CHAPTER 1

Are you Special?

“I’M GOING to rise through human cultivation. Transcend and continue through Immortal cultivation. And then . . . Then I’m going to send that blue-glowing-Lite-Brite muther home with a rupture!” Josh, the forty-four-year-old divorced Chicago lawyer turned multiversal galavanter, thrashed his hands around violently as he shouted to the sky and surrounding fields.

To obtain their Mind Attunement Item of Power, the Clone had sent Sen and Josh to the terrestrial moon Mwezi that orbited the massive pink and orange gas giant Baroo-7. The giant’s wispy pastel stripes dominated the sky and cast everything with a gentle orange-pink tint.

When they had first arrived, Sen, the Immortal combat specialist, who had been reduced to mere mortality as part of his grandfather’s design to reshape his development, had looked around and found that . . .

They were on a small hill . . .

In the tumbledown ruin of an ancient stone building . . . Smack dab in the middle of exactly . . .

Nowhere . . .

Rolling fields of wild grains and thistles covered the countryside around them. Far off in the distance, on the rising slopes of the valley wall, they could see a large . . . castle?

Even with his enhanced sight, Sen wasn’t exactly sure from this distance. It was huge and white, surrounded by massive white walls with several grand, white towers.

With no other signs of civilization, and Josh far too distracted cursing the Clone’s existence to actively participate, Sen decided to cross through the grass toward it.

They could have run using their cultivation. But Josh’s tirade against the Clone’s existence was slacking, so he must be finding the time to reflect from their slower pace therapeutic . . .

Sen had learned a bit about his brother over the past week. Josh’s passion for life and to always win were a significant part of their growth thus far. He was honest and would tell a person what he thought about them, good or bad . . .

But to be overly passionate about the deceptions others caught him in would keep Josh from identifying his adversary’s agenda. In fact, snares were generally laid to keep one from seeing their enemy’s plot in the first place. A lesson Senyak had learned the hard way at the hands of the genocidal harvester, Brundox. But now Senyak’s eyes were open to many things he had previously ignored. Senyak now even realized that he had been taught this very point by his political tutors as a child.

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity . . . Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

Josh’s mind was quick, and he could focus it to a photon’s edge when necessary. Sen nudged Josh’s intellect in order to get him to see the Clone’s acts for what they were. Dominion and control.

“Yes, yes, brother. Without question, we will send that incestuous fornicator back to the Polar Neutral Iteration with a crushed scrotum . . . But you must have noticed that the Clone’s timing was amazingly convenient . . . even for a being as callused as he . . . What could his motivation possibly be?”

Josh’s head snapped up showing that he was already on edge at the continued existence of just about everything. His eyes thinned at Sen. “What!?” The words already out in anger, Josh’s head dropped in immediate self-reproach.

Sen felt everything through their Bond.

Josh spoke again. “Sorry, brother . . . you don’t deserve my angst.” Josh’s cheeks puffed up as he forced a calming breath. “Yes, his timing was inconvenient in the extreme! Much too perfect to be a coincidence . . .” Josh looked up to the sky, thinking seriously about Sen’s point for a second before answering. “Well, he made it plain that he doesn’t give a rat’s booty about Sophie. Or me seeing her . . . His constant and stated objectives are for us to rise through mortal cultivation and to transcend to the Immortal realms of cultivation . . . So, he must have pulled us out of there—at the very instant I had a real chance to communicate with Sophie—to force me to work harder to get back . . . From his perspective . . . to accelerate our growth!” Josh’s teeth clenched to the point of grinding as he threw his hands to the heavens in outrage. “He’s separating me from my daughter as a motivational aid! That mother-frakker. Arrghhhh . . . I’m going to send him home with a rupture!” Josh stamped his feet impotently on the ground and pointed his index finger at the sky as he cursed the Clone for the next thirty seconds of their walk.

Sen smiled quietly as Josh went on with his tirade. Sorry to have started Josh up again . . . but it was necessary that he understood the political machinations of Sen’s family. Better now than later when it was too late.

“It’s been three hours, Sen. I know we’re getting closer because that castle looks more like a palace. But how much farther do you think it is?”

Chuckle. ~Still farther, brother, still farther.~

Josh rolled his eyes and laughed quietly at himself. What should I expect. I basically asked how much longer our car ride was going to be.

