The Aether God: Chapter 30 - Ungainly Tension
Though it be as it were, the string was taut.
Lest either side drew further, it broke not.
Scorchbloom Sect Sanctuary
Blaze was seated on his ornate ruby throne. He was leaned over, and his hand covered his brow. In front of him were nearly thirty Scorchbloom Sect Elders. Though two days had already passed since the assembly meeting, they were still vehemently arguing about it, as well as discussing how to save face.
“I still fail to understand why they chose then, of all times, to martyr themselves. Did they seriously think that such an event would change anything? What did they expect would happen? Did they expect us to just stand there and let word get out?”
Blaze couldn’t find the patience to listen to the discussion, nor appropriately respond. He would much rather be taking a vacation.
“What an absolute shit show.”
The discussion eventually descended into a cacophony of interjections. Blaze shook his head a number of times and rolled his eyes. His expression slowly displayed greater and greater degrees of frustration. Suddenly, he burst out angrily.
“Shut your mouths already, all of you!”
Hearing his outburst, the other elders were taken aback. A number of them sat down submissively. Blaze took a deep breath before continuing.
“Aurelius, Shiloh, Winslow and I have personally made plans to deal with the assembly situation. Just sit on your asses for a week or so until everybody forgets about this. Start preparing for the auction as usual and quit your griping!”
The elders quieted, nodding submissively. One though, timidly stood up.
“If I might ask, sectmaster, how will they get everybody to just forget about it?”
Blaze drew an especially malevolent smile.
…………………………
The Silvermoon Sect, residing in the lower end of the South Haven, was renowned for its lush gardens and sprawling greenhouses. They were also very formidable, artistry-wise, but they had recently lost their sectmaster during the assembly meeting.
The Silvermoon Sect: Second Elder’s Chambers
“It’s been two days and everybody’s still too afraid to actually talk about it… I don’t know anymore. Life goes on, I guess.”
Taurus Silvermoon sat in front of a mirror in his chambers. He was leaning forward and covering his face while his wife was rubbing his back.
“Darling…”
Before his wife could comfort him, Taurus stood up and shook his head, interrupting her.
“There’s no use, love. What’s done is done. Everything is now in the hands of the heavens. Whether such a thing as justice exists, it’s not worth making any more sacrifices. Tell Florio to cancel the arrangements with the others. After all," he smiled, "things have been somewhat bearable during our lifetimes. Perhaps the best option is to just bury the hatchet.”
Soon after he had spoken, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
The door slowly drifted open, and a butler was standing in the hall.
“Sectmaster Silvermoon, there is an elderly man named Daedalus waiting in the first pavilion. He has requested a personal audience with you.”
…………………………
Blackwood Sect Sanctuary
Osiris sat and listened to an attendant sharing a number of messages from the other legendary sects. Once the attendant had finished and stepped away, Alaric proceeded forward.
“Esteemed sectmaster, I have some troubling news to share.”
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Osiris tilted his head. “Go on.”
“I say troubling news… But rather it is the lack of news which is worrying. Just a few days ago, Ezra’s father reported that he suddenly stopped receiving word from the excavation site. Initially, I thought little of it, but today he came to me, saying he had still not received word from Ezra.”
Osiris furrowed his brow as Alaric continued.
“Because of this, I did a bit of asking around, and a number of other elders and descendants mentioned similar occurrences. None of them have received word from anybody in Ezra’s group. None of our messengers have even returned from the east. It seems the site has suddenly gone silent.”
Osiris donned a somewhat worried expression.
“Gather an envoy of one hundred master artists and send them to investigate immediately. Send a few Lords along with them.”
Alaric bowed.
“Thank you, esteemed sectmaster.
…………………………
Meadow Sect First Pavilion
Malachi was standing in the first pavilion, gazing down at the valley. He appeared quite forlorn. His troubled expression betrayed the gorgeous floral surroundings. After a number of minutes, a young man came into view, walking up a nearby slope. It was Arbor Meadow, the young master of the Meadow Sect. He arrived near Malachi and stood next to him, leaned over a railing, and maintained a smug expression. They remained silent for a number of minutes before Malachi began.
“Son… the reason I called you here is that I think we ought to expedite our sect’s migration. I haven’t brought this before the elders yet, but I’m growing quite weary of this valley.”
Arbor was taken aback, then immediately displayed a frustrated expression.
“Where in the underworld is this coming from? You aren’t scared are you?”
Malachi sighed.
“No… It’s just that everything seems to be falling apart. I’m sure that the rest of the seven will make similar considerations soon. As you know, this valley will be depleted of most resources within a hundred years. That time will arrive before you know it. It’s unwise to be the last sailor off of a sinking ship. I’m sure the Scorchblooms will end up bearing that unpleasant fate.”
He awkwardly laughed for a moment, but Arbor wasn’t having any of it. Seeing such, Malachi nodded and resumed a blank expression.
“But still, father… Everybody enjoys being here. I know the other sects are giving us the cold shoulder, but didn’t you say that Aurelius and the others would deal with that? Afterwards everything will be back to normal!”
Malachi looked out toward the valley.
“That may be… but don’t you ever feel like you’re wasting your potential by remaining here? You’re only fifteen and have potentially hundreds of years ahead of yourself! The other realms boast even longer lifespans. You’d be limiting your cultivation and lifespan by wasting the next hundred years here.”
Arbor scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“I could care less about the other realms... Everybody I know is here. Plus, this is my final year of schooling, and I’m confident that I can take first place in the duels this year! This might be our sect’s only opportunity to do such a thing! This will be our chance for the valley to truly see our sect’s power!”
Malachi was a bit saddened and shook his head.
“Son… I am asking you to look at the bigger picture here. Every other young master and descendant your age is worried about nothing except being worshiped for their power. Do you really want to be like all of them, needlessly competing for such vain glory? Do you think all these weaklings of the valley really care about you outside of their fawning? Do you think all the women you’ve been courting actually love you? ”
Arbor drew a contemptuous expression.
“That’s none of your business!!! And those are such profound words coming from you, father! Did you even hear yourself two days ago!? How can you act like you care about anything other than saving face!?”
“That was different! This is about something bigger than my responsibilities in the valley! This is about our sect’s future! About your future!”
They both stood in tense silence for a couple of minutes before Arbor broke it.
“Do whatever you want, father. But if you expect me to uproot and leave before the duels… I won’t be coming with you. Also, how dare you!? Tell whichever bastard you have stalking me to piss off. My personal time is none of your business!!”
Arbor angrily trudged away. Malachi once again sighed and continued in his pensive gazing.
…………………………
The Training District: Shining Sword Discipline Hall
Zephyr Ashborn was standing in the Shining Sword Discipline Hall’s armory, moving around a number of items. The hall had fallen upon hard times, and he had begun selling most of their stock of swords and other miscellaneous weapons. As he was doing so, another man walked into the room. Zephyr smiled at him.
“Oh, Vin! Are you heading out for the day?”
Vin shook his head.
“No, actually. I potentially found another recruit. It’s a young kid at the Caladrius School… But I think you’ll be interested.”
Zephyr rolled his eyes and continued moving around some sword.
“Seriously? I doubt he’d even be strong enough to lift a sword. I already told you Vin, don’t bother. Attributeless don’t want to learn the disciplines any longer. It’s happening across the board, just keep wrapping up shop.”
Vin shook his head, smiled, and held out a piece of parchment.
“Just look at the damn sheet for a second.”
Zephyr reluctantly accepted the parchment. As he read it, his eyes slowly widened.
“Defeated a four-star infernal novice… Triton!?”
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