Chương 247: As you climb towards gold

"Will you tell me about the ascension to gold rank?" Kite had pondered the matter while inconspicuously making his way through the city, and decided; he would ask Ardent first. Arguably, Mistress Dew had trained him for longer, but that had been mostly focused on martial matters in the earlier grades. In contrast, he and Ardent had never crossed blades or exerted themselves physically during practice, dedicating themselves entirely to the spiritual.

And while Kite knew little for certain, he had the feeling that the ascension to gold-rank was something related more to the latter. If it was just a matter of pushing oneself further in combat, he wouldn't have gotten all the 'it shall be revealed in time' or similar answers. Kite simply saw no need for secrecy if that was the case.

He had also decided to be forthright and direct as he asked, as he knew that the sect leader would sense the unspoken question in his spirit anyway if he were not, and that such uncertainties would simply hamper any attempts at demonstrating progress in controlling his aura. But as Ardent was visibly taken aback by the question, Kite quickly started to doubt his decision.

The gold-ranker remained quite composed overall, but the slight widening of the eyes and twitch of surprise in his posture felt like a suppressed sneeze in a silent room; dampened, but still a stark contrast to the usual calm.

"I'm sorry, teacher, I did not-""No," Ardent said, interrupting Kite's apology with a gesture.

"No, it is alright. I apologize for the slip in my composure. It is simply a matter of surprise. Within the sect, this question is usually one reserved for one's long-time master; an elder whom one has trained beneath for years. Maybe all of silver rank, if one showed enough promise from the start. Simply posing the question is considered a sign of great trust and respect."

"Ah, I see. I was honestly unaware of how one went about this process in the first place," Kite replied, thoughtful.

"Perhaps I truly am an outcast country bumpkin in some respects." Ardent remained silent as Kite gave the matter some more thought, a dynamic which had become commonplace during their scattered training sessions together. Collecting his thoughts didn't take long though.

"Then… I would still like to repeat my question, teacher. Will you tell me about the ascension to gold rank?" he asked, earnest. Resolute. At the repeated question, Ardent Horizon Seeker gave Kite a long look as he too seemed to ponder the matter properly, and Kite felt the man's aura assess his own. The seconds of silence seemed to stretch to minutes and hours as Kite felt weighed on scales unknown, but Ardent soon replied with a nod.

"I believe… Yes, you should be ready. Although I am sure that some of my peers around the world might disagree," the gold-ranker mused, turning and indicating for Kite to follow him as he moved towards the disc of void quintessence where the pair usually practiced their meditations.

"Is that a point of contention?" Kite asked, puzzled as he followed, seating himself across from his teacher before finding enough meditative calm to float up into the air with his aura.

"In its own way, but explaining that first would be to claim victory in a bout before even striking a blow; without a proper foundation," Ardent explained.

"No, we need to start at the heart of the matter, so I ask you, student; what are essences?" Once again, Kite took some time to ponder his answer.

"The most obvious answer is manifested magic which we absorb to form the core of our power. Concepts, from the corporeal like earth to the abstracts like potent, made manifest."

"An apt description. And once you have absorbed them?"

"Then they are the foundation of our path, the wellspring that allow our powers to exist. Whether as warriors, craftsmen or healers, we wield them to ply our paths."

"Indeed. Let us then take a look at the word you just used: 'Wielding'. A good example for our current discussion. We wield our powers, sometimes literally," Ardent said, the dark absence of the void briefly flickering over his hands like claws.

"But take a moment to reflect and walk back down the path of memories. Has this always felt the same? Your relationship with the powers of your path and the way you use them?" Even as Ardent asked, Kite already felt that he knew the answer. Of course not. Even though it felt long ago, Kite could remember the feeling of conjuring the barrier of Heaven-and-Void Warding with his full attention on gauging the shield's integrity. Would it hold? Did he need to reinforce it?

