Prologue

"She's so perfect isn't she..." a foundation disciple says as he watches the young woman in the middle of the training ground practice her sword swings.

"Yea..." another of his group breaths as his eyes lay fixed upon the blue haired beauty as well.

The small group of young foundation disciples all hold training weapons in a loose circle in what looked like the start of a spar session, but none of their eyes were on each other. Instead, all six young members of the Radiant Sect were currently staring at the blue haired girl as she practiced her sword movements in the wide training field. They were not the only group scattered around who had stopped training, to watch her instead.

Holding a simple silver longsword, the young woman continued her practice oblivious, or uncaring to the eyes around her. It was a clear sunny day, like always in the pocket realm of ‘Mirror Lake’. The sun shone down on the outside training area and as the young girl went through her movements the sun would catch on the shiny broad side of her sword. An overhead slash, flowing into low crouch as she pivots on her feet coming up into an upper cut, that transitions into a variety of single-handed thrusts as she drops one hand from the sword. She continues her movements one handed now as the free hand starts to crackle with energy. The disciples around her gape openly as they see an occasional purple tongue of lightning or the orange spark of fire around the hand as she continues her sword movements.

After a series of exquisite foot movements the young woman preforms a particularly powerful slash by turning whole body in to it. Her blue hair flowing around her as she brings her free hand forward. The tongues of purple intensify until a large fork of lightning explodes outwards to an empty area near her. The disciples gasp as they watch the forks expand out with a crack. So amazed at the visual elemental display that few of them notice the metallic taste of burnt ozone caused by the it.

The purple fork continues until it strikes the stone wall perimeter of the training field, leaving a series of scorch marks on the grey stone. The young woman has not finished though as she transitions back into single handed thrusts. The hand that had just let loose the stream of lightning is now curled into a tightened fist and sparks of orange dazzle around it.

The young woman brings her sword around her in a full pivot, turning three hundred and sixty as if to clear an imaginary circle of enemies. The sparks of orange around her hand intensify as she brings herself to a low crouch with the full swing movement, and then plummets the orange shrouded hand into the ground beneath her. At that moment, a circle of flames, heat and wind push out from her body. The disciples see the waist high flames first, then they feel the wind and then the heat as the flames push out five metres from her person in the perfect circle.

The gawking crowd of foundation disciples lift their hands to their eyes to shield them from the dust and sand that flies rampart around. As the winds die down and the flames disperse the young members of the Radiant Sect lower their hands from their faces. All eyes are on the blue haired young lady who remained still, unmoving, crouched on the floor. One hand on the sword which lay half on the floor and the other hand still in a tightened fist on the packed dirt of the training ground. Her long blue hair lies strewn over her face and hides it from the view of the enamoured disciples around her. The sharp rise and fall of her shoulders indicate the excursion caused by her movements. She slowly rises and her faces becomes visible. Her button nose and pale skin, coloured red confirming her excursion. She begins murmuring to herself and starts tracing her sword in slow movements as if she is trying to recall something.

"I had heard she had. But it seemed so insane to believe. She truly has broken through to the core formation level..." one of the six disciples said to no one in particular.

"Yea... It’s crazy... Our top disciple Fallon only broke through when he was eighteen. She's only sixteen. I mean she's a year younger than us and she’s miles ahead. I’m barely into the mid foundation rank...." Another male in the group said despondently. He looks down and kicks the loose sand that has blown on to his sandals.

One of the girls of the group bursts out laughing. "Ha, your trying to measure yourself against Lady Kiera? She’s granddaughter of the Island Sage! Who are you? A maybe slightly above average disciple of the sect? You may as well compare a pebble to a mountain" The female disciple continues to giggle.

“Hey! You’re in that same category as well!" A previously quiet disciple interjects angrily.

"Yep, I know! I’m not as deluded as the rest of you to compare myself to her though!" The girl retorts back angrily.

"Ye well you don't have to be a dic-" The angry disciple’s response is silenced as one of his fellows raises his practice sword to shush him.

"She's right. The fact that we can even watch her practise can be considered an honour we can tell our children" The disciple lowers his sword and looks around before continuing in hushed tones. “I even heard from a senior brother that first brother Fallon actually approached Lady Kiera with offers of marriage for once we return back to the outside world and the sect. He had said he had already approached his master about the proposal and once they were on the outside he would talk to his father and mother about it, making it proper and then approach her grandfather the Great Island Sage."

