[Exalted, ?] Most High

[Rihaku]

Hm. Okay, there are a few choices you do have to make that I was going to pop in with later; we'll keep the vote alive, though it's unlikely to change, since a bunch of people haven't voted yet. In the meantime, what is your immediate priority in the aftermath of Exaltation, assuming that once you deflect Flame, Zao will ensure Moon is stabilized? This will inform the content of the first post-Exaltation update.

[ ] Kill Flame - Though he has been Exalted for longer than you, and has mastered an entire Immaculate Martial Art, still you know with absolute certainty that the measure of your prowess is greater than his. This battle will likely not be easy, but it is necessary. He started this vendetta. He perpetuated it. You will end it.

[ ] Escape - You have Exalted as a Solar Anathema in the heart of Dragon-Blooded power. The one saving grace is that Zao is both aware of the truth, and willing to act on it. But your first priority must be survival. When your location is unknown, and the Wyld Hunts have died down, and the scandal blows over, then you will be free to move around relatively unmolested, and possibly visit your friends here again. But for now, you must fly, and hope that Zao's intervention buys you enough time and freedom to do so with further crossing blades.

[ ] Disguise - You're not really well-suited to it, but if you think fast, you could maybe attempt to disguise your Exaltation as that of a particularly violent Fire Aspect. Given that you are not a Night Caste, this is extremely unlikely to work, and will require a powerful stunt to have remotely good odds. It will also alter the configuration of your initial Charms, making you worse at combat. That said, this option does become more realistic with the Totality or As Planned choices. No matter how well you roll, however, the circumstances and effects surrounding your Exaltation will be extremely suspicious, and Zao will be hard-pressed to sell the Immaculates on the idea that your Blessing of the Dragons was genuine, rather than some Anathema trick. This will allow you to more-or-less maintain your position here in the Academy and in Dynastic society, relatively speaking. Expect to face, at bare minimum, extremely intensive scrutiny.

 

[Rihaku]

Midnight Suns

Resolute Flame.

Sesus Ulyssian's stare was fixed to the Fire Aspect, the would-be executioner of his dearest friend. Scarce months ago, he had defeated Flame in single combat, a mortal overcoming one of the Ten Thousand Dragons. Spurred by resentment, that dragon had grown strong. And so Sesus Ulyssian looked for any means, any opening, any weakness to exploit, any way for that mortal to replicate the outcome of his first battle with that dragon.

Resolute Flame.

He had not learned so quickly from nothing. He'd had examples, people to imitate and follow. And by the mundane movements of his legs, the way he positioned his stance, it was clear - the foundations of his combat art were copied from Ulyssian himself. In any other scenario, Ulyssian wouldn't have had a chance. But if Flame's fighting style was based on that of his mortal foe, then that mortal could predict the exact location of his arm at the moment of impact. There wouldn't be precious fractions of a second wasted aiming or adjusting.

A prodigy the equal of an Immaculate Master. Ulyssian could deflect the blow. All he needed to do was act.

All he needed to do, was the impossible.

He erupted forward, raw speed, rocketing off the front of the box, pumping with bone-crunching force across the glass-streaked sands, muscles pushed to tearing, each step a punishment of jarring, juddering force. Molten blisters spread across his face; char blackened his hair and skin; he smelled boiling fat. But nothing penetrated the circle of his concentration until the movement was complete. He had spent a lifetime honing the exact stances Flame now used. That lifetime's familiarity, he now turned against it, acting without thought or hesitation to produce a single, flawless counter.

In that moment, there was no organism named Sesus Ulyssian. There was only the movement, faultless and unadorned, ideal coupled to form, man and blade subsumed in perfect unity.

And then, there was light.

---

At last.

At last the mortal usurper would get what was coming to him. In presuming to save his betters, he was playing with fire. And Flame did not play.

Not anymore.

Not since Sesus Ulyssian had humiliated him, all those days before.

On that day, Resolute Flame died an inner death. He was a Dragon-Blood that had lost to a mortal. That was lower than a mortal. He, who carried the burden of his entire destitute family on his shoulders, who had studied for years to enter the Naval Academy, who had entered with the bright and earnest hope of creating a better life for his parents, his sister - that man had been unbearably, inconceivably stupid.

On that day, Resolute Flame learned that though he was Exalted by the Dragons, he was not Chosen by them, no matter what the Immaculates said. They had given him an opportunity, and he had squandered it. Deep in his heart, at the very core of his soul, he had wished for nothing so much as a second chance.

But none came. Mocked unceasingly, dismissed by peer and professor alike, he stood alone in an Academy where even the mortal had allies to watch his back. Flame guttered, in those dark days. He was very nearly extinguished.

At his lowest hour, when he prepared to take his own life, he'd thought of his sister - of her kind, patient smile, of her perpetually bandaged hands, her quiet strength. She was frail and sickly, but nonetheless always ready to patch up his bruises and thoughtless scrapes. She was ill, beyond even the Grace of the Dragons to remedy, but she had never resented Flame for his health and vigor. To the contrary, she had thrown every ounce of her being into supporting him.

"All of my Second Breath," she'd used to say, "I give to you. I'm afraid I've very much disappointed the Dragons. I don't know why I was Chosen. But you, you are different. You have such spirit, always standing up for those weaker than you. I may be merely an ember, but you are the resolute flame."

His own life, even his own Exaltation, he'd been free to squander, and merely despair. But what she had given him, he refused to dishonor. Redemption, atonement, a second chance - none of that mattered. All that mattered was that he lived up to her sacrifice. The other Nine thousand, Nine hundred and Ninety-Nine Dragons concerned him not at all.

From the mortal he had learned that strength came only through practice. And so Flame practiced. He practiced until his knuckles bled, until every exhalation was fire, until his arms and legs were more tear than flesh. Burning the wick of his life, he sought any and all avenues of strength, beyond mere fire or sword. He ingested envenomed acid until it could replace his own lifeblood. He learned the finger-stinging secrets to refine firepowder from raw firedust. Burning away his own need for sleep, he worked endless nights to master the Immaculate Dragon Styles, until all of his grim existence seemed but one unending and pain-streaked twilight.

And then Hesiesh had come to him, and all of it had become clear. Like Hesiesh himself, Flame's potential had slumbered, awaiting the moment of dire necessity. Awaiting his nemesis, Sesus Ulyssian.

The mortal. The usurper, who would seek to cast down the Dragon-Blooded and raise the profane banner of mortal rule over Their sacred realm. Sesus Ulyssian, Dynast. Whose line of descent traced to the Empress herself. Who had been trained from birth by the greatest masters of arms that jade and silver could buy. Whose family connection, status, and unnatural willpower would inspire unseemly ambition in the masses of the Realm, and win over even the mightiest of Dragons to his misguided cause.

Unless Flame stopped him.

Sesus Ulyssian. Who by all rights should have been Chosen by the Dragons, and was not.

Resolute Flame. Who by all rights should never even have seen a Dragon-Blooded in his life, and yet was Chosen.

The Dragons did have a sense of irony.

Flame had assimilated the lessons of Sesus Ulyssian. And now he would destroy him.

Around them, the air rippled and streamed. Molten sand bubbled under his feet. The roar of the crowd was all-consuming, rattling in his bones. He pounded forth, a righteous avenger, to destroy the mortal with power gifted to him by the Dragons themselves, at a speed which no mortal could even perceive, much less deflect.

And then, impossibly, Sesus Ulyssian deflected it. As if some heavenly guardian had descended, to turn the blow aside. Light sprang into being around him, such light as Flame had never seen, and a halo of brilliant gold glowed faintly upon the mortal's brow.

No.

A trumpet-blast of dread and crippling awe struck through Flame. This was no mortal, not any more. Behind Sesus Ulyssian dawned a burning star of white. Its incandescent fury, inescapable, seemed to melt through Flame's retinas, his eyes, all the layers of his self, as if they were but wax: burrowing through, inevitable, to sear its presence directly onto his brain.

It was as clear as day.

He couldn't win.

Resolute Flame was a conflagration, a force of nature, but what stood against him was a force beyond nature.

His was the raging fury of a bonfire, but this was the nuclear brilliance of the Sun.

Anathema.

---

Ulyssian, who was Odyssial, struck forth. He was confident he'd angled his caste mark so that it was concealed from all but Flame. The apocalypse of power that had swept through him now was pouring out, fusing into the great orb of light that hung over and behind him like a midnight sun. He had, of course, read about animas in detail when he was small, fantasizing about the day he'd finally Exalt. Though the glory of an anima banner could not be easily suppressed, its form was the product of an Exalt's mind.

Ulyssian found that he was able to focus somehow harder than before, exert greater mental effort to attain greater insights, control, and skill. It was like the difference between half-heartedly performing a task and fully focusing on it, but expanded by ten orders of magnitude. It was like watching the world through an endless night, only to finally witness the dawn. He could see so much further, now. To the very horizon of possibility.

When he looked at Flame, all the possible outcomes of their battle unfolded before him, not in any way that touched upon his senses, but as a simple bone-deep awareness, more present than any mere visualization. In the same sense that a scholar could look upon 5 plus 5 and simply know that it was 10, he could look upon a battlefield and know the consequences of ten thousand different moves. It was no more overwhelming than reading words on a page. If anything it felt familiar, as if a thousand times before, he'd...

A thousand times before, he'd tested the limits of his personal skill to find himself pressed against a cage made of physical law. A human could only move so fast. A human could only perceive so much. Now he pressed, and found no limits at all. It flooded into him, like memories he'd never truly forgotten, what he would have learned if he hadn't been caged.

That same startling level of insight, that same inhuman effort, he now applied to the task of survival. A seemingly impossible task. He was alone, Exalted as a Solar Anathema, in a Coliseum full of the Dragon-Blooded. That his anima banner had taken the form of a dawning sun, purest white and livid with flame, was extremely fortunate. There was hardly a tinge of Solar gold. It meant he had a chance. A chance not only to survive, but to emerge from this empowered.

And where there was a chance, he could find a way.

