Chapter 28: Reward
Four days later
Sakura
I flew above the city on the frost eagle my mother had picked me up on. Several buildings had collapsed during the earthquakes caused by the cataclysmic battle between the two Emperor stage cultivators high above the earth. Workers, known as Drudges in this strange land swarmed over the sites, clearing away bodies, rubble, and other debris.
But other than a handful of places the city looked largely untouched. Streets bustled with people out to market, merchants sold their goods to passerbys of all ranks, and guards patrolled the streets for thieves and miscreants trying to take advantage of the recent chaos. All in all, it was a decently run, densely populated city. A rarity in either world in my experience in either world.
I looked down towards the southern gate as we passed over it, and found half a dozen caravans being organized. Their wagons were filled to the brim with supplies, healers of various kinds swarmed them making up the majority of those about to leave the city for the outlying cities, villages, and towns in the countryside. Places that might not have had protection against the apocalyptic levels of energy and power that had been thrown around for the last several days.
They send help to their kin as soon as the danger passes. It speaks well of them, King said in my mind. I couldn’t help but agree. It was a duty to protect those in need of shelter. And to heal those in need of healing. It was only proper.
I, Sky, like it here. It's cool and damp. Like the mountain during summer.
I cringed. I couldn’t stand how cold and damp it was. Everything felt empty, devoid of life or warmth. The fact it was growing into winter did not help in the slightest. When my eyes fell on the distant moving and familiar shell however, my heart warmed and a smile crossed my face.
Home.
“Where is Gamera going?” I asked my mother. As the Kame looked like it was headed for a very specific direction.
“The forest gap.” She pointed towards the seemingly endless sea of trees that covered the rolling hills to the far west of the city. I followed her pointing to a large gap of trees in the forest to the far south of the city. I could barely see it from this height, but Gamera was nearly there. “Gamera will hold watch there, and we will send patrols and scouts through the gap and into the forest to ensure the way is safe. The other side of that gap, to the south, is where the hot springs and our winter roosts will be.”
Rex, carrying Rayce on his back as the massive hound tread lightning next to us let out a happy bark. Mothers eagle let out a screech of challenge and the two picked up speed, racing towards the giant Kame.
Racing towards home.
***
Gamera city was alive, though the streets were filled with people in warm winter clothes rather than summer robes. Most were of the local fashion, with thick furs and long cloaks. But more then a few of the members of the crowded streets and those moving through the hanging gardens and markets that swayed gently off the sides of the Kame’s shell wore traditional Imperial designs with increased wool and better coverage against the growing cold.
So quickly people adapt, I thought as we came to a landing at the base of one of the twin peaks. The Familial Palace had been relocated by Gamera here. Close enough to visit the city proper, but far enough away from the bustle and hustle of the markets to provide a quiet place to live and train.
When we reached the main courtyard we found Uncle Raif sparing with half a dozen of his Knights. Raif hadn’t broken a sweat, but every one of those warriors looked exhausted. Their auras flickered slightly, showing just how drained they were.
“You all need to practice more.” Raif said as he flourished his weapon, sheathed the sword, and bowed to his opponents. They all tried to follow his example, but two of them simply collapsed from exhaustion. All of them heaved desperate breaths, their bodies were coated in sweat, and their muscles glistened invitingly in the noon sun.
I admit, I looked. And I had to fight the smile that tried to cross my face.
“Yes my lord,” The most senior knight said as he bowed. “I will run double trainings for the next week, until we have to return east.”
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“Very good.” Raif turned and greeted us with a broad smile. “Sister in law! Niece, nephew!” He opened his arms and pulled me and Rayce into a hug. “It is good to see you three. I take it they’re here for their next little foray into the vaults?”
“They have both acquitted themselves well the last few years, and have done no small service at their cultivation rank.” Yu said, smiling back. “Rewards are in order.”
Raif’s smile grew wicked. “Good! Then, follow me.”
***
The vault opened, and we past through the first few rooms and the pedestals holding tombs of knowledge, items of power, and low grade relics and training weapons. Finally, we came to the the door to the portion of the vault neither I or Rayce had ever entered.
“Here is the immortal wing of the vault.” Yu said, turning towards us as Raif worked on the locking mechanism. Apparently it was much more complicated for him then it had been for Gamera to open. “Up until now, most of what you have experienced has been training materials. Things to help you lay the groundwork for your future growth, train you on how to use weapons, while also providing you with mildly useful weapons with which to defend yourselves.”
The vault door clicked, and it felt like something heavy shifted. The tiles in the floor rumbled as Raif struggled to push the door open.
“Beyond this point, you will find artifacts, relics, weapons, and knowledge that is dangerous. All of it designed not for teaching. But for doing. You will be allowed in the first wing only, until you have both achieved peak gold. Then you can enter the Jade rooms and truly start your path.”
The door slammed open at the end, running into a stone stopper. “Alright, its open. Follow us kids.”
