Marcus followed Shen through the dense wood, concentrating on a problem other than whipping tree branches.

You want to talk about it right now?

Yes, it won't let me go, Marcus thought. What did you mean with the foundation of the future?

Nobody is trying to deceive you, or manipulate the two of you. It is just a fact that your union will be beneficial beyond your personal happiness.

Explain, and don't hold back on the details, Xeen.

Marcus, you do understand that Earth is going to be ravaged by a dragon in the future? When that happens, what do you think will happen to humanity?

Marcus had a problem accepting the notion that Earth would become a wasteland for at least a few hundreds or thousands of years. But under those circumstances humanity would flee Earth and try to survive on other worlds.

And can you imagine that a sizable amount might come here?

Now Marcus saw what Xeen hinted at. We would act as a connection. Me and Azaa… our children would bridge our species.

But even if that would happen things won't be so easy, Xeen.

Of course not! And hopefully many years will pass before this will play any role. But do not fool yourself into thinking humanity will not be shattered. It always happens, your world and most of humanity will die. Shen, Azaa and the other ginghi know that and there is nothing they can do to change what is coming for you.

Marcus listened to Xeen and slowed down to a stop.

Shen moved on for a moment, but then returned to him and watched the young man's facial expression. "Is there really no way to save Earth?" Marcus asked the ancient ginghi, and he could see the answer on his bearded face. "I am sorry Marcus. Nobody has ever found a way to prevent the shattering of a home world. But when the time comes, I hope our people will have become great friends and we will support humanity as best as we can," Shen said, trying to find a silver lining.

Marcus thought about the future and where it would lead to. "Our people are going to melt together," Marcus suddenly said, surprised by his own insight. Shen raised an eyebrow and then laughed, "My Azaa has chosen a good man indeed. Yes Marcus, if things work out, then over a long time humans and ginghi will form a new species. This way both of our people will find salvation and maybe we can rise to greatness once again." Marcus slowly took in this sudden reveal of ideas. Shen's face changed and Marcus could see a heavy weight on the man.

"We are too few, Marcus. There are only about 800,000 left of the ginghi, not enough to support an advanced society and the population growth is lower than the losses we take in this harsh universe," Shen said and now Marcus understood. "You need us, our numbers," Marcus said and Shen nodded. The old man put one of his massive hands on Marcus' shoulder. "But this is still in the future, much can happen until then. Don't worry too much about this, right now. Concentrate on making my Azaa happy," he said, and gave him a lewd smile. Marcus' ears turned red under his helmet and he remembered that Shen could tell anyway. They continued moving towards the city and Marcus decided he had to talk with some people about the future.

The sun had just risen high enough to fill the world with warm rays as the two men passed the city gate again. Now that a lot of people were on the street they made only slow progress through the city. Everybody wanted to greet Shen and soon a whole flock of children were following them. Shen led Marcus to a large mansion with high walls and a courtyard, and at that point two guards stopped the children from following them. Marcus could tell that the guards were class holders, strong ones too. Who or what ever was inside this mansion was of great importance to the ginghi, Marcus thought.

A pungent smell welcomed them once they moved into the courtyard and Marcus realized that it was actually a mix of a lot of powerful smells. Shen moved towards something akin to a fancy barn and knocked on the large door. A few seconds later a large and meaty ginghi man opened the door and waved them in. The bald stranger wore only thick leathery shorts that reached down to his knees, and most of his body was tattooed. He and Shen started a lively discussion as soon as they were in the barn, and Shen gave the sack with the monster parts away.

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Inside, Marcus saw what he had already expected, a large laboratory or workshop. Rows of shelves with materials, tables with devices and tools and in the midst of it all, another ginghi man. He was much smaller and thinner. In a stark contrast to his colleague, nearly his whole body was covered in some kind of unique leather clothing. Bands and ribbons covered him and Marcus failed to see any functional reason for them to be there.

As soon as the materials were on the table the small man started to cut, crush, mix and refine the parts, following a procedure Marcus didn't understand. Shen returned to Marcus and together they watched the two men work and bicker. "This is Pin and Tokk. Don't mind their attire or manners. They know or care about few things beyond their craft," Shen whispered to Marcus. The small and the tall bickered with each other, but their hands never stopped moving. Marcus wasn't sure what was happening, but the duo seemed well adjusted to each other.

"We have been blessed with two, I think Chemists is the name you use for this class. They are of vital importance to us," Shen explained, while they watched the Alchemists work. "In the past, I haven't seen any potions or pills in the hand of the ginghi warriors," Marcus noted and Shen gave him a sad smile, "We give potions and pills to the younger ones, to increase their chances of survival. There isn't enough for all warriors. Most of the veterans even gift their potions to the young ones when we go on a large hunt." Shen's voice was dry and Marcus could see in his face that this topic caused him a lot of grief.

