Not many people take me seriously because of how short I am, except for my brother. My brother, Seiko and I live together and go to the same school in Kenkyo, Satori. Seiko is 25 and I’m 21, but we don’t look our age. In Satori, no one looks their age. In this land, time is slow for its people. I think due to the Safekeep we have, that’s why we Satori born age slowly. My brother and I hear a knock at the door. Seiko opens it; it’s our neighbor, Xandra. She’s really a nice woman and is the same age as me.

“Hey Seiko. Hey Senuo.” She greeted.

“Hey Xandra. What brings you over here?” My brother asked.

“I just heard Queen Askari passed yesterday.” She replied.

Her news shocked me and my brother.

“What? Are you serious? How?” My brother asked.

“It was just old age. She was 72 and the Safekeeps are getting there in age as well. Also, the new queen will be anointed to the throne in the course of two weeks, and she will be needing a new Safekeep of Time. Maybe you’d would like to become one?” She asked him.

Seiko is the oldest, but he’s not the one to take that type of responsibility. I could see it in his face when Xandra asked him that.

“Uh… That’s too much to do, I wouldn’t know where to start.” He replied then looked at me. “Are you interested, Sen?” He asked me.

I guess the reason he asked me is because of one of our classes with leadership. Even though how many times my classmates laughed at me because of my height, they couldn’t challenge me in debates. But the disadvantage I have is I don’t know how to fight, I proclaim myself as a pacifist, and my Jika is not powerful as my brother’s. I’ll give it a try nonetheless, but I don’t think I will win.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to do so. I’m interested.” I replied to him.

***

I signed my name to enter in the tournament at the marketplace and I went back to the schoolgrounds to practice with my Jika. Jika is a power in Satori and one of the customs for Satorians to learn; used for stopping and slowing time. When we were done with our homework, Seiko was helping me learn techniques I can use for my Jika. Seiko was not holding back, and I was falling to the ground multiple times.

“Senuo. You need to learn how to dodge effectively, or else you’ll be falling on your ass and defenseless on the ground every time.” He said to me.

I got up quickly so we can resume. He hit me with everything he had, I was still getting hit, but I endured and guarded his attacks. I spotted an opening and responded quickly with a Jika push. He was pushed back and almost lost his footing, but he was still standing. He signaled me to stop.

“Good push, Sen, but you need more force in your Jika. We can deal with this next time.” My brother stated.

“Okay, Seiko.” I replied.

*Two Weeks Later*

My training with Seiko had improved and I felt I was ready for the tournament. I am in line with 127 other contestants at the Satori Temple’s courtyard. My brother and Xandra were in the crowd. At the temple’s stairs, the new and anointed queen, Furia Nyle who is very young to become queen, her parents, Lord Kivu and Lady Faye, her brother, Sir Kai Nyle, and an elven woman who is the advisor, Lady Yenish Darsha. There is something about her that doesn’t sit right with me. The new queen then announced the need of a new Safekeep of Time since the safekeep, Sir Kento, is now retired. She wished us all good luck in this tournament. I start hearing some contestants begin to whisper to each other on my left; I’m sure at me.

“Why is there a little kid competing to be safekeep?” A man said quietly to another person.

“I thought 15-year-olds are supposed to enter in the tournament. Not 8-year-olds.” Another man said.

Then I hear snickering to my right.

“That small fry is going to get knocked off quickly.” A different man said.

“Absolutely. I don’t think that boy will make it.” The next man replied.

Just because I look like a child doesn’t mean you should underestimate me. You people are going to understand a lesson in humility.

*Showcase*

I’m glad I decided to sign the petition early so I wouldn’t wait for too long and I wouldn’t wait all day. I’ve seen a several people before me perform their Jika, but, in my opinion, their performance looked sloppy like they didn’t practice. But I’m not one to judge. I will show my Jika to the queen and her family and let them judge. I’ve been practicing with my Jika, and I feel I have the right form for it. The person finished and I heard my name.

“Senuo Mika!” Queen Furia called out.