But the . . . palace was significantly closer. Its massive walls and towers dominated the side of the valley they were walking in. It reminds me of the Maharaja’s stronghold described in The Arabian Nights . . . Or maybe some fantastically elaborate north African Kasbah.

Tall, white spires, surrounded by minarets with pointed conical tops, reached over 300 yards into the sky. The larger ones were capped with broad, rounded domes tapering to needlepoint peaks. All shaded in faded hues of red, orange, and yellow, and were well placed under the sun’s warm amber glow, complementing the pink and orange striations of Baroo-7 above. Flocks of white and yellow birds, barely pinpricks at this distance, rode the thermal updrafts between and around the pinnacles. They moved with such freedom any onlooker would wish to be there soaring with them. Josh was no different.

After an hour, they came across a well-packed dirt road winding in the direction of the palace. Thirty minutes later, they could make out shorter buildings that formed a small town around the palace’s 100-yard-tall alabaster walls. Thin trails of smoke from cooking or other work fires rose around the outbuildings. And grey plumes of dust floated up from distant roads as vehicles moved along them.

Cultivated fields of neatly fenced and well-organized crops started to line the roads. Josh noticed a species like corn, along with wheat, soybeans, tomatoes, and several orchards of citrus-bearing trees. The field’s produce looked to be three or four weeks from harvest. The plants’ fruiting bodies were well-laden, but no discernible, vegetative head was visible in the center of the—

“Get a grip. The science is only going to distract you, Josh,” he muttered to himself.

Josh took a sip from the canteen Sen had been drinking from and put it back in his bag. Or aspect facet as Symbal, the anterior section’s quartermaster and unofficial despot of Hegemon-4, had called it. The canteen slid back in. Somehow. To someplace inside there. And came out again when Josh called it. He would have to spend time with the facet to learn more about how it worked. While the facet was a convenient luxury to Sen, to him its workings were of no interest. He had seen many things like it in the past. But it was still pretty cool to Josh.

It’s not just the bag . . . I need answers for a lot of things. I know how to use Essence. But what is it really? Does Essence come from matter? From energetic solar ejections as particles or rays? There is undoubtedly a spiritual requirement. Is life required? Consciousness? Could Intelligence on the Hegemon-4 see it or use it?

Josh had no answers for any of these questions. Yet learning these things was vital to maximize Essence’s use, to increase his cultivation, and in short, get back to Sophie . . .

And Josh had a ton of questions about Sophie.

What is the link between Alysa and Sophie? How did I drag my daughter into this insanity? Is she in any danger? Alysa and Sophie’s Karma is obviously tied together . . . but across so many iterations? How did it happen? How strong is it? Do I need to bring them together? Keep them apart?

These questions were going to keep him awake at night until he found some form of resolution, because the Clone also knew Sophie and Alysa shared a bond in some way similar to the one Josh and Sen did. That couldn’t be a good thing. Or could it? For one thing, the Clone could likely answer all of Josh’s questions about them. He also tended to reward Josh and Sen with some information when they successfully achieved his objectives. Maybe I can get some answers after we get this mind fruit and complete our next Attunement?

Questions aside, Josh was grateful to Sen for getting his brain reengaged to do more than rage-hating on the old blue bastard.

Nod. ~You are welcome, brother. I am wondering how Sophie and Alysa’s bond formed, as well.~

Nod. ~I thought saving Alysa would meet Karma’s price of balance.~

Blink. ~As did I. The Clone can answer these questions just as any Immortal Fate Glancer could trace the ties of Reality and Balance between the two of them. But let me bring it up. You are too close to act in Sophie’s best interest.~

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Blink. ~You are right . . . but it’s hard . . .~

Sen smiled reassuringly. Then, because he could keep no secrets from his Karma Bonded brother, particularly about Sophie . . . the source of their Bond . . . Sen added, ~It could be a testing of you. Somehow instigated or fostered by Zenyak. Never speak of your doubts or concerns about it out loud . . . just in our Bond. I suspect that even the Clone cannot completely read our shared Karmic communications.~

Josh nodded in affirmation and continued walking toward the town, trying to take his mind off things that were beyond his ability to change. It would only slow him down from gathering the strength to get back to Sophie.

Recent emotional meltdown resolved; Josh got back to work to improve his Attunement. The Clone had said they would be able to form shields and other abilities with their Earth Attunement. Then, as usual, he was silent about how this could be done. No surprises there!

