Hmmph... this junior is a good seed [Cultivation Management Quest]

[Quest]

Antonius Emmanuel Eleanora 86
[Turn 13]
[A Bone To Pick]​

Antonius Emmanuel Eleanora paused to catch his breath, the eerie landscape of the Qiguai Realm stretching infinitely around him. He had found a small, temporary refuge—a rocky outcropping that hid him from the strange phenomenon chasing him. Even so, he couldn't relax. It was only a matter of time until it found him again.

"I wish I had someone to talk to," he whispered, leaning against the cold, jagged rock. Something caught his eye—a skeleton half-buried in the ground, its empty eye sockets staring blankly into the void.

"No," he muttered, glancing up at the sky. Instead of clouds, an ocean loomed overhead, with a giant squid peering down, its red-streaked eyes glaring and teeth dripping ink hungrily. "No way that's possible." He looked back at the skeleton. "...right?"

He approached the skeleton cautiously, his mind racing with possibilities. "Fine then. Let's see if you have any stories to tell," Antonius murmured, extending his hand to the skull.

He closed his eyes and focused, channeling a thread of his Qi into the bones. Slowly, the skeleton began to move, joints creaking and bones clicking together. The skull tilted upward, its jaw opening and closing as if testing its newfound mobility.

"Well, well, well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes, handsome," the skeleton said, its voice surprisingly smooth. "Is this the afterlife? 'Cause I wouldn't mind if you were an angel."

Antonius chuckled. "Not an angel, and I don't think you're quite the original owner of this body. What's your name, friend?"

"Name? Had a few when I was alive…" the skeleton whispered, its voice echoing slightly. "But you can call me Bones. Seems fitting, doesn't it?"

"Alright, Bones," Antonius said, stepping back. "I'm Antonius. It's nice to meet you, I guess?"

"Oh?" The skeleton seemed amused. "No enemies to vanquish, no secrets to plunder from my mind? Did you really call me up for some company?"

Antonius shrugged and gestured to the world around them. "I really just wanted someone to talk to. This place… it's not exactly welcoming."

Bones laughed, a hollow sound reverberating through the rocky outcropping. "You don't say. Been here long enough to know that. So, what's your story, Antonius? What brings you to this delightful corner of existence?"

"What else but the lure of wealth and power?" Antonius asked, shaking his head. "I came looking for powerful artifacts, things that could help me in the outside world."

"Got more than you bargained for, eh?" The skeleton tried to move, but found itself still stuck in the ground. It let out a sigh that sounded like a whoosh of air. "But then so did I, I suppose."

"Not the first time I've been here." Antonius said, absently patting Bones' skull. "Though I didn't really see the place. Got ripped apart at the Gateway and made it out thanks to some friends."

"Must be some friends." Bones whispered. "Though I don't see them here with you."

Antonius sighed, leaning back against the rock. "We're at different places in our lives right now. They'd come if I asked, but I guess I didn't want them to drop everything for me."

There was a moment of quiet as the skeleton digested that. "Hmmm. So you say you were injured, but you look mighty fine to me. And here I am, no skin, just Bones."

Antonius chuckled and stretched, his bronze skin glistening in the light. "See those scars on my right shoulder like mineral veins? Got nearly ripped apart. Have some on my left hand and toe as well, those I had to integrate completely new prosthetics for."

"Mmmmhmmmm." Bones said, chuckling. "And can you turn around? I want to get a better look at those… scars."

Antonius spent a few seconds posing at the skeleton's directions, but then Bones stopped speaking. "Is there something wrong, Bones?" He asked, concerned.

"Antonius…" Bones said quietly. "By any chance, were you being chased by something?"

The centurion froze. "What do you see, Bones?"

"A slight bending of light, like something vast and invisible, was trying to approach us." Bones answered, his words solemn and tinged with dread. "I call it the eddy. It's what killed me, Antonius. Why didn't you… it's noticed we've noticed. Get ready to dodge when I tell you."

Antonius felt a pull like a current pushing against him, but there was no force against his body but a sense of vertigo as if space itself was being pulled. He heard a sound akin to the breaking of glass and the smell of burning air filled his nostrils. Then that sound turned into a shrill call and then Bones yelled out.

"NOW!"

Antonius leapt to the side, propelling himself with such a burst of water that he turned in mid-air grasping the small crevices of the rock-face, looking at the ground. He saw a black bead race past where he had been, shooting off to the air. However, before it got far, the bead unfurled into the eddy, a vortex of twisting space that had been hunting him.

Then it began to gather itself again.

"Thank you for likely saving my life." Antonius said, nodding at the skeleton. "But now I need to leave, Bones."

"What?" The skull tried to turn around to look at me, but couldn't. "What'll happen to me if it catches me?"

Antonius frowned. "I don't know. This is the first time I've done something like you. I think you will simply fade away once you run out of strength."

Bones' voice took on a panicked edge. "You don't know? I don't want to die a second time to this thing! Please, take me with you!"

Glancing at the buried skeleton, Antonius sighed and reached out. As the reanimated creature felt his hand close around his head, the skeleton suddenly began to plead. "Wait! I changed my mind! AAAAA-" Bones screamed as Antonius grabbed the skull and with an audible click, detached it from the rest of its body. "-AAAAH! Oh, wait. It doesn't actually hurt. DODGE!"

Antonius didn't hesitate. He tied Bones to his belt and leapt away from the rocky outcropping just as the eddy moved. With a shrill screech, the eddy collapsed into a twisting rift that raced towards them. The ground where Bones' body had been was twisted and shattered into a cloud of dust and fragments of bone, before being sucked into the chaotic vortex.

"Oh god. Oh god. Oh god." Ignoring the skeleton's lamentations, Antonius frantically searched the treacherous landscape of the Qiguai Realm for another refuge. Bones interrupted his thoughts with a shout. "It's coming! Why did you stop?"

"I don't know where to go!" Antonius shouted back.

The skull hesitated for a moment. "Head east! There is a waterfall! It's hard to make out against the ocean in the sky, but it's there, I remember this!"

Glancing back, Antonius saw the eddy compress itself into a black dot. "Fine!" he replied, gathering power. "Hold on tight!"

"What are you going to do?" Bones asked, looking fearfully at the eddy.

Antonius didn't reply as the eddy shot towards them like a missile, and space screeched as its vortex expanded into an all-consuming maw. With a twist of his hand, Antonius released his power, and a vortex of water formed. Before the eddy could touch them, it launched them into the sky - right where the skull had said to go.

Propelling himself further with water summoned from the air, he finally noticed what the skeleton had been indicating. There was a waterfall almost hidden against the sky-ocean, but now that he got closer he could see it flowing upward to an island floating far above them in the air.

"That's it! There is a space behind it!"

Antonius glanced in the direction they came from. The eddy however had disappeared from view, and it was only a matter of time before it found them again. Listening to the skull's instructions, he maneuvered himself into a small cave at the source of the waterfall. As he hit the solid stone floor, Antonius collapsed into a seated position, gasping for breath.
"That should buy us a few minutes." He said, before holding up the skull. "Bones, what do you know about this thing?"

Bones' eye sockets seemed to narrow. "Ah, the eddy. Nasty piece of work. Chases anything that moves, tears space apart like wet paper."

"I know all that," Antonius whispered furiously. "What else do you know?"

Bones' jaw clattered as it spoke. "You came in through the Qiguai Clan Gateway, yeah?"

Antonius frowned. "I did. Does it have something to do with the eddy?"

"Well, traveling through them does feel similar," Bones answered, his hollow laugh echoing. "Hard to survive going through the eddy though. I'm guessing your injury last time wasn't some creature ambushing you but space itself ripping you apart."

Antonius nodded. "Last time I came through, that happened to a lot of us. My friends were even transported into a higher level of the realm, while many others were injured as well."

Bones' hollow eyes bored into him. "The eddy must have gotten a taste for flesh back then and has been hunting things ever since. It has your scent, Antonius. You shouldn't have returned."

Antonius sighed. "I suppose it was a bigger risk coming back here than I imagined. It's not going to let me leave me alone so easily."

Bones regarded him silently before speaking again. "You remind me of someone I used to know... myself. Before I ended up like this. Keep your wits about you, Antonius. This realm doesn't forgive mistakes."

Antonius nodded. "I certainly don't intend to make any more, but first I'll need to deal with the eddy."

Bones' voice softened. "I don't know if we have anything that can kill that thing. The eddy's a force to be reckoned with. It's about outsmarting it and outrunning it, not outfighting it. Use the environment, stay calm, and think ahead."

Antonius nodded. "Can you tell me everything you know?"

"Look out for shifts in the environment," Bones explained. "It seems like it just appears, but it actually sneaks up on you all invisible-like. The space-rending twisty thing happens when it's trying to eat you."

"That's what it just did, I suppose," Antonius noted. "It looked a bit like liquid glass, warping light ever so slightly. Anything else?"

Bones thought for a second. "It senses sound and energy somehow, though I don't think it can see very well. It's also very smart. The more you fight it, the more it learns. That's how I died - it pulled that compressed dash trick and I wasn't able to react in time."

Antonius grimaced, taking it all in. As they spoke, he scanned the area, watching for any other threat when his eyes caught sight of an unusual formation inside the cave. It was just another rocky wall, but something about it seemed different—more structured, deliberate.

"Say, Bones." He said, pointing towards the formation. "What's that?"

The skull stilled in his hand. "That's just rocks. Do we need more rocks? Why not continue talking about the ravenous whorl in space?"

"You were hesitant in mentioning this place, weren't you?" Antonius decided, standing up and placing the babbling skull back on his belt. "There must be something there."

"Maybe, maybe not!" Bones shouted. "But why don't you just ignore it? For my sake! Come on, man. Didn't you say I saved your life?"

Antonius rolled his eyes. "That is that and this is this."

Ignoring the skull's protests, Antonius set off towards the formation. As they drew closer, he noticed that it wasn't just rocks but a small, ancient structure partially buried in the ground. Vines and strange, luminescent plants had grown over it, but when Antonius pushed them aside, they revealed two ancient chests.

Their surfaces were intricately carved with symbols that seemed to shimmer and change in response to the ambient qi. Antonius knelt beside the chests, running his fingers over the carvings as he tried to decipher their meaning.

"Something related to the cycle of mortality." He mused, "I can only parse some of the meaning, but I recognise the symbols of immortality and defiance. In some cultures, when put together they often represent the cyclical flow of time."

Bones let out a low chuckle. "Well, aren't you fancy? Why don't you try to open them? See what's there inside."

"Let's take a look," Antonius replied. He examined the locks closely. They were unlike anything he had ever seen, complex mechanisms that would require longer than they had to decipher.

"These locks... they're unbreakable," Antonius muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.

Bones' eye sockets seemed to glow with a faint, eerie light. "Unbreakable, you say? Oh, let me tell you, I spent months trying to crack these open when I was alive. Tried everything—brute force, delicate tools, even a few more esoteric tricks. Nothing worked."

Antonius down at Bones. "So this is what you were trying to hide. Why? Forgive me for assuming, but you do not strike me as the type who is overly influenced by greed."

Bones sighed dramatically. "Look, man. I died trying to open these locks, but here you are all fancy with your waking up the dead and things like that. I'd feel embarrassed if you just came and figured this stuff out."

Antonius winced. "Yes, I can see how that would be annoying."

"Judge me if you want," The skull said, cackling. "But I honestly feel better that you're struggling to open it either."

Antonius looked at the chests, intrigued. "Let me try a few things, just to be sure."

"Sure, go ahead. Be my guest." Bones said, clearly looking forward to seeing him fail.

Summoning a small ball of water, he carefully moved it into the key slots shaping them to encompass the entirety of the space inside. Then, he hardened the water and forced it to turn. The water spun and dispersed but the lock remained unmoving.

"Clever trick," The skull said, sarcastically. "Who would have ever thought about picking the lock?"

Frowning, Antonius stepped back and summoned a ball of water. Spinning it into a sharp, flat blade, he sent it towards the chests. However, while his attack gouged the stone around it and sprayed water in the area, the chests remained unharmed.

"I didn't expect that to work." Antonius said, forestalling the skull's comments. "But it would be stupid not to try. What if it worked?"

The skull bobbed once on his belt. "I suppose that's fair. I'm telling you though, I tried most of the obvious solutions. Unless you've gotten something unique, it's better to spend time planning our next moves."

"Just one more thing." Antonius muttered, and then he waved a hand. His shadow extended and from it rose a tattered banner, carried by an ancient legionnaire in full armor.

Bones looked perturbed at that. "Is that… a ghost?"

Antonius chuckled. "Really, Bones?"

"I'm not scared." Bones protested, before sighing. "It's just… that thing is just like me, isn't it?"

"In a way." Antonius admitted. "My ghosts are just Wills created from the memories left behind. That is my memory of an ancient legionnaire. He doesn't represent a person, or rather he represents bits of several people. You are the memory of a person, reborn from their bones. In another way, there is no comparison in terms of knowledge and individuality."

"I see." Bones said, somberly.

Antonius studied him for a moment, but he seemed lost in thought. Deciding to leave him alone, he nodded at the legionnaire. The ghost moved towards the chest and extended a hand, trying to reach through it but his hand couldn't pass through. Whatever the material was, it was as opaque to the spiritual as it was to the physical.

"Oh god." Bones said, giving a short laugh. "I'd be so annoyed if that worked."

Antonius grinned. "Can you imagine, though?"

"I can and it's horrifying." The skull huffed. "I'd rather you toss me to the eddy."

Antonius froze. "Hey, Bones. When you were alive and trying to open these chests, were you being chased by the eddy the whole time?"

Bones' jaw clattered in what might have been an annoyed sigh. "Well, I never stayed here for long. Didn't want to lead the eddy to my prize. If it knew I wanted this, it'd wait here for me."

A smirk played on Antonius's lips. "Then I think I've got an idea."

Bones groaned. "Oh, this should be good," he said, his tone dripping with skepticism.

"Just stay quiet." Antonius answered, before moving to the side of the room. Taking a breath, he suppressed his qi down to the utmost and then nodded at his legionnaire.

At his command, the spirit walked between the chests and began to focus. The qi in the air gathered around it and it gave an echoing screech of power. As it began to bang on its chest, Bones began to grasp his intent and began to shake. Antonius lightly smacked him on the head, causing him to become still.

"Now we wait," Antonius said, readying himself for what was to come.

Worryingly, it didn't take very long. The air around them began to shimmer and distort as the whirling eddy drew closer, attracted by the noise and power of the spirit. Standing deathly still, Antonius watched the translucent visage of the eddy during its stealthy approach. It came through, tasting the air as it went but the spirit noticed its approach.

The spirit jumped behind the chests, making a rude gesture.

The eddy froze and then the ground trembled beneath his feet as it prepared to attack, its ripples tearing through the landscape. With a deafening screech, the eddy collided with the chests. The locks, unbreakable by conventional means, stood no chance against the eddy's reality-breaking rifts. They shattered, and the chests fell open with a resounding crash.

The spirit acted then, leaping into the path of the eddy while tossing the now open chests in the air even as the eddy consumed it. The contents of the chests spilled out and before the eddy could react, Antonius sent out a whip of water, enveloping the items and pulled them to his hand.

"Ha! It worked!" Antonius exclaimed, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

"You…" Bones seemed to vibrate with emotion. "You can't use an invisible, unbeatable predator as a glorified lockpick! That's not allowed!"

Holding up the items, Antonius frowned. "Wait, are these what we were supposed to get?"

"Let me see!" The skull cried, struggling against his belt.

Antonius held up a talisman and a half-eaten peach. "It feels like someone was here already and decided to mess with whoever came after them."

