The Aether God: Chapter 10 - Emergency Meeting
It is a comfort to the unfortunate
to have had companions in woe.
The Meadow Sect - First Pavilion
Earlier
Atop the Meadow Sect's mountain, one would see its sanctuary, and beside it, the first pavilion. It was a sprawling expanse of beautiful terrestrial grass adorned with intricate floral arrangements and meticulously maintained paths. At its center stood the grand pavilion, where the patriarchs of all seven sects had gathered, each with three attendants. Every last sect brought with them their scion, as well as two high-ranking elders. The air was thick with tension as the seven powerful saint and spirit-rank cultivators exchanged wary glances, their expressions betraying a sense of unease despite the serene surroundings. Their faces were etched with concern as they awaited the commencement of the meeting. Despite the beauty of the pavilion, the atmosphere was charged with agitation, hinting at the grave subject of the meeting. A man stood up.
“I assume everybody is aware of why I have invited you here. I have initiated this meeting, in great part to assure you that the Meadow Sect is in no way behind the events occurring as we speak within the trade district. Nora is acting alone. We have gathered together a list of the ingredients her guild was purchasing in bulk. However, you will see that the list is most perplexing.” The man speaking with a booming voice and handing out parchment papers was Malachi Meadow, a Spirit-Rank Terrestrial Artist. He had the appearance of a man in his forties, though he was much older. His figure was rough and sturdy, and his presence was akin to that of a mountain.
“We understand already that your Meadow Sect is not orchestrating these events. Please do not waste our time ruminating on defensive discourse. However, it's implausible that there's no common denominator among the three guilds. This level of coordination is far too extraordinary to be mere happenstance. I'm inclined to view this as a deliberate assault on our sects.” This man was Winslow Whitehorn - an elderly Spirit-Rank Lumenous Artist. He was wearing glowing white robes, and his tone carried a searing tinge of agitation.
Although he was perturbed by Winslow’s condescending tone, Malachi nodded before continuing.
“Indeed. I have sent many attendants to investigate the guilds in question, but all of them have closed their doors. They are not accepting new applicants, nor will they be giving lectures in the near future. The situation seems to be extremely well controlled.”
“This is an outrage! Where in the name of hell did they manage to obtain such knowledge of our trades?! It's as if they've been lurking in the shadows for years on end, biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike! This treachery goes beyond mere deception, it's truly a calculated assault on our sects! We must uncover the source of this betrayal and ensure that those responsible face the full wrath of our fury!” The man speaking ever so softly and gently resting his hand on the table was the highly esteemed Infernal Spirit Artist, Blaze Scorchbloom. He was well known for his kind and light-hearted temperament.
“Please calm yourself, Blaze. Although it seems that way, and though it would be worrisome… The situation may even be far more grave than you even realize. There were a small number of sudden expulsions from each of the guilds yesterday. Though it has not yet been confirmed, it seems as though all three guilds required every member to suddenly make a pact of secrecy, and even expelled those who weren’t immediately willing to do so. I say immediately willing because it is unlikely that any guild member would reject such a pact if they knew of the profits that would ensue the next day. This points to a possibility that I am hesitant to suggest.” Malachi looked around at the various people in attendance.
“I am assuming this means that this was not planned for years on end… But it was rather a sudden event - it happened within a single day. Furthermore… because the items listed have no logical methodology…” Osiris Blackwood, The youngest of the Sectmasters present, spoke. He was a Saint Artist, but was the only artist of the Great Valley whose constitution had three attributes.
“Impossible. Truly - impossible. To produce the variety and number of R4 elixirs, artifacts, and manuscripts they have within a single day could not even be done by my own Starfall Sect. With these items, they would have needed to devise entirely new methodology to do so. Learning the formulations is one thing, but to then brew that many? Some R4 sigils take many days to inscribe! Perhaps manuscripts could be possible… but still! We even inspect all caravans that enter or return from outside the valley! I suspect the guilds received a large number of goods all at once from a secretive group that has been scheming, and will run out soon.” Shiloh Starfall was perhaps the oldest of all the sectmasters, and was revered as a Lord Alchemist. He was additionally a Welkinean Spirit Artist. The Starfall Sect’s descendents had much more varied constitutions, and as such focused on the trades, selling goods of all ‘six’ elements.
