They floated high in the sky in the liminal space between life-giving atmosphere and the void.
“So, you heard a little girl’s prayer?”
“Yup.”
“And you’re going to fight in some kind of tournament to win a boy?”
“That’s what the weirdos are doing. I’ll be a distraction.”
“Right, I got that. I’m grabbing the boy and his village?”
“That’s what they call them, but it’s really an apartment building. The sects are really into the feudalism. Make people into peasants and everything. I’d say we should flip everything, but then that’d be open warfare with the Phoenix Dynasty.”
“We can’t weaken ourselves. According to the spires’ announcement there’s going to be an announcement about something important.”
“Too bad they’re assholes that don’t like to give concrete dates for these things. Could be a year, could five, could be a month.”
“I still think fighting is a waste of time.”
“I’m accomplishing multiple goals. After I kick their asses, I’ll be able to threaten them into not having feudalism. I mean, it only makes senses. They don’t need peasants and farmers… I guess if someone wanted to be a farmer then that’s cool, but not peasant. Never that. Anyways, they should be making as many of these cultivators as they can or at least useful classes. Plenty of food and supplies, yet they’re keeping the masses just on the edge.”
“Easier to control.”
“Yeah, still wrong and stupid. It’s the perfect way to get your asses kicked by the next superpowered monstrosity that pops up through the spires. Hell, if it wasn’t for me flying around and taking care of the worst ones…”
“Might be a lesson in that.”
“No way, you know who’ll get hurt if I don’t do it? The little guy.”
“I concede the point. So… let’s switch masks.”
“What? No! Mine’s cooler.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Easy. Mine’s a dragon-serpent. Yours is a bird-dragon.”
“Eagle.”
“Whatever. Point is, dragon is the coolest out of all those animals and mine is more dragon-y, while yours is more bird-y.”
“Bakunawa ate the moon.”
“Yeah, I know that.”
“Minokawa ate the sun.”
“No shit? I didn’t know that.”
“Ergo, you should be Minokawa and I should be Bakunawa. It’s more thematic.”
“I can concede the sun part, but not the moon part. How does that tie into you.”
“Well, consider the word ‘lunatic’.”
“I get it, but you’re going to explain anyways, aren’t you?”
“In olden times people thought that the moon made people go crazy, hence the term.”
“Still don’t get it.”
“Really? C’mon, the moon manipulating the minds of people…”
“Whatever. We aren’t trading. I am the mighty Bakunawa, dragon-serpent and you are the less mighty Minokawa, bird-dragon.”
“I didn’t care anyways. Don’t even know why we’re wearing masks. I can just make it so no one remembers what we look like.”
“I told you. To sow confusion and intimidation.”
“Okay, so, we going or what?”
“It’s your bubble…”
“Alright, we’re off then.”
“So slow,” Bakunawa muttered.
“We’re almost going to hit Mach 5,” Minokawa sighed.
“Like I said.”
“I already told you I can’t go hypersonic and guarantee that no one will notice us. I have to block all sorts of scrying abilities. Your Phoenix Dynasty. That dragon.”
“He’s cool, probably won’t do anything. He got into it with the phoenixes and took a spanking, but according to him, he didn’t really want to hurt them. Wanted to be more of a shadowy benefactor than a direct ruler like the Phoenix Emperor.”
“Who is a woman.”
“Wow, look at you, finally caring about things outside his immediate circle.”
“Hey, I was actually the first to go to another world.”
“That we know of… besides that’s not a big deal anymore, Remy, Megan and the kids went to two worlds and did a hell of a lot more than you did.”
“Just… shut up. We’re going.”
Minokawa carried them down from near orbit like a falling meteor.
No one noticed or rather no one thought to notice.
A few more powerful sorts sensed something was amiss, but they too pushed it out of their minds quickly.
The pair alighted in the middle of a dark courtyard.
“Shit. We timed it wrong,” Bakunawa said.
“I know,” Minokawa sighed.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“This is your show.”
“Damn it! It’d be rude to wake them up.”
“… there’s a raider-type camp about twenty miles to the east, near the river, hidden by some thick woods. The Golden Horde… apparently there are a lot of those.”
“What? Like a franchise?”
“Nope.”
“Are they doing anything actively evil?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, let’s go, but it’ll still leave us all night to kill.”
“Spawn Zones?” Minokawa shrugged.
“I guess it’ll be good to test these masks in actual combat.”
“They better be worth the points we paid.”
“Dude does good work from what I heard.”
“At a lower scale of combat.”
“He said these were his masterpieces. I mean, I’m loving it so far, it’s like I’m not wearing anything at all. No vision impairment. Hearing’s good. Breathing… not that it would be a problem for me.”
