GATO Earth Variation Report: Delta-7X
System Status: Stable
Relevant Subject: Leocedes “Hunter” Filo, Age 8
Location: Delphare, Valoria Province
Threat Assessment: Low
Recommended Action: Observation with minimal intervention.
Mistress Arista's arrival struck like a lightning bolt on a clear day. The classroom door swung wide, framing her imposing figure against the flood of sunlight.
"Hail, junior cultivators!" Her voice thundered, shaking the room's very foundation. She let the words hang for a breath before striding to the front. Her cane cracked against the wall, the sound reverberating around the room.
Hunter’s pulse quickened at his teacher's sudden arrival. He took a breath, noticing how some students flinched at the sound of her cane, while others stiffened, trying to look composed.
"Hail, Mistress Arista," they replied, their voices trembling with a mix of fear and reverence.
Hunter, ever curious, wondered why she called them cultivators when they were all Pre-Refiners, who had not yet broken through into the first stage of cultivation.
Arista looked like she could command the emperor's army with a single glare. With silver hair neatly braided and piercing eyes, his teacher had the air of someone who'd earned the title "Lion Tamer."
As she flicked her neatly braided hair over one shoulder, apprehension buzzed through the classroom. The children, barely seven years old, fidgeted in their seats, unsure of what to expect from today's lesson.
"Yesterday's cultivation practice was a complete disaster! You all resembled dying fish gasping for air. And you, Posca," she pointed at a hapless student, "stop picking your nose."
Hunter’s brow furrowed as he shot a sympathetic smile toward the poor sod. A stark contrast to the twitchy reflexes of his friends betraying their collective desire to sneak a peek.
Arista continued without missing a beat. “Before we dive deeper into basic meditation practice, you must understand the essence that binds our world. Energy, my dear students, is the lifeblood of existence—the force that courses through all things, connecting them in a grand cosmic dance.”
Hunter didn't need to look around to know that a few vacant expressions greeted Arista's stern gaze.
"Who among you can enlighten the class about the four fundamental types of energy?"
Without hesitation, Hunter's hand shot up.
A ghost of a smile flickered across Arista's face. "Yes, Leocedes, please share your wisdom before you burst with enthusiasm."
To Hunter's right, a boy sneered and whispered to a girl beside him. "All hail the mighty Leocedes, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Such a cushy life when his father spoon-feeds him all the answers and nursemaids wipe his—ass"
The young girl giggled, then she froze.
Arista's scowl made it clear that her hearing was as sharp as her cane. Hunter stood, resisting the urge to throttle Pheres. Only his mother and Mistress Arista called him Leocedes anymore.
"The four types of energy are chi, mana, aether, and plasma."
A murmur swept through the class at the mention of plasma. Hunter's father had once told him that plasma was such a powerful but elusive energy type that some refused to believe in its existence at all. Fortunately, Arista wasn't a plasma denier.
"A satisfactory answer. Sit down. Now, who can tell me the elemental affinities for chi?"
The class fell into hushed discussions, and Hunter eagerly raised his hand. However, Arista didn't immediately choose him, so he frantically waved. Could enthusiasm cause him to spontaneously combust? He didn't want to find out.
Arista clucked her tongue, apparently unimpressed with the reaction she sought. She sighed, her billowing robes whipped about her emphasizing her exasperation. "Anyone…other than Hunter?"
Pheres casually raised his hand. "Wind, Earth, Fire, and Water." He spat out the last word as if it were poison.
Arista narrowed her eyes. "Yes, Pheres, that's correct. Class, please be clever enough to disregard ignorant chi cultivators who claim one elemental type is superior to the others. Each element has its advantages and challenges. It's your dedication to your cultivation practice that helps enhance the advantages of your elemental affinity. Nothing more, nothing less. Understood?"
Hunter nodded along with the rest of the class. A cold glare replaced Pheres’ smug grin.
Arista prompted several distracted students to name professions suited to the four elemental types, for cultivators with either single or dual affinities.
Slime slid along the edge of Posca’s desk as he wiped his finger clean. "My father said Fire cultivators are ten a copper coin in the emperor's guard, but all the best generals are dual Fire and Wind cultivators."
Hunter shivered at both the questionable slime and response, knowing both his father and uncle were well-respected generals with only one affinity.
