AbyssalRoadTrip
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Abyssal Road Trip - 462 - Where lies the path ahead
🕑 Added 2024-11-04 09:54:02 +0000 UTCAmdirlain’s PoV - West Wind’s Court
Bai Hu hunted her tirelessly, his blade slicing open flesh at the slightest opportunity. The tricks she used to hound Master Payam and Jinfeng earned barks of laughter from him. Throughout the clash the air buzzed with metal striking against crystal and, wherever the blows were, energetic slivers of metal spun away, only to be drawn back to his blade.
The fight might as well be a slow waltz, but he still set her up repeatedly with incredible precision. He laid out layers of traps so relaxed from his perspective that nothing within his energy warned her. Amid a flurry of blades, she sensed another trap too late, and a twist severed her hand and flung it and her blade past her shoulder. Amdirlain reformed ahead of the spray of blood, and tentacles caught the blade and her severed hand.
Protean absorbed flesh and bone even as she switched the blade into her new right hand.
[Devouring Cacophony [G] (35->36)]
That’s the third increase so far.
“Again?”
A pleased nod answered her question, and Bai Hu raised his blade.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
When she sensed the dawn approaching, Amdirlain stored her sword and bowed.
“Since you’ve already learnt what you intended here, will you be moving on soon?” asked Bai Hu.
Amdirlain frowned. “I can’t stay overly long since I’ve at least four more stops before leaving this world.”
“Setting limits, especially ones designed with future trouble in mind, won’t help your understanding,” cautioned Bai Hu. “Have you worked out the Jade Emperor’s poem?”
“I worked out my initial understanding of it was incorrect,” said Amdirlain.
Bai Hu smiled. “Did living without your True Song help you?”
“It did.” She eyed him thoughtfully. “Is that why the Jade Emperor sent me the poem?”
“It was a question relevant to your comment,” replied Bai Hu. “There is no single way to achieve a state of understanding. Life brings lessons when your mind and Soul are open and uncluttered by a fixed perspective or a single source of information,” advised Bai Hu. “Would you have sought meaning if he had sent you a silkworm in a cocoon of mulberry leaves? Would you have been wrong to do so?”
It’s a bit of a stretch of the topic, but I want to know why he numbers the demons.
“Like a numbered demon seeking a name,” proposed Amdirlain.
“They don’t seek a name. What they seek is a Soul. In any endeavour, dissatisfaction with your present circumstances can bring you to look further, or destroy you.”
Lots of negative emotions arise from comparing yourself to others.
“Bitterness and envy are destructive.”
“Those demons who possess only that attitude are the ones who give up.” Bai Hu casually checked the nicked edge of his blade, and the metal reformed into an unblemished state. “No one gets through life unmarked by it. Those who turn dissatisfaction into a desire to improve find their way. Only those who float without desire can avoid dissatisfaction. For ones such as us, it is a slow death.”
“What do you mean by ones such as us?”
“Creators. Whether it be a lump of metal, a person or a blank sheet of paper, I look at all of them and ask myself what they can become. While your approach is different, you also perceive possibilities.”
Amdirlain raised an eyebrow. “You know me so well?”
“A person’s fighting style tells you much about them. Your fighting shows you have powerful desires and passions. A force of energy that you’ll freely pour into your goals,” remarked Bai Hu, and his gaze flickered to Sarah. “Such an odd pair, chaos and order, yet I can feel your energies balance each other.”
“We’re not close enough for me to discuss my personal life,” said Amdirlain.
“Then let us talk about something else. How have you found the lands?”
“Farhad had very different tales of the orders than I’ve found on my travels.”
Bai Hu nodded. “Much has changed in the thousand-odd years he was away from the Monastery of the Western Reaches. We used to keep our distance from humanity, contacting only the immortals in the orders and sects. They didn’t show their full strength to their students until the scourge occurred. Now we visit the Material Plane regularly, and those immortals whose ways allow it teach openly.”
“Where can I meet Xuan Wu on the Material Plane?”
“On his mountain. I understand he has been waiting for you there,” replied Bai Hu.
“I don’t suppose we can get directions.”
