Chương 114: Future

"Look, there he is! The Pathbreaker!"

"What's the deal with all those people over there?"

"I don't know, but he seems to be going over. Let's check it out."

"Still, Pathbreaker? Is he really that big of a deal to deserve to be named?"

"You haven't watched the recording yet? The surge is officially declared over, you know?"

"Hey, I'm busy. Got stuff to do."

"But not enough to actually check out a recording of someone who has basically become named for it?"

"The stuff was important. And Pathbreaker? No way that is a fitting name."

"Watch. The. Recording!" Kite felt a mix of emotions as he stood on the plaza of the Adventure Society up on the Seventh peak, looking at the ten bronze-rankers lined up before him. Their auras varied, most being rather tightly controlled in a stoic show of reluctant acceptance, but only two of Kite's former opponents met his gaze when he looked at them; the first being Worth Transcending Gold, the disciple wielding powers of bone and armor, and Chalk of Words turned Truth, the rune-casting elf.

The rest of those he had defeated during his grand clash, with Kite fighting through challenge after challenge, refused to meet his gaze.

"At least they did show up," Kite thought, noting that Soar on Enlightened Wind and one other of the former disciples were the only ones of the survivors failing to show up and pay their 'price'.

"I did ask for a public confession, didn't I? But I must admit that I did not think that it would feel so… awkward." The surrounding crowd sure did not make things better, but 'public' had indeed been part of the wording. But with there having been no officiator other than the recorded evidence to witness the event, Kite was a bit surprised that they chose to remember the terms of their clash.

Apparently deciding it to be time, the former inner disciple Chalk spoke up, the elf's voice loud enough for all present to hear.

"We, former students of the fallen Descending Star sect, hereby declare our paths inferior to that of Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune. We admit that we were part of plans being made to ambush and capture him, using the chaos of the surge to right what some of our numbers perceived as an unforgivable slight to the sect and their personal honors. While our reasons for doing so varied, each of us were still present of our own volition, our honor forever stained.

We hereby declare this to be true, as the terms of the challenge demands. And while not part of the terms, we also acknowledge the truth in the name that is being spread as we speak. Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune, you will from now on be known as Pathbreaker, your echo still lingering on our paths as we will each seek to cleanse ourselves of the stains left behind by our actions." Then, they all bowed as one, and stayed like that for over thirty seconds.

Kite could do little else but stand there, face an impassive mask as he regarded his former foes. As the silence dragged on, he realized that they were probably waiting for him to say something.

"I have heard your words, and accept them. With this, I consider our karma severed, and that you being here is already a step for you to purge that which tarnishes your consciences." He spoke the words with as much gravitas that he could muster, causing murmuring to spread among the crowds.

"With that, our paths diverge. But should any of you wish to trade pointers in the future, in the way the empress intended and with the heavens as our witness, then come and find me." Kite had tried for the last statements to lighten the mood a bit, but the somber nods he saw among both the former sect students and some onlookers made him think that it might not have been received in exactly the way he had intended.

But his words at least led to them finally straightening, and one by one the former sect students started leaving, and the crows started to disperse as well. But both Worth Transcending Gold and Chalk of Words turned Truth stayed behind, having noticed Kite's attempts at subtle gesturing for them to remain. When the curious onlookers seemed to have gone on with their business, Kite went up to the pair.

"May I ask for a moment of your time?" he asked, neither of the two seeming to have expected the polite tone.

"Of course, Pathbreaker, whatever we can do to assist, we will," Chalk said, with the less eloquent Gold only nodding agreement.

"I did mean what I said in that I consider our fell karma to be severed. So please, there is no need for that level of formality," Kite tried, but quickly realized from their looks of discomfort that this would not be so easily resolved.

"Karma may be severed, but the weight of guilt is for oneself to bear," Gold replied, his deep voice carrying a smoothness which made Kite somehow think the man to be an excellent singer.

"I… see," Kite said, soldiering on.

"Nonetheless, I would pose you two questions, possibly a third depending on your answer. Do you mind?" Sensing no protests, only a bit of curiosity in their auras, Kite continued.

