Other than playing around with a woman, I have responsibilities.

Time passes as the competition builds, and Mogun is the star of the martial field. However, there is one Violet Horizon fighter climbing steadily in the ranks.

The day has arrived. The gauntlet of our alchemy trials culminates in a showdown between the two grandmasters of the sects.

Our ranking is so close that either Rain or I could come out on top.

I hold a true respect for my opponent's alchemy silks.

But today is a day for perfection.

The patriarch has seen to securing against the tribulation.

As we begin, I feel the rumble of thunder.

Rain is busy preparing her pill when thunder shakes the stadium again.

I spare none of my focus for the goings on around me.

I hear the hush come over the audience as thunder rumbles once more.

This Dragon's Scream pill will surpass the first. My knowledge and experience are on full display.

I feel grandmaster Rain's attention on me. She has given up the game and focuses on learning everything from my crafting.

Some distance away, the patriarch sits forward in his chair. His entourage with their eyes to the sky.

The patriarch of Violet Horizon also shows his interest.

I dissect my herbs and refine chi into the ingredients. Grain size, humidity, heat, sequence. All are integral facets of the pill that I'm creating.

Rain has left her cauldron and stands protectively over me. Her eyes measuring my every move.

Lightning cuts through the sky as the heavens show their dissatisfaction with my work.

Several ascended immortals take to the air above me.

My anticipation of a perfect pill is no less than that of everyone witnessing the event.

The pill is baking in its final stages, and the lightning and thunder grow angrier.

The first bolt of lightning is intercepted by an ascended immortal. Then another.

The heavens begin venting their rage at being opposed, to perfection on earth.

The pill comes out to cool.

Everything goes silent momentarily, and a blinding light spirals down to earth.

This time, the patriarch himself stands in opposition to heaven.

The lightning doesn't relent. And, before long, he falls back, letting others fend off the heat of the heavens.

The pill cools; and, in a moment, perfection is realized.

"Grandmaster," the patriarch says on his approach. "Give me the pill."

It is a command, but there is a reverence in his voice.

I give my patriarch the pill, and he wastes no time in swallowing it.

"Your excellency, we have to get you out of the village!"

I can hear the moans as he finds his way to a safe place in the open terrain.

I follow the ascended immortal bodyguards.

As chi tendrils expand, I can feel lacerations on my soul body.

As his moans turn to cries, the bodyguards set a wider perimeter.

The Violet Horizon patriarch stands proudly before the perimeter, observing.

The cries become more desperate until, finally, the patriarch screams.

It is a scream beyond the concept of pain. It is a Dragon's Scream, and it happens over and over.

For hours on end, the entirety of Steady Sword sect and leaders of Violet Horizon watch as a powerful patriarch screams the Dragon's Scream.

I think that, in all the times I've consumed the pill, I never sounded so noble as my patriarch does.

Despite the hours that pass and the no man's land around the patriarch, everyone can observe the titanic struggle on display.

Eventually, the patriarch's screams go silent, and his entourage flies in to minister to the weak man.

I note the greed in the Violet Horizon's patriarch's gaze as his eyes meet mine.

The display finishes, and the affairs of the contest are concluded.

Grandmaster Rain has conceded long ago.

My prize is some monetary compensation. But, the renown I will experience after this is beyond value.

Everywhere I pass, I get looks of disbelief.

When I claimed to have made a perfect pill before, most people didn't believe it. But, now my skill has been witnessed.

I retreat to my immortal's cave for the rest of the day.

My array hums as I spread the net and absorb the chi surrounding me.

Day and night merge, and I remain unmoved by the world around me. The master alchemists can mind the apothecary while I rest.

"Sir," I hear someone disturbing my peace.

"Sir."

"Yes, Renald." I cover my annoyance.

"Your presence is requested. The patriarch wants to see you."

I let a sigh escape me as I take to flying sword and travel to the patriarch's hall.

"Director Chambers." I nod in greeting.

"Grandmaster." There is a note of respect in his tone that wasn't there before.

I enter the hall and find a space between two attendants on my side of the table.

"Your Excellency." I bow hand over fist before the patriarch.

"Sit." I am motioned to the empty seat.

Finding my place among the elites of Steady Sword, I observe the patriarch.