A collection of gasps echo as the five stare at their well-informed brother. "No way! What did she say?!" The most eager of their party gets out first.

With all ten eyes focused on him the disciple looks around again. He beckons them all a little closer. All five move slowly towards him. With one more look around he continues in quieter tones. "Apparently, according to my senior brother. He overheard the pair when Fallon approached her. He said that she politely declined. What’s more she said when we leave this world next week that she wasn't planning on going! In fact, she is planning to stay in Mirror Lake for ten years! In that time, she is going to try and break through into the Nascent soul level!"

Hearing this news, the group gasp even louder. There was so much to process. Fallon, the arrogant top disciple of the sect. Hailing from one of the most powerful families on the island continent of Calendon, disciple of one of the most powerful elders of the sect was rejected... Lady Kiera was planning to remain in the pocket world for another ten years… At the age of sixteen she had only just broken through to the core formation realm. That meant that she was going to try and break through to the nascent soul realm by the time she was twenty-six.

All five disciples burst out with a question at the same time.

"She seriously rejected him?!"

"How did he react?"

"She’s going to stay here for ten years?!"

"Does that mean we can stay here longer as well?"

"She seriously thinks she can break through to the next realm in just ten years?!"

The knowledgeable disciple smiles, enjoying the complete and utter focus his fellow disciples are giving him. Gesturing slowly with his hands for them to calm down, he looks around again to make sure that there are not any eavesdroppers and starts to answer his eager friend’s questions. "Apparently he didn't take it well. He said something like 'only he was capable of keeping up with her and no-one else was worthy of him or her in his eyes'. When she explained that she would be staying in Mirror Lake for the next years he told her he would accompany her for that period of time and that they could train together." The disciple looks around again to make doubly sure that there defiantly was not anyone else on the training field listening in. In an even quieter tone, he continued beckoning his audience in closer. "She declined his request. She told him that he would have to leave with his sect and that only she would be remaining in this pocket world for the next ten years. What’s more she said he would only be a distraction on her road to becoming a Nascent soul."

The five now in a close circle around each other gape at this information. All their minds still reeling with a different question.

"So that’s why Fallon has been in such a foul mood?! I heard he put about four of his spar buddies in the medical wing over the last week"

"How can she get to stay here all by herself isn't that such a waste!"

"How can she reach that level by the age of twenty-six! Even her grandfather, the most powerful cultivator in Calendon only managed that feat at the age of twenty-seven"

The knowledge disciple just shrugged. "I’m not sure, honestly. This is all the information my senior brother managed to overhear. But with regards to her staying here by herself. That’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? This pocket world belongs to her grandfather. Lady Kiera has no relation with the sect, for her this is her family legacy. We are just guests here."

One of the disciples looks back at Lady Kiera. The girl dressed in a simple white linen shirt and trousers is still waving her sword around slowly muttering to herself. Her breathing has returned to normal, and the slight red hue on her face faded. "Can you imagine if she did it though. Got to Nascent Soul level by twenty-six. What an accomplishment that would be. We could indeed tell our children we had the honour of watching her train."

The rest of the disciples turn back to look at her as well. "Yea, she might actually do it as well. She wasn't even using any techniques just now. That sword work, footwork was all her. That elemental manipulation as well, being blessed with not one, but two elemental aspects. Two of the most destructive as well. Lightning and fire."

"Yea and those two blasts at the end, that wasn't even her using a technique to channel her aspects. That was her using raw manipulation. I’ve heard even peak core formation experts struggle to do what she just did without a technique to channel"

At this moment, the six disciples heard a cough and a clear authoritative voice come from behind them. "Well if you six foundation students didn't spend all your training time gossiping and gawking you might one day be able to accomplish such a feat."

All six disciples stiffen instantly. They know that voice. They know who it is. But as each of them slowly turn around they hope against hope that it is not the head training elder. As all twelve eyes land on him they inwardly cry. There stands the imposing figure of elder Hague, head training elder of the Radiant Sect. His tanned, scarred and weathered face staring at the disciples, betraying no emotion. His large imposing physique, easily discernible even through the cloak of an elder.

"elder sir!" All six bark and quickly bow in reverence.

