Amdirlain’s PoV - West Wind’s Court
The first techniques they found proved problematic, so they moved on through the collection. During the following hours, they discussed and culled dozens more for various reasons. The comfortable conversation and her use of classical references drew the occasional pleased smile from Cyrus. Later in the afternoon, when they’d gotten through scores of texts, Amdirlain heard two new arrivals in a nearby manor. Though she didn’t recognise the stronger individual, Nazha was with him. She could feel the white-haired being’s senses pressing against her own and withdrew her reach to the limits of the library; her retreat brought a pulse of acknowledgement from him.
He knew I could see them, but didn’t make a fuss. Was that because I immediately withdrew? If primordials can feel my senses, I’ll have to restrict them while travelling in the deep planes.
“Does the White Tiger have white hair and blue eyes but look in his late twenties?” Amdirlain asked.
“And he normally has a hard expression unless his wives are around,” added Cyrus.
“Any reason you can think of for him to show up with Nazha?”
“To chastise him in front of you or to get you a better apology,” proposed Cyrus. “Nazha is nominally Bai Hu’s subordinate, so his assault on you reflects poorly.”
Cyrus’ phrasing drew a smile from Amdirlain.
“You don’t just consider it a prank?” questioned Amdirlain.
“That was the first time I’ve regretted coming here with a fraction of my former strength,” replied Cyrus. “I would have been fast enough to stop him in the old realm. While I came here only to teach and guide, many forget their lessons when someone stronger isn’t there to remind them.”
“Don’t worry, Sifu,” reassured Amdirlain. “You’re still my wise and trusted guide. There is no dishonour in your efforts being ignored. After all, everyone must decide their path and find the route that guides their steps.”
He paused, hand outstretched toward another text that waited for his review. A serenity settled over him, and swirling constellations blazed in his eyes; they spun through the Chinese Zodiac and hundreds more besides. A rush of golden lights shone through Cyrus’s skin until they became a constant glow. His short-cut hair grew in billowing waves, and his simple robes changed to elaborate court silks in assorted greens and reds. With the change of clothing complete, he blazed with the intensity of the noon sun, lifted from his seat and with his melody shifted to echo a Primordial theme similar to Bai Hu’s, he vanished in a stream of light that rushed through the ceiling.
I don’t know if that qualifies as an oops or goodie. How could me saying something so basic have that effect? I fulfilled Sarah’s doom flag for drama. Wait, she threw in a second doom flag, do I get them cheaper by the dozen?
“Livia, I might have broken Cyrus. This just happened,” Amdirlain injected the words and a recollection of the events into the Message she sent to Livia.
The laughter in the response wasn’t the reaction she expected. “Móðir, he transformed from an Immortal into a full Shen or maybe even a Primordial. I know more immortals who would be happy for you to break them in such a fashion. Were you intentionally trying to inspire him? I’ve read that he’ll appear at the Jade Emperor’s court, though the time that takes varies.”
“Sorry for not being clearer. I know what he became, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to travel to the Outlands now.”
Amdirlain intentionally deactivated Muse’s Embrace and heard the theme inside her shift.
Is this a good thing? Or an oops? But I didn’t hear any energy from me interacting with him outside our conversations. Is the energy in my words now enough?
‘Sarah, you doom flagged Cyrus, but he exploded into sparkling golden light not a rainbow.’ Amdirlain projected and sent the events through their mental link. She caught the burst of Sarah’s mingled surprise and amusement.
‘Sweetie, since Nazha can wander the Material Plane, hopefully Cyrus will return soon enough.’ Sarah broadcast a caricature image of the aspects face-palming. ‘How many do you think lost bets?’
‘I would hate to assume it will be the same for Cyrus as Nazha. I’ll check through these techniques and see if anything feels right,’ Amdirlain returned. ‘Also, Bai Hu has arrived.’
‘We figured that would probably happen. Be extra careful. Like the aspects, all these folks have their own agendas.’
Enfolded in the library’s busy buzz, Amdirlain sat quietly and worked on the more cryptic references within the manuals they’d set aside.
Only an hour later, a Demon wearing grey robes and a mundane appearance tapped on a bookcase at the entry to the side area. He stood with his shoulders rigid and inclined his head to Amdirlain. “Lord Bai Hu invites you to meet with him.”
“Lead the way.”
As she departed through the library’s entryway, she drew surprised looks from the librarians she’d snuck past earlier. She smiled mysteriously and asked them to store the texts picked out by Cyrus for his return.
