Abyssal Road Trip - 664 - Settling down (Patreon)

Amdirlain’s PoV - South Sendai - Shānxiá

With Amdirlain’s proclamation that the officers owed Pán Shí a debt, the karmic ties among them shifted. The music in their bonds had grown closer to the fresh ties that had formed between her and the seven officers in the room. Frustratingly, her studies still couldn’t determine exactly how or if the ties affected individuals. Most of the links from Pán Shí radiated throughout the kingdom of Shānxiá, but some extended far beyond its boundaries.

Do they influence where someone will typically reincarnate? Or are they an inherent modification of the first impressions they form of each other?

While most practitioners in the room worked to advance tiers within the energy rank, Pán Shí's cultivation spiral was the smallest in the group. The meagre shift from peak body to foundation rank occurred in a few minutes. He roused with a wince, but as he blinked, Amdirlain cleansed the stench of corruption that had bubbled from his once heavily tanned skin. Now his broad, weathered features were only lightly bronzed, with fine lines around his eyes. 

Amdirlain raised an eyebrow in amusement as his gaze met hers, and he started to stammer. “Take a breath and start again.”

At her prompt, Pán Shí stepped away from the table and bowed low, hands clasped before his chest. “I apologise for my Commander’s words.”

“You’re not responsible for his choices, and I’m unbothered by his pettiness. Will you speak with me?” Amdirlain suppressed her aura, turning her hair black and giving her skin a bronze cast that matched his own.

“How may this lowly individual assist you, esteemed one?”

“We have some privacy while the officers cultivate. First, my apologies. Sorry I didn't let Líng Xī stick around to say goodbye.”

I’ll recruit people to help teach my friends.

“It is the first time in a decade we've had even a few hours to talk. It's good to know she's done so well for herself. Líng Xī mentioned that you and your brother travel far. What is it you need in the kingdom of Shānxiá?”

“My words are for you and your new family. Would you and your wife like an opportunity within our sect?”

His jaw dropped. “I’m a mere soldier, esteemed one. My climb through the ranks wasn’t fast.”

“I’m unconcerned with your rank. You taught your niece so concisely that she opened meridians, based solely on the few hours of instruction you squeezed into your family visits. I would have you teach potential novices the fundamentals of cultivation and martial techniques.”

“I don’t know what to say. My wife has family here,” Pán Shí stammered. “I would need to speak with her.”

“Her family can come along if they wish a fresh start. Our sect is establishing itself near a new farming valley, so there isn’t much there at present. To grow, we will need administrators, people with experience in crafts, and teachers for different ranks.” Amdirlain wove a new songbird figurine from drifting notes, and a white jade storage ring attuned to Pán Shí. White flames briefly flickered across him, cleaning him of the corruption, but leaving his clothing undamaged.

The items she created hovered before him.

“I can’t accept such treasures, esteemed one.”

“You mean you’re worried your commander will seize them? The ring will conceal itself once you put it on. It isn’t just to store the message device; it could hold this building several times over. That should be enough to pack up anything your wife and her relatives want to bring if you wish to accept my offer. Contact me with the songbird.”

“How do I use your message device?” Pán Shí asked.

“It’s already attuned to you. Merely touch it and think of the words you wish me to receive.” Amdirlain said. “The longer you wait, the more chance I’ll be in closed-door cultivation again. Talk with your wife and her family. Though, given your commander's pettiness, I wouldn’t spread the word too broadly. Be decisive.”

“I am honoured.” Pán Shí plucked the items from the air, and the ring blended in flawlessly with his middle finger.

“One last thing. I’ve overpaid the innkeeper for the meal, but don’t let your commander know. If he is honourable and foots the bill, the innkeeper will use the funds for other purposes. Otherwise, if Wu insists you pay, ask the innkeeper for time and discuss it away from Commander Wu’s hearing. While the innkeeper can’t trick you, please let me know if they attempt to do so.”