"Wait, what? No!" The skull howled, somehow seeming to slump even without a body. "I couldn't have given my life for such things!"

Antonius gave him a brief smile, before glancing at the eddy. It had noticed them by now and was beginning to compress upon itself as a prelude to attack. Sealing the items into his storage ring, Antonius patted the skull. "Let's discuss these things later, shall we?"

"No! Just leave me here to diiieeeee!" The skull cried and Antonius sighed. Ignoring the skull's dramatics, Antonius leapt towards the entrance and beneath him, the earth trembled.

What…?

Without warning, the ground exploded in a burst of rock and dust as the eddy slammed into the ground below, its force tearing through the cave floor. Antonius stumbled, barely forming a barrier of water around him that deflected stone shrapnels to the side. Antonius forced himself to his feet, the pain in his body screaming in protest.

He looked back at the cave, now a scene of chaos and destruction, and saw the eddy reforming and then expanding to cover the whole cave. With a surge of determination, he pushed forward, using his water manipulation to propel himself towards the exit. Summoning every ounce of his strength, he dove forward, escaping the cave just as the eddy reached the area he had stood.

"Antonius! It's coming through the walls!" Bones screamed, his voice filled with panic.

"Hold on, Bones!" Antonius shouted, his voice strained, but before he could react, the wall behind him exploded, sending him flying towards the waterfall. Grabbing hold of the current, he slowed himself down before turning to look back.

"Oh no."

The eddy was compressing into a bead, aiming right at him. With no time to find a new hiding place, Antonius made a quick decision and activated one of his treasures.

He had been holding the Sand-spitting Marble in his mouth for days. Now, it was ready. When he blew, his breath unleashed a sandstorm that filled the world around them, obscuring all senses. He still heard the violent screech of the eddy as it began to rip the sand apart. Ignoring its actions, he gathered all the water within the waterfall and pushed himself straight up.

Antonius shot forward through the obscuring sandstorm, water propelling him like a rocket. The sensation of being surrounded by sand while streaking through the air was disorienting, but he focused on his goal—escape. His heart pounded in his chest as he broke free from the storm, only to find himself hurtling towards the ocean above.

The sensation of slamming into the water upside down was jarring. The moment he breached the surface, he found himself surrounded by a strange aquatic landscape, with fish swimming around him and the surface beneath him. Just as he was beginning to get his bearings, something caught his eye—a creature unlike anything he had ever seen.

Galloping through the water towards him was a deer, but not just any deer. Its body shimmered with iridescent scales, and its antlers twisted and branched like coral. Its eyes, glowing a soft blue, were fixed hungrily upon him. Antonius barely had time to react before it lunged at him, its mouth opening to reveal rows of sharp, crystalline teeth.

Antonius twisted the currents around him, narrowly avoiding the creature's jaws. Then he summoned a burst of water to propel himself away, putting distance between him and the strange aquatic deer. As he swam, he noticed more of the creatures emerging from the depths, their eyes locked onto him with predatory intent.

Glancing around, he noticed a landmass on the ocean and with a burst of energy, Antonius broke free from the ocean-sky, launching himself towards it. He looked back just in time to see the deer reach out for him, but with his feet now on solid ground, he outspeed them and they fell short, crashing back into the water with a splash.

Breathing heavily, Antonius scanned his surroundings until he saw the giant tree that made the island home.Sensing his approach, its branches shifted and its leaves turned towards him, each following him with a different colored eye. The roots of the tree were holding on tightly to the ground as if…

"Antonius…" Bones began warily. "Look up."

Antonius did so, his heart pounding as he realized the full scope of the Qiguai Realm was arrayed above him, a world turned upside down. The tree on the island was clinging desperately to the ground, its roots twisted and gnarled, holding on for dear life.

Why was he able to stand here without falling?

He didn't have long to marvel at the view. The eddy was still out there, and the strange aquatic deer were prowling just out of reach, their glowing eyes fixed hungrily on him. The giant tree's branches shifted again, and its leaves turned towards him, each leaf bearing a different colored eye that seemed to see right through him.

With no time to waste, Antonius took a deep breath and summoned his remaining strength. He had to find a way to escape this place and outsmart the relentless eddy. The tree's thousand vines shot towards him, their ends like grasping claws. He quickly summoned a water barrier to deflect the attack, but the tree's tendrils maneuvered around it with unsettling agility.

In response, Antonius reached into his pack and pulled out one of the treasures he had taken from the chests. It was a thick talisman inscribed with the symbol of 'Explosion'. Though he hadn't had time to study it in detail, his knowledge of arrays gave him the confidence to use it.

Channeling his Qi into the talisman, he felt the power build within. With a swift motion, he hurled it at the tree. The moment it made contact, the talisman exploded with a deafening roar. The force of the explosion rocked the air, and the shockwaves almost set him flying. As he regained his balance, he saw the tree recoil, its branches flailing wildly in the aftermath.

He felt his stomach lurch and he almost vomited.

"That… that was something." Bones finally said, "But I don't think that's enough!"

"What's happening to me?" He shouted, looking towards Bones.

The skull gave a hysterical laugh. "It's vertigo! Gravity reversed when you touched the ocean, but now it's slowly turning back! By the way, catch!"

Antonius scowled as he stumbled forwards, holding up a hand just as something slammed into it. Looking at it, he realized the talisman which had returned to him undamaged.

His eyes widened in realization. "The cyclical flow of time."

"Oh thank god." The skull said, sighing. "I feel better knowing that they have some worth."

"It would be funnier if they didn't." Antonius answered, smirking at him.

"No, it wouldn't!" Bones screamed, before continuing more quietly. "What about the other one?"

Antonius held up the half-eaten peach, noticing it reacting to the tree, inching closer to it as if drawn by an invisible force. "I think… this might do something interesting."

"What's interesting?" Bones asked, but Antonius only grinned as he reached out to the tree, which was still trying to reach out toward them. "Wait, no! The point is not to go into danger!"

"Then you are missing the point," Antonius replied immediately. "It's going into danger and making it out because that's where all the best things are kept!"

"No! Wait! Leave me behiiiii-" Bones' protest was cut short as Antonius propelled himself forward with a burst of water.

He tossed the Exploding Talisman ahead of him, sealing it within a ball of water. The tree, wary now, hesitated. As the talisman exploded, Antonius ducked under the vines, not retreating but using his new lightened body to rush in between them. He landed on the ground with a thud, rolling under grasping branches and right into one of the tree's thick, gnarled roots.

It wrapped around him and Antonius grinned, grabbing it in turn, letting it wrap around him to keep himself from falling. Then he held out the half-eaten peach and pressed it against the root. The fruit seemed to meld with the tree, its surface shimmering as it began to drain Qi. The root began to struggle, trying to move away, but Antonius held it in place.

The tree's reaction was swift and violent.

Its branches lashed out like whips, forcing Antonius to match them himself with water whips of his own. The leaves rustled violently, and Antonius could feel the tree's many eyes glaring at him. But the peach worked its magic, slowly restoring itself. Even as it struggled, the tree's energy began to wane, its attacks slowing down.

Then the world seemed to reverse.

Antonius nearly fell, hanging from the roots and it began to loosen. Pieces of loose earth were falling to the Qiguai Realm below. Dangling from roots, Antonius saw a loop of root extending out of the ground, the weakened branches now hacking it apart. The tree had realized his predicament and was determined to rid itself of both Antonius and the parasitic pear.

"Hey, Antonius." Bones said, his voice quiet. "What's that?"

Looking in the direction the skull indicated by jutting out his chin, he saw something extraordinary - there was a single apple, golden and glowing, hanging near the bark of the tree.

"That-" Antonius grinned and held out his hand to catch the talisman. "-looks like dinner."

"Shit, no." Bones' jaw clacked shut. "That's not what I wanted! That object is so clearly a trap! Don't fall for it!"

"But it would have to have some worth, wouldn't it?" Antonius asked, preparing himself.

Bones began to shake. "Please, I don't want to be tree food! Or fish food! Or fall to the ground!"

A branch took an errant swing towards him and instead of blocking it, Antonius seized the opportunity and grabbed it, picking the peach which was now lush with energy. With a swing, he leapt on top of the now recoiling branch. Narrowly avoiding lethal attacks, he leapt from branch to branch running along their 'underside'.

"Holy shit, it's actually working!" Bones shouted as he approached the unprotected bark, jumping past tree roots and vines, the bark split into two, revealing teeth. "Ahhhhhh-"

The whole trunk bent forward to bite him.

Without hesitation, he let go.

He fell off the island, grabbing the apple and pulling it free on his way down. With a surge of water, he rushed through the tree's leaves. The moment he was free, he bit into the apple and an immense surge of energy rushed into him. It settled into his body, and his Single Pillar, the source of his dao, began to strengthen noticeably.

Behind them the tree screamed.

"Antonius! Oh gods, the eye-leaves are in my mouth!"

A familiar screech filled the air.

A shower of wood chips on his back.

As he soared through the sky, Antonius glanced up to see the eddy slamming into the bark of the tree. The collision sent a shockwave through the air, and an explosion erupted, sending splinters of bark flying in all directions. Antonius quickly shielded his face, narrowly avoiding the deadly fragments. One large piece of bark slammed into his shoulder, knocking him off balance.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Antonius grabbed the chunk of bark and, with swift efficiency, placed it along with the peach and the talisman into his storage ring. He barely had a moment to catch his breath before the eddy reformed, its presence distorting the air around it with an ominous hum.

Antonius summoned water, feeling the familiar surge of power coursing through him. He propelled himself upward with a mighty burst, aiming for the sky. The force of his ascent created a trail of mist behind him, and the world below became a blur of colors and shapes.

"Antonius…" Bones said, his voice filled with dread. "Go faster! It's still coming after us!"

Looking back, he saw that the island had shattered into two drifting pieces, the remains of the tree gripping one of them, which was slowly drifting down. Flying between the falling wood and earth, the eddy was coming towards him.

"Why does it look bigger this time?" Bones muttered fearfully. "Please, don't tell me it ate part of the tree and grew stronger."

"It ate part of the tree and grew stronger." Antonius repeated absently, ignoring the skull's hollowed sound of indignation as his eyes focused on the eddy like a matador looking at a bull.

As it shot forward, Antonius was ready.

He could feel the air pressure changing, the telltale sign of the eddy's proximity. As its screech filled his ears, he pushed water from both hands which sent him spinning to the side. As he stabilized his motion, he saw the eddy unfurl itself like a bird opening its wings and with the sound of reality breaking, it came to a screeching halt.

Close enough for him to reach out and touch, the whorl of space spun out.

The eddy's presence was unmistakable as it grew larger and more menacing, tearing through the sky like a vortex of death. Gathering every bit of power he had, even sacrificing the remaining energy from the golden apple, Antonius pushed himself away. He spun upwards like a rocket moving up out of instinct and the eddy compressed again, giving chase to him.

The eddy's sound cut off as he splashed into the ocean.

Coral teeth closed around him as did suckered tentacles, but he didn't spare a glance at the creatures who sought to consume him. As the water spun into a whirlpool from the eddy's presence, he grasped the currents and pulled them around himself. Blood mixed into them as the eddy fed and then Antonius shot past it in a crimson stream.

"Antonius! Antoooonius!" Bones shouted, his mouth gargling. "It's doing something new!"

Glancing back, he saw that the eddy had compressed itself into a disc instead of a ball. It cut through the ocean and rushed right to them. There was no time to turn or escape, as it approached him and without the ocean currents to help him, his speed was slowing. Heart hammering in his chest, Antonius realized he needed something more.

With the golden apple's energy coursing through him, Antonius had felt a surge of power. He bet on that feeling now, as he withdrew the lush peach from his storage ring and bit into it, feeling it's Qi flooding his dantian. With a single twitch of his fingers, a rush of water threw him to the side and the eddy rushed right past him.

"Antonius… oh gods…"

Without needing to compress or change its shape, the eddy came to a halt and then spun like a frisbee towards them at the same speed. Still, Antonius felt no fear as the power of the peach buzzed in his system, begging to be used or lost. He grasped that power with his will and wrestled it into submission, even as he felt the eddy closing in.

"I guess, this is the end…"

As the power flooded into his technique, Antonius shot forward like a comet, weaving through the twisted landscape of the Qiguai Realm. He felt a sting in his neck as he maneuvered through the terrain, dodging the monstrous fauna and flora of the realm. Bones silently clattered against his body, but Antonius barely registered him as he moved.

He glanced back to see the eddy gaining on them, its vortex expanding and contracting with frightening speed. In the distance, he spotted a group of cultivators standing next to a reversed waterfall, using its current to leap into a floating island. As he approached, he saw their distinctive robes, each adorned with symbols of their respective sects.

One of them, stronger than the others, leapt up to meet him with a scowl.

"Golden devil-"

Antonius shot past, moving directly into the waterfall.

"Form a defensive formation!" he heard the man command and the others immediately complied, their swords and talismans at the ready.

Antonius barely slowed down as he passed by them. He grabbed the waterfall, twisting it even as a number of cultivators found themselves floating mid-air and then using its current like a ramp, he shot in the direction the Qiguai Clan Doorway had appeared.

He heard screams behind him, but he couldn't afford to stop, even for a moment. The eddy would have torn through their defenses, leaving devastation in its wake. Any efforts to defend themselves against it would have been futile. Antonius breathed out, steadying himself.

"Don't look back!" Bones shouted. "Keep moving!"

Antonius pushed himself harder, his body straining against the overwhelming power coursing through him. As he sped through the realm, he encountered more bizarre creatures—things out of a nightmare. There were giant serpents with wings, creatures with multiple eyes and limbs, and other monstrosities that seemed to defy the laws of nature.

One particularly grotesque creature, resembling a fusion of a jellyfish and a spider, had tried to lunge at him from the side. Antonius dodged its tentacles with a deft twist, narrowly avoiding its venomous stingers and left it a bloody feast for the eddy. Though every meal that it took gave him breathing room, the eddy also got a little bit stronger.

Its speed and its size, the strength of its pull all grew, but the most frightening was its growing intelligence. It was learning to turn faster, to anticipate his movements. Rather than a spinning disc, it now spread out completely, pulling itself forward by consuming space, leaving a trial of shattered reality behind it. It was growing frighteningly fast as it chased him, leaving hundreds of wounds on his body as a record of its progress.

And worse still, as the Doorway came into view… he would his burst of energy flagging.

"This is bad, really bad!" Bones's voice trembled with genuine fear. "Antonius, I don't think we're gonna make it!"

Antonius could see the entrance to the realm in the distance—a shimmering portal that was terrifyingly similar to the eddy itself and yet seemed impossibly far away. He knew he had to reach it, but the eddy was closing in, its pull intensifying behind him.

"Bones, hold on tight," Antonius said, his voice grim. "I'm going to try something."

Bones didn't respond, his usual words replaced by a tense silence. Antonius summoned every ounce of his remaining strength, pushing himself to the absolute limit. He could feel the eddy's cold, destructive presence right behind him, its tendrils reaching out to consume him. He pushed himself faster, holding out his hand.

He could give it up to slow the eddy down.

Bones spoke up, his voice unexpectedly calm. "Antonius… remember me!"

Antonius's heart skipped a beat. "Bones, what are you—"

Before he could finish, Bones detached himself from Antonius's belt, hurling himself towards the eddy. "Get out of here! Now!" the skull shouted, his voice filled with determination.

"No!" Antonius screamed, but it was too late.

Bones collided with the eddy, his skeletal form disintegrating upon impact. The eddy slowed for just a moment, the vortex of space pausing to digest the small amount of power produced by Bones's sacrifice.

Gritting his teeth, Antonius seized the opportunity.

