New Beginnings

It took the brothers two full days to settle into their new home. During that time, Kai drew up a rigid schedule for both of them. He was used to working off a strict timetable—he found it made life easier.

"Bro, this is too much," Leon grumbled, scanning the packed schedule.

"Since you're not attending a formal school, I have to be responsible for your education," Kai explained. "Once we can better manage your Nafs, I'll consider letting you attend classes in town."

Leon's eyes flicked across the page. "But you included physical training, too? I've told you—I don't want to be a Rulin anymore, so what's the point?"

Kai shrugged. "When I was a scholar, I still kept up my physical regimen. Why shouldn't you?"

"Because I know how to say no," Leon retorted. "You just do whatever Mom and Dad say."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Well, that's too bad. This schedule is happening."

Leon sighed. "Fine."

"All right," Kai continued, "later, we're going into town to buy you and I a horse."

"A horse? Why?" Leon asked, suspicious.

"You really want to walk all the way between here and town every time?" Kai smirked. "Besides, horses are the main mode of transport, and you should learn how to ride."

Leon grimaced. "They're uncomfortable," he grumbled.

Kai shot him an exasperated look. "You complain a lot, you know. Whether we like it or not, we have work to do."

Leon relented with another sigh. "Fine."

"Let's start your lessons for today," Kai said, guiding Leon into a small library he'd set up. The session lasted roughly three hours, with short breaks in between.

They covered basic arithmetic, sciences, and history—plus an extra lesson on the Zhull. Kai wanted Leon to understand the creatures thoroughly: what they were, where they came from, and how they operated.

"Any questions?" Kai asked, closing the final book.

"Yes," Leon said, setting down his notes. "You mentioned Rulin ranks are Novice, Disciple, Weaver, Guardian, and then Sentinel. What about the Zhull?"

"There are three known ranks," Kai began, sketching on a small board. "Murkspawn, Tenebraith, and the Obsidian Overlords. Murkspawn are the most common, Tenebraith rarely appear outside Shumara, and Obsidian Overlords—well, they're more like speculation. No one's encountered one and lived to tell the tale."

Leon's eyes widened. "Does that mean the Zhull outclass the Rulin?"

Kai nodded solemnly. "Right now, yes. Even a single Murkspawn typically requires Weavers and Vanguards working together. A Tenebraith can only be handled by Sentinels."

Leon's gaze flickered with concern. "How many Sentinels do we have?"

"The Rulin are split into ten divisions, each led by a Sentinel," Kai said. "Then we have the Supreme, who's also a Sentinel."

"So, eleven in total?"

"Technically," Kai replied. "But the rank of Sentinel is based on achievements and mastery of the Latifa and Nafs. Some Guardians might match a Sentinel in strength but lack the required achievements."

Leon jotted down a note. "How many Guardians are at Sentinel-level, then?"

"Two," Kai answered. "They head two major families. They retired early, so they never formally reached Sentinel rank."

Leon mulled this over. "What about the Zhull? How many of their top ranks are active?"

Kai's shoulders slumped slightly. "We don't know. Their world is largely unexplored, and even the parts we've infiltrated make up a fraction of Shumara."

Leon frowned. "But if we have so many high-ranked Rulin… how are we losing?"

Kai paused. "Because the Zhull are stronger. A single Tenebraith can rival the Supreme. We often need two Sentinels at once to handle one Tenebraith." He hesitated, then added, "So far, the Supreme's personally killed two Tenebraith, and the other divisions have collectively brought down three more."

"That sounds good," Leon said, brightening.

"Not exactly." Kai exhaled heavily. "Even taking out five Tenebraith hasn't made a dent. The last meeting I attended, they said at least ten more Tenebraith are still active."

Leon tapped his pen nervously. "But we have eleven Sentinels. Isn't that… enough?"

"Only in theory." Kai rubbed his neck. "Not all Sentinels are on the Supreme's level. We're effectively outgunned."