Bai Hu nodded towards the library. “The librarians can help with maps of the five kingdoms. Those will make more sense to you than my directions, though I hope you don’t rush off soon.”
“I’ll have to speak to the others to determine when we leave.”
“While you’re here, I have a favour to ask,” Bai Hu said with a boyish grin. “Given the impact of your morning training sessions and the display after the tournament, I’d request you help inspire the local practitioners.”
He saved me a lot of time.
“If I agree to a show in two days, would someone be able to arrange everything?” asked Amdirlain.
His stern countenance settled back in place, but he nodded eagerly. “Three would be easier to make the arrangements and for people to rearrange schedules. Even that timeframe would have the administrators frustrated with me.”
Jinfeng might need time in the library herself, and I don’t know how long Cyrus will be. I could use the time to test my new Ki Strike technique and experiment with psionics.
“Then let’s plan for five days, but let me know if that’s an issue.”
“Thank you for your time, Lady Am.”
He’s eager to get that started.
Recognising their time was up, Amdirlain bowed again. “I appreciate the exchange, Lord Bai Hu.”
As they exited the tent, Sarah handed her the memory crystals before she looped an arm through hers. “So you’re nearly done here already? That was fast.”
“It was fast. He saved me months of experimentation. Hearing his energies was like looking at the source code instead of just seeing the result of the experiment without knowing the inputs,” replied Amdirlain. “He helped me due to what I’ve done at the Outpost and the tournament, but I’ve done nothing for the other winds.”
“Isn’t that an assumption? One that you cannot validate until you meet them.” Sarah motioned northwards. “I suggest you at least wait until meeting the North Wind, and even then, you don’t know how the other winds will see things.”
On the trip back to the house, they both attracted attention; Amdirlain for the rumour mill and Sarah for the tight fit of her red leathers. Only Klipyl was present when they arrived. The Celestial appeared Mortal, lounging on the couch nearest the front door in Isil form. Her loose dark clothing made her seem extra pale but brought out the light blue swirls within her skin. Her attention was on the receiver’s screen, where a group of Qil Tris nomads were on display, their equipment making it clear it was a historical drama.
Magical technology enables interplanetary programming. I still can’t get over the devices transmitting enhanced messages between runes. The magic doesn’t care; it transmits between the runes through the Astral Plane, a Plane of thought where distance is purely subjective and only intent matters.
“Randomly caster surfing?” asked Sarah, moving up behind the couch.
Klipyl retrieved a trace unit and waggled it in response. “Nah, Tulne recommended this caster channel to understand nomad culture. She also sent me this gadget via Outpost so I wouldn’t have to share my full name. It has a memory crystal in it and can receive visual traces.”
Amdirlain moved to Sarah’s side and reached out playfully to take the unit from Klipyl’s grasp. “Will I find explicit images on this?”
“Only ones I’ve made for Tulne’s benefit,” replied Klipyl, keeping the device from her grasp.
“You’ve caused their culture to devolve, Sarah,” teased Amdirlain.
“No, they had the trace units before I arrived, so kids were already texting instead of studying,” countered Sarah. “Klipyl, have you decided on your classes yet?”
“You’re so mean, using me to change the subject,” Klipyl mock pouted.
Sarah tugged her ear. “That doesn’t invalidate my question.”
“I’ve some evolved physical combat classes but also arcane options,” replied Klipyl. “It’s making it hard to decide.”
“Levelling classes with combat options can be quicker than strictly non-combat classes, but what do you want to do?” asked Amdirlain.
“I want to protect people but also help them understand each other,” Klipyl replied. “The classes for the second all feel like non-combat types.”
“One Class a Dragon’s Talon often takes is called Arbitrator. It’s a combat Class with a diplomatic side,” advised Sarah as she moved to a couch across from Klipyl. The large couch allowed Amdirlain to sprawl and rest her head on Sarah’s thighs.
As Sarah’s fingers trailed through Amdirlain’s hair, caressing her scalp, Klipyl smiled contentedly at the pair.
She helped me get past my hang-ups.
“Why does it have both?” asked Klipyl.
