> “Now as to the alternative cultivation method I previously wrote about, soul-forging, there is much to be learned. However, it is clear to me that the path of the soul-forger is above all perilous. Beasts, demons, devils, and old ghosts, this world is full of such, and these all await the soul-forger’s missteps.”

>

> General Fu Xia, in his correspondence to Emperor Akumi, before the great battle of Saintswords, during the Glorious Divine Era

Kai’s brow furrowed, his eyes shying from the suddenly intense Elder Tai. If she intended to kill me would she tell me? I think not, but I can’t be sure.

He returned her stare, saying nothing, setting his jaw. I need more information, I know too little.

“That does not surprise you?” a curious smile returned to her.

Kai turned away again and looked out over the low stonework rail. Warmth filled his face, the heat came unbidden. This elder can read me too easily. I have no advantage. He watched the clouds whip around a rocky peak. I have to create an advantage.

“I don’t know what soul-forging is,” he began, “but I can infer some of what it might be.” Kai turned to look at Elder Tai. “It carries the risk that a… practitioner may be usurped by another. When that happens it often ends poorly?”

“It does,” Tui Mu spoke, her voice colorless.

“But not always, otherwise you would have killed me already.” Kai gazed into her emerald eyes; he could sense the thrum of power there. He measured the distance to the rail with his eyes, three steps. He stood deliberately, closing that distance; his hand coming to rest on the dark stone. He peered down; jagged peaks of barren granite broke through the clouds like the sharp teeth of a ravenous beast.

“How do I convince you my life is worth saving?” Kai turned and held her gaze, before looking away. And now the trap is laid, if you tell me to convince you, require me to share my secrets… then. His hand gripped the rail, his muscles tensing. I will throw myself into this beast’s maw before betraying the Unified Republic.

Elder Tai watched as Sun Kai moved - noticed the tension in his posture, the contraction of his muscles. A puzzled expression clouded her face but quickly faded. She stood and moved to stand next to him.

“Benefits.” She briefly laughed; it was a cold and merciless sound. It set Kai on edge as she approached. “This is your first lesson; your introduction to this world.” She turned to look down, matching Kai’s gaze.

“Here, all actions are measured by the possible benefits they may bring. Does killing you benefit me, the Soul Hall, or the Celestial Temple?” She began the lesson. “Or does leaving you alive bring me benefits? Or more accurately, how can I best use Sun Kai’s misfortune for my own benefit? These are the questions I am asking myself.”

Stepping to Kai she pulled him closer; an arm going around him. To Kai, it felt as though bands of iron had fixed him in place. How can she be so strong? She looks almost delicate. “You would do well to assume all people think this way.”

“Let me tell you something of soul-forgers; they are like buckets. At the start they are empty; carrying but a cup of water, but as they grow new water is added, cup by cup, until at the last, they are filled to the brim. Of the full bucket, can anyone tell which was the water that started there and which was added later? More importantly, does anyone care? No. When it comes to buckets of water, what is it that we care about?”

The elder held him fast. She could hurt me. She could kill me. Easily. He looked down into the mouth far below. He refocused, replaying the lesson in his mind before he allowed himself a response.

“Benefits,” he replied after a moment, “what benefits can the bucket of water provide.”

She smiled, then tightened her grip further, “That is why it matters little to me if you are an engineer or a demon pretending to be an engineer. In either case, I will do the same. I will wait; wait and watch what benefits you bring me.” With a final squeeze, she let him go before returning to her former position.

Kai thought furiously. She didn’t take the bait. She didn’t ask me to prove anything. Could I have been wrong about this? He looked down at the fanged peaks; he imagined them opening wider as if to devour him. He retreated from the rail, his steps unsure.

“What benefits can I bring? I barely remember my own name; nothing I know will advantage me here,” he asked his voice unsteady.

“Breathe Kai,” she said calmly, then with a smile, “I was beginning to fear you really were some old fox.” She laughed, the coldness from earlier replaced with warmth. Kai searched her face, and her posture, but she was inscrutable. I can’t tell what she’s thinking. I can’t sense if she is a friend or a foe.

“As an initiate, you are just starting on your cultivation path. At the end of the year, you will be required to participate in an assessment. If you do well you will receive benefits, the Soul Hall will receive benefits, and I will receive benefits. It should be clear what you need to do.”

“Clear. Yes… it’s clear. My life depends on earning you benefits. Benefits I must earn by mastering something I have never done before and doing it better than those who have been preparing their whole life.”

She is neither a friend nor an enemy. She wasn’t lying, she is doing it right now; trying to find a way to maximize her benefits. I must learn from this and do the same.

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“The task is not nearly as grim as you make it seem,” she explained, “you are a year younger than most and well advanced for an initiate. Most of this year’s initiates are just now beginning their cultivation.”