The Demon led her to a tent whose interior decor showed influences of Persian, Tibetan, and Mongolian cultures. A high, airy ceiling with silk drapes divided the space into broad areas that mixed armouries with lounging areas and training spaces. As Amdirlain approached, she lessened the details Resonance absorbed and contained it to her line of sight.
The demon paused at the entrance to the tent, with Bai Hu and Nazha present in the first area he stopped to announce her presence.
At Bai Hu’s acknowledgement, the messenger held the drapes aside for her to enter. Despite the white hair, his features were unlined, and he sat upright, unsupported by the chair’s back.
“Lord Bai Hu, I hope you don’t mind me being informal since I don’t have anyone to make introductions.”
Bai Hu motioned casually to a nearby seat. “That’s fine. I know who you are, and Cyrus confirmed who I was to you. By the way, what caused his breakthrough?” asked Bai Hu. “I sensed the tail end of his change.”
“Cyrus had a dramatic insight, though you probably know better than I do,” said Amdirlain. She displayed her recollection of the events, and they straightened.
“He has held himself at the cusp of returning to what he had set aside for some time, but your simple words seemed enough to tip his balance,” Bai Hu observed.
“Will he be-”
“First, you make a star, and then you cause Cyrus to break through,” interjected Nazha. “Who are you exactly?”
Amdirlain frowned at Nazha. “What I would like-”
Nazha butted in again. “How did you make-”
Slashing a hand downwards, Amdirlain leaned forward. “You seriously can’t expect me to answer your questions.”
“You can’t just say you won’t-” blustered Nazha.
Bai Hu’s sharp clap cut Nazha’s objection off. “You’ve played the fool enough, Nazha. I didn’t ask Lady Amdirlain here so you could interrogate and talk over her. Persist, and I’ll present her with your head, and you can discuss with Judge Po how you risked damaging her growth.”
Nazha shifted uncomfortably.
“Depends on which head you’re going to present,” growled Amdirlain, and her gaze flickered down Nazha’s body.
He blanched and waved his hands in protest at the direction of her gaze.
Bai Hu laughed. “Would a gelding be enough of an apology? We do that with intractable stallions, especially ones that injure others and aren’t of excellent stock.”
“It was a joke. I’m not interested in maiming him, though if you feel the need to compensate me, I wouldn’t say no to someone arranging an exchange of pointers,” replied Amdirlain.
Bai Hu smiled eagerly. “With who?”
“Neither of you. I’d like a chance to fight Xuan Wu,” said Amdirlain.
“Why?” huffed Bai Hu unhappily. “He gets all the fun.”
“Isn’t he the Lord of Martial Arts?”
“Among other things, but I’m no pushover,” protested Bai Hu. “How about this: if you do well enough against me, I’ll ask him to spar with you?”
Getting to fight against both of them by asking for one fight against Xuan Wu? That isn’t the outcome I expected. Still, there is something I need to know before I agree.
“Why do your bound demons have numbers in place of names?”
Bai Hu smiled. “If I gave them a proper name, they might grow comfortable in this existence. I want them to move on, and numbers are an easy way to prevent a sense of attachment.”
He isn’t just treating them as meaningless servants.
“That’s an interesting reason,” Amdirlain said, taking in the hundreds of demons throughout the tents. “Alright. What restrictions do you propose?”
“We’ll fight at your top speed and unarmed,” proposed Bai Hu.
Amdirlain smiled. “I’m faster than I was when I first met Nazha if you’re relying on his account.”
“We can work out a pace,” replied Bai Hu. “And I’ll pull my blows to avoid the Planar Lock issue I’ve heard occurs for Fallen. Either that or I’ll permit Sarah to re-summon you if things go wrong.”
“Might I ask why you’re so eager to fight me?” asked Amdirlain. “I wouldn’t have expected such an interest.”
“We have some commonality, so I’d like to test you myself.”
“What commonality do you see?”
“Creation and challenges seem to be parts of our natures,” clarified Bai Hu.
“I think I’d like that,” agreed Amdirlain. “But I’m curious about your motivation, given recent events with Nazha.”
“After what you achieved with Cyrus, I might find my own insights towards perfection,” replied Bai Hu.
Nazha glared at Bai Hu. “Stealing my chance to get an exchange of pointers.”
“I’m sure you and Sun Wukong destroyed any opportunity you had,” rumbled Bai Hu, his eyes flashing with the crackle of lightning. “Wukong’s headband should have remained in the heavens. I let you come here to apologise, but you’ve not attempted even that, so go check on the duties Lady Am assigned you.”
Nazha briefly looked abashed before he nodded politely to Amdirlain. “I hope it helps you, Lady Am.”
