《The Wider Realms》


 Introduction

    Kiba Teaii Mel¡¯Aodh let out a screech, his cry tearing at the fabric of space and turning nearby planets into cosmic dust.


    Rage, unlike anything he had felt in eons, burned through him. Kiba¡¯s form burst into white flames, mirroring his anger as he unfurled gigantic wings. Stars brushed against the flame like feathers, only to be consumed by the heat a second later.


    Space twisted as the great phoenix drew in a breath. Cracks appeared around his mouth as the void between space was revealed. Creatures moved in the void, turning sightless eyes towards the heat of flame and the taste of life.


    A second later, Kiba breathed out and flames boiled across the galaxy.


    Spirit, strong enough to cripple most lifeforms, burst forth from Kiba as he scanned the area, his anger still burning.


    Among the sea of flame was a single dead spot, where flame and heat could not reach. Tiny compared to the inferno raging around it, and almost insignificant in its energy, most would have missed it, but not Kiba.


    With the screech of a bird of prey, the phoenix dove, its wings tucking in close to its body as it angled toward the dead spot. Tongues of flame trailed its body like the dust behind a shooting star.


    The phoenix¡¯s mouth opened wide, wide enough to swallow planets, as Kiba attempted to swallow the god, for what else could harm a primordial beast but a god?


    His beak snapped shut on nothing. The dead spot had vanished and with it, his attacker.


    Kiba Teaii Mel¡¯Aodh floated there in space, seething, as he searched for any signs of his quarry. The ash and burning embers of dozens of worlds drifted around him as stars were pulled towards his flames.


    Gaining control over his emotions once more, Kiba¡¯s form shrunk. The flames condensed and shifted, and moments later a man stood where once a primordial beast had existed. A scowl twisted Kiba¡¯s handsome features as he glanced around with eyes that changed color constantly. First blue, then orange, then red, before fading to white. One hand rose, brushing black and red streaked hair from his face.


    Kiba glanced down at his bare chest and the dark purple bruising that covered his left pectoral. Touching it gingerly with a flaming finger, his scowl deepened as he felt the foreign energy fight against his efforts to heal it.


    It had been a while since he had encountered something that his passive healing couldn¡¯t overcome. Taking a moment to focus inwards, Kiba allowed Vitalis, rich with the Principles of his Path, to cycle around his body.


    Watching the energy move through him, he saw it make contact with the poison, the warm red and gold pushing against the sickly green, wearing it down.


    Until it didn¡¯t.


    Kiba watched with concern as the poison latched onto his energy, feeding from it and growing. Tendrils of the green energy dug deeper into his body as it sought out his soul. Resisting the urge to throw even more Vitalis at it, Kiba glanced back down at his chest. The bruise had grown, it now covered his left chest and most of his ribs.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Pulling up his stats, he did something he hadn¡¯t done in many many years. He looked at his health. It gradually ticked down.


    Kiba almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. This body may just be an avatar of his true self, but it still had a spark of a primordial¡¯s energy within him. A fragment of his greater selfs soul. To be poisoned beyond healing¡­was just embarrassing.


    Kiba did laugh then. A full-bellied laugh of amusement, though a darker layer of anger, added a hard edge to the sound.


    He would need to return to his main body.


    Still laughing, Kiba turned his back to the ruined galaxy as he focused inward, trying to locate the tether between this body and his true self.


    The laughter cut off as a thought turned Kiba¡¯s heart cold. Looking once again at his failing health and the poison chewing its way through him, Kiba sighed.


    He couldn¡¯t risk exposing his main body to the poison. He would need to find a place to lie low and heal. The poison was clearly designed to kill him. Designed to kill the Primordial of Flame.


    Decision made, Kiba wasted no time severing the connection to his true body. His soul shook and an empty ache took up residence in his chest. With that done it was time to find a place to recover.


    With a single step, Kiba appeared in another galaxy. The Vitalis was thin enough to mark it as belonging to a middle realm. Another step and he appeared in a different realm, this one with a Vitalis so thin it had to be minor.


    No one would think to look for a Primordial here.


    Kiba felt something brush against his spirit as he prepared to step forward. A call. It wasn¡¯t meant for him, but it also wasn¡¯t far. Smiling to himself, Kiba completed his step and reappeared above a small ball of dirt. A planet. Not even integrated into the system yet, thought Kiba could sense a planetary core that was primed and ready. Lights flickered across the land masses of the dark half of the world.


    Grimacing as pain flared through his chest, Kiba began to descend through the cloud cover. The moisture in the air burned before it came into contact with his skin causing steam to rise around him. Kiba felt the signal again, stronger and just below him.


    Breaking through the clouds, his eyes saw what his spirit had sensed already. A bipedal creature, large enough to dwarf the surrounding mountains, knelt near the edge of a lake. It¡¯s dark leathery skin undulated with thousands of tentacles, each moving, searching for something. A single horn protruding from its brow looked like a lightning conductor.


    The creature moo¡¯d in distress as Kiba approached, its skin blistering. The water in the lake began to boil and plant life withered and died before turning brown and bursting into flame and ash.


    ¡°Such fragility,¡± Kiba murmured, pulling in his aura as tight as he could, lest he activate the planet''s molten core and destroy it by accident. ¡°And you¡­thank you for finding me a resting place, but I don¡¯t need the added attention.¡±


    Continuing his downward descent, Kiba dropped towards the base of the creature''s head. As he was now, his human form was little more than a spec in relation to the size of the beast. But still it bucked, trying to move, but it couldn¡¯t. The tentacles along its limbs had sunk deep into the planet, rooting the creature in place.


    Like a hot knife through butter, Kiba dropped through the creature''s body, severing its spinal cord. Flesh and bone melted away, creating a hole wider than he was.


    When he cleared its body and met soil beneath, it melted away just as easily. Nothing remained where his flames went.


    Above him the large creature collapsed, its weight made the ground shake.


    Deeper still Kiba sank, until all that remained was a cocoon of darkness. The Primordial of Flame closed his eyes and waited. He had existed before time. Before the System.


    He could feel the inhabitants of this world scurrying about its surface like ants. Kiba wondered how many would survive what was to come.


    The Flare Calf above him was the first sign.


    This world would be integrated.


    Kiba Teaii Mel¡¯Aodh smiled in the darkness and began to make plans.

 CHAPTER 01

    The warm sun beat down on Edan, making him squint as he looked around, wide-eyed. Sitting on his father''s shoulders, his little body leaning forward to use his father''s head as an armrest, Edan watched the crowd around them.


    Everywhere Edan looked he saw color. And not just in the pedestrians that walked past in their colorful clothes and armor, weapons flashing in the sun. The storefronts were painted in creams and pastels with bold highlights of red and yellow. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased all sorts of goods for sale.


    ¡°Dad! Dad! Look a sword!¡± Edan exclaimed, smacking the top of his father''s head to get his attention. His voice squealed with excitement and his father''s rumbling laughter sent vibrations up Edan¡¯s legs.


    ¡°I see it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s bigger than yours!¡± Edan¡¯s head twisted, trying to keep the sword in sight, as they walked past the store.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a sword. I have an axe. Its blade isn¡¯t meant to be bigger than a swords. And that one is probably shi-bad quality.¡± Tyrian said, correcting himself midway through the sentence. He had been trying to cut down on his cussing around Edan.


    ¡°If you want real quality swords, go to a smith. Anything in a store like that is what¡¯s called a showpiece.¡±


    Nodding along to his father''s words, as if he understood them, Edan was already focused on something else. A stall selling sweetmeats. Tyrian rolled his eyes as he felt Edan slapping at his head again.


    A couple of moments later and a few tokens less, Tyrian resumed his walk down the road. Chewing on a piece of skewered meat, Edan hummed happily as he watched a cart loaded with crates being pulled by an old man. He wiggled with excitement. He couldn¡¯t wait to unlock his system. Sitting on his father¡¯s shoulder, sauce and grease smeared on his mouth, Edan smiled at the old man.


    ¡°Remember what I told you, Edan?¡±


    ¡°Begawd.¡± Edan said around a mouthful of meat. A bit fell out of his mouth, landing on his father¡¯s head and he quickly dug around for it.


    ¡°Be good, Yeah-Hey! Did you drop something in my hair?¡± Tyrian said, feeling his son¡¯s questing fingers nudging at his scalp. ¡°Edan!¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Edan tried denying it, but he had never been very good with deceit. ¡°Sowy.¡±


    ¡°If you keep dropping food on my head I¡¯ll let you down and you can walk on your own.¡±


    Tyrian tilted his head up, bumping Edan¡¯s chest as he tried to look at his son. Framed against the afternoon sun, he saw the wild halo of dark hair Edan got from his mother. His son''s bright blue eyes looked at him innocently as his little fingers tried to cover his mouth and ensure nothing else fell out.


    Clamping down on Edan¡¯s thighs so his son wouldn''t fall off, Tyrian shook his head. He could never stay angry at Edan for long.


    ¡°Like I was saying, I need you to be good. I know you love hanging out with Reema and Sanik, but while I¡¯m gone I need you on your best behavior, Okay?¡±


    Edan nodded, not trusting himself to speak.


    ¡°Good boy. I¡­I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ll be gone but they¡¯ll look after you.¡± Tyrian wasn¡¯t sure if he was trying to reassure Edan or himself now. ¡°Look, there¡¯s their store.¡±


    Pointing with his chin, Tyrian motioned to a small, simple, two-story building along the side of the road. A sign hung over the door. Edan, still learning to read, couldn¡¯t understand the fancy writing, but he liked the picture of the scissors and ruler.


    A bell over the door chimed as they entered, Tyrian swinging Edan off his shoulders so he wouldn''t hit his head. The inside of the store was simple but clean with manikins lining the wall in various colorful outfits. A counter ran along the wall opposite the door. It was from behind this counter that Reema popped up.


    Her long dark hair was tied in a messy bun, a few strands slipping free to frame her heart-shaped face. Her eyes turned warm as she looked over at the pair, a smile turning up the corner of her lips.


    ¡°Aunty Reema!¡± Edan called out, running towards her with his hands out.


    ¡°Hello, little Edan,¡± said Reema warmly. Dropping the pile of fabric she was holding so she could scoop him up for a hug. ¡°How are you doing today?¡±


    Tyrian watched on with a smile as Edan started telling Reema about his morning and the sword ¡°that was bigger than daddies.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to stop by so early,¡± Tyrian said, butting into the conversation as Edan didn¡¯t look to be slowing down. ¡°I figured it would be best to get it all sorted out now. Is Sanik around?¡±


    ¡°Sure. We¡¯re closed for the day, anyway. I just had to receive a delivery of new treated beast leather.¡± Reema pointed at the fabric she had been holding. Edan was pulling on her other hand. She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at the curtain behind the counter. ¡°Sanik¡¯s through there. Why don¡¯t you go see him while I handle this little terror!¡±


    Edan¡¯s giggles as Reema tickled him followed Tyrian as he ducked under the curtain. The back room was the main workshop where Reema created the clothes she sold. Long tables took up most of the space with tools Tyrian couldn¡¯t even begin to name strewn about. Bolts of fabric, strips of metal and bone, and even sheets of rough leather were stacked in corners.


    Sanik had his back to the entrance. His tall, broad frame leaned over a table as he studied something out of sight.


    ¡°Yo!¡± Tyrian called out, moving through the room to his friend.


    Sanik glanced up. His blonde hair, usually tied in a ponytail, was currently loose and fell like curtains on either side of his face. Light blue eyes looked at Tyrian in disapproval.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°You¡¯re here early. Can¡¯t wait to get rid of him and go running off on another adventure?¡±


    Tyrian chewed on the inside of his cheek. Sanik¡¯s harsh words would have usually provoked an equally aggressive response from him, but Tyrian just didn¡¯t have it in him today.


    Years of familiarity must have alerted Sanik to his friend''s mood as his eyes softened.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he said, grudgingly. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­you know I don''t agree with this right?¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Tyrian let out a sigh and leaned back against a table. ¡°I don''t even know if I agree with this. But I can¡¯t just let her go, Sanik, she''s out there. Somewhere. Alone!¡±


    ¡°And that was her choice. It¡¯s been years! You still have your son to look after. What''s Edan going to think, huh? Mother runs off and father follows, neither one of them thinks to stay with him?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Fuck off!¡± Tyrian said with heat. ¡°You didn¡¯t see how scared she was when she left. I can! I see it every damn night when I put Edan to bed and sit alone in the dark watching over him. I love her. I can¡¯t leave her to face whatever it is alone. I¡¯d take Edan with me if I thought I could keep him safe.¡±


    Sanik brushed the hair from his face. His features were still twisted in disapproval but after a brief moment, Sanik let out a long, slow exhale and moved to stand next to Tyrian.


    ¡°Fine. Still think you¡¯re a dick though, for leaving your son.¡± Sanik said, giving him a pat on the back.


    ¡°You may think it, but I know it. I feel like crap.¡±


    ¡°Any idea where you should start looking?¡± Sanik asked.


    Tyrian scrubbed roughly at his face, feeling the stubble on his chin poke his palm.


    ¡°I know she¡¯s off-world,¡± he said at last, his voice resigned. ¡°More than that? Not a clue. I¡¯ve managed to call in some favors from the Hunters Guild-¡±


    ¡°Barny?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Barny. He owes me one from the old days. He¡¯ll work up some bullshit excuse so I can get off world. The FSHA shouldn¡¯t cause any problems. I figure heading to Lumyx is a good starting point.¡±


    Sanik nodded along. He didn¡¯t know how Tyrian planned on finding someone who didn¡¯t want to be found, especially when they had an endless number of planets to hide among. But Lumyx would be a good start. The trading capital of the Lower Realms, gossip, and information flowed through those streets quicker than coin.


    ¡°The Four Star Heavenly Sect may not have any issues letting you go, but you know how strict they are on re-entry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll cross that bridge when I get there. Listen, I need you to do something for me,¡± Tyrian said, reaching into a pocket.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m not already?¡±


    Ignoring the snippy tone, Tyrian pulled out a thin silver chain with a coin on it. Sanik leaned in close, his curiosity getting the better of him. There was something engraved on the coin, some type of design, but for the life of him, he couldn¡¯t make it out. It seemed to twist and change the more he focused on it.


    ¡°What is it?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Tryian admitted. ¡°Lillian left it with me to pass on to him. Now I¡¯m leaving it with you. I need you to give it to him when he¡¯s older.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just give it to him now?¡±


    ¡°Sanik, that kid would bounce off the walls if left alone. He¡¯d lose the necklace within an hour. Whatever it is, it¡¯s important to Lilli, and I want him to get it. Please?¡±


    ¡°Sure. What¡¯s one more favor at this point.¡± Sanik snatched the pendent, tucking it away safely. He thought of where to keep it. Reema would be the best person to ask. Speaking of Reema¡­


    ¡°Reema is over the moon with joy,¡± said Sanik, choosing to change the subject. ¡°She¡¯s been wanting a baby and she loves Edan. Having him here will be perfect for her.¡±


    Tyrian looked at Sanik, cocking an eyebrow in question. ¡°And you? Don¡¯t want a baby, yourself?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. Don¡¯t get me wrong, mate, I love Edan. The little ball of energy has a special place in all our hearts, and sometimes when I look at him I think it may be time to have one of my own, you know?¡±


    Tyrian nodded.


    ¡°But I still feel the call to cultivate. I still want to reach higher¡­even, if I¡¯m being honest, my progress has started to slow down. Can¡¯t do that and have a family. Look at you!¡±


    Tyrian scowled under the accusatory glare from Sanik.


    ¡°Again, I say, Fuck off,¡± Tyrian said, though this time with a smile. ¡°I thought my adventuring days were behind me.¡±


    Further conversation was made impossible as Edan came racing into the room, followed closely by Reema. Shouting out in joy, Edan ran full speed at Sanik before launching himself into the air. Catching Edan mid-flight, Sanik swooped the boy down before lifting him over his head. Edan whooped with joy, his hands held out in front as if he were flying.


    Setting Edan down so he could stand on the table, Sanik ruffled his hair.


    ¡°How¡¯s it going, Kiddo?¡±


    ¡°I saw a sword bigger than daddy''s!¡± Edan said.


    ¡°From what I hear, that isn¡¯t hard to do.¡±


    Tyrian could only roll his eyes as he was forced to hear another retelling.


    ¡°And Daddy said I get to stay with you and Aunty Reema for a while,¡± said Edan. ¡°He said I have to be good.¡±


    ¡°Not too good,¡± Sanik shot back, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. ¡°That would be boring.¡±


    The duo shared a smile, both pretending Tyrian couldn¡¯t see. Using that as a segue, and feeling his own heart drop at the impending departure, Tyrian pulled Edan towards him.


    ¡°Okay, Edan, I think it¡¯s time for me to go,¡± he said, ignoring the stinging in his eyes. ¡°I want you to be good¡­or try to be good, or Aunty Reema will be mad at both you and Uncle Sanik. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, Daddy,¡± Edan said in a small voice.


    ¡°I love you, Edan Mawe, more than all the stars in the sky and across all the realms in the Great System. Your mum does too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to bring mummy back?¡±


    ¡°That''s the idea.¡± Tyrian pulled Edan close and looked him in the eyes. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do this unless I had to. Remember what I always say? ¡®We do what we must not-¡¯¡±


    ¡°-not what we want.¡± Edan finished, his lower lip trembling as he fought back tears.


    Tyrian had no doubt his son didn¡¯t understand the meaning behind those words. But he would. One day.


    Gathering Edan in his arms, cradling his little boy in a hug, Tyrian had to fight against the urge to just stay.


    He could do it. Give up on Lillian. She had been the one to leave. Tyrian could stay with the son he loved and live a good life. He didn¡¯t have to go. But then he remembered her face before she left, the tears streaming down her cheeks, and the fear in her eyes she had tried to hide.


    If that was the last memory of his wife and the woman he loved, Tyrian couldn¡¯t stay.


    ¡°Reema and Sanik will keep you safe,¡± Tyrian muttered, to both Edan and himself. He gave Edan a kiss on the head, his son''s hair tickling his nose. ¡°I love you!¡±


    Releasing his son into the waiting arms of Reema, Tyrian turned his back. He didn¡¯t want to see the look of disappointment in Sanik¡¯s eyes, even as he put a protective arm around Reema and Edan. He didn¡¯t want to see the pity in Reema¡¯s face as she cradled Edan to her chest. Most of all he didn¡¯t want to see his son, with tears in his eyes.


    If he turned around now he would stay, and if he stayed he would be haunted by his wife''s face for the rest of his life. Even as he cursed her for putting him in this situation.


    He would be back.


    He had to.

 CHAPTER 02

    Edan looked up at his mother''s smiling face. Her blue eyes danced with mirth as she tickled him again and he squealed with laughter. Small infant hands grasped at her nimble fingers.


    His father¡¯s laugh, a rich warm bass that rumbled through Edan¡¯s chest, sounded out from the corner of the room and his mother laughed with him.


    Scribe lights, each a pebble no larger than a grown man''s thumbnail were inserted in mirrored lamps around the kitchen. The soft orange glow from the marked stone bounced off the mirror, throwing its light wide and illuminating the room.


    Done tickling him, his mother''s arms grasped him gently by the armpits as she pulled Edan from his cot and settled him against her chest. Her hair smelt of Appleberries and tickled Eden''s nose.


    Edan cooed happily as his father mopped up the last of his dinner with a slice of bread and popped it in his mouth. Standing up, his impressive height dwarfed his wife and son, but his touch had nothing but love and care in it as he kissed Lillian on the top of her head and rubbed Edan¡¯s soft dark hair.


    ¡°Thanks for the meal, my love. It was edible as always.¡±


    Lillian laughed as she swatted her husband.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I get for trying to co-¡±


    The rest of her words were drowned out by the sound of splintering wood. Pieces of the ceiling rained down around the family, crushing the table Tyrian had just been sitting at and destroying the sink across the room. Tyrian used his bulk to shield his wife and child. A wooden beam, wider than he was, fell against his back and head, but he barely blinked. Edan screamed as the sound hurt his ears.


    Wind whipped into the room, bringing with it the smell of burnt ozone. Moonlight now streamed into the room, the silver beams defused by the still present scribe lights.


    Standing tall, pushing rubble away from him, Tyrian¡¯s eyes burned with fury as he looked up at the hole where his ceiling had been. Lillian clutched the crying Edan to her chest, her eyes searching the dark sky.


    ¡°Who dares!¡± Tyrian roared. The ring on his finger flashed and a monstrous axe appeared in his hand, the black blade drinking in the light around him.


    Lillian pushed at the wreckage around her, almost tripping on a piece of wood as it rolled out from under her foot. Edan continued to cry, his father''s roar having scared him more than the roof disappearing.


    ¡°It is you who dares.¡± a voice whispered, each word carried by the whipping wind directly to them.


    It was a voice Lillian recognized and she felt a cold hand grasp her heart. She looked to her husband standing over her, face defiant and posture welcoming violence.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± she whispered, knowing the man who floated above them would hear. ¡°Please don¡¯t¡­, just sp-¡±


    Once more her words were drowned out by a terrible noise. This time it was the crack of air as it was superheated, hotter than the sun, and immediately cooled. Lightning flashed over their heads, burning the image of a man standing in the air into Edan¡¯s eyes.


    The lightning fell, like a twisting violet serpent, and struck his father.


    Tyrian was blasted from his feet. His muscular frame was thrown across the room and through the wall with a crunch. Smoke trailed after him.


    Edan screamed, his small hands reaching out in the direction his father had vanished. His mother pulled him close as if her body would provide protection. Overhead thunder clapped, the sound shaking the house. A few more pieces of the roof fell around them like wooden rain, displaced by the noise. Violet light filled Edan¡¯s eyes as another bolt of lightning streaked toward him and his mother.


    A loud clap startled him.


    -


    Edan jerked upright, blinking in confusion. His heart still beat wildly from his dream and he looked about in shock, half expecting to be back there, in the wreckage of his family''s kitchen.


    When he noticed the angry squint of Mrs. Cinnaburn¡¯s eyes he almost wished he was.


    She must have slammed her ruler onto his desk, right next to his face. It was still there, right next to the puddle of drool. Edan ignored the muffled laughter of his classmates.


    ¡°Uhhh¡­I was praying?¡± Edan said hopefully, whipping at his cheek and chin and cringing a little as he felt the wetness.


    Mrs. Cinnaburn squinted harder, if that was even possible, her eyes all but disappearing.


    ¡°Late night, Mr. Mawe?¡± She asked. Her voice was sharp on the best of days, today, colored with her anger, it was downright lethal.


    Edan fought back a yawn. Once upon a time, Mrs. Cinnaburn may have terrified him. She was tall and skinny, her fingers long and bony and prone to twitching. As if she wanted to write something down but had neither the pen nor paper. Her voice matched her though, Edan would give her that. Sharp features and trim lines. Perfectly straight dress and spotless coat. All in drab colors. The only alteration to the academic dress was the golden pendant she wore around her neck. Three stars formed a large triangle around a single larger one in the middle.


    ¡°No ma¡¯am,¡± Edan replied on instinct before quickly correcting himself. ¡°I mean, yes ma¡¯am. Late night. I was training¡­my Mind.¡±


    It was bullshit. He hadn¡¯t spent the night training his Mind. Having to stay conscious through her class every day was training enough. No, he had spent the night running around Stratta, but she didn¡¯t need to know that.


    Mrs. Cinnaburn gave a disdainful sniff. Her ruler slid from his desk with the rasp of wood on wood.


    ¡°Really?¡± she didn¡¯t believe him. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that lovely. You must tell me then, how did you train? Puzzles? Problems? Perhaps studying?¡±


    Still shaking off the last of the dream and trying to ignore the leering faces of his classmates as they looked at him, Edan grasped at the last thing she said.


    ¡°Studying!¡±


    Her sneer turned into a triumphant smile.


    ¡°Ahhh, you truly are an excellent student Mr. Mawe, studying late into the night in preparation for today''s class. Tell me,¡± She paused, her ruler held up as if it were a blade about to strike. ¡°Who was it that ceded Old Earth to the Four Star Heavenly Sect on integration?¡±


    ¡°The World Union,¡± Edan said confidently.


    The answer was common knowledge, even if the event had happened over two hundred years ago. The World Union still existed today, though they had transitioned from the governing power on Old Earth to just a minor Sect on Terra.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Mrs. Cinnaburn rolled her eyes. ¡°But I asked who, not what. The name of the man, Mr. Mawe, not the organization.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Edan muttered. His early confidence crumbled. He wrecked his brain, trying to remember if he had ever heard the name of a man associated with The World Union.


    With a Mind level of 27 and both Wisdom and Intelligence capped, all he could remember was a vague memory of Harvey mentioning something about a man named¡­


    ¡°Bruin.¡±


    A single thin eyebrow raised as Mrs. Cinnaburn regarded him. There was a moment of silence as the classroom held its breath waiting to see if he was right.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Bruin is the current head of the sect, you idiot.¡± A clipped voice spoke up from the front of the class. ¡°The founder of the World Union, and the man to cede power over to the Four Star Heavenly Sect was Elijah Furrows. He was later killed by some E-grade beast somewhere. A rather pathetic end. Though I suppose he was a rather pathetic man.¡±


    The words were a slow, bored drawl, each syllable dripping with disdain that covered the cultured twang.


    Mrs. Cinnaburn¡¯s face lit up with a smile as she turned to address the speaker. The expression looked so foreign on her face, that Edan shivered.


    ¡°Right, you are, Aser na¡¯Doma.¡± She said sweetly, already forgetting about Edan.


    Edan gritted his teeth against the urge to throw Aser the middle finger behind her back. A few of the class ooohed and aaahed in mock shock that someone knew the answer. The prick in the front of the class preened at the attention.


    With his green hair styled in a warrior knot down the middle and shaved on the side, coupled with his expensive clothes of imported fabrics in the garish purple and black of the Four Star Heavenly Sect, Aser reminded Edan a bit of a preening bird of prey.


    The class on Earth history was a joke. A mandatory joke. But still a joke. Mrs. Cinnaburn wasn¡¯t even from Earth and the only real merit she had to her name was that her Profession was Scholar. It gave her some credibility, Edan supposed, but the religious symbol around her neck of the Four Stars showed where her allegiance lay.


    ¡°As Aser na¡¯Doma so adequately put it, it was a rather pathetic end to the man.¡± She tittered softly. A few suck-ups in class joined in. ¡°But like most of Old Earth''s powerhouses, the power he learned to cultivate himself was rather¡­limited. To be expected of those who advanced before the Sects arrived. Now, a few other examples of overreaching fools are Garish the Br¡­¡±


    Edan stopped listening. It wasn''t that he disliked the class, per se. Sure, Cinnaburn made it all but unbearable, but the lessons themselves could have been exciting.


    If only Edan could see the point of it all.


    Edan chose instead to look out the window at the city below.


    Reverb Academy was built on one of the Islets that dotted the point where the Kentushi River met the Fostering Sea. It was actually on the Islet furthest out to sea. Artificially enlarged and raised, it was little more than a protrusion of sharp dark rocks and drowned plants.


    The Academy¡¯s stone towers ringed the central building at perfect intervals. Five Towers, for the five largest sponsors to the Academy, each sponsor getting a seat on the council that governed the school.


    Edan had heard tales of the entire Academy being an array laid down by the Sects as a final bastion should Terra fall. Other tales said there were once 7 towers, each representing a sin, but the Four Star Heavenly Sect had destroyed Gluttony and Sloth so its students could focus on progression.


    There were just fancy tales told by those with too much time on their hands.


    Mrs. Cinnaburn droned on as Edan watched a flock of Sunspits fly by. They streaked through the blue sky, chasing each other as the sunlight reflected off their golden feathers. Ungraded as they were, they could still spit balls of light that could blind an weak man if he wasn¡¯t careful.


    A gentle breeze drifted through the window, tossing Eden''s dark curls, and he took a deep breath of salty sea air.


    Beneath him, and out to sea, Edan could see a large masted shipping vessel making its way back to port. Even from this distance, he could see the massive corpse of some aquatic creature stretched across the deck, its fins dragging in the water and sending sea spray up in a mist.


    The ship had to be The Depth Charger, the deep sea fishing vessel of the Crafters Guild, the corpse on the deck their latest catch. They would be bringing it back for harvesting, Edan imagined.


    A good catch for the Season. Edan guessed the larger ships would see little action once the Season of Seeding turned in a few weeks and the Season of Storms arrived. You didn¡¯t want to be out at sea when the beast tide hit.


    A few other vessels, smaller than The Depth Charger, dotted the sea around the Islets. Their sails colored brightly in reds and greens that stood out against the deep blue ocean.


    Edan let out a wistful sigh. He wished he could be down there. He didn¡¯t need to be on a boat, that wasn¡¯t what he wanted. No, he wanted the freedom. He wanted to feel the sun on his back and a breeze through his hair.


    Suddenly the classroom felt stifling. The eighteen other students around Edan made the closed-off stone space feel cramped. Edan had to fight the urge to jump to his feet and run. The class was almost over, he just had to endure.


    How could he hope for Sect Sponsorship if he couldn''t even prove to them he was willing to sit and learn?


    Mrs. Cinnaburn was winding down now. Edan could tell by the way she shifted towards the desk at the front of the room. It had a few tubes of rolled-up paper with diagrams she used.


    ¡°...and so, every year we give thanks to the Precursor and his Vanguard with gifts of skill and craft during the proving tournaments. Any questions?¡±


    No one in the class raised a hand. Not a single one of them wanted to be there longer than necessary and by the way Mrs. Cinnaburn was collecting her presentation, nor did she.


    ¡°Since there are no further questions, I think this is as good a place as any to stop. Master Sims has asked that you bring your armor tomorrow. You''re having a practical.¡± There was a collective cheer from the class and she slipped closer to the door. ¡°You may leave.¡±


    And just like that she vanished out of the door leaving the class alone. There was the scraping of chairs as some of the students pushed away from their desks. Conversation bubbled over each other as neighbors turned to talk, or leaned over each other to say something to someone a row over.


    Edan took his time getting to his feet. He hadn¡¯t even bothered taking a book out of his bag so all he really had to do was sling the strap over his shoulder and he was good to go. He tried dragging that out as well, the reason was standing at the front of the class chatting with a group of boys and girls.


    Aser.


    Edan would need to pass the boy to reach the door and he knew Aser wouldn¡¯t let him through without saying something hurtful. Emerald eyes flashed in the afternoon sun streaming through the windows as Aser threw his head back and laughed. A single silver earring, a dagger hanging from a silver chain, jumped with the movement.


    ¡°Screw it,¡± Edan muttered as he adjusted the strap on his shoulder, making sure his pack was tight against his back, before making his way through the desks.


    If Edan timed it right, he could use someone as a shield and hide behind them as he moved past. Edan wasn¡¯t very large, after all. He may even be the smallest in the class.


    He didn¡¯t time it right.


    ¡°Hey, runt!¡± Aser called catching sight of Edan out of the corner of his eye. ¡°You still have drool on your chin!¡±


    Edan resisted the reflexive twitch to wipe at his chin.


    Keep your head down. Edan thought to himself. Don¡¯t antagonize him. It¡¯s what he wants. Play it smart. Walk away.


    ¡°Just when I thought you couldn¡¯t impress me anymore, you forget the name of your own world''s champion.¡± Aser continued. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s true what they say, a child''s education starts at home.¡±


    Edan¡¯s footsteps slowed.


    Like a shark tasting blood in the water Aser whispered loudly to the group around him.


    ¡°I hear the mother makes the dresses¡­and the father wears them.¡±


    Be smart. Walk away. Edan reminded himself, even as he stopped walking. The laughter of his classmates washed over him. He didn¡¯t care about that. He didn¡¯t even care about Aser. Edan was just overly protective of Reema and Sanik, just as they were of him. Yeah, fuck it. One punch.


    Edan turned, taking in the group in an instant. Aser stood in the middle, Tooth, and Nose to his left. Edan couldn¡¯t be bothered to remember their names, but one had a skewed tooth and the other a nose ring. Neither were very bright, or talkative. They just knew when to laugh and when to look threateningly.


    They also knew when Aser wanted someone hurt.


    To Aser¡¯s right was Lorien, she wasn¡¯t laughing at Aser¡¯s joke. Edan was glad of that. The tall brunette with her button nose and large brown eyes had always been nice to him. It may have been out of respect for his friendship with Cassie, but Cassie didn¡¯t attend the academy and Lorien was still nice to him, even here.


    So he¡¯d have to swing with his left. He couldn¡¯t afford to miss Aser and hit her.


    Aser eyed Edan as he approached, a hungry glint in his eyes. He wanted the fight. Tooth and Nose smiled as well and moved forward to try to intercept him. Edan slung the bag from his shoulder, using the momentum to throw it right into Nose¡¯s¡­well, nose. The boy jerked back, grabbing the bag on reflex, but that obscured his vision.


    Edan was already moving past him. He wasn¡¯t interested in trading blows with 3 boys. He¡¯d lose. They were all from the Four Star Heavenly Sect and likely trained at the Sect. They may not have been admitted yet, but their parents were. School for them was just a formality.


    Tooth was pushing Nose out of the way, his face annoyed. He tried to grab Edan, but Edan was small and quick. Ducking low, he made it even harder for the taller, broader boy to reach him.


    Edan still felt Tooth¡¯s hand tug a few strands of hair from his scalp, the sting bitter-sweet.


    Lorien was moving away. Thankfully she was moving towards Edan¡¯s left, putting her further away from the projected path of his haymaker. The crowd of those around her slowed her down, but she would be safe.


    Edan jumped, he needed the extra couple of inches to reach Aser¡¯s smirking face. His first swung out in perfect form. Then a force like a catapult hit him in the sternum. He folded around the blow, his limbs jerking forward and the breath rushed out of him.


    Spittle was mixed with that breath and some of it landed on Aser¡¯s clothes. Edan smiled, even as the force of Aser¡¯s straight kick sent him flying back. Spots danced in his vision but the look of rage on Aser¡¯s face was clear as day.


    Edan hit the ground hard, his bony shoulder blades making contact with the cold stone first. His neck snapped and the back of his skull hit next, a dull thump sounded in his ears, and the stars in his vision turned into raging suns. Darkness crept in from the edges of his sight. Edan gasped, trying to get a breath in.


    Someone screamed. Someone laughed. Someone cheered.


    Edan held on to consciousness as he tried to find the floor beneath him. He struggled to his feet¡­but the floor was cold against his shoulder¡­was he still lying down? Everything was spinning.


    Okay, maybe I¡¯ll take a quick nap. Edan thought, letting the darkness win.

 CHAPTER 03

    ¡°What was that, five, zero?¡± Lorien¡¯s chipper voice asked, making Edan wince.


    His head was throbbing with the mother of all headaches and her chirpy attitude wasn¡¯t helping. Edan still lay on the floor where Aser had kicked him. By some small miracle, or perhaps Lorien¡¯s intervention, they had left him as he was. No stomping while he was down. No stealing of his stuff.


    Not much to steal though Edan admitted, looking at his bag. Someone, likely Lorien again, had placed it next to his head.


    ¡°Four, zero,¡± Edan grumbled. "It was my fourth loss."


    ¡°Nah-Uh.¡± Lorien crouched beside him, her dress neatly tucked around her knees. Her brown eyes hung over him like the bulbs of an angler fish. ¡°The fourth one was the time you tried to brain him with your lunch tray and he broke your nose.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you saw that one,¡± Edan admitted, struggling to sit up. ¡°Thanks for staying back, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I wanted to check out your mum''s shop later. Cassie mentioned she imported some new fabric from off world? I figured it was bad form to leave her son passed out at school while I went shopping in her store.¡±


    ¡°Workshop.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Lorien tilted her head to the side curiously.


    Edan rubbed the lump on the back of his head. It stung but his fingers came away clean. He looked over at the hand Lorien was offering and gladly took it. She pulled him to his feet and grabbed his bag for him.


    ¡°Mum likes to call it her workshop,¡± Edan said.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s neat!¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Deadpan, Edan pointed towards the classroom door. ¡°Let''s get out of here.¡±


    The walk from the classroom was mostly in silence. Edan was too busy trying to keep himself from throwing up and Lorien was content to just skip along.


    Classes were held in the central building of the Academy and could take up rooms from the ground floor all the way up to the fourteenth floor. The floors above that, fifteen to twenty-one, were all administration from what Edan remembered. Their history class was on floor twelve which meant a lot of stairs. Maybe if they had guards with flight skills, like the important sect students had, who would be willing to fly them down to the ground floor it wouldn¡¯t have been so bad.


    At least the marble kept the building cool. Gold leaves accented most of the wooden framework such as the doors and windows. Some may think it made the building look regal or important. Edan thought it made the whole place look tacky.


    Stumbling behind Lorien, Edan followed her down the stairs. Students streamed past, some in the colors of their respective sects, others in the more muted colors of brown and grays favored by the guilds. There were a few students in casual clothes, the civilians dreaming of a life of cultivation and sponsorship, these, though, were few and far between.


    Edan groaned, holding his head, as the stairs lurched under his feet. He felt his stomach roll and quickly leaned against the wall. The wooden railing dug into his hip as he pressed his clammy head against the cool stone.


    A group of girls wearing the pastel pink and yellows of the Bright Petal Sect cast suspiciously looks his way as they gave him a wide berth, almost hugging the wall opposite as they slid past.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Edan was half tempted to jump at them with hooked fingers, but he feared any sudden moves would just result in him being sick.


    Lorien skipped back up the stairs. She was always full of boundless energy.


    ¡°Do you think you have a concussion?¡± She quired, cocking her head to the side like she usually did.


    ¡°Probably.¡± Edan shoved off the wall and took a slow steading breath. ¡°My constitution will have it sorted in a bit, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Mmmkay.¡± Lorien started back down the stairs and Edan had little choice but to follow.


    Exiting the stairway on the ground floor, Edan and Lorien merged with the crowd shuffling past. Most of the students walked in groups. Above and around them the adults, usually lecturers, could be seen vanishing, or flying slowly, as they used various skills to avoid the masses. Sound echoed in the large open space, the noises blending together to create a constant hum that made Edan all too eager to get out.


    Lorien was heading towards the large double doors that led to the Eastern Courtyard and Edan was more than happy to follow. Sunlight warmed his face and a gentle breeze helped settle his stomach as they stepped outside. Here, in the open, the push of bodies lessened. A gravel footpath ran between flower beds towards the outer walls and the entry gates. A few benches were nestled among the gardens and students could be seen sitting and chatting, or eating, most often in matching colors.


    ¡°Ohhhh look!¡± Lorien pointed excitedly.


    Edan followed her finger and saw a group of adults walking together in the shade of the walls. In the middle of the group, a massive woman strode. The brown robes she wore did little to hide her muscular frame and she stood shoulders and head above the adults surrounding her. This was all the more impressive as Edan knew a few of those adults and they were not short themselves.


    ¡°That''s a big woman. Do you think she''s from off world?¡± Edan wondered, using a hand to shade his eyes against the sun as he tried to get a better look.


    ¡°Oh! Oh! That must be the Titan! I heard the Traders Guild brought her in to train the combat classes.¡±


    ¡°Why would they do that?¡± Edan rolled his eyes at Loriens penchant for taking gossip as law. ¡°If the Guilds are going to go through all the effort of bringing in an instructor, it¡¯d be for one of their own classes. You know the sects and guilds are always at each other''s throats.¡±


    ¡°But Aser said the Traders Guild agreed to a trade. The Four Star Heavenly Sect wouldn¡¯t allow them to bring in another Guild Elder so they offered to sponsor a combat class cultivator as well.¡±


    Edan opened his mouth to rebut the news, if only for the reason that Aser had said it, but it did make a certain amount of sense. If the Traders Guild wanted to bring in a sect elder, it could change the already precarious power structure, and The Four Star Heavenly Sect wouldn¡¯t allow something like that to happen unless they could benefit from it.


    Edan made a note to ask Harvey about it later.


    The pair walked through shadows as they exited the gate. The stone arch looming above their heads was like an open palm, waiting to slam down on them. Wide bridges sprouted like limbs from the Islet, running off in different directions. Tall and arching they were made of treated Vitalis rich wood and inscribed with runes for durability and stability. Each bridge was built so the very top of the arch had enough space for the smaller masted ships and tugboats to sail under.


    The lapping of waves against the bridge support and the cawing of birds overhead helped remove the last vestiges of injury from Edan and he took a steady step forward, his foot landing on the central bridge with a soft thump.


    ¡°You¡¯re looking better,¡± Lorien commented


    ¡°I heal fast.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your constitution?¡± Lorien asked, walking backward along the bridge.


    An older couple were walking past holding hands, the man pointing at the port along the shoreline in the distance with his free hand. They looked like tourists, wearing simple cotton clothes, in neutral colors, unmarked by Guild or Sect affiliation. Both of them scowled and split apart as Lorien almost collided with them.


    ¡°None of your business.¡±


    Edan flashed the couple an apologetic smile.


    ¡°You should come back at night,¡± he told them softly, letting Lorien get ahead of him. ¡°The scribe lanterns turn on as the sun sets and¡­well, it looks pretty when you can see the other bridges lit up, surrounded by the dark ocean¡­uhh, sorry.¡±


    Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, Edan ducked away. The couple blinked after him before the woman smiled hopefully at her man and he nodded.


    Lorien had slowed down to allow Edan to catch up and with a defeated sigh he hurried along.

 CHAPTER 04

    The bell above the door of Lucky Snips chimed as Edan pushed open the door. The sound was so familiar he barely even registered it nowadays.


    ¡°Mum! I¡¯m back!¡± He called out as he stepped aside to let Lorien in.


    Lucky Snips was a small double-storied building made of worn wood and chipped stone. Time, and a sea breeze, had turned the red paint job that was meant to be eye-catching into a comfortable pastel pink with age. Wide bay windows ran along the wall facing the street and the occasional passerby would stop and peer into the store. No doubt the field of mannequins and reels of fabric lining the wall would do more to advertise the wares than the sign suspended by chains over the door with its scissors and ruler branding.


    Stratta had started small. More of a Merchant Hub, really. It was safer to transport goods down the Kentushi River than it was to brave the wilds that separated Cities and Settlements. It was also close enough to the capital city, Solaris, that sailing along the western coast could get you there in under a week. Less if you hired a boat with a Captain and sailors of the right Profession.


    As trade grew, the merchant hub became a town, and eventually a City. The isles dotting the river mouth didn¡¯t have enough land to house the growing population and buildings began to pop up along the Kentushi''s banks. Merchants and the wealthier families were quick to grab the best spots, their estates spilling into the water in the form of long jetties and stone ramps.


    The Western bank became more popular with the wealthy, if for no other reason than its closeness to Solaris. At least that¡¯s what Harvey had told Edan, though Edan thought it sounded incredibly stupid.


    Lucky Snips was located along the Eastern side of the river and quite a ways away from the actual water. Traffic along the road outside wasn¡¯t heavy and more often than not the store would be empty of customers.


    Reema and Sanik didn¡¯t mind. The store only needed to look the part. It wasn¡¯t the family''s only source of income.


    ¡°I¡¯m in the back!¡± came a feminine voice, muffled by distance and a wall.


    ¡°Give me a sec?¡± Edan said to Lorien before gesturing at the wall of fabrics and the many mannequins standing around. ¡°Feel free to look around. I¡¯ll let Mum know you¡¯re here and interested in the new stock.¡±


    Edan had taken a couple of steps away when he stopped and turned back.


    ¡°I¡¯d also appreciate it if you didn¡¯t mention the little incident with Ass-uhh, I mean Aser.¡±


    Spinning back around Edan hopped the counter and opened the door to the back room. Reema called it her workshop. Large scribed lights hung from the ceiling and along the wall, lighting up the spacious open area. Long tables of heavy wood took up most of the space, random pieces of fabric covered almost every surface and spilled onto the floor in piles. Tools had been left haphazardly in the strangest places. A needle, as thick as Edan¡¯s finger and as long as his arm had been stabbed into the surface of one bench, red string hung from the loop at the needle''s end with the rest of it disappearing under a pile of rainbow-colored feathers. The stone floor helped keep the closed space cool.


    Edan stepped over a stack of hard leather plates and looked at his mother.


    Reema was bent over a bench, her dark curls falling down and hiding her face. She wore a black vest tucked into denim shorts. The muscles on her arm stood out in sharp relief as she strained to cut a piece of fabric as thin as paper and white as bone.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Edan asked as he approached.


    With a disgusted huff, Reema threw the scissors down and turned to regard Edan. Warm brown eyes under dark lashes turned into crescents as she smiled at her adopted son. Pushing the curls from her face, Reema stepped forward and engulfed Edan in a hug, one he was happy to return.


    ¡°That is your father''s problem now. I can¡¯t cut the blasted thing.¡± She gathered her hair together and tied a messy bun. ¡°The seller said it was high F-grade material, but I¡¯m betting it¡¯s low E.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing? Better material?¡±


    ¡°Not if I can¡¯t work it. But enough about that. How was school?¡±


    ¡°It was fine,¡± Edan gave a carefree shrug, his eyes flickering about the shop. He disliked lying to his parents, but he hated worrying them more. ¡°I actually brought a classmate back. Lorien, not sure if you re-¡±


    ¡°Friend of Cassie¡¯s right?¡± Reema asked, opening the door.


    ¡°Hiyah Mrs. Santry!¡± Lorien called as soon as Reema came around the counter.


    The young girl had been busy feeling the different fabrics, running them between her fingers and brushing them against her forearm when the mother and son came back.


    ¡°Reema. Just Reema. How can I help you?¡± Reema took a second to glance back at Edan and give him a wink. She whispered. ¡°classmate, aye?¡±


    ¡°No, mother. Just¡­no.¡± Edan had to stop himself from slapping his own head. ¡°I¡¯m heading upstairs. Dad, home?¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Yup. If you could be a dear and tell him about the fabric that would be great.¡± Reema waved dismissively as she started a conversation with Lorien.


    Edan didn¡¯t stick around to listen. He took the door to the workshop, then hugged the left wall, avoiding the clutter. The stairs to the second floor creaked under his feet as he ascended. The stairs led to the living room of their small, two-bedroom, home.


    The living area was comfortably decorated with a thick carpet covering the wooden floor and an overstuffed couch and chair combo taking pride of place in the center of the room. There was a fireplace against the far wall, though Edan had no idea why, as the climate around the Kentushi River was warm. In place of logs, the fire pit was full of old books, the mantle was likewise burdoned. In fact, much of the open space was used for books or parchments.


    The cultivation books mostly belonged to Edan, something he took great pride in. They were hard to find, as the Four Star Heavenly Sect monitored Cultivation Resources strictly. A few of the puzzle books were also his, used and discarded as they had served their purpose in increasing his Mind level.


    The rest belonged to Sanik, Edan¡¯s adoptive father. He had a special interest in architecture and history and most of the remaining clutter were old history books on Terra back when it was called Earth. Sanik had tried explaining technology to Edan once, but it was just confusing.


    Speaking of Sanik, the man himself was fast asleep on the couch, an open book on his chest as he snored softly. His blonde hair had escaped the ponytail he usually kept it in and had gotten tangled in the wiry whiskers of his beard. One scarred hand held the book in place while the other hung over the side of the couch.


    Rolling his eyes as another low snore ripped through the air, Edan made his way to the washroom. He pulled his shirt up and looked at himself in the mirror, ignoring the way his bones pushed against his skin, making him look malnourished. Other than a slight red tint to the otherwise pale skin on his chest, there was no mark to show for his after-class tussle.


    ¡°Tussle,¡± Edan muttered in disgust, letting his shirt drop. ¡°What tussle? You got your ass kicked.¡±


    Shaking his head, Edan used the toilet and then splashed water on his face. Exiting the bathroom he cast another quick look in Sanik¡¯s direction but the man remained asleep. Closing his bedroom door with a gentle click, Edan reached under his mattress and pulled out a leather pouch.


    A small pile of Star Tokens fell into his hand. A majority were silver, but there were a few coppers and gold tokens mixed in there as well. Counting quickly Edan pulled another 2 silvers from his pocket and added it to the heap.


    I still need to pick up my pay from Harvey, for the job last night. Edan thought, putting the coins away. So with that, it would make¡­4 gold, 8 silver, and 3 copper Tokens.


    Edan would still need another 1 gold, 1 silver, and 7 copper to reach the 6 gold price of the Book of Professions he had been eyeing. Part of Edan knew Harvey would be willing to cut him a discount, but that same part of Edan refused to accept it. Maybe it was pride? Maybe it was a determination to prove himself? Maybe it was just Edan being a stubborn ass and refusing to take the easy way out? The reason didn¡¯t matter though, all that mattered was Edan needed a little bit more money.


    With a thought, Edan pulled up the Foundation System available to him. Ignoring the sheet with his stats on it, his eyes flickered to the time. His eyes then flickered to the window, taking in the angle of sunlight filtering through. He still had a few good hours of light. More than enough time to head over to Harvey¡¯s to pick up his pay. Maybe he¡¯d get another job.


    Mrs. Cinnaburn had mentioned practicals tomorrow. Edan would need his rest. It took a lot of energy getting your ass kicked by everyone in the class.


    So maybe that would be a no on the job.


    Edan left his room. Ducking into the kitchen he opened up the cool box. The scribe work along the rim of the box¡¯s lid was starting to look dim, as the Vitalis it pulled from the surrounding air to power itself also wore it out. They¡¯d need to renew it at some point. Grabbing a jug of juice, Edan poured himself a glass and drank it at the sink as he looked out the window at the street below.


    Pouring one more glass, Edan put the juice back and walked into the lounge. He kicked the couch by Sanik¡¯s head gently.


    ¡°Oi, Dad, wake up.¡±


    Edan knew he wouldn¡¯t need to speak loudly. Sanik''s high perception would hear his words regardless, his wisdom would understand the words were directed at him, and his intelligence would decide he needed to wake up.


    As if on cue, Saniks eyelids blinked open, his light brown eyes centering on Edan. His nose twitched and his eyes fell on the glass in his son¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Reema didn¡¯t catch me, did she?¡± Sanik asked as he shifted to a sitting position, The leather vest he wore over his white shirt twisting stiffly.


    ¡°Nah.¡± Edan handed over the glass of juice. ¡°But there is some fabric she can¡¯t cut that she wants you to handle. She thinks it¡¯s early E grade.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh, she needs Bi and Cep.¡± Sanik flexed one bicep, then the other, making sure not to spill his drink as his shirt grew tight. He bounced his eyebrows at Edan. ¡°Can¡¯t say I blame her. Not many problems they can''t fix.¡±


    ¡°Daaaad! Mum said you aren¡¯t allowed to keep calling them that!¡± Edan winced in secondhand embarrassment.


    Sanik chuckled. ¡°Fine. Thanks for waking me up. I told Reema I was studying, Bi and Cep wouldn¡¯t have saved me if she found me asleep.¡±


    There was a pause as Sanik looked at Edan, a cheeky smile pulling at his lips.


    ¡°I would have had to pull out Pec and Pop to help!¡± Sanik made his chest bounce in time with the names. Edan almost grabbed the glass from his father, just so he could throw it at his head.


    Desperate to change the topic Edan quickly asked ¡°Do you two have a job coming up?¡±


    ¡°Yup. Old Reforged Sect Warehouse down on the West side got sold a while back. Crafters Guild moved in and repurposed it or something. Apparently one of the Senior Sect members forgot to tell the movers about his secret stash and now he¡¯s worried the Crafters Guild is going to stumble across the hidden pocket space.¡±


    ¡°And he doesn¡¯t want to try to get it himself because the Sect and Guilds hate each other. If he was caught snooping around¡­¡± Edan trailed off, nodding his head in understanding.


    Sanik tapped his nose and pointed at Edan. ¡°Right, you are, oh son of mine. We¡¯ve got the key to the pocket space, but I was meant to be reading up on them just in case. Looks bad if we report back that the client''s items got eaten by a black hole or something.¡±


    ¡°Heading out tonight?¡±


    ¡°Nah, your mum wants to have a nice family dinner tonight. You are going to be home right?¡± The last part was said with squinted eyes.


    ¡°If mum''s cooking, sure. If you¡¯re cooking, I¡¯m busy.¡± Edan ducked the half-hearted swat from Sanik. ¡°I¡¯m just heading over to Harvey¡¯s to pick up some pay he owes me. I¡¯ll be back in time for dinner.¡±

 CHAPTER 05

    Harvey¡¯s General store was located much closer to the river bank than Lucky Snips and it often saw a greater range of clientele than Reema¡¯s little tailor shop.


    Edan enjoyed the early evening walk down the cobblestone streets. The smell of salt hung in the air and the sun setting slowly behind the buildings in the West created long shadows. There was a slight chill in the air and Edan took a deep steading breath.


    The crowd was picking up along the road. Those heading home from work mixed with those setting up for the evening market. Scribe lights on strings stretched across the streets in a zig-zag pattern, their soft twinkle getting ready to compete with the stars that would be out tonight, judging by the clear sky.


    Portable stalls were being set up along the sidewalk as the last carts trundled down the road, their wheels creaking. Stall owners called to each other cheerfully, often teasingly.


    A burly man wearing a leather apron with thick forearms and more hair on his chin than his head heaved a barrel as large as he was onto a table made of crates. The wood groaned though the man showed no struggle controlling the weight. With practiced ease, the man tapped the barrel and poured out a jug of frothy ale. Cheers sounded out and several people began lining up.


    Edan moved to the side, avoiding a group wearing the gray and blacks of the Reforged Sect. They were a tough-looking foursome, each wore a stern look or scowl and they walked with the easy confidence often seen with the powerful. Or the foolish.


    It was rare to see Sect members around this side of the river. They preferred to stick to the more civilized ¡®Western banks¡¯ or their Islets. Each Sect had its own, except for the Bright Petal Sect and the World Union which were small enough that they shared an Islet furthest from the Academy and located more East than the rest.


    Division within division Edan thought to himself as he let the group pass. The faint smell of smoke and metal hung in the air at their passing.


    Edan fought back a shiver. He had heard rumors of the Reforge Sect, and few were good.


    It was almost fully dark by the time Edan reached the brightly lit exterior of Harvey¡¯s. A large wooden sign bracketed in copper had the words ¡®Harvey¡¯s General Goods¡¯ carved into the surface. The storefront was painted egg white with green trim on the windowsills and door frame. The frosted glass windows let the light from within shine out in little orange squares but hid the detail of what lay beyond.


    There was a barely perceptible chime as Edan entered. The interior of the store was a mass of shelves and crates with everything imaginable on every surface available. Closest to the door was a shelf laden with metal springs and prongs and what could have been a lid, but just as easily a throwing weapon. A crate rested next to the shelf, wooden handles sticking out. There was a sign leaning against the crate that said:


    Lucky Draw!


    Grab a handle, and try your luck!


    No takebacks. We know which one you picked.


    Trust us, we know!


    1 Silver Star Per Draw


    Further down the aisle was a shelf of bioluminescent jars. The glows were muted in the bright store lights but Edan had spent enough time in the store after hours to know that when the lights turned down those jars would cast a rainbow hue across the whole isle. To this day, he still couldn''t figure out what they were.


    That was how Harvey¡¯s General Store worked. If you found something you wanted, you were welcome to purchase it. But Harvey wouldn¡¯t tell you what something did if you didn¡¯t already know. He also purchased just about anything you could sell, though the same rules applied.


    You could sell him something worth 1 copper token for a silver, or something worth a gold token for a copper. He wouldn¡¯t tell you what you sold, or how much it was worth. If the price was right he''d take it.


    Most preferred to go through the Merchant Guild, but in a City as large and as bustling as Stratta, there were always those looking to offload something they hadn¡¯t come by honestly. Something they didn¡¯t want people asking too many questions about.


    There was a counter at the back of the store. A slab of polished wood that matched the walls. Sitting in a chair behind the counter was a tall, slim man with bright white hair tied in a long tail down the nape of his neck. Light blue eyes regarded Edan from behind spectacles as he walked down the aisle.


    ¡°How are you, Master Mawe?¡± Harvey called out, his voice strong and smooth despite his age.


    ¡°As well as one can hope, on a day such as today, Master Harvey,¡± Edan said back, doing his best to match the man''s solemn tone. "And yourself?"


    It earned him a smile as Harvey stood. Harvey held out his hand, grasping Edans wrist. Edan had to look up to match the taller man''s gaze, but he didn¡¯t mind. He had been looking up at Harvey ever since he was a kid, now at seventeen years of age, it would have been more uncomfortable if he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be ready for high society soon, with those manners.¡± Harvey teased gently. ¡°Though I have a feeling high society would not be ready for you.¡±


    Edan laughed at the thought. He may be going to the Academy in the hopes of getting a Sect Sponsorship, but the thought of mingling with them still sounded like a joke.


    ¡°I imagine you are here for payment?¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± Edan nodded before looking off to the side where a door stood. ¡°Want to wait till we¡¯re out back?¡±


    ¡°No need. The hour draws late and the customers few. I may close up for the night.¡± Harvey¡¯s blue eyes seemed to glow as he looked out across his store. The lights dimmed and shutters closed over the windows. There was a solid thunk as the locks were thrown closed on the front door. ¡°There. Privacy can once more be had here. Now please, tell me what you learnt.¡±


    ¡°No Cassie?¡± Edan asked, looking around.


    A small smile played across the corners of Harvey¡¯s lips as he watched the boy, a young man really, try to hide his hope.Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°She mentioned something about friends and the night market.¡±


    ¡°Oh, ok¡­yeah! So last night. I followed that crew like you asked. The ones that got off the barge by the Warefair dock. They picked up something from a man who was waiting there and then left. They weren¡¯t wearing any badges but moved like they were Sect.¡±


    Harvey leaned forward, his fingers steepling together as he regarded Edan across the counter.


    ¡°Please explain.¡±


    Edan shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain. It¡¯s like¡­a pack? They all follow the leader and it''s always really obvious who''s in charge, it''s the one in front.¡± Edan laughed self-consciously. ¡°I''m not explaining it very well, but you know what I mean.¡±


    Harvey nodded.


    ¡°I do. A strict power structure is common in all Sects. Perhaps it is from their martial paths where might makes right. Guild groups tend to lean more towards experience than raw power. Knowledge of Profession.¡± Harvey smiled at Edan. ¡°It¡¯s good you notice these things, even if you can¡¯t explain them. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    Edan ducked his head in embarrassment. Harvey always took the time to teach him and was always quick to praise him. It was a stark contrast to a teacher like Mrs. Cinnaburn.


    ¡°So they traveled down the Rutters Lane. Kept to themselves as far as I could see. I kept my distance, like I promised, and they didn¡¯t notice me. I was just another loitering kid.¡±


    ¡°Did they enter any stores? Stop at any one place for longer than the rest? Anything at all?¡±


    ¡°Nah, they kept to the roads, and themselves. Didn¡¯t stop and didn¡¯t talk to anyone. They switched over to the Wilding Road and followed that out of town. Well almost out to town. There¡¯s an old ruin right at the fringe. I think it used to be an old tower or something but a beast wave must have taken it out. They went into the ruin. I watched for a while but they didn¡¯t come out.¡±


    ¡°Grain silos.¡± Harvey corrected. ¡°Same shape, so it¡¯s an easy mistake. You didn¡¯t try to get a closer look?¡±


    Edan shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of open space between where I was hiding and the¡­silo? Didn¡¯t seem worth the risk.¡±


    Harvey let out a low chuckle, nodding in approval.


    ¡°Reema has taught you well, and I¡¯m glad to see Sanik¡¯s reckless nature hasn¡¯t rubbed off on you.¡±


    ¡°Got into a fight in school today.¡±


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t completely rubbed off on you.¡± Harvey corrected himself quickly.


    They shared a laugh before Harvey turned his hand over. He was holding five Silver Star Tokens.


    ¡°As promised, your payment. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I¡¯m sure the late nights don¡¯t make classes any easier.¡±


    Edan shrugged, scooping his payment up and adding the coins to his pocket.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I could use the money, and Mum and Dad don¡¯t let me go on jobs with them, so at least this way I get to practice some of what they teach.¡± Edan prepared to leave. ¡°Speaking of parents, I better head off. Mum¡¯s making a family dinner. Do you want to come? I know she won''t mind.¡±


    Harvey waved him off, the sound of the lock on the door turning accompanied the movement.


    ¡°Your mother has invited Cassie and I, to your birthday next week. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll have more than my fill of her food then.¡±


    ¡°Alrighty. If there¡¯s no other jobs?¡± Edan asked hopefully.


    ¡°Come back in a few days, Master Mawe, and I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll have something for you then.¡±


    ¡°Then by your leave Master Harvey,¡± Edan swept what he hoped was an elegant bow ¡°I shall bid you a fond farewell.¡±


    Darkness had arrived in full force when Edan stepped out of Harvey¡¯s General Goods. The lamp posts, with their large scribed stones, cast golden halos of light between the inky darkness. Overhead stars twinkled and Edan turned towards the moon.


    Imposed in front of it, the orb of pale light acting as a background, floated a gigantic castle on top of a broken island of jagged rocks. Edan could make out the silhouette of the castle towers against the brilliance of the moon. So large was the building, and so close to the moon, that all of Terra lay in its shadow, the nights darker than they had been before integration.


    Or at least that''s what history lessons had taught Edan.


    As Edan walked through the festive streets, the cheering crowds and happy laughter did more to banish the heavy night than the overhead lights. Not wasting time, Edan hurried home.


    He used the side entrance. It was a short gate, set into the side of the building''s fence, that led to the backyard.


    The workshop''s backdoor opened silently as he turned the lock, slipping his key back into his pocket. The room lay in darkness, the only illumination coming from the light cast down the stairs from above. Stepping gingerly, Edan navigated his way through the mess, nearly tripping when he stepped on something round that rolled out from beneath his feet.


    The stairs creaked under his steps and the murmurs from above cut off abruptly. Edan was about to call out when Saniks face popped into view, looking down at him.


    ¡°Just me,¡± Edan said anyway, giving his adoptive father a wave.


    ¡°Phew,¡± Sanik sighed theatrically. ¡°Thought we were getting robbed.¡±


    Then he roared with laughter before retreating back into the living room. Edan took the last couple of stairs, shaking his head at Sanik''s joke.


    ¡°Honey, you do realize you¡¯re the only one who finds that joke funny?¡± Reema called from the kitchen.


    ¡°It¡¯s funny!¡± Sanik insisted. ¡°Robbers being robbed. Ha!¡±


    ¡°Ignore your father,¡± Reema said to Edan as she turned back to the stove. A pot bubbled merrily on the heat, the smell of meat and herbs filling the living room and setting Edan''s stomach rumbling. ¡°He¡¯s meant to be setting the table.¡±


    ¡°How was Harvey, son?¡±


    Edan moved past Sanik as he settled spoons next to the table mats.


    ¡°He¡¯s alright,¡± Edan answered Sanik, though Reema nodded as well at the update. ¡°He mentioned coming around for my birthday next week.¡±


    ¡°And Cassie?¡± Reema asked with a small smile. ¡°Give these a wash, would you?¡±


    Letting the cold spray of the tap blast against the lettuce, Edan tried to hide his blush. Reema picked up on it instantly and her smile turned knowing. Sanik, for his part, let out a quiet chuckle.


    Lucky for Edan, dinner didn¡¯t take much longer to prepare, sparing him from further teasing. Sanik had finished setting the table before giving his wife a kiss on her brow and waiting for praise. Reema had rolled her eyes and thanked him for his hard work.


    Dinner wasn¡¯t a fancy affair. It was a thick, meaty stew, rich with herbs and spices. Reema had pulled a loaf of bread out of the oven and each of them got a thick piece to mop up the stew with. The lettuce had been tossed with a few tomatoes and dressing for a simple salad that helped cut the heat from the meat.


    The small family didn¡¯t discuss much while they ate, instead, they consumed their food in comfortable silence. Occasionally one of them would mention something about the day or make a quick comment, but nothing of real importance was discussed.


    Reema pushed her plate away first and watched Sanik and Edan continue to eat. Her husband was trying to steal a chunk of meat from Edan¡¯s bowl while the smaller boy was trying to defend it.


    ¡°Mum, Dad¡¯s trying to steal my food!¡± Edan taddled, tired of defending his food and ready to bring in the big boss.


    ¡°Snitch!¡± Sanik hissed before turning to his wife with a, hopefully, charming smile.


    Reema just smiled, her brown eyes warm as she regarded the two people who made up her world.


    She still remembered when Tyrian had first come to them to look after his son. Edan had been six years old.


    The bell over the door had chimed and Tyrian had ducked into the store, Edan on his shoulders, his father''s hair grasped in his little fists for handholds.


    Reema remembered the tears, and the anger, and the fear. The late nights as the little boy cried himself to sleep missing his parents.


