Dawn broke, and with it, Dawn awoke.

She didn’t often wake with the sun, but she was still getting used to her new perceptiveness from becoming a Cultivator. It wasn’t a major change, at the moment she was little more than a slightly stronger mortal, but it still made enough of a difference that the sun’s light woke her up.

Dusk didn’t actually sleep, technically speaking. Rather, she entered a sort of trance state whenever Dawn went asleep. Virion said this was because while their Body and Spirit were housing separate Souls, they were still linked in the way Bodies and Spirits normally are. One must reflect the other, so when Dawn slept, so would Dusk, even if she didn’t need it.

Are you ready? Dawn asked.

Definitely, Dusk replied.

With that, Dawn quickly got dressed and grabbed the pack she had prepared the night before. It was mostly just a change of clothes and a few momentos from home. Virion said that would be all she should need.

She quickly headed down the short flight of stairs that led directly from her room. The second floor of their home wasn’t all that large. It was mostly just Dawn’s room and a storage room for anything that wasn’t seeing use often.

Her parents and Virion were already up, talking quietly amongst themselves.

Jason was the first to acknowledge their arrival, though Dawn knew Virion would have been the first to notice them. He claimed to be able to hear her heart beating from two rooms over, so him missing her presence was highly unlikely.

Dawn’s father’s face lit up at seeing her and her sister. “Good morning, girls. Did you sleep well?”

Dawn didn’t feel quite as tired as she should have been, given she stayed up much later than she normally would, but she was still not fully rested. The benefits of Cultivation continued to show, it seems.

“We did, father. How about you?”

“It could have been better, but I won’t complain,” he said.

Dawn spotted a bowl of porridge already laid out on the table, untouched by anyone else.

“The sun’s only just come up, when did you make this?” she asked her mother, knowing that her father hadn’t been allowed to cook ever since the gumbo incident.

Miranda smiled faintly. “I woke up an hour ago, dear. I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I made breakfast early.”

“Thank you, mother.”

Dawn began to eat the porridge, savouring it as best she could, given it would be the last time for a while she would get to taste her mother’s cooking.

Eventually, she finished. She noticed Dusk lazily floating through the air above them, waiting patiently. She always was a patient person. Dawn couldn’t quite manage the same, though. She always wanted things to happen as soon as possible, so she could move on to the next big thing.

Once Dawn had set the spoon back in the bowl and pushed it away, she stood up.

At that point, Virion said, “I know you would all like more time together, but it would be for the best if we left quickly. The sooner we go the more ground we cover today. I’ll wait outside while you say your goodbyes.”

“Okay grandfather,” Dawn replied.

Dusk returned to the ground as Dawn spoke, drew on half of their essence, and wove it into an illusion over herself. The short time they spent experimenting with the [Manifest Illusion] Technique showed them that each point of essence used on the illusion meant approximately one minute of duration, give or take about ten seconds. Virion said that once she had refined her use of [Manifest Illusion] in this way the Divine Codex will recognise her efforts, and subsequently develop a new Technique for this purpose, meaning it will be easier, quicker, and all around better than doing it manually.

Four minutes was enough for now though.

Dawn had gotten the chance to play around with her [Manifest Force] Technique as well, but found herself somewhat disappointed. She could only project her essence to about half an inch away from her skin, meaning her application of her own Technique will be severely limited. She wasn’t too disheartened, however. Dawn had always been a rather direct person, so that just meant she’d need to get up close and personal to leverage her own abilities.

Dawn had a few ideas for what Techniques she wanted to develop, but had yet to come to a real decision as of yet.

When Dusk’s illusion appeared, their parents looked them both over.

“I suppose this is it then,” Miranda said.

“Whatever happens at the Sect,” Jason said, “whatever people you girls become, just know that we will always be proud of you. No matter what.”

Tears came to Dawn’s eyes, and she grabbed her father in a hug. Miranda joined in shortly after. She felt a twinge of sadness come through her connection to Dusk, before she heard a gasp of realisation in her head. Then Dusk drew on what remained of their essence, and Dawn felt a faint pressure from the Dusk joining the hug.

Miranda gasped. “Oh my, what’s this?”

“Dusk and I can use each other’s abilities slightly. She made a little Force so she could join in.”

“That’s wonderful, sweetie. Thank you.”

They stood like that for a few moments, before collectively releasing each other.

“I love you girls,” Miranda said.

“We love you too, mother.”

Jason chuckled. “Best get going, now. Stay any longer and she might try to stop you from leaving.”

Miranda swatted his arm, but otherwise stayed silent.

“Goodbye, father,” Dawn said.

“Goodbye.”