Flame's anima banner gave off tremendous heat, its mere shimmer sufficient to deform steel and slag mortal flesh. Somehow, Ulyssian's skill of physical endurance, raised to incredible heights, managed to protect him from that heat. But he could use Flame's aura to mask the lack of heat in his own anima, even as he worked to slowly reshape the outward displays of his power, disperse the orb of his anima into a more conventional sheeting of fire. As long as he stayed close enough to Flame, he might be able to profess a Fire-Aspected Exaltation. His own lack of burns at the end would only verify the story, and any peculiarities at the moment of Exaltation could be waved off as an aberration of such moments, incredibly common in practice and lore.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Remniscent Pearl - no, that was Sepulchral Ivory - no, that was Professor Ivory - gently carrying Moon away.

He had to stall, at least for a few minutes more. He had to keep Flame from credibly announcing his Anathema nature. He had to control the narrative.

Sesus Ulyssian was a Dynast, through and through. To enter the Naval Academy, he'd studied extensively the Immaculate Texts.

The crowds had gone quiet, uncertain. Stormclouds laden, on the precipice of unleashing a deluge.

"I do not presume to speak for Hesiesh, brother," Ulyssian shouted, as Flame reeled still. "But the Dragon of Fire restrained his own awesome power for all his life, until the one moment that it was truly necessary. His defining lesson, the lesson of his great sacrifice, was temperance. I do not know why Hesiesh Chose me tonight, but do you truly believe that your excessive display did him honor? And against your sister dragon, no less? As ardent an image of Mela as has ever walked this earth, whose only crime was in being," his voice broke, "too, kind, to some of her lessers-"

"You-" Flame emitted a strangled gasp. His eyes twitched, full of shock, loathing, and sheer incredulity. "You're-"

"After all," Ulyssian cut in, raising his voice, stepping forward, pointing his blade at the Headmaster's box, "Was it not Headmaster Zao himself who told us that we do not fight for the Dragon of Air, or for the Dragon of Water, but for the Ten Thousand Dragons together?"

There was a crack of thunder, and Lung Feng Zao was all of a sudden there. In his eyes glinted surprise, deep vexation, and fury at plans foiled. He trembled with barely controlled rage, stalking over to loom over Odyssian. The flames grew taller, and stronger. They licked outwards from his boots, his limbs. White fire.

"Yes," he said, and his tone was ice against steel, a whisper of deadly promise that carried clear through the entire arena, "how very amusing. How very apropos, you insolent, little, FOOL!"

Ulyssian stayed silent, glancing up with shellshocked reproach, not all of it feigned.

"Decades of preparation, FINISHED!" He roared, arm slashing through the air. "A safe lifetime of obscurity, blown for naught! I chose you myself. You were to save us from folly, not plunge headlong into it! With all Creation on the line, you go and act out for, for," his face twisted into a disgusted snarl, "for what? For her? For this frivolity?"

Zao turned away, shaking his head as if in disbelief. "Dragon's Grace! With this development, I may have to seriously re-evaluate your position as my successor, Ulyssian. The power that runs in your veins may eclipse that of Sesus himself, but you clearly lack the very restraint for which you were so ironically lecturing your fellow. The techniques you showed today should have been reserved for your uttermost enemy, not an audience of thousands! If you cannot maintain the simple conceit that you are not an Exalt, how can you possibly outwit the Anathema? How many times have I told you that anonymity is the best defense, that your enemy - my enemies - cannot strike at you if they do not know of you?"

"Sir," Ulyssian swallowed, head down, not nearly as confident in his acting skills as Zao was. Had Zao actually avoided telling any lies during that entire tirade, relying entirely on misapprehended truths? It was possible, if he'd held a higher opinion of Ulyssian than Ulyssian himself could believe. "I... wasn't thinking."

"No," Zao intoned, "you clearly weren't."

"This," Flame stammered, voice carrying feebly as Zao modulated the acoustics of the air, "this is a farce! He- Sesus Ulyssian, he's an Anathema! And you," he pointed at Zao, "you're in on it too! Hesiesh told me, you're in on it too!"

"Enough," said Reminiscent Ivory, emerging slowly from the arena entrance, wiping her hands of blood. "Headmaster, the boy made a mistake, but for the best of reasons. With all due respect, sir, you let your temper get the best of you. If you'd said nothing, they would believe Uly to be nothing more than a improbable Exalt. Now, everyone knows."

Zao grimaced. "We will discuss this at length in the future."

Flame turned unbelieving eyes towards Ivory. "Professor Ivory? You're in on it too?"

"Of course," said Professor Ivory with a vulpine grin. "A mortal boy gets tests in the top ten percent of Dragon-Blooded. He gets into the Imperial Naval Academy, and is chosen by Lung Feng Zao himself to be his personal student, because he's such an exceptional mortal. That's believable, right?"

Ulyssian felt a vague sense of umbrage, because it sounded completely ridiculous for some reason. Even though he knew it was true. Even though she was talking about him!

"I can't believe it," Flame shook his head. "You're all covering for him. HE'S AN ANATHEMA! I, I saw it, I can prove it-"

"Yes, yes," Ivory drawled, "Zao's chosen successor is actually an Anathema. You may as well call me an Anathema. No, even better, I'm a secret class of Exalt who has, for hundreds of years, maintained a world-spanning conspiracy to prop up the Realm."

This drew a few guffaws from the stands.

Zao appeared behind Flame, dispatching him into unconsciousness with a single neck chop. "Resolute Flame presumed to speak for the Immaculate Dragons without ordination. For this, and for the egregious and unforgivable insult he dealt to his fellow Dragon-Blooded, he will be disciplined. But he did speak one truth, tonight. This is indeed a farce."

He sighed. "I apologize, honored guests. I did let my temper go, and that was regrettable. But I think we have all learned something tonight," his face twisted sourly, "my enemies most of all."

This prompted a round of full-blown laughter, as the assembled crowd embraced the welcome release from tension. Certainly, the elders murmured sardonically, this affair had provided such quality entertainment as to exceed even their lofty expectations!

Zao harumphed irritatedly. "My especial apologies to the Heads of House Sesus, for scheming behind their backs. My trespass is nothing less than treachery, to steal the most promising of your sons, but it is not every century that I choose a successor. Sesus Ulyssian possesses a power that may be unique among all the scions of Dynasty. I trust no one will be so intemperate as to ask after the exact nature of his bloodline. It is not my wish to lie, especially not to my esteemed guests."

"And now," he finished, "tonight's festivities are concluded. Sesus, you're with me."

---

Weekend XP Bonus! Because you are distressingly low on XP, fanworks will yield double XP for the entire weekend (from now to Sunday night).

Time is of the essence. Your actions in the next few hours could redound across Creation.

[ ] Family Time - If you don't wish to heavily strain relations with your family, it would be wise to contact them quickly and apologize. Explain that Zao had wanted you to learn humility and resourcefulness without resorting to the skill of the Exalted, and that you were initially not supposed to draw attention to yourself, being instead a mortal that everyone could safely look down upon. You have failed this test, and ruined his plans, but you cannot say you are too unhappy - it is, after all, the nature of House Sesus always to strive towards glory!

[ ] Me Time - You are Odyssial, who is Ulyssian. Ulyssian, who is Odyssial. The same man, with two sets of memories. It would be wise to integrate those memories, and explore the depths of your power, before moving against the world. There is something of great import, locked within your anima, just barely beyond your reach...

[ ] Night Time - Moon is indisposed, but you can do nothing for her. Her fate is in the hands of the healers. Still, you cannot help but desire to act. Perhaps you could clarify the confusion within you on another matter: Reminiscent Ivory, who you keep thinking of as "Pearl." Memories float to the fore, like unanchored buoys, but you would be remiss to investigate them without also investigating her. It feels almost as if the two of you have a connection, but it is fluctuating wildly, uncertain...

 

[Rihaku]

Odyssial's blade, forged in the fires of countless battles, quenched in the freely-given blood of the Maiden of Battles, was ever his companion in the Age of Dreams. Through endless trials they labored together, always towards greatness. The path was not short, nor was it easy, but through the millenia they persevered. And in the end, they discovered greatness, perfection such as would daunt the wonders of the Age, and found it wanting.

What was its name, that sword of ten thousand endings?

[ ] Ambition - A gleaming longsword, double-edged, cut from a single faultless block of white orichalcum. For the value of its material alone, it would be priceless beyond measure. Ten thousand monsters from the Age of Titans were sacrificed on its pyre-forge, and the tallow of their primeval flesh burned away even the idea of impurity from the blade that would follow. In the light of dawn it flashes like bar of raw sunlight, light and heat and glory hammered into physical form. Whisper-sharp, it slides through solid steel as though it were parting silk.

The powers of Ambition reflect Odyssial perfectly. It is excellence beyond excellence, harder than the Sun, a peerless killing tool. Among all blades, Most High. It forges the path to victory, even in the most dire of circumstances: its Evocations are particularly well-suited to facing foes vaster than one's self, or numerous weaker enemies.

*Incredibly powerful and useful Evocations from a mechanical standpoint, near-flawlessly filling any holes in Odyssial's personal techniques, or even in the nature of Solar power itself.

*Naturally shines in situations that would otherwise be disadvantageous.

*The wielder of Ambition is driven always to great purpose. In a mortal's hands or a god-kings', the blade grants an unceasing perpetuity of will, such that the wielder will always be pressed towards self-improvement, and towards the same ultimate goals as Odyssial. They could even take up this blade with a desire to harm him, but through them, it would find a way to advance his greater agenda.

*In this way, the Lord Strategos may empower his lieutenants, from the lowliest squire to the mightiest Vizier, to face the greatest and most terrible horrors that this world can produce.

- Supreme power comes with somewhat limited themes. Prowess that transcends Perfection, as Odyssial transcended the Most High himself: that is its purview.

Example Evocations:

Terrestrial Evocation, Saber-Mirror Shield - The character's Bulwark Stance (and Fivefold Bulwark Stance, if applicable) may reverse Onslaught penalties into bonuses. The more attacks he faces, the stronger his defenses become.

