Miria’s quarters had been left just the way she kept it before journeying to the wastelands, according to Ani who had moved out. Tunde sat next to her sleeping form, cradling a bowl of meat broth he had been given by one of the maids, given strict orders to simply not cultivate but rather keep eating.
His body devoured it just as easily, his once frail hands now steady despite him not taking in one bit of Ethra. He glanced at her, her pale skin sign of the illness she constantly battled with, pursing his lips before taking another spoon of the broth, exhaling.
Three heirs of the great clans had accompanied the forces of the empire, three of the highest clans of the empire. Wol Huang of the Huang clan, a clan known for their military might as well as powerful air and blade affinity cultivators. Chun Zhang of the Zhang clan, known for their ties with the alchemist association, and was also rumoured to be related to the alchemist king through blood ties with the Zhang patriarch.
Those two were disturbing enough to consider, however the last figure he had read about had him frowning. The heir to the most influential clan in the empire, the beloved grandchild of the clan patriarch and the undisputed heir to the clan name, Emi Cheng of the Cheng clan.
Their merchant business spanning the entire empire and then some, even the golden pill pavilion were nothing compared to their reach, and yet, all three wanted black rock. It was disturbing, the settlement offered nothing to them except bloodshed and yet it was coveted.
Tunde wondered if it was because of the jade mines, the precious mineral somewhat scarce to the empire. Varis had led him to the training chamber, the same one where Tunde and Joran had once hoped to create the foundations of their clan. It lay empty, devoid of the azure spring power that once graced its cool dark room.
“Take a good look at this place” Varis had said.
“It would be your home for the next one week. You will eat, sleep and wake here, so put everything you have in order above before you return down here, you have a day” he had ordered before leaving Tunde there.
He had made his way over to see her, startled at the sight of her frail form lying on the bed. Ignoring Ani’s caution that she might not wake up for a while seeing as she had been given some sort of elixir from the Highlord himself to help smoothen her healing process. Staying beside her was all the support he could give, but he would give it all the same.
He sensed the arrival of the other, Ryka leading the procession as Draven, Isolde, Harun and Giselle made their way into the room. The peeking form of Sera had him nodding his head at her, the large adept of the wasteland stepping gingerly into the room.
“Believe it or not, she was worse than that when we brought you back,” Ryka said softly.
Tunde nodded, Harun and Giselle at her side.
“Lord Tunde” they both said softly bowing at the waist.
“Please, lord rank is hardly anything now” he replied with a sad smile.
He watched them grow rigid before nodding in understanding, they knew better now than to think he was powerful. Turning his gaze to a silent Sera whose eyes were locked on him, he spoke.
“You look better now,” he said.
“I will be better when I have the bodies of the followers of the king hanging off my blade” she replied.
Tunde blinked at her, caught off guard as Draven sighed, rubbing his eyes wearily, lady Ryka smiling.
“Quite the colourful cultivator you brought to us Tunde” she said.
“Soon enough Sera, how are you finding this place though?” he asked.
She seemed to ponder on it, crossing her arms before sitting on the wooden floor.
“So many powerful people, it is good” she replied.
Tunde noticed the wrapped object hanging from her back like a sack.
“Is that my blade?” he asked.
“What remains of it yes” Draven replied.
“And she won’t hand it over”
Sera frowned.
“Only a weapon’s owner can hold it, that or his sworn servant” she replied, eyeing the Forgesmith.
Tunde sighed.
“you’re not my servant Sera,” he said wearily.
She shook her head.
“No, but I have yet to prove my worth to you. What am I then?” she asked.
“a friend, you saved my life” he answered.
Sera swallowed calmly, saying nothing as she unslung the weapon, about to unravel the linen wrapping it.
“No!” everyone shouted, her hand freezing.
Tunde glanced from them to Sera, confused.
“Why?” he asked.
“What do you remember about the battle?” Ryka asked carefully.
Tunde paused, nodding as he took another spoon.
“You saw me, didn’t you?” he asked.
