Mere hours after Morgan's life-and-death struggle with the Harpy, one where he lost between 20-30% of his blood, the man decided it would be the perfect time to roll the dice once again.
This time, he would be betting with his Immortal Soul. All while wearing nothing except his green checkerboard boxers and bandages over his shoulder and forearms. His lab coat was drying after its much-needed hydrogen peroxide bath and awaiting its own round of stitching up.
Morgan kneeled before the open doors of an overly priced commercial tropical habitat tank set up on one side of his two-room tent. The neon black and yellow plastic structure wasn't the tallest, sturdiest, or even nicest-looking tent he'd ever owned. But last minute, apocalypse shopping rarely ever offered more than the bottom of the bar. At the very least, Morgan had been able to splurge on Momo's temporary home, even if the simplistic and artificial habitat was a downgrade.
"Alright girl," began the Scientist, with a notebook in hand and a pen ready. "Last question before the check-up, then you get food. On a scale from one to ten, how beastly do you feel?"
"Err?" Questioned the unnaturally vocal crested gecko from on top of a hunk of wet cork bark, her monochromatic head tilting to one side.
"Hmm." He hummed, not sure what to put down. "Let me clarify. Do you still consider yourself a Gecko?"
"Er." She chirped with a nod.
He took that as a yes.
"Alright, would you say you've changed since coming to this cave?"
Answering this question was paramount as the Spirit had theorized the cave to be a potential catalyst for why the Harpy was so... unique for a Spiritual Beast. According to Lysander, Spiritual Beasts typically held a weak grasp on individuality until they progressed on their Dao. Morgan took this to mean non-Sapiant beings needed to further their Cultivation before a sense of self could form. Since Ego claimed the cave, especially the rocky bridge where the Harpy chose to nest, was connected to the Dao, it could explain Momo's and the Harpy's lucidity.
"Er." She chirped with a slow nod.
He took that answer as a no.
The Professor had learned that the precious creature still struggled with understanding the concept of nods and her head bobbed with nearly every answer. Not every nod should be trusted at face value.
"Same question, but with the universe as a whole."
"Er!" She chirped with an enthusiastic nod.
He took that answer as a yes, as that nod just had a confident vibe to it.
"I'm getting conflicted messages here, so I'm going to put down a 5." Morgan finished his notes, writing that he needed to ask Momo later if she knew what a universe and a gecko were. Now I'm going to need you to hold still, OK?"
"Er!" The Princess said with a roll of her head and a flex of the tail before going absolutely rigid.
Honestly, any active body language was a bit of a coin toss during these early days. Well, it was something they could work on together.
Without delay, the Scientist triggered his Bloodline, closed it within a third of a second, and then wrote down the observations. It was his Soul; he could be as miserly as he wished with it.
"Subject 66-66 has no distinct change in green, blue, or red energy structures; or as these forces are referred to in the universe Vajrayana, Qi, Mana, and Essence," Morgan spoke aloud as he wrote so a cranky someone could stay in the loop. "Much like myself, the Bloodline displays no hint of Aether infusion."
[...]
God damn it, he hates it when the Monk projects silence at him. It was like being actively told he was being ignored without actually acknowledging his existence.
"This is, of course, discounting the Aether that is passively absorbed by these energy structures. This theory, proposed by Ego the Spirit, suggests that the reason I am able to see these energies pre-active infusion is due to this passive effect. That is believed to be why non-Cultivaters, or Wanderers, have such long lifespans and why the Bloodline can display these energies in the first place. Perception of the Stone Sage can only sense Aether, but it can translate and display any new form it takes. I am applicable to the theory, though I have yet to read the original source material."
[...]
Oh, for the love of-
Maybe Morgan could track where Harpy ended up after she flew the coup. He could convince her to attack the cave again, giving the Spirit someone else on whom to focus their rage.
"An original text I can not read due to my inability to read, write, or speak in Celestial Twilight... also known as Common. If not for the Universal Translator my Patron left me, I would be unable to communicate. It was an oversight.
Morgan waited. Thankfully, there was no response, or rather, a lack of one. So he set aside the notebook and thanked Momo with a hearty helping of a fruit paste that had all the nutrients a growing gecko needed. Closing the habitat doors to keep in the humidity, he left the Princess to dine on her first meal in Olympia.