"First off, where did you hear the name? Pathbreaker?" Both looked quite surprised at his question, with Chalk being the one who answered.

"I… am most surprised that you did not know of this," the elven woman said, looking at her fellow former sect member.

"It has been part of the city's gossip since not long after our clashes and the recordings which started to spread. It is what they call you, and we thought to honor the moniker and formally recognize the name. Not anyone can pit their path against a dozen others and come out victorious, leaving foes broken and defeated while unraveling the very powers that make up the foundation in their climb towards the heavens.

I even heard that one of the city lord's sons has been lauding your name in the highest circles recently. It wouldn't be too surprising if it spreads beyond the city now that the surge has passed and roads and rivers are opening up, isn't that right, Gold?" At her question at the end, the man only nodded with a grunt.

"Fitting," was his terse response.

"I… see…" Kite said, having an idea who said son of the city lord might be.

"I spent almost the whole surge outside the city, so I am not in tune with the rumors and gossip. Thank you for shedding some light on this whole situation." His feelings were once more torn, with the slight dread of notoriety warring with the feeling that as far as earned names went, Pathbreaker certainly had a bit of poetic gravitas to it, given how central the path was to local culture.

"As for my second question, it is in regards to our clash," he continued, noting both tense up a bit as he turned to Gold.

"You confirmed that duty was the reason for you being present that evening. Was that true?"

"Yes."

"And I got the same sense from you," Kite continued, turning to Chalk.

"But events made it unfeasible for me to confirm. So I would ask; why were you present that night?" He did omit the fact that it was Serene who had afterwards told him of her reading a good deal of relief in Chalk's aura as she had been knocked out of the fight. The woman in question regarded him, even opening up her aura a bit before answering to let Kite gauge the truthfulness of her spirit as she spoke.

"I did so out of duty born from debt. Soar on Enlightened Wind came to my aid once when he was still an inner disciple, and he called upon our debt to have me participate." Her words had a clear note of regret, but also determination; Chalk stood by her decision to honor her debts even though the situation in question was unpalatable. Kite took in their words, and also let his aura touch Chalk's as they spoke.

While he was as unobtrusive as he could manage, he still would not let up the opportunity of gauging the truth of her words. Especially as it was important for what might come next.

"Then that leads me to my third question. For a bit of context; I have a venture starting up soon, where a pair of experienced adventurers would be invaluable, whether short-term or for a longer time. So my third question is more an offer than a question per se, as I am wondering if the two of you would be interested in a contract?" Spring looked up at the building in front of her, heart beating in her chest.

It didn't look like much more than an ordinary apartment complex, the three-story house probably capable of housing at least six families. It didn't stand out much from the rest of the buildings in Gilded either; made from sturdy dark wood polished by hand and weather with a slightly curved roof covered in rust-red tiles. The small yard in the midst of the L-shaped structure housed one of Gilded's golden trees, its foliage resplendent beneath the late summer sky.

But one thing stood out as a new addition on the building's exterior; a wooden plaque fastened on one of the outer walls. It stated 'Autumn Wanderers' guild' in beautiful calligraphy, and Spring recognized the name from the letter she had received while still in the care of Healer's church. Looking down at the note still clutched in her hands, stating that she was invited to discuss the opportunity of joining and when to arrive, Spring then looked to a nearby window.

The glaring sun above meant that the glass mostly showed a reflection of herself, dressed in the finest clothes she still had left after most of her belongings perished when the sect had been attacked. Spring couldn't help but think about how she would be received, with her thin frame, delicate features and light brown hair making her look younger than her eighteen years.

"I still wish my mother would have let me wear my armor. At least that would have made me look less like a little girl," she inwardly berated herself, but her parents had both been adamant in that she needed to make as good an impression as possible with this new establishment. Spring had only heard of guilds mentioned in passing, often spoken of with derision by sect members as being groups too small and lacking proper heritage and structure to be something worthwhile.

But Spring's parents had thought it to be an opportunity now that their daughter found herself without affiliation, their joy at the invitation only dwarfed by their relief that she had come out of the sect's fall alive.

"Fortune, please let your winds carry me to providence," she thought, straightening her back after the short prayer and marching up to the door.