Pán Shí blinked. “You are testing both the commander and the innkeeper?”

“Yes. I have plans, and I need many people with varying talents. If I can’t trust the innkeeper with the meagre cost of this meal, then I certainly can’t trust him for larger projects.”

With that, Amdirlain vanished to where she’d sent her friends when she’d gone to fetch Líng Xī. The six ladies were scanning their surroundings; the torches and other fires in distant villages were barely visible.

“The winds here bring in the smell of cooking fires, but also a lot of unspoiled wilderness,” Sarah said. “Where are we?”

“I created multiple copies of Vehtë. The river branch heading south from here leads to the base of Wudang Mountain. The one running west to east has a series of villages Drakon and Mùchén created for some rescued people. He is the founder of the Silver Wall Sect where Drakon and I guested.”

“How much progress did you make handling memories?” Sarah asked.

Amdirlain laughed bitterly. “Locking pain away was a bad habit across multiple lifetimes. I got through the creation of Labyrinthos, and some isolated issues after it.”

Sarah squeezed her hand. “Kronos really hurt Phaedra.”

“More than I used to know,” Amdirlain confirmed. “Where did people want to set up the base? We can keep moving until you find a view you like. There are villages along the main flow of the river north of us until it gets to the ocean.”

“I think any location that puts us within walking range of a large group of villages would be fine. If they follow the river, maybe at the centre of a curve,” Gail said. “What sort of local dangers can we expect?”

“Natural animals manifest abilities related to aspects of qi they gain, like mana-influenced animals. They come in two categories, spirit and demonic, but both can be dangerous.”

“Not a case of spirit beasts good, demonic bad?” Klipyl asked.

“Demonic beasts are more like the less intelligent creatures of the abyss, driven by hunger and anger. They’ll attack anything that looks at them or sneezes at the wrong time. Spirit beasts aren’t so inclined to violence, but to carnivores, anything weaker is potential prey until the beast evolves enough to take on human form or gains speech.”

“What do the cultivators do to keep them away?” Rainith asked.

“Hunting demonic beasts is how many cultivators perfect their techniques. Bǎi Xǔ keeps old demonic beasts out of the area, though animals might acquire beast stones within the barrier, as their bodies react to the qi.”

“You dropped us here, so I take it there is nothing dangerous nearby?” Rainith asked.

“There were some animals, but with the limited aura control Sarah possesses, most are still running away.”

“Yeah, big scary dragon, roar.” Klipyl laughed. “I’m sure she’s rolling her eyes, but I can’t tell.”

“Yes, exactly that,” Sarah drawled. “Is my presence uncomfortable to anyone?”

“You’re not making me sweat the way demon lords used to, but I can feel you pressing on my skin,” Klipyl replied.

“Less pressure on me, and more an orderly drumbeat in the back of my head,” Gail replied. “Not a sound, just... how to put it?”

Rainith took up the analogy. “The tempo of a supporting theme trying to structure its surroundings. Like a game where you have to not let someone else’s song change the tune you’re singing.”

“I never played singing games like that growing up,” Livia said.

“Your tempo is the same way, a regular, firm beat,” Rainith added.

“That could be their force of personality,” Jinfeng noted. “I feel no pressure from Livia, but Sarah’s presence pushes against me.”

“That could be because you strengthened yourself to keep others safe,” Amdirlain noted.

“It seems aura control is the first thing I need to practice,” Sarah said.

“I’ve had to reinforce mine a few times. I’ll give you the imagery I use, but it might not be suitable.”

“Let’s set up on a mountain closer to the river. Maybe allow for outer fields, through to a southernmost area for senior people,” Jinfeng proposed.

“Why do we need something like that?” Klipyl asked.

Jinfeng shrugged. “Once I learn more, I’d like to teach, and planning for a community to develop in advance makes it easier.”

“We don’t have to copy the outpost in the outlands. Its layout was because that mountain led toward my domain,” Livia said.