He summoned a final burst of speed, propelling himself towards the portal. The entrance loomed ahead, tantalizingly close. He could feel the eddy regaining its momentum, its destructive force threatening to engulf him. With a final, desperate push, Antonius dove through the portal, feeling the now familiar pull of spatial distortion.

He tumbled through the swirling void, the eddy's furious roar echoing behind him. Then, with a blinding flash of light, he emerged on the other side, collapsing onto solid ground. As the adrenaline bled out of him, he felt the sting of his many injuries. Holding up his hand, he noticed that it had been cut apart, but nothing his Blood of Bronze couldn't bear.

It was already sealing itself closed.

Breathing heavily, Antonius looked back at the portal, now silent. The swirling void had closed, leaving only a faint shimmer where the entrance once stood. It seemed that the eddy couldn't pass through, but now Bones was gone as well. The companionship of the talking skeleton had been a strange but comforting presence in the chaos of the Qiguai Realm.

Would he have even made it out alive if not for him?

"You weren't even truly alive," Antonius said, shaking his head with a slight smile. "But I guess you managed to live, huh?"

A familiar sense of loss washed over him, mingling with the relief of having escaped. He stood up and held up a hand, feeling the myriad emotions resonate with his dao. As he focused, his qi began to gather into his palm, swirling like mist, luminous and ethereal. The energy danced and coiled around his fingers, shimmering with a soft, otherworldly light.

It felt alive, a manifestation of his inner strength and resolve. Slowly, the mist began to coalesce, taking shape with a fluid grace. The contours of a skull began to form, delicate and translucent at first, then gradually solidifying into a more defined image. His qi gathered into his palm and then it settled into the ghostly image of a grinning skull.

"Thank you, Bones," Antonius whispered, his voice tinged with melancholy. "I will remember you."

Spoiler: AI Generated Image of Ending

 

[Quest]

Read a couple of series of this genre. Decided to write this for fun.

Antonius Emmanuel Eleanora Extra 3
[Non-Canon]
[Re:Start]
​

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the expansive grounds of the Liang Clan estate. Young Liang Wei, no more than ten years old, sat cross-legged in the courtyard, his eyes closed in deep concentration. His small hands rested on his knees, and his breathing was steady, each breath a testament to the skill of his tutors.

Nearby, in the shade of a pavilion, Liang Wei's parents engaged in a quiet conversation. His mother, Liang Mei, delicately ground herbs with practiced ease, the fragrance of medicinal plants wafting through the air. His father, Liang Ren, paced back and forth, his brow furrowed in thought.

"He's progressing well, isn't he?" Mei said, her voice a blend of pride and concern. "Father is truly investing a lot of time in him."

Ren nodded, pausing to look at his son. "Yes, Father sees great potential in him. It's a rare honor, Mei. Not everyone gets personal guidance from someone who reached the Foundation Building stage at sixty."

Mei's hands stilled for a moment as she looked up at her husband. "Do you think it's too much pressure for him? He's still so young."

Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Father believes in challenging him early. He says it will forge his character and prepare him for the future. He needs this practice, Mei. You are a skilled alchemist, but my brothers have all matched with the daughters of merchants. He needs a strong foundation, if he will deal with what is to come."

A hint of sadness flickered in Mei's eyes. "I know. I wish I could be here more often, but the herbs and ingredients we need for the family's medicinal stores aren't easy to find."

Liang Ren walked over to her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're doing what's necessary for the family. We all play our parts."

She smiled up at him, grateful for his support. "I just hope Wei'er understands that. He's so eager to please us all."

Before Liang Ren could respond, they heard the sound of the door opening. Having heard no footsteps approaching, this could only be Liang Wenshu. Liang Wei's grandfather, a tall and imposing figure with a long silver beard, entered the courtyard. His presence commanded respect, and even the birds seemed to quiet as he approached.

"Ren, Mei," he greeted them with a nod. "How is Wei'er today?"

Liang Ren straightened, a mixture of pride and nervousness in his stance. "Father, he's doing well. As always, his focus is unwavering."

The old man smiled playfully, eyeing his grandson. "Is that so? I feel as if Wei'er is a little bit distracted by your conversation."

Liang Wei twitched at his grandfather's words and his father placed a palm on his forehead. Before he could say anything, Liang Wenshu began to chuckle. "Ah, youth. Worry not, Ren'er. I'll take over from here."

Mei stood up, bowing respectfully. "Father, thank you for your guidance."

He waved a hand dismissively. "It's my pleasure. The boy has great potential. He just needs the right direction."

As Mei and Liang Ren stepped aside, the old man walked over to Liang Wei, who continued to pretend as if he was deep in meditation. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, and Liang Wei twitched once more. Finally, he allowed himself to open his eyes to his grandfather's knowing look and tried his best not to look sheepish at being caught.

"Grandfather," Liang Wei greeted, his voice rich with affection.

"Rise, Wei'er. It's time for your training," the old man said, helping the boy to his feet. "It is good to take time to relax but remember, patience and perseverance is the key." Glancing at the boy's expression, Liang Wenshu laughed. "Very well, how about I show off my personal technique for you today?"

Liang Wei nodded eagerly, brushing off his embarrassment. He stood tall, ready for whatever lesson his grandfather had prepared. Liang Wenshu's eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and pride as he led his grandson to the center of the courtyard.

"Today, Wei'er, I will show you the Golden Scale," Liang Wenshu announced, his voice echoing with authority. "I'm sure you have heard of flying swords, but those never suited me very much. Behold my personal treasure! The Golden Scale!"

With a swift motion, Liang Wenshu extended his hand, and a golden light began to form. The light coalesced into the shape of a magnificent scale, shimmering and radiant. The scales balanced perfectly, each side glowing with a soft, ethereal light.

Liang Wei's eyes widened with awe. He had heard of it of course, but had never seen it in action. "Grandfather, it's beautiful," he whispered, mesmerized by its light.

Liang Wenshu smiled. "Indeed, but its beauty is matched by its utility. Watch closely."

He gestured towards a large boulder at the edge of the courtyard. With a thought, the golden scales floated towards the boulder, growing in size until they were large enough to weigh it. As the boulder was lifted onto the scales, the radiant light intensified, and the scales emitted a precise measurement of the boulder's weight.

"See how it measures the boulder with perfect accuracy?" Liang Wenshu said. "But that's not all it can do."

With a flick of his wrist, the scales began to shift and change. The golden light expanded, and suddenly the Golden Scale was above the boulder. In an instant, one of the scales slammed down, causing the entire courtyard to tremble and when it moved away, the entire boulder had been reduced to dust.

Liang Wei gasped. "It can destroy things too?"

Liang Wenshu shook his head. "Yes, the Golden Scale can be a weapon as well. It can change sizes, from weighing the smallest grain of rice to the largest mountain. And when used in battle, it can judge the worth of an opponent's attacks and defenses, allowing the user to counter with precision and power."

He demonstrated further, the scales shrinking down to fit in the palm of his hand, then expanding rapidly to create a protective barrier around him and Liang Wei. The bottom of the scale acted as a shield that deflected the energy of an incoming attack from a hidden training device.

Liang Wei's admiration grew with each demonstration. "Grandfather, this is incredible. Can I learn to use it too?"

Liang Wenshu laughed at that. "Perhaps in time, Wei'er. You have the potential to master this art, but it requires patience, practice, and a deep understanding of balance and worth. For now, continue your training with diligence, and perhaps one day, I will commission a similar item for you as well."

Nearby, under the shade of a large tree, two men sat and watched as the training continued to proceed. They were Liang Wei's uncles. They appeared relaxed, but their bodies carried an undercurrent of tension. One of them, his Uncle Jian, his father's older brother leaned back and chuckled at the sight.

"Brother really dotes on the boy, doesn't he?" Jian said, his tone light but his eyes sharp.

His father's younger brother, his Uncle Ming, nodded. "Yes, it's quite a sight. Our father never had the time to guide us like this."

Though his grandfather did not seem to care for the words, Liang Wei heard it and couldn't help but glance at his father who seemed uncomfortable at those remarks. Though he felt like he shouldn't, he could help but ask "Is that true, grandfather?"

Liang Wenshu rolled his eyes. "You should remember, Wei'er. The early days are ones that are most important for your cultivation. It is important to get set on the right path and put in the work during your youth so that you can relax in your old age."

Liang Wei frowned. "But you don't look old, grandfather."

His grandfather chuckled in response. "But I am, Wei'er. This is the age for me to play with my grandchildren - if only the rest of my children had any."

The end of that sentence was pitched towards his uncles, who shifted uncomfortably at that before getting up to bow. "You are right, father." His Uncle Jian said, "I am working tirelessly to confirm my betrothal to the Ming Clan. Unlike some others, I do not have the luxury to simply fall in love."
"Then do it quickly!" His grandfather answered, turning to his eldest. "I am not getting younger, Jian, Ming."

Liang Wei watched the interaction with a growing sense of curiosity. As he settled down to better understand, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and turned to see his mother. "Wei'er," she said softly, "come with me. Let's leave Grandfather and your uncles to their discussion."

Liang Wei glanced at his father, who gave him a reassuring nod. "Go with your mother, Wei'er. There will be plenty of time for training later," Liang Ren said, his tone gentle but firm.

Liang Wei nodded obediently and followed his mother away from the courtyard. As they walked, he could hear the faint echoes of his uncles' voices rising in argument behind them. "Mother," Liang Wei began hesitantly, "why were Uncle Jian and Uncle Ming arguing with Grandfather?"

Mei sighed, her expression thoughtful. "Wei'er, sometimes adults have disagreements, especially in a family as large as ours. Your uncles and your grandfather have different ideas about many things. It's important to respect their differences and understand that they all want what they believe is best for the family."

Liang Wei nodded slowly, trying to absorb his mother's words. "But why do they always seem so tense when they talk to Grandfather?"

Mei smiled gently. "Your grandfather is a very strong and wise man. He has achieved great things in his life, and sometimes that can create high expectations. Your uncles feel the pressure to live up to those expectations, just as your father does. It's not always easy, but it's part of being in a family."

Liang Wei turned back to the fading voices. "I want to make Grandfather proud too. I want to learn everything he can teach me."

Mei placed a hand on his cheek, turning his face towards her. "And you will, my dear. But remember, it's not just about making others proud. It's about finding your own path and becoming the best version of yourself. Grandfather sees great potential in you because you have a kind heart and a strong spirit. Never lose sight of that."

Liang Wei smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and reassurance from his mother's words. "I understand, Mother. I'll work hard and be patient."

Mei hugged him tightly. "That's my boy. Now, come. Let me teach you some of my own arts. As a cultivator, pills are an important part of your life!"

| | | | | | | | | |

​

Liang Wei sat cross-legged in his small, sparsely furnished room, the only light coming from a flickering oil lamp on a low table. The shadows danced on the walls, mirroring the turmoil within his young mind. He was determined to make his family proud and live up to the expectations of his grandfather and parents. Each breath he took, every beat of his heart, was dedicated to his cultivation.

His grandfather's words echoed most powerfully in his mind: "Patience and perseverance is the key." Liang Wei's breathing steadied as he entered a deep state of meditation. As the Qi flowed through his meridians, his thoughts turned to his father, Liang Ren, who often wore a furrowed brow, his worries and responsibilities weighing heavily on him.

Liang Wei yearned to see his father free from these burdens, to see him smile without the shadow of concern. Improving his cultivation was not just about personal glory; it was about lifting the burden off his father's shoulders. He visualized himself standing beside his father, their family united and strong, with their business thriving and their reputation untarnished by petty rivalries and disputes.

Every ounce of Qi he gathered, every technique he mastered, would bring him closer to this goal. The image of his father working tirelessly, always striving for the family's success, fueled Liang Wei's determination. He knew that by improving his cultivation, he could help alleviate his father's stress and prove to his uncles that their segment of the family was strong and capable. He could become a pillar of support, someone his father could rely on without hesitation.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and his concentration wavered.

Something was wrong.

The flow of Qi within him stuttered, and he felt an unsettling disturbance in the air around him. Opening his eyes, he scanned the room, half-expecting to see an intruder or some malevolent force. Instead, his gaze fixed on a crack floating harmlessly in mid-air. He looked around it, half-expecting the crack to be on the wall instead but it remained in the air as it was a crack on the surface of reality itself.

The crack widened, like an eye opening, revealing an otherworldly portal. Behind it, he saw his own room but with a man standing there, staring back with an expression that mirrored his own surprise. The man had a striking resemblance to Liang Wei's father, but his skin was tanned like a golden devil. Despite his youthful appearance, his eyes held a deep weariness, etched with lines of sorrow and experience, making him seem much older than he appeared.

Something about the man's appearance looked wrong.

Then, recognition wormed its way into his mind. "Valerius," he said aloud, his voice barely above a whisper. "Valerius," Zhang Wei repeated, his voice trembling with unwilling understanding. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning, leaving him breathless and shaking.

Valerius looked at Liang Wei with a mixture of sorrow and determination. He stepped closer, the air around him rippling with his presence, an overwhelming force that seemed to fill the room. "Hello, Liang Wei," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "I suppose I am you, many years from now."

Liang Wei's heart pounded in his chest. That was why the man looked so wrong; he was only used to seeing his own appearance through a mirror. Seeing himself through another's eyes, especially one so worn and weary, was jarring. He struggled to find his voice, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. "How... how is this possible?"

Valerius shook his head, his expression intense. "I do not know. I do not understand, but listen! This is a chance to change things for you! Listen and understand! It's not too late for you!"

As their eyes locked, a vision began to unfold in Liang Wei's mind. Liang Wei's surroundings dissolved, replaced by a whirlwind of vivid images. He was suddenly older, more confident, standing at the gates of the Imperial Academy. The imposing structure represented the greatest collection of young talents in Red Iron City, gathered under its peak foundation governor.

His grandfather, Liang Wenshu, stood beside him, a rare smile of approval on his face. His parents gave him gifts to take with him and his uncles watched distantly, his Uncle Ming standing with his firstborn son. Even his maternal uncle had come to wish him well, telling him to seek him out should he need any aid in the academy.

The scene shifted, and Liang Wei saw himself excelling in the academy. Days and nights of work blended together as he focused on his talent in combat and his mastery of techniques outshone those of his peers. He advanced rapidly, each victory bringing him closer to the inner sect. His fellow students admired him, and his instructors praised his dedication and skill. The years flew by, a blur of rigorous training and hard-won achievements.

A beautiful rival who was awarded a scholarship on merit, who fought him for every reward. A success had her doggedly at his heels, a loss had her racing ahead of him. He sought to defend her honor from bitter peers, only to left standing uselessly as she did not need his help. Over the years, rivalry becomes friendship, friendship forming the beginnings of young love. Then everything changes as her talent is revealed and she is accepted by the legion.

Then, the vision darkened. Liang Wei found himself standing in the family courtyard, his heart heavy with grief. His grandfather's lifeless body lay before him, the once-vibrant man reduced to a frail, sickly figure. His father stood there helplessly, unable to meet his accusing eyes. Liang Wenshu, his father explained, had ventured into the Qiguai Secret Realm to push his cultivation to new heights, but he had failed the gamble. A sickness had taken hold of his mind, leaving him unable to interact with others and draining his strength until he died. Liang Wei had not been informed as his father wished him to focus on his cultivation.

As the scene unfolded, Liang Wei watched his father and uncles embroiled in heated arguments, their faces twisted with greed and jealousy. They fought over their inheritance, tearing the family apart. His own talent had turned his uncles against his father, creating a rift that seemed insurmountable. The family that had once stood united was now fractured, each member vying for power and control.

