Throughout his time as a sword cultivators, Chidi had battled against many opponents that outmatched him in size. Larger humans weren’t particularly different, though their increased reach still provided some challenges. The largest animals were the size of small buildings. Then true beasts with cultivation grew to even greater scales, culminating in distortion beasts which often appeared incomprehensibly large.

Then sometimes he fought against smaller opponents. Wolves, for example. Both those of Fuzz’s bloodline, and wild creatures that had not yet grown beyond the normal limits. Occasionally, he had to battle against insects, some in swarms and many venomous.

Thus, Chidi was used to fighting against opponents of all sizes. But he still hadn’t fought against a sword cultivator that was a mere few hands tall. The actual size of his furry opponent’s blade was closer to a dagger, but the way it was wielded made things quite clear to Chidi what it truly was.

He recognized the styles of his opponent, despite the required differences due to the meerkat’s body. Chidi had never personally battled against Ty Quigley- though he planned to, since he had this opportunity to visit the lower realms. However, the style was extremely straightforward, thrusts and cuts and a focus solely on bringing down the enemy. That was combined with Chikere’s style. Though Deep Purr didn’t actually have multiple blades, he made Chidi feel like he was being assaulted by a hundred at once.

Blades clashed repeatedly as they parried, dodged, and countered each other’s moves. The meerkat was good, tuned into the world around him. Chidi had no doubt that if he was actually a threat to the locals, the danger he faced would be amplified manyfold. It was a weakness, but not one he could blame him for. Deep Purr chose what was important to him, and it wasn’t winning duels with random visitors.

The flow of his energy was clear to Chidi. The only difficulty was once more getting used to natural energy. He had trained with natural energy all the way until Integration, which made his process of attuning to the energy much easier… but it was still different. Just as formations performed differently with the different energies, Chidi had to not only read the flow but figure out how to control it.

The whole time he did so, he was constantly battered with attacks. His ankles were most at risk, and not in a playful or joking manner. It was absolutely sensible for the meerkat to attack his lower legs, and he had no doubt that his opponent could cut any enemy down to size. It was difficult for him to attack a small target on the ground, and the footwork his tiny opponent had meant he was constantly darting around Chidi or through his legs. Only quick reactions kept his legs safe.

He had already dropped into his lowest stance, but that brought more of his body close enough to target, with the meerkat able to extend his energy or leap through the air- in a manner that he was also able to control his descent. He became the blade, arcing up and down in a manner too deadly to ignore.

Chidi was fairly sure Deep Purr had declined to take several opportunities that would have resulted in his victory. Perhaps he simply wanted to make their first battle last as long as possible. Chidi was of a similar opinion… but he had to at least see how his opponent reacted to his complete technique.

His footwork adjusted with the intent to draw his opponent into a particular safe pattern, which in turn meant the exchange of blades was altered as well. Chidi’s attacks began to appear more wild, striking far to the side of his opponent in certain cases. But it was all to control the flow.

Everything came together… and the world disappeared. It was only Chidi, the sword in his hand, and the sword his opponent held. Though he knew Deep Purr couldn’t hold the blade for long. Even with a special grip for meerkats, they simply weren’t meant to grip anything without energy. His sword came down, connecting with the blade going for his ankle. It easily clattered to the side, the physical strength of a meerkat negligible.

He was prepared to follow through by targeting his opponent’s body- stopping just short of serious damage, of course. But he’d already made his mistake. He suddenly felt more swords appear… sweeping under the edge of his pants and slicing into his shin. His clothing was specially made to withstand even sword slashes when there was no energy… but tiny claws found their way inside. The sword intent behind them was strong enough that he felt his leg could have been taken off.

His sword stopped at the back of Deep Purr’s neck. “I win. I could get a new leg, but I doubt you could get a new head.”

Chidi understood the language of Akrys well enough to understand the reply. “There’s not much else I could do about that,” Deep Purr said. “Hopefully upon my death, someone else would come finish you off.”

“Well, you could have beaten me earlier. Your skills are sufficient that your energy advantage actually matters.” Chidi shrugged, “So maybe I don’t win.”

“There were a few openings,” Deep Purr admitted. “But I couldn’t determine if they were genuine or not. Your technique is difficult to match, even with greater power.”

Chidi nodded. “I hope to see you able to make use of your full techniques someday. Though perhaps that sounds like a wish for calamity upon your people.”

Deep Purr retrieved his sword, performing the best shrug that could be done without shoulders. “It is unlikely Akrys will never again face attack. We would be honored if you would join our defense at such a time.”

Chidi nodded. “If it is feasible, I will.” And not just because meerkats were cute. He couldn’t see them, but his energy senses revealed just as much. He wanted to cuddle them, but he understood that was quite rude except for with close friends. Like humans, more or less. Or even the wolves- he didn’t get close with random members of Aconite’s family.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

It was a shame she hadn’t come, but she was worried that she might not be able to maintain control over her poisons without upper energy. If that had been all she could have left her supply behind and trusted in others, but she was also building up an immunity to a very slow poison that energy couldn’t eradicate from the system but could keep in check. In short, the timing hadn’t worked out… but there would be more opportunities in the future. Especially once they built more ships using the same design.

