A Trip With Father

His mother had seen the pain in him as he unleashed his qi. She had seen his maturity and thus his pain. No mother would want their child to feel sadness.

'From now on I must train in secret, I never want to hurt her again'. His mistake in his last life was to hide from the pain. It was a mistake that he would remember as his greatest disgrace. 'I never want to do that again'

He turned to his mother, sensing her sadness and gave the best he could of a smile. As a wolf that meant wagging his tail and nuzzling her energeticaly like a puppy his age might do.

He felt her breathing slow down as he nuzzled her chest. He knew she was feeling better when she bean to return his loving embrace. Tender moments like this reminded him of the happy times he spent with his wife.

His ever growing love for his mother ignited the intensity inside him even further. A part of him that he hadnt felt in a long time began to force its way to the surface. -Protect-. He felt it surge inside.

The part of him that exists only for others, created to protect the meaning of life. He looked his mom in the eyes, his own masked by insanity. He made his eyes look like the innocent child he would have been two lifetimes ago.

He saw in her eyes that this had given her relief. He thought back to the first time he had died. He was an ordinary kid, nothing special about the choices he made.

But his life ended at the hands of a classmate. A single injection brought him three days of suffering untill he died. It was then, that he had awoken in another world. His thoughts where interrupted when his mother finally spoke.

"Rikura, follow. Your father wants to speak to you." He gave her a nod and followed her out of the room. Before he realized it, Azuma was waking alongside them.

Neither spoke as they navigated the winding tunnels to his fathers chamber. The glow from their markings illuminated the tunnel, the diming and shining of thwir swirling patterns created a mystical effect on the dark cave walls.

When they finally reached the space where his father rested, he once again noticed that his father sat atop a massive stone slab. 'He looks worn out, protecting the people of this cave is more difficult than i realized'.

His father looked him in the eyes and said "Rikura, Azuma says you have great potential, however, your reckless actions nearly killed you, and injured Azuma. Had Azuma not thrown his body in front of yours then your neck would have snapped against the wall".

He could see his father searching his eyes for recognition, so he allowed his shame to show in his eyes. His father seemed a little surprised, but he continued on. "Now, you must learn to control your strength, once you have, I can teach you a technique"

This time his it was his mother who spoke up. "Rikura has already started his training" A glint of her previous sadnes showed in her eyes as she spoke. "Rikura, show them your strength".

"I will".

Slowly at first, his qi poured out and began circling his body. Then all at once, he unleashed his full strength. Everyone in the room except his mother froze in awe. 'My body is still young, it must be confusing to see me use my qi'

He was temped to take it even further, but he remembered his mother was still in the room, and released his qi. "Impressive, to learn this in only one day is a good pace" said his father with a gleam in his eye. "You are ready to learn my technique".

His father leaped off of his pedistal and landed next to his mother. They shared a nuzzle before approaching him. "Follow your father". He nodded and took a place beside them. His mother hesitantly pulled away from his father and they began their journey.

His father guided him outside the cave and into a dense forest. It was the first time he had seen the outside since he was born. After his eyes adjusted to the full intensity of the sunlight outside the cave, his father led him straight through the forest.

His father looked relaxed, but Rikura could sense power in his steps. Many beasts made their homes in the forest. Birds with shimmering wings flew above them as they passed. His father payed them no heed, but to Rikura they were a sight to behold.

It wasn't long before danger approached, He could see every muscle in his father's body loosen before he dissapeared in a flash of blue qi. He hadn't seen the threat, but the intent to kill was unmistakable.

Before he was ever in danger his father had emerged, his teeth piercing through the now broken neck of a beast. 'His strength is similar to what I had achieved in my previous life, I wonder how far ill go now that I am no longer blinded by revenge'.

His father set down the beast, which resembled a lion, and pieced it with his leg. He then gingerly removed it's swirling yellow inner core with his teeth. He dropped it in front of Rikura and said "eat it".

He swallowed his disgust and bit down on the core. As it shattered into pieces he could feel the energy inside being absorbed into his body all at once. 'Incredible, I can make progress just by eating inner cores'.

He knew it was possible, but to experience it himself was incredible. Once again he reflected on what a scary power it was. Humans cultivation grew faster the more maturity they possessed.

To cultivate a person has to use their will to summon down the power of the heavens. The amount of energy depends on the "why" or reason the person seeks strength, the persons talent, and emotions.

The emotion behind the intent will depend on what kind of energy you absorb and thus what your qi becomes suited for. He once knew of a clan that practiced a technique that transformed their qi into fire.

They were known for their use anger in cultivation to create an innate affinity for for their technique. However regardless of how much a person can summon down, how much they absorb is up to their mental strength.

Absorbing qi is painful, and the greater amount absorbed, the more it hurts. It is a unique type of pain, overshadowing anything that can be felt with the body.

One who can summon down a great amount of heavenly energy and have the skill and mental strength to absorb it would be considered a successful cultivator. To be a successful fighter however, was another thing entirely.

His musings were interupted when his father said "from now on, you will have to hunt for yourself". "I understand". When his father looked into his eyes, his sincerity could be seen. His father gave him a nod of approval. "Good, let's continue, we're almost there."

They continued walking untill they approached a cave that shone with the same markings that rested on their bodies. "Here it is".