    For eleven years she and Sanik had looked after Edan. Eleven years that had watched him grow.


    He was theirs and she was proud of how far he had come.

 CHAPTER 06

    ¡°Today is challenge day!¡± Master Sims barked causing a stir of excitement to go through the students.


    Edan felt his own heart rate pick up at the news, but quickly pushed his excitement down. He knew how the day would play out. It would be exactly the same as it had been at the beginning of the previous school year.


    Even the classroom they stood in looked the same, though this one was located on a lower floor of the tower. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in the morning sun. Each window had a sill you could lean up against and look out at the courtyard below. Not that the students were allowed such pleasures, of course. No, each student stood at casual attention in the middle of the large open space.


    As requested everyone had brought what armor they owned with them. It was a strange mix of leather and metal that left each student looking odd and out of place in the classroom environment. Edan had to admit that a few of the students tended to wear their armor better than the rest. Their casual confidence making them look like real cultivators rather than hopefuls.


    Master Sims paced back and forth before the group. His dark eyes took in the assembled students. They rested briefly on a few of the more flamboyant ones, his mustache twitched with irritation.


    ¡°Some of you seem a bit¡­ overdressed.¡± he drawled, very obviously looking at Aser.


    Aser wore a fashionably cut leather curious with double shoulder guards on top of a dark black long-sleeved shirt. Vambraces covered both of his forearms, pulling the shirt''s fabric tight. A thick belt held his hand and a half sword strapped to his waist, and a dagger sheathed at the small of his back. Durable leather pants that looked padded in areas covered his legs and boots that shone with a fresh polish finished the look.


    ¡°Me? We were told to bring our armor.¡± Aser replied, his tone carefree and uninterested. ¡°It is not my fault that some cannot afford the most basic of equipment. I simply stand out because they fall so very short.¡±


    If you looked closely enough, you could see the carved grooves in the armor that channeled the enchantments each piece had. Those were definitely not basic equipment.


    Probably a durability or self-repair enchantment and a strength buff, Edan guessed, as he tugged at the collar of his own armor. He was dressed similarly to Aser, with a leather cuirass, though he was missing the shoulder guards and he didn¡¯t own vambraces or fancy pants. Sheaths were sewn into his cuirass, courtesy of Reema, and small handles could be seen sticking out of them.


    Master Sims let out a huff of displeasure, like an angry bull, but didn¡¯t dispute the tall man''s words.


    ¡°The rules for today are simple. A person with a lower rank can challenge someone of a higher rank for their place in the class ranking. Mind you, you can only challenge someone up to 3 ranks above you, so don¡¯t all try for the top spot at once!¡± There was nervous laughter from the class. No one wanted to challenge Aser. ¡°and don¡¯t think I don''t see that evil gleam in some of your eyes. You can¡¯t challenge below your rank! I¡¯ll have no bullying! If you issue a challenge and win, you may issue another challenge, should you wish to push. If you lose a match, you need to wait for another match to finish before gaining the right to challenge again.¡±


    This time the laughter was more relieved than nervous.


    Stopping in front of the class, Master Sims tucked his thumbs into the thick belt that strained against his ample waist. He stood in a beam of sunlight and his short red hair turned into an orange blaze against his pale skin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I need to remind you all why you should want a better rank, do I? Not only are these lists public, meaning the Sects see them, but they also ensure you get certain¡­benefits. To help encourage your growth.¡±


    In a class of eighteen students, Edan was fifteenth. You didn¡¯t get these so-called benefits until you passed into the top nine. That was Edan''s goal for today. Break into the top 9, and secure a place on the leaderboards. Get set up to take that top spot from Aser during the next Challenge day.


    Edan unconsciously rubbed his sweaty palms against the leg of his pants. He practiced the breathing exercises Sanik had taught him to help calm his nerves.


    ¡°Oh and before I forget, there may be a guest popping in sometime during the day. If you see her, don¡¯t annoy her. Don¡¯t approach her. Leave her alone. She¡¯s just here to observe.¡± The last part was barked out in rapid succession. ¡°Now, you have the whole day to sort yourselves out, so pace yourself.¡±


    There was a pregnant pause as Master Sims clapped his hands together in glee.


    ¡°This is going to be fun. Move back, spread out, sit on the ground, or go jump out the window, I don¡¯t particularly care, just make room for the combatants in the middle. Now! Who''s first?¡±


    It turned out Nose and Tooth were up first. And against each other no less. As the rest of the students shuffled towards the walls of the room and settled down crosslegged on the cold, hard, floor, their hands flew into the air as they rushed towards Master Sims.


    Master Sims smiled at their enthusiasm and called out their names, which Edan promptly ignored for fear of having to call them by it henceforth. Instead, he just listened to the part where Tooth was placed seventh, and Nose was fifth. Tooth was looking to upgrade.


    Edan settled down by one of the windows, using the sill as a back brace. He enjoyed the warm sun soaking into him as a breeze drifted through, tickling the hairs along his neck and bringing with it the sounds from outside.


    In the middle of the room, Master Sims was speaking quietly to the two boys. No doubt telling them not to kill each other. He held his hand out and each presented him with their weapon, one at a time. Both boys used swords, though Tooth¡¯s resembled a saber with its larger, curved, blade. Nose¡¯s weapon was a shortsword.


    A stick, with a cotton ball at the end the size of Edan''s thumb, appeared in Master Sims'' hand and he tapped the cotton ball against each weapon''s blade. A white residue, like chalk, remained on the blades as he handed them back.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Stepping back, Master Sims got a nod of readiness from both compatents. The students ringing the pair looked on eagerly. Dropping his hand, Master Sims started the match.


    Nose, never patient, made the first move. His shoes slapped against the hard floor as he raced forward, his sword held out to the side. With a shout, Tooth stepped forward to meet him, his own blade moving in a quick slash aimed at bisecting his friend down the middle.


    The two friends collide in a vicious struggle. The enchantments on their blades prevented the weapons from touching. Something Edan was thankful for, as the screech of metal on metal in the closed classroom would have left them all deaf.


    Slash met block and deflect turned to thrust as the two boys danced back and forth. Whether through skill, or familiarity, both struggled to gain ground on the other. Master Sims watched closely from the sideline, moving when needed to keep a good eye on them.


    When swords didn¡¯t do the trick, they turned to limbs. Soon punches and kicks lashed out as often as metal. Here Nose had the advantage with his longer limbs. He moved just a little faster than Tooth. Stepping back to avoid a wild slash, Nose hopped forward, his blade flicking towards Tooth¡¯s face. The other boy swayed to the side to avoid the blade.


    Tooth buckled as a kick collided painfully with his knee.


    Taking advantage of the distraction of the other, Nose brought his weapon down in a powerful overhand strike. Tooth blocked, the force driving him further off balance. Moving with the momentum, Tooth rolled backward before hopping back to his feet.


    The class cheered. Even Edan nodded in appreciation.


    Once more the two boys attacked each other, but now exhaustion stole skill from their action and their blows became sloppy. Sweat beaded their brows and laboured breathing made their chest heave.


    Edan watched closely, knowing the final moments were coming.


    There! Tooth¡¯s leg was still sore. He favored it when shuffling back. Exhaustion made it harder to hide.


    Nose has him! Edan thought.


    And he was right.


    Three heavy blows left Tooth off balance and before he could collect himself, Nose kicked him in the exact same spot. Tooth, too exhausted to do much else, collapsed to his knee as one foot gave out from under him. Nose¡¯s weapon turned red as he sliced it across Tooth¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Match!¡± Master Sims called quickly, seeing the enchantment on the blade turn red indicating a lethal blow. ¡°Bloody good match boys!¡±


    Edan wasn¡¯t watching the two boys be congratulated. He was watching the other students. A few looked at the pair with hungry, predatory, eyes. They smelt blood.


    The real challenge came, not from beating someone above your rank, but from keeping the spot once you did. It was called Challenge Day for a reason. You had the whole day to challenge someone. Regardless of how tired¡­or injured, they were.


    If Nose managed to hold his spot until the end of the day, Edan would eat his daggers.


    Other than a few over-eager fights early on, the students became more cautious with their challengers. Instead of skipping multiple ranks, they would try for the person just above them, and then try to fight as defensively as possible, even if it did leave them tired afterward. The exhaustion you could recover from, injuries were harder.


    Edan was content to sit back and enjoy the show. He knew it wouldn¡¯t last. He was too easy of a target. Often viewed as the smallest in the class. The runt. Someone would come for his spot. And so he waited to be called out.


    When it happened, it was almost anticlimactic.


    A girl approached him. She was of average height, meaning taller than him, and her brown hair was tied up in a tight bun at the back of her head. Her eyes were calm, but hard, and focused on him as she moved across the room. Edan tracked her movements, the way Sanik had taught him. She held a spear in her hand with relaxed confidence.


    Edan wasn¡¯t surprised. It would have been either her or Gre¡¯ery who challenged him. Gre¡¯ery was ranked seventeenth, while Tanzi was sixteenth.


    ¡°Edan,¡± Tanzi said, stopping before him. Her brown skin turned golden in the sun. ¡°I want your spot.¡±


    Edan sighed. In his mind, when he finally got challenged, it was a glorious thing, the students would point and gasp and cheer. In reality, no one but he and Tanzi cared about it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t suppose you want to loudly proclaim my downfall?¡± Edan asked.


    Tanzi cocked an eyebrow at him, before shaking her head, dismissing his words.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Edan straightened up. In the middle of the room, he could see Alem beating the stuffing out of Mansa with his studded bat. The enchantment turned the weapon a soft yellow, then an orange, before shifting to red. Master Sims stopped the bout then.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re up,¡± Edan muttered. He held his hand towards the center of the room. ¡°After you.¡±


    There was enough of a lull between matches that you didn¡¯t really need to fight for the floor. Master Sims noticed their approach and nodded in acknowledgment.


    Edan ignored the students he passed. Most had lost interest in the fights and began to talk among themselves. Heads bowed they sat in circles and groups, only glancing up on occasion. Their attitude would shift though, once the higher-ranked students began to make their moves later in the day.


    ¡°Mawe, Sabah,¡± Master Sims greeted them. ¡°You better be the one challenging, Sabah.¡±


    Tanzi gave a curt nod, the single gold loop earring she wore jerking with the movement.


    ¡°Yes sir, I seek Edan¡¯s rank.¡±


    So formal Edan thought, fighting back a laugh, though I guess the Sects often are.


    ¡°Weapons!¡± Master Sims barked.


    Tanzi hesitated for a moment, then with a sigh, she handed it over. Edan watched with interest. He had heard about the Reforge Sect and how their path of cultivation revolved around their weapon, but he hadn¡¯t expected someone without a birthed system to be so attached to theirs yet.


    ¡°Relax, girl. The enchantment is carried in the powder. Simply wipe it off once you are done and your weapon will be fine. There are no alterations made to the weapon itself.¡±


    As he explained, Master Sims tapped the spearhead with his cotton swab thingy, leaving behind a smear of white dust. He handed the weapon back and Tanzi was polite enough to wait for Sims to turn to Edan before she began inspecting it for damage.


    ¡°I should charge you for the powder,¡± Master Sims grumbled as Edan handed him first one dagger, then another, then another, then another. ¡°Couldn¡¯t use a sword like a normal person, aye?¡±


    Edan laughed, handing over a pair of push daggers he kept at his back.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen me try using one. I suck. What was it you said last time? All the finess of a bull finding out he has an elephant''s trunk?¡±


    Master Sims''s mustache twitched as he fought a smile. ¡°Aye. I often wondered if I missed my calling as a poet. Enough lollygagging. Find your corners.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a circle, there are no corners,¡± Tanzi muttered, completely serious.


    ¡°Then make one!¡± Master Sims growled.


    Tanzi walked off, picking a part of the available floor at random. Edan matched her, keeping his distance. He was formulating a plan. It would depend on how the match progressed, but Edan liked its odds of success.


    ¡°No killing, no maiming, and you stop once your weapon turns red. If I end up needing to stop you¡­the forgotten realms help you.¡± Master Sims looked between the two, holding their eyes for a second to show how serious he was. He got two nods back. ¡°Good. Then begin!¡±


    He dropped his hand and Tanzi lunged forward, her spear tip aimed at Edan''s eye.

 CHAPTER 07

    Edan slipped to the side, letting the spear move past his ear. He took a quick step forward, trying to move closer to Tanzi, but she skipped back. Her spear retracted and then lashed out again like the head of a snake.


    Edan was forced to fall back. Tanzi seized the initiative and advanced, her weapon turning into a blur. Edan moved more on instinct, as he worked to figure out her pattern and adjust to her rhythm.


    Tanzi was good. Very good. She knew she couldn¡¯t allow Edan close, where his daggers had the advantage, so she did everything she could to keep him at a distance. The two shuffled back and forth, Edan twisting and turning as he tried to keep the spear tip from piercing him.


    Edan took a risk. He dodged a thrust aimed at his chest, twisting at the waist to allow the leaf-shaped blade to pass millimeters from his pectoral muscle. Quick as thought he plucked a throwing knight from the sheath at his chest. It was one of the ones that ran along the side of his chest that was twisted away from Tanzi. He hoped she wouldn¡¯t see. Twisting back he used his momentum to add speed to an underhand throw.


    The blade whistled through the air and Edan got the satisfaction of seeing Tanzi¡¯s eyes grow large. She threw herself to the side, the butt of her spear coming down in a desperate attempt to ward off the weapon. Whether it was luck or skill, the move worked. There was a thunk as the wooden shaft and metal dagger collided before the blade bounced off across the floor.


    Tanzi was off balance though and this time Edan seized the initiative. He sprung forward. He tried to knee her in the face and she jerked back, attempting to bring the shaft of her weapon up even as she struggled to get her balance back.


    Edan lashed out with a punch. There was no real power behind the blow, he just wanted to keep her on the defensive. It landed with a meaty smack against her cheek, but Tanzi barely reacted. She stomped out, aiming for Edan¡¯s lead foot.


    Edan hopped into the air, grasping her shoulders as he tried to pull her into his rising knee. She got her weapon between them and pushed. The hardwood caught him across the stomach, forcing him back. Edan went with the movement, turning his backward fall into a roll.


    Even as he sprung to his feet, he was pulling another two daggers from his chest and throwing them at her. Tanzi sidestepped one and batted the other aside, glaring at Edan.


    Edan jerked forward in a fake and Tanzi stabbed out at him. The blow fell short and Edan grasped the last throwing knife and hurled it at her head.


    ¡°Catch!¡±


    The weapon, just like his words, was a distraction. He used them to keep her weapon busy and her eyes off him as he slipped in behind the throw. He pulled the pair of push daggers from behind his back, the grips fitting comfortably in his hands as the blade jutted out past his closed fist.


    The first punch came in under her raised hands as she attempted to draw her weapon back from deflecting the thrown dagger. Tanzi saw the blade and twisted. Its tip pushed against her ribs. An unseen force prevented the weapon from making contact with her armor and Edan saw the blade turn yellow.


    A minor wound and he¡¯d left himself over-extended.


    A blow landed across his shoulder and back, staggering his small frame. A knee rocketed off the ground and caught him in the chest blasting the breath from his lungs. Tanzi twisted, her spear trailing through the air with a hiss.


    Edan tried to dodge, but the blade hit his stomach. The enchantment prevented the weapon from slicing him open, though it did little to dull the force, and Edan grunted as he was sent flying.


    Hitting the ground he rolled with the movement, trying to lessen the impact. He didn¡¯t need to look to see that Tanzi¡¯s weapon had turned red. If it had been a real fight, she would have disemboweled him.


    Though if it had been a real fight, he would have won.


    All according to plan, Edan thought to himself, still lying on the cold floor, as Master Sims congratulated Tanzi on moving up in rank.


    ¡°Congratulations, Mawe, you lost.¡± Master Sims said, standing over Edan. One bushy eyebrow rose in question. ¡°You good to stand.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. Just wallowing in my loss.¡± Edan stretched slowly. ¡°Ohhh no, I lost.¡± he deadpanned.


    Master Sims'' eyes narrowed.


    ¡°If you¡¯ve got the energy to play around, you got the energy to stand! Move over, there¡¯s another match starting.¡±


    Edan rolled over and got to his feet. The blow across his back and stomach still twinged, but it would be gone within the hour, he guessed.


    So, sixteenth. That means I can challenge up to the thirteenth rank, once whoever is thirteenth is tired. Then another challenge for tenth, and the final push to ninth. Edan lined up his plan as he went around picking up his throwing daggers. The same enchantment that stopped them from cutting skin also acted as a barrier against damage and Edan was pleased to see the blades remained in good condition.


    Of course, if someone challenged him in the meantime, Edan would have to decide if winning was worth exhausting himself, or if he would need to fall further down the ranks in the hopes of making a last-minute rise once everyone else was tired.


    Settling back against the window frame in his original spot, Edan watched a group wearing the dark colors of the Reforge Sect congratulate Tanzi before welcoming her back into the fold.


    Shadows moved across the room as the day wore on. Edan was challenged by the rank nineteenth Alem, but the boy was tired from his previous fights and the swings of his bat were slow and easily avoided. Edan finished the fight off quickly with a push dagger to the throat and retained his rank.


    There wasn¡¯t an official break for lunch. You were welcome to leave the room, provided you weren¡¯t gone for longer than an hour, or you could sit and eat as you watched.


    Edan took the chance to stretch his legs and wandered down to the ground floor. The cafeteria was open and he spared a few bronze Tokens to buy a wrap that was bursting with spicy fish and crisp vegetables. He ate it on a bench out in the courtyard while people-watching.


    A seagull landed on the ground next to him and eyed the food in his hand hungrily. A Sunspit landed on a nearby tree, its feathers shimmering like liquid gold. Edan did his best to ignore them both, but when it was joined by another 2 and the seagull looked ready to square up with them, he stuffed the rest of the wrap in his mouth and hurried back indoors.


    The classroom was oddly silent when he walked back in. Other than the thump of enchanted blade on enchanted blade and the grunts of exertion from the combatants, the spectators didn¡¯t make any noise.


    It took Edan a second to figure out why, and when he noticed her he did a double take. She looked like a wooden pillar, as tall as she was, and dressed in the brown robes Edan had seen her in yesterday. It was the Titan.


    Eyes of pale pale amber turned to regard Edan as he entered. He had to fight the urge to gawk back at her. Edan would describe her as handsome. Strong, straight features, framed by short dark brown hair, prevented her from ever looking dainty, but there was an alien tilt to her eyes that made her exotic enough to not be plain. Edan could also make out faint markings covering her visible skin. They crept like vines from the collar of her robes, barely darker than her skin tone of tanned brown.


    She looked to be carved of wood.


    Those eyes lingered on him a moment longer before drifting back to the two fighting it out in the middle of the room.


    Edan would need to walk past her to reach his old spot by the window and it took him longer than he cared to admit to gather the courage needed to move.


    Moving around and between huddled groups of students, Edan stepped over a girl wearing the pastel colors of the Bright Petal Sect, she had an arm thrown over her face and looked to have passed out from exhaustion.


    Looking around Edan noticed most of the class looked exhausted, except for the few students that sat at the top of the Ranking.


    Ignoring the looming form of the Titan, Edan settled back against the window frame and crossed his legs. He let out a yawn and leaned his head back, his eyes drifting towards the ceiling high above. The distant noise of the academy filtering through the window was a calming white noise that threatened to lull him to sleep.Stolen novel; please report.


    Edan must have fallen asleep as he started awake. Something had hit him. Someone. Edan scowled up at the large bulbous eyes of Gre¡¯ery. The boy, well man really, was thick-limbed and barrel-chested. If he had a neck it was swallowed up by his round shoulders and sagging chin. His head looked like a pumpkin set directly on a man''s shoulder. Orange hair buzzed short didn¡¯t help with the image.


    Gre¡¯ery raised his foot to kick Edan again.


    ¡°What!¡± Edan snapped, stopping him short.


    ¡°I want your spot.¡± Gre¡¯ery¡¯s voice sounded like gravel going down a drain. Wet and rough and not pleasant.


    ¡°Go find your own spot,¡± Edan said, waving his hand dismissively as he settled back. ¡°I found this one first.¡±


    There was a pause as Gre¡¯ery processed what Edan had said. Edan watched curiously to see how long it would take.


    Since integration, alien species had visited Terra. Not many as The Four Star Heavenly Sect controlled the transport array and didn¡¯t want Terra to be overwhelmed, but there was enough traffic that different sentient races had become common.


    Some, like the Titan, stood out in a crowd. Others, like Aser, could pass for a local if not for his flamboyant hair color. Then there was someone like Gre¡¯ery, who Edan was almost certain was a mix between human and something a bit more¡­primitive.


    Finally, the light went on in Gre¡¯ery¡¯s eyes and he shook his head slowly.


    ¡°No. I want your spot. Number fifteen.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Edan smiled at the large man. The smile turned sneaky. ¡°If you want fifteen then you should go fight Tanzi, she beat me earlier. She¡¯s over there!¡±


    Gre¡¯ery followed Edan¡¯s pointing finger, his gaze settling on Tanzi where she sat among her group with her spear across her lap.


    ¡°I bet you could beat her and take her spot.¡± Edan nodded eagerly and then added, just in case Gre¡¯ery didn¡¯t get it. ¡°Her spot, you know, number fifteen.¡±


    He matched smiles with the other man before Gre¡¯ery lumbered off, the studded morningstar he used as a weapon swinging from his hip by a leather strap.


    ¡°Are you not ashamed?¡± Asked a soft, feminine voice, startling Edan.


    He turned and blinked as a wall of brown took up his entire field of view. Slowly his head titled back, and back, and back, until his pale blue eyes met the curious amber ones.


    ¡°Uhhh¡­¡± he said intelligently, before scrambling to get up, using the window frame as support to push himself to his feet. Standing didn¡¯t help much, he still had to look up to meet the Titans gaze, but at least this way she wasn¡¯t quite so looming.


    ¡°You took advantage of that Bwaka¡¯s innocence.¡± the Titan said again.


    Her voice surprised Edan. It was soft and gentle and not at all in line with the muscular tower of power before him. Still, her words rankled him enough that he got past his nerves.


    ¡°Technically I didn¡¯t.¡± Edan defended himself. ¡°Gre¡¯ery wanted the number fifteen spot. That¡¯s Tanzi. If anything, I was being helpful.¡±


    The woman considered Edan¡¯s words before dipping her head in acknowledgment.


    ¡°And do you not regret missing the opportunity to cross weapons with him?¡±


    Edan blinked before shrugging.


    ¡°Nah, not really. I¡¯m trying to save my energy. Also, what was that you called him?¡±


    ¡°Bwaka?¡±


    Edan nodded. ¡°Is that his race?¡±


    The Titan shook her head, her brow scrunching up as if in thought.


    ¡°Bwaka is a word my people use to describe one such as he. Such as you. One who wishes to follow the path of might, but has yet to take the ink and burn thy blood.¡± The Titan¡¯s displeasure was clear as her scowl deepened. ¡°The translation skill must not be able to find a similar word in your language.¡±


    Edan nodded his understanding. Every race integrated into the System earned the skill [One of Many] that helped translate words and ideas. An example Harvey had given Edan once was Coffee. Terra had a hot drink, Coffee, brewed from a bean and used for pleasure or to provide an energy boost. Another planet, such as the Aruelli Trade Cluster, would not have the drink. But if the effect, use, and taste were similar enough when someone said Coffee, a person in the Aruelli Trade Cluster would hear the name of their drink.


    Sometimes though, such as now, the word or concept was so foreign, there wasn¡¯t a known substitute.


    ¡°Maybe, Warrior-in-training?¡± Edan suggested, using context to understand the word.


    ¡°Warrior in training¡­¡± The Titan chewed on the words, tilting her head side to side as she considered it. ¡°It is sufficient.¡±


    Edan glanced out the window, looking at the angle of the sun, before pulling up his stats to check the time.


    <table style="width: 90.0637%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.5775%" colspan="6">


    Edan Mawe


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 14.0825%">


    Race


    </td>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Human


    </td>


    <td style="width: 30.5832%" colspan="2" rowspan="2"> </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%">


    Level


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.2376%">


    27


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 14.0825%">


    Health


    </td>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    2296


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%">


    Stamina


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.2376%">


    2324


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 38.4068%" colspan="2"> </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    Stats


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    Modifiers


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    Stat Cap


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.2376%" rowspan="14"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 38.4068%" colspan="2">


    Body


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.9331%" colspan="3">


    28


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 14.0825%" rowspan="4"> </td>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Strength


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    73


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Constitution


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    82


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Endurance


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    83


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Dexterity


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 38.4068%" colspan="2">


    Mind


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.9331%" colspan="3">


    28


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 14.0825%" rowspan="3"> </td>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Wisdom


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    81


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Intelligence


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    83


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Perception


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    3


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 38.4068%" colspan="2">


    Soul


    </td>


    <td style="width: 48.9331%" colspan="3">


    26


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 14.0825%" rowspan="3"> </td>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Charisma


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    30


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    2


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    52


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Spirit


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    52


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    2


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    52


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 24.3243%">


    Willpower


    </td>


    <td style="width: 11.522%; text-align: center">


    52


    </td>


    <td style="width: 19.0612%; text-align: center">


    2


    </td>


    <td style="width: 18.3499%; text-align: center">


    52


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Edan was momentarily distracted by his stats. He grimaced as he looked at his lagging Soul level. He would need to bring it up in line with Mind and Body before cultivating them all to 29 and making the final push to level 30 and birthing his system.


    He could use that time to cap his Mind and Body stats as well.


    Edan conveniently ignored his Charisma stat. Cultivating Soul was so hard, the points he did get from it were better spent on Spirit and Willpower. Who needed to be liked by everyone?


    A little indicator on the screen showed it was closing in on 2.30. A little over 90 minutes was left before Master Sims would begin calling it an end to the day. Edan still needed to raise 7 ranks. That meant at least 3 challengers. Edan knew the real challenge was just beginning.


    Pushing off the wall, Edan rolled his shoulders and rubbed his hands together. The Titan woman looked at him curiously, though there was a smile at the corner of her lips and if Edan had to guess, she knew what he was planning to do.


    ¡°Time to go to work,¡± Edan growled.

 CHAPTER 08

    Edan jumped into the air, the whip cracking against the ground where he had been standing. Landing lightly he rolled sideways, barely avoiding getting a whip to the forehead.


    Edan ground his teeth in irritation, reaching for a sheath along his chest. He had two knives left, plus his push daggers.


    Seiwa stood calmly before him, his breathing steady as his hand moved, manipulating the whip as it danced around him.


    Edan had challenged Licinia first. She was fourteenth, previously twelfth, and still recovering from her loss. The limp she had gotten had slowed her down, and the standard hand-and-a-half sword she wielded had been a poor match for Edan once he got in close. He had stabbed her twice. One with each dagger. They had ended the match dyed orange and red.


    Riding the momentum and still full of energy, Edan had moved on to the twelfth-ranked Seiwa. Any hope Edan had that fighting Licinia before him had left the Seiwa tired was quickly dispelled within the first minute of relentless attack.


    Edan was fast. Very fast. Probably faster than Seiwa. That didn¡¯t mean shit though if he couldn¡¯t get close.


    Edan palmed a dagger, preparing to throw. A brown blur made him jump back, the crack of the whip as it split the air made him wince. Edan¡¯s hand blurred as he threw the dagger. It sailed throw the air. Somehow the whip curled and knocked the blade off course.


    Someone sitting too close to the action swore as it narrowly missed them.


    The combatants ignored them.


    Edan was growing desperate. He had to close the distance. The constant dodging was chewing through his stamina. But he also couldn¡¯t afford to be reckless. He hadn¡¯t wanted to begin accumulating injuries just yet.


    Eden sprinted to the side, trying to tangle Seiwa up as he turned to keep Edan in sight. Seiwa¡¯s dark eyes regarded Edan, watching him closely, even as he too turned. The Whip flicked out, then curled back, judging the distance.


    There was the barest hitch in Seiwa¡¯s step. The barest stutter of the whip. It was enough. Edan made his move. He went from sprinting around his opponent to sprinting at him so fast he slid sideways on the smooth stone floor. It saved him. Seiwa, seeing Edan¡¯s sudden change in direction lashed out with the whip. The weighted tip unfurled and tasted the air where Edan¡¯s head would have been if he hadn¡¯t slipped.


    It was enough. It had to be enough.


    Edan drew his last knife and threw it. Seiwa must have known it was only to keep him busy. But a knife is still a knife and it can''t be ignored, especially if it''s thrown at your groin.


    No one saw Edan¡¯s grin.


    Seiwa reacted how you would expect any man to react. He prioritized his junk. While Seiwa may have been talented with the whip, he was still inexperienced and he overreacted, almost curling in on himself as he slashed downward with the whip to deflect the thrown blade.


    He may have saved himself a great deal of pain, but he had lost his focus for a second, and judging by the way his eyes turned round in shock, Seiwa knew it would cost him.


    Edan was inside his reach and he had drawn his push daggers.


    Seiwa was no fool though. He grasped the whip by the thong and handle, pulling it taunt and using the chord to deflect the first stab by Edan.


    Edan twisted with the block, allowing momentum to carry him forward and to the side. He twisted again, throwing out a wild elbow that grazed Seiwa¡¯s chin but did no real damage. Edan let the retaliatory short straight punch from Seiwa brush past his ear, the flesh turning hot.


    He was right. He was faster, and here, close to his opponent, it was where he fought best.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Edan smiled.


    A stab turned to a slash. Each attack came quicker than the one before. Seiwa blocked one, deflected another, then tried to duck. Edan was there. When his blade couldn¡¯t reach, his limbs would follow. Elbows and knees moved just as swiftly as quick, short, jabs, the blade at the end of each fist turning the blows deadly.


    Edan pushed the taller boy back, staggering him through sheer ferocity.


    Seiwa put up a great defense but his first mistake turned the blades yellow as they scissored across his stomach. Distracted by the blow, the ending came quickly. Edan kicked the inside of Seiwa¡¯s knee, twisting the boy to the side and staggering him. Edans right hand rose up, sliding under Seiwa''s defending arm. The blade at the end of his fist made contact with the soft skin under Seiwa¡¯s chin.


    Then Edan couldn¡¯t move. A large hand was wrapped around his wrist, holding his blade in place.


    ¡°A good match.¡± Master Sims remarked, standing over Edan as he held him in place. Edan hadn''t even felt him move. ¡°Though that final blow could have been very dangerous. Even with the enchantments on your blade, Mawe. It may have been a dulled blade, but the force of your blows can still have an effect.¡±


    Edan blinked as he realized what Master Sims had meant. By the way, Seiwa was sweating, the other boy had figured it out as well.


    ¡°Damn. Sorry about that. Caught up in the moment, you know?¡± Edan apologized to Seiwa.


    ¡°Such things happen. Congrats Mawe, you¡¯re ranked twelfth now.¡± Master Sims waved away the apology and Seiwa gave a shaky nod. He knew better than to make a fuss if the teacher wasn¡¯t. ¡°Now, off with you.¡±


    The powerful grip on his wrist was released and Edan tried not to wince as blood flow returned to his fingertips, making them tingle. Edan withdrew his daggers, sliding them into the sheaths at the small of his back with familiar ease. He looked around quickly, spotting the daggers he had thrown earlier lying on the ground.


    Edan gathered his weapons and walked back to what he was coming to call his window. Sliding down the wall with a groan he absent-mindedly felt along his chest for the sheaths and slid the daggers home while watching the rank 6th student, Kumi face off against Lorien in the hopes of getting her number 4 spot.


    Kumi spun his staff around, the dark wood making a whirring noise as it cut the air. Lorien bounced on her feet, a bright smile on her face. In her hand, she held a long metal trident, its pronged tip glinting in the afternoon sunlight.


    ¡°You aim for the top?¡±


    Edan glanced over at the Titan. She once more stood nearby watching him.


    ¡°At least the top 9,¡± Edan admitted, ensuring no one else could hear him.


    The Titan regarded him silently. Just when it was about to get awkward she smiled, her teeth surprisingly white against her tanned skin.


    ¡°You walk a fine line Bwaka. Rest too long and you will be challenged. Your stamina is not endless and even skill can fail in war. You must push hard and remain steady, or the hungry ones will come for an easy meal.¡±


    ¡°Uhhh, sure. But class is about to end, so...¡±


    The Titan threw her head back and laughed. The sound boomed around the closed room. The laugh matched her body more than her voice. Loud, bellowing, rolling, powerful.


    And, Edan realized, authentic.


    The class stopped, even Kumi and Lorien skipped away from each other, breathing rapidly as they stared at the Titan.


    Edan tried to shrink away as the eyes that were on her began to drift to him.


    As if sensing the scene she had caused the Titan stopped laughed and looked around the classroom, her level gaze was calm but where it landed students were quick to avert their eyes.


    ¡°A good plan. You are not Bwaka,¡± The Titan said to Edan once the class was ignoring them. ¡°You are Emge.¡±


    Edan cocked an eyebrow in question.


    ¡°It is a small, hairy animal from my home. They make homes in trees and will come down to scavenge fallen nuts and berries. They are well known for being sneaky.¡± The Titan smiled. ¡°They will often make creatures fight each other while they steal the food from right under their noses or wait for my tribe to go hunting and then steal our catch before we come back.¡±


    Edan wasn¡¯t sure whether to thank her or be insulted.


    ¡°Uhh¡­thanks?¡±


    ¡°Do not take offense. Like all things on my planet, they are powerful, though they rely on speed more than strength.¡± She gave him a meaningful look, her amber eyes playful.


    Edan wondered what he had done to draw her attention, and why he kept it.


    Lorien was finishing up her fight. Her dress flared out as she spun around, her weapon held out wide in one hand by the end of its shaft. The enchantment turned red as the long handle of her trident collided with Kumi¡¯s head. Even dulled, the force behind the blow still knocked the boy silly and he collapsed to the ground in a heap. Lorien skipped over and crouched down before poking him gently with the tip of her trident.


    Master Sims rolled his eyes as he pushed her away.


    Edan hopped to his feet.


    ¡°The war resumes?¡± The Titan asked.


    ¡°It never stopped,¡± Edan muttered.


    He missed the nod of satisfaction from the large woman behind him.

 CHAPTER 09

    ¡°Back so soon, Mawe?¡±


    Edan gave a carefree shrug. ¡°What can I say, I was getting bored.¡±


    ¡°And the laugh of our quiet observer?¡± The teacher probed gently, his eyes straying to the form of the Titan.


    ¡°She said I reminded her of a hairy animal.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­okay then.¡± Even Master Sims looked confused. With a cough to clear his throat, he said ¡°I¡¯m assuming you didn¡¯t come here to chat. Ready for another challenge?¡±


    Edan felt butterflies in his stomach. This was it. His chance.


    ¡°I challenge Brier for her spot at number nine.¡±


    ¡°And the reason you¡¯re telling me and not her has nothing to do with the crowd she keeps?¡±


    Edan scowled as he followed Master Sims'' tilted chin. Brier sat among the Bright Petal Sect group. Her armor dyed a mix of pastel pinks and yellows and cinched tight at the waist. Around her, a group of girls chatted, occasionally one would say something and the rest would snicker.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, lad.¡± Master Sims patted Edan on the back. ¡°When I was your age I¡¯d have taken a sword to the gut before walking up to a group of girls like them.¡±


    Edan opened his mouth to respond but Master Sims''s bark drowned him out.


    ¡°Oi! Brier of the Bright Petal Sect, get up here! You¡¯re being challenged.¡±


    The woman in question rose gracefully to her feet and moved towards them. She was attractive, with dark brown hair that was styled behind her head in intricate loops. Her large doe eyes and angular features made her look innocent and delicate. Even her weapon, swaying with the movement of her hips, was delicate. A rapier with a basket hilt of spun gold.


    It was the sight of her weapon that helped settle Edan. Sanik used a rapier, and Edan had grown up with him as a sparring partner.


    Master Sims chuckled as he saw Edan¡¯s eyes widen slightly as the woman approached.


    ¡°Gotta love a maxed charisma.¡± Master Sims muttered before speaking louder as Brier approached. ¡°Will it just be the rapier?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Brier replied, drawing the weapon from her hip with an unnecessary flourish and handing it to Master Sims. She flashed a bright smile at Edan, her teeth white against her pink lips.


    Edan smiled back as he drew his own weapons to be enchanted.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t going to attack while I¡¯m unarmed, are you?¡± Brier teased lightly.


    ¡°Wha-uh, no! Of course not!¡± Edan was quick to reassure her.


    Master Sims shook his head and handed each their weapons back. He fought the urge to slap the boy upside the head as he stared at Brier as she walked to her corner of the makeshift ring.


    Edan began to regret his decision. Did he really need Brier¡¯s spot? He might accidentally hurt her if they fought and she truly did look so delicate.


    Yes! He did! He needed to be strong! He needed the support of a sect. The very same sects he hated.


    Across from him, Brier raised her blade. Edan thought he remembered Sanik calling it Sixte or something suspicious like that. Brier smiled at him and winked.


    ¡°Go easy on me!¡± She called out.


    Edan ignored her group of friends laughing behind her.


    Maybe he should just take it easy on her.


    ¡°Fight!¡± Master Sims barked.


    And Brier sprung forward, her leath frame uncurling like a spring as she struck out. The tip of her sword glinted in the afternoon light as it tore through space. It was a sight Edan was all too familiar with.


    His body moved on instinct, the same way it would if he were sparring with Sanik. Edan drew a dagger, but instead of throwing it, he used its blade to push the sword point out wide.


    ¡°Oh, I thought I had you there!¡± Brier pouted, once more shifting back so there was space between them. ¡°I hope I don''t lose.¡±


    Edan couldn¡¯t bear to break her heart. Maybe it wouldn''t be so bad to lose. It would be worth it, just to see her smile.


    Brier struck out again and Edan stepped forward. Muscle memory moved his body, even as he fought it. His attempted sacrifice turned into a clumsy dodge that had him stumbling past Brier, her sword dragging lightly along his chest. The blade turned orange.


    Brier''s response was more violent than Edan had expected, she recoiled from him, as if afraid he would tackle her to the ground. As she twisted, Edan caught a look of disgust on her face and it broke his heart. Edan was so close her hair smacked him in the face and the smell of flowers. The scent soothed his broken heart and made his cheeks feel hot.


    She¡¯d forgive him if he let her win.


    There was a roaring in Edan''s ears like some wild animal let loose, and he stumbled back, his hand going to his head as ice filled his veins and sucked the heat from his body so rapidly he got a headache.


    The headache passed as quickly as it had come, thanks in part to Edan''s high constitution. It took the heat from his cheeks and the confusion from his thoughts.


    ¡®What the fuck¡­¡± Edan muttered out loud. He had to fight the urge to cringe at himself. ¡°What was that?¡±


    Edan glared at Brier. She watched him closely, her fencing blade held balanced and unwavering between them. With the fog lifted from his mind, Edan looked at the woman properly for the first time. Her hair and armor spoke more of fashion than practicality. Her large eyes weren¡¯t warm and innocent. They were hard and beneath the surface, Edan could still make out that disgust she had shown earlier.


    ¡°Dammit! I guess I overplayed my hand. Don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ll still let me win?¡± she asked. Her voice was no longer teasing and inviting. It just pissed Edan off.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Edan agreed, letting his hands fall loosely to his side. He looked down, noting the blade he still held. ¡°But first¡­here!¡±


    Edan tossed the blade at her underhand. It wasn¡¯t a throw. It was a lob, and the blade arced through the air. Reflex had Brier almost reaching for it as her body responded to Edan¡¯s words before she could stop it.


    She did manage to stop herself though and with a flick of her wrist, she deflected the weapon. With another flick of her wrist she deflected the second blade Edan had thrown. Brier was expecting him to lash out like he always did when he got close, so she was taken by surprise when Edan physically tackled her.


    If she had been anyone else, Edan wouldn¡¯t have tried it. He was too small, and his classmates too strong for something like that to work, but Brier was slim, fast, and light, and Edan would bet all his savings she wouldn¡¯t invest heavily into Strength.


    He was right and she fell back with a screech. Brier brought the handle of her sword down, trying to brain Edan, but he shifted and the blow glanced off his shoulder blade. Edan punched her in the nose, hard. Her head snapped back, hitting the hard stone behind her with a crack and her eyes rolled back into her head.


    It was Edan¡¯s turn to look at her with disgust. How had she been ranked nine? She had almost no combat experience. She fell wrong. She reacted poorly. She''d practically knocked herself out.


    Edan remembered how he had almost let her win. What had she done to influence him? High Charisma and some sort of enchantment? He considered bringing it up with Master Sims. In the end, though he didn¡¯t. The academy probably already knew what she did and didn¡¯t care.


    Getting off her, Edan didn¡¯t even bother being a good sportsman as he walked over and picked up his two blades. Master Sims was checking on the girl, but he didn¡¯t look worried.


    Edan looked to his classmates as he waited for Master Sims to announce his new rank. More of them were looking at him now. He wasn¡¯t the quiet, little boy who sat at the back of the classroom anymore. He was done playing that part.


    Edan matched their gazes before stopping on the group around Aser. The tall boy regarded him with a sneer before brushing a strand of green hair from his forehead and turning to say something to Nose, dismissing Edan.


    ¡°Edan moves up to rank nine!¡±


    Edan allowed himself a smile.


    Master Sims continued. ¡°We¡¯ve got time for a few more fights, so if anyone has any more challengers you better get ready.¡±


    Edan could already see the hungry eyes looking at him.


    ¡°I challenge Kaneel for rank eight,¡± Edan called out, his face a hard mask of determination. With a finger, he pointed at the boy sitting among Aser¡¯s group.


    Control the pace. Control the momentum Saniks words echoed in Edan¡¯s mind.


    He had to control the momentum of it all, not just the fights but also the challengers. It was all a fight, just in different ways.


    The war resumes? Edan remembered the Titan¡¯s question.


    It never stops.


    This was his war.


    Edan took a deep breath and set his feet. Squaring his shoulder he watched Kaneel approach. His opponent''s long stride chewed up the space until he stopped for Master Sims to enchant his hand and a half sword. Edan¡¯s own blades were still enchanted.


    Another deep breath helped center Edan¡¯s thoughts and settled his beating heart. He watched Kaneel stop opposite him. Edan looked at the casual confidence with which Kaneel held his sword.


    Edan hadn¡¯t just been sitting down lazily in the sun, he had been observing. Kaneel had tried to take Kumi¡¯s rank earlier but had lost. While the match hadn''t gone how Kaneel wanted, it had shown Edan something important. The man was skilled and fought defensively.


    ¡°Fight!¡± Master Sims'' voice cracked like a whip.


    Edan surged forward like the tide. He reached for the daggers along his chest. Kaneel shifted his feet and watched Edan¡¯s hand. He was expecting Edan to throw the daggers. It was what Edan had been doing all day.


    Edan drew his hand back and flicked it forward. No blade left his hand. It was a faint and Kaneel twitched, almost falling for it. Then Edan was in front of him. Dagger plunged towards stomach, only to be deflected by the blade of a sword. Edan twisted, then turned, his other hand lashing out, a second throwing knife gripped in his palm like a dagger.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Kaneel wove a pattern of steel through the air, deflecting and pushing aside Edans attack with a calm determination. Edan lashed out with a kick and winced when his foot collided with Kaneels. It was like hitting a wall.


    This was the danger of those in the top nine. They likely had max levels and capped stats.


    Faster and faster Edan moved. Stabs turned to slashes, slashes to hacks. He kicked and punched, blending it all together in a wild mixture to confuse Kaneel and keep the man from pushing him back where the sword would have an advantage.


    Edan attempted a body check and stumbled back as Kaneel failed to move an inch. He managed to keep the smile off his face.


    The kick had been a test. It proved Kaneel was too strong to be moved. The body check had been a play. Edan needed an excuse to gain distance without making it look like an attack.


    Stumbling back Edan flicked the blades in his hand out, throwing them from barely a foot away. He didn¡¯t even wait to see what happened to them. He was already reaching for the other two and throwing them as well. In the blink of an eye, four daggers had left Edans hands.


    Kaneel deflected one, and then by some miracle, he deflected the other, both with a wide sweep of his sword. The third hit him in the right shoulder, the enchantment preventing it from piercing. The knife fell to the ground, its blade yellow. The second knife slipped just to the left, missing Kaneel by a hair.


    Edan completed his stumble and almost snapped his back bending away from a relatitory sword swing. Now it was Kaneel¡¯s turn to advance, the distance between the two was perfect for his sword.


    Edan sucked in his stomach, narrowly avoiding getting disemboweled. He twisted, the stab intended for his heart sliding along his shoulder. Kaneel¡¯s blade turned yellow.


    Edan stepped in, trying to close the distance but Kaneel skipped back, his blade once more flicking through the air like a grey flame, forcing Edan back. Ducking under a blow that would have removed his head, Edan pulled the push daggers from his back. They weren¡¯t made to deflect a sword. In fact, they weren¡¯t made for defense at all. They just made Edan feel better holding them.


    Edan danced around the blade and tried to reach Kaneel but all it earned him was a slice along his bicep. Kaneel¡¯s blade turned orange.


    ¡°Useless without your little throwing knives,¡± Kaneel muttered, advancing on Edan.


    Edan had to admit Kaneel was right. He considered throwing the push blades, but they weren¡¯t weighted right and it would just be a waste. Edan wondered how long they had been fighting. Maybe it was long enough? Maybe the class would be over soon?


    He had to keep at it. Draw it out.


    The alternative was to allow himself to be beaten now, then accept a follow-up challenge that Edan just knew would come. He could likely win that challenge, even exhausted as he was.


    But could Edan win the one after?


    Kaneel didn''t give Edan time to think. He advanced with all the skilled determination of a dedicated swordsman. Edan slid to the side, allowing the overhead chop to whistle past him. Stepping in he dropped a blade and grabbed at Kaneel¡¯s hand, attempting to lock the limb and weapon down.


    Once again his low strength stat came into play. Kaneel twisted out of Edan¡¯s grip and kicked the smaller boy''s legs out from under him. Edan hit the ground hard and rolled. Kaneels blade hit the ground where his neck had been a millisecond before.


    Edan tried to get to his feet but Kaneel was there, pressuring him. Kicking him and forcing him back down. Edan tried to roll away but Kaneel was expecting it and stomped on Edan''s foot. Edan bit back a scream as he felt his ankle twist.


    Then the sword fell. The orange glow made the metal blade look awash with fire. Like a guillotine, it dropped towards Edan''s neck. The blade froze against his skin, the cold metal just kissing his delicate flesh.


    ¡°I think we can call that a win.¡± Master Sims appeared in Edan¡¯s view, standing behind Kaneel, one hand on the boy''s shoulder, the other reaching around to hold his hand in place.


    ¡°Kaneel of the Four Star Heavenly Sect retains his rank. Mawe, you¡¯ve lost the right to challenge.¡±


    Edan nodded his head in understanding, ignoring the smug smile on Kaneel¡¯s face as he limped over to begin picking up his daggers.


    As he bent over, Edan caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Aser had moved from his place among the group. Edan¡¯s heart dropped when he noticed who the green-haired boy was talking to. Therry. Rank ten.


    Aser said something quietly in the other boy''s ear before nodding and stepping back. His lips twisted in a false smile that didn''t reach his eyes.


    Therry looked towards Edan. Edan sighed and stopped walking. He knew what was coming.


    ¡°I challenge Edan Mawe for his rank of nine!¡± Therry called out, his voice high and light. It matched his hair.


    Edan scowled. He didn¡¯t like Therry. Not only because the other boy was a foppish dick who spent too much time grooming his thin wispy mustache but also because he used mini crossbows as a weapon. Normally that wouldn¡¯t have been an issue, but Therry¡¯s were specially made, thanks to a father who sat among the wealthiest merchants in the city. They had an under barrel attached to the shaft of each weapon that contained small bolts. After each shot, the crossbow would reload automatically.


    Also, Edan may have been a bit jealous of the ornate jade dagger the boy carried on his hip. It was as ostentatious as the owner, but Edan could appreciate its beauty.


    Master Sims glanced at Edan, pity in his eyes, before calling Therry forward. Edan turned back and limped to his original position. He ignored Aser. He ignored the anger that burned like acid in his gut.


    The top nine ranks were jealously guarded by the sects. It must have irritated them like a sore tooth to have someone like Edan join their number.


    Was that what Aser promised Therry? Edan wandered as he tested his ankle. It was tender but could hold his weight. Once more he thanked his constitution. A welcome into the fold? Guess they prefer having a son of a Merchant than they do a son of a commoner.


    Edan held back the urge to spit.


    Therry stood opposite Edan and drew his crossbows with an exaggerated flourish when Master Sims asked him for his weapon. There was a great deal of grumbling as he pulled the drum from beneath the shafts and cracked them open. Therry protested as the teacher pulled out each bolt and tapped the metal heads.


    Edan watched closely. Counting the number of bolts in each drum. Six per drum, with a drum for each crossbow, so twelve bolts total. It did beg the question though, how would damage be counted?


    Curious, Edan decided to ask Master Sims, as it seemed a relevant question.


    ¡°Sir, how will the bolt record damage? Like, does each bolt count as flat damage, so get hit by three and I¡¯ll have lost? Or is it location-based, so if I get hit in the head it goes straight to red and I¡¯m out?¡±


    Master Sims gave an appreciative nod. ¡°Good question. It¡¯s location-based. Don¡¯t ask me how the enchantment works. I don¡¯t know and none of the Golden Throne Enchanters would be willing to tell me if I did ask. Just know that a bolt to the head will count as an immediate loss, while a bolt to say¡­.your arm¡­ wouldn''t. Keep in mind though, that if enough make contact, it''ll still be marked as a loss. You aren''t at a level where you can ignore fifteen bolts sticking out of you.¡±


    Edan nodded his understanding, his brain already working overtime trying to figure out a way to win. His options weren¡¯t looking great. Therry would keep him at a distance and just pelt him with bolts until he ¡®died¡¯. If he pushed the boy could just run away.


    Once more Edan felt the limit of his fighting style. He thought about what the higher-ranked students would do. The answer was simple. They¡¯d use a shield, or the threat of Sect retaliation to prevent the fight from happening in the first place.


    Edan almost laughed when he realized that Therry had him to thank if he entered the top 9.


    Master Sims was almost done enchanting the final bolts of the second drum. Edan needed to come up with something quick. Groaning to himself at the stupidity of his idea, Edan slid the daggers from their sheaths and laid them on the floor.


    Next, he started working on the buckles of his armor, loosening them up enough to slide the leather cuirass over his head. His underclothes were damp from sweat and the afternoon breeze drifting through the window chilled him. Turning the hardened leather vest around, Edan looped the shoulder straps across his forearms, so the armor hung down like curtains.


    It wasn¡¯t ideal, and it didn¡¯t fit properly on his arm, but it was better than nothing.


    Master Sims, done with Therry, walked over to Edan. His mustache twitched in a frown at the cuirass around Edan''s arm.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to reapply the enchantment,¡± he muttered, pointing to the blades on the ground. ¡°Also that¡¯s going to block your vision if you plan on using it like a shield. The leather might be stiff enough to block the bolt though.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping the enchantment will turn the bolts into thrown rocks. You know, it hits the leather and pushes it back a bit, then falls down.¡± Edan grabbed the bottom of the cuirass and waved it back and forth gently. ¡°Think it¡¯ll work?¡±


    Master Sims shrugged. ¡°Not my place to say, lad. If you like we can go over shield techniques in the next practical class, but for now, you¡¯re on your own.¡±


    Edan didn¡¯t miss the slight bob of the man''s head as if he were agreeing with the tactic. To hide the smile from his face Edan picked up two daggers and slid them into his belt, making a show of adjusting them. Normally he would have wanted the naked blades nowhere near Edan junior, but once more he was relying on the enchantments.


    Edan picked up the other two daggers and turning around, placed them out of the way. He ensured Therry had a clear view of his back.


    ¡°You lot may want to watch out for flying objects!¡± Master Sim roared at the rest of the class, his cheery voice at odds with his words. ¡°The bolts may be enchanted but that doesn¡¯t mean it can''t take out an eye if it hits you!¡±


    Master Sims was nice enough to wait for Edan to get back in position before lifting his arm. As he dropped it Edan had a single moment to hope that Therry didn¡¯t invest heavily in Dexterity.


    There was a snap.


    Instinct had Edan bringing his left arm up, the cuirass rising with it, to shield his face. There was muted thumb and the cuirass swayed back stiffly under the force of the bolt. But Edan avoided getting hit.


    He saw what Master Sims meant though. With the curiess blocking his vision he had no idea where Therry was aiming next. There was another snap and Edan crouched, trying to cover as much of himself as possible with armor that was only meant to cover his chest.


    The bolt flew past his foot, narrowly missing his calf muscle.


    10 bolts.


    Move you idiot! Listening to the voice in his head, Edan dove sideways. Another bolt whistled past his head. He tucked into a ball, rolling forward before bouncing to his feet. His left arm came up, even as he ducked down. There was another snap of wooden limps and taught string and Edan stumbled sideways, hissing in pain, as a bolt made contact with his forearm. Luckily the armor was good enough padding that he¡¯d only be left with a bruise.


    Edan didn''t look back to see what color the bolt was. He would fight until Master Sims stopped him. He jerked to the side, choosing a sporadic path across the floor, but always keeping Therry to his left, his makeshift shield between them.


    There was another snap and Edan jerked to stop and raised his hand. Too late. The bolt skipped off his rib. Edan saw it flash orange as it disappeared under his right elbow.


    Edan jugged back towards the center of the ring. He stumbled, his ankle protesting at the sudden moves. He ignored it. Pulling a dagger from his belt he dropped his shield, drawing a bead on Therry at the same time the boy raised his crossbow to fire. Edan jerked his shield back up and tossed the knife around it blindly.


    There was the snap again. The bolt missed. So did his knife.


    6 bolts.


    He couldn¡¯t afford to take another hit. Even a glancing blow might set off the enchantment.


    Breath coming in huffs, Edan ignored the sweat stinging his eyes. His heart beat like drums in his ears. Adrenaline shot through his veins like lightning, searing thought from his brain and leaving only action.


    Edan grabbed his last dagger and holding his cuirass up in front of him, charged straight at Therry. It was one of the few times Edan was thankful for his small stature and speed. He didn¡¯t quite fit behind the makeshift shield, but enough of him was covered that the shots Therry aimed at his exposed elbow, or shins, were hard enough that the boy missed. Instead, he shot rapidly at the leather cuirass in the hopes of pushing it far enough back to get a bolt under it.


    One bolt slipped past Edan''s shoulder. One bounced off the ground as it hit the floor between his sprinting feet. Another one impacted the leather cuirass with enough force to make Edan lean back, even as he continued to run forward. The fourth shot hit the exact same place and Edan staggered.


    2 bolts.


    Panicked, Edan threw the last dagger blindly, hoping to disrupt Therry¡¯s focus. The boy laughed, making it obvious Edan had missed. There was another crack and Edan felt a third bolt impact his cuiress. His forward run turned into a stumble and his arm dipped. He looked over his forearm with wide eyes, staring down the barrel of a crossbow.


    1 bolt.


    There was a crack. The bolt flew true.


    Edan screamed at himself to duck.


    The bolt grew larger in his eyes¡­


    ¡­and skimmed across his scalp, pulling at strands of his hair.


    Therry swore, throwing his crossbows to the side with all the disregard of someone who could buy more, and drew the knife from his belt. It may not have been his primary weapon, but it didn¡¯t need to be. Edan had used his last dagger, he would be unarmed.


    Therry dove forward, taking advantage of Edan¡¯s staggering form.


    Edan was still trying to recover his balance after his lucky dodge. His hands were tied up with the leather cuirass, the armor weighing him down and making him lopsided.


    The green dagger fell towards Edan¡¯s neck. Edan surged forward, angling his head so the blade would pass by his left ear, his shoulder acting as a brace to stop Therry¡¯s downward slash at the forearm. His own right arm slid out from beneath his cuirass, which was still tied to his left forearm. Edan¡¯s ankle screamed at him as he set his leg, accepting the weight of the taller boy as he crashed into him. He swung a haymaker towards Therry¡¯s exposed ribs.


    Therry caught light flash off the metal in Edan¡¯s hand.


    He remembered watching Edan''s fights earlier against all his other opponents. Therry had watched the boy pull his punch daggers from his back. He remembered watching Edan place his daggers out of the way before the match. Edan''s back had been clear. No weapons. No sheath.


    Ohhh, Therry realised too late. The sheaths for the push daggers were on the inside of the armor.


    Therry grunted as he felt something blunt, but narrow, impact his ribs. His armor reduced much of the force. He wouldn¡¯t even have a bruise.


    The enchantment didn¡¯t care about that.


    Edan¡¯s hand drew back. Like blood coating its blade, the push dagger clutched in his palm was red.


    ¡°Edan Mawe retains his rank. Therry of the Merchants Guild, you have lost the right to challenge.¡±


    [Endurance +1]


    [Constituion +1]


    [Endurance: 82 -> 83, Constitution: 83 -> 84]


    Edan whooped loudly, thrusting his hand into the air in joy.

 CHAPTER 10

    Edan¡¯s joy was short-lived. All it took was seeing the dissatisfaction in the eyes of most of his classmates for him to realize he was about to be challenged again.


    They didn¡¯t need to win with skill. They just had to grind him down until he lost from exhaustion. Already Edan was having trouble standing, his ankle throbbed and he winced when he tried putting weight on it. He fought to get his breathing under control. Sweat matted his hair, sticking the curls to his forehead and neck.


    To make it worse, Edan could see the cold calculation in Aser''s eyes.


    ¡°I challenge Ashina for rank 2!¡± Called out a cheerful, bubbly voice.


    Edan almost fell over with happiness. He cast thankful eyes at Lorien and she grinned back at him, her pearly white teeth on display. Ashina, a dour-looking brunette barely taller than Edan and almost as slim, cast an irritated look at Lorien. The dark bags under the girl''s eyes made her look in desperate need of rest but she rose to her feet gracefully from beside the other members of the Golden Throne Sect.


    Edan hobbled from the makeshift ring, pushing past classmates who didn¡¯t give him space, and stepping around those that looked ready to fight back. He made it to his window and turned around, leaning against the wall he slid down, his sore leg stuck out before him.


    The Titan was off talking to a group of students across the room. They looked distinctly uncomfortable having the massive woman so close and shifted awkwardly under her gaze. Given her height, Edan assumed she was used to looming.


    Turning away, Edan focused on the match between Lorien and Ashina. One bubbly and bright, the other all doom and gloom. Edan watched Lorien¡¯s button nose twitch and she rubbed at it with the shaft of her trident. Ashina pulled a short sword from the sheath at her waist, its metal blade gleamed as if freshly polished. The hilt matched the girl''s gold-accented robes.


    Master Sims approached the two to enchant their weapons.


    ¡°It seems very few of you wish to continue challenging for a better rank. In fact, some of you haven¡¯t even been challenged.¡±


    This was a not-so-subtle jab at Aser. The number 1 rank just smiled a cocky smile. Members of his group eyed him with envy.


    ¡°This will be the last match.¡± Master Sims decided. The smile slipped from Aser¡¯s face as his eyes flickered towards Edan. ¡°It¡¯s get-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure there''s time for another match!¡± Aser cut in before belatedly adding ¡°Sir.¡±


    ¡°Aser of the Four Star Heavenly Sect, as you are unable to issue a challenge, kindly shut the fuck up.¡± Master Sims growled, an invisible wave of aura washing off him making several of the students closest to Aser wince as they caught up in it.


    ¡°As I was saying. It''s getting late and there are some talking points I need to go over before you all head out.¡±


    There was mumbled acknowledgment. Aser still didn¡¯t look happy, but he knew better than to push his luck.


    There were the now familiar taps to each weapon from Master Sims before he called the match to start. Edan turned his ankle, testing it. It still throbbed, but he should be fine by the time they called it a day.


    Lorien and Ashina started the match slowly. Each testing the other as they tried to find their range. Lorien had the longer reach, but the trident was heavy. Ashina was fast, and surprisingly powerful if the wince from Lorien was anything to go by as she blocked an overhead slash.


    The two shuffled back and forth. Breaking apart and circling before resuming their dance. Edan wondered how it would look once they birthed their system and could start using skills.


    The Academy only provided education until you birthed your system, or reached the age of 21. If you couldn¡¯t gain a grade by that age, you likely never would, and the sects would want nothing to do with you.


    Ashina gasped, her blade caught between the prongs of Loriens trident. Lorien spun her weapon, trying to wrench the sword from her opponent''s hand. Ashina twisted in the air in an incredible feat of dexterity. Even Lorien looked impressed. Ashina pushed against the trident, forcing it down, then she flipped over her own sword and stepped onto the shaft of Loriens weapon. The trident was wrenched from Loriens hands.


    Ashina punched Lorien in the throat, making the other girl gag.


    Edan expected the match to end up Lorien grabbed Ashina by the collar of her robes and dragged her close. She slammed her forehead into the smaller womans nose. Once, twice, three times. There was a crunch and blood spurted from the wound, drenching both of them.


    A few of the class cheered. Edan nodded in appreciation.


    Weaponless the two women turned to unarmed combat. Lorien was taller and had the weight advantage. Ashina though was lightning fast and from a sect that threw money around like it was paper. She had likely been trained by some of the best instructors her parents could afford.


    Ashina showed why she was ranked second.


    She slipped a punch, danced around another, and pushed a knee aside. Under Loriens guard she rattled off a quick succession of blows, rocking the taller woman, before slipping out of reach.


    The match was over. All that was left was for Lorien to topple.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    It didn¡¯t come quickly. Lorien made Ashina work for it. Both of them were breathing hard by the time it ended. Lorien smiled, her usually white teeth stained with blood, then fell over backward.


    ¡°I lose!¡± She called from her place on the ground.


    Ashina whipped blood from her upper lip. A useless gesture as her nose still bled profusely.


    ¡°Ashina of the Golden Throne Sect retains her rank. Lorien of the World Union has lost¡­oh right. That''s the last match. Sorry about that,¡± Master Sims scratched the back of his head. ¡°Sort of became a habit.¡±


    Ashina walked back to her group. They clapped her on the back and congratulated her, though Edan noticed they made a point to not touch any parts of her covered in blood.


    Edan considered going over to help Lorien but Nose and Teeth were already on their way.


    ¡°Alright, alright! If you lot could give me your attention for five minutes, then you can all bugger off.¡±


    The idle chatter died down as a few students shuffled around so they could see what Master Sims had to say.


    ¡°First off, congrats to those of you who increased your rank. You earned it. For those of you who lost your rank, well, just remember, you aren''t the only one aiming for the top, and slacking off doesn''t get you rewarded.¡± Master Sims took a second to look around at everyone. ¡°In light of today, you all get tomorrow off from class.¡±


    There was a cheer at that. It was a day away from the weekend so with tomorrow off they had three whole days to themselves.


    ¡°I do ask that the top nine come by my office the day after tomorrow. Say an hour after lunch.¡±


    Edan perked up as he realized that included him. Pride warmed him. He had done it. Top nine!


    ¡°I¡¯m sure several of you have also noticed our¡­spectator¡­though she¡¯s gone now.¡±


    Edan looked around, surprised to realize the Titan had indeed left. He hadn¡¯t even noticed. Once again he wondered at her earlier interest in him before deciding that such things were best left alone.


    ¡°She may approach several of you throughout the following days. She may not. The school asks that you give her some of your time and answer what questions she has¡­no, I don¡¯t know what she wants.¡± Kumi¡¯s hand dropped. ¡°But I do know she will be assisting me with Practical classes from next week, so you¡¯ll all get a chance to know her better then.¡±


    There was a pause as he looked at the students, his bushy eyebrows raising.


    ¡°Well? What are you waiting for? Get lost!¡±


    As one the students jumped to their feet, some pulling on their friends to help them up. Others laughed as they pushed their friends down. The weight of the day and the stress from the class were gone. They were once more teenagers, free to do what they wanted.


    Edan continued to sit down. He wasn¡¯t in a rush to join the line at the door, and his foot could use a few extra minutes to heal. He would need to cultivate tonight. Hopefully, he had enough Vitalis to break through to the next level. He really needed to increase his stat cap.


    If he was being honest with himself, he really needed to increase his Strength as well. And his Soul level.


    Edan let out a sigh. So much to do.


    The crowd had thinned. Master Sims remained standing in the same place, his hands clasped behind his back. It only served to make his stomach look larger, and rounder. Dark eyes noticed Edan watching him and the instructor strolled over.


    ¡°So, Mawe, proud of yourself?¡±


    Edan couldn¡¯t keep the smile off his face. He didn¡¯t even need to say anything.


    Master Sims shook his head sadly.