With that rebuke, he vanished.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
I wonder if he’ll be able to get back out or if the lockdown for anything besides souls will hold. There is no alert yet; let’s see when I hear from the barriers.
Bai Hu snorted. “Pathetic. I shouldn’t have bothered bringing him along.”
“Oh, you weren’t trying to make yourself seem more reasonable?”
“Did it have that effect?”
“No.”
Bai Hu’s playful smile lit up his face. “Then just as well that it wasn’t my intention. I hoped he’d attempt to raise himself in your eyes.”
Severe until he smiles, then he seems almost normal.
“He’s pretty much out of luck there,” replied Amdirlain. “Can I ask why the pantheon came here of all realms?”
Bai Hu smiled, his ice-blue gaze blazed. “We came at the Titan’s request. I know Cyrus has told you some of our past.”
“That doesn’t explain why you came here,” said Amdirlain. “Or why you’ve stayed in this trap?”
“It’s not a trap for us, is it?” Bai Hu raised his right palm, and golden light streamed upwards. “We aren’t mantle holders. If all who follow us died, we could recreate bodies for them and let them resume their journey towards enlightenment.”
“Why did you all come here?” asked Amdirlain. “I’ve heard from Master Cyrus that the Yomi King had flipped the cycle of the heavens and now ruled, but why here?”
“It was the Jade Emperor’s decision. He asked if we’d support him, so we came along,” replied Bai Hu. “The four winds weren’t involved in the discussions, and I don’t know how the Titan knew of us or why the Jade Emperor agreed.”
Amdirlain chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Yet more mysteries.”
“Hardly mysteries, only facts not yet known to you,” offered Bai Hu. “Why are you interested in knowing?”
“The Ki that the Monk Class unlocked allowed me to unravel more than one curse. I hoped one of you might shed light on how it became available.”
Not merely convenient; that would insult their lives and suffering before I was cursed.
“We predated your arrival in this realm by a few thousand years,” said Bai Hu. “Or should I have said we predated your return?”
“Return,” confirmed Amdirlain.
“You’ll need to see if the Jade Emperor is willing to share.” Bai Hu nodded thoughtfully to the west. “Do you expect the Lómë will stay on our western border?”
“No,” said Amdirlain. “I’d have preferred they settle an empty world, but I’ve no control over their choices. They’ve recently repaired a few worlds, and I hope they’d move to one of them, but only time will tell.”
“Why did Bahamut and Nüwa speak to the Jade Emperor on your behalf?” asked Bai Hu.
He mentions her so freely. How did she speak with him, another Will projection?
His casual use of Nüwa’s name almost caused Amdirlain to spit, but she locked down her reaction. A subtle pressure in the air alerted her to the attention of both the named entities. “I only knew about Bahamut going to see the Jade Emperor. Orhêthurin had dealings with them.”
He paused, and Amdirlain wondered if he’d realised he had extra attention only to continue. “Orhêthurin, Lady of the Dawn, was your name in your first life?”
Would you care to use more names to invite undue attention?
“Who mentioned that title?”
“Bahamut. He wished to ensure the Jade Emperor knew how important you were to him,” explained Bai Hu. “And it is true there is a wound in this realm’s deep planes?”
“Correct. I’ve only recently learnt the full extent of it and the damage done to the scab that had sealed it.”
“Bahamut said he could not verify its state himself. How did you learn more about it?”
“An Aspect. I was recently far out in the darkness beyond the stars, and she visited me there,” Amdirlain grinned. “I had to make a planet to go with the new star.”
“Yet you are not a mantle holder or a deity.”
Her grin widened. “True Song allows me to channel the realm’s energy into different forms, but the Power wouldn’t have the same effect outside this realm.”
“Very well. I have a proposal since you’re preparing for a journey that will benefit us.”
“What is that?”
“You can continue to study the library's manuals, hoping to find a suitable technique or we can see what we can create together,” said Bai Hu.
Amdirlain tilted her head curiously.
“Any technique manuals you find will provide insight into a pattern for using Ki. However, those insights will be from another and might cause subtle issues for you. In time, you’d work out the issues and refine the techniques into one suitable for your path, yet who knows how much time you can spare? Given what Bahamut said about you, I’d suggest seeing what flows we can create in the forge of combat.”
“I take it that techniques developed that way,” replied Amdirlain.
“Most people seek guidance from manuals, but new techniques come about because of flashes of insight. I offer an opportunity for you to study my energy flows and see what adaptation you can work out.”
His letting me sense his Ki flows doesn’t seem like an insignificant offer.
“This isn’t something you’d normally allow?”