He spent a few more minutes clarifying details before concluding the lesson. "All right, let's wrap up. Go relax for a bit."

"Finally," Leon groaned, leaping up and dashing out of the room.

Kai shook his head and made his way to his own study. Sitting down at a desk, he spread out a piece of parchment, dipping his quill into a nearby inkwell.

"I need to write to Nahlia," he murmured, tapping the pen against his chin. "Why is this so hard?"

Minutes passed, and he still hadn't penned a word. He closed his eyes, took a calming breath, and began.

Nahlia,

I promised to write, so here's my first letter. I'm not the best at this, but I'll do my best for you.

How have you been? What's new in your studies? I've moved to a large house a few miles outside a small town—far enough to give me space for research and to teach Leon. He's doing better, thankfully, especially with my constant monitoring.

We plan to buy horses soon; traveling between the house and town will be easier that way. Once Leon is stable, I'll be able to visit more often. Until then, I likely won't have the chance to come by. I've enclosed my new address below, so if you decide to write back, I'll arrange a reliable porter to bring your letters quickly—any time, day or night.

Take care of yourself.

—Kai Zharun

Satisfied with the letter, he rolled it up and secured it with gray thread. Next, he wrote a second letter for his parents and another for Maribel, sealing them with green thread.

With the letters done, he stepped into the hall, looking for Leon.

"Hey," Kai called, spotting Leon down the corridor, also holding a few letters. "Let's go to town."

"What, already?" Leon asked, stifling a yawn. "I haven't even had a nap."

"You can nap when we get back," Kai said dismissively. "We'll have to walk since the drivers aren't here."

Leon groaned. "That's a two-hour walk."

"Then we'd better start soon," Kai replied with a grin.

After changing into more practical clothes, they set off. By the time they reached the outskirts of the nearby town, Leon was already complaining about his sore feet.

Nonetheless, their mood lifted somewhat as they walked. They reminisced about home—at one point bursting into laughter.

In a distant location, a gathering took place in a grand hall. A large, circular table occupied the center, and at one end stood a small throne. Thirty-three individuals were present—ten seated around the table, each with two attendants behind them, plus the one on the throne with his two attendants.

"All Sentinels accounted for?" asked the man on the throne, his voice gruff and authoritative.

"Yes, Supreme," answered a figure standing behind him.

"Good," the Supreme said, a scarred face and long black hair marking him as a seasoned warrior. He wore a gilded robe over white garments. "Let's begin."

Kai and Leon finally reached the bustling street. Leon wiped sweat from his brow, still chuckling. "Dad was insane. That time he threw you and Maribel in the water… he barely gave you guys a chance."

Kai snorted. "Tell me about it. His methods were extreme, but I guess we survived."

Pausing at a crossroads, Leon pointed to a local stable. "How about I check out some horses while you deliver the letters?"

Kai nodded. "Sure. Just don't buy anything yet. I want to see if they're any good first."

"Fine, fine," Leon said, rolling his eyes before jogging off.

Kai smiled wearily and made for the local courier shop. Delivering letters was usually simple, though inter-city postage could be pricey. Luckily, Kai had the resources to send letters daily if he chose.

"Excuse me," he said upon entering the shop. "I need to have these letters delivered."

"Certainly," the courier replied. "Where to?"

Kai handed him a slip of paper with addresses and names. The courier spread out a small map and began calculating routes.

"If any replies come back, will you pay in advance for those as well?" the courier asked.

"Yes," Kai confirmed. "I might receive some return letters. I'll cover that cost now."

Nodding, the courier tallied the total. "All told, that'll be twenty-three silver."

Kai handed over the coins without complaint. "Sounds fair."

"I'll spend one day in this village," the courier explained. "After that, I'll move on, with or without responses."

Kai gave a short nod. "Understood."

With that settled, he stepped outside, letting the late-afternoon sun warm his tired shoulders. Despite everything, he felt a small sense of accomplishment—he was moving forward, day by day.

Now, he just had to find Leon and pick out some horses.