Chương 258: We will

"Well, Kite, it seems like you've built quite the place for yourself," Amica Steiner mused to herself as she stood before the gates of an extensive, walled compound.

During her approach flying above the forest canopy, she had already gotten a good look at the place nestled between two of the sheer cliffs that seemed to grow more common the further north she had traveled; its sprawling gardens and tall tower stretching up one of the cliffsides the most prominent features among the slew of buildings whose curving tiled roofs looked quite exotic compared to the architecture of Amica's home.

Now that she was looking up at all of that from outside the gates, the feeling was only further driven home even though the carvings of the gates clearly projected a sense of welcome and safety rather than imposing intimidation. Amica announced herself with a pulse of her aura, and not long after the gates slid open as their defensive arrays powered down.

The gap in the arrays let Amica more properly sense the mix of auras inside, giving away that there were already quite a lot of essence-users present, one of them standing right before her.

"Welcome!" a short woman with an impressive mass of curly pink hair said, her smile pleasant even though Amica could feel her attempts to conceal her hesitation as she tried - and failed - to recognize the visitor.

"Greetings. My name is Amica Steiner," Amica said, taking mercy on the person easily recognizable from Kite's descriptions.

"And I assume that you are Dragonfly - sorry, Dragonfly Upon Sun's Reflection - who is also the esteemed bride-to-be."

"Oh! Amica! It's you!" Dragonfly called out as recognition now dawned on her.

"Sorry, I should have known it was you from the description, but there's just so many people here and plenty I've never met. Shows which one of Kite and I who's been the most busy traveling, doesn't it? Please, come join us!" As she spoke, the shorter woman had already reached out and grasped Amica's hand as she started to tug her along into the compound with impressive strength.

"Kite was worried that you perhaps wouldn't make it, given that we hadn't heard from you in a while. And it's not like our home is the easiest to get to either."

"That was honestly mostly my own fault, as I opted for the scenic route after arriving in Heavenward," Amica replied while lifting herself a bit off the ground with her powers to let Dragonfly drag her along more easily.

"Your kingdom is really beautiful in the summer. I don't think I've ever seen how rice is grown before."

"Oh, I know! The heartlands are quite something. I know I might be partial though, but I still prefer the Autumn Lands up north. Just imagine forests and cliffs colored red, orange, yellow and gold as far as the eye can see. Or, well, at least it felt that way when I grew up. With enough of a vantage, silver-ranked perception does seem to make the world smaller."

As she was led along, Amica found herself drawn in by Dragonfly's friendly familiarity as she kept telling her of the surrounding cities with the hints of passion coloring her aura.

"Earnest emotion wedding earnest intentions," Amica thought with a small smile as she thought she could already see hints of how the two intended ought to complement one another.

"Perhaps there are indeed matches made in heaven. Or is it by the heavens, as Kite tends to say?" As they passed deeper into the complex and into the central gardens, quite the spectacle awaited them as there were indeed plenty of essence-users present, many hard at work with raising pavilions of colorful silk - some a mere awning while others were fully enclosed and intended for habitation - while others prepared tables and carried great jugs of drink.

The signs of their powers were everywhere, from conjured vines forming some of the supports for the silken roofs and tents, flowers being grown at visible speed to serve as decoration or pretty illusions of stars and fireworks But most prominent of all this were the rats. Because there were rats everywhere.

They climbed roofs, fixed tiles, carried smaller objects, snuck morsels from covered bowls, played with a few of the children that were present, helped raise colorful paper lanterns and - if Amica wasn't mistaken - snuck a peek beneath many a robe. Seeing that the swarm had a unified aura, it wasn't hard to recognize the myriad rodents for what they were, but it still remained quite the sight as Dragonfly kept leading Amica into the ordered chaos.

And there, in the middle of it all like an omniscient conductor, they finally found the groom to be; his tattoos aglow as he gestured in many ways at once while giving short instructions to the constant stream of people coming to him with questions.

"Ah! Greetings Amica!" Kite soon called as they drew closer, managing to disengage himself from the press of people wanting input as a prim celestine woman with magically animated onyx hair and spectacles took his place.

"Fortune be praised, I'm so glad you could make it!"

"As am I," Amica replied, feeling a bit fuzzy inside as she could readily feel Kite's joy even beneath the slight stress of the situation.

"Touring your kingdom for a bit was quite the experience. I even managed to happen across some of those sect people you've been talking so much about."

