Well before the crack of dawn, John was awoken by a need to empty his bladder. Still half asleep for a moment, he paused when he felt smooth wood against his soles rather than dusty earth and gravel. His mind still racing to catch up with reality, he wondered for a moment if this was a dream. A sharp pain rushing through his system when he put a little more pressure on his apparently-still-injured knee was more than happy to remind him. Without the rest of the full body pain that had engulfed him the other day, the joint was more than happy to voice the full extent of its complaints. Still, in a way, he enjoyed the clarity it brought him. If only the rest of his bodily functions could be so considerate.
The weak rays of moonlight through the window would not have probably been of much use to an ordinary person but thankfully the enhanced eyesight of a cultivator allowed him to see with impressive clarity. Moving slowly so as to not aggravate his injury and also to avoid waking his still snoring roommate, John made his way to the… bathroom? He blinked thinking that maybe his eyes had deceived him in the darkness, but the sign above the door did not change. Between vague and foggy memories of a time before the famine and expeditions into ruined Estates, John had an inkling of what a bath was, but to associate it with a latrine seemed more than a little odd. With the pressure building he did not have much time to ponder the choice of words, deciding he would figure it out later John rushed inside and shut the door.
Without a window in the room the small crack of moonlight from beneath the door was hardly sufficient. Fumbling around the wall for the light mechanisms found everywhere in the sect, he was rewarded for his efforts by being near blinded by the sudden white light. Blinking away the spots in his vision John quickly found the latrine and read through the instructions on the wall, each second of this gruelling process feeling like a trial of its own. What relief followed was short lived when he saw the colour of his urine, a deep tar black… that could not possibly have been right…
[DETECTING ELEVATED LEVELS OF STRESS, DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?] the voice of ARTOS jutted into his head.
Would you happen to know why I am pissing black?
[BLACKNESS IN URINE IS A COMMON SIDE EFFECT OF RAPID CATABOLISM OF NEURAL NETWORK WASTE PRODUCTS WHEN SUPPLEMENTARY RENAL FUNCTIONS ARE ACTIVATED AT HIGH CAPACITY DURING PROLONGED PERIODS OF HIGH INTENSITY DATA PROCESSING OR SIMULATION. AS NO OTHER SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL DAMAGE HAS BEEN DETECTED THIS IS LIKELY THE CAUSE FOR OBSERVED SYMPTOMS.]
John had no idea what most of that meant but at least it didn’t seem like anything life threatening. He released a breath he did not even realise he was holding as the dread lessened to more manageable levels.
So… why did this happen?
[HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE DETECTED IN BLOODSTREAM. WHILE PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS DID NOT DETECT IMMEDIATE THREAT LACK OF FURTHER DATA, CARCINOGENIC POTENTIAL AND HIGH ASSOCIATION WITH INCREASED LYMPHOCYTE PRODUCTION POSED RISK TO STABILITY OF HOST BOND NECESSITATED GREATER REGULATION OF BLOOD CONCENTRATIONS THAN BASELINE RENAL FUNCTIONS ARE CAPABLE OF]
Despite having the information literally pumped into his head John struggled to pay attention to the weird words more than a sentence in. Well, it was probably not an issue, and once he became an official Sect member perhaps the archives might be able to break things down in a way he could understand. No longer focused on an imminent health crisis John allowed himself to take in his surroundings.
Opposite the impossibly smooth pottery seat that was apparently a toilet was a similar bowl affixed at a bit below chest height for him with what looked to be a pair of valves, that at a guess would probably be used for washing one's hands. He twisted one of the valves with shocking ease and placed his hands under the stream of clear water, only to suddenly pull his hand back in shock when the water rapidly heated to near scalding temperatures. Quickly turning the valve the other way, only now did John notice the red and blue colours on each one, and while there wasn’t a helpful diagram he could at least guess what they meant now. Turning his attention upwards he looked at the mirror affixed above the wash basin, easily the largest and most clear he had ever seen. Occasionally in puddles or less rusty bits of scrap John would catch a glimpse of his appearance, but never even close to a fraction of this.
His hair was a wild tangle of long, black wiry fibres yet it was thinner than he had imagined, areas where large chunks had fallen out over the years in his line of work and in the drive towards his new dream had left visible marks even in the otherwise unruly jungle over his head. His face was younger than he had thought he looked, sallow yellowed skin not doing anything to disguise distinctly childish features… is this what the world saw when they looked at him? From this perspective ARTOS looked massive and ungainly, much too large for his emaciated frame, with the crimson cables burrowing into what was left of his shoulder, torso and back it looked as though the rest of him was being held up by the Relic rather than the other way around. What struck him most was his eyes, thin cracks were barely visible tracing across dark brown irises seemingly filled in with metal, was it always like that?