Arista huffed in response. "The emperor’s guard does not favor cultivators with one elemental affinity over the other. Those who rise to the rank of general need to have war experience and the ability to strategize, it matters not if they have dual affinities.”
A young girl with golden hair, who reminded Hunter of his little sister Jo, raised her hand.
Arista gave her permission to speak, but her small voice didn’t travel far.
Closing the distance in a single stride, Arista towered over her like a giant. "What are you, a mouse? Speak up!"
The girl's lower lip trembled, and she seemed on the verge of tears. Hunter shot her a supportive smile.
Straightening, she answered without meeting Arista's gaze. "My parents are both Refiner stage cultivators with Fire affinity. They work for the blacksmith's guild, serving the local farmers who till the land."
"You see. Being a Fire cultivator does not automatically mean you are destined to be a warrior. Beware idle chatter." Arista paused to allow her words to sink in. "You are all young and inexperienced but it is my job to prepare you for the challenges of your first breakthrough into the Refiner stage of cultivation. Remember, question everything you see and hear. Don't be sheep. Sheep never ascend to the heavens."
Hunter kept a straight face despite the mental image her words conjured. Sheep floating to the heavens. Beasts couldn’t use chi, they cultivated aether, the second most commonly known energy type. His curiosity got the better of him once more, and his hand shot up as he spoke without waiting to be called upon.
"Why don't we learn more about the other energy types, aether, mana, and plasma?" Hunter was interested in aether because of his fascination with dire beasts—the monsters and legendary creatures that cultivated mana terrified him.
Arista scoffed, the clank of her cane echoed as its base tapped the side of his desk. "Because your parents pay me to teach you about chi cultivation, and most of you will likely pursue one of the common professions here in Delphare or near the capital in the Pyronia province after your formal education ends."
"I'm going to be a mighty fighter, just like my father." Pheres raised his chin. "I have no interest in how beasts or monsters cultivate. You don't need to know that to kill them with a spear."
Hunter wanted to be a fighter, too, just like his father and uncle, but that didn't mean he wasn't curious about the beasts, dire beasts, and monsters roaming their land. "My father says it's important to understand those you hunt. It makes you a more efficient killer."
Arista gave Hunter a solemn nod. "Now, what is the most crucial aspect of the childhood ceremony?" Her brisk tone indicated her eagerness to move on—a tone Hunter recognized well, growing up in his parents' busy compound, where many visitors sought his parents’ counsel.
The students replied in unison, a familiar chant: "Failing the childhood ceremony leaves the young student in the Pre-Refiner stage unable to refine chi and cultivate. They have two choices: enter servitude for forty years with a slim chance of redemption."
Hunter shook his head. The class took a collective breath and recited, "Or you can be stripped of your elemental affinity and forge your own path as a mortal."
In other words, Hunter thought, enjoy your short life!
"Good!” Arista leveled the class with a single glance. “I hope that provides suitable motivation for the remainder of today's lessons." The talk shifted to another challenge of the ceremony.
The blonde-haired girl that looked like Jo raised her hand. "Is it true that if you don't seal your beast core egg once your affinity is awakened in time, you end up with a corrupted medallion and can never advance?"
Arista shook her head. "It's true that your cultivation medallion will be corrupted, but that doesn't mean a resourceful student cannot advance in time. If a family member has passed away by the time of your Coming-of-Age Ceremony, it can be given to their descendant, as long as they are first-generation and of the same energy type. I call it a second-chance advancement."
The class buzzed with chatter about the risks.
Arista's cane crack silenced them. "Take out your scrolls and review the Emperor Sun’s technique to remind yourselves of the breathwork." Arista walked around the class, distributing the chi cultivation scrolls to those who didn’t have any. As Pre-Refiners they had yet to begin true cultivation training but using the scroll to practice basic breathwork helped them build an awareness of chi all around them.
It was the same every day—some students grasped it with ease, while others struggled.
Hunter grumbled at the one-size-fits-all approach. Even at his young age, he could tell it was shortsighted. They didn't all learn the same way. Breathwork came naturally to Hunter, as he'd been copying his parents in their daily morning and evening cultivation practices for as long as he could remember.
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Hunter was among the first to finish his breathwork practice. He opened his eyes to see Pheres sticking his tongue out at him. Rolling his eyes, Hunter returned the gesture just as Arista's gaze landed on him.
