Infamous Goose
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3.30 Let's See Where It Goes
🕑 Added 2025-10-30 08:40:01 +0000 UTCThere was only so much the Rival could do when it came to satisfying Solana’s thirst for revenge. He wasn’t even sure the two were alive, and even if they were, he was convinced they wouldn’t be anything but hollow shells of their former selves after being submitted to the Shadow’s influence. That’s what happened when you made deals with something that wanted nothing less than to consume your soul – and despite remembering that they had tried to resist the Shadow, he was under no illusion that they would go running back to them.
Some people were easy to read like that. Evil was simple, when you knew what it was. So was good, too, but that was beside the point.
“This place feels like a song. I don’t understand.” The Rival whined, looking up a the baby Life-Giving Tree. Where the first region had been perfectly balanced, everything working in harmony, this Tree was more singular. The trees sang, the grasses hummed in a rich baritone, and an undercurrent of metal ran through the very ground itself. The new regions version of Pangaea, only a fraction of the size, was sparsely populated with a variety of Peoples – mostly people who didn’t have anywhere else to go, refugees and the like.
The Rival scratched his chin.
“They are not here. We will feel their presence as oil upon water.” Solana declared firmly, perched as she was on his shoulder.
“What makes you so sure?” he asked.
“…I do not know.” She admitted softly. “But the Shadow is not one to throw away fools, as even they can find their use as tools.” The Rival glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, because that sounded suspiciously like experience. Not real experience, that she had gone through in this lifetime, but something else. Something deeper. When you got to his age, you started to be able to recognize trauma that reflected the soul, and trauma that reflected the mind. This was not the latter. His eyes narrowed as he tried to do a few mental calculations.
It really was too bad he sucked at math.
“I’ll take your word for it. We really shouldn’t be messing with that spider-wolf, though. It wants to eat me, remember?” he said, moving forward, the air parting before him as his immortal power responded to his will. The closer he got to the small Life-Giving Tree, the louder the song played, until it echoed in his ears and rang in his soul.
Slowly he descended, a tundra stretching around him, one of the many impossible landscapes of Pangaea. The snow swirled, dusting against the ground as it tumbled over rolling hills and through tall grasses that poked up out of the snowscape, singing that same damnable tune – a tune someone sang, as if they were just learning the notes.
He bent, and dug his fingers into the frigid stuff.
“Student,” Solana insisted.
“Just…hold on a second. I think we need to talk to someone here, first.” He said, looking up at the Life-Giving Tree. There, a Dao Progenitor sat, presumably in control of the Tree, merging her Dao with the region itself. But he didn’t think her Dao had been music alone…
Power flooded his legs as he shot skyward, Solana shrieking in glee as she shot into the air as well, fluttering about him happily, seeming eager to get on the road again, and try to fly to another new region. The Rival still had unanswered questions, however. The wind whistled past him as he flew; choosing not to teleport, as that would be rude, and not alert the Dao Progenitor to his presence in time.
This, at least, let her know that two Immortals were coming to visit.
He found her atop the Tree itself, basking in the winds that sang their tune, rustling the massive, continent-sized leaves on their branches. She had built a little hut over the peak of the tree, nestled between two branches and planted firmly into the bark.
She looked like an old woman. Her hair was grey, her face round and kindly looking, her fingers gnarled and wobbly. But beneath that appearance lay power; the kind of power that only came from knowing yourself inside and out. It also helped that life energy from the Tree was constantly flowing into her, filling her body and aura with power far beyond her ken, as she slowly took control of this part of the Physical Realm.
The Rival read her aura. Studied her Dao. And came to the conclusion that the people living below could do worse than her as their watcher. But her Dao wasn’t music – so where the hells was that coming from?
“I do not believe we’ve met before,” The old woman said. “This one’s name is Cira. It is a pleasure to meet such promising new immortals.”
“The pleasure is mine,” The Rival said, feet finding purchase on the thick bark of the baby Tree as he floated down to her level. She made no moves against him; someone assured of their presence and power, dark eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. Something akin to joy flashed across her features for just a moment, before she leaned closer, conspiratorially.
“You…can you hear the music?” she asked softly, and the Rival nodded, thankful she didn’t beat around the bush. “Oh, wonderful! Another, touched by the gods. That is the song of our lord Argent – God of Metal and Music. It is pleasant, isn’t it?”
“It could use another tune, I’ve been listening to the same song over and over for – “ The Rival caught himself before he could complete that thought, his natural dismissive nature leaking out a little. Thankfully, the old woman didn’t seem mad about it; in fact, she tossed her head back and laughed.
“Oh, that is true! It does get old. But that is because the Tree is young, and has not yet learned another tune. Nor has anyone risen to begin their songs in the other parts of the region; have you come to see them? The Mountain, perhaps? I would, but my place is here, in the mortal realm, with these people. They came so far to make a new life.” Her tone turned wistful as she looked down upon the lands of Pangaea, watching the people below build their lives, cultivators creating sects and cities, carving a life for themselves arguably outside of the Celestial Palace’s reach, even if they were still formally part of the Empire.
