Gouts of flame washed over the four combatants, but just as easily as he created it Hoyt chopped apart the flames. There were details to how that worked not so easily comprehended, but the result was the flames split around them. The actual beast itself was less easy to sever, however. Hoyt’s follow up swing managed to chop into the large fire beast and even pull away a piece of it, sending a spray of something like blood splattering onto nearby rocks, but his attack didn’t cut it in two like he intended.

Timothy’s new sword, courtesy of someone who picked on the wrong duo, allowed him to slice into the creature as well. He didn’t have the same technical prowess with fire, but his attacks at least forced the creature to hesitate in its movements- not sweeping its claws when it otherwise might have.

Fire-blood sizzled on the ground, melting patches even through the rime frost created by Catarina’s formation. The cold was a shock to everyone, but it was much more effective against the fire beast. Its glow dimmed slightly as it stood in the area.

Unlike those relying on physical weapons, Alva almost universally used energy on its own for her attacks. Spirit Arrows was just so convenient, and circumvented the need to carry an extraordinarily large number of physical arrows. With diligent practice they held their form just as well as anything might, and to a significant distance. In this case the fire wolf was just a handful of meters away from her, but Alva aimed for choice targets. The head was a good one, since the creature seemed to both bite and spew fire from the area. While it wasn’t fully physical, it couldn’t interact with the world without something to hit.

She just had to attune herself to the proper wavelength to hit the creature. Doing so consciously was difficult, but her frustration made her more effective. Who did this wolf think it was, making people think it was Fuzz? No matter how much change he had undergone with his ascension, she knew she would recognize him… and this wolf was. Not. Fuzz. For that, it would die.

-----

Back in town, Vari waited patiently. Off in the distance she vaguely felt signs of battle from the four. She was disappointed that she had let them down with her weakness, but she could still provide support with her devotion. That was her purpose, after all. For some reason the lords and ladies didn’t like how she spoke of them, as if they didn’t desire her devotion. But who wouldn’t? It was the proper way of things, for the strong to be uplifted by those who were not.

Then she sensed something. Something familiar. Cultivators from the Harmonious Citadel. Specifically, practitioners of the Glorious Harmony Technique. Followers of the Bow Saint, if she was correct- though it would be clear once she could see them. She found her way towards them, and they towards her. There was something unexpected in their demeanor. Was it hostility? How odd. She found herself praying for protection, but instead of the saints her thoughts went to the four she had been traveling with. How odd. She tried to picture the saints as she ought to, but found it difficult. They looked like… statues, mostly. She’d only rarely seen any of them pass by, and hours of staring at a statue didn’t evoke the same sense of familiarity as eating at the same table as someone. And it had been so long since she’d been back on Rouhiri now.

Two men and a woman approached her, one of the men taking the foremost position. As Vari had anticipated, they had bows. There was just that sort of air about that type, looking down on the world. Not Alva though. Vari shook that thought off as the man addressed her. “Little sister. You are quite far from the Harmonious Citadel’s territory.” There was no response to be had to that. It was true. Nor had there been a question she had to answer. “What brings you this far?”

“I am here on a mission,” Vari said.

“Is that so?” the man said. “I don’t believe we have any missions related to this sector.”

“That’s… it’s a mission for some local cultivators,” Vari replied awkwardly.

“Were they approved?”

“Well, uh… the missions were so small scale, I did not think it necessary…” She also didn’t have an easy method to report back, as she hadn’t exactly been planning to leave.

“No matter,” the man shrugged, “Such things are indeed inconsequential. What is more relevant is the matter of traitors.”

“Who?” Vari asked.

“You, of course.”

She shivered. The three didn’t have to reach for her weapons for her to imagine her swift demise. All of them appeared to have reached Integration, after all. As expected of those practicing the Glorious Harmony Technique. “I don’t… what do you mean? Me, a traitor?”

“You despised the protection of the Saints, leaving without so much as a message, let alone permission. That you were swayed by another who had not properly been instructed in the truths of the world is immaterial. Though, perhaps… you might be forgiven.”

“How?” Vari asked.

The man held out a simple communication device. “You will help us capture the one who so rudely turned up her nose at the Saints. According to our information, a user of the bow… though certainly not a proper archer such as ourselves.” His hand remained outstretched for a moment, before Vari felt compelled to take what he offered. “If she has any companions… perhaps some associated with the Dark Ring… that might also contribute towards your forgiveness.”

“Of course, brother,” Vari bowed her head. “It will be done.”

-----

It was unfamiliar and new to speak with Sect Head Treloar in the comfort of the Order of One Hundred Stars, but the head of the Worthy Shore Society had taken the initiative to come himself. In a way the two of them were equal… but in another way, Anton could be considered the superior. His cultivation was a level higher, after all- and not just an insignificant step.

“Thank you for receiving me so kindly,” Treloar said.

“Of course,” Anton inclined his head. “I requested the meeting, after all.” He also hadn’t been the one to prepare things. Even when receiving guests at his own home, he had merely made them comfortable with whatever seating was already available, and perhaps some food. Certainly nothing as fancy as what they had here. “How is your cultivation progressing?” Anton didn’t need to ask- he could feel Treloar was approaching the peak of Life Transformation, though it might take between one and three decades yet.

Though it had simply been a polite introduction, Treloar pondered it seriously. “It advances about as expected, with the resources available to me. Though I am less certain of my future path than I once was.”

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“In what way?” Anton asked.

“There was a clear road laid before me,” Treloar said, “Before us all. But now I see I was blind to the alternatives.”