"Oh? Which ones? They tend to tell you," Dragonfly asked, curious.

"I think they said that they were representing the 'glory of the Flowing Viper sect' or something like that, and they weren't all that pleased with me taking up a contract in what they claimed to be their territory, especially not as a foreigner."

"So… Not quite the best impression of the kingdom then," Kite said with a sigh, to which Amica only shrugged.

"I mean, you had already given me ample warnings with your stories from home. Once they got a feel of my aura, they suddenly weren't so keen on putting their harsh words into any kind of action. And honestly, from my travels with Gauntlet so far, I've found that there are assholes everywhere. They just come in different packaging, but so do the nice people. And most I've met here in your kingdom have been very polite."

"Quite a relief, then," Kite said, joining the two women while indicating one of the many smaller houses dotting the compound.

"But come, it's time for you to get settled in. We'll have three days of festivities and merriment before the ceremony itself. Hopefully, you'll get to experience plenty more of what the more pleasant parts of Hua-Xian hospitality have to offer."

"This… this is delightful!" Amica couldn't help but exclaim before taking another long sip of the crisp, chill and sweet beverage in her glazed cup.

"Isn't it? Chilled sap wine. A nice treat here in the north that sells for a premium in the capital and the surrounding heartlands," the celestine man apparently named Little Crow agreed from where he was seated beside her at the same low table. Around them, the gardens were abuzz with conversation as the guests mingled beneath colorful lanterns and the light of spells that kept the late evening gloom at bay.

The scent of herbs and greenery mixed with spices and other pleasant aromas; the hired chefs and staff working overtime to provide a continuous stream of refreshments. While she hadn't known him for long, Amica had found herself taking a liking to the celestine who apparently shared a distant familial bond with one of Kite's adopted mothers; his mischievously smiling eyes an alluring contrast to the otherwise conventional beauty common for his kind.

He had also proven an excellent drinking companion as he gladly helped guide her through some of the local customs and cuisines.

"I need to buy a barrel or three before I return home. Thank whatever god is responsible for the concept for dimensional bags. And speaking of returning home, I must admit that there are more foreigners here than I expected," Amica said, nodding to a nearby table where two women and one man who she guessed hailed from her part of the world sat talking with a well composed local man. They were all silver-rankers, and well trained at that, at least if their auras were anything to go by.

"I know Kite invited some of our previous instructors from Gauntlet too, but as they were deployed on a more extensive contract they could only send their gifts and regards along with me."

"Ah, yes, the two Lady Gellers and their companions," Little Crow noted wistfully.

"I had actually hoped to make the acquaintance of Rachel Geller - the one with the red hair - but alas she only seems to have eyes for Young Master Relentless over there. One would think it a shame, but I am sending my prayers to Fortune even as we speak."

"Oh? How so?"

"Well, that serendipitously led me to company more fair and no doubt even more pleasant," Little Crow said, a twinkle in his eyes as he raised his cup to Amica.

"To weddings and new connections."

"To weddings and new connections," Amica echoed, even as she mentally added: "And it looks like Hua-Xian hospitality might let me explore this particular connection a lot more thoroughly."

"Teacher! Rachel! My apologies! Here you have traveled across half the world, and it's only now that we finally have the time to properly speak," Kite said with an apologetic bow as he walked up to where the two ladies Geller and their companion stood overlooking the billowing grassy hills to the south of Kite's domain where the placid summer wilderness was currently being thoroughly disturbed by essence-users in competition with one another.

Races on foot and through the air, several sparring pairs and feats of strength or precision were all put on display even though the general air was one of merriment.

"I suppose it can be forgiven. You are managing quite the wedding after all," Phiona Geller replied with a fond smile.

"We might have to occupy one of those sparring rings soon too, so that I can see how well you have maintained and expanded upon my teachings."

"Aww yes! You go Nona! I was honestly worried you wouldn't participate out of some sense of propriety. Because this is definitely my kind of wedding!" Rachel exclaimed in reply, having just returned from a race where she and Missus had competed against Vista and Whimmy, the cerberus familiar proving superior to the bulky aegis cobra even through multiple attempts to cheat.

"I am most pleased that you like it," Kite said before turning to the final member of the trio.

"What about you, Sir Knightfire? Is there anything you require?"

"Please, just Mikayel will do here," the stately man replied as he clasped Kite's offered hand. Sir Knightfire was half a head taller than Kite, and with his closely cropped blonde hair and well-groomed beard he made for a handsome figure even as his kind eyes took the edge of the otherwise hard look of a warrior.

