The mountain path wound endlessly upward, each turn revealing another stretch of steep terrain. I tried not to show how much this mortal body struggled with the climb, but my burning legs and aching lungs made it difficult to maintain dignity.

A question had been nagging at me since we left the village. After checking that my breathing was steady enough for conversation, I finally asked, "Why did you kill the Sun-touched? I thought they also served the red sun."

The Skybound – who had been floating beside me, apparently immune to concepts like physical exertion – let out a small laugh. "The Seventh Band? They're just mortals playing at greatness. Yes, they worship us, but they're nothing more than pawns."

It glanced at me, frost patterns shifting across its robes. "Usually, we need authorization from the Order to take large numbers of lives. What I attempted in that village was... technically against our rules. Which is why I had to ensure there were no survivors. The Seventh Band's deaths were merely convenient loose ends."

The casual way it discussed mass murder reminded me uncomfortably of how some cultivators viewed mortal lives – insignificant specks, barely worth noticing. I'd seen that attitude plenty of times in the Azure Peak Sect, though never quite this extreme.

"I trust," it added, its voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "that you understand the importance of discretion regarding this matter?"

I nodded quickly. "Of course. I wouldn't want to cause any... problems."

"Good." The frost patterns in its robes settled. "You had other questions?"

"The Order," I said, grateful for the change in subject. "What exactly is it?"

"The Order of the Last Light," it replied, something like pride coloring its voice. "We who have been blessed by the red sun's power. When the twin suns first appeared in our sky, most fled from the red sun's light, fearing the madness it brought. But our ancestors saw its true nature – not a curse, but a gift. They learned to harness its power through runic inscriptions, transforming themselves into something beyond mortal."

I tried not to visibly wince at the religious fervor in its voice. This sounded exactly like the kind of propaganda you'd feed initiates to make them ignore the obvious "turn people into crystalline monsters" part of their power source.

"The Order was born from those first enlightened ones," it continued, its frost patterns shifting with enthusiasm. "They built our floating citadels to stay closer to the red sun's light, away from the ignorant masses below who still cower from its radiance. We are the chosen of the Last Light, the final illumination that will transform this world."

The one who had casually murdered an entire village was now spouting what sounded like memorized passages from "Cult Recruitment 101." Though given what I'd seen of the red sun's effects, maybe this was actually an improvement over complete madness.

"There are nine ranks among the Skybound," it finished, "from Rank 1 initiates like yourself to the Rank 9 elders who commune directly with the crimson light. Each rank brings greater understanding of the sun's mysteries and deeper connection to its power."

"And probably greater mental instability," I thought, though I kept my face neutral. I needed their knowledge, not their philosophy. Though I had to admit, the Genesis Seed's protection might be the only reason I could still see how concerning all this was.

I listened intently as it then explained their system of advancement. They didn't call it cultivation here – instead, they used the term "Resonance." Each rank brought greater attunement to the red sun's power, marked by the acquisition of runic markings.

"The first three ranks focus on fundamental control," it explained. "Rank 1 establishes your core connection through the Fundamental Rune. Rank 2 strengthens that connection, allowing for elemental attunement. Rank 3 is where most initiates truly begin to understand the deeper mysteries."

I glanced at it robes, searching for these runes it mentioned. "I don't see any marks on you."

It stopped floating and turned to face me fully, only then did it lower its hood.

I nearly stumbled. The Skybound was a young woman of otherworldly beauty – pale skin like moonlight, features that would make sculptors weep, and eyes that held the same crimson fire I'd seen burning in the sun above. On her forehead, a complex runic pattern shifted and swirled like living frost, somehow both delicate and predatory.

The cognitive dissonance was staggering. Only in these fantasy worlds could someone who looked like an angel be such a prolific killer. But then I remembered there was a saying back on Earth about the relationship between beauty and insanity in women – if there was a scale, she'd be maxed out on both axes.

"This is my Fundamental Rune," she said, her voice surprisingly soft. She held up her hands, showing intricate ice-based runes traced across her palms. "And these are my elemental markings, through which I channel my ice techniques."

She studied me with new interest. "You haven't even inscribed a Fundamental Rune yet. Technically, you're not even Rank 1." Her head tilted slightly. "It's extremely rare to find someone who can utilize the red sun's power without runic stabilization. The risk of madness is..." she trailed off, watching me as if expecting me to start frothing at the mouth any second.

"The elders will definitely want to examine you personally," she added thoughtfully.

That caught my attention. Back in the Azure Peak Sect, the elders had never shown any interest in my progress. Then again, I'd been deliberately keeping a low profile there – in a world where death was truly final, caution was essential.

Here, with the time loop... I could afford to be a bit more daring.

"As long as my soul remains intact, I should be fine," I thought to myself. "Even if this body dies, I'll just return to my original world. The only real danger would be soul damage."

The prospect of direct instruction from their elders was tempting. I needed power quickly if I wanted any chance against that fifth-stage Qi Condensation cultivator waiting back home. Regular initiate training would be too slow – but if I could catch an elder's eye...

"As long as they don't decide to use me as a test subject," I mused silently.

"Master," Azure chimed in, "the silence is becoming awkward."

He was right. I realized I'd been lost in thought while staring at my companion. Proper introductions were way overdue. I gave a small bow, trying to match the formality I'd seen in her bearing.