"Hmm... We have one week left until we as a sect leave this blessed land and return to Calendon. Here the spiritual air is higher, you have access to training facilities the sect can only dream of and library of texts that rival anything on our island continent. Yet you waste it all. I think three laps around the mountain and forest is in order. Then once complete bring me back the core of a foundation beast each. Failure to complete this task by this time tomorrow will result in.... Well... Let us just say don’t fail." His eyes narrow. "Now go disciples!"

"Yes sir" The disciples shout quickly. After bowing again, they speed towards the exit of the training zone to the forested mountain. No disciple utters a single word of complaint. They all know that if any word of refute was spoken, elder Hague would instantly double the punishment. Furthermore, all of them couldn't help think; 'This punishment seems rather... light'. The task they had been given would take almost twenty hours, but due to certain caveats it would not be tricky. Elder Hague never forbade them from working together to kill the beasts, so essentially this was just an awfully long run and an exercise in teamwork. Compared to some of the terrifying labours they had heard from their fellow disciples this sounded far too lenient. But, no way were any of them going inquire the reason why.

Elder Hague sighs and shakes his head as he watches the six disciples sprint through the exit. He looks at the other groups milling around trying to not obviously stare as they try to ascertain what was happening. "All disciples of the Radiant Sect leave, training in this area is finished for today" He bellows.

"Yes elder" The disciples shout before bowing formally to the elder and then filing out in a speedy organised fashion.

Elder Hague watches as the last disciple leaves his sight and then turns to Lady Kiera who is still tracing her sword in slow deliberate movements, oblivious to the happenings around. The elder walks up and waits patiently at the edge of Lady Keira’s range.

The elder stares at the blue haired young woman, his gaze now much less serious. He says nothing as she slowly pivots, turns, thrusts. Her blue eyes are clouded in confusion and her brows pinched together in questioning. Her actions and expressions look like she is trying to remember something, something she is so close to, on the cusp of reaching.

The pair continue for an hour or so. The elder watches patiently, while the young woman continues to try and rekindle a memory. After one particularly strong sword stroke the girl pauses and a disappointed frown of defeat paints her face. She looks up and taking stock of her surroundings notices the field empty save the imposing figure of elder Hague watching her.

Quickly adjusting her clothes and expression she turns to the elder and offers a slight bow of respect. "Apologise elder, I did not realise you were here. I have been rude" she says in a soft balanced voice.

The elder smiles politely. "Not at all Lady. I was informed by a senior disciple here at the training ground you may have entered a trance of inspiration. As such I have cleared the field in a hope that our sect will not distract you. Has my Lady's training been fruitful?"

Kiera sighs. "I’m sorry elder Hague, I did feel something... It’s just I can’t recall it now…" Her mouth pinches together in an annoyed pout. She then looks around and it clicks that she is responsible for the ground now being empty of the sect members. She turns back to the elder with an apologetic look and again offers a small bow. "I’m sorry elder my training has interrupted you sects training, and with only a week to go before you vacate. I apologise for my selfishness"

Elder Hague's polite smile blooms into a full-blown grin before erupts with a hearty laugh. "Ha! Ha, oh my lady. This place belongs to you and your grandfather. We are but guests. The fact that we have been able to train here for the last ten years is a blessing in itself! By the firmament… I wish even one of these stupid bunch of rabble had half your talent then I wouldn't have to walk around with a furious scowl all the time"

Kiera’s apologetic face turns into a gentle smile at the elders words. "Thank you for your kind words elder Hague. Though I must say I feel that comparison is too strong, there are numerous disciples among your sect who have great talent!"

"Pfff..." elder Hague breathes out. "I appreciate your kind words Lady, but as the head training elder I can tell you that I find all of these disciples lacking" The elder looks up to the clear blue sky above. "We have been graced with this perfect, sublime world for almost a decade now and bar three or four disciples I can’t think of anyone who deserves those kind words from your lips." The elder then brings his eyes down and looks at her seriously. "I’m not counting Fallon in that list my lady. If he gives you trouble be sure to let me know. I promised your grandfather when he left two years ago that I would keep an eye on you and according to the gossip I have heard from some disciples I have been remised in my duties if he is bothering you."