"The metaphorical laurels have been left at home, at least when it comes to my duties. Today, I can truly just enjoy the festivities with my wonderful fiancée," he said, looking lovingly at Phiona.

Kite had been most pleased to hear that his former teacher had apparently managed to overcome the barriers in her heart raised by the betrayal that had led her path to Hua-Xi, and from what few interactions he had had with the man so far, Mikayel Knightfire seemed as dependable as they came even though Kite was unfamiliar with the concept of knighthood of which he hinted at.

"I must ask though; is this a common wedding tradition of your kingdom?" Mikayel continued, looking out over the fields and the many contests going on.

"It is indeed, although as with most other aspects of the wedding, the scale of things varies according to those present," Kite explained.

"While some of them remain problematic, Hua-Xi is a kingdom that still features many traditions based around progressing through adversity and contest. Measuring one's path and capabilities against one another like this is a time-tested tradition, and thus it is even included in our weddings. Back where I grew up, there were few essence-users, so most weddings would have more common competitions between normal-rankers like wrestling, climbing, archery, woodcarving and the like.

But with so many silver-rankers present… Well, we had to make sure that there was enough space available for some proper challenges."

"While quite different from the more… stately affairs back home among my peers, I can certainly see the appeal. Kett does too, it would seem," Mikayel noted, gesturing towards his familiar; a huge bear whose back stood over three meters tall while on all fours, his fur ranging in color from charcoal black to ashen gray as the glow of embers occasionally could be seen pulsing from inside his body.

Kett, as he was called, currently made for quite the sight as he was seated on his behind next to Glint around a table that looked particularly diminutive next to the huge ursine, making the normal-size cup of tea carefully clutched between two claws almost disappear.

While quite calm now, a nearby patch of charred field was all that remained of the area where the two familiars had previously tested their paths against one another, a testament to the furnace that might be stoked within the ashen bear should the need arise. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"I'm glad that they get along. Glint seemed quite pleased with having - as she described it - a conversation partner both proper and relatable," Kite said before turning to Phiona.

"But seeing as the field they left behind seems to have cooled down now, perhaps we should take the opportunity for that bout you mentioned? My staffwork is ever in need of tempering."

"I don't know about that. From what Dragonfly told me, your staffwork is quite fi-" Rachel began, only for Phiona to slap a hand across her mouth with a speed that hinted at this not being the first time. Or even the hundredth.

"Please, ignore my cousin and one particular pun she has been unable to let go of for the past year," the blonde Geller said sweetly.

"As for the bout, I do believe it's time. Show me what you've learned, Kite. As silvers, we won't even need to worry about the bruises lasting to the ceremony tomorrow."

"- and so not only does she come home atop a gigantic diamond-ranked construct, but she has the gall to just sit there primly as if nothing about it is out of the ordinary. It's a good thing that I'm beyond most medical issues, as my heart might not otherwise have survived that particular homecoming!" Jarvan LanCaire loudly complained, even though he did so with a smile and obvious pride as he pulled Fantina closer to his side.

Everyone gathered - in this case Rupert, Frost among Morning Dew, Walker and Spring - all joined in Jarvan's laughter, and Fantina did too before she caught something out of the corner of her eye. Kissing Jarvan on the cheek before excusing herself, she left him to entertain the crowd with his stories before walking over to a tiny rat who sat atop the corner of a nearby roof.

This particular rat was not so subtly pointing up at another seemingly empty roof, and Fantina only winked in thanks to the rodent before conjuring a tentacle to pull herself up onto the roof in question.

"A fine evening, wouldn't you say, River?" she said softly, seating herself on the tiles without waiting for an answer while looking out over the evening festivities in the garden below. There was a moment of silence, but Fantina had played this particular waiting game many times before with her teenagers at home, and it soon proved effective against errant silver-rankers as well.

"How did you locate me?" River eventually asked, fading into view before crouching down so that the top of the roof hid her presence from those below.

"Well, seeing as you're not wearing your bracelet, I had to requisition some help. Thanks to you, I now owe Wander a favor. Goddess help me, but I have not the slightest idea of how she will call that in."

"Bah, I should have figured. Evading the odd one's senses is apparently still beyond me. My skills are lacking," River grumbled, with Fantina only shaking her head helplessly.

