The world is one of great prosperity and great poverty. Those who ascend and those who are but fuel for others to excel. This is the sacred realm of immortals. This realm is blessed with heavenly chi that cultivators refine within their bodies and souls.

My name is Rook, and the world that I know is one of poverty and suffering.

Those known as immortals have long taken advantage of their powers to take what they please.

My family and my friends, strangers, and acquaintances. All have been affected by the avarice and greed of those who stand above.

My village is far from the more populated cities. But that doesn't stop the immortals from coming down as gods and taking what they please.

This day, like others, I am busy scavenging for medicinal herbs to earn my daily income.

The hill behind my village is a good source of common herbs.

I have what I think is a worthy haul and begin my trek back to the village.

A glint of light meets my eyes as I turn to the path home.

At first, I think nothing of it. But then, I see the reflection of light grow closer.

I'm dumbfounded as I watch a man speed towards me through the air. His weight resting on a flying sword.

I watch, stunned, as the man draws ever closer to me. At first, I can't help but think that his target must be on the horizon beyond me.

But then, he says, "Great fortune has come to you, little worm."

I look around in alarm.

The immortal jumps from his flying sword and lands before me.

His sword continues flying on a path directed at me.

I want to will myself away from death's path but find myself petrified.

The man flicks one of his fingers, and the sword turns from its path and loops around to be sheathed in its scabbard.

The immortal stands before me.

"Thank the fates for your fortunes. You are now a conscript of the Divided Fates immortals' sect."

Before I can evade, the man steps forward and brings two fingers to my forehead. From here, the world goes dark.

I come into consciousness at night. Beneath me is a bed roll. A slight chill claims my body as I note the blankets beneath me.

All about me, I can hear breathing and snoring.

My mind races as I try to remember what happened to me.

Was I abducted by an immortal?

I find my feet beneath me and scan the room for an exit.

It is through many sleeping men that I find my exit. I am careful as I tread past the unconscious men.

At last, I break free from the gauntlet and reach the door.

In the next room, I see a man seated. His eyes closed.

Can I reach the door without the man noticing? Freedom lies just beyond this new trial.

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I inch out into the room. I reach the halfway point when I hear, "Return to your bedroll."

I look over to see the man still seated with his eyes closed.

I break off from my silent encroachment and begin running for the door.

I find myself just shy of the door when a massive weight comes over me.

Before I know it, I'm on the ground.

I look at the man and see him still seated with his eyes closed.

"I will not repeat myself, little acolyte."

The weight is released, and I carefully come to my feet.

I look sadly to the exit and resign myself to my abductors' will.

I find myself in a room full of men and come to where I first gained consciousness.

My bedroll is uncomfortable, but I have no avenue to escape. The powers of the immortals are beyond a mortal like me.

The night passes into day as I fail to find sleep among the snoring men.

As the troop rises, I spot a few other men confounded by their abduction.

"Shut up, rookie," one of the more senior men says.

The troop exits before the watchful eye of the guard I'd met during the night.

I follow the men and soon find myself before a tool shed.

We are each given an axe, shovel, or pickaxe.

With an axe in hand, I hold the hope that I can fight my way out of here.

But, then, I sigh in understanding. I'm trapped.

I find myself in the woods where other men are busy cutting down trees and making planks and firewood.

The labor is steady and only lasts until midday. I'm surprised that none of my fellows complain about the slave labor.

My thoughts turn to questioning our captivity.

"Hey," I turn to a random man. "What's going on? Where are we?"

The man looks like he doesn't want to talk to me. But he says, "This is the Divided Fate sect. You should be able to figure the rest out on your own. Take my advice, don't ask questions."

I'm left to mull over his words.

Soon, we turn in our tools.

Several of my fellow acolytes pull out pamphlets and find a corner to read in peace.

Others find their way to an elegantly crafted wooden building.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I follow suit and enter the building.

As soon as I cross the threshold, I feel a weight come over me and my vision grows foggy.

I stumble forward and grope around to find a book, 'Cultivating the Constellations.'

I take the manual and stagger out of the fatiguing building.

As soon as I pull away from the building, I feel my vitality return.

