Growing Pains 305 Book 1 Chapter 38 (Patreon)

“And, of course, you can form a dual partnership and practice cultivation techniques with a Hindel. This isn’t the same as forging a [Dao Companion] bond. You won’t be merging your cultivation and reproductive systems into a synergistic system that supports both sides.

“You will be sharing affinities, strengthening the ones you share in the process, and possibly unlocking a minor understanding for an affinity, you don’t have. Your affinities with ice and lightning are unknown to the Hindel. That you might allow a dual partner to forge even a minor understanding of those affinities might be enough to impart that understanding within our people. We could see it blossom within our next generation of young,” Alpha explained.

“How?” I asked. 

I wasn’t sure what methods the Hindel used for procreation. I knew they were serial polygamists, with the Alpha supplying the lion's share of genetic material.  But the mechanics and adaptations that were optional had never been explained.

“The reason an Alpha can make another female consort has to do with essence control and adaption,” Alpha began. “The genetic material of egg and sperm can be provided by anyone, but the essence, the traits, and characteristics a brood of offspring will develop can be influenced by blending the essence of multiple individuals.

“We can search for and source talents that have stood the test of time and experiment with new adaptations and evolutions. This ability to experiment with how the genetic material is formed allows us to evolve more quickly with few adverse mutations each cycle of breeding.”

“Their ability to control their ‘essence’ is an example of spiritual control,” Toi informed me through our contract bond. “They are molding the formation of astral, the souls of their progeny before they are born. A type of programming to emphasize energy patterns and paths that will allow their young to walk new paths of cultivation.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to find that every Hindel is a Cultivator,” Toi concluded.

“I’ll be honest,” I began hesitantly, “I’m honored that you would consider me to be the first Elven Voice. And I’m also scared shit-less.” I didn’t often use course language, but I wanted Alpha to understand exactly how off-center her offer had left me.  

The truth was that this didn’t make sense. This offer was too good to pass up, and it came at a time when politics were quiet and my relationship with the Sect, although strained, was solid enough to continue using Contribution Hall.

How declaring my Sovereignty would affect that relationship would be a matter I discussed with Clement before I made any decision.  The Hindel might be able to serve in lieu of the Contribution Hall to provide goods and resources. Maybe even martial and cultivation techniques.

They had to have had their own Heavenly opportunities and Mystic Realms open that they could use. Although I did wonder what percentage of Mystic Realms that opened, opened into a water world where they could explore.

Now that they had developed a land movement technique using water as both a barrier and the vehicle for movement, any Realms that opened that they had been forced to ignore because of the environment should be open to them now.

“What is it, you fear?” Alpha asked.

“So many things,” I admitted.

“The Empire is not benevolent. I gave a warning to the Empire and informed them that a Grand House had used hidden enchantments in the paper used for missives to spy on anyone they choose. They responded with a Prince, who, from what I have learned, was willing to see any bounty from the aperture between worlds we discovered diverted to the Empire.

“How they will react to my seceding will affect more than just me. I’m certain they will target my finances, denying me the largesse I have been granted from a spirit mine I discovered, that hidden world and the proceeds promised for innovations using the Golden Lodoicea plant.

“Clement is the strongest member of my House. And while his strength is formidable, he is only one person. If the Empire decides to send a detachment of Cultivators to bring me back in line, we would have to capitulate quickly.

“And that would probably mean my death. I have people that depend on me. A Spirit Companion. A Bonded Companion. A family. My death would have ramifications beyond just myself.”

“You walk the path of cultivation,” Alpha reminded me, “your very existence is a dance with death. Cultivators rail against the Heavens. You withstand and suffer Heaven's tribulation to advance. With each advancement, the chance of failure and death is possible. 

“So why would you place more importance on this chance of death? Are you going to forsake advancing your cultivation, refuse to leave your city because the possibility of death exists?”

She was right. Maybe my fear wasn’t the possibility of death; maybe it was the fear of isolation, of loneliness. I had left Flowing Water Sect because of the way they treated me. Wouldn’t my decision to leave the Empire fall within that mold of reasoning? How were the Empires actions any different than Flowing Water Sect?

“You also fail to understand the importance the Hindel will treat a Voice,” Alpha continued, interrupting my musings.

“We will be allies. Allies that will watch to see how you are treated. If the Empire refuses to honor the agreements you hold. If they try to claim your assets and refuse to honor agreements that are in place. We will make sure they are aware that the Hindel would be willing to act accordingly.

“My pod will make the area along your coast a permanent part of our hunting grounds. The Hindel are nomads by nature. We move as the tide and Qi draws us, but we do have areas that we prefer.

“The embassy that you built, that first underwater Pagoda that we first spoke at are already considered points of interest by my people. The knowledge of those buildings and their location, has already filtered across our gestalt mind. 

“You should be aware that the embassy will always be staffed with powerful individuals. Individuals that will see any attack on you or your territory as an attack on an ally. 

“And they will respond.”

That response might come too late, but perhaps making it known who and how powerful the people stationed at the embassy were would have served as a deterrent. 

I couldn’t argue with Alpha. It would be petty of me. The honor the Hindel were affording me, the chance to stand as Voice, was momentous. I didn’t think I deserved it, and thoughts did flitter across my mind that I was only gaining this advantage because the AI that created and ran this world treated me like a Main Character.

I rarely gave thought to the world I came from or that I was nothing but a series of 1’s and 0’s saved in the data banks of a Cloud Network that spanned solar systems. But when events like this occurred, I admit I wondered if I was nothing more than some story, a narrative created in the workings of a deluded author’s mind.