Book 2: Chapter 5 – Consequences

After the Elders departed, Kwame stepped forward to address the soon-to-be first-year students. His voice carried authority, yet there was a trace of warmth beneath it.

"You are all expected to be at the institute's gates by Sunday evening. That gives you 48 hours to say your goodbyes to your loved ones. For those who have no farewells to make, you may stay behind – I will lead you to the institute now. There, you will receive meals and a place to sleep.

As for the rest of you, we'll see on Sunday."

As his words settled over the crowd, most of the students began to disperse, murmuring amongst themselves. Only a handful remained behind – mainly just those from the slums who had nowhere else to return to. Among them, though, to everyone's surprise, was Azurian, the seeded student of the Great Shura Tribe.

Kwame took one last glance at Jabari's retreating figure, a helpless sigh escaping his lips. He had hoped to understand what had driven the boy's choice in selecting his mentor. Unfortunately, now was neither the time nor the place.

As Jabari made his way out of the arena, Heba's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Do you regret your decision?"

Jabari met her gaze, his expression steady. He couldn't say whether his choice was the right one in the long run, but regret? No. This was merely the first of many risks he knew he would have to take if he ever wanted to achieve his dreams.

"I trust my instincts," he said firmly.

Heba studied him for a moment before nodding. "Me too."

With that, she led their group back toward the inn. Jabari ignored the odd glances from the surrounding spectators.

Humans were fickle creatures – just that morning, they had all treated him like a rising star, clamouring for his attention. Now, because he had "offended" the Supreme Elder, those same people eyed him with disdain.

He shrugged off their opinions. None of it mattered. The next couple of days belonged to his little sister – this would be the last time he would see her for the foreseeable future, and he intended to cherish every moment.

Heba and her guards understood this and gave the siblings as much space as possible. The moment they arrived at the inn, Jabari and Inayah disappeared into her room, where laughter and conversation soon filled the air.

It wasn't until dinnertime that they emerged. Even then, Jabari barely spoke a word to anyone, Inayah included. Instead, he focused entirely on enhancing his sense of taste with his spirit energy, savouring each bite as if it were the last decent meal he would have for a long time.

Only when his plate was wiped clean did he finally lift his gaze, meeting Heba's eyes. His expression was unreadable at first, but then he spoke, his voice steady yet full of sincerity.

"Thank you."

Heba blinked, momentarily taken aback.

"Without you, none of this would have been possible," Jabari continued. "Since the moment we met, you've done nothing but help me. You saved me from the Umeme Tribe's punishment, diagnosed my sister, gave me the means to save her, awakened my potential, sheltered us, fed us, promised to watch over her while I'm away…

You even made sure I had the knowledge I needed to choose the right mentor."

He exhaled, his hands clenching slightly as he searched for the right words. "I don't know how I can ever begin to repay you…

But I swear, I'll find a way."

Heba regarded him for a long moment before a warm smile curved her lips.

"I believe you," she said simply.

Later that night, as Jabari tucked Inayah into bed, he gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

"I'm sorry I have to leave, bu-"

"I'm sorry for not believing in you before," Inayah interrupted, her voice unwavering. "But I do now. I know you'll find a way to save me, so you just focus on getting stronger at the Institute, and I'll focus on staying well enough until you do!"

The sincerity in her eyes was like a warm light, lifting a weight from Jabari's chest and filling him with renewed determination.

"Thank you," he whispered, kissing her forehead once more as she slowly drifted into sleep.

For the rest of the weekend, the siblings made the most of their time together. It was the happiest they had been in as long as they could remember.

For the first time in their lives, they had no immediate worries – no need to constantly glance over their shoulders, no fear of where their next meal would come from, no struggles of life in the slums pressing down on them. They could simply be children, laughing, playing, and even shopping under the watchful protection of Heba and her guards.

Jabari hadn't known it was possible to feel this at peace. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

When the time finally came, Jabari carried Inayah on his back as they made their way through the city, Heba and her guards leading the way toward the Institute's western branch.

Neither sibling spoke a word. The reality of their impending separation loomed over them like an unspoken weight.

The institute stood at the heart of the city, an enclosed sanctuary that starkly contrasted the urban surroundings. Unlike the tightly packed buildings of the city, the institute radiated a serene, almost untouched beauty – lush green fields stretched far and wide, and towering trees swayed gently in the breeze. Even from behind the gates, Jabari and Inayah found themselves momentarily lost in its natural splendour.

A long queue stretched ahead of them, dozens of students from the trials waiting alongside their guardians. The moment Jabari stepped into line, he once again felt the weight of disapproving stares. He could hear the murmurs – mocking and derisive – but he refused to acknowledge them. He simply stood silently, his gaze fixed on the scenery with his sister resting against his back.

"Next," called a bored voice from ahead.

Jabari stepped forward. The man behind the desk barely looked up from the board in his hands.

"Name?"