As quickly as they had arrived the pair departed.
Yet another Golden Horde met its end that night.
Along with tens of thousands of monsters, mutant animals and several spawn zones.
Morning came for Bei as it always did with the sounds of her grandmother striking the wooden dummy in their small living room.
“Grandmother… I’ll start breakfast,” she yawned, scratching her short, roughly-cut black hair as she staggered out of their shared bedroom.
“I already made the congee,” Grandmother huffed, wincing as she struggled to maintain her form. Her fists and arms weren’t the problem. It was her stump. The thin layer of flesh over her bone didn’t provide much cushion as it banged into the cloth covered wood.
“Grandmother—”
“No whining. What have I told you? A fast foot—”
“— arrives first.”
“Good, hurry and wash your face, then eat. There are two masked men wanting to talk to you. They’re waiting in Mr. Wang’s apartment.”
Bei blinked.
“Go! Go!” grandmother clapped her hands.
The sound startled Bei and caused the windows to rattle.
An hour later, Bei found herself seated next to her grandmother on Mr. Wang’s couch.
Steam from cups of tea wafted between them and the two masked men seated across the small table.
Bei studied the masks.
They looked so real.
One was a dark dragon, while the other was a bright bird, maybe an eagle from what she remembered seeing in the old books her father used to get for her.
She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she found them scary.
She couldn’t find any hint of the men’s eyes, just the masks.
And when they spoke it came out of the fixed snarling visages, yet their voices weren’t muffled like one would expect.
The bird did most of the talking.
She vaguely remembered him introducing himself as ‘Minokawa’.
“Bei!” Grandmother snapped. “You are being asked a question.”
“Yes, Grandmother,” she straightened, “er, what is your question…” she hesitated, uncertain on how to address him.
Proper deference, but what exactly?
They spoke her language, but in the odd way it sounded when the Universal Translation System was at work.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“‘Minokawa’ is fine for now,” the bird man said.
Bei’s eyes narrowed.
He seemed to be very good at guessing what they were about to say.
“I was just wondering if you’d be willing to tell me about your brother,” Minokawa said.
Boiling rage swelled up from her belly like it always did when the subject came up.
“Bei…” Grandmother soothed.
“You’re right to be angry from what I’ve already heard.”
“Then, master, perhaps Bei can be spared having to recount the terrible tale,” Mr. Wang bowed deeply.
“Please stop bowing or calling us that,” the dragon man sighed. “Besides, it’s up to her,” he nodded to Bei.
She steeled herself, pushed down the rage and told a story.
How some stupid bone tosser, probably an old, toothless witch out in a shack in the woods, threw some chicken bones around and decided to tell a stupid prophecy.
How her little Bai was destined to seed a tree that would conquer the worlds or something stupid.
How her parents were murdered by those that wanted to possess her brother.
How the Shining Glory Sect did nothing just because they wanted him too.
How one of the Phoenix princes or princesses… she wasn’t sure… came up with the decree to hold a tournament to determine which sect would have the ‘honor’ of marrying her brother into their families like he was some prized calf.
The room suddenly warmed.
It was a nice change from the chill in the air.
Bakunawa took a deep breath.
“Crap’s messed up.”
Mr. Wang nodded uncertainly.
“Thank you for sharing, Bei,” Minokawa said.
He seemed nice, but one didn’t trust men that hid their faces.
He reached up and pulled the mask off to reveal a brown-skinned face with short black hair, slightly mussed.
“Philippines?” Grandmother muttered.
What was that?
Bei didn’t recognize the word.
“Yeah, by way of America,” Minokawa said. “Will this improve trust?”
Bei felt as if he was speaking to her.
She decided to withhold judgment until she knew what they really wanted.
“I’ll keep this short and to the point. You’re not aware, but there are other places on this planet that are doing pretty good all things considered. Materially, better than your building. Food, medicine, and other supplies are plentiful and free. Homes are also free. People are likewise free to pursue their passions. You contribute what you want to or what you feel most satisfied with. Obviously, there are still rules. You can’t just, say, go around and chop people’s fingers off for, quote unquote, disrespect. You might wonder about safety in regards to monsters? Well… encounter challenges are maintained to keep them from turning into spawn zones. To start, I’m willing to move your entire building to Manila. Eventually, with time permitting, travel to several other places is possible depending on certain requisites. Specific details will be provided when asked at a future date.”
“Yeah. The important thing right now is to get you and your brother out of here,” Bakunawa said.
“I’ve heard honeyed words before. Plenty of times someone has promised warmth and full bellies only for the price to only become clear after one steps into the tiger’s jaws,” Grandmother said.