The entire room looked uncomfortable, elder Wren entering along with Ming, Tunde’s eyebrow rising as he got up to greet her. She smiled; wrinkles close to her eyes even as she shook her head.
“Please, sit Tunde,” she said.
“We all saw you,” Wren said as he made sure his wife was comfortable.
“And we all saw what was left of that blade”
“The aura,” Tunde said as Wren nodded.
“It’s hard to explain, but disciples fall sick when they are close to it and adepts like us feel uncomfortable as well” Giselle said.
Tunde took his time to chew on his words before speaking.
“Back then, I wasn’t sure we would make it back to black rock seeing as we were surrounded on all sides” he started.
“To be honest, I thought we were going to die there, in the sands, so I was determined to take as many bodies with me. If I was going to die, then I would lay my bed atop a pile of my foes”
He saw Isolde shudder slightly, aware of it and hurt a bit. She hadn’t faced what he did, she hadn’t seen the horrors he had seen out there, the stacked bodies, the skinned ones as well. Still, he understood as well, and as he glanced at the blade; he saw what he had dangerously come close to becoming.
“bloodlust” Elder Wren said as all eyes turned to him.
“it’s a term used for those who have drowned themselves in oceans of blood under the guise of advancing. It is one of the reasons why blood affinity cultivators are treated warily”
Tunde found his eyes straying to Sera who said nothing, merely listening.
“Every one of us could be a killer, some though, gain such affinity and proficiency for killing that they seem to be invincible on the field of battle. They are given a name, a title”
“asura” Elder Ming added.
Asura.
The word Rhaelar had called him, was that what he was?; was that what they saw him as?.
“no one is calling you a heartless killer Tunde” Lady Ryka cut in.
“of course not, I didn’t imply that,” Wren said with a frown as Tunde waved his hand.
“No use mincing words from me,” he said.
Wren sat up, staring at him.
“You are not an asura, those creatures that live to glut on bloodshed, we’d all be dead if you were” he firmly stated.
“Back when we were still at the empire proper, stories of entire settlements and strongholds left in a pile of carved flesh and blood would filter in, the empire sending its forces or the Heralds moving in to bring them down,” Ming said.
“And yet, you came close to taking your first step down that line my friend, very close” Wren added.
Tunde nodded.
“So, you’re saying it affected my blade?” he asked.
“Sometimes, weapons begin to draw from the wielder’s personality, their intent,” Draven said softly.
“You simply cut down so many enemies with the blade that it started changing to suit your needs”
Tunde frowned.
“But it’s not a soulbound weapon,” he said.
Draven shrugged.
“And yet, made of Ethereon, the very metal responds to Ethra, why wouldn’t it respond to the wishes of its user?” he argued.
Tunde glanced at the weapon again, dropping the now empty bowl as he rubbed his hands on his thighs.
“Varis told me about the duel,” he said.
“Ah, that,” Ryka said as he nodded.
“Yes, that. Who’s representing us?” he asked.
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“Isn’t it obvious?” Harun replied rhetorically.
Tunde glanced at the water affinity user before speaking.
“True, you and Giselle, then who else?”
“Sometimes, I think you do this on purpose” Draven grumbled as Isolde laughed a little.
“Thought you two gave up on fighting?” Tunde asked.
“doesn’t mean we can’t compete when we really need it” Isolde replied.
He glanced between the four of them.
“Harun, water and blad affinities, Giselle, hardening and hammer affinity I think?” he asked.
She nodded.
“We haven’t been able to acquire our weapon affinities, but our skills and techniques with our original affinities have reached the peak” she muttered.
“Weapon affinities are hard to find in these parts of the continent except during the convergence rush” Ming explained.
“Merchants buy large amounts of affinity crystals that are native to whatever part of the continent they are in for cheap and sell elsewhere for exorbitant prices where they are in high demand. Weapon affinities are found particularly in one part of Bloodfire” she explained.
“The technocracy” Tunde replied as she nodded.
“Usually, in a big city, affinity crystals are easy to come by, not here though, we don’t even have an affinity merchant,” Wren said with a frown.
“If I understand our predicaments” Tunde started.