His complexion is a bit pale, and I can tell that his soul is crumbling.

But I know this effect. His soul, when healed, will be much stronger than before.

"You know, grand master." He pauses to look at me. "For years now, people in my court have whispered about you. They said you were a liar. That you were deceiving me with feats of strength so astounding they must have been lies.

"I have been waiting years for you to silence the dissenters. And," he pauses again. "That is exactly what you have done.

"Name a reward, and you will have it."

I'm surprised. I hadn't expected a reward for my work other than the one I received for the contest.

I think over what I could ask for. And then, it comes to me.

"Your excellency, I have been dabbling in arrays. But what I need are crystals like quartz and amethyst. Or gems like ruby and sapphire. The stores in the village need to stock more. So, if you find it acceptable, this is how I would like to be rewarded."

The patriarch smiles. "And, here I thought you would graciously decline."

The patriarch lets out a laugh that his attendants share.

"This is good. I want a man with such drive on my council."

It takes me a minute to grasp the patriarch's words.

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"Your Excellency?"

"Grandmaster, please take your place among our ranks.

I'm surprised by what the patriarch is saying. I never even contemplated having a place on the council.

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

The patriarch and most of the council smile encouragingly.

From the stoic faces of a number of the elders, I can tell that not everyone approves. The whisperers the patriarch spoke of.

"Back to the business at hand."

"Patriarch, the daeva incursion is growing while we sit here talking.

"Our realm must take back the pillar of creation."

"That is why the Violet Horizon sect came here, elder Samus. The question is, what do we do about it."

"How many ascended immortals can we send?" comes one voice.

There is a pause as the gathering thinks about it.

"Not enough, elder. The daeva invade like a plague. Even with the Violet Horizon's forces, we are to few."

I find myself needing help in the conversation. I've never heard of daeva before. And now, I learn them to be an insurmountable threat.

"Your excellencies," I begin. "Please forgive my ignorance. But, what's a daeva?"

The gazes of the gathering are neutral. Not condescending.

"Grandmaster," comes the patriarch's voice. "The daeva are demigods from the plane above our Gaia. Since the Calamity, they have bid their time in their realm.

"The pillar of creation is the divider of the realms. It stands as a channel from one realm to the next.

"Like ascended immortals, the daeva have the gift of flight.

"The war of old is rekindling; only some are content to wait for the convergence to be fully realized.

"The daeva are invading, and the old war is upon us now."

I'm dumbfounded by the patriarch's words. I find myself having been complacent in my thoughts.

I nod my head, "Thank you, your excellency."

The meeting discusses the logistics of sending ascended immortals to the front line in this war.

The lower immortals like myself are less suited for the aerial combat the daeva specialize in.

All soldiers must still be sent, and the other sects must be recruited into the war.

I am concerned about the incursion that only grows in force each day. But, I know little on the nature of war.

I try to hold my tongue before these elders to avoid showing my ignorance.

The meeting ends, and we each go about our affairs.

I'm told the hours we are to meet next and have the opportunity to return to my life.

The martial tournament is in its final phase.

Mogun clears the rankings with finesse and is favored for the championship.

Standing opposite Mogun is the powerful Gendry of Violet Horizon.

"Master," comes a voice from behind me.

I turn to see Jack.

"Master, I am amazed by your victory in the alchemy contest."

I smile. "Thank you."

"Grandmaster Rain has been unusually happy since her defeat. She is amazed by your skill and praises you before the Violet Horizon alchemists."

I feel a little embarrassed to have Rain speaking highly of me.

"What do you think of the tournament?"

I turn Jack's attention to the martial contest.

"Your Mogun is strong." Jack looks to the bout. "But, Gendry is just as strong. I can't say who will win when they clash."

I nod my agreement.

There's a frenzy of attention placed on the two champions, and people are busy placing bets on the championship.

The day's competition ends, and the final round has Mogun versus Gendry in tomorrow's concluding fight.

I find my way with Jack to the feast they've been throwing every night.

Jack and I help ourselves to the food on offer.

I've been steadily putting on weight, but I'm ever scrawny.

Finding our way around the feast, Jack and I settle on the ground with cups of rice wine.