“No, I’m good on that. Just stopped by to see if you knew what the song was. I think I’d like to meet Argent someday – but, hey, do you know how to meet Xing Wu?” he asked, rambling a little. The Mad Scientist mentioned him, right?
The old woman blinked at him, and shook her head.
“No, I apologize. We are all connected through the Dao, but I fear that even I cannot contact him.” She said softly, shaking her head. The Rival clicked his tongue, falling silent for a few moments as he listened to the song of the world again.
…Statera was letting her children do what they wanted, and it came in layers. She made the universe. Her first four made the Realms. Now the lesser, elemental gods are influencing the smaller parts of the Realms, the regions. And Dao Progenitors are looking at the individual, key features. Why did that niggle something in the back of his head? It wasn’t that strange of a concept; he’d seen it happen before. Admittedly, it was far rarer in a Xianxia world, but hey, that was why he was here, new experiences.
“Come inside, child, I can see you have a lot on your mind. Would you like tea?” The woman asked. The Rival shook his head, and Solana shrieked, hurtling back down to him with annoyance in her tone. She was ready to go, wasn’t she? There was no rush though, the Realms weren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
“No, sorry. It’s high time for us to go.” The Rival said with an apologetic smile. “Thank you though.” And with that, he shot into the sky, vanishing, his mind lingering on the region behind him. It wasn’t the freedom that bugged him. It wasn’t the moving parts; it was the overall picture. What was it that the Mad Scientist had been implying?
***
Xing Wu was having a bad day. For one, his headache kept getting stronger. For two, even though he had finished moving all the stars into place, he still was being kept inordinately busy. Thankfully he’d had plenty of time to go visit the Karmic Realm, explore the Heaven Realm, and swim the Spirit River. Those things were all things all the other gods had insisted he go do, after completing his official task.
Hell, he’d even had time to send some omens and dreams to the mortals who were worshipping him, correcting some of those foolish mistakes they’d made about him. He also was beginning to understand, truly, why the gods stayed in the Heaven, Spirit, and Karmic Realms. The Physical Realm reacted negatively to his presence, in places that weren’t already saturated with qi. Like the main regions, and the Celestial Palace. In the outer regions, if he wasn’t careful his presence could unmake entire planets.
Xing Wu grit his teeth as another spike of pain was sent into his skull, dragging his attention away from the molding of matter, as Inesa was showing him, toward some secluded part of the Hidden Realm. His wife glanced at him, concern etched on her features.
“Go.” She said. “Deal with it, it’s fine.” Normally he wouldn’t have. Normally he would have stuck out the pain and stayed by her side, this being one of the few moments they’d had together recently, kept busy by their respective duties. During these times, he wouldn’t split himself. The incarnations he’d so painstakingly learned were killed off, so he could give his full attention to the woman he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with, he one he had chosen to share his Dao with.
But it was starting to get ridiculous.
“I’ll just send an incarnation.” He said, immediately splitting one off and having it teleport away.
The moment he reappeared, talismans, chains, and a dozen other restrictive treasures leapt to wrap themselves around him, attempting to bind him in place. He flexed once. Twice. The chains rattled but didn’t break under casual pressure – though he could clearly tell these things wouldn’t keep him in place if he really wanted out. So he cast his attention outward, to his surroundings.
This part of the Hidden Realm was a small chamber, lit by close to ten thousand candles dripping wax onto the black stone, and arranged in concentric circles. Thousands of spirit stones – condensed energy given physical form – were embedded in the walls in an intricate design, glowing with power. But what really caught his attention was the two dozen or so powerful cultivators, dressed in black robes and led by two Immortals, that had circled around him.
“Lord Xing Wu,” one of them said, kneeling before him. She was an elemental, and radiated the aura of an immortal walking a fine line between being a devil, and being a righteous one. He could see it in her budding Dao. Wonderful. Zealots. What the hell did I appear in front of? “I apologize for the chains, but I hope you realize their necessity. We…have something to show you.”
Xing Wu raised his eyebrows, and expanded his divine sense to cover the entirety of the room. What he found…surprised him. Morgan lounged on the back wall, watching the entire thing with thinly veiled interest. It was enough his main body took note, stilling and turning his attention to the incarnation, its power growing slightly.
Second most surprising was the reason he’d been getting a headache.
The fools had been trying to summon him. A shard of one of his spears, from when he’d first fallen into the Hidden Realm as a mortal, all that time ago, lay in a little circle hidden behind two cultists. The formation that surrounded it tapped into the spear part, then the circle, then karma, and therefore reached him eventually.
Third most surprising was –
“Wait, go back to that last bit. What did you just say?” Xing Wu’s snapped his attention to the woman speaking, narrowing his eyes and not quite believing what she just said to him. He’d been listening to her monologue, sure, but he just…had to be sure, just in case.
