章 13: FIRST CONTACT.

outside the spatial fortress:

there were a few village settlements around in this region but they were mostly low levelled or even powerless and as thus they were allowed to live within the forest of the spatial fortress. There were beasts in the forest, the strongest of which were equivalent to grandmaster mages and this was due to the fact that the strongest beats had long been hunted by the spatial fortress for various reasons. Although it was dangerous for these villages, they would rather live within these forests than be hunted by humans and other villages wishing to expand their territories. 'looks like the gate vanished, that's mad' tor said in fascination as the gate disappeared. 'it was made from the great elder's power and supported by a spatial spirit which is incredibly powerful but no one has ever met the spatial spirit' jin said timidly but well informed 'hmmm? are spirits so powerful?' Tor asked as he walked through the forest, which was quite dark due to the canopy of trees competing to blot out the sun and it stretched sloping downwards as far as they could see.

Tor pulled out his phone trying to use his touchscreen phone that was entirely glass. 'spirits are very powerful young master, their basic power is at the level of grandmaster when they awaken and they progress much faster than humans. Be careful and stay behind me whenever we have to fight one.' jin said in a serious voice, making Tor imagine an old grannie behind the masked face speaking to him.

'ok ok grannie i'll do as you say' tor responded laughing at her serious attitude, 'thats rude young master you already know i'm thirteen.' she said her voice sounding a bit angry, 'hahaha how would i know when you always have that mask on your face.' Tor said still teasing Jin, 'hmm young master what a round about way to say you want to see my face, should i be alarmed?' jin tried to tease him back, 'nope its just that we're in a region we can easily be recognised and if you stay in that attire you'd just invite trouble. plus i'm just 10 don't you think you'd be considered a pervert for hitting on me?' Tor asked with a smirk 'i know you were thinking of it,' jin said under her breath as she took the mask off revealing her beautiful face which was complemented by her short black hair and growing figure tor could only lightly smile, it had truly been a long time since she took this mask off. 'don't you feel better now its off?' Tor asked still with that teasing tone.

'no actually… the great elder said anyone who sees me without my mask has to either die or be my bride,' jin continued in a serious voice, 'oh quick put it back on' tor said closing his eyes and laughing, 'sly young lord' jin said also laughing.

After walking for a while and meeting few master levelled beasts, which totally diverted course when they sensed both tor and jin which made the time within the forest like a sight seeing trip. they got deeper into the forest ad finally they saw the first 'little village', it had letters of walls and gates and although one of the regular villages in the forest, it was very small relative to the spatial fortress and had very few magicians within the village. 'halt where do you two think you're going?' a guard with an air rifle with the power to impale A class beasts asked in a condescending tone with a smile on his face.

'ID and purpose of visit.' the guard said not even bothering to look at Tor but was more interested in jin. 'we don't have any' jin said casually as she glanced at tor knowing that they would be recognised if they were to present their IDs. 'hmm thats a problem, what should we do Pak?' the condescending guard asked the one a few paces away from him as he licked his lips and stretched his hand trying to stroke jin's face. 'oga guard keep your hands to yourself lest you lose it' Tor said with with a warning tone and the guard froze inches away from Jin's face. The guard called Pak felt himself not unable to move an inch farther stuck the pose go trying to touch the girl's face. Terror, is what he felt because he couldn't understand why he could not move an inch.

'what are you people doing slacking off?!' a young man who was about 25, well dressed in a suite and a beautiful lady who was also lavishly dressed were holding hands as they approached the gates, whilst being followed by a few guards. 'no young lord its not what you think.' the guard at the far end answered as the ones on top the gates ducked like they had seen nothing, the main culprit was still frozen in position. 'so i am not currently seeing that perverted smile on this pervert as he tries to touch a 13 year old?' the young lord and young lady asked in unison, Jin was fascinated with the weird synchronisation. 'no he was merely trying to check their papers young lord.' The guard said feeling sweat trickle down his cheek 'then why are you still in that lecherous position?' the young lady anna asked not buying the guards explanation. at this moment the frozen guard was able to move and fell flat on his face in front of jin, 'i don't know…' he responded feeling dazed and dread all at once as he was looking at jin with fear.

'come little brother and sister i will bring you with me into the village if Taka permits.' Anna said looking appealing to the young man dressed in the suite. 'fine but they cant cause trouble anywhere we go.' Taka said with a calm smile looking at Tor and Jin who was behind him. 'thank you, we owe you' Jin replied as they began walking into the village. 'are you from here? whats your name' Ana asked jin clearly admiring her looks. 'whats his name? he's so cute, how old is he?' Ana continued talking about Tor finding it hard to believe he was a boy. 'thank you very much, as i have stated we owe you one, we will be going now.' Jin said a bit icily as she and Tor began to walk away. 'please don't be that way i was just admiring you two, its dangerous for little kids to move alone in the village if they are not from here, they could be kidnapped or sold as slaves.' Ana said trying to explain her concerns but Tor and Jin both had evil smirks on their faces.

'thats not the only problem, apparently there have been reports of beast hordes attacking villages around this region, these attacks seem calculated and so it would be dangerous if the horde hits and you kids are left stranded.' Ana said concern evident on her face. 'plus although i am young i'm a saint level fire mantle mage and she is a step into the saint level from the lightning mantle tribe.' taka interjected reassuring tor and jin. 'youre a long way from home and still i'll matched.' Jin said honestly as she felt a bit more trusting toward the couple. 'how dare you say that to the young lady' one of the guards shouted but was halted by Ana. 'you are very well informed, we are merchants and as thus we travel a long way, but your knowledge just tells me you're not kids from here.' Ana said with an interested smile. She looked more at Tor and jin, she had a smile on and her green eyes reflected some light. 'your shoes don't fit the terrain.' referring to tor's flip flops since he had changed into shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops because of the heat in the forest. Ana and Taka noticed the embroidered bracelets on tor but didn't comment on it. 'so what do you say, big sis here will treat you both to a meal.' ana continued as she grabbed a hold of jin's hand and dragging her further into the village, she turned to look at Tor who slightly nodded and trailed behind listening to the chatter.