"Oh?" Giggled Eris, pausing before she took a sip from the cup. "So tell me, Arbiter of Earth, what will be required to allow us entry to Cosmos?"
"Nothing unreasonable. I just want to secure a path of survival for my people." Said Morgan casually as he waited for his attentive Host to take another sip. As soon as her lips made contact, he spoke rapidly. "I'll need the following.
The Arbiter of Earth gave his demands. His non-negotiable demands.
*Thbptttttttt!*
The Bodhisattva spit the mouthful of steaming liquid in shock, soaking what little floor reminds off her left side.
"Boundless Void!" Eris cursed, golden liquid dripping down her porcelain chin. "An Earth Faction? Are you mad!?"
"No more than when I was invited here." He shrugged before tilting his head curiously. "Also, that's the part you're upset about, the creation of a new Fraction?" He grabbed a cord of hair and began spinning it. "I would have thought the territory sphere would be the top complaint."
"Cosmos is an entire Universe." She sniffed grumpily as the mess from her spit-take disappeared in an instant. "A single Galaxy will hardly be missed. As for your people, I suppose such an undertaking would be difficult if the numbers were nine trillion." She pointed a finger at him, and he saw the black pigment coating it fluctuating back and forth in her agitation. "A Faction is the highest form of recognized government. Their territory normally encompasses the majority of a Realm."
"Perfect." Said Morgan, half listening to her while finalizing the details of his idea. "Then such a large force must have many laws protecting it from being attacked by the other Factions. I'm confident the Realms would have been unified by now if that weren't the case."
"You wish for Earthlings to remain independent?" Her eyes narrowed until they became slits with pink and white suns shining through the gaps. "Professor, such a thing is impossible to maintain in the long term without sufficient power. Even if they are made a Faction and gain all the protection, it will only be a matter of time before they become puppets."
"Yes. I know. And I agree." He answered her question, statement, and prediction emotionlessly. "But I am a teacher, not a doctor. I can only help them save themselves." He ceased fidgeting with his hair as a thought struck him. "You said Augustus was your Faction leader. Does there need to be a single entity on command for a Faction to be recognized?"
"Not at all. Several are run by multiple Clans or other such organizations."
"Good." He nodded and resumed his fidgeting. "We can circle back to leadership in a moment. I want to set strict guidelines for what's to come."
"Why would guidelines be needed if I am overseeing this operation?" She asked in a sweet, innocent tone that nobody in either Universe would believe.
"Well, I've met you for a start." He deadpanned.
The dreary conversation went on far longer than any of them wanted it to go. Whenever Morgan thought it was finally over, Eris asked a question or noted a potential loophole that could be exploited. It soon became clear she was doing it to get a rise out of him. However, he played along as every point she made to spite him was one more chink in humanity's armor covered. After an hour, they were both exhausted and were starting to wish 28-284 chose a Gatekeeper who would have just taken the fucking bribe. Regardless of the cost, he was satisfied with how humans should be treated and treat each other during their stay.
"Thank the sweet merciful Dao; this torment is over." Came the muffled groan from the reality-warping divinity. She had buried her face in a throne pillow around the 35-minute mark.
"Not yet." The Professor grunted sourly as he eyed his empty coffee cup and considered getting a fifth refill. His leg bouncing under the table informed him that the answer would be no. "We have to talk about Faction leadership."
Morgan pretended not to hear the quiet sobs coming from the other side of the table. Though internally, he had to wonder what a greater power prayed to when they found themselves in the damned foxhole.
Thankfully, that conversation was over in a quarter of the time. By the end, Eris had actually regained much of her good mood.
"I can not believe that I am actually looking forward to this." She giggled as the pillow was returned to its rightful place. "Dear Professor, I must say that you have some interesting views on elections."
"I'll take that as a compliment." He nodded before frowning as he couldn't recall if the joke had been made already. They had been seated at this table for almost two hours now, and he could tell his joints would have their revenge when he eventually needed to use them. This meeting had lasted so long that it felt like night should have descended on the planet by now. Yet the setting sun refused to move from its place… No matter, the time was well spent. Soon, it would be over. "My task as Arbiter is now over."