"I'm still in shock that you made a perfect pill. What it did to your patriarch... It was terrifying."

"I had a lot of practice making it."

"Who was it that kept you captive back on Fire Island? She must have been powerful to fend off the tribulation."

I nod my head absentmindedly. "I wish I knew. But, in all our years together, I never asked her name. And she never offered it."

My thoughts drift from the immortal of Fire Island to Rain. Both are beautiful in their ways.

As my thoughts come to the beautiful grand master, my eyes catch on black hair and creamy white skin. Then, I see her eyes that shine with the light of her soul.

The red orbs meet mine, and she comes to where I sit with Jack.

"Gr- Grandmaster, please take my seat!" Jack manages to say.

She says nothing as she takes his place across from me.

"Grandmaster Rook." She tilts her head respectfully.

"Grandmaster Rain." I return the nod.

"The stories of you are rapidly becoming legend."

I feel a little pride stir in me.

"The Dragon's Scream is an extraordinary pill to make perfect. But I'd like to know if you can make another pill perfect.

I think on her words. Since perfecting the Dragon's Scream, I've put away thoughts of perfecting another.

"I'm sure you know of the Immortal's Ascendance pill."

I think about it before nodding.

"It's just a thought. But, the pill has no use for an ascended immortal. You could have a perfect pill all your own.

It does have an appeal.

As I am busy thinking of a perfect pill, Renal comes up to me.

"Sir, the patriarch requests your presence."

I look at the black-haired beauty who seems annoyed by the interruption.

"Apologies, grandmaster."

She waves a hand dismissively.

I stand and follow Renald to the stadium overlooking the feast.

Two powerful men are conversing as I stand hand over fist before my patriarch.

I hold this stance until the patriarch addresses me.

"Grandmaster."

"Your Excellency."

"Please," the patriarch motions to an empty chair.

"Thank you, Your Excellency," I manage before taking the seat.

With my seating arranged, the two patriarchs return to the matter of the daeva threat.

I realize this was the entire point behind the festival, to prepare us for war.

"My grandmaster alchemist," the Violet Horizon patriarch says, "has expressed an interest in staying with Steady Sword to learn under your illustrious grandmaster."

The hunger in his eyes makes me feel like he would do anything to get his hands on a perfect pill.

My patriarch is conscious of his counterpart's appetite.

"Are you sure you want to leave behind your greatest alchemist? There are matters that the grandmaster oversees, I'm sure."

The Violet Horizon patriarch waves dismissively. "The mechanism of our sect's apothecary is tried and true. Grandmaster Rain has long cultivated her alchemists. Her absence may encourage greater growth in their skills than her presence.

My patriarch has no arguments to make. He looks at me.

"Grandmaster, are you comfortable with this?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

The patriarch shrugs. "If it is your desire, patriarch, my sect is open to you."

The Violet Horizon patriarch smiles a pleased smile.

The feast winds down, and I'm dismissed.

It's still late at night. And some of the immortals are caught up in their revelry.

My eyes come to where I had been before my summons. Rain still sits there.

I come up beside her, and I can feel the wisps of her consciousness extending out to me.

"Grandmaster," she says, her eyes still closed.

"Grandmaster," I return the greeting.

"So," I say. "You'll be staying with us for a bit longer."

Her eyes open, and she stares at me for a long moment. Her expression a cipher.

"I believe that I can learn much from you, Rook."

I'm surprised by her familiarity.

"It is," she continues, "my aspiration to concoct a perfect pill. But, until your demonstration, I had given up hope of defying the will of heaven.

"The rumors of your feat were so much air until I met you.

"Rather than seeing a perfect pill, I aspire to make one."

I see the fire in her eyes.

"I look forward to our partnership," I say before standing.

"I'll show you around the village."

Rain stands with me, and I take her out to the notable spots in the village.

There are several spots where the fabric of space bends, creating pockets where space expands. The true size of the village is beyond me.

As the morning hours dawn, Rain and I find our way to the apothecary.

The daily goings on of the alchemists are on full display.

Rain watches in silence as I take to the paperwork mandatory for my job.

She stands impassive as the hours pass. Finally, I catch up on my paper and take her to a pill furnace.

Rain had wanted to see if I could craft a pill.