“Not only are we going up against experienced cultivators, but we’re also doing it without the advantage of concepts?” he said.
“Sums it up well,” Draven said drily.
Tunde ran his hand over his head, aware that he now had a fine layer of hair where his bald head had once been.
“It’s our only chance Tunde” Ryka said softly as he glanced at her.
“Right here, right now, when the core members of the imperial clan are here. We need to seize this opportunity or become servants once again” she added.
“I know, believe me, I know” he murmured.
Thinking on it a little, he spoke as the beginnings of an idea began to nick at the back of his mind.
“Who else knows of our…..predicaments?” he asked.
“If you’re referring to the absence of affinities, then only those within this room,” Ryka said curiously.
Tunde nodded.
“Good, how much do we have in the settlement’s vault?” he asked.
“After graciously accepting Baron Crispin’s ship as well as the valuables, quite the hefty sum, why?” Isolde asked.
“How willing are you going to be to part with a significant amount of lumens?” he asked again.
“I don’t like where this is going” Draven muttered.
“You never like where anything goes Draven” Isolde replied.
“that’s because I’m the only one sane enough to recognize when he gets those insane ideas of his” Draven said eyeing Tunde who chuckled.
“Explain,” Ryka said, sitting up and staring at him.
*****************************
Saying his goodbyes to an unconscious Miria, Tunde made his way back to the stronghold, the medallion opening the way for him like the guards weren’t there. He arrived at the training room, staring at the large stone door that ground slowly as it opened. Within it sat Varis, the Highlord meditating in absolute silence.
Tunde felt a sense of awe and caution; like his very footstep would disturb the sanctity of the room itself.
“Don’t stand and gawk like an idiot, get in,” Varis said, his loud voice echoing around the room.
Tunde hurried in, the door closing behind him before sealing them as it audibly locked. Varis opened his storm grey eyes, staring at Tunde from his toes to the top of his head as if staring through him with Ethra sight. He nodded.
“No traces of cultivation, sit” he ordered.
Tunde complied, legs crossed and back straight, staring at Varis who cracked his neck.
“As I have told you multiple times, your cultivation is flawed” he started.
Tunde had heard those words hundreds of times already, even as the Highlord had trained him then.
“It is the shoddy work of a system you met in place and that had been abandoned. It has no basis in any techniques and is merely suited to the methods of the wastelands”
Tunde found himself uncomfortable with Varis insulting all of elder Joran’s works, he had no idea what he had been through to survive. There would be no Tunde if not for the blind tiger of Verdan.
“I see the anger held in your eyes; you think I insult you. Yes, I do, you and who taught you, but I will show you why” Varis said.
The Highlord picked out a thin rod behind him, the Ethereon metal dull and seemingly ordinary.
“Do you understand the first ability of a cultivator, Tunde?” he asked.
Tunde nodded.
“Ethra, the lifeforce of the planet” he replied confidently.
Varis frowned.
“Look at you, so sure of your stupidity” he sighed.
Tunde stared confused.
“Aura, aura is the first power you are born with, Ethra comes after, for it belongs to the planet and not you at first. It is why we call the nulls ‘Ethra cursed” Varis explained.
Aura?; wasn’t that some manifestation of his will?.
“And, it is why nulls make such powerful cultivators, some even call them the true cultivators, although you say that in public and find yourself missing your head” Varis warned.
Tunde had so many questions to ask, like why were they cursed, he had been a null, and he had no affinity till the fang gave him one. Instead, he kept his mouth sealed and his ears opened.
“You, were taught no aura-refining cultivation techniques, I doubt you’ve even heard of them, have you?” Varis asked as Tunde shook his head.
“Aura, is a manifestation of your ego as you no doubt know, but what you don’t know, is that is also a manifestation of your willpower” the Highlord continued.
“And as cringing as it was to watch you simply brute force your way through its use, it won’t work against these heirs”
From the black ring on the Highlord’s finger that turned out to be a void ring came a book. It looked worn but kept well.
“Most cultivation techniques are either acquired through independent cultivators who have risen to positions of fame and sell them out to the highest bidder or from sects and clans that have either fallen to ruin or destroyed by rivals” Varis explained, tossing the book at Tunde who caught it.
