Spirit Warriors: A clan shall rise

"But what if it is? There's no way we can protect him, shouldn't reporting this to Boyer be prudent?" Elder Rilka asked, her gaze turning to Thane Rolf, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"No! The Boyer clans are not to be trusted. Something is happening across the kingdom, and the whole kingdom seems to be on edge. Trusting Eirik to them would not be a wise decision at this stage," Hjarn objected hurriedly. His gaze turned to Thane Halrik, who, with a nod, agreed with Hjarn.

"Aye, not only is Boyer Varek on his deathbed, his son's are rampaging through the area intent on fighting for the head seat's position after Boyer Varek's death. But even in Skjornhall, there seems to be some sinister undercurrents moving about. I agree with Hjarn, the best solution would be for us to keep word of Eirik's spirit level a secret."

Amongst the elders, there were only a few paths that were cultivated: boar, vulture, elk, and owl. But amongst the group, there was another elder who sat quietly, his eyes closed as if everything that was happening was none of his concern.

The rest of the group was trying to figure out what Eirik's words meant and what would need to be done.

"Ha!"

The group was interrupted by Elder Eorn, who had been abruptly shouted at, his eyes wide open as he hunched over in his seat with sweat dripping on his brow.

"Elder Eorn!" Hjarn and the others hurriedly called out. Elder Rilka rushed to his aid as she put her palm on his back, circulating the essence of her spirit. She was one of the only healers in the village, and by far the most experienced with her Thunvair, the Veilhorn Elk blessing, which focused purely on healing.

"What happened, Eorn!?" she hurriedly asked.

"Vaern spoke to me… directly," he muttered beneath his gasping breath. Every elder in the room froze, and shock was reflected in their expressions. It was not common for the spirits to directly speak with their blessed, certainly not in the lower realms of cultivation.

"Wha-what did he say?" Elder Rilka asked hesitantly.

"He only said that the guardian had returned. When I asked him what he meant, he only told me that he felt it… the Guardian has awoken, and that was when he sent me back." 

Thane Halrik and Hjarn glanced at one another as Elder Eorn spoke. "Elder Rilka, please make sure Elder Eorn is looked after." 

"I'm fine. It's only my spirit essence that was drained," Elder Eorn waved it off before giving Elder Rilka a grateful look.

The group nodded and soon took their seats. The day had just continued to bring in strange surprises after one another, and the group seemed unsettled.

It was thus quickly decided that Eirik would remain with the village, and his spirit level remained a secret. As for Elder Eorn's words, the group tactfully agreed to not speak on the subject any further.

***

Eirik was seated upright in his bed, his brows furrowed. He had tried to enter his inner world, but he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. He continued to try but to no avail.

Is it because I haven't started cultivating? But that doesn't make sense. How am I supposed to start cultivating if I can't enter my inner world?

Questions filled his mind. This was not how he was taught it to be.

Just as he was about to try once more, a sudden elated sound of joy rang out from the other room, "Brother!"

And with it came people walking into his room, the one, smaller by every means. Swiftly appeared in his room, whilst the last person had to almost squeeze through his door frame to enter.

"Rowrik! Torvin!" Eirik smiled in reply.

Rowrik was his younger brother, aged 17 and with the same facial features as Eirik but with a smaller build. 

"Thank goodness you're fine! Mother and father were worried sick!" the young man spoke, his words quick. He hurriedly came over and gave his brother a sincere hug before he had to be pulled away from Eirik by Torvin.

"You're already 17, and you're still acting like a child. Phew! Give Eirik some room, he's still injured," Torvin sighed.

"Heard you faced an Eldbeast? Thank goodness you're okay," The mountain of a young man spoke, relief flashing in his eyes.

"Yeah, almost didn't, though. If it weren't severely injured, I would probably be in Vaelthall by now," Eirik joked sheepishly.

"Hmpf! Then I would go and force you back!" Torvin snorted with a laugh.

Eirik could only smile upon hearing his friend speak, a softened smile it was. "Oh! How did it go!?" 

"Of course it went splendidly! Who do you think I am?!" Torvin snorted once again, pumping his chest out in pride. "Of course I received a blessing from Durakorr's lineage, the Stonehide Bear!"

"Oh! Well done, well done. Now I really don't have to take the shots for you anymore, your blessing made your skin even thicker!" Eirik clapped in mock respect.

"Hey! Who-" 

"Eirik!" another high-pitched voice interrupted Torvin's outburst. He had to clamp his mouth shut as a beautiful, middle-aged woman came walking in. "Morning, Auntie!"

"Morning boys," Lysa, Eirik's mother, greeted back before her eyes shifted to Eirik, "You stubborn boy!"

"You almost died!" Lysa called out, giving Eirik a glare. 

"I know, mother, but it was part of the trial. You know how dangerous it can be," Eirik shook his head with a sigh as he gazed at his mother. "It was an accident."

"You could've run away!" she continued to glare at him, "Seriously, you're taking too much after you're father."

"There was nowhere to run… besides, I made it out alive. Isn't that what matters?" he replied sheepishly to his mother's words. The clear-cut concern for him warmed his heart.

"I know, I know." Lysa gave up before she gave him a heartfelt hug and whispered in his ears, "I know, but I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't return to us."