    ¡°You sure you did the right thing, lad? A lot of the other students had the same idea you did, they were just smart enough to wait. There¡¯ll be another ranking day, closer to the end of the year, when nearly all of you have your levels and stats capped. That''s when they¡¯ll make the push.¡± Master Sims looked down at Edan. ¡°All you¡¯ve done is paint the target on your back early.¡±


    Edan pushed against the wall, using it as leverage to get to his feet.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right sir, but I need the benefits from being in the top nine. Figure it''s worth the risk.¡±


    ¡°The benefits were never meant for you, lad.¡± Master Sims spoke quietly, his voice a low rumble Edan had to strain to hear. ¡°It''s all a farce. The sects send their kids here so that selection is ¡®equal¡¯. Really though it''s to show everyone and the guilds how much better their children are. The rewards you want? They were meant to only go to the sect children. They won''t be happy you¡¯re getting it.¡±


    Edan kept the shock from his face. He knew what Master Sims was saying. Harvey had talked to him about it when he first decided to join the academy. Edan was just shocked Master Sims, an instructor, would actually say it.


    He looked at the older man with new respect.


    ¡°Thanks for the heads up sir, but I¡¯m aiming for the Prooving Tournament at the end of this year, and to get there, I need every extra little bit of help I can get.¡±


    They were currently in the Season of Seeding, but once the year ended and they entered the Season of Prooving, the annual tournament would be held in Solaris. Traditionally it had been used to mark the beginning of the Season of Prooving, but that had changed over time as the Sects began to use it as the hunting ground for new recruits. Edan, being a student of the Academy, was qualified to enter, so long as he birthed his system before then.


    Every faction, guild, or Sect on Terra would be present at that tournament. If Edan wanted sponsorship, that was the place to get it.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Master Sims asked.


    ¡°I know age matters to the Sects. Well, the age you birthed your system, at least. When was the last time a student was selected by one of the sects?¡± Edan fired back.


    ¡°It happens every year!¡±


    ¡°I meant one that wasn¡¯t already affiliated with a sect, sir.¡±


    The answer was slower in coming this time. ¡°That''s....harder to remember.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. So I need to show them I can hang with the best. I can match their rate of progression.¡±


    ¡°And you can''t wait until next year?¡± Master Sims insisted.


    Edan rubbed the side of his jaw. Technically he could. He wasn''t in danger of being kicked out of the academy due to the age limit. His eighteenth birthday was coming up, in fact. No, the reason it had to be this year was personal. And petty.


    Master Sims saw right through him.


    ¡°Aser of the Four Star Heavenly Sect?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll graduate this year. He has to have already leveled everything to twenty-nine and capped his stats. He¡¯ll light his spark and birth his system any day now. If I want to challenge him, it has to be this year.¡± Edan¡¯s smile turned vicious. ¡°Imagine what it¡¯ll look like when the star of the Four Star Heavenly Sect loses to the son of a commoner. They¡¯ll have to accept me.¡±


    Master Sims let out a sad sigh, shaking his head. He clasped Edan on the shoulder and gave it a squeeze.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be as easy as all that, Mawe. Aser is a big fish in a little pond. There are true monsters out there, still growing...but if this is your path then it''s your path.¡± Master Sims jerked his head towards the door. ¡°You best get out of here. You look like shit.¡±

 CHAPTER 11

    Edan felt like shit by the time he got home. Not wanting to head through the store, he used the side entrance. Pushing open the gate with a groan Edan shuffled into the backyard. His ankle had healed up, thanks to his constitution, but a bone-deep waryness had set in.


    ¡°The mighty warrior returns!¡± Sanik called out, stopping mid-lunge, his rapier held perfectly parallel with the ground.


    Edan flashed a tired thumbs up and made his way over to the shade under the appleberry tree he had planted with Reema all those years ago when he had first gotten here. Sanik had built a picnic table under it, near the trunk, and it was there that Edan settled.


    ¡°How¡¯d you do?¡± Sanik asked, still in the same position, his body perfectly balanced and almost unnaturally still. The plain white shirt he wore was damp with sweat and stained with dust. His blonde hair, tied up in a bun, had a few strands loose and they stuck to his skin.


    ¡°Made it to the top nine.¡±


    Edans grin matched his adopted father''s. A bit of the grin was due to the pride he saw in Saniks eyes. There had been a time, shortly after his biological father had dropped him off, that Edan had worried Sanik and Reema would grow tired of him. If his own parents didn¡¯t want him, why would they?


    He had never been so happy to be so wrong.


    ¡°I knew you would, son.¡± Sanik beamed. Then he moved. There was a flicker and he was in a different position. Edan hadn¡¯t even seen him move. Now the sword was held out to the side, his father standing ramrod straight.


    ¡°Master Sims warned me about the sects. They won''t be happy.¡±


    Sanik blurred, dust kicking up from the ground. The wind shrieked as his blade cut the air. Now he stood with the sword behind him, as if he could hide the long thin blade behind his back.


    ¡°Does that bother you?¡± he asked.


    Edan considered the question, leaning against the tabletop and picking at a splinter near the edge.


    ¡°No. I mean¡­no more than usual? They give me shit anyway. Not just me. Well, mostly me,¡± Edan admitted with a low laugh. ¡°But that''s because I don¡¯t fall all over myself trying to suck up to them.¡±


    Sanik chuckled and nodded before saying ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    Edan closed his eyes for a second, enjoying the cool evening and the comfort of being home. There was a crack of displaced air and he opened his eyes. His father now stood across the yard, his sword extended in a stab. Another crack and Sanik disappeared again. He appeared next to the table, his sword slashing through an imaginary foe, before the swing had completed he vanished again with another crack. He appeared in the air, his body twisting in a somersault as the slash completed its journey.


    Edan clapped as Sanik landed lightly on his feet, his rapier sliding back into a sheath before it vanished all together, sucked back into the storage ring Sanik wore on his finger.


    ¡°Nice! That was three!¡± Edan exclaimed.


    Sanik put his hand on his waist and put on a bored look. ¡°Yes. I improved the skill the other day. What can I say? A genius such as I has little to brag about.¡±


    ¡°You completely lucked out didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yup! Your mum was talking to me while I was practicing. Something about a new sewing style? I dunno. I wasn¡¯t listening. I was two flicker steps in when she asked me a question.¡± Sanik smiled fondly at the memory. ¡°I was too scared to admit I wasn¡¯t listening so I wished I was anywhere else. I ended up stepping to the back door.¡±


    ¡°You should piss off mum more.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Sanik shook his head sadly. ¡°The world isn¡¯t ready for the kind of power it would grow.¡±


    Edan laughed as he stood up. Stretching he felt a pop in his back and sighed with relief.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to head up and grab a shower, then cultivate for a bit in my room.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll probably be a bit longer. Might help Rem lock up. I¡¯ll let her know you¡¯re back. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll want to hear about your day over dinner.¡±


    Edan waved acknowledgment as he entered the workshop. It was quiet, Reema must be in the front. Edan stumbled up the stairs and into the living room, taking his time.


    A cold shower helped wake him up and soothed his aching body. He considered dressing but after throwing on a pair of shorts he sat down cross-legged on the floor of his room. He tossed his towel on the bed before realizing it would leave a damp spot. With a groan, he got up and moved it to the bed frame before settling back down.


    Taking a deep breath Edan tried to calm his heart. He was too exhausted to try to raise his Body level, and if he meditated he would likely fall asleep, so trying to raise his Soul level was also out of the question. That just left Mind.


    Edan took slow, deep breaths, allowing his heartbeat to settle. He emptied his mind, letting the memories of the day fall away. There was emotion under it. Excitement, anger, pride, fear. Edan breathed deep and let them go too. What he wanted was beyond that.


    He felt himself fall through the darkness. Conscious yet not. Fast, but slow.


    He fell down, but then down was sideways and he moved into his SoulScape.


    It was infantile and barren. Golden light came from a pool of thick liquid undulating slowly, like waves, in the center of his most private space. The waves broke against an invisible shore before receding. Floating above the center of the pool was a bead. It looked like frosted glass. Edans consciousness drew closer to the bead and he tried to look within.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Was it his imagination, or could he make out a light within that core? The spark that was his system, waiting to be brought to life.


    Edan allowed his consciousness to move back. It wasn¡¯t time. He still needed to refine his core. Only when it was clear enough to see through could he even begin to think about birthing it.


    Settling back, Edan reached out and took control of the pool of raw golden Vitalis. It resisted his control, the waves turning rough.


    Edan pushed against it. Asserting his will on the energy he had absorbed and stored. The waves calmed. The pool settled. Edan spun it. Slowly at first, but gradually picking up speed, the liquid energy began to spin. Edan created a whirlpool with the center under his core.


    The strain as he lifted the pool was immense. Edan felt the pressure it put on his real body. He could feel an ache in his temple and knew once he left his Soulscape he¡¯d be in for the mother of all headaches.


    Slowly the pool rose, the outer edge rising past the floating bead. Edan slowed down, ensuring the swirling energy maintained a steady movement. Happy, he lifted it further, placing his core in the center of the vortex.


    The liquid Vitalis slid over the surface of his core, the gold energy stripping away minuscule impurities from its surface. The added resistance though made it harder for Edan to keep the pool rotating and with a gasp he let it fall apart.


    The pool fell, crashing against inky darkness and spreading out like a stain before slowly drawing back together. Edan watched it all gather back beneath his core and the gentle undulations started up once more.


    His core remained as green and opaque as ever.


    Maybe he was just too tired.


    With a sigh, he fell back. Then he fell up.


    Edan opened his eyes and flopped backward onto the floor. Looking up at the ceiling he tried not to let his disappointment win.


    The cultivation manuals the academy had given them were considered the best. Well, the best for public consumption at least. The sects all had their own methods and Edan was willing to bet their kids attending the Academy were using those methods. Even if they weren¡¯t meant to.


    That was part of the reason Edan wanted a Sect Sponsorship.


    Nor could he use the same method as Sanik or Reema. Sanik¡¯s methods were completely useless to Edan. It was only suitable to use after you had birthed your system and become graded, and it relied on the use of a fencing weapon.


    Edan sucked with swords. He had none of the finesse needed and treated them like bats. Which was annoying because he didn¡¯t have the brute strength required to use a bat so¡­


    Reema¡¯s cultivation was focused on her profession and Edan didn¡¯t see himself becoming a [Hush Weaver]. He had neither the stealth for the assassin side of the profession nor the interest in elaborate plots for the weaver side of things.


    Edan shook his head and rolled to his feet.


    If he wasn¡¯t going to cultivate, and he was too tired to go out and train, he could at least cook dinner.


    Sanik and Reema came up the stairs as he was flipping the tomatoes and peppers in the pan. The smell of cooked meat hung in the air, even after Edan had opened the window over the sink. Below, he could see people walking on the street.


    Reema came over and gave Edan a kiss on the forehead and a crushing hug.


    ¡°Sanik told me you got ninth place. I¡¯m so proud of you!¡±


    Edan returned her hug.


    Reema pulled back, giving him a proud smile so wide her cheeks almost swallowed her eyes, before moving over to the cool box. She leaned over, pulling something from inside, and said over her shoulder. ¡°I already knew you would, that''s why I baked this!¡±


    She held up a frosted cake. She wasn¡¯t the best at decorating and the icing looked a little uneven in places. The chocolate she had melted over the top looked like they were meant to have been letters, but it obviously had spread out too much before cooling and now just made the surface look patchy.


    As far as Edan was concerned, it was perfect.


    ¡°Congratulations!¡± She cheered, holding up the cake. Behind her Sanik reached out reflexively, afraid she¡¯d drop it, even as he too joined in on her cheer.


    Edan mumbled his thanks, suddenly shy.


    ¡°Oh darling, you need to remember to get a scribe down to fix the markings along the coolbox, they¡¯re wearing out,¡± she added quickly to Sanik. ¡°Now I better put this away before it starts melting again.¡±


    She slid the cake back into the chilled interior of their cool box and closed the door. Turning to Sanik she flicked her finger towards the shower.


    ¡°Go clean up, you smell like sweat and there''s dust all over your hair.¡±


    ¡°As you wish.¡± Sanik gave a flourishing bow before giving her a wink. ¡°Care to join me?¡±


    ¡°Ewww! Dad!¡± Edan made a face and turned back to the pan, flipping the tomatoes and peppers once more. They looked ready so he moved it off the heat.


    Sanik¡¯s laughter followed him into the shower and Reema came to stand beside Edan. She looked over what was for dinner and nodded happily.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind him, he¡¯s just happy for you and being an idiot.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Edan admitted. ¡°Still gross though.¡±


    Reema laughed.


    ¡°Then I guess we shouldn¡¯t tell you we¡¯re trying?¡±


    ¡°Trying?¡± Edan asked distractedly, shifting the vegetables out of the pan.


    Reema didn¡¯t answer him straight away and it was only when he looked at her that she patted her belly. The look she returned was pointed.


    Edan looked at her blankly.


    ¡°You hungry?¡± He asked, confused.


    ¡°No!¡± Reema slapped her forehead, her brown eyes shining with amusement. ¡°I meant we¡¯re trying for a baby. I was trying to be smooth.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Oh!¡± It finally clicked and Edan blinked at the sudden news.


    Part of him was thrilled. But a darker part woke up. The part of him that he had buried deep and thought killed by Sanik and Reema¡¯s love. The fear. The insecurities.


    If they had a child, did they need him? He was almost eighteen. Would he need to leave?


    At that moment Edan hated himself. Why couldn¡¯t he just be happy for them?


    Reema, oblivious to Edan¡¯s turmoil continued on.


    ¡°Ever since you were a kid, I¡¯ve wanted another child. Sanik was happy to just focus on raising you right. He worried a lot about how we would handle two children and also continue working at the same time. I mean, we both worried about it, but Sanik worried more. We couldn¡¯t ask Harvey to babysit two children.¡± Reema laughed and patted Edan, who stood frozen. ¡°But it¡¯s actually thanks to you that we¡¯ve decided to try now.¡±


    Edan blinked, the darkness threatening to drown him retreating as he registered her words. Another child. Sanik was happy with you.


    ¡°Sanik figured we did a pretty good job raising you, that maybe we could raise another.¡± Reema smiled warmly at Edan, ruffling his hair like she used to when he was a kid. ¡°And you¡¯ll be an awesome older brother so what do we have to worry about?¡±


    Older brother.


    The darkness vanished and suddenly the kitchen had never looked so bright and airy. Edan pulled Reema into a hug. She laughed and patted his back.


    ¡°So I take it you¡¯re not opposed?¡±


    Edan let her go and turned back to the counter quickly so she wouldn''t see the moisture in his eyes. He cleared his throat and started plating the food.


    ¡°Nah, I won¡¯t mind,¡± Edan said smiling.

 CHAPTER 12

    Edan woke early the next day. Habit, more than conscious thought, saw him training in the backyard before the sun had broken through the horizon.


    Pushing Vitalis through his limbs, Edan twisted and turned, working on his balance and coordination as energy rolled beneath his skin, working on purifying his bones, muscles, and skin. If asked, he would relate it to the burn of a good workout.


    Edan flipped into a handstand, his body rocking as he collected himself. Slowly he bent at the elbows, bringing his face close to the ground. His breath remained steady and little puffs of dust were kicked into the air with each exhale. Sweat fell from his brow.


    Pushing off explosively he flipped and landed on his feet.


    Now his movements became violent. He lashed out with fist and foot, following patterns Sanik had taught him. The Vitalis surged through him now. Each punch sent it violently towards his fist and as he snapped his hand back the energy returned to his center.


    Gradually the sky became dyed with pinks and reds, the clouds looking like fluffy cotton candy, before the sun banished the vibrant colors for a brilliant light blue.


    Edan stood panting, hands on knees. His thin limbs were soaked with sweat and shone as if freshly oiled. His dark curls were heavy with perspiration.


    Edan smiled though. He was close to a breakthrough. Soon he would push into level 29 for body and increase his stat cap.


    Heading inside he took a quick shower, beating out Sanik who grumbled. Reema was already up and making breakfast.


    ¡°What are your plans for the day?¡± She asked as she slid a heap of eggs onto his plate.


    ¡°Clean the house,¡± Edan replied, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at the messy living room. He snagged a strip of bacon from a plate and munched on it. It was graded meat and he felt his body pull Vitalis from it. ¡°Then head over to Harvey¡¯s. See if he has a job for me.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t your father meant to clean the living room?¡±


    ¡°He bribed me,¡± Edan admitted.


    ¡°You mean paid you.¡± Sanik corrected, walking into the kitchen still drying his hair.


    They chatted over the meal, the conversation light. Reema excused herself first, heading down the stairs to open the store. Sanik began cleaning the kitchen, so Edan popped the last of the toast in his mouth and got to work in the living room.


    Most of the books littering the floor were readily available but Edan still took his time removing dust from the covers before stacking them. Each had contributed to his growth in some way. He had them, more than the classes at the Academy, to thank for his intelligence and wisdom stats.


    It took longer than he expected to get everything squared away. The result was a floor with enough space to walk through, and seats with enough space to sit. Every other available surface remained covered, but at least the stacks were straight and the loose parchments were held down by weights.


    Hot and sweaty, Edan wanted to take another shower but changed his mind. He would just get sweaty again walking to Harvey¡¯s.


    Sanik was working on something in the workshop so Edan waved goodbye, getting a distracted nod back. As he pushed open the door to the store though Edan stopped short.


    Lorien was standing there. She wore a white and yellow sundress that came up to her knees and had thin straps showing off a lot of bare shoulders. Surprisingly muscular shoulders, though Edan guessed waving around a trident could do that. Her brown curls hung loose, bouncing as she twisted and turned.


    Reema moved around the girl, her measuring tape out.


    ¡°Heya Edan!¡± Lorien called, noticing him at the door.


    Edan sighed and raised his hand in greeting, letting the door close behind him.


    ¡°Hey Lorien, how''s it going?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting a new dress!¡±


    The way she said it you¡¯d think she was receiving an award.


    Edan gave her a weak thumbs up. Her bubbly attitude was all too much for him.


    ¡°Mum, I¡¯m heading out. Do you need anything while I¡¯m gone?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Reema looked up, the tape measure still circling Lorien¡¯s waist. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Oh, Lorien, I didn¡¯t get a chance to tell you yesterday, but, thanks. You really saved my ass with the last challenge.¡±


    That got Reema¡¯s attention. She looked between the two, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.


    ¡°What''s this now?¡±


    Edan winced. He¡¯d recounted the ranking matches to her and Sanik last night over dinner but had left out key details, like how close he was to getting his ass beat near the end.


    ¡°Oh you should have seen it Mrs. Santry,¡± Lorien gushed. ¡°Edan was calling out challengers left and right. We were worried we¡¯d never get a chance to issue our own. Near the¡­Edan you can go. I¡¯ll tell your mum the story.¡±


    Edan scowled. He wasn¡¯t an idiot. He knew Lorien was going to use it as an excuse to get a discount on her dress. He also knew it was his fault for bringing it up in the first place.


    Saying his hurried goodbyes Edan ducked out of the store as Lorien continued her exaggerated retelling.


    The streets of Stratta were busy during the day and Edan slipped into the crowd with familiar ease. A man brushed past Edan, a hairy creature that looked like a small monkey, sat on the man''s shoulder and chittered angrily at Edan, brandishing a hairy fist in threat.


    Edan let himself be carried along, like a lazy fish in a fast-moving stream. Occasionally he would catch sight of a weapon on someone''s hip, or strapped to their back, and take a moment to appreciate it.


    There was someone standing on a box at the corner of two streets, he waved a stack of papers around trying to draw the attention of the surrounding crowds. Most ignored him. The few that looked, quickly averted their eyes. The man wore tattered clothes, his skin pale and stretched across his gaunt frame.


    A brand had been burnt into the left of his face, the puckered scar pulling his lip upwards and making the corner of his eye stretch. Edan didn¡¯t know what the glyphs said. But he knew what they meant.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    BETRAYER


    The man had once belonged to a sect. Likely one of the smaller sects such as the World Union, or even a sect so small they hadn¡¯t grown past their origin town. Edan figured it might be more the latter than the former, as most larger Sects would just kill you outright if you betrayed them. Even the World Union was known to be strict.


    Edan wondered what the man had done to be cast out.


    ¡°...lies that have spread like a disease!¡± The man''s words reached Edan as he walked past. Weak though he looked, his voice carried well. ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to believe them! I know what it''s like to doubt them! But you must listen to me¡­¡±


    The man broke into a coughing fit, his body shaking so much he nearly fell from his box. Edan felt a stab of pity. They would have destroyed his Core when they cast him out, ruining his cultivation and any chance he ever had of being a cultivator again.


    Edan hurried on.


    Harvey was serving a customer as Edan slipped into the store. The large man stood by the counter, dust covering his traveling cloak. A sack rested by his feet, the bottom dark with moisture.


    Harvey took note of Edan¡¯s presence before turning back to the man.


    ¡°Alas, good sir, I cannot take your goods. I would suggest a butcher, or perhaps an alchemist. The guilds control the alchemists so you would need to cross the river, but I know a butcher nearby yo-¡±


    ¡°I ain''t looking to sell to a butcher.¡± The man snarled, cutting off Harvey. ¡°I¡¯m looking to sell to you. You¡¯re a general store, ain''t you?¡±


    ¡°Technically, we¡¯re an emporium.¡± A female voice answered.


    Cassie appeared between the shelves, her blue eyes glaring at the man. Her blonde hair was styled in a short pixie cut that framed her sharp jaw and long neck. Cassie had her father''s height and had no issues looking the aggressive man in the eye.


    Edan tried to control his heartbeat as he saw her. She, along with Harvey, had helped babysit him, and even though she was a few years older than him, Edan couldn¡¯t help the crush he had on her.


    ¡°The fuck is that?¡± The man sounded genuinely confused now.


    ¡°Emporium. Think of it like¡­a very large store. Harvey¡¯s is looking to upgrade.¡±


    The man blinked, looking between Harvey and his daughter. There was a noticeable puddle on the ground now, around the sack at his feet. Edan smelt the coppery scent of blood and crept closer, wishing he had a dagger on him.


    ¡°Large store? That''s a store!¡± The man threw his hands up in exasperation. ¡°A store buys things. I¡¯m trying to sell my loot. Buy my loot!¡±


    ¡°Technically, a store sells things. A customer buys them.¡± Cassie continued in the exact same tone. Harvey merely watched. ¡°By your own argument, in this instance, you would be the store and we would be the customers.¡±


    A vein throbbed along the man''s temple and he sputtered in confusion. Even Edan paused, trying to work through the logic at play.


    ¡°What my daughter is trying to say,¡± Harvey cut in softly. ¡°Is that we are under no obligation to purchase items you sell. We are known to purchase goods on occasion for resale, but that does not mean we purchase anything from anyone.¡±


    The man opened his mouth to retort by Harvey continued to speak in the same soft tone.


    ¡°We also do not accept degradable biological matter, such as you are looking to sell. We do not have the equipment to keep, treat, or maintain the quality of such goods.¡± Harvey smiled. ¡°We would recommend the butcher down the street. Pork You. The owner is honest and will give you a fair price.¡±


    The man opened his mouth again but Harvey shook his head slowly and the man found himself unable to speak.


    ¡°No,¡± Harvey said, still smiling. ¡°There will be no further discussion. You are making a mess in my store so I must ask that you leave.¡±


    And just like that, the man vanished. There was no pop, or scream, or yell, or any noise to indicate something had happened. One second the man was there, the next he and his sack had vanished.


    Harvey looked down at the blood-stained floor and frowned. The liquid seeped into the wood like a sponge before vanishing completely.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Harvey muttered ¡°Terror Boar and fresh from the taste of it. Shame he only had the meat and hide to sell, the core could have been worth a few tokens.¡±


    Cassie waved her hand dismissively.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t seem worth the hassle.¡± She turned to Edan and her sharp features softened as she smiled. ¡°Lo, Edan, it''s been a while. How¡¯ve you been?¡±


    Edan brushed the hair out of his eye self-consciously before joining the father and daughter at the counter.


    ¡°I¡¯m good. Bit tired from yesterday,¡± Edan lied, trying to find a natural way of bringing up his achievement from the previous day. ¡°It was Ranking Day. I managed to place in the top nine.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations, Master Mawe, moving up in the world I see.¡± Harvey congratulated him, the warmth in the older man''s eyes and words were honest.


    ¡°Twas nothing,¡± Edan waved away the compliment, putting on airs himself. ¡°Simply correcting a most outrageous oversight from the previous ranking tournament.¡±


    Cassie rolled her eyes at their byplay.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you trip and break your own nose back then?¡± she asked innocently.


    Edan cringed. ¡°Lorien?¡±


    ¡°Yup, she often talks about you, you know.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of, she¡¯s with mum at the moment getting a dress made. She came by the other day to see the new fabrics. Said you told her about them?¡±


    ¡°That little sneak! She said we could go together!¡±


    Edan laughed at her expression. Cassie tried looking menacing but it didn¡¯t suit her fine features.


    ¡°If you hurry over you might catch her. Mum likes taking her time and Lorien didn¡¯t seem in a big rush.¡± Edan had a horrible thought. Imagine if Reema invited the bubbly girl upstairs for tea. Maybe he should stay away for a bit longer.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m off! Edan, thanks!¡± Cassie was already moving before Edan had finished his sentence. He turned to watch her go with appreciation.


    ¡°Emporium?¡± He asked Harvey as the door closed behind Cassie.


    ¡°Cassie wants to extend the shop. Or open a new one. She is having trouble deciding.¡± Harvey let out a sigh and settled back on his chair. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem interested in a class, and her profession remains undecided. I fear she is simply looking for an easy answer to living her life and building on what we have seems right.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. She would have had difficulty dealing with the customer from earlier if I had not been here. Within these walls, there is safety for her and me. My domain affords us that. If she were to open up another store somewhere else, with no strength of her own¡­¡± Harvey trailed off, his eyes distant.


    Edan had seen him get like that before. Often when he thought of his late wife. Edan hadn¡¯t asked what had happened to her, nor had Harvey told him, but Edan knew it was the reason Harvey worried so much about his daughter.


    Harvey was a good father.


    Edan wondered about his own for a second. Leaving him with strangers to go running off after a woman who left him in turn. Edan brushed the thoughts away. He was lucky to have Reema and Sanik in his life.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Harvey, she has a good head on her shoulders.¡±


    Harvey laughed lightly. ¡°And you aren¡¯t just talking about her intelligence. I¡¯ve seen the way you look at her.¡±


    Edan¡¯s eyes went round before he looked away, embarrassed.


    Harvey¡¯s laughter though was warm and he waved away the boy''s concern.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret. You¡¯re young, Master Mawe, these things are only natural.¡±


    ¡°I¡­Uhh, I mean¡­I came to see if there were any jobs for me. I¡¯ve got the afternoon off and most of the weekend. I just need to stop by school tomorrow after lunch. Otherwise, I¡¯m free.¡±


    Harvey accepted the change in conversation. His longer fingers drummed against the counter as he thought.


    ¡°I may have a need for you tomorrow afternoon. There¡¯s a parcel I¡¯ll need delivered to the head of the Traders Guild. It¡¯s important so I need someone I can trust, and being ungraded, most people wouldn¡¯t look twice at you, let alone assume you are carrying something so important.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t meant as an insult and Edan didn¡¯t take it as one. Harvey often used him for such jobs. There was a pressure given off once you became graded. A sense of strength that other cultivators picked up on. It allowed them to feel who was stronger. Someone ungraded was so below their level if they weren¡¯t looking at them, they likely wouldn''t even notice that person was there.


    It was also why Edan often acted as a tail for Harvey when needed.


    ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯ll swing by on my way home from school to grab more information.¡± Edan waved as he too backed out of the store.


    On the way back home, Edan noticed that the outcast man had moved on from his corner, though his box remained in place. Alone.

 CHAPTER 13

    ¡°Mawe, you¡¯re early.¡± Master Sims barked. He was sitting behind his desk on one of the higher floors of the tower. His rather round midsection pushed against the edge of the desk, keeping him distant from the paperwork he was going through.


    Edan met the steely gaze and shrugged. Master Sims barked at everyone, he didn¡¯t take it personally.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got plans for later and I figured this was an informal meeting. Thought I¡¯d see if you were free.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not free. And I doubt you just happened to come before your classmates, hmmm? Hoping to avoid a confrontation?¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Mast Sims nodded in approval.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good mindset. Fight when you need to, not just when you want to. Avoid trouble if you can. This whole damn realm will shovel more than enough trouble at you if you so much as sit and wait.¡± Master Sims clapped his hands together and stroked his mustache.


    The window behind his desk was high up the stone wall. Wide enough for Edan to slip through if he wanted. The shutters had been thrown open, allowing light and wind into the office. Being so high up, it was rather cool in the room, though Edan doubted Master Sims felt it with his high level. Blue sky and white clouds drifted by.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind telling you first. I had hoped to avoid repeating myself, but it can¡¯t be helped.¡± Master Sims leaned back, his chair creaking dangerously, as his eyes flickered to the closed door behind Edan. ¡°Perhaps it allows me to be a bit more open as well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s to do with your reward for the rankings.¡±


    Edan smiled, shifting forward in excitement.


    Master Sims shook his head. ¡°It ain¡¯t like that, Mawe, it ain''t a reward for you. Could be a death sentence.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Master Sims sighed and explained.


    ¡°They¡¯re letting you lot into the Academy Dungeon.¡±


    Edan opened his mouth, then closed it, his brow furrowing, confused.


    ¡°Unsupervised,¡± Master Sims continued gravely. Edans face fell when he continued ¡°You¡¯re allowed to keep what you find and challenge the monsters below.¡±


    ¡°But, we can¡¯t! We¡¯re ungraded. I mean-it would be¡­the monsters would¡­¡± Edan¡¯s words fell over themselves as he tried to think through the implications.


    ¡°The Vitalis in the first few levels ain''t too bad. You could survive for a couple of hours without getting oversaturated and dying. The monsters are likewise manageable for those with a foundation system, provided they are trained, as you all are, and work as a group.¡±


    ¡°Work as a group?¡± Edan echoed quietly, his shoulders slumping as he looked at his hands in defeat. ¡°That sounds likely.¡±


    Master Sims sat forward, his voice dropping to barely a whisper. ¡°It was meant to be a good experience for the nine. They get to work together, strengthening their bonds and through them their sects. They¡¯d find a whole bunch of rewards and come out of the dungeon bursting with Vitalis, ripe for a breakthrough. You and your classmates would look on in wonder and envy, wishing you were as good and as skilled as they were.¡±


    Edan let out a hollow laugh. The sunlit room suddenly felt cold and dark.


    ¡°And let me guess, it would somehow solidify their place in the class ranking so whoever wanted to challenge them come next challenge day would be at a disadvantage from the start?¡± Edan asked sarcastically.


    Master Sims tapped his nose. ¡°Most are already capped and ready to birth their system. The few remaining like Kumi, are close. The dungeon would help push him over the edge.¡±


    Edan continued to stare at his hands. There was a small scar across his index finger on his right hand. He had gotten it the first time he sparred with live blades. Sanik had been his opponent. It had been Edan¡¯s own over-eagerness that got him injured. He¡¯d dropped a dagger and in his haste to pick it up, all while keeping Sanik in his field of view, he had grabbed too high on the blade.


    ¡°Sometimes you need to leave it behind.¡± Sanik had said, bandaging his finger. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt yourself trying to get back something you¡¯ve lost. Instead, focus on what you have and push forward.¡±


    Edan had known it to be a message meant for him regarding his father. The man who claimed to love his son yet went running off after a woman who left them both.


    Now though, the words made Edan¡¯s fist clench. He would focus on what he had. He had a chance.


    ¡°Can I run it alone?¡± He asked Master Sims.


    Master Sims looked at the boy. Taking in the determined blue eyes and the hard set of his mouth.


    ¡°No.¡± He said bluntly. ¡°But you¡¯re fast. You can try to avoid the monsters, but I would suggest against that option as well. Too much can go wrong.¡±


    "What would you recommend?"


    "Stick with the group. Stay near the back. Don''t draw attention to yourself. Survive."You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°When do we enter?¡± Edan asked


    ¡°Nine days. After next weekend.¡± Master Sims answered.


    After my birthday Edan noted.


    There was still a little time before the rest of the nine were expected, and Master Sims knew they would have been told beforehand by their parents what to expect, both as a reward and what to do once they got into the dungeon. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to fill Edan in a little.


    -


    Edan managed to slip out of the officer before the other students came through. To be extra safe he took one of the back stairs down the tower. It exited around the back of the school courtyard and he had to wander through the gardens before reaching the main gates.


    There wasn¡¯t much of a crowd around on a weekend and Edan enjoyed having the bridge mostly to himself. Above, seagulls cawes mixed with the sharp trills from Sunspits. Edan watched one swoop down and skim across the shallow waters. He smiled as it rose, a fish clutched in its talons.


    There was a short blast from a deep horn and Edan turned to the sound. A small masted fishing vessel was being pulled through the channels between isles. He leaned against the bridge railing and watched the sailors on deck both vessels yelling at each other. Edan couldn¡¯t make out words, the sea wind carried it away, but he could see them gesturing to each other, their hands waving about.


    The fishing vessel wasn¡¯t much larger than the tug boat, but it sat heavy in the water as they pulled it between the islands belonging to the Four Star Sect and the Golden Throne Sect. Obvious signs of damage could be seen along the hull and deck. The cause was likely the creature stretched across the deck. It looked like a mix between a lobster and a squid. Tentacles hung over the side of the boat, dragging in the water. The creature''s head and body looked to be covered by a deep blue shell, spotted with splotches of green. Ropes were tied around its body, leading up to a pulley system nearly as tall as the mast. Seagulls flew in circles around the boat, screeching and making a nuisance of themselves.


    Edan wondered if the locals had a name for it. No doubt [Identify] would give the system name, but sometimes the locals enjoyed calling the creatures something different.


    Deep Sea Tenticled Crustacean - level 25 sounded boring when compared to Green Speckled Squidster.


    Edan watched the two boats disappear around the island as they made their way towards the Western Port. With a sigh, he pushed off the railing and continued on his way.


    There was a woman selling stiff pouches of bread, stuffed with ground meat and spices, nearby when Edan got off the bridge and he grabbed two, holding one as he munched on the other. The meat was ungraded but the spices added a depth of flavor Edan enjoyed.


    Edan wandered through the streets, slowly making his way toward the shores of the Kentushi River. The high walls of the estates and private docks made it difficult to see the river, but occasionally Edan would catch a glimpse between two properties.


    The city watch, dressed in good quality armor, and wearing helmets that covered their face, stood at corners or walked along the roads in pairs. Edan wasn¡¯t surprised at the increased security. This area belonged to the high-profile and wealthy. The warehouses were privately owned and often a mark for the Thieves Guild. The houses were large and full of treasures.


    Well, maybe not treasures, but they likely had more than a few items worth stealing.


    Finishing off his second meat pouch, Edan dusted his hands on his pants and turned away from the Kentushi, moving deeper into the heart of Stratta. He let his mind wander as he walked. The information Master Sims had passed on swirled around and around in his thoughts like smoke, and just like smoke, Edan had trouble seeing through it.


    He couldn¡¯t come up with a viable plan other than be fast, be sneaky, and be smart.


    Cassie was behind the counter when Edan walked into Harvey¡¯s. Her sandaled feet were kicked up on the counter, her dress sliding down to show quite a bit of thigh. She held a book in her hands, eyes darting across the page as she read. She didn¡¯t look up as Edan entered, though the tilt of her head let him know she was aware someone was there.


    ¡°Gimme a sec.¡± She called out, eyes still on the book.


    ¡°No rush, it¡¯s just me.¡± Edan flashed a quick smile as she glanced up.


    ¡°Oh, Edan! Let me just finish this chapter. Luisse is about to profess her love to Hardini and hopefully break the curse keeping him trapped as a Sardine.¡±


    ¡°Uhh¡­what?¡±


    Cassie didn¡¯t answer, her attention back on the book.


    ¡°Hardini, the Sardini,¡± Edan muttered to himself as he strolled among the shelves.


    He had spent many a day here when he was young. Cleaning, for some tokens, or just to browse and waste time.


    Edan stopped at a glass case and peered inside. Various vials, each with a neat little label written on the front, were stacked in rows. Edan read Healing (minor) Healing (major) Mana Replenishment (minor) Stamina Renewal (Minor) before moving on. The case had a seal on the side depicting various tools arrayed out like the petals of a flower. The Crafters Guild. That meant the potions were created by professionals.


    ¡°Edan, you still here?¡± Cassie called from the front.


    ¡°Here!¡±


    Cassie made her way around the shelf, appearing at the end of the aisle with a smile. The book was closed in one hand, her finger pressed between the pages to mark her place.


    ¡°Did the Sardine turn into a prince?¡± Edan asked, nodding at the book.


    ¡°A cultivator from a powerful family, and no. His evil brother interrupted Liusse before she could confess.¡± Cassie scowled.


    Edan wanted to chat more but he could tell she wanted to get back to her book.


    ¡°Is Harvey around? He mentioned something about a package yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Traders Guild?¡±


    ¡°That''s the one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he left it behind the counter. Didn¡¯t say you were the one collecting it though.¡±


    Edan thought it was more likely she hadn¡¯t heard if she had been reading. But he didn¡¯t mention it.


    Cassie reached under the counter and pulled out a round parcel. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine. Edan looked closely, noting the fine lines drawn across the paper and the golden thread mixed with the twine.


    ¡°What is it?¡± He asked.


    Cassie tossed it in the air and caught it again before bringing it close to her eyes and squinting. ¡°No idea. It¡¯s light though.¡±


    ¡°And leaking Vitalis, if it needs scribed parchment and reinforced twine.¡± Edan picked it up gingerly from Cassies offered palm. It made his fingers tingle. ¡°Probably isn¡¯t safe to keep it a storage ring.¡±


    ¡°Is it safe for you to carry it?¡±


    ¡°I doubt your old man would let either of us touch it if he thought it was dangerous, let alone carry it.¡± Edan pointed out, though he was happy she worried.


    ¡°True.¡±


    Edan tucked the package into his front pocket. He wasn¡¯t comfortable with it being so close to Edan Junior so he pulled it out and put it in his back pocket. He also wasn¡¯t comfortable with it being so close to a butt cheek.


    He pulled it out and tucked it into the pocket on the inside of his jacket. The stone rested next to his heart and he imagined he could hear a low hum from it.


    Cassie watched, her eyes twinkling. ¡°So prefer to risk your heart than the boys or the butt?¡± she asked.


    Edan couldn¡¯t think of a witty comeback so he just grinned.

 CHAPTER 14

    Edan considered the Traders Guild to be a bit like an estranged older brother to the other guilds. Using the same metaphor, the Merchant Guild would be the youngest, favorite brother.


    The Traders Guild, like the Hunters, Crafters, and Thieves Guild, had branches in realms much higher than Terra. The Merchant Guild had started on Terra and weren¡¯t likely to make it off-world any time soon.


    Backing from The World Union, as well as buying favor from the other sects, allowed the Merchant Guild to flourish. The Traders Guild, by contrast, tended to keep to themselves. Uninterested in growing their power base, the other sects left them alone.


    They were the only Guild with their headquarters on the Eastern bank of the Kentushi, though their building did have a prime location near the very top of the sprawling city. It would be a long walk for Edan.


    He tried to keep himself occupied by thinking over options for the upcoming dungeon dive, but after a few minutes, he realized all he was doing was frustrating himself. Instead, he focused on breathing, allowing the ambient Vitalis in the surroundings to seep into him. It wasn''t as effective as meditating but it was good practice.


    The further he got from the central area of Stratta the more spacious the surroundings became. Stores now had gardens out front as well as outback. There were small alleyways between buildings. The buildings themselves were built out, instead of up, with large squat floor plans. The roads weren¡¯t as congested either and those people he did pass ignored him. Carriages also became more common and Edan was forced up onto the sidewalk.


    Going off the map in his head, Edan turned towards the shore. He passed a warehouse, the gate manned by a pair of guards in heavy armor, the high walls surrounding the property left only the roof of the central building visible. A wooden board stuck to the wall next to the entrance said Mercantile Methods and Materials.


    Edan moved on.


    There was a moving company after that. The carriages and trucks lined neatly in the yard. A small office stood near the back of the property and Edan could make out the masts of several ships sticking up behind them. They likely had their own personal jetty.


    The Traders Guild was easy to spot. It was the largest property along this stretch. The red brick wall ran on for a good while, bending out of sight around a corner. The walls were topped with white iron designed like vines, the leaves and thorns along the vines glinted sharply under the sun.


    A sign hung from a post near the road, dusty and worn, it swayed gently in the breeze. The words Traders Guild were stenciled on the sign in faded gold. Edan turned off the road and walked up to the large double gate. It was made of the same white metal. It didn¡¯t look locked and Edan wondered if he was just meant to enter.


    He had been here twice before, and both times the gate had been open.


    There was a smaller, human-sized, gate cut into the main large metal construct and Edan pushed at it gingerly. It swung open silently.


    The yard was large and barren. The grass had died out in patches, as if items had been left on them too long, starving the greenery of sunlight. There was a long thin building running along the back made of the same red brick. In place of windows and doors, there were great big sections of wall missing and Edan could see crates and boxes stacked high on top of each other. Beyond the crates, Edan could see the swift-moving water of the Kentushi.


    ¡°Oi! Whaddaya doin?¡± Called out a rough voice, startling Edan.


    A barrel-chested man was stomping towards Edan, his arms bare and covered in sweat. He wore a leather apron covered in grease and smears of dirt. Sunlight shone off his bald head. Dark eyes glared at Edan, waiting for an answer.


    ¡°Delivering a package,¡± Edan answered a lot more calmly than he was feeling. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    The big man pulled up short before letting out a chuckle. The aggressive atmosphere changing.


    ¡°I thought I was chasing a wee lad home to his ma.¡± The man said, taking a closer look at Edan. ¡°But ye ain''t a wee lad. Jus wee, aye? A wee man.¡±


    The large smile took any sting from the words and Edan had to smile back. The man had a gap between his two front teeth, turning his smile comical.


    ¡°Who ya deliverin to lad?¡± The man seemed to have already forgotten he had claimed Edan was no lad.


    ¡°Guild master Marcus, assuming he¡¯s still head of the guild.¡±


    The big man nodded, whipping his hands on his apron. All it did was smear the grease and dirt around.


    ¡°Aye, Marcus be running things. Aint see no reason he¡¯d stop. If it¡¯s the big man ya be wanting ya best head inside and wait a bit.¡±


    ¡°Is he busy?¡±


    ¡°Aye. Meeting last I heard.¡± The big man rolled his shoulders. ¡°Meetings be the plague of creation, lad.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Edan said, getting ready to move past the man. ¡°It was nice meeting you¡­and uhh, thanks for the advice.¡±


    ¡°Was no advice. Ya want advice lad? Surround yaself with metal and etchings. There be peace and creation in such places.¡±


    Edan watched the man walk off towards the building in the back.


    ¡°Metal and etchings?¡± he muttered before his eyes went big. ¡°Choas Realms! That was a scribe?¡±


    Edan looked around, in case anyone had heard his hiss, but he remained alone. He slapped a hand against his forehead in exasperation.


    ¡°Of course, they have their own scribe. They probably have a whole team!¡±


    Shaking his head at his own inexperience, Edan moved quickly to the main building. It was large and multistoried. Made of the same red brick as everything else, there were two wings jutting off from the central building. Perhaps it had been a private mansion before the Traders Guild came along. Perhaps the Traders Guild preferred their headquarters to look like an expensive home.


    Ivy crawled up the walls, trimmed back around the glass windows and near the guttering along the dark slate roof. Occasionally there would be movement past one of the many windows, but no one called out to Edan as he approached the large front door.


    These, made of dark, thick wood, were open at least and Edan breathed a sigh of relief. The foyer looked like a normal office space with chairs along one wall, and cubicles laid out neatly behind a reception desk. The walls were lined with small, private, offices of frosted glass and closed doors. Edan could just make out the small text on each door in white cursive text.


    A woman sat behind the desk, her eyes tracking Edan as he entered. Her dark hair was streaked with white and tied in a bun so tight it pulled at her skin, making her eyebrows seem unnaturally high. A thin nose and mouth made Edan think of Mrs. Cinnaburn.


    ¡°How can I help you?¡±


    It was the womans voice that put Edan at ease. Firm, feminine, and without a trace of emotion. She was all work and Edan doubted she was anything but professional. Unlike Mrs. Cinnaburn whose every word dripped with a barely hidden malice.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a parcel for Guild Master Marcus,¡± Edan said, almost patting his chest on reflex.


    The woman continued to look at him, waiting to see if he would elaborate. When he didn¡¯t she asked. ¡°And what is it?¡±


    ¡°Private.¡±


    ¡°Very well. You may leave it with me and I¡¯ll see he gets it.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but I have to deliver it to him directly.¡±


    There was another pause as she looked at him. When she spoke, it was still emotionless.


    ¡°Is he expecting you?¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°No. Yes. Maybe?¡± Edan shifted his answer as he wondered if Marcus really was expecting him. ¡°Harvey sent me. I¡¯ve been here before, though usually just to drop off a letter or something.¡±


    The woman nodded stiffly. Edan didn¡¯t think it had anything to do with him. She looked like she did everything stiffly. She made a mark in the book before her before reaching over and laying her hand on a dark brown crystal. She was silent for a couple of seconds before nodding again.


    ¡°You may take a seat. Once the Guild Master is finished in his meeting, you may head in.¡±


    With nothing better to do, Edan slid into a seat along the wall and crossed his legs. Leaning his head back his eyes drifted close as he waited patiently.


    ¡°Emge?¡±


    The voice startled Edan and his eyes snapped open. Disorientated. He didn¡¯t think he had fallen asleep, but he had definitely lost track of time. Edan looked at the wall of brown before him before tracing the robes up to the smiling face of the female Titan.


    ¡°It is good to see you Emge,¡± She said, her soft voice still at odds with her appearance. ¡°I did not get to mention it to you earlier, but you fought well against the other Bwaka.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Edan muttered, getting to his feet and scratching the back of his head nervously. ¡°I got lucky though.¡±


    ¡°But you learned?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I-¡±


    ¡°Guild Master Marcus will see you now.¡± The receptionist called out, her eyes on Edan.


    Edan glanced at her, then back to the towering woman, not sure which was more rude, making a Guild Master wait, or dismissing a high-ranked cultivator. He was saved from making a choice when the Titan indicated he should listen to the receptionist.


    ¡°I shall await you here.¡± She said before moving to stand beside the seat. It looked comically small next to her.


    ¡°...sure.¡±


    Did she think he had something he wanted to discuss with her? Or worse, did she have something she wanted to discuss with him? Either way, Edan was suddenly more concerned about the continued conversation with the Titan than he was about meeting Marcus.


    The receptionist showed him to the back of the room. Most of the staff present in their cubicles were sorting through paperwork or staring intently at items before taking notes. There was a large section of one wall blocked off by heavily frosted white glass. Edan saw the words Guild Master written in cursive across the redwood door.


    While she knocked on the door, Edan looked back across the room. It looked so much like an office space that he forgot he was standing in a Guild Hall for a moment.


    ¡°Enter.¡±


    The voice was rough like gravel rolling downhill.


    The receptionist opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Edan to enter.


    Guild Master Marcus felt like a large man. It was the only way Edan could describe him. He wasn¡¯t physically large. It was his presence that filled the room and pushed against Edan as he entered. A sense of immovability. An unshakable confidence.


    The white long-sleeved shirt he wore was rolled up to the elbows, displaying muscular forearms, and the fabric stretched tight across broad shoulders, but he wasn¡¯t bulky. Long, thick, red hair framed an angular face and pale yellow eyes watched Edan enter. The man''s pupils were slitted, like a cat.


    ¡°You have something for me?¡± He asked in a voice that Edan felt more than heard.


    Edan pulled the wrapped parcel from his jacket and handed it over.


    Marcus turned it over, examining the twine and the knot, before lifting it to his nose and inhaling. His gaze turned back to Edan as he placed the parcel on his desk.


    ¡°Harvey must trust you a great deal. Give him my thanks.¡±


    It was a clear dismissal and Edan was glad to take it. He had never been bothered by the pressure given off by high-level cultivators and Marcus was about as high level as they came on Terra, if Edan had to guess. No, there was something else about that man that made Edan uneasy. He felt like a fish being eyed by a hungry seagull, and he didn¡¯t like it.


    The receptionist showed him back to the entrance before once more resuming her place behind the desk. The Titan hadn¡¯t moved an inch, though her lips turned up in a smile as Edan approached.


    ¡°Come, Emge, let us walk and talk.¡±


    Edan turned towards the door and the Titan joined him. Out in the yard, Edan turned to look at the sun. He could pull his system up to check the time, but he enjoyed feeling the warmth on his face and it kept him more grounded. He knew a few students that relied on the system for everything and they spent half the day with their eyes blank, staring at something only they could see.


    There was no way the Titan was getting through the smaller gate Edan had used. She proved him right when she ignored it completely and pulled the main gate back. Edan pretended not to see the metal bend under her grip.


    ¡°So, uh¡­were you looking to trade something in?¡± Edan asked.


    It may have been nosy to ask, but Edan¡¯s brain wasn¡¯t doing much thinking. He was nervous. Talking to the Titan in class was one thing, but out in public she stood out even more, and the people on the streets were staring.


    She towered head and shoulders above even the tallest person. Most of her body was hidden under the long flowing robes she wore, but if anything, it made her look even larger.


    ¡°No. and yes.,¡± The Titan answered. She walked slowly, her steps small. Almost shuffling, so Edan could keep up. She didn¡¯t seem to mind. ¡°I had business to discuss with the Guild Master.¡±


    ¡°Lorien, a¡­friend, I guess you could call her, mentioned the Traders Guild was responsible for bringing you here?¡±


    ¡°My contract ensures the guild may bring in another elder,¡± she admitted, her pale eyes watching the people around them as they walked. ¡°Though the sect and academy do not hold chains as strong as they think.¡±


    Edan, unconsciously, had been picking back alleys and streets that were less crowded as they made their way toward the center of Stratta. The upside was fewer stares, the downside was the less-than-ideal scenery.


    The door to a pub was thrown open as they passed. It slammed against the wall with a bang! and rebounded, almost smacking a man in the face. Cussing up a storm the man stumbled out into the afternoon sun, squinting at the glare. He wore the thin clothes and waterproof boots and pants of a bargeman. His skin was tanned dark from days spent on the open water with nothing to protect him from the sun.


    Tottering forward the man squinted down the road, looking lost. He turned around and that''s when he spotted the Titan. Eyes going large he swayed dangerously as his mouth fell open. Edan ignored him. The Titan waved and smiled.


    ¡°Chaos realms, that''sa biiiig woman,¡± he slurred, staring, before looking back at the building he had walked out of. ¡°Or I¡¯m drunk! Heya missy!¡±


    The man took a step forward, hand held out to stop the Titan. His feet forgot how they were meant to move and he tripped, falling flat on his face. A woman across the road gasped before hurrying on, her gaze focused forward.


    ¡°Is he well?¡± The Titan asked.


    Edan was about to check when a loud snore ripped from the man.


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. Probably came down on a barge from up the Kentushi and figured he¡¯d get some drinking in before heading back.¡± Edan shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll wake up in time to get back.¡±


    As they carried on Edan turned to the Titan.


    ¡°You know, I never got your name.¡±


    ¡°Mine is a name hard to say, but you may call me Tali. Some call me the Genesis Titan.¡±


    ¡°Tali,¡± Edan tried it out and found the name suited her. ¡°I¡¯m Edan Mawe, some call me the local human.¡±


    ¡°Edan Mawe, the local human, have you lived here all your life?¡± Tali asked.


    ¡°I was born in Solaris. That¡¯s the Capital,¡± Edan added quickly, remembering she wasn¡¯t from Terra. ¡°But some stuff happened when I was a baby so I moved here.¡±


    Edan finished lamely. He didn¡¯t really have a good way of describing what happened with his parents without going into detail and he had no interest in talking to Tali about private matters.


    ¡°You live with your family?¡±


    Edan nodded, trying to think of a way to turn the conversation away from him.


    ¡°Are you heading back to the Academy?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No.¡±


    There was a moment of silence. Edan didn¡¯t feel comfortable asking more questions and Tali seemed content to just walk.


    ¡°So, uhh¡­how are you liking Terra?¡±


    The corners of the Titans mouth twitched as if amused by Edan¡¯s impatience.


    ¡°It is interesting. I do not often get to travel to a world so infantile. This world is still ripe with opportunity and growth.¡± Tali looked up at the sky. Edan followed her gaze.


    ¡°Looking for the Star Castle?¡± Edan guessed. ¡°It¡¯s locked to the moonlight or something. You should be able to see it tonight but during the day it¡¯s invisible. Mrs. Cinnaburn explained it once, but I wasn¡¯t really listening. She gets carried away whenever she talks about the Four Star Heavenly Sect and it makes me nauseous.¡±


    The Titan cocked her head to the side, her brows drawing down in a frown. She didn¡¯t say anything though, just continued walking.


    They were almost back to Lucky Snips when she spoke again.


    ¡°Have you found your path yet?¡±


    Edan shook his head confused. ¡°I thought you got your Path after you birthed your system?¡±


    ¡°And you have not birthed your system?¡± She asked. Tali stopped in the middle of the road forcing people to walk around them. So large, and so imposing was her presence, that most moved to avoid her from far enough away that the pair stood in a little bubble of privacy.


    ¡°What? Of course not! You think I¡¯d have done as bad as I did in the rankings if I had birthed my system?¡± Edan shook his head, laughing. ¡°Not to mention I¡¯d have left school already.¡±


    Tali leaned forward so she could look into his eyes. A pressure leaked from her. Edan remembered Master Sims'' aura and how it had felt almost like weights on his limbs. Tali¡¯s was different. More substantial. It pressed down on Edan¡¯s shoulders and weighed heavy on his mind, judging his character and telling him to kneel before a power so outside of his realm of consciousness, that he couldn¡¯t hope to persevere.


    Edan didn¡¯t kneel. He looked back at Tali with a level gaze.


    ¡°You have not birthed your system and yet you stand tall before me. Tell me little Emge, why is it you do not bend?¡± Tali smiled and stood straight.


    Edan blinked at the question, at a loss for what to say. He didn¡¯t kneel because he didn¡¯t want to kneel. The street wasn¡¯t exactly clean and if he got his pants dirty Reema would kick his ass. And that would make Sanik laugh.


    It seemed like Tali didn¡¯t expect an answer. She turned and gestured down the street.


    ¡°Come, show me your home. I wish to speak with your parents.¡±


    ¡°You want to what now?¡±

 CHAPTER 15

    Edan was not the most social individual. He didn¡¯t make friends easily nor did he try. What free time he had, he would spend helping Reema out around the workshop or running errands for Harvey, training, and cultivating.


    He liked it that way.


    So it was fair to say his parents were caught off guard when he brought someone home to meet them. Doubly so when it was a woman. Triply so when you took into account who she actually was. A Titan.


    Reema was still closing up when Edan and Tali entered the backyard through the side gate, catching Sanik by surprise.


    Running through his sword forms in a never-ending journey to understand his skills better, Sanik didn¡¯t stop when he heard the gate open. He had already activated [Cumulitive Defence], a defense skill that turned each stab of his blade into a point of light that hovered in the air before him. The point of light acted as an obstruction, able to block a single attack. Sanik was currently trying to push the skill to the stage where so many points of light remained that a wall was created.


    Edan and Tali paused to watch.


    Tali''s eyes stared intently at Sanik as he moved before she bent low so she could whisper in Edan''s ear.


    "This is your father?"


    Edan looked at the tall blonde-haired man and then down at himself. Scrawny and black-haired. He didn''t begrudge her doubt.


    "Yup."


    Tali let out a low hum of acknowledgment. Edan thought he saw confusion cross her features but it was gone so quick he doubted it.


    It was the hum that alerted Sanik to the presence of a third person and he froze. He looked towards the gate. Edan wanted to laugh as he saw his father''s eyes go wide.


    To prevent any confusion he quickly stepped forward.


    ¡°Hey Dad, this is Tali, she works at the Academy. I met her while I was running an errand for Harvey and¡­she wanted to meet you for some reason.¡±


    Sanik looked at his son intently, his eyes questioning.


    Edan mouther back I don''t know. And gave a tiny shrug.


    The sword vanished from Sanik''s hand and he stepped forward, a smile on his face.


    ¡°Hi, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. Sorry about the sweat. If I had known Edan was bringing someone for dinner I would have made myself presentable.¡± Sanik gestured to the sheen of sweat still on his skin while throwing Edan the evil eye.


    ¡°Dinner?¡± Tali asked before nodding. ¡°Yes, that sounds very good.¡±


    Edan stuck his tongue out at his father. He would be sure to tell Reema how he only brought the woman to the house, it was Sanik who invited her for dinner.


    ¡°Do not force strength in the skill,¡± Tali continued. ¡°Each point does not need to be strong. The strength to defend comes when the points are together.¡±


    Edan was pleased that even Sanik had to look up to meet the Titan''s eyes. His own neck had grown sore from trying to watch her face as they spoke during the walk.


    Sanik paused to digest the words before he smiled and nodded his head in thanks.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to increase the grade of that skill for ages. I''ll try focusing on what you said, thank you.¡± He sighed. ¡°Though I suppose this means it''s going to be useless for defense until I can increase the number of points I leave behind.¡±


    ¡°I have a similar skill,¡± Tali said, waving away his gratitude. ¡°And had much the same problem.¡±


    Sanik acknowledged her advice and together the three moved towards the house. Edan wondered if he should head in first to warn Reema, but the cheeky smile on Sanik¡¯s face made him think it would spoil his father''s fun.


    If Sanik had been expected shock he was disappointed. Reema had been trying to clean the workshop when they marched in. Tali took up so much space she needed to duck under the door frame and once inside step to the side as she blocked off the light from outside.


    Reema had taken in the trio with a look. Her brown eyes turned cautious as she looked at the stranger. Her gaze had flickered across Edan¡¯s body, making sure he was ok, and then it caught the smile Sanik failed to suppress. That, more than anything put her at ease.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need your help making dinner, honey,¡± Reema said sweetly to Sanik, her voice devoid of shock and surprisingly calm. ¡°I assume you will be eating with us, miss?¡±


    Edan watched the by-play and shook his head. He didn¡¯t know why Sanik kept trying to mess with Reema, she always came out on top.


    ¡°You may call me Tali. You¡¯re husband offered,¡± Tali replied. Her amber eyes met the warm brown of Reema¡¯s and held it for a moment. Something unsaid passed between the two, and then Tali dipped her head in acknowledgment. ¡°I would like to discuss your son''s future and a meal would be greatly appreciated.¡±


    Reema gave the woman one more level look. She had a skill that allowed her to sense danger. It was invaluable when out on a job and had saved her and Sanik more than once over the years. It was a simple danger-sense skill that alerted her to things around her that could potentially harm her. Over time, constant use, and inspiration, Reema had advanced the skill until it not only warned her of danger but also gave her a sense of how dangerous something or someone was.


    Tali was an ocean. Massive, mysterious, beautiful, and calm, but should the ocean turn rough it would crash endlessly against the shore and drag you screaming to the dark depths and crush you.


    Reema could respect that.


    The stair¡¯s creak turned to a low groan as Tali made her way upstairs. Edan noticed how much effort the Titan put into not hitting the walls and hunching over so she didn¡¯t loom over the family as badly.


    Edan was suddenly very happy he had cleaned the living room as Tali looked around in interest.


    ¡°Washroom is through there,¡± Sanik pointed to the door. ¡°That¡¯s Edan¡¯s room, and that one over there is ours. The kitchen is through there. It¡¯s not much, but it''s home. Get comfortable, kick your feet up. Want a snack?¡±


    ¡°No snacks!¡± Reema snapped.


    ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re all out of snacks.¡± Sanik continued without missing a beat.


    ¡°And go shower.¡± Reema continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to shower,¡± Sanik added to his sentence, a teasing glint in his eye as he winked at Tali.


    The Titan laughed and even Reema shook her head at Sanik''s antics. Reema gave him a kiss on the cheek in passing, taking the sting out of her words from earlier, before heading into the kitchen.


    ¡°Sorry about them,¡± Edan mumbled to Tali.


    ¡°They are in love. My parents act much as they do, though my father is the more serious of the two. My mother said when she made him smile, she knew he loved her too.¡± The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Edan had heard stories about the Titans. In all of them, they were depicted as fearsome warriors. They ate metal and spat arrows. They followed Paths paved with blood and bone and drank the tears of their fallen foes.


    Edan was starting to realize he was very wrong about a lot of things.


    ¡°No snacks before dinner, but I can offer you a drink. Tali, would you like some wine? I think Sanik has some mead from distilled Vitalis honey hidden around here somewhere.¡± Reema said, her head popping out of the kitchen.


    Tali shook her head, her ponytail bouncing.


    ¡°The Va are only permitted alcohol before we burn our blood.¡±


    Edan took note of her sentence. It was the second time she had mentioned burning blood and he wondered at the term.


    ¡°Va is a warrior?¡± He asked, remembering her description of Bwaka and wondering if Va was the final product.


    Tali looked frustrated as she shook her head.


    ¡°Warrior is a weak word. Va is¡­Va!¡± She tapped her chest, right over her heart. ¡°It is who you are, here. Who you become when you take the ink and burn your blood.¡±


    ¡°Like your Path?¡± Edan guessed.


    Again Tali looked frustrated and shook her head.


    ¡°The Va may walk the Path they wish, but you walk it as you. As Va!¡±


    Reema had been sorting through ingredients for dinner and keeping half an ear on the conversation. She was mostly interested in how the woman interacted with Edan. The frustration in the Titan¡¯s voice was enough to get Reema to poke her head out of the Kitchen.


    ¡°I¡¯d guess it¡¯s a role that centers a lot on how to act and behave?¡± Reema guessed looking inquisitive at Tali. ¡°Kind of like a priest. A priest needs to act like a priest. He can do what he likes within those bounds, but he must always remember he¡¯s a priest.¡±


    Edan scrunched up his brow. ¡°So it¡¯s holy?¡±


    ¡°Not holy, but honorable,¡± Tali added, nodding her thanks to Reema who disappeared back into the kitchen.


    ¡°So no alcohol. You want milk? I¡¯m going to have milk.¡±


    After getting back a positive nod Edan went to the kitchen to grab their drinks. Reema quickly pulled him aside.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she hissed quietly.


    Edan gave her a look.


    ¡°What do you mean? Surely you know. I mean you weren¡¯t surprised when you saw her so I fig-¡±


    ¡°Edan!¡±


    Edan laughed.


    ¡°Sorry. Couldn¡¯t help myself. I can see why Dad does it so often. As for Tali, I dunno. She was there the day before yesterday, during the ranking class.¡±


    Edan poured the milk slowly, quickly catching Reema up on all his interactions with Tali over the last couple of days and how she had walked him home before proclaiming she needed to meet his family.


    Reema nodded along, chopping vegetables as she listened. When Edan was done explaining she began preparing the meat, her hands working on autopilot as she thought.


    ¡°What do you make of her?¡± she asked her son.


    Edan took a second to actually think about the Titan. ¡°Honestly?¡± he said at last. ¡°I kind of like her. She¡¯s been nothing but friendly to me and even encouraged me during the ranking day. It¡¯s obvious she¡¯s important¡­and powerful¡­but she¡¯s never treated me as less than.¡±


    He took a sip of his milk and licked the mustache off when Reema pointed to it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what she wants with me, but I don¡¯t think she¡¯s a danger to us.¡±


    Reema looked at her son fondly. He was going to be eighteen soon. She still remembered him at eight. She couldn¡¯t believe how fast time flew by.


    ¡°I was listening in on your conversation earlier. You''re usual smart mouth and familiarity don''t seem to bother her. Though I worry one day it''ll get you in trouble. But,¡± She said, patting his cheek.¡°You¡¯ve got a good head on your shoulders so I¡¯ll trust you.¡±


    Edan laughed. ¡°Of course I do, it''s full of your teachings.¡±


    It was Reema¡¯s turn to laugh as she shooed him out of the kitchen.


    With a glass in each hand, Edan returned to the living room to find Sanik and Tali facing off across from each other. They were both lying on the floor on their stomachs, their right hands clasped together. Sanik grunted with effort as he tried to push the Titan¡¯s hand down. Tali noticed Edan¡¯s entrance and smiled at him, motioning for the glass of milk.


    She took it in her left hand and took a sip, sighing her appreciation.


    ¡°Dad, why are you trying to arm wrestle her?¡± Edan asked exasperated.