I walked out of my tent and onto the courtyard in front of the queen, her parents, her brother, and their advisor. I saw Seiko and Xandra in the murmuring crowd and the other contestants that performed. I then looked to the queen.

“Anytime you’re ready to perform, Mr. Mika.” She stated.

“Yes, your majesty.” I replied.

I readied my stance and decided to use my Jika as a force for my fists. I decided to throw a few rocks in the air. With my Jika, I was able to stop the rocks midair, then I used the force of the Jika, punching the rocks, turning them in to sand. My punches and my stance were as firm and fluid as possible ending in a humble stance. I actually got a good round of applause from the crowd along with Seiko and Xandra.

*Five Days Later- Finale*

I have showed my Jika to her majesty in the showcase. I have had my flops while I’ve fought my opponents, but I’ve won all my fights and now I’m one of the final 2 contestants. I did not expect to be one of the two finalists. I guess Alpha is watching over me. It’s about time for me get ready for my final 3 battles with my opponent.

As I walked out, I saw who my opponent was. It was one of the men that talked about me under his breath. If remember correctly, his name was Jordan Carruth. Arrogant and overconfident. From what I have seen from his showcase, he used more of his fists than his Jika. By Alpha… there’s no humility in this person as I look at his face as I walk toward the courtyard. I look to Seiko and Xandra in the audience who looked concerned at who I was going up against. I gave them the look of “Don’t worry. Just hope I make it through this.” We were face to face with each other—or as much as “face to face” can go. The man was 2 feet taller than me and just glared at me then chuckled.

“You are absolutely out of your league, small punk. What makes you think you can be the Safekeep of Time?” He asked me. “You’re not strong enough to beat me. Look at how small and scrawny you are.” He added just to make me feel below him.

Intimidation doesn’t faze me one bit, but I need to be mindful on how I approach him; even though he looks like the person to attack first. Seeing a few of his battles, he is the aggressor, and he takes pride in putting his opponents in the dirt. I have to be on defense, but I hope I can be able to use his body to my advantage since we’re going to fight hand to hand.

“Well? Are you going say something, little prick?” He asked me in an intimidating tone.

The tone in his voice to me sounded like a dog that was all bark but no bite, it made me laugh in his face and walked away from to get ready for the fight.

*Safekeep of Time*

I… can’t… believe it. I won. I am going to be the Safekeep of Elem’s Time. I fought Jordan in hand-to-hand combat. Even though I lost that fight, I lasted very long than what Jordan thought. With weapons, I used a staff while Jordan used a sword; I won due to having distance. With Jika, it was a landslide for me. He used his to force me away while I did the same along with freezing him in place. So, I won 2 out of 3 battles and I’ve shocked everyone along with myself. I never thought I’d win, but here I am, the last contestant standing, and now the new Safekeep of Time.

Now, I’m going to be helping the queen with the mark she carries and accompanying her to the other lands. But it leads me to wonder what going to happen to Seiko while I’m gone. Speaking of Seiko, he and Xandra came towards me excited that I won. Seiko and Xandra saw the concerned look on my face.

“What’s the matter, Sen?” Seiko asked.

“Nothing. I’m just wondering what’s going to happen here and with you two while I’m with the queen.” I replied.

“Don’t worry about me, Sen. Xandra and I will be finishing our schoolwork. Visit us as much as you can. I’m sure the queen can give you a break. And you’ll be living in the temple, so you won’t be that far. Just busy. Don’t worry, little brother.” He said to me.

It made me feel at ease to know he’ll be okay in Satori while I make our land a better place.

*Through Two Years*

After I became Safekeep of Time, I practiced fighting, mostly letting my staff do the work through my Jika, and Bai Ze was the only beast I chose to be my summon. I traveled back and forth to Satori to take care of the situations there and the other lands to give them support from my land. Along with that, the tournament happened in Haliae to where 23-year-old Hanchia Gabura became Safekeep of Water, Pamola with 27-year-old Yurich Kelun becoming Safekeep of Light, Alpine with 15-year-old Xianchi Soule becoming Safekeep of Fire, and in Oreads with 16-year-old Landon Endreas becoming the Safekeep of Life.

