122 Starak (1/2)
”Thiria Wefira?” Everybody at the venue exclaimed excluding Hayden. The Yojika all went in front of their tables and genuflected. As for Jin, Gafar, and Ysa, they were all frozen. The Kilch Family Head shouted something in Roshist.
This shout woke the dazed trio. They hurriedly knelt. Hayden was the sole person who stood his ground. Ysa whisper-shouted, ”What are you doing? Bow. That is the conscious form of the Source Heart!”
”He knows.” Gaia turned towards Hayden. ”I order you all to stand up.”
Everyone stood up. Gaia continued. ”I order that no one shall hurt Fenrir. Anybody from Foriast. He is under my protection. Does anybody have rejections?”
All spoke in Roshist deferentially. It seems that they've complied. Gaia was satisfied. ”Good. Bring little Fenrir back to the surface. I will have a lovely chat with little Starakt.”
Just like that, Gaia vanished. The Yojika all stared at Hayden with incredulous gazes. They couldn't believe that Gaia, the Source Heart herself, appeared for Hayden's sake.
”I-I move that Ot-Fenrir shall not be executed and protected by the Overseers.” The Ulthax Family Head stuttered, clearly still in a daze.
”I-I second the motion.” Everybody on the Yojika stuttered out their decision. The Kilch Family Head ordered, ”Ru-Ysa, Ru-Jin, and Ru-Gafar, escort out guest back to the surface.”
The trio simultaneously put both of their hands parallel to their solar plexus. Only their index finger and middle finger stuck out, with the right hand's index finger and middle finger on top of the left hand's.
This was the salute of Overseers for people when a person of higher standing orders them. It was a sign of respect and that 'the job will be done no matter what.'
With that, Hayden rotated his body and went along Ysa, Jin, and Gafar. They exited the Yojikarata in silence.
…..
Meanwhile, in the center edifice where the Yorixia's base of operations is… At the suite below the topmost floor, there was a man sitting on a white couch. He has gaming headphones on his head and a console controller in his hands.
The man wore a simple black tank top, and boxer briefs. His outfit revealed his perfectly toned body identical to Hayden's. The man had long black hair that reached his waist and an unbelievably attractive and manly physiognomy in spite of having no facial hair.
His fingers flashed as he played 'Steel Storm.' He stuck his tongue out as he pressed down one button of the modern console.
That was when, in front of him, Gaia materialized. The man furrowed his brows in an instant. His deep voice resounded. ”Guys, I have to quit now. Something came up.”
”Hey.” Starakt rolled his eyes in exasperation as he stood up. ”I'm not all-knowing like you. In 2,058 years, I've kind of let go of most entertainments. I've seen some of my friends come and go. It's hard being the Yorixia. The moment I find a suitable person to become my successor, I will pass it off the first chance I have. And you know I don't like women as much as men, so having offspring is off the table.”
”Jeez, you've done so much, don't beat yourself up.” Gaia was telling the truth. Starakt was the reason that the Overseers were established in the first place, alongside Foriast. ”You won three wars with the people from the other side. Protected the Source Heart for 2,000 years. And has led the world to become peaceful. You're the greatest king people can ask for. That's why you're called the Yorixia.”
”I don't really care.” Starakt waved the praises off. ”As long as the world's a place I can live in. Ahh, how I miss Giruk…”
”It's time for you to find another man.” Gaia patted Starakt on the shoulder. ”It's been 1,000 years without sexual contact.”
”Do not expose me.” Starakt pointed at Gaia jokingly. The two laughed. It was obvious that they were close. ”Anyhow, what's your business dropping by so precipitously?”
”I've found the chosen one.” Gaia became serious.
”Whoa, really?” Starakt's eyes widened. ”What're they like? Is he handsome? Is he a he?”
”Don't prey on a 16-year-old boy, Starakt.” Gaia rolled her eyes.
”A 16-year-old boy?” Starakt rapidly blinked at Gaia. ”The chosen one is a 16-year-old boy? What is he, a Level 2 wielder?”
”Yes.” Gaia nodded. ”He is actually a Level 2 wielder. Regardless, he is strong. He is a power that I cannot contain. He will be the champion that will repulse the upcoming invasion in 30 years.”