Inter-realm ships would likely never be mass produced, but the Far Horizon wouldn’t always be the lone example either.

-----

Akrys was not the only destination that people had in mind, and now that they were across the border they were able to take ships and go their separate ways. Though even with the option, most traveled together. That included everyone from Ceretos, as many returned home for the first time in approximately seven hundred years.

Though it wasn’t home anymore. It wasn’t that Catarina, Timothy, and Alva didn’t have great nostalgia for the planet- but not only was it entirely different, but they had a new home. Returning to Ceretos was like… well, like visiting their grandparent’s home. With Anton around, that made it even more clear- though he hardly spent enough time on Ceretos for it to be his only home.

Even with the direct influence of Rutera and a longer timespan, Ceretos had adopted less of the technological aesthetic. It wasn’t that they didn’t use technology at all, but it informed less of their architecture. Meanwhile, Xankeshan- or at least a serious part of it- had been built up with those styles mixed with traditional cultivator styles.

There were many reunions to be had with various Assimilation cultivators. Nthanda and Alva, though their styles were quite different, had respected each other as archers and kept tabs on each other. They were never close, but it was still gratifying to meet again.

They also met with many of the remaining elders of the Order of One Hundred Stars. Some had died, unable to reach Assimilation- or already being so old that their lifespans ran out. However, many were from the same generation as them, if somewhat behind in cultivation. Like Marcio Armani, another archer who had trained with Anton. He had reached Assimilation, just a handful of decades behind the others.

But there were others they were unable to return to, like Anish. But Annelie still remained. Alva met with her while Catarina and Timothy were off showing their children their old hometown… and wherever else interested them around the planet.

Alva had spent much of her early childhood with her cousin- both before and after their rocky introduction to the cultivation world. “What’s a good phrase to say to someone when you’ve been in a different realm for hundreds of years?” Alva asked.

“Long time no see?” Annelie raised an eyebrow. Then she sighed. Her icy composure melted, revealing her true thoughts. “It was easier to pretend there wasn’t such a large gap between us when I only sensed your energy signature secondhand. Spatial manipulations… I don’t know if I would have ever seen you on that path.”

“Yeah,” Alva agreed. “It just sort of happened when we stumbled into some weird Everheart stuff.”

“I hear he’s still being a menace, but at least now he’s further away.”

“Further away? Yes. But also in multiple places at once… maybe,” Alva shook her head. “Anyway, I never got to meet your kid. Is she somewhere around here?”

“You do realize I have more than one child?” Annelie raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, sure. I know Josephine, and Wolter… and some of the other ones…” Alva said, looking around. “But they don’t appear to have come here so I don’t have to remember them.”

“They have avoided being public figures for the most part. It doesn’t hurt to have some reliable members of the Fire and Ice Palace making sure everything stays functional.”

“Right,” Alva nodded. “But Gudrun is an archer so I’m going to have to track her down. And I want to meet Anishka properly.”

“She’ll be here,” Annelie promised. “After all, with the Great Queen traveling with you, the Sergeant wouldn’t let her miss the opportunity.”

“I feel like the Sergeant could just follow around the Great Queen if she cares so much,” Alva pointed out.

“Most likely she would say that fawning is improper… but when there is other important family for Anisha to visit, of course she would prompt her to come. Have you seen Lev?”

Alva shook her head. “We barely just arrived. Is there something in particular…?”

“Just that he’s grown surprisingly strong, especially given his rough early start. Then again, he knew what he wanted out of cultivation.”

“And you didn’t?” Alva asked.

“I got what I wanted,” she countered. “At first I just wanted more power. Then I realized I wanted Anish. Now? I’m just content experiencing life without as many ups and downs.”

Alva clicked her tongue. “Wow, they sure make ice cultivators boring, huh?”

“Maybe boring cultivators become ice cultivators,” Annelie countered. “... I’m glad you’ve survived all your tribulations.”

“The same with you. I’m sorry about your loss.”

“It is long past, but I appreciate you speaking your words in person.” Annelie had returned to her default expressionless face.

Time and distance had slowly pulled them apart, and Alva had hardly realized it until that moment. And yet, she had never forgotten. These people in the lower realms were much of the reason they had pushed the Scarlet Alliance to grow as much as it had, to be able to influence the upper realms and hopefully provide some security. And to provide a place for those who chose to ascend.

It was a shame that it had taken so long to bridge the gap. But while the relationship of the two who were once very close had certainly grown apart… there was also an opportunity to grow back together.

Personally, Alva thought that the Fire and Ice Palace needed an Enrichment cultivator. Maybe her middle-aged cousin would fill that role… or maybe it would be her niece in a couple hundred years.