Sunrise came but the land was still dark, the domineering clouds not allowing a bit of sunlight to embrace these ruined lands. Hiro and the village chief had yet to arrive at the palace while the meeting of masters had already started.

  "What now father, the dragon has stopped coming down but not much of the planet's life force remains to be able to restore in our lifetime".

  Said Aleus prince of Akarn addressing not only his father the king but every other person present in the throne room. Everyone of them a rune master including the king and prince, all sitting in semicircle around the throne, except for the king who sat on his throne. Looking around it was obvious they weren't a single united group, the disparity between them too great to be overlooked. Despite their differences they all gathered here in hopes of finding a way to restore their dying world.

  "So far we've been gathering the dead land and concentrating it around the capital. With our runes we can live without relying on the land itself. And the ancient rune has been doing a great job containing the dead land but unlike the previous decades every place has turned into dead land, our efforts are no longer meaningful".

  "True even without any more interference the planet will continue to lose life. We celebrated our freedom too early".

  Said another master, his voice a deep melancholy.

  When they first found out it had abandoned their world, they regained their lost hope only to find out the reason it left was because it had taken everything it could leaving the world in no state to support new life for the coming years.

  "Our runes draw power from it, its weakening is the weakening of all rune practitioners"

  "The most terrifying thing is the world is much lighter than it used to be. Young practitioners like prince Aleus may know this but didn't experience it for themselves, unlike us."

  Said Oldomus a rune master who was over one hundred years old and was present during the great disaster though he was young at the time he still remembered how things used to be. And as old as he was now, he looked to be just fresh into his middle age. He wasn't the only one, as rune masters they could slow down their aging with runes so living for hundreds of years was an easy feat for any master.

  "It seems even with the best masters all the kingdoms have to offer in one room, the only conclusion to be reached is the end of all life with no hope for the future".

  The king spoke, exasperation in his voice, who could blame him in such a situation of helplessness.

  "As a father and king I shudder at the thought of having to watch the generations to come perish because we failed during our time. Sigh. I might as well tell my people having children is the same as killing them with their own hands. There's no longer a point to keeping the fauna and flora alive in the rune ecosystem. When we're done here, spread them among the citizens, as for the animals... Let nature run its course".

  Their discussion continued forming plans to ensure survival and just as they were concluding their meeting a guard came rushing in, not even seeking confirmation to enter even when he was well aware there was an ongoing meeting of importance. Guards were only allowed to do so when their report couldn't be delayed, anyone in the palace knew this.

  (What could be so important to demand such urgency today of all days).

  Thought Aleus looking at the guard who was panting trying to catch his breath so he could report with a clear voice. Everyone waited with baited breath not knowing if it was good news or bad news, though no one was expecting anything good.

  "Apologies for the intrusion your majesty but a village chief from the outskirts, says he has brought a wandering master".

  He finally said after collecting himself.

  They were speechless, how was this an urgent matter. It had been months since word was spread out that the Akarn was gathering masters for a grand meeting taking place on this day. Any and all masters across the continent were welcome and urged to attend, could a master arriving now even matter.

  (Has the guard gone senile, what part of what he just said is worth the highest level report protocol. Hmph, it seems Akarn has lost its touch, if someone like this serves the palace)

  (The meeting has ended and it's only one master what could possibly change with just their arrival).

  Such were the thoughts of numerous masters present. But the king had another thought.

  "Guide them here and give the village chief the promised reward".

  The guard left in a hurry just as he had arrived.

  "Your majesty is there a point in seeing this master. The meeting has just ended and they've just now arrived".

  "Vazpin, I said any and all masters are welcome and the meeting was only said to be today the actual time was never specified. As Rune king I cannot go back on my word, however those who wish to leave can do so".

  Seeing that Vazpin, prime minister of Akarn, close aid and number one challenger of the king didn't continue to oppose the decision all the other masters kept quiet. This was Akarn, he was its King, most of them were guests they had to show a level of respect. Another reason, he was a rune master and ruled over a kingdom centered around rune craft, had a great reputation and greatly respected even among masters without even factoring that he is a king.

