Chapter 2

The years went by slowly for Fan-Huang at the Yshari Sanctum, but for Fan-Min, time seemed to fly. It felt to her that the eight years had flown by before she could even blink twice. The studies were time-consuming and exhausting for Fan-Huang, but for Fan-Min they were nothing worth mentioning.

Fan-Huang sat in the still water in the bathhouse. It was another day of rigorous work and study. He had gotten up especially early to enjoy some alone time in the warm bath. As he relaxed, he could feel the sweat dripping down from his forehead. He stood up to cool off a bit and stood in front of the mirror. He had just turned 18 years old a couple weeks ago. He couldn't believe how much time had gone by since he had first arrived here. Eight whole years sure changed a person.

He looked at himself in the mirror. He was all grown up now, though he still never felt like it since he roomed with Kazur, the Sanctum's giant. The guy just never seemed to stop growing. Fan-Huang was relatively short, but not nearly as short as his sister. He had cut his hair short, despite it being highly frowned upon by the arcane society. He had done it with Kazur on a night full of frustration as he studied for a big exam. Kazur had agreed to do it with him just to help him vent his anger and refocus on his studies. Stupid acts of rebellion often helped one get through the frustrations of daily life at the Sanctum. It had worked, and they had both liked the look, so they kept it. Fan-Huang's brown hair was short and well-styled. He had a clean shaven face with no stubble, since it seemed to take a year to grow any. His eyes were a piercing blue. They were the most obvious clue to people that Fan-Huang and Fan-Min were siblings. They both had the same sharp blue eyes. His skin was a pale white and relatively hairless. He had begun working out with Kazur, so he had a decent muscle tone, especially in comparison to most the mages around the Sanctum. They rarely pulled themselves away from their books.

As Fan-Huang took a deep breath to cool down and prepare himself for a long day full of stress, he heard the unmistakable sound of bare feet approaching the bath on the stone floor. A familiar, deep voice echoed through the empty bath house.

"Kid?"

Fan-Huang didn't turn around. He knew that voice, and there was only one man on this earth that just called him Kid. It was Kazur. He didn't call him that because he was still a kid or because he didn't know his name. It was an affectionate nickname. Kazur had spent so much time as Fan-Huang essentially grew up under his parenting calling him "Kiddo" and then just "Kid" as he got older that "Kid" just stuck. Fan-Huang didn't mind. He actually kinda' liked it. His was a childhood void of affection from those around him, save Fan-Min, but her affection wasn't typical. She had a unique love to her.

Kazur crossed the bath house in few long strides and stood behind Fan-Huang in the mirror. He towered over the younger mage. Kazur, at 25 years old, stood at 6'11" which was in bold contrast to Fan-Huang's meager 5' 5" stature. His face was burdened by concern for his younger friend. "Are you alright?" His deep voice echoed quietly through the warm room.

Fan-Huang sighed. "Yeah." He answered as he turned to face his beloved friend. He felt the pangs of jealousy as he viewed Kazur's body. He was impressive in every way. He, like Fan-Huang, wore his dark, brown hair short and styled. He had a strong, masculine face with incredibly handsome features. He had perfect green eyes and permanent five-o'-clock shadow. His jawline was prominent and the girls swooned over it. His body was massive, covered in very impressive muscles that didn't escape anyone's notice. His chest was covered in thick, dark hair, like the rest of his body. His chest was wider that Fan-Huang's whole body, and then some. His abs stood out strongly. He made the Barbarians talked about from the Arreat Summit sound unimpressive, and Kazur was an arcane user! Everything about his body was big and intimidating.

Despite the jealousy that he often felt, Fan-Huang could never stop feeling grateful to Kazur. He had taken him under his wing when he was so young and had practically raised him and his little sister while at the Yshari Sanctum. He had no obligation to do so, but he had. He was his dearest friend.

"You sure, Kid?" Kazur placed a big hand on Fan-Huang's shoulder, just as he always had when he was a kid.

"Yup. Just a long day ahead of me."

Kazur smiled. "I'm sure." He stepped down into the hot bath and relaxed. "But you're going to be fine."

Fan-Huang followed Kazur and sat next to him. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I won't."

"And why not? Have I failed as a teacher?" Kazur asked, sounding unconvinced. He was, in fact, the only person that had any confidence in Fan-Huang's arcane abilities. The teachers didn't really invest in him because they were only interested in his sister. The only reason Fan-Huang had gotten as far as he had was because Kazur and Fan-Min had taken time out of their schedules to train him. It helped, but it was undeniable that his connection to the arcane was simply not as powerful as Kazur's or Fan-Min's.

"Not at all!" Fan-Huang blurted out in embarrassed defense of his friend. "That's not at all what I meant. You're a great teacher."

"Then what's the problem?"

"It's me. I'm just not as powerful as you."

"You don't need to be." Kazur placed a hand on his shoulder again. "You can't go comparing yourself to everyone around you. You may have less arcane power than others, but that doesn't make you weaker. There are plenty of people who don't have any arcane power that still carry with them impressive power. Consider the Barbarians of Harrogath. They have no arcane, but yet they are feared by all. Consider the Askari Amazons of the South Sea. They have no magic yet they are desired as mercenaries above all others. They're no different than you."

"I'm not strong like them. You're strong. Probably stronger than a Barbarian. I'm not. I'm not even as smart as you. I've got nothing." Fan-Huang's head sank. "Today my challenge opponent is Fan-Min. There's no way I can beat her. People compare her to Li-Ming. And you know she won't hold back."

Kazur laughed. "No way that girl will hold back." He laughed some more. "But seriously. You're selling yourself short. You've got something that not everyone else has."

"And what's that?" Fan-Huang asked.

"I know what it is. But I think you need to discover it for yourself." He smiled down at Fan-Huang. "Just know, Kid. You've always got me backing you up."

Fan-Huang looked up at his large, loyal friend. He hadn't words to express how much he appreciated his gigantic brother. "I know. And, Kazur…"

"I know. You don't gotta' say it. I've never doubted that you have my back too. The thought brings me peace every day." Kazur placed an arm around Fan-Huang and pulled him in tightly. "You're gonna' be fine today. It's just a test, nothing more."

Those words seemed like a good closing to the awkwardly intimate moment he was sharing with Kazur, so Fan-Huang stood up and placed his loincloth on and headed out.

"Wait up, Kid." Kazur stood to his full height, still taller than Fan-Huang even as he stood steps above him. "I'll come with you."