“Sometimes third parties don’t want disputes settled between their rivals,” replied Sarah. “Better to send someone that won’t get killed and set back negotiations before a resolution is reached. However, you’re not sworn to a Dragon, so don’t expect that exact Class, but you might find something similar among your Class Vision paths.”
Klipyl shrugged broadly. “I’ve so many classes that don’t feel quite right. They’re all missing pieces of the puzzle. Can you get me the details of what those negotiators need? Maybe if I mirror that, I’ll get a Class unlocked.”
“There are many types of arbitrators, as cultures vary among dragons. Some come across as blunt as a tail slap to the snout. Tell me your goals, and I’ll dig up the details on suitable options,” Sarah offered.
Klipyl clapped excitedly. “You mean Am has an entire group of people taking after her?”
The cool look Amdirlain fixed her with only drew a smile. “Miss Critic, I think you’re too worried about classes. With helping people, it’s not the external that matters most,” noted Amdirlain.
Giving a deep sigh, Klipyl’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve zero chance of mustering enough discipline to get involved in psionic healing.”
“Sis, that wasn’t what I meant,” reassured Amdirlain. “You didn’t need a Class to help heal my issues, and you’ve done the same for others. Whatever classes you take, you won’t lose that talent.”
“Thanks, Am, but what do I do?”
“Whatever makes you happy, silly,” replied Amdirlain.
“That’s not helpful,” protested Klipyl.
“It’s your choice, and I’ve often had a hard enough time making my Class selections,” offered Amdirlain. “Take your time, get to know some people, live a little and figure things out.”
“Really?”
Amdirlain smiled reassuringly. “Klipyl, you didn’t pop out of the Domain’s wellspring driven to achieve something in particular. You hopped out of it because you didn’t want to leave us. Maybe you need to find a Class that you’ve not yet unlocked. With what you already have, even just levelling your species gives you plenty of combat strength to help protect people.”
“Okay,” murmured Klipyl, distractedly fidgeting with a cushion seam.
“One thing, cut down on the screen time, or it will rot your brain,” drawled Amdirlain.
Klipyl frowned. “Are you teasing me?”
“Yes, and she’s hardly one to talk,” advised Sarah. “So much time on her PC.”
“I also spent lots of time exercising and working,” Amdirlain protested lightly. “Ms. Pony collector.”
A giggle escaped Klipyl but soon became laughter as the pair playfully squabbled.
When they stopped joking around, Sarah regarded Klipyl. “Do you still want to learn more about metalworking?”
“It’s fun and a useful craft that will let me blend in,” said Klipyl.
“Then you can help me with some preparation work. While I can do it faster, it’ll be a useful exercise to show you the long way,” said Sarah. “Where are the others?”
“Jinfeng is off training with some masters, and Kadaklan is with the healers,” replied Klipyl.
“I need time to strengthen my psionics,” offered Amdirlain.
Sarah nodded. “Then we’ll take care of this now.”
“But I was watching the receiver,” protested Klipyl.
“Set it to record, and come with me,” instructed Sarah.
Amdirlain wiggled out of the way and waved cheekily.
When they headed to Sarah’s workroom, Amdirlain left the crystals that recorded her sparring session with Bai Hu on the table with a note for Jinfeng and retired. Sprawled on their bed, she slowly stretched her perception across the city, taking in the melodies throughout the West Wind’s Court. The lively themes didn’t prevent concerns and options from attempting to jostle for a prime position within her thoughts. She took in the music within the Ki practitioners and then caused the energies inside herself to shift by activating psionic techniques to touch surface thoughts and scry on public spaces.
It was late in the day when Sarah dropped beside her on the bed. “You look like your thoughts are a million light-years away, but you’ve none of your gates open.”
“Most of my focus is on the sub-atomic and my mind, not macro distances,” replied Amdirlain. “How many satellites will you set up for the demonic strongholds?”
“Enough to handle a saturation bombardment from the get-go,” replied Sarah. “If I can only hit selective targets, the stronger demons would have time to get at them.”
“After I do the inspiration work, I’m going to find a picture so we can hop closer to the North Wind’s mountain,” advised Amdirlain.
Sarah tilted her head curiously. “Problem?”