    ¡°It¡¯s a respect thing. You¡¯ll understand when you¡¯re older.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t even a strength build! Your class relies on dexterity!¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah!¡± Sanik said as if he had just remembered. He let go of Tali¡¯s hand and hopped to his feet. ¡°That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t win!¡±


    ¡°You mean that''s why you lost.¡± Edan corrected him as Tali sat up, the glass of milk already half finished.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t lose. I just didn¡¯t win. What''s that!¡± Sanik looked towards the kitchen. ¡°My beautiful wife just called? I better go!¡±


    Tali laughed as he left. Edan opened his mouth to apologize but she held up a hand to stop him.


    ¡°He knew you were having a discussion with your mother and wished to keep me distracted. He also watched how I adjusted my weight when I lay on the ground and tested my control over my strength.¡± She added the last part with approval. ¡°Your parents are not simple tailors.¡±


    ¡°Never said they were. Also, you have a milk mustache.¡± Edan pointed.


    Tali whipped it away with the back of her hand.


    ¡°Truth. Also, you have a milk mustache.¡±


    It was Edan¡¯s turn to use the back of his hand, though he was grinning as he did it.


    ¡°If you are interested, Emge, I would listen to your breakdown of the ranking matches while your parents prepare our meal.¡±


    It felt wrong sitting on the couch while Tali remained seated on the floor, so Edan found a comfortable spot and leaned back against the couch, using it as a brace. The Titan waited patiently.


    Edan wondered where to start. It wasn¡¯t lost on him that this was a great opportunity. Tali was likely very skilled and any advice she gave would be incredibly beneficial.


    Tali allowed him to collect his thoughts. She spent the time looking around the room, taking note of the books and their titles.


    ¡°I need to focus on strength,¡± Edan said at last.


    ¡°Why strength?¡±


    ¡°At the moment our stats should all be roughly the same. Sure, a few have capped a stat or two while others haven¡¯t, but a difference of five or six points isn¡¯t too bad. Or at least it shouldn''t be, but I felt it during the difference in the matches. The difference in stats is only going to grow once we birth our systems and our modifiers change.¡± Edan rubbed a hand against his chin. ¡°At that stage, I¡¯d be hard-pressed to handle an up-close fight.¡±


    The Titan regarded him silently and when it was obvious he had stopped speaking asked. ¡°Why do you think strength would help, or why must you fight close?¡±


    ¡°When I tried to tackle Kaneel I barely moved him. I didn''t like that...and I suck at a distance?¡±


    ¡°I cannot judge for I too suck at a distance.¡± The Titan smiled before clapping her hands together. ¡°So fights must be handled up close and personal. This is good.¡±


    Edan bobbed his head in agreement.


    ¡°If you increase your strength, do you stop focusing on speed?¡± Tali continued.


    ¡°Probably not. They say the System is influenced by what we do up until we birth it, right? So mine would likely provide classes that lean more toward dexterity over strength. I could focus on strength at the moment, but there¡¯s only so much training I can do. I mean, I wouldn¡¯t focus entirely on strength, but it would become one of my main stats.¡±


    Tali sighed and leaned back, using her hands to brace herself. Edan pretended not to notice how the muscles along her forearms bunched and her veins popped.


    ¡°What of your weapon?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I love my punch daggers! They feel natural and trust me, you do not want to see me with a sword. I¡¯ll swing once and somehow stab three people, all of whom are allies.¡± Edan shuddered. ¡°As bad as I am with a bow, I¡¯m a hundred times worse with a sword.¡±


    ¡°Distance can defeat strength buta blow that misses by a hair still misses.¡± Tali pointed out.


    ¡°So be too fast to touch? Yeah, sounds good, but daggers mean I have to get up close and personal...maybe if I use something like a polearm?¡±


    Edan imagined waving around a Naginata and winced. If he was bad with a normal sword, the thought of one on the end of a staff was just terrifying.


    ¡°Not all enemies can be cut.¡± The Titan pointed out.


    Edan frowned. He understood why Tali was only asking questions and making vague points. The path to the peak of cultivation was one you had to walk your own way and Edan suspected the Titan didn''t want to influence him too much. Edan enjoyed the way her questions made him think.


    ¡°So a club?¡± Edan finally asked after giving it some thought.


    The Titan didn¡¯t offer a suggestion, instead, she looked up at the ceiling.


    ¡°Defence?¡± She asked.


    Edan scratched the back of his head, remembering how he had wanted a shield when facing Therry.


    ¡°So I need a new weapon, different stats, a shield, a club, a stick, talent with a bow, and the sword. Anything else?¡± Edan asked in exasperation.


    The Titan laughed. It wasn¡¯t the loud bark from the classroom but a warmer sound. It rumbled through her large frame and Edan felt it in his bones.


    ¡°You, Emge, have yet to take the first step of cultivation. Don''t plan your end when you have yet to begin. Your path will grow as you do and the man who reaches the end will not be the man who began. All I would suggest is finding guidance.¡± Tali flashed him a smile, her eyes triumphant. ¡°Take me as your Te''Roro Bwaka and I will show you.¡± She paused as she tried to find the translation. ¡°Let me make you Va of my people!¡±

 CHAPTER 16

    ¡°No wonder you were quiet.¡± Sanik laughed, stepping out of the way of a stab and slapping at Edan¡¯s head.


    Edan ducked and tried for another stab, aiming at his father''s thigh. Sanik avoided it and pushed down on Edan¡¯s shoulder, forcing his son to squat and almost lose his balance.


    It was the morning after Tali¡¯s offer and the sun had yet to kiss the sky. Father and son had started training early before Edan needed to head off to Reverb Academy for the day. Scribe lights provided a soft orange glow to the backyard.


    ¡°Was I that obvious?¡± Edan grunted, pushing back against his father.


    ¡°At one stage a bit of food fell out of your mouth and you didn¡¯t even notice.¡± Sanik teased.


    Changing the pace, Sanik went on the offense. He struck out at Edan with an open palm. He was sure to keep it slow enough for Edan to react, but not so slow that it was easy. Edan dodged around the blow and deflected the next. He slapped aside the following fist and stepped forward, a kick aimed at the side of Saniks knee.


    ¡°I don¡¯t blame you though. It¡¯s a lot to take in.¡± Sanik effortlessly absorbed the kick and retaliated with a shove that sent Edan stumbling back. ¡°I don''t think Reema or I reacted much better. I¡¯m proud of you for telling her you needed time to decide. It sounded a lot like Tali was trying to take you on as an apprentice. Most would jump at the chance.¡±


    ¡°That''s what made me pause,¡± Edan admitted between gasps. He took a deep breath. ¡°It¡¯s too good of an offer. I kept thinking ¡®Why me?¡¯ you know?¡±


    Sanik scratched his neck, feeling the stubble under his finger. He¡¯d need to shave soon. Reema and Edan had no idea the pains he went through to keep his beard looking so presentable.


    ¡°Son, I may be biased but I see no reason why it shouldn¡¯t be you¡­but¡­she did seem rather tight-lipped about the details, didn''t she?¡±


    Edan raised his hands, his punch daggers glinting in the scribe light. Moving forward cautiously to reengage he said. ¡°I thought it might have something to do with cultural secrets. She did mention making me Va to her people and she made Va sound important earlier. I just figured it was one of those ''we can only tell you if you join'' kinda things.¡±


    ¡°Which makes the decision that much heavier.¡± Sanik agreed.


    If it involved cultivation methods and faction secrets, it would be no easy feat to end the agreement once made. Edan¡¯s mind flashed back to the man in town with the brand on his face.


    To drive the thoughts away Edan surged forward, hoping to catch his father off guard. At the last second, he turned his run into a dive and tackled Sanik around the legs, hoping to topple the larger man.


    Sanik allowed himself to fall, turning the awkward tumble into a graceful roll that ended with him on top. Using his weight to pin Edan down he mimed slaps to his head. Edan blocked as best he could.


    ¡°Still can¡¯t believe your mum invited her to your birthday.¡± Sanik laughed, increasing the speed of his blows.


    ¡°My mum, your wife!¡± Edan retorted from behind his arms as he tried to ward off the slaps. ¡°I think she did it because everyone was so awkward.¡±


    ¡°Everyone?¡± Sanik switched position, rolling Edan so he could sneak an arm around his neck. Edan dipped his chin. ¡°I know you were awkward. All silent and brooding. Tali looks the type to be silent so I won''t hold that against her. I was my usual charming self. If you ask me, I carried the conversation last night. You¡¯re welcome!¡±


    Edan rolled his eyes, still trying to keep his father from choking him out.


    Sanik, realizing that this could go on all morning, let Edan go and stood up. He hadn¡¯t called an end to the sparring so Edan rose cautiously. Sanik moved back, giving his son space.


    ¡°Are you considering it?¡± Sanik asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t,¡± Edan admitted. ¡°The whole reason I¡¯m at that dumb academy is so I can get a sponsorship, and even that isn¡¯t a sure thing. It¡¯ll depend on how good I do at the Proving Tournament.¡±


    Edan wiped the sweat from his face using his shirt.


    ¡°Dad, she¡¯s a Titan! Can you think of a more amazing opportunity?¡±


    Sanik smiled and held up his hand in a T shape. His way of calling an end to the sparring. He walked over to the picnic bench and sat down, patting the wood next to him for Edan. Overhead the first traces of light dyed the sky red and Edan could hear birds chirping.


    ¡°Reema and I have always given you space when it comes to the life you want to lead. That¡¯s never going to change. It may not be what your dad wanted or your mum,¡± Sanik shrugged and ruffled Edans hair when the boy looked angry. ¡°Don¡¯t be too rough on your parents. You don¡¯t know the whole story.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°And you do?¡± Edan challenged.


    ¡°No,¡± Sanik replied calmly, letting his hand rest on Edan¡¯s sweaty head a moment longer before it dropped. ¡°But I know Tyrian and I know Lillian and if they had to leave you, they did it for reasons that had nothing to do with you.¡±


    ¡°I used to think it was because I was weak. You remember how small and sickly I was as a child?¡± Edan admitted with a weak laugh. ¡°I thought if I got stronger they¡¯d come get me and we''d go off adventuring together. Except I never really grew and they never really came back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just dumb,¡± Sanik said bluntly before waving his hand. ¡°But all of that is beside the point I¡¯m trying to make. I think you need to give your parents the benefit of the doubt. But what I was trying to say originally is that Reema and I will always support you. I don¡¯t believe in the Sects, and Reema turned her back on the Guild life years ago, but neither one of us objected to you seeking sponsorship. We won¡¯t stop you if you think this is the right choice for you.¡±


    Sanik watched the sky lighten. Red stretched like fingers across the entire sky, bits of blue streaked between them. The clouds looked dark and heavy.


    ¡°I think it''s going to rain later.¡± Sanik muttered quietly before saying louder ¡°I wish I had enough experience to teach you myself. Or that my style suited you. I¡¯d have shared everything I know with you. But I can¡¯t and if Tali can¡­¡±


    Sanik trailed off, his eyes going distant and he scratched his nose and coughed.


    ¡°You love cultivating, son, it''s easy to see, but it''s dangerous. Especially the closer you get to the top. Everyone will be looking to drag you down. If Tali can prepare you for that¡­Reema and I would be very grateful to her.¡±


    Edan eyed his father and poked him in the ribs. ¡°Dad! Are you crying?¡± He teased.


    ¡°No! Shut up!¡± Sanik snapped back, getting to his feet and ignoring Edan. He coughed again and growled. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­you¡¯re growing up and soon you won¡¯t need us to protect you.¡±


    Edan smiled and stood up. He patted Sanik on the back.


    ¡°I might not need you and mum to protect me, but I¡¯m always going to need you two. Besides, if I¡¯m going to be a big brother I need to be around. Can¡¯t be brothering from a distance.¡±


    ¡°You know, I really think we did it,¡± Sanik said, stroking his beard and looking wise. ¡°Last night. Make a baby I mean.¡±


    ¡°Dad! No!¡± Edan shoved the laughing Sanik toward the house. ¡°Just no!¡±


    -


    The day wore on slowly once Edan got to class. Each day was allocated to a certain ¡®practice¡¯ which was the preferred term for lessons. They were all old enough that the word made it seem more independent and mature.


    The first day of the week was meditation. Theoretical in the morning and practical in the afternoon. This took place in the highest classroom of the central tower. The hard stone floors were covered in a deep purple carpet with golden stitching along the edges. Edan once again found himself horrified at the decor, but he couldn¡¯t fault the comfort. They had to sit cross-legged and the thick carpet made it so much more comfortable.


    There wasn¡¯t a teacher for the class. Rather, Mrs. Cinnaburn would check in on them occasionally, her face pinched as she stared around the class. She took great pleasure in waking those who had fallen asleep and giving them a dressing down in front of the rest of the students.


    Usually, Edan would be one of those students. Not only because she took great pleasure in calling him out, but also because he preferred sleeping than trying to meditate when surrounded by so many people.


    Today was different. Edan was happy with the normalcy provided by the class. It was comfortable. The sound of waves crashing in the distance was a dull roar that was as familiar to him as his own breathing. The caws and squawks of the gulls were his white noise. It helped center him.


    Edan may have played it cool with Sanik this morning but the offer from the Titan had shaken him. She was offering him what he always wanted, and now that it all looked real and obtainable, Edan struggled with the fear of stepping forward.


    Sanik had been right. He was growing up.


    Edan breathed deeply. He allowed himself to fall into the darkness within him. He didn¡¯t allow himself to fall into his SoulScape, that would have been too far. Instead, he settled his consciousness in the darkness between waking and that place within him. He floated there and let everything fall away.


    Finding your Path was said to be the easiest and hardest thing any cultivator could do. It was the very essence of who you were. The route to power that was at the center of every person.


    The problem was, how many teenagers actually knew who they really were?


    There were some cultivators that followed the Path of Flame and it influenced everything from their temper to their skills. Others followed obscure Paths like the Path of Resistance and it affected their cultivation and growth where they needed constant pushback to advance.


    Harvey had mentioned the Four Star Heavenly Sect encouraged the Path of Stars or the Path of Space. Apparently one of the Four divinities of the Sect had evolved their Path to the stage where he acted as a black hole for Vitalis.


    Apparently.


    Edan turned his thoughts away from such silliness and focused on himself. Who was he? How did he see himself? How did he see his future?


    For the first time in a long time, Edan thought something new about himself. He no longer thought he needed to hope to grow. Now he knew he would. Knew he could. He had the chance, thanks to Tali, and that thought turned into a fire that lit the darkness around him.


    What would he give to grow strong enough that he could protect his new family? Strong enough to find and confront his old one? Strong enough that he didn¡¯t need to worry about people like Aser and Mrs. Cinnaburn? Strong enough that he was free?


    Edan drifted in the darkness, warmed by determination.


    He would do anything. Endure anything. Become anything.


    Those thoughts sunk deep into his consciousness. It drifted down into his SoulScape and settled on the spark at the very center of his being. Within the jade green core of his SoulScape, the spark of Vitals that would grow to become Edan¡¯s system grew brighter as it fed.


    [Soul lvl 26 -> Soul lvl 27]


    [+2 stat points, +1 Willpower]

 CHAPTER 17

    Edan was meant to dress up for his birthday. Reema and Sanik both had. Reema in a strapless black dress that ended just below her knees. Sanik in a tailored (by Reema) suit of dark black and greys. Edan in contrast wore a simple white buttonup and black shorts, though he supposed it counted as dressing up as he had no plans of ever wearing something so fancy again. It was incredibly uncomfortable.


    His week had been largely uneventful. Classes had filled his days and other than an afternoon when he went to Harvey¡¯s to pick up his payment for the delivery job, Edan stayed home and meditated.


    There had been a moment of excitement when they had a practical class with Master Sims and he¡¯d introduced Tali. The Titan had stood tall before the class, her face showing none of the warmth she had shown Edan. In its place was a stony professionalism. Much like she had done with Edan in private, Tali asked each student to come forward and discuss their performance during the ranking match. She then asked the class to provide feedback on the person''s performance from their perspective.


    The lack of accurate answers showed how many of the students had ignored the fights. Aser had made one snippy remark about Gre¡¯ery. The resulting outburst of aura from Tali had the students flat on the floor, several unconscious. Even Master Sims ended up hunched. Edan was fine for some reason.


    The Titan had proven in no uncertain terms how she felt about bullying.


    Edan had wanted to laugh when after class he had heard Aser muttering something about ¡®telling my father¡¯.


    Part of Edan had been tempted to wait for the other students to leave before telling Tali he would accept her offer, but he ignored it. He was going to see her at the birthday party after all.


    Giving himself a final once over in the mirror, Edan admitted he looked tired. He had dark bags under his eyes from too many late nights meditating. Meditation was meant to be exhausting, but there was something about meditating on his path that wrung him out and left him feeling empty.


    The good news was he had increased his Soul level by another 2 bringing it up to 29. The stat cap had been raised to 58 and with the points earned through the level up, Edan managed to bring his willpower up to 55 and his Spirit to 53. On his latest level up he also received an extra Spirit point so it currently sat on 54.


    Not bad for a week''s hard training, though most of that had been primed for the last couple of months.


    Leaving his room, Edan moved through the quiet house. He could see the sun setting through the window, the shadows in the house growing long and stretched out. Artificial light came from the kitchen, the scribe lights casting their usual orange glow. Reema had banned him from entering there today.


    Making his way down the stairs and through the workshop Edan tried to tell if he felt different. Eighteen had been the age of adulthood before integration, according to Mrs. Cinnaburn. Edan couldn¡¯t understand why. He felt the same as he had yesterday. He still had the same worries, the same concerns, and the same fears. Perhaps he was just meant to have leaned to hide them better?


    The backyard had been done up in preparation for the party. The picnic table had been moved to the central area that was usually reserved for sparring. Its worn wooden surface had been covered with a piece of red fabric, the ends hanging down to the ground and swaying gently in the cool evening breeze.


    Scribe lights on wire had been strung up in the appleberry tree with a few strands stretching out to the house. Even more had been stuck around the garden casting their glow across the flowerbeds Reema had been trying to grow, and marking the boundaries of the property.


    Sanik, his jacket off and the sleeves of his shirt rolled up, was busy moving chairs around as Reema directed him. She wore a soft purple shawl draped over her shoulder.


    ¡°That should be fine, honey. It¡¯s really only going to be Harvey using the chair, his bad knee makes sitting on the ground hard.¡±


    ¡°Yes, dear, but we both know you¡¯ll make me sleep outside if I get so much as a grass stain on this suit, so I¡¯ll need a chair too.¡± Sanik reminded her as he moved two chairs close together. ¡°There! Harvey and I can keep each other company while you lot sit on the grass and get damp asses.¡±


    Reema sighed, one hand reaching up to smooth out the frown between her brows.


    ¡°I was going to put down a picnic blanket and some cushions.¡±


    Edan made his way over to the table, leaving his parents to bicker. There were snacks and bowls of fruits laid out for the guests to pick from. Glasses were lined up on one end, though the juice hadn¡¯t been brought out yet.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you meant to be starting up the grill?¡± Reema reminded Sanik pointedly.


    ¡°I was helping you!¡± he exclaimed, incredulously.


    ¡°That¡¯s mum speech for ¡®start grilling now¡¯,¡± Edan called out, picking up a cluster of appleberries and popping a few in his mouth. The sweet tart flavor burst against his tongue.


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Sanik asked.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m eighteen now,¡± Edan explained slowly. ¡°You learn these things when you become an adult.¡±


    ¡°Which explains how your father doesn''t know!¡± Reema chipped in, seeing her chance.


    ¡°I dunno¡­The things we did last night were pretty adult.¡± Sanik bounced his eyebrows suggestively at Reema.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Santry, eww!¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Cassie had just opened the side gate and wore a disgusted look on her face. The throaty chuckle from behind her came from Harvey.


    Sanik blushed and stuttered an apology. He was all for teasing his wife and disturbing his son, but even he had a limit.


    ¡°Master Mawe, a most tremendous occasion, reaching adulthood!¡± Harvey said, making his way to Edan, a hand held out to shake and his voice dripping with false polish. ¡°Truly tremendous!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, old chap,¡± Edan replied in kind, trying to match the older man''s tone, even if he had trouble fighting the smile that tugged at his lips. ¡°I must say adulthood rather befits me. I find maturity a cloak easily worn.¡±


    Harvey chuckled again and grasped Edans hand, the one not holding the appleberries, and shook it firmly. In his normal voice, he said ¡°A most happy birthday to you, lad. Cassie and I thought you might like this.¡± a present appeared in his hand, the wrapping a deep blue with silver ribbons tied around the edges.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a little something,¡± Harvey insisted, waving away Edan¡¯s protest. ¡°Think nothing of it. Sanik! I see you''ve spent the day annoying your wife!¡±


    Edan fell silent as Harvey went to greet Sanik and Reema. Edan held the present up, weighing it in his hand. It was hard to wrap a book and make it seem like anything but a book, and there was only one book that Edan had been interested in.


    ¡°He knows you¡¯ve been saving up for it,¡± Cassie said, moving to stand next to him. She wore a light yellow blouse that puffed up around the sleeves and was tight around her modest chest. There were little bows running up the middle of it. Long black pants and comfortable sandals finished off the outfit with a small purse hanging from her shoulder by a single strap. Edan thought she smelt like flowers, though he couldn¡¯t place the exact type.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you know what it is.¡± Cassie continued, looking at the present.


    ¡°Book of Professions?¡± Edan asked and smiled when he got a nod of confirmation. ¡°Thanks. I really appreciate it.¡±


    Cassie snagged an appleberry from the bunch in Edan''s hand and popped it in her mouth. Hands full, Edan had to snag one with his teeth, the rest of them almost came with it as the berry refused to break off from the bunch. Laughing Cassie pulled it away.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Edan said around the fruit.


    ¡°Nah-uh, these are mine now,¡± Cassie laughed, holding them close to her chest. ¡°You don¡¯t want to get fruit juice all over your new book, do you?¡±


    ¡°Good point, give me a second?¡±


    Moving quickly Edan made his way back through the workshop and up the stairs to his room. Placing the still-wrapped parcel on the stand next to his bed Edan smiled before rushing back downstairs. Reema and Cassie were heading up and the trio almost collided.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to grab some stuff from the kitchen, your fathers started the grill. Do me a favor? Make sure he doesn¡¯t set the yard on fire?¡±


    Laughing Edan gave way to the ladies before heading back outside.


    Harvey stood next to Sanik, puffing on a pipe and talking. Sanik nodded along to the conversation, his eyes on the fire he was stoking. Dark green smoke curled from the wood as fire chewed through it. Sparks flew in the darkness as Sanik pulled another log from his spatial ring and tore it in half with his bare hands before tossing it on the flames.


    Harvey looked over as Edan approached.


    ¡°Your father tells me we¡¯re expecting another guest?¡±


    ¡°Tali? Yeah, we did tell her it¡¯ll start at night,¡± Edan looked up at the steadily darkening sky. ¡°So she could be here any time.¡±


    ¡°He also mentioned an offer¡­¡±


    Edan looked at Sanik who shrugged.


    ¡°What? If anyone would know if it was a bad offer, it¡¯d be Harvey.¡±


    Edan couldn¡¯t argue with that. It wasn¡¯t that he was against telling Harvey either, Edan had just hoped to tell the man himself.


    ¡°Well, now that you know, what do you think?¡±


    Harvey took another puff of his pipe, the smoke trailing out of the sides of his mouth and leaving a thin trail as it wound upward.


    ¡°There is little known about her and most would not risk her anger by looking too closely. She is a Titan, and they are known to be honorable and straightforward. Sooner punch you in the face than stab you in the back, if you get my drift. I do know she¡¯s associated with the Traders Guild. Apparently being outsourced to the Academy to provide education to their students, no doubt with emphasis on certain students. In return, the Traders Guild was allowed to use the inter-realm array to bring in an Elder.¡±


    Harvey tapped his pipe against his palm before taking another aggressive puff.


    ¡°The Traders Guild opened up an auction house across the river and the Merchant Guild pushed back on it. Witnesses say there was an¡­exchange¡­between two high-level members of the Guilds.¡±


    ¡°Two elders fought?¡± Sanik interrupted, shocked.


    ¡°No, no. Not elders. Just senior members from both sides. Both Guilds are keeping the details locked down but I hear that''s why the Traders Guild brought in an Elder from off-world. To oversee the auction house and to prevent another disagreement.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Sanik barked a laugh, stirring the fire. ¡°You mean the Merchant Guild threatened to burn the building down and the Traders Guild are bringing in a naked sword to hang over their heads to prevent it from happening.¡±


    ¡°Just so.¡± Harvey agreed with a dip of his head.


    ¡°And where does the Thieves Guild stand on this?¡± Sanik asked.


    ¡°Officially, the Thieves Guild has no interest in such affairs.¡± Harvey gave Edan a conspiratorial wink. ¡°Unofficially, we¡¯re growing tired of the Merchants Guild¡¯s ego. They need to be reminded that they are just small fish at the surface of the ocean, bigger things stir in the depths.¡±


    ¡°Got work for Reema and I?¡±


    Harvey looked at Sanik sideways. ¡°I thought you two had taken a break to focus on your family¡­how did you say it? Increase your minion count?¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Edan said, frowning at his father.


    ¡°Yes, minion number one?¡± Sanik said innocently.


    After that conversation turned to lighter topics. Reema and Cassie returned with large glass bowls of marinated meats in hand before disappearing again. Edan could smell the marinade when Sanik removed a lid. The flames had died down, leaving behind large glowing coals.


    In short order, there was a sizzle and the smell of cooking meat filled the air.


    Reema and Cassie returned with pitchers of juice and a couple of bottles of spirits Sanik had been keeping stashed away. Harvey took charge of those, cutting the strong spirits with some of the juice and handing them out to the ladies. Edan waved off the offer for alcohol and stuck with juice.


    Sanik had snuck him drinks when he was younger but Edan found the taste of alcohol never grew on him. Edan stood talking with Cassie and Harvey about the store when there was the sound of knuckles on wood.


    Tali stood at the gate, her fist raised to knock on the fence again. If Edan wasn¡¯t mistaken there was a split in the wood where she had knocked originally. He hoped Reema didn¡¯t see.


    ¡°Tali, come in!¡± Sanik called out, waving his spatula in the air and holding up his glass. ¡°Grab a drink!¡±


    The Titan had to bend over to unlatch the gate. It was chest height on most people, but to the large woman, it only came up to her waist. She gingerly pushed it open.


    ¡°Woah!¡± Cassie whispered in awe as Tali stood back up to her full height.


    Feeling oddly protective of the woman now that he thought of her as his instructor. Mentor? Even if he hadn¡¯t told her yet, Edan rushed forward to greet her.

 CHAPTER 18

    If Reema and Sanik had dressed up, and Harvey and Cassie looked presentable, then Tali looked normal. Her large frame remained shrouded in her customary brown robes, the long billowing sleeves coming down to her wrists.


    Edan introduced her to Harvey and Cassie, taking a certain amount of pride in the awe the latter showed the Titan. Reema, scolding Sanik for offering Tali a drink, filled a glass with juice and handed it over.


    ¡°There¡¯s no alcohol in that one,¡± Edan assured her, holding up his own glass in reference. ¡°I don¡¯t like the taste either so I¡¯m sticking with juice.¡±


    Tali nodded and took a sip. A sip Edan was sure had emptied the glass. Edan offered to grab her a refill only to see Cassie talking to the Titan when he returned.


    ¡°...impressive.¡± Cassie was saying. She gestured to Tali¡¯s neck. Darkness had fallen completely but the backyard remained well-lit thanks to lights strung up overhead. In their glow, you could make out the markings poking out from under the Titan¡¯s robes. ¡°Are those tattoos?¡±


    Tali reached up and traced one of the marks as it looped up the side of her throat. Slightly darker than the skin around it, it had the shiny, smooth texture of a burn, more than a tattoo.


    ¡°These are known as ink to my people, but to tell you more you would need to be one of the tribe.¡± The words were firm but not unkind. Cassie, having grown up around cultivators all her life, knew not to ask too much about a person''s secrets.


    ¡°Tribes?¡± Edan asked, handing Tali her glass and taking a sip from his own.


    ¡°We are not great builders,¡± Tali gestured vaguely towards the city around them. Edan noticed her voice was warmer when she answered his question. ¡°And my world is not kind to the immovable. To put down roots is to be torn from the ground and cast down.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re like nomads? Traveling around with your belongings and family?¡±


    Tali smiled fondly, her eyes distant as she remembered her home.


    ¡°A never-ending road trip with your family?¡± Cassie faked a shudder. ¡°I¡¯d go insane within a week! Dad would never shut up.¡±


    Edan had to laugh at that. Harvey did enjoy talking. He was also very knowledgeable, so Edan didn¡¯t mind listening, but for Cassie who had to live with him? Yeah, Edan could see what she meant.


    Tali excused herself and went to join Sanik, Reema, and Harvey by the grill, her eyes on the sizzling meat.


    ¡°She seems nice.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm?¡± Edan looked at Cassie, pulled from his thoughts. ¡°Oh, yeah. She is. She actually taught a class today at the academy. It went well. I think the students liked that she didn¡¯t take sides and treated everyone equally.¡±


    ¡°You mean all the students except the favorites liked that?¡±


    ¡°And how do you know our class politics?¡± Edan asked curiously.


    ¡°Lorien enjoys gossiping.¡± Cassie reached into her purse and pulled out a blue parcel as thick as Edan''s wrist and as long as his hand. ¡°Here, I got these for you. As a present.¡±


    Edan felt a warmth in his chest and had to fight to keep a grin from his face. He accepted the present and, urged on by Cassie, he tore the paper wrap. Inside, tied together with twine, was a bundle of smooth sticks. Made of dark wood, each stick had a small red flag on the end. Glyphs marked the paper in dark ink.


    ¡°Array flags?¡± Edan asked. ¡°Chaos Realms, these had to be worth a fortune, Cassie! I can¡¯t accept these.¡±


    He tried to hand them back but Cassie pushed them away firmly.


    ¡°They¡¯re cast-offs from the Academy students. From the crafting classes, not the martial classes like you,¡± Cassie corrected when Edan opened his mouth to argue. ¡°They work though. Just not as strong as the official ones with the stamp of approval from the Golden Throne Sect.¡±


    The Crafting Guild controlled most of the trade professions such as the Smiths, Tailors, and Alchemists, but Arrays used expensive ingredients. You needed to be wealthy to practice Array creation, and the Golden Throne Sect were the wealthiest. They also sold their products at a premium making their money back and then some.


    Thanks to his increased Spirit and Willpower stats Edan had better control over the Vitalis within him. He reached out with his senses, feeling the array and trying to understand how it worked. What the glyphs meant.


    ¡°It¡¯s meant to be a warding array,¡± Cassie told him as he continued to look at it. ¡°Dad mentioned you¡¯re heading into the school dungeon in a couple of days so I figured¡­well, I just thought it couldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    Edan smiled warmly at her, holding the flags close to his chest. He didn¡¯t have the heart to tell her that to use array flags you needed to understand them. You needed to understand how the Vitalis would move through each of the flags. If you didn¡¯t, you risked destroying the items. Understanding arrays could take seconds, days, or even years. It depended on the array and the user''s level.


    At his level, Edan couldn¡¯t hope to understand the flags before he had the dungeon dive. It was 3 days away.


    That didn¡¯t take away from the gift''s thoughtfulness. Edan excused himself to put it away and was surprised to hear footsteps behind him as he ascended the stairs. Looking over a shoulder, Edan smiled as Reema caught up with him.


    "Grabbing more food?" He asked.


    "No, I actually wanted to give you something, before I forgot."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "You gave me my presents this morning." Edan reminded her.


    Sanik and Reema had given him new armor and throwing daggers. The gifts had been greatly appreciated and Edan knew it was their silent way of providing what help they could for his upcoming dungeon dive.


    "This isn''t a present from me. It''s from your mum."


    Edan opened his mouth to tell her she was his mum on reflex but Reema held up a hand to stall him as they entered his room. She settled on the end of his bed, the mattress sinking in around her.


    "Just...sit for a second."


    Edan crossed the room and placed Cassies present next to the one he had received from Harvey. It went on top of the book on his bedside table, the blue wrapping paper folded nearly beneath it.


    "Sit.'' Reema repeated.


    With a defeated sigh Edan settled onto the mattress next to her.


    "Your mother left something with your father to pass on to you. He left it with Sanik, who then passed it on to me because he didn''t trust himself not to lose it. Sometimes he''s a scatterbrained fool, but on occasion, he has a good idea, that man." Reema laughed as she pulled a pendant from her storage ring. She held it up by the silver chain, the coin attached to it turning slowly. "Tyrian wanted you to have this when you were older."


    "Why didn''t you give it to me sooner?" Edan asked, his eyes tracking the slowly swinging coin.


    "Honestly? We thought you would throw it away out of spite."


    Edan wanted to protest, but he knew Reema was right. Much of his early teenage years had been filled with angst. He still had some now, but it was much less cringe-worthy.


    Reaching out hesitantly, Edan allowed Reema to lower the pendant into his cupped hands. The silver chain curled up around the coin and holding it up to the light Edan looked at the embossed image on it. It reminded him of a fang-filled mouth.


    "I''m still angry with them." Edan admitted. "not as much as I once was, but it''s still there."


    "And that''s fine, honey," Reema rubbed his back before standing and giving him a kiss on the forehead. "But don''t let it grow. Now, there''s a party going on downstairs, and against my better judgment I''ve left Sanik in charge."


    "The horror!" Edan mock gasped before getting up off the bed as well. "Also, very smooth mum. Give me the pendant now and then force me back to the party."


    "I raised you kiddo, I know how you''re likely to overthink if I leave you here."


    Edan allowed her to pull him from the room. The pendant felt heavy in his hand. Not sure if he did it to prove a point, or just to free up his hand, Edan slipped the pendant over his head and tucked the coin down against his chest. The cold metal heated up rapidly against his skin and within seconds Edan forgot he even wore it.


    Back outside, Reema began plating the food and handing them out in no particular order. Tali had a burger in each hand and finished one off in two bites as Edan watched, impressed. Harvey continued to puff on his pipe as he pointed to slices of meat he thought Sanik needed to turn.


    Sanik swatted at his hand with the spatula but still listened. Cassie watched her father with exasperation, a glass in one hand and a burger in the other.


    They were a strange group, but as far as birthdays went, Edan couldn¡¯t imagine his without them. Even Tali seemed to fit the image and Edan wondered if maybe the fact he was going to accept her offer made him think of her as a fixture already.


    Reema passed him a burger and Edan groaned as the Vitalis rich meat fell apart in his mouth. The crunch of crisp vegetables mixed with the spicy tang of homemade sauce.


    ¡°Do you have birthdays in your world?¡± Edan asked Tali, settling next to her.


    She licked a bit of sauce off her finger and wiggled her hand in a see-saw motion. ¡°We have the day of birth when new life joins the tribe. There is singing and eating and some will compete to see who is the best dancer.¡±


    Edan pictured a bunch of massive Titans breaking it down and had to hold back a laugh.


    ¡°You sound like you miss your home.¡±


    Tali bit half her burger and chewed slowly. It was only after she had finished and washed it down with juice that she answered.


    ¡°The company is missed. The family. They are the home.¡± Tali eyed Edan''s burger and he took a bite of it to claim ownership. Reema was close enough that she saw the Titan¡¯s hungry eyes and began preparing another bun for her. Tali nodded her thanks when she got it.


    Edan looked around at everyone else. They were all busy with each other. Laughing and joking. Gesturing, arguing, teasing. No one paid Tali and him any mind. Still, he lowered his voice when he addressed her. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if there is meant to be a proper way of doing this. It seems a little¡­anticlimatic¡­but I, uhh¡­I accept.¡±


    Tali froze, the last half of her sixth burger inches from her mouth. Her amber eyes locked on Edan and he swore the markings on her neck seemed to grow, the tendrils forming new loops and knots against her skin.


    ¡°Emge, you must be clear. You must be certain.¡± she cautioned him, her tone firm.


    Edan took a deep breath and made sure he was facing her completely. Looking her in the eye Edan said ¡°I don¡¯t know what my future holds, or where my path will take me, but I know I refuse to stop walking it until the end. I need guidance. I accept you as my Te''Roro Bwaka.¡±


    There was no notification from the system, no skip of his heart, no flood of energy or beams of light, and yet, Edan felt it. It was in the air and carried by the wind. It danced across his suddenly sweaty brow and pulled at his dark curls. Edan felt it as a thump deep in his SoulScape as if something heavy had slipped into place. There was a stillness to the air as if Terra itself had stopped to witness the occasion.


    Behind the pair, the others continued to chat.


    ¡°I see you, Edan Mawe,¡± Tali said quietly, her amber eyes glowing. ¡°And claim you as Te''Bwaka.¡±


    Her face turned into a broad smile and she stuffed the rest of the burger in her mouth before stepping forward and embracing Edan. She lifted him off the ground easily and twirled him around, his legs flapping out behind him.


    ¡°Uhhhh, Tali, are you giving out free rides?¡± Sanik called out. ¡°Because it¡¯s been a while since someone twirled me around like a baby and I kind of miss it.¡±


    Looking sheepish, Tali set Edan down on his feet gently. Edan wheezed, feeling his ribs for cracks. He was sure Tali had been gentle, but she was still incredibly powerful, and he was ungraded.


    ¡°I accepted her offer,¡± Edan said in way of explanation.


    The reactions were mixed. Sanik nodded, expecting nothing less from his son. Reema smiled sadly. Harvey stroked his beard, his sharp eyes on the Titan. Cassie looked confused.


    ¡°What? What offer?¡± She asked, looking around at everyone.


    It fell to Edan to explain. It didn¡¯t take long but by the end of it, even Cassie looked impressed. She let out a low whistle and gave Edan a pat on the back.


    ¡°So what does that mean now?¡± Reema asked Tali. ¡°What happens next?¡±


    ¡°I have the dungeon in a couple of days,¡± Edan interrupted. ¡°And I still need to birth my system. You said I should focus on that when you made the offer, right?¡±


    The last part was directed at Tali and she inclined her head in agreement.


    ¡°Grow, Emge,¡± she said warmly, still smiling with joy. ¡°I will watch over you.¡±


    What that meant exactly, Edan didn¡¯t know, but he also wasn¡¯t in a rush to ask. The night was young and he had his family and friends around him, delicious food to eat, and fresh juice to drink.


    Some things could wait.

 CHAPTER 19

    The Academy dungeon entrance was located towards the back of the islet. The nine students and Master Sims had to leave through the main gate and walk along a thin rocky path that ran down to the water line and around the island. The stone path had been sleek with seawater and bird shit. Waves smashing against the rocks just below them had thrown salty mist into the air.


    The path had led around the back of the islet to a cave large enough for three students, walking side by side, to enter at once. There were no guards on duty and no door barring the way. Edan, having expected a bit more grandeur, felt let down.


    ¡°Remember, the deeper you go, the denser the Vitalis. Go too deep and you¡¯ll become oversaturated. If you don¡¯t blow up, you¡¯ll disintegrate. Neither option is good!¡± Master Sims yelled over the crashing waves. A strong sea breeze pulled at his clothes and made his mustache dance above his lip. ¡°You have a day. Stick together. Watch each other''s backs. And protect yourself! If you need to, run back up here, There is a guardian near the entrance that will kill anything near it.¡±


    Not eager to stay there any longer, Master Sims hustled the lot of them forward. Aser stalked forward with his usual confidence. Nose and Teeth flanking him like ever-present shadows. Ashina seemed to be swallowed by the other members as her small frame disappeared behind Kumi and Lorien.


    Edan hung back. He hadn¡¯t liked the way Aser glared at him, the taller boy''s gaze had not been friendly.


    Moisture dripped from the ceiling of the cave, collecting into pools of water in depressions along the hard stone ground. Darkness seemed to swallow them the deeper they pushed. The sound of the sea echoed strangely in the space, sounding like a constant roar.


    ¡°Don¡¯t damage the glyphs, runt!¡± Aser called out from the front, pointing to the ground as he sneered at Edan. ¡°You couldn¡¯t afford the repair.¡±


    Edan ignored the barb but slowed down even more so he could examine the runes running along the floor. Each glyph was carved into the ground, the sharp angles and swirling loops were thicker than Edan''s finger and deeper than his hand. Water had long since filled up the runes and Edan wondered if that affected it at all.


    He also wondered how on Terra Aser thought he would damage the glyphs?


    ¡°Just being an ass.¡± Edan had muttered.


    He had jumped when he heard soft laughter near his ear. Spinning around he didn¡¯t see anyone.


    Rushing off after the others, Edan didn¡¯t look back a second time. Whether it was the guardian Master Sims had mentioned or a ghost just messing with him, Edan didn¡¯t feel the urge to find out.


    The darkness had slowly receded as the group traveled further into the cave. The path sloped down gradually and looped around on itself a few times. The other eight students stuck together, their whispers bouncing off the wall. Edan followed close enough to see them, but not so close he would draw attention.


    Replacing the darkness, a soft yellow glow started to light the walls. What had once been rough stone became smooth. Almost polished. There was no more moisture in the air, instead a warm breeze drifted up to them, drying the sweat and sea mist on their skin and leaving behind salty powder.


    Edan ran his tongue over his lips, enjoying the taste.


    The yellow glow changed to a light orange, before turning into a deep red. The ground beneath their feet no longer had the hard texture of rock and Edan noticed it was soil when he looked down. Dry and cracked, but soil.


    The group in front disappeared around a bend and Edan heard them gasp in amazement. It was enough to make him put a little hustle in his steps.


    They stood before a massive cavern lit by the red glow Edan had noticed earlier. Crystals, some as large as houses, others smaller than his hand but clumped together like appleberries, grew from the walls and floor. Each crystal gave off its own red glow, the light within making them sparkle like gems.


    Edan had expected dry dirt floors but a lush sea of flowers carpeted the floor. The buds looked like little flames dancing in an imaginary breeze. It was as if a thousand candles had been left behind, but their flames cast no light, and the plants gave off no shadow.


    Lorien gasped and pointed up. Edan, like the rest of the group, followed her finger. High above their heads and arcing across the entire cavern were white support beams. Edan followed one curving beam as it arched down to the ground. There was something about the pillar that reminded Edan of¡­


    ¡°Bone!¡± Lorien said excitedly. ¡°Its bones!¡±


    ¡°Chaos Realms!¡± Kumi cursed, looking around in shock. ¡°We¡¯re in the stomach.¡±


    They were right. Holding the ceiling, and likely the academy up were the bones of some ancient monstrous creature. Now that Edan knew what to look for he could see the central spine running the length of the room. Ribs sprung out and merged with the walls on either side of them. Where the head of the great beast was, Edan didn¡¯t know, but he imagined if they went deeper they would likely find it.


    And that led to the main source of light in the room. Brighter than all the crystals. There was a hole in the middle of the room, its edges perfectly symmetrical and smooth as if someone had melted a hole right through the floor. The red, fiery light, came from within that hole and it was towards this that Aser moved.


    As he marched through the field of flowers, the petals fell away before darting through the air. Edan realized that the petals weren¡¯t actually petals but little humanoid whisps of fire that shook tiny fists at them.


    Edan knew what they were. Flame elementals. When rich enough Vitalis saturated an area, sometimes it could take on a fake sentience. The little flame figures taking to the air as Aser passed would eventually fade out of existence when their Vitalis fell apart.


    Not every flower was a Flame elemental though. Some of them were real, and Lorien and Yaw, the third-ranked in the class, began to pick them. Yaw even produced a pair of bronze clippers to help.


    Edan slowed down further, giving them more space. He slipped a dagger from a sheath along his chest and cut a few flowers of his own. These were tucked away into his pack. He didn¡¯t know what they were, but if the Flame elementals liked them, they were likely worth a few tokens.


    The hole in the room took up most of the first floor. The students were basically traveling across a small ring to reach it and once near the lip, Edan could make out stairs leading down to the second floor.


    There was a railing that came up to his hip running along the stairs, but Edan still gulped when he looked over and saw the long, long, drop. He couldn¡¯t even see the bottom of the hole and if one of them fell¡­Edan didn¡¯t know if you¡¯d ever stop screaming.


    ¡°I¡¯m lead!¡± Aser called, moving down the stairs cautiously.


    Edan was more than happy to fall to the back. There seemed to be some unsaid agreement that your rank determined your position in line. Even Teeth and nose lost their spot near Aser and fell between Kumi.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    A warm, almost suffocating breeze floated up from below. Sweat stung Edan¡¯s eyes and ran down his face in rivers. The collar of the shirt he wore, along with patches under his arm, was wet already. Actually, the whole shirt was soaked. Edan could feel it sticking to him as he moved.


    The stairs led to the second floor, another ring like the one above, but more uneven. Rock walls rose up from the ground to ceiling, sectioning off areas of the floor. They could choose to move on to the third floor as the steps they followed continued down, but Aser stepped off and the others followed.


    Each breath made Edan¡¯s nostrils hot. The air felt heavy and Edan found he had to exert more effort to fill his lungs. It wasn''t a hindrance. If anything, it made Edan feel more alert and focused.


    The Vitalis! Edan realized. It¡¯s the Vitalis. The airs thick with it!


    Focusing on his breathing, Edan tried to get a sense of how his SoulScape was doing but he didn¡¯t quite have the skills needed to meditate while moving.


    The ground on this floor lived up to Edan''s earlier expectations. Barren and dry the soil was cracked. Small tufts of the same flowers above grew here, but the green leaves were tinged brown and the beautiful flame flowers looked twisted and deformed.


    Edan was watching the flowers when Aser walked past so he noticed the petals fall. They didn¡¯t rise in the air like they had on the first floor. They dropped as if weighted, hitting the ground in small puffs of dust. It seemed to set off a chain reaction as other petals fell, from flowers that hadn¡¯t been disturbed.


    Meanwhile, the group had pushed further into the floor. Kaneel passed the first patch of flowers, leaving only Edan left to bring up the rear. From his position at the back, Edan noticed the petals rolling together. It was like watching raindrops merge and for a second Edan stood transfixed. The petal turned drop went from a soft orange flame to a fiery red blob as it grew with each new addition.


    ¡°Guys!¡± Edan called out. He looked around the floor and noticed similar blobs forming from each of the flower patches the group had passed. ¡°Guys! Look at the flowers!¡±


    Surprisingly it was Ashina who listened. There was a startled gasp from her as she pulled the short sword from its sheath at her hip. More on reflex than actual thought, the others copied her.


    Edan was proud of his classmates. They clumped together, turning so they were back to back, their varied weapons held out like a bristling shield of sharp tips. Of course, Edan had been hanging so far back that he was left out of the circle of protection.


    When the globs of red liquid fire began to roll toward the group, Edan was thankful they had left him behind. The¡­whatever they were¡­completely ignored him. Using [Identify] told Edan what they were called.


    [Amaglomated Fiery Elementals - lvl 15]


    ¡°Aser?¡± Tooth asked, his voice shaking as he waved his saber in front of him.


    ¡°Push forward!¡± It was Kumi who answered, his staff wirrling through the air. ¡°They''re low-level. We can¡¯t allow them to group up on us.¡±


    To put words into action, he stepped forward, his staff whipping through space as he batted one of the glops. It looked like he¡¯d struck a rubber ball. There was a poing sound as the red glob was blasted through the air. It bounced off the wall, then the floor, before coming to a rest. Everyone froze, waiting to see if it would remain still. The blop began rolling forward again.


    ¡°Kumi, your staff!¡± Kaneel said.


    Kumi swore violently when he saw the tip of his weapon. The wooden shaft had a noticeable burn mark on it as if the large boy had left it in a fire too long.


    Ashina darted forward, her sword flashing out as she skewered the blob closest to her. Her blade sunk deep into it before pushing out the other end. The metal that appeared was cherry red and with a few choice words of her own, Ashina whipped her blade to the side, trying to fling the fiery glop off her weapon. The blade cut cleanly through the creature, the two halves melting back together, and then it continued its advance.


    Edan considered his options and came up short. He only had daggers and Ashina had just proven blades weren¡¯t the way to go. Even Kumi¡¯s blunt attack hadn¡¯t been enough to put it down, though it had given him space. Edan watched the boy swing his staff down on another glop and it flew through the air, bouncing off the roof.


    Lorien skewered one on her trident but ran into the same issue Ashina had, the prong began to warp under the heat. Thinking fast she pulled the weapon out, spun it around, and used the blunt end of her weapon like a club to bat the elemental away.


    Aser drew his longsword. The blade was a mix of black and white metal, and its pummel was beautifully designed in silver. When he stabbed a blob approaching him, his weapon didn¡¯t melt, or even turn red, but nor did it seem to have any effect on the small molten creature.


    Edan looked around desperately, he looked back to the steps, maybe they could run for it? Though running on the steps could be dangerous, the hole¡­the hole!


    ¡°Kumi!¡± Edan called out loudly, waving his hands to try and get the other man''s attention. ¡°Kumi!¡±


    Grey eyes darted over to Edan before turning back to the approaching globs. They were getting close enough that the students could feel the heat rolling off them in waves.


    ¡°Hit it towards me!¡± Edan yelled frantically, pointing to himself and then behind him. ¡°Get it to the hole!¡±


    There was a bark of laughter as Kumi understood what Edan wanted. Twisting his body and angling his next swing right, the staff tore through space as it collided with one of the closest globs. There was a poing and Edan swore as he dove to the side, avoiding the red ball of molten fire that streaked towards him.


    Another blob went sailing through the air as Kumi adjusted his backswing and took out another one. This one bounced off the ceiling, then the floor, before sailing over the lip of the hole.


    Getting the idea, Lorien joined in. Her weapon was a lot less effective than Kumi¡¯s, the butt of her trident wasn¡¯t meant for wild swings, but she still kept a majority of the blobs back until Kumi could handle them.


    Tooth joined in, using the flat of his blade, he crouched low and swatted the blobs away. They didn¡¯t go very far, and he couldn¡¯t hit many in a row before his weapon became hot, but every little bit helped.


    Edan spent the time ducking and dodging the globs as they sailed passed him. To his credit, Kumi wasn¡¯t aiming at him, but there wasn¡¯t a lot of open space, what with the stone walls on either side.


    With one final poing the last of the globs was sent sailing over the lip of the hole to start its, presumably, very long fall to the bottom. Everyone took a break, whipping the sweat from their brow and drinking deep from their water canteens.


    ¡°Good looking out,¡± Kumi said, raising his fist for a bump when Edan approached.


    Edan rapped knuckles with him, surprised at the acknowledgment. Lorien flashed him a salute with her customary smile stretched across her face. Even Ashina dipped her head in recognition.


    ¡°It would seem,¡± Aser drawled. ¡°That being a coward and hiding at the back served you well, though you cost us experience.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off, you can¡¯t use experience if you¡¯re dead. Besides, what experience were you expecting to get from a level fifteen?¡± Edan snarled before he could help himself. ¡°Besides, last I checked we all moved by rank. You¡¯re first. You¡¯re meant to lead. I didn¡¯t see much leading there.¡±


    The group stilled. Whether in preparation for violence or in displeasure, Edan didn¡¯t know. He expected Aser to rage, or attack him, or snarl back. What he didn¡¯t expect was for the other man''s face to become deathly still, his eyes turning calculating. Slowly a smile formed on his lips.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Aser said, his voice devoid of any anger and all the scarier for it. ¡°I¡¯ve obviously been underestimating you.¡±


    Alarm bells were going off in Edan¡¯s mind. There was something more at play here. Some angle.


    ¡°I think it would be best if you stayed up front. With me. You¡¯ve shown yourself to be¡­observant.¡± Aser gave a little half bow. ¡°Together we could protect everyone so much better.¡±


    Before Edan could say anything Aser turned to the rest of the class.


    ¡°Do any of you have an objection to Edan helping me take the lead?¡±


    There were no objections. Worse, the lack of objections meant that Edan couldn¡¯t object. What would he object to? Helping them all stay safe?


    His original plan of moving off alone when they reached the second or third floor had gone out the window. If he had been alone, surrounded by molten balls, there was nothing he could have done with his daggers.


    Edan remembered the discussion with Tali. A bat was looking more appealing by the second.


    ¡°I believe we should move,¡± Kumi said, holding out a hand to help Lorien to her feet. ¡°We have wasted too much time on our first encounter.¡±


    ¡°After you, ru-Edan.¡± Aser gestured for Edan to take the lead.


    The small of Edan¡¯s back prickled as he walked past Aser. He half expected to get stabbed in the back, but who was he kidding. If Aser wanted to stab him, he was more than strong enough to do it to his face.


    Strong enough for now! Edan vowed.

 CHAPTER 20

    Edan proceeded carefully. He knew this was all a setup. What really annoyed him though was whichever way you cut it, Aser came out looking good. If Edan did prove to be useful in the lead, it was Aser who suggested it. If Edan fucked up and missed something, Aser would be able to call out his shortcomings.


    Of the two, Edan didn¡¯t know which he preferred.


    The walls of the dungeon were smooth and almost square in shape. When they reached a T intersection Edan frowned.


    ¡°This looks man-made.¡± He said to no one in particular.


    ¡°Of course it is,¡± Aser replied, his tone bored. Almost dismissive. ¡°The first floor and the hole are the only natural things around here. Everything in between was carved out by instructors, or Sect Elders. They use the Vitalis dense atmosphere for farming, experimenting, or training the next generation.¡±


    Edan almost nodded his thanks. Almost.


    ¡°If you had listened more and slept less in class you would know this.¡±


    ¡°So close,¡± Edan muttered. So close to a normal conversation, he thought.


    ¡°Which way do we go?¡± He said instead.


    Aser rested his hand on the pommel of his sword and looked at Edan coldly. Edan could see the cruelty beneath the surface. The malice. Edan refused to look away.


    ¡°You¡¯re leading, runt,¡± Aser growled, looking away.


    ¡°I¡¯m so close to walking your evil ass into a bed of flowers,¡± Edan whispered back, too low for the rest to hear.


    Aser¡¯s face flushed red and his lips thinned. Edan gave him a smile before picking the path to the right. He could see a few scraggly flowers clumped together along the left path and wasn¡¯t eager to try his luck with those.


    Edan shouldn¡¯t have bothered. There were flowers along the right path as well, though these were few and far between. Wilted and brown, the clumps were easy to avoid. Edan wasn¡¯t sure how much distance was needed before you alerted the glops pretending to be flowers, but just to be safe, he hugged the wall where he could. He noticed with amusement that the other eight did the same.


    Ashina called a stop when they walked past a cluster of red crystals growing from the wall.


    ¡°We should take some of these,¡± she said, her usual sour expression thoughtful. ¡°They likely contain fire attund Vitalis. Maybe an alchemist would buy them, or if one of you is looking to cultivate a fire-based path, it may help.¡±


    ¡°Trust the Gold Throne disciple to find something worth tokens.¡± Kaneel laughed. He pulled a knife from a sheath at his hip and used the tip to pry a crystal from the clump. It popped free from the wall and he caught it in his palm. ¡°It¡¯s warm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a disciple yet,¡± Ashina said, pulling her own dagger. ¡°I still need to birth my system and receive sponsorship.¡±


    There was something about the way she said it that rubbed Edan the wrong way. He watched everyone crowd around the wall, dividing the cluster up amongst themselves and excluding him.


    There¡¯s no uncertainty Edan realised. Ashina had said the words but didn¡¯t believe them. There was none of the fear Edan had felt when thinking about receiving sponsorship. There was no doubt that she¡¯d get accepted by the Golden Throne Sect.


    If the Edan from a week ago had been standing there he may have tried pushing to the front of the group to claim his own share of the loot. He may have resented Ashina for her confidence. He may have even left the group and gone off on his own in the hopes of finding something that would impress Master Sims. But he wasn¡¯t the same Edan from a week ago.


    Edan just needed to survive today. He just had to allow his body to soak up as much Vitalis as it could in the hopes he could use it later to push his body, mind, and soul to level 29. He didn¡¯t need the loot. He didn¡¯t need to impress the Sects, or whomever may be watching.


    He had sponsorship. Edan just needed to survive long enough to reach it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Aser ordered before gesturing for Edan to lead on.


    The rest of their search was uneventful. The only incident was when Yaw had stepped on Ashina¡¯s heel and she¡¯d threatened to gut him with his own blade. After that, everyone spread out a little.


    Reaching a dead end they turned back. Surprisingly Kaneel led with the rest following in reverse order. Edan ended up at the back of the group with Aser. That itching, suspicious, feeling came back and Edan slowed his pace so Aser couldn¡¯t get behind him.


    He could feel the animosity rolling off the other student like a heat wave. With the rest of the class ahead of them it seemed the act of civility was dropped.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Aser hissed at Edan, his eyes angry slits. ¡°You got lucky during the ranking matches. Brier is a fucking disappointment. I doubt she¡¯ll receive sponsorship now.¡±


    Edan kept his eyes forward though he watched Aser out of the corner of his eye. If the other man reached for his sword Edan was ready.


    ¡°My father suggested we get rid of her altogether. She was only kept around because she was¡­fun. Like her mother.¡±


    The way he had said fun made Edan¡¯s skin crawl. They¡¯d reached the original intersection and Kaneel looked over the group''s heads. Aser waved towards the stairs.


    ¡°We may as well head down to the next level, this one''s a bust!¡± His voice had returned to the friendly, cordial tone he used with everyone else. The mask was back on.


    Once everyone continued on, Aser turned back to Edan.


    ¡°My father also suggested we get rid of you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Edan growled back, not bothering to keep his voice down. If Ashina and Yaw heard, they didn¡¯t turn around. Lorien skipped along in front of them, talking to Nose. ¡°Why do you hate me so much? I haven¡¯t done a single thing to you!¡±


    Aser actually looked shocked, the red stain on his cheeks began to creep down his neck and he fought to control his temper. Edan watched his hands, they clenched and unclenched on the handle of his sword.


    If Aser was going to draw, it would be now. Edan heard his heart beating in his ears and adrenaline flooded his system, preparing him for a fight.


    ¡°Aser, do you want to take the lead to the next level?¡± Kaneel called out hopefully, breaking the tense moment.


    A smile slid across Aser¡¯s face as he moved forward.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Lorien and Nose made way for him as Teeth watched the interaction. Aser turned back. ¡°Edan, you coming?¡±


    ¡°Fuck no!¡± Edan looked at him like he was crazy. Edan was getting whiplash from the constant tone changes.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Aser laughed, though the amusement didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Think of it as a reward for saving us earlier.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Teeth added, watching Aser for approval.


    ¡°Go on, ru-uhhh, Edan.¡± Nose added, though he stuttered saying Edans name.


    ¡°You deserve it, Edan!¡± Lorien added.


    Edan wanted to slap his forehead. She actually looked like she meant it.


    ¡°Nothing but wind between those ears,¡± Edan muttered as he walked past the oblivious woman who slapped him on the back in congratulations.


    Edan once more joined Aser as they walked down the narrow stairs to the third floor. Edan hugged the wall on the way down, staying as far away from the edge as possible. In contrast, Aser walked with a hand on the railing and even paused to look over.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The third floor was open, and like the first, large crystals dotted the landscape. Dried brown grass covered the ground and Edan bent down to feel one. He had expected it to be brittle and to break apart into dust, but the blades were soft and bent under his touch. It just looked dried up.


    Walking forward cautiously Edan looked around. Sprouting from among the brown grass were ridges of blackened spikes. As thin as Edan¡¯s wrist, the centermost ridge rose as high as his arm above the grass. The ridges on either side of them slowly decreased in size until the last ones were barely above the blades.


    ¡°What are those?¡± Yaw asked. ¡°Branches?¡±


    ¡°Too uniform,¡± Edan said, looking back at the other man. ¡°I say we avoid them.¡±


    Something moved out of the corner of his eye and Edan¡¯s head snapped to the side.


    ¡°They¡¯re moving,¡± Aser called, drawing his blade with a hiss and pointing to the closest line of spikes.


    Edan drew his own daggers as the ridges slid towards them, cutting a serpentine path through the brown grass. Behind him, the other students prepared their weapons.


    ¡°Can you see what it is?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No!¡± Aser snapped.


    ¡°It¡¯s coming closer!¡± Yaw called out nervously.


    ¡°Is it a snake?¡± Ashina asked, crouching with her naked blade exposed.


    The ridges slid deeper into the soil as they approached. The action reminded Edan of a shark submerging, its fin slipping beneath the waves.


    ¡°Underground!¡± Edan¡¯s warning was muffled as the creature burst from the ground in a spray of dirt and gnashing teeth. Clumps of grass flew like shrapnel as the creature flew through the air.


    Then it was among them.


    Edan dove aside on instinct. He felt something large brush past him, heat searing his skin. Turning his dive into a roll, Edan sprung back to his feet, a dagger in each hand. He narrowly avoided being bowled over as Yaw went flying past.


    [Ember Hound - lvl 31]


    It looked like a cross between a snake and a dog. Its long, thick, powerful tail snapped through the air, pushing Lorien and Kumi off balance as they blocked. Its elongated body allowed it to turn and twist out of the way of Tooth''s saber. Two thick taloned feet merged with a barrel-like chest and the creature hopped forward to snap at Nose. Serrated teeth closed on nothing as Kaneel¡¯s blade chopped down on its snout. The sword barely pierced the creature''s thick black hide.


    Rivers of lava ran along the cracks in the thick plates that made up the creature''s natural armor, and fire dripped from its mouth as it sniffed the air. The snout was wide and smooth, and where there should have been eyes, there was only a bony ridge.


    ¡°It¡¯s blind!¡± Edan yelled.


    The hound turned to him, its tail knocking Kaneel over and its bulk pushing Nose back. The powerful front legs bent.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± Edan had time to say before the creature lunged towards him.


    Edan threw first one dagger, then the next. Both were aimed at the joint of its shoulder but only the first found its mark. The creature flinched as the blade bit into it and the second blade glanced off a hardened plate.


    Edan dove aside again, the heat from the creature close enough that he felt the hairs on his arm burn.


    Ashina was there then, her sword flashing out across the creature''s snout, pushing it back. Aser moved in from the side, his duel-colored sword rising and falling in a powerful slash that dug deep into its thick neck.


    Blood poured from the wound, burning the grass and sending foul-smelling smoke into the air.


    The creatures screeched, thrashing wildly. Kumi blocked its tail with his staff, the force sending him sliding back. Lorien stepped forward and stabbed at the muscle along the hound''s leg with her trident.


    Aser stepped back from the snapping teeth and Ashina slid under its over-extended head as she tried to slash its throat. The creature surged forward, seeking out Aser, and pushed Ashina over, its thick taloned feet almost trampling her. She rolled out of the way, dust covering her armor.


    Yaw screamed with rage as he reentered the fight. His blade rose and fell as he hacked at the creature. It turned, the blows its hide couldn¡¯t deflect sunk into flesh but that only seemed to make it angrier.


    It twisted around, snapping at Nose as he attacked the base of its tail. Edan used the distraction to his advantage and sprinted forward. He pulled the two punch daggers from his back as he ran. The creature¡¯s mouth snapped closed an inch from Nose¡¯s, well nose, and Nose screamed as boiling saliva from its mouth splashed across his face.


    Edan jumped, his daggers leading the way. He hit the creature''s back, his blades sinking deep, and stuck there. The hound''s flesh burned his skin and it bucked to get him off. Edan screamed as he held on to his daggers, unwilling to give them up. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Edan pulled one dagger free. He almost went flying as the creature sprung into the air.


    Using the daggers as holds, Edan pulled himself up its body. The creature, unsure which attack to deal with first, twisted and turned, hopping on its powerful legs to dislodge Edan, only to hiss and snap as someone else darted in to attack it.


    When he lost his grip on one of his daggers, Edan grabbed desperately at one of the ridges. The skin on his palm burnt and he almost let go, but he was so close. Pulling his remaining dagger free from its back, Edan pulled himself forward. The creature lurched and Edan felt a second of weightlessness as he was flung into the air. With a bone-jarring thud, he landed on its back, narrowly avoiding being impaled on a spike as the air was blasted from his lungs.


    Aser flipped over the lashing tail before his sword flickered across the creature''s leg, severing a nerve. The leg buckled and Edan slid forward. Taking advantage of the movement Edan pulled his dagger free and jammed it back down with all his strength at what he hoped was the base of the skull. Bracing a foot against a spike, and using the handle of his dagger as an anchor, Edan slid another dagger from his chest and drove it down beside the first. Weighted more for throwing, it didn¡¯t sink as deep as the first, but Edan didn¡¯t care. His last dagger was pulled free and joined the other two.


    With a grunt, Lorien drove her trident into the bottom of the creature''s jaw, Kumi jumped into the air and brought his staff down across its muzzle like a club, pushing it down. Lorien braced the butt of the trident against the ground and the force of Kumi¡¯s blow drove it deeper into the soft tissue.


    Ashina slid under the creature, trusting the trident to keep it erect, and sliced its throat. She scrambled out of the way as hot blood spilled.