Its cover was brown and it was written in the common tongue they all spoke. In it lay a precise and easy guide to gather and purify aura, Tunde leafing through the pages.
“Cultivation techniques are broken down into four grades, low, mid, high and peak grade respectively,” Varis said.
“That is a low grade, we use it for initiates and adepts, and unfortunately in your case, it’s the easiest for you to grasp,” he said.
Tunde could hear the irritation in the Highlord’s voice but he couldn’t care less. This was a real cultivation manual in his front and he was going to take complete advantage of it.
[Ifa, copy the manual] he ordered, hoping the sentience answered.
[Understood, heavenly aura refinement cultivation technique is of low grade, do you want me to increase its proficiency by changing a few things?] it asked.
Tunde kept his surprise to himself, why hadn’t he asked the sentience if it had cultivation techniques?.
[why didn’t you tell me you had aura refining techniques?] he asked.
[sufficient strength is needed to handle the mental strain of aura refining techniques I possess] it replied.
Tunde kept his irritation to himself, it all boiled down to one’s advancement stage at the end of the day. Someday, he swore to himself, he would attain such heights that all the secrets kept hidden within Ifa would be his, but for now, he would endure.
He watched as his mind’s eye was suddenly illuminated.
[heavenly aura refinement cultivation technique uses breathing and meditation to purify and enhance the aura of a cultivator. I have added a few changes to improve its use from a low-grade technique to a mid-grade technique] it wrote.
“You will follow its instructions till you master it completely, now, begin” Varis ordered.
“Apologies Highlord, but I have a request” Tunde said calmly yet cautiously.
Varis sighed, “what is it?” he replied.
“It is about the upcoming duel and the probability of those fighting alongside me,” Tunde said.
“We don’t stand a chance, not unless we receive help”
Varis frowned.
“Are you asking me to interfere?” he asked.
Tunde bowed his head.
“No, not to affect the results of the duel, but to place it on equal standings,” Tunde said.
“Explain,” Varis asked.
Tunde did.
“You said it yourself, we don’t have cultivation techniques they do or even affinity crystals as is the case of I and the other adepts. However, what if we get them from you, buy them, of course” Tunde asked.
Varis snorted before chuckling, an amused look on his face.
“Do you think cultivation techniques come cheap?” he asked.
“Granted the low grades do, but a mid-grade and above costs as much as fifty thousand lumens, high grades around two hundred thousand and peak grades are fashioned to the exact specifications of a cultivator” Varis explained.
“Some even go for as much as a million if they belong to a master or paragon” he added.
Tunde nodded.
“We suspected as much, however, we are ready to empty our vaults and mine if it comes to it,” Tunde said.
Varis seemed thoughtful for a few minutes, assessing Tunde before speaking.
“Ethra affinities don’t come cheap, especially the esoteric and rare types,” he said.
Tunde bowed again.
“We will sell ourselves if need be,” he said.
“That beats the point of independence that you require, but, very well. Do you have a list of what you want?” Varis asked.
Tunde handed him a piece of paper, the Highlord’s eyes running through it as he paused, glancing at Tunde before turning back to it.
“Everything here is indeed close to a million lumens, where does a small settlement like yours intend to get them from?” he asked.
“When black rock was created, a tier 4 rift opened up close to us, and within its depths, we found a sapphire vein crystal as well as azure spring waters” Tunde explained.
“Those are quite rare cultivation substances” Varis commented.
“Indeed, and we sold them to the golden pill pavilion as well as the other items we obtained from the Acacia clan who attacked us” he explained.
“When the surge also began, black rock was the main focus of the rift creatures as well as the hordes of the wastelands, which we also sold to the pavilion” he added.
“That explains the rise of the golden pill pavilion, you must have made quite the wealth of lumens then,” Varis said.
“Just enough to fortify the settlement with cannons as well as obtain a sky vessel. The rest, we would willingly hand over to you if it would ensure we obtain these items” Tunde said, bowing again.