“I’ll take volunteers to Manila. They can spend a few days testing my claims. Once done, I’ll take them back here to tell everyone else,” Minokawa shrugged.
“It is hard to trust a man with a made up name.”
“All names are made up,” Bakunawa nodded sagely.
A giggle escaped her lips before Bei could stop it.
“Also witches,” he continued, “witches can do things with real names.”
That seemed to mollify Grandmother. The scowl remained, but she nodded.
“Mast— misters. If it pleases you, I will gather everyone to decide,” Mr. Wang said.
“Do you trust that word of our presence and offer won’t spread beyond this building? Because if it does then it’ll endanger the other part of why we’re here,” Minokawa said.
“Ah… the tiger’s jaws close,” Bei folded her arms and scowled like her grandmother.
Bakunawa laughed.
“Bai?” grandmother said.
“To free him endangers you all,” Minokawa shrugged. “To free you… well, if the sects think he’s valuable then his life is not in danger.”
“Being wanted for his seed is another kind of danger,” Bakunawa shook his head.
“It is my simple belief that we accomplish these two things at the same time. Better to remove the opportunity for the sects or others to do violence.”
The silence stretched uncomfortably.
Bei wanted to agree.
This was their best chance to save Bai.
A better life for them all was just an added bonus.
She trusted their words for some reason.
“Very well,” Grandmother suddenly spoke. “Mr. Wang,” she regarded the old headman, “pick two others. I will go and see the truth of their words with my own eyes and return to share. If I fail to return? Then I swear on my fists that the tiger will choke on his meal.”
“That’s— I swear that you won’t be in danger on my account,” Minokawa sighed.
“Nevertheless, the heaven’s have witnessed my words,” grandmother said.
“I…” Mr. Wang clutched his bandaged hand. “Very well.”
“As soon as possible, please. The tournament is at the end of the week. We don’t have much time,” Minokawa said.
“And my grandson?”
“Mrs. Zhao, I’ll take him to you myself,” Minokawa said.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fighting in the tournament,” Bakunawa said.
“It is by invitation,” Grandmother said.
“Yeah, sure, but there’s always a thing for surprise entrants, right? Basically, I’ll beat people up until they let me in, maybe I’ll take someone’s spot. A lot of these sect fighters are a-holes anyways. And if they decide they don’t want to let me in and try to kill me, then that’ll actually make things easier. While they’re busy dealing with me, Bird-dragon,” he jabbed a thumb at Minokawa, “will have an even easier time of it.”
“Why not simply take my brother then?” Bei challenged.
“We want confusion and not just of the sects. There are many eyes on your little brother. He won’t be safe until he’s out of their reach,” Minokawa said.
“The longer these a-holes don’t know what exactly is happening the better,” Bakunawa’s draconic eye winked, which was disturbingly life-like.
“One last condition,” Grandmother raised a finger, “you take Bei with you as a disciple.”
“No,” Bakunawa said flatly.
Minokawa was more amenable.
“Please explain why?” he said.
“Masters have disciples. It will not be unexpected. Their eyes will hunger for the mystery hidden by your mask,” she regarded Bakunawa, “Bei will slip beneath their notice.”
“Sure, but why risk her at all. It’d be better if I took her with you,” Minokawa countered.
Her grandmother denied the defense and pushed through it like crashing rock through straw door.
“Safer is not better. Bei is close to stepping on her path. Observing sect masters fighting might spark her fire. Overcoming challenges and danger to grow… this is the way of the spires, is it not?”
Bei heard a chime and saw the text flash in her vision.
“Shi— crap, I just got the Quest,” Bakunawa said.
“Decline it,” Minokawa said.
“I have it too,” Bei raised her hand.
“That doesn’t mean you have to accept it,” Minokawa said kindly.
“But… I have to be a cultivator… to protect Grandmother and Bai,” she said softly.
“There are other ways. We can help you achieve your goal, but in less… foolhardy ways.”
“No. This is her mountain to climb. She must or the stone of her parents’ deaths will weigh her down for the rest of her life,” Grandmother said.
“Jeez, Mrs. Zhao, that’s a bit harsh,” Bakunawa said.
“Excuse us, clearly we have to discuss this. How about we take a break? Mr. Wang can pick the two I’m taking to Manila with you, Mrs. Zhao,” Minokawa said.
“You may stay here if it pleases you, Mr. Minokawa, Mr. Bakunawa,” Mr. Wang bowed.
“Nah, thanks, but it’s cool, we’ll be hanging around outside,” Bakunawa waved vaguely in every direction as he stood.
“Is an hour enough time?” Minokawa rose as well.