He gave a back of laughter. “Allow another to sense beneath my surface! No, I would not normally do so, but you’ve helped thousands of practitioners along their journey. If I don't obscure the flows, your senses feel close enough to a Primordial to follow what I’m doing.”
“I appreciate that and accept.”
With that, Bai Hu led the way to a small curtained-off area at the back of the tent.
Bai Hu lifted a hand, and the limits of the arena expanded outwards. The shift in the melody showed Amdirlain the spatial elements multiplying, the effect was like her training hall. Bai Hu approached the change with a tightly targeted force, and he completed it in under a second.
When the stands were kilometres away, Bai Hu winked. “I’ve heard you like to encourage inspiration through challenges.”
I’d better let Sarah know.
Amdirlain nodded. “The insights seem to occur most often when in tough situations. Would you mind if Sarah observes the fight?”
Bai Hu beckoned her to continue. “Sarah is welcome. After all, if she’s here and knows the terms in advance, I might escape a scolding from my wives if I misjudge you during the fight.”
Amdirlain dispatched a Message with the details to Sarah. She arrived quickly; the same Demon who escorted Amdirlain guiding Sarah to the sparring area.
‘Are you sure this is a good idea?’ projected Sarah.
‘It’s an idea. Hopefully I don’t get killed too often. He said he’d permit you to summon me,’ returned Amdirlain.
“I don’t suppose you and Sarah would marry me?”
“No.” The pair echoed each other.
“Many of my wives will probably be relieved, but I had to try,” said Bai Hu.
Amdirlain’s eyebrow raised. “You made a very half-hearted effort.”
“Yes, but I can now honestly say I was brave enough to ask, but you turned me down.” Bai Hu grinned. “It gives us merit in different fashions: me for courage and you for common sense. Most women throw themselves at me, and I turn so many away.”
Sarah rolled her eyes and sat cross-legged in mid-air. “Why do you get married at all?”
“A tiger’s family is part of their nature. Why would I not?” countered Bai Hu. “Let’s see if I can help your lovely wife create unique techniques.”
He stepped back and transformed into a White Tiger with black stripes nearly two metres tall at the shoulder; a lightning-fast blow struck Amdirlain’s face.
Amdirlain rolled with the force of the blow and before she landed a broad-shouldered Dire Wolverine took her place. The floor shuddered under the impact of the creature the size of a brewery wagon. As he moved to pounce, a nest of vipers stretched forth from her back, the teeth of each wreathed in different energy. Bai Hu stopped with a raised paw, quizzically examining her.
Neither of us mentioned what our forms had to be.
“Interesting,” rumbled Bai Hu. “How fluid is your form?”
‘Instantaneous changes between any living form, but I’m still trying to relearn a Power I used to utilise for fighting that had more flexibility,’ Amdirlain projected.
Bai Hu flexed his claws. “And you seek to have that flexibility for combat again?”
‘Correct.’
“Then you should seek a technique that will work with it,” advised Bai Hu. “Perhaps use only unnatural forms throughout our exchange.”
Amdirlain transformed into a blob with tentacles and spines stretching outwards from her core. She reactivated Muse’s Embrace and leaned into the sound of his energy at play.
“Now I’m glad you said no,” laughed Bai Hu. He started stalking beyond the tentacles’ reach, and Amdirlain didn’t shift them further.
He rushed forward in a blur, shouldering aside the attacks Amdirlain launched; their force not even ruffling his fur. Lightning surged within his flesh, causing static discharges wherever her blows harmlessly struck. Repeatedly, she sent out dozens of tentacles and then reformed randomly at the tip of one to recover from his latest blow.
After a few frantic minutes, Bai Hu paused and considered her bleeding form. “You’ve not reinforced your body properly.”
“I’ve only recently gained Ki Body. Master Cyrus recommended allowing it to settle first,” stated Amdirlain.
“Your strikes also lack sufficient focus,” critiqued Bai Hu disappointedly. “I expected you to at least scruff my fur, but you couldn’t shift it.”
“That was the purpose of the visit here, to find a technique for refining it.” Amdirlain motioned towards the library.
“Sense how my energy flows. Find the pathways in your spiritual net with comfortable similarities,” advised Bai Hu. “We’re going to keep going until you deliver a blow that can at least nick a whisker.”
Without warning, Bai Hu leapt, his blow catapulted Amdirlain across the arena. Airborne, she teleported beside him and slammed into his ribs; her claws and tentacles scrambled for purchase before he flung her away.