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"I should have done this earlier," I said. "My name is Tomas."

She smiled, and for a moment I could almost forget I'd watched her casually murder dozens of people. "Vayara," she replied. "Though you'll need to refer to me as Senior Sister once we reach the academy."

"Of course, Senior Sister." The title felt strange on my tongue – not because of the formality, but because it was so similar to what I'd use in the cultivation world. These parallels between the two systems were fascinating.

We resumed our journey, the path growing steeper. The red sun hung lower in the sky now, its light catching Vayara's frost patterns and making them shimmer like bloody diamonds.

"Tell me about the academy," I said, partly out of genuine curiosity and partly to distract myself from my protesting muscles. "What should I expect?"

"Survival, primarily," she replied with that same serene smile. "Many initiates don't last their first year. The red sun's power..." she gestured to the crimson orb above us, "it changes you. Those who can't adapt, who can't control the resonance..." She shrugged. "Well, the crystals in the Failure Garden are quite beautiful."

"Crystals?" I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I knew what she meant.

"When an initiate loses control, the transformation is... thorough." Her eyes gleamed. "We keep the more interesting specimens as warnings to new students. Some of them even retain enough awareness to scream."

I carefully kept my expression neutral. "That sounds... educational."

"Oh, it is!" Her enthusiasm was genuinely unsettling. "Nothing motivates proper resonance control like seeing what happens without it. Though I suspect you'll have... different challenges."

"Because I can use the power without runes?"

She nodded. "It's rare, as far as I know. Most untrained vessels either die or transform within days of exposure. Yet here you are, apparently stable despite lacking basic protections." Her gaze turned calculating. "The elders will definitely want to understand how that's possible."

I thought of the Genesis Seed, of how it had integrated and purified the red core's power. The World Tree Sutra's influence protected me from the madness that seemed to plague others but I couldn't let them know that.

"I look forward to learning," I said diplomatically.

"Oh, you'll learn. One way or another." She gestured to a break in the clouds ahead. "We're nearly there. Welcome to your new home, initiate."

I followed her gesture and felt my breath catch. Through the crimson-tinted clouds, I caught glimpses of impossible architecture – floating spires of ice and crystal, connected by bridges of pure light.

The academy wasn't built on the mountain – it was suspended above it, a city in the sky that seemed to laugh at concepts like gravity or structural integrity.

"It's..." I searched for words that wouldn't offend.

"Magnificent? Terrifying? Both?" Vayara smiled. "Yes, most initiates react that way. The Order of the Last Light accepts only those who can transcend mortal limitations." She glanced at me. "Though you've already begun that journey, haven't you?"

I thought of the cultivation world. "You could say that."

"The questions will begin soon," she warned as we approached what appeared to be a floating dock of crystalline ice. "The elders will want to know everything about your awakening, your abilities, your control." She paused, then added almost kindly, "Try not to die too quickly. You're far too interesting for that."

When she reached base of the dock, Vayara reached into her robes and withdrew what looked like a silver pen with a crimson tip. "Remove your shirt," she instructed.

I must have looked as nervous as I felt, because she actually laughed. "It's a temporary rune to help you fly," she explained. "Unless you'd prefer to climb several thousand steps?"

"Flying sounds better," I admitted, pulling off my shirt. The mountain air was bitter cold against my skin.

"Hold still," she said, stepping closer. "This requires precision."

The pen's tip was ice-cold as she began tracing patterns on my chest. Each stroke left behind lines that glowed with a faint crimson light. I tried not to shiver as she worked, watching the complex design take shape over my heart.

"The Skybound Rune," she explained as she drew. "Temporary version, of course. The permanent one is... significantly more involved." She finished the last stroke with a flourish. "There."

I looked down at the glowing pattern. It reminded me of a snowflake crossed with a burning sun, all sharp angles and radiating lines.

"Now," she pressed her palm against the rune, "this might feel strange."

"Strange" was an understatement. As she channeled her power into the mark, it felt like my chest was simultaneously freezing and burning. The rune flared bright crimson, and suddenly my whole body felt lighter.

Then I was floating.

"Woah!" I pinwheeled my arms as I drifted a few feet off the ground, completely unable to control my movement. "How do I—"

"Focus," Vayara instructed as I slowly rotated upside down. "The rune responds to intent. Think about the direction you want to move."

"Master," Azure chimed in, "the rune appears to be creating a localized distortion in gravitational forces. Try visualizing it as a current you can swim through."

Both of their tips helped. I imagined the air as water, using subtle movements to right myself. After a few more awkward moments, I managed to achieve something approaching stability.

"Not terrible," Vayara said, which I chose to take as praise. "The rune will last about an hour or so – plenty of time to reach the academy and get you properly registered. Try to keep up."

She began ascending the crystalline dock while I followed more cautiously, still occasionally wobbling when I moved too quickly. But I was starting to get the hang of it, and by the time we were halfway up, I'd found a rhythm.

The view was spectacular, even if I was trying very hard not to think about how far up we'd come.

"Ready?" Vayara asked as we neared the top of the dock. "The real challenge begins now."

I nodded, feeling the rune pulse steadily against my skin. Whatever waited in those crystal spires, I would face it. Would learn from it. Would take their power and make it my own.

And hopefully avoid ending up as a screaming crystal in their garden of failures.