“Yes, of course, Mr. Minokawa,” Mr. Wang said.
“Then we’ll be back here by then.”
Minokawa followed Bakunawa out the door.
Bei rushed to the window, pulling the curtains open, but saw nothing.
How?
It was as if they had vanished.
What spells or Skills had they used?
“Grandmother, are they…”
“I do not know what they are, Bei.”
“My prayers—”
“No!” Grandmother snapped. “They are men. Be certain of that. Powerful, perhaps, but men just like any other, like us.”
Bei wasn’t so sure.
High in the sky, Minokawa and Bakunawa debated the merits of child endangerment, which to be clear was exactly what it was.
The spires didn’t care for anyone’s safety, in fact, evidence over the years indicated the opposite. They spurred the never ending quest for power through conflict, which meant danger.
“How bout no,” Minokawa said.
“Agreed, but to play devil’s advocate—”
“Why?”
“Seems fair,” Bakunawa shrugged. “Anyways, Bei’s not my kid, nor yours. Scary Mrs. Zhao’s in charge. So, we have her position on one side and the rational one on the other.”
“When you put it that way the answer’s obvious.”
“Sure, but if we got Quests for this, then I have to ask, what about the other side?”
Minokawa’s feathered eagle-dragon mask frowned.
“It’s not likely that this Shining Glory Sect just got a Quest to stop us from taking their ‘peasants’ to a better life. They’d need more concrete knowledge that it was possible and I made sure that the two informants in that building aren’t going to think about going to the sect even if they find out what’s about to happen. Besides, even they’d jump head first on our offer once it became obvious that their lives would improve astronomically.”
“Yeah, a few extra handfuls of scraps are still scraps,” Bakunawa shook his head. “Free food and the sects still keep the people just a few rungs above starvation. Morons.”
“So, we can rule out a counter Quest on that front. However, I’m fairly certain that any number of people have Quests relating to Bai.”
“Can’t you, like, find out for sure?”
“I will once I get closer to him.”
“Alright, so, Bei’s got this underdog vibe going for her, which reminds me of all the underdogs I’ve helped before and now they’re powerful and doing good stuff. And the world still needs powerful and decent people. Especially with what might be coming up in the next decade,” Bakunawa shrugged.
“Right, but most of those cases you and they didn’t have a choice. It was fight or die or worse, from what you’ve told me. This is different. There is a choice. And the smart one is to take with her grandmother to Manila.”
“What if they don’t want to go?”
“They will.”
“Yeah, probably. Okay, I vote in favor of me having Bei as my martial disciple.”
“What?”
“I’ve got play along for her to maximize her gains. I was going to pretend anyways. This is the first chance I’ve got to go all Street Fighter without feeling stupid because stupid is the point.”
“No.”
“C’mon.”
“No.”
“C’mon.”
“No.”
“Dude, being by my side is like the third or fourth safest place she could be in.”
“No.”
“Look, I was going to wander the city a bit, beating up arrogant young masters and other assholes to build a rep so I can get into the tournament anyways.”
“That’s oddly specific.”
“It’s how it was in stories and, as it turns out, in real life. Art imitates life and all that,” Bakunawa shrugged, “you’d know what I’m talking about if you had broadened your horizons more instead of being an ignorant provincial that never leaves your home region.”
“I’ve been to another world!”
“Yeah and how much of that place did you see?”
“Still more than you.”
“Cause I was busy seeing this whole world. Dude, I’ve gone completely around on this. You’ve convinced me. Bei should be a part of the Quest to free her brother. Think of her gains! Plus, she won’t be in any real danger since you’ll be right there for the tournament.”
“Right, so the timetable’s looking like I take, say, an hour to fly the tourists over to Manila and get them set up with a tour guide.”
“Just have Mom do it. That’s like the third safest place.”
“Maybe. I do that, then I head back here to keep my eyes on things and to keep their eyes off.”
“Which means that if it gets really dangerous for Bei, you’re right there. So, I was wrong earlier. She’s actually even safer. I’ll just need to get her a dragon mask,” Bakunawa’s brow raised as he regarded Minokawa.
“Fine, I’ll also pick one up for her.”
“Great! That’ll be our gimmick. Master and disciple. Dragon-serpent and dragon-serpent baby… hatchling? Does Bakunawa have kids? Can you find out?”
“Yeah,” Minokawa sighed. “Wait, so who’s first and second?”
“Hmm, we’ve still got a lot of time to kill,” Bakunawa ignored him.
They bickered over brotherly things until the hour had elapsed.
Within minutes, Minokawa and three others flew into orbit inside a telekinetic sphere.
He darkened it to spare them the terrifying sight despite one complaining voice.