Kiera’s smile lifts from polite to slightly warm as she hears elder Hague’s words. "Thank you elder for your support. Senior disciple Fallon has been..." She pauses thinking of the correct word. "...accommodating in his support"

The elders face, a face that all disciples of the Radiant feared for its scowl. The mouth that would carry orders of terrifying consequence burst out laughing again. "Pff, ha. I bet he has been. That privileged, entitled little shit." Kiera’s face gasps in shock at the elders words. He notices her surprise and brings his laughter down to a lowly titter. "I’m sorry my Lady, it’s just refreshing to talk to someone not from our sect. As someone from humble birth I have had to fight and claw to get to my position. Fallon epitomises what I find so disgusting with so many of our disciples and most of the cultivation world." Elder Hague looks up to the sky again. "These so-called genius disciples who join sects hailing from the richest families. From the day of birth, they are marinated in the most expensive herbal baths, they are given access to the greatest pill’s money can buy. They have teachers brought from all over the island to train them in martial arts, weapons training and other studies. Then when they join the world of cultivation and join a sect they are lorded and praised for being above their peers. They are told that they are the greatest, unconquerable, special. All because their family gave them a starting handicap that costs more than some cities need to run for years. Bah, sometimes I think I could pick any decent enough kid from a random village and make him into a cultivator Fallon’s calibre easily."

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Kiera, being the granddaughter of the great sage of the island had met almost all the strongest cultivators and powerful families of the island continent, even many as strong as her grandfather from other continents. She thought that she had perfected the art of concealing her emotions from others. Offering a polite a smile when asked a question and remaining neutral when hearing words that might differ from her own opinion. Now though this ''so called' training was nowhere to be seen as she stared wide eyed at elder Hague. Then a certain sentence of elder Hague’s tirade struck in her mind. A small, annoyed expression appears on her face. "I think I might fall under the category that this pristine elder is chatting about, after all I am the granddaughter of the... Island Sage" She left a slight pause before her grandfather’s title in an immature attempt at a slight threat.

"Pff, ha. I know who your grandfather is Lady" elder Hague again turns down from the sky to look at Kiera. He shakes his head slightly " I do not count you in that rabble I described. You may have been given a lot of advantages, but I know how you train, I’ve seen you. The first person to rise and the last person to leave. You also hold a mantle far heavier than any disciple we have... I can’t imagine" The smile on the elders face breaks as he realises he had misspoken. "Also! Don’t think I don’t recognise when certain members of our sect seem to have mysterious breakthroughs all of a sudden. It doesn’t take many questions to realise that my lady has offered a pointer or a word here to help guide some of these useless little lambs down their path" The elder smiles again and nods thankfully to Kiera. "Thank you, my lady. That is why you are different. You have been given a lot of opportunities, you are talented and work hard. Gracious with your knowledge and uncondemning of social rank. That’s why I don’t count you in that rabble..."

Kiera tries not to but cannot help blush and look away at the Elders kind words. "This... elder... Your words are to kind. I’m still just a girl trying to fulfil her grandfather’s and own aspiration" Turning back to the elder. "Also, elder you should not be so candid with your words. Although your sentiments are kind they could be misconstrued by other parties."

Elder Hague lets out another laugh. His huge body shaking beneath his large elders robe. "Ha I feel blessed with the kind lady’s concern. Don’t worry though, I have lived for over five hundred years and I’m about to attempt the seventh core destruction. Bar the sect leader and a few elders there is very few in the sect I must watch my words around. Also.” Hague points over his shoulder towards the entrance. Kiera follows his direction and sees a collection of characters pulse gently white. At this distance she can recognise a few of the more common cloaking formation characters. “I’ve sealed this area away Lady, both from prying eyes and ears, don’t want anyone bothering you.”

Kiera nods her thanks. Her grandfather had told her when he dropped her off in the pocket world two years ago that if she was unsure on any elements of cultivation or if any issues arose that she could not tackle herself, then she was to alert elder Hague. He had briefly explained the history of the man to her when they journeyed to the pocket world. Orphaned at a young age when his family were killed by bandits, the elder had to depended on himself. At the age of twelve he tried to rob a group of mercenary cultivators. Once caught the mercenary leader gave him the choice of joining their troupe or lose the hand that he tried to rob them with. The elder joined and flourished. The mercenary group became his new family and he learnt from them everything he could on how to fight and cultivate. Although a little past the optimum age to start cultivating, he managed to advance quickly. His name grew from a whisper to a shout as his skill on the field resounded through Calendon.