"I am invited, after all, so I need to prove myself worthy of that invitation." Spring knocked at the door while simultaneously expanding her aura to announce herself, and not long after the door was opened. She found a lanky youth staring down at her, at least a head taller than Spring but probably two years younger. He had short-cropped black hair and rather plain features, making him look like the very image of a rural village boy now grown up.

And from the way he seemed to be caught up in the moment and still staring at her, Spring assumed that was not far from the truth. She drew herself up and did what she could to look dignified.

"I am Second Spring, here by invitation." The youth shook out of his stupor, his blush revealing a row of freckles over his nose which had previously been hidden by his tanned skin.

"Oh, sorry," he mumbled, getting out of the way to let Spring enter the hall. Her nose immediately caught the scent of lacquer barely having dried, causing it to twitch slightly. The entry hall, complete with couches, cushions and chairs for anyone waiting, had obviously been refurbished and rebuilt rather recently, and Spring suspected that it had previously been apartments and other living spaces. The insides were overall plain but well made, functional rather than decorative.

"Ehm…" the youth began, trailing off as Spring turned to him.

"Well?" She asked him, giving him a pointed look and feeling a bit bolder in the face of his fluster.

"I- uh- the guild master and the patron are in the ritual chamber. I- uhm- Follow me." Having finally gotten the words out, the young man just went ahead as if not daring to look back at her, Spring following him a bit further into the building. As they entered another room, passing both a set of closed doors and some drapes, she could feel the ambient mana grow more harmonious, the sensation familiar from her time at the sect.

The ritual chamber- even if chamber was a bit too generous a term for the simple room - was not overly large, and felt even less spacious as there were already three people in there when Spring and her guide entered. The floor was already occupied by a magical diagram, a young man just finishing the last of the chalk lines. As he had his back turned to her while working, Spring could only see his rather stylish blue robes and the back of his head; his hair being somewhere between black and dark gray.

But his bronze-rank aura was what caught Spring's attention the most, her back instinctively straightening in the presence of a senior. And there was something familiar about him, but she couldn't quite place it. In the middle of the circle, a middle aged, wiry woman sat, giving Spring a look full of stubborn challenge as she entered, the seated woman cradling the shining cube of an essence in her hands like it was the most precious thing in the world.

"Ah, you must be the one Kite invited. Welcome!" Spring all but jumped as the gravelly voice spoke up from beside her, the man's presence having been all but invisible until a moment ago. That was also when she felt the hint of his aura and its silver rank, causing Spring to immediately drop to her knees and press her forehead to the floor. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Initiate Second Spring greets the master!" Only a second later did she realize that she had blurted out the traditional greeting from within the sect on pure instinct, and was happy that her bowing position hid her face as it flushed crimson. The silence in the room indicated that all of those present were looking at her, making her redden even further.

"Well, I suppose I will have to get used to that," the silver-ranker muttered, amusement in his voice.

"But please, Second Spring, rise. We will have little time for bowing and scraping here, should you join us." Spring felt a pair of firm hands grasp her shoulders and help her up, getting a better look at the rugged man who could be nothing less than the guildmaster. He looked to be about thirty, with short dark hair and a thin, neat mustache as well as some stubble covering his cheeks.

Whatever he had been before, silver rank had done its work to heighten the rugged handsomeness, and Spring found herself blushing once more.

"I am called Brave Walker of Paths, but just master Walker will do," the man introduced himself.

"And I'm the guild master of this little establishment. As you can see, we are still getting things set up, but having the three of you here is one of the most important steps for us. What is a guild without members, after all?"

"Uncle, we are ready to begin now," the man drawing the ritual circle called when master Walker had finished his little introduction, and as he turned around, Spring realized why she recognized him. He looked less imposing without his armor, but she recognized those blue-gold eyes from another place, the echo of panic reverberating in her chest.

"It- it's you!" Spring couldn't help the exclamation, but the young man didn't seem to mind.

"I am indeed me," he said with a chuckle.

"It is good to meet you under more pleasant circumstances, Second Spring. I am called Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune, but just Kite will do. I won't have as active a role in this guild as my Uncle Walker here, but please consider me a senior brother of sorts." His light demeanor somewhat curtailed another wave of embarrassment in Spring, but she still had trouble meeting the young man's eyes without flushing again.