Celestial Evocation, Beyond Perfection Ascendancy - Once per Essence level, the character may treat his permanent Essence as one dot higher for purposes of learning a Charm. Ignore that Charm's training time. Knowledge of the Charm fades if the wielder is separated from Ambition for more than one month. This Evocation may be re-purchased upon unlocking an Adamant Evocation.

Adamant Evocation, Eightfold Immortal Bulwark - The character's Fivefold Bulwark Stance, Immortal Blade Triumphant, and Ready in Eight Directions Stance may be simultaneously activated with a single Simple action. This counts as a Form Charm.

---

[ ] Unnamed (Away) - A reaper daiklave, slightly curved, of unusual heft and killing power. Unadorned, it used to be simply Odyssial's favorite mundane sword. So many daevas fell to its edge, however, that it spontaneously acquired the traits of soulsteel. Starmetal and soulsteel alloyed in a single seamless metal, folded ten thousand times upon itself, once for each monstrosity Odyssial slew. The pressure of its advance buckles shields, shatters bones, and brought Titans to their knees. Runes of infinitesimal fineness are etched upon the flat of the blade, calligraphic depictions of a particular sutra. They are its only adornment. Its edge does not shine in any sort of light. The metal itself is matte. The hilt is undecorated and sparse. It is the part of Odyssial that destroys. That is all.

Odyssial did not name this blade, no more than one would name a limb. Colloquially, Pearl named it "Away," for the reaction of his enemies upon seeing it, for the status of those who had faced it, and because, no matter where Odyssial may go, no matter who he may face, he always finds Away.

*Unparalleled powers of reaving and severing. A weapon embedded in the idea of violence since the world was young.

*Immense destructive force allows the wielder to perform attacks of shocking obscurity or apocalyptic scale. Having slain both those who created this world, and those who threatened to unmake it, it is fully steeped, every molecule, with conceptual might. It is just a blade without name, but it is also a lever by which worlds are moved.

*Blessed by Endings, Battle, and Serenity, and containing the reified deaths of ten thousand daeva-lords, jouten, and giganoths, the unnamed blade is capable of a dizzying variety of effects.

*If use is attempted by someone who is not part of Odyssial, that wielder is not protected from the blade's destructive force. They may find themselves 'accidentally' losing limbs when they attempt to sever a nation from existence, for example.

- The philosophy of Odyssial is thus: murder your enemies before they know you oppose them. Attack from every possible angle. Break them with overwhelming force on every front. While broad and esoteric powers are in its domain, virtually all of the blade's effects focus on destruction. It defends, but often only in the sense that the best defense is a good offense.

Example Evocations:

Terrestrial Evocation, One Strike Kills: The character's attack ignores half of enemy soak or Hardness. This Charm may be re-purchased upon unlocking an Adamant Evocation, allowing it to, at significant cost, ignore enemy soak or Hardness, even if such values are infinite.

Celestial Evocation, The Best Defense: The character may reflexively clash an attack from any range. This does not count as his action for the round. At Essence 4+, reduce the TN of his clash by 1, to a minimum of 4. At Essence 5+, the cost of this Evocation is reduced each time it is used in a turn.

Adamant Evocation, Masterstroke: This attack does aggravated damage, and damage is doubled after it is rolled. If the enemy is permanently slain, and that enemy governs, administrates, manages, or oversees some domain, and his authority is widely recognized (though official legitimacy is less important), one aspect of that domain falls to ruin in a manner that benefits Odyssial. A general dies, and his army dissolves into chaos. The God of Pestilence falls, and disease rates plummet across Creation. These effects can be prevented or reversed by heroic action, with difficulty dependent on the strength of the being and the totality of his influence over the given domain. Battlefield-wide effects occur almost instantly, but Creation-wide effects may propagate over weeks.

 

[Rihaku]

Ashes to Ashes

He couldn't think about Moon. Ulyssian well knew that he could do little for her now, and there were too many critical lines of thought to address.

They took a brisk pace, walking swiftly to the Headmaster's office. Ulyssian's mind raced, passing between concepts with an unnatural fluidity. There was so much to do, so many avenues to grow... in idle hours, he'd often mused what he would do differently, if he could send his consciousness back to the time of his childhood. There were so many exercises he could have done, so many adjustments he could have made, to train faster, work harder, even within the scope of a child's developing willpower.

This was like a second pubescence, his thoughts alight with countless paths to improvement. Training could only take him so far, that much was clear; all texts agreed that, for the Chosen, the highest tiers of supernal skill required active exercise against true adversity. Nonetheless, there were practical ideas, if only he had the time. He feared he would not. His memories of the Age of Glory could hold invaluable knowledge as well, but after Exaltation they were fragmentary; he'd need hours, if not days, to properly place them into context. He felt, vaguely, that he was in many ways diminished from Odyssial-that-was, but did not know what heights he'd fallen from. That was for the best; it would be decades, if not centuries before he grew into the fullness of his power, and it would serve little purpose to be taunted by what he could not attain.

They arrived at last to the security of the office. Pearl took up a post to the side of the door as it closed. Zao sat, motioning for Ulyssian to sit as well.

"Is Moon-" Ulyssian began, but Zao cut him off.

"She'll be fine," the Headmaster said tersely, distant concern in his eyes. "Numida is competent, if nothing else. You can do nothing for Moon, but she will live and recover in full. A day, maybe three. That is all Numida needs. Let us talk about what you can do."

"Sir," Ulyssian replied, "I haven't thought through my goals yet. I am still in the process of recovering my memories from the First Age. There could be critical information there."

"You have memories?" He frowned. "That is not unheard of, but, aside from the location of your prior incarnation's tomb, they are rarely useful, often distracting."

"Not just memories," Ulyssian said. "At the close of the First Age, I arranged for my Exaltation to seek out my soul again, and commanded Lethos not to erase its characteristics. My memories I maintained on the Exaltation itself. I remember the Age of Glory, some parts of the Primordial War, and after that, only generalities. I believe my mind-state by the High First Age had grown too complicated for this brain to parse. Likely those memories will be released to me as I grow in strength."

Zao stared.

Ulyssian paused as a more recent memory came to the fore. "Headmaster, you deliberately avoided telling any direct lies during that charade. You also said that all Creation was on the line. What did you mean by that?"

"I meant what I said," Zao replied, grimacing. "I don't think Creation is going to outlive my natural lifespan, and I have barely more than a century. If we're lucky, we'll get fifty years, at the rate things are currently developing. In twenty, we'll all be living in a war-torn ruin. Creation has too many enemies, and they are too strong. Its would-be defenders are too busy murdering each other. Your behavior was likely to attract a Solar Exaltation. I'm almost surprised it took this long. I thought, if I could just find a Solar that was willing to listen, and teach him everything I knew, maybe he would be able to do what I could not."

"We need to acquire as much power as we can, as quickly as we can," Ulyssian said immediately.

"Yes," said Zao. "And the Realm is still the most powerful entity on the face of Creation. Just not powerful enough. If you are as capable a Solar as you were a mortal, however, I think there is a chance. We will have to move quickly, though. You cannot waste your time here. Within a year, I want you either to be in control of House Sesus, or in a position of similar influence, hopefully betrothed to an equally powerful House, without neglecting the growth of your personal power."

Head of House Sesus? Him? Zao thought it was a realistic prospect. Everything had changed. But there was no time to reel. There was no time to sort things through the timidly advancing, languorous pace of human emotions. If the world was going to end, then Ulyssian, who was Odyssial, could give nothing less than his utmost. The value of every day, every hour, had to be maximized ruthlessly. It was... comforting. Everything had changed, and nothing had.

"Now," Zao continued, "there are two matters to attend to. Number one, your prior life. I will take what you have said at face value, but I am not experienced in this field. Ivory is, and she may be able to help. You were a Solar of the First Age. Do you remember which Solar you were?"

"Odyssial," said Pearl, voice soft. She always had been dramatic.

"Odyssial," Zao exhaled. "I have heard that name before, in the secret councils of the Viziers, as they spoke with demons. A name they feared, that they dared only whisper. It was slightly ridiculous. I have seen it inscribed in ancient script on the furthest corners of the world. More than this, I do not know. Would you care to explain how you do, Ivory?"

"Sifu," Pearl said reproachfully, features conflicted. "it's not ridiculous. You wouldn't understand. Odyssial was the greatest and most terrible of all the Solar generals. The Maidens themselves feared what he might do. And I... one of my past lives, was very close to him. His personal advisor, in fact. As for how I know, well, they look and act exactly the same."

"You're not much different yourself, Pearl," said Odyssial, turning to glance at her. "Your features are all the same, you're merely taller." Sepulchral Pearl had grown up malnourished. Reminiscent Ivory, or whatever name she had been given, likely had not.

"Past lives," Zao muttered, shaking his head. "I don't have time for this. Deal with it amongst yourselves, tell me afterwards if anything needs to change. Ulyssian, Odyssial, whatever you prefer to be called, you will find me in the hospital wing. Ivory, I trust you will not forget the urgency of our current situation."

He stood and exited the room.

"I am not Sepulchral Pearl," Pearl maintained, voice trembling slightly. "She was just one of the previous holders of my Exaltation, and a monster. Uly, Ulyssian, there's not much to say. I may have memories, but my soul is not hers. What I did today, though you may not understand, was the equivalent of high treason to my Faction. I threw in completely with Zao, I-"

Cold fury burned within him. The Bronze Faction would pay in blood. Him, they had merely killed. Pearl, they had eviscerated.

Ulyssian shook his head. "No. The effects propagated to those I was closest to, I couldn't contain it to myself even if I'd wanted to. Lethos treats your soul and characteristics the same as it does mine. Your Exaltation is fated to search for you alone. That is likely why the Bronze Faction made sure to indoctrinate you, in each life, from an early age."

"That," she shook her head, so different now from the composed Professor that Ulyssian knew. She was almost petulant, in that particular way of Pearl's. "That can't be true. I know I'm similar to her, personality-wise, but that doesn't mean anything. I'm not her, I'm not her, I'M NOT!"