Unfortunately, their group kicked one stone that was too heavy and smashed against it. They were hired to kill a dark cultivator who had been abducting mortals for experimentation. The dark cultivator was much more powerful than their intelligence had stated, and the group were wiped out to a single man. That man being elder Hague. The elder had escaped, licked his wounds, bided his time, grew stronger and kept track of the cultivator. Once confident in his own strength he ambushed and killed the cultivator. From then Hague’s life was devoted to tracking and killing dark cultivators. His strength and name continued to rise until a large group of dark cultivators banded together to remove him. Their ambush almost succeeded but at the crucial moment the sect leader intervened and reinforced Hague. The pair managed to turn the tide and wipe out the group. Hague then swore his loyalty to the sect leader as thanks.

The current conversation they were exchanging now was the longest they had had. Keira had observed the man casually when he was training the sect disciples or dressing them down publicly. From those small observations and the background her grandfather had told her the elder was a man of violence, discipline and little humour. The smiling, joking man in front of her was contradiction to all this. She found it perplexing.

Kiera’s grandfather, the island sage, had the same elemental aspects as Keira, fire and lightning. As such the cultivation art, techniques she used and the training regime she followed were laid out by her grandfather as she was following the path he had used. As such she had not needed any help from the elders of the Radiant sect, even though they had made great effort to let her know the help was there.

Kiera looks down at the sword she was holding loosely in her hand, her mouth pouting in irritation as she still failed to recall that flash of inspiration she experienced earlier. She looks back at the elder and sees him smiling at her. “Elder may I ask you a cultivation related question?”

The elder’s eyebrows raise in surprise. “Oh? Of course, you can Lady Kiera. How can I help you?”

“It’s regarding earlier. It is as you say, I experienced a bout of inspiration while I was going through my sword movements. Now…” She raises her empty hand and stares down at it before clenching it into a fist. “I can’t seem recall how I created such a large manifestation of both…”

“Hmm, it is tricky my Lady. Everyone experiences inspiration differently; they can come at the strangest times and places. Some cultivators never experience them ever. To experience one yourself and at such a young age is already quite the rarity.” The elder puts his hand to his chin as he thinks. “Do you mind if I ask you some questions regarding the experience?”

“Of course not elder” Kiera nods her head in thanks.

“Hmm well can you tell me about the moments leading up to the inspiration. What were the techniques you were displaying?”

“They weren’t really techniques elder; I was just casually going through some basic movements.” Keira did not usually come to the training guard. For the last two years her days had been filled using the training programme set out by her grandfather, the various training stations in Mirror Lake and studying in the library. In fact, she was on her way to the library when she walked past the training grounds. After seeing the various disciples trading blows and practicing forms, she felt the urge to join them. So, summoning her sword from her spatial ring and only wearing a set of casual white linen shirt and trousers she did.

Walking to the middle of the training ground she found a clear space and began going through the motions of basic sword play. She used no techniques or styles; she just allowed her body to move fluidly with a blade in hand. One strike chaining to another, her speed began to increase. She found herself becoming lost as she allowed her brain a backseat, her body acting on its own. Time became irrelevant as she danced around the training ground. Everything around her unimportant as she felt something build up inside of her. The feeling continued to rise and rise, and Kiera found that she could guide the qi through her aspect like never before. She had used various arts and skills which helped channel her aspect with great affect. But this was different, she herself was able to manipulate both elements on her own. It was like greeting an old friend as she reached for her lightning, it rushed to her happily and obeyed her command flawless as she unleashed it at the vacant wall near her. She had then reached for her fire. Its warmth embrace rushed to her and followed the will directed to it as she plummeted her flame wreathed hand, casting a circle of fire from herself.

Although she remembered all this, she could not recall how she did it. It was like watching someone identical to herself in her mind doing something she could not. So, until the elders arrival she had been trying to gain that feeling back, slowly tracing movements she had done earlier hoping to trigger something. Alas, whatever it had been now seemed to be slightly out of her reach. Kiera looks at the elder and sighs. “Honestly Elder, I did nothing. No techniques, no sword arts. Just some basic sword movements…”

The elder smiles softly. “Well, if my lady would allow me to offer a piece of advice. Have you tried to nothing again?”

Kiera looks at the elder, a scrunch of confusion on her face. “Could the elder elaborate?”

