“I just realized, your name is Kun Si, is it not?”

The question caught Kun Si off guard, and not solely because she had just awoken. It was hard to say whether Kun Si was really her name or not, though she had gotten quite used to saying that was the case. Was this a deeper question, because Kun Si was sure she had introduced herself to Xiulan as Kun Si? She wracked her brain for a moment, maybe the trauma of their battle had knocked a few memories loose. She picked at the assorted jigsaw of her recollections, but found no piece missing.

“Yes, my name is Kun Si.”

Perhaps Xiulan was the one who had forgotten. Kun Si was sure she had only brutally kicked the girl’s side, and not also her head, so it stood to reason that her new friend was merely forgetful. She carefully placed the knowledge that Xiulan was a bit ditzy in a place where she wouldn’t forget it. A little corner of her mind, marked Qin Xiulan - Friend.

She would have to make sure no one took advantage of Xiulan’s absentmindedness.

“So you’re the fourth then.”

“The fourth?”

“Kun Yi was the founder of the sect. They say he rose fully-formed from the mud of Wending, perfect and unassailable from the moment that he was born. Fantastically powerful, majestic and all-knowing. And that he rose to the stars after imparting sufficient knowledge to prevent future calamity.”

Xiulan’s voice gained that reverberation again. Her word’s rattled in Kun Si’s skull and shivered through her entire body before melting into the earth. There Kun Si imagined the bugs and the roots and the trees listening with rapt attention for a moment before the words passed all the way to the center of the earth.

Xiulan was a good storyteller.

“Unfortunately, the auspicious line of Kun would have only a single true member. Kun Er was slain before reaching the Third Realm, and Kun San went mad. He was put down by Kun Yunru, our current sect leader.”

The fourth of an inauspicious line.

That was doubly inauspicious, was it not?

“Not that Kun Er or Kun San were truly related to the First. They were simply potentials found in the Wending, as the First had been.”

Sworn by circumstance rather than blood then. Triply inauspicious?

“They held the same origin, but none could match the superiority of the First.”

The words came out in a way that Kun Si had never heard before. Not from Xiulan. Timid, breathless, like they would rather crawl back into Xiulan’s mouth than be heard by anyone. A silence settled over the two of them, as the light of dawn began to settle over the waking world. Her friend’s repose was one that was difficult to break, but Kun Si would have to do it for the sake of her forgetful companion.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I know things often slip your mind, Xiulan, but we were told to gather at dawn.”

Qin Xiulan eyebrows raised so far up her forehead Kun Si wondered if they would merge with her hairline.

“I have no intention of begging forgiveness, so let us hurry.”

Her words sounded like her words again.

Kun Si was glad.

---

The air smelled of iron.

Earthy tones and blood and sweat.

Kun Si and Qin Xiulan were largely unbothered as they picked their way through now unfamiliar streets. Many of the buildings that dotted the outer sect had been severely damaged if not entirely destroyed. The mulberry tree that had guided them to their assigned lot was largely untouched save for a few broken branches. Kun Si traced a finger over the wounded limb, sap sticking against her skin. She paused a moment before moving on, Xiulan’s impatience spurring her forward. As they neared the courtyard, their surroundings steadily improved. Damage was mostly confined to residential areas, the heart of the outer sect remained unblemished.

Its inhabitants did not share the same fate.

The interior of the courtyard was barely at half capacity. A majority of the gathered disciples were nursing some form of injury. It seemed few were as blessed as Xiulan, whose robe had spared both her and Kun Si from severe lasting injury. A boy favoring his left side, his right leg clearly broken. A girl with a trio of ugly lacerations across her face, barely healed and still oozing blood and pus. A whole group of disciples lined up against the east wall of the courtyard, struggling to hold onto consciousness. It stood to reason that those not present were even further indisposed.

“I see you have all gained some understanding of the power that you wield over one another.”

The voice did not match the words, squeaky and so high-pitched as to almost be shrill. Its origin was a tiny man, no taller than four feet. His ostentatious pink robe flared at the collars and trailed behind him as he walked to the podium at the head of the courtyard. Faerie-like features broke into a feral grin as he cast his eyes across the injured students.

“Still, you seem a good bunch. Half of you managed to worm your way into initial assignments. Usually it’s less than a quarter,” he tapped his chin, looking ever the part of the quizzical child.

“Or maybe this year’s lot is just more concerned with peace and cooperation.”

The boy-man slammed his palms down on the podium, a small poofing sound following the motion.

“I am Elder Lu. You will address me only as Elder Lu. Any attempt to address me as Lu Lu or Little Lu will be met with extreme prejudice,” a fist shaken in indignation, “I am in charge of instruction in the basics of physical cultivation. Unlike the cultivation of qi, the cultivation of the physical form requires endless exertion. Conflict rather than tranquility. Consider the tribulations of your first night a primer on exertion, and consider making it here passing your first test to be allowed my instruction.”

Elder Lu gestured for those seated to stand. Shaky legs struggled to obey the command, some of their number falling to their knees.

“Those who cannot stand will be relegated to the bottom of the hierarchy. Sustained exertion requires discipline, and discipline requires regimented order. You will obey my instructions to the letter, but you must all understand your place amongst one another in no uncertain terms. Elder Long’s prohibition on violence will be rescinded under my observation. Divide yourselves into pairs.”

It seemed only natural to Kun Si that friends should pair off, but Xiulan had already grabbed a beleaguered looking boy whose mop of dark hair covered his eyes completely. She looked around for a suitable partner, and saw a disciple who stood alone as the others split off. His muscles bulged against his robes, his entire body taut and coiled with unrealized kinetic energy. Marble-like features betrayed no emotion, and the smooth sheen of his bald head made him seem almost mass-produced.

“Hello, my name is Kun Si. May I pair with you?”

He nodded.

“He Wenyan.”