Over the three days since they had saved Alysa, Josh had been trying to push his Essence outside of his body and form a shield. The same arcing technique he had used to enhance his weapon and heal Alysa should be able to form a shield. It was all essentially the same thing. Just pushing Essence along his meridians and out of his body while Intending it to take form.

For the most part, Josh felt he had the gist of getting the shield formed. But he had definite power issues. A full shield, when created, would drain his free Essence after several seconds if he fueled it from his meridians alone. His thoughts turned back to EM theory. Perhaps it was not a direct current skill like the weapon-enhancement skill was. But more like an alternating current skill. If so, Josh needed to draw power from a continuously available source instead of just the Essence already in his meridians.

Josh stopped in the middle of the empty road as an idea struck him. Sensing Josh’s intention, Sen looked up, but kept back a step.

Holding his hands out and palm down to the ground, Josh started to access the most apparent continuous source of Essence around.

Earth aura flooded him from all around. But the bottom of his feet had the greatest draw as they were in direct contact. A ratio of about three to one from the meridians on the soles of his feet versus the rest of his body combined. So, Josh limited the absorption to focusing only there. The dark orange power streamers stopped circling around him and only came through his feet. He then started pushing the shield out from his hands and noted that he could Intend it to form a hardened and, gratefully, transparent . . . layer? Barrier? Membrane?

Nah. Call a spade a spade. It’s a shield.

And a shield it was. Slowly, it formed over Josh’s hands, arms, and up his torso. Continuing over his legs, shoulders, head, and feet to simultaneously reach both ends of his body. It lay closely against his skin and clothing. Tight but flexible. Josh tried to push it away from his skin . . .

And the power draw grew significantly, sucking from Josh’s meridians at a steeply increasing rate. He stopped and let the shield settle over his skin again. The aura drawn from his feet went back to refilling his meridians.

The entire process to form the shield took about five seconds. A relatively short time . . . but an eternity when one wanted to block a swing from a bone alien or even a bat cannibal—

Josh’s interface chimed.

New Earth Attunement skill created.

Earthen shield. Channel 100 Earth-Attuned Essence per second to form an external layer of protection.

Check status for details of earthen shield.

Sen chimed in, “Form it from your core, brother. It will be much quicker and stronger. Also, with a greater reserve for impacts.”

Josh dropped the shield and reformed it from his core directly. It was quicker. Taking only about two seconds to get into place. Still, a long time. But Josh was getting faster, too. With continued practice, he and Sen would be able to get it in place much quicker. Just like absorbing aura was almost instantaneous now.

Josh explained his thoughts on the shield to Sen. Mainly through the Bond if he had kept score. Plain talking was just too slow. Particularly for metaphysical things where feelings played a large part.

Soon, Sen had gotten his own earthen shield up as well.

Twenty minutes later, they were both drawing in aura through their feet, with the shield snapping into place in less than an eye blink. The popping sound of air being pushed out confirmed it was airtight. Josh had been pretty sure it was. Neither he nor Sen could breathe when it was in place. Not a significant issue right now . . . they could go much longer without oxygen after their Earth Attunement. But, as the Clone had said, they would still need air until they finished their spherical cultivation. So, we will still need it for a very long time to come.

Sen nodded. ~We are doing very well, brother, even I can tell that.~ Blink. ~I know you’re right . . . I’ll keep it positive.~

Josh checked his status.

Body

Earth Attunement: 100% probability of increasing your health status by 500%.

100% probability of increasing the molecular density of your skin by 780%.

Weapon enhancement: Invest 200 units of Earth-Attuned Essence into a weapon for 100% probability to-

increase durability by 1000% and its damage rating by 500%. Duration dependent on use.

Earthen shield. Channel 100 Earth- Attuned Essence per second to form an isolated microenvironment to serve as an external layer of protection. Shield strength increases with increased channeling of Essence per second.

Further increase your health status, connective tissue density, and Earth-Attuned skills by increasing your level and cultivation.

Psyche

Mortal level.

Spirit

Spherical cultivation level 100% to stage 2/7.

Weapon:

Titan Short Sword

Skill Level: Basic (17%)

Damage:

Superior Mundane (Earth Enhanced)

Quality: Mundane masterwork.

Allows interface guidance for optimal usage.

100% probability of 1005% (x5 while Earth enhanced) increased damage vs. standard hand-to-hand.