When the Professor exited his temporary quarters, he took in the area within the Pillar he'd almost died in.
The area hit all the necessary requirements of defense and space, while being the perfect distance from the river and exit. At the center of the Pillar sat Morgan's tent, surrounded by the kitchen and research stations. Although, with the Dimensional Ring's excellent storage convenience, both areas were fairly barebones. The kitchen was placed as far away from the tunnel as possible and consisted of four slightly decomposing logs and two flat rocks scavenged from above. The shortest logs would be dining chairs, while the others had a rock each for the gas burner and table. Located between the tent and tunnel, the research station was even more spartan. Only a metal folding table, two chairs of the same type, and a single open notebook.
His SUV was parked in front of the entrance, its driver and passenger doors acting as a front door that only he had a key to. It was a crude answer to the question of security, but at the very least, if something forced its way in, the alarm would sound. As for the other end of the tunnel, he had placed-
No. That didn't matter at the moment. The Professor was just stalling to pointlessly delay the inevitable.
Taking a deep breath to steel his resolve, Morgan turned to address the weightless entity meditating on top of his tent. The Monk sat in lotus position, their back to him, but he knew they were soundlessly mouthing a chant as they stared absently at the river.
Morgan suspected this was the Vajrayana equivalent of putting on both earphones and blasting some headbanging music. Of course, that did not stop him from loudly clearing his throat and speaking to the irate Spirit.
"The camp is looking good."
[Correct.] Ego projected tonelessly, not bothering to halt their chant or even look at him.
"And with my injuries," he continued, "we should wait until tomorrow before poking around the island."
[True.]
"So that means we have some free time."
[...Yes.]
Dear god, would this never end?
"I'll read Eris's research material before making dinner." Morgan plowed on as if this were more than a one-sided conversation. "What are you going to do?"
[Nothing.] They said, though this time, the laconic response held a bit of edge.
It took all the wisdom and willpower the Professor had gained in the 77 years of life not to bring up the sore subject again. He was fully aware that the Spirit was just as angry with him as they were with themselves. Forcing the subject now would only bring disaster.
Instead, Morgan went to the research station, eased himself into the metal chair, and began to read.
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A faithful translation of the classic children's tale of "The Little Dragon and the Celestial Attendant."
Written by Ego the Spirit.
In a land far, far, far away from the protective embrace of the Heavens, there was a Little Dragon with scales the color of the boundless sea. Her name was Ohtli, and she was the most inquisitive hatchling of her clutch. Her curiosity was limitless, and while her clutch mates wasted their days wrestling with each other or flying around in silly circles, Othli conversed with her Elders.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
The Elders warned Othli that there was such a thing as too many questions, so she was permitted to ask only one a day. So every morning, after the dawn had broken, she would venture out from the Clan cave at the foot of the mountain to find a question worth asking. Othli returned with a question to ask her Elders over the fire every night.
But on the dawn of this bright and radiant morning, something was very wrong. Othil was already out of her cave; she rested on the border wall separating Dragons from their fellow Mortals. Big, sad tears rolled down her beautiful blue scales, and Othil watched them fall into the boundless blue sea outside this tiny territory.
"What is it that saddens you so, little dragon?" Asked a Heavenly voice behind her.
"Ah!" Exclaimed Othil in fraught, for she knew no Dragon would ever speak to her so kindly. This kind person must be a stranger, so she turned to them and yelled, "Who are you-"
But for once, Othil knew the answer to her question. This stranger sat on a cloud no larger than her, but it flashed and cracked with lightning like a real thunderstorm. They had hair as white as the stars, eyes as black as space, and that form… She began to tremble, fearing divine retribution.
"Tremble not child, I am no Bodhisattva." They said as if they could read her mind. "Though our forms are similar, I am only a humble Clesteal Attendant."
"You are a servant of the Court?!" Asked Othil, shocked, before looking up at the sky in fear of Dragon fire. "The Dragon Elders say your kind is not allowed to set foot in our lands."
"I am aware of Heavenly law, my child, but as you can see, my feet are not touching the ground." Laughed the Attendant. "But I did not come here to speak of myself. I could hear your tears falling into the sea from 100,000 Li away, and I have come to investigate. So again, I ask again, what saddens you?"
"Really?" She asked in amazement and kept asking. "How can you move so quickly? How can you hear from so far away? How can you ride a thunderstorm?"