“Easier to extend it that way,” Gail said. “We can start with simple buildings that are easy to maintain.”

“I feel a bit worn out already,” Rainith said. “What do we do tonight?”

“Fortunately, I can construct some buildings and furnishings pretty quickly,” Amdirlain offered. “Though if you meant in the way of rest until you get used to refreshing your body with qi, you’ll have to sleep like humans.”

“If you are going to create a complex, can you ensure you include a training hall?” Livia asked.

Reaching out, Amdirlain chose a spot at the end of a line of hills. The hill closest to the river had a stream flowing from a spring high on its slope. The surrounding lands were awash with elm trees whose flaking greyish-brown bark gave them a mottled, lace-like texture. Among their trunks grew woody shrubs, wild roses, and other plants whose roots thrived in the clay soil.

Drawing on designs from the estates on First Peak and other places she visited, Amdirlain cleared space on the wooded hillside. The trees and animals were relocated to a new site before Amdirlain raised the outer walls. She arranged each house in the compound in a square formation around an inner courtyard. She used different styles to decorate their interiors, curious to see if she could match people’s current likes through their themes alone. At the east edge of the buildings, she included a small storage house for shared supplies and a communal kitchen.

“Already?”

Amdirlain smiled and shifted the group to the compound’s central square, which held a fountain and a watercourse fed by the spring that had previously bubbled from a crevice between two boulders. The fountain's centrepiece was a series of nested flowers.

“Let me know if you’d like something different from the provided styles.” Amdirlain grinned. “Or take up building.”

An illusion of the compound hovered before them. A grid of buildings stretched away from the river's wide curve toward a distant mountain to the southwest. It included bamboo groves with meditation spots accessible via winding paths, and training courtyards.

“Anything with space to hold a class,” Livia replied.

“I’d put thoughts of teaching aside. You’ll have to learn qi first, unless you plan to teach plain martial arts,” Amdirlain replied. “There is an open space on the west side of the compound. I’ll recruit people to help train you and others. However, I’ll create some halls tomorrow for when it’s raining.”

“Learning in the rain teaches one to set distractions aside,” Jinfeng replied.

“I’ll let people pick which building they want. If you’d prefer something different, let me know.”

Most of the group spread out across the compound, poking their noses into the structures. Klipyl came out of the first building she entered and shoved Jinfeng toward it. Soon, Jinfeng’s laughter rolled through the square when she found the house decorated with a multitude of empty sword racks.

“Being limited to line of sight is weird. What did you do?” Sarah asked.

“You can go explore as well,” Amdirlain said.

Sarah squeezed her hand. “Whatever house you plan to use is fine with me. Spill?”

“Jinfeng enjoys collecting swords, so I decorated a place to suit,” Amdirlain replied. “It’s up to her if she picks it.”

After Klipyl exited the house, she returned to Amdirlain. “Do you have one set up for me?”

“There are a few you might like.” Amdirlain pointed to three within the illusion still floating before her.

“I’ll go see which one appeals to me the most.”

Before she could leave, the sound of a floor harp running through scales echoed from another building. Soon a second harp joined in, and the scales quickly evolved into a complex, lilting melody. Klipyl stopped to listen, her smile bright.

“Sounds like Gail and Rainith found some toys you set up for them,” Klipyl said.

“I was sure they’d appreciate having harps. There are actually techniques for using music in attacks and mental influence, if they care to use the instruments that way.”

“Are there techniques that utilise calligraphy?” Klipyl asked.

“Yes, they’re used in formations,” Amdirlain replied.

Klipyl clapped happily. “Cool, I’ll have to learn.”

“You have to be very precise for it,” Amdirlain cautioned.

“Just like in a tea ceremony,” Klipyl called over her shoulder as she strode off to check houses.

Maybe I should have Jinfeng teach Líng Xī more traditional sword styles.

Leaning closer, Sarah touched the tip of her nose against Amdirlain’s. “What have you got prepared in this place for us?”