The vision shifted again, showing Liang Wei struggling with his cultivation at the academy. No matter how hard he tried, he could not progress beyond the first heavenstage. All his attempts ended in painful failure and his frustration grew, gnawing at his confidence. Then, by chance, he discovered a jade slip containing the memory of a golden devil cultivating. The knowledge resonated with him, offering a glimmer of hope.

Seeking out his maternal uncle, Liang Wei uncovered the truth: his maternal grandfather had been a golden devil spy when the Jingshen still ruled. This revelation meant that he carried the Blood of Bronze and could not grow without their methods of cultivation. Determined to understand his heritage and harness this newfound power, he realized he needed to seek training at the Dawn Fortress.

However, at forty, he was too old to be selected as an aspirant directly like his friend had been and he was too far from the clan to travel there by himself. His father, recognizing the importance of this opportunity, financed a merchant caravan to the fortress at great personal expense. Leading an enterprise that was certain to fail, Liang Wei made his way to the clan.

The vision continued, showing Liang Wei earning the attention of one of the premier talents of the golden devils. He spent two decades honing his skills, rising to the top of Qi Condensation. His progress surpassed that of his family, coming close to matching his grandfather's achievements. He took the name Valerius in the fashion of the Imperial Optimatoi and he returned home, now a formidable cultivator, only a step away from ascension.

Throughout his journey, he had focused only upon himself. His father had shielded him from the family business, allowing him to do so. In the back of his mind, Liang Wei had always felt that his family was fine. At the very least, they were neutral, able to manage their position amidst the trials. However, upon returning home, he discovered that all was not well.

The memory is stark, as if it has been replayed over and over.

Liang Wei stood at the entrance of the family estate, a sense of foreboding settling over him. The once vibrant grounds were now overgrown and neglected. As he stepped inside, the reality of his family's struggles hit him like a physical blow.

His father, Liang Ren, sat in the study, surrounded by piles of ledgers and documents. His once strong and confident demeanor was replaced with weariness and defeat. His brow was furrowed, the weight of debt evident in his every movement. Funding Liang Wei's expedition to the Dawn Fortress had drained the family's resources, and his uncles had taken advantage of the situation, seizing every opportunity to undermine him.

Liang Wei's heart sank as he saw his father like this. He had hoped his success in cultivation would alleviate his father's burdens, but it seemed to have only exacerbated them. He needed to act quickly to restore balance and support his father.

In the kitchen, Liang Wei's younger sister, Liang Xia, sat despondently, her once bright eyes now dull with worry. She had tried to start her own ventures, but they had been stifled by their uncles' interference. Worse still, a local young master had taken an interest in her, threatening to force her into a marriage she did not want.

Liang Wei's fists clenched in anger as he saw the fear in his sister's eyes. He had been gone too long, focused on his own journey while his family suffered. He vowed to put an end to these injustices and protect his sister's future.

Even more troubling was the news that his father was in trouble with the local golden devil century. His maternal uncle, a known criminal and confidence man, had swayed his parents into a risky venture and then vanished, leaving them to bear the blame. The golden devils did not take kindly to being deceived, and their wrath was now directed at Liang Ren.

Years passed as Liang Wei struggled against the mounting troubles facing his family. He worked tirelessly to restore their business, leveraging his cultivation skills to gain an edge in negotiations and protect their interests. But his efforts were met with resistance from his uncles, who continued to spread rumors and sabotage his work. His cousins began to catch up in their own cultivation, threatening his position within the family.

One night, after another exhausting day of battling these relentless challenges, Liang Wei returned to his childhood room in frustration. The walls that had once offered solace now seemed to close in on him. He felt the weight of his failures pressing down, his cultivation progress slipping away as the pressures mounted.

Sitting on his old bed, he closed his eyes, trying to find a moment of peace. It was then that he felt the disturbance that led to him looking through a crack, staring at his own young self.

"Don't let any of it happen," Valerius begged, his voice filled with desperation. Liang Wei looked up, meeting the eye of his future self, those weary eyes filled with sorrow.

"I will not," Liang Wei responded, his voice trembling with determination. "I will change our fate. But what will you do?"

"I… I don't know," the man that he could be said, looking so utterly lost.

Liang Wei met his battered eyes with unbroken ones. "What would Grandfather say?"

Rage welled within Valerius. "I have persevered, I have been patient! Where is the potential that was promised to me?"

Liang Wei shook his head, the memories he had received fresh in his mind. "You misunderstood the lesson he gave his life to teach you. Patience and perseverance might be the key, but you must open the door yourself. Valerius, you must ascend!"

"That's…" Valerius froze, taken aback. "I am not ready. I could die!"

"Then make the right preparations," Liang Wei answered, scoffing. "You will die anyway. Why not risk it all?"

Valerius' eyes seemed to burn. "Yes… yes… you're right!" He threw back his head and laughed.

Liang Wei smiled. "Good luck, Liang Wei Valerius."

As the tear in space began to close, the legionnaire turned to him with a mad grin. "Good luck to you as well…. Liang Wei Valerius."

 

[Killer_Whale]

Anuka Vatatzes Turn 6/7

They had called her naive, and with good reason. 18 years of failure after failure, after failure. But now it was finally done! Maybe...


True, the excitement at getting her own workshop at the young age of 18 had almost faded. Her initial idea of incorporating new bronze into one's cultivation seemed promising, until she actually started looking into what exactly that would require.

It turned out she wasn't the first to try. In fact many had speculated on ways to strengthen their bloodline, and most had given it up as a lost cause. Requiring reagents that no longer existed, or forgotten techniques. Even the clan technique for inducting new members with a blood transfusion had limitations on the strength transferred, and had no effect on those who already had the gift.

Still she hadn't given up, even as her own cultivation had almost stalled out. Thousands of alloy combinations had been tested for qi resonance (only in tiny amounts of each, her family weren't that wealthy) with nothing new to show.

And then a stray bolt from someone's tribulation blew up her lab. Picking through the ash to see what, if anything, was salvageable, she found a tiny nugget of metal that had a faint qi echo. In the weeks and months following she discovered that the tribulation lightning had hit that piece and permanently altered it. Hope was rekindled.

The ingredients for the bronze alloy were not rare or outrageously expensive with her father's smithing connections. Even access to tribulation lightning during the forging process was not impossible to arrange, she managed to talk a senior into taking several bars of it shaped into rods to attract stray bolts, with a single drop of her own blood smeared to the top of each. The true difficulty lay with trying to incorporate it into one's self. Using it like a cultivation stone was quickly rejected, as while the bronze alloy would give a response to qi injected into it, it wouldn't store it, and rapidly leaked any till it was inert again. Ingesting it as a fine powder also did nothing, other than pain when passing it out the other end.

The second breakthrough came as she was nearing her next cultivation milestone. While re-smelting her most recent batch, she was distracted and splashed herself with the molten metal. While dressing the burns on that arm, she noticed the qi moved differently ever minutely from how it did prior. She initially dismissed it as just imagination, but after it healed, the skin that had been burnt now had the same coloration and shine as the bronze alloy. Finally something that she could work with.

The next test was to try a partial submersion, but that would have to wait until her cultivation reached a level where she was more immune to the heat.


Unless she found a willing volunteer?

Thanks to @Liliet for betaing

 

[Killer_Whale]

Good Seed: Anuka Vatatzes

Aged 18
1st Heavenstage

Background:
Born as the daughter of two core clansmen shortly after the trials , she was inspired by the stories of the Indomitable Thirteen, and the acquisition of the Cultivation Palace. With things looking up for the clan, she decided to devote herself to improving the clan's bloodline gift through combining the knowledge of both her father's Metallurgy & her mother's Physiology. Due to the need to cultivate in molten metal, she is her own primary test subject.

Motivation:
To re-create the gift that became the Bronze bloodline.

Cool thing:
Can manufacture* molten bronze alloys which, when cultivated while submerged in, permanently increases the strength of their Bronze bloodline by a small percent.**

*Results will vary, especially during the early years of development.
**Only works for those who have a weak Bronze bloodline. Does nothing for those who were born with either a strong bloodline, or none at all.

 

[ObsidianNoir]

Apalos​

Gender: Male

Age: 15

Faceclaim:

​

Origin Story:

The Xin Kingdom. Said to be the most pathetic of allies to the glorious Golden Devil, whose focus on their sorcery was inferior to any half decent body cultivation. In a world where quality mattered more than quantity, the sorcerers and their five elements were considered parlor tricks at worse and time wasters against actual threats at best.

Apalos was aware of none of that. How could he? Why should he? After all, he was but a mere mortal, one of millions within the vast lands of the desert, within the area that surrounded the Tower of Wood. He was too busy working on the herbal farms, with the nearby crops, to pay attention to the inner workings of cultivators. So what if their home was considered weak? He himself was weak. Not much he could do about it. So since he was powerless, there was no need to worry.

The days of his peaceful life were too beautiful to taint with dark thoughts after all. Routine, yes, monotone, perhaps, yet enjoyable nonetheless.

Yet the heavens rejected the notion of stagnation. At the mere age of five, Apalos' fate of being a forgettable speck, disappearing in the history of mortal farmers, had been changed without mercy.

One day, he wandered through the streets, helping his grandfather sell the latest batch they were able to gather. As he was busy with the business, he had given Apalos leave to entertain himself.

That was when he met her. A girl the same age as him, maybe even a bit smaller. And yet, as their eyes met, Apalos never felt so small in his entire life.

She was breathtakingly beautiful. Blonde hair that seemed to reject the sunlight itself with its own radiance, pristine pale skin that was utterly unblemished by even the sands that reached them through the barrier of trees surrounding them.

Instinctively, he knew she was different. In his soul, he knew she was superior.

But that had not stopped the young man, as he offered his hand and asked if she wanted to play. To say she was baffled was an understatement. To say she was confused was a joke. Thinking her shy, he took her hand and shook it with enthusiasm.

That was when his heart skipped a beat at the most dazzling smile of them all, the cutest of giggles escaping her.

What was an hour, in the large scheme of things?

What was an hour, in the realm of immortals, who lived hundreds of years?

For Apalos and the girl, who named herself Aeolia, visiting from a far away land. What a beautiful name it was. And as they wandered through the streets, picking up toys nearby, fooling around, Apalos felt he was truly blessed in his life. Even if he was clumsy compared to her perfect movements, her every act like a dance, he felt no jealous or envy. Only admiration.

Alas, the beautiful dream, that fateful hour, came to an end. Strange men appeared out of nowhere, their shadows looming over him.

Their hate and disgust towards him. His reflection in their eyes, not revealing a human but a burn worthy ant.

He remembered pain. Agony. The warmth of his blood seeping out of his body. He remembered none of the attacks, held back a thousandfold, as they struck his body over and over again.

What he would always remember with absolute clarity however…was Aeolia. Aeolia Anemoi.

The greatest hope of her clan. A genius that reached further in cultivation than adults triple her age. The Guiding Wind at last. But those titles didn't matter.

He remembered her scornful words, treating him like a toy she grew bored of. Dismissed as nothing. He remembered her scoff. But they didn't matter.

All he remembered…were her eyes. Filled with sorrow. The lack of her smile, replaced by a fake mockery…to protect him.

For the first time in his life, Apalos was ashamed of the life he lived. For what kind of man was he, if he was the reason a girl like her lost her dazzling and gentle smile?

Thus the nobody, the farmer with nothing to his name, made his decision.

He would become worthy of her.

He would reach her.

And then…he would give back the smile he granted her, and then with ignorant cruelty stole away.

No matter how useless Qi Sorcery was.

No matter how lacking he was.

He would push on, step by step.

Thus, began his journey, to become a Golden Devil.

Fighting Style: Using a shield to turtle up, he tries to stall as much time as possible to read the enemy's patterns in order to land a hit with his Xin Qi Sorcery of the Earth Element.

Starting Perk: By Your Side - It couldn't be called a significant talent. Not a gift of the heavens whatsoever. One could even call it just the charm of a farmer boy in over his head, his foolishness amusing to all. And yet, his voice and his very presence lifted the spirits around them. Even if the crops died out and disaster struck, he was the first among them all to put on a smile and urge them to not give up.

A weakling, whose sole talent was to keep the spirits of all just a bit stronger with his very nature.

Current Status (Turn 16)

Impact: 0
Health: Healthy
Age: 15 (+0)
Cultivation Stage: Qi Condensation (1st Heavenstage)
Life Saving Treasures: 0
Healing Treasures: 0

Spoiler: Omakes

Apalos 1/Cerina Polya Side Story 14 - For Her Sake: 6253 Words (Training Juniors Bonus)
Apalos A1 - Where The Wind Leads: 1810 Words
Apalos 2 - A Beloved Letter From Grandpa - 1105
Apalos 3 - To Remember Roots - 3505 Words

Total Word Count: 12673 Words

 

[BungieONI]

Apalos 1/Cerina Polya Side Story 12 - For Her Sake

Grandpa Rukius always proclaimed the lands of the Golden Devils to be filled with wealth and opportunity. That there was no other place to find brotherhood and support for dreams most glorious than with the bronze skinned devils, whose techniques were so esoteric they were akin to dreams. So when Apalos told the experienced farmer about his decision to leave their home, and where exactly his traveling would take him, it was as if grandpa had completely forgiven him for becoming a Xin Sorcerer. Hugging him with tears of peak masculinity, crushing the cultivator with his well toned mortal muscles, the elderly man wasted no time to invest in his only grandson, granting him a shield, designed straight from a Golden Devil cultivator, forgotten and lost until it found itself within the Xin Kingdom for a steal, relatively speaking. It was as if Apalos was never spit upon or kicked in the shin several times for turning into a 'wee bean that was paler than a cow's piss'. As rough as his grandpa could be, Apalos was close to tears himself when he finally left him behind. After all, despite everything, they loved each other, no matter what, and with his encouragement, Apalos was sure he made the right decision to travel to the territory belonging to one of the strongest factions that exist within the desert.

He sneezed and rubbed his nose, the sand tickling his entire body before he shivered, holding his shield close to his chest under his rags.

Maybe before trusting his words, Apalos should've remembered that Grandpa Rukius also said that every single one of their neighbors was a filthy rice eater that should bury themselves in the sands to give their glorious superiors of a foreign sea better footing with the wastes that were their bodies. Maybe then Apalos wouldn't be living like this, hugging a damaged blanket around his body as he sat around in one of the many alleys. One of many alleys that had his brethren around. Who were his brethren, one might ask? Why, it was quite simple!

…His fellow homeless. Apalos was rather sure that was not what Grandpa Rukius meant when he talked about camaraderie. Alas, that was the fate of a young man who immediately left his dear home and farm the second he figured out the most basics of basics when it came to being a Xin Sorcerer, to be a cultivator that challenged the heavens themselves. Was it hasty? Indeed. Was it stupid? Most likely. Was it necessary?

The image of a blonde girl, giggling for the first time after maintaining a stoic face the whole trip flashed in his head. He exhaled slowly and closed his eyes.

It was. If it were up to his spirit, he would've left for these lands the second he woke up from his beating back then. But his grandpa had a point, that he was nothing to the real Golden Devils. Nothing to a real cultivator. If he wanted to get a foot in, he needed to show something, the bare minimum. Thus, he needed to work many years to find a sorcerer willing to teach him…and willing to let him go. Yet the journey was just the start, for the moment men and women figured out he was a Xin Sorcerer, mockery followed soon after. No one gave him the time of day when he tried to earn himself some resources, always overlooked in favor of a true Golden Devil. Information gathering was a dead end, as a nobody had no right to find out about the Anemoi or their goings. He didn't dare push his luck by mentioning Aeolia, the sweet shining light in his life. It would be too suspicious. It would lead to him getting targeted.

The pain. The agony. The look of sorrow, hidden behind a sneering pride.