---

[ ] Prove It. Release Ambition from your anima. As her own memories will undoubtedly tell her, only four Exalts in all Creation can wield it without your express permission, and it cannot be fooled. If she is not Sepulchral Pearl - Exaltation and soul - she will not be able to use it. This is a critical moment, you cannot afford delay, not if Pearl is to recover herself. She died because she was close to you. You will not allow her to suffer any more at the hands of Chejob's lackeys.

For this to work, you will have to flash-purchase the Immortal Bladesmaster Title. Since you paid 150,000 XP before, I will discount the cost by 75,000 XP; the other half paid for the benefits of your extremely good Disguise outcome. You will therefore require 245,000 Normal XP to flash-purchase the Title, which grants, among other things, the power to summon your blade to hand, the power to banish and retrieve your personal arms from Elsewhere, the acquisition of Ambition, and greatly improved offensive skill.

[ ] Attempt to Persuade Her. You are newly Exalted, and less than confident in your social skills. Still, you must find a way to break through the Bronze Faction brainwashing and help her see the evident truth. Both that Pearl is her identity, and that Pearl was far from a monster. She was a Hero of Creation, instrumental to the defeat of more than one Titan. Her actions saved trillions. With an exceptional stunt, your chances are fair to good.

[ ] Accept It. It is the result of Bronze Faction brainwashing. But ultimately, only Ivory can decide whether she is or is not Pearl. As she herself was saying earlier, she has thrown in completely with Zao. She will be a reliable ally regardless. [+150,00 XP]

 

[Rihaku]

Here is Ulyssian's tentative character sheet, as well as XP costs for Attributes and Abilities.

Sesus Ulyssian, who was Odyssial

STR 4
DEX 5
STA 5

CHA 2
MAN 2
APP 3

INT 4
WIT 5
PER 5

Brawl 5 (+1 Disciplined)
**Melee 5 (+1 Swords)
*Thrown 5 (+1 Small Objects)
*War 5 (+1 Inventive Strategies)

*Integrity 5 (+1 Sheer Will)

Performance 1
Presence 4 (+1 Intimidating)
*Resistance 5 (+1 Indomitable)
Survival 5 (+1 Ingenuity)

Investigation 5 (+1 Careful Analysis)
*Lore 5 (+1 Dynastic Scion, +1 Prediction)
Medicine 4 (+1 First Aid)
Occult 3

*Athletics 5 (+1 Agility)
*Awareness 5 (+1 Battle)
Dodge 5 (+1 Against Exalts)
*Larceny 5 (+1 Cunning)
*Stealth 5 (+1 Assassin)

Bureaucracy 3 (+1 The Realm)

Linguistics 4
Ride 1
Sail 3 (+1 Realm Ships)
Socialize 3 (+1 Realm Culture)

Merits - All combat-ready merits that can be achieved with training rather than talent, except for those that are essentially unnecessary for an Exalt.

Solar Excellence - By expending effort beyond mortal limits (a finite resource), Ulyssian can temporarily achieve superhuman levels of skill in all Favored / Caste Abilities (Marked with a *), as well as the following abilities:

Brawl
Presence
Investigation

Titles
Who Was Odyssial (Special) - A measure of remembered power, granted at the moment of Exaltation, gives Ulyssian a suite of abilities far surpassing a newly-Exalted Dawn.

*His individual combat prowess is somewhere between a Second Circle and Third Circle Daeva. He may strike with unerring accuracy, punch through the thickest armor, cut down a thousand men like a killing wind, and deflect a comet falling. Even groups of the Exalted, he can often dispatch with alacrity. His blade is as a shining maelstorm; though a hundred foes may strike at him in a single moment, his defense will not flag until he himself keels over from exhaustion.
*Given a few minutes of time to prepare, he may perfectly disguise himself as any humanoid being, replicating even supernatural displays such as the anima banner, within reason. This disguise is virtually impenetrable to all but the very greatest magics of perception, but it cannot exert physical effects; his anima will not damage others like a Dragon-Blood's, though they may feel its fire.
*His senses are precisely attuned, active even when unconscious or sleeping. When he focuses, they are much sharper than an ordinary man's, heightening his readiness for battle to a supernatural degree.
*He has perfect balance and lightfooted skill, to the degree where he can execute a full running battle across a clothesline, or fend off eightfold attackers while standing on a willow tree in strong winds. He can achieve short bursts of preternatural speed.
*In battle, he may occasionally strike with such alarming swiftness that no merely physical force can attack before him.
*No curse or transformation, no matter how potent, may strip from him his flawless skill with a blade, or the ability to properly wield it.
*His body exudes an impression of dangerous poise and controlled violence, like that of a stalking tiger. This does not implicitly threaten any onlooker; they simply understand that this is a being whose capacity for destruction is natural and effortless, and though it is not currently directed at them, neither is it to be trifled with.
*So attuned is he to the subtle movements of the world, that he instinctively knows when to investigate a scene, or when a person is not who they appear to be. He may fail to find or prove anything, but he will still know to be wary, for his instincts are never wrong.
*All these particular abilities, refinements of skill into the level of the nearly impossible, are in addition to the natural overwhelming excellence of the Solar Exalted.

Immortal Bladesmaster (Martial) - An affinity with his blades that transcends space and age.

*Ulyssian may summon forth the Blade of Odyssial, Most High of Swords, Ambition (Artifact N/A).
*He may call his blade to hand at the speed of thought, traversing the intervening distance even if knocked away or disarmed.
*He may banish a weapon to Elsewhere for a modest expenditure of effort, and release that banishment to summon his weapon to hand.
*Assuming a martial stance, he may focus his anima into his blade itself, making it impossible to destroy or disarm, and magnifying its damage.

War-Saint's Ferocious Vigor (Martial) - Power unyielding and unbound, striking down all in its path. Efficiency, rejuvenation, and sheer might: all are the domain of the War-Saint.

*The Solar may perform a devastating physical strike, crossing significant distances in an instant to utterly seize control of an engagement
*When struck by glancing blows, his power is only renewed, greatly extending his stamina in combat
*When fully committing to a strike, likewise his power is renewed, commensurate to the upwelling excellence of the strike itself
*His precise, yet energetic power allows him to deflect, repel, and overcome even the most skilled of attacks, frequently turning sure hits into narrow misses with very modest effort.
*This Title multiplicatively expands the Solar's overall combat strength.

Fortune-Stealing Palms (Utility) - The ultimate thief learns to acquire not merely material possessions, but the flow of the world itself! Somehow, he always finds a way. Useful inside the casino, and out!

*Ulyssian can manifest supernatural excellence without effort, several times per day, in the field of surreptitious activities. This is extremely useful when one is attempting to avoid flaring anima.
*Ulyssian improves his powers of perception, allowing him to cold-heartedly evaluate his enemies. He can learn whether they believe their chances to be good, great, or poor. Works for games of chance as well as strategy.
*Ulyssian can cheat effortlessly at cards or dice, so swift are his hands. Put it all on red, and make sure it spins to red! Only the very most powerful of supernatural detection can catch him, the first few times in a scene he does this. Also allows him to slip poison into any food or beverage undetected.
*Ulyssian's plans are so comprehensive and cunning that it appears he steals fate itself. Once per day, he may dramatically improve his odds at any one action, as he finds a way. This may be re-purchased at Essence 4 to grant truly ludicrous competence, once per day.

Artifacts
Ambition, white orichalcum longsword
The Storm Armor of Shogun Feng, blue jade, black jade, and soulsteel heavy armor.

Evocations known:
Killing Perfection Technique
Flash of Steel
Flawless Mirror Shield
Saber Mirror Shield
The King Stands Against
*Beyond Perfection Ascendancy

Attribute Costs and Training Times
*Attributes cost (Current Rating x 20000) XP to raise.
*They take several months of casual training, or weeks of focused training, to improve. Casual training can be fit in during the spare moments of running a kingdom or adventuring.
*If Ulyssian has access to a mentor and a full range of appropriate resources, and does nothing other than train the Attribute, he may improve it in days.

Ability Costs
*Abilities cost (Current Rating x 10000) XP to raise.
*They take several weeks of casual training, or days of focused training, to improve.

 

[Rihaku]

Moon and Stars

"Alright." Ulyssian held up a hand. He wasn't adept at these sorts of situations, but for Pearl he would try. And if Ivory decided she wanted no part of Pearl regardless, he would leave her to her peace.

Ivory stopped, breathing heavily. She wiped a sweaty hand across her brow. "I'm sorry, Uly. Er, Ulyssian. I've... my teachers showed me things, what she had done, so that I wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past. The Solars were heroes at first, and so was Pearl. But they became monsters, monsters almost too powerful to be slain."

"I may have been a monster," said Odyssial calmly. "I was many things, most of which I do not remember. But I do remember Sepulchral Pearl, and the Pearl I remember was a hero until the very end. Professor Ivory, only you can decide who you are or are not. But it should be you that decides, not Odyssial, not Zao, and not your other teachers either."

Ivory sighed. "All right. It's true that I've heard of Pearl only from her enemies. But I have her memories, especially of her mortal life, and she... she wasn't a happy person, Ody. The hate she held for the Primordials, the bitterness, it consumed her for the entire war. I remember times with you, when we, I mean she, could be distracted from that. But for the entire Age of Dreams, she left sorrow and death in her wake. Creation's enemies, yes, but also our fellow Exalts, even mortals. Hundreds, thousands, millions! And then the Usurpation, and I betrayed our fellow Sidereals, fighting for Odyssial. How many more died in those days, by our sword, and my curses? Billions?"

The Bronze Faction was capable. They had managed to vilify Pearl even in the heart of her reincarnated self, who had years of her memories. Her happy years, they'd glossed over. Her assassin's role, they'd emphasized. Yet Ivory still identified with her past memories, to the point where she couldn't coherently speak of them without referring to Pearl as herself, even when she tried to stop it. How much guilt and misery had she suffered, tortured by those twisted memories?

"During the Age of Dreams, no Chosen of Endings cared for the mortals as much as Sepulchral Pearlescence," Ulyssian said gently. "That was why it hurt her so much to slay them. She was an assassin, yes. It was what she was good at. But can you say your own role is different? You are a Chosen of Endings. I cannot imagine the Bronze Faction has a nonviolent position for you."