    With a final thrash and gasping hiss, the creature fell still and Edan threw himself off it. He hit the ground and rolled away. His skin felt hot and tender.


    [Ember Hound - lvl 31 slain]


    [Experience gathered]


    [Vitalis gathered]


    Edan heard the others arguing and rolled over enough to see them standing around the dead body. Nose¡¯s face looked horrible. Blisters covered his cheek and forehead, and a patch of skin near his brow wept clear fluid. Yaw was hunched over, holding his ribs. Ashina was covered in dirt and brown blades of grass were tangled in her hair.


    Getting to his feet, Edan made his way over gingerly.


    ¡°...ard to tell who made the killing blow.¡± Kumi was saying. Edan noticed he was leaning heavily on his staff and seemed to be favoring his left foot.


    ¡°And we each contributed equally,¡± Aser answered. ¡°It just so happens that of the eight of us, four are from the Four Star Heavenly Sect, and as such we get the first choice on loot.¡±


    Kumi didn¡¯t look happy, and neither did Ashina, Yaw, or Lorien, but there wasn¡¯t much they could say.


    ¡°Hold up,¡± Edan called. His throat was dry and he had to swallow before continuing. ¡°What loot and don¡¯t I have a say?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a graded beast, you idiot.¡± Aser snapped, too tired to pretend to be civil. ¡°That means it will have a core, not to mention its hide and claws. And you don¡¯t have a say because no one here will listen.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d listen!¡± Lorien chirped up.


    ¡°As would I.¡± Kumi agreed, though whether in support of his fellow sect member or because he actually agreed with Edan, Edan didn¡¯t know.


    Ashina looked between Aser and Edan.


    ¡°The Golden Throne stands with the Four Star Heavenly Sect.¡± She said.


    And just like that, Aser and his group began digging around the skull of the creature to find its core. Nose pulled out Edan¡¯s daggers and tossed them to the side. Edan thought of saying something, but he hurt everywhere and was too tired to bother. He limped over and collected them before wandering off to find the second one he had thrown.


    Luckily the metal shone amongst the dull brown grass and he found it with little difficulty. Standing up straight he brushed a little dirt from the blade and slid it into the sheath. As he turned back to the group movement caught his eye and made him swear out loud. His slow walk turned into a limping run as he yelled out.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got more!¡±


    Turning at his shout, the others looked around in worry. Their concern turned to dread as they noticed three more lines of spines swimming through the grass.


    ¡°Fuck the core, we need to run!¡± Edan yelled, pointing towards the stairs.


    The others didn¡¯t wait for him, they took off sprinting. Those, like Kumi, who were too injured to go all out hobbled along, glancing over their shoulders with worry.


    Aser was still on top of the dead Ember Hound and as Edan drew level with him, he saw the other man pull out a red stone from the bloody hole in the creature''s head before slipping it into his pocket.


    Then Edan was past him. Edan was more than happy to leave Aser behind to be eaten. He doubted the man would provide a tasty meal, but hopefully, he was tough enough to slow them down.


    Ashina reached the stairs first and turned up, heading to the safety of the second floor. Kaneel hot on her heels. Lorien had slowed enough to swing Kumi¡¯s arm over her shoulder and was helping him along. Tooth and Nose had slowed down, their frantic gazes aimed over Edans head.


    Edan looked over his shoulder. Aser was right behind him. And behind him were four hounds. They sprung from the ground in a shower of dirt before diving back in, their forms slipping into the soil like a drop of water being absorbed.


    Tooth and Nose made it to the stairs and started up. Edan slid the last meter, almost barreling into the railing. He could hear Aser breathing behind him and the rumble of the approaching hounds.


    Edan turned to go up the stairs and got a boot to the face. His nose collapsed with a crunch, blood bursting from his nostrils to cover his chin. His head snapped back and he stumbled, his arms windmilling as he missed a step. Stars and tears swam in his vision.


    Arms grabbed him around the waist and hurled him back. He felt his waist hit the railing with a jarring impact and he grasped onto it blindly.


    ¡°My father said to get rid of you.¡± Aser¡¯s voice reached Edan as the man left him behind.


    Edan didn¡¯t have time to clear his vision. Through his tears, he saw a mouth full of sharp teeth snarling at him as a hound hit him square in the chest and they both went over the railing.

 CHAPTER 21

    ¡°You look happy,¡± Marcus remarked, kicking his feet up on his desk and leaning back.


    Tali fidgeted as she tried to get comfortable in the rickety chairs the Traders Guild used. They weren¡¯t meant for someone of her size. Much of this world wasn¡¯t and she often found herself fearful of breaking things.


    Leaning back in the hopes of spreading her weight evenly across the chair legs, Tali nodded, her chest growing warm as she remembered Edan agreeing to her offer.


    ¡°Yes. I am now Te''Roro Bwaka.¡±


    Marcus pulled a metal canteen from a drawer in his desk. The sharp smell of alcohol filled the air as he twisted the cap off and took a swig. A rumbling purr shook the room. He knew better than to offer it to Tali. Stowing it away again he settled back and regarded the Titan.


    ¡°That''s sort of like a protege right? From this backwater planet.¡± He barked a short laugh. ¡°You got lucky.¡±


    Tali considered correcting him. She knew she would find one here. Her Path told her so. That wasn''t what made her happy though, what made her happy was she no longer felt alone. Edan was Bwaka, and with time she believed he would become Va. This made him one of her people, in her mind. He had not taken the ink, nor learned to burn his blood, but he was family now. One of the Tribe.


    There was an awkward pause as Marcus waited for Tali to say more, but when she didn¡¯t he sighed, the air escaping from between his canines with a hiss.


    ¡°I wish you weren¡¯t still mad at me.¡±


    ¡°I am not angry at you,¡± Tali replied far too quickly. She winced at the obvious lie.


    ¡°We needed Bootang. He is a powerful elder, but more importantly, he is loyal. He knows who we seek and he knows how much it means to the Founder.¡± Marcus¡¯s slitted eyes turned down at the corners as he smiled apologetically. ¡°You are a friend, Tali, but the Guild¡¯s welfare comes before that. Before you.¡±


    ¡°I owed you a debt. If this is how I repay you, I have no reason to be angry.¡±


    ¡°And yet you are,¡± Marcus laughed softly. ¡°I can see your jaw clenching.¡±


    Tali took a slow breath in then let it out, making a conscious effort to relax her muscles. ¡°I dislike being used as a piece in this game of Sect and Guild politics. You do not even know if this person you are looking for is on Terra, yet you would use the debt owed on the off chance it is.¡±


    ¡°The academy is key.¡± Marcus insisted. ¡°That''s why I was so willing to trade you to them. I trust you and yes,¡± Marcus held up a hand to forestall Tali¡¯s argument. ¡°I know you are no spy. All I¡¯m asking is you keep an ear out. We think the so-called Natural Place of Power the Academy is built on is shit, but we can¡¯t act without knowing for sure.¡±


    There was a pause as Marcus watched Tali, weighing her reaction. The Titan sat still, her voluminous robe wrapped around her. The markings that ran up her neck remained still.


    ¡°Still won¡¯t tell me who this person is?¡± She asked at last.


    Marcus simply shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but no.¡±


    The two old friends sat in uncomfortable silence. A silence that made saddened Tali. She remembered days when Marcus had been a dedicated cultivator and less of a political animal.


    They had met in an unstable pocket that popped up near his home world among the Venturi Cluster. She had been young and eager to prove herself. Marcus had been wild and desperate to earn favor with the Guild.


    He¡¯d tried to rob her and she¡¯d tried to kill him. In the end, they¡¯d both run amock of a local sect and Marcus had saved her life.


    The Marcus of today was a long cry from that man.


    Tali moved to stand and Marcus matched her. His broad shoulders slumped as he took in her downcast expression.


    ¡°Is it really so bad?¡± He asked quietly, ¡°Are the Sects and Academy such poor company?¡±


    Tali blinked in shock. Her anger, when it came, scorched through her like fire. She felt the familiar heat in her chest and the itching, stinging sensation of her ink moving across her skin.


    Marcus felt the wave of heat roll off her and realized his mistake. He held his hands up, his eyes dilating.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Tali, I didn¡¯t  mean-You know-higher realms!¡± He cursed, angry with himself. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡±


    ¡°You know their truths, even if you cannot speak them openly in this world,¡± Tali growled, the urge to act made her shake. She wanted to fight, and scream, and laugh. ¡°You know what they do! The Marcus I knew would not have accepted them so readily.¡±


    ¡°I do what I have to!¡± Marcus slammed his hand down on the table, breaking it in half with a loud crack. Paper and wood splinters covered the floor. ¡°Fuck!¡± he snapped, ashamed at losing his temper.


    ¡°Just¡­just go, Tali, before your anger gives voice to your thoughts and you break the oath you made.¡± Marcus waved towards the door, suddenly very tired.


    An oath you forced me to make. Tali almost said, but she could feel it now, the hunger. She needed to leave before she did something she would regret.


    Without another word Tali opened the door to the office, the metal handle bent under her grip and the wooden frame splintered as she pulled the hinges out by mistake. She let it fall behind her and stalked through the ground floor of the Traders Guild.


    Heads ducked down as she moved between the cubicles but Tali didn¡¯t notice. She looked ahead. All her focus on leaving.


    Once outside, the fresh air did little to cool her temper. Tali turned away from Stratta and ran. Two long strides and she reached the wall of the Traders Guild. She hopped over it without effort. Hitting the ground hard, the footpath cracked under her weight. She didn¡¯t slow.


    Her body begged for action and she stopped denying it. She streaked away from Stratta and civilization, leaving the town with its thin walls and its soft, delicate people behind. She pushed herself, each step catapulting her forward as she strove to reach the wilderness.


    She could feel it, coursing through her veins. The heat. Her blood was alight. She had begun to burn it in anger. Tali knew she would be ashamed later. Her inability to control her internal fire marked her as immature by her Tribe. It showed her relative youth.


    But for now, it demanded release.


    Grass fields gave way to rocky slopes before being claimed by dense forests. Trees splintered and exploded as Tali ran through them, not even slowing. A [Great Snake] its body thicker than Tali¡¯s waist with scales as hard as forged steel, was too slow moving out of the way. Tali hit it at a dead sprint and it burst apart. Blood and guts mixed with wood pulp and splinters.


    She tore a path through the forest. An angry scar of destruction used to extinguish the flame that burned within her.


    When Tali finally stopped it was to take long gulping breaths. She could still feel the heat in her blood, but it would cool soon. The ink along her body shifted as it no longer fought to contain her energy.


    A roar shook the air, knocking leaves from branches of the nearby trees, and startled birds in the distance. The sound of splintering wood from far off reached Tali. Something had been attracted by the noise she made.


    Tali considered leaving.


    The roar came again. Closer this time.


    Tali remained.


    The ground beneath her shook and the trees swayed. The splintering sounds were deafening. With a final roar, the beast crashed through the last of the trees. A splinter as tall as she was narrowly missed Tali¡¯s face.


    A snarling muzzle of sharp teeth and dripping saliva snapped closed with a crack. Standing up on its hind legs and roaring to the sky, the massive creature shook its shaggy coat before slamming its forelegs back to the ground.


    Even on all fours, Tali still only came up to its armpit. Curious, she used [Identify].


    [Titanidae - lvl 158]


    The bear roared at Tali and stomped the ground, causing it to shake. A skill perhaps? She smiled back.


    ¡°Easy, child of earth.¡± She said, holding out her hand as if to pat it.


    There was a white patch of fur on the bear''s head, reminding Tali of a crown. The dark fur along its body had a green sheen to it in the sunlight filtering through the clear canopy above them.


    The bear huffed loudly, its muzzle flecked with spit, before charging at Tali. It pulled up short when she refused to move and backed up, its wide butt breaking another tree as it refused to take its eyes off her.


    ¡°You should know you aren¡¯t a match for me, little one.¡± Tali cautioned, her voice low and calm. Her earlier anger was gone as her blood cooled. She wasn¡¯t in the mood to fight.


    The bear growled again, rising halfway to its full height before dropping down. Tali noted the softer-colored fur along its belly and the swollen nipples. It didn¡¯t slam its forelegs into the ground this time.


    ¡°Ahhh, the courage of a mother,¡± Tali said, stepping back and giving a half bow. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to enter your territory, little mother.¡±


    The bear watched her closely, its brown eyes showing intelligence.


    Tali looked at the surrounding woods. The trees were massive with trunks wider than she and covered in moss. They stretched high into the sky, tapering off to wide branches and thick foliage. Ferns covered the ground and grew in clumps, curled in on themselves for protection as Titan and bear stomped around.


    ¡°You have a beautiful home.¡± Tali continued in the same calm tone. ¡°I have a young one too that I will care for. Perhaps when he is ready, I will bring him here to meet you.¡±


    Once he birthed his system Edan would need experience to level fast and the forests around here were teeming with life.


    ¡°I will leave now.¡±


    Not turning her back on the Titanidae, Tali stepped away slowly. The massive bear watched her, its ears flicking. Suddenly Tali froze, her body going stiff as she received a message from Sims. It only took her a second to read it. She moved so quickly, to the bear it looked like she simply vanished.


    Taking a final sniff of the air, the Titanidae turned and ambled back to its den, a noticeable swagger to its steps. It had scared away the large woman and protected its children.


    Today was a good day.

 CHAPTER 22

    Edan was not having a good day.


    A scream of horror was ripped from his mouth as he fell into empty space. The ember hound seemed to run on instinct and ignored its own feeling of weightlessness, instead, it took advantage. It clamped serrated teeth down on Edan''s shoulder. His armor offered little resistance and he went breathless as pain ripped through his body.


    Edan tried to turn, still falling, confused and desperate to get the creature off him. Its forelegs clawed at him as he pushed it away. Fear clouded his mind.


    The creature thrashed its head, the flesh clamped between its teeth shredding under the movement. Edan beat at it with a dagger in each hand. He plunged the blades into its neck, over and over, the blood flowing out of it was whipped into the air, leaving a trail of fiery lava in the wake of their fall.


    Getting his legs between himself and the creature Edan shoved, screaming anew as the flesh on his shoulder and arm tore free. It went spinning off into space, its legs and tail thrashing as it finally registered they were falling.


    Heat radiated from his shoulder, but Edan was too terrified of the fall to care. He looked around, wind stinging his eyes and his hair whipping around wildly. Turning he looked at the walls. They were too far away.


    The heat spread from his shoulder and invaded his chest. No. It wasn¡¯t just from his shoulder. It was from everywhere.


    Edan felt like he had been dunked in a tub of boiling water.


    The creature next to him thrashed, the lines of lava along its armor plating glowed brighter and brighter before catching alight. Tongues of flame were pulled upwards and Edan noticed with horror that parts of the hound were disintegrating. Used as fuel to keep it burning.


    The part of Edan¡¯s mind not clouded with fear provided the answer. Vitalis saturation.


    The fall wasn¡¯t going to kill him, the Vitalis in the air was. He could feel it, even now, filling him up and rushing towards his SoulScape. Edan had no way to stop his fall and the longer he fell the deeper he went and the deeper he went the thicker the vitalis.


    Tears stung his eyes, whether from the wind or sadness, Edan didn¡¯t know.


    He wouldn¡¯t get to see Reema and Sanik again. He¡¯d never get to confront his birth parents. He¡¯d never get to tell Cassie how he felt.


    There wasn¡¯t much left of the hound. It had burned up to a piece of flesh the size of Edan¡¯s torso.


    Edan had lost feeling in his limbs. He was too scared to look. Scared they were already gone. The heat was all that remained. It sat in his naval and grew and with it, a calm acceptance took hold of Edan.


    He would die now.


    Edan could see the floors whipping by. The first floor was so so so far above he couldn¡¯t tell if his classmates were looking over the edge, watching him vanish, or if they had continued running until they left the dungeon.


    Aser.


    Edan''s short-lived acceptance of his death was tossed into the fiery anger that threatened to cloud his mind. He embraced it, it helped fight the fear. Edan roared his rage, unable to hear his own voice as the wind deafened him.


    Flipping over, the wind caught on Edans armor and twisted him around, the walls flashing by in a dizzying blur. Edan swung his arms, trying to offset the momentum. Only one shoulder moved, the other remained a mass of torn flesh and muscle.


    Edan felt full to bursting with Vitalis. His little maneuver had shown him he still had his limbs so it looked like an explosion, rather than disintegration was the death of the day.


    The walls of the dungeon slopped inward, each floor was just a little smaller in diameter than the one before it. Far below, Edan could see something glint.


    Falling had become boring.


    Edan waited to explode, his thoughts dark with images of killing Aser.


    Edan could see the bottom of the hole now. It looked like a pearly white stone disc.


    Edan hadn¡¯t exploded yet, and as the floor approached so too did his fears. Edan pushed at the air as if his wildly windmilling arms could stop him. He screamed.


    The white disc took up his entire vision.


    Edan¡¯s mouth was open in a final scream as he hit it.


    Darkness took him.


    -


    Consciousness returned with a vengeance.


    Edan sat up, gasping and clutching at his face. He felt fine, his skin soft to his touch. Edan looked at his hands, they looked normal. Even his fingernails were neatly trimmed. He ran his right hand up his arm, to his shoulder. It no longer resembled a dog chew toy. Smooth, warm skin and muscle moved under his questing fingers as he shrugged his shoulder.


    Had he dreamt the whole dungeon?


    Edan looked around.


    Yup, definitely still asleep. He thought, taking in the fluffy cloud he sat on. Above and around him, as far as his eyes could see, was the sky. Patches of white and orange clouds, fat and long and thin or whispy, coming in all shapes and sizes, dotted the surrounding vista.


    Reaching down, Edan felt the cloud. It reminded him of his mattress, the fluff keeping its shape but dimpling under his weight as he braced and pushed himself to his feet.


    This was like no dream he''d ever had. Had he died? Edan had heard of the Wider Realms, both low and high, chaotic, neutral, angelic, they came in all types. He had never heard of a confirmed afterlife though.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t dead.¡± A calm voice said from behind him.


    Edan screamed like a little girl and spun around, clutching his chest with one hand and raising the other to punch.


    A man stood a couple of paces away. His black and red streaked hair was pushed back, though a few strands had found their way free and fell on either side of an angular face. Thin brows inched down over orange eyes as the man regarded him. As Edan watched the man''s eyes turned from orange to blue, the transition almost hypnotic.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t dead,¡± The man said again, brushing the hair from his face.


    He wore simple, but high-quality robes of a cut Edan hadn¡¯t seen before. The predominant color was dark crimson with lighter accents along the sleeve and waist. Designs, stitched out on fine detail, ran up the labels of the robe to the high collar.


    ¡°Though I suppose you will be soon.¡± he continued.


    Turning around the man made to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Edan called out, panicked. ¡°Please!¡±


    ¡°Listen, kid, I know you have questions. Probably a lot. But it¡¯s not worth my effort. You¡¯ll be gone before I finish explaining.¡±


    The man sounded tired. Or sad. It was difficult to tell as he had his back to Edan. He hadn¡¯t continued walking though so Edan shuffled forward, adjusting to the softness of the cloud beneath him.


    ¡°I¡­I was falling. I thought I died. I¡­I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening. Please.¡± Edan was ashamed of the shake in his voice. He was scared and confused and now that he wasn¡¯t in immediate danger, he didn¡¯t want to die.


    ¡°Your body is broken, kid. Utterly and completely. You hit my pool hard enough to shatter every bone in your body and turn what¡¯s left to paste.¡± Blue eyes turned to a pale yellow and the man scratched his cheek. ¡°I grabbed your consciousness and pulled you here. The pool¡­it¡¯ll try to heal you, even as it destroys you, and I figured you didn¡¯t need to remain conscious for that.¡±


    Edan focused on his breathing. Keeping it nice and slow and steady as he processed what the man said. He felt a hysterical laugh bubble up and he fought against it. Edan knew if he lost control, for even a second, he¡¯d fall apart. He needed to be calm.


    A smile played across the man''s lips and he inclined his head, noticing the attempt Edan made to keep it together.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Two chairs grew from the clouds. Parts of the white fluff turned hard, darkening, before growing grain-like texture, other parts of the fluff flattened out but kept their color. Soon, two chairs of dark wood with white cushions stood facing each other.


    The man adjusted his robes and sat down. Leaning back he gestured to the other chair.


    ¡°Sit, kid, make yourself comfortable. We can just talk until the end. It''s the least I can do, I suppose.¡±


    Moving stiffly, Edan settled into the chair. It was indeed comfortable, but he barely felt it. He gripped the armrests hard enough that his knuckles turned white. He refused to look the man in the eyes, instead, he looked off into the distance. Clouds drifted by slowly, almost lazily.


    ¡°My SoulScape,¡± the man twirled a finger through the air, indicating everything around them. ¡°In case you¡¯re wondering.¡±


    ¡°I¡­don¡¯t know what happened.¡± So many questions ran through Edans mind he had trouble picking just one.


    The man reached into the air and a teacup and saucer appeared, perfectly clasped between his fingers.


    ¡°Would you care for a drink? Tea? Coffee? Something Alcoholic? Something forbidden? Something comforting?¡±


    Edan watched a teacup appear in his hand, the liquid changing to a darker brown as the man said coffee. The cup then turned into a small glass with amber liquid before stretching out and filling with something resembling blood. The red faded from the liquid and the glass thickened until Edan held a large pint of milk.


    On reflex, he took a sip. It helped settle him. It gave him something to do with his hands. He took another sip.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t the first to fall into my pool,¡± the man started, setting his saucer and cup on the armrest and steepling his fingers beneath his chin. His eyes turned white before shifting to a light purple. ¡°Though you are the youngest. Normally it''s idiots who think they have enough knowledge or strength to survive, which usually means the old or the ignorant. Not you though, what happened to you, kid?¡±


    Edan had no reason to hide anything from the strange man so he told him. He told him about the ranking match and the reward. Edan told him about the dungeon dive and the blobs of fire and then the fight with the hound. He finished with the betrayal and his fall.


    The man let him talk, his gaze never wavering from Edan.


    ¡°Betrayal is a rather common route to power in the Wider Realms,¡± the man said at last. He took a sip of his tea. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not slimy. Nothing worse than a cowardly attack.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Edan agreed, the thought of Aser made him angry again.


    The pair fell silent again and Edan finished his milk. The glass filled back up of its own accord.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± The man asked.


    ¡°Angry. Confused. Scared?¡± Edan shrugged. ¡°Tired and like I want to go home?¡±


    ¡°I meant your body. Any loss of feeling? Cold or hot? Cloudy thoughts?¡±


    Edan took a moment to think about it. He felt fine. He felt good actually. Light. His thoughts seemed clear and he had no trouble remembering anything, at least so far as he could tell. Finally, he shook his head in the negative.


    ¡°Resilient, aren¡¯t you?¡± The man nodded in approval.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Your body, your real body I mean, not this consciousness, it''s still absorbing Vitalis from my pool. Actually,¡± the man shifted forward in his seat, bracing his elbows against his knees. ¡°Fuck it, I¡¯ll explain things and if you die while I¡¯m talking¡­well at least you were distracted, aye?¡±


    Edan didn¡¯t know what to say to that so he continued breathing. In, then out. Slow and steady.


    ¡°My story begins how yours ended. Betrayal.¡± The man said slowly as if picking apart his own story before telling it. ¡°I¡¯ve had time to think about it. A lot of time. Too much. And I always come to the same conclusion. It had to be a betrayal. You see, how else would they know where to attack me? How else could they make something that could hurt me? It had to be betrayal. Yes?¡±


    Edan had raised a hand in question, the same one holding the milk. He was pleased none spilled.


    ¡°Uhh, well¡­you keep saying they. Whose they?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t get a good look at them, so they they shall remain. Anyway, I was betrayed and attacked. But they forget who I am,¡± The man laughed. Leaning back in his chair and striking a dramatic pose he pushed the hair from his face and jutted his chin out. ¡°I fought them-yes, what?¡±


    Edan had his hand up again.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    There was an awkward pause as the two men regarded each other. The red-haired man barked a laugh which turned full-bellied and rolled around the open space, seeming to make the clouds bounce and shift.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t needed to explain who I am in¡­I can¡¯t even remember how long. Before I was¡­this,¡± the man gestured to his own body. ¡°I was known in any realm I traveled to. Since my fall, as I¡¯ve come to call it, those that stumble across my pool and fall in are either looking for me or are wise enough to recognize me.¡±


    ¡°Pushed, remember?¡±


    ¡°Right. I go by many names and even more titles. I have been called The First Light, The True Flame, He Who Burns, Endless, The Last Flight, and even Consumer, in certain older realms.¡± The man held up his cup of tea. ¡°But given our circumstances, you may call me Kiba Teaii Mel¡¯Aodh, or just Kiba if you prefer.¡±


    ¡°Ok, Kiba, you said you were attacked, but you fought them off?¡±


    ¡°Fought them off? Kid, I sent them running!¡± Kiba smiled, his eyes turning a glowing red before fading to orange, reminding Edan of embers. ¡°But the coward poisoned me during the clash. Right here, near my heart. I¡¯m hard to kill. Very hard. But that poison? It was like it was made specifically for me. It didn¡¯t just attack my soul, it attacked my Path.¡±


    Edan didn¡¯t know something like that was possible. He¡¯d always thought your Path was some intangible factor of the System. Normally he would have asked more questions, but at the moment there seemed little reason to. Edan could feel a heat in his chest. He tried to take a sip of milk but had trouble swallowing. His hands shook in fear and he grasped the armrests.


    ¡°Weakened, I couldn¡¯t afford another confrontation so I decided to hide-uh¡­retreat. Figured no one would find me in a lower realm and I felt the Flare Calf. If you¡¯re looking to hide in a lower realm, why not one that''s not even integrated, aye?¡±


    ¡°Flare Calf?¡± Edan asked, latching onto the first unknown term to try to keep his mind off the growing heat and the fear that had begun to whisper in the back of his mind.


    ¡°Ugly, four-legged creatures. Mountain-sized and full of tentacles? Used by sects to find pocket dimensions about to open or worlds that are on the verge of integration.¡± Kiba shrugged, still slouched in his chair. ¡°They¡¯re sensitive to the budding Vitalis of a world or something. My Old Mushroom head of a brother loves them. Thinks it''s fascinating how they terraform a planet.¡±


    The description had reminded Edan of something, the rest was gibberish to him though.


    ¡°You mean the Precursor and his Vanguard?¡± Edan asked.


    ¡°The what with his who?¡±


    Edan rubbed his chest unconsciously, the heat was becoming uncomfortable. Kiba noticed and for a second his eyes cooled to a sad blue before he coughed and sat up straight.


    ¡°Look at me, sitting here being chatty. Why don¡¯t you tell me a bit about these Precursors? All the fools who¡¯ve fallen in here, none have mentioned the Precursor.¡±


    ¡°The Precursor and his Vanguard. They probably didn¡¯t mention it because it¡¯s common knowledge, from when the world got integrated. I''m guessing that''s around the time you got here as well?¡±


    Kiba crossed his legs and gestured for Edan to continue.


    Edan was about to keep talking when he gasped, clutching at his head. It felt like someone had stabbed him through the eye and he tried to blink non-existent tears from his vision. Images flashed through his mind, more thought than actual pictures.


    A baby was born - New life was made, a shell was formed, a spark given life, an endless path of endless choice.


    A tree was grown - Life was grown, its roots ran deep, its hunger slow, its branches sheltered all from the heat and stole life from the weak.


    A wound was healed - A scar remained, a lesson learned, a new strength found.


    A thousand died - And a million more were born to die so a billion could live. Life meets death and they trade pieces.


    A man sits alone - Solitude is his friend, his thoughts his enemy, and all around him walks silence as his life stands still.


    Edan felt himself drowning in thoughts and experiences not his own. He struggled not to be pulled down.


    Eventually, the images faded and Edan was left gasping in the chair, his body slumped over and leaning heavily on the armrest. The glass of milk had vanished. He didn¡¯t even remember letting it go.


    Edan opened his mouth to tell Kiba what he had seen. What he had experienced. But he closed it again. Edan knew what was happening and by the look on Kiba''s face, so too did he.


    With nothing to do, Edan continued answering Kiba''s question.


    ¡°The Precursor was named that because it appeared out of nowhere. One day Earth, which was the name of Terra before it got integrated, was just turning how it always turned, then the Precursor appeared in the middle of a city, I forget the name, I suck at history. If you knew my history teacher you''d know why. Anyway the Precursor came and fucked shit up. People were panicking but there wasn¡¯t really anything they could do. More came after, the Vanguard, they just began appearing all over the world, some in cities, some in the middle of nowhere.¡±


    The heat had begun to fade from Edan¡¯s chest and he wondered if that was a good thing? Or was it a worse sign?


    ¡°Lucky for us the Four Star Heavenly Sect appeared. The Precursor and his Vanguard had settled down by then. I guess you could call it planting themselves? Energy leaked off them, warping the land and animals. Humans found out from the Sects later that it was Vitalis and the creatures had brought the System with them. The Four Star Heavenly Sect disciples controlled the mutated animals and helped teach us how to cultivate the wild energies. The Four Star Heavenly Sect even helps control the amount of Vitalis the Precursor and his Vanguard pump into Terra, slowing the Integration so we have a chance to prepare ourselves."


    Kiba was frowning, his eyes a pale yellow, as he looked at Edan. Edan trailed off and scratched the back of his head self-consciously.


    ¡°I said I sucked at History,¡± he said.


    Kiba stood up, his chair falling back into clouds, and began pacing. Edan watched, confused by his reaction. The heat that had filled Edan¡¯s chest was back, but it felt denser. If the previous burn had been like cupping a candle, this time it felt like he stood before a bonfire. It made his skin feel tight.


    Kiba stopped and turned to Edan, his hands folded behind his back.


    ¡°Kid, I¡¯ll give you a choice. I can tell you the truth and you will not die happy, or I can lie and you¡¯ll die ignorant.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Edan snapped. ¡°That''s fucked up. If you tell me I die unhappy but you lie I¡¯ll know you lied and I¡¯ll still be unhappy. Why even mention it in the first place? You could have just kept whatever it is to yourself!¡±


    ¡°No one deserves to die ignorant,¡± Kiba said, his gaze calm in front of Edan¡¯s sudden anger. Anger he suspected masked fear. ¡°And it¡¯s not my place to make the choice for you. So which will it be?¡±


    Edan rubbed the bridge of his nose, fighting the urge to scream and throw his chair at Kiba. He wasn¡¯t angry at the man, he didn¡¯t think. He was just angry at everything and the fucking fire burning him from the inside out didn¡¯t help!


    ¡°Give me the truth!¡± He snarled.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been lied to. The Four Star Heavenly Sect didn¡¯t save you from the Precursor and his Vanguard. They were the ones who sent it, and when they are done they will destroy your world and kill everyone in it, all to further the cultivation of one of their gods.¡±

 CHAPTER 23

    ¡°You calm, kid?¡±


    Kiba¡¯s words barely registered. Edan stood on the edge of a cloud, taking quick panicked breaths as he looked over the edge. Blues and pinks swirled together in a soothing gradient and made Edan think of the setting sun. He was hit with a bout of vertigo as his mind tried to convince him the sky was below him and he was standing upside down.


    Staggering back Edan tried to control his breathing. The heat had faded, again. Or perhaps the shock of Kiba¡¯s words kept his mind distracted. Part of him wanted to call the man a liar, to shout and scream at him.


    Why would he lie? That was the same thought that kept Edan from blissful denial.


    ¡°How do I know you¡¯re telling the truth?¡±


    Kiba walked up beside Edan and then continued walking. He stepped off the cloud into the open air and stood there. Turning back to Edan he held his arms out wide.


    ¡°Why would I lie?¡± He gestured for Edan to join him. ¡°Come on, let me show you. Don¡¯t worry, you won''t fall if I don''t want you to.¡±


    After the day he had, stepping off the cloud was the easiest thing Edan had done. He didn¡¯t even hesitate.


    The clouds around them boiled and rolled before receding.


    Kiba and Edan stood suspended in space, beneath their feet was Terra in all her glory. They fell through space and past clouds. Edan felt his stomach rise into his throat as they hurtled towards the ground, but he kept from screaming.


    ¡°This was your world when I got here,¡± Kiba said, using his chin to point at the scene before them.


    The pair stood above a city of glass and steel. Buildings reached from the ground like trees, stretching towards the sun. Edan noticed things moving in rows and identified them as vehicles. History lessons and stories of old Earth helped give names to so many foreign items. Cars and trucks.


    Edan could see people walking about the streets. None bore weapons and instead of armor, they wore a strange assortment of clothes.


    ¡°Is this real?¡± Edan whispered, caught up in the vision before him.


    ¡°For the most part. The Precursor wasn¡¯t the first creature to find your planet, it was just the first to make a nuisance of itself. There was one, it got stuck along the coast.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°It was the one I heard. The one I tracked. I scanned your world when I first entered the atmosphere and continued to monitor it as the so-called Precusory arrived.¡± He rubbed his chin as he continued to watch the people below. ¡°I got bored and it was entertaining for a while.¡±


    The scene before Edan changed. Now a creature towered over the city skyscrapers. It was bipedal with hunched hind legs and long forelimbs. It had a short snout and large flat eyes. Ridges ran along its brow, like a crown with the two largest spikes reaching up like horns. Its dark leathery skin seemed to shift in the midday sun.


    ¡°That is a bull,¡± Kiba interjected lightly.


    The vision before Edan changed again. The Precursor-the bull, lumbered forward, its massive frame shaking the ground and turning towering buildings into rubble. People were running and screaming as their city came tumbling down around them.


    Behind the massive hulking form of the Precursor, smaller creatures appeared, the air around them rippling like a heat wave. They were only smaller in comparison to the Precursor. Each came up to his shoulders but carried an equally bulky frame. At random they split up, each lumbering off in a different direction, heedless of the destruction and death in their wake.


    ¡°The vanguard I assume?¡± Kiba said, mockingly. ¡°Who gave them these names? The Precursor. The Vanguard.¡±


    ¡°The Four Star Heavenly Sect. They said the creatures brought the system with them.¡±


    Edan felt a sinking in his heart.


    Ignoring the worm of uncertainty that had grown in the pit of his stomach, Edan focused on the scene beneath him and Kiba.


    The Precursor continued on its way, the ruin of a city left behind it. Eventually, it stopped next to the coast. Waves, looking ridiculously small, crashed against its toes. The bull sniffed the air and then with a low, bass, moo it drove its oversized forearms into the ground. The skin along its body rippled from the force, tentacles rising like hair and lashing the air.


    Edan watched, partly horrified, partly fascinated, as more tentacles rose along its legs, stretching out they latched the creature to the ground. So slowly at first that Edan barely noticed, the creature began to sink into the ground. Sand started to crest out from it as it sank.


    There was a thump and a wave of sound stretched out with the bull at its center. It was more than sound though. Where it passed things changed. Waves grew more violent, and the ground shifted as sand turned to rock before crumbling back into pebbles. Grass wilted, then regrew larger and thicker than before before dying again.


    ¡°Your world, trying to get used to the injection of Vitalis,¡± Kiba said by way of explanation.


    ¡°So they did bring the system!¡±Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ¡°No, kid. Worlds are just like cultivators, they grow and change and some, not all, manage to light their spark. If they do, the world evolves and the System is implemented to help govern it. The evolution is slow though and could take thousands of years, giving the world time to adjust to Vitalis. This,¡± Kiba pointed to the bull as another wave of force was released from it. ¡°Is forced. The vanguard, as the Four Star Sect calls them, did the same.¡±


    Once more appearing above Terra, Edan watched as the land masses shifted, some broke apart and merged, others rose from below the sea. Forests grew in deserts and Ice gave way to sea.


    There was a ripple in space. Like someone had dropped a pebble into a pool of stars. From the center of the ripple a castle appeared, the jagged land it rested on looking like it had been forcefully uprooted from some stony cliff.


    ¡°Star Castle,¡± Edan said, recognizing the building with its flagged towers. ¡°It brought the Four Star Heavenly Sect here. We thought they had come as saviors. They taught humans how to cultivate and train and how to harness Vitalis.¡±


    ¡°They were just following the signal from the Flare Calfs.¡±


    ¡°But they chained the Precursor and Vanguard!¡±


    Once more Edan and Kiba fell from space. This time Edan allowed himself to enjoy it. Even Kiba had a smile on his face. They arrived on a green hill. Forests stretched out behind them and a dozen streams ran together before them, meeting the sea. Floating in the sky above the sea were hundreds of small islands, each held in place by massive thick steel cables.


    Edan gasped. He recognized the location, though he hadn''t been there since he was a baby.


    ¡°Solaris! That''s the capital. That''s the main branch of the Terra-based Four Star Heavenly Sect!¡± He exclaimed, pointing up. ¡°Have you been here before?¡±


    ¡°In a sense. This was created before I died. When I could spare the energy to sense it. It could look very different now.¡±


    Edan continued to look on in wonder. Water fell from the sides of some of the islands, looking like crystal waterfalls in the sun. And just as the stories said, the cables holding the islands in place led to the steel collar embedded in the neck of the Precursor. The creature''s giant form lay curled up in slumber where the rivers converged. Root-like tentacles grew from its skin, holding it locked to the ground.


    ¡°They say the cables will shiver should the Precursor ever wake up and the Four Star Heavenly Sect will act in defense of Earth one more,¡± Edan told Kiba.


    ¡°You still sound unsure, kid. You ever wanted to join the sect?¡± Kiba asked.


    ¡°Of course I did, as a child! I thought it was the path to getting my¡­well, I thought it would make me strong.¡±


    ¡°And I suppose those that get chosen then grow up to be the heroes of your world. Fighting alongside the Sect to protect their world.¡±


    ¡°Yes! I mean, No! They are heroes, just to other worlds. The same way the Sect protects Earth, they travel to other worlds to protect them.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh I see. Convenient.¡± Kiba glanced up at the floating islands, his words still light. ¡°But I suppose they ensure everyone has the chance to cultivate the best methods. I mean, the more powerful people there are, the better protected Earth is, right?¡±


    ¡°No! The more powerful people around the more they could cause trouble! The sect controls the cultivation methods available, to ensure our safety.¡± Edan didn¡¯t like the way Kiba was asking the questions.


    Kiba gave Edan a long-level look. ¡°And that makes sense to you?¡±


    ¡®What are you trying to say?¡± Edan asked hotly, his temper getting the best of him.


    ¡°Open your eyes, kid. Part of you already knows I¡¯m telling the truth.¡±


    ¡°But the Guilds, and the other sects, they¡¯d have to know,¡± Edan rubbed the bridge of his nose, his head was pounding and his limbs tingled. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t anyone know?¡±


    ¡°They likely do but are restricted by contracts. Those who get recruited locally are shuffled off world. I¡¯d imagine travel to Terra from other Realms is heavily controlled?"


    ¡°They said it was for our safety. We aren¡¯t strong enough to protect ourselves yet.¡± Edan whispered.


    The world disappeared from beneath their feet as they once more stood among the clouds. The soft pinks and blue of the sky surrounded them.


    ¡°The Guilds are old, kid. And powerful. Your planet isn¡¯t worth the effort of saving. A newly integrated world, even one forced to integrate early, will spawn all sorts of treasures. It¡¯s easier to get along with the ruling power than it is to overthrow them.¡± Kiba sat, a seat forming under him to catch his weight. ¡°When you have control over millions of worlds, what''s the value of one little one?¡±


    ¡°But why?¡± Edan flopped down, the numbness in his legs passing his knees. A chair caught him and he leaned back, rubbing his chest. ¡°You said it was for cultivation?¡±


    ¡°The further you go on the road of cultivation, the harder it becomes to take a step. Each one requires effort. Effort and resources. What that resource is, depends on the path the cultivator takes. For someone who follows the Path of War, perhaps they need to live on a battlefield until the blood of others seeps into their bones. For someone who follows a Path of Stars, perhaps it requires the cultivator to consume a planet rich with Vitalis.¡±


    The sentence was delivered in such a calm, conversational tone, that it took Edan a second to register what was being said.


    ¡°If the System deems a world ready for integration, it provides it with a protected status. Limits who and what can approach. Like I said, the integration takes years and years so it doesn¡¯t want anyone fucking with its plans.¡± Kiba gave a shrug, his amber eyes watching clouds float by. ¡°Now, what if you find a world before the System does. A world ready to be integrated. Why not just forcefully integrate it yourself? You could lay claim to it immediately. Sure, it would still take time to reach maturity and be worth consuming, but if you wanted a little return on your investment in the meantime, why not use its resources to train and grow your disciples. Maybe pick up a few more.¡±


    Kiba pointed to an open space among the clouds.


    Edan turned in his chair and saw a male figure appear in the sky, his arm outstretched as if for a hug. A planet appeared beneath him. Pieces broke off of it. Small at first, but soon they grew larger. The crust of Earth peeled back like a shell and Vitalis was pulled from its core in a steady stream of gold.


    Edan looked on in horror as the world was consumed.


    ¡°I met the little fucker once,¡± Kiba said, his eyes lingering on the man as they glowed a hot orange. ¡°He wasn''t very impressive. Had this crazy idea that worship was owed to him.¡±


    ¡°What do I do?¡± Edan asked, his voice cracking as he fought back tears. He couldn¡¯t look away from the dying world.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can do, kid. For what it''s worth, I am sorry.¡±


    ¡°There has t-ahhh!¡± Edan clutched his head, a spike of agony piercing through his brain. ¡°Fuck, that hurt!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re holding on longer than most,¡± Kiba said as if it were some form of reassurance to Edan. ¡°and some of them were grades above you.¡±


    ¡°Does it hurt?¡±


    ¡°No, they just¡­faded.¡± Kiba sighed, his eyes cooling to an eggshell blue. ¡°You must be fighting it.¡±


    ¡°I can feel it, right here,¡± Edan touched his chest. The earlier heat had turned painful. It felt like he had swallowed coals and they¡¯d gotten caught in his throat. His breath felt hot. ¡°It¡¯s hot.¡±


    Kiba didn¡¯t have anything to say and Edan allowed the silence to stretch as he felt his consciousness fade.

 CHAPTER 24

    Tali almost broke down the door to Lucky Snips in her haste. Reema was behind the counter and glanced up, a frown marring her soft features and a harsh word at the tip of her tongue. When the towering form of Tali cast a long shadow across the room she closed her mouth.


    ¡°Honored mother, have you heard?¡± Tali asked, her usually soft voice still holding an edge of violence.


    Reema picked up on the tone and came around the counter, unconsciously dusting her hands off on her pants.


    ¡°Heard what? What happened!¡±


    ¡°Sims contacted me. The Bwaka have left the dungeon, their numbers less by one. Edan is not among them.¡±


    Reema¡¯s face turned white and she swayed, she reached out blindly to stabilize herself and managed to catch herself on a mannequin. Reema shook her head violently, trying to get the thoughts and worries out. She needed answers, she needed¡­


    ¡°Sanik!¡± She screamed, her voice high and full of panic.


    There was the sound of crashing from above and the door behind the counter burst open, the hinges pulling free from the wall with a crack. Sanik pushed the door aside as it collided with the counter and rebounded. Moving like liquid lightening he was across the room and beside his wife, his rapier drawn and the tip pointed at Tali.


    ¡°Honey, wha-¡± Sanik started to ask, his eyes never leaving Tali even as he pulled Reema towards him.


    ¡°It¡¯s Edan! He didn¡¯t come out of the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Sanik looked between his wife and Tali, not understanding. His heart beat wildly in his chest and adrenaline surged through him demanding action. ¡°What do you mean Edan didn¡¯t come out of the dungeon?¡±


    ¡°Sims contacted me. The Bwaka ran into difficulties and were forced to flee. Edan did not get out.¡±


    Sanik focused on Tali, his face turning thunderous as she explained.


    ¡°Then they go in and get him!¡±


    ¡°They have not,¡± Tali said, her voice hard.


    ¡°Why the fuck not?¡± Sanik spat. His sword hadn¡¯t lowered.


    ¡°Sims and the Bwaka have been forced to report to the Academy. It does not sound like a search is their priority.¡±


    Reema groaned, tears leaking out of the corner of her eyes. Sanik¡¯s arm shook, his sword tip bobbing in the air.


    ¡°You took him under your wing!¡± Sanik said at last. ¡°You are his¡­his Te''Roro Bwaka. Doesn¡¯t that mean anything?¡±


    Tali nodded solemnly.


    ¡°You needed to be warned. I had decided to search the dungeon myself before coming.¡±


    Reema pulled at Saniks hand and with a defeated look he let his rapier return to his storage ring.


    ¡°We¡¯ll come with you,¡± Sanik said, Reema nodding vigorously beside him.


    ¡°The Academy dungeon is off limits. I will need to seek approval before entering. Approval you will likely not receive.¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯s our son!¡± Reema nearly shouted, wiping the tears from her eyes with the palm of her hand.


    ¡°And if you don''t get approval?¡± Sanik challenged the large woman.


    ¡°Then I will break my oaths and go anyway.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯ll come,¡± Reema said.


    ¡°They will try to stop us. If not from entering, then from leaving.¡± Sanik advised his wife.


    ¡°Then you wait here!¡± She snapped, pushing Sanik away in anger. ¡°I¡¯m not going to sit here while someone else looks for my son.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t what I meant,¡± Sanik held up his hands, his words soothing. ¡°I just meant we will need to be prepared.¡±


    Reema swiped at her nose, her eyes already turning puffy. Sanik looked back at Tali.


    ¡°It might not be worth asking for permission. If they say yes, that''s great for you, but if they say no, it¡¯ll just let them know you¡¯re thinking about it and they¡¯ll watch the dungeon closely.¡±


    ¡°I will ask,¡± Tali said, though she looked conflicted. ¡°I will not break an oath lightly and it is the least I can do. Breaking it will affect more than just me.¡±


    ¡°Fine. You go ask. Reema and I will get ready and head to the dungeon. If we don''t see you in the next thirty minutes we¡¯re heading in without you. I won''t leave my son alone in there any longer than I need to.¡±


    --------------


    [Endurance +1]


    [Endurance +1]


    [Endurance +1]


    [Endurance +1]


    [Endurance +1]


    ¡­


    ..


    [Error: $#@@!%]


    [Data Cap reached. Recalculating.]


    [Overflow detected]


    [Allocating¡­]


    [Error: $*&&@#%]


    [Body lvl 28 -> Body lvl 29]


    [Constitution +1]


    [Constitution +1]


    [Constitution +1]


    [Constitution +1]


    [Constitution +1]


    ¡­


    ..


    [Error: $#@@!%]


    [Data Cap reached. Recalculating.]


    [Overflow detected]


    [Allocating¡­]


    [Error: $*&&@#%]


    [Body lvl 29 -> Body lvl 30]


    [Error: $*&&@#%]


    [Race: Human - > Race: $%(*#&$(]


    [Error: $*&&@#%]


    [Race: $%(*#&$( <- Race: Human]


    [Body lvl 30 <- Body lvl 29]


    Edan hadn¡¯t expected death to come with so many notifications. The boxes of text lined his vision, more pouring in by the second. He tried to keep track of it all but he had trouble focusing. He tried pushing it away so he could focus on his surroundings but the stabbing pain in his head had grown worse.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    [Error: $#@@!%]


    [Overflow detected]


    [Allocating¡­]


    [Error: $*&&@#%]


    [Mind lvl 28 -> Mind lvl 29]


    [Error: $#@@!%]


    [Overflow detected]


    [Allocating¡­]


    The pain faded and Edan found himself floating in the darkness of his SoulScape. He patted his body, worried a limb had disintegrated, before realizing this wasn¡¯t his real body. It was just the mental image he had of himself.


    Edan looked around in shock.


    Cracks spread across the dark fabric of his soulscape like spiderwebs. More cracks were made as he watched and he felt his head throb once more. Golden liquid, tinged fiery red, poured through the cracks like water. It pooled together beneath his core, adding to his Vitalis pool.


    A pool that was closer to an ocean, now. Great waves of Vitalis crashed together throwing a fine mist into the air where it hung like a golden cloud, bits of fire and lightning passed between the drops before they drifted back down slowly. Occasionally a tongue of flame or a flicker of lightning would lance off from the cloud and scorch his core, when it happened Edan felt the heat in his chest.


    His core was black with soot and scorch marks. The once-green surface was long since damaged beyond recognition. Edan felt a sense of hopelessness envelop him as he looked at the devastation around him. His SoulScape was destroyed. Even if he did survive this, he could never cultivate again. He couldn¡¯t even see the spark within his core to light it.


    Edan hesitated pulling up his stat sheet. He was scared to see his health and what had become of his stats.


    And not looking will totally fix your problems he thought before checking his stat sheet.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="6">


    Edan Mawe


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Race


    </td>


    <td>


    Human


    </td>


    <td colspan="2" rowspan="2"> </td>


    <td>


    Level


    </td>


    <td>


    29


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health


    </td>


    <td>


    15/2697


    </td>


    <td>


    Stamina


    </td>


    <td>


    4/2581


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2"> </td>


    <td>


    Stats


    </td>


    <td>


    Modifiers


    </td>


    <td>


    Stat Cap


    </td>


    <td rowspan="14"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Body


    </td>


    <td colspan="3">


    29


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td rowspan="4"> </td>


    <td>


    Strength


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Constitution


    </td>


    <td>


    93


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Endurance


    </td>


    <td>


    89


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Dexterity


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Mind


    </td>


    <td colspan="3">


    29


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td rowspan="3"> </td>


    <td>


    Wisdom


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Intelligence


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Perception


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    3


    </td>


    <td>


    84


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="2">


    Soul


    </td>


    <td colspan="3">


    29


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td rowspan="3"> </td>


    <td>


    Charisma


    </td>


    <td>


    37


    </td>


    <td>


    2


    </td>


    <td>


    58


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Spirit


    </td>


    <td>


    59


    </td>


    <td>


    2


    </td>


    <td>


    58


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Willpower


    </td>


    <td>


    67


    </td>


    <td>


    2


    </td>


    <td>


    58


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡°Of course, I cap all my stats and finally reach level 29 just before I die¡­¡± Edan joked to himself, skipping over his health as he laughed. His words trailed off though as he saw his stats. ¡°What the fuck¡­¡±


    Edan hadn¡¯t known it was possible to push your stats past the cap. Theoretically, you could, but the stat cap was there to prevent you from damaging your body, mind, or soul before you could birth your system and become graded.


    His willpower was almost over by 10!


    It looked like he was getting pushed further and further past his body''s limit as it drowned in raw energy and for some reason his body refused to die. Unbidden, his eyes drifted to his health. It ticked down to 14.


    Not long now. Edan thought sadly.


    It ticked up to 15.


    Maybe a little longer now.


    It ticked down to 14.


    This is it Edan realised, taking an unsteady breath which was funny because he didn¡¯t actually breathe.


    It ticked up to 15.


    Uhhhhh¡­


    It ticked down to 14.


    Goodbye cruel world.


    It ticked up to 15.


    ¡°Fuck this!¡± Edan growled, tired of the back and forth. ¡°How do I get back to Kiba? Was that even real or was I hallucinating all of that?¡±


    Part of him hoped he had. If he had hallucinated it then that meant he might not be dying and the Four Star Heavenly Sect wasn¡¯t going to eventually eat his world.


    Maybe he had landed on solid ground and his constitution was helping him stay alive? Healing him as quickly as he was bleeding out?


    But then his stats¡­


    He needed to know.


    Edan allowed himself to drift away from his SoulScape. He drifted through the darkness. Light, cast by Vitalis as it leaked through him, cast beams through the darkness, like rays from the sun breaking through clouds.


    Consciousness returned to his body and Edan screamed as pain, raw, unfiltered, uncontrollable, all-consuming pain tore through him. He thrashed in the thick liquid that surrounded him. It poured down his throat, choking him and burning the skin on the inside of his mouth. He felt his throat blister and close. His eyes itched and burned.


    ------------


    ¡°Damn, Kid, I thought you¡¯d died,¡± Kiba said.


    Edan lay sprawled on a cloud, his breathing coming in great gasps as he clutched the fluffy comfort beneath him.


    ¡°That was horrible!¡± he croaked, the cloud muffling his words.


    ¡°I felt your body jerk and realized you were conscious. I pulled you back here as quickly as I could.¡± Kiba scratched his cheek before squatting down next to Edan¡¯s prone form and patting his back. ¡°What happened?¡±


    Sitting up slowly, Edan took his time adjusting to the sudden absence of pain. Eventually, he had collected himself enough to explain everything to Kiba. The other man settled down on the ground next to Edan and listened.


    ¡°...yeah, so that''s it,¡± Edan said, getting to the part where he regained consciousness. ¡°I seem to be in a constant state of dying and¡­.aliving.¡±


    ¡°Aliving?¡± Kiba asked with a raised brow.


    ¡°Give me a break. I¡¯ve had a long day.¡±


    Kiba threw his head back and laughed. Stopping suddenly he looked surprised before smiling and laughing again, this time at a more moderate volume.


    ¡°I needed that,¡± he said with a contented tone. ¡°You have no idea how boring it gets here.¡±


    ¡°Am I stuck here as well?¡± Edan asked the question he had been wondering for the last minute.


    ¡°I doubt it, kid. When I couldn¡¯t get rid of the poison in my system I released all of my life-attuned treasures and melted them down. I suck at alchemy, but that much life Vitalis had to do something right?¡± Kiba¡¯s brushed a strand of red hair out of his face. ¡°It didn¡¯t. So I tried burning the poison out, and that didn¡¯t work either. Eventually, I settled on mutual destruction.¡±


    ¡°That sounds¡­tough.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m vindictive, kid.¡± Kiba¡¯s mouth twisted into a vicious smile. ¡°The poison was going to kill me eventually. I figured I¡¯d kill it too. Burnt it, and myself, up. What was left of me merged with the liquid Vitalis. That''s the spicy tang you taste.¡±


    ¡°Spicy tang? You mean the fire that keeps burning my core?¡±


    ¡°That''s the one. Don¡¯t ask me about the lightning though, that''s got nothing to do with me. What I am trying to say though is that your body, or Path, seems very attuned to life and it''s giving the life-attuned Vitalis an edge over the Fire.¡±


    ¡°So¡­.?¡±


    ¡°Eventually one of those two will win.¡±


    ¡°Life is the stronger aspect, right? Paths based around it are rare, I remember that!¡± Edan asked hopefully.


    ¡°Not really. You can''t compare Paths with each other. Life just happens to be abstract enough that few look to focus on it. Don''t forget, I was called The First Light for a reason, kid. My flames were what gave light to the dark.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a¡­¡±


    ¡°Primordial.¡± Kiba acknowledged with a nod.


    ¡°...a dick! You''re a dick! Can¡¯t you give me a little hope, here? I¡¯m dying!¡±


    Kiba laughed again before he stood up and offered a hand to Edan. Edan begrudgingly took it and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea. I won¡¯t lie, kid, it''s not great, but it may just let you live.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Edan almost jumped for joy. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier!¡±


    ¡°Because I thought you were going to die earlier!¡± Kiba retorted, flicking Edan¡¯s forehead. ¡°...and also because if you agree, the idea could kill us both.¡±


    ¡°And if it doesn¡¯t?¡± Edan asked excitedly, already prepared to accept.


    ¡°Then you live, I get out of here, and you make a promise to get me off world. Well...My soul, at least.¡±


    Edan looked confused.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to birth your system, kid.¡±

 CHAPTER 25

    ¡°I had no idea birthing your system was a team activity.¡±


    ¡°Normally, it¡¯s not, but you and I find ourselves in a rather unique situation.¡± Kiba responded to Edan. He scratched his chin, looking thoughtful. ¡°I¡¯m not even sure it¡¯ll work.¡±


    ¡°How would it work?¡± Edan asked, sounding skeptical.


    ¡°You let me into your SoulScape and in return, I help guide you to light your spark. It¡¯s better than you trying it blind. Maybe my spirit sense is strong enough to see through your core.¡±


    ¡°First off, that sounds very unwise. Can¡¯t you do a whole lot of evil shit to me if I let you in my SoulScape?¡±


    ¡°Sure. I could wear you like a suit and make you my eternal puppet.¡± Kiba shrugged. ¡°But I¡¯d still be stuck in a dying body.¡±


    ¡°Secondly, you don''t sound so sure about using your spirit sense?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m not sure I can. Only the system knows how your core would react to my spirit. It could work, or it might not, but once again, what''s there to lose?¡±


    Edan had to agree, he had a point. Still, healthy suspicion made Edan hesitant.


    ¡°You mentioned me getting you off world. How does that work? You know, assuming we live.¡±


    ¡°I have no body and all those who came before you¡­well, you know how that turned out. There was never a chance to escape, but now that there is¡­I find myself,¡± Kiba hesitated, his hands curling into fists before loosening. ¡°Desperate.¡±


    Edan considered him.


    ¡°I find the thought of spending another day here repulsive. I will leave with you, or I will die. If you allow me into your SoulScape I will try to help you birth your system. If you do, all I ask is that you let me remain there until I can get word back to my main body.¡±


    Edan nodded, though he was a little shocked that this wasn¡¯t the real Kiba. He couldn¡¯t image what Kiba had experienced, being stuck here for close to two hundred years.


    ¡°Ok. So I let you in, you help me control my Vitalis and we light my System, birthing it, what next?¡±


    ¡°You are remade at each grade, your body changed by the system to handle the increase in power and ideals. Your body will be fully healed, and your health topped up. We use that time to escape the pool.¡±


    Edan looked out at the clouds, his thoughts much much further away.


    He could die, but then again he was already dying. He could wait and hope to be rescued, but no one knew what had happened to him. Do nothing and leave his life in fate''s hands or do something crazy and maybe live.


    Live to see Reema and Sanik again. To be the brother to a child they had yet to have. To curb stomb Aser¡¯s face in. To rip the Sects up by the roots.


    He had a lot to do and sitting here twiddling his thumbs wasn¡¯t helping.


    ¡°Let''s get to it,¡± Edan growled.


    ------------------------------------


    Sanik shielded Reema from a spray of seawater as the waves crashed against the jagged black rocks below them. The pair stood with their backs to the cliff wall along the path that led to the Academies Dungeon.


    ¡°We give her five more minutes,¡± Sanik muttered, whipping moisture from his beard. His clothes were already damp. The leather of his armor was shiny and wet.


    The sound of crunching rock made Sanik look up and he let out a sigh of relief. Tali moved cautiously towards them, her bulk made traversing the thin trail treacherous.


    ¡°Nevermind. Come on hun, we better get moving.¡±


    Reema was covered in a dark cloak, the edges of the fabric seeming to drift off in whisps of smoke. Just looking at her made Sanik feel dizzy as his eyes tried to shift past her. Without a word, Reema ducked around Sanik and continued on the trail.


    The trio grouped up at the landing and with grim nods moved into the mouth of the cave.


    They had made it most of the way in when pressure pushed down on them. Sanik fought the urge to draw his rapier, he instead took a slow, steady breath and bowed his head respectfully.


    ¡°This is a private domain, turn back.¡± Came a voice from the shadows. The sound moved oddly around the cave, making it hard to pinpoint.


    ¡°You know who I am?¡± Tali said her soft voice firm.


    ¡°I know who you are Genesis Titan, even if we have never met.¡±


    ¡°Then you know I am contracted to the Academy. I have the approval to pass. Let me through.¡±


    There was a pause. Shadows seemed to shift and a low scraping noise reached Sanik¡¯s ears.


    ¡°It has been a long time indeed since the Academy granted permission for an unaffiliated D grade to enter their Dungeon.¡± Even with the echo, it was easy to hear the doubt.


    ¡°And yet he is with me.¡± Tali challenged. ¡°Bravery is easy to come by in the shadows when actions are hidden. Come, show me your face.¡±


    There was another long pause.


    ¡°You may continue,¡± the voice said at last. ¡°Though this will be reported to the Academy.¡±


    Tali¡¯s face remained impassive as she motioned Sanik onward. He slipped past her without turning around and crossed over the line of runes carved into the floor.


    ¡°The Academy makes an assassin guard their dungeon?¡± Reema sneered, materializing from the darkness next to Sanik.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Tali glanced at Reema out of the corner of her eye as she led them down the sloping hallway.


    ¡°You did not get seen?¡±


    ¡°No, if he had made a move I would have stopped him,¡± Reema replied, her eyes hard and her mouth a thin line. Worry for Edan made her words clipped. ¡°He slipped out, no doubt to alert the Academy.¡±


    ¡°You could not have stopped him?¡±


    ¡°Not easily,¡± Reema shook her head. ¡°And we don''t have time. Did you really get authorization to enter the dungeon?¡±


    Tali ducked a little to avoid hitting her head on the stone ceiling. The sound of their footfalls bounced off the walls and filled the silence before Tali finally responded.


    ¡°None were available,¡± she finally admitted. ¡°The Bwaka and instructors and the Academy administration have been called to the Star Castle. There is to be a celebration.¡±


    Orange light had begun to bleed through the darkness down the hall as Sanik glanced sharply at the Titan''s back.


    ¡°Celebration?¡±


    ¡°Yes. A disciple of the Four Star Heavenly Sect returned with the core of a graded beast. A great feat for one whose system is unbirthed. The celebration is a reward for his performance in the dungeon. The others are likewise being rewarded¡±


    ¡°And Edan? Do they know?¡± Reema hissed.


    ¡°They know,¡± Tali said heavily.


    ¡°They kn-¡±


    ¡°Honey,¡± Sanik put a comforting hand on Reema¡¯s shoulder, silencing her. ¡°Calm. We expected no less from them, and it was no small thing for Tali to break her oath. I¡¯m guessing you were meant to be there as well?¡±


    Tali nodded.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Sanik said sincerely.


    ¡°It was an easy decision, honored father.¡±


    ¡°I really wish you wouldn¡¯t call me that,¡± Sanik muttered.


    ¡°But you are father to my Bwaka. Your son will be Va. You are to be honored.¡±


    Sanik knew a fight he wouldn¡¯t win when he saw it so he let the matter drop as they entered the first floor of the dungeon.


    --------------------------------------


    ¡°Well, that was easy,¡± Edan said to Kiba as the other man stood in the darkness of Edan¡¯s SoulScape.


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how much is governed unconsciously. You don¡¯t normally want people in your SoulScape, so you unconsciously prevent it. You wanted me here, so getting in was easy.¡± Kiba looked at the cracks running through the darkness. ¡°Good thing too, I doubt you¡¯d survive it if I tried brute force.¡±


    The pool of golden Vitalis under Edan¡¯s core continued to rage on. The waves crashed together with titanic force sending mist laced with fire and lightening off in all directions. Edan¡¯s core had cherry red spots on it, bright against the sotty background, from where it had been heated by stray tongues of flame.


    ¡°Gold, aye?¡± Kiba said, his brows drawing together as his eyes went to the turbulent mass of Vitalis.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Kiba said. ¡°This is bad,¡± his form drifted closer to the once-green bead. Edan noticed the fire had little effect on him. In fact, they almost seemed to drift towards him as he passed.


    ¡°Can you sense the spark?¡± Edan asked hopefully.


    Kiba closed his eyes, his hand reaching out to rest against the surface of Edan¡¯s core. Edan felt a tingle up his spine. A spark jumped from the core to Kiba¡¯s hand and he jerked it back, hissing. Turning to Edan, he was all smiles though.


    ¡°Yup.¡±


    ¡°Ok, talk me through this.¡± Edan rubbed his hands together. He hoped Kiba didn¡¯t see his fingers trembling from nerves. ¡°And promise you won''t possess me.¡±


    ¡°Kid,¡± Kiba motioned to his body. ¡°This is what my main body looks like. Why would I be interested in using yours?¡±


    A flat look was all Kiba got. Laughing he waved his hand in the air dismissively.


    ¡°Fine. You have my word, Kid. No possession. Happy? Good. Now, listen to me carefully.¡±


    Edan had read a ton of books on breaking through or birthing your system. The theory behind them all was the same. You take Vitalis from your Vitalis pool and slowly feed it into your core. Of course, your core should be free of impurities by then so you could see through its crystal clear casing to the spark within. Once the Vitalis met the spark, you needed to form a bridge and feed it with the rest of the Vitalis in your pool. This would jump-start its growth and eventually, the spark would break out of the core¡¯s protective casing.


    That was the theory. How do you go about it? That was a bit more complicated. Some suggested smothering the core with Vitalis, allowing the energy to seep into it. Others suggested funneling a constant thin stream in the hopes of wearing out a point in the core¡¯s surface.


    Kiba¡¯s advice was much more straightforward.


    Edan first tried to skim off a layer of Vitalis from his raging pool, but the crashing surface and surging waves made it difficult. Kiba suggested pulling some of the mist from the air. It took more concentration, much more, but eventually, Edan had control over enough to draw a sizeable cloud towards him.


