Chapter 11 : A Life for A Life

"A life for a life" , that was the demand to keep Segeford alive.

They were all confused... and afraid.

"What do you mean by that?" Liam asked.

"One must die for the other to live. That is the condition," the old man said.

The group fell silent at his words.

A life for a life?

What kind of demand is that? Wouldn't it mean the same thing if one of us has to die instead of Segeford? Kael thought.

"Me... take my life," Miya said, without any hesitation in her voice.

"What are you saying? We came here to save someone, not sacrifice another! And the Captain would be furious with me if I let that happen," Liam blurted out.

"I brought you all here. You followed my orders. I was the one who decided to meet this man. So, it's my responsibility to..." he continued,

But he couldn't finish the sentence. His voice broke.

"No."

"I don't want just anyone's death," the old man interrupted. "I need the sacrifice of one who faltered... one whose thoughts weren't aligned."

He looked around the group.

"What do you mean?" Liam asked, clearly confused.

"You," the old man said, pointing past Liam.

Liam turned to see the bull cart behind him... and standing beside it, Kael.

"You will give your life, so that man may live."

"What?! Why me?" Kael burst out without thinking.

Everyone looked at him... stunned.

"What do you mean, old man?" Liam asked again, trying to understand.

"That is my condition. The boy must die. His age... will become your friend's."

Kael couldn't make sense of it. The whole thing felt strange... too unreal to be happening.

"Come with me. I need to perform a ritual to save your friend. Decide on the way… your life, or his," the old man said, then turned and walked deeper into the jungle.

"Wait… where are you going?" Liam called, standing up quickly. He staggered slightly, still weak from the fight.

They rushed to the bull cart. Terren pulled the blinders off the bull's eyes and ears while Liam took the reins, guiding the bull forward. They began to follow the strange old man... but somehow, he moved faster than any old man should. Even faster than the bull.

They continued through the forest until they saw a faint, flickering light.

It was a cabin… simple, made from wood and stone. Just large enough to hold four people at most.

That was enough for one old man.

They reached the cabin. A soft light glowed from within, though there was no visible source… no candle, no torch. Still, the inside was lit.

There was a small fire pit near the cabin, bordered with stones to keep the flames in place.

The old man walked straight inside without saying a word.

"So, what is your decision?" a voice called from within, directed at Kael.

But Kael didn't respond.

"There is no decision, old man," Liam said sharply. "There's no way this young man is dying for someone he barely knows."

"It's fine..." a voice came quietly from behind Liam.

"What do you mean it's fine?" Liam snapped, turning in frustration.

"I want to live… yes," Kael said. "I want to see my little sister grow up... see my parents grow old... and everything else. But there's no guarantee."

His voice cracked near the end. The fear of death was clearly there.

"Then... Enter the chamber, boy," the old man's voice called again from the cabin.

"Wait... no. What the fuck are you doing? It's not even your responsibility!" Liam said, grabbing Kael by the shoulders.

Kael looked at Liam,

"Well… Ever since I was young, I've thought a lot about life... about purpose... and about death," Kael replied. "Of course I'm afraid… haha… afraid of leaving the people I love. But like the old man said... everyone dies, whether now or later. So I don't know... I just feel like this is how it is supposed to be... As if I am bound to do this...as if it's the purpose of my life…."

No one had an argument to offer. They wanted to stop him from doing something so reckless, but Kael seemed resolute.

Just like that, he stepped into the cabin, where the old man sat cross-legged.

Kael sat down holding his broken arm as it hurt.

"Do not be afraid, child," the old man said softly. "You will find your purpose."

With those words, the old man reached forward.

He gently patted Kael's head, then pressed his thumb between Kael's temples.

Kael closed his eyes.

Darkness surrounded him. And then, he heard a voice:

"They say that to move forward... to truly understand... we need someone who has walked the same path we walk. Only under their guidance can we discover the Truth."

"But I don't have anyone to guide me…"

"Then ask the one who had no teacher… the first teacher. He will become your teacher."

"How do I do that?"

"Just ask. Say it within yourself."

"I'll try… O One who taught everyone... You, the first teacher, the grand master of this path... I have no teacher. Please, be my teacher… and teach me."

A strong thrust rose from the base of his spine. He was still sitting cross-legged on the ground, but something surged upward through his body… from the base to the crown of his head.

The sensation was so powerful that all the hairs on his body stood on end. Goosebumps covered his skin. His body began to tremble. The sharpness of the rising energy shook him violently… his eyes flew open.

He was shaking uncontrollably. Afraid. Sweat poured down his body like he had just run for his life.

He tried to stand up... but he couldn't. It felt like he'd been sitting there for ages. The entire room was pitch dark, lit only by a faint red glow. The air smelled of moss and damp earth, as if the place had been overtaken by nature.

Kael finally managed to stand, though he felt completely drained. His body was weak… he could barely move. He looked around, trying to find the old man, but it was hard to see anything. Still, he remembered this was the old man's cabin.

He walked toward where he remembered the door to be.

Unsurprisingly, the exit was blocked by a wooden panel… not heavy, but covered in thick moss and grass. It was hard to push through, especially in the dark and with his weakened body.

But eventually, with effort, he managed to shift it aside.

A beam of daylight streamed in.

His hands were coated in moss and dirt. It felt like nature had slowly grown around him while he was trapped inside.

At last, Kael stepped out of the cabin. His spine ached, locked in a stiff position. He stretched slowly, confusion heavy on his face.

"I don't know what happened," he muttered to himself, "but I feel strangely calm... fulfilled. Still... I feel so weak."

He looked at his arms.

"What… what happened?" he spoke out loud. "Why are my arm fine? I knew it broke"

He stared in shock.

"My muscles… I lost them all… Why am I like this? I look like that old man... How long was I even in there?"

Still dazed, he looked around. The forest had changed… flowers bloomed near the entrance, the trees were thicker.

"Kael?"

A voice came from behind him.

He turned.

"We thought you were dead... It's been nearly a month since you entered that chamber," said a familiar voice.

With his eyes open wide, Kael whispered,

"Captain?"