The Coast – Near the Capital
The sun began to rise.
Kalira, after waking up, sat in the carriage gazing at the place, listening to the birds and the sound of the river flowing.
Turans flew down from a tree and landed on Kalira's shoulder.
Turans: Did you sleep well?
Kalira: (yawns) I haven't slept like this in over three days.
Turans: Let me wake them up.
Kalira: Let them sleep a little longer, the sun has just started rising.
A voice came from the back — it was Limti:
Limti: Seems like you're awake. How about some breakfast?
Kalira: I'm not hungry.
Limti: That's fine, just a simple apple.
Limti walked toward the carriage and took an apple from one of the baskets given to them by the villagers.
She extended her hand and gave the apple to Kalira.
Limti: Come on, take it, girl. Eat it. We have a busy day ahead of us.
Limti then walked toward Lim and pinched his cheek.
Limti: How long do you plan to sleep?
Lim: (wakes up angrily) That hurts!
Limti: Come on, get up, we have to reach the capital before nightfall.
Lim: Let me go wash my face first.
Limti: And where exactly will you do that?
Lim: I'll head to the river.
Limti: That actually sounds like a good idea. Let's all go.
They all boarded the carriage and headed toward the river.
Limti: Come on, Kalira, what do you say we bathe? It'll refresh you.
Kalira: (embarrassed) It seems a little too open here.
Limti: Oh, don't be like that. No one's going to look at you.
Lim: I'm not interested in little girls' bodies.
Limti: Why don't you shut up, you pervert?
They all got down to the river. Lim moved away from them, while Kalira and Limti entered the river to bathe.
After 15 minutes, they finished and returned to the carriage.
Limti: How much farther do we have?
Lim: If we go as usual, the distance between this coast and the capital is about 14 hours by carriage.
Limti: Then we won't make it before dark.
Lim: Yeah, the sun will set when we arrive.
Kalira: Is there a problem if we arrive after dark?
Limti: Not a problem exactly, but a danger. There are a lot of bandits around the capital, especially at night.
Kalira: But Lim is strong. He can take them down, right?
Limti: Well, let's all get in. I'll tell you the issue on the way.
They all got into the carriage. Lim drove as usual, and Kalira, Limti, and Turans sat in the back.
Limti: Let me tell you why these bandits are dangerous — even for me, Limti, or any other blood user.
Turans: Don't tell me they use that?
Limti: That's right.
Kalira: What? What is it?
Limti: Seems like you don't know the most dangerous thing for blood users in this world, do you?
Kalira: Is it something bad?
Lim: Girl, have you been living in a cave or something?
Limti: Alright, listen. Everyone in this world has a power inside their body called "Kaonti." With this power, they control their blood. It exists in all creatures.
Kalira: Then why can't some people control blood?
Limti: The reason is usually due to the person's nature or sometimes inheritance. Some people can control it but never tried or cared. On the other hand, some users are born gifted, able to control blood from a young age.
Kalira: I don't see a problem with that.
Limti: Why are you in such a rush? What if I told you there's something that prevents users from controlling their blood?
Kalira: There's such a thing?
Limti: Yes. It's the "Lavirel" stone. It works in a very simple but extremely dangerous way.
Kalira: But how does it work?
Limti: All you have to do is place it near a blood user. The stone simply absorbs "Kaonti" energy from people. That's why it's used in restraints and also in prisons. But some bandits use it to rob people returning to the kingdom. That's what makes them dangerous — they attach those stones like chains on their bodies and approach people.
Kalira: I've never heard of this before. But if we move away from the stone, we can fight, right?
Limti: Yes, the stone's pulling range is 3 meters. If you're farther than that, it doesn't affect you — except in one case.
Kalira: What is it?
Limti: These stones always come in different sizes, but the common size doesn't exceed the size of a person's palm. However, there are other giant stones transported by carriages. These can pull energy from up to half a kilometer away. But only kings possess these large stones.
Kalira: Then why don't they confiscate all the stones too?
Limti: To maintain balance of power. If only the users had power, others would become their slaves. But they're not handed to just anyone — only to soldiers and guards.
Kalira: Then how do the bandits get them?
Limti: From corrupt soldiers and guards who sell them for money.
Turans: But you forgot to mention something important, Limti.
Limti: I don't think so. I told her everything.
Turans: No matter how dangerous the stone is, it has a weakness too.
Limti: You mean that?
Kalira: What is it? Tell me.
Turans: If the stone is placed in water or gets wet, it doesn't work. That's why when they make metal restraints, they encase the stone so water can't touch it. If the weather is rainy, the luck favors the user. But rain also affects users — only beginners, though. If someone is experienced, it doesn't affect them much.
Kalira: Seems like there's a lot I don't know.
Limti: So, Kalira, have you ever tried blood control?
Kalira: No, I haven't. But I learned a little trick to make my horn disappear.
Limti: (laughs) Everyone can do that. Look, watch.
Limti hides her horn by pulling it in and then shows it again.
Limti: See? Even Lim can do it.
Kalira: (puffs her cheeks) But my grandfather told me it's an ancient rare ability.
Lim: He was messing with you because you're dumb. (laughs loudly)
Limti: Don't listen to that idiot. Alright, listen — if you can control your horn, that's a sign you can control blood if you try.
Turans: But not always. Some people can control things inside their body but not outside. The horn is considered part of the inside. So just because she can control her horn doesn't mean she can control her blood.
Limti: Why are you discouraging the girl, Turans?
Lim: Looks like the chicken is learning to talk.
Turans: Shut up, horse face! Listen, Kalira, I didn't mean to discourage you. What I meant is — even if you can't use blood control, that doesn't mean you're weak.
Kalira: (with a frown) I know.
Turans: (annoyed) Why the hell is your face frowning???
Limti: (laughs) What do you think? Shall I teach you a bit before we reach the capital how to control it?
Kalira: Can I learn to control it in a short time?
Limti: Of course not, it takes years of training.
Kalira: (looks at the road) Looks like Okais put in a lot of effort.
To be continued…