“Unfortunately, not a pool at the base of a waterfall.”

“Tease. Seriously though, I can’t see all around me anymore,” Sarah said. “Smelling materials doesn’t come close to painting a picture.”

“A forge and a room to practice the local enchanting. I’ve learned to access my music again, so I’ve not picked up the local methods. Drakon has spent more time learning proper crafting and enchanting compared to my cheating.”

“What’s your brother like?”

“Earnest. I hope I don’t upset him since I had only just told him the other day the sect was his to run.”

“And here you are setting up a compound and planning to do some teaching,” Sarah tsked.

“No, I’ll teach you the basics, and then get some teachers. Drakon did a good job educating his apprentice, but he was wise enough to seek help.”

She gave Amdirlain a lopsided smile. “He jumped in the deep end to come join you.”

“Yeah.”

“He had your back.” Sarah nodded in satisfaction. “I can’t wait to meet him. Are you going to tell me anything more about him?”

“Nope. I want you to get to know each other.” Amdirlain leaned her head against Sarah’s shoulder. “I missed you.”

“I love you, Amdirlain, and always will. Why are you really setting up a sect when we could just learn and travel?”

“This realm isn’t safe. Any of you could easily die from stray damage if we showed up in the wrong place before you’re stronger. I thought Drakon wanted to travel, but his song sounds like he enjoys it. I think he expected I’d want him to find people to help. He’s been wandering around, sticking his nose into people’s problems because he thinks that's what I expect him to do. Yet when we stopped for a day, he was so happy just planting crops with some farmers. Father and I travelled non-stop because we were afraid that we’d run out of time. It’s a habit for me to be ready to move on, but I don’t want that for him unless he chooses it.”

“You said Father and I? That’s not how you talked about the Titan before. Maker said you opened the vault.”

“Yeah, I fractured my memories from my life as Julia when those gained during the aeons as Ori ground into place.”

“Why did you open it?”

“I made mistakes, but the memories needed to come forth for me to heal them. There was too much pain in them poisoning things.”

The pair sat on the fountain’s lip and waited in a comfortable silence; eventually, the group regathered, drifting in as they tired of exploring.

“More buildings that we need,” Rainith noted. “Is this just for Livia’s future teaching projects?”

“I thought I’d teach as well.”

Which is a touch ironic after rejecting Haobai and the others. He’d be settling into classes to prepare for the Silver Wall Sect entrance exam. Do I give him the opportunity he asked for? Though if I bring him here, and Jiayi visits, she might feel something from the karmic tie between them.

The mask of stillness tightened as Amdirlain seriously considered teaching and the sense of obligation she’d felt in the past.

“Is there a problem?” Sarah asked, lightly caressing Amdirlain’s back.

“Disruptive memories,” Amdirlain admitted. “This will do for now, but I think I’ll seek some advice in the morning.”

“Advice about what?” Rainith asked.

“How to organise a Sect. Most have at least three membership tiers: outer disciplines, inner, and elders. Larger ones also divide the elders. At present, Drakon has things simple since the only members are him, me, and his apprentice. Even if only myself and Livia are teaching, once she’s got a handle on cultivation, things will grow quickly.”

“I’m glad you can create things,” Sarah said. “I’ve lost access to my inventory, so I don’t have access to my house.”

“Inventory is called soul void here, and there is a trick for it. I’ll show you all in the morning, since everyone can sense the qi’s space aspect. Mind you, I’ve had true song crystal items explode, so you might not want to remove them from your inventory.”

“How much can it hold?”

“Mine can contain greater mass than it used to,” Amdirlain replied.

“But at least we’ll have it,” Gail cheered. “This time I don’t have to nearly kill myself learning it.”

“You never told me that,” Rainith gasped.

“I heard its song a few times and tried to add it to myself. It worked, but there was some backlash.” Gail smiled sheepishly. “Its melody seemed simple, but there was a lot more strain from adding it than I expected.”