Should he let it drop and conjure a new one for the next attack? But he had come far since that time, and it was not just the expanded vision of his perception power that let him trust that the barrier conjured at his flank was angled correctly or that it could withstand another blow. Kite just knew it based on the subtle feedback that controlling the power entailed. Thousands upon thousands of repetitions, seeing barriers hold and feeling them crumble. And the same held true for his other powers too.

They came instinctually, as using them was second nature. Was this…?

"Is that it?" Kite asked, still feeling that something was missing.

"Becoming one with my powers?"

"Close, but not quite," Ardent replied, even though he seemed pleased with the direction of Kite's deductions.

"I would say that most silver-rankers who, like you, have progressed through trial and tempering are quite in tune with their powers. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have managed to climb so far on their path towards the heavens. But in the end, the powers - and therefore your path - are merely an extension of something: your essences, channeled through you. However, that transmission is quite imperfect, at least when comparing you as a silver to the heights of power.

And overcoming that limitation, student of mine, is how you reach for gold rank."

"So to ascend to gold rank, I need to become… one with my essences?"

"Perhaps. But are they already not a part of you, permanently absorbed into your being?" Ardent pointed out, one corner of his mouth slightly quirked into the shadow of a smile.

"I… yes, but…" Kite said, brows furrowing as he tried to grasp the abstractions in this situation. Fortunately though, Ardent did offer some more help on the matter.

"Your essences are already part of you, Kite. You just need to gain insights as to how. And when you find a sliver of that insight, it needs to be channeled. Nurtured. Tempered. Much like the world whose aspects condense into the essences themselves, you too have aspects of yourself that can be refined and brought into line with the power already inside you.

And once you strain against the limits of silver and at the same time manage to grasp some of that enlightenment for each of your essences, all of your path, then you may take your first step into gold rank."

"Heavens," Kite breathed as he pondered it all, his mind a jumble of thoughts, theories and other more vague impressions.

"Indeed," Ardent agreed.

"I am pleased that you seem to understand the gravity of the task, because if it were only as easy as some simple introspection then we would have a lot more gold-rankers in the world. Mind you the part about pushing your powers still remains too, but no quantity of foes slain or projects completed will take you over the threshold alone. You have to strain against your limits while also finding that alignment within you, all at once."

"But… teacher, wouldn't it have been simpler to have known this from the start? Why all this secrecy?" Kite couldn't help himself asking, as grasping what Ardent had described remained daunting.

"Because, student, that might have adversely affected your path," Ardent explained patiently.

"Iron rank is the mere starting steps where you need to learn how to wield and develop these new powers, continuing all through silver to this instinctual level you now possess. Trying to grasp the core of a problem without even having properly scratched the surface will only lead to you being stuck with preconceptions and assumptions that might be impossible to let go of once thoroughly ingrained.

Telling yourself that you are the flames and trying to emulate them too early may simply lead you astray from actually mastering the foundations needed to ever reach the part where it would count. Thus, there has long been this agreement in place among those of gold rank and above; to let it remain a mystery and help rising silvers once they are actually in a position to benefit from the knowledge. But when a certain silver is ready?

Well, it is here we find ourselves returning to the contention of which you asked before." Ardent inspected Kite again, once again letting his aura wash through that of his student, then nodded in confirmation.

"From the sense I am getting, you have pushed beyond the wall and beyond the halfway mark of silver rank, some powers having reached further than others. I deem you ready now, while others around the world might chastise me for the choice, insisting that I wait until the final push. You will find this variance among the different cultures of the world, where we of Hua-Xi are perhaps some of the most early-leaning kingdoms of which I know.

Some might even call our way of meditating and visualizing one's path to be skirting the lines of secrecy for the mystery that is gold rank. I, on the other hand, find that introducing this to you now will give you the time to ease into this reflection. But how that is done, Kite, will ultimately be up to you. In this regard no two people are the same. For some, one essence is more dominant while for others they are more even.

