“Aurora.”
“Hello, Shadow.”
Two people stood facing each other. A man and a woman. They were covered entirely in black attire, with only their heads exposed to the elements.
“I’m glad you could make it. I have questions.”
“I have not come here on your summon. Master is getting impatient. Your reports have been few and far between, not to mention that the things you uncovered are not exactly revealing.”
Shadow frowned. “How can I discover more if we are stuck underground all the time? If Master gave us the option to travel the Sect’s lands, I’m sure we could uncover more of his secrets.”
Aurora closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. “That’s why I’m here. You should soon receive the word from the Elder. You are going on an adventure.”
“Adventure?”
“Some thugs raided a border village. Master wants you to take them out and bring stability to the region.”
“Thugs? You mean bandits? Isn’t that a job for someone else?” Shadow questioned with a raised brow.
“The situation is a bit more… complicated. Listen, just do what you are told. This should be the opportunity you are looking for. Don’t mess it up.” She beamed at the end, but the threat was received.
Shadow gritted his teeth and said nothing. It had been some time, and he uncovered no deep secrets, even though he knew Gerald had plenty. This expedition was just something that might answer some questions.
His explosive growth, for example. He didn’t understand how a man could jump Realms in a matter of months, from a common Mortal to the Golden Core Realm. And he was even stronger than him. Him! A peak Golden Core Cultivator! Heavens were unjust!
“Now, you said you had questions?”
“Ah, yes…” Shadow shook his head and got his thoughts back under control. “I heard you looked at his fate… Or fates.”
Aurora rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. “Oh, that. Don’t even… Aaargh! Yes, damn it! I’ve seen his fate, and it makes no sense. The strings, there are so many of them. Each living being should have a string of fate that would show the general direction of their life.”
She covered her face with one hand and continued. “But his don’t. They keep changing, morphing, combining, and splitting as if they are alive. I have never seen so much instability in someone’s life. You have no idea how hard it is to focus on just one, let alone thousands. It makes me sick.”
Shadow gritted his teeth and then spoke. “And you have no idea why?”
“Not a clue.” Aurora shook her head. “That’s way over my abilities.”
“Damn it!” Shadow bit his finger in anger, thinking. “Can you check me? Maybe you can see something since we’ve been close for so long.”
“Oh, yeah, sure!” Aurora agreed. “Let me see now… What do we have h-” Her words remained unsaid and her expression morphed into a deep frown.
“What is it?”
“Don’t move.” Aurora said and removed her gloves. “I’m going to have to take a closer look.”
Without waiting for a confirmation, her hands gained a swirling golden mist and her eyes began to glow in the darkness. She grabbed Shadow's face and pulled him closer, staring intently into his eyes.
Shadow stared back wide-eyed but otherwise didn’t resist. They stood like that for a whole minute.
“Ah… Hmm… I see…” Aurora murmured. “That’s… Hmm…”
She released him and began walking in small circles, murmuring to herself.
“What happened? What did you see?” Shadow asked with an undertone of concern.
“So much uncertainty… But how can it be both? Are they both equally likely? What if-”
“Hey!” Shadow grabbed her and shook her by the shoulders. “What did you see?”
Aurora looked at him with a tinge of sorrow. “I’m sorry.” She said.
Shadow's eyes widened and he released her, taking a step back. “What did you…” He squeezed his fists. “You saw my death, didn’t you?”
“No, no.” She waved her hands dismissively, but then paused. “Yes? I mean, kind of, but not really?”
“What are you saying? Speak clearly!” Shadow shouted, frustrated.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“It’s confusing, okay?! It’s both! I saw your death but also not! You are going to die in less than a week, but you also won't. There is a chance for life, but the path there is surrounded with death!”
“What… What does that mean? What am I supposed to do then?!” Shadow questioned, mildly panicked.
“I don’t know. I don’t know! I can’t affect fate, not like this, not so quickly. I don’t have enough information or enough time. I can’t help you, I’m sorry.”
Shadow stumbled and nearly lost his footing. “I’m going to die? So soon?” He never thought his death would be so loudly announced. By one of his own no less.
“Maybe not. Do you believe in free will?” Aurora whispered.
Shadow looked at her. “Isn’t everything decided for us in advance? Isn’t that what fate is?”
Aurora smiled grimly and shook her head. “Fate. It is a test from the Heavens. The strings of fate allow us a glimpse of the most likely outcome, but it can be changed. Events can be nudged into a different direction, or removed entirely, but such things are rare and have to be done by the individual. Not even my teacher can alter the fate of another on a whim.”
She sighed. “If you refused Master’s order, and didn’t do your job… You could avoid that fate, you know? But…”
“We both know I can’t do that. I would lose everything then. I can’t afford it.” Shadow said grimly. He was well aware of what would happen if he rebelled against Master. That was guaranteed misery, if not certain death. He had no choice.
“For what it’s worth…” Spoke Aurora. “I think you were a decent leader. Take care.”
“Just decent…” As Shadow watched her leave a feeling of melancholy washed over him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Fuck my life.”