Varis stared once again at the list before speaking.
“Force affinity?; that’s what you want to gain along with your current affinity?” Varis asked.
“Yes,” Tunde replied.
“Sunfire, lightning, acid, healing, vitality, I have all these, and you want force?” Varis asked again.
Apart from the Sunfire he mentioned, Tunde didn’t see the appeal of the rest. He healed quickly, too quickly for a lord some would argue, and the rest just didn’t appeal to him.
“I want the extra strength” Tunde explained.
“Far be it from me to tell you what path of advancement you intend to take” Varis replied as his void ring opened up and Tunde watched him take out a crystal affinity.
It felt like the very air had pressure in it as he found it hard to breathe a bit, eyes wide.
“Force affinity, luckily enough for you, I have it,” he said, eyeing Tunde.
“Although it took me killing off an entire lesser sect and their patriarch to obtain it, I do not feel inclined to waste it on you,” he said.
Tunde felt his chest grow heavy, watching as Varis threw it back into his void ring, the pressure vanishing. Tunde exhaled heavily.
“Then again, I could simply watch and see if you even have the strength to attune yourself to it” he added.
He had seen it, it had laid close to his arms, and yet, Tunde had watched it being snatched away.
“I will see what I can do to the rest of the items on the list” Varis started.
“Get started on the aura purification technique, and when I return, perhaps I might consider giving you the affinity crystal,” he said as he got up, moving towards the door.
“you’re on a deadline Tunde, make use of your time” he advised before leaving.
Tunde watched the stone door open and close behind the lord, saying nothing as he closed the manual. He didn’t need it; Ifa had improved on it to increase his grade. Legs crossed, back straight, Tunde began to follow Ifa’s instructions, feeling his aura roil around his form as it seemed to hiss, turning into steam around him.
It rose into the air as he exhaled, inhaling it back through his body and feeling it grow lighter, a soft smile on his face.
[notice: improved aura refining technique is being applied, give it a name] Ifa wrote.
Tunde didn’t break his concentration as he continued, calmly breathing, repeating the process over and over, feeling even more and more of his aura pour out of him.
[asura’s breath] he replied.
************************************
Lady Ryka found herself arranging the void rings filled to the brim with lumens, tapping her feet softly. Next to her stood Isolde who seemed to be lost in her thought.
“Tapping your feet doesn’t make this any nerve-wracking you know,” Isolde said as Ryka paused.
She exhaled.
“I apologize, I’m just, anxious,” she said calmly.
They were within the quarters of the Highlord who summoned them. Rhaelar was absent, Ryka unsure where the master had disappeared to but not really caring. There was nowhere in black rock that was off limits for her, instead, she stood, eyes on the rings that held the entire wealth of black rock within it.
“To think that all we have could be fitted into ten rings,” she said softly.
Isolde was about to reply when the door opened, Varis appearing as they bowed at the waist at him. He stared at the rings, and then at them before speaking.
“that’s it then?; the complete amount?” he asked.
“One million two hundred and ten lumens” Isolde replied with another bow.
Varis rubbed his jaw.
“didn’t really think you all would be able to obtain such an amount,” he said softly.
Ryka felt a pang of shame within her, he was right that a million lumens for a small settlement like them was virtually next to impossible, but they had done it. every coin, every piece of lumen they had scrounged up had managed to contribute to it including a generous sum from Tunde as well.
“Keep it,” Varis said nonchalantly.
Ryk blinked in disbelief, glancing at Isolde who seemed just as confused as well. From the Highlord’s void ring came a large chest, bronze in colour.
“For your own safety, I would advise not opening it till you reach somewhere secure enough to” Varis said.
“But…. why?” Ryka asked.
“Consider it an investment, everything on that list is in that chest. Now you don’t have a reason to fail” Varis replied.
He was taking a risk on them, Ryka unsure of what to say.
“It won’t make up for experience, nor skill, but it should even the field, don’t you think?” he asked.
Ryka bowed to the ground, head pressed to it a Isolde followed too.
“We will not fail you,” she said, lips trembling.
“See that you don’t” Varis replied gravely.