"Jabari. No last name," he replied.

At that, the man finally glanced up, his eyes widening in recognition.

Jabari recognised him as Jason – the other invigilator who had been alongside Kwame during the selection.

For a moment, Jason's expression flickered with something unreadable. He had admired Jabari's performance during the trials, but as a deacon of the Beast-Warrior Institute, he also held immense respect for the Elders – especially the Supreme Elder, revered as the strongest.

Jabari's defiance had unsettled many within the institute. To outright disregard the Supreme Elder was an act that very few would dare, yet this boy – this child from the slums – had done so without hesitation. Jason didn't know whether to view Jabari with admiration or frustration.

Clearing his throat, he pushed those thoughts aside.

"You may go through the doors when you're ready," he explained. "But say your goodbyes here – family members aren't permitted past this point."

Jabari nodded, then turned to face Heba and her guards – the people who had ensured his and Inayah's safety all this time.

"I guess this is it," he said, his voice steady despite the tightness in his chest.

Heba smiled and pressed a gold coin into his palm. "With this, you won't have to worry about money for a while."

Jabari stared at the coin in stunned silence. After wandering the city these past few days, he now understood just how valuable a gold coin was.

He didn't bother thanking her – words felt meaningless at this point. He simply added it to the ever-growing debt he owed her.

Then, gently, he lowered Inayah to the ground.

The moment he did, he noticed her eyes – red and swollen, tears threatening to spill.

"There will come a day when we can live peacefully, without worries," he murmured, pulling her into a tight embrace.

The moment his arms wrapped around her, Inayah broke.

Her tiny frame trembled against him, and the damp warmth of her tears seeped into his shirt. Jabari's own eyes burned, but he refused to cry. Instead, he simply held her, rubbing slow, comforting circles on her back.

"I have to go now," he whispered. "But promise me you'll be good for Heba while you wait for me. I'll be back for you in no time."

Inayah sniffled, then nodded against his chest. "I promise."

Heba gently took her hand, offering a reassuring squeeze as she pulled her away.

Jabari took one last look at his little sister.

Then, with a final nod to Heba, he turned and stepped through the double doors.

As Jabari entered, he found himself in a dimly lit corridor where nine other students stood waiting. Among them was a man he didn't recognise, but the uniform – identical to those worn by Jason and Kwame – marked him as another deacon.

"There are ten of you now, so I can take you to your accommodations," the deacon stated flatly before turning on his heel and walking off.

The new students fell into step behind him, their chatter filled with excitement about their future at the institute. Though no one openly acknowledged it, Jabari noticed how the group subtly excluded him from their conversations. Clearly his choice of mentor had already made him an outsider.

He glanced up at the deacon's face and caught the slight frown etched into his features. Jabari sighed inwardly. 'Is this how my time here is going to be?'

The walk through the institute's grounds was breathtaking. Unlike the tightly packed buildings of the city, the landscape stretched endlessly with rolling green pastures, towering trees, and shimmering streams that reflected the moonlight. Jabari found himself mesmerised once again by the sheer beauty of it all.

One by one, the deacon led the students to their respective lodgings, each time pausing to give brief instructions before moving on. The group continued their lively conversations, their excitement bubbling over as they settled into their new lives. Yet, they continued to act as if Jabari wasn't even there.

Finally, once the last of them had been shown to their quarters, the deacon turned to Jabari, his expression unreadable.

"Your lodging is down that path," he said, motioning vaguely in the direction of a more secluded area. "Keep walking until you reach the last cottage. You'll find your quarters there."

And with that, he walked off without another word.

Jabari let out a weary sigh but didn't bother arguing. He simply followed the instructions, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestone path as he made his way deeper into the grounds.

Eventually, he reached a stretch of cottages, each with its own neatly kept garden. He noticed a pattern almost immediately – each cottage seemed slightly smaller than the last.

By the time he reached the final one, his suspicions were confirmed. His assigned cottage was by far the smallest. It lacked a garden, and from the dust gathering on the windowpanes, it was clear that no one had lived there in quite some time.

Still, compared to the cramped, filthy conditions of the slums, it may as well have been a five-star resort.

Stepping inside, he took a quick survey of the interior. The layout was simple – three rooms. A modest bedroom, a basic bathroom, and an empty ten-by-ten-metre room that, from the looks of it, was meant for personal training.

Jabari had nothing to unpack. No belongings, no clothes – nothing but himself. So, he sat down on the bed and stared aimlessly at the stars illuminating the night sky outside his window.

'What now?'

No one had given him any instructions for the following day, and with his current reputation, he couldn't afford to start off on the wrong foot. The last thing he needed was to be late on his first day.

Just as he was contemplating his next move, a playful voice cut through his thoughts.

"It's about time we spoke, don't you think?"

Jabari's head snapped up.

Leaning casually against the wall, watching him with an amused expression, was none other than his newly chosen mentor – Aziz.