This time, he blurred after her, constantly changing position, the ability’s theme far different to her own. He crashed through Amdirlain’s attempt to stop him from teleporting, the Psychoportation technique did not catch. Bai Hu reappeared where he’d started fighting her, and a massive paw smacked the ground. The claws he’d barely unsheathed gouged furrows in the turf. Amdirlain listened to how they cut and ripped. She took in the music within the destruction and compared it to the earlier attacks, isolating out the energy shifts; her mind ran simulations by the millions.
“Start again. No mind tricks, just flesh and Ki. We can work with your other toys later.”
“You were teleporting.” Amdirlain absently argued, buying herself time.
“Ki-based; you have enough options in that space or I’d teach you the Power. Now, focus on your strikes and feel how your body reacts to the blows.”
I will make the most of this opportunity, but for now buy time while I run through those first ones.
Amdirlain took on a semi-humanoid form; the nest of tentacles that arched over her shoulders glistened with metallic edges. As Bai Hu studied her, she walked back into position, Ki flowing through her spiritual net. Outside her sigil, it bled away between nodes as she sought the correct pattern for the sound. “Was that space comment meant to be a play on words?”
The light pulsing within her form looked like an upcoming lightning storm, but Bai Hu viewed it with amusement. When she strolled back to face Bai Hu, she pruned countless combinations.
“Yes.”
Amdirlain flinched instinctively out of the way, and his claws barely broke her skin. The wounds had already healed before the droplets hit the ground. It was too late to stop the shoulder strike that smashed into her ribs. Rolling with the blow, she reformed already on her feet, the sharp notes of the attacks thrumming through her. Hundreds of tentacles appeared across the ground, each ladened with razored barbs blooming upwards, carrying the same impulse she’d first refined within the Titan’s maze.
With her spiritual net stretched through the new limbs, Ki pulsed to mimic the sharpness and flooded through thousands of attacks. Each cut utilised a different approach from the most promising options.
Severed tufts of hair floated free, and as Bai Hu swirled to strike at Amdirlain, his gaze locked on the whiteness.
[Ki Strike [S] (88->91)
Muse’s Embrace [G] (4->5)
Protean [Ad] (17->19)
Note: You couldn’t get an answer when Nazha talked over you. Cyrus arrived at the Jade Emperor’s Court and should be able to wander the Material Plane once he’s done with the bureaucracy. The Outlands will take some work, but maybe you could inspire him more.]
“Turtle egg. What was that?” rasped Bai Hu.
“I’m not sure. Maybe I should call it ‘C sharp’,” quipped Amdirlain. “You only had your Ki protecting your flesh, correct?”
He slapped the ground again. “I wanted to give you a decent chance, but how did you learn to cut my fur so fast? I sensed only Ki.”
“Minutes are an eternity when you’re able to listen to and track the movement of electrons,” replied Amdirlain.
Bai Hu gave her a dissatisfied grunt. “You worked your technique out already?”
“Should I say sorry?” asked Amdirlain. “I spent months learning control over my sigil, which helped me eliminate many possibilities when I listened to your technique. It still needs refinement, but I’ve got the basics.”
He changed back into his Human form, his blue gaze locked on hers. “Can you teach it to someone? That’s the mark of proper mastery.”
“It would take someone with a particular set of talents to learn,” replied Amdirlain, keeping her amusement contained. “Thank you for the exchange.”
“We’ve just started.”
Amdirlain floated the swirling hair to him and smiled innocently. “I wouldn’t dream of taking up more of your time, Lord Bai Hu.”
“Xuan Wu will receive my recommendation to spar with you,” grumbled Bai Hu. “But I want a longer exchange when you return from those deep planes. I was looking forward to fighting you for months.”
“Understanding can come in a moment of inspiration,” said Amdirlain. “I’ll refine it on test constructs rather than take up more of your time.”
“That’s quite alright,” protested Bai Hu. “I’ve time set aside.”
Amdirlain’s innocent smile widened. “You want to spar some more?”
“I believe I just said that.”
“Then I assume you won’t mind me setting different conditions.”
“That would depend on the conditions.”
“Human form and speed,” said Amdirlain. “I’d like Sarah to record something Jinfeng can study later. Oh, can we spar with Jian?”
Bai Hu nodded approvingly. “A kind Sifu, seeking benefit for your pupil. Invite her to attend, and she will have the recording to review later.”
“You proposed to us earlier, and we’d only just met. I think I’ll leave Jinfeng to her current plans and safely away from you,” laughed Amdirlain.
He touched his chest as if wounded, only for his lips to twitch into a playful smile. “My feelings would be hurt if it wasn’t so true.”
A Jian with a carved white jade hilt appeared in his right hand.