Embracing one essence might be as easy as breathing, while another takes years of grueling work."

"So… you cannot help me?"

"No. At least not directly. But perhaps guide, at least in some regards," Ardent said before nodding to the dark disc over which the pair still floated.

"In my case, the void essence has definitely come to dominate my path. But as for yours, the balance inside you is yet to be determined. Give it time, my student. Meditate upon what I have told you and look for those moments of clarity as you climb towards gold. If the heavens favor you, your path will be deemed worthy.

As for now, I believe you have some progress to show me in regards to your spirit, and perhaps even some tales to tell to help your teacher find a glint of truth in all these wild rumors that are currently being told and retold all over the city."

"Truly, the heavens will weep at the sight of you, knowing they will never match your beauty," King of the Pure Firmament said as he awoke from his meditations, not hiding his lust and attraction as he gazed at Ametrine where she sat and meticulously painted her nails with delicate precision.

With the speed of a gold-ranker, Ametrine could have been done with the whole process a lot quicker, but ever since ascending above iron rank she had been determined to let certain things take their time as she centered herself through the familiar rituals. That it always led to such a reaction from her King was part of it too, of course. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Your eyes upon me are all I require, my King," she replied with a smile as she met his eyes in the mirror.

"And while I am, as always, at your disposal, I believe that neither of us would make it in time should we allow ourselves too much of a distraction."

"You speak the truth, even if it is one I would like to strike down and make it not be so," King grumbled in response.

"Such is the weight of the crown. But afterwards…"

"As I said, I am always at your disposal," Ametrine replied with a smile and slight inclination of her head.

"Then distract me with other matters. Anything new from your little eyes and ears?"

"Only confirmation of what we have already suspected. The Pathbreaker and the guild master are in the city, with the former suspected of being injured or the like as he has always kept his left arm hidden by his cloak when appearing in places where we could observe him. Probably some lingering damage from whatever took place inside the gate. Out of everyone, I am sure that you, my King, know the dangers of the trials within. But back to the event at hand. Attendance to the audience is expected to be high.

Most are simply curious, but there are those who I believe might react strongly to your choice in the matter of the outcasts and their guild."

"Then let them. Words are nothing before a proper clash. Let them prove themselves in deeds if my choice so upsets them. Besides, it should let you get a better read of who is actively opposing us. Progress in finding the source of Young Master Valor's artifact has all but stopped, after all."

"I will, as ever, do my best in that endeavor, my King," Ametrine replied even while making sure to keep a firm grip on her aura. There had been more progress than her King knew on that matter, but Ametrine could not tell him of Black Wood mask and her suspicions. That would need to be handled in other ways, but on that matter Ametrine at least already had her own plans in motion.

"With you by my side, victory is all but assured. Such was the case in bronze rank, and such it remains even now. But come. Help me make myself presentable. The time for the audience draws near."

"Well, dear adopted cousin, not only did sticking to your side allow me to go on a great adventure earning us impressive treasure and the gratitude of an ancient diamond-ranker, now I'm even invited to visit the palace as a representative of the clan. Are you absolutely sure that you won't accept being adopted as a formal member and move here? It seems like that would bring no end of opportunities?" Little Crow said from where he walked next to Kite.

Once the summons outside the guildhall had been made, the celestine had returned to the capital a week before Kite and the others to make some preparations of his own, and had - as the current conversation indicated - been ecstatic to be able to witness the audience in person.

"Hey, no trying to lure my boy here down to the big city," Walker countered from Kite's other side.

"His aunties wouldn't let me hear the end of it."

"I am sure that they would all be most welcome too," Little Crow countered, while leaning over Kite to adjust Walker's guild cloak to let it fall more fashionably to one side.

"I'm sure there is some estate or other which the clan could surely gift - aaaand I might as well stop making promises I have no right to make," the assassin backpedaled as the gold-ranked Obsidian Crow who walked at the fore of their little procession had turned and shot his younger relative a meaningful look.