“Most bouts of inspiration occur when the cultivator is in a state of peace. meditative. From what my lady has described. It sounds like you yourself may have entered a meditative calm that allowed the inspiration to strike. So, I think the best way to recreate it is, as you say do nothing” The elder shrugged at the word ‘nothing’ as if to convey its apparent ease.

From a young age Kiera had been taught to keep her emotions in check. Her grandfather’s position on their island continent meant she was brought before many dignitaries and people of power. Even so, she felt the need to supress the twitch of annoyance that wanted to tweak her lips into frown as she saw the way casual way the elder told her to do just nothing. ‘What do you think I’ve been trying to do this whole time…’ She thought recalling her slow strokes of trying to recentre herself again. “I came to the same conclusion elder. I have been trying to recentre myself again in attempt to recall…”

“That’s not doing nothing my lady” The elder says calmly, the soft smile still on his lips.

“Then I do not understand your words elder.” Failing to keep a level of curtness from her voice.

“Then if I may elaborate. You’re grasping my lady, that’s not doing nothing.”

“Grasping?”

The elder nods. “Yes. Although we have spent very little time in each other’s company over this two-year period. I am very aware of how rigorously you throw yourself into your training. I have seen the records you have set in the formations of the various training sites here. The late hours you return from the forest, bags laden with beast cores. Even some of the highly advance reading materials you analyse in the library have reached my ear.”

“Oh, I hadn’t realised the sect had been paying much attention on me. Perhaps your eyes would be better focused on some of those disciples you complained about earlier than my own habits.” Letting the annoyance she was feeling leak into her words.

The elder just smiled back. “I’m sorry my lady, we have been sharing a space together for two years, even elders like to gossip I’m afraid. But you misunderstand my words. What I meant to say is that you treat your mind and body like a grindstone. Constantly sharpening yourself in pursuit of self-perfection.”

Kiera grips her sword harder channelling her growing annoyance into it. She makes sure to keep her voice even. “Of course, elder. I am sure your aware I need every advantage possible if I’m to succeed. Do you think any of the others are pausing? I do not have the advantage of age, so I must make up for it in training.”

The elders smile fades and bows his head in apology. “I am aware my lady, I chose my words poorly. Honestly, such a burden at such an age I find unfathomable... It’s my uncouth mercenary ways” The elder raises his head. “If my lady would allow me to elaborate my words in another way.”

Kiera nods.

The elder straightens himself up and raises his hand. The long dark blue sleeve falls to reveal his large hand. With a twist of his fingers Kiera feels the air pressure fall as the winds around bend to the elders will. The breeze picks up and turns into a strong wind. Kiera watches as the sand and dust rises from the training ground floor. A small tornado is shown as the winds form is revealed by the particles it captures. The tornado spreads further and further out with elder Hague and Kiera at its centre. Then once the light tornado around the pair has reached the perimeter of the training grounds it stops expanding.

The light fluttering sound starts to rise. Kiera watches the tornado grow bigger along with the sound. Tracing the circular perimeter of the training ground the winds are rising higher and higher, now rivalling the ten metre walls of the perimeter themselves. Only noticeable because of the huge amounts of the dirt and sand its has collected from the hard packed floor. The previous gentle fluttering sound has changed into the violent screams of wind, like a banshee howling directly into her ears. Kiera looks back at the elder who is still calmly using one hand to delicately trace the winds around them. He is looking back at Kiera, the relaxed smile back on his face.

In the population of Calendon and the other Island continents, cultivators made up an extremely small amount of the people. The reason being resources available, talent and how closely the sects and others guard their precious cultivation techniques. Of the people who do succeed on the path, almost all of them are single aspect cultivators. People who have two aspects like her grandfather and herself were very few and far between. The more powerful sects would have maybe two or three among their disciples or elders, but no more than that due to the rarity of it occurring. This rarity did not always translate to strength though. Kiera’s grandfather had drilled into her many times to never believe herself superior to others due to her dual elements. Having multiple aspects just meant that the cultivator had more avenues to walk. They could be more versatile in their techniques, cultivation and skills. Although this could hinder the cultivator as much as strengthen them. By concentrating and trying to master too much, especially at a young age, a lot of dual aspect cultivators were left behind by their single aspect compatriots. By having only one aspects talented cultivator were able to focus on just it entirely, they could try and master everything about it and use it with devastating results. Elder Hague was one such cultivator, even her grandfather had praised the use of his wind aspect at his level.