"The answer to all of your questions is that I am a Cultervater of the Diamond Tantra. Performing such tasks is a trifle." They put up a hand before Othil could ask even more questions. "Little dragon, I promise to answer all of the questions you have. All I ask is that you help maintain the balance."
"Balance must be maintained." Agreed, Othil, as more tears fell down her beautiful scales. "I was banished from the Clan cave last night for daring to ask my Elders about Aether. They could not give a single answer, and the old Dragons argued among themselves, each giving a different answer. Soon after, I was told I had disrupted the harmony of the Flight and was punished."
"Oh? Such disharmony and fell Karma was wrought over this simple question?" Laughed the Attendant. "Well, allow this humble servant to answer what you Elders could not."
Othil became excited as her deepest desires might finally come to fruition.
"Please, Celestial Attendant, could you tell me about the six types of Aether?" She asked. "The Elders could not agree if Aether was inside the body or outside in the air."
"Hmm, I believe your Elders may have confused the three Aether Attunements with the three Prana Energy." They said after meditating on a proper answer. "Each has a deep resonance with the other, but they are separate. Aether is the gift of Vajrayana and is attuned to either the truth of Yin, the truth of Yang, or the truth of Neutrality. Mana, Qi, and Essence are Prana Energies that we are all born with. It is by infusing Yin into Mana, Yang into Qi, and Neutrality with Essence that allows Cultivators to traverse the Dao in search of true Enlightenment."
"But I am confused." Admitted Othil shyly. "The Elders taught that it is the aspects of Body, Mind, and Soul that must be Cultivated to surpass the limits of Mortality and reach Enlightenment."
"In that, the elder dragons are completely correct. Though those aspects of one's self are known collectively as the Eternal Foundations." The Attendant praised with the warm smile of a proud parent. "Remember, child, all things are connected. To reach Enlightenment, traverse the Dao. To traverse the Dao, Cultivate the Eternal Foundations. To Cultivate the Eternal Foundations, accept the gift of Vajrayana."
"You make it sound so simple." Said Othil, doubt clouding her heart. "But if it were so, then why aren't my Elders Cultivators?"
"Nothing is simple in this life, little dragon. Though the destination is known, the journey of Cultivation is difficult and long. That is why the Celestial Court Sect has gifted Mortals with not only a tried and tested Cultivation Method, but also a Class Core to guide our development. That is the way of the Diamond Tantra, a path open to all."
Class Core? Was something like that necessary? She believed only a Method was needed to quicken the journey to Enlightenment. Allowing Aether to be absorbed at its natural pace would take too long. That was why, while the oldest Dragons were the strongest, they could never stand against a proper Cultivator.
"A Class Core truly is a wonder, the ultimate tool for Cultivation." They laughed, seeing the bewildered expression worn by the Little Dragon. "The Class Core reveals the strengths and weaknesses of one's Eternal Foundations as six distinct aspects measuring power and control. With a guiding hand, a Class Core allows a Mortal to directly choose where improvements are made. As no two Mortals are the same, so too are no journeys identical."
"The Diamond Tantra is incredible!" Cheered Othil, her wings flapping with anticipation. "How do I start my journey towards Enlightenment?!"
"You must wait until your 17th year, my eager little dragon. Then seek out a Pagoda to take the first step towards eternity." Said the Celestial Attendant as they rose high into the air on their crackling thunderstorm. "I must attend to my heavenly duties now. Goodbye, my child, and prosperity to your Dao."
Othil the Little Dragon watched in awe as the Cultivator zipped over the boundless sea faster than anyone she'd ever met. A moment later, when the Attendant disappeared over the horizon, Othil jumped into the sky herself. She flew as quickly as her little blue wings could take her to the Clan cave, eager to tell her clutchmates of a better future waiting for them all.
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...What the hell was that?
The Professor stared hard at the five pages written in the Monk's neat handwriting. Then he looked at Ego, who continued meditating without a care for his plight. Eventually, he gave in to his curiosity and confronted them.
"Is this retaliation for the laptop?" he asked, waving the notebook in front of their eyes.
"It's a faithful translation." The Spirit answered, their first full sentence in hours. "The only alterations I did was cut out the 10+ pages of flowery descriptions and unnecessary information."
"...It's blatant propaganda."