“The issue with the conduit is niggling at me,” replied Amdirlain. “I don’t sense impending trouble, but I want it sealed. However, I’ll continue this trip since I’ve not heard any news from the aspects.”
“It’s unfinished business, and you’ve had so much of that niggling at you for years. Still, I’m glad you’re not breaking off this trip to deal with it,” said Sarah. “Just get the maps that Bai Hu offered. I can use drones or satellites to get images for teleporting if you want to rush to the next stop.”
Amdirlain smiled. “This trip is for us. The realm is going to have to wait a little longer.”
“What, you’re not planning to create more planetary systems?”
“Maybe in the evenings,” replied Amdirlain. “I’ll do my crafting while you’re busy with your own or snoozing.”
“I supposed that’s acceptable.” Sarah turned on her side and caressed Amdirlain’s cheek. “I know you’ve had a reality check, but today was also a kick in the bum for me. You don’t need my protection and, despite knowing I didn’t stand a chance, the situation still presses at my instincts to fight by my mate’s side.”
Amdirlain caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. “I know. I’m sorry for asking you to attend.”
“You asked. I could have said no,” reassured Sarah. “Are you aware Jinfeng is gushing over the recording?”
“Yeah, I heard her come in earlier.”
Drawing Sarah into a hug, she savoured her warmth.
“I suppose I can spare some time before I return to work,” Sarah breathed as Amdirlain’s hands stroked her back.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
Much later, Sarah returned to her enchantments, thousands of styluses working over the metal, each linked to Sarah’s Mana Pool, which she repeatedly refilled from the crystal reservoir Amdirlain had provided. While studying the crystals Eleftherios had gifted her, Amdirlain tracked the strain of the energy washing through Sarah’s flesh and the adjustments the pressure caused. Eventually, the effort of tightly directing the Mana took its toll, and Sarah called it a night.
She found Amdirlain propped up in bed with Eleftherios’s crystals, a glimmering constellation, floating before her.
“Are you practising Far Hand while you study?”
“I’m comparing the difference in energy between techniques while I sustain them,” explained Amdirlain. “I thought you’d be working all night.”
Sarah’s clothing disappeared into her Inventory, and she slid between the sheets. “I was missing you.”
“You could’ve just enchanted in here,” Amdirlain offered.
“I’d rather keep a separation between my work and relaxation.”
Amdirlain plucked a crystal free from the pattern, and as it landed in her hand, Sarah wiggled closer. Her breathing was already softening towards slumber.
“It’s nice and cosy having you here,” murmured Sarah, snuggling beside her.
“I’ll stay put until you wake up," said Amdirlain, stroking her hair softly. She enjoyed the relaxation that spread through Sarah.
“That puts me to sleep,” Sarah breathed, but she didn’t fight her Mana-strained flesh’s descent into slumber.
Even dragons can overdo Mana usage.
Amdirlain watched the gentle shifts in Sarah’s expression as sleep set her normally composed expression aside.
My wife. I once would have found that inconceivable; I’ve changed in so many ways that I wonder if I’d even recognise Julia in myself. Another reason I denied being Ori so strongly was because I was having trouble letting go of Julia and resented it, seeing it as a loss and not merely a change. This is a change for the better, being able to love the person within.
She continued caressing Sarah’s hair, focusing on the energy changes the rhythmic contact sent cascading through her. Only when her breathing remained consistently soft, did Amdirlain resume studying. While the constellation she’d made of the crystals did a slow pivot. across the room, more psi-crystals jumped between stands under the effect of a Psychoportation technique.
[Psychoportation [S] (50->51)
Psychoportation [S] (51) evolved into Advanced Psychoportation [S] (1).]
It’s not quite a cheat code, but seeing the psionic pattern gives me an understanding of why it works the way it does. It still took me all night to work out how to create the pattern directly. I need to push my Metacreativity now.
Wet ectoplasm glistened about the room before more psi-crystals and other objects solidified. Psionic training constructs came into existence only to be shifted across planes while she worked on establishing her Advanced Psychoportation.
She continued practising with more techniques, momentarily distracted when Sarah shifted position to wrap an arm across her possessively. Dreams skipped through fragments of old lifetimes, echoing them through their mental link.