An impatient set of knocks against the door dragged him back to reality.
“What’s taking you so long in there brat? Sun’s almost up!” he heard the irritated voice of Magni call out through the door.
“One second!” John responded, moving away from the mirror to open the door.
Magni looked perhaps a decade older than he did last night, his face half covered by wispy white hair that hid nearly everything but his scowl.
“I had hoped last night was some sort of surreal nightmare but clearly I have irritated the heavens.” The older boy grumbled, John felt his fingers twitch.
“Don’t you have better things to do than insult my existence for no reason?” John snapped back.
“As a matter of fact I do.” Magni said brushing past John to get into the bathroom. Just before he shut the door John made out one more sentence.
“Better at least than dealing with a snotling that got lucky.”
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Magni, no surname, applied to become an Aspirant a year ago. It was apparently important for the Sect to know the backgrounds of everyone who applied, but he had no background, in fact until recently he didn’t even really have a name. He was the waste at the side of the gutter, and for those like him either one carved out a name for themselves or died unseen and unmourned. For as long as he could remember it was a battle to be recognised, to rise above the waste from whence he crawled and become something better, and it paid off, he was here. For the past few weeks he had settled into a rhythm of sorts, wake up, train, learn techniques not built around blind trial and error and go to bed. Despite the change in living conditions life was in fact much as it always had been, a desperate crawl upwards, eyes focused on the top because if he looked down for just one second, if he allowed himself even a moment to stop moving…
If he fell behind then what was all this for?
Then along comes this kid out of absolutely nowhere, a boy who looked as though someone grabbed a version of him from several years ago and slapped on some colours. A kid who by some cosmic whim got a Bomb-cursed Relic fused to his arm and caught the recognition of someone that gave him a free ticket to opportunity! Who had the audacity to look annoyed given the kind of luck that would shake the heavens!
Was he being fair? To be entirely honest no; after all, who chooses their own luck? From the nobles born with more gold than most could ever use in a lifetime to the scum who rose to the surface like him from talent, dedication or happenstance. All of them were here one way or another out of dumb luck. In truth he knew from the moment he looked into those quite literally kracked up eyes of the boy that he was probably the one whose fate most resembled his own, balanced on the razor’s edge of ascension or self-destruction.
That did not however stop him from laughing his ass off when John caught the instructor’s ire for the fourth time in what couldn’t have been much more than an hour.
“Shut your mouth Magni!” Igni barked mid-lecture. “And don’t think you are off the hook John, allow me to repeat myself since apparently I was not abundantly clear the last three times. Have. You. Been. Listening? No? Then don’t expect to leave until you start to!”
Magni felt someone poke his back and turned with what had apparently become his signature scowl. The offender in this case being a bearded blond man that would better fit the description of a drunkard than an aspiring cultivator… Merk, was it?
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“Friendly as always aren’t you Magni?” The man that was probably Merk said with a stupid grin on his face.
“Get to the point.” He sighed.
“Who does that asshole think he is anyway? Just because he got a chunk of metal glued to him, I think he was long overdue getting knocked down a few pegs don’t you think?” the man conspiratorially whispered.
Magni processed the words and made a long show of considering it. His face shifted into a small, wry smile when he gave his response.
“Fuck off.”
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By the third day John had at last managed to avoid Igni’s ire, and thus was allowed to make use of the scant few hours of free time Aspirants were provided each day. Some went to the lowest floor of the archives, others explored the expansive sect grounds even with more than half of it off limits, others still spent their free time continuing to train and meditate. John however had something else that he had been meaning to do.
“So, how’re the accommodations?” Alexander asked with an amused expression as John did his best corpse impression.
“Well everything is… fine… I am just not used to it I suppose.” John grumbled.
His mentor chuckled. “Let me guess, having trouble with the routine?”
“Well… yes…” He admitted. “But it’s all the same day in and day out! And those ‘showers’, every day, really? Not to mention the fact my roommate looks at me like I am a glow slug or the fact that Igni just picks on me or-”
Alexander picked up a bottle using his third arm and filled two small cups with a reddish-amber fluid. He passed one over to John and took one himself. Thanking Alexander, John took a sip of the liquid and immediately spat out the foul bitter drink, meanwhile Alexander sat serenely and drank from his cup as if it wasn’t poison flavoured.