"I killed, yes," Ivory said, voice small. "It is what I am good at. Fellow Exalts. Fellow Sidereals, even. And yes, mortals. I have no compunction against taking lives; I wouldn't be a Chosen of Endings otherwise. We both fought for what we believed to be necessary. By the fact is, I could kill for the rest of my life and not do a tenth of the damage she did to Creation with her betrayal. And it's astronomically unlikely that I would have the same soul, the same consciousness, as Pearl!"

"You told me that you betrayed your faction just now, when you helped me and Zao," Ulyssian said. "Did it feel wrong to do so? Did you think you were hurting Creation by doing that? Pearl did not think of it as betrayal, when she fought the Vision of Bronze. She was conflicted, but in the instant of need, she acted without hesitation."

Ivory smiled wryly. "So basically, if Pearl was a monster, then I am no less of one? I suppose that's true enough, now."

"And no more of one. But if you are so convinced, then I am still Odyssial, one of the most heartless kings of the Old Realm," Ulyssian replied. "If it makes you feel any better, we can be monsters together."

"Just like old times, huh?" Her voice was wistful. "But I truly don't think that I'm her, Uly. How can you prove something like that? Souls don't have any identifiers besides their characteristics."

"Our sword," Ulyssian said. "You spoke of it earlier. Do you remember it?"

"Ambition," she nodded. "I, she used it many times."

"Then you know it cannot be fooled. If I deny a wielder my permission, they will simply be unable to use it. Unless they are one of four people, one of which was Pearl." Ulyssian reached into the well of power inside, straining past the limits of his newly Exalted form, and with a colossal upwelling of will, managed to draw forth the blade of his anima.

Light given sharpness, Odyssial had thought, when he'd slain Larsyifex of the Contingent of Valour. That ideal, he'd crystallized into the argent blade Ulyssian now held.

"Forged in the pyre of a thousand Creation-leveling threats," he murmured. "Pearl helped to build it as much as I did."

Ivory's eyes were wide. She was silent, on the precipice of anxiety and terror, knowing what was to come.

"I do not," Odyssial said aloud, watching as the runes etched themselves into the blade with golden fire, "give the woman before me permission to wield you. No matter her identity. Not if she is Sepulchral Pearl herself."

He presented the blade to her, hilt-first. Ivory hesitated, trembling for a moment, but squared her shoulders, recovering some of her usual composure.

"Gee, thanks," she grinned, as she adjusted her stance, and nonchalantly closed her slender fingers around the hilt.

Odyssial let go, and Ivory prepared to fall, unable to lift the blade.

She didn't fall. Ambition shined as brilliantly in her hands as it originally had, so many millennia ago.

She stood like that, in silence, for a time.

"Alright," she said, a soft, sad smile creasing her face. "I can't argue against that. Let's... let's be monsters together."

Time and the Bronze Faction had done much harm to their bond. Worn down, ravaged, twisted and frayed, nonetheless it had survived his long absence. They would both have to make up for lost time. He only hoped that Ivory would remember more of the times when Pearl had been truly happy.

"Well," he said offhandedly, turning his head to the side. "If you insist, I guess. But there'll be no standing on my shoulders this time, I don't think my frame could take it."

"What?" She gasped, leveling the blade at his torso. "Uly, are you calling me fat?"

"I'm saying you've gained weight, yes," he replied dryly, without blinking. "I am, after all, a monster."

"You dare!" She huffed, drawing herself up. "Well, if you're going to present conditions, then I will too. I'm still your professor, you know! You will respect my position as your teacher. There's a lot you have to know about the Second Age."

"Pearl," he shook his head, "you've saved my life on thirty-six thousand, five hundred and twenty-three occasions. But I would sooner die, than respect your authority."

She pouted. "We'll see what Zao has to say about that!"

And so they went to see Lung Feng Zao.

"You're finished? Good." Zao was standing besides Moon's bed, weariness stamped heavily on his features. He nodded towards Moon. "She's doing fine. Let's go somewhere secure."

And so they walked all the back to the Headmaster's office.

"Now," he said, setting into his chair with a brief look of pain, "Onwards to other matters. We must consider your path of advancement. With your new power, we can accelerate your curriculum easily. I could teach you personally, and Professor Ivory could step in when I'm not busy."

Behind Zao, Ivory smirked, Pearl's trademark vulpine grin on her face.

"You'd be a captain, either a Privateer with a letter of marque, or at the helm of a major warship, Imperial or Sesus. I can have you fast-tracked for the Admiralty within four years, two if I resign my position here and assume my old position there. You'd get half a year here, to grow your powers in relative safety, and though my power in the Navy is not unquestionable, not even the elders of Ivory's faction can stop me. We could direct your mission assignments so that you're directed against actual threats to Creation, or Anathema that you can negotiate with. The Realm has enough enemies that we could get away with that, as long as it's not a Peleps fleet, and as long as it's under the table. Of course, you'd have to keep your true nature a secret from everyone but Nilul. That includes my-"

He paused for a moment. "That includes my other students, especially Moon."

That wasn't what he was originally going to say. But Ulyssian was much more concerned about what he did say.

"Nilul is an Anathema, so I understand that part. Sfor, I don't trust. Hero would not understand. But you're forbidding me from telling Moon?"

"Categorically," Zao said.

That would be disastrous. Ulyssian thought back to his first few conversations with Moon. She'd told him, with true earnestness, that though he was not Exalted, he deserved to be. That she admired him for being a mortal and yet trying so hard.

If she thought, now, that he had been hiding his Exaltation this whole time, that he had been faking his mediocre ability to lie, then everything they'd done together, all the concern she'd shown him when they sparred, all the times she'd exposed herself to Immaculate censure by protecting him - it would all be tainted by that inference. That one false fact. She would feel like she'd been lied to, when she was at her most trusting. She would feel like a fool.

Ulyssian drew on Odyssial that was.

"I refuse," he said, "categorically."

Zao put on hand on his forehead, leaning into his desk. "I know it will be hard for you, boy. Do you think I'm stupid? Because I know you're not. Look at the consequences if she knows. First. Moon is exceptionally skilled for her age, but she has no talent for deception. A determined and powerful Sidereal could get the truth out of her. As could most Dynastic elders. At the very least, they would infer that she is hiding something, that something is not as it seems when she talks about you."

"Second. You will be subject to numerous assassination attempts now that I have declared you my heir. Not just from the Immaculate Order, or rival dynasts. The Lunar Exalted, and their Solar mates. The Abyssal Exalted. The Infernal Exalted. They will come in force, at any time of the day, whether you are alone or not. You can protect yourself. She is not ready."

"Third. You are under suspicion for being Anathema. We discredited Flame thoroughly, but if proof ever comes out, all your acquaintances are also suspect. The more people who know, the more opportunities for evidence to emerge. Moon is your closest friend. Flame tried to kill her for that reason only. Defending a mortal? That can be eccentricity. Defending an Anathema that infiltrated the highest strata of Imperial society? That is treason and blasphemy against the Dragons. She will be a pariah. She could well be executed. Would you have her drop everything, sacrifice all that she has gained here, the Realm she's read her whole life about, just to safely be your friend?"

He sighed. "It is best if that story ends where it is. You know it is not expedient to marry a Lost Egg in any rate, no matter how talented. You are young. Do not let the fate of nations hang by the thread of a teenager's drama."

---

[ ] Somehow - Zao has good points. But he can't stop you. It will damage his trust in you, but you cannot accept this. You will find a way around all the vulnerabilities he described. Somehow. [+50,000 XP]

[ ] He's Right - He is right. There... can be no future between the two of you, not if you are to maintain this role. Unless you were to take Moon from here into the Threshold, it's simply too dangerous for her. As the person you're closest to, she would become a target for countless assassins, a point of leverage for foe and rival alike. You know Moon is strong enough to defend herself, but the power of Flame drove home well that she is not yet among Creation's titans, not even close.

[ ] Persuasion - Try to convince Zao to let you tell Moon with logical or emotional arguments. Ulyssian currently doesn't have any, having been blindsided with this, but a stunt could change that. However, do you really want to endanger Moon by telling her the truth? If you try to persuade Zao and fail, Ulyssian will likely go along with his wishes. At the very least, it would damage Zao's trust even more than in Somehow, were you to tell her.

 

[Rihaku]

I've got to sift through the arguments made for the persuasion choice, so the continuation of that line will have to wait a while longer. However, I do have a quite important decision point for you, one that may inform your choice of sword and truth:

Zao has many plans for you, but of course it is ultimately your cooperation that makes them work. He sees three primary options, and you can pick which suits you. For now, we will focus on the six months to follow.

[ ] Swift Deployment. There is no substitute for experience, it is said. Well, you've little enough experience with Exalted combat in this Age, though you do have Odyssial's memories to draw upon. Still, that your body is the same does not mean your nerves have developed to his extent. Without the context of combat, training is much less useful.

There are countless areas where a single Exalt's strategic intervention could increase the sum of your resources or delay Creation's fall. Of these, many are time-sensitive. Chances to do good fade away every day as, one by one, Creation's defenders and decent peoples are overwhelmed. As soon as the festivities are over and the guests have left, have Zao send you on a mission.

*You will have a brief opportunity to talk with your friends before going
*The mission will have high stakes; to send you otherwise would be a waste. If you fail in your inexperience, thousands, perhaps millions of people will likely suffer and die.
*Moderately increases the effects of training in the next few months.
*As you will not always be at the Academy, Zao's enemies are less likely to attack it without cause, especially if you make it hard to determine when you are and aren't there.
*You will have the chance to use your power in a meaningful context. Should you succeed, Creation is safer or you and your allies have secured valuable resources.
*This gets you plot XP fast.

[ ] Develop Connections. Perhaps the most uncomfortable of the options, for Odyssial. Though you will spend most of your time training and studying warfare, tactics, and organization, you will also make full use of your newfound status to develop connections with your House and the Realm. This includes attending, ugh, parties. Just think of it as training, Ulyssian. Social training, the most useless and ineffectual type. But necessary. Yes, necessary.