"You know, we have a gold-ranker down there. You seem to be able to evade her more passive senses, but had she found a reason to really look for you I'm sure she might have risked taking offense at someone skulking about. Why not just join the festivities down there? You were invited, no?"

"I… It is not my path. I'm merely here to observe."

"For?"

"The anno- Kite has no doubt caught our foes' attention properly by now. Such a gathering as this could be a target. Which might give me an opportunity to use it as a decoy and seize them."

"River -" Fantina began, unable to help her giggle.

"- you wanting to guard Kite's wedding is honestly incredibly sweet."

"What? Nonsense. I said it might be an opportunity to strike and-" However, River fell abruptly silent when Fantina reached out and gently patted the back of her hand, much as she was prone to do during any such rare moments of contact.

"Whatever you might tell yourself, at least know that I see and acknowledge your attempt," Fantina continued in the stunned silence.

"And while I won't force you to participate, at least put on the bracelet, no? That way, Kite will feel that you are here even if he can't see you. And part of being at a wedding is just that; being present, no matter whether you are in sight or not." With that, Fantina gave the scarred young woman another pat on the hand before sliding down from the roof, landing without effort on the porch below before returning to the festivities.

And while River didn't remain within her sight, a presence suddenly winked into existence among the ten other ones that the metal band at her wrist was already indicating were close by. Seeing Kite briefly stop and smile in the distance, Fantina mirrored his expression.

"Baby steps, Fantina. The little one might just be on the verge of walking on her own. As soon as she learns how to stop running first, at least."

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Braid noted to a few of Wander's bodies who had congregated near him to laugh at one of their number who appeared drunk out of its mind as it tried - and failed - to open a round, tough nut by smacking it against anything but the hard stone tile beneath its feet that was its target.

"Immensely, and in so many places at once too. How did I even have fun before having multiple bodies~!"

"Well, perhaps you can then answer a question for me? Who are those people? The normal rankers who seem to mostly be overwhelmed by this whole affair?" Braid asked, pointing towards the group of twenty-something pretty ordinary-looking people who didn't dare mingle in the same way as the rest, even though a few of the braver among them seemed quite taken with Wander's many selves among them who shared no such compunctions.

"Huh? Oh, them? They're Kite's neighbors~."

"Wait, he has neighbors? Wasn't this piece of land basically uninhabited?"

"Well, you're technically his neighbor too, you know~""Wander, you know what I mean."

"Okay, okay… You see, this place has generally been considered too far from Bastion and with a lot of slightly too dangerous monsters appearing here as it's further south. Which is a shame, as the forests are apparently of decent enough quality for logging. But now with Kite and his family around, some people apparently asked to settle here. And thus; neighbors~! Given Kite and Dragonfly's status now, not inviting them for at least one of the days of festivities would have been quite rude. They're really nice, too!

You should go say hello!"

"I should?"

"If they're neighbors with Kite, they're your neighbors too~."

"... You… might just have a point there. And now that you mentioned it, I have been experimenting with some threads and fabrics only faintly enchanted to remain just beneath iron rank. Perhaps they'd be willing to help me try them on? I'll go ask for their measurements."

"Wait, Braid, that's usually not the thing you lead with- Aaaaaand he's gone. What can you do?" the rat who had spoken asked the other one next to it, who only shrugged.

"Are you ready?"

"I've been ready to leap into a deathly storm in an astral space while allies fought in a fierce battle. Thus, I can assure you, my ardent Dragonfly, that going out there to face our friends and loved ones feels like quite the trifling matter."

"You're right…. But… Why am I still nervous?" Squeezing her hand where the pair stood just inside the doors of the main house, Kite leaned in and kissed Dragonfly softly, feeling her relax as she melted slightly against him.

"Better?"

"Much better."

"And for what it's worth, you look absolutely radiant." It was true, too. For the occasion, Glint had helped Dragonfly pick out several layers of silken robes in whites, reds, pinks and the occasional hint of dark green and brown. Floral patterns were prominent everywhere, from the robes themselves to the many hairpins that had proven barely sufficient for the task of wrangling her mane of curls into a slightly less voluminous ponytail that hung down behind her back.

Overall, Kite found that the outfit somehow reminded him of the armor his bride-to-be tended to wear, which according to Glint was apparently the point.

"Literally," Dragonfly agreed with a flush and a bright smile as she activated the enchantments that had the many flowers glow faintly like small motes of fire had been trapped within.

"I had to do my best to match you. Good thing that I've already laid claim to you, or we might have had many takers in the audience."