Yurich, Xianchi, and Landon were pretty good people, but I can’t say for Hanchia nor Yenish. During these years, Yenish was becoming very distant from the Lord, Lady, and the queen and Hanchia was doing something shady in Haliae because there was a water shortage that was happening in Haliae along with Elienta and the other lands until she went on a bloody rampage in Bura, Elienta with the result of her title of Safekeep being stripped and her staying in a jail in Tanz. Yenish actions became erratic with the queen, Lord, and Lady not knowing, but the brother had his suspicions. And then, she disappeared weeks after Hanchia’s departure from us.

During Yenish’s disappearance, everyone thought she was busy, I for one didn’t believe that, but I didn’t want to cause a problem and I didn’t have proof to voice my suspicions. Also, it was decided to make another tournament for the people in Haliae to where 22-year-old Oma Warrens became the new Safekeep of Water, and she was efficient than Hanchia was, and a tough but tame woman. For those three months, it was great in the land of Elem.

As I was in Satori temple making sure Sati, the heart of Satori in the shape of an hourglass with white sand, was working properly to where she had to be flipped. The sand inside will last for a year to keep time in check. If she’s not flipped, she will last for two years. If she’s left alone longer than two years, a flux in time will happen to where days grow short, nights are longer, and Satorians along with other people in Elem will look older or younger than how they look; especially my people. It’s happened once and it’s the reason why I still look like a child, Seiko had a different effect. I decided to flip Sati every year so I wouldn’t forget.

Seiko and Xandra decided to visit me while I was outside with some of my soldiers. I led them to the common area inside the temple getting served what I requested. As we were eating, Seiko decided to say something.

“So, how’s everything here, Senuo?” He asked me.

“Everything has been balanced here just like it’s supposed to be. I haven’t had any complaints from the people, so I guess I’m doing well. How are you two doing?” I asked back.

“We’re doing alright, and we wanted to tell you something.” He spoke.

“What is it?” I asked.

Seiko and Xandra looked at each other than to me with smiles on their faces.

“Well, Senuo. We decided that we wanted to get married.” Xandra stated happily.

“And I would like you to be my best man, little brother.” Seiko added.

This news actually surprised me. Seiko and Xandra were pretty close and during our time in school, so I knew it would happen. It did make me smile.

“Did you two think of a place to get married?” I asked.

Seiko and Xandra did not give an answer. I guess they didn’t think of a location yet.

“How about maybe having your wedding here. There’s a wonderful garden in the back that is big enough for you both.” I suggested.

They looked surprised at my suggestion and began to think about it. They looked at me.

“Are you sure it’s alright to have a wedding here?” Seiko asked.

How Queen Furia behaves and me being a Safekeep of Time, I’m certain it would be okay.

“I’m sure it’s alright for you two to have a wedding here. Remember, I do live here. This is my temple, and I don’t think it would hurt any rules to do that.” I replied.

Seiko and Xandra were elated with my answer until one of my soldiers ran into the common area with a worried look on his face which made me concerned.

“What’s the matter, Hakeem?” I asked him.

“I just received word that the capital and the queen is in trouble and a couple of the Safekeeps have been dispatched to her aid!” He replied.

I feared that my worries came true. It was Yenish. She has Hanchia with her and they’re causing havoc in Nora. I clenched my fists and look to my brother and Xandra.

“We will talk about this another time. As of now, you two get back home to safety. I’ll have my men escort you two home.” I stated to them.

“Alright. But you better be careful. Alright, Sen?” Seiko asked.

I gave him a slight nod.

“I will, Seiko. Now you and Xandra get going.” I spoke.

As some of my men escorted Seiko and Xandra out of the building, I looked to Hakeem.

“Hakeem! Put Satori on lockdown and keep the temple safe while I’m gone!” I commanded.

“Yes sir!” Hakeem replied.

As he went to gather the men, I decided to summon my staff.

“Kenkyona!”

My staff appeared in my hand, and I made a portal with the crystal embedded in my staff. I walked through it.