No. Never again. He wouldn't do that to her ever again. He grit his teeth. He had to hurry, before it was too late, before she could no longer be freed. Alas, he was denied access to the Golden Devil lands, kicked out before he could even prove himself. He let out a heavy sigh. What to do…Shaking his head, he exhaled slowly. No, none of that! Life threw many rocks at him, ruined many harvests, but he'd always get back up! This was no different! With that in mind, Apalos nodded to himself, opened his eyes-

-and stared straight into the face of a beautiful woman, eyes wide as she cupped her cheeks. Her white hair was utterly pristine as it fluttered in the wind, as she knelt before him and tilted her head with curiosity.

A lesser man would've been charmed by the obvious cultivator. A man like his grandfather would've leapt at the 'enemy' and bit their throat off for what was worse than a 'pale skin' was a 'pale hair' and thus needed to be 'exterminated for the transcending legions'.

Fortunately, Apalos was a man of culture, of honor, who remembered his roots. Thus, with the calm and style only a farmer could have, he bravely let out a shriek of surprise before pressing himself against the house wall behind him.

Just as planned, the calculated action of his caused the woman to let out a giggle, showing her perfect teeth, while maintaining the rather unhinged wide eyed stare.

"You're a weirdo!"

Said the weirdo, Apalos wanted to counter, but grandpa didn't raise a suicidal fool. Just a regular fool. Because of that, he scratched the back of his head with a nervous laugh.

"Thank you?"

Instead of responding properly, the girl, woman, old woman, who knew, picked him up with one hand by the skull. He let out a quiet whimper, trying to mask it with a brave smile as she shook him as one would a doll, rubbing her chin with the very same wide eyed look and wide grin.

"Hm, hm, hm. Weak. Very weak. Also bottom of the ladder, given that you are here." She let him go before patting his head a few times. "And yet, you are shiny! Hehe, once more I learned something new!"

He started to miss his grandpa. Especially the headpats reminded him of the old man. In a way, the look the woman had felt like it was trying to strip him down. In a weirdly innocent way, but Apalos still felt he was getting violated. That couldn't do, for he swore his first violation to be Aeolia and Aeolia only!

"I'm happy to help…Dooooo you require more help?"

Chuckling lightly, the stranger stroked his right cheek with the back of her hand.

"It's more how I can help you!"

'Listen up, ya lil' shit! If someone strokin' ya hollowed out cheek, be it woman or man, ya gotta kick them in the inbetween! Right down there, full force, like a marching army of Golden Devils descending on the weed munchers in the East!'

Apalos felt that this advice only applied if he was actually stronger than his opponent, but he was still rather inclined to give it a try anyway. Yet he tried to look at the positive potential outcome of this weird interaction instead of presuming having his journey as a man end right here and there. Fortunately, his optimism was rewarded as the woman took a step back before putting her knuckles against her hips.

"I heard about you! Got kicked out before you could get in, ey?"

Blushing just a bit, he laughed it off. Rather public display, wasn't it? Still, he put a hand against his chest as he shook his head, defying the creeping darkness of doubt within his heart.

"I simply have to cultivate more and try again! Like a sprout needing time to grow into a field, I-!"

"Nope, never gonna work! Like I said, you're a weakling!"

Her face was positively sparking, as if she had uttered the most motivational words in the entire sea. Apalos' smile was still in place, despite his soul being shattered into pieces, a coping mechanism that has saved him many times from being seen as a weeping mess. Maybe it was because of that that the cultivator was most amused by him, as she reached into her pockets.

"But that's why the strong are here!" Then she presented it to him, a talisman of sorts. "There you go!"

He took it…and squinted his eyes as he held it closer. Good heavens, what an atrocious handwriting! Did a horse write this with a brush in their mouth?! He wasn't even sure if that was writing at all or a sloppy drawing! Still, it had been a while since he was gifted something, what with being a beggar on the streets, so he merely pocketed it with a grateful bow. The cultivator giggled before ruffling his hair again.

"With a recommendation, you can get anywhere! That's what momma told me!! Just tell them the Head of the Homeless Association sent you!"

Was she messing with him? He had no idea. If she was genuine, in a way, it was worse. With a twitching eyebrow, he maintained a bright smile before raising his head.

"Thank you, my benefactor. May I have your name?"

"Sure! Qinglong Gezi!" He blinked, the name ringing a bell. Before he could ask further, Gezi waved at him before putting on a hat. "Bye bye, shiny kid! Don't die before we meet again, kaaaay?"

She left behind a dust cloud, causing him to cough violently. Blinking away the tears, the strange white haired woman was nowhere to be seen. Looking at the recommendation, he shook his head with a wry smirk.

"Grandpa, girls really are weird…" Pocketing it, he clapped his hands together. "Alright, let's try this again!"

Naturally, the moment the guards laid eyes upon him, they did not even bother to hide the looks of utter disgust appearing on their faces. It was a seven on the Grandpa Ruckius scale when he talked about their neighbors. So rather good odds, all things considered. Thus, with a confident strut, he walked up to them, all smiles and sunniness.

"You again? Listen, I don't know what they feed you over there in the boonies, but we have actual standa-"

"I have a recommendation this time, honored guards!"

He presented the talisman. The two guards blinked. Then their eyes widened. It was a close call for Apalos not to do the same. No way?

"...A moment."

One of the guards went inside the premise while the other guard cleared his throat awkwardly, keeping a wary eye upon Apalos. He almost jumped around with glee.

Haha, he wasn't scammed after all! He had to thank Gezi the next time they met! Hopefully not as a homeless man!

Soon enough, the guard returned, this time with what appeared to be some sort of official. The woman adjusted her glasses with a pleasant smile. For some reason Apalos thought it was a bit strained, but that may have been the bags under her eyes. How terrible indeed, for a lady to be so overworked apparently. The least he could do was listen with rapt attention as he straightened up his back.

"It appears the heavens smile upon you. With this…unique invitation, certain…doors open up that are not open for anyone else. There is a certain senior that can…show you what you can… reach…? Yes, reach, young cultivator."

Odd speech pattern aside, this time Apalos didn't hold himself back as he pumped his fist.

"Wonderful! I will accept this blessing with a gladdened heart!"

"I shall introduce you to Cerina Polya. The rest is up to her."

"Thank you for your guidance!"

Thus, Apalos followed the woman, feeling his heart utterly light now. Now this was the true start. With the Golden Devils supporting him, he might have a chance against the enemies that took away Aeolia's happiness and freedom. Even a talentless hack like him could reach her genius beauty and steal her away from her captors for sure!

///

"...Twenty spirit stones he's going to die."

"Thirty he wishes he died."

"Bet."

"Bet."

///

Now, he might have expected the journey to take an hour, maybe two. But in actuality it took seven, because while Cerina Polya was absolutely in town doing… something… actually finding her was a small quest of hunting down hearsay and gossip. Finally, after stops at three different bars, a spa, and an open air market, the woman led Apalos into the catacombs beneath the city of Emporikipolis.

Tight, confined, musty and full of webs. And probably spiders, with how nervous his guide was. He was very lost down here by now, so when they turned a corner and his guide disappeared with a yelp, he started to wonder if this was some sort of elaborate scam that his grandpa warned him about many many times. Scratching the back of his head, he tried to stay brave, for Aeolia needed a brave man.

"Erm…Greetings? Is anyone here?"

After calling into the void, he waited, nay, hoped for a response. Yet despite that hope…why did he feel this cold in his spine?

A hiss and the sound of click click clicking echoing down the tunnel answered him. In the faint light of his torch, he saw long legged shadows on the walls. Maybe those spiders were not so hypothetical after all.

"Alright, Apalos, into the den we go…" He muttered to himself, raising his shield carefully. While he didn't have much experience using this tool, having only figured out how to properly hold it to block hits without breaking his wrist, it did give him a sensation of safety. Still, he tried to sense the Qi around him in the air, trying to reach out to the earth through his soles and grasp it. While no combat has ensued yet, a Qi Sorceror needed to start early or else they would be unable to attack when the time actually arrived. Thus, as he formed the spell underneath the spiders, he kept a steady eye on his opposition, waiting to see if they became enemies or mere passerbys.

Unfortunately, a shield is only useful from one direction. Long, long fingers wrapped around Apalos's skull from behind, lifted him, and then tossed him like a ball straight through the spiders. Even if he had sensed any vibrations through the earth, his spell was far from ready, thus he could do nothing. Chitin cracked, foul juices and slime splashing across his body. He came to a stop in a heap of broken bodies, haemolymph, and twitching insect legs.

Memories forced themselves to the forefront of his mind. How after the happiest day of his life, the worst minute came right after. The broken bones. The bruised flesh. The flow of blood. It was just like that time. And just like that time, he refused to faint…not before looking upon the faces of the beings around him. The spiders, screeching weakly. But more importantly…to try and look upon the entity that just used him as a throwing ball. Through his blurred vision, he tried to smirk despite the pain, to show that while he was broken, he was not broken…before his eyes rolled up into his skull, having imprinted the faces, however shady, into his mind.

A single eyed bronze face of serene beauty, in the depths of a yellow hood.

///

He woke up of course, though he found himself now in a simple wooden chair in a dark room, a simple lantern burning overhead. It smelled like grilling meat and the sound of screeches echoed from the darkness outside of the circle of lantern light that illuminated him.

"So kid, what made you so stupid you wanted to fight spiders whose numbers and power you didn't know?" The voice was chiming, a chipper woman's voice, maybe a little older than him. He couldn't quite see her, though there was a shadow moving off to his left, partially illuminated by a grill fire.

She was… very tall. Very very very tall. Seven and a half feet, maybe more? Either way, she looked rather exotic and in a way grandpa would approve, which filled him with worry. Still, a woman asked him a question and a proper man should reply, no matter how much his body ached. Putting on a strained smile, he tilted his head a bit.

"I can't exactly say that I wanted to do any of that. One moment someone has been guiding me for hours towards a certain Cerina Polya and the next moment I was left alone in the dark." He paused before humming a bit. "Perhaps I was scammed after all…and Miss Qinglong seemed so genuine too…"

His head hung low as he let out a sigh. Once more fate conspired against him. If nothing else it was a learning experience and he was still alive. He just had to rise from this, as much time as he wasted from this weird trap he was led into. "It would have been better to run," the woman said as she turned.

In the light she was a striking sight; metal skin that resembled bronze but was subtly off in color, a closed cyclopean eye dominating her face, a white-silver sunflower growing from her left temple, bright white hair in a long braid. A Golden Devil for sure, though a strange one. In her hands she held a tray, and on it was a rack of kebabs, spider legs and cubes of meat and fruit skewered on them. "Eat," she said, pressing the tray into his hands.

Apalos blinked at the…delicacies offered to him. Meat was usually a luxury for a mere farmer like him. Even if he was a bit wary about the spider legs…he hadn't eaten in hours, thanks to the 'guidance' he received. Thus, strange or not, he decided to smile and be glad he got to eat something at all. Thus, with a bow of gratitude, he shoveled a bit of everything down his throat and chewed a few times, allowing the myriad of tastes to wash over his tongue.

It was awful, in a word, but the kind that left you bizarrely curious rather than entirely repulsed. A thunk of a chair distracted him from the melange as the woman sat down across from him. "So what did you want to do by finding Miss Polya?" She asked him. Her face was calm, curious. She snacked on some skewers of her own with no particular reaction.

"Want to do…Well, I was aiming to be associated with the Golden Devils in some way to…well, to grow stronger. As a, ahem, Qi Sorcerer from Xin, we do not have much in terms of reputation and…err, resources." He resisted the urge to dive into more of the food, in fear of something changing within him with no going back from that. Instead he let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. "To be honest, my guide told me that I'd be introduced to Miss Polya and the rest would be up to her, haha…"

She waved that away and tilted her head. "So, being a Qi Sorcerer you took the first opportunity to get away from them? They're the ones with archives of lore about Qi Sorcery. Do you expect us to be better at Qi Sorcery than they are?"

Apalos winced before looking away. If she put it like that, he sounded rather disrespectful to the art, didn't he? He opened his mouth to defend his words, to say he had the utmost respect for his home's skills…before closing his mouth, realizing he couldn't. He closed his eyes with a sigh. He remembered the beating of his lifetime. He remembered that many saw the attack on his being. And he knew for a fact that sorcerors were there. He didn't blame them for not stepping in if they simply did not care. But instead…he recalled nothing but fear in their eyes. As if they knew they would lose if they tried to help him. So in the end…what was the truth about his actions so far? Raising his head, he bit his lip.

"...I have to admit, Qi Sorcery was a means to an end to get access to the Golden Devils. A mere mortal, a farmer, would have never been able to enter their ranks. I needed something to offer, so anything would've done the trick I suppose…" He licked his lips in contemplation. "I don't expect the Golden Devils to help me with my sorcery. I know that I choose the hardest path of having to rely on myself here. What I do expect is…" Her smile burned like a fire in his heart, fueling him with confidence. "...a path to victory. To give me the confidence and pride that the Xin Kingdom couldn't offer to reach my goals."

He chuckled awkwardly. Even putting his feelings to words like this made himself sound most audacious, didn't it? She looked back at him, then shrugged. She'd made her point and pressing on his home wasn't going to get her any further. She swallowed another skewer, stick and all. The stick was the tastiest part, made out of Thousand Spiced Yew she'd managed to find by sheer luck. "So why do you want to get stronger?" She asked, gesturing at him with another loaded skewer. Her seventh at this point, these spiders were good eating.

But there was something more to this kid's desires if he was motivated enough to haul himself all the way here to Emporikipolis.

"Oh, right! Haha, silly of me, I never explained my motivations properly!" With a wide and shining grin he pointed at himself with his thumb. "I have to save the greatest girl in all of existence from her caged fate!"

Not a hint of shame. His face and actions were utterly unclouded in their purity and dedication of his goal, the smile and the sorrow that followed on Aeolia's pristine features eternally part of his soul.

This kid was Fucking Dead. Her face must have fallen and she decided to just go for the throat. "A great motivation. But what if she doesn't want to be rescued? You're cute and all, but you don't have any guarantees she's going to choose you when you find her. What if she doesn't?"

Apalos couldn't help himself. He tried to hold himself back, but the sound escaped through his lips before he knew it.

"PFFFFFFFHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

It was rude. A cultivator was well within their right to kill him for this disrespect. And yet, he laughed and laughed, almost falling off his chair in the process. Somehow remaining seated despite the odds, he wiped the tears forming in his eyes, trying to calm his exhausted breath.

"Phew…m-my apologies, but your words were just…so nonsensical." With a soft smile he put a hand on his chest. "Yes, in the life of a cultivator, that single day we shared was but dust in the desert. However…the bond we created during those mere hours can outlast even Nascent Souls." He shook his head. "Mayhaps she won't choose me as a lover…but even so, I shall love her awkwardness. The joy of a sheltered girl finally seeing the world. The harsh words for the sake of kindness. This connection we have, of young lovers, as youthful friends, as childish acquaintances, they are all proof that she wishes to be free, even if she says otherwise. As long as her heart is in line with mine, I shall do whatever is necessary to break her chains."

Cerina balanced her chin on her hands, unphased. "There's a fallacy men often apply to women. They love them and then impose that love, believing that what is in their woman's heart is the same as theirs," she grew thoughtful for a second. "Lots of people assume others think like they do, for lots of different things. Its not just love."

"A proper man should respect his woman and not assume she feels as he does. He should go to her and see for himself, if he cannot ask her directly. Did you even plan to check before rushing headlong into this?"