She scowled before instructing struggling students to place their hands beneath their rib cages to better feel the flow of their breathwork. Then, she thundered toward Hunter, pulling him to his feet by his ear and repeating the same with Pheres.
"Demons find work for idle hands. Outside, the pair of you, see to the rabbit." She released their ears and a hint of gentleness crept into her tone. "Little Miss Mopsy didn’t touch her carrots."
Hunter’s ear throbbed but he did his best to ignore it. Pheres' ear was red like a ripe tomato. The two boys eyed each other warily as they made their way to the back door leading to the yard.
Pheres flinched when Arista suddenly appeared at the door, opening it and hissing, "Feed the rabbit and come straight back. There’s high winds so stay away from the cliff edge." The look in her eyes made it clear that she would snap them in two if they dared to disobey.
Pheres sneered at Hunter. “It’s hardly a steep drop for me. I bet you’d scream like a girl before belly flopping into the water below.”
Hunter squared off against the cocky twat. “I’m a much better swimmer than you Pheres.”
“Oh, you silly boys!” Arista tapped her cane three times. “The fall won’t kill you but the giant tiger sharks migrating along the coastal waters might.”
A grim silence fell as Arista pointed to the back door.
Outside, a little stone path cut through the long grass billowing in the coastal breeze. Hunter hugged himself against the cold, his tunic offered little protection.
Hunter’s eyes narrowed on the rabbit’s cage, sheltered against the wind by a goldcrest cypress. Pheres bumped him off the path. “Last one there is a rotten egg.” He took off, and Hunter chased him, soon speeding past Pheres. Leaping over a fallen branch Hunter reached the cage first with a smug grin.
“You sneaky little ch…” Pheres quieted as Hunter thrust an open palm toward him.
Hunter’s heart pounded. The little door latch was broken. There was no sign of Miss Mopsy inside.
Pheres shrieked and grabbed onto Hunter.
"Hey!" Hunter shook him off and spun around, locking eyes with a mangy fox, its bloodshot eyes fixated on him. The beast's tar-black mouth revealed a set of bloody fangs that promised a gruesome end.
Hunter snatched up the fallen branch. Splinters bit into his palm as he gripped it tightly. Waving it menacingly in a wide arc, Hunter tried to make himself look bigger and more dangerous than he felt.
He yelled at the fox, but his voice came out high-pitched and frantic. A gust of wind sent leaves swirling from the tree, yet Hunter continued to shout and swing the branch like a weapon.
Hunter prayed the fox wouldn't come any closer. The woodworm riddled branch would crumble to dust if he struck the dire beast.
The fox stalled with shoulders hunched, one paw in front of the other. Its eyes, cold and predatory, locked onto Hunter.
Wildly swinging the branch, Hunter charged, his heart pounding like a drum.
The fox growled, holding its ground. It paused, breaking its gaze to sniff the air. With a flick of its tail, it turned and fled towards the cliff’s edge.
The fox stopped about twenty paces away, and Hunter soon realized why. Twitchy white ears shot up as Miss Mopsy startled from her hiding place. She dashed blindly towards the fox.
Dropping the branch, Hunter chased after the terrified bunny along the rocky edge. The fox fled for good by the time he scooped her into his arms.
"You're in trouble now." Pheres looked much braver now that there was no fox in sight.
Hunter soothed the bunny with soft, gentle strokes along its trembling back. Its heart hammered even faster than his own. "Oh shut up Pheres. I was saving Mopsy, Mistress Arista will understand.”
Pheres adjusted his tunic and ran a hand through his dark hair as he approached. "I suppose you're right." He carried his head low, looking somewhat defeated. His eyes darkened when he twisted his ruby ring. "We can't have that."
A wicked grin broke across Pheres' lips as he shoved Hunter with the force of a battering ram. Hunter's eyes widened at Pheres’ attack empowered by Wind chi.
He rounded his shoulders and tried to protect Mopsy but Pheres snatched her from his grasp. The ground gave way at the cliff’s edge.
Free-falling with his arms wheeling through the air, the white rocky cliff face became a blur. Hunter’s stomach turned at the sight of the stormy water some seventeen paces below.
The last thing he heard was Pheres' manic laughter before he crashed into the raging sea. Bubbles escaped his lips as he kicked against the current, breaking free of the cold sea. He blinked away the sea salt only to see a shark fin break the surface nearby.