“Don’t tell anyone that I have told you this but in truth this first stage is the first trial, before the Trial by Beast, before the test of the Grove of Life and even before the Judgement of the Cave this is the truest test of how likely one is to thrive in the Sect. The rigid routines, often less than ideal relationships with your fellows, strict rules of conduct that threaten to veer into the excessive. Of course I must say it isn’t quite so bad once you have made it even as the lowest of Initiates, but I have bad news if you expect our life to be all action and stories.” Alexander explained sagely, taking another deep sip of his disgusting drink once finished.
“It seems almost like you still don’t want me to become a cultivator.” John complained.
Alexander shook his head. “No, I can see it in your heart, even if I tried to stop you it would only set the fire in you in a direction where it is more likely to burn you whole. Besides, I made a promise now, and more importantly I trust you John.”
John gave a small smile at that. “Thank you, truly.”
“It is no trouble.” Alexander responded, finishing off his drink. “So, how is Nicole’s hospitality?”
John groaned again prompting a laugh from his old mentor.
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In a particularly ironic twist of fate as it happened John spent the most time with Magni. Ferrin, the suffocatingly extroverted presence she was, was probably the closest thing he had to an actual friend but her attention was apparently equally divided across nearly everyone. Having to live together in the same room, while hardly on friendly conversation basis, at the very least Magni and him learned to tolerate each other’s presence out of sheer survival necessity over the past few days. The man was still an enigma to John in all honesty, nobody seemed to know all that much about him; he was about as friendly and approachable as a terrorantula after all. Even so, he could not help but admire him somewhat, when the man was not attempting to win the competition for the most insufferable person in the Empire, he was the most single-minded and driven individual John had ever met. Though the man obviously looked at him much like one would look at an unfortunate stain at the very least he seemed to try making coexistence bearable for them both, and in the end he couldn’t really hate the guy as much as he kind of wanted to.
When he saw Magni smelling much like a latrine, usually pristinely white hair and skin stained various shades of brown and red he did not know how to adequately respond.
“What are you gawking at me for? Careful, if your mouth hangs much lower it might fall off!” Magni said with a sneer.
“What happened to you? Who did this?” John asked, equally appalled at his roommate’s behalf and shocked the man didn’t seem to care much in the slightest.
Magni shrugged. “What does it matter?”
“It’s just… are you really just… Do you need help?” John asked before he really thought much deeper. Magni blinked, the first emotion he had expressed so far besides exhaustion, disdain and mockery.
“You didn’t split your head open and leave your brain somewhere else, did you? You are aware I have not even the slightest intention of giving a shit about you, right?” Magni asked, incredulous.
“What does it matter?!” John responded, standing firm on his ground.
“Do you want something from me? If so, you should ask the dirt instead because I have nothing for you.” Magni continued, shock wearing off and more of the usual annoyance bleeding into his voice.
“You think I don’t know that and you think I give a shit?” John angrily exclaimed. “I don’t know what you guys think I am and I don’t really care, I am a Rat first and foremost, and a Rat that just sits back when they see that their fellows need help is the Rat that dies alone and unfound! So who fucking cares!”
Magni actually laughed at that, a deep belly laugh as if John had told the funniest joke in the world. “You’re serious, really?”
John felt his face light up in embarrassment and indignation, he wanted to say something but coherent words couldn’t find their way out of his mouth. Magni walked past him, and seemed ready to simply act like John simply did not exist as he usually did. John turned around desperate to find words for his retort, only to notice after only moving a few feet, however Magni had actually stopped, his head turned slightly back in his direction.
“By the way, don’t pity me, you should see the other guys” Magni said simply before continuing down the hall.
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In the end, what felt like an eternity in the moment in hindsight was not so long, it was only a week after all he supposed. Despite making hours stretch on seemingly forever the routine actually made the days feel shorter, each blending into the next, completely different from his experience traversing decrepit tunnels where measuring time lost meaning and nights spent lounging around a fire under open stars. Regardless, fast or slow, time simply keeps moving forward and right now…
The matron had, as far as he knew, for the first time ever distinctly angry expression on her face, Igni was silent but similarly had a disappointed stony expression. A dozen or so servants were also there, faces betraying no emotion, standing so still they could be mistaken perhaps for a statue. Nicole floated forwards, her massive eyes amplifying the judgement she was already casting to physically palpable degrees. The air felt thick, it was almost difficult to breathe, never before had he wanted to turn back time than right nor or at the very least pause it. From the expressions around him it was clear his sentiment was shared.