"Cursed bronze-rankers and their looks," she thought, but did manage to get some more words out.

"Then- then I thank senior brother for your help. Back- back at the sect."

"And thank you for cooperating back then. Not everyone saw sense that day." His voice hinted at a note of grim determination before lightening up again.

"And you being here meant that Healer's clergy found no issue with your behavior. I left the invitation with them to give you at their discretion."

"So it was you? But why-""Hey, could we spare the chatting for later and get this thing done and over with?" It was the woman still seated in the ritual circle who had spoken up, her no-nonsense voice easily grabbing the attention.

"Ah, yes, sorry auntie Stream," Kite replied with a smile, getting back to putting some spirit coins and reagents in their places around the ritual of awakening.

"She sounds a bit like my grandmother," Spring thought, but kept it to herself as she stepped back to join master Walker and the lanky youth standing near one wall.

"I- uhm- my name is Welcome Plum Blossom. But everyone just calls me Plum." The awkward introduction came as a half-whisper, Kite already having begun the ritual. Not wanting to disturb the proceedings, Spring only nodded in return. What followed was something Spring was at least familiar with; the woman absorbing three essences and her confluence essence before hastily leaving the room, cursing in ways that made Spring blush even more.

"Senior brother, is it my turn now?" the youth called Plum asked eagerly, barely containing his disappointment as Kite shook his head.

"Sorry, Plum, we have to let the ambient mana of the room stabilize, as we haven't had time to get the proper formations installed yet. It shouldn't be more than an hour, so go and grab some lunch for all of us. In the meantime, Uncle Walker and I can have a chance to talk some more with our newest prospective member here." While he talked, Kite flicked a couple of coins to the youth who caught them and was through the door a moment later.

"I felt that the lad had enough spirit when I met him out in the holdfast. Sure hasn't disappointed," Walker noted with a wry smile before turning to Spring.

"Please come with us, young lady, and we can talk things over and feel things out. While I believe that our guild might be an opportunity for some, it is not for everyone or their paths." Even though she had just been in the building for half an hour, Spring felt like she had been standing around all day once she finally got to sit down in a comfortable recliner, senior brother Kite and the guild master each taking a chair of their own in an adjacent meeting room.

Like the rest of the building, the room was furnished but didn't really feel 'lived in'.

"So, Kite, mind explaining to the young lady here what we are actually offering?" master Walker said, leaning back.

"I may be the guild master, but this whole thing was your idea, after all."

"Sure, uncle. This young one will ever strive to lighten the load on your old bones."

"Such a well-mannered young man we raised, taking care of his elders," Walker chuckled as Kite turned to Spring, who truly did not know how to react to the informal interactions.

"Well then, Second Spring, I imagine that you have questions-""Please, just Spring. It would not do for me to call you senior brother while demanding formality in return," she managed to pipe out, still finding her bearings.

"Of course, junior sister Spring," Kite corrected.

"There are documents for you to go over with all the details, so I will give you the essentials. But first, a question; do you know of my uncle here? Brave Walker of Paths?"

"Of course, senior brother. Who in these parts have not heard of him?" Spring asked, knowing well the pathfinder's reputation.

"Good. Then you know what his presence has done for this region. Maybe even how there might be villages unable to continue existing if it hadn't been for his tireless journeying. He has even taken on over ninety-seven percent of all courier contracts in the region around Gilded for the last two decades."

"So many?" master Walker interrupted, an eyebrow raised.

"I asked Adelaide to look it up," Kite explained, turning back to Spring.

"Even so, he is but one man, even after having ascended to silver rank. And as each year and monster surge shows us, one man, no matter how hard-working, cannot be everywhere. So I thought to see if it wouldn't be possible for more people like him to operate in this region; essence-users willing to take on such contracts which are otherwise passed up by the warriors of the sects and most outcasts. People who have enough ties to the region to not leave as soon as possible, instead helping it and its people flourish.

And as Fortune favored me with a way to happen upon more essences and awakening stones than most, I found myself with the means to make the attempt. And that attempt is this very guild."

