FARHAYVEN: VENGEANCE by S. K. Ng Page B

“Master Iddell, why is it that Pioneer Vanguard has set the law that forbids any Elementhar to master more than two of the disciplines ? ” enquired Lance.
         “Law _ the reason why she had set of this was to ensure that no Elementhar becomes too powerful lest he turns renegade and uses his powers for tyranny, domination and other such evils,” explained Ray.
         Lance nodded his head to signify that he understood. He remembered his grandfather saying that power was like a double edged sword, in the sense that it gave one the ability to do things but it could also corrupt and destroy one at the same time. In this example, if there was an Elementhar who became too powerful, he would be tempted to abuse his power and enslave the common people for his own pleasure. After all, if he was so powerful, who could possibly stop him ? So at first, the corrupt Elementhar would succeed. But his corruption and tyranny would lead to rebellion and retribution against that very Elementhar himself, and this would, in the end, lead to his own destruction.
     
         A question came to Lance’s mind based on a curiosity that occurred when he had first met Ray and Spirit.
         “Master Iddell, why do you speak in a different way from others ? ” asked Lance.
         “Speaking _ our way of this is the ways of the Elementhars, so as to pay tribute to Pioneer Vanguard and our seniors; and to keep our tradition alive and to honour our history of 700 years,” said Ray.
         “I understand, master. I shall… um... I mean… Speak _ I shall do of this in the same way also, so that I too may pay tribute to Pioneer Vanguard and the seniors; and also to continue the tradition and if possible, to add to the honour of this history of 700 years,” declared Lance.
         Ray nodded in approval.
     
         Lance was in deep thought again. He was thinking of what Ray had told him earlier. In the beginning of time there were only animals (including the human species) and plants in Farhayven; then in the Year 200 of the Known Era, the first demon appeared. This demon, Lord Desolator, was categorised by the Elementhars as a Prime Demon and was deemed to be the most powerful of demonkind. The Prime Demon caused unimaginable destruction to human society, killing many and converting the rare few into Secondary Demons. These Secondary Demons were not as powerful, but were still very evil and almost as destructive. Lance was glad that only one Prime Demon had existed in the past, for if there had been more, human society may not have survived. Those who had been converted by Secondary Demons became known as Tertiary Demons. These demons were significantly weaker than Secondary Demons and were not limited by conversions from humankind; they included conversions from other animal kind as well. The demon that had slaughtered Lance’s family was a Tertiary Demon and it was destructive enough, how had the people in the past survived the terror of the Prime Demon ?
     
         Lance massaged his arms absentmindedly. His arms were sore and painful, as were the rest of his body. He had been practising martial arts every evening since they left Greentown. He had learned that martial arts training was required of all Elementhars as their Elemental Sorcery powers were not limitless. These powers could easily be depleted if their usage was not properly managed. Therefore, in between clear opportunities to attack their opponents with Elemental Sorcery, Elementhars would have to sustain the battle with their martial arts skills.
     
         The first thing in martial arts that Lance had learned was how to stand in the various stances. Ray had explained that the various stances existed so that the exponent could choose the level of mobility versus stability that he needed in any given situation.
     
         Then Lance was taught the various movement techniques, called ‘footwork’, which were used for distance management. The