*You will face true trial and tribulation in the course of these events.
*Your social skills will likely improve enormously.
*Even Ulyssian is unlikely to mess up so that he will reveal himself as Anathema, though who knows, really?
*A visible presence in high society is an easy target for assassins, so at least you'll have something to do at parties, if you're (un?)lucky
*Training time is not significantly slowed by your endeavors socially, unless you want it to be by committing extra time.
*You will be much-better positioned to assume a high-ranking legitimate role.
*May accelerate Zao's timetable for getting you real power, or allow you to reach Admiral-level positions quickly in other areas (House Sesus, the Magistracy, the Deliberative, the Legions, the Immaculate Order)
*You will receive plot XP for attending social events. What stronger incentive to socialize can you get?

[ ] Power & Security. The Academy is not safe, but it is safer than almost anywhere else. You are strong, but you are not strong enough to be confident in your survival given any mission. Training can rectify that. With the fate of nations at stake, it makes no sense to act recklessly or attempt to develop atrophied social skills. What you need is focus, dedication, and precision. Training may not be the same as true combat, but it can replicate it damn well, with Numida as a healer. With laserlike focus, you will get everything you can out of Zao and Ivory's tenure as instructors. You will prepare for the end of the world with the competence, impartiality, and efficiency that such a task demands. You will not fall prey to optimism, loneliness, or excess lust for glory. And when the time comes to change the world, you will have an actual plan, which has been reviewed by actually experienced Exalts, to do so.

*Increased favor with Zao.
*You will focus on your strengths: infiltration and exfiltration, combat, and strategy / tactics.
*You will train to a highly capable level before risking your life on outside ventures, thus minimizing such risk. You are likely, (but not guaranteed) to be able to spend all your XP efficiently before you graduate.
*This does not mean that you will necessarily be safe; the Academy may be itself infiltrated or attacked, but you will be in one of the safest areas in Creation.
*You will have "plenty" (relatively speaking) of time to spend with your friends, even if most of it is training alongside them.
*Slice-of-life boarding school drama Relatively low horrific tragedies Significantly reduced chance of Zao dying, probably, maybe? Okay, probably not, but a man can hope right I mean you can never be sure

 

[Rihaku]

The Rose Flowers

The two men stared at each other in obstinate silence. Finally, Ulyssian spoke. "Sir. I believe it would be extremely unfair for me to betray her, at this critical juncture, in this manner. Moon has supported me tirelessly, risking her social position and expending much of her free time. She has never asked for anything in exchange. If Creation is to be saved, that is one matter. But if the Solars of Creation learn lessons such as these - if they rise, and turn Creation into a place not worth living - then the war to cast them down may well destroy our world anyway."

Zao frowned, very slightly raising an eyebrow. Ulyssian got the distinct impression that the Headmaster thought the latter portion of his argument was rather a stretch.

The core steel of Odyssial supported him where the younger Ulyssian may have gulped. "The risks you've elucidated are apparent to me now, but I believe the most dangerous of them can be reduced or eliminated. Headmaster, most of the danger comes from my being publicly associated with Moon. If we were to have a falling-out, perhaps over this very subject, not so dramatic that it seems staged, but credible enough to spread rumors, and afterwards avoid each other, I think that could deflect the majority of attention, especially adverse, onto me. Nilul is extremely good at managing the student base. If I am exposed, Moon will have already publicly dissociated herself, and as the years pass and her own capacity becomes apparent, she will become too valuable to prosecute for a claim on such dubious evidence."

"So, you tell her the truth and then stay away from her." Zao gave a short, abrupt nod. "That would keep her safe. It could be acceptable."

"Publicly, yes," Ulyssian confirmed. "But we'd still arrange some meetings in private, perhaps in areas that are unlikely to have foot traffic. Moon is an exceptional student in every regard, a genius in many fields, and it would benefit us both to study together, as we have in the past. The results for that speak for themselves, I believe."

"Unnecessary," Zao retorted, voice clipped. "I'm far more experienced in such fields. And Professor Ivory's strategic ability is acceptable as well. There's no benefit to that arrangement."

His logic was sound, but Odyssial frowned anyway. Something didn't seem right. That didn't fit his expectation of what Zao would say. After all, both Zao and Ivory were extremely busy; the value of their time was high. Creation would be better served if they could take some time to work in the field, or attend to other matters, rather than spending all their days training with him.

Efficient operation under scarce resources was a hallmark of Zao's plans. He had previously been treating the Solar Ulyssian as the central piece of his plan. Why would he hesitate to marginally risk Empty Moon, who was supposedly far less central, in order to free up an asset on the level of Professor Ivory?

Indeed, why had Zao been on the cusp of killing Flame, who had threatened Moon?

"Sir," Ulyssian said carefully, "Is Moon more important to your plans than you're telling me?"

"Yes," Zao said unhesitatingly, "her bloodline is unique, and possibly irreplaceable. But, I suppose that is a concern for later years, relevant if Creation survives the decades to come. I will relent on this, but I will expect you to devise the security. And on the matter of our plans for Creation, I'll expect you to listen."

"Understood," said Ulyssian, "you have my word."

---

One to three days.

Moon would not awaken for one to three days. In the meantime, then, Odyssial had to occupy himself. It was the Calibration feast, and in his life past that would have meant a gathering of all the greatest sorcerers to ensure that none called up the Greater Souls of the Yozis that year. As if such a measure could stop a determined sorcerer.

Odyssial had never had much interest in feasts, or in celebration, but he knew that his presence would be expected. That did not mean, however, that he had to humor such expectations. No, this would be a great time to train in peace and solitude. At last the techniques he'd devised in his mind would be unleashed for empirical survey. He had been Exalted for hours already, and yet had made no progress on growing his personal power, having been drawn into prolonged conversation with Zao and then Ivory. Well, that changed now. Once and for all, he would-

"Hello~"

Tepet Nilul. The scarlet-clad empress of the school social order stalked towards him, blood-red hair shifting in light of the moon. Her improbably over-adorned dress, slit high on her legs, fluttered like a standard in the breeze. From her limbs and face, one would think she was a slender and fragile Dragon-Blooded princess, a precocious ingenue whose genuine demeanor and self-effacing kindness had won over countless hot-blooded Dynast hearts. But Ulyssian knew better.

He was sure he'd left no trace. So...

"How did you find me?" he growled brusquely, sheathing Ambition into his anima once more.

Nilul stepped forward, smirking cheekily. "Everyone's looking for you, you know. You should count yourself lucky that I was I who found you."

"No one should have been able to find me," he sulked, wondering if he could practice his sword techniques on Nilul instead. But she was such a terrible sparring partner, always trying to lose...

"My fellow Anathema!" She whispered dramatically, "You wound me. My specialty is piercing deception, you know. When I couldn't find you at Moon's bedside, I knew you had to be atop one of the towers, looking for someplace to train where no-one would bother you."

"Ah, so you know I didn't wish to be bothered," he replied, standing his ground levelly. "And yet here you are."

"And yet here I am," she agreed, pirouetting as if to display herself.

"I'm training," Odyssial declared, "you can talk at me if you want."

Ambition was in his hands once more. He took a stance and inhaled, gazing down at Seacrown below them, the torches and sorcerous lights, the abodes of the great and the small, and around them all the great dark ocean, like a titan unquiet in its slumber. He had fought an ocean once, who had been the Sea that Marched Against the Flame...

Scarce had he launched into the first exercise when Nilul spoke. "As enjoyable as this is to watch, Ulyssian, you really should participate in the revelry. You need to see your family and patch up holes. Did you know they were going to marry you to Saery?"

No. He would not stop training. Not even in the face of this provocation.

"As a mortal, you mean," he replied between strikes, unwilling to interrupt even a moment's practice. His mouth moved almost of its own accord, with little enough input from his mind. A violinist could speak, and play automatically. He could practice, and speak automatically. "Before I was revealed to be an Exalt."

"You're no fun," Nilul huffed. "Exalting has made you less fun. I didn't know that was possible."

"I specialize in the impossible," he rejoined, shifting to a secondary technique. This one branched into so many paths, it was important to judge the enemy's anticipated movements well. Here, in the shadow of the greater towers, where no light would flash off Ambition's scything edge, his blade sliced in crescents too fast for even Nilul's darkly Exalted eyes to follow.

"This is irresponsible, you know," she said, wagging a finger at him. "I'm something of a party girl, I know irresponsible. But I would never neglect family."

"I'm too much fun for them to handle," Ulyssian deadpanned. "contrary to your claims. It wouldn't be right, inflicting myself upon them. They might die in an honor duel, from an excess of fun."

"That's their choice to make," Nilul said, crocodile tears swelling in her eyes. She bunched up tiny fists in a pleading gesture. Despite her total insincerity, it was a genuinely moving image. "They're your family, Uly. They, they knew the risks!"

"Don't call me Uly. As a mortal, I could defeat you. As I am now..."


"Aww, but Ulyssian, you're so fun to tease!" She pouted, tears close to bursting. "I'm your friend! I knew the risks!"

"I thought I became less fun."

"I changed my mind," Nilul said airily, with a flippant arm-wave, dropping all traces of her previous demeanor. "You've convinced me, Uly. Good job!"

He was having a surprisingly easy time keeping up with her. Normally, dealing with Nilul in a playful mood, without Moon to moderate her, left him so flustered and annoyed that he couldn't train for whole minutes. But this was nothing compared to Lea in a playful mood, he was sure of that, though he couldn't remember much of his Lunar Mate, or specifics of any kind, after the War. They had been close, as close or closer than he and Pearl, he knew that much. Perhaps those memories would surface again, as they had with Pearl, when they met.

If she was still alive. No, Lealope was alive, suddenly he knew that for certain. With one hundred percent ironclad confidence.

"So..." Nilul walked slowly around him, swaying to one side to avoid an errant stroke. "I let you convince me of something, will you let me convince you of something?"

"Don't call me Uly."

"Ulyssian, you really should come see your family. And your friends too, Hero and Saery have been looking for you. Even the Aust twins! This is the Calibration Feast! They can think a mortal is weird, no harm done, but you're Zao's successor now. I know your training is serious. But this is important too. Despite your best efforts, we do all care for you." She looked at him pleadingly, this time genuine. Of course, she'd used her earlier facetious attempt to calibrate it.