"Rest assured, all my actions do not rest upon assumption." Apalos still maintained the confident and loving smile, even as it gained an edge of sadness. "Maybe my love is one sided and becomes a chain as well. If that is the case, I shall let her go with a heavy heart. But until then, this burning passion of mine shall be my guiding light when it comes to breaking her current chains. For that is what they are. No if or maybe. She suffers, just as she suffered years ago. And if she does not suffer, her captors have broken her beyond repair." He exhaled slowly, feeling his throat grow exhausted. "But I have faith in her strength. Faith to be strong enough to last until I give her the small push she requires."

Cerina had a brief thought pondering if she was dealing with a weirdo stalker. She'd task Shui with tracking this guy if necessary - then the thought left her skull. "Alright then, I'll take your word for it. What's her name?" She'd also check the girl for herself, maybe. Would it be funnier to have Shui do that too?

"Aeolia Anemoi." Ah, he could say that name every minute of his life and he'd never get tired of the melodic sound of it. "From what I gathered of our talks at the time her clan is one that was declining, with her being a rising star that brought hope to them." Apalos grimaced. "Hope in the form of being offered for an alliance via marriage…"

The mere idea to have the talent of all talents to be reduced to a brood mare sent his blood boiling. If she had to grant children to her clan, she should be in the dominant position instead! He nodded to himself as he raised his fist with passion. Yes, even if his soul would die, he'd be much happier if she was in control of someone instead of being controlled.

Well she didn't know the girl but that wasn't hard. Probably nothing a little hacking of the Contribution Board couldn't suss out. "Surprisingly common in the world," she opined. Then she clapped her knees and stood up, walking past him. "Well, I wish you luck finding Cerina Polya. When you find her, tell her to work on your information gathering abilities and deductive reasoning skills."

Her words floated towards him as she closed the door. Apalos was left behind in the dark room, the grill still lightly sizzling. He rubbed his chin before slowly rising to his feet, realizing that his body didn't ache as much as before. He crossed his arms with a pondering expression. Hm, apparently Miss Polya was in this den of monsters after all. But why did the strange cultivator tell him to train those specific skills…? It was then that it hit him. His eyes widened with realization.

Despite a human appearance, the cultivator radiated a sense of wrongness. As if she was the real monster, worse than even the spiders. The way she seemed to just know about Cerina Polya. The rough way she treated him and then interrogated him about his beliefs and motivations.

The answer was clear, and Apalos could sense his mind expand, his deductive skills rising. It was so simple he almost hit himself in the face for missing it. The stranger he met…it was so absolutely clear that she was…

Cerina Polya's Spirit Beast Companion! A guardian protecting this den belonging to her human master, in order to test potential students and remove invaders! He should've acted with more reverence than he did, for he had heard of the ability level required to form a human shape, uncanny as it was. It spoke volumes of Miss Polya's own skill level. Still, disrespect or not, it appeared he passed the first batch of tests. First, a test of willpower, not breaking down after being used as a ball and damaged beyond what a mortal could survive. Then, a test of the heart, to figure out if his intentions were noble or not! And now, it was a test of skill, to see if he could make his way through this maze to meet either her or her master!

Nodding to himself, he was absolutely certain of the truth behind this story. Yes, he should not disappoint such a noble creature. Time was being wasted. With that in mind, he tightened the strap of his shield around his arm, before exhaling slowly. He had to prove himself in this final test, or Cerina Polya would never teach him the next step to reaching his goals. Thus, despite the threats and dangers stacked against him, he ventured once more into the dark, to find the light that would guide him in the future.

Suffice to say, his body would be reacquainted with agony soon enough. Spirit and determination reborn within his flesh they may be, but it didn't change the fact that he was lacking. Many times he felt his bones rattle from a spider's leap against his shield. Many times his blood was spilled from the mandibles and sharp legs cutting at him. Seconds and minutes taken to cast his spells filled with pain.

And yet, he advanced. He smiled despite the pain, pushing forward step by step, slow as it may be. Casting his spells, as he shaped the earth around him. For a true cultivator, whose body was a weapon, it would be child's play. But despite all their weakness, there was something beautiful in the art of Qi Sorcery. To shift the earth in just the right way to cause the spiders to stumble. To soften it up into sand for them to get stuck for a moment. To summon a spike, shaped just as he intended, instead of just breaking up the ground. Again and again, he used the spells he learned, figuring out the true difference between theory and practice.

He didn't know how long he walked in the darkness. How battered and pale his skin was. But no matter how injured he was, no matter how weak he felt…none of that was any excuse to stop marching. Until eventually…

He met her again. The spirit beast companion. With a weak chuckle, he forced his body to bow at her, even as the blood dripped down on the ground.

"I…greet you…Honored Guardian…" He breathed heavily, his eyes half lidded. "I pray…I do not disappoint as much…as before…?"

"Guardian? I don't guard shit, kid, not unless my Legatus tells me to. I'm just here to do some grocery shopping," the 'companion' responded. She pinched her forehead. "Nevermind, rather than whinging about disappointment we should make sure you don't die from your idiocy."

She grabbed him by the ear, one of his only uninjured parts, and hauled him away back through the tunnels, up and up to the back of a tea house run by retired clansmen. "Sit'down," she commanded, shoving him into another wooden chair. "Where did I leave that first aid kit… wait shit, he hasn't taken the bronze yet grrrrrrrrrr. All this stuff in here might kill him."

Tossing aside the first box she pulled out, she rifled around in cabinets more to come up with a bag of herbs, jars of paste, and bandages. The herbs went into Apalos' mouth, astringent and minty and also tasting faintly of regrets. The rest was slapped onto his biggest bleeding wounds as she poked and prodded more firmly than necessary at his torso.

When she was done, half of him was a mummy from his shield arm down to his entire chest and abdomen. "Well, at least you didn't cripple anything important."

"I pride myself in bouncing back from grievous injuries, haha-ow!" Apalos hissed as his laugh caused his everything to stretch and hurt. With the first aid applied he stared at the spirit beast, letting out a thoughtful hum "Is this what you usually do for Miss Polya? Or your Legatus I suppose. 'Grocery shopping'...is there any way I can help, in exchange of meeting your illustrious master?" He pressed his lips together. "...Or is it partner? I am not sure what exactly your relationship with Miss Polya is and how close you are to each other."

Genuinely, she was starting to wonder if he was dumber than Mia… wait. Was he? He was potentially pale enough…

She smacked him upside the head. "My relationship to her is for you to figure out."

"Speaking of, I see that your basic skills need further work if you're going to survive long enough to gather information and improve your lackluster deductive reasoning," here she thunked him in the chest, making his ribs screech, "you must learn to prepare your spells ahead of time. Hold them on the verge of completion for when they are needed."

Seeing the cogs in his head turning, she used further Ironblooded methodology and grabbed his hand, twisting the muscles in his index finger painfully. "Imagine each spell, like a finger ready to flick. Maybe that image will stick in your thick skull."

"Or just like sorting the rice seeds ahead of time before the planting phase…yes, yes, I see!" Apalos would have written this stuff down but he was sadly lacking in writing tools. So instead he just had to instill the words into his chivalrous heart. Already he was learning a lot from this inhuman teacher. He should thank his guide when they met again. He blinked for a moment. "Uhm, do you know where my guide has disappeared to? Surely she is expecting a report from me of some sorts about my tutelage under you."

The 'companion' had technically stolen her from in front of him and then left her to wake up in an alley during Apalos' first dive. Girl was going to die down there. And now she'd been recruited to help her with some paperwork Rina had dropped on her lap.

The 'companion' pointed to a door to his left, partially propped open. "Hey! Girly!" She shouted.

His erstwhile guide stuck her head through. "Did you call for me, mistress?" She said, then her eyes swung to Apalos and she processed his words. "Oh you," she seemed baffled. "You're alive?" Seeing this, the 'companion' got up to leave, her lessons imparted.

Seeing her about to leave, Apalos tried his best to bow towards his benefactor.

"Thank you very much for your guidance! I hope our paths cross again!"

With his head lowered he did not see the completely baffled expression of the guide pointed at him. "Yeah yeah kid, fight well and get smarter. Pound some wrinkles into that brain," she said sardonically, the door sliding shut behind her.

While he wasn't sure what to think about all those wrinkles and what not, Apalos figured she just wanted him to learn as best as he could under her as a student. Maybe then he might meet the actual Cerina Polya one day. With that in mind, he turned towards the guide, who managed to put her professional smile back on. Not noticing how strained it was, he bowed towards her as well.

"Thank you for bringing me to this place, I have learned a lot!" He nodded to himself, very pleased as he closed his eyes with a wistful sigh. "I was unable to meet Miss Polya, but I did receive much guidance from her Spirit Beast Companion! Thank you so much for allowing this meeting to happen!"

He did not notice the break in her facade, as she looked at him with utter disbelief. Shaking her head, she cleared her throat when he opened his eyes once more, just a minor twitch of her eyebrow indicating how much her mind hurt trying to process all this.

"No need. A recommendation is a recommendation and I am glad it was…fruitful for you." She adjusted her glasses. "If you do wish to join the inner ranks of our clan, a Bronze Blood infusion is necessary for our formations. I shall inform you when your time has arrived."

"Splendid! You will find me upon the streets of this lovely city! Until then!" Apalos had a jump in his step as he disappeared as well, leaving behind the teahouse. Meanwhile, the guide's smile fell as she stared at the ground, blinking a few times.

"...wait, since when does she have a spirit beast companion?"

---

Collab! Wordcount is 6253 and all of it is going to Apalos. I cackle at this goofball. This is my Training Juniors with him.

 

[ObsidianNoir]

Apalos A1 - Where The Wind Leads

"Again!"

The beautiful blonde exhaled slowly, her eyes closed. Then, with a gesture of her hand, her eyes snapped open, before the sand around them formed a vortex, a dome of her territory, raising havoc around them as each corn became a blade within her grasp. Then, she raised her blade, using it as a focal point, and let out a soft breath. Jabbing upwards, the storm narrowed down, condensed and became a deadly spear that pierced the clouds themselves. She let out a gasp, almost collapsing to her knees from that exertion. Yet before she could do so however, a grizzled and old hand grabbed onto her shoulder.
She repressed the wince forming on her face from how tight the grip was. She looked up, without emotions, her face akin to a puppet, as the elder grinned with not a hint of light in his eyes.

"Always remember. No matter your speed in achieving Foundation Establishment…You must always strive to become stronger, to become better. Falling to your knees after only that much, it is ridiculous." A dry chuckle escaped him. "Alas, I shall take your…youth into account. So for now, it is adequate." His gaze hardened once more, his fingers digging into her flesh, drawing blood. "But adequate shall not suffice in the future. For the guiding wind, you must defy heaven with your talent. Understand?"

Nodding, Aeolia did not feel a thing in her heart. No pain. No disappointment. After all…this sort of treatment, these expectations, they were all…normal. Thus, she rose to her feet and bowed with respect, towards her family, towards one of the many fools that declared her wanting, despite their own lacking talent, their only advantage their age.

"For the guiding wind," she uttered obediently, pushing back the thoughts and fantasies of burning all to the ground. After all, if she did so, the last remnants of memories regarding her beloved parents would be gone. And she knew that they were right, in the large scheme of things.

In order to survive, sacrifices needed to be made. Following the winds that brushed against them, instead of fighting back.

Seeing no hint of rebellion as always in her eyes, the elder smirked before patting her head, a disgusting act as he rubbed her hair just a bit too hard.

"Good girl."

Soon enough, they returned to the estate. Not the estate of the Anemoi, for they were essentially beggars. But a true estate, stretching large enough to be a small town on its own. The sigil of the crushing thunder hung high above the entrance.

'We are Tribulation'.

The Thlipsis was in a similiar situation as the Anemoi. Also degrading in history and power, if not to the same extent. After all, they were the superiors in this relationship, having had a rising talent a lot sooner than her own clan. And the Anemoi were completely fine bending their knees like that, as long as the legacy of their mighty winds could carry on. The Thlipsis were interested in her rare manifested bloodline to.

To combine wind with-

A crackle filled the air, the moment Aeolia was left alone by her caretaker and rule. She turned her head with a passive expression as a loud yawn sounded in the yard. Tapping his shoulder with a staff, the green haired man had not a hint of noble air around him. Instead, it was more accurate to describe him as a wild animal, waiting for proper stimulation.

"Aaaah, finally got rid of those old farts," he muttered, his hair pulsating with energy. Aeolia bowed her head immediately, showing respect towards her fiancee.

It was her duty after all, to intermingle the wind with their lightning, to create the perfect storm. No matter how much older he was than her. It didn't matter.

"Young master."

Only noticing her now, the young man spat to the side, a displeased frown marring his face as he raised an eyebrow. He tapped the side of her head with his staff, almost like chiding a child.

"For the last time, it's Astrapi."

"Protocol must be heeded," Aeolia replied, keeping utterly calm. He rolled his eyes in response.

"Honestly, I'd have more fun messing with a literal puppet than you." Astrapi stretched his arms before throwing his thumb over his shoulder. "Let's do this then, been wasting enough time."

Soon enough, luxurious meals were scattered between the two, on the table in the flower garden. A method to make the two talents grow closer to each other, to make sure 'love bloomed'. Fortunately for the two of them, neither was truly interested in the other, seeing this as a tedious task. Munching on some bread, Astrapi stared at Aeolia, checking for a reaction. And yet, as always, Aeolia showed nothing.

It wasn't like she hated the man. To be specific, if she had to rank people, he was rather high compared to everyone else, just for his obvious lack of interest in her as a being. Compared to the stories about other talented cultivators, Astrapi was essentially a gentleman. Still, there was a gap between them, as they knew nothing about each other beyond the surface, and they were both 'satisfied' with that.

However, somehow, something changed in this routine. Her fiancee snapped his fingers before smirking just a bit.

"Oh yeah, I heard something lately. About a friend you made as a kid. A guy my guys beat u-" He paused, blinking for a moment. Then he showed his teeth as he leaned forward, eyes going wide with excitement. "Oho?"

Aeolia immediately slapped her mouth, covering the snarl that was forming. She exhaled slowly, trying to rein in the murderous aura that radiated from her for just a second. The nearby servants passed out due to the sudden lack of air, ceasing its movements. Once calmed down, she revealed her thin line of a mouth, before bowing her head.

"My apologies. My focus has slipped."

"Nah, it's fine." A chuckle escaped him as he crossed his arms and leaned back. "I like it better. After all…This was the first time you didn't look like a puppet. Heh, try to catch up."

"I shall do my utmost. For the sake of the-"

"Fuck the Anemoi and the Thlipsis." Aeolia blinked at the bluntness. Astrapi spat to the side before pointing at her. "I'll put a baby in you because I have to, but that's not my first priority." A crackle of lightning sparked between his fingers. "If you have that expression of killing intent when we fight, it'd be worth it."

Her eyebrow twitched at the mention of 'baby'. Then, rationality won over again and she shook her head.

"I am to be your wife. Fighting would be illogical."
A bark escaped Astrapi, before he slammed his fist on the table, cracking it in half with ease.

"This ain't about logic, it's about the thrill! How the hell are we supposed to surpass ourselves if we don't face danger, huh?!" He licked his lips. "'sides, you reaaaaally think it's illogical? So you don't blame me for what happened to your 'mortal toy'?"

His pitiful cries. The cracks of bones.

Her fingers dug into her palm as she slowly, carefully, shook her head, absolute focus over her body or else it would break out of control.

"...No. You were uninvolved…" She lowered her head, her voice gaining just a bit of a shiver."But please. Cease speaking of…him."

"Fine, fine. Not like I'll ever meet the guy. After all…he disappeared from his village."

Her head snapped up, eyes wide, forgetting her act in its entirety. Astrapi smirked at her, happy of getting a reaction, but she didn't care. Instead she focused on the words he uttered…and was unable to comprehend.