As if the duo had only now realized Marcus was also in the room they suddenly stopped their work and came closer to look him up and down. They talked to Shen and the heavy one, Pin?, took Marcus' hand in the typical ginghi style and the discussion moved on. Shen said something with a smile, which caused a strong reaction in the two Alchemists. "I told them you killed the Huba alone. They are very impressed," Shen said to Marcus. He smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed. Eventually Pin let go of his hand and the ginghi continued to talk for a while.

After a pause in discussions, Shen turned to Marcus and said, "You do know a Chemist, don't you? Azaa mentioned it before." Marcus nodded, "We call them Alchemists, and yes I do. Our clan has one, his name is Rian Cullen." The discussion became lively. "They would like to meet this Rian Cullen. Could you make that possible?" Shen said, and Marcus answered with a nod after a few seconds of thinking. He imagined Rian would love to talk to some experienced ginghi Alchemists. If possible he would try to bring him on his next visit.

Soon after they said goodbye and left the strange duo. "I want you to meet important people in our society, like Pin and Tokk. It will help you understand the ginghi better, like you wanted," Shen said, as they walked out of the estate and down the streets. It was clear to Marcus that Shen was introducing him into the 'high society' of the ginghi. A move based on the assumption Marcus would eventually become a member of this society.

As Azaa's bond it is unavoidable that you will be part of the upper echelons of the ginghi society.

It is like marrying a princess, Marcus thought.

While Shen is not the ruler of these people, his station is comparable with a king, or at least a lord.

I hope I won't have to join a lot of stuck up dinners and parties.

Did Pin and Tokk give you that kind of impression?

No, not at all.

After a few minutes of walking Marcus spotted Azaa's home and realized his time with Shen was coming to an end. In front of the door Shen looked at Marcus and said, "Don't be in such a rush, Marcus. Your life will be measured in centuries not decades. You are so eager to get somewhere that you don't take the time to actually be anywhere." Marcus nodded and thanked him for the experience.

Shen made a thoughtful face, rubbed his beard and said, "You are already strong, but you're unstable. Ask ancestor Xeen for guidance. I am sure his wisdom will help you." With these words Shen departed, leaving Marcus alone with a rather obnoxious Xeen.

HA! At least one person who values my insight.

Marcus rolled his eyes and muted Xeen with the hint he would spend some quality time with Azaa.

But Marcus' hopes were crushed when Azaa first told him she had duties to attend and once she came back in the afternoon she put him through two more hours of language training. Only then, finally, Azaa pushed him on the bed and finished what she had started in the morning. But that wasn't enough for Marcus. After all that talk with Shen he felt a powerful desire to make Azaa his own again and she happily obliged. They enjoyed this carefree time and found intimacy with each other after the act.

Marcus told Azaa about the things he had discussed with Xeen and Shen. As expected she was already aware of the looming future, but she was far more concerned with the present, "You are so worried about everything else that you overlook your own needs. You still think your own happiness is worth less than that of everybody else." She was kissing and biting his neck as she spoke.

"What about you? Are you valuing your own happiness?" Marcus asked her, and pulled Azaa back into his arms. "More than I should Marcus. Making you my mate was the most selfish thing I have ever done in my life," Azaa said without any sign of humor. "Please continue to be selfish like that," Marcus replied and stroked her hair. Silence filled the room for some time before Marcus spoke again, "I am going back to Earth tomorrow. I want to selfishly spend time with my friends and look after Fin." Azaa kissed him and said, "I will accept your selfish behavior, but don't make me wait too long, or I might come and abduct you right under the noses of your friends." Marcus laughed, but wasn't sure if Azaa was kidding or not.

On the next morning, the two lovers said goodbye at the portal and Marcus made his way to Earth. At first Marcus didn't meet many people who recognized him, but at the London airport this changed. He had to gently force his way through a crowd of fans, to get to his plane. At least, many of them seemed to be more interested in his class than in his shirtless look.

Even in the plane he was approached by several people for pictures. A very attractive woman with red hair was bold enough to give him her number in exchange for the autograph. She reminded Marcus of Monika, but the spell that Azaa had put on him made him immune to such advances.

And yet you feel good about yourself.

I am a man! Do you want me to cry because an attractive woman obviously wants to sleep with- the world tumbled, burning pain crushed down on Marcus and darkness swallowed his mind.

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