Armor: None

Standard Earth-Attunement resilience.

Josh had lots of questions about the shield.

How much force can it stop? How much damage can it absorb? Would it shatter, or degrade slowly? How much training until maintaining it is second nature, like blinking when dust got near your eye? Will it apply to any weapons I am holding? How much Essence will it take to be expanded off my skin to use like a diving bell or a space suit?

Sen looked up, sensing Josh’s mind racing.

Josh looked up. ~Meh! Let’s just test this thing out!~

Nod. ~Agreed!~

Josh reformed the shield holding his sword. The barrier didn’t cover the blade. He could do it, but the cost would go up significantly to protect things not in contour with his body.

First answer. No covering the weapon for now. Too expensive.

Josh held his arm out, and Sen raised his sword with no Essence cycling. He was about to swing.

Josh looked at him hard . . .

Sen adjusted his hold on the sword so the blade’s flat would strike first. Nod. ~Apologies!~

Josh gave him a grim smile. ~Accepted, brother.~

The nonenhanced swing bounced off Josh’s arm with a sharp ping

as if it had struck a marble column.

They both smiled.

Sen then cycled Essence and struck the flat against Josh’s arm.

Louder ping. Josh’s arm felt the pressure of the strike but no significant pain. Like he was wearing . . . well . . . a shield on his arm.

Imagine that!

Physical Health Status:

5000/5000

Spherical cultivation units

Free Essence:

4050 -> 3960

Spherical cultivation units

Josh’s free Essence had dropped less than two percent. But there had been no interruption in its protection.

Nod. ~This is going to be a big help!~

Smile. ~About Transcendent time, brother!~

Smile. ~When you are right you’re right!~

Josh took a step while maintaining the shield. His absorption of aura from the ground faltered and significantly decreased to less than one-third of what it had been. Essence started to drain from his meridians to continue the shield between steps.

So, they tested that. The farther Josh raised his foot, the less aura he could absorb. At two feet off the ground, he was getting nothing from that foot. Checking his interface, his free Essence dropped by about two percent per step to maintain the shield.

Nod. ~Well, that is something to work on.~

Nod. ~What is the term . . . Captain Obvious?~

Eye roll. ~Nobody likes a wise guy, Sen.~

Josh was sure with practice he would be able to increase how much

aura he could draw through his grounded foot between steps. It was a skill like walking and rubbing his stomach. He just had to do it about five million times until he didn’t have to think about it anymore.

They walked on and attempted to increase their aura absorption through their placed feet to minimize the loss while the other was raised. Increasing their cultivation would ultimately increase their meridians and core capacities along with their aura-absorption abilities. Which would in turn make the percent decrease in their free Essence while moving negligible. But building foundational skills was what Sen was here for. So, they would do it. And, hey, they could get better now . . . so why not?

They walked for another hour, and Josh noticed Sen began to have trouble concentrating. In fact, he had started dancing a little jig on one leg, then the other while he held his legs together like a little kid who had to pee.

“Senyak. Do you need to . . . urinate?”

“Um . . . yes . . . but there are no proper facilities in the area. So . . . I was waiting for one. The last time I urinated outside of the proper facilities . . . it didn’t go well . . .”

Josh held back a chuckle, remembering their first face-to-face meeting in the alley. It seemed like a lifetime ago—but quickly recounting the days—it was really less than a week. “Okay . . . that was a unique set of circumstances. And yes . . . it is better for mortals to always use facilities when available. But right now, we are out in the open, the great outdoors. It’s okay to go out of the way, off to the side, and pee if we need to . . . I kinda have to go myself.” Josh pointed out the fence between the growing crops and the road. “I go here. You go maybe five feet away. Facing apart from each other . . .”

Sen lined up at the fence, facing away from Josh, and they both relieved themselves.

“See. Perfectly ok—” Josh was cut off by a voice to their left,

“What in the Ascending hells are you guys doing to my maize?” The figure stood off to the side, on the top slat of the fence they were peeing through.

Startled by the fact they hadn’t heard his approach, even with their hearing enhanced, they both turned . . . their pants still down, holding their business . . .

“Oh, gods! Please put ’em away, fellas!” And then, with a voice reserved for a young child or a mentally handicapped adult. “Friends, are you both . . . special?”

Sen and Josh quickly pulled up their pants. Eye glare. ~I knew I should have waited!~

Head hung. ~. . .~