"Are you sure I'm not just drab compared to you?" Kite asked, looking down at his own set of deep blue robes that leaned towards the darker side. His were mostly plain silk, with only a few discreet floral patterns here and there to tie the outfit together with Dragonfly's, even the small crown around his topknot following the pattern.

"Kite, my dear, you dressing in gaudy patterns would not be staying true to who you are. I'll go with the passionate bright colors and leave the lean, controlled precision to you… At least that's what Glint said. You know I have little eye for these things. Too busy chopping monsters to bits."

"At least we are staying true to ourselves then," Kite agreed with a chuckle as he turned towards the doors where a familiar aura nudged them from beyond. It was time.

"Thank you, my ardent Dragonfly. For doing this."

"Hey, that's my line," she said, grinning back at him.

"Now let's go get married." Then, as one, they slid open the double doors and were immediately struck by the intensity of everyone's gazes being turned on them. None among all of the essence-users present let their aura slip or leak to any uncomfortable extent, but the focused attention somehow gained a life of its own even without peoples' spirits backing it up.

Kite and Dragonfly stepped out into a garden transformed, with some gentle magical coaxing from Auntie Dove having caused the many plants and bushes to rearrange themselves for the occasion. This let Kite and Dragonfly split apart to each follow a thinner path up towards where their chosen clergy awaited them, leaving the wider middle one for their departure where they would leave together; a symbol of their paths being joined as one. All throughout this garden, more or less familiar faces watched them.

The guest list for this part of the event had been quite extensive, because while the festivities leading up to their joining were meant for more familiar guests, the ceremony itself had required a bit more social maneuvering.

That was why - in addition to loved ones like Kite's aunties and uncle, Dragonfly's master, the members of the Elevenfold Unity, Jarvan and Fantina, Peony and her family, Brook and her fiancé and so on - Kite could also note members of most of Bastion's more affluent families and even the local city lady, Flourish of Cyan.

As local silver-rankers in an area with magic on the lower end of the scale, Kite and his family were a force that couldn't just be overlooked and thus would have a place in local politics whether they liked it or not. But in this case, Kite found that he didn't mind as people had so far been civil and pleasant, respecting the day of joining for what it was; an occasion to celebrate.

Soon enough though, the pair found themselves beside one another again beneath an archway of vibrant flowers, only a beautifully carved pedestal in between them. Surrounding them were a trio of clergy who they had chosen to officiate. Some people more devoted to a single church might have three members following a single deity, but Kite and Dragonfly had been more varied in their choices.

"Warrior greets his two adherents, whose paths and strength of arms have brought him much satisfaction!" Orichalcum Fist boomed, the priest having readily agreed to make his way from Convergence for the occasion. Ever since their clashing with the three sects, the man had kept in contact with the guild and officiated many of Soul's bouts and clashes, to the extent that Kite was quite sure that he was quite enamored with the celestine beyond mere strength of arms.

To his side, an elf priestess spoke next, clad in the dark greens and gold of Fortune with similar golden markings tattooed in beautiful patterns across her face.

"As does Fortune, who blesses those with enough forethought and generosity to build a bright future for both themselves and others," Evening Held in Gentle Hands intoned. Kite had thought it quite the honor for the local head of Fortune's church to volunteer to officiate, but the third and final priestess had perhaps surprised him the most.

"A joining of two paths, no matter how they might climb towards the heavens, is ever a delight for blessed Unity, the joiner of all things and keeper of society," spoke Embrace of the Winds, head of not only a local shrine but high priestess of Unity's church in the whole kingdom. The couple to be wedded would not have taken it as a slight for the local small temple to send a representative of lower rank as there were simply no silvers to be found there.

But instead, the human woman had arrived via portal at their gates that very day, Riz ferrying her from the capital with much of her usual fanfare. The clergy chosen was meant to be a way for the couple to ask for the blessing of those particular deities, but also as a symbol to the world; to show the foundations of their union and what it rested upon, as well as the directions of their lives in the future.

Fertility was also quite a common choice, but given that Kite and Dragonfly didn't mean to have children of their own in the upcoming years they had chosen others instead even if the Goddess and her temple would still figure in the ceremony in a different way.

"While warriors may thrive in conflict where one soul is pitted against another, the martial way is also one of the most important ways to form bonds of camaraderie and trust beyond what any sedate existence is capable of," Orichalcum Fist continued.

"It is in those fires that true steel is forged and change is wrought, all made possible