[Tian] 1:04 (Patreon)

MY EYES SLAM SHUT.

Not wanting to waste my energy, I go to sleep for seven full cycles. As a Florescence, I can forego such needs via meditation. However, the meditation is draining. Because of that, I choose to close my eyes and let my dreams take over me.

This time, there is no nightmare. There is just darkness. Darkness that holds my vision until I sit up, awake. I cannot see the sky— there are no windows in my room— but I know it is still night. Or false night, as Kalmat calls it. Musing, I get to my feet.

I pause right at a basin with a washcloth lying at its brim; there is no water, nor a place to draw it from. Interesting. I do not mull over it long. A single breath purifies my body. It is a waste to use the School of Transmutation this way, but it is difficult to forget the manners and propriety I was raised with. And it is a minor waste. Barely even a drop of Orange Essence is required.

Ensuring I still have the earring— the universal translator— pinned, I gather my belongings and start out of the room. I have not been idle, even if my body has. My mind has been planning— plotting for a way to achieve my goals in this world. “First, become immortal,” I tell myself as the slight echo of my voice vanishes, and reach for the doorknob, “then, return to Jhisie.”

The door swings out, and I step into a large room. It is not the rowdy lobby I first found myself entering when I came to this hideout; it is a smaller, more private area. Reserved for Kalmat’s group of rebels— the Keepers of the Grove.

I am just about to take my leave when I am ground to a halt. A boy stands before me, barring my path. He has his arms folded, a look of fury on his face.

“You!” Seiled says, stepping forward. “Are you really from another world?”

“I am.” I wait for his reaction.

He considers this, scrunching up his forehead as lines form on his skin. Finally, he takes a deep breath and ogles me with twinkling eyes of wonder. “Woah,” he gasps. His wonder is evident.

I raise a brow. “Do you not think that I am your enemy?” I ask in a dubious tone.

“No.” Shaking his head, he uncrosses his arms and almost skips up to me. “Galgom is purple, and ugly, and has tentacles for hair! But you?” Seiled hesitates. “Icecaller’s eyes… you’re beautiful,” he breathes.

I cock my head as a chuckle emerges from the side of the room. A woman with light blue hair stands up from her seat; she holds up a mug and raises it at the boy. “I see the squirt is quite the flirt, eh?” Taking a gulp from her drink, she stands up and approaches me. “Nice to meet ya, the name’s Nindran!” She offers me a hand.

That gesture— it was something Kalmat did as well. Should I…? I decide to return it. She beams and shakes my hand, this odd tradition lasting longer than it should, before my hand is freed. “Tian,” I say with a curt nod.

“I’ve heard. Everybody’s talkin’ about ya, y’know?” Nudging me with her elbow, Nindran leans forward. “Everybody, ‘specially the gals. They’re jealous of this young beauty who just shows up and has Kalmat bring her on a date.”

“Wha—” Seiled sputters, face turning red. “That’s not what happened at all!”

“I believe there is a misunderstanding,” I clarify and offer her a placating smile. “Kalmat and I engaged in no such activities, nor did he attempt to court me in any manner.”

The boy agrees with a vehement nod. “That’s right!”

“Aw, you’re no fun.” Pouting, Nindran glances over at Seiled. “I wanted to tease the pipsqueak for just a ‘lil more.”

“Furthermore,” I continue, stepping past them, “my appearance deceives you. Perhaps, for a Florescence, I am young. However, I can assure you, I have nearly lived a century.”

Seiled’s jaw drops, and Nindran scratches the back of her head. “Well, damn.” I am just about to leave the room when she shrugs and says, “If I can ever get ya to help me out, please don’t bring all that stuff up around Keshiy and the others. I’d like to string them along even longer just to see their angry faces, y’know?”

I pause mid-step. Right before the stairway leading out of this hideout. “I do have a question,” I say, turning back around to face her.

She smirks back. “Shoot.”

Taking that as an affirmative, I tap a finger on my chin and deliberately ask, “Are… are you marked?”

“Marked?” Nindran frowns. She opens her mouth—

And Seiled bursts out laughing. “Her? Marked? Good one!” He slaps a hand on his thigh, bent over with tears in his eyes. “As if this idiot would ever get the Mark of the Elocunive!”

“Oh, shut it twerp.” She rubs her knuckles on his messy, blond hair. “Yeah, yeah. I’m a pretty darn good Elementalist, however I’m not marked.” Nindran faces me with a scowl. “But nobody here is marked. Nobody ‘cept Kalmat.”