    Concentrating, Edan collapsed it in on itself, turning it from a cloud to a small puddle of liquid gold. The transformation happened in an instant, taking almost no effort.


    Letting the bubbling excitement fall away with everything else, Edan isolated himself within his SoulScape. Sounds faded. Worry ceased to exist.


    All that remained was the Vitalis and the guidance of Kiba, a man he had only just met and yet one who he was trusting his life to.


    Every point of willpower Edan had earned, every bit of wisdom and intelligence he had struggled to obtain, all the Spirit he could muster, all bent towards a single goal.


    Slowly, the puddle of gold shrunk. It was now a gold drop. Further still, Edan shaped it. Condensing it until all that remained was a needle, thinner than a strand of hair.


    His focus was absolute. Edan didn¡¯t feel the pain lancing through his mind. Nor did he feel his heart skip a beat and his meager health points begin to drop as the effort pushed his body to the limit.


    If his endurance had been a little lower, he might have collapsed. If his willpower wasn¡¯t up to the task, the needle would never have formed.


    Edan grasped the needle and placed it against his core. His actions were almost gentle. The sharp tip stopped, resting against the soot-covered shell.


    Kiba¡¯s voice came like a gentle whisper, adjusting Edan¡¯s aim. The tip of his needle moved minutely.


    Edan held it there for a moment. Reverent.


    A distant part of Edan knew he could die. Not everyone survived birthing their system. None with an opaque core. You risked missing the spark and breaking the core. But Edan had no choice. It was now or never. Edan¡¯s Body had been pushed beyond its limit, and his Soul threatened to collapse at any second, but his Mind was steady.


    This was what he wanted.


    Without so much as a crack, the needle pierced the outer layer of his core. Edan drove it forward under Kiba¡¯s instruction. Slowly. So slowly.


    Edan felt something he couldn¡¯t explain. He was insignificant. He had touched on something so powerful, so vast, he could never hope to understand it.


    Edan didn¡¯t need to hear Kiba¡¯s words to know he had touched upon his spark.


    There was a moment of stillness as the needle made contact with the infantile system. Edan held his breath.


    Then there was a pulse; Edan heard a tone ring out. Deep enough to shake his inner world.


    A system was being born, shocked to life by the needle-thin spark of Vitalis. Pure energy jumpstarting it. The light grew within his core until it could be seen through the dark exterior. Cracks appeared along the surface of the core, light spilling through as it sought freedom.


    Edan heard another tone ring out.


    The core shattered.


    Light spilled forth, burning away the darkness within his SoulScape. His pool of Vitalis was sucked upwards, long tendrils of thick golden energy crackling with fire and electricity reaching like fingers of a grasping hand towards the small spec of light now free from its containment.


    There was a patch of darkness within the light of his system that refused to be consumed. It hung suspended like the heart of a star and Edan thought he saw roots wrapped around it, unnatural hunger gripped him, but then the light grew too bright to look at and Edan saw no more.

 CHAPTER 26

    Birth [Successful]


    System [Unlocked]


    Merging [Successful]


    ¡­


    ..


    Modifier Adjustment [Successful]


    ¡­


    ..


    Paths [Evaluated]


    [Error: $#@@!%]


    -> Deferred [Successful]


    Class [Evaluated]


    ¡­


    ..


    Class [Selection]


    Brawler [Basic] - Tactics are for those who stand back and watch. You''re made to be in the thick of it.


    Stats: +9 Strength, +2 Constitution, +4 Endurance


    Modifier: +.2 Strength. +0.2 Constitution


    (Specialist) Spliced Soul [Epic] - The body follows the mind, and the mind bows before the soul. Yours is not alone. But in a space meant for one, a second resides. Two may become one, once more.


    Stats: +7 Willpower, +10 Spirit, +2 Perception, +5 Wisdom.


    Modifier: +.9 Willpower, +1 Spirit


    (Growth) Seed of Fire and Lightning [Rare] - Touched by lightning and burnt by fire, each has left its mark. Time will tell if the seed will grow or rage out of control.


    Stats: +9 Strength, +5 Constitution, +3 Dexterity, +3 Intelligence.


    Modifier: +.3 Constitution, +.2 Strength, +.2 Dexterity, +.2 Willpower


    Consumed Blade [Uncommon] - Let the anger of injustice influence you. Let the thirst for vengeance consume you. Wronged and betrayed, there is a way forward.


    Stats: +9 Strength, +4 Constitution, +4 Endurance


    Modifier: +.3 Strength. +0.2 Endurance


    Edan stared at the list of text. The list of [Success] commands helped release a knot of tension he hadn¡¯t even noticed. A weight seemed to lift from his shoulders and he felt almost giddy.


    Hanging suspended in this space of blinding light and system text, it was easy for Edan to forget where he truly was.


    He¡¯d actually done it. He¡¯d birthed his system, and just look at his class options!


    The first option made him laugh. Tali had said he was crafty and sneaky. The system didn¡¯t seem to think so. The second option was, interesting to say the least. Edan didn¡¯t doubt for a second it was thanks to birthing his system while having Kiba in his SoulScape.


    Being an Epic class meant he would receive more stats per level and a higher modifier on each grade than the Basic class, Brawler, but the stats it focused on didn¡¯t suit Edan. The prefix [Specialist] also meant it was more than likely a non-combat class.


    Still, it was impressive. Edan read over it one more time, focusing more on the description than the rewards. There was something¡­ominous about it.


    Moving on Edan looked at the next option down the list. The mention of fire and lightning intrigued him. It made him think of his Vitalis. The Stats and Modifiers for it were very nice as well. Almost perfect for him.


    Once again, it was the prefix that gave Edan pause. Growth classes were a double-edged sword. Classes could change, even evolve as you increase in grade, but the intent behind it remained. A Warrior would always be a warrior, regardless if he was an F-grade Blade Warrior or an S-grade Abysall Blade Warrior. The same went for Specialist Classes. You could go from being a Field Enchanter to a Star Blessed Enchanter, but you would always be an Enchanter.


    A growth skill would change at each grade to match the user. If Edan stayed true to himself and continued on as he always had, it would increase rarity and become more powerful with him. If he didn¡¯t and got distracted at a higher level, it could revert back to a lower rarity, the stats and modifiers changing to match his new interest.


    Edan would hate to find out he had a passion for farming and on his evolution to E grade his skill turned into [Farmer of Heat and Sparks]


    That left the last option. It also gave him pause. Not because he liked it, but because he didn¡¯t like what it said about him. The system acknowledged that he had been betrayed, and it acknowledged that part of him wanted to take revenge. Apparently so much so that it had given him a class associated with it.


    The Endurance and Strength from the class would help him get out of here so he could meet Aser again.


    It was the most immediately helpful class.


    So Edan selected [Seed of Fire and Lighening].


    Edan recognized and acknowledged his own shortcomings. He had always thought about the path of cultivation as a given. He would train and fight and level up and eventually increase in grade, only to do it again. There would be those who got in his way, like Aser, but for the most part, he would simply live his life.


    He had been wrong. Edan had been fooled by the Four Star Heavenly Sect and almost killed by Aser. There were others out there more determined to do whatever it took to get to the top, and they wouldn¡¯t be afraid of crushing him.


    Edan couldn¡¯t just take his future for granted.


    He needed to grow.


    (Growth) Seed of Fire and Lightning [Rare]


    Generating Skills [Success]


    Assigning Path Options [Error]


    -> Adjustment [Error]


    -> Deferred [Successful]


    Title/s [Obtained]


    First Step - You take your first step down an unending path. May it never waiver. (+.1 to all stats)


    Glutten (F Grade) - Enter F grade with inflated stats. (+.2 to all stats)


    The two titles were expected. Everyone got the First Step title and the title for reaching F grade. Though it looked like Edan¡¯s had been upgraded to Gluten. The extra +.1 to all stats was a welcome addition. It wouldn¡¯t mean much at the moment, but once he started pushing into the higher levels it would make a big difference.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡­


    ..


    Path [Error]


    -> Adjustment [Error]


    -> Deferred [Error]


    -> Processing


    ->


    ->


    Legacy Remnant [Detected]


    Legacy [Created] -> [Broken] Fledgling (Origin)


    Repressed - Much remains hidden. Contained. Waiting. (+0.1 Constitution, +0.1 Endurance, +0.3 Spirit)


    ¡­


    ..


    What the fuck? Edan wondered, looking at the text hovering before his eyes.


    Path [Adjusted]


    Path of ^*%&%% -> #@(($#% [F] - + 15 all stats. +0.1 Constitution, +.2 Spirit


    Path of Primordial Flames -> Embers [F] - +5 Constitution.


    Path of Lightning -> Spark [F] - +5 Dexterity.


    Path of ##@&^$ -> @#)(*#@ [F] - + 15 all stats. +0.1 Wisdom, +.2 Willpower.


    ¡­


    CONFLICT [Path of ##@&^$] || [Path of ^*%&%%]


    ..


    .


    [Path of ##@&^$] || [Path of ^*%&%%] -> [LOCKED]


    Integration [Complete] -> Grade [Adjusted].


    Edan had barely reached the end of the notification when pressure began to build within his ears. He opened his mouth, to try to ease it, but it just kept growing until Edan was squinting against the pain.


    Then it stopped.


    Then the bright light vanished. The darkness that remained was all the more terrifying for it.


    Then Edan felt himself fall and he screamed.


    The scream cut off when he felt something solid beneath his back. Blinking his eyes Edan squinted up at the sun overhead. Sitting up in confusion, Edan glanced around.


    He was sitting on a small, grassy hilltop that poked through thick fluffy clouds.


    Getting to his feet slowly, Edan patted himself down, and happy to be injury-free, he moved cautiously down the slope. He pulled up short when he noticed arcs of lightning flashing between the clouds. Not down from them, like you would imagine lightning to do, but between them.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± Edan said aloud, wondering how he had gotten here. ¡°Hello?¡± he yelled.


    ¡°Well, this is a change,¡± Kiba said, appearing next to Edan and making him jump.


    ¡°Sunnova! Warn me next time!¡± Edan gasped. His anger turned back to confusion as he looked at Kiba. ¡°How are you here?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°How are you here? I thought you were in my SoulScape¡­actually, where is here? Any ideas?¡± Edan asked, one hand resting on his hip and the other coming up to shade his eyes from the sun''s glare.


    ¡°Seriously, kid?¡± Kiba asked, laughing. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll show you.¡±


    Kiba walked with Edan back to the top of the hill and waved his hand. Edan looked out over the sea of clouds, turning a full circle to take it all in. There wasn¡¯t another island of green as far as he could see.


    ¡°Everything you see is yours,¡± Kiba said seriously, his hand falling around Edan¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°What!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your SoulScape, you idiot,¡± Kiba said at last as his face slipped back to amusement. ¡°It changes when you rank up. Kinda like a reflection of you. Though those clouds¡­I wonder if I influenced it a little.¡±


    If it wasn¡¯t for Kiba beside him, Edan would have suddenly felt very lonely. For some reason, the endless sea of clouds and his single island were more depressing than the darkness his SoulScape had been earlier.


    ¡°Kid, it''s your SoulScape,¡± Kiba said again, looking at Edan like he had missed the obvious. When Edan looked back at him confused he sighed and directed Edan¡¯s gaze outwards. ¡°There¡¯s no cracks! You''re healed. For now at least!¡±


    Edan gasped, stumbling back with shock and excitement when he realized Kiba was right. He almost tripped and looked down at the mound of freshly turned soil at his feet but dismissed it in favor of something more important.


    Edan pulled up his stats.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="5">


    Edan Mawe


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Race


    </td>


    <td>


    Human (F)


    </td>


    <td rowspan="5"> </td>


    <td>


    Class


    </td>


    <td>


    Seed of Fire and lightning


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Level


    </td>


    <td>


    30


    </td>


    <td>


    Profession


    </td>


    <td> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health


    </td>


    <td>


    4134


    </td>


    <td colspan="2"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Stamina


    </td>


    <td>


    3377


    </td>


    <td>


    Free Points


    </td>


    <td>


    0


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana


    </td>


    <td>


    3452


    </td>


    <td colspan="2"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="4"> </td>


    <td rowspan="12"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td> </td>


    <td>


    Base


    </td>


    <td>


    Modifiers


    </td>


    <td>


    Actual


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Strength


    </td>


    <td>


    96


    </td>


    <td>


    1.5


    </td>


    <td>


    144


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Constitution


    </td>


    <td>


    103


    </td>


    <td>


    1.7


    </td>


    <td>


    175


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Endurance


    </td>


    <td>


    89


    </td>


    <td>


    1.4


    </td>


    <td>


    125


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Dexterity


    </td>


    <td>


    95


    </td>


    <td>


    1.5


    </td>


    <td>


    143


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Wisdom


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    113


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Intelligence


    </td>


    <td>


    90


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    117


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Perception


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    113


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Charisma


    </td>


    <td>


    37


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    48


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Spirit


    </td>


    <td>


    59


    </td>


    <td>


    1.6


    </td>


    <td>


    94


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Willpower


    </td>


    <td>


    67


    </td>


    <td>


    1.5


    </td>


    <td>


    101


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="5"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ¡ª----------


    Tali grabbed the Smoke Krill by its tail, her fingers cracking its dark shell, sending whisps of curling grey smoke upward. The monster turned, its dozen forelegs lashing out at her in a rapid succession of punches. The Titan allowed them to land. They did no damage.


    The seventeenth floor of the Academy dungeon was made of flowing lava. Tiny volcanos jutted from the scorching sea like islands. They belched thick noxious fumes into the air. The ceiling was obscured by the smoke, though the occasional stalactite poked out like a rock tooth.


    Swimming in the lava were creatures that looked like giant prawns with thick tails and elongated bodies with multiple legs and bulbous eyes on twitching stalks. Their dark shells glistened in the red glow of the lava.


    Jumping from one volcanic island to another, Tali looked back at her companions.


    Reema and Sanik moved forward with tireless determination. Tali had had her doubts when it came to Reema¡¯s class. Hers was not a class with high damage output and she feared it would slow them down, but that''s where Sanik came in.


    Reema seemed to drift between islands, her form fading in and out of focus as she waved her arms, pulling at the air. Any Krill silly enough to attack her found themselves ensnared by thin threads of shadow. Before they could break free Sanik would step past, his blade moving in precise stabs, ending their struggles.


    ¡°Edan!¡± Reema called, her voice bouncing off the hidden ceiling.


    ¡°Edan!¡± Sanik yelled as well.


    Tali heard nothing in response. She didn¡¯t want to mention it, but the deeper they went, the less likely they were to find Edan alive. If the ambient Vitalis didn¡¯t kill him, the increasingly higher-level monsters would.


    ¡°He must have gone down another level,¡± Reema said after another round of calls. She had said the same thing on every floor and on every floor, Tali and Sanik nodded and followed her back towards the stairs.


    ¡°Trust Edan to run down,¡± Sanik said, laughing. His laugh sounded off though. Empty. Forced. ¡°Everyone runs up, but not him. Nope. He needs to run down¡­and I bet when we find him he¡¯ll say something like ¡®Well it seemed easier than running up¡¯.¡±


    Reema¡¯s laugh caught in her throat and she whipped furiously at her face.


    Tali felt at her Path. She felt for the threads of the story that were needed to achieve an ending only she knew. She knew it began on Terra, just as she knew it began with Edan. His blood had called to her own, tempting it to burn without conscious thought.


    Her Path had never been wrong. Edan had to be alive.


    ¡°He must have gone down another level,¡± Tali said, her own voice sounding thicker than usual.

 CHAPTER 27

    ¡°How long do you think I¡¯ve been stuck in the pool?¡± Edan asked Kiba.


    Kiba gave a lazy shrug as a smile twisted his face. The man sat cross-legged on top of the grassy hill, the sun overhead turning the strands of red in his hair a glowing orange.


    ¡°You¡¯re procrastinating,¡± he said. ¡°First you wanted to discuss your skills, which we can do later. Next, you wanted to talk about legacies and the problem with your paths. We can cover both of these later as well. Now you¡¯ve turned to random questions that mean nothing. Does it matter how long you¡¯ve been here? You¡¯re about to leave.¡±


    ¡°It matters because Mum has a wicked temper and Dad likes it when I get in trouble. I¡¯m hoping they still think I¡¯m on the dungeon dive.¡±


    ¡°Well, I have no clue, kid. I stopped focusing on time after the fiftieth year down here. You''d be surprised how good for your sanity it is when you stop obsessing about time.¡± Kiba tapped his temple lightly before closing his eyes and leaning back. ¡°I¡¯ve got to give it to you kid, you have a pretty nice SoulScape.¡±


    Edan opened his mouth, ready to ask more questions, but Kiba started laughing.


    ¡°Nope. I can feel you gearing up to waste more time. Need I remind you, that your body is literally being consumed by the pool. You need to leave.¡±


    ¡°Slowly,¡± Edan muttered, emphasizing the word more than he should. ¡°It¡¯s being consumed slowly¡­.but fine.¡±


    Edan tried not to think of the pain he had felt the last time he regained consciousness. Taking slow even breaths he went over the game plan in his head.


    I regain consciousness, swim to the surface, then head towards the side and pull myself out. I don¡¯t know what sort of monsters are around or what to expect¡­wait¡­


    ¡°Kiba, last question. Can you sense anything around us?¡±


    ¡°Sorry kid, it seems I¡¯m limited to the range of your spirit sense while I¡¯m in your SoulScape.¡±


    ¡°And before that?¡± Edan asked exasperated.


    Kiba shrugged. ¡°There was something out there, but it didn¡¯t interest me much. Would you be interested in one ant more than another?¡±


    ¡°You suck, man.¡±


    Allowing frustration to give him strength, Edan flashed Kiba the middle finger and let his consciousness slip from his SoulSpace. The last thing he saw was Kiba¡¯s laughing form before he was once more rising up through darkness.


    Then there was pain. It felt like getting stung by a million bees and Edan fought against panic. He thrashed around, trying desperately to get his bearings as the liquid he hung suspended in continued to eat away at him.


    Forcing his eyes to remain open, even as they stung viciously, Edan looked around. It was like trying to stare directly into the sun, from two feet away. Edan could barely make anything out.


    It was manageably though. Like he had told Kiba, the damage was slow. He didn¡¯t need to rush. For whatever reason, his body seemed unnaturally inclined towards absorbing the Vitalis.


    Taking his time, and controlling his emotions, Edan began to swim up. At least he hoped it was up. Everything was too bright and the liquid too opaque.


    Something felt strange and Edan focused on it. Anything to distract him from the itching, and stinging, he felt everywhere.


    It was hard to describe what he felt. It was like the transition of your thought process when you woke up. At first, you are slow and sleepy, and it''s hard to form thoughts, but then gradually that changes. You don¡¯t know when it happens exactly, but the cobwebs lift and you become a functioning human being again.


    It felt like that, but¡­for a different part of him?


    Still paddling, it took Edan a couple of seconds to figure it out. It was his Path. The Path of whatsit embers. It was pulling inspiration from the fire-rich Vitalis around him like his body pulled caffeine from coffee.


    Edan was half tempted to just keep floating in the liquid. Paths were infinitely more difficult to improve than stats or levels. But in the end, Edan didn¡¯t actually know how much he was really getting from the pool so it wasn''t worth it.


    He almost sucked in a mouthful of liquid energy when he slammed headfirst into a wall. Feeling the glass smooth surface beneath his fingers, Edan had to touch it with his nose to see it. Keeping one hand against it, he began to move upward. Once again hoping it was upward.


    Edan suddenly had a vision of himself swimming around and around in circles like the live fish caught along the bay and kept in aquariums.


    This sucks! Edan thought. But fuck it! Inspire me water. Show me the way of fire. Huh, what a strange sentence.


    ¡ª----------


    Floor twenty-six was much smaller than the previous ones. A lot of the floor space was taken up by workstations and alchemical tools. There were large vats made of metal with solid lids bracketed by scribed metal. Tubes and pipes ran from them to the central building. Though ''building'' was a generous term. The word ''Shed'' would have worked better.


    Its glass walls were so low Tali had to wait outside as Reema and Sanik went in. Seeing the building had made them both excited as if the familiar environment would mean Edan was more likely to be in there.


    A few moments later they came out, their faces drawn and pale.


    Tali watched them approach. She had busied herself studying a tray of small crystalline plants. They swayed gently as if to a breeze, though there was none. She assumed it was used for alchemy, or maybe crafting, and likely belonged to whichever Academy master used this floor, but for the life of her, she couldn¡¯t identify it.


    ¡°He isn¡¯t here,¡± Sanik said, the words slow and hollow. ¡°There¡¯s only two more floors left so he has to be close.¡±


    The journey down had not been easy and both Reema and Sanik had been forced to fight over and over again. Their resources would be low.


    Tali cast identity on both. It was considered rude, but she needed to know.


    [Sanik Santry - lvl 153]


    [Reema Santry - lvl 136]


    ¡°The Vitalis is not affecting you?¡± Tali asked.


    It was Reema who answered, likely being the lowest level, she would be feeling it the strongest.


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    ¡°It¡¯s not too bad. We can reach the bottom.¡±


    Tali nodded and motioned towards the stairs. Without another word, they moved on.


    ¡ª-----


    Edan surprised himself. Not with his sense of direction. That was shit and he was still swimming. No, he surprised himself with his adaptability. He was growing used to the pain. The burn was borderline comfortable now and he likened it to the burn after a good workout.


    At least that''s what he kept telling himself.


    Edan didn¡¯t know how long he had been following his original direction, but eventually, he realized it was likely taking him in a circle, so he changed direction. That had been exciting, for around five minutes. After what felt like twenty, Edan decided it wasn¡¯t right either, so he had done a 180 and was going in the opposite direction.


    The part of him he associated with his Path had been eating well. It felt full and he couldn¡¯t wait to meditate later.


    Look at me! Edan smiled as he swam. Looking forward to meditation. I really have matured. Mum will be so proud.


    ¡ª-------------


    ¡°This will be the last floor,¡± Sanik said, whipping blood from his rapier. A thin cut still bled from his cheek, the red trail running down to stain the beginning of his beard. Scorch marks covered the left side of his armor.


    Reema opened her mouth, her eyes wet with unshed tears and fear. Then she closed it and nodded. The action jerky and unsure. Her face was drawn with exhaustion, though she remained uninjured, Sanik having acted as a shield when needed. Reema would have gotten angry at him for being so protective, but she knew he needed it. Just like she needed him close.


    Tali stood behind the pair, her thoughts conflicted. For the first time in a very long time, Tali doubted her Path. She would have turned back floors ago, assuming Edan was dead. She had only continued to descend as Tali doubted Reema and Sanik would have turned back with her and she refused to contribute to their deaths as well.


    Tali would see them returned to their home safely. It was the least she could do for the honored parents of her Bwaka.


    ¡ª---------


    Edan¡¯s head broke the surface of the pool with a splash. His eyes, either so used to seeing bright liquid or just damaged, danced with great splotches of darkness.


    Taking a deep breath Edan didn¡¯t realize how much he had enjoyed oxygen until he had it. It was cool, even in the humid environment, and brought with it, its own unique form of refreshment.


    Now on the surface, Edan wasn¡¯t in a great rush to leave the pool. The pool was safe, aside from trying to break him down like a piece of steak in stomach acid. The surrounding space¡­not so much.


    Edan blinked, wondering if his eyes were still damaged. He could make out large pillars nearby, the soft glow of the pool illuminating them. Close by was a stack of books and a table. A chair tucked neatly into it.


    It was so out of place that Edan laughed.


    Thick metal tubes ran along the floor, one end disappearing into darkness while the other fed into the pool of Vitalis. Runes covered the metal surface like scribbles.


    Swimming over noisily, his arms splashing Vitalis all over the place, Edan reached the edge of the pool and pulled himself free. It was only when he felt cold stone on, well on everything, that he realized he was completely naked.


    Gasping he covered up his pride and joy on reflex before realising there was no one around. Stepping over the tubes, Edan walked cautiously over to the desk, leaving wet footprints behind him. Much of the room remained in shadow, the corners too far away to be seen.


    Grabbing the first book from the stack, Edan turned it over. It was bound in black leather, with a raw thong tying it closed. Pulling apart the knot was easy and the book fell open. Squinting in the low light, Edan tried to make out the tiny writing on the pages. He moved towards the pool, intent on using it as a torch.


    Something shifted in the dark. The sound of rasping flesh on stone reached Edan¡¯s ears. A lot of flesh.


    Instinct made him duck behind a pillar.


    There was a long drawn-out hiss, like someone had let the air out of a balloon and the smell of rotting flesh filled the room.


    That''s some bad breath Edan thought, mentally cussing out Kiba. An Ant my ass!


    ¡ª--------------


    Tali looked over the edge of the stairs at the shimmery white pool of liquid below. She could sense the raw Vitalis contained within, the principles were beyond her own path and of little interest to her.


    The final level of the dungeon was dark with the shimmering pool casting the only light. With her high perception, Tali could still make out the strange array of equipment clustered around the floor between thick stone pillars. Tubes ran across the floor, leading from the pool to the equipment.


    It reminded Tali of the laboratory from level twenty-six, but larger in scale.


    Reema and Sanik followed her down, the darkness proving little issue for either.


    ¡°Something isn¡¯t right,¡± Reema whispered, looking around.


    ¡°You see something?¡± Tali asked, lowering her own voice to match the other women.


    ¡°No. I¡­have a skill. It lets me know when there''s danger nearby.¡±


    ¡°This is a dungeon. There is always danger nearby.¡±


    Reema wanted to agree but the truth was her skill had been too busy telling her Tali was the largest danger around to do much else. That had changed though, somewhere between the floor above and here.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just be careful.¡± Sanik butted in. He stood close to his wife, the rapier held loosely in his hand as his eyes scanned the room. ¡°That means no shouting for Edan. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s here. Probably scared and hiding.¡±


    ¡ª---------


    Edan scratched a naked butt cheek as he peered around the pillar he hid behind. His skin still itched from his time in the pool.


    Other than that though he felt fantastic. Even crouched as he was, his body didn¡¯t feel any strain, his muscles didn¡¯t burn, and his breath came in a slow, easy, rhythm. Even his hearing seemed to have improved.


    Edan could hear something large moving across the floor near him. The scraping rasp of skin on rock made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.


    He did a bit of quick mental mapping. The stairs to the floor above were halfway around the pool. The pool itself was to his left and whatever was moving around down here was between him and the stairs.


    He could try hopping back into the pool and swimming around it, but what if it noticed him in the water and just waited on shore for him. Edan would then have to choose between dissolving slowly or getting eaten quickly.


    Edan could try to move further in. Maybe the dark would help hide him? Yeah, Edan doubted that. After a certain level natural darkness stopped being an issue and whatever the slithering thing was, it had to be high level. No other way it survived down here with the level of Vitalis saturation.


    Speaking of, Edan wondered why he wasn¡¯t being poisoned to death. Granted, the level of Vitalis in the air was nothing compared to the pool.


    Thoughts for later Edan decided, putting the mystery aside.


    He peeked around his pillar again and thought he saw something move in the dark. It was just a flash of movement, darker than the surrounding shadows.


    Edan slid around the pillar, closer to the pool, and looked across at the next one. It was a dozen feet away. Keeping the cool stone against his back, Edan craned his head, trying to see into the darkness.


    He couldn¡¯t see anything, but Edan knew the second he stepped out from behind the pillar he¡¯d be silhouetted against the glow from the pool. He¡¯d need to be quick.


    Taking a deep breath, he held it and listened. He couldn¡¯t hear it anymore. Just the sound of his heart beating like a drum.


    Fuck it.


    Edan pushed off, pumping his arms as he ran as quickly as he could to the next pillar. His own speed surprised him and he almost tripped, only managing to right himself at the last second. Reaching the pillar he slid to a stop. Heart beating loudly, Edan paused to listen.


    ¡ª-----------


    Tali moved deeper into the room, away from the pool of Vitalis. She wanted to look at the equipment. Reema blended into the shadows, her form breaking up around the edges as if consumed by the darkness around them. Sanik kept to Tali¡¯s left, ready to cover her if needed.


    There was a metal desk, wider than it was long, and covered in stone boxers. Tali peered in. Each of the boxers had ash layered thick along the bottom. Using a finger, Tali shifted through it, finding bits of wood and fibers that hadn¡¯t been completely consumed. She also felt something hard and smooth beneath her questing finger and with a bit of digging, she pulled it out.


    Sanik shifted around her bulky form to get a better look.


    ¡°Looks like an eggshell.¡± He whispered.


    ¡°Who cares,¡± Reema whispered back, appearing between the two as her eyes flickered over the equipment. ¡°Edan didn¡¯t make himself scrambled eggs. We keep looking.¡±


    Tali nodded, slipping the piece of eggshell into the folds of her robe. Next to the table was a cylinder of white porous stone with a dimple in the middle large enough to fit her head. There were scratch marks along the bottom of the cylinder.


    She heard something shift behind her and spun in time to see a fang-filled mouth fill her vision.

 CHAPTER 28

    Tali slapped the head aside on reflex, there was enough mass and force behind the attack to send her stumbling back though.


    ¡°Tali!¡± Reema yelled. She pulled at the air, her form becoming solid as she braced herself against the ground.


    Thousands of threads sprung from the shadows to wrap up the thrashing creature.


    Twisting and turning the creature tied itself into knots as it fought against captivity. All the while an angry hissing filled the air.


    ¡°Hold it!¡± Sanik called out, his sword at the ready.


    Tali moved back, her eyes locked on the creature. It was a snake. A very large snake. Perhaps three times her height. A diamond-shaped head with a short snout twisted around, snapping at the threads. Fangs like daggers flashed in the darkness and its pale yellow eyes were slits of fury.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hold it!¡± Reema gasped, her hands trembling.


    Sanik ran forward, his form a blur. Using the threads as a platform he jumped between them. It was an incredible feat of dexterity as he moved in time with the snake''s wild motions. As he jumped to another thread the snake jerked its head back, pulling the string out from under Sanik¡¯s feet. Grabbing ahold of it with one hand, Sanik used his momentum to swing himself forward. His rapier flashed out, the tip aimed at the serpent''s eye.


    Faster than Sanik thought possible the snake moved out of the way. The blade missed its eye by an inch. Then it lashed out.


    Once more Reema saved them. Threads wrapped around the creature''s snout, snapping its mouth closed. Instead of being bitten in half, Sanik was hit by the blunt nose and sent flying back. He hit the floor hard and rolled back to his feet before stumbling to the side with a grimace on his face.


    Reema breathed a sigh of relief and looked back at the snake. She used [Identify] as the rest of the threads fell off it.


    [Mutated Rhodan Viper - lvl 198]


    ¡ª---


    Edan was about to move to the next pillar when he heard something that made him freeze.


    ¡°Tali!¡± he heard his mother call.


    For a wild second Edan thought he was going crazy. His longing to be with his family had finally driven him mad.


    ¡°Hold it!¡± Edan heard his father yell.


    Then Edan was running. Not towards the stairs, but towards the voices. He didn¡¯t think. His body just acted on instinct.


    ¡ª--------


    The Viper was covered in a patchwork of dark grey scales and red oozing flesh. It looked like bits of scale had been torn free leaving the skin infected and inflamed. The snake coiled around itself, its head arching over its body. The great jaws unhinged and its teeth slid out as it hissed. Saliva dripped from its chin and landed on the floor with a wet splash.


    It smelt rotten and something moved in the saliva that had landed on the floor. Pale, fat, worms.


    ¡°What the fuck is that!¡± Sanik gasped, still holding his chest as he looked on with disgust.


    ¡°I do not know,¡± Tali admitted, ¡°perhaps it came from one of the eggs?¡±


    ¡°Or the eggs were its breakfast.¡± Sanik tried standing up straight. The pain was fading. ¡°I¡¯m ready when you are. Babe, you got us?¡±


    ¡°We need to end this quickly,¡± Reema said, her voice tight with worry. ¡°Edan is waiting.¡±


    Tali held up her hands, a smile crossing her face as the familiar feeling of warmth spread through her. Her blood ignited within her, calling her to action. Begging for release.


    With a roar she charged forward, her footsteps cracking the stone floor as she forced herself into a sprint. Two steps and she was before the snake. She crouched. The snake¡¯s head snapped forward, its mouth open wide. Tali pushed up with so much force she rocketed through the air. Torquing at the waist she threw an uppercut that snapped the snake''s mouth closed and forced its head back.


    A thread of darkness wrapped around Tali¡¯s waist and pulled her out of the air as the serpent tail sailed passed.


    Sanik vanished and appeared next to its scaled body. The snake¡¯s head came around, one eye locked on him. Sanik vanished again. He appeared standing on its body. The snake thrashed to throw him off and he vanished again. This time, he appeared in the air above its head and fell, his blade leading the way.


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    The viper slipped out of the way, avoiding the sword. It used its head like a bludgeon and slammed Sanik away. He spun in the air. A net of darkness formed before he could hit the ground, catching him.


    Tali grabbed the snake''s tail, her fingers digging through scale and flesh. Putrid blood poured out around her grip and she felt things wringle around her fingers. Ignoring it, Tali planted her feet and heaved.


    The snake''s aggressive hisses turned into surprise as it felt itself being pulled backward. It turned but threads of darkness fell over its eyes blinding it. Furious, the viper snapped at its tail.


    Tali shifted her weight and used her opponent''s own flesh as a shield. Fangs as long as her forearms sank into rotten flesh and the snake twisted wildly in pain throwing Tali off.


    Rolling across the ground Tali whooped with joy. Bouncing back to her feet she charged back in. Jumping into the air she slammed back down on the center of the snake''s body. It snapped at her and she punched its mouth in retaliation. Teeth tore the flesh along her arm but she sent one of its fangs flying off into the darkness.


    Reema pulled Tali back before the snake could get another bite at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m reaching my limit,¡± Reema warned. She was heaving for breath and sweat dripped from her chin. Her curly brown hair was damp with perspiration.


    ¡°And I can¡¯t do enough damage,¡± Sanik growled, holding up his fencing sword for emphasis.


    ¡°This one is mine,¡± Tali laughed, the heat within her roaring to new heights. The markings along her neck twisted higher until they covered her chin and cheeks in dark designs. ¡°Find my Bwaka.¡±


    Not waiting to see if they listened Tali jumped back into the fray. She raised a hand, now covered in markings that had crept down the sleeve of her robe, and punched the snake''s tail into the ground. She broke through scale and flesh, sinking her arm up to the wrist. The snake bit at her and she slapped its head down, bouncing it off the hard floor. The tail she had previously pinned whipped out and slammed into her ribs. She grabbed it, sliding back under the force.


    Picking her up with it, the snake smashed her against a pillar. Stone cracked and the pillar broke. Tali laughed as dust covered her. The snake slammed her into the ground next and it cracked. Tali tried to get her feet under her but like a whip, the viper snapped its tail and sent her skidding along the floor.


    A pillar helped slow her down. Using it as a springboard, Tali launched herself forward. The snake slithered forward to meet her, its mouth open wide. Somehow it had grown its fang back and both dripped with black venom.


    Jumping into the air Tali aimed to slam its head down but the snake was quicker. It batted her into the air. With a thump Tali impacted the ceiling, cratering it, before falling back down amongst a cloud of dust and chipped stone.


    She didn¡¯t reach the ground. The snake twisted, its tail whistling through the air, and slammed into her. Like a ball hit by a bat, Tali went flying through the air. She hit one pillar, chipping it as she bounced off. Landing face down she shoved herself back to her feet.


    The snake struck. Tali stepped to the side, its fangs passing close enough to touch. So she did. Tali grabbed a fang, the tooth slick with saliva. Jerking violently she tore it from the snake''s jaw in a shower of blood, rotting flesh, and wriggling worms.


    Using the fang as a dagger she drove it into the viper''s neck. She punched the end of it, driving it deeper, even as the snake recoiled.


    Tali followed it.


    When she couldn¡¯t reach its face, she pounded its body. Each of her blows breaking scales and tearing flesh. Whenever the snake would try to bite her she would try to pierce its eyes and get a hold of its head. If it hurt her she just laughed and hurt it worse.


    The fang fell from its neck as the wound healed. A new fang grew from its jaw. Scales regrew and flesh knitted back together.


    Tali just laughed. The fire within her had turned to a bonfire, her blood burning through her veins. Her markings covered every inch of her skin like dark armor, protecting her from damage even as it contained the heat within.


    She missed a step in her wild dance. The jaws of the viper slipped beneath her punch. Its fangs closed around her waist, the tip breaking through her markings and pumping poison into her bloodstream.


    Tali laughed as she felt the poison start to take effect.


    [Genesis]


    Time froze. Then resumed.


    The snake found itself back where it had first struck at Tali, next to the equipment. The wounds on its body began to heal slowly.


    Tali stood before the snake, in the exact same position she had been in previously. She looked fine. In fact, she looked exactly how she had when the snake had first struck at her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start the story again,¡± Tali said, the markings moving with increased speed up her throat until the dark swirls covered her cheeks and nose. They spread like ink around her eyes as she started laughing.


    ¡ª-----------


    It sounded like the whole damn dungeon was caving in to Edan. Above it all he could hear creepy laughter. Edan imagined came from whatever monster was doing all the damage. Fear for his parents kept him moving forward though.


    They had come for him!


    Whipping a manly tear from his eye Edan almost tripped and cursed his increased stats. Birthing his system had increased his stats by a lot! And he was still getting used to it. At any other time, he would have been thrilled, but all he wanted at the moment were his parents.


    And then there they were, running out of the gloom. Sweaty, dirty, beaten up, exhausted, and so so very beautiful.


    Edan opened his mouth to yell their names but all that came out was a croak, his eyes stung with unshed tears. Sanik vanished from beside Reema. He appeared next to Edan and slammed into him like a runaway bull, lifting his son off his feet. Edan returned the embrace as he buried his face in his father''s chest.


    Edan felt something tight wrap around them both and jerk them back. Reema pulled them both to her like fish on a line. As one, the two men shifted, making space, and she fit into place. Her arms went around them both as tears streaked down her cheeks.


    The family huddled together in the dark. Behind them, the sounds of tearing flesh and breaking stone could be heart. Maniacal laughter echoed through the room. But the family remained unbothered.


    They were together again.


    Finally.

 CHAPTER 29

    The family reunion was cut short as a chunk of flesh flew past. Blood splattering Edan. He gagged as he felt things crawl against his flesh and started beating at it. Sanik and Reema rushed to help.


    ¡°What was that!¡± he asked, incredulously.


    The tip of a snake''s tail lay twitching beside the pool of Vitalis. Edan watched in morbid curiosity as the flesh seemed to stretch oddly, like grasping fingers, before falling still. The dark blood flowing from it slowed.


    ¡°That, son, is a problem.¡± Sanik began to herd Edan towards the stairs. Reema, still clutching Edan close to her was pulled along as well.


    ¡°If that''s the tail, how bigs the damn snake?¡±


    ¡°Very big. Also very smelly. Hurry up!¡± Sanik answered tersely, his eyes flicking to the darkened room. ¡°Luckily, Tali has it handled.¡±


    Edan craned his neck to see around his father. If Tali was fighting she might need help. The sound of destruction shifted, moving further away before suddenly sounding like it was just behind them. Edan ducked on instinct and kept moving.


    Laughter echoed around the room, making the hair on Edans arms stand up.


    ¡°That''s a creepy ass snake,¡± he said, fighting a shiver. ¡°Why does it keep laughing?¡±


    ¡°Uhhh¡­sure. The snake. Creepy.¡±


    They were almost to the stairs when Sanik asked. ¡°Son, where¡¯s your clothes?¡±


    ¡ª----------


    The fight had shifted. Neither could hurt the other with just basic attacks. The first to use a skill had been Tali. [Genesis] had the ability to rewind a fight to the beginning. Tali¡¯s resources and health would revert back to what it was at that time as well, while her opponents wouldn¡¯t.


    The Rhodan Viper responded with a skill of its own. The scales along its neck and head flashed red and when it struck next it left a trail of shadows behind.


    The shadows shifted and solidified into more heads, each an echo of the vipers. The shadowy heads attacked, each moving independently of the other.


    Suddenly faced with multiple attacks at once, Tali punched the ground. [Balwark] activated and a slab of the ground came free, Tali caught it and using brute strength lifted it as a shield.


    Her shield turned to rubble under the viper''s attack, but it had done its job. The shadow attacks melted away. Grabbing a piece of her shield, Tali threw it. The Viper swayed and the rock missed. It hit the ceiling with a boom showering them both in dust.


    [Engage].


    Tali burst forward, moving faster than she had before. She lowered her head and angled her shoulder. Like a wrecking ball, she slammed into the side of the snake. It hissed as it flopped over.


    [Resonance]


    Tali punched the ground, her hand sinking deep into the rock. When she pulled it back a gauntlet had formed around her fist, made of the same dark rock as the floor. A vicious spike adorned the top of her gauntlet and she drove it into the serpent like a dagger.


    Thrashing violently the Viper tore the wound further. Laughing, Tali held on, sawing her hand back and forth as she helped open up the wound. With a snick, the tip of the snake''s tail was cut off. Tali flicked it behind her out of the way.


    [Resonance]


    Once more Tali punched the ground. The gauntlet on her hand fell apart. This time she pulled free a sword as long as her arm, its edge was jagged, like chipped rock, but shone with incredible sharpness. With wild abandon, she renewed her attacks.


    The snake twisted out of her way, its thick form sliding between pillars with astonishing quickness. Frustrated, Tali threw her stone sword at it and reached towards the ground again.


    Quick as thought the snake lashed out, its now regrown tail leaking a black fluid that splattered across Tali¡¯s robes as it struck. Thrown back, Tali rolled like a doll across the ground before coming to a stop next to the glowing pool of Vitalis.


    Springing back to her feet Tali looked down. The front of her robes had been dissolved by whatever the snake secreted. She could see the dark form of her markings covering her torso through the holes.


    Laughing Tali ripped the robe from her body, letting it drift down behind her. Her markings had grown so thick that it looked like she wore a body suit of black ink beneath a chest wrap of white cloth and long brown pants. A thick belt circled her waist, and various trinkets made of expensive metals hung from them.


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    Her body swelled with energy. Her muscles stood out in sharp relief as she ground her heels into the rock beneath her. Leaning forward she allowed her fingertips to rest gently on the ground.


    Many of her tribe had wondered if she cultivated a third Path. One of war and battle, but she didn''t. Her main Path required too much work that she barely had time to walk a second. A third was beyond her. No, her love for battle was all her own.


    [Engage] sent Tali surging forward. The snake lunged for her, its fangs dripping venom. She canceled the skill with raw strength, her legs digging furrows in the ground. The snake''s mouth closed on empty air.


    Tali activated [Engage] once more. [Resonance] pulled stone from the ground to wrap her form.


    Tali slammed into the snake before it had pulled its head all the way back. Its fangs shattered as she slammed a stone fist into its mouth. The same black liquid from earlier now coated every inch of the snake, it seeped from between scales and beaded the exposed flesh like sweat. Where the liquid touched stone it sizzled and spat, foul-smelling fumes filling the air.


    The snake¡¯s head dropped to the ground under the hail of fists. Bones broke and scales cracked.


    Tali dug her foot into the ground. [Resonance] activated once more. The rock covering her body fell away as she transferred her will to the hard ground by her feet. She kicked a war hammer of stone into the air. Catching it she twirled it around, gaining momentum, before bringing it crashing down on the Viper''s head.


    It popped like a ripe melon. Gore and putrid blood burst across the floor. Wriggling masses of worms crawled over each other in the liquid, flopping about uselessly. The snake''s body spasmed, bits of black liquid landing on Tali¡¯s markings. She could feel the heat, but they couldn¡¯t break through and rolled down like raindrops.


    Tali frowned and swiped at it as it chewed through her pants.


    She waited, the hammer still held in her hand. She had expected to receive a notification from the System. She should have received some experience.


    Nothing.


    The worms had begun to burrow into the ground, their pale flesh bright in the surrounding gloom.


    Satisfied with the fight, even if she hadn¡¯t received anything for it. Tali pulled another robe from her spatial belt and threw it over her shoulders. The markings along her body began to recede as she felt the heat within her cool.


    Burning her blood acted as a boosting skill. Once she let it go, exhaustion hit her. Tali let the hammer fall from her fingers. It broke apart before it hit the ground. She sorted through her memories of the fight. Most of it was a haze, but she thought she remembered seeing Sanik and Reema huddled around the smaller form of Edan.


    A wide smile split her face. Tali cast one look around before turning to the stairs. She had taken three steps when she stopped. Dashing back deeper into the room she stopped near the workstation. Much of it had been destroyed in the scuffle, but shifting through it quickly Tali found what looked like a metal rod, as thick as her wrist, and covered in enchantments. She slipped it into her storage belt and after a second, tossed a small bound notebook in to join it.


    Turning back to the stairs Tali was happy to leave the room behind.


    ¡ª--------


    Edan hustled up the stairs, making sure to keep as far from the edge as possible. Sanik led the way and Reema brought up the rear. The sounds of battle beneath them had grown quiet and Edan hopped it meant Tali had won.


    Sanik and Reema didn¡¯t seem to doubt it for a second and it was only Sanik¡¯s reassurance that she would join them shortly that kept Edan moving.


    Going up was much quicker than heading down. They didn¡¯t have to stop to search every floor. Thanks to Edan¡¯s higher stats he was a lot faster than before and his endurance showed as he kept up with the pace set by his parents. He only tripped a few times.


    Luckily Sanik had given him some clothes out of his storage ring as soon as they were out of immediate danger. It was way too big, but Edan was happy to have something between him main boys and the monsters of the dungeon.


    Tali did join them eventually. She still wore her usual brown robes. Other than her disheveled hair she didn¡¯t look any different. Edan wanted to talk to her. He wanted to thank her for coming. He wanted to yell at her for not telling him about the Four Star Heavenly Sect. He wanted so much but now wasn¡¯t the time.


    He settled for a brief nod and a thankful smile. The smile he got in return was warm and left him feeling guilty for being angry with her.


    They finally slowed when the floor numbers reached the single digits and Sanik dropped back enough to talk to Tali over Edan and Reema¡¯s heads.


    ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll have any problems waiting outside?¡±


    ¡°What problems?¡± Edan butted in.


    ¡°There will be no one waiting,¡± Tali reassured Sanik. ¡°The guardian may have left to speak with the Academy Administrators, but he will be required to wait until their return from the Star Castle.¡±


    ¡°What problems?¡± Edan asked again, glancing between the two.


    ¡°Not now. We can talk when we get home.¡± Reema said, giving Sanik a pointed look.


    That sounded good to Edan.


    They passed the third floor and the area of the steps Edan had been pushed off of. He felt something ugly twist in the pit of his stomach as he remembered the fear and panic he had felt¡­it felt like ages ago.


    ¡°Mum, Dad, how long was I gone?¡±


    ¡°A few hours,¡± Reema replied quietly. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry baby, we would have come sooner but Tali had to tell us. The res-¡±


    ¡°A few hours!¡± Edan yelled in shock. It had felt like days. He saw the guilt on Reema¡¯s face and the rest of her words finally caught up to him. Feeling like an ass Edan quickly added ¡°You lot move fast! Thanks, Mum.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t the greatest show of appreciation, and it fell a little flat. Reema gave a weak smile. Edan made a mental note to thank all three of them later.


    The squad of four burst from the stairs onto the first floor of the dungeon. The cavern with its familiar bone ceiling stretched out around them.


    Edan realized with a start that those were the bones of the Flare Calf Kiba had killed.


    Kicking up little puffs of flame in their wake, the group moved quickly towards the exit.

 CHAPTER 30

    Moonlight bathed the outside world as they exited the dungeon. Waves, their caps turning silver in the light, lapped gently against the rocky cliff below. The cool night air whipped by, bringing with it the smell of salt and rotting seaweed.


    Edan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his mouth turning up in a smile.


    Off to the side, Edan could see the small islet belonging to the Golden Throne Sect. Scribe light shone through the windows of the buildings dotting the island, and reminded Edan of fireflies in the dark.


    The bridge from it to the Academy Islet arched low over the water. Lanterns hanging from the wood beams swayed gently, their orange glow making little circles of light in the sea. Hungry shapes moved beneath the water, attracted to the bugs that saw the light for warmth, and flew too close to the waves.


    Reema and Sanik huddled with Tali, their whispered conversation stolen by the wind. Edan shuffled closer, the rocks beneath his bare feet wet and slippery.


    ¡°...is that what you think is best?¡± Sanik asked Tali.


    The Titan nodded solemnly, her amber eyes bright in the darkness.


    ¡°Ok. We can go to Harvey¡¯s. He¡¯ll hide us.¡± Reema agreed quickly, her eyes darted to Edan, and seeing him so close a small smile eased the exhaustion on her face. ¡°Come here.¡±


    Moving to join them, Edan slid between Sanik and Reema, the solid presence of both his parents providing more comfort than he cared to admit.


    ¡°What will you do?¡±


    ¡°A¡­friend¡­needs to be told my oath is broken. I am unsure what to do after that.¡± Tali answered Sanik.


    ¡°Is your oath broken?¡± Sanik asked slowly, his hand coming up to rock back and forth in a so-so gesture. ¡°Technically you were never given permission to enter, but they also didn¡¯t expressly forbid you from entering. Some would say you even made an attempt to reach them for approval.¡±


    Tali laughed quietly and shook her head.


    ¡°I understood the action would break my oath, so my oath is broken. I leave the hunt for such loopholes and sneak to those of the Infernal Realms.¡±


    ¡°This is lovely and all, and I¡¯m totally not confused by any of this¡­but should we really be standing here talking?¡± Edan shuffled from foot to foot. The wind had found its way into his baggy clothes and even his higher stats couldn¡¯t save him from all the cold.


    Agreeing with him, the others began shuffling up the thin path. Overhead the walls of the Academy stood proud. Light spilled from the many windows dotting its towers, its brilliance fighting with the stars in the cloudless night.


    Keeping to the shadows as much as possible they reached the bridge and crossed quickly. Edan pulled up his system to check the time. It was only a little after eight but traffic between the Academy and Stratta was almost non-existent. That suited the group fine. Fewer witnesses.


    Edan could make out the shadow shapes of vessels moored out at sea as they crossed. The masts blotting out the stars around them. Occasionally a small fishing vessel could be seen moving about, a lantern on a hook or a scribestone near the front providing the sailors with light. It was risky business, night fishing. There was no telling what your light would attract. Though this close to shore they would likely be safe.


    The wooden beams of the bridge turned to cobbled stone as they entered the streets of Stratta. Sound and sight fought for dominance as the group moved through the bustling streets. A few people gave their group an odd look, but it was more so for Tali, who attracted attention regardless of where she went, and less so because they looked shifty.


    If anything they looked like a group of cultivators back from a hunt. Exhausted, but successful.


    I suppose that makes me the catch? Edan thought before smiling. I mean¡­I am a catch, after all.


    They split up when they reached a fork in the road. Tali continued on straight while Sanik and Reema directed Edan towards a familiar street that would lead home. Edan watched the large back of his supposed mentor grow distant.


    She¡¯d barely spoken to him since they dungeon. Was she embarrassed her choice of protege had been fooled and needed rescuing?


    Putting the thoughts aside for another day, Edan followed his parents.


    Lucky Snips had never looked so beautiful to Edan. Its large glass windows showcasing the mannequins within were dark, Reema must have forgotten to turn the lights on before she left. Edan felt a stab of guilt as he realized how much worry he had caused his parents.


    Using the front door of the store, the family of three entered. Sanik moved confidently through the dark interior, turning on scribelights and bathing the room in a soft white light. Reema double-checked the closed sign before flipping the lock on the door.


    The workshop was likewise cast in deep shadow but they didn¡¯t bother with lights here. The trio just moved silently towards the stairs and made their way warily upstairs.


    Each wore their exhaustion differently. Reema moved slowly, her form hunched over and her eyes puffy. Sanik dragged his feet, yawning and tugging at the straps to his armor. Edan stumbled over almost every step, his head hanging low.


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    They stood awkwardly in the living room, no one sure what to say. It had been a long long day and while exhausted, there was so much to say. So much to catch up on. Just none of them knew where to start.


    Eventually though Reema broke the silence. She stood on tiptoes and gave Sanik a kiss on the cheek before pointing him towards the bathroom.


    ¡°Go get cleaned up, love,¡± she directed softly before turning to Edan. She pulled him close and kissed his forehead. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind your father taking the lead. If you want to have a seat on the couch I¡¯ll make us all a hot drink.¡±


    ¡°Coffee for me,¡± Sanik called over his shoulder as he made his way toward the bathroom. ¡°We still have a long night ahead of us and I¡¯ll need all the help I can get.¡±


    ¡°We can catch up tomorrow.¡± Edan offered. ¡°After we¡¯ve had some sleep.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately we won¡¯t be sleeping here.¡± Reema moved towards the kitchen and Edan followed, his brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°We just came back to grab some clothes for you. Any books you think you might need? Some other odds and ends we have stashed in the workshop. Then we¡¯ll have to go see Harvey.¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Edan had just enough energy to be shocked, though it faded quickly and he slumped into a chair. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Tali thinks we should make ourselves scarce at the moment. We didn¡¯t have permission to enter the Academy Dungeon to look for you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± this one was said a lot quieter.


    ¡°Someone was guarding the Dungeon and while Tali talked our way past, all he had to do was report it to the Academy Administrators. They¡¯ll investigate.¡± Reema explained as she pulled mugs from shelves and grabbed coffee and cocoa tins.


    ¡°How would they know where to find you?¡±


    Reema gave him a pointed look.


    They could identify Tali super easily and even if they had no clue who Mum and Dad were, all they¡¯d have to do is figure out who would have the motive to break into the dungeon.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired,¡± Edan said by way of explanation.


    Edan had so many more questions but after a yawn nearly dislocated his jaw he lay his head down on the kitchen counter. It was nice and cold and if he twisted his head at just the right angle it was almost comfortable.


    ¡°Sorry honey, but you need to stay awake,¡± Reema said, noticing him out of the corner of her eye.


    ¡°Shhhokay,¡± Edan muttered, pulling himself back into a seated position. He slid off the chair and stretched. Something in his back popped and he let out a relieved sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll go pack.¡±


    His room looked exactly how he had left it. Only slightly dirty. Kicking aside an old shirt Edan made his way to his dresser. The presents from Harvey and Cassie still rested on his nightstand and he tossed them on his bed. Next was his clothes. Anything that smelled clean went into a pile on his bed, the rest was tossed to a corner to deal with later.


    Happy with his packing Edan quietly closed his door and settled onto the floor next to his bed. Using his bed frame as back support Edan closed his eyes. For a tempting second sleep beckoned to him. It was tricky avoiding it as he allowed himself to relax.


    Drifting through darkness Edan wondered if he actually had fallen asleep before sunlight hit him like a physical blow.


    The ground was soft beneath his feet, the blades of grass tickling his toes. Overhead the sun shone with relentless fury and around his little island, clouds drifted slowly.


    ¡°Welcome back.¡±


    Edan turned and laughed. Kiba was lying down on the slope, his feet crossed and his arms tucked behind his head. A blade of grass stuck out of the corner of his mouth and his eyes were closed.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t you look relaxed?¡±


    Kiba cracked one eye open, the pupil a rusty orange, and looked at Edan. ¡°There isn¡¯t much else to do around here, kid.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you¡­I dunno, sense what''s going on outside or something?¡±


    Kiba closed his eyes again and shifted slightly, trying to get more comfortable.


    ¡°Nope,¡± he said around the grass blade. ¡°It looks like I can only sense what you sense. You do realize your Spirit should be close to a hundred right?¡±


    ¡°Ninty-four,¡± Edan said proudly.


    ¡°Then use it, you idiot!¡±


    ¡°Fine! I will!¡± there was a pause before Edan scratched the back of his head. ¡°Uhhh¡­how do I use it?¡±


    ¡°How do you not know how to use your spirit? Next, you¡¯ll say you don''t know how to use your skills!¡±


    ¡°Give me a break, I¡¯ve had a very stressful day.¡± Edan snapped back, throwing his hands in the air. ¡°Besides, I know how to do it. I mean, I¡¯ve read how to do it. It¡¯s just a little different actually¡­doing it.¡±


    ¡°Kid, I swear! I did not get out of that pool only to be trapped in a prison formed from your ignorance. You will learn to use your spirit sense! I¡¯ll teach you myself if I have to.¡±


    ¡°Sorry man, I already have a Master...I think.¡± Edan scratched his cheek in thought. ¡°She said she was my Te''Roro Bwaka and she would make me Va of her people, but a lot''s happened since then and I''m not sure if she''s still interested,¡±


    Kiba sat up, the leaf falling from his mouth as he gaped at Edan. He reminded Edan of a freshly caught fish.


    ¡°A Primordial offered to teach you. Personally. And you rejected them?¡±


    ¡°Hey, I have a path related to that,¡± Edan remembered, completely missing Kiba¡¯s startled yelp.


    ¡°A path relate-wait, did you say Te''Roro Bwaka earlier?¡± Kiba stood up, dusting nonexistent dirt from his pants. ¡°Kid, did you say Te''Roro Bwaka? Did you actually get recognized by a Titan? Do you-¡±


    ¡°I gotta go,¡± Edan interrupted, waving his hand and cutting Kiba off. ¡°I just came to let you know we escaped the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°You-what!-Titan?¡± Kiba spluttered as Edan waved. ¡°No!Wait!¡±


    ¡°Laters!¡±


    Edan allowed his consciousness to return to his body. A yawn broke loose and he leaned back against his bed for a second. He knew he was toying with Kiba, but Edan couldn¡¯t help it. It was just so much fun.


    Thinking of Kiba did make Edan wonder. Should he tell his parents?


    Realistically there wasn¡¯t any reason not to. Kiba hadn¡¯t asked him to keep his existence a secret, and it''s not like Edan didn¡¯t trust his parents with the knowledge, it was just¡­Edan knew what his parents would do with the knowledge.


    They were both protective of him. Incredibly so. And Edan knew how lucky he was to have that in his life, but it also meant he knew how they would react to their son having a god''s soul in his SoulScape.


    ¡°We need to remove it! Immediately!¡± Reema would say.


    ¡°I dunno, honey, what if this other soul is good company? On second thought, we best remove it. I can¡¯t handle the competition.¡± Sanik would joke, but support Reema.


    Using his bed for support Edan pulled himself to his feet.


    He wouldn¡¯t tell them. At least not yet. He had made a promise to Kiba and Edan wanted to be the type of man that kept his promises.


    And, Edan admitted, he felt a little sorry for Kiba. God or not, he had been mostly alone for close to two hundred years. The only company Kiba had was the occasional fool that messed with the pool only to die shortly after.

 CHAPTER 31

    One thing Edan didn¡¯t like about his increased stats. There was no slow rise from unconscious to consciousness. No sleepy minutes in bed as he tried to find the energy to get up. One second he was resting, the next he woke up. His increased Willpower probably had a lot to do with it. Very likely his increased intelligence too. One conveys the understanding that they were awake to the other, which immediately got his body moving.


    Rolling out of bed Edan stretched. The exhaustion from the previous night was a distant memory. The small window at the end of the room let in the morning light, the beams changing to red and green thanks to the stained glass.


    Boxes littered the floor, most were sealed but a few had fallen over, their contents spilling out over the floor. Edan spotted crumpled clothes, random pages with messy handwriting, and even a few worn kids'' toys.


    Moving around them Edan made his way to the ladder and using the rope to control its speed, lowered it down slowly. High dexterity helped him navigate the tight opening and he shimmied down the ladder easily.


    When the Santry family had imposed on Harvey last night for shelter, the old man had been more than hospitable. He¡¯d ushered them in, offering food and hot drinks. They declined, having drunk and munched as they had caught each other up on the previous day''s event.


    Edan had been given the attic to sleep in. He¡¯d imagined a dark, cramped space with spiderwebs and a mattress on the floor. What he¡¯d gotten was a small, clean, warmly lit space with a comfortable mattress and clean sheets.


    Sanik and Reema had gotten a spare room next to Cassie''s.


    Moving down the hallway, Edan noticed the bathroom door open and slipped inside. Washing his face he made himself presentable before exiting. Heading towards the noise he heard below, Edan made his way downstairs.


    Harvey¡¯s Store and home were peculiar. If you looked from the outside it was a simple, yet stylish, two-story building that fit in with its neighbors. Like most of Stratta where rent was expensive and good land was hard to find, residents lived above their stores and people would assume the same of Harvey¡¯s.


    They would be right. The floors above the store were residential. All five of them, if you counted the attic.


    Harvey¡¯s class was a Domain Mage, his domain being this building. This allowed him certain¡­benefits.


    The third floor of the building was a large, open area. As large as the area above, but with fewer walls. The floor was covered in a soft, short carpet of light tan that blended in well with the dark wooden walls. Even without partitioning walls, much of the space had been separated by function.


    Off to the side closest to Edan was the kitchen and dining room an Island counter separating them. Sanik and Reema were moving around the kitchen, one manned the stove while the other acted as assistant.


    ¡°You realize eggshells aren¡¯t meant to go in the batter right?¡± Reema berated Sanik, handing him back a large metal bowl.


    ¡°That''s for texture. Texture, woman! No one likes a soft, bland pancake.¡± Sanik retorted, sticking a finger in the batter to fish the eggshells out.


    Edan slid into a chair by the counter.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Cassie said cheerfully. She looked like she¡¯d just stumbled out of bed. Her pajamas were wrinkled and her hair was messy. ¡°Here to enjoy the show?¡±


    Edan looked at his bickering parents and cringed.


    ¡°Sorry about that.¡±


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s amusing,¡± Cassie assured him. ¡°Besides it brings a certain energy to the house. When it''s just dad and I things can get a bit stale.¡±


    ¡°Harvey mentioned you were actually planning on opening up another store?¡± Edan made a loop with his finger. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be just as, uhhh¡­stale?¡±


    Cassie¡¯s eyes lit with excitement. ¡°I was actually thinking of setting it up off-world. Imagine! I could get stuff from there and send it through to Earth. Dad could sell it here for a premium.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d have to get past all the restrictions in place,¡± Sanik advised as he slid plates onto the countertop and started opening cabinets looking for spreads. ¡°Not to mention the competition from both the Guilds and the Golden Throne Sect-hey you have appleberry jam, nice!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, help yourself, and what do you mean restrictions?¡±


    Sanik started stacking spreads out next to the plates. Behind him, Reema flipped the pancakes off the skillet and onto a large stack that had already formed. She added more batter.


    ¡°The sects have a limit on what can be brought into the world from outside. Helps prevent something dangerous or harmful from getting into the wrong hands.¡±


    Edan listened to the conversation between the two, his stomach twisting oddly. Last night, he¡¯d left out two important details. He hadn¡¯t told his parents about Kiba, and since he hadn¡¯t told them about Kiba, he couldn¡¯t tell them about what the god or primordial or whatever he called himself had said about the Four Star Heavenly Sect.


    That was something Edan wanted to discuss with Tali before he brought it up with his parents. Also, it didn''t seem like a conversation they needed to have when they were all exhausted.


    ¡°Ahh, are those pancakes I smell?¡± Harvey said as he came up the stairs from below. He smiled, seeing the group in the kitchen, and walked over to the cooler. He pulled out a pottery jar and held it up for Sanik to see. ¡°Properly infused syrup.¡±


    ¡°I figured it¡¯s the least we could do,¡± Reema said as her husband drooled. ¡°Thank you again for letting us stay here. We didn¡¯t give you much notice.¡±


    ¡°You mean zero notice,¡± Sanik amended, helping not at all.


    Harvey smiled and sat down beside his daughter. ¡°You are most welcome. I feel like a celebration is in order.¡±


    Harvey turned to Edan and regarded him with a solemn expression.


    ¡°Master Mawe, It would seem birthing a system is an everyday occurrence for one such as you and hardly worthy of note, but I find myself remiss if I did not congratulate you nonetheless.¡±


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    Edan tipped his head, ignoring Cassie as she looked between her father and him with confusion.


    ¡°Nonsense. I simply assumed the birthing of my system to be so far below your attention as to be unworthy of recognition.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Edan! You birthed your system?¡± Cassie clapped excitedly, almost falling from the chair as she pulled him into a tight hug. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you! I thought you still had a couple of months before trying it?¡±


    Edan felt his heart rate pick up and tried his best not to enjoy the hug too much. Cassie¡¯s father was right there after all.


    ¡°I¡­got lucky, in the dungeon yesterday and it helped boost my stats,¡± Edan said lamely.


    Harvey looked like he didn¡¯t quite believe Edan¡¯s casual answer but he didn¡¯t mention it.