----------------------------------------
[Don’t mind if I do!]
Vilya just took off her clothes and invited me to join her in bed. I grinned and just grabbed the corner of my clothes when I heard Elder Li’s voice, calling me.
[Oh, come on!]
For the Elder to come so suddenly in the morning, it couldn’t be anything good. I instantly felt as if a bucket of icy water was poured on my head, and the fire inside me died down. I lowered my head and sighed, straightened my clothes, and walked out. The Elder was waiting in the Arena. Somehow that became the de facto meeting place. It was the most spacious anyway.
[I’m here!] I called. Shadow and Darkness were already waiting there, and the former looked like he had just eaten shit. That lifted my mood, though not by much.
Elder Li stood with his hands behind his back, observing as I approached.
“Gerald.”
[Elder Li.] I cupped my fists. [What’s the occasion?]
“Hmph.” Elder Li snorted and rolled his eyes while not seeming too happy. “Sect Master has a task for you.” He said emotionlessly and glanced at the other two. “For all three of you.”
[What is it?]
Not giving any immediate explanation, Elder Li took a folded piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over. It was a map.
“A band of thugs attacked one of our villages on the border and are now demanding a ransom, saying they will execute everyone if it’s not delivered.” He glanced over as I unfolded the map. The village was to the far north-eastern side of the Sect’s territory.
“They are demanding 10.000 Spirit Stones, which is ridiculous. The village is at most worth 100, not to mention the Sect is never going to pay out of principle. Your task is to go there and sort out this embarrassing situation.”
[Oh!] My mood brightened even more as I realized the implication. [I get to fight bandits? I love fighting bandits!]
“Yes… According to the reports, they shouldn’t be too strong, not that Rogue Cultivators often are. With their help, it should be a breeze.” He gestured towards the other two with his chin. “I understand there might be unwanted casualties in the village, especially if the scum gets unreasonable, but try not to raze the entire place to the ground if at all possible. We need to show a strong front to the world so that other lunatics will know the Myriad Beast Sect is not to be messed with!”
[Yes, sir!] I almost saluted but quickly changed the gesture to a cupped fist. [Oh, but does that mean I’m free to leave the Sect now?]
“In a way…” Elder Li gave a noncommittal answer. “The people there expect an answer in three days at most, after that, they will start killing. Preferably you should get there before that. Then let's say a day to sort things out, and then travel back. That should give you a week outside the Sect.”
“I’ll vouch for you for seven days, but anything more than that is out of my control.” Elder Li added at the end.
[Perfect! We’ll be on our way immediately!]
“Good. I’ll trust you to sort it out then. Just remember. We don’t negotiate with thieves and thugs. Whether you want to bring them back, alive or dead, or just chase them away, that’s your decision. Just make sure they don’t come back.”
[It will be done. I guarantee you won't hear about them ever again.] I promised with a serious expression. I was so excited! Freedom at last!
“Good. I’ll leave you to it then.”
Elder Li just left when Vilya came out of her room dressed in her usual modest everyday clothes, looking curious as to what was going on.
[Woo-hoo! Gather your things and get ready, losers! We are going on an adventure!] I shouted. I then turned to Vilya. [Hey, pack up your things, we’re going bandit hunting!]
“Bandit hunting?” She asked.
“Hey! What do you think you are doing?! You can’t bring her with us, this is not a game, it’s serious stuff!” Shadow finally made his opinion heard. Weirdly he didn’t seem surprised by Elder’s announcement while Darkness was. He was probably getting insider information and wasn’t sharing it, the bastard.
[Why not?]
“You are not seriously thinking of bringing a pampered whore on such a dangerous expedition? Not to mention she’s weak! Extremely so!”
[Okay, first of all…] I stepped behind Vilya and placed my hands on her shoulders. She was significantly smaller than me even though she was older. A difference in Body Cultivation and all that.
[She’s my whore, alright? Mine! And for once I agree with you, she is weak. Probably even a burden in a fight.] I said.
“Then-!”
[But so are you! As is your sister.]
“She’s not my sister!”
[Look dude, I’m not going to judge… The fact is that I could, and have, taken down all of you, and that was before. Now I could easily kill all of you without breaking a sweat. So, what does it matter if I take an extra person with me? Even if she is weak, I’m not. That’s all that matters.]
“Guys?” Vilya chirped as she listened to the, somewhat unflattering, exchange of words with clearly escalating undertones.
[Besides, what’s a good fight without some high stakes? Isn’t that right?] I patted her on the shoulders.
“Um… I don’t think I should-”
[Alright! Good talk! I’ll be back in an hour. Make sure you have everything packed by then.]
Without further ado, I walked over to Tiny quickly disassembled his body, and stuffed it into my pouch. Well, multiple of them, because one just wasn’t enough. I then ran out of the underground and went to buy a few things I thought might come in handy on our little camping trip.
I was so excited! It had been so long since I left the confines of the Sect. And things that were forbidden were so much sweeter. And who knows, maybe I would even find a new core for Tiny. A man could dream.