Eris, Bodhisattva of Discord and Strife, scowled at him and spoke not a word. She was waiting for something—waiting for him, he realized.
Morgan let out a sigh as the game was over before it could even start. She had gotten a reasonably accurate handle on the wily Mortal.
"Now we can talk about my payment as Gatekeeper." He chuckled without mirth as Eris glared at him. The chuckle died when he felt the wind pick up again. "Relax. I only have one goal I need help with. No need to throw a hurricane at me."
"I will determine what will be thrown," she huffed and crossed her arms, "after I hear this goal. I warn you now, my superiors will not like your terms for your people."
"Then tell them they're non-negotiable," he suggested helpfully. When the wind only got stronger, he cut to the point. "As you may have noticed, I'm not the biggest fan of the Diamond Method."
"Truly?" Eris said sarcastically, the pink and white eyes flickering to where he evicted that poor baked good over the edge. "I would not have guessed."
"Well, now you know." He said, ignoring the snark. "That being said, I am very interested in everything else Vajrayana has to offer."
The wind died down as his Host shot up in her seat. His words must have sent off alarm bells because she assumed the worst.
"Surely you are not considering exploring Vajrayana without stepping on the path of Cultivation?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I may not like the method, but of course, I will become a Cultivator." Morgan said, waving away her fear. "I simply want to understand all the mechanics in use. So, if divinities like you couldn't figure it out using the popular method, it's most likely a dead end for my purposes. Thankfully, there were once many other Cultivation Methods, so I know my goal is possible. I want-"
"STOP!" Secremed Eris in utter panic, terror in her eyes as they watched the sky. "STOP SPEAKING!"
As if nature were agreeing with her, thunder cracked in the far distance despite the lack of storm clouds.
The outburst was so unexpectedly out of character that he no choice but to shut up, wait, and watch as the Host's hands clapped together before her. When she speaks, the words are ethereal and melodic and utterly alien from anything found back home. Focusing exclusively on this odd task, she slowly pulled the palms apart to reveal a golf-ball size orb of… The Scientist isn't sure. Most of the little sphere was a pitch black and sprinkled generously with tiny glowing specks of white twinkling light. He might have thought Eris had plucked out a piece of the night if he hadn't known better. Luckily, he did know better and didn't say what he thought out loud as he was told to keep quiet.
The more Eris pulled her hands apart, the larger the night-o-sphere got. From golf ball to softball to bowling ball, it grew. By the time she maxed out her arm span, the thing was the size of a yoga ball. His curiosity burned for him to ask about it, and just as Morgan reached his breaking point, the ball popped. Shreds of starry matter engulfed the platform quicker than the eye could follow. Where there was once a sun, a sky, an orchard, and the Gu Sea. There was now an infinite expanse of starry night in all directions. The stars shining above him were one thing, but to see them in every single direction besides down made his head spin.
"Disorienting, I know." She apologized before collapsing deeper onto her throne. "I picked it up from Mama Nyx. A tad flashy for a total concealment Spell, but then again, Mama always did have a flair for the dramatic." Eris glared at him with an anger he couldn't understand. "Much like some Mortals I know. Now speak."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Oh, for the love of all that which irony touches, what did he do this time? The Mortal literally asked for not only the moon and stars for his people. But also the planets, comets, nebulae, and everything else in the goddamned Milky Way, and she didn't bat an eye. Now she was glaring at him like he'd broken the law.
Hmm, that comparison reminded him of something.
"What?" He said while making a mental note to pay his sister a visit after all was said and done. "I just want to study Aether and all the wonders of Vajrayana to create my own Method of Cultivation. So, as Gatekeeper of Cosmos, I only request any assistance that can be given. What's so wrong with that?"
"I knew it," the Host grumbled to herself while attempting to massage the stress from her temples. Her voice became low and toneless as she mimicked him. "What is so wrong with that?"
"Are you people just not allowed to use contractions or..."