“You can chastise Gail later,” Sarah quipped. “I’m feeling fatigued.”

“Shall we gather at dawn for lessons?” Gail asked.

Klipyl waved her hands in protest. “Let’s have a rest day first. I want to get used to mortal flesh and settle in.”

“That’s fine,” Amdirlain said. “You all need some rest and to let your bodies settle.”

Gail rubbed her fingertips together. “True. My flesh doesn’t immediately restore the way it used to.”

“Nothing is stopping anyone who wants to meditate on their own to practice cycling qi.”

“Amdirlain said a steady rhythm is key,” Klipyl pouted, “and Kadakalan isn’t even here to help me with it.”

Jinfeng laughed. “You could always conduct a tea ceremony to meditate.”

“Oh yes, that’s a nice way to start or end a day. Who is up for regular introspection? I’ll host, but I need guests to conduct it properly.”

“You’ll want a range of meditation approaches,” Amdirlain cautioned. “If you get too focused on performing ceremonies for others, that will restrict your advancement.”

“Still being reminded of what it is to be mundane isn’t a bad thing,” Jinfeng said. “I’ll happily come along to tea ceremonies upon occasion. In return, I’ll teach you sword forms which people like me find peaceful.”

“Can qi be used through unarmed techniques?” Gail asked.

“Yes.”

Rainith laughed. “Oh. We’ll both have to learn how. Wait until I tell Father. He’ll be pleased to hear you finally resorted to using what he taught you, especially with me learning as well.”

“I didn’t think Master Farhad ever pushed you to learn, Gail,” Amdirlain said.

“He didn’t. He had other people to teach,” Gail said reassuringly.

“Including me,” Livia agreed. “It still doesn’t mean he won’t feel some satisfaction.”

“Lots of satisfaction,” Rainith said.

“I’ll stick with my archery. Yeah, you folks can have the smashing-and-stabby fun. I’ll use my bow.” Klipyl nodded happily. 

“Very well, but let me know if you change your mind about learning forms,” Jinfeng said. “Would you care to spar in the morning, Amdirlain?”

“Lessons in qi first,” Amdirlain replied. “You need to get your cultivation growing.”

“Alright, that also works. For now, good night, all.” Jinfeng and Amdirlain exchanged bows before Jinfeng retired to her dwelling.

“We’ll see if we can make it out of bed in the morning. Human-style sleep might take getting used to,” Rainith hedged. “How about in the afternoon?”

“Either or both,” Klipyl said.

“I’ll meditate, and see if I find it refreshing to replace sleep,” Livia said. “What schedule shall we use for watches?”

“I’ve set wards in place,” Amdirlain said. “They’ll alert me if I’m in the compound or everyone else if I’m not, when a demonic beast comes over the wall.”

Gail rose and took Rainith's hand. “We’re going to bed. I’m sure you’ve got a place picked out for you and Sarah, Auntie Am.”

Rainith blushed and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Bed? You mean you feel frisky, since we’re in danger here.”

A glint of mischief shone in Gail’s gaze, and she wrapped an arm around her waist to whisper in her ear as they walked away; Rainith's neck flushed.

“I’ll take you to meet Drakon in the morning. Shall we retire?” Amdirlain asked.

Sarah grinned. “Let’s.”

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

Drakon’s PoV - Jade Peak

Before dawn, Drakon started cycling qi through his meridians. On every loop through his right arm, a steady ripple of energy leaked through the scars in his aura. The pattern was so fast that, to most people, it was a constant flow of qi, but he could separate each pulse.

“Have you considered why you let me trip you up?” Baiyan asked from the bed; her gaze weighing on him as he sat near the window.

“I’ve no intention of questioning myself over that choice. You might get upset with me,” Drakon replied.

The silk sheet slid down Baiyan’s body as she rolled onto her side. She didn’t clutch it but kept her attention fixed on him. Yet that attention shifted from pure curiosity to an enigmatic tension.