Kiera could feel the strength of wind cycling around the training area. She knew that if it were directed at her there was no way she would be to remain on her feet. She looked back to the elder who was still smiling gently at her, hand still raised, fingers dancing slowly. ‘Amazing. He’s not even using close to his full strength and it’s this powerful… The difference in our level and power is still vast but… This truly is a stark contrast at how useless I still am…’ Kiera’s thinks as she tightens her fists. Her grandfather had told her that on the battlefield Hague had a different name, ‘The Red Wind’. ‘I’m going to surpass you, I’m going to surpass them, I will win’ her hands clench even tighter in conviction, one gripping the sword, the other itself.

The elders hand lowers and the winds begin to slow down. A few seconds more and the only tell-tale sign that this self-contained hurricane ever existed is the circle of dumped soil and dirt that surrounds the training area. “You see, you can not force elemental understanding, its like trying to force music or art. Yes, if you were to practice a piece of music or a painting repeatedly you would be able to eventually recreate it almost flawlessly. But what if you were asked to change it, to add to it, to reduce it or even create something entirely unique of your own. The same lies with elemental manipulation. The elements need to be coaxed, stroked and gently pulled to be directed. They are fickle, shy and understanding that is what will be the most important factor of how far a cultivator is able to walk down their road.”

Kiera found the elders analogy interesting. She knew from her grandfather that understanding one’s element or elements was what allowed a cultivator to ascend. She had spent hours in the library reading about her own. Entries in diaries from ancestors or theorists making scholarly conclusions. Even spending all her available free time in the shelves of books, today was the closest she ever came to truly beginning to understand them. “What would the elder suggest I do?” she asks respectively, nodding her head slightly.

Elder Hague laughs gently. “Ha, I would not presume to know even a fraction of what your grandfather knows, but a suggestion. I think I can be bold enough to answer. Its as I said earlier, do nothing for a bit. Take a break and review your experience in your mind. Relax your training a bit and yourself. When your mind is clear and calm, you will find you can recall those feelings more easily. To quote some of those annoying old wind bags ‘You can only see your reflection in the water if its surface is still’”. The elder puts on his most serious sagely voice as he finishes with his metaphor. A light amused snort is Kiera’s only reply. The elder continues “Taking a break is important, even for myself. Do you think I enjoy being referred to by the disciples as ‘Elder Devil’. Making them almost wet themselves when they see me, well actually sometimes it is pretty funny.” The elder scratches his chin sheepishly. “There was this one kid … Oh sorry I’m getting distracted. What I mean to say is if I didn’t take a break and get away from it all I would be of no use to the sect or myself.”

Kiera almost chuckles at the elders attempt a humour. Elder Devil was probably one the nicer nicknames she had heard the disciples of the sect call him in her time here. With his level of cultivation, she was sure he knew the rest as well. “May I ask what the elder does to relax himself?”

The elder chuckles. “I’m sorry my lady I am a very crass man, so fighting and drinking mostly. Ill disappear into the wilds of Calendon for a while, pit myself against some strong beasts. Track down old allies and rivals, challenge them to duals and then drink and reminisce about old days… Might track down an old lover or two, or even find a knew one.” Says with an embarrassed chuckle at the end. “The point is, find something that can help you clear your mind. Everyone is different, the sect leader sculps statues for example.”

“I will think on your words elder, thank you.” Kiera says seriously. ‘The elder’s words do make sense. I have been pushing myself hard. But can I afford to relax? I’m sure none of the others are. I’m sure he’s not...’ Kiera tightens her fist again as rage floods her body as she pictures his face. ‘No, I can't relax, not for a second… You think your strong. Ill be stronger. Ill kill you and all the others. I can’t rest though; I need to catch them! I need to train harder!’ Kiera bows to the elder respectfully. “Thank you again elder, as I said I will think on your words. For now though, I’m going to retreat my chambers to bathe” Keeping her voice even.

Elder Hague bows his head forwards. “Please do my lady.” The elder watches her turn around and walk calmly through the exit of the training ground. Once out of sight he lets out a sigh. He knows his advice has fallen on deaf ears. ‘Such pressure and grief in one so young…’. He looks up at the always clear sky. ‘Only seven more days and we can finally return home, god I miss the rain… and the touch of a woman’. The elder smiles to himself, “Oh well, at least we have booze here” he says outland and walks toward the exit himself.