“I – uh. Yes, my lord. Through the grace of the Shadow, we have discovered your true nature. Your true form. You were once the mighty Dei, cast down from the heavens by the gods, who feared your power, and now given this form. A servant to heaven. We have a way to restore your memories, and bring you back to your true self.” She said, bowing. Xing Wu blinked at her. He looked at Morgan, who, bafflingly, seemed to be smiling at the entire situation.
For a split second, he considered breaking free and slapping the shit out of everyone here. He couldn’t kill them, unfortunately, not with the Shadow here, but he could practically taste the evil radiating off of them, particularly the elemental woman. How in the Karmic Realm had she even managed to become Immortal? He knew the bridge really only judged personal worthiness, not weighing good versus evil unless it was karma, but still.
The moment passed, however, and he sat back. Let’s see where this goes.
The woman waved her hand dramatically, and the cultists brought forth another spear shard, this one from a long time ago. Power surged through the formations as energy began to build up, a scrap of his clothing from his time as Dei being brought forth. The cultists weaved together strings of karma, binding them to him, trying to put something that was already inside of him, in.
“Wait, I think I feel something.” He deadpanned. That sounded completely unrealistic. You’re definitely no actor. He chided himself, as the ritual continued. The wind picked up. Power roared. Light flashed.
“Let your memories return!” The woman cried, and Xing Wu shouted.
“Oh! I think I got it now!” The ritual died down at his words, sweat dripping from the cultist’s faces. He nodded. “Yes, yes, I see, I see!”
“You see now?” she asked, hopefully, greed and ambition coloring her heart. She didn’t care about him, but others in the group did, twisted by her words.
“I do. I see…how stupid you are.” He deadpanned, flexing his power and shattering his bonds. They disintegrated into starlight, his power far, far greater now than it had ever been. Shouts of alarm rang out from the cultists, and he cast a hand forward, calling upon his connection to the Dao, the weight of it falling down upon them to ensure to all he was speaking nothing but truth. “I declare thus; I was Dei, yes! But I have known this for a long damn time! I was not cast down, I willingly chose to reincarnate! Do you believe the gods are suppressing me? Me?! I stood before the Shadow before I was even Immortal - what in my own damn name makes you think they'd be able to stop me? Where the hell do you even get these ideas - oh wait! I know! My story was twisted for your own damn agenda."
The silence that echoed was damning. The elemental woman gaped. The cultists were frozen, and Xing Wu cast his gaze about, meeting their eyes. "You are all blinded by greed and hatred and self-righteousness. For those of you who truly wish to follow me, repent, and find your own damn feet! Don't ask me to lay the path down for you, that goes against everything I stand for! For the rest of you, looking for an ally to help you climb to power – no! Leave. Me. Alone. Try this shit again, and I won't be merciful enough to let you go without a slap.” And with that, let his incarnation fade.
He main body shook its head, the pain gone. Merciful. He was leaving them in the hands of the Shadow. No, he was far from merciful here.
Now where was he? Oh, right. Gardening by shaping matter. He glanced at Inesa, who smiled at him serenely.
His stomach twisted in a pleasant way.
And trying to start a family.
He wondered what Fang Xu and Celene would have to say about that?
***
The Rival: Serial Reincarnator. Playing babysitter to a bloodthirsty bird.
Solana: Sol's reincarnation. Bloodthirsty.
Xing Wu: Dei's reincarnation, and god of stars. Is annoyed he can no longer slap people for being stupid, like he could before.
Inesa: Goddess of Light, Hearth, and Home.
Comments
Infamous.Goose
I did make a few more changes and additions to his little speech, but I'll probably end up doing more because you're right. A few more lines would be more entertaining
Moon Winchester
I wish you added a couple more lines. “ do you think the gods are suppressing me? Those little cute children still trying to find their way? Are you stupid? Where did you even get these ideas?” “ I’m married to a god? Hell, I even am a god. Am the big boss over us all is a good friend. Seriously people.”
DeadSlime
“I do. I see…how stupid you are.” I mean that was just perfect!
DeadSlime
Edit Suggestion: “Go.” She said. “Deal with it, it’s fine.” Normally he wouldn’t have. Normally he would have stuck out the pain and stayed by her side, this being one of the few moments they’d had together recently, kept busy by their respective duties. During these times, he wouldn’t split himself. The incarnations he’d so painstakingly learned were killed off, so he could give his full attention to the woman he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with, (the)he one he had chosen to share his Dao with.
Wanderer of Worlds
He should be able to slap them imo. They summoned him via unpleasant methods and chained him. That should warrant a slap or two.
Midnight7411
I mean… not sure what these dumbasses expected, though Morgan being there tells me that this was admittedly the expected turn of events since I sincerely doubt they didn’t know exactly what would happen, and use this as a way to twist the cultists from the middle of the road to true devil cultivators