What if I don’t come back? Would she wait for me? Would she be forever alone? I’ll have to make sure I return, but can I be sure? There are places in the deep planes where time moves erratically and even I could get caught like a fly in amber. I know she wants children, but I want them to grow up with both of us. Dragon instincts affect Sarah consistently because of the way they shift forms, donning a dimensional mask rather than setting their Dragon form aside.
“No,” Sarah protested sleepily. “You’re not the only one involved, and I’m waiting until you return.”
The niggling flaws in her energy flows caused Amdirlain to protest. “I can feel the pain that restraining your instincts is causing.”
Sarah opened one eye and glared at Amdirlain.
“My stupid Dragon instincts don’t get to decide things. You’re not the only one that can endure discomfort. I’m waiting. End of discussion,” declared Sarah. “You won’t, so I’m being selfish for you. We’ll have a family together when we have a home we don’t have to leave behind again. Our children will have us present, not endure an absent parent.”
“Yes, my love,”
Half sitting up, Sarah claimed a kiss before she settled down again. “Now stop thinking about topics that will leak through our mental link.”
“We got rid of the old link and forged something different,” noted Amdirlain.
“We forged what we needed, not what our past imposed,” murmured Sarah. “Go back to planning what to do about the realm’s boundary, and don’t dwell on the time away from me.”
How long dare I delay when I know the extent of the damage? Is that why Nexus showed me? It won’t get worse from their direct meddling, but I don’t know what pressures are growing from the Far Chaos or whatever devices the sisterhood left in place. I’ll finish this trip, work out severing the connection to the other realm, and then go.
Her mind churned with calculations and theoretical compositions, allowing Sarah to fall back to sleep. Amdirlain opened an array of gates to a point light years from the new star and started creating a new cloud of hydrogen and helium. While she worked on the basics, she pursued the patterns of psionic energy within. Against the backdrop of power humming within her body, Sarah slept calmly.
♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫
When they entered the lounge room in the morning, Jinfeng was already awake peering at the receiver’s screen. She tweaked its focus, and it zoomed in on Bai Hu’s grip, the slight roll of his wrist controlling the blade to open flesh.
“Lots of interesting things to study?” asked Amdirlain.
“Yes,” gushed Jinfeng. “You are both moving so fast, but what is that speed like to you, Sifu?”
“A relaxed dance.”
The comparison caused Jifeng’s eyebrows to lift, and she waved at the screen to change its focus to Amdirlain’s latest injury. “Yet he still inflicted so many injuries.”
Amdirlain shrugged. “He was very good at not giving his traps away despite my listening for them. There wasn’t a hint of aggression or intent. His mastery of the blade is pure reflex, and he’s not concentrating on it. I could have sped up when he sprung the traps, but I wouldn’t have learned the result. “
“How did you learn a technique from him so fast?”
A pulsed note illuminated her spiritual net, and Amdirlain sent Ki weaving through the nodes. “Energy patterns are simple for me now. We have at least a few days here and a show for me to put on. Did you need time in the library?”
“I’m sure there are texts on the blade that would be useful to study. You won’t be studying other techniques with Master Cyrus?”
“He’s at the Jade Emperor’s court now, so it’s up to us to entertain ourselves.”
Jinfeng’s gaze narrowed speculatively. “What did you do, Sifu?”
“I was running Muse’s Embrace during our conversation,” replied Amdirlain. “He went pop in a good way.”
“You pushed him beyond an Immortal state?”
Amdirlain nodded. “You need to get some levels into your classes. Who knows what might happen? We’re going to the North Wind’s mountain next.”
“The North Wind’s Court isn’t at his mountain,” advised Jinfeng. “Only the most elite students get to attend classes there.”
“Bai Hu told me the library has a map of its location, and it is where he’s waiting to see me. Do you want me to see if he’ll teach you a few things?”
Jinfeng’s jaw dropped.
Giving her a wink, Amdirlain headed for the library. As she walked the route alone, she drew a small crowd in her wake.
Comments
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
James Skinner
Thanks for the chapter!
Plateworm
Tftc