"The original tale is meant for young Noble children of respected Clans." They snorted before closing their eyes. "If anything, my translation helped make the characters at least somewhat tolerable. Over half of the pages I excluded were just the so-called amazing things the Attendant bragged about doing. Also, the original author made Othil's character sound far more like a country bumpkin from the hills. Honestly, I don't know why the author had such a heavy ax to grind."
If that was the case, then there wasn't much to be done.
Propaganda or not, the information revealed from little Othil's meeting with this Court agent went a long way in his research. Not only were there names to almost all of the phenomena that Perception of the Stone Sage revealed, but the text also gave a general direction of how progression in one's Cultivation was achieved.
Granted, that information would only mean something once Morgan found a way to take that unknown first step without the Court's help. But this was only the first day, they had time. For now, he should create and organize a written database of knowns and unknowns.
A light bulb suddenly lit up.
"Ego, I have to say that I'm impressed by your writing skills." Praised the Professor honestly. "Personally, I've never been able to write anything but reports. But you've got some real talent here."
"...Thank you." The Spirit opened one blue orb to regard him.
"If you want, I wouldn't mind giving you a few notebooks and pens for personal use." He said, extending an olive branch of peace.
"...What would I write about?" They asked with raised brows, their attention entirely on him.
"Hmm… I substituted for a creative writing class once. At the time, the class was finishing an assignment where they had to choose a historical event, change it, and write about the new timeline. Maybe do that, but for the media you're missing out on." He suggested, though the Professor felt like there was a term or two for what he was referring to. "I'm going to start writing down what we know, so feel free to take whatever you want from the table."
Morgan turned away from the Spirit… only to find Ego already at the research table, pulling out a chair.
"I will do all the writing for your research. I have seen the messy scrawl you call handwriting. If I don't help, you'll go through the notebooks before I can take a few." Ego smiled warmly for the first time in hours, but a frown quickly took over as they finally noticed the state of the bandages and his attire. Or lack thereof. "We can start after you clean yourself up."
His stomach growled audibly.
"I should eat first." He admitted reluctantly, annoyed with his limited biology getting in the way of his work. "Could you check on Momo while I start cooking?"
The Spirit agreed, and after they disappeared, Morgan brought out the box of assorted MREs. As the Human dug around for something even remotely edible in that box of dehydrated horrors, he cursed himself for not splurging on fresh produce. With limited funds, Morgan chose to forgo a more appealing food selection for practicality. Foolishness, even if it was $35 a kilogram of stake, he should have at least-
*Pop* The increasingly familiar noise of sudden air displacement echoed in the cave.
"What the hell?" Whispered the Scientist as he looked at the jade ring in confusion. Had he accidentally stored something?
*Pop*
There it was again, but its origin was definitely somewhere else. What on earth was happening? Could this be another attack so soon after the first?
*Pop*
"Er!" Came a panicked chirp from on top of his chest. "Er! Er!"
"Momo?" He asked, and sure enough, he found the distressed Princess clinging to his hair. "How did-"
[-she get all the way here?] Ego finished the question in his mind, their avatar nowhere in sight. [Stop looking for me, I'm still in the tent. As for your question, I have a theory I want to test out. I'm going to manifest near you in my incorporeal form; ignore me and watch Momo very closely.]
[...Alright.] He projected back, curiosity overriding caution.
Taking her in his hand, the Professor consoled the reptile with chin scratches and soft reassurances, pretending not to see the blue robes appear in his peripheral.
A moment later, Momo suddenly froze in place. Yet Ego frowned down at her in confusion.
"That's odd. I expected an entirely different reaction when I became visible." They reached out with a spectral hand, a knuckle extended to gently stroke the nervous creature's back.
Just before contact could be made, Momo's slitted pupils suddenly contracted before-
*Pop* Air rushed to fill the empty space where a gecko once occupied.
"ERR!" The Princess chirped furiously at the evil Spirit from on top of her parent's head. "ERR! ERR! ERR!"
"Hee! Hee-hehehehe!" The Spirit fell to their knees in a burst of uncontainable giggles. "I knew it! She did the same thing when I tried to pet her in her enclosure and every time I tried to pick her up."
"Well, there you have it." Chuckled the Professor as he tried calming her without bursting into laughter himself. "Ego, you have successfully proven that Momo can not only teleport, but that she also really doesn't like you."
That remark killed their laughter rather quickly.