The group was currently making their way up the Heavenly Stairway - the stair-like mountain in the middle of Heavenward where each step was a densely populated district of the city's elites - as part of a procession from the Tengu clan. Many curious glances were thrown their way, some more intently than others as observers occasionally disappeared from Kite's senses to no doubt report on the goings-on to various interested parties.

The clan wasn't the only group on the move either, with several other prominent families or organizations similarly represented as their members made their way up towards the magnificent palace at the top; a sprawling complex of pagoda towers whose shimmering roof tiles hinted at the Queen of Jade and Sky having had her hand in making the grand series of buildings even though they paled in comparison to her own palace in the sky.

Kite had never been so close to the palace, only having seen it from afar during his stay in the city. As was usually the case, it was only once he drew closer that he was able to get a proper sense of its scale, but even more distinct was the sense of the building's magical defenses as they drew closer.

His time with Gauntlet often had his mind wander in those directions when noticing the hints of such arrays, but this was not a place Kite would want to attempt to breach without some true experts at his back, and gold-ranked ones at that. Little Crow kept them all entertained with conversation and gossip during the whole walk, even though Kite found himself missing Dragonfly's presence at his side.

But the summons had been clear; Little Crow was only present through his clan rather than as a participant in the trial of the Queen's gate. Once their procession entered the courtyard inside the main gates, having waited for a spell to let a procession from the church of Dominion enter unhurriedly, Kite felt another distinct shift. Heavenward had the highest concentrations of essence-users in all of the kingdom, especially prominent in the affluent districts of the Heavenly Stairway.

But here, the number of auras and gazes locking onto them upon entering was on a different level entirely. Kite wasn't entirely sure, but he thought that he sensed the hints of several gold-rankers as their group was scrutinized, with extra attention given to him and Walker. At one point he even started to feel some kind of discomfort at the spiritual attention, but the hint of a surge of aura from Obsidian Crow at their fore caused the sensation to disappear like a snuffed candle.

They didn't linger before all the inquisitive gazes, instead following the Crow clan into the main part of the palace. Unsurprisingly, the insides were as decorated and lavish as one might expect, with polished exotic woods and beautifully carved stone everywhere along with more obviously magical features like glowing birds seemingly made of only light perching along the beams beneath the roofs or fluttering between them.

There were already plenty of people inside, but conversations were more subdued among the different cliques of people spread out in the open atrium whose far wall was dominated by a pair of huge sliding doors Kite suspected would take them into the throne room itself. He also noted over a dozen construct warriors spread out like statues across the room, identical to how Uncle Walker had described the one that had accompanied the herald that had brought them the King's summons.

"Guardians of the palace?" Kite asked Little Crow, leaning in slightly as they walked in the wake of Obsidian Crow as their procession navigated the atrium.

"Indeed. The Threefold guard is quite famous across the land. Three hundred and thirty three soldiers gifted to the monarchs of Hua-Xi by the Queen of Jade and Sky, to guard the palace and the chosen of the royals. And given their excellent service record so far, they are as competent as can be expected from silver-ranked constructs. I really should have asked the Queen about them when we met her."

As the group reached a set of smaller sliding doors, Obsidian Crow, still clad in his dark robes and red mask, turned to Kite and Walker.

"We of the Tengu's clan will enter to our assigned alcove, but as those summoned for the audience you are to remain here in the atrium until you are called. But do not fret. While my threads have limited reach in this place, I will be watching over you. They should make others wary of harassing you as well."

"Thank you, honored Obsidian Crow," Kite replied, Walker joining him in a bow of respect.

"Once again, we are in your care." The gold-ranker seemed satisfied with their response as he said no more, turning and leading the rest of his clansmen - Little Crow included - through the smaller set of sliding doors. Kite and Walker had no more than sat down in a nearby group of chairs around a low table before the shadows beneath them started to shift, rearranging themselves into a stark dark web that stretched out along the floor around them.