"...What?"

He had the audacity to shrug casually.

"Yup. People been keeping track of him all these years. I only heard the latest report of his old man being left alone. Last sighting was him going into the desert after learning the basics of Xin Sorcery." He wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Pitiful, innit?"

"...Indeed…" She whispered, her mind whirling.

Apalos, you tremendous fool, what were you doing? Xin Sorcery? Entering the desert? He might die. He would die. She had to, she must, she should-

"Nobody will know what you said or showed. Sorry about that."

Aeolia froze over before seeing Astrapi's frown. He almost looked like he was apologizing before he turned his back on her.

"Welp, I'll be doing my training then. You have fun."

It was a warning. To not ruin her actions from all these years, just for Apalos' sake. She bit her lip as she felt herself move, towards her room.

Fun…When was the last time she felt that emotion? Or when did she feel the last time she was…relaxed? Or even happy?

She let out a weak giggle as she had arrived in her room and let herself fall over. She pressed her thumb against her teeth as she closed her eyes, nibbling on it. What a foolish question. She knew exactly when she last felt that emotion. Or rather, the first time she felt that emotion, ever since her parents perished and thus became a tool for the rest of the clan.

The idiot. The weakling. Grabbing her hand without hesitation and showing her the most mundane things as if they were treasures. Laughing and making her laugh, he would drag her around without hesitation, wanting to show her the world, despite his own isolated nature. And yet, he was so bright, a warm light that filled her being even now.

And now…he was out in the desert. She bit harder on her thumb.

Are you happy, Apalos? Are you safe, Apalos? Did you forget about me, Apalos? Please don't forget about me, Apalos. Please forget about me, Apalos. I want to meet you. I can't meet you. Stay away. Come to me. Go back home. Come to my home. Why the desert, why only now, why ever, why, why, why-

Aeolia didn't know how hard she was biting her thumb, as she curled into a ball, tears flowing from her wide open eyes, her brows twitching with each chaotic thought racing and crashing through her skull.

His smile. His bruises. His laugh. His blood. His warm hand. His devastated look.

She started to hyperventilate, her mouth convulsing between sorrow and laughter.

Ah…Apalos…Apalos…Apalos….ApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalosApalos-

A loud gasp escaped her, all her thoughts ceasing for a moment. Then, with a whimper, she covered her eyes as she rolled onto her bed.

"I miss you…"

///
Word Count: 1810 Words

Faceclaims:

Spoiler: Aeolia

Spoiler: Astrapi

 

[ObsidianNoir]

Apalos 2 - A Beloved Letter From Grandpa

Oi, Apalos, ya lil' shit. If ya readin' this, it means da inbred rice eater managed to not die on the way to the sacred grounds. Either that or a superior courier of da crispy variety managed ta take over, if ya catch mah meanin'. If ya not readin' this, ya fuckin' ape, I want mah money back! I'll skullfuck ya corpse in front of ya weepin' mother with a nearby wolf's cock and then set ya all on fire so hard ya future generations will feel the burns between their shriveled up whitey balls!

Huh, that's a good threat. Keep this letter, Apalos, so ya can use this as reference in the future against the filthy plains people. And the filthy mountain people.

Assumin' a miracle has occurred though, Imma give ya the deets of the shit ya missed in this backwater land filled with twigs, cause for some reason, ya made friends with the inferior race. I ain't judging, ya have the blood of the benevolent conquerors in ya, but ya gotta prove yerself first before actin' all high 'n mighty.

Now before I tell ya about the meaningless shit, Imma have to comment on the shenanigans ya sorry ass got up to!

First of, ya were lucky the hobo bitch wasn't just scammin' ya after all! Whaddya have done if she baited ya ta some random ass fuckin' clan who'd eat ya kidneys, huh?! What then?! I told ya ta aim for between the legs if they creepin' on ya! How the fuck yer still alive with that smooth brain of yas, I keep askin' heaven ta send me tribulation if it meant givin' me an answer!

Still, despite being retarded, ya did good. Ya reached the hallowed grounds of our lords and saviors, the hegemony that will bring back glory to this white dust infested desert and turn it all into bronze and silver and gold! Don't be mad or too disappointed ya only got to deal with a filthy fuckin' beast! I say, a beast of a bronze Good Seed is better than the strongest young bastard of the Jade Shit Seed! But ya could've done better! If ya had just listened ta me to work on ya body instead of learnin' all those fancy party tricks, ya could've impressed instead of just survived! Work on that, I didn't give ya the shield ta use it as a table to get bend over and get fisted, ya hear me?!

But whatever, I'll stomach ya 'optimizin'' ya dum' spells if it means ya can keep gaining attention! Cause attention from the oiled flesh means good fortune! I'd know! Remember mah jar of heavenly oiled sweat I gathered? Remember how da harvest was da greatest in forever?!

I don't care if the Xin Bitch sucked ya dick off, she and her narrow eyed fuck face didn't do shit, I tell ya!

Where was I goin' with this letter? Agh, fuck it! Just memorize! Get fit, get rep, get bitches and glory! Bronze bitches! I want ya ta bring a girl home that can crush ya skull between her thighs like a bull can crush the fields with a plow!

Okay. I'm done here now. Now to skip through the "news" ya wanted to know about. Here it goes:

They alive, sadly. Tried mah best to make some 'accidents' happen, but if there's somethin' the rice eaters do right, it's bein' mighty sturdy pests. Their ability to live up to the duty of meatshield is astoundin', lemme tell ya. So if ya ever come back and fulfill ya duty to enslave the sorry lot of them, know that their rotten flesh can at least ward off some flies. Or attract them. Ya know what they say, like begets like. Other than that, mah back is still killin' me. Da money ya sent me is already burnin' away. Used it to buy myself some help. Ain't proper help, cause their skin is as empty of color as their souls are empty of worthiness, but a poor farmer like me can't pick.

So hurry up and find some tanned boys and girls so that I can smile when I look upon mah fields instead of wanting to gouge mah eyes out, got it? Ya hillbilly act can attract at least one of them mortal bronze beauties, so hurry up and work ya charm.

Before ya ask, for the millionth time, yes, I am damn sure of ya charm. Now stop ruinin' it with bein' a bitch!

Other than that, no other news. No big 'cultivators' spawning, not ever since that one 'Son of A Bitch' or whatever delusinal name the maniac fella called himself. Guess the heavens smile upon us desert people and farmers after all, if they prevented another Xin bum ta grow outta the ground like weed!

Das all I got for ya! Ya not happy with that, tough shit, I ain't an upcoming fancy Golden Devil like yaself! Ya want entertainment, give yerself ta the course, ya lil' shit, and we're both gonna be happy lads!

Next letter better be ya gettin' into a mighty legion, three women with dark skin between ya legs and ya pecks better be triple in size!

Yer truly, ya eternal caretaker and reason ya don't suck completely

Grandpa Ruckius.

PS: I sure hope ya stopped tryin' to chase after that paleskin. Divine heritage or not, I ain't gonna have a whitey in mah family tree! Ya can do better! Give me them bronze grandbabies, bring me the fit amazons of old! Our bloodline can't be allowed ta be cursed with the sin of bein' sticks!

Apalos couldn't help but chuckle lightly, before letting out a wistful sigh. Leaning his head against the wall behind him, he adjusted his rags around his body. Glancing to the side, he shrugged casually at his 'neighbor'.

"Grandparents, am I right? Always so amusing. Such a way with words."

The elderly men, a mortal from what he could tell, just gaped at him with such a wide open mouth, one could fit two frogs in it. He could only shake his head, his long white beard almost mesmerizing in its movement. Then, he pointed at the letter, indignation filling his entire being.

"How is that amusing?! Your grandfather is a complete asshole!"

Apalos tilted his head at that, blinking owlishly.

Asshole?

But this was him being in a good mood?

///

1105 Words

 

[ObsidianNoir]

Apalos 3 - To Remember Roots

Apalos' face held a deep frown, his forehead wrinkled with exertion as he let out a constant rumbling sound from his throat. His focus was sharpened like a sword of the most pure iron. His muscles were tense, ready to spring into action at any given moment, as he held his mighty tool above his head.

Then with a roar that shook existence itself, he stabbed his large tool into the flesh that belonged to the world…and dragged the hoe across the earth. At the same time, he poured his Qi into the hoe, filling it to the brim and even beyond, before his essence spilled out into the ground, spreading out and turning it all into his.

Thus, the garden shone, its health visibly improving with the shifts in the earth, turning the sand into denser material, allowing a more healthy ecosystem to find their home within it all. Already the plants seemed to stand up more straight just a bit. He took a deep whiff from the seeds growing within the upcoming bounty. Ah, such an aroma. Almost as sweet as Aeolia's youthful smell back in the days. Besides the love of his life, there was nothing as wonderful as an upcoming harvest, especially for those that truly need it.

Now some might say that a budding cultivator like him had better things to do than working on the fields to cultivate not his own body, but mortal food of all things. Some might say that his skillset he developed as a mortal was more than useless, for the desert was not the place to grow even the weakest of spirit herbs. Well, 'some' weren't him. While yes, he was still determined to catch up to the genius and beauty that was Aeolia, wherever she was, he also recognized he needed to remain 'himself' when he reached her. It would be more than heartbreaking if all his efforts landed him into a scenario, where his beloved wouldn't even recognize him, if he was nothing more than a mindless husk focusing purely on personal growth. No, at his heart, he was a farmer. A Xin Sorceror, no matter how disrespectful he was to the art.

He needed the world around him. There were no two ways around it. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, putting his trusty hoe to the side, before turning towards the other homeless clapping in excitement. He chuckled at the joyful air. Even if they lacked a roof over their heads, as long as their bellies could be filled, all would be well. Not to mention, with food came resources, resources one could use for information and other things, things that their leader, the head of the Homeless Association, Qinglong Gezi, required. While he was not directly related to her or her legion, Gezi made it a point to put him in charge of the homeless' defenses when she was gone, as he was the only cultivator in the vicinity.

Well, only cultivator who was still utterly and completely homeless. Turned out being an associate Golden Devil did not come exactly with the perks the stories told about. Then again, the stories were about heavenly defying talents, and he was not one at all. He should be glad he got access to spirit stones to begin with. So what if he had to live on the streets to make the most out of it? Sometimes sand was comfier than even the softest of beds.

If he told himself that often enough, it might even come true!

"So, 'honored cultivator', how long do you reckon this will take?" One of the elders asked, slowly walking forward with a stick in his hand. Apalos hummed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He didn't know his numbers, but he experienced the days of farming often enough to know by gut feeling how long it would take.

The time for insects and other animals in the ground to create their cycle of life and death, to give the earth the variety needed to empower the plants. The amount of water it would take, how much Qi they could take before rotting away from overload. Nodding a few times, he snapped his fingers before raising two of them in demonstration.

"Well, if I do this weekly, make sure the earth is alive and well, while checking for pests, harvest should be quick. I'd say…one or two weeks?"

"Excellent! Dry grass is nice and all if you know the techniques, but proper rice is gold itself!"

"Hear, hear!" Apalos agreed, a joyful laugh being shared among them. He ignored the voice in his head, condemning rice as the food of the filthy and the weak. He'd never understand Grandpa Ruckius' obsession with 'thick succulent buns', but everyone had their own taste, ey?

Rubbing his hands together, he mulled over what to do now. He could always cultivate himself now, all warmed up and fuzzy inside after a good field's preparation like this. Maybe he shall do that then. He rolled his shoulders and began to walk off the field when he felt it. The subtle vibrations, unnatural to the life within the earth. He narrowed his eyes before turning his head towards the horizon. His shift in mood was noticed by the veteran homeless, their own senses honed to recognize threats. Immediately they began to back away from the field as Apalos unhooked the shield from his belt.

It was then that he saw the cause of the rumbling, as it kept moving forward. His eyes widened before he spread his legs to center himself, gritting his teeth.

A bull. A spirit beast to be exact. Eyes glowing red, a bulging mass of black muscles, and steam escaping its nostrils as it picked up more and more speed. Apalos gulped before leaning forward, casting the spell under his breath. Soon enough, the earth underneath him shackled his ankles, wrapping around his feet and fusing it with the ground itself. He exhaled and tensed up.

The bull became but a blur, but Apalos did not move. He stood his ground, for behind him was the hard work of everyone, hard work he would allow to be br-

The world spun. Why did the world spin? Wasn't he one with the earth just now? And how could he see the back of the bull for a moment?

It was then that Apalos realized what happened.

Ah.

His arm bent. He saw the fields being trampled, as the spirit beast charged through without mercy.

He was hit by the charge…and flung over, with his arm broken. And his meager mind could not even register the hit at all.

What a pity.

That was his last thought before his face ate dirt, the bull long gone at this point, just like his consciousness when he stopped flying through the air.

///

"Oi, you sure this is gonna work?"

"Yeah, you took a pretty nasty hit."

With his arm in a sling, for he was lacking in resources for medical treatment, Apalos chuckled despite the constant aching he was in.

"A Xin Sorceror can cast his spells even with no arms! I have lost the first engagement, but this time, I shall work smarter and harder alike!"

So what if his ribs were begging for the sweet release of death? So what if his lungs were deflated and barely able to run the flow of air through his body? If those injuries were enough to put him down, he'd never make it to Aeolia! With that in mind, he was resting behind the sand hill, the field having been repaired as much as he could. The crops were ruined completely, much to his inner rage and disappointment. But the field itself was still alive, despite the force inflicted on them.

Thus, with decoys set up, plants that nobody would miss, Apalos waited. Many assumed the bull would not appear again, but he knew differently.

The life of a cultivator came with the force of attraction. Attraction of the good and the evil. A charisma that tempted fate itself and seduced it, only for fate to blush and stammer and lash out in embarrassment with a slap to the face. In the form of a bull this time.

He received weird looks when he explained it to the mortal. He didn't know why. The metaphor worked perfectly well! He witnessed plenty of relationships back at his village, among childhood friends specifically!

"Here it comes!" One of the homeless shouted, causing Apalos to roll his healthy shoulder.

"Here I come!" He announced before slamming his palm into the ground, having long taking grasp of the earth in the area. "Field of Nails!"

The bull huffed, as if offended at the sight of the spikes that formed spikes rising from the ground. Instead of doing the smart thing and dodge, it just accelerated, its feet stomping against the sand as if it was the hardest of stone. Apalos grinned, glad his prediction was correct. He knew his spikes would cause it to slow down, to grind it down as it went by. Then, he'd have his chance to cast a stronger spell and kill that being.

Indeed, his prediction was correct.

About its behavior at least.

His grin fell when all he heard was a loud crash.

But not about its capabilities.

Its thick body barely noticed the spikes, reinforced with qi, into its body. It smashed through the deadly defenses as if they were made out of sticks. With the shrapnel, it caused even more damage than before, the field being peppered with the sturdy projectiles. But suddenly, the bull came to a stop, sliding across the field and ruining even more…before its head snapped towards Apalos, its eyes glowing.

He blinked.

It snorted out steam.

He slowly got up.

It blurred into motion.

This time, Apalos didn't get hit dead on, but the brush was enough to spin him into the air once more, before slamming into the remnants of his spike tactic.

///

The moment Apalos woke up, more bandages around his body than before, he didn't even hesitate to roll off the makeshift bed out of leaves and sand. The other homeless tried to stop him as he forced himself to his feet, but he waved them off. Injured or not, none of them were strong enough to pull him back by the shoulder, for he was still a cultivator. But seeing their worry stabbed him in the heart. Seeing their doubts stabbed him in the soul. With a heavy sigh, he regarded the dim looks of his fellow brethren. Taking a deep breath, he raised his fist to the air, his still healthy arm bulging with veins of will and love.