With those parting words, Dawn and Dusk strode out the door, joining Virion. She resisted the urge to look back, forcing her eyes forward. Dusk, on the other hand, simply dispelled her illusion and turned around while floating away.

We’ll see them again, she said to Dawn.

I know.

**********************

The three had been travelling for almost half an hour by the time Virion spoke.

“I know I have told you these things before, but I think it best if we go over what you know about Cultivation.”

“Okay grandfather,” Dawn replied.

“We shall start with the beginning, then. What is Cultivation?”

Dawn took a breath. “Cultivation is the gathering and refinement of essence in the Core, in order to strengthen the Body and Spirit.”

He nodded. “And what is the ultimate goal of all Cultivators?”

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“Ascension. To join the Gods in the Heavens.”

Virion chuckled. “Somewhat. That is what lies at the end of all paths, so it is not an incorrect answer. Though, in truth, most Cultivators seek power, in any or all its forms. Security for one's family, revenge, greed, sometimes even out of simple spite. They seek power so they can achieve their ends, but all too often it all comes down to power itself. I recommend you look inside yourself, to know why it is you wish to follow this path. Regardless, how does the Divine Codex measure a Cultivator's power?”

“The Layers and Steps. There are nine Steps to a Layer, and nine Layers. There is a final, tenth Layer, but that holds only one Step that always leads to Ascension or death, so most don’t count it. The Layers are separated into three Stages, themselves composed of three Layers per Stage. Layers one to three are the Foundation Stage, Layers four to six are the Formation Stage, and Layers seven to nine are the Completion Stage.”

“Good. We don’t need to discuss the later Stages, you are a year at the absolute earliest from reaching Formation, so that’s enough for now. It’s good to see you were paying attention when I told you of this.”

They continued walking for the rest of the day, Dawn and Virion discussing whatever came to mind at the time. Sometimes they would say nothing at all, and others Dusk would ask a question through Dawn, which she would faithfully repeat.

The nearest town was a small village that Dawn’s father used to sell his produce, collecting enough money to easily keep them comfortable. The farmhands he employed lived in a separate building from her family, though they did on occasion come up to the main house. They were nice enough people, though didn’t quite understand when they were told of Dusk’s situation. The village itself was far enough from the farm that when Jason or one of the farmhands went down to drop off their goods, they had to stay the night.

This was no different. By the time they arrived at the village the sun had already started to set. Virion said that he would normally continue through the night, as he didn’t need to sleep and could see quite well in the dark. With Dawn and Dusk in tow, however, that wasn’t possible, so instead he paid for a single room at a small inn in the village.

Before night fully fell, however, Virion took Dawn and Dusk into the yard at the back of the inn.

“I admit I told something of a falsehood last night, when I said that I was giving you just the Cultivation Path and those Techniques. I did this because my true final gifts are something I felt your mother didn’t need to see. Your father may understand the necessity of it from his time as a soldier, but your mother is a gentle woman, Dawn. Watching you learn to fight would only cause her unneeded worry.”

He reached into the pouch at his waist, and withdrew yet another essence tablet. This one wasn’t clear like the Techniques, but rather milky white, threaded with veins of gold.

“How many of those do you have?” she asked incredulously, “And is that a spatial pouch? That must be how you are carrying so many things.”

Virion chuckled. “Apart from the other Manifestation Techniques, as I didn’t know which you would have an affinity for, this and the Path are the only ones I carry. And yes, it’s a spatial pouch. A dear friend gave it to me a long time ago. Regardless, this tablet holds the Divine Staff Martial Art. I felt staff fighting would be the best fit for you, given you will need the extra reach to compensate for your lack of Spirit. Unfortunately Dusk won’t be much help in combat until she has developed some Techniques of her own, so you will need this.”

He held out the tablet, and Dawn cautiously reached out, remembering how uncomfortable it was to learn [Manifest Force] from the last tablet.

Brace yourself, she said to Dusk, to which she received a sense of readiness.

Dawn threaded a tiny portion of essence into the tablet. Much like the last two times, her mind was flooded by knowledge, less severe than the others, though at the same time more comprehensive. The Cultivation Path and Technique were riddled with concepts she couldn’t quite put words to, only feel, which made them tough to process in the moment.

This time, the knowledge was far simpler, yet there was a great deal more of it. Nine forms comprised the Divine Staff Martial Art. Each form focused on a different aspect of the staff, building on the lessons of the previous form. The first was simple footwork, which Dawn believed she could handle well enough.

Once she believed she had a handle on the influx of information, she opened her eyes to a message from the Codex.