Kai took the moment to study Elder Tai, her perfectly flawless skin. She wore white silk robes, under which a darker green robe could be seen. Her hair was tied back in a ribbon of a similar shade. She is an elder? Does cultivation slow the aging process or is there some other secret here?

“You have some disadvantages. Your body is weak. Sun Kai had a weak constitution, no doubt he thought to remedy that by fusing with a strong soul. That fool was of little use to me, but you… you may be of worth.” Kai remained silent, allowing her to think out loud, weighing her words.

“Your spiritual energy, you have it in excess.” Kai felt her gaze settle on him, scrutinizing him. He imagined that the unsettling power reflected in her eyes was capable of penetrating his thoughts, revealing all. He watched as she moved from one idea to the next, discarding them.

“Your spiritual energy would normally be an advantage, but right now it will draw too much attention to you too quickly…. If some of the other elders were to learn of your… issue, they may try to cause me problems.”

Kai listened in fascination. Cause you problems? The elder moved from one conclusion to the next with such decisiveness and speed he could barely follow. Spiritual Energy? Is that what makes her eyes glow like that?

“It is decided. We will create a chance; it will be up to you to seize it.” Settled on a course of action she moved forward.

“You will go into secluded cultivation, that is what I will state publicly. It is not unheard of for talented initiates to have early breakthroughs. Yes, you went into seclusion to solidify your foundation after creating your soul space.” Kai blinked. One moment the elder raised her hand as though to hold something, the next a golden harp was there. It was just there, as though it had always been there. She plucked a string, a single clear bright note, and then the harp was gone just as quickly leaving Kai to question if he saw it at all.

“Attend to my words now boy.” She fixed him with her stare, “privately the story will be you suffered a backlash when creating your soul space; it has caused you temporary memory loss. I will arrange private tutors for you. They will assist you in regaining your memories.” She paused and waited for Kai. Kai said nothing but after a moment he nodded. “This is all I can do for you.”

“It would be best if you forgot your fanciful dreams and never spoke of them. You are Sun Kai, a rising star in Soul Hall. Do you understand?”

She is pushing me in this direction for her benefit, but I will squeeze everything I can from it.

“I understand elder. I apologize for my ramblings earlier, the backlash,” he tasted the unfamiliar word, “was more severe than I realized. I will be sure to treasure this chance.” I will take this opportunity, but I will find a way home, even if I have to build a shuttle with my own hands.

Tai Mu smiled, briefly nodded, then turned towards the door. “Come in.”

Kai heard some shuffling steps and turned toward them. A man strolled into the room, his manner rather carefree. He was dressed in a black robe, but it was rumpled and open at the waist. Inside was another robe of red with embroidered flower petals swirling around full blooms. Around his neck, he wore a necklace of wooden beads.

“Pssshh, what a hassle.” The man looked over to Kai to inspect him. Kai noted his curly black shoulder-length hair, his handsome face, his deep red eyes. He had a strong jaw, patched with stubble, not groomed, unkempt. The man stared around the room as though he suspected a hidden person to arrive. “What are you bothering me with now big sis?”

“Odash,” Elder Tai nodded to the newcomer her smile faltering somewhat as his casual display, “this is Sun Kai, a new initiate. He’s recently suffered a backlash from creating his soul space and needs assistance regaining his memory. We will say he is in seclusion to solidify his breakthrough.”

“Kai this is Hep Odash, he is good at handling discreet matters.”

“Backlash you say,” The man looked on, his eyes nearly glazed over, seemingly disinterested. His expression twitched slightly before he continued, "needs to regain memories…" a brief pause turned into a minute as Odash looked at the elder. "Fine. But you know how important this time of year is, you’ll have to make it up to me somehow.”

Turning to Kai he looked at him with a bright smile. “Don’t worry kid, I’ll take good care of you.” Kai stood to shake the man’s hand. Do they even do that here? But Odash slipped around Kai, placing his arm around his shoulder.

“Now let's get to the important part. What do you know about poetry?” Odash began as he led Kai from the room. Elder Tai Mu watched them leave, a crooked smile on her face.

“Have you ever heard the expression: every locked heart has one poetic key? Listen to your big brother Odash, and you will never struggle in love. Now give me your opinion of this poem, it’s nearly there but not quite." Odash cleared his throat. "The spring winds blow warm…“

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Elder Tai Mu stood and stepped towards the rail, looking down. Braxon. An unusual name. What were you thinking?

“I have met with Rhi Tat and doctor Fei.” a whisper came from the darkest corner of the room. “They both agree he must have suffered a backlash. Little Mei will not be a problem.”

Tai Mu nodded. That was all in line with her expectations.

“Do you believe he suspects anything?” the voice inquired.

“I can’t be sure. He is not what I expected. Watch him closely.” Tai Mu spoke into the wind.

“I obey.” the wind spoke back.