"Even if I have to bleed out my entire essence and allow all my flesh to be torn asunder, I shall stop this monster from ruining the fields of bounty and joy!"

Many young children and even youthful adults blinked at him, their eyes regaining some faith from his confidence. He smiled at that. Yet he didn't reach all, as the more cynical old timers glanced at each other.

"Maybe we could just wait until Boss Gezi comes back?"

"Yeah, besides, it's not like we are totally reliant on this field anyway."

He felt his body twitch before shaking his head. Well, it was the sensible thing to do. If one was lacking, one should reach out to their betters. He didn't quite know what standing the white haired woman had, but she was much much stronger than he was.

But the sensible thing was not always the right thing to do. After all…how would one know they were lacking? By giving up already? He slammed his fist against his chest, not paying attention to the flare of pain that tried to reach his mind.

"Nay, this is a matter…of a man's romance!"

The admiration and respect disappeared in a heartbeat. They all tilted their heads at Apalos as if he was a strange creature.

Good. Bafflement was better than giving in to apathy and despair!

"...Romance?" One asked the question of all questions, causing Apalos to chuckle and point at his benefactor in question.

"Can one call themselves a man if they back away, to surrender just because it would be easier?! Can one call themselves worthy of a woman's love if they allow injustice and destruction to take place?! Nay, I say, nay!"

Could he be proud of himself when he stood before Aeolia if he resorted to higher powers, begging for their help?! No, while their love was absolute for each other, he could allow even the slightest imperfection to ruin their fated meeting! Thus, his words grew in passion, with love for himself, for Aeolia, for the world around him!

"A true man stands without wavering before the tide of destruction! Someone who yearns for a lady's affection must go down the hard path for the sake of others!" He slammed his fist into his chest once more, as if jumpstarting the core that was in him. "This…is my man's romance!!!"

With each word, he knew he reached his fellow men. With each voicing out of his passion, the men before him stood up taller and taller. Children, adults, elderly. They all grasped and rediscovered the passion within their hearts, cultivated by Apalos. And as one, as men, they all raised their fists into the air, roaring in excitement.

"Oooooooh!"

Even some girls joined in, swept up by Apalos' weird yet warm aura. Of course there were a few exceptions sharing an empty glance.

"What the hell are those idiots doing?"

"Must be a guy and tomboy thing."

Not noticing such silly things, Apalos rubbed his chin. Now that he made sure that the people were by his side, he still had to deal with the beast in question. He didn't know what its malfunction was, what inspired it to attack this field specifically again and again. Did it despise rice? The homeless? Was it an avatar of Grandpa Ruckius, sent down towards him as a test? Well, that'd imply that his grandpa was a cultivator of epic proportions, which was impossible. Still, reason aside, he needed to stop it, one way or the other. But so far, his skill set was lacking.

His body was not up to Golden Devil standard, so he was smashed away.

His sorcery was not up to Xin standard, so his spells were practically ignored.

The only thing that survived and was even pristine to this moment was his shield. He covered his mouth, hiding a sigh and a frown. What to do…He looked around, trying to see if there was some sort of plan he could pull off.

A well. A pitfall? No, the bull would soar over the trap with ease given its speed.

Ropes hanging around. A team effort, to make it trip? No, if it went wrong, the rope would snap or even others would be collateral.

Children playing with marbles? He blinked. Well, he couldn't use that at all…But it did remind him of the one time he showed that game to Aeolia. It was so cute, how she fidgeted with the small frail items. But her aim was true after the first two tries, bouncing them off from the designated area with ease. Yet she was always so humble , so nice to compliment Apalos even when he was lacking in accuracy. Still, as warm and soothing the memory of his soulmate was, it didn't exactly...help...him...

He blinked again. The marbles were thrown. They hit each other. Bouncing off each other. Moving each other.

A child's aim was lacking, so the hit were rare.

But for a cultivator...like Aeolia...like Apalos of Today...

A gasp escaped Apalos, as the light of enlightenment shone down his head, as hot as the scorching sun of the desert.

That was it! He could try that! He never done so before, but necessity was the mother of all inventions!

If he couldn't stop its charge…he simply shan't be attempting to do so then. Instead, what the fool that was Apalos should've done from the start, oh, it was so simple that it bordered impossible to figure out unless one was a genius! He should've remembered the wise words of his grandpa instead of trying to rely on his own arrogance!

'Kill da inferior shitters and prove da gloary of da legion mah boi! Pftui!'

Indeed, instead of wasting time to figure out how to keep it immobile, he should focus on killing it properly! That was why his spikes failed! His resolve was lacking! How foolish, how naive of him! The plan he came up now, yes, it caused his face to almost split in half with the wide grin he had. His head snapped towards the homeless, before he extended his fist towards them.

"I need your help!"

///

Once more, the bull soared across the fields, having made another circle around the town. Once more, it aimed for the sinners that dared to mess around with its marked territory, overriding its fluids with the foreign energy.

Once more, the foolish being stood in its path. This time the many stood side by side, holding up weak, wooden shields. Behind them was the greatest sinner, the white haired devil with red eyes, just like itself. It narrowed its eyes. He narrowed his eyes.

A snort escaped it. The human would never learn, would he? Not only that, this time he hid behind the weaker beings like a coward!

It picked up the pace, the blood within it heating up as its flow accelerated like its own pace.

"Hold the line, my fellow brothers and sisters!"

Annoying noise. Scratching noise. Its vision turned red, rage turning up the heat and speed.

"We do not blink before that beast does! For we are men and women of the Golden Devil lands! We do not falter or buckle before a mere Spirit Beast!" He pointed forward with his healthy arm, a cocky grin on his face. "You want to ruin what is ours?! The audacity, again and again! You should know, beast, that one day, your luck runs out! And that day, my enemy, is today!"

It did not understand words. Words were meaningless noise. But the bull understood intent. And its veins pulsated as its eyes twitched furiously.

It was being mocked.

A roar escaped it, as it pushed past its own limits. It ignored the spikes around its path, not even in its way at all.

"Hold your grrrrrround!"

It ignored how the humans buckled up, appearing like a sturdy shield, not a hint of fear in the air for some reason.

"Hah!"

It ignored the thrown object, completely missing it.

The white haired devil must have lost his mind, truly.

It ignored the thuds behind it, increasing in frequency. Two seconds, only two seconds were needed before it reached its targets and destroyed them whole.

One. The thuds echoed over and over, in rhythm with its own steps.

One and a half. It noticed the shield in its peripheral vision. It ignored it, for it was flying towards the ground beneath its stomach, or head. Not important.

It snorted, smug pride filling its heart.

It was upon them. Two. It wo-

"Grand Marble Throw Game!"

The bull blinked.

What was that black shape it was seeing? And why was it seeing the ground and the heads of the humans from above? And what was that…red fluid trailing through the sky?

Trailing…after it…?

It saw the shield for a moment when it, for some reason, looked up at the sun. In its reflection, it saw…

The bull's head blinked.

Comprehension dawned…and then death dawned.

Apalos caught his shield, glinting in the sun with red color. The next moment, the head of the bull slammed into the ground. The running body was still moving forward, but uncontrollably. Slowing down as its muscles no longer received orders to push itself.

Leaping over his mortal brethren, Apalos slammed his feet on the ground. Then, he rose his shield, just in time for the corpse to slam into him. He roared in defiance. The men behind him roared in defiance as well, pushing against his back.

They did not move a single inch, not allowing one more step to taint their fields.

The force dissipated against the shield, against Apalos' body…before finally falling over.

Silence permeated through the air…before it exploded into cheers. Apalos was lifted up before he could say anything, his face gaping with surprise. Then he hollered as well as he was thrown up into the air.

"Haha, it actually worked!"

///
3505 Words

 

[TehChron]

My own attempt at the Good Seed concept:

Aretaphila Myia

Spoiler: Reference Image

The most recent scion of the Myia Lineage - One of the most consistent sources of the Golden Devil Clan's Psiloi officers dating back to the late days of the Conquest, though this fact lays long forgotten by the recent generations of the family.

Originally a bloodline mutation introduced by intermarrying with a legendarily beautiful object spirit, the Myia are a marked contrast from the typical Bronze bloodline of their Clan; thinner, slower, their raw strength lesser than the other scions of the others in whom the bloodline is passed down far more thickly. It is for this reason that over the millennia, the rear lines of the Optimatoi's would universally see a Myia in command.

They were just too fragile to lead from the front.

But do not be mistaken. The Myia are no meek scholar to be bullied. A master of artifice has not arisen from their ranks in tens of thousands of years, let alone one with a talent in drawing forth the formations that are the Clan's hallmark. No, the Myia are lovers of physicality for all their constitution would otherwise suggest against the idea.

Another misconception!

A young girl only 17 summers of age, recently awakened to the 1st Heavenstage of Cultivation, she is a typical member of her bloodline; active and boyish, she overwhelms her peers through sheer physicality and dominating presence, enforcing discipline among her age group in times of formation drilling with her sonorous voice that carries through the sky like a clear, beautiful note.

Within young Aretaphila's veins, her bloodline is thick and strong, the girl's cultivation adapting well to the Clear Summer's Bell Constitution of her family. In exchange for the prodigious talent for strength and durability carried by the Clan at large, the Myia have developed an affinity for sound-based cultivation techniques of all kinds. Indeed, there are many records in the Clan's annals detailing heroic rearguard actions from Myia, holding armies of foes with the sharp notes that crushed and tore as the remnants of their formations executed a retreat. Honored Elders who strode forth to their doom, arms shaking with fury and the resounding beats of their War-Songs to empower their blows, and deliver Demonic Notes deep into their opponents by ways of their fists. Base trickery and obstruction, foiled by high and clear voices piercing through fog and illusion, guiding foe and friend alike to their position and retaining cohesion of the Clan's forces in battle.

An honorable lineage without doubt, even if one prone to reckless heroics on too many an occasion!

Young Aretaphila shows the promise of the greatest of her forebears, perhaps even more, but while that is too early to tell, what remains true is this:

Her clan's famous temperament has taken a firm root, and her Way in life is already firmly set.

---​

Overall High Concept: Exceptionally sporty bronze tomboy, loudmouthed and brash, a very clear future leader of men from a storied lineage consisting of those who eagerly strode into danger in order to serve the greater whole of the unit. Cultivation based on the body being a perfect medium for sound, this leads to her lineage being considered an exceptionally valuable reagent for certain kinds of craftsmen. While not likely to be pursued actively, those who are opportunists will always prize a holder of Clear Summer Bell's Constitution for making any endeavor against the Golden Demon Clan a profitable one.

---​

Current Status: Single Pillar Second Stage - Silver Bell Physique. Aretaphila Myia has risen to become the second of the Clan's Single Pillar Kings, and has traveled to the Great Battlefield to reveal herself to the world. Cultivating mightily upon breakthrough, she reached the stage necessary to where her voice could carry clear over the battlefield. When the Noble Devil Alliance enacted their great move to crush Thousand Song City, her own Song shook the heavens and Dao Hearts of all present. Where she stood, the the defenders were invincible. Backed by her own fellow Experts to manage everything else, she became the backbone of the city's defense. By the end of it, there was none who had been there who did not know her name. Along with many others that had been applied to her.
Starting Perk: Clear Summer Bell's Constitution: Silver Summer Physique - A mutation of the Blood of Bronze whereby the prodigious durability of the clan is traded for a peerless ability to transmit and assimilate Qi in the form of Sound. This results in both an incredibly rare affinity for Demonic Tunes style Arts, as well as possess an optimized means of training the Soul Resonance necessary for the highest levels of skill in Soul Investigation.

In turn, this makes holders of the Clear Summer Bell's Constitution prized reagents for the forging of tools of Demonic Tunes Cultivators, who will pay any price for an unspoiled body to forge into a talisman suitable for their Cultivation. Indeed, the Great Mountain Bell Sect is said to have their greatest treasures made from the corpse of vile Golden Demons, the beauty of their timber only achieved by driving the hideous souls inhabiting them out into oblivion.

One day they will come for her as well.

Current Objective: Establish the 501st Legio - Dawn's Fist. With the defeat of the Jingshen Clan, and the DI's miraculous performance with the rest of the Underworld Spirit Palace infiltration team, followed up by an unheard of success in the ChunKWAB Sacking Operation, the Golden Devil Clan continues to settle its gains by securing its immediate borders: In this case, the Yuan Clan and Sorrowful Blacksmiths are both heavily affected by Blood Path Rebellions but for the moment the Yuan Clan's position is far more precarious with the serious wounding of their Mid Nascent Soul. The 501st moves to the Yuan Clan with an experimental weapon to try and take control of the situation however they can; by taking control of the Yuan Blood Path Rebels very selves with no other power the wiser! A dangerous game indeed, but if successful? Untold glory awaits!

Completed Omake:

Casting Call - 3,480 Words

The Pitch - 1,901 Words

Out of Depth - 2,271 Words

Clear Ambitions - 1,171 Words

Zhong of Deep Waters - 2,147 Words

Qi Sounding Meditations - 2,736 Words

Early Morning Blues - 1,313 Words

Opening Act - 1,466 Words

First Stanza - 418 Words

Jam Session - 1,765 Words

Intermission - 2,080 Words

Solo Act - 1,874 Words

Climax Prep - 1,328 Words (Written Turn 13)

Closing Head (Part 1) - 1,520 Words (Written Turn 14)

Scars of Battle - Collaboration with Rina Callista (Post-Turn 5 Trials)

Tumbling Down, Tumbling Down, Tumbling Dooooooooown - 5,955 Words (Taking Place During Turn 10)

Afterparty - Collaboration with Rina Callista (Pre-Turn 10 Trials)

Supplemental: In The Beginning Was The Song - Dao Allegory, 1,580 Words

Beneath the Storm, Magic Rhapsody - Single Pillar Breakthrough, 15,009 words.

Silver Lining, Been in the Sun - 2,400 Words

A Chance Intermission - Collaboration with Katha Theodoros, 3,333 Words

Ninth Prince Fang Pillar 5 - Collaboration with The Ninth Prince, 3,888 Words

Fist Things First - Collaboration with Katha Theodoros, 20,289 Words

Initiation Into The DI - Turn 13 Collaboration with Katha Theodoros, Qinglong Shu, 8,300 Words

Duty, Actually - Turn 13 Collaboration with Katha Theodoros, 8,100 Words

Supplementary: The Hive-Queen 1 - Interlude with Feng Yingtai, 2,349 Words

Razing of Chunwang - Turn 14 Collaboration with Katha Theodoros, Rina Callista, 18,236 Words

Supplemental: The DI Legio - Turn 14 History and Description of the 501st Legion, 1,329 Words

Supplemental: Myia Musings - Turn 14 History and Fragmentary Ramblings on the Myia Family Line, 1,950 Words

The Waxing Households and Bloodlines of the Golden Devil Clan, Circa 280 RK - Turn 14 Collaboration Worldbuilding, 10,756 Words

Closed Circles - Turn 15 Setup, 2,147 Words

Crisis of the Middle Life - Turn 15 Collaboration with Katha Theodoros, 4,266 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part One - Turn 15 Setup, 3,048 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part Two - Turn 15 Setup, 4,472 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part Three - Turn 15 Setup, 15,222 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part Four - Turn 16 Trial-Defying Lead-Up, 7,020 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part Five - Turn 16 Trial-Defying Lead-Up. 10,954 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part Six - Turn 16 Trial-Defying Lead-Up, 12,280 Words

The Trials of Nature's Son Part Seven - Turn 16 Trial-Defying Lead-Up, 11,580 Words