Lance gulped, nervously eyeing the Nihility fragment in his grasp.
"Ignorant ... I wish I'd remained ignorant. At least then, I would've died a peaceful fool."
Startling, he cast Karma a pleading look.
"Can you—" his trembling voice hitched upon meeting Karma's indifferent gaze. Following a ponderous silence, Lance revised, "Are you receptive to negotiating our continued cooperation?"
Karma, features lightening, inquired with palpable intrigue, "Oh? I'm a bit dubious as to what you stand to offer," gesturing at the encompassing desolation, he resumed, "Need I remind you, your value as Lord Lance of the Selenium Clan has significantly depreciated."
A goading smile belied Karma's disinterest as he unblinkingly awaited Lance's reply.
Lance moaned, "You already know what I'll say—must I voice the words?"
With upturned brows, Karma quipped, "I resent your allegations. How could I shortchange a friend in their time of need? Please do not sully my character."
Sighing, Lance asked hopefully, "You really can help?"
Karma merely cocked his head, an anticipatory glint in his eyes.
Lance's shoulders drooped. Barely audible, he abasedly declared, "If you can somehow shield me from the Mahāyāna Order's pursuit, I and my subordinates will ... act under your employ."
Bursting with giddiness, Karma added, "And that would make me your ..."
Lance, hiding his face with cupped hands, muttered, "My boss."
"Sorry, I—"
"MY BOSS," hyperventilating, Lance adopted a pitiful mien. "Now, can we please get back to my encroaching doom? How can you help?"
Shrugging, Karma dismissed his Earthly Domain and ambled over to Lance's side. "Hold that out for me, please."
Lance stretched the platinum pyramid an arm's length before Karma, his perplexity quieted by Karma's upturned finger, which soon hovered inches above the Nihility fragment.
An azure saber extended from Karma's fingertip before promptly sweeping through the air.
"Done!" whooped Karma, dismissing his ion blade with a wave.
"Done!?" barked Lance, glaring toward Karma, "Don't fuck with—"
He paused when greeted by Karma's pale aspect, falling into a speechless stupor.
"Yes, done," said Karma, cheerfully patting Lance's shoulder, "at least—for about a month. I've severed the causal bridge they've been erecting; as for how they managed such a feat, I haven't the faintest clue."
...
"Thank you."
"No biggie."
...
"So, what exactly are Nihility and Śūnyatā?" asked Lance.
Karma scratched his cheek. "Hm, I can tell you about Nihility since that falls under the causal dissociation. Śūnyatā, on the other hand, would invite a causal bridge between you and the Mahāyāna Order."
Whimsically elbowing Lance, he continued, "It'd be a shame to lose such a diligent employee on their first day."
Lance brushed away Karma's arm. "Nihility?"
"Mm, Nihility—synonymous with the void or emptiness—represents the absence of all things. When you penetrated your father," Karma winked, "you weaponized Nihility to destroy his cultivation."
"And what else can it do?"
Grinning, Karma declared, "That—is left as an exercise for the owner."
Ignoring Lance's unamused stare, Karma dusted his un-dirtied pants. "Welp, I'd best get going; my sect assignment awaits. Bring your retinue to the Abyssal Crow Sect's Dragon Dwelling Inn. We'll rendezvous there in, say, a week?"
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"Alright—you live at an inn?"
"What can I say? I'm a free spirit."
Vestiges of the sun's dimming rays refracted from Karma's hand as he waved a final goodbye.
Karma's back soon faded from view, leaving Lance to his lonesome—his upper lip quirked in vexation.
Was that my father's spatial ring?
Why yes, yes it was, guffawed Karma's voice, knocking Lance into a frightened tumble.
...
When Lance was certain Karma had retracted his presence, he mumbled, "Maybe Lorenzö had it right: sometimes, death is the preferable option."
**
Within a secluded den, a lone mammal enjoyed mouthful after mouthful of clear blue water. Every taste of the oasis's resplendent sweetness sent shivers along its furry, perked ears. It bleated softly at its reflection across the crystalline spring, praising its galaxy-reminiscent palette for its boundless generosity.
No other could elevate a utopia such as it.
No other could freely gift serenity beyond compare.
Lick.
The magnificent creature shut its eyes, savoring every drop of divine flavor. It felt a soft breeze against its slender neck as its eyes fluttered open. A crimson flash colored its peripheral vision, but it paid it no heed, for only beauty deserved its attention.
Bleat?
It watched, stupefied, as a red tint masked its ineffable grace. Before it could investigate the intolerable sacrilege, it found its murky twin swiftly expanding in its vision.
