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Zeke
Prologue: Chi

Prologue: Chi

"Thank you," Inanna whispered.

Enki pretended to rub the sleep from his eyes as he wiped away the tears that threatened to fall down his cheeks. "Now, we must make use of these last few days together. You are far from ready for the life of a cultivator," he commanded.

"Yes, father," Inanna replied. "Now can you please tell me the stages of the cultivation realms?" she entreated.

As I've previously stated, there are seven stages in the divine realm," Enki coached. "They are known as lesser god, greater god, monarch, sovereign, titan, asura, and sage. Lesser god being the first stage and sage being the transitional stage, As I've already told you, as a sage you must create your celestial symbol. This is your unique method of comprehending the existential laws. You will know you have created your celestial concept when you've succeeded in merging two or more profound elements and your celestial markings appear. Your divine energy will then convert to celestial energy, and you will hear Chaos' calling you to ascend. As for the celestial ranks, my knowledge is secondhand. However, I know there are at least three stages. These are transcendent, empyrean, and primordial. I've never heard of anyone above the primordial stage. However, I'm sure that there are stages above it."

"Why are you so sure," Innana asked curiously.

"Because cultivation is the path to immortality, and while primordials can live for billions of years they are definitely not immortal. Many primordials use the last of their lives to create new planes and meaningful existences, to sow good karma for their trips through the cycle of reincarnation. Our plane of Gaia was once a primordial that did exactly that." Enki concluded his lesson with a self-confident grin.

"When you described crown chakra, you said it was the only way to etch our divine runes as mages. Other than being a mage, Is there a way that will let you reach the divine realm?" Inanna asked expectantly.

"Yes, you can use chi to strengthen your body to the divine ranks, but I am not an expert in the warrior's path. I only ascended as a mage," Enki explained, "I do expect that you should be quite compatible with the warrior's path as well, but it should come naturally to you. I believe that you're either a dryad or an elemental, and all the nature spirits absorb the chi from the natural world. I know that you’ve drunk from the great river, and I can assure you that if you can handle the still tumultuous blood of a primordial as mortal then your body constitution is rather extraordinary. Which should mean your body is quite compatible with chi."

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"I see... so, what's going to happen to me since I technically cultivate with both methods," Inanna probed worriedly.

"Just another layer of protection my dear," Enki said with a radiant smile. He was apparently quite pleased with the development.

Inanna sighed, it was clear Enki didn't know what the outcome would be, but he was trying to keep her from worrying.

"So, how do I utilize my heart chakra anyway? I have no idea how to control it," Inanna decided to move on to a different topic.

"Let your elemental aspect be your guide, it will lead you far better than I ever could. What did it tell you to do?" Enki enquired with interest.

"I think it was telling me to leap off the ground and let the air flow buoy me up. But that's rather useless considering..." Inanna couldn't finish her sentence. Ever since she had become aware of herself, she had felt as if she had been born in the wrong body.

"Don't worry, that problem should resolve itself by the time you're ready to ascend to the divine realm," Enki attempted to console her.

"What do you mean by that?'" Inanna interrogated.

"If you are truly a dryad or elemental, your body will naturally develop a method of motility as it matures. However, even if that doesn't happen for you and my speculations are incorrect. All hope isn't lost, because there is always the reforging," Enki informed her.

Wh..." Inanna wanted to interject, but Enki cut her off, "Be patient and let me finish. We don’t have time for you to interject every time I make a statement. Now, where was I? Ah yes, reforging. Whenever someone survives their mind and body tribulations, they can reforge their body. That means you have at least two chances to reforge yourself. If you ascend as a mage you are allowed to create a new body from the elements around you and split your soul amongst both vessels, becoming two bodies with the power of one. It doesn't sound extremely impressive, but I assure you that having two of you is always better than having one. The increased multitasking capabilities alone make this the preferred method of most cultivators. If you ascend using the other warrior's path you can utilize the elements within you to remold your body into a new being with the strength and characteristics of two, you also gain the ability to transform between the two forms at your leisure. A rather useful trick if I do say so myself."

"So, what would happen if I reforged myself using both methods at once," Inanna asked, already tantalized by the prospect.

"I have no idea; I've never seen someone attempt such a feat. Theoretically, you'd be able to create two bodies with the power of two bodies, but just the implications of that make me shudder. Honestly, I can't fathom the true outcome," Enki responded with a bewildered look on his face. "Regardless," Enki ambled over towards his usual spot on the raft and slumped into a lax half-lotus position, "I’ve lectured enough for tonight. We shall adjourn until the morning, Rest well my child,"

"You as well father," Inanna replied, but, to her astonishment, Enki had actually fallen asleep.