“Interesting,” I mutter before giving them a light bow. “Thank you for your time. I promise you I will aid you in your… pranking matters.” Taking my leave, I ascend up the steps through blobs of Lifeblood partially obscuring my vision.

I hear a voice. That of a boy calling out. “Wait, where are you going? I haven’t even—”

“Can’t ya see she’s busy? Let her be, you can ask whatever ya want when she’s back!”

With that, I reach the top of the stairs and push the door open.

***

I do not wander the streets of Thornthistle indiscreetly. Kalmat warned me that the En will be searching for me, so I make sure to stay away from their patrols marching through the city. With the hood from the cloak he gave me obscuring my face, I eventually find myself standing before the city’s walls.

I take a quick survey of the area. No one. With a deep breath, I release the Red Essence held within my core and scale the tall ramparts in a single jump. A blanket of illusion coats itself over me. It shields me like an armor, protecting me from being seen by anyone looking this way. I land on the grassy other side with a rustled step.

What awaits me is an empty field, stretching out until it blends into a dense forest that climbs up the side of a hill. Other than a few flocks of birds and clusters of Lifeblood flying about, I do not see anything else in this vibrant portrait. A bell tolls in the background. It comes from a tower in the center of the city. I ignore it and press forward.

The tall grass reaches up to my knees, brushing against my satin wraps and muddying its pure white colors with smudges of brown. I make it through the field and reach the forest, hiding under the canopy of leaves with their thick trunks closing behind me like an orange curtain. Once I feel I am far enough, I bring up a hand.

“Alright,” I murmur, “time to get started.” The Mark of the Elocunive shows itself to me, listing out the details I am already familiar with.

Tian
Race: Ren
Class: Lost Soul Level 2
Feats:
- Void Walk
- Ray of Esh

Kalmat has told me that having this Class is proof of one’s worth. It also gives one great power— as evinced by what I was able to do with the Ray of Esh. However, it is not something I can call on regularly. Not like the Qi within my body.

I used the Ray of Esh once, and after a dozen cycles passed, I still was not able to use it again. “How about now?” I ask myself. “Has it been long enough?” I stare at my open palm for a moment, before clenching it into a fist. “You will not know unless you try.”

It has been over twenty cycles since I first used the Feat. If I can conjure up that beam of light now, it means that the Ray of Esh can only be used once a day. I glance over at Caerulum as it crawls through the sky.

“Or once every… however long it has been in this world.”

There are other factors too. Other possibilities. Even if I can use the Ray of Esh now, it is possible that my sleep was what recharged its abilities; too many variables are present for me to just experiment now. Especially with how useful the Feat is.

“I will test another, less useful Feat first,” I decide, adopting a wide stance. I dismiss the Mark of the Elocunive. Close my eyes. Inhale. Focus on a destination— that thicket of trees there.

Void Walk.

The void consumes me; total blackness fills my vision. It is not the dark shade of gray one sees when they close their eyes. It is absolute nothingness. I feel nothing. My senses vanish. Only the hole opening on the other side fills my world back with life.

I collapse on a pile of leaves, fallen branches poking me and sticking to my clothes. Taking in my surroundings, I pick myself up with a sigh. “Seems like,”— I shake my head— “I did not land anywhere close to my destination at all.”

In fact, I am lying in the exact opposite direction of where I wanted to go. This Feat— it does not transport me over short distances. It throws me to a random spot closeby.

“Not very useful,” I note as I brush myself off. “But the important question is whether or not I can use it again.” Extrapolating from previous examples, I determine that the answer should be a no. “Void Walk!” And I am correct. “But how long must I wait before it can be repeated?”

Crossing my arms, I continue my musing out loud.

“Now, what exactly is the use of these Feats if I cannot possibly replicate them more than once?” I snap my eyes shut, mentally repeating the Feat’s name as I try to use it again. Void Walk. A light buzzing fills my ears. “Not only that, Void Walk’s result is completely arbitrary, and it seems to attract insects every time I use it.”

Void Walk. Does not work. Not yet.

The buzzing grows louder until the heavy sound of metal crashes before me. An Esh draws its glowing blade, peering at me with its cold, red gaze. “OTHERWORLDER DETECTED—”

“Ray of Esh.”

I flick my finger, and the beam of yellow light whips out at the Esh’s head. It decapitates it in an instant, a single clean line that severs it by the neck. Void Walk. Clicking my tongue, I walk up to the metallic body as it slowly collapses.

“And that is a Feat wasted.” Arms still folded, I scan the broken machine for any parts that may be of use to me. “Perhaps I can bring this back with my bag of holding and have the Keepers of the Grove take a look at it. Share some with them in exchange for more information.”