    ¡°Congratulations, lad,¡± he said instead, the teasing tone replaced with something more serious. ¡°You''ve truly begun your steps down the path of cultivation. Be warned, it is not an easy one.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a buzz kill, Dad.¡± Cassie waved away her father''s words before turning back to Edan. ¡°You must be so excited! How does it feel? You don¡¯t really look any different¡­actually, your skin looks a little paler. Like you need some sun.¡±


    Edan laughed, rubbing the skin along his arm self-consciously, and did a double take. He hadn''t had a chance to look too closely at himself since the dungeon but now that he did, Edan saw little lines marking his skin, like lines in marble. Each line was tiny and thinner than a strand of hair. It was only thanks to his higher perception he even noticed.


    It must be from the pool, he realized.


    ¡°Yeah, I was super excited,¡± Edan answered quickly, his moment of reflection having created an awkward pause. He caught his parents watching him out of the corner of their eyes as they finished off the pancake batter. ¡°And it feels amazing. Everything seems a little bit easier, even thinking. I¡¯m still at level 30. I can¡¯t imagine what people like Mum and Dad must feel.¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t tell you, son, I¡¯ve always been amazing,¡± Sanik said with a shrug. He added the dirty dishes to the sink and began cleaning them. ¡°Same goes for your mother of course.¡±


    Harvey and Cassie laughed as Reema slid the plate with the stack of pancakes onto the countertop and everyone began to dig in. Sanik topped up drinks.


    ¡°So why did you come here last night?¡± Cassie asked after she¡¯d finished her first pancake. She snagged another and poured a generous amount of syrup over it before looking between everyone.


    There was an awkward pause before Reema said, ¡°There is a good chance the Academy is looking for us.¡±


    ¡°And not for good reasons,¡± Sanik added around a mouthful of breakfast.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Cassie asked, wide eyes before turning to look at Edan. ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°Me? I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± Edan answered on reflex.


    ¡°Leave them be,¡± Harvey interrupted, putting his hand on Cassie''s shoulder. ¡°Whatever their reason may be, they are welcome here.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, I didn¡¯t mean-I mean of course they are.¡± Cassie looked embarrassed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to imply they weren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°It is rather strange, dear.¡± Reema agreed and smiled reassuringly. ¡°We appreciate the hospitality.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s everyone¡¯s plans for the day?¡± Cassie asked, obviously eager to move on.


    ¡°I shall man the counter, as I have always done,¡± Harvey replied first.


    Cassie rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to guilt me into working in the store today but I told you last night. Lorien should be back from the Sect Party and I want to hear all the gossip.¡±


    ¡°Sect Party?¡± Edan asked.


    ¡°Hmmm? Oh, yeah! Apparently, there was a party for the dungeon diving group last night to celebrate a successful run.¡± Cassie laughed and slapped her forehead. ¡°Of course, you know it was successful, you managed to birth your system¡­.I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t know about the party.¡±


    ¡°It was likely just a sect thing,¡± Edan muttered. Anger twisted his stomach. His pancake tasted like ash in his mouth and he struggled to swallow.


    ¡°You want to come?¡± Cassie asked Edan. ¡°It¡¯ll just be me and Lorien. We¡¯ll probably grab lunch or something.¡±


    ¡°Actually dear, do you think you could not tell Lorien about Edan being here?¡± Reema asked. ¡°I¡¯m sure she wouldn¡¯t tell the Academy, but the fewer people who know the better.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. I forgot about that. Sure, of course.¡± Cassie laughed again. ¡°This is why I hate mornings!¡±


    ¡°I figured I¡¯d help out around the store if you need it?¡± Edan asked Harvey from around Cassie.


    The old man stroked his beard in thought before nodding slowly.


    ¡°I could use a hand moving over one of the displays. I¡¯ve been having trouble getting the potions to sell.¡±


    ¡°I''m going to have a bit of a wander towards the store, maybe check around the Academy¡± Sanik added. ¡°See if anyone is actually looking for us.¡±


    Reema tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and took a sip of her tea. Her brown eyes rested on her husband affectionately.


    ¡°In that case, I better see if I can find transport out of the city if we need it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving?¡± Edan asked, shocked. ¡°I thought we¡¯d just lay low for a couple of days.¡±


    ¡°Worst case scenario,¡± Sanik assured him before pointing a fork at Edan. A bit of pancake was on the end, syrup dripping from it. ¡°Also, Tali mentioned she would be coming by to see you today. And no, before you ask, I don¡¯t know when.¡±


    Edan opened his mouth.


    ¡°And no, you can¡¯t go walk around outside. We¡¯re meant to be hiding and you have all the stealth of a whale on land.¡±


    Edan closed his mouth, thought of something, and opened it again.


    ¡°And yes, I do agree. I¡¯m incredible and you should give me your pocket money for the next three weeks in tribute to my awesomeness.¡± Sanik said before Edan could get a word out.


    ¡°That¡¯s not even close to what I was going to say,¡± Edan finally managed to butt in. ¡°also you don¡¯t even give me pocket money. My savings!¡±


    He nearly screamed the last part as he remembered he had forgotten to pack his savings last night.


    This is why you never pack while tired. Edan reminded himself.


    ¡°You¡¯re most certainly not going back to the store.¡± Reema chipped in.


    I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m broke again. Edan thought sadly.


    Breakfast broke up after that. Edan was left to clean the dishes while Cassie drifted off to shower. Harvey headed down to the store, followed by Reema and Sanik. Edan assumed they would tell him the real reason they were hiding once alone.


    Edan got done with the kitchen around the same time Cassie got done so he got cleaned up next. The water was cool against his skin, even as steam fogged the mirror and Edan wondered if it was his higher stats or his Path, that added to his heat resistance.


    The thought of his stats and Path made Edan pause. He stood there, a towel wrapped around his waist, as he looked at himself in the fogged-up mirror. Using a face towel to get rid of the moisture Edan swiped a line across the mirror.


    He looked the same. Same skinny frame, same curly black hair, and light blue eyes. Cassie was right, he did look paler than usual, but he assumed that was from the marks that covered his skin. Edan let out a long slow breath.


    He had expected more. For as long as he could remember, Edan had been dreaming of birthing his system. It had been all he wanted. He had imagined his life changing for the better. He¡¯d be bigger, stronger, more handsome. There¡¯d be a big party and people would congratulate him.


    Instead, everything had happened so fast Edan hadn¡¯t even had time to process it. He¡¯d birthed his system and felt no excitement. He hadn¡¯t even had time to go over all his stats Paths, and notifications. The only big party that had been thrown was for the very people who had tried to kill him.


    Edan stuffed the face towel against his mouth and screamed, the sound muffled thanks to the cloth.


    Taking a deep breath in, Edan set the face towel aside and left the bathroom, a smile on his face.

 CHAPTER 32

    ¡°Yeah, so that''s pretty much what happened.¡± Edan finished telling Harvey his side of the story.


    He¡¯d kept the details in line with what he had told his parents. Edan was tempted to ask him if he knew anything about the Four Star Heavenly Sect, but he didn¡¯t trust Harvey not to question him.


    ¡°Well, lad, it sounds like you had a tough time.¡± Harvey placed his elbows on the counter and steepled his fingers together. Resting his chin on his fingers he regarded Edan with a calm level look. ¡°How have you come through it?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Edan asked, turning away from the display of vials he was trying to set up.


    ¡°I have seen those with more raw talent than you stop cultivating for over far less. It is not an easy road you¡¯re walking lad, power such as those achieved by the figures at the very top, is not something easily obtained.¡± Harvey¡¯s light grey eyes took on a distant look. ¡°Has your brush with death made you doubt yourself?¡±


    Edan adjusted the vials by size, placing little folded cards with handwritten prices next to each one. He thought quietly about Harvey¡¯s question as he worked. Finally happy with the arrangement, Edan stepped back and admired his work.


    The vials had been set up next to the counter on a dias of wood. Each vial was clamped in place by delicate metal braces. Healing was at the very top, the thick red liquid looking so much like blood. Stamina and Mana took the next two levels down, yellow and blue liquid shining brightly. The final row was for the random vials, mostly to do with resistance, their contents all different colors.


    Turning back to Harvey, Edan chewed on his lip before shrugging.


    ¡°Not really. I was scared for a bit, but it was fear at the moment. I don¡¯t think I''m still scared. I just feel¡­angry. Really angry.¡± he admitted.


    Harvey watched Edan grit his teeth and ball his fists but didn¡¯t say anything, instead simply letting him talk.


    ¡°I¡¯m angry because they treated my life like it was cheap! Aser tried to kill me, lower realms! He thinks he did, and for what? Because I threatened to challenge their status quo. Because I broke through to the top nine? Top nine! Not even the top three.¡± Edan could feel himself getting worked up and took a deep breath. ¡°Sorry. I just¡­I dunno.¡±


    ¡°It''s the ideal, not the action,¡± Harvey said, before explaining when Edan gave him a confused look. ¡°You threatened an ideal. You showed that the Sect''s dominance was not as secure as they thought. To you, it was a small thing. A rank in a class. To those who use those ideals for their own ends, it was an attack.¡±


    ¡°Well, fuck them!¡± Edan snapped before scrunching up his eyes hard enough that he saw stars. ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to get angry.¡±


    ¡°Anger is an understandable response.¡±


    ¡°I want to hurt them,¡± Edan admitted.


    ¡°Also a valid response. Have you come up with a plan?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m working on one,¡± Edan smiled, though his eyes remained cold. ¡°I just need to see if it¡¯ll work.¡±


    ¡°I will be here if you need anything. Now, be a good lad and switch the sign to open.¡±


    Edan knew Harvey was perfectly capable of changing the sign without even standing up, but he also knew it was Harvey¡¯s way of changing the topic to something less heavy. Edan was thankful for that. He disliked wallowing in his own dark thoughts.


    Done with the display, Edan wandered around the store straightening shelves and tidying up where he could. Customers popped in and out, the bell over the door chiming with each. Occasional Edan would peek over, interested to see the clientele.


    Edan was of course at the very back of the store, trying to de-web a barrel, when Harvey¡¯s voice called him.


    Tali stood before the man, the counter between them like a shield. The Titan towered over Harvey, her head almost touching the ceiling.


    ¡°You had a hand in Edan¡¯s rescue,¡± Harvey was saying as Edan approached. ¡°So that has earned you some trust. But we are watching you.¡±


    ¡°Your guild is known to me,¡± Tali answered back, her gaze level and her voice soft. ¡°Watch as needed.¡±


    She turned and smiled as Edan reached them.


    ¡°Emge, you are well?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good. I was actually hoping to talk to you-¡±


    ¡°And I, you.¡± Tali looked at Harvey before gesturing towards the door. ¡°Accompany me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to leave the building.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll probably be fine around the block,¡± Harvey said, settling back into his chair with a groan. ¡°Most of the residents here don''t take kindly to nosy questions and searching eyes. Keep your head down and don¡¯t wander far and you''ll be safe.¡±


    ¡°Mum and Dad-¡±


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    ¡°Are not here.¡± Harvey inclined his head towards Tali. ¡°She knows what I mean when I say you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Edan looked between the two before deciding it wasn¡¯t worth worrying about. He trusted Harvey and if the man said he¡¯d be fine, he¡¯d be fine. If Reema and Sanik found out, he¡¯d just throw Harvey to the wolves.


    ¡°For the honored parents to hold importance to a man such as him, there must be a story,¡± Tali said as they exited the store.


    It was a gloomy day, the clouds in the sky dark grey and heavy. The temperature had dropped, a gentle breeze drifting through the streets bringing with it the smell of ozone and wet earth. Edan hoped it wouldn¡¯t rain, but he wouldn¡¯t bet against it.


    Tali gestured down the street and Edan fell into step with her. Around them people hustled past, their eyes darting upwards. A few store owners had come outside to collect their boards and standing signs.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what Mum and Dad did, they don¡¯t talk much about their past or the jobs they work for Harvey, but he¡¯s always been a part of my life.¡± Edan stepped over a hole in the road. Overhead thunder rumbled. ¡°I trust him.¡±


    Tali inclined her head in acknowledgment and spoke no further on the subject.


    ¡°I have been banished from the city,¡± she said instead.


    ¡°That''s a thing?¡± Edan asked in shock.


    ¡°The Academy holds much sway in this city and a broken oath to them does not leave many doors open. They cannot risk me joining the Traders Guild. Their balance of power is fragile. This is their solution.¡±


    "And us? Are they looking for us?"


    "They are," Tali admitted slowly. "But they were distracted during my questioning and those that were present know better than to push me."


    ¡°So what does that mean for us? Aren¡¯t you meant to be my mentor and show me the way of the Va? Are you leaving the planet?¡±


    Tali¡¯s hand settled on Edan¡¯s shoulder, their height difference made it look comical as she barely had to bend her arm.


    ¡°The oath sworn for entry to this world is different to the one sworn to the Academy. The original remains unbroken.¡±


    Edan¡¯s heart rate picked up as he heard her mention the oath for entry into the world. He remembered what Kiba had said.


    ¡°I may not be welcome in this city, but the Academy has no control of the wilds to the North. If I am honest, I am eager to leave the city. It is small and delicate.¡± Tali smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to go stay in the forests?¡± Edan asked, incredulously.


    Tali nodded. ¡°There is comfort in the familiar and it is a good place to train. You will come with me. I am your Te''Roro Bwaka.¡±


    ¡°I''ll what?¡± Edan thought he had misheard her.


    ¡°You will come with me to the wilds. There are creatures to fight and I will train you.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Right. I¡¯ll just come live in the bush with you.¡± Edan laughed, shaking his head at the absurdity.


    ¡°Do you not wish to get stronger? Do you now have something you wish to achieve? What of those that sought your death, do you let them walk away?¡±


    ¡°I have plans for them.¡±


    ¡°What are those plans?¡±


    Edan kicked a pebble and watched it skitter across the coble stone road before hitting the curb and rebounding. It narrowly missed a man walking past and he glared at Edan.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take part in the Proving Tournament at the end of the year, in Solaris, and force the Sects to acknowledge me.¡±


    ¡°You still seek their acknowledgment?¡± Tali sounded confused, her brow scrunched up as she tried to see his logic.


    ¡°I seek their acknowledgment so I can throw it away while the whole world watches,¡± Edan said between clenched teeth, his hands balling into fists as he felt his nails bite into the palm of his hand. ¡° I¡¯m going to win! I¡¯m going to win and show them all the Sects aren¡¯t needed. They don¡¯t get to choose who stands at the top.¡±


    Tali smiled, her eyes shining bright.


    ¡°Yes! There will be many fights!¡± She said, sounding thrilled at his idea. ¡°And you will need strength. You will need to train. You will need me.¡±


    Edan didn¡¯t have a response to that and Tali smiled victoriously.


    ¡°You will come to the wilds with me.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see Mum letting me leave.¡±


    ¡°You are graded, no longer a babe to be coddled,¡± Tali said with finality. They had turned the block and were walking back the way they had come along a different road. Edan cast about, wondering if anyone was watching them, but most of the people passing by ignored them and the few that made eye contact were quick to look away. ¡°You must walk your path.¡±


    Edan thought he detected a hint of desperation in Tali¡¯s soft voice.


    He knew what she was trying to say. That didn¡¯t mean Edan wouldn¡¯t talk it over with his parents.


    ¡°I have a question for you,¡± Edan said, looking to change the topic for now. He stopped walking, forcing Tali to do the same. His heart beat wildly in his chest.


    ¡°Are the Four Star Sect going to destroy this world?¡±


    Edan blurted it out, never taking his eyes off of the Titan. He wanted to see her reaction. She froze, her body turning into a towering statue. The wind had picked up and it tugged at Edan¡¯s hair and the corners of Tali¡¯s robes, making the fabric flap in the breeze.


    Edan felt his heart sink.


    Her lack of answer was answer enough. Any hopes of Kiba lying vanished and Edan was left with the harsh reality of a future he wasn¡¯t sure how to stop. With the hopelessness came anger but he forced it down deep.


    ¡°What was the plan?¡± He asked his words coming out in a harsh whisper. ¡°Take me under your wing, maybe take me off world, and hope I never questioned why my world and family just disappeared?¡±


    Tali remained frozen, her eyes watching Edan.


    ¡°Or what? If I didn¡¯t live up to your expectations you¡¯d leave me here, clueless, to die with everyone?¡±


    Tali didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°Answer me, dammit!¡± Edan yelled, not caring at the attention his outburst had gathered.


    ¡°Banishment can be the penalty for a broken oath,¡± Tali finally said slowly as if she were picking her words very carefully. ¡°But that is not the worst. Some oaths, when broken, take a skill, or even levels, as punishment. And some can take your very cultivation.¡±


    Edan¡¯s eyes turned wide with horror as he realized what she was saying.


    ¡°Why would you agree to something like that?¡±


    ¡°We all have our own goals, Emge. Your goal makes sense to me now and I will stand with you when the sects seek to destroy you.¡± Tali¡¯s soft amber eyes drilled into Edan as she leaned forward. ¡°But do not forget, I too have goals I must achieve, and I have already sacrificed much for them.¡±


    Edan felt like an idiot. He¡¯d never thought to wonder why Tali was even on Terra.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I am here for you, Emge.¡± Tali responded as the first fat drops of rain began to fall.

 CHAPTER 33

    It was two days after Edan¡¯s talk with Tali. She had refused to elaborate on her answer and instead insisted he would come to understand with time. Edan had no clue what he was meant to understand and when the time would be.


    He had returned to Harvey¡¯s confused, grumpy, and wet.


    True to his word, Reema and Sanik didn¡¯t get angry at Edan for leaving the store once he explained Harvey¡¯s insistence. Sanik had shrugged and said it was fine. Apparently, the entire block was actually the headquarters for the Thieves Guild. Most of the stores were a front and most of the store owners were members.


    Edan couldn¡¯t be bothered thinking too deeply about it. Instead, he spent the days helping Harvey out or moping around, feeling sorry for himself. Cassie joined him for a bit. She¡¯d had a falling out with Lorien over something small, the other girl telling Cassie she didn¡¯t understand Sect life and that their friendship had grown old.


    While Edan would have done his best to avoid gossip, he¡¯d grown bored enough to show an interest. It was only after Cassie had used his shirt as a tissue to wipe her runny nose that he decided he had better places to be.


    Reema and Sanik had been gone for most of the time. Sanik had come back yesterday looking depressed. Over dinner, he¡¯d explained that something major was happening up at the Academy. Not only were members of the school actively searching for them, but there was also talk of pulling in resources to begin a proper manhunt. Sanik expected wanted posters any day now.


    Harvey had expressed shock at the lengths they were going, something Sanik didn¡¯t have an answer to.


    Reema had likewise been busy trying to find ways for them to leave the city, should the need arise. A prospect that was becoming increasingly more likely. She¡¯d had little luck. What contacts she was still on good terms with were being watched closely. Of those, the ones that would take the risk were either unavailable or asking for insane amounts of Tokens.


    It was for those reasons that both of Edan¡¯s parents agreed that he should take Tali up on her offer. Harvey agreed as it was likely the barges heading up the Kentushi River were being watched, but the roads into the forests to the north? Not likely. There was nothing up that way but danger and death.


    Early on the third morning after they¡¯d escaped the dungeon, Edan slipped out of Harvey¡¯s. He had a cloak wrapped around his shoulders, the hood drawn up to hide his face. Sanik accompanied him.


    ¡°At least the rain will make it hard to track us, and it gives us a reason to wear our hoods up,¡± Sanik said as he pulled his own cloak tight around him.


    The last two days of rain had turned the roads into shallow streams of muddy water. Fat drops of rain pounded down on the rooftops, overflowing gutters and turning overhangs into small waterfalls. The sun should have been rising, but the thick cloud cover was impossible to penetrate leaving the morning grey and miserable. A few of the stores around them had their lights on, the orange and white squares struggling to illuminate the gloom.


    Edan ducked his head low and followed his father along the sidewalk. He was glad his boots were high quality. He¡¯d have hated to walk in wet socks. The streets were empty, other than the occasional bit of floating trash that washed past.


    The pair tried to keep to the edge of the footpath, closest to the stores, in the hopes of some protection from the elements, but they¡¯d barely made it to the end of the block before they were both sporting wet patches where their cloaks had opened on accident.


    ¡°Lovely weather, aye?¡± Sanik said loudly, struggling to be heard over the pitter-patter of rain. The cheer in his voice was impossible to ignore and Edan laughed.


    ¡°Perfect weather for a stroll,¡± he answered.


    ¡°Remember when you were young and you used to run out to the backyard so you could play in the mud when it rained like this?¡±


    ¡°A little. Why?¡±


    ¡°No reason,¡± Sanik answered. ¡°Just thought you might want to stop for a bit. There''s some nice mud right over there.¡±


    Sanik pointed towards a patch of waterlogged ground. Edan kicked water at his father, wetting his own pants in the process.


    Chatting to pass the time, father and son walked out of Stratta. They passed the Traders Guild, its wrought iron gates closed and the compound inside covered in puddles. Not a person moved in the downpour.


    ¡°Where exactly did Tali say she was?¡± Sanik asked as the buildings began to thin out.


    The structures around them grew worn and broken down. Most were abandoned, though Edan saw a few of the cities poor or homeless huddled under sagging roofs, the doors of the buildings long since reduced to splinters. The gardens, once well-tended and neat, were overgrown bushes and long grass, their blades sagging under the weight of the raindrops.


    ¡°She said to follow the old road north until it stops. Then continue until only grass remains.¡± Edan shrugged. ¡°She¡¯s been very mysterious lately.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a woman. They¡¯re all mysterious.¡± Sanik answered before tilting his head in thought. ¡°Though, she is worse than most. I¡¯d imagine it¡¯s not by choice, so we can¡¯t judge her too harshly on it.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Edan stepped over a crack in the road. Water streamed through it like a river through a canyon. Tufts of grass struggled to keep from drowning. Edan¡¯s boots splashed through the puddles, his pants long since soaked and sticking uncomfortably to his skin.


    ¡°I can¡¯t identify her, so she¡¯s definitely higher level than I am. She¡¯s also from a powerful faction. Powerful people from powerful places often have responsibilities others wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°She said something similar,¡± Edan admitted. ¡°And I get that she can¡¯t tell me everything¡­but I was just asking for directions!¡±


    Sanik laughed.


    "I''ve got to give her my respect though," Sanik continued. "whatever is going on up at the Academy is big, and somehow we''ve ended up smack in the middle of it. They would have leaned on her hard to give them details on your mother and me...or just me, I suppose, since the elder didn''t see your mum."


    "But she didn''t."


    "Nope, not even to ease her punishment."


    Eventually, the road beneath their feet became more dirt than cobblestone. The buildings this far out were little more than skeletal frames of wood or stone in a sea of wild grass. This was further out than Edan had gone when he had been following the group for Harvey.


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    The dirt path rose gently over a hill and as it sloped down the other side the path tapered off, reclaimed by nature.


    ¡°Well, there''s the end of the path, and there''s the grass,¡± Sanik said, stomping forward. The ground beneath his feet turned muddy and pulled at his boots. ¡°Careful.¡± he cautioned.


    Edan chose to walk slightly to the left of his father, not at all eager to follow in his muddy steps. ¡°So now we continue until all that remains is grass.¡±


    Squinting through the rain, Edan looked around. He couldn¡¯t see far but what he could see was barren and empty. The dark shadows of trees off in the distance set a foreboding background, but near them were little more than grassy planes.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t any monsters out here are there?¡± Edan asked, curious.


    ¡°Nah, the sects often get their junior members and outer disciples to sweep through here killing anything that might become a threat. It¡¯s pretty good experience for them.¡± Sanik scratched at his beard. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to be out here alone during the Season of Storms though. The beast tides are fairly easy to predict, but you¡¯ll get a few high-level monsters hanging around here looking for trouble.¡±


    Edan looked up as thunder rolled across the sky. A second later lightning flashed, illuminating their surroundings. Edan felt part of him reach out to it, eager to understand. The lightning faded as quickly as it had come and Edan felt that part of him go dormant.


    Maybe I need to study storms to increase my Path of Lightning? Edan wondered.


    ¡°I think this is it,¡± Sanik said, coming to a stop.


    Edan turned in a slow circle. They were standing among knee-high grass.


    ¡°How can you tell?¡± Edan asked.


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t see the path anymore, there''s grass everywhere, and if we continue to head in that direction,¡± Sanik pointed over Edan¡¯s left shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll enter the forests.¡±


    Edan turned around to see and jumped back with a yelp. A lumbering form appeared from the rain, its shape gigantic.


    Behind Edan, Sanik laughed at his son''s reaction.


    ¡°Not funny,¡± Edan muttered. ¡°How long have you known she was there?¡±


    ¡°Since we stopped,¡± Sanik admitted, still laughing. ¡°You really need to start relying on your high perception, son.¡±


    ¡°There is much that needs to be remedied,¡± Tali said, her soft voice somehow carrying through the rain. Rain plastered her hair to her face and soaked through her brown robes, making it stick to her muscular frame.


    ¡°Tali,¡± Sanik said by way of greeting.


    ¡°Honoured father.¡±


    ¡°Te''Roro Bwaka,¡± Edan said, dipping his head in respect.


    It was about time they started acting like Master and disciple.


    Tali nodded at Edan.


    ¡°Good.¡± she turned to Sanik. ¡°You may leave.¡±


    ¡°Hold up,¡± Sanik said. ¡°I¡¯m not just handing my son over without a few questions. Where are you staying? Do you have a camp?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Reema and I would like to come visit. Where can we find your camp? Better yet, why don¡¯t you show me so I can find it again later.¡±


    ¡°You will not visit. Edan will visit you when he is able.¡±


    Sanik looked like he wanted to argue but Edan stopped him with a shake of his head.


    ¡°Fine. But this is temporary. We¡¯re looking for a way to leave Stratta. You¡¯re welcome to come, but Edan will be coming with us.¡±


    Tali dipped her head, streams of water running down her brow and pouring from the tip of her nose.


    It was time.


    Edan stepped forward, grabbing his father in a tight hug.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Dad, I¡¯ll come visit soon. You guys just focus on staying safe. They¡¯re looking for you too.¡±


    ¡°Your mum and I are used to staying hidden, besides,¡± Sanik made his eyebrows jump. ¡°Things might settle down enough for us to get that baby made.¡±


    ¡°And on that note, I drown myself in a puddle.¡± Edan mimed diving into a nearby pool of rainwater making Sanik laugh. ¡°Love you, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Love you too, son.¡±


    ¡°Come.¡± Tali motioned for Edan to follow.


    Turning his back on his waving father, Edan followed Tali deeper into the wilderness. The grass field around them faded as trees took their place. Small at first, they were little more than saplings with thin branches and bright leaves. The deeper they went the larger the trees became until they towered over the pair.


    The canopy above provided some cover from the rain, but water collected on leaves, and each drop became a small bucket worth being dumped on their head. The smell of moist soil filled the air. Twigs crunched under Edan''s feet.


    ¡°Remove your cloak,¡± Tali said, stepping over a large branch. Bright orange fungus grew along it like a rash.


    ¡°And the rain?¡± Edan had to scramble over the same branch, his boot slipping on its wet surface.


    ¡°It is just rain. It cannot hurt you.¡±


    Not thrilled at the thought of getting wet, Edan complied. He pulled his cloak from around him, bundling the wet cloth into a ball that he tucked under his arm. Slung over his back was his pack.


    ¡°Pass your pack.¡±


    Tali held her hand. No sooner had Edan handed it over, than it vanished. He assumed to her spatial ring, though he realized she wore none. She must have a different storage device.


    Satisfied, Tali continued on, the ground beneath their feet tilting up. Edan followed, brushing his wet hair out of his face. The ground grew steadily steeper until Edan was almost bent double to keep his balance. Tali seemed to have little issue, her feet drove into the ground with each stride, her balance perfect.


    ¡°The honored father was correct,¡± She said once they stopped at the crest of the hill. ¡°You must learn to rely on your stats. You behave as if you are ungraded. This must stop or your own mind will limit your strength.¡±


    Edan took a deep breath in through his nose, focusing on it to help center himself. It was easy. He wasn¡¯t out of breath. He didn¡¯t even feel tired. Edan took another breath. He could smell the forest. Not just the moist soil, but the sharp natural scent of sap, the earthy scent of mulch and decaying leaves that blanketed the forest floor.


    Tali waited, her amber eyes closed, her face peaceful.


    Edan felt his clothes against his skin. It was uncomfortable. But it actually wasn¡¯t. He was just used to wet clothes being uncomfortable. If he focused Edan realised it was just pressure. Like the rain that soaked him. It was cold, he could feel that much, but the cold didn¡¯t penetrate deep. It didn¡¯t affect him.


    ¡°That''s trippy.¡± Edan laughed, holding his hand out as he slowly closed his palm, feeling the muscles in his forearm bunch.


    ¡°Listen,¡± Tali said, tapping her ear. ¡°What do you hear?¡±


    Edan closed his eyes, doing what she did, and just focused on listening. Each raindrop beat a different pattern at a different volume. Some, like those closest, wanted the most attention, but past that the pitter-patter from high above reminded Edan that there was a whole canopy protecting them. The sound overlapped and combined to create white noise that was oddly comforting.


    ¡°Now, we run.¡±


    Edan opened his eyes, surprised, as Tali took off running down the other side of the hill. Edan shouted out and sprinted after her. Tali moved through the forest like a wrecking ball. She avoided trees where she could, but twigs and branches became splinters. She didn¡¯t hop over fallen logs but stomped through them.


    Believe in your stats! Edan told himself, looking to Tali as inspiration.


    Edan jumped over a fallen log, easily clearing it. He hit the ground hard and rolled, his high dexterity helping to guide his movements, turning the once clumsy action fluid. Springing to his feet, one foot slipped in the mud but his balance shifted and he continued without issue.


    Edan realized why Tali had made him run. Everyone knew how to run. After a certain point, it became instinct and since it was instinct, Edan didn¡¯t think too hard about it. He just decided on his path and his body did what it could to accommodate him, pulling from his stats as needed.


    Ahead of him, Tali shouldered her way through two trees that had grown too close to each other for her to pass. Each trunk was as thick as Edan¡¯s waist but exploded like chipped confetti.


    Edan was too close to slow down so he jumped. Crossing his arms before his face to protect his eyes from flying splinters, Edan cleared the jagged stumps before the trees hit the ground.


    Landing in another roll Edan jumped to his feet, a smile plastered across his face.


    There was a tree in his path. Inspired by Tali and with the smile still on his face, Edan ran straight into it, intent on its destruction.


    And bounced off with a crack.

 CHAPTER 34

    Edan touched his nose gingerly. It had healed. Mostly. Something he was glad for. After his incident with the tree, Edan''s beloved sniffer had been little more than a pancake and he¡¯d struggled to breathe past the blood and snot.


    Tali had laughed and advised him to play to his strength. He didn¡¯t have the raw strength or mass to do what she did. Not yet, she said. As punishment for not using his head, though Edan argued he had used his head, literally, Tali had made him complete the run.


    What had been fun turned into a nightmare as Edan huffed along, taking great gulping breaths through his mouth as he spat out his own blood and phlegm as it leaked down his face.


    The camp was situated next to the grass banks of a pool fed from a small waterfall. A large tent was strung up between two trees, with a ring of stones and wet clumpy ash marking the firepit. A log had been placed beside it as a makeshift bench and it was on this that Edan sat.


    Tali had wandered over to the pool to fill up a pot with water. Edan watched as she returned.


    Fiddling with the firepit, a white stone appeared in her hand. It looked like marble and she set it down in the center of the stones. Ash smeared dark streaks across its surface. Putting the pot over it, Tali covered it with a lid and settled back on the log beside Edan.


    ¡°What''s that?¡± he asked.


    ¡°A hot stone. For when you need to cook but the wood is wet.¡±


    ¡°Useful.¡±


    ¡°Wasteful,¡± Tali said and laughed. When Edan looked at her she waved a hand in the air. ¡°According to my father. Enchanters are rare among Titans. There are the Rune Marked Titan¡¯s followers, but theirs are runes of war and devastation. Enchanted items such as that stone are incredibly expensive. I have more than enough cooked food in storage and you will find the higher your level the less you need to eat. A hot stone at my level is unnecessary and wasteful.¡±


    ¡°Then why have it?¡±


    ¡°I enjoy camping and there is peace in cooking,¡± Tali said simply, her eyes on the pot.


    ¡°Well, you obviously haven¡¯t seen Reema or Sanik cook.¡± Edan joked.


    A wooden board appeared between the two, balanced on the log. Next, an old knife appeared on it followed shortly by a lump of meat. The board tipped, about to fall and on reflex, Edan snatched at it. Vegetables began to appear and Edan had to juggle it all to keep anything from falling.


    ¡°Good, you are trusting your stats.¡±


    Edan scowled at Tali but the Titan simply laughed and directed him to chop it all up. Into the pot the ingredients went, followed by a pinch of seasoning from Tali. Her fingers weren¡¯t small and the pinch wasn¡¯t inconsiderable. Edan¡¯s mouth watered as he picked up the smell of the soup.


    Tali stood. The heavy rain had turned to a light shower. Motioning for Edan to follow she moved a bit away from the cooking meal and gestured for him to stand beside her.


    ¡°I will teach you The Dance.¡± She said by way of explanation.


    ¡°Uhh, thanks, but I¡¯m not really a great dancer. I¡¯ve never had much interest.¡±


    ¡°It is not that kind of dance. Watch.¡±


    Edan remained silent as Tali began her dance. She began with slow, steady movements, almost swaying as her arms slowly rose up her body. There was an instant where she froze before her form blurred with speed and she was in another position a step away from Edan. She turned and skipped, then twirled, raindrops flying from her as her robe rose and snapped. She gradually slowed down again. Edan thought she had frozen but noticed her feet shift slightly. Tali blurred again, her form twisting and whipping as she twirled about the clearing.


    It was violent and beautiful and Edan was left sure of one thing.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a dance.¡± He said when Tali had finished.


    ¡°It is not a dance,¡± Tali agreed. ¡°It is The Dance.¡±


    ¡°Why is it a dance?¡±


    ¡°I cannot tell you. You must find out for yourself.¡±


    ¡°And if I don''t?¡± Edan wondered aloud.


    ¡°There is always an answer to be found, and when you do,¡± Tali said, once more standing beside him. ¡°The Dance will become yours.¡±


    "Now come," She motioned for him to stand beside her. "I will show you the beginning, that which we teach to our children."


    Tali took him through the first few steps, stopping occasionally to check on the soup. The movements she showed him were basic but she was an exacting instructor and pointed out every flaw. If he stepped forward and his balance shifted off by the smallest degree she would have him begin again. If he raised an arm and it went an inch too high, she would have him repeat it.


    Learning the moves became secondary to controlling his frustration. Just when he thought he would snap, Tali called him over for breakfast. Or Lunch. Edan had lost track of time and the gloomy sky didn¡¯t help much. Pulling up his system he saw it was closer to lunch.


    The meal was hot and the morning''s activities had left Edan starving, making it taste all the better. He groaned when felt the Vitalis leak into his body and slurped greedily at the soup.


    ¡°The meat,¡± Tali said, watching Edan eat. ¡°It is from a graded beast. You will be responsible for getting more.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, you will hunt. These woods have much that you can eat, and much that will try to eat you.¡± Tali watched him over her own bowl, steam rising like smoky fingers from its surface to caress her face.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to that,¡± Edan said, and he meant it.


    ¡°There is only one rule to follow, Emge. Never attack those weaker, unless attacked first.¡±


    Edan nodded his agreement. He wasn¡¯t interested in those weaker than him anyway. He remembered the thrill of fighting against his higher-ranked classmates, and the hound in the dungeon.


    ¡°I understand,¡± he said at last.


    ¡°Good.¡± Tali put her now empty bowl down and stood to her impressive height. ¡°I will be back for dinner. Tomorrow you must hunt, but today¡­you can rest if you wish.¡±


    Walking off at a leisurely pace, Tali disappeared into the woods, her direction taking her deeper into the wilds.


    Suddenly alone, the sounds of the surrounding forests seemed amplified. The buzz of insects and chirps of birds mixed with the now familiar roar of the waterfall. Edan shifted, uncomfortable sitting with his back to the woods.


    Collecting the bowls and the pot, Edan quickly washed them in the pool, before propping them up on each other to dry.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t even leave me my bag,¡± Edan said out loud, laughing to himself.


    Edan had been putting off meditation for the last couple of days. In part because he hadn¡¯t been in the right mind space, but also because he didn¡¯t really know what to say to Kiba.


    ¡°What''s new? Nothing, just been a whiny little bitch.¡± wasn¡¯t exactly the update he wanted to give.


    Now or never.


    Finding a nice spot near the pool, Edan settled down with his back to it so he could see if anything snuck up on him from the woods. The ground was soaking wet and he felt it seep through his pants. The discomfort was almost laughable when he remembered all he¡¯d been through.


    Closing his eyes, Edan fell into his SoulScape, hoping he¡¯d be conscious enough of his surroundings to not become a quick snack for a monster walking past.


    -


    Tali stood hidden in the tree line along the cliff face up behind the camp. Off to her right the stream of water poured over the side in a small but powerful waterfall. Below, she could see her tent and the small clearing where she had shown Edan The Dance.


    She watched as he cleaned the plates and set them to dry near the campfire. And she smiled when he settled down to meditate.


    Tali had purposefully left with his gear. She did not want him setting up a tent and hiding inside. He must become used to hostile environments and being on alert, even when resting.


    Edan had shown good instincts. Choosing a position that was defensible. Keeping his back to the pool stopped anything from circling around him easily.


    Tali was also pleased with how he didn¡¯t shy away from sitting on the wet ground. It was a small step, but it was important. Edan had been coddled too much by his parents. They treated him as if he were a child, in need of protection.


    She didn¡¯t blame them. Part of her was jealous of Edan and the open love his parents showed him. But that very same love would do him no more favors in life. Tali had seen the fire in Edan¡¯s eyes when he¡¯d told her he wanted to win the Proving Tournament.


    She had seen the same fire when he had stood before his class and prepared to fight them all.


    Tali picked up a stone, bouncing it in her hand, before throwing it down towards the woods next to her tent.


    -


    ¡°Hey, Kid, been a while!¡± Kiba called out as Edan appeared next to him.


    ¡°Have you even moved?¡± Edan asked. The other man was lying in the exact same position he had seen him in last.


    ¡°Nope. Why would I? Where would I go? The other side of this hill?¡± Kiba laughed, his eyes flickering through a wide range of red hues.


    Edan opened his mouth to retort when he heard a crack of splintering wood. It took him a second to register that it wasn¡¯t coming from his SoulScape.


    ¡°Be right back!¡± He called to Kiba as he regained consciousness.


    Remaining still, Edan looked towards the woods. Turning his head slowly, while trying to appear nonchalant about it, he let his eyes slide over the shrubbery lining the clearing. He knew better than to look for anything in particular. Instead, he looked for movement. Movement was easier to see.


    Nothing jumped out at him but he remained vigilant. For the next five minutes, he sat still, his eyes half closed, as he pretended to meditate. Nothing changed in his surroundings and eventually, he allowed himself to drift back to his SoulScape.


    ¡°All good, kid?¡± Kiba asked. He was sitting up now, his knees bent in front of him as he leaned back on his arms.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry about that. I¡¯m actually out in the wilds so I¡¯m just being a bit careful.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh, good to see you¡¯re taking the whole ¡®getting stronger¡¯ thing seriously.¡± Kiba patted the grass next to him. ¡°Have a seat kid, fill me in.¡±


    Taking him up on the offer Edan sat down and explained the last couple of days, trying his best to glaze over the top of his foul mood. Kiba didn¡¯t seem particularly interested in that part, but he perked up when Edan mentioned Tali.


    ¡°So you are apprenticed to a Titan,¡± Kiba said, sounding impressed.


    ¡°She calls me her Bwaka. Is that like an apprentice?¡±


    Kiba see-sawed his hand back and forth. ¡°No one but the Titans themselves would know exactly what it means and they¡¯re a secretive lot, but from what I know, Te''Roro Bwaka literally translates to Age of War. I know they call certain warriors by that title as well so I could be wrong about the translation. Bwaka would then mean war, or maybe ward? Ward during war?¡±


    Kiba looked at Edan out of the corner of his eye. ¡°How¡¯d you get apprenticed to one, kid?¡±


    Edan scratched the back of his head. ¡°Dunno, she kinda just¡­chose me, and I figured it was worth it to get strong. She mentioned my blood if that helps?¡±


    ¡°Blood, aye? I know they have a boosting skill that requires they burn the Vitalis in their blood, she could be interested in that. I wonder,¡± Kiba tapped his jaw with one finger, a strand of red hair falling across his forehead. ¡°Did your strange blood have anything to do with how you survived in the pool?¡±


    ¡°How would we tell?¡± Edan asked, interested.


    ¡°Not a clue. My true body may know a way, but as I am now?¡± Kiba held his hands up in the universal sign of a shrug. ¡°What''s your Titan¡¯s name?¡±


    ¡°Tali.¡±


    ¡°Tali what? They usually have a tribal name as well.¡±


    Edan wondered if she¡¯d ever said what it was.


    ¡°No idea, unless it¡¯s Genesis? That''s the only extension of her name I¡¯ve heard. Tali the Genesis Titan.¡±


    Kiba whistled, looking impressed. He clapped Edan on the back.


    ¡°You, kid, are one lucky sunnovabitch.¡±


    ¡°What? Why? You¡¯re a bitch!¡± Edan said the last part was more reflex than conscious thought.


    ¡°The Titan race isn¡¯t very large. Their cultivators rarely leave their home world except on their pilgrimages, but in all the realms they stand near the top. This is for one simple reason, out of all the factions, it''s the one that produces the most Major gods. There are some Titans who, when they birth their system, create a Legacy specifically designed to evolve them to godhood.¡±


    Edan listened quietly, hiding his shock. It was the first time he had heard the term Major god but he¡¯d ask about that later. The mention of Legacy though was very interesting. Edan remembered his own.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the details of the Legacy. It''s one of those secrets they kill for. But I do know there are never two of the same type of Major God at a time and that they give up their tribal name in honor of their path."


    ¡°Rune Marked Titan,¡± Edan muttered, remembering what Tali had said around the campfire, and then it clicked. ¡°Holy shit, Tali is the Genesis Titan!¡±


    ¡°Exactly kid, something about you caught the attention of a Titan that''s destined for godhood,¡± Kiba laughed. ¡°And your SoulScape is strong enough to contain the remnants of a Primordial. Kid, just what are you?¡±

 CHAPTER 35

    Branches whipped by as Edan sprinted through the forest, the trees becoming a blur. Ahead the [Roaring Boar] crashed through a bush, its high-pitched squeals muffled by the foliage.


    Edan hurdled a fallen branch and used it to springboard himself into the air. Pulling a dagger from the sheath on his chest he used [Throw]. The boar¡¯s squeal changed in pitch as the blade nicked its hind leg, drawing a line of blood along its heel. The blade sank into the ground.


    Landing hard, Edan rolled to his feet and scooped up his dagger. All without breaking stride. Dropping his shoulder he pushed through the bush with brute force, twigs and broken branches pulled at his clothes but snapped under his unrelenting forward momentum.


    ¡°Get back here!¡± Edan yelled, getting a mouthful of leaves for his trouble. Spitting them out he burst from the bushes and slid to a halt.


    The boar had turned. No longer fleeing, it faced him head-on. It rose to Edan¡¯s shoulders and was broader than he was. A large, heavy head swung from side to side and it snorted angrily. Twin tusks rose from each corner of its mouth, saliva hanging in a long string from its whiskered chin.


    It snorted again, its hot breath blowing up dust as it pawed at the ground. Beady eyes glared at Edan.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re getting angry at me,¡± Edan muttered, adjusting his stance slowly as he reached behind him. ¡°You attacked me first.¡±


    An argument could be made that technically, Edan had assaulted it first. If you consider peeing on the bush it was napping under assault.


    The boar huffed one more time before dropping its head and charging. Edan watched it come, his knees bent. At the last second he dove out of the way, landing on one shoulder he rolled back to his feet and drew the punch dagger from his back. It had been a present from Reema and Sanik. A replacement for his old ones that had been lost in the dungeon. Even his armor had been a gift.


    The boar struggled to slow its bulk and moved in a loose circle, its head tilted as it tried to find Edan again. Edan surged forward at the same time its dark eyes landed on him.


    Throwing its head back, the boar roared. A sound like nails on a chalkboard drove deep into Edan¡¯s ears and his run turned into a stagger as he almost dropped his punch dagger. Pressing the heel of his hands against his ears he tried to block the noise out. It didn¡¯t help.


    [Charge] activated and Edan flew forward, the skill taking over his movement. Faster than the boar could react Edan was in front of it, his dagger flashing in the weak sunlight that filtered through the thick canopy overhead. The uppercut Edan threw had all of his strength behind it and the momentum of his skill. It was still barely enough to break the boar''s hide. It did snap its jaws closed though.


    Pushing off, Edan retreated. A thin trickle of blood dripped from under the boar''s chin.


    "Tough bugger," Edan grunted, before using [Identify]


    [Roaring Boar - lvl 35]


    It was a few levels above his own of 31, but he should still be able to injure it. Edan looked down at his punch daggers. They weren¡¯t really designed to injure graded beasts.


    Enraged by its wounds or encouraged by the lack of damage it had taken, the boar charged forward again, its head swinging back and forth as its tusks tore at the air.


    Edan threw a dagger at its eye, missing, the blade bounced off its brow bone. Edan took two steps forward to meet the boar. It lowered its head. He jumped, landing on its broad head. Shocked the boar threw its head back. Using the momentum as a boost, Edan flipped over it. He hit the ground and rolled across the uneven forest floor.


    Hopping to his feet Edan turned and grinned at the boar, proud of his own dexterity. Bits of dried leaves and broken twigs stuck out of his hair and armor.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Edan challenged, pulling out his second punch dagger and holding his hands wide as if for a hug. ¡°We¡¯re running low on meat and you look tasty.¡±


    He had hoped the boar''s roar skill would be on cooldown but he realized his mistake the second it threw its head back again. Edan activated [Charge] again and shot forward.


    The boar dropped its head, its tusks turning a metallic color, and Edan swore it grinned. When he retold this battle, he would leave out the part where he was tricked by a pig.


    Unable to cancel his skill Edan hurtled towards the boar. It swung its head to the side, its tusk leaving an outline behind that grew to twice the length of the boar''s actual tusk. Edan punched out at the skill with his daggered fist. It shattered and Edan felt the force reverberate up his arm. The dagger twisted painfully in his grip and he dropped it, his wrist felt broken.


    He was in close though. [Slice] empowered his next attack and his punch dagger drew a deep red scar down the boar''s neck. The boar swung its head around and Edan dropped to the ground, a tusk scraping his scalp. Rolling to the left, Edan popped up on the other side of the boar, unfortunately, it was the side with his broken wrist.


    Twisting awkwardly around himself, Edan drove his dagger into the other side of the boar''s neck. The blade barely sunk in. Edan activated [Flurry] and his arm turned into a blur as the blade withdrew and stabbed out again and again. Edan focused the blows down to the same spot. Blood pumped out, splattering him and the forest.


    The boar twisted, squealing in anger, and used its greater mass to push Edan back. The punch dagger, slick with blood, slipped from his grasp, the blade still deep in the boar''s neck.


    Edan jumped back, avoiding the wild attacks as the boar tried backing him up into a tree. Edan made sure not to trip on anything as he slowly gave ground. He hoped blood loss would slow it down, or his Endurance would heal his wrist.


    By his own labored breathing, Edan knew his stamina was getting low. He could use one, maybe two, more skills before he¡¯d end up exhausted.


    Edan jumped to the side as the boar lunged forward. It predicted his movement and threw its head after him. The larger of the tusks sliced the hardened leather of Edan¡¯s armor and barely missed his face. Stumbling back, Edan pulled another dagger from his chest and threw it.


    The boar squealed, this time in pain, as the blade struck true, blinding it in one eye. Jerking away, the animal shook its head and hopped around, scrapping its face against the ground as it tried to remove the weapon. Edan could see the handle of his punch dagger still sticking out of its neck.


    Timing it right, Edan waited until the boar turned sideways. [Charge] threw Edan forward. He allowed it. Twisting sideways at the last second, Edan lowered his shoulder and allowed the momentum of his skill to drive him into the boar''s neck. Like a hammer hitting a nail, Edan slammed into the handle of his dagger, pushing it deeper.


    Hissing against the pain, Edan pulled his last dagger from its sheath with his injured hand. Grabbing the handle of the punch dagger still embedded in the boar''s neck with his other hand, Edan pushed past the dark spots that filled his vision and activated [Flurry]. Guided by the skill, and Edans own intent, the dagger was pulled from the boar''s neck and replaced with his throwing dagger. His throwing dagger was pulled free and his punch dagger replaced it, pushing deeper. Edan roared out loud as he pushed through his own exhaustion to keep the skill going.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    [Roaring Boar - lvl 35 slain]


    [Experience gained]


    [Vitalis gained]


    [Level 31 -> Level 32]


    [+15 Stat Points]


    Edan allowed himself to fall to the ground in exhaustion. The boar fell away from him. He felt the familiar rush of Experience and Vitalis course through him, like sunlight poured directly into his veins. The increase in level was greatly appreciated and Edan beamed with pride. It was a shame his class didn¡¯t provide him with an increase in Endurance.


    Dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy above and played across Edan¡¯s face, bringing with it spots of warmth. The leaves and mulch that covered much of the forest floor proved to be surprisingly comfortable. Edan remembered when he had first left the camp, around 2 weeks ago, to go hunting. He¡¯d jumped at every sound.


    Now, the chirping of the birds and the buzz of insects was soothing. He¡¯d learned that the greatest danger was when it fell silent. That didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t alert. Part of Edan was always alert now. Kiba had been training him to use his spirit sense. It was tricky to do and involved merging your spirit, an already mysterious stat, with perception.


    The best way to describe spirit sense was that feeling Edan would get when he thought someone was looking at him, or he looked down an alley in Stratta¡¯s seedier districts and felt a sense of danger.


    You get a level, kid?


    That was another change. A by-product of training his spirit sense. Kiba could now talk to him. It was weak like they were conversing over a great distance, and sometimes it took Edan a while to understand what was being said, but it was better than before. Before being silence. Probably. Edan wasn¡¯t sure how he felt about hearing another voice in his head.


    He sent back a positive response and mentioned seeing him later. Kiba likely knew why.


    The primordial had set a strange rule in place. Every time Edan gained a level, he could ask the god a question. At first, Edan had been against it. What use was having a god in your head if you couldn¡¯t use it as a search engine? Kiba had refused, holding his own knowledge hostage to help incentive Edan to grow quicker, curiosity being a powerful motivator. He also said that sometimes it was good for Edan to take a break and absorb what he had learned.


    A shaky foundation would crumble under heavy cultivation in the future.


    Having caught his breath, and eager to leave before the smell of blood attracted something else, Edan rolled to his feet. Plant matter stuck to him and the dried blood had begun to crack. Looking at the body of the boar, it seemed deflated in death.


    Squatting next to it, Edan grabbed its legs and pulled them together. It took a lot of maneuvering and he fell over twice as he lost his balance, but eventually Edan stood up, the carcass slung over his shoulders like a creepy scarf. Pulling it tight by the feet, Edan orientated himself towards the camp and began walking.


    It was slow going. The board was incredibly heavy and moving while balancing it on uneven terrain taxed Edan to the limit. He actually stopped and threw three points into Endurance and 2 into Strength.


    Using that as a quick break, Edan had a brief look over his stats.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="5">


    Edan Mawe


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Race


    </td>


    <td>


    Human (F)


    </td>


    <td rowspan="5"> </td>


    <td>


    Class


    </td>


    <td>


    Seed of Fire and lightning


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Level


    </td>


    <td>


    32


    </td>


    <td>


    Profession


    </td>


    <td> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Health


    </td>


    <td>


    4872


    </td>


    <td colspan="2"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Stamina


    </td>


    <td>


    3669


    </td>


    <td>


    Free Points


    </td>


    <td>


    10


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Mana


    </td>


    <td>


    3806


    </td>


    <td colspan="2"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="4"> </td>


    <td rowspan="12"> </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td> </td>


    <td>


    Base


    </td>


    <td>


    Modifiers


    </td>


    <td>


    Actual


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Strength


    </td>


    <td>


    120


    </td>


    <td>


    1.5


    </td>


    <td>


    180


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Constitution


    </td>


    <td>


    120


    </td>


    <td>


    1.7


    </td>


    <td>


    204


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Endurance


    </td>


    <td>


    92


    </td>


    <td>


    1.4


    </td>


    <td>


    129


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Dexterity


    </td>


    <td>


    105


    </td>


    <td>


    1.5


    </td>


    <td>


    158


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Wisdom


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    113


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Intelligence


    </td>


    <td>


    96


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    125


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Perception


    </td>


    <td>


    87


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    113


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Charisma


    </td>


    <td>


    37


    </td>


    <td>


    1.3


    </td>


    <td>


    48


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Spirit


    </td>


    <td>


    59


    </td>


    <td>


    1.6


    </td>


    <td>


    94


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Willpower


    </td>


    <td>


    67


    </td>


    <td>


    1.5


    </td>


    <td>


    101


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td colspan="5"> </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    As always he completely ignored Charisma. It was a hopeless cause and better off forgotten. Perhaps he¡¯d get a title later that would help, but for now, it wasn¡¯t worth his attention.


    Spirit was lower than he would like and he considered dumping his free points into it, but Kiba had told him that while the stat was important, he could hold off on it. There were techniques he could learn that would help him grow it naturally, without spending points.


    Edan was surprised his Strength had become his leading stat, but he shouldn''t have been. His class gave him nine points for each level.


    Closing the screen Edan continued moving. Overhead the sun had begun to set and night came early in the forest. While confident in the light of day, Edan would not like to be alone out here at night.


    As he walked, he reviewed the fight, just like Tali had taught him. He went over it again and again in his head. First, he tried to figure out what he could have done differently, and then it became how he could have used his skills differently. If he¡¯d used [Charge] while he was closer to the boar perhaps he could have got to his dagger quicker. After that, it was finding the things in the fight that he needed to change. The most obvious answer was his weapons.


    As he approached the camp, his thoughts turned to what question he would ask Kiba.


    Edan had created a natural, unconscious, delegation of duties between his two instructors. Tali taught Edan all things practical, and Kiba was responsible for his education, the Primordials experience was, as he had mentioned multiple times, invaluable.


    If Tali wondered why Edan never asked her questions related to cultivation or the wider realms, she didn¡¯t mention it.


    Edan hadn¡¯t run far from the camp but it still took a solid forty minutes to hike back. The boar on his shoulder was more unwieldy than it was heavy, its odd shape meant he constantly felt like he was about to tip over.


    The camp had changed over the last two weeks. Constant Dance practice had flattened one side of the clearing, the thick layer of grass trampled down to a dull brown. Tali had moved several large rocks from under the waterfall and settled them down by the shore with the flattest side facing up. She enjoyed sitting there, her back to the woods, as she meditated.


    Edan¡¯s own canvas tarp had been strung up next to hers, the combined two providing a large, marque-style accommodation with open walls. As Edan needed to remind himself constantly, once graded, it was impossible to get the common cold. Besides the view of the pool with its crystal clear waters and the waterfall throwing up a spray of fine mist made for a beautiful scene to wake up to.


    Edan dropped the boar on the ground with a thud, patting his shoulder to remove a bit of fur and blood. Tali, sitting on her rock, looked over her shoulder at the noise.


    ¡°That will make a fine meal.¡± She said, her voice reaching him over the roar of the waterfall. ¡°It is time for you to dance. I will dress the meat.¡±


    Edan was pleased to trade off that duty. Tali had taught him how to field dress game, but he still lacked the necessary skills to make quick work of it. His high dexterity did help, but stats could only take you so far.


    The pool was ringed in a small shore of smooth pebbles that shifted under Edan¡¯s feet as he removed his boots and folded his trousers up to his knees. Ripples spread across the pond, disappearing as they clashed with the turbulent waters near the waterfall. Bending over Edan cupped the crystal clear water in his hands and splashed his face, removing the grime and dirt from his hunt.


    Feeling somewhat refreshed Edan moved over to the patch of dying grass and allowed his body to relax. He¡¯d felt something the last time he had practiced. He couldn¡¯t explain it, whatever it was had been just out of reach, but Edan wanted to reach it.


    Taking a slow, steadying breath, he began to dance.

 CHAPTER 36

    Edan shifted forms, his speed changing as he did. Sometimes he blurred, his body pushed to the limit of what his stats could provide, other times he slowed, his movements becoming minute as the muscles along his arms and back bunched. With explosive force he''d twist, his arm swaying through the air as he released all the stored energy.


    The world around him faded as Edan focused only on his body. He felt the energy coursing through his limbs and when he slowed down he felt it recoil, returning to his center, preparing to be used again. It never settled and it never calmed.


    Stepping forward, Edan spun on the ball of his foot, his body shifting parallel to the ground. Edan felt the breath in his lungs and exhaled.


    Using his torso like a counterweight, Edan twisted and flipped, landing lightly he sunk low and dove back, catching his weight on his shoulders and neck. His arms drove down on either side of his head and he kicked into the air. He felt the energy within him rock back and forth and finally it clicked.


    It¡¯s body cultivation! Edan realized. The revelation pulled him from his training so abruptly he tripped. Catching himself, Edan turned it into a cartwheel before folding into a seated position on the ground.


    [New Passive Unlocked: Dance of Titans]


    The notification made Edan smile. Pulling it up he had a look at what it said.


    Dance of Titans [Rare]


    There is expression in dance and freedom in movement. Each step you take leaves its mark, each movement an improvement.


    Fear not the Titan who sings, fear the Titan who dances alone.


    Modifier: +.1 Strength, +.1 Constitution, +.1 Endurance, +.1 Dexterity,


    +.1 Charisma, +.1 Willpower


    ¡°Holy shit!¡± Edan exclaimed out loud.


    ¡°What has happened?¡± Tali said, her large form looming over him. She was so big she actually blocked out the late afternoon sun, throwing Edan into deep shadow.


    ¡°I got a passive, Dance of Titans,¡± Edan explained what it said and the modifiers he had received. Tali listened a small smile on her face.


    ¡°That is good news.¡± She said, motioning for Edan to move with her so they could continue talking. She walked over to the pool and began to clean the blood off her hands. ¡°It means you are one step closer to taking the ink.¡±


    ¡°The description...I have to ask, are there Titans who actually sing?¡± Edan asked, scratching his cheek.


    Tali laughed as she rolled up her sleeves, exposing muscular forearms, and splashed water over them.


    ¡°There are some who call what they do singing.¡± Tali looked at Edan and smiled. ¡°It is more of a battle cry, in truth.¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯s a passive?¡±


    ¡°You can get three passives. Body, of which the Dance of the Titan is, the mind¡± Tali tapped her chest and then her head, before finally tapping her sternum. ¡°And the soul. The battle cry is a passive of the soul and they use it to bolster their willpower before battle.¡±


    Edan whistled at the implication. Willpower added to Constitution and Endurance to affect total health and stamina. Edan imagined someone like Tali with a massive health pool rampaging across a battlefield, tireless and unkillable.


    ¡°Do you sing?¡± Edan asked half curious and half joking.


    Tali shook her head but refused to elaborate. It also signaled the end of their discussion so Edan hopped up on one of the smooth rocks and looked out over the pond and waterfall. He allowed his consciousness to fade. He had someone else he needed to annoy.


    ¡°I have a body passive!¡± Edan said, as soon as he appeared in his SoulScape.


    Kiba was standing at the bottom of the slope, his hands clasped behind his back, as he stared out at the light flickering between the slowly moving sea of cloud-shaped Vitalis.


    ¡°From the Titan?¡± Kiba asked, turning his head just enough so he could see Edan. ¡°That is impressive. They are known for their physical passives.¡±


    ¡°I also leveled up!¡±


    ¡°I know, kid, I felt it.¡± Kiba jerked his chin towards the clouds as Edan came to stand next to him. ¡°Bet you a thousand tokens you can''t run across that.¡±


    ¡°Hard pass. You¡¯re broke and I don¡¯t like the look of those clouds.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Be boring.¡± Kiba said in exaggerated defeat.


    ¡°I have my question.¡±


    ¡°Of course, you do, kid, but first I want you to tell me what you remember about Legacies from our last post-level chat.¡±


    ¡°There are three types of legacies. Origin, which mine looks like, even if it is all broken and crappy. This is when you do something, or the system judges you capable of doing something, that will be so monumental it will be remembered always. A legacy.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Kiba looked sideways at Edan. ¡°Feel like you''re destined for greatness, kid?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯mma greatness my boot up the Four Star Sects ass,¡± Edan said, flashing a smile that was all teeth, before saying more seriously. ¡°I don¡¯t really care, to be honest. I don¡¯t need greatness. It¡¯s not the goal.¡±


    ¡°A good mentality to have. Those who seek it and don''t obtain it often go mad¡­or desperate.¡± Kiba gestured for Edan to continue.


    ¡°The second legacy is a Found Legacy. These are legacies left behind by lost masters with unique classes or professions.¡± Edan started walking since it helped him think. Kiba matched his pace. ¡°These aren¡¯t always the greatest since they may not resonate with your own class or path. And the last is an inherited legacy, where the legacy is passed down from one cultivator to the next.¡±


    ¡°And it''s the biggest pain in the ass. Several of the strongest factions in the Wider Realms are only up there thanks to their Legacy. Like the Legion of Trip.¡±


    ¡°The legion of Trip?¡± Edan laughed.


    ¡°Yup. The story goes, old man Trip wasn¡¯t much of a cultivator, but he was a bit of a gambler. He owed debts to just about everyone on every planet in his cluster. You can¡¯t get money from the dead, so people began to target his family. You know, hurt them and threaten the rest and Trip would have to pay up.¡±


    Edan nodded.


    ¡°Well, Trip gets tired of it so he trains his sons. Apparently, he had a lot of sons, kid, I mean a lot! Apparently, if the guy wasn''t gambling he was fu-uhh, well...So he trains them, but because he isn¡¯t very good, the methods he teaches them aren¡¯t very good. They start dying. So Trip trains the rest of his family. All of them. They learn to fight together, to make up for their lack of skills.¡± Kiba shrugged, brushing hair from his face and tucking it behind his ear. ¡°They seemed to fight better when they were fighting for each other.¡±


    ¡°The power of friendship and family.¡±


    ¡°Which doesn¡¯t work, so don¡¯t expect any boosts of power if something happens to your family. Anyway, shut up, I¡¯m telling a story. Eventually Trip dies, but money is still owed and the debtor collectors are still coming, so the responsibility of protecting the family goes to the eldest. But he dies and the next oldest takes up the mantle. And so on and so forth. Somewhere along the line, someone gained a Legacy. The Legacy of Trip. They fought harder and became stronger, the more family they had around them.¡±


    ¡°That''s pretty handy.¡±


    ¡°Sure. Especially when the Legacy evolved every time it passed on. It went from a small boost when around family to a substantial boost, to a boost around anyone you considered an ally, to a boost to the allies too. Now the boost of every person with the legacy fighting together stacks. The Trip Legion used that legacy to grow from a family in debt to one of the largest mercenary factions in the realms.¡±


    ¡°Ok, that''s kinda scary.¡±


    ¡°And that''s one of the fairly new Legacies. Imagine a faction that has been around for millions of millions of years, their legacy evolving and changing.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡± Edan asked, curious. Kiba had talked so dismissively of the Four Star Heavenly Sect gods but showed respect towards the Titans, even mentioning Major gods.


    ¡°Is that your question for today?¡± Kiba shot back.


    Edan almost said yes but snapped his mouth closed. Kiba had been right. Curiosity was a dangerous thing.


    ¡°No, I wanted to ask you about Paths.¡±


    -


    Edan rose back to consciousness slowly. The sun had set, moonlight shone down from overhead, turning the pool into a silver disc. Getting up and stretching, more from habit than need, Edan hopped off the rock.


    The smell of roasting meat filled the clearing. An orange glow from the campfire bathed most of the clearing in its warm light. Edan could hear the crackle and hiss of cooking fat. Sparks flew into the air to dance among the rising smoke like fireflies. Tali sat on her hunches close to the flame, turning great slabs of meat over as they cooked on heated rocks.


    The firelight made her amber eyes glow and threw a long shadow out behind her.


    Edan would have worried about the smell attracting monsters but he knew Tali kept them away. He never felt her aura, but he knew she used it.


    Settling down quietly beside her Edan went over his conversation with Kiba in his mind. It had been both frustrating and insightful. Frustrating since the primordial had no idea why he would have locked Paths. Insightful because the knowledge on evolving his Paths had been interesting.


    Kiba had theorized that the locked Paths may have been inherited from his parents but Edan didn¡¯t know how to go about investigating that.