"To begin with, what you have just requested is highly illegal." She snapped waspishly. "As a Bodhisattva, a being created by the Diamond tantra, I have the right and duty to smite a Mortal for even suggesting something so dangerous."
"Danger is an old friend, and whether or not I die has already been decided," snorted the Scientist. "Besides, where I come from, laws are more like suggestions."
"Dear Professor, please see reason. The danger of killing yourself from Aether misuse is not the biggest problem you will face. Your greatest foe will be time. Those extinct Cultivation Methods had countless years to develop to the point where they were even remotely viable. You will expire long before overcoming the first hurdle of even refining Aether. With your age, I doubt there are more than 160 to 180 years of Essence left in you."
Morgan stared at her.
"...I'm sorry. I must've not have heard you clearly. My ears aren't what they used to be." The old man wheeled himself across the floor and came to a stop beside her throne. "Could you repeat that for me?"
"Hmm... I suppose my estimation might be a tad too conservative." Eris's brows furled as she closely examined Morgan's arched brow. "Did I give offense?"
Oh shit, the woman was serious. Just what was in the Vajrayana water that made vanilla Mortals live to be a quarter of a century?
"No." He said slowly, not liking the turn the conversation had taken. "You're a little off with your prediction. I'm an old man. At 77, I doubt I have more than a decade or so left in me."
"Death before a century? KA-KAKAKA!" Cackled Eris, slapping the table at the perceived joke. "Now that is ridiculous; imagine having a lifespan so small! What a tragedy to have so little time to-"
Eris's eternally youthful expression froze when she saw his aged complexion. Morgan's old, withered, time-worn face looked back at hers. Slowly, her perfect eyebrows crept higher and higher as she realized he, too, was serious.
It hurt. It pained Morgan almost more than any injury when Eris realized the truth—that the ephemeral being in front of her wouldn't even live half as long as a Mortal from her Universe.
"A tragedy?" A bar of steel reinforced the Scientist's voice. "At age 27, I committed myself to pursue my passions, no matter the personal cost. I wanted to study habits few even knew existed, so I explored nearly every corner of Earth. Everywhere, From the ocean depths to mountain peaks to war-torn jungles. It was dangerous and unpredictable work, so I honed the martial arts I had abandoned. Practicing combat for my own ends made the training enjoyable, and I quickly became addicted to the convenience of strength. At my peak, my name could've been among the strongest alive, even if I never chased that dream. Eventually, time did take its toll, and my body could no longer handle the strain of expeditions or tournaments. So, I took a position at my old school to devote myself to academia. As age withered the flesh, my understanding of reality's mechanics and properties grew tenfold. This position came at the cost of taking up teaching and allowed me to discover I had a passion for guiding young minds to their full potential. When I received your call, I answered as soon as possible because this old fool just had to know who could be calling at this late hour of my life. Consequences be damned; I wanted to have one last adventure to close out a life filled with them. So tell me, if I died at this moment, would you call a life lived like that a tragedy?"
Eris looked away without answering, though the reddening tips of her ears told the whole story. The near-immortal's embarrassment filled him with guilt. Her insult was given in ignorance, not malice.
When the Professor spoke again, he tried for a gentler tone. Few could ever tell the difference with his emotionless voice, but what else could he do but try?
"For 50 years, I have chased whatever has caught my attention, and I am not afraid to say that the answer to my question… is yes." Morgan looked at her, and whether he knew it or not, his eyes burned like those of the young man in those photos. "So I can't die until I've tried everything to pursue my goal. So I will ask you again, Eris. Will you please help this poor old fool?"
"I…" The Bodhisattva hesitated to say before surrendering to the fire burning in the human. "I will. Though be warned now. For this goal, what help I give will likely cost you far more than what you might gain. Even if you succeed, peace will forever elude you. Life will become a constant struggle, and whatever Fated end awaiting you is unlikely to be a peaceful one."
"BWAHAHA! I expected nothing less from you!" Morgan roared with manic satisfaction. "That fate is fine with me. What will be, will be."
"KA-KAKAKA!" Cackled Eris in amazement. "Laughing?! At your probable death!? What an oddity you are, my dear Professor!"