"If I train," he replied, "I can check up on Moon every hour or two. I can switch to tactical planning or something that can be done by a bedside once things look promising. Likely I'll be there when she wakes up. She would do no less for me."

"Ulyssian, Moon wouldn't-" Nilul paused. "Okay, maybe she would neglect all her other friends just for you, but! One, that's a weird social expectation she picked up from reading too fantasy books, and two, the stakes are much higher now. If you insult your family like this, even with a perceived snub, they could disown you!"

---

Wild revelry with his family. It wasn't something he was looking forward to. He didn't think they'd disown him, but it certainly wouldn't help his chances of advancing in the household. However, he felt that this time was critical. Calibration was the one time of year where nothing was expected of him but social interaction. If he dodged that, he could potentially enter into a maximally productive training trance, especially with the light of recent Exaltation still fresh within him. His skill was mutable, now, his thoughts not set yet into comfortable, difficult-to-dislodge patterns. Either way, this was a crucial opportunity. But which should he choose?

[ ] Raw Power - Before his Exaltation finishes 'settling,' he will eke out every last bit of performance he can. He will enter a moving meditation of training such as this world has not seen since Odyssial last strode the earth! Also, he will check up on Moon! Training AND Moon, how can this option lose!? [+80,000 XP, you may train up to 240,000 XP worth of Titles in 3 days]

[ ] Wild Revelry - Nilul has a point. Maybe this won't be so bad. His other friends must be concerned, and there is a bridge to mend with his family, before the Sesus burn it. Hero's loyalty, Saery's genuine worry - he shouldn't forget about them, as well. He is better at this than he used to be, and maybe he can get some honor-duels out of the thing. It won't be as productive as training, but he'll take what he can get. And... it might be a little bit fun, as well. Though not as fun as training. However, the rampage of riotous celebration that is a full-on Dynastic Calibration Feast with Dragon-Blooded constitutions means he will almost inevitably miss Moon's awakening, as well as several hours of memories. Hopefully Zao will be there to explain things to her. [Chance to earn Background Merits, including potentially Artifacts, Deepen friendships]

[ ] Write-In. Perhaps the Accursed should return, this Calibration feast?

 

[Rihaku]

War-Saint's Ferocious Vigor (160,000 Normal XP) - Power unyielding and unbound, striking down all in its path. Efficiency, rejuvenation, and sheer might: all are the domain of the War-Saint.

*The Solar may perform a devastating physical strike, crossing significant distances in an instant to utterly seize control of an engagement
*When struck by glancing blows, his power is only renewed, greatly extending his stamina in combat
*When fully committing to a strike, likewise his power is renewed, commensurate to the upwelling excellence of the strike itself
*His precise, yet energetic power allows him to deflect, repel, and overcome even the most skilled of attacks, frequently turning sure hits into narrow misses with very modest effort.
*This Title multiplicatively expands the Solar's overall combat strength.

Flash of Steel (160,000 Solar XP) - The Blade Ambition is the perfect mirror to Odyssial's own limit-transcending power.

*Against those who believe its reach to be limited, Ambition may deliver a swift reply. When attacked from outside melee range, Odyssial may meet that attack head-on. Sunlight flashes off his blade as if it were high noon, and he if overcomes the strike, so effortless is his deflection that it robs all momentum from his assailant.
*Against those who believe that it can be overcome by a hundred thousand lesser swords, Ambition displays its utmost scorn. Odyssial's superhuman guard grows in efficacy the more times he is attacked during a round.
*Against those who believe its edge can be stopped, Ambition cuts seamlessly through. Odyssial's strikes significantly reduce the effectiveness of enemy armor, and his killing blows are murderously deep.
*Against those believe its guard will ever fail, Ambition finds a way. When the bulwark of its edge is raised, Odyssial may block even unblockable attacks.

Better Listener (120,000 + 40,000 Normal XP) - Long millennia ago, on the advice of his Lunar Mate, Odyssial became a better listener.

*The keenness of his hearing and touch increase dramatically, allowing him to feel the vibrations from a insect's tread, or listen to conversations insulated by solid stone.
*His powers of sight are improved as well, giving him superlative vision under all circumstances. He can make out details through a blindfold, or read a letter through a window from three rooftops away.
*His heightened senses allow him supreme readiness for battle. With a modest exertion of power and will, he can leap into the fray with uncanny speed, seizing the momentum of the fight and significantly increasing his ability to spot hidden enemies.
*At Essence 3, his comprehension of physical vibrations is unmatched; he can feel the movements of individual formations through the ground of the battlefield, comprehend the utmost whispered discussions of enemy generals leagues away in their tents, or stalk a trackless foe by the miniscule vibrations of steps left hours ago. A one-man intelligence operation, he can ferret out secrets from a room hours after they were spoken, or monitor the entire guard detail of a fortress by crawling along its walls.
*All effects occur in a manner that avoids overwhelming Odyssial.

 

[Rihaku]

Sow the Wind

Creation hung in the balance.

It was strange, to think that. Arrogant, maybe. A day ago he had been a mortal trying to eke out relevance in a world that dismissed mortals. Now, the most powerful Dragon-Blood alive had entrusted him with the fate of nations. It wasn't that he didn't care for his friends - to the contrary, Ulyssian cared much more for their welfare than the Realm's in general. He was no patriot, nor a devout Immaculate, and was not particularly connected to the House that, up till now, had scorned and ignored him. But this was an opportunity to grow strong, at a time when strength was sorely needed. And his strengths did not fall in the arena of interpersonal skills, Ulyssian knew that all too well.

As Odyssial, he'd had Lea to take care of it all. Theirs had been a complementary partnership, he on the physical battlefield, and she on the social one. Nilul was not Lea, and though she was his friend, he did not trust her with the unconditional reserve necessary for her to take up such a role. Not that she would even say yes, given how many favors he already owed her.

"I can't," he finally told her. "I'm sorry. Please give my regards to the others, and... I would be very grateful if you could mitigate the damage of my absence. But there's simply no way. The Headmaster needs me to grow strong, quickly."

Nilul sighed. "I only like failing in physical contests, stupid," she said softly.

"But," she continued, "I'll see what I can do. It won't be much! I can't draw too much attention to myself right now, not of the kind that would make enemies. And being your friend... it's going to make a lot of enemies."

"If any of them bother you, send them at me," he said. "I don't like to fail in any contest, unlike you. Hence I avoid the social ones. That's efficient distribution of labor."

"My, my, the Headmaster's prodigy student! Newly Exalted and already he thinks he can win any duel," she smiled, mocking but friendly.

"But, I guess you are supposed to have been Exalted for years and years now." Her voice became gentler, surprisingly so. "Watch out, Uly. One of these days I may just take you up on that."

"If I save your life, that cancels out all the favors I owe you," he replied, "and then some. And don't call me Uly."

"Oh, Ulyssian," she affected heartbreak, placing two palms over her bosom, "how could you believe that there would be favors owed between us, fellow Incompetents?"

"Because I know you," he said dryly.

She laughed. "That you do, Uly. That you do. Maybe too well, now that I think about it..."

"Leave me alone," he grumbled.

"Your wish is my command, oh fearsome Anathema," she turned around, waving amicably. "Ta-ta~"

Swallowed by the shadows, she disappeared, the red fading into the black.

---

Calibration. Moon, sun, and stars drifted through the void in languorous chaos. Strange powers and quirks of fate abounded. Out there, in the world, among the people or the great wilderness of Creation, this was a time of wonder, bewilderment, and terror. Gods dispensed paradoxical blessings as demons trouped through Creation, howling nameless-canticle songs, bound by laws long forgotten. A closet door could become a portal to the shimmering void, fires might fall up and heal those they burned, and the mirror could show one's face aged by eighty years.

That was out there. Here, in the silence and the dark, Odyssial meditated on war. Destruction thrummed through his veins as his mind played out centuries of conflict. Shut out all sound, shut out all sight, shut out the very input of the senses, and what remained was instinct, the well of battle-skill that he had dipped into, very lightly, against Resolute Flame. Knowledge deeper than language, motion swifter than thought. Through the oculus of that knowledge alone he saw the world and its essence. He immersed himself in it, a man lowering himself into arctic waters: freezing clarity rushing past him at vertiginous speed; cold that went deeper than bone, deeper than marrow.

Calculation, without mercy or sentiment, carefully and ceaselessly cataloguing all possibilities, every weapon that he could wield against the world, charting the path to victory.

That was one facet, one way the lens could be turned, one color of light scattered from the prism. Also there was fury; rage as to boil the blood, unyielding and eternal, sheer power and fire that could reduce a dragon's heart to ash. Also there was precision, the careful patience of the archer, the longbow's curve like an extension of the arm, the bowstring tuned like sinew. Also there was emptiness, the death-dealing sutra, the cessation of self into the perfect slaying mirror. All the facets he gathered, fusing every lens, un-shattering the lightbeam, producing the pure and indivisible whole. Excellence beyond circumstance, perfection beyond appeal. That was the power now settled into his bones, into his self, into the essence of the being called Sesus Ulyssian, who had been called Odyssial.

Earlier than expected, Empty Moon was to wake, and Ulyssian emerged, layer by layer, from his trance. First the kinesthetic sense, then touch and hearing, then scent and smell, and then the blackness of his eyelids and the inside of his skull, so different from the utter absence of sight that was the meditation.

He had not accomplished all he set out to do, but nonetheless he headed into the world again. Calibration was nearly over, and he met with Zao outside of Moon's hospital room.

"All right," Zao said, abruptly without greeting him. "I'll go in first, to tell her the truth about Anathema, as well as the arrangement we now have. Then you may speak to her."

Ulyssian nodded.

Zao nodded, and entered the room.

Minutes later, Zao emerged.

"She is still weak," he said, gruff. "Say your piece, and then get out."

Ulyssian entered, gently shutting the door behind him.

Moon was sitting upright, supported by an embankment of down-stuffed pillows. A square of soft white felt had been set over one of her eyes, and tied to her head with silk. Her other eye shined brightly, however, and a smile was present on her face.