Kite had seen the gold-ranker manipulate shadows plenty of times before, and given the subtlety which he had previously displayed, there was no doubting the warning in the clearly visible perimeter which the web formed.

"Well, little Kite," Walker began after Kite had activated their privacy screen.

"If someone had told me that the young man I brought along to Gilded for his entry into the Adventure Society would one day bring me along to a royal audience in the capital…"

"Would you have abandoned me then and there to get out of this mess?" Kite asked jokingly, earning himself a chuckle from the older man.

"Not a chance, little Kite. Not a chance. I must say that this life has its upsides, even though I still miss the roads and paths of the Autumn lands. Sure, it has quite a lot of hectic moments - not the least of those where my dear Spring is involved - but there is a definite meaning to it too. As I said, I miss the roads, but I am also constantly relieved to read the reports from the Gilded guildhall and see that there are others walking them in my stead.

The most remote villages get so many more patrols and deliveries now than they ever did in my days even when I was the most active. No matter the politics here, we've done something good for the north."

"I cannot but agree, uncle. Every essence ritual I perform, every time I assist with a training session here or some guidance there… I like what we've built. Seeing the guild growing is in its own way a bit similar to seeing little Raven do the same and finding her own little foothold in the world."

"While you're also doing your very best to cast down those who would want to tear it down," Walker replied.

"Your contracts with Gauntlet might not be around these parts, but the world surely stands to benefit from them. But speaking of growing things… Now that you and Dragonfly are finally getting married, do you have plans for little ones of your own?" Earlier in his life, Kite might have been taken aback by the sudden question of potential offspring.

But while it certainly wasn't in the atrium of the royal palace of Heavenward where he had been expecting to answer that question, it was oddly comforting to just talk of personal matters with his uncle instead of focusing on the plots, schemes and troubles that had brought them there. Also, that he had an answer to give also made it a lot easier.

"Yes, but in time," he replied, smiling fondly at the thought.

"We are quite in the middle of a kingdom-wide intrigue of sorts, after all. And this is something we both mean to see through, one way or another. But after that… Yes. Definitely."

"Glad to hear it, little Kite," Walker chuckled.

"It would be a shame for the two of you not to leave a real legacy like that."

"What about you and Spring then, Uncle? Your entanglement might be more of a freshly bloomed flower, but I am sure that your dearest already has some plans?" Kite asked, smile widening as it was Walker who turned a bit flustered, only to sigh as he leaned back in his chair even though there was no actual consternation in the expression.

"She might look all demure and proper on the outside, but let me tell you, little Kite, keeping up with Spring in private is like trying to wrestle with an autumn storm," he said, smile widening.

"It's fortunate though that your uncle is quite the hardy fellow after all his years wandering these lands. But as for little ones? We'll see. If the heavens are kind." Kite nodded, amused by the thought of Walker being overwhelmed by a swarm of children climbing all over him like squirrels on a tree. And while they were on the topic, Kite also had something else to mention to his uncle.

"But speaking of such matters, there is something pertinent to the near future which I would like to discuss with you, uncle."

"Oh?"

"It is in regards to the mark of our union. Given that we are silvers now, we have something in mind that we thought would be fitting." He proceeded to tell Walker of their plans, the older man nodding along more and more as the explanation went on.

"That, little Kite, is not bad. Not bad at all. And a meaningful gesture too, given the both of you. You'll have my full support. Perhaps we can even-" They were interrupted, however, as a woman carrying the formal staff of a seneschal made her way towards them, stopping just outside the perimeter formed by Obsidian Crow's shadow magic. Kite let their privacy screen fade as he rose, bowing in a respectful greeting.

"Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune. Brave Walker of Paths. It is time," she intoned, voice stiff and formal.

"You will stand before King of the Pure Firmament, monarch of Hua-Xi. His majesty has questions for you to answer."