Morgan took the observation in the way it was given, a compliment from a like-minded individual. The Earthling and Vajrayian, the term for a citizen of Vajrayana, laughed until they could stomach no more.
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Another hour came and went as their meeting finally neared the end.
"This seems like a bad idea…" The Professor muttered as he wiped the sweat off his brow with the left hand and shakily held his gifted apple in the other. "I'm not sure how the Iliad went down on this side of the Void, but I'm pretty confident nobody ate the damn thing in the myth."
"Much the same happened in my history, but the reason can be chalked up to vanity and not caution." Eris giggled as she examined his signature on the Accord. "Aphrodite wanted a trophy to lord over the other Olympians and still has it displayed on Olympus to this very day. I use it to spy on the whole Sect from time to time. The stupid whore still hasn't realized after all this time."
"I'll remember that next time I need to infiltrate the pantheon." Morgan sniffed at the golden apple suspiciously. The soft scent of sweetness made his stomach heave, but then again, so did everything else at the moment. "And you're sure it's safe to do this so soon after the Soul Graft. I won't fall apart like a building that survived the quake but not the aftershock?"
He'd never make that mistake again.
"The threat of death is nearly nonexistent. I can not say such an outcome is impossible, only improbable." Consoled, the Bodhisattva with all the gentleness of a pharmaceutical company. "Now, be quick. It is best to form the connection now while your Soul is too preoccupied with incorporating the new addition to notice the foreign body. As soon as the connection is made, I will need to send you to Cosmos before the concealment Spell ends and the Heavens take notice of you."
"Are cryptic warnings how you say goodbye in this Universe?" He snorted.
"Eat quickly." She insisted, casting a concerned look at the stars around them. "We have seconds before you bring a Calamity down on our heads."
A Calamity? Took one to know one.
Still, she had a point. He'd literally signed up for this, so he might as well embrace the suck and get it over with. But before that came to pass, the Guest needed to say something to his Host.
"Goodbye, Eris." He said, bring the accused fruit up to his mouth. "If we meet again, it'll be among the stars."
The Human bit into the Apple of Discord.
*Crunch*
His teeth found no issue piercing the skin. An explosion of sweet and tart flavor burst onto his tongue. The taste was a bit closer to Honeycrisp than the more appropriately named Golden Delicious.
*Gulp*
He braised himself for another hellish experience as his ancient being was modified yet again… Only it wasn't as bad this time around. A warm sensation radiated from his stomach outwards in warm pulsing waves, similar to being injected with dye for a CT scan.
"Did it wor-" Morgan tried to ask, but time had already run out.
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The starry night sky around them dissipated into the winds of the alien world. Though the Professor was nowhere to be seen, only Eris, Progenitor of the original snub, stood on her destroyed pavilion floor.
The nigh-immortal frowned as she gazed at the frozen horizon, an unusual departure from the usual manic smile. For perhaps the first time since confirming her Dao, Eris felt… conflicted.
"I accomplished my task, broke no Oaths, and assisted as much as Fate would allow… and yet." She whispered to no one, perhaps not even to herself. Yet somehow, this billion-year-old being knew, deep in her blood-drenched Soul, that this would not be the end. "Did I go too far?"
The Bodhisattva released her hold on time, and the sky raced forward in a blur to resynchronize with the cosmic pulse of Vajrayana. Night descended in a beat of her ancient heart, bringing with it the countless lights that twinkle in her pink and white eyes.
Stars! When was the last time she properly spent a night stargazing? Not since she was a little girl on the streets of that wretched stump, she knew. Before she promised to burn the Realm that abandoned her and set out on her path…
But, oh! How that young girl looked up at them and wondered what they were. Up above her world, so high, like millions upon millions of diamonds in the sky. How desperately she wanted to be one.
But that man didn't wish to be one. He wanted to understand them.
"Goodbye, Professor." Giggled Eris. Her Soul soothed as anticipation replaced the unease. "I hope we meet again."
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The deal was struck, the Accord between Cosmos and Vajrayana signed, and Charles Morgan had been returned to Earth.
But the Human didn't return alone.