Another metallic being lands next to me. It repeats its same robotic words.

“OTHERWORLDER—”

Void Walk. “Now, how are you finding me?” I duck under its glowing blade, flipping back and sending a kick to its neck. Its head jerks up as I land back to the ground and pick up a twig. “Is it the rift in space that attracts you?”

The Esh raises its other arms, receding its hand back to reveal a barrel. The twig turns into a large wooden spear. My eyes glow blue as I thrust it forward, and a flash comes over me.

Void Walk.

“A tenth of a cycle,” I determine, landing on the ground a hundred paces away from the confused Esh blasting into nothing. “Not nearly as long as it takes Ray of Esh to recover.” I hope for the Feat to activate as I say its name, but it does not come. Instead, I hurl the wooden spear forward with full force.

It jams itself on the back of the Esh, penetrating parts of its armor. But whatever it is made of is stronger than the enchanted wood. I dash forward, rapidly approaching it with an open palm. “Liufan Holy Arts: Serpent’s Fang!”

It intercepts me. Its glowing blade slicing at me horizontally. I react too slowly. Craning my neck as my eyes grow wide at the approaching strike.

The Esh strikes through the illusion, shattering it like glass. I land lightly on its back and yank out my wooden spear from its side. It tries to grab for me, but I jam the weapon deep into its neck. Using the enchanted wood as a pivot, I pull at it like a lever until there is a pop.

The head of the Esh goes flying, and its body crumples onto the ground. “That is a nasty design flaw,” I say, falling on my toes. “Why would you design a construct with the same weakness as a person?”

This Galgom— whoever he is— is someone I considered working with. He is immortal, apparently. And he comes from another world. So, it is only logical that I find him and collaborate with him.

“Seems like my assessment was wrong.” I fold my arms over my chest as two more Esh arrives. Closing my eyes, I remark, “Defeating an Esh back to back did not award me with a level. Not after I had already defeated you once. But if I take on two at the same time...”

“—EXTERMINATION PROCESS.”

I smirk, spreading my arms wide and accepting this challenge. An inferno rages on behind me and forms a phoenix burning with an iridescent flame. “I guess it will still be easier than those jade constructs in the Forsaken Palace, right?”

The forest is engulfed by the bright fire. An artificial clearing is formed— the trees, surprisingly sturdier than I thought they would be, burned no differently from the two Esh. I produce a single ginsoul pill and swallow it.

“Twelve left.” I stare down into my novacloth pouch. “Good. Thirteen is an unlucky number, anyway.”

***

When I return to the den of the Keepers of the Grove, Seiled runs up to me complaining that I left without listening to him. He is silenced as I pull out a pair of Esh’s bodies from my bag of holding. Only a pair— the other two were completely incinerated. Nothing remains of them.

Beihal, the bald and bulky man, hears the boy’s shouts of surprise. He rushes over, conjuring up flames, only to pause and stare at me. “N-no way… she has to be working with him…” he trails off.

Nindran, the elderly woman I saw when I first arrived, and a few others come to see the sight. They chatter amongst each other, exchanging whispers they think I cannot hear. I can hear them, but unfortunately the universal translator does not pick it up. Regardless, I only wait for Kalmat to arrive.

The man narrows his eyes as he sees the bodies of the Esh. He walks up to me, more perplexed than anything. “Tian, what are you doing? What is… all this?”

“It is a gift,” I reply. Pressing a fist into my palm, I bow deeply to him. To the leader of the Keepers of the Grove. Of the rebellion against Galgom. “I wish to work with you, and so as a token of trust— and gratitude to the kindness you have shown me— I offer you this.”

Straightening, I meet his gaze. His red eyes peer into me, and I offer him a hand. Just as he first offered me.

“You say that no one in Thornthistle wants to join your cause. That few here dares to challenge Galgom with you.” I smile at him. “Now, I, who comes from far beyond Thornthistle— from beyond this world itself— offer you my hand. I will help you fight Galgom, so that your world is freed from his tyranny.”

Galgom is my path to immortality and to Jhisie. However, his constructs— the Esh— are programmed to slay those from another world. It is obvious, then, that I cannot work with him. So, instead, I will work with the next best option to get to him.

The Keepers of the Grove. Kalmat’s group of rebels. He hesitates, eyeing my outstretched hand. Until finally, he takes it. “Very well.”

We shake hands, reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. I take a step back, satisfied… and Nindran nudges a woman standing next to her.

“I told ya they were datin’.”