Raif and Yu lead us through the first room. There were not tables with pedestals and placards explaining each item. No, here were pure marble pillars. On each pillar was held an item, weapon, or book. All of them practically thrummed with power. ON each pillar was inscribed a number. No other explanation was provided.
“In the immortal vault, you will be expected to earn your rewards.” Yu explained. “The family has agreed on a standardized contribution point system. Everything before this room can be accessed freely by either of you, at any time. But things in this room must be purchased using these points.”
“How do we earn these points, mother?” Rayce asked saving me the need to do so.
“Excellent question kid. Well . . . we give them to you. The family heads. Your dad, me, your mom, and your brother are all technically heads of individual sub-families within the greater. Also anyone in the inner family can recommend points be given. So, we get to decide.”
“Exactly. Though I will add that Gamera and the other Kame he designates can also do so. They are family after all.” I was about to ask for more detail but she raised a hand up to stop me. “There are guidelines of course. What those are, and who gets the last say, is not really something you need to know. But you should know this. Items in the immortal rooms are not particularly unique, usually. But they are expensive, powerful, and often are in short supply. Occasionally you will find something unique in these rooms, but do not hold your breath.”
“Yup. What she said.” Raif grinned and pointed at Yu, who bowed accepting his praise.
“How many points have we each earned?” I asked, eager to start looking around the vault and learning more about it.
Yu’s expression soured slightly, as did Raifs. But the annoyed expressions that crossed their faces disappeared as quickly as they came to life. “Here” Yu produced two clear slates with white lettering and numbers on them. “These are point cards. They will update automatically. Point earnings are added at the start of every month. While purchases are deducted immediately.”
I looked at my card. The number surprised me. Three hundred and ninety two. That’s oddly specific, I thought as I examined it closer. I ran my fingers across the glass and suddenly a list of accomplishments appeared on the slate. I was able to move the list up and down like the slate was a tablet from back on Earth.
Most of the listed accomplishments were classes I had passed with good marks. There were also several listed duels I had won from the sect school, including my successful challenge of the silver lords trial which had granted me fifty points all on its own.
The ones that really stood out were the last two entries. “Battle of the Silver Star Sect, 91 points.” I read aloud.
“Yeah I got that one too, but I only got 67 points. Makes sense, I was only on clean up duty. You blunted their assault.”
The last entry confused me. “Battlefield injury, 3 points?” I was careful to keep my voice respectful.
Raif winced, Yu sniffed, and Rayce looked at me equally confused. “Yeah, mine just says ‘Held the line, and I got 7 points. What is going on? We both did, so much more then that.”
Raif sighed, “You want to tell em or should I?”
“I shall. Your . . . battlefield debuts were considered by some of the family heads as, a poor showing. Not unsurprising considering neither of you have proper military training. But it was decided to keep the story simple, and to focus on what can be considered you . . . mild contributions.”
“Mild . . . contributions? I killed at least six Elves on my own. I went toe to toe with one of their shamans and got my head caved in for my troubles. If you add in King and Sky’s kills, we easily took out an entire brigade worth of slave warriors single handedly.”
There was real heat in my voice for the first time in a while. It took me several moments to calm myself. “I apologize. That was disrespectful.”
“No kid,” Raif waved it off. “I thought it was stupid too.”
“Yes, well. We’ll ensure your next foray onto the battlefield, you will be trained. So no one can doubt your exploits. Still, both of you have earned a goodly sum for your first time in the vault. Do not let judgy adults ruin your happy moment.” Yu sniffed, and it was clear she was almost as annoyed as me.
“Do you have recommendations for us, uncle? Mother?” Rayce asked, looking at the pillars that ran into the distance in the long white room.
“As a matter of fact son, I do. Follow me.” Yu took Rayce off down the rows, it didn’t take long for them to be out of sight.
“How about you? Would you like a recommendation, or do you have something in mind?” Raif asked as he leaned on a pillar that contained a helmet that hummed with dark and mist aspects.
“I have been considering what you told me, about not getting too comfortable with any one weapon. My daggers. I have grown . . . comfortable with them. And I do not think there is much more the lessons inside them can teach me.”
“So you’re ready for something else, huh? How about a spear. Solid weapon, and there’s always one around a war camp somewhere.”
“Hmmm. Perhaps one day. But for now, I was thinking something that might grant me a little more . . . reach. King, and Sky are both excellent fighters, and they get in close with the enemy. I need something that will compliment their skills.”
“While not getting in their way. Right, good choice. A spear might serve that purpose. Though if yu think its too common of a weapon, we can always try the spear sword like your brother.”
“That is not the problem. I . . . was thinking more along the lines of a bow.”
Raif’s eyes lit up. “Alright, we have a budding little archer on our hands. Alright, let's see what we can come up with. Something you can train with, while also packing a punch . . . hmmm. Follow me. I have just the thing.”