"So… you want me too? To be a courier?" Spring asked him, leaning forward.

"Not exclusively," Kite corrected.

"But we are looking for people who are willing to travel to the furthest reaches of the region, be it to slay monsters, make crucial deliveries or take commissions of crafting or healing. As the distances are vast, we would need people able to traverse it at speed or at least with some efficiency. And from what little I saw of your path during our… encounter… at the sect, I suspected that you might be a good fit."

"Would you care to share your essences with us, young lady?" master Walker asked politely, even if his attention still felt rather intense as Spring sat there trying to digest what she had been told.

"Oh- of course, master Walker. I- I hope you understand that they are mostly what my family could afford. Unlike many from the sect, we weren't-" Spring began, but fell silent as Walker made a placating gesture to interrupt her.

"Please do not sell yourself short, young lady. Take it from someone who has basically been forced to find all my awakening stones out in the wilderness; it is how you use your powers that is important. Actually leaning into your strengths is the hallmark of a good essence-users, not trying to force yourself to become something which you aren't." Spring sat frozen for a while at his words, stunned.

"How does he- Can silver ranker's read minds? Surely not, but…" Familiar thoughts shoved into a corner of her mind re-emerged, but Spring forced them away to instead answer the question.

"Then… My essences are wind, plant and… squirrel. For the transfiguration confluence." Both men nodded along, with Kite being the one who spoke up.

"We suspected as well after seeing you in action. I will warn you that one of my companions has been complaining that she didn't get a chance to pet your fur. Take care around passionate young women with pink hair," he warned with a wink.

"Kite did mention that you had some kind of gliding power?" master Walker asked, turning back to the topic at hand.

"I- uhm- Yes. I have not awakened many, but my transfigured state allows me greater speed and climbing, as well as gliding. I can make longer jumps with the help of my wind essence, and conjure exploding magical pollen."

"Which means that you would find yourself quite at home in, say, great stretches of forest?" Walker asked meaningfully.

"I… think so?" Spring answered.

"I did not have time to go on too many contracts, with training and work for the sect taking up much of my time."

"Well, I for one think that you should have the makings of a fine scout, much like myself," master Walker said.

"But that is just the thoughts of an old man. Do you dream of another path for yourself? One of a warrior? Or scholar?"

"I… don't know…" It was the truth, and Spring felt her face heat up once more at the omission.

"Then there is no shame in thinking about it," Walker said with an encouraging nod.

"And I would also like you to consider joining us, as I believe that you can become just what we are looking for. As you already have all your essences, things are more simple. The guild will receive a small portion of contract rewards, and in return you will have lodging and necessities here in the guildhall, as well as a contribution system where contracts will allow you to save up to your awakening stones in short order.

And last, but hopefully not least, tutelage under this old man," he finished, a braggart's grin on his face.

"I will aim to teach all of you what I can. And I have spent more time on the roads, paths and beyond in these regions than anyone else." Spring could only nod along, thoughts still a whirl in her head.

"I…" she began, but faltered. Kite came to her rescue, handing her a rolled up scroll.

"Take some time and think about it. The details are in here. But I agree with my uncle in that I think that you could find a future for yourself with us, as long as it is something you want." The rest of the conversation felt like a blur to Spring, the polite goodbyes and her walk home dwarfed by the sense of the future being hazy and unclear. This new path might be an opportunity for her, but did she want to walk it? Was this the future for Second Spring, former initiate of the Descending Star sect?

"So, little Kite, what do you think of our prospects?" Walker asked as the pair sat up in the little loft they had shared for a few years now, the apartment untouched by the renovations below. Kite finished pouring tea, and mulled the question over for a few seconds while looking out the window.

"Both Plum and Stream seem to have taken to things with gusto," he began, looking at the former who was still doing laps around the little yard below, seemingly not being able to get enough of the improved speed that came from having absorbed the foot essence. With what Kite had on hand or was able to easily trade for in the wake of the surge, it had been easy to lean into the youth's dream of becoming a traveling doctor to honor his late parents.

