The sun was about to set down behind tall trees as they finally got out of the forest to the open space. Huge meadow was in front of them and the sight left them breathless. Literally hundreds of different kinds of vegetables were growing there.
Kendra chuckled as she saw silent men behind her and looked around to find a spot for the night camp. She was the only girl in the group so she took her camping gear with her in the backpack.
A bit further away was large enough grass opening that would be perfect for staying over the night. With resolute steps, she walked straight to the spot and started preparing her tent.
The few men from her guild rushed to help her and soon a small tent was built up. As she put inside a sleeping bag everyone looked at the thing in wonder. Claro came closer and looked at the tent in wonder as well and then straight at her face.
''What is this thing?'' He pointed at it.
Kendra shrugged her shoulders as it was nothing new. ''It's a tent. I brought it from home in case I can't find a place to stay o sleep at. It is comfortable even if it rains. It is water-resistant.''
Everyone came and looked at it closer. ''Why do I feel I know what this material is. So familiar. What is it?''
She innocently shook her head. ''I don't know. My parents made it from mysterious material that they got as a present from our Emperor. I never cared about things as I am a cultivator. If it's raining I will make it stop, if its too sunny I will make shade. If it's too cold I will make it warm, and so on...''
Jason and Sirius came this time with her and they chuckled as they heard her talking. ''Our Kendra is powerful, we told you.''
Claro could see the surprise and strange expressions on people's faces, but only he knew how deep is the sentence she just made. She can do all that. How many people can do more than one power? There are rare ones that can do two. But she could do more. That kind of power...
Few people from his sect looked at the strange child and accepted that fact straight away. But were worried about the future a bit. If this child is so wise and powerful now, what will happen in a few more years when she learns more?
''Kendra, can you tell us honestly. What is the grade of your power outside?'' One of the men with orange hair and yellow eyes stared at her with interest.
But would Jason and Sirius calmly just sit around and just let such question pass without any consequences. Jason narrowed his eyes. ''Interesting question. Then we can all tell each other our powers and maybe even skills we learned so far.''
''You can start as first, as you were the one who asked.'' Sirus spoke with a big smile and stared at the man directly.
The man speechlessly looked at the two men that sat on both her sides as protectors and just rolled his eyes. ''It would be enough a simple no. Why saying so much?''
Kendra chuckled and looked straight at him with a bright smile. ''Uncle, if I tell you how strong I am what is that of use for you? Let's fist survive this world for the next four years. How strong I am you all will know soon enough. Aren't there tournaments starting every twenty or so years?''
Jason patted her head. ''Good memory. Every twenty years there would be a world tournament. As a price, there will be strange ancient artifacts.''
Kendra looked at the people preparing to light fire and blinked at the group of people that just sat not doing anything. ''We can continue talking later. Let us first gather firewood, find water and let's make some meal. Jason, you go with Koul and Kael to the garden and bring any of these vegetables that you want me to cook. I will prepare everything for the meal.''
Koul and Kael were twin brothers from the Warrior guild. With big, robust bodies they almost overlapped any of the people that joined in. They were silent the whole trip and when she made an order they just nodded and followed Jason.
As she turned around she could see everyone scrambling away. Only three people still stood there. ''Sirius, go with these two and find nearby animals. If you can hunt one good, if not, bring a big mushroom. Tonight you all need to eat some proper meal. The way was long and no one ate a normal meal. Go.''
Her decision to send everyone away was to bring out the few people that followed them. With a small sarcastic smile on her lips, she sat down and played with nearby flowers, just like any child would do.
But those that came out had too little brain. What normal small child could order a bunch of unrelated big men easily? Is there such a thing?
Small steps could be heard behind her a group of messy men came out high grasses slowly walking towards her with ugly expressions. ''Are you Kendra?''
When she saw them her face paled. The filth on their bodies was just too much. It was summertime so she couldn't take any excuse for being filthy if there are many rivers and seas in the surroundings. Just as they came here, they passed at least two small clear rivers and one lake.
Being so dirty can be only excused in certain conditions. But this world and time of year couldn't be said to be so harsh as not to be able to wash yourself. Then ever worse nightmare happened.
She put her sight to long on their hairs that she could see clearly the things that crawled in those hairs. Her whole body froze as her eyes glued themselves onto those creatures. And no matter how many times they repeated the question she just looked at them with pure, blank horror...