that time, he couldn't care less. It had been a hellish week, and now was the time to relax. To lay off the fatigue and the pain and the extreme misery he had undergone. Being in Thea's care was not bad at all. He could learn to enjoy this. He thought this as he reached to bit a grape Thea had held up for him teasingly, they both laughed infectiously, sharing a moment.

However, at that moment, it wasn't just Maple who was frozen. A strange silence occurred when a certain vasil made his way into the shelter and walked up to Bamboo. He didn't notice the extreme look of horror everyone had, as they all faced him.

"Remember me?" He asked with a sheepish grin.

"W-who a-are you?" Bamboo stuttered.

"It's me, Barcova, jeez, you thing someone would remember you after they've faced death together." Despite Barcova's exclamation, Bamboo continued to stare at the vasil for a few more moments, before heaving a sigh of relief. His next words simultaneously made all the contenders and indeed the atmosphere relax while making Barcova stunned out of his mind. He said:

"Relax everyone, it's the real one."