I only have a little experience with the Immortal's Ascendance pill.

But I am ready to take on the challenge.

Rain merely observes as I warm my cauldron and prepare the ingredients.

The crafting takes time, and I recognize the failure long before finishing. My pill is only superior.

I start again and end up spending hours failing to attain perfection.

"Did you hear?" two master alchemists gossip "Gendry of Violet Horizon beat Mogun."

A part of me mourns having missed the battle. But I get over it quickly.

With the competitions coming to a close, the regular matters of the sect can be better attended to.

My watcher observes my failures. But, there is no disdain in her eyes.

I sigh, letting the tension escape me.

I set the failures in a bottle and put them among the other medicines the sect distributes.

I feel myself grow for the failures, realizing what doesn't work.

"Well, that was a bust," I say.

Rain looks into my eyes, "I can tell you refined the process with every iteration. Your speed at identifying the key elements of the distillation is amazing."

I feel embarrassed by her praise. But, I do rather enjoy it.

"Come," she says. "Show me again how you cultivate."

A smile crosses my face as I escort her back to my immortal's cave.

We settle down at the center of the flower of life and stare into one another's eyes.

Palms up and down, we lace our soul bodies together.

We breathe in the chi of heaven and earth. And out our pollution.

The weight of her soul body falls into my soul well. That cavern opens to the cascade of energy.

The chi in my energetic core boils over. And I feel the array as a net to tear into the fabric of reality—a wormhole into Rain and my interwoven soul bodies.

The hours pass as minutes as light shines from inside. Our eyes are portals to the soul.

I feel more whole for her presence. Like a part of me, I hadn't realized was missing has been found.

As I gaze at my counterpart, I can't help but feel want.

I have never wanted a woman like this before.

Her lips are a vibrant red to match the depths of her eyes. I can't stop myself from wanting to taste them.

With our souls locked together, I know she knows my desire.

Her desire is there. But hers is scary—a desire but also a hunger.

She wants more than my body or soul. She wants perfection.

I allow my desire to decrease. We are colleagues in the art of alchemy. And that is what she wants.

Our dual cultivation progresses throughout the night.

When dawn peeks in through the cave mouth, we pull our consciousness away from one another.

My cultivation is stronger for my time with her.

We stand as one, and she floats up into the air and out to the cave's mouth.

"Grandmaster."

She has a professional air about her that belies our intimacy.

I exit the array and join her.

The martial field still needs to be fixed from the games, so I postponed my sword practice.

The daily paperwork draws my attention to start the day.

Rain observes, well accustomed to the responsibilities of the role.

"Why don't you practice, grandmaster?"

She smiles at the idea.

I call one of my attendants, "See to grandmaster Rain's needs.

The attendant bows before bringing Rain to a proper place for her to train.

As my paperwork is caught up, I turn my attention to Rain.

Several students observe the grandmaster concocting an Immortal's Ascendance pill.

By the time she finishes, her lips twitch as out comes a superior-grade pill.

She stands from her work and gives it to one of the master alchemists.

"Grandmaster," she says. "Perhaps you'll have more luck than I."

I doubt I will. But, turn to a pill cauldron and begin making the Immortal's Ascendance.

I take what I learned in my previous effort and refine the process repeatedly.

The days I spend with Rain are constructive, and I learn much from her.

Violet Horizon doesn't stress martial form to the extent that Steady Sword does. But Rain joins me in the daily practice.

I find myself busy with one thing or another every minute. The patriarch calls on me to meet with the council.

"Your Excellency. We need more ascended immortals to face the daeva.

"They are clawing their way into our territories.

"Those they don't kill are enslaved."

"Grandmaster," the patriarch turns to me. "I have heard that you are refining the perfect Immortal's Ascendance pill with grand master Rain."

"Yes, Your Excellency." My gaze is steady.

"Do you believe you can produce one? Or can you produce more than one? The number of lower immortals in the sect are far more numerous than our ascended brethren."

I choose my words carefully.

"It will take some time, Your Excellency. And, should we succeed, the tribulation will continue until the pill is consumed."

The patriarch nods. "I will set a guard over the apothecary. Should you succeed, you will be safe.

"Should success find you, please take the first."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

The meeting continues, covering the details of the planned campaign.