“Is that so?” Anton asked, sipping lightly on some tea. “Personally, I think there is nothing wrong with the traditional method of advancement.”

“Maybe,” Treloar frowned, “But seeing your power, I can’t help but wonder.”

“Let me ask something,” Anton said. “Why would you want this power? If you desire to be a big fish in a small pond, it might fulfill you in that way. I would only attempt it for other reasons, though.”

“What reasons?” Treloar asked. “Why stay in this small pond yourself?”

“Because it is my home,” Anton said. “I desire to protect it. There are also certain other factors that prevent me from protecting it from afar.”

“An interesting revelation,” Treloar said, “Not one that I would share, of course. It would not be necessary for anyone to know.”

“I appreciate that,” Anton said, “Though perhaps it doesn’t matter. The fact that I won’t be chasing people among the stars doesn’t mean that I won’t be quite serious with anyone who comes here. On that matter, what is the opinion of the Exalted Quadrant on the latest issues?”

“Some were quite upset that you would dare threaten those of us in the Exalted Archipelago.”

“I would hardly describe things that way…”

Treloar shrugged, “There were threats involved. Anyway, as I was saying, some were upset, some doubled down on… previous intentions… and others seem to find that the consequences were appropriate for the broken treaties.”

“It seems there is some division among the factions.”

“You might intuit that,” Treloar said noncommittally.

“What will they do?”

“That, I can honestly say I don’t know.”

“What of the Trigold Cluster?”

“I don’t know much, but they are not known for taking well to being slighted. Expect retaliation of some sort.”

“I’ll be ready,” Anton said.

“You will,” Treloar nodded. “I’m not sure if they will be though.”

“Your confidence in me is inspiring,” Anton said. “I can’t guarantee I will be around, though.”

“You traversed an unknown branch of cultivation. I am sure you will solve other issues. And if it is not you personally,” Treloar shrugged, “I do believe that the recent changes to the world will have a great impact. There is sufficient time for another generation to grow and make similar startling cultivation advances like yourself. This world might become akin to the upper realms in some ways. Greater, perhaps, if given time. Though there are certain restrictions that mean it cannot be truly that.”

“There is no ascension energy here,” Anton nodded. “And I don’t believe that will be changing.”

“Anything is possible, I suppose,” Treloar stated. “But I would agree. And it wouldn’t necessarily be better. With the resources of a world like this, it is possible to more quickly grow through the lower stages of cultivation to ascend with greater power.”

“So that’s why you’re here,” Anton nodded. “I expected as much. How much can you say?”

“About cultivation? I am certain I can speak quite a bit. Though I would appreciate some guidance in return, should I wish to take a different route for myself.”

“Of course, though I can’t guarantee the method will be suitable for you. Especially not my particular experience.”

-----

The ship landed slowly, watched by Chikere and Rahayu from the side. It was a strange model, and not one they had detected coming far in advance. Chikere recognized someone on it, however. It would have been allowed to land regardless… though the results could have varied greatly.

Matousek, formerly of the Order of One Hundred Stars. Or perhaps still currently, though they were hardly an Order with a handful of people spread out over an entire region of stars and planets. The fact that they found this particular place was likely not a coincidence. Not that anyone had been entirely secretive.

Rahayu led the way, not even waiting for Matousek to fully disembark before speaking. “Greetings. We don’t get many visitors here. What is your purpose?” Despite the powerful presence he displayed on occasion, at the moment Rahayu looked like little more than an old man asking about the weather.

“Greetings to you as well,” Matousek nodded. “You would be Swordmaster Rahayu? Or perhaps that title is outdated.”

“Swordmaster is quite appropriate,” he said. “It saves effort. Otherwise you have to figure out what’s next. Grand swordmaster? Swordgrandmaster? Sword-grand-master-swordster?” he made a face. “And don’t get me started on ‘saint’.”

“That is the topic I am here for, in fact,” Matousek said. “Though I am as dubious about those titles as you are. I come to warn you that the Harmonious Citadel is sending more attackers your way. And they will be much more competent than the last group.”

“I should hope so!” Rahayu said. “There were only two or three decent ones in the whole lot!”

“They intend to wipe you out, you know. I come with an offer,” Matousek said. “An alliance.”

“Don’t need it,” Rahayu said.

“Are you sure?” Matousek’s eyes landed on Chikere.

“We’ll be fine,” Chikere said. “They have to be sending some people with good swords anyway. And how can we grow without tempering?”

Matousek sighed. “Sects here are much bigger than you understand, I think.”

“Oh, we know,” Rahayu said. “And we don’t intend to stay here forever. But while we go, might as well take some of them out of the picture, right?”

“That sounds like you’re planning to die with them,” Matousek pointed out.

“Pfeh. Unless that sword saint himself comes for us, what do they have? And if he does…”

“It’ll be a race to see which one of us gets to fight him first,” Chikere finished.

“Very well,” Matousek nodded. “But I had to extend the offer. If you want to contact us… the option is there. And Catarina said this one is for her and those with her.”

“Great,” Chikere nodded. “I suppose Alva met up with them?”

“She did. How did you guess?”

“That group can do anything they set their mind to.” Chikere looked at the devices she was given. “So how do these work?”

Several ‘test’ messages were flung through the void of space towards Catarina before Chikere was informed that the message could take weeks or more round trip. But Matousek verified one worked at close range for her.

“Good luck,” Matousek said. “If we’re not bringing you with us, we should get going. They could be watching.”

“Every once in a while,” Rahayu nodded. “Good luck with the whole Dark Ring thing.”