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“May I ask, if you all would humor my playing the underworld's advocate, why these sudden events are such a drastic problem? I am aware that it is unprecedented, but is it enough that we truly need to be this worried? They are all just goods of R4 and below. Furthermore, they have taken no direct action against us, nor displayed ill-will.” Boreas Frostbane, seemingly the wisest of all the sectmasters, interjected softly. He had white hair, and his facial features were cold and masculine, but he exuded an aura of wisdom and humility. He was possibly the weakest artist in attendance, but was truly gentle. He was an Azurean Saint Artist.
“You can always rely on good old Boreas to come and shed some wisdom! Looks like the meeting’s over folks! It’s all just a little hiccup! I’m so glad we have such a magnanimous individual to lecture us.” Blaze responded with a gentle smile on his face.
Boreas ignored Blaze, but rather looked at the other sectmasters. Many of them scoffed, donning dismissive expressions. Osiris however, displayed a complicated expression. This was noticed by Boreas.
Aurelius stood up.
“I understand your concerns, but if we allow such events to continue, we will begin to appear weak! If that happens, the swine of the valley may eventually come to threaten our regal existence! We have spent thousands of years preventing such an occurrence!” Aurelius was noticeably perturbed.
“All of you here have immediately understood this happening as an attack upon our existences. However, I feel more compelled to consider the possible intentions of whoever is behind this. The citizens of the Great Valley all cower at the idea of directly disputing with us. As such, all of them should be well aware that we would notice, and perhaps even scorn the sudden presence of R4 goods being sold. If whoever, or whatever, is behind this truly has the capabilities to, within a day, produce thousands of R4 items with many different variants, sigils, and manuscripts… Perhaps they could also be gauging our individual or collective reactions.”
Boreas’s words once again drew very many scoffs, except from Malachi and Osiris. Osiris took Boreas’s words to heart, and began to ponder, introspectively. Malachi sided more with the sects, but was acting as the meeting’s arbiter.
Osiris stood up to speak.
“It may just be one of my whims… but could this in any way be related to the ethereal storm? It is strange to me that two such unprecedented events occurred so suddenly, and in such temporal proximity to one another. Could there be any correlation? As Boreas insinuated… Perhaps a powerful existence has indeed descended upon our realm with mysterious intentions.”
Malachi shook his head. “It is extremely unlikely that they are related. However… Our investigations have concluded that the epicenter of the ethereal storm was indeed within the great valley. Furthermore, those that we sent out noticed the most anomalous Ambient Ether within the Training District - where the guild halls reside. They said that it was extremely sparse… As if the Ambient Ether of all six elements had been devoured by some beast. However this is, of course, even more improbable. No such technique exists, and not even a spirit beast could do so. We asked around for individuals that had been seen visiting the three guild halls, and they mentioned no such mysterious individuals beyond a couple of Caladrius School Disciples. Our investigation as such has borne no fruit on this end.”
Hearing this, all of the sectmasters sighed in a dejected manner. Many of them palmed their foreheads, perturbed by the perplexing situation. Many were pondering if somebody could have used a sacred or demonic artifact. There was not a single piece of information that could link any of this together, let alone explain it.
“Caladrius School Disciples…?”
Boreas was the only one among them that raised his eyebrows. While the others had immediately casted aside this information, a mysterious gleam flickered in his eye. He once again began speaking with an enigmatic tone.
“If you would humor me once again, have any of you wondered what truly lies beyond the Spirit Rank… Perhaps even far beyond it?”
“What a silly question. We are all well aware that many of our ancestors have secluded themselves in an attempt to further refine their Ether. Do you think it is such a trivial matter? Hah! Those of us who are Spirit Artists may soon have the potential to do so as well.” Winslow scoffed, his voice tinged with annoyance. He was making a direct dig at Boreas.
“Of course… but perhaps there are reasons that they fail to ascend, time and time again. It often seems as though cultivation is not quite as simple as we understand it… I sometimes feel that Ether is more than just some form of mysterious and heavenly energy… As if it has some sort of… will of its own…” Boreas trailed off.
The sectmasters, besides Osiris, once again began to roll their eyes and laugh. Malachi once again took the floor to massage the situation.
“Please, let us not get too far off topic. I currently have many eyes watching the three guilds. If any new developments take place, they will inform me, and I will let you all know immediately. Feel free to additionally carry out your own investigations. However, I agree that we should exercise great caution. Whatever is behind this, either the storm or the markets, is mysterious, and may be extremely powerful. Now, is there any other action you believe that we can, or should take at this moment?”
They all remained silent.
“Then that will conclude this meeti-” Just as he began to speak, an attendant came up behind him, and whispered in his ear. Malachi thanked him, then turned,
“I was just informed that each of the three stalls have begun an hour-long auction of an R5 item.”
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