Rain meets me beyond the patriarch's estate.

The dusk hours are upon us, and Rain says, "Come with me."

I take to flying sword and follow this ascended immortal through the night air. She loops around me and dances with me in the air.

My movements are far more linear than hers. The advantage of ascendance on full display.

Finally, she turns to my immortal's cave. She takes my hand in hers as we meditate on our daoist partnership.

The weeks fly by, and we grow ever closer to perfection.

When I craft, she watches.

When she crafts, I watch.

We each glean insights that help us refine our craft.

In addition to our witnessing. The students of the apothecary are ever open to new insights.

Weeks become months, and I think Rain should consider returning to her sect.

"There is nothing to be concerned for. I've long been training my successor. This is a good time for her to learn the role's responsibilities."

I follow her thought process. "I don't think my patriarch would consent to such a long absence for me."

Rain holds a greedy look in her eyes, "My patriarch recognizes your value too, Rook."

I remember how he looked at me.

"Were it possible, I would turn you to Violet Horizon."

I smile a little sadly.

But, she shows no concern. "The next best thing is for me to cultivate a perfect pill at your side. And I know we're close."

And so, months pass. Days are a tangle of responsibilities, and nights are moments of intimate cultivation.

I feel my soul well filing rapidly with my daoist partner. I can't help but feel my ascension close.

Storm clouds have lingered over the village for the last few days. Thunder rumbles in the distance.

I can feel it. Today's the day. We will craft a perfect pill.

I observe as Rain prepares for her crafting. This is her moment.

The thunder rings out again as Rain begins dissecting herbs.

She grinds the herbs down to specific grain sizes with mortar and pestle.

Every movement is a practice in her dao. The tools and herbs are an extension of her soul body.

A thrill of excitement courses through my body. It's happening.

The heavens vent their dissatisfaction.

Inside the apothecary, my eyes are blind to the drama of the heavens.

But, I feel the static in the air and hear the calamitous crash of lightning into who I assume to be an ascended immortal.

This plays out time and again as Rain bakes her pill.

Finally, the pill comes out to cool, and the heavens throw down their hatred.

The final step passed, and Rain passes the cooled pill to me.

With gratitude, I swallow the pill.

And, like that, the heavens go silent.

"Come." Rain pulls me.

The acolytes, adepts, and masters all watch in reverence as we pass.

I feel the effect take me as we fly to my immortal's cave.

A low hum takes my throat as we sit down in my array.

Our hands meet. And the medicinal euphoria takes me.

I feel her soul body enter my own, her yin to my yang.

My throat carries a rumbling hum.

I close my eyes and dive deep into my soul.

The ocean of my soul is rocking back and forth, pushing me to greater ascension.

Rain puts energy into subduing the volatile soul well.

The array around us channels chi into my angry soul ocean with torrential force.

Minutes pass as hours as my hum grows louder.

The medicinal pill is in full effect. And, my cracked soul stone steadily heals—fissure after fissure sealing.

"Om," I hum.

I open my eyes and see Rain looking deep into me.

Our eyes gently examine the change in each other's soul.

Despite my gaining more from our daoist partnership, I observed a refinement in her soul for our time together.

Time passes, and I feel it.

My soul well has filled. My soul stone is flawed but lacks cracks.

No more does my energy seep out.

I am an ascended immortal.

I'm smiling with the triumphant face of one who challenges heaven.

Rain's smile is soothing as she gazes into my eyes.

"Congratulations, immortal."

I think about the implications of what she said. With my soul stone whole, I am no longer a little immortal, still dependent on the external sources of chi.

I have an ocean of chi stored in my soul well.

"Thank you," I say.

"Of course, grandmaster."

We sit, absorbed in our meditation. Our two soul bodies intertwine as we project them out into the array.

With both of us ascending, the tear in the fabric of creation is more pronounced.

The chi of heaven we consume is ours and does not escape us into the aether.

I find myself comparing my soul well to my senior. Despite how recent my ascension is, the ocean of energy I retain is significantly greater.

Rain shows no dissatisfaction with my new standing. She is happy about my success.

And, I note, happy at her success.

Her pill was perfect.

We meditate long into the night, until I feel Renald's presence.