"Uly!" She exclaimed, patting the chair next to her with a plaster-encased hand, "Sit down, I want to give you something."

Tentatively, Ulyssian did so, taking a seat on the chair at her bedside. Moon was notoriously tetchy whenever he hurt himself. Thus, he was surprised to be enfolded in a warm, abrupt hug. The shock of her soft body and the pristine scent of her hair sent a frisson of energy through him.

"Thank you," she murmured quietly, into his shoulder. "But you're never to do anything like that again."

"We'll see," he replied, carefully hugging her back. Moon wasn't the type of person who often required saving. "Are you all right?"

"Mm-hm." She said gently. "Headmaster Zao told me everything."

"That's good," he said. "You don't seem very surprised. About the Immaculate Philosophy... or anything."

Moon giggled slightly. "I know I should be, but inside, I feel so light and giddy! It's very strange. When Zao said in front of everyone that you had always been Exalted and you were his secret successor... I, I felt so foolish, I was afraid that you'd been lying since we first met. And... I was just being silly. Uly is too terrible a liar to do that."

"Basically correct," he mused. "It was a pretty inconvenient place to Exalt. If Zao hadn't acted, we would all have been in trouble."

Moon shook her head. "No, because then they would have had to fight Sesus Ulyssian as a Solar Anathema. And they would have lost."

"Maybe someday," Ulyssian said. "I still need a bit more time. But, I should be strong enough to at least make up for all the times you protected me."

"Oh, Uly," Moon released him, putting a gentle palm on his cheek, "I'll always want to protect you, no matter how weak I am, or how strong you grow. But," she sighed cutely, "I guess we can take turns now... Oh! I forgot to tell you how happy I am for you! You finally Exalted!"

"Finally?" He raised an eyebrow. "I wish I could have been as certain as you."

"Out of all of us, you deserved it most of all, Uly. Please do believe that. Though, it's alright if you don't believe in yourself," Moon patted his hand. "I do, and that's what counts."

"Of course," he rejoined. "After all, the genius, Empty Moon, is never wrong."

"Just so," she said primly.

They sat like that, in companionable silence, for a while. It was almost like the end of one of their sparring sessions, except he was usually the bedridden one.

"Uly," Moon said shyly, "I, ah, only have one eye available right now. Would it be all right if you read to me?" Hesitantly, she held up a leather-bound copy of The Violet Antechamber.

He took it. "But, you can read with one eye."

She pouted. "It would be slower."

How fast did she expect him to read? "Well, alright." He cracked open the book, preparing to speak at a blistering pace.

"Um, don't sit there," Moon objected, scooting over and patting the bed. "I, ah, want to look at the pictures! This bed is too big, you should use it as well, and get comfortable."

A great fear loomed over him then, that somehow the Headmaster would at that moment barge in and berate him for taxing the university's badly injured top student. But Ulyssian ignored it, and sat on the bed alongside Moon. She hugged his arm with both of hers, as was her custom, and rested her head against his shoulder. A deep warmth and contentment pervaded him then, that everything was as it should be.

"Without calculation," he read, "failure. Without ruthlessness, tragedy. So spoke the Sage of All Under Heaven, back in the times before myth..."

The Magnus had indeed said that, but it was after the Primordial War had ended, hardly a time before myth. Ulyssian, who was Odyssial, forced himself to ignore the historical inaccuracies, and eventually found it surprisingly easy. Minutes later, Moon yawned pertly, doing her best to stifle it in front of him, and not long after that, she had nodded off.

Ulyssian wished for a moment that he could stay, but ruthlessly quelled that instinct. He extricated Moon gently from around his arm and set her down to rest. As for himself, there was more training to do.

Or there would have been, had Zao not intercepted him shortly after to subject him to an intensely grueling and not particularly productive sparring session. And so, Sesus Ulyssian's Calibration came to an end.

---

Two days after Calibration, crisis struck.

"They're here for you," Zao said, watching wearily from the window in his office. "I had thought your family would at least have attempted to mount a defense. This goes beyond mere displeasure. They may well disown you, soon."

"I am a bit surprised they were able to mobilize so fast," Ulyssian replied. "the Wyld Hunt usually..."

"The Wyld Hunt usually does not have every wheel lubricated by the helping hand of a dozen Sidereal allies," Zao remanded dryly. "Ivory's faction has made their move. They are not happy about her apparent defection. Unwilling to risk one of their own, nonetheless they will take one piece of mine for the piece I have taken. That is how they see these things."

"We may as well go see what they want," he concluded. "Perhaps this can still be turned to your advantage, somehow."

Five Immaculate shikari, one of each element. Each a wholly dedicated warrior-saint of the Elemental Dragons. A Perfect Brotherhood. Their leader, an austere Immaculate of Water whose razor talons gleamed golden in the daylight, was speaking to Professor Verona when Zao approached.

"Lung Feng Zao," said the Water Aspect, giving a perfunctory bow. Her voice, throaty and almost hoarse, nonetheless carried with a clear tone across the flagstones. Ulyssian's keen sight picked out pale scars across her throat, near her larnyx, cuts like a tiger's claws would have made. "We are here on behalf of the supplicant Resolute Flame, who reports that your successor, Sesus Ulyssian, became Solar Anathema when he intervened in the Ranking Tournament. Flame claims to have seen Ulyssian's Caste Mark of the Forsaken with his own eyes. Further, he claims that this Ulyssian possesses infernal disguise magics, capable of deceiving even the mighty."

A crowd had already begun to gather. Hushed whispers percolated. Ulyssian saw Nilul chatting amicably the front, drawing all attention to herself. Moon stared worriedly at him, then remembered that they were supposed to publicly dissociate, and hastily looked away, pretending to agree with Nilul.

"A patently ridiculous claim," Zao said. "Do you have any proof, besides one unstable student's hearsay?"

"House Sesus has not provided any genealogical records, even upon repeated request," said the Water Aspect. "We find this suspicious. Sesus Ulyssian, if you have nothing to hide, submit to the judgement of the Dragons."

"I'm at odds with my family," Ulyssian said, mostly for the benefit of the crowd. "But I am prepared to face the Dragons. What judgement do they ask?"

"Either," grumbled the Earth Aspect, whose steps caused the ground to tremble, "you are a newborn Anathema, or you are the well-trained secret protege of Lung Feng Zao himself. If you are truly the latter, then you must be formidable indeed in the arts of battle."

"I am but a young stripling, compared to the likes of Admiral Zao," Ulyssian replied, injecting a touch of barely constrained Sesus arrogance. Hopefully that was believable.

"Indeed," continued the Earth Aspect, "but the Admiral is mighty, greater than all of us combined. A newborn Anathema cannot defeat a Perfected Brotherhood of Immaculate shikari, not even if its life is one the line. But a Dragon-Blood who Exalted young, who has been trained for years by the legendary Zao... ought to be able to give a stronger accounting of himself. The Dragons will grace him, they will lend strength to his blows, and he may hold us off."

That was transparently false. Even if Zao's story were true, he would struggle to survive against five fully ordinated Immaculate monks. This wasn't an inquest, it was an execution.

No, thought Odyssial. Not an execution. An opportunity. Working in concert, Five Dragon-Blooded were indeed a formidable threat. But he had faced odds far more fearsome in the past.

"If I prevail, then," he shouted, adopting the stance of a glory-seeking bravo with more skill than sense, "this outrageous accusation will go away? It will be unquestionably confirmed that I am, indeed, Blood of the Dragon?"

"Unquestionably," answered the Earth Aspect, who for all his solemnity could not hide the beginnings of a satisfied grin. "But it would be to the death, young Sesus, I trust you understand that."

"This is ridiculous," snapped Zao, whose fury now enclosed them like the palm of a titan. With a thought, he could destroy all five shikari, crush them to pulp. But that would have effects that would redound across the Realm. "You dare accuse me of harboring an Anathema? Of lying to my honored guests? With a word, I could have you expelled from the grounds. Not even the Dragons may gainsay me here."

"We are prepared to die," answered the Water Aspect quietly. "But we will not go, Lung Feng Zao. You may well be complicit. Slay us, and you will see that the Dragons may gainsay whomsoever they desire, wheresoever they desire."

---

[ ] Negotiate - The Immaculates have attracted an audience, and that can be used against them. They cannot do anything too untoward, or the legitimacy of this while inquest will be called into question. The Great Houses may stomach the occasional intrusion, but they will not accept Immaculate overreach of this degree, not if it is unjustified. Nilul is here, as is Zao. Perhaps you can propose an alternate means of testing, such as via your knowledge of the Immaculate Texts and certain Sesus code-phrases. Certainly that would be a more orthodox method of conducting this investigation. [The Immaculates may try again later]

[ ] Accept - Caution you who sow the wind, for you shall reap the whirlwind. They believe that if it comes to blows, they will easily prevail. And perhaps against almost any days-old Solar, they would be correct. But you are Odyssial, who was Lord Strategos of the Exalted Host, and your blade has cut down Titans. Let them come, the dragons of earth and fire. You will show them what true power is. [+100,000 XP, Immaculate accusations are utterly defeated for several months if you prevail]

[ ] Have Zao Expel Them - The safest option by far, Zao will essentially trade prestige and influence Realm-wide in exchange for additional time. He can maybe delay another two or three months before the costs become prohibitive. Zao won't kill them.

[ ] Write-In - Either of the first two options can benefit extremely highly from a stunt. Also, you may construct backgrounds for the Immaculates not already mentioned, with accuracy scaling to the number and quality of such backgrounds. However, their mechanical stats in battle will not change.

Also, since we didn't get enough votes last time, please choose a title to acquire, and one part of another title. I suggest War-Saint and the damage component of Flash of Steel, as the damage component is a pre-req for everything else, and you do need damage. You're only getting 200,000 XP instead of 240,000 XP instantly spent, because Moon woke up really early and then Zao beat you up. Unlucky, but you can always flash-buy. Zao will lend you his armor to compensate, Artifact 4 Heavy Armor. You do have okay chances against the Immaculates, but if you lose you will die. So don't lose.