Body has learned the Divine Staff Martial Art

Divine Staff is incompatible with Spirit, and as such the Gemini Pact Bloodline provides no crossover

Dawn stood there for a moment, letting herself adjust.

Virion laid her hand on her shoulder. “Take your time. In the meanwhile, it would be useless to provide a Martial Art and no corresponding weapon, so consider this the other half of your real last gift from me.”

He reached into his pouch once more, and this time it became quite obvious that it was a spatial pouch, as he withdrew a long, dark wooden staff, perfectly smooth and straight. It was clearly a well made weapon, and was in turn clearly meant to be a weapon, as the first eight inches of both ends were sheathed in dark steel.

“From here on out you girls must earn your gains on your own. It would only weaken you if I provided too much.”

Virion held the staff to Dawn, who silently took it in her hands.

“You can practice its use until the sun goes down. Your sister can let you know if you miss it. Do not stay out too late. You will need the rest.”

He began to walk away, intent on leaving the two to their own devices.

“Grandfather,” Dawn called.

He looked back.

“Thank you.”

He smiled. “Of course, Dawn. I would do the same for your sister as well, but it is a very bad idea to wield Spiritual Arts before the Formation Stage, so this shall have to do.”

With those final words, he left.

Once they were alone, Dawn said to Dusk, Do you get the feeling that he didn’t actually need to give us any of this? I just feel like the Sect would provide at least the basics, you know? The Cultivation Path, sure, I understand that, but the Manifestation Techniques? A Martial Art? A weapon? That’s what the Sects are for, providing new Cultivators with what they need to learn.

Dusk gave her a calm, reassuring smile. He’s our grandfather. We may not be related, but you can see as much as I that he’s embraced the role. He’s allowed to spoil us at least a little. Maybe you’re overthinking this.

Maybe.

Dusk floated over to her. Well? What are you waiting for, you don’t want to waste any time. Get to practice!

Right!

Dawn jumped up and got into place, staff in hand. It was a bit heavier than it probably needed to be, but that was fine. Dawn knew she’d get used to that weight. She actually found it comfortable, holding a staff this heavy. Like it was meant to feel like that.

Raising the weapon in the ready position the Martial Art required, Dawn began to go through the motions of Divine Staff.

**********************

When Dawn woke up the next morning, the first thing she did was look over her Profile, to see her progress so far.

Name: Dawn|Dusk Alterse

Stage: Foundation

Core Layer: 1st

Step: 1st

Essence: 8/8

Essence Affinity: Force|Illusion

Bloodline: Gemini Pact

Cultivation Path: Twin Reflections Dual Cultivation

Physical Statistics:

Power: 4|0

Finesse: 4|0

Endurance: 4|0

Senses: 4|0

Spiritual Statistics:

Power: 0|4

Finesse: 0|4

Endurance: 0|4

Senses: 0|4

Techniques:

Body

* [Manifest Force]

Spirit

* [Manifest Illusion]

Arts:

Martial

* Divine Staff: First Form

Spiritual

* N/A

Her and Dawn’s Manifestation Techniques had shown up on her Profile when they had learned them, which she hadn’t noticed until now. The Divine Staff was now displayed there as well, showing her current level of mastery of the Art. Dawn had managed to make some progress, but she only had less than an hour to understand it, so she still had a ways to go.

Once she had gotten dressed, Dawn picked up her staff, and she and Dusk headed out the door, waving to the innkeeper as they passed, though Dusk didn’t have her illusion up.

Stepping outside, she saw Virion calmly waiting for them.

“Good morning grandfather.”

“Good morning,” he replied. He handed her a small bag of travel rations, which she scarfed down quickly, and they set off once more.

The journey continued for five days in much the same way. As they walked, Dusk worked on her illusion as best she could, refining it’s weave in every way she could find. Virion helped when possible, but illusions were unfortunately not his area of expertise. Dawn, on the other hand, practiced Divine Staff every chance she got, as often as possible. She was determined to have at least begun to work on the second Form by the time they reached Falling Sky Sect, though she couldn’t put words as to why. Dusk said it was simply because Dawn disliked leaving tasks unfinished, which she couldn’t argue.

Regardless, their diligence was well rewarded. By the time the fifth day had come, and they looked upon Falling Sky Sect in all its glory with the noontime sun above their heads, they had both received encouraging news.

Spirit has developed the Technique [Phantom Clone]

[Phantom Clone]: Create an illusory copy of yourself. Essence spent affects the possible distance the clone can be created, the duration it is intended to last, and how difficult it can be to dispel. The clone can copy your own movements, or act independently, and minor changes can be made to its appearance, such as colouration, clothing, and size, but its overall look must remain the same.

Body has mastered the First Form of the Divine Staff