Plunk.
Karma approached the decapitated Starprowler Doe with the sect's assignment tracker in hand.
"Pompous prick," he murmured, scanning the carcass, "you died as you lived: kissing yourself."
**
In the shaded region of a mountain meadow, a chubby black bear sat on its hindquarters, licking its lips. Its claw was enveloped by an ethereal amalgam of lime green and magenta, a bouquet of tulips delicately held within. The black bear's maw gushed with drool, its tongue reaching for the fragrant nectar oozing down the flower stems.
Swish.
Blinded by a crimson flash, the black bear's gaze refocused on an empty paw.
Wrrhh.
Woeful tears soaked its fluffy cheeks as it slapped the earth, upbraiding nature's cruelty.
Swish.
Another crimson flash had it covering its face, refusing to be hurt any further.
Sniff, sniff.
Its arms dropped, revealing its stolen bouquet; a strange, meat-filled ball; and an indecipherable pair of symbols, "<3."
The chubby black bear ate its serendipitous meal with utmost appreciation.
The nectar was heavenly.
The ball filled with meat: scrumptious.
Even the "<3" gave it a warm feeling in its belly.
Mmm.
**
Karma laid belly up amid a field of tall grass, hands cushioning his head. A warm, glowing Jade Slip was balanced atop his breast, sigils reading "3/3" pulsing upon its surface.
Suddenly, the perennial calm winds scattered in a shrill note. Karma, peering up at a sword-bound figure, hurriedly sprang to a stand.
**
Administrator Zhao canvassed unending greenery, inwardly fuming: Why must I retrieve the sniveling brat? Ho-ho, I dare him to call me "Big Bro Zhao." The sect can have him back in pieces for all I care.
Spotting a lounging figure below, he snorted, "Hmph, relaxed, are ya? Just you wait ..."
Administrator Zhao descended with a righteous fury, instants away from unleashing a world of pain. Precluding his greeting, the hateful Junior abruptly shot to his feet.
You may have stood up in time, but if even a pittance of respect is missing in your salute, ho-ho ...
As Administrator Zhao touched down, the green-robed youth bowed to the waist, thrusting his tightly clasped hands forward.
"Salutations, honorable Administrator Zhao. Apologies for my impudence; I should have been standing long before your arrival. You have my eternal gratitude for journeying such an incredible distance for my worthless self."
You may have passed this hurdle, but there is zero chance—
"In addition, I have prepared a gift. Though its worth beggars your bountiful wealth, I wish you can spare me this one allowance."
To punctuate his sentence, Karma procured a chalice of mercurial liquid, devoutly extending it toward Administrator Zhao.
Rotten to the core! This child is evil. Pure, unadulterated—is that ...
Nodding unperturbably, Administrator Zhao swiped the chalice into his sleeve. "It's fine. Hop on; don't waste my time any further."
Hmmmph. Of course, I, the reputed Administrator Zhao, am unequivocally magnanimous in the face of revenge. This Junior isn't that bad, even if I can't stand his unsightly mug.
**
Penelope, if you're listening, that was not the same honor I bestowed upon your defeat. Sometimes, we must pander to get ahead; I hope you can understand.
"Junior, the sect has reviewed your performance; we formally award you an A-rated evaluation. Congratulations on your successful advancement," gruffly intoned Administrator Zhao.
Karma clasped his hands. "Many thanks to the sect and Administrator Zhao."
"No need for thanks—it's my duty to convey the sect's decree."
Administrator Zhao idly pointed at Karma's Jade Slip. "I've updated your assignment tracker with a catalog of high-grade Qi Formation artifacts. Notify me once you've chosen."
"Yes!"
Eagerly browsing the selection, Karma nearly gawked.
So rich! Frederick, a late-stage Embryonic Inquisitor, only had one artifact—a meager Anlîthëma locket. Is the Abyssal Crow Sect that awesome?
...
Hmm, what to choose?
...
Venemous Diadum? Nah.
...
Sword of Mourning? Catchy—but cliche.
...
Nogard Ylgu? Huh?
...
"Pardon me, Administrator Zhao, what is a Euclidian Anchor?"
Administrator hummed, "The Euclidian Anchor is a creation of Daoist Euclid, famed for his mastery of spatial geometry. It allows the user to fix their center of mass to any given coordinate, achieving pseudo-levitation."
"Woah, cool! And the Nogard Ylgu?"
Coughing, Administrator Zhao replied brusquely, "It's ... an inverted dragon phallus."
...
"I'll choose the Nog—"
Administrator Zhao stumbled.
"Sorry, I misspoke, the Euclidian Anchor."