“Last night we concluded an investigation in which three of you were found to be responsible for some truly shameful behaviour! Dril Flores, Pyrite Tō and Merkur Chrom, come forward!”
Wordlessly three aspirants, two men and a woman, rose to their feet shakily and came forward. None of them said a word, none of them lifted their heads, the pressure felt like a mountain.
“The three of you have been found guilty of bringing in unsanctioned outside material, breaking one of the simple rules I expect all of you to follow, already grounds for punishment. But not only that, you did so with the express purpose of humiliating a fellow Aspirant and when you faced the consequences of your actions you dare come to me? Even if I had not the ability to peer into your thoughts, do you think me blind?”
The woman, Pyrite most likely, opened her mouth in a weak defence. “I… we- it was simply-”
“SILENCE! YOU HAVE SHAMED YOURSELVES WITH BEHAVIOUR MORE FITTING OF CHILDREN THAN ASPIRANTS, WORSE YOU SHAME US FOR EVEN GIVING YOU A CHANCE! I SAY THIS ONCE AND ONLY ONCE, LEAVE NOW, AND DO NOT DARE COMING BACK!” The matron shouted, the wind whipping around her as her rage peaked. The three guilty quickly did as they were told, escorted off by some of the gathered servants. The matron let out a deep breath and seemed to physically deflate as she fell back to the ground.
“My apologies, but let this be a warning to you all, to fail before the trials can even begin what truly shameful behaviour!” She shouted much less aggressively now, still it took some effort for John to lift his head to meet her eyes.
“This was meant to be a simple affair, and indeed now that we have dealt with the waste it shall be. All of you standing before me have been deemed fit to participate in the Trial by Beast and each of you before me have elected to continue onwards even knowing the dangers and challenges that lie before you all. Thus there is not much to explain besides the basics.”
A group of servants brought out three pelts: one covered with brilliant gold-red feathers, one that looked almost like cracked human skin and another that appeared like rabbit fur except for the hard bumps that were scattered across it.
With a flick of her wrist the matron made each pelt float so that each would be fully visible to all and began to speak. “As the name implies in this trial you will be battling against beasts, tier 2 Spirit Beasts, well beyond the abilities of ordinary mortals but I am sure a challenge that can be well as truly surmounted by each of you, given that you had been diligently taking care of your body and listening to the instruction of Igni. This is no mere measurement of strength or capacity for violence, at least not entirely, make no mistake. As cultivators we have an obligation to the mortal masses, for as the teachings of Cunningham state we are nothing without them. Our world and wealth is built on their backs, and in exchange we cleanse the earth and take care of pests that they cannot, a tedious task but one that is more necessary than any grand adventure.”
One by one she pointed at each pelt with a stick she produced from her robes as she continued. “First the Common Phoenix, scourge of the skies, descendant of the common pigeon said to have inhabited the cities of Man in uncountable swarms, and like their ancestors they breed quickly when not in check. These are rather fast, of course capable of flight and most importantly summoning flames of intense heat but are by far the most fragile.”
She moved onto the next pelt. “The second is the Chupacabra, the most common spirit beast we have to deal with regularly in the Golden Plains, and the largest beast we are capable of holding in large numbers; these are ferocious pack hunters that prey on livestock and humans alike, favouring the blood of their prey. They are hardy and strong and also have a paralytic poison, however they have a crucial and easily exploitable weakness that any of you who have paid attention thus far should know, for if you do find a place in a combat position in the Sect this will likely be your most common foe.”
She then moved onto the last “Finally we have the Jackalope, contrary to popular belief our empire was not actually named after the creature, indeed the name predates the first reported sightings of this creature. Ferocious breeders and rapid burrowers, these lay waste to fields if allowed to thrive. Deceptively fast and durable for their size, but have otherwise no special tricks besides sharp horns.”
She turned back towards the audience to address the gathered Aspirants "Remember each beast and their characteristics, for you will not be able to choose which one you face for your trial. Otherwise Igni shall lead you to the arena. Good luck, and do not forget, there is no shame in admitting defeat if you fear for your life. If you are not ready now, raise your hand. Otherwise stand up and follow Igni and you are all dismissed. Best of luck, Aspirants, may the spirits shine their blessings upon you!”
John became acutely aware that his joint still ached badly and his rib had not healed fully. Nonetheless he like all the rest silently stood up and followed Igni, it was time to face the trials.