I take a second look at my book. No one stopped me from carrying it out. And I watch other people come out from the hazy building, tomes in hand.

It's more than just the men I share a communal living space with.

Several women come and go from the building.

I am out of my depth in all this.

First abducted and now expected to train as a cultivator.

I think of escaping and returning home to my family.

But then, I see someone patrolling on a flying sword, scanning the wood line.

With a sigh, I turn back to the barracks. It's dim for lack of light, even with the windows opened.

I find a nearby tree and lean upon it. My manual opens before me.

The tome reads, 'The cultivation of the soul is the purpose of all immortals.

'Before transcending mortality, one must first cultivate their dantian.

'This dantian, or energetic core, is the foundation upon which all internal energies are manifested.

'The purpose of this manual is to instruct the aspiring immortal on the cosmic nature of the energies of the heavens.

'To begin learning cosmic cultivation, it is necessary to recognize the mechanical nature of the heavens.

'It is an incredible array that can be harnessed in one's cultivation.

'The vital Yin energies of the night are crucial to stellar cultivation.

'But, beware, Yin must be balanced with Yang. The sun is your ally. Consider the dao of the heavens in your cultivation.'

The tome leads me in breathing exercises and mantras.

I've heard tales of immortals and their greed for my whole life. I can't help but wonder why they would bring someone with nothing, like me, into their ranks.

I want to ask my peers why they're being so generous.

Instead of getting answers to my questions, I focus on the training in the manual.

I breathe in and out.

I cycle the air into me and then out again.

It strikes me that I'm just breathing.

The mantra repeats in my mind.

A tingle forms in my belly as I breathe deep into my diaphragm. This must be the beginning of my energetic core.

I fall into a rhythm and can almost taste the chi of heaven and earth upon my tongue.

Day passes into night, and I realize that my meditation has grown long.

It's jarring to be in such deep concentration and awaken to the world changed.

As I stand up, I recognize this as the moment to witness the heavens and see if I can glean insights into the magical array of the stars and moon.

This sight is so like my home's vantage of the stars. But I can't help but think about my captivity.

The stars make the world seem so much more expansive.

I look at my manual and watch the arcane runes glow in the moonlight.

The constellations were named and patterned for me to absorb the information. The time of year tells me what stars will be visible and their story.

I get lost in thought, wrapped up in my cultivation.

Hours pass, and I see the sky warm with the light of dawn.

All at once, I realize that I haven't returned to my bedroll.

I begin to stand when I notice company behind me.

A wizened figure can be seen standing back from where I had reclined.

The man looks me over as I stand.

I can't help but feel self-conscious under the man's gaze.

"Cultivating the constellations," the man states. "You should be careful not to advance too quickly."

I nod my head dumbly. I need clarification on what the man means.

The tome did say that the yin energies dominate at night. Does he mean I should take my time to balance the Yang to the Yin?

Whatever he means, I take his advice to heart.

I know the custom of respect. My palm comes over my fist.

The old man waves dismissively and turns, walking off to his affairs.

I find my way back to the barracks, the morning routine readily engaged by the rested acolytes.

For the first time since coming here, I feel exhausted. My lack of sleep catching up on me all at once.

The warden of the barracks looks me over before motioning for me to join my peers.

This time, I receive a pickaxe.

The path I follow takes me to a nearby mountain. It's a strenuous hike. But, we find a quarry at the foot of the hill.

The troop of Divided Fates acolytes begins a steady mining effort.

Despite my exhaustion, I labor alongside my peers.

From the quarry come gemstones and ores. I'm confused as to how this service improves the sect.

All the stock may be sold to make money for my abductors.

I harvest many crystals from a vein of what looks to be copper ore.

The day passes slowly as one of my fellows occasionally comes over to collect my findings.

It occurs to me that perhaps every one of us has been kidnapped to labor for the immortals who rule as gods.

A sickness comes over me as I feel the world spiral around me.

From there, I give up my labors for the day.

While I pick up my tool and leave the quarry, my peers continue their labors.

Exhausted, I trudge along the path to the barracks, where I find my bedroll and close my eyes to sleep.