  Their wait wasn't long, the guard returned with Hiro in toe. There was no need to ask if he was from Akarn or not with how differently he wore and looked, the black clothing and the light skin different from theirs. They could only form conjectures of him likely being from the south with how light his skin was. The guard did not linger, leaving after a simple bow.

  (As expected a young rune master, not even lowering himself infront of the king. The king's generosity is wasted on him).

  Oldomus wasn't at all interested in what Hiro had to say, already considering the situation to be a waste of time.

  "I know most wandering masters and you're not one of them. Mind introducing yourself."

  "I am the prince of a fallen kingdom, Hiro".

  "I know all the royal families on the continent but none I could connect to you. As a wanderer keeping your identity confidential is understandable but this isn't the place, however no one will force you. Please take a seat"

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  Hiro looked around, there were empty seats in multiple spots he just had to choose where among the present groups, the group of few made up of youths, a group further divided into smaller units of culture difference, a third group of a complete mix up and the largest group of mostly old people. With his brief evaluation he took his seat among the free ones on the outer circle near the youth group.

  (This isn't what I was expecting, none of these so called masters exudes any strength or presence above a normal person).

  "You have much to learn, still a frog in a well it seems"

  Hiro was unbothered by B1's words, knowing this was a different world there was a lot he didn't know, which is why his focus was on those around him.

  Everyone continued to wait as someone briefed him before anything else could be said. And after being briefed his next words shocked the room into a deeper silence.

  "Before you anything else you should know. I am not a rune practitioner, but I am a master in my own field, at least".

  The throne room was already quiet with whispers here and there but after he spoke the room came to stillness. So quiet you could hear hearts beating, most were lost for words not even feeling like they should ask if they misheard.

  They felt a strong life force exuding from him, leagues above what a normal person had but none among them could sense a rune of vitality let lone any rune but this could be explained by using a rune of concealment so the thought hadn't crossed their minds, the same for his sword it had no visible runes, they observed. Now that he said it himself that he was not a rune practitioner questions flooded their minds, thoughts muddled. Strangely enough everyone present believed him, as absurd a new power emerging was.

  First what was life force, the total measure of life aspects from vitality, lifespan among others, to be alive something had to have it. On average a person's life force did not change much throughout their life, normally two times from being a baby to an adult and from an adult to elderly, with the elderly having low values on all aspects. Rune practitioners can use more than their own, drawing most of the power for their runes from the world itself.

  "If your field of mastery doesn't lie in runes then where does it lie in?"

  Asked Aleus a few seats across, while everyone else leaned in, they were just as curious. A field that didn't intersect with runes emerging now when runes were at their weakest. How could they not want to know it.

  (Heaven's sent?)

  Some even wondered.

  "I'm a swordsman, my power comes from my will and the sword. Hmm, most of the time".

  "I don't get it, but do you really not use any runes, at all?".

  Asked Jura, a bulky and bearded man behind Oldomus with a giant axe by his side, with a great number of runes visibly carved into it.

  "I don't use any runes, in fact they are as foreign to me as my power is to you, but they do resemble magic something I'm familiar with"

  He looked at the runes, he didn't recognize them but he understood what they translate to, what he did not fully know was that whatever was written they would actualise when infused with life force, unlike magic which was achieved by mages imposing their will onto the world and changing it.

  "I would like to see how your power compares to runes, what do you say?".

  The king's gaze shifted from Hiro to Jura, it was clear he intended to see the two powers during a spar and what better opponent could there be aside from a rune warrior master, who also happened to be the strongest rune warrior of Akarn. The king wasn't the only one who felt this way, this was a group of masters, delving into mystery and new knowledge was in their nature the more they heard the more they wanted to know.

  "I do not mind but you'll have tell me more about runes and the dragon in return".

  "The dragon. If you asked me about it, I could have told you all I know"

  (I don't doubt that but not what I want to know)

  Hiro thought replying to B1 who only he could hear and see. After considering his terms everyone agreed to his request as strange as it seemed to them, but seeing as how he possessed power they were not familiar with they arrived at the conclusion that he was from some hidden force in the world so secluded it knew not of what was happening in the outside world.