“I think your instincts are closer to human than you’ve let yourself believe,” Baiyan said.

“Did you raise the topic hoping I’d question why, or because you want to share your own thoughts?”

“I thought it would be an easy way to bring up your human instincts. After brushes with death, humans often seek physical comfort.”

Drakon shrugged. “I’m half human.”

“Then you might want to examine what human traits you have,” Baiyan said. “You don’t take trips around trying to interact with them because you’re half-human, do you?”

“No?”

“Amdirlain scolded you, and you want to do better for her. Perhaps you need to want to do better for yourself.”

“That sounds selfish,” Drakon said.

And dumb, which is likely why I already tried to improve myself.

“Not in that way. Improve yourself for your own reasons, not because it seems you owe someone else.” Baiyan’s body glowed as if moonlight lived within her. “I think that sounded better in my mind.”

“Would you explain?”

“Humans blame others for their own choices, particularly after they’ve continued to do something and grown tired of it. Amdirlain told you not to point a hammer at someone, and you went off to learn what scares humans.”

“Not just what scares them. I wanted to help others while Amdirlain couldn’t.”

“Taking on an obligation she didn’t ask of you? That could be dangerous if you come to resent that implied burden, since you prefer the quiet of routine,” Baiyan countered, rising from the bed with a strange boneless grace. She swayed towards him, gaze lingering on his muscles. “Travelling around looking for what needs fighting isn’t a quiet routine. Will you end up resenting her for that?”

“I don’t understand people.”

“You don’t have to understand them to care about someone. You can certainly still craft things that help them.”

“I want to know what they care about,” Drakon argued, shifting uncomfortably under her attention.

“You can observe places from a distance. Why travel?”

“Amdirlain enjoys travelling.”

“Do you?” Baiyan dropped into his lap, straddling him; her warm breasts against his bare chest caused his pants to bulge.

“Twelve not enough?” Baiyan asked, nibbling on an earlobe.

Drakon flushed. “I was focused on you, not keeping score.”

“My count was a lot more than yours.” Her voice turned husky, and her legs wrapped tighter around his waist as she ground against him.

“It is hard to think when you do that,” Drakon groaned.

“It’s certainly hard. You can think about your motivations later. Consider if you’ll be a better brother without burdening your relationship with a tally of favours. I know you’re too nice to resent her soon, but these things can build up.”

“Should I be a cynic instead? Then I’d cynically ask, what do you get from this advice?”

Baiyan bit his shoulder, lightly tracing lines across his muscle. “If you’re not roaming around looking for trouble, you’ll have more time for me and your growing harem.”

“I don’t…”

Her mouth claimed his with a ravenous ferocity, and Drakon groaned in the pleasure of the moment. As her body undulated, his hands instinctively lifted to caress her back.

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

Sun Wukong’s PoV - Heavenly Plane

The first set of scrolls containing the generals’ requests and reports had taken him most of the night. He was reaching for the second stack when he felt a shift in the external pressure of Maker’s realm surrounding his own.

“The outer realm is now in your control. As promised, those Eldritch who make it into your realm will be more susceptible to its suppression.”

“You could have told me how you were going to accomplish that,” Sun Wukong grumbled. “Would the suppression of my realm even affect you?”

“No. Against my strength it would enter a feedback loop that would shatter your realm, so I’ve just utilised projections.”

Projections that feel like they can crush me.

"When this is over, you'll tell me how I can revive my friends?"

"Amdirlain is already planning to do that for you. Her plan resembles the approach I used to bring her friends to your realm. In most realms, faith energy could empower a cross-realm temporal hop.”

“Is that what she's doing with the shrines?" Sun Wukong asked. “Faith doesn't work that way here."

"She doesn't know that, and your cultivators don't have any research on faith energy. Once she regains her strength, I'll show her how to bring them to you.”

“Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?”

Maker’s pressure was already gone.