    Kiba''s other theory was when Edan had absorbed the Vitalis in the pool, Vitalis that was from destroyed treasures Kiba had found on his travels all over the Realms, he¡¯d somehow absorbed more than he should have.


    When Edan asked if you could absorb a Path that easy, Kiba had gone ¡®Ehhh, who knows.¡¯


    The rest he had learned was interesting and more applicable and Edan couldn¡¯t wait to apply it to his training.


    Tali slid the hot stone over to Edan, the large steak sizzling on top. Kiba had pointed out his increased fire resistance thanks to his Path. The heat didn¡¯t really bother Edan now. Snatching up the steak Edan began to wolf it down. He felt the Vitalis-rich meat hit his stomach and a rush of energy coursed through him.


    The pair ate in silence, just listening to the sound of the forest around them as they each unwound.


    The occasional roar of an animal would sound out. Often far away. Often accompanied by more roars as some other animal rose to the challenge. Sometimes the sounds of the fight would reach them as distant growls and screeches. Sometimes it faded to nothing.


    Today the roars started early and rang out across the entire forest range. Edan looked up, a chunk of meat in his mouth and juice smeared across his face. Even Tali stopped eating to listen.


    There was an answering roar, loud and ringing. The answering roars sounded more like howls and Edan felt the hair on his neck stand up.


    Tali stood, the steak still in her hand, and looked off into the distance.


    ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Edan asked.


    ¡°The roar is familiar to me,¡± She said, frowning.


    The howls came again, more distant now. The answering roar was just as loud and equally as defiant.


    ¡°Little mother,¡± Tali muttered before looking at Edan. He thought he saw concern in her eyes. ¡°Remain here. I will return.¡±


    With those final words, Tali moved. Within three steps she''d reached the pool and on the fourth, she jumped over it entirely. She landed on the cliff above. Edan had barely raised his hand by the time she vanished over the lip.


    Left to listen to the sounds of the warring animals in the distance, Edan tore a chunk out of his steak and spat a bit of bone into the fire. It popped, sparks flying into the air and smoke shifting towards his face.


    There was the sound of leaves rustling behind Edan and he turned, his spirit sense unfurling like fingers. He couldn¡¯t sense anything. The higher branches of the tree shook and Edan glanced up, his perception stat working overtime to let him see through the dark canopy.


    Edan saw eyes staring back at him, the pupils like twin discs of silver as they reflected the moonlight. More eyes appeared next to the first. Then more.


    ¡°Well, fuck.¡± Edan muttered, preparing for a fight.

 CHAPTER 37

    Tali heard the sounds of creatures fighting ahead. Howls and roars tore through the air, mixing with the splintering of wood and yelps of pain.


    Skipping over a ravine, the Titan sprinted down the slope. A rocky outcrop lay ahead, the dark grey stone jutting out over empty space like a giant blade. Tali slowed as she heard the sounds coming from below. Without looking she stepped off the outcrop.


    She landed hard, her feet sinking into the soft ground. There was a wolf next to her, large enough to look her in the eyes. Its grey fur reflected the moonlight, except for the patch around its neck which was black and jagged, looking like glass daggers, or scales.


    The wolf yelped in surprise at her sudden appearance and snapped at her. Tali swatted its head aside and cast [Identify]


    [Obsidian Laced Wolf - lvl 145]


    Another wolf jumped on her back, its hot breath washing over her face as it snapped finger long teeth closed next to her ear. Shrugging it off, Tali took in the situation.


    A cave was recessed into the cliff face she had jumped off. Half-fallen trees and branches covered the entrance, forming a natural barrier. The mother bear she had run into the other day stood before the cave mouth, its muzzle pulled back to show its teeth. Around the bear were the bodies of several wolves, crushed and bitten to death. Even more stalked towards her in a semi-circle.


    A wolf snapped its jaws closed on Tali¡¯s calf, its teeth dimpling her skin but unable to break through. The obsidian wolf jerked its head viciously, pulling her off balance. Frustrated, Tali reached out and grabbed it around its neck in an overhead hug. Squeezing tight she crushed its windpipe.


    [Obsidian Laced Wolf - lvl 142 slain]


    [Experience gained]


    [Vitalis gained]


    Ignoring the notification, as the experience from such a low-level kill did nothing for her, Tali used the wolf''s body as a weapon to send a different wolf rolling away.


    There was another eerie howl and more wolves streamed towards them from the woods, their large forms running low to the ground and so tightly packed together it resembled a sea of silver fur breaking around tree trunks and logs.


    Tali turned to the bear but had to stop as a wolf grabbed her leg again and pulled, she braced and remained still. Another wolf jumped on her, its weight swaying her. It tried to bite her head and she reached up, holding its salivating mawe away from her. Another wolf crashed into her, its hind legs tearing at her thigh as it tried to join its brother in attacking her head.


    Tali snapped the neck of one and pushed the other aside, but more took its place. She heard the bear roar again and between attacks caught sight of it being swarmed as she was. It used its larger size to bully the wolves but they kept coming and when the bear focused on one, the others would attack from behind.


    Frustrated, Tali let the warmth take her. She felt the familiar energy surge through her as she burnt her blood and crouching down she sprung forward like a spring. Bowling aside and stomping through the wolves in her path Tali made a beeline for the bear. Using one unlucky wolf as a springboard she snapped its spine as she launched off its back. Soaring through the air she grabbed a wolf that had made it onto the bear''s back. Allowing her weight and momentum to carry her onward, Tali ripped the wolf free and threw it to the ground.


    She landed and was immediately swarmed, struggling against the mass of fur that obscured her vision. She cast [Bulkwark] and the ground in front of her heaved. Grabbing it, the veins along Tali¡¯s arms bulged as she tried to flip it. Setting her feet and burning even hotter, Tali flipped a patch of soil burying a few wolves.


    One wolf jumped over its struggling companions. A black blur arced out to meet it, and the wolf was knocked off course, blood spraying through the air. Tali looked back. The bear stood over her, its fur wet with blood and saliva. The white crest on its head was dyed red.


    Nodding her thanks, Tali pulled at a wolf that refused to release the bear''s hind leg. Grabbing its jaws in each of her hands, the muscles along her back bunched before she tore its head in two.


    More notifications appeared in the corner of her vision. She ignored them.


    Throwing her head back, Tali let loose a laugh to rival the howls.


    -


    Edan staggered back, his arm up to block his eyes from the sharp claws that threatened to blind him. Swiping viciously at the ball of hair in his face, Edan sent the monkey flying back. Angry chitters filled the air as the monkey''s family witnessed the attack. Taking the reprieve Edan cast [Identify]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 31]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 30]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 33]


    With over-muscled forearms and small hind legs, the monkey stood hunched over. Their horned heads were bare of the thick green fur that covered most of their bodies and the tallest only came up to Edan¡¯s knee. Their skin, where he could see it, was wrinkled and dark brown. Markings covered their fur in dark splotches, helping them blend into the foliage around them.


    There had to be a hundred. Edan could see their forms dotting the branches of the surrounding trees and several had taken to the forest floor, hiding behind tree trunks and peering at him through fern leaves. A few brave ones had approached the camp first, and seeing Edan was by himself, they had attacked.


    They were wickedly fast and nimble, dodging Edan¡¯s swings and climbing up his body to bite at his face and neck. Already Edan could feel the sting of teeth in his bicep.


    Stolen story; please report.


    Pulling the monkey off with a growl, Edan threw it to the side. The monkey hit the ground, rolled, and rebounded to its feet. Screeching at him it pounded its chest, making a soft pit-pat sound. It would have been cute if the rest hadn¡¯t joined in. The sound echoed from the forest, sounding like the approaching feet of a hundred people.


    Edan scooped up a stick from the fire and waved it about threateningly. One of the monkeys on the ground picked up a twig and mimicked him. Edan didn¡¯t speak monkey but he was almost certain the look in its eyes was snide malice.


    So Edan threw the flaming stick at it.


    The monkey screeched and dove to the side. It rolled frantically on the ground, trying to ensure it wasn¡¯t on fire before scampering back up the tree.


    Emboldened by the reaction, Edan scooped up another stick and shook it at them. A stone flew out of the forest and struck him in the shoulder. Edan staggered back, his shoulder stinging. Another stone flashed in the firelight and Edan ducked instinctively.


    ¡°Want to throw shit, aye?¡± Edan growled. He bent down and picked up the firestone from among the ashes of their campfire. He could feel the heat through his fingers, but it didn¡¯t bother him. ¡°Catch!¡±


    Edan had years of practice with throwing knives, but he still used [Throw] to be sure.


    Like a shooting star, the stone streaked through the darkness and hit one of the monkeys in the tree above square in the chest. Sparks exploded on impact and the hair on its chest caught fire. The monkey screeched in fear and batted at its own chest. This only made the fire spread to its arms.


    The monkeys around it tried to help but that made it worse. The fire danced from one to the next. Soon there were five monkeys streaking through the branches on fire. Then there were fifteen. They ran around wildly, falling from branches like leaves.


    Edan watched a streak of notifications pop up in the corner of his vision.


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 32 slain]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 30 x2 slain]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 33 x 3 slain]


    ¡­


    ..


    [Experience gained]


    [Vitalis gained]


    [Level 32 -> Level 33]


    [+15 Stat Points]


    Edan was feeling pretty good about himself when the surrounding monkeys lost it. They began hooting and hollering and jumping up and down on the tree branches with enough force to shake the whole tree. Those still on the ground slammed their fists into it and spun in a circle.


    Then they stopped. So suddenly and so in sync that the silence was deafening. As one, hundreds of eyes glared at Edan with pure animosity. Lips pulled back from thick yellowed canines.


    Then like a crashing wave, they came at him.


    Edan backpedaled rapidly, using his stick like a bat he swatted at those that launched themselves at him. Even more clawed at his feet and legs, trying to pull him down at the same time they started to climb up his body. They bite at him, making him scream in shock and pain.


    -


    Tali twirled, the stone axe she was using carving a swarth in the oncoming wolves. They fell before her in droves, their blood turning the ground slick as their bodies piled up around her. At her back, the bear huffed, its breath great gusts of moist air as exhaustion dulled its attacks. Wolves continuously slipped around Tali, and under the wild attacks of the bear, to jumped on the creature.


    Tali chopped downward, removing one wolf''s head as she grabbed another one around the neck, keeping its snapping jaws at bay. Dropping her weapon it turned to rubble. She punched the wolf in her hand, the blow caving in its face and muzzle. Using it as a battering ram she smashed anything around her before throwing it away. Looking over her shoulder she spotted a wolf gnawing at the bear''s hind legs. Hopping up onto the bear she ignored its grunt of protest and slid down its back. The angle was awkward so her kick lacked the strength to kill it outright, but it pushed the wolf away.


    The creature bowled over others of its kind before coming to rest next to the largest wolf Tali had seen. It was the same size as the bear, just lacking the mass. Its fur was pitch black and clumped together as if wet. Its muzzle was covered in scars and eyes of dirty yellow sclera and pale green irises stared at Tali.


    Not breaking eye contact with Tali the alpha dipped its head. The wolf at its feet whimpered as its jaws closed around its throat. Casually, as if it cost no effort at all, the alpha wolf tore the throat out of the wolf and throwing its head back, swallowed the chunk of meat.


    [Mutated Amalgamation - lvl 183].


    Blood dripped from the black wolf''s muzzle as it regarded Tali for a moment longer. Then it howled and the wolves around them attacked with renewed vigour.


    -


    Edan fell back, blinded, as the ground under him shifted. He staggered, trying to keep his balance as he fought off the endless gnashing of teeth and claws that tore at him. He felt something cold wrap around his ankle and almost jerked it back on reflex before realizing it was water.


    The monkeys had forced him to retreat into the water.


    Pulling one from his face, Edan grimaced as its clawed hand came away with a tuft of his hair. Squeezing it in the hopes of inflicting some pain on it, he threw the monkey aside as another chewed on his ear.


    Pulling it, and a chunk of his own flesh, free. Edan ensured he had a good grip on the monkey''s leg before using it as a mallet at those still clinging to him. The onslaught slowed and Edan took a second to gulp down sweet, clean air. The sweaty smell of monkey hung heavy in the air and the only breaths he¡¯d managed had been filtered through the thick fur of the ones stuck to his face.


    Splashing made him jerk to the side, worried they had gotten in behind him. He saw one of the monkeys slip beneath the surface, its body sinking with unnatural swiftness.


    ¡°Can¡¯t swim?¡± Edan teased, falling back further into the pond until the water came up to his waist. The monkeys that had been clinging to him let go and splashed furiously in the water in an attempt to get back to shore. Some made it, by standing on the heads of the others, but not all.


    Edan wiped blood from his eye. A gash had opened up on his forehead.


    Edan could make out the forms of the monkeys destroying the camp in the dying light of the campfire. Their small forms bounced all over the place, casting flickering shadows, as they tore the tents apart.


    -


    Tali dropped her shoulder and used [Engage] her target the Alpha wolf. She tore through the wolves in her path, their bodies smashed to pieces or tossed aside under the unrelenting force of her charge.


    The dark wolf watched her approach and at the last second moved aside. It moved like liquid lightning as it dodged Tali¡¯s kick. Twisting around the blow, the wolf snapped at her calf. More than willing to trade blows, Tali let its fangs pierce her leg as she slammed her fist down on top of its neck.


    With a sickening crack, its spine broke, and the creature''s large body flopped to the ground in a lifeless heap. The wolves around them froze, a few letting out confused whimpers. Pulling the teeth from her legs Tali let the dead wolf''s body collapse.


    A bit of spine pierced through the wolf''s thick pelt, the white bone bright against the sea of dark fur. Blood dripped from the wound to land on the forest floor.


    Tali caught something moving out of the corner of her eye and crouching down she stared at the forest floor. There, where the drops of blood fell, were worms. Small, white worms.


    There was a muted crack and Tali looked over in time to see the spine recede back into the wolf''s skin. Its paws twitched and a low rumble sounded from deep within its chest.

 CHAPTER 38

    Wiping blood from his eye, Edan glared at the monkeys that stood on the shore. They barred their teeth at him and bashed their horns against their neighbors, the clack-clack of bone on bone was loud as it traveled over the pool.


    Behind them, he could still see the main body of the¡­pack? Herd? Gang? Having fun destroying his and Tali¡¯s belongings.


    Edan pulled up his stat screen and looked at the 25 points remaining. He received the most points in Strength and Constitution through his class, with Dexterity following. His class seemed to be heavily based on physical power, with his skills reflecting that.


    Since that was the case Edan so no issue with dumping fifteen points into Endurance, bringing his base state up to 107 and his actual to 171. It also meant that all of his body related stats were over 100. The remaining ten points were split evenly between Dexterity and Willpower.


    Edan felt hot like he¡¯d caught a fever, and he heard his heart beating in his chest like a drum. Then it faded and he felt fine. Still abused, but better.


    Filled with new determination, and a hunger for more levels so he could squash a few more monkeys, Edan pushed forward, the water around his waist surging. He pulled the last remaining dagger from its sheath along his chest. The monkeys had stolen the rest when they had dogpiled him.


    Chittering happily as he approached one of the monkeys took a brave step forward. Water lapped at its ankle and it shrieked before stumbling back. Edan took advantage of the small distraction.


    [Charge] activated. His body pushed through the last of the water hard and fast enough to throw droplets everywhere. Too distracted by the flying water, the monkeys reacted late. Edan was among them before they could react.


    Lashing out around him Edan focused on keeping himself moving. Always moving. If he stopped it gave them time to latch on to him and slow him down. Edan twirled among them, one foot lashing out and punting a small hairy form across the clearing. His arm followed, plucking a leaping monkey from the air and redirecting its flight so it sailed out into the pond.


    A stone whizzed past his ear and he cast a quick look back towards the main part of the camp. The rest of the gang had seen his resurgence and were on their way. A few picked up stones to throw at him again.


    Edan pulled a monkey from his back. His hair tore painfully from the roots as the monkey refused to let go. Crushing its neck, Edan held it up like a makeshift shield. It only took him blocking one to stop the rest.


    Unable to hit him from a distance they surged forward once more and Edan found himself being pushed back again.


    His blade began a blur as he activated [Flurry] again and again in an attempt to keep them off him. Teeth bit into his legs and calf and even his toe. He felt sharp claws along his back and blindly pulled a screeching animal from his shoulder. Its finger got stuck in the strap of his leather armor and he had to pull hard to free it.


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 32 x2 slain]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 31 x2 slain]


    [Striped Forest Simion - lvl 34 slain]


    ¡­


    ..


    [Experience gained]


    [Vitalis gained]


    [Level 33 -> Level 34]


    [+15 Stat Points]


    When he felt himself weighed down [Charge] would help him burst through. [Slash] was useless against so many. More and more Edan found himself relying on basic movement to keep himself free.


    Exhaustion pulled at his limbs though, the constant use of skills draining him even with the slight increase from his level up. Edan briefly regretted not putting more points into Endurance and he didn¡¯t have the time now. But all it took was a monkey biting him to remind him that Constitution was important as well.


    The fight, if you could call it that, created its own strange rhythm, a rhythm that, when coupled with Edan''s exhaustion, lulled him in a sort of daze. Muscle memory took over as Edan''s body fell back on what he knew. Edan twisted and turned, his body moving him through the first steps of the [Dance of Titans] on instinct.


    [Upgrade: Dance of Titans [Rare] -> Dance of Titans [Epic]]


    The notification pulled Edan from his daze and he opened his mouth to cheer out loud but a monkey stuck its grubby fingers in there and tried to yank out his tooth. Swearing and spitting Edan yaked it off.


    ¨C


    Tali laughed as the alpha wolf batted her away. She flew over the sea of grey fur and crashed through a tree trunk. With a groan the tree toppled, its tangled branches slowing its fall.


    With the heat of her blood coursing through her veins and the inky tattoos gradually slipping up her neck, Tali grabbed the fallen tree, leaning back for balance, she swept it across the clearing, toppling wolves by the dozen.


    Little more than a shadow, the alpha wolf jumped onto the tree trunk as it passed, and ran up its length. Tali saw its approach and flicked the end of the trunk she held. The wolf jumped off at the last second and fell towards her, its jaws wide and salivating.


    [Resonance] activated and the ground around Tali sprouted stone spears. Stepping to the side, Tali let the wolf land where she had just been standing. A spear burst from beneath the wolf, its narrow blade slipping through the creature with ease. The head burst from the back of the wolf, momentarily pinning it in place.


    Tali jerked back as its jaws snapped shut close to her face. She slapped its muzzle hard enough to bounce its head off the ground. Dazed, it didn¡¯t fight as she grasped its jaws between her hands and pulled. Suddenly panicked the wolf clawed at the ground. Cracks appeared along the spear''s handle.


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    Tali swung onto the back of the wolf, her hold on its jaws forcing its neck to twist at an uncomfortable angle. Locking her legs around its throat she squeezed, even as she pulled in opposite directions with her hands. There was resistance and Tali laughed as the wolf bucked beneath her.


    The spear snapped and the wolf tried to roll over to get her off but Tali hung on.


    With a sound like ripping paper, Tali tore the head from its shoulders.


    Standing, Tali laughed as she held a section of the head up. Worms and blood fell around her like rain.


    There was a moment of stillness from the surrounding wolves. They looked between Tali and the corpse of the alpha. A few whimpered or whined. Some took a step towards her. Others, mainly those on the fridges, began to slink away as the fight left them. Once the rest saw them retreating they were quick to follow suit.


    Like a tide retreating they vanished between the trees, leaving only the bodies of the dead behind.


    The Bear stood up on its hind legs and roared loudly into the night, the thick fur on its neck shaking. The roar broke off into a gurgle and the bear dropped to all fours before staggering sideways.


    Tali, smiling at the bear''s defiance rushed forward. Her earlier joy fell from her face. Her markings began to retreat down her neck.


    The bear slumped over, its side rising and falling slowly as it took deep breaths and let them out in a huff. Brown eyes stared up at Tali as she approached and the bear gave a half-hearted growl.


    ¡°Easy, little mother,¡± Tali whispered, crouching down by its head and slowly holding a hand out. ¡°You have proven victorious. Rest.¡±


    Tali felt its wet nose under her palm and gently brushed the fur along its muzzle. It was slick with blood. She heard a whine from behind the bear and peering over saw two small forms moving in the mouth of the cave.


    The bear growled weakly and attempted to stand. It managed to lift its head a couple of inches off the ground before exhaustion once more made it slump over.


    The cubs whined from the dark shadows of the cave again before hesitantly stepping out into the moonlight. Tali watched their approach, still stroking the mother bear''s face gently. They looked like their mother with the same dark green fur and white patches on their face, though one had a white patch that extended down to its muzzle. It looked like it wore a white mask rather than a crown.


    Leery of Tali, they watched her cautiously. When she made no outward moves against them they rushed to their mother''s side, pushing their heads against her stomach and pawing at her. She huffed a great breath on them, her brown eyes turning warm. Tali slid under the mother''s head and when the bear next laid its head back down it found it in the comfort of Tali¡¯s lap.


    ¡°I will stay with you, little mother,¡± Tali murmured, stroking its great head.


    The cubs crawled up Tali¡¯s thighs to reach their mother''s head. Whimpering they nuzzled at her, the white patches on their heads turning red with her blood.


    Tali continued to gently pet the bear as its breathing slowed. She had failed to save it, in the end. Levels meant little when faced with endless numbers.


    ¡°I will watch your little ones.¡± She said at least, rubbing the fur between the bear''s eyes. ¡°As I watch my own.¡±


    Tali sat quietly with the bear as it breathed its last breath. The great sides that had once moved to a steady rhythm fell still and all that could be heard in the woods were the whimpers of its cubs.


    ¨C


    Edan had been pushed back into the water by sheer numbers. He¡¯d figured it would happen and gone willingly. Worse came to worse he could relax in the water, recover, then head back into the fray. Maybe get another level.


    What he hadn¡¯t counted on was the mass pelting the monkeys had started the second he was out of reach. They picked up pebbles from the shoreline and with unnerving accuracy launched them at his head.


    In desperation, Edan had dove underwater and swam out further. No sooner had he popped back up than more stones flew at him. Worse, not all of it was stone. Some were brown and smelly.


    Forced further out, Edan had to tread water. More stones flew at him and cursing Edan dove back underwater and swam closer to the waterfall.


    It was only once he was certain he was safe that Edan pulled up his notifications. The increase in the rarity of [Dance of Titans] had come with an increase in the modifier for Endurance. It was 0.2 in comparison to the other 0.1s.


    While he had his stats up, Edan also assigned his free points. 5 points went into Endurance and another 10 went into Spirit.


    ¨C


    Varga watched the earthworm wriggle on the palm of his hand. They were interesting creatures. Singular in their goal. At least to his mind. And yet gifted with something so amazing he could scarcely believe it. Cut one in half and two would grow.


    A string snapped in Varga¡¯s mind and he flinched, his hand closing on instinct, crushing the worm. Frowning, Varga glanced out across the moon-laden canopy that stretched out beneath him.


    Drifting in the breeze, his ragged cloak snapping about him, Varga took a second to feel for his pets. He still felt the loss of his Viper keenly but now another had joined it. His wolf.


    A loud moan escaped Varga and his hunched form shook. Someone would have thought he was crying if they hadn¡¯t seen his thin, bony, hands clench into fists.


    ¡°Who?¡± He hissed.


    Varga knew where his wolf had gone. The site of his latest interest.


    Flying over the treetops quickly enough they turned into a blur, Varga reached the location and falling through the canopy in a rain of broken branches, he stopped above the forest floor and hovered there, taking in the scene around him.


    Dead wolfs littered the forest floor, so thick he couldn¡¯t see the ground beneath them. Satisfaction flared in his old shriveled heart. His attempts at boosting the Amalgamation''s racial skill for pack control had obviously worked. Varga turned in a slow circle, taking in the sheer number of bodies.


    It had worked very, very well.


    Vraga¡¯s brow drooped as he saw the corpse of his greatest experiment. Its body lay like a twisted shadow around a field of broken stone spears. Not touching the ground, Varga drifted over to it and looked down, displeased.


    It had not been his most powerful pet, but it had been his most stable. Once more Vraga looked at the mass of dead wolves. Perhaps, given time, it could have been his most powerful pet.


    What a waste.


    Vraga saw something wriggle in the blood-stained grass. Drifting the rest of the way down, his toes touched the grass and sank into the soil under his weight. Worms, fat and white, crawled towards him. Vraga allowed them to burrow into his skin.


    ¡°Welcome home, children.¡± he cooed gently.


    Once more taking to the air he looked at the forest. There was a patch devoid of wolf bodies, closer to the base of the cliff and Vraga drifted towards it. Blood stained the ground but there was no body. Following what looked like drag marks, Vraga looked at the crumbled cliff face.


    He briefly wondered if the creature still existed beneath all that rubble. It was obvious his wolf had failed in acquiring it, but that mattered little. If he could get its body that would be just as well.


    ¡°If you want something done right¡­¡± he muttered.


    It took little effort to move the rubble, though he disliked the dusty residue it left on his hands. Hidden behind all that crumbled stone was a cave. Excited at what awaited him, Varga drifted closer to the ground so he wouldn¡¯t hit his head on the ceiling.


    Darkness swallowed him as he entered the cave.


    A moment later he burst from the cave, his face twisted in anger. Rising rapidly through the canopy he burst out the top and floated in the sky.


    ¡°Where are the children?¡± He growled out between yellowed teeth, his eyes flashed and his soul burst out as he swept the forest. He would find them. They were his.


    There. Something. No, a lack of something. Animals. Animals hiding from something stronger than them. Something strong enough to kill his pet and steal his prize.


    Vraga shifted, tracking the trail, and flew after it. The moonlight overhead bathed his ragged robes of black and purple.

 CHAPTER 39

    Edan floated on his back, bobbing in time with the waves created by the waterfall nearby. The muting property of the water helped block out the noise of the monkeys as they continued to tear apart the camp. He instead chose to focus on the stars above.


    It was a cloudless night and they sparkled brightly against the inky darkness of space. Out of the corner of his eye, Edan could see the patch of darkness where the Star Castle floated. He no longer felt the usual awe when he thought of it. Now there was just anger and shame.


    Ass beat by monkeys. You¡¯re special, kid.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Edan muttered out loud, but focusing on sending the thought towards his SoulScape as well.


    The reply came back a few minutes later.


    You did well, considering. Especially keeping your spirit sense active while you fought.


    Edan kicked his feet, turning his body so the moonlight wasn¡¯t directly in his face.


    ¡°I think it helped,¡± he admitted. ¡°I got a...sense? Of where they were. It helped me retre-uh, strategically fall back.¡±


    It¡¯ll eventually become second nature and will fold into everything else. Giving you that extra edge.


    Edan was about to respond when something plopped into the water next to his head. A stone, presumably, as it made a big enough splash that drops rained down on his face. Shaking water from his ears, and using his hands and feet for stability, Edan oriented himself towards the shore.


    Standing there, moonlight bathing her, was Tali. Not a single monkey remained, though their handiwork was strewn about. Strips of fabric, one from the tent, now flapped gently in the breeze from the tree branches. Smears of¡­something¡­covered its surface. A few glowing embers were strewn about the clearing. No doubt the monkeys had tried putting the fire out.


    Edan did a lazy breaststroke towards the shore, only standing up when the pebbled shore bumped into his legs. He paused, still submerged up to his knees.


    ¡°Tali¡­what are those?¡± he asked, pointing at the squirming bundle of fur she held tucked under each arm.


    ¡°Responsibility.¡± She said, her soft voice lacking any cheer. ¡°Tell me what happened here?¡±


    Edan explained what happened as he got out of the pool. Looking around, there were plenty of branches broken in the scuffle, so he began to collect them, making a nice stack near the shore. Tali followed, listening to his story. The animals she held continued to squirm and whimper.


    With the sticks set up, Tali took the lead and lit a fire without needing to be asked. She settled down and with a bit of adjusting, ended up with two cubs squashed against her lap. Their large brown eyes caught the light of the fire, turning into golden orbs that pleaded with Edan to save them.


    Finished with his story Edan pointed at them. ¡°Where did you find them? Also, they''re terrified of you.¡±


    ¡°Their instincts are strong. I am the apex predator.¡± Tali said, by way of explanation. Then it was her turn to explain what happened.


    Edan listened with great interest. There were similarities in their stories. Primarily that they both faced an endless number of opponents and that they had failed in the end. Tali failed to save the bear, and Edan failed to save the camp. Tali, however, had kicked major ass. Edan had been kicked majorly in his ass.


    Somewhere near the middle of the story one of the bear cubs had managed to wriggle free and was trying to stealthily crawl away. It got two steps before Tali caught it and placed it back on her lap. The other, the one with the white fur covering its eyes, looked at its sibling with betrayal in its eyes. Edan laughed.


    The sobering end to Tali¡¯s story made Edan go quiet. He didn¡¯t know what to say to Tali and he felt a surprising amount of pity for the two, now motherless cubs.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡¯ he said at last.


    Tali stood, scooping up the cubs before they could fall. She stepped around the fire and placed them both at Edan¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Watch them,¡± she said. ¡°I will see if anything can be salvaged. We will need to head into town to purchase more supplies.¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Edan asked, excitedly. The night was still young, even if it had been eventful, and the thought of spending a night with his family in a proper bed sounded lovely.


    Tali looked at the fabric in the tree and the lump of metal that glinted in the firelight among the grass. It had been their pot.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


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    Edan smiled at her retreating back then reached out and snagged one of the cubs as it crawled away. Once again it was the one with the smaller white patch on its head. The little bear was surprisingly heavy and he snapped at Edan¡¯s hand hard enough to draw a single drop of blood.


    Edan was more impressed than angry. They couldn¡¯t have been graded yet but were already capable of breaking his skin? Granted, it wasn¡¯t deep.


    Rolling the bear onto its back Edan rubbed its belly absentmindedly. The cub batted at his arm and tried biting his fingers in defiance. The other cub, with its larger white patch, watched for a second before launching itself forward with a tiny little roar. It wrapped its limbs around Edan¡¯s forearm and tried biting him.


    ¡°Cute little guys, aren¡¯t you.¡± Edan laughed, pulling the one attached to his arm off. ¡°Oh, my mistake. Cute little brother and sister, aren¡¯t you.¡±


    However, the fact they weren¡¯t scared of him like they were of Tali was a little disappointing. Then again, Tali had scared away all the monkeys with her aura and they had been F grade.


    ¨C


    Vraga remained high above the canopy. His presence would only spook the animals further and he would lose the trail. Already he had taken a wrong turn and been forced to double back. Luckily the path continued towards Stratta and was easy to find again.


    His spirit constantly swept across the forest below as he felt the emotional state of anything it touched.


    He sometimes wished he had gotten a Profession such as Tracker. It would have paired well with his Tamer class. Though his current Profession was so much more fun.


    Dry lips pulled back over his teeth as Varga smiled.


    ¨C


    Edan continued to play with the cubs as Tali poked around. In truth, he was the only one playing. Both cubs were trying their level best to either eat him or chew him to death, so they could escape.


    The fire had done its job. Mostly. His clothes were damp, rather than dripping wet.


    Edan scratched the female cub between the ears, her eyes almost crossing as she tried to keep his fingers in her field of view. She paused, sitting on her furry rump with her paws halfway in the air.


    ¡°Like that?¡± Edan laughed and increased the speed of the scratching. He continued talking to them, keeping his voice calm and level. He¡¯d heard somewhere that was the best way to settle a wild animal. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your mum. I¡¯d let you go but you wouldn¡¯t survive out here without her and I know Tali would feel horrible. Actually, I¡¯d feel horrible too. You¡¯re both so cute!¡±


    The male cub was still stuck on his back and his attempts at attacking Edan¡¯s hands hadn¡¯t slackened. Of the two it was obvious he was the more aggressive.


    ¡°We should go,¡± Tali said. Her approach made the two bears freeze, their eyes darting towards her. Edan felt them shake beneath his hands and pulled them closer to him on instinct. Surprisingly they huddled against his legs, the female cub almost climbing into his lap.


    ¡°What about these guys?¡± Edan asked, motioning to them.


    ¡°They will come. We will need to be stealthy as my exile persists.¡±


    ¡°Sure, stealthy. Two bears, a giant, and an incredibly handsome young man.¡± Edan huffed as he got to his feet, the cubs moving to hide behind his legs. ¡°Super stealthy.¡±


    ¨C


    Vraga saw smoke in the distance, the grey trails light against the surrounding darkness.


    He was high enough that anyone, regardless of how good their perception was, would have trouble spotting him silhouetted against the inky backdrop of space. Even so, he approached cautiously.


    Anything or anyone who could kill his pet had to be powerful, and without his other pets, Vraga was not sure he could win such a fight. Still, anger and curiosity insisted he find out who the culprit was.


    Below, he could see a stream that fed into a small waterfall that in turn crashed into a pool of deep water. Grass banks surround the pool and stretched outwards before being claimed by the surrounding forest.


    From his vantage point, Vraga could make out two people, their forms highlighted by the fire between them. Drifting lower for a closer look, Vraga drew his spirit in tight around himself, lest he alert them to his presence.


    An adult and a child.


    No, not an adult and a child. A massive woman and a small man.


    The Titan! Vraga realized. He¡¯d heard about her. The latest appeasement from the guilds who jockeyed for more power. He remembered some of his fellow Elders had not been pleased when they found out her oaths only bound her to secrecy and not servitude.


    His thin lips pressed together so tightly they turned little more than a slit. It took all of his self-control not to attack.


    Vraga remembered well the drama the Titan had stirred. How she had entered the Academy Dungeon against their wishes. It was she, Vraga surmised, that had killed his Viper and destroyed his lab.


    Even now, the pool of Vitalis at the very bottom of the dungeon no longer provided the same potent mix of soothing life and volatile fire. His experiments in that field had been cut short. The result, a single pet Vraga could feel off in the distance, weak and pathetic in comparison to the Viper that had stood guard.


    The Academy had made a serious error in not involving the sects in the Titan''s punishment. They had then compounded their mistakes by banishing her from the town.


    If they had told the Sect elders, the Titan could have been detained without too much effort, and forced to speak on who else she had taken with her, and more importantly: what had they taken out that affected the power source so severely.


    Was this part of her plan? Did she know about him? Was she working against him?


    Thoughts flickered through Vraga¡¯s mind but he dismissed them. It had to be a coincidence.


    Below, two dark lumps moved around the small human.


    ¡°They survived.¡± Vraga¡¯s pleased hiss was barely audible.


    His cold eyes flickered between the two cubs and the Titan.


    ¡°All together¡­Why not¡­¡± he muttered.


    Vraga followed the group as they left the forest and made their way back to Stratta. Stopping just outside of town he reached out to the strings he felt attached to his mind and pulled on them. Calling all his pets back.


    He would need to wait, some were far away or slow to wake and he would need them all if he was going to succeed with his plans. And what beautiful plans they were.


    The thought of experimenting on the Titan brought joy to Vraga¡¯s heart. A joy he hadn¡¯t felt in over a thousand years.

 CHAPTER 40

    Edan fell onto the bed in the attic of Harvey¡¯s store with a joyous sigh. The sigh cut off as he got a mouth full of linen. Rolling over, Edan looked up at the wooden beams just above his head and frowned.


    The bed wasn¡¯t as comfortable as he expected. Or rather, it wasn¡¯t much more comfortable than the sleeping bag he had used while camping in the woods. It took Edan a second to work it out. Just like being wet had changed, so too had his comfort.


    Not sure how to feel about that new progression, Edan swung his foot over the side of the bed and sat up. The small crescent window next to the headboard let in a thin beam of moonlight and through it, Edan could see the stars in the sky.


    There was the sound of tearing cardboard and Edan looked over lazily to the pile of boxes that teetered dangerously before falling over. Books, likely children''s books from the artwork, spilled out as well as clothes. There was a growl and the female cub stuck its head out of the pile, a white vest hanging from one ear.


    Tali had peeled off once they entered town. She¡¯d mentioned something about resupplying and laying low at the Traders Guild while he visited family. It would be a short trip. She planned on leaving the following night.


    The cubs had been too scared to go with her, and Edan had been too scared to release them, so they had tagged along with him.


    Harvey had been pleasantly surprised when he turned up. A quick question let Edan know Cassie had turned in for the night. Apparently, she and Lorien were still having difficulties. Sanik and Reema had been gone as well.


    Sanik had been off collecting information. The hunt for them was still ongoing, which was a bit unusual, and the feeling that there was more going on had only increased. Reema, worried about the unwavering manhunt, had been digging deeper and deeper into the seedy underbelly of the city to find smugglers willing to take them out of the city.


    Edan watched the male bear appear from behind a stack of books, a sock in his mouth. Shaking his head viciously, the cub did little more than slap his own face with the soft fabric.


    ¡°I really should give you both names,¡± he muttered, then wondered if he had the right to.


    The female cup had managed to untangle herself from the mess she''d made and had wandered over to play tug of war with the sock her brother had.


    Edan was still wondering about that when the door to the attic swung open and Saniks head popped up.


    ¡°Ha! I knew I smelt something.¡± He said cheerily, a large smile plastered across his face. More of his body emerged from the hole in the floor as he ascended the ladder.


    ¡°Close the door!¡± Edan said quickly as the two bears noticed the light spilling across the room and the new voice. ¡°I don¡¯t want those two getting out.¡±


    The two in question had huddled together, their eyes cautious as they regarded Sanik. The male let out an adorable growl and tried to make himself look bigger than he was.


    ¡°Uhhh, son¡­why are there two bear cubs in the room with you? And where''s the mother? Haven¡¯t you heard about mama bears?¡±


    Edan got up and stopping only to give the two cubs a reassuring pat on the head, gave his father a hug. The familiar scent of leather and metal was comforting.


    ¡°You move differently,¡± Sanik observed. ¡°Better balance and more sure of yourself.¡±


    Edan didn¡¯t know what to say to that so settled for a lopsided shrug. ¡°Tali has me dan-uhhh, training and she¡¯s always talking about not limiting myself to what I think I¡¯m capable of.¡±


    Sanik nodded. ¡°Sure. Sure. Now, the cubs?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Edan gestured towards the bed and Sanik joined him, sitting beside Edan he held his hand out to the cubs but they just looked at him cautiously.


    Edan took a while to explain everything that had been going on with him over the last couple of weeks. Sanik listened, laughing and smiling at the right parts and grimacing appropriately when Edan told him about the monkey attack.


    ¡°Might be useful to grab a set of graded weapons, the pair we gave you was never meant to be anything but a temporary solution,¡± Sanik advised at the end. ¡°This might help.¡±


    Edan looked down and gave a small cheer. Sanik held a small leather pouch out.


    ¡°My savings! You went home?¡±


    Sanik gave a cocky grin. ¡°Course. I may not be Reema''s level of stealthy, but I¡¯ve worked with her on enough jobs that I¡¯ve got the hang of sneaking. I needed to pick up some stuff from there and remembered you were bummed out you forgot it.¡±


    Edan opened the pouch. His life savings looked back at him.


    ¡°Nice! Do you think I could get a graded weapon with this?¡± He asked excitedly.


    Sanik laughed out loud and shook his head. ¡°Not even close. But I¡¯ll throw in the rest. Think of it as a proper present since the last one I got you didn¡¯t last a week.¡±


    Edan was more than willing to set aside his pride for a properly graded weapon.


    ¡°Where¡¯s mum?¡± He asked suddenly.


    ¡°Down by the docks,¡± Sanik said, falling backward on the bed. He almost cracked his head on the wall. ¡°She got hold of an old smuggling friend of hers a few nights ago but she was black-out drunk at the time so Reema wanted to wait. Silly idiot got locked up by the Watch for starting a brawl with a couple of free cultivators.¡±


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    ¡°Damn.¡±


    ¡°Mmmm, she¡¯s lucky they weren¡¯t affiliated with any of the Sects. Could have ended up much worse. They released her earlier today and Reema figures she¡¯ll be eager to set sail so she wanted to try reaching out to her one more time before she left.¡±


    ¡°And you let her go alone?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your mother''s old life, son, she knows how to handle it better than I. Cute little things, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    The bear cubs had crept closer during the conversation. The male leading. When they noticed Sanik looking at them they shuffled around, trying to get closer to Edan. He put his feet out and they slunk under it, looking around his shins at Sanik. The male let out another threatening growl and glancing at him sideways the female followed his lead.


    ¡°They seem attached to you.¡± Sanik gave them a little finger wave.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s just because Tali and you terrify them.¡±


    ¡°Awww and you¡¯re a big fluffy teddy bear.¡± Sanik teased.


    Eager to change the topic, Edan asked about Sanik¡¯s movements lately. It didn¡¯t amount to much other than light snooping, a few meetings in dark rooms, and a few five-fingered information retrievals. The last part made Edan frown but Sanik just laughed.


    ¡°Relax. Harvey vets all of it. They''re the thieves guild, son, they steal information as easily as they steal treasures.¡± Sanik rubbed roughly at his face and let out a huff. ¡°That being said, not a single person knows why the Academy is trying so hard to find us. Or if they know, they aren¡¯t talking about it. The other day Damascus Farrows showed up to help look!¡±


    The obvious confusion on Edan¡¯s face made Sanik laugh and he ruffled his son''s hair.


    ¡°Damascus Farrows is a very prominent member of The World Union Sect. Not particularly strong, but he carries a lot of influence since his father was the one that founded the Sect.¡±


    ¡°And if he¡¯s here it means that the World Union has thrown their support behind the search¡­¡± Edan muttered.


    He scratched the back of his neck. His hair was getting long and he¡¯d need to cut it soon. Or tie it up. Sanik often used a bun and made it look manly. Edan wondered if it was the beard. Unable to grow facial hair, Edan figured the long-haired look might not suit him.


    ¡°I actually think I might have the answer to that,¡± Edan said slowly.


    During his last talk with Kiba, Edan had mentioned telling his parents about the Four Star Heavenly Sect as well as the primordial himself. Edan had expected Kiba to be resistant to revealing his presence but he hadn¡¯t cared. He¡¯d twirled a blade of grass around his finger and said it was up to Edan.


    Edan would just have to tell them, in no uncertain terms, that he wasn¡¯t going to try to get rid of Kiba. And that he wasn¡¯t crazy, even if he did hear another voice in his head.


    Sanik looked at Edan, one eyebrow raised in question.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But I want to tell Mum and Harvey as well so maybe we do it at the same time?¡±


    Sanik gave his son a long level look, the usual humor gone from his eyes. Edan wasn¡¯t sure what Sanik saw in his face but he seemed reassured as a couple of seconds later he nodded slowly.


    ¡°Ok. I¡¯ll let Reema and Harvey know to set some time aside tomorrow morning. I¡¯m assuming since you didn¡¯t mention Cassie you¡¯d prefer she doesn''t know?¡±


    Edan thought of Cassie, her life was so far removed from the world of cultivation and levels. He shook his head.


    ¡°Nah, it affects her, but she wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything about it. Harvey can tell her later.¡± If he believes me Edan added in his head.


    Sanik left him to get some rest. At first, Edan lay on the bed and figured he¡¯d sleep. But after tossing and turning for a solid thirty minutes he sat back up. Sleep and rest would become more and more rare the higher level he became. Even at the mid-thirties, Edan already found that an hour a day could work in a pinch.


    With nothing better to do, Edan decided to try to focus on what Kiba had said about Paths.


    If stats governed the body and your level controlled your stats, then your Path controlled how you gained power. The concept behind it was rather confusing and abstract and even Kiba had trouble explaining it. The types of Paths didn¡¯t seem to follow any rhyme or reason either.


    Like any path, if Edan wanted to progress down it, he would need to take steps. The easiest way to do this? Tie it to an existing skill and force the skill to advance along that path.


    This train of thought had Edan pulling up his skill list to see what was available.


    <table style="width: 89.976%">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 8.03224%">


    Name


    </td>


    <td style="width: 6.96127%">


    Grade


    </td>


    <td style="width: 83.8881%" colspan="6">


    Description


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 8.03224%">


    Flurry


    </td>


    <td style="width: 6.96127%">


    Basic


    </td>


    <td style="width: 83.8881%" colspan="6">


    Multiple rapid stabs in quick succession. Most effective with a short bladed weapon


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 8.03224%">


    Slash


    </td>


    <td style="width: 6.96127%">


    Basic


    </td>


    <td style="width: 83.8881%" colspan="6">


    As effective as it is versatile, a swift attack designed to cut through enemies.


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 8.03224%">


    Throw


    </td>


    <td style="width: 6.96127%">


    Basic


    </td>


    <td style="width: 83.8881%" colspan="6">


    Hurl objects or weapons with precision, force, and strategic intent. Success if based on item thrown


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 8.03224%">


    Charge


    </td>


    <td style="width: 6.96127%">


    Basic


    </td>


    <td style="width: 83.8881%" colspan="6">


    An aggressive advance towards an enemy or target. Can be used to close the distance, break through defenses or deliver a powerful attack.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Kiba had said to focus on synergy. What skill would work best with which of his Paths?


    Edans eyes landed on the Throw skill before he looked over at Flurry. Both were his most used skills. Slash wasn¡¯t the greatest. Sure his daggers counted as a sharp-edged weapon, but the blades weren¡¯t long enough to add much to the skill. Charge was also an option, but Edan wasn¡¯t sure the idea he had in mind for that skill was possible at the moment.


    For now, Edan settled on Throw as his skill of choice. As for the Path. Edan chose Path of Lightning. He had an idea of what he wanted to do and how both could work together.


    Kiba had not been happy Edan had chosen to walk down the Path of Lightning first, but his grumbles had faded as Edan described his plans.


    Pulling a knife from the sheath on his chest, Edan sat on the edge of his bed. [Throw] activated and the blade went spinning across the attic to slam into a support beam with a thunk.


    The bear cubs stopped their wrestling to look over at the noise. Convinced it was nothing they went back at it.


    Edan pulled another knife from his chest and used [Throw] again. This time he focused on how his body moved and the surge of Vitalis through his limbs as the skill activated.


    They hadn¡¯t been able to find his other weapons before leaving camp. No doubt some monkey was showing it off to a friend at this very moment. Edan hopped they dropped it on their toe.


    What that meant was Edan had to get up and retrieve his blades from across the room.


    ¡°It''s going to be a long night.¡± He muttered.

 CHAPTER 41

    Edan¡¯s fears proved correct. He spent most of the night walking back and forth across the attic floor, his only breaks coming when he paused to throw the knives or when he needed to sit down and cultivate to recharge his depleting Vitalis. He didn¡¯t mind the cultivation so much, it was a good sign he was making progress in advancing a skill. The System nnergy getting used up to create it.


    The moonlight that filtered through the small window had drifted across the room, the shadows shifting and lengthening as the night wore on. The pale beams had faded to a weak grey light as the sun began to rise.


    Some time in the middle of the night the two cubs had fallen asleep. They¡¯d curled up against each other, using the old clothes as a nest. The occasional snort could be heard from one as they dreamt, their little paws batting at nothing.


    Edan held the dagger up before his face and focused. Thin, almost imperceptible streaks of lightning danced across the blade, sparking and hissing softly. Focusing hard enough to crease his brow, Edan turned and threw in one fluid movement.


    The blade streaked across the room. A dark blur. It struck the same post he had been using all night. The familiar thunk sounded out but other than that, nothing. Edan let out a defeated sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.


    Walking over he retrieved his knife and picked at the splinters and divots now covering the post. He¡¯d mention it to Harvey later.


    For now, he was hungry.


    Collecting the cubs was easy. They seemed resigned to their fate and followed after him as he left the attic. They even waited patiently at the top of the ladder as he climbed down and grabbed first one, then the other. The growl from the male cub was a faint imitation of its aggressive nature from last night, and the female cub even nuzzled his hand softly.


    Walking through the empty house, Edan walked downstairs with both of them hot on his heels. They had a bit of trouble with the steps and rolled, more than walked, down them.


    Harvey was sitting in the kitchen, a stack of communication crystals next to his elbow. He would pull one out of the pile, stare at it, then place it carefully off to the side.


    Sanik manned the stove and the smell of eggs and bacon filled the air. He noticed Edan out of the corner of his eye and waved an oily spatula at him.


    The bear cubs wandered off to sniff at things. The open floor plan gave them more than enough space to explore. The male started to pee on the floor and Harvey looked over with a raised eyebrow. The floor seemed to absorb the liquid and Edan held his hand up in apology.


    ¡°Sorry. They aren¡¯t house trained but I couldn¡¯t leave them outside.¡±


    ¡°Completely understandable, lad.¡± Harvey¡¯s aged voice remained cheery as he reached for another crystal.


    ¡°Apparently bears don''t only shit in the woods,¡± Sanik said, using his chin to point at the female bear that was squatting behind a table.


    Harvey gave Sanik a thin smile, not amused with his joke. He did handle the situation though and the female bear looked confused when her mess vanished.


    Edan slid into a seat next to Harvey and drummed his finger on the island top. ¡°No word from Mum yet?¡± he asked.


    ¡°She got back a few minutes ago,¡± Sanik said over his shoulder, sliding eggs from the plate. He grabbed a slice of bacon and tore it in two before tossing it towards the bears.


    ¡°Smelling rather strongly of fish,¡± Harvey added, sounding amused. ¡°I gather there were complications during her dealings, but she seemed in a good mood while heading into the shower.¡±


    ¡°That could have been more to do with the fact that Edan¡¯s here.¡± Sanik pointed out. Trying to feed another slice of bacon to the bears by hand. They glared at him, using the corner of the island as cover.


    ¡°Did Dad tell you I wanted to talk to you all?¡± Edan asked Harvey quietly.


    Bright blue eyes looked at Edan from under bushy white eyebrows as Harvey nodded slowly. ¡°A most serious matter?¡± He asked, his tone grave.


    Edan nodded and Harvey gave a brief nod before picking up another communication crystal. He frowned and picked up one from the listened-too pile, before putting them both off to the side. Edan didn¡¯t know what he was doing, but it looked stressful.


    The smell of Vanilla and Appleberries filled the air as Reema appeared. Her hair was tied in a messy bun on top of her head. Loose strands fell around her face, the tips curling and bouncing as she walked. Her eyes turned into crescents, almost swallowed by her cheeks, as she saw Edan and smiled. She rushed to give him a hug.


    The bear cubs growled as she hugged him, the sound both cute and alarmingly powerful considering their still small size. Reema pulled back, confused, and looked around for the source of the sound. Her eyes went wide when she saw them and the bear cubs took off running when she tried to catch them.


    ¡°So cute!¡± she squealed, chasing them around the kitchen island. The two cubs slid on the smooth floor and had to use their furry butts as counterweights to keep from falling over.


    ¡°Believe it or not but she used to chase me around like that,¡± Sanik said, sounding nostalgic. He grunted as Reema jabbed his ribs when she passed.


    ¡°Cassie?¡± Edan asked.


    ¡°Asleep,¡± Harvey answered, sliding the rest of the crystals away from him and stretching. ¡°And not likely to be awake soon. You are free to discuss these matters with us now, or wait till we have eaten.¡±


    ¡°What''s this?¡± Reema asked, pulling up short. She¡¯d almost caught one of the cubs.


    ¡°Edan, honey, he has something important he wants to tell us,¡± Sanik explained slowly. He pulled another piece of bacon from the pan and offered it to the cubs. The male took a step forward before backing up into his sister. ¡°Damn, almost had them!¡±


    ¡°And perhaps an update on your evening?¡± Harvey prodded lightly.


    ¡°Oh right! Sorry!¡± Reema tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled at Edan again. ¡°It¡¯s really good to see you sweety and I have really really good news.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve found us a way out of here?¡± Sanik guessed.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Reema beamed before snagging the piece of bacon Sanik had been offering to the bears. She crouched down and waved it towards them as if the smell alone could overcome their survival instinct.


    ¡°Honey,¡± Sanik said patiently, sliding the plate of bacon and eggs onto the island for everyone to dig into. ¡°Fight against the cuteness and join your family for breakfast, won''t you. Your son, who you haven¡¯t seen in weeks, is here, remember?¡±


    Reema popped up and gave Sanik a kiss on the cheek before nibbling on the piece of bacon. She grabbed a seat next to Edan and rubbed his back gently while filling his plate with eggs.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell us what you want to, and I¡¯ll go after? Then you can tell us about your time in the wilds with Tali. I hope she treated you well.¡± she said.


    Edan nodded. It was probably easier if he went first. He wasn¡¯t sure how they would react to the bombs he was about to drop. A small part worried they wouldn¡¯t believe him. Another part worried they would, and that they wouldn¡¯t know what to do.


    ¡°Ok. So¡­I should probably start with Kiba.¡± Edan said slowly.


    ¨C


    Tali looked across at Marcus, her amber eyes half-lidded as she tried to control her temper. As so often happened nowadays when she met with him, her conversations with Marcus devolved into arguments.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you did the wrong thing,¡± Marcus growled, his red mane of hair seemed to swell around him, making his office look even smaller. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is that it was foolish to break your oath to the academy for this child.¡±


    ¡°We have had this discussion before.¡± Tali reminded him. ¡°When I first told you of my banishment. Why bring it up again?¡±


    ¡°Because now they¡¯re trying to send Bootang back. You were meant to provide aid to the next generation of the Sect disciples with the support of the Academy. Your banishment means you can¡¯t follow through with that part of the agreement, so now the Sects are wondering ¡®Why should we?¡¯¡± Marcus rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a huff. ¡°We are so close Tali! So close to finding K¡­To finishing this! And you throw it away for some kid.¡±


    Tali¡¯s voice was a soft whisper but her anger cut through Marcus¡¯s volume like a knife.


    ¡°The only beginning to a story that ends with my people surviving involves him.¡±


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Marcus growled and glared at the wall above Tali¡¯s head, his face stony. Finally, with a huff, he leaned back in his chair. It tipped alarmingly but Marcus had perfect balance and it rocked gently back and forth.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± He said at last, the words sounded sincere, even if they were said begrudgingly. ¡°The Academy knows we¡¯re looking for something and they know you¡¯re sponsored by the guild. They likely thought you broke into the dungeon to investigate their source of power on our behalf. That''s why they''re all in a tizzy.¡±


    ¡°A tizzy?¡± Tali sounded confused as she tried to figure out the meaning of the word.


    ¡°Excited.¡± Marcus elaborated. ¡°They¡¯re all excited and pulling in resources and cultivators to help find you.¡±


    ¡°And those I was with,¡± Tali added.


    ¡°And in reality, you lot just went to rescue a kid who got lost in one of the levels,¡± Marcus said with a defeated shake of his head.


    ¡°He was not lost,¡± Tali said, feeling oddly defensive of Edan. ¡°He had ended up on the bottom floor of the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°What, but the saturation!¡± Marcus barked and then laughed. ¡°All this time I thought he was ungraded. What level is he? High hundred? No, wait! I¡¯ve met him. He was ungraded!¡±


    ¡°At the time, he had yet to birth his system,¡± Tali admitted and had the satisfaction of seeing Marcus¡¯s slitted eyes almost pop from his head. ¡°Though that changed while he was down there.¡±


    ¡°How did he survive the saturation? Did he-no that wouldn¡¯t have made sense. Maybe¡­¡± Marcus began muttering to himself. Urgently he asked Tali ¡°You mentioned a pool on the last floor?¡±


    ¡°Yes. High concentration of Life Vitalis. There was also the snake.¡±


    ¡°But the pool. You said Life Vitalis, correct?¡± Tali nodded and Marcus snapped his fingers, his eyes going distant. ¡°Maybe that helped him. I wonder...It¡¯s possible¡­¡± he muttered.


    ¡°Did you sense any powerful Fire attuned Vitalis?¡± Marcus asked hopefully, though his shoulders had already slumped.


    ¡°Not powerful.¡±


    ¡°Dammit.¡± Marcus leaned back in his seat heavily, looking defeated, before he looked at Tali oddly. ¡°You said ¡®not powerful¡¯. So there was some?¡±


    ¡°There were traces. Pure, if in small amounts.¡± Tali shifted in her seat under the unwavering gaze of her friend.


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t mention it to me before?¡± Marcus growled.


    ¡°You were busy yelling at me for embarrassing you and breaking my oath.¡± Tali reminded him mildly. ¡°Much like now.¡±


    ¡ª


    Edan finished his story and sat back feeling oddly exhausted. He hadn¡¯t realized the toll hiding something so important from those around him had taken until he had been relieved of it.


    Sanik and Reema had tried to interrupt multiple times throughout the retelling. Surprisingly it had been Harvey that had stopped them. His piercing blue eyes had never waivered from Edan¡¯s and his usually kind face had become a hard mask of concentration.


    Even now, Sanik and Reema were arguing with each other. Reema, true to Edan¡¯s expectations was more concerned with a foreign presence in the SoulScape of her son than the sect trying to destroy the world. Sanik was trying to calm her.


    Edan knew anything he said at this point would just set them off so he settled back in his chair and let them work it out. Harvey still hadn¡¯t spoken.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Edan finally asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m cautious by nature, lad,¡± Harvey said with a soft laugh. ¡°And so much of this doesn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡± Edan asked, his heart sinking.


    Sanik and Reema stopped their bickering to listen in.


    ¡°You are brash, over-eager, dismissive, and young.¡± Harvey smiled to take any sting out of his words. ¡°But I have never known you to be dishonest. No. I believe you. There have always been rumors surrounding the Sects and their motives. Too many loose ends and unanswered questions. If what you believe to be true is accurate, a great deal begins to make sense.¡±


    Scratching his chin and nodded along with Harvey, Sanik said ¡°I¡¯ve heard a few dishonored spoutings similar warnings.¡±


    Edan remembered the dishonored he had seen standing on the box down the road a couple of weeks ago with a scar twisting his face. He couldn¡¯t remember the words the man had said but he wondered if he had known.


    ¡°Not just that, though I suppose it wouldn¡¯t hurt to follow that avenue, should the opportunity arise. Perhaps the dishonored have more to offer than we originally thought.¡± Harvey ran a thin finger across the countertop as his eyes grew distant. ¡°But no, I was meaning my own assumptions. A large part of my duties lies in sifting through information and connecting dots that do not wish to be joined. One that has floated unconnected to anything is the reason behind the sect''s involvement. Seeming selfish organizations committing selfless acts. It does make you question them. Besides, there has always been gossip, but gossip has to start somewhere.¡±


    ¡°So what do we do?¡± Edan asked eagerly.


    ¡°For now, nothing,¡± Sanik said before Harvey could say anything. ¡°Stratta is crawling with disciples and elders. The last thing we want is to draw more attention to ourselves.¡±


    ¡°I will begin whispering in a few ears,¡± Harvey admitted. ¡°Only those I know will listen. Something such as this should not be kept hidden, nor should it be spread wildly. Fear or confusion will aid us little when the Sects are so well entrenched. They¡¯ve had nearly two hundred years to narrate a tale we need to destroy in a few short years.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound too hard,¡± Sanik said sarcastically.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to make a crack in their narrative during the tournament.¡± Edan¡¯s lips twisted up into a cold smile.


    ¡°That would be a good first move,¡± Harvey said, a hint of approval making his eyes twinkle. ¡°Remove the illusion of invincibility. Of inevitability. Show they can be beaten and that theirs is not the only path to strength and others will be willing to fight.¡±


    ¡°And none of that matters at the moment!¡± Reema butted in, her eyes turning to Edan. ¡°Honey, you have to know how unsafe it is having another sentient being in your SoulScape.¡±


    ¡°Very,¡± Edan admitted. ¡°But I made a promise, Mum, and Kiba has had weeks to try to possess me and he hasn¡¯t¡±


    ¡°Maybe he isn¡¯t strong enough yet,¡± Reema said. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s just biding his time. You have to get rid of him!¡±


    ¡°That is likely not the case,¡± Harvey muttered. When Reema turned on him with a scowl he held up his hands for peace. ¡°You said he was a primordial, lad?¡±


    ¡°Well, more of a slice of a primordial,¡± Edan admitted after a second of thought. ¡°He said he¡¯s an avatar of the original. I think it¡¯s sort of like a slice from a cake.¡±


    Sanik stopped stroking Reema¡¯s back and looked over at Edan. ¡°Now I want cake,¡± he said.


    Kid, did you just compare an avatar of a primordial to a slice of cake?


    Shhhh Edan sent back to silence Kiba.


    ¡°Do you know what a primordial is?¡± Edan asked Harvey.


    ¡°You know how the Four Star Sect likes to limit knowledge on anything that could be seen as stronger than their Founders, but from what I can gather, Primordials are to gods what gods are to us.¡±


    ¡°So¡­gods¡­gods?¡± Sanik asked, frowning.


    ¡°There are a few references here and there that make them seem old. Very old. Likely around the creation of the system. With age comes power, at least that''s the general idea.¡± Harvey raised his shoulders in a half-shrug. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be able to say more with any sense of certainty.¡±


    Damn, you are old! Edan sent to Kiba.


    The response, when it finally came, was rich with amusement. Kid, we¡¯re from a time before the system. Before the concept of time was created. Old is an understatement.


    Edan¡¯s eyes went wide and he shared what Kiba said with Harvey. Even Harvey seemed shaken by the news and Reema started suggesting removal again.


    Harvey held up his hand. ¡°As¡­alarming as that is, it just goes to prove my point from earlier. If Kiba wished to possess Edan, he would have. Someone as old or as powerful as he, has little need to ¡®bide their time¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Edan said when Reema opened her mouth to argue further. ¡°It¡¯s not happening, Mum. I¡¯m not going back on my word.¡±


    And if Edan was being honest, he kinda liked Kiba.


    ¡°Now,¡± Edan continued. ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell us about your evening, mum?¡±


    Reema didn¡¯t seem too happy with Edan but she knew how stubborn her son could be.


    ¡°I finally managed to get hold of Lem and Gem¡­¡± she said, beginning her tale.


    ¡ª


    ¡°I need to meet him.¡± Marcus insisted, his nails biting into the wooden surface of the desk as he leaned forward and glared at Tali.


    ¡°You will not integrate him,¡± Tali replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to ask him questions though. Tali, please, we were so sure ki-the person we¡¯re looking for, is tied to the power source of the Academy. Edan might know something. Even if it doesn¡¯t turn out to be what I want to hear, it at least allows us to rule that place out.¡±


    Marcus¡¯s slitted eyes burned with passion. Tali was shocked at the desperation her old friend was showing. She almost agreed, if for no other reason than to appease him, but she stopped herself. Tali knew Marcus. He was single-minded. He would approach Edan with all the tact of a charging Gru¡¯ruga in a pottery store. Tali had seen Edan stand up to her aura. He would have little difficulty with Marcus. Still¡­maybe there was something she could do to make it worth Edan''s time.


    ¡°He has mentioned nothing to me of another person in the dungeon and I saw little evidence to support that, other than the obvious lab. Could that have been set up by your mysterious individual?¡±


    Marcus actually thought about it for a second. ¡°It could be, though I doubt it.¡± he finally admitted.


    ¡°And I assume he is not the giant, maggot-infested, snake I mentioned earlier?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    ¡°Then it is very likely Edan will not be able to help you.¡± Tali finished, crossing her arms over her broad chest. Acting as if a thought had suddenly struck her, she smiled. ¡°Of course, if you were to approach as a friend, then maybe Edan would be willing to tell you this himself.¡±


    ¡°I am not looking to hurt the pup,¡± Marcus replied, his tone indignant. ¡°I simply wish to ask him questions.¡±


    ¡°And you will grow frustrated when he does not provide them. Your anger is rarely hidden and your aura is even more rarely contained. This can affect him, he is barely graded.¡±


    ¡°So I approach as a friend of a friend?¡± Marcus asked dubiously.


    Tali inclined her head. ¡°Yes, a friend of a friend who comes baring gifts.¡±


    ¡°Baring gifts?¡± Marcus asked confused, before he chuckeled darkly and sat back with a sigh. Rolling his eyes, he asked. ¡°Has your whole reluctance been a ploy to get me to get a present for your ward?¡±


    Tali simply smiled.


    ¡°Fine, what should I get him?¡±


    ¡ª


    Vraga floated high above Stratta, the morning sun burning his back with a comforting warmth. He hated it, but he also didn¡¯t want to return to the Sect just yet. The Titan had separated from the small man to stay in the Traders Guild. Normally this would have been fine. Vraga was nothing if not patient and he was more than willing to wait and watch. It would often take years or decades for his experiments to bear fruit. Vraga was used to waiting.


    What frustrated him was the small man took his bears and Vraga found himself torn between the two. The allure of a Titan to experiment on was too strong though and in the end, Vraga found himself floating above the Traders Guild.


    Hunching deeper in his cloak to avoid the sun''s rays, Vraga felt the strings connecting him to his pets and smiled. Two were near, and the rest were already in Stratta. He would need to act soon to ensure no one else caught the Titan before him.