”30 years…? That's an awfully short amount of time to train him.” Starakt sat on the couch cross-legged with a pensive expression. ”How can we train him the fastest? It's a given that I'll let him eat a Reza Hixilia. Wait, should I?”
”It will be for the best if you do.” Gaia sighed out. ”Let him in my chamber as well. I have to scan him and unchain some of his Innate Gifts. He still doesn't trust me. That will gain it.”
”Heh, a troublesome one, huh?” Starakt chuckled. ”Is he someone who refused to protect Earth because of his loyalties?”
”He is the same as you, alright.” Gaia shook her head dryly. ”In truth, he's worse than you. Why do my heroes always have to be so mistrustful? Ahh, I wish I was in one of those books that mortals write. Where the man heroically saves the maiden.”
”Stop fantasizing, you good for nothing goddess.” Starakt's expression contorted in repugnance. ”This is real life. You can't do those.”
”I know, I know.” Gaia 'exhaled' heavily through her mouth. ”Anyways. There's something else. You should pass onto him a Xirxian.”
Xirxian, singular form of Xirixian, is a word that means 'extremely powerful, sentient, and natural object.' These are artifacts of power used by many people from the past and forms naturally. One of them is the true Excalibur used by King Arthur, who is a lifetime of Starakt.
Howbeit, not all of Xirixian are in the possession of the Overseers. Such as some lesser Xirixian of Greek and Roman, Egyptian, and Norse Mythologies. Of course, Zeus' Master Bolt is with them.
”What Xirxian would you suggest we give him?” Starakt didn't reject at all. ”One to protect his life, one that can enhance his Ability, or a weapon?”
”Well, Xirixian are the ones that chooses their master.” Gaia shrugged. ”Just place him in the vault and let the Xirxian that chooses him go to him. Maybe Umbralis will finally find her master?”
”That stubborn Xirxian?” Starakt exclaimed. ”Like hell she'll choose your champion. That Xirxian is too prideful.”
”Just place him there.” Gaia dismissively said. ”I'll inform him of everything later. In the present, our two priorities are letting him grow and gaining his trust. He will have no choice but to fight in the war anyways. From what I've gathered, he's a man who will do anything to protect his loved ones. Even selling himself to… What was that? White Sun? An organization he's not that fond of from the start.”
”Oho, interesting.” Starakt's curiosity was piqued. ”Okay. Is that everything? When should I prepare his initiation?”
”No, there won't be any initiation.” Gaia calmly replied. ”The Orastia (Overseers in Roshist) will ally with him and he will not be part of you.”
”That's something.” Starakt let out a titter. ”You do know that the members will not feel fondly of this? Allying with a Level 2 instead of making him part of us?”
”I fathom the consequences.” Gaia didn't deny it at all. ”However, he wouldn't join you, or me. All he wants to do is live a life of peace. You won't be able to order him, much less anybody else, to do anything for you guys. Consequently, you, and the Yojika, will not reveal anything of his existence. He will be a shadow.”
”Understood.” Starakt sat back on the couch. ”You can count on me. Now, let me get back to my game.”
”Psh, you piece of shit.” Gaia's face twitched.
”I love you too.” Starakt ignored the insult. It seems that they're used to bickering with each other. How can you blame them for becoming this close? They're the two oldest beings on Earth.
…..
While Hayden was returning to his lodging, in the Southern Airport. A plane landed. Alighting the plane from a terminal were thirteen people with a black skin tone. They were all tall, with the smallest one having a stature of 184 centimeters.
The one in the middle was the tallest, standing at an impressive 201 centimeters. He even has a muscularly bulky build that made him look like a behemoth. Regardless, he was handsome, with dreadlocks that were skimmed backwards.
This was the 16-year-old Ghanaian who challenged Hayden in social media, Akwasi Quatei. He is one of the 11 Prodigal Kings termed as the 'Great Wall.'
The reason for this, obviously, is he is the tallest amongst the 11 Prodigal Kings. Of course, this wasn't the sole reason. His power and speed was unrivalled. At least in Ghanaian high-school level basketball.
When in defense, he has never let a basket past through him, no matter where the basketball player was. In offense, he crushes people with his sole height and his ball handling. He was actually agile irrespective of his bulky build.
In the Prodigal Kings, he was estimated to be the fourth strongest, with Hayden being the first. This was merely estimations as the 11 Prodigal Kings have to compete to know who is superior.