  "Everyone let's head outside to the courtyard, I believe it would be the most fitting place for sparring".

  Said the king getting up and taking the lead while everyone else followed behind him.

  (Let's see what it is that I'm failing to see)

  Hiro thought also following from behind. Someone walked up to him, filled with enthusiasm. Among the people here he was of the youth group and the one who briefed him earlier.

  "You may have great life force but that's sir Jura, in terms of raw power no one in Akarn compares. I would request to fight someone else if I were you"

  Hehehe, Hiro laughted inwardly. It was thrilling, here he was about to spar with someone who no matter how much he analysed could only view as a normal middle aged man.

  "Thanks for the heads up but I don't think there's a better opponent to prove myself against than him"

  "Hmm. It's not a fight to the death, and there are masters proficient in healing I can see why you're not that worried"

  He said nodding as they entered the courtyard. The others gathered around it while Jura and Hiro moved to its centre.

  "You said runes are foreign to you. Here's your chance to see a master in action"

  Said Jura brandishing his axe, activating runes on it and himself. While he was doing that Hiro watched, during the process he could sense a rapid raise in Jura's strength and life force.

  (Could the dragon have done the same. Whatever the case this is a good opportunity to see how capable they are with it).

  He thought when he realised that with the increase in life force, it became much similar to the world's life force. But there wasn't an obvious decrease in the world's life force. However he could feel even with the increase in life force Jura was still inferior to the fragment.

  "I surrender the first three moves to you. Do you accept?"

  "Boy you must be confident in your strength, but I'll trust my gut. I accept".

  Replied Jura now radiating power with each step he took charging at Hiro. He brought down his axe with all his might, vertical chop. A shockwave was generated when the axe and Hiro's sheathed sword clashed, Jura was pushed back while Hiro remained in place.

  "This is unbelievable Chief warrior Jura failed to even force him out of stance".

  "Prince Aleus it's too early to judge, there's still two more moves."

  Aleus doubted anything would change but he kept to himself, debating the matter was pointless, in the next two moves the truth would be revealed and as the prince of Akarn he couldn't speak of the man's loss with such confidence. They contimnued to watch as Jura proceeded with his second move, his axe grew surpassing even him in height. He wielded it with both hands, swinging, aiming for Hiro's flank. Even as he swung it from the far end of the handle the axe showed no signs of losing momentum or weighing him down. This attack as well was thwarted, his axe deflected into the ground and cracks spread around them.

  No one was worried about the destruction, it could all be restored with runes of earth or restoration. A moment after its deflection Jura immediately pulled his axe out and it burst into flames as he went for an upward diagonal chop. The flames rose with it forming a spiralling pillar of flames several feet long. Hiro could not be seen inside it, rune masters adept at healing were standing at the ready to go and assist should the flames prove to be fatal. After all power would not be enough to remain unscathed by them, even breathing could prove fatal within the raging fire.

  "You see that, as a master he can do more than swing an axe. This Hiro fellow hasn't moved out, sir Jura might have dealt a great deal of damage with the fire"

  Aleus did not see it that way, the fact that there was no movement inside the flames proved that Hiro was likely unscathed. And in the next moment Aleus was proven right, the pillar was cut in half and extinguished and before they could express their shock he disappeared and in the next moment they saw Jura flying to the walls. He crashed into them losing consciousness, when they looked where he was a moment ago, they saw Hiro standing there like some unrelated party.

  The place was quiet except for the sound of the collapsing wall and bricks falling onto the ground, some even finding their way to the unconscious Jura. The masters responsible for healing were also stunned not moving immediately to assist the unconscious Jura but their moments of stupor was only brief, running to his side soon after. This was far from what most imagined would happen, not from what they had gathered by their own analysis of Hiro.

  "Impossible! Sir Jura was defeated with a single strike"

  Exclaimed one master.

  (You're surprised about that, I'm more shocked about his speed than Jura's loss. Is there even a single person here who saw him move. And there really was no fluctuations in his life force).

  Assessed Aleus, believing with such speed even if Jura had higher strength it would've been meaningless.