A rush of cold water enveloped Hunter's body, its icy fingers tightening around him as he gasped for his breath. The image of Miss Mopsy's widened eyes, brimming with terror, lingered in his vision as he submerged, fearing the tiger shark heading his way.
Kicking rapidly against the relentless current propelling him toward the rocky land bridge.
Forcing his eyes open, Hunter endured the sting of the saltwater, as he swam faster, breaking the surface for a gasp of air before another wave crashed over his head.
His head bobbed up, and the shifting ocean wind caught his attention. He fought against the water and rising terror that he was little more than shark bait. Spitting out a mouthful of salty water he set his sights on the landbridge and kicked his legs faster.
With a flicker of purple haze a strange looking man appeared, hovering near the landbridge. As Hunter swam closer, he thought he was losing his mind. The man had yellow cat eyes and a ghostly purple aura.
A high-pitched voice reached Hunter’s ears, "Sorry sir, our intervention is not required at this time."
With one last breath, Hunter dipped his head under the waves and swam towards the embankment, grasping onto rocks and pulling himself onto the smooth pebbles. He lifted his shaky legs out of the water to see the huge shark fin veer away from the land.
The sight almost made him pee himself but he’d never been so glad to be on dry land. Confusion mingled with his gratitude as he realized the stranger was gone.
Hunter was a shivering mess, his mind had to be playing tricks on him. Ignoring the salty sting on his scraped knees he turned his attention to the schoolhouse on the cliffs above.
Pheres!
Drenched clothes clung to his chilled skin as he spit out saltwater in disgust. His chest tightened with each step along the cliff’s trail back to the schoolhouse. Rounding the stone walls leading to his classroom he wasn’t surprised to find Mistress Arista and Pheres waiting for him.
Tense lines fled Arista’s face the moment she laid eyes on Hunter. “You’re like a drowned rat, you foolish boy! Only by the grace of Poseidon are you still alive.”
Pheres held Mopsy tight in an uncaring underarm hold and raised an accusing finger at Hunter. "I told him not to go too close to the edge near the cliff after I bravely rescued Mopsy from that rabid fox. A gust of wind--"
Arista scowled. “Oh shut up Pheres, no one likes a tattletale.” Her piercing eyes softened as she gently took Mopsy from his rigid hold.
He’s also a big fat liar!
Water flung from Hunter’s hair as he shook his head but he didn’t want to lose his temper and frighten poor Mopsy. "It wasn’t a gust of wind that pushed me over the edge. You've used chi from your father's ring."
Pheres covered his ring, attempting to hide it from sight. "No, that’s a lie, you were careless. I warned you the wind was coming, but you didn’t listen."
Hunter's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. He wanted so badly to yell at Pheres and punch him in his lying mouth but thoughts of his mother’s disappointment in him if he did, stayed in his head. He reached out to pet the poor rabbit instead. “Is Mopsy alright?”
Some students peeked out from the classroom door, curious to know what was happening.
Pheres folded his arms, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes."Miss Mopsy is lucky to be alive thanks to me."
"Enough. Your version of events is about as believable as a mermaid riding a unicorn through the marketplace. I've seen pigs dance with more finesse than your storytelling, Pheres." Arista slammed her cane on the ground. "Junior cultivators, return to your seats. There's nothing to see here." She flicked her silver braid behind her. "Hunter, your uncle is waiting for you at the entrance."
"My uncle? Before the end of class?"
"Why does he get to go home when he's the one in trouble?" Pheres groaned, flinging his hand outward in protest.
Arista ushered Pheres forward with her cane. "Have you wax in your ears boy, back to class" She nodded at Hunter as she handed him a blanket from her storage ring. "Mopsy will be taken care of. Now, get on with it and don't keep your uncle waiting."
“Thank you, Mistress Arista.” Hunter bowed and took one last look at Mopsy before turning, droplets of water flicking from his pants as he hustled toward the entrance.
Dread settled in his gut. His Uncle Eratos rarely picked him up from school, even when Hunter’s father had been away at war and his mother had taken ill.
Hunter quickened his step. The last person he'd want to keep waiting was his uncle, second only to his father—both well-respected generals that served in the Great War. An early collection meant only one thing.