In addition to the foot essence, he had absorbed the swift and plant essences, along with the divine essence of the Healer which Kite had been gifted. The impartment of the divine gift felt right, especially as the essences reliably providing healing powers often being rather expensive and not readily available out in the rural Autumn lands. Sweet Stream, her personality rather at odds with her name, had a different path in mind.

Walker had told Kite of her doing her best to work with and maintain the formation of her village, so they had not been surprised when she had asked for something that could help her. The rune essence would have been the most optimal fit, but as it was both rare and expensive, they had to find other alternatives.

After consulting Whisper, his former instructor had advised Kite that the Ink essence could achieve similar results if absorbed by the right person and complemented with awakening stones suitable for such endeavors. As Stream also wished for ease in traversing the lands of her home, this had led to her eventually deciding on the rather odd combination of tree, ink and adept, to form the master confluence. Only time would show what she might become a master of, but the stern older woman had seemed satisfied.

"I just hope that they won't come to regret the terms. Agreeing to work with the guild for ten years in exchange for the essences might seem an easy choice now, but what of the future?"

"Heh, that just shows your privilege, little Kite," Walker chuckled.

"What do you think that you would have done, had you not had the inheritance of essences laid out before you when you came of age?"

"In my defense, I did not know of it until the day the ritual confirmed me to be ready," Kite shot back.

"But there is wisdom and perspective in your words, uncle. I would have taken this offer. Any day. Ten years might feel long, but compared to the life of even a bronze-ranker, it is not much."

"And besides, I would say that the guild is plenty generous with its contribution rates and training," Walker added.

"Which feels important. I do not want those who join to feel like they are stalling out or being used," Kite countered, a bit defensive until he noticed the twinkling eyes of his uncle.

"Your aunties sure raised you well, little Kite," the older man chuckled.

"You saw something that you could do, something you thought that could change something more to your liking, and you did it."

"We have yet to see the results, uncle. This is something done in the long term," Kite said, but still unable to help his satisfied smile at the praise.

"What do you think of Second Spring, then? Do you think she will join?"

"Yes, I think she will. She seemed a bit lost, and the guild is a path forward. And with her already having essences, she won't be forced to remain either. I think she'll be back first thing tomorrow morning," Walker said with a confident smile.

"Speaking of essences, how many do you have on hand now, Kite? The guild should easily be able to keep at least ten members on the roster in the future, so it is good to know if I should keep my eyes open." At his question, Kite only smiled, in turn causing Walker to chuckle.

"Oh, the surge treated you well then?"

"I would be a liar if I did not agree," Kite said, still smiling.

"Who could have known that a familiar able to trigger budding manifestations would reap great benefits when manifestations are so much more common. I will have to buy several new calligraphy books for Sage as thanks for their hard work. But I will admit that it was not without its risks; there was more than one time we had to flee when the wrong kind of silver-ranked monster turned up instead of treasure," he finished, smile turning a bit crooked at the last part.

"What did appear stayed true to the magic of the region, with a lot of nature-related ones. But Fortune smiled upon me, with essences of gathering, omen and wing being part of the bounty." Walker whistled slightly at the mention.

"My little boy is becoming quite wealthy these days. But with you sharing your bounty like this, I am sure Fortune will approve."

"I can only hope so, uncle," Kite agreed, the pair lapsing into companionable silence. Kite once more found his gaze drawn to the window, looking out over the city and the skies beyond. There was a lot for him to do in the upcoming months. Continue to help get the guild started. Taking contracts along with his friends, both ordinary and the ones targeting rogue essence-users specifically given him and his group. Working on his martial techniques.

Finding ways to compensate for the weaknesses in his path that the surge had shown him. Spending time with his friends and family. Reflection and meditation about the person he wanted to become. Finding out more about the astral space with the purple sand and the seed below. Getting new equipment from Peony. And finally, on the horizon, the Jade-Sky gate.

"So much to do," Kite thought to himself, watching the clouds dance up in the summer sky as he made plans for the future and what he hoped to accomplish.

"But fortunately, time and freedom seem to be in ample supply for now. May Fortune see that it continues to be so, because it seems like things might have the potential to become quite complicated if I one day reach silver rank."