Bad news.
***
Hunter raced inside his home, in their sprawling family compound, his Uncle Eratos easily keeping pace. He jerked as thick fingers seized the back of his neck, slowing him down the hall.
His uncle peered down. "Slow down boy, before you break your spine. Your mother isn’t going anywhere yet.”
Opening the wooden door to his parent’s private quarters, Hunter stepped inside, seeing the priest placing a metal cage near his mother, who lay in bed.
Hunter's eyes widened as tiny pink feet gripped the metal bars. The cage rattled on the corner table as a glossy nose sniffed in his mother's direction. A hairless tail swished against the metal, and the room filled with the screech of the rat.
His father turned, tears glistening.
Hunter rushed to his mother's side, dodging his father's outstretched hand. "Mother, what's wrong? You promised me you'd get better!"
"Shhh, Leo, please don’t fret." She grasped his hand. "Everything will be well. But look at you. Were you fighting again?"
Hunter shook his head. "Not this time. I had my hands full protecting Mopsy from that sandal sniffer Pheres."
His father narrowed his eyes. “Hunter, no salty chatter in your mother’s presence.”
His mother gave his father a look that said ‘leave the poor boy alone’, but when she smiled back at Hunter, her eyes couldn’t hide the sadness. "How lucky Mopsy is to have you as her brave protector." She took a moment to catch her breath. "Now I need you to continue to be brave because I have to go away for a little while."
Hunter tried but couldn’t hold back the tears. "No,...no.” He swallowed hard trying to form the words. “Anyone who ever had the disease was shipped off to Death Island. They never came back."
His uncle's hand landed on his shoulder. "I'll take care of your mother. She won't be sent to Death Island."
Hunter knew it was possible. His father ruled the city of Delphare and his uncle was a well-known general with many powerful allies. He could manage to station his mother somewhere other than the island.
His father gave a grim nod. “Your uncle has it already arranged. Safe passage to a sanctuary on the Isle of Spirits until… a remedy is found.”
His mother squeezed his hand, shifting his gaze. "I'll miss your childhood ceremony in a few months, but I believe in you."
His heart sank as she tapped her medallion, hanging from the thin chain. "You'll be a strong cultivator and tend to your sister. Jocasta looks up to you." She took a deep breath, resting her head on the pillow.
The door creaked, followed by three knocks and a deep voice. "Message for General Filo."
Uncle Eratos scuffed his boots along the wood floor, addressing the messenger. "You're not to disturb our family at this time." He pressed him back into the hall.
Hunter looked back at his mother as the rat screeched once more. His father waved toward the rat as he extended a dagger. "Get that thing out of here before I skin its hide."
The priest grabbed the cage and exited the room as Uncle Eratos reappeared with the messenger. "It appears this is urgent news, brother."
Hunter's father waved the messenger forward.
The man, with a posture as rigid as a tree trunk, spoke in a firm tone, "I come from the Northern Valley with the Stallion seal of Emperor Konstantinos." The messenger extended a paper, the crimson seal a stark contrast to the parchment.
His father leaned across the bed, taking the message in hand. Flakes of red wax fell as the dagger's edge sliced underneath the seal. He sighed and glanced at Uncle Eratos. "The emperor needs me to immediately come to his aid. They're under the scourge of demons. I cannot refuse a loyal trade partner and damn fine friend."
Hunter's chest knotted with worry. He squeezed his eyes shut and hugged his mother afraid he’d lose her forever if he let go. Her gentle touch ruffling through his hair soothed his aching heart.
“Go with the favor of Raziel, God of Strength, and end the scourge of those hellions on the good folk of the Northern Valley.”
A firm pat from Uncle Eratos broke Hunter from his thoughts.
"Don't worry, brother. I will take care of everyone.
Folding the parchment, his father nodded. "I trust you, younger brother. You're of our own blood. I know my wife and children are in safe hands."
“Come now Hunter dear.” His mother patted his back, urging him to release his tight hold. “I need my rest. Be sure to thank your uncle. We are blessed by the gods that he will look after you and Jocasta while we are away.”
Hunter stood up and hugged his uncle. He was too choked up to form any words of gratitude. His uncle understood. He rubbed his knuckles against the top of Hunter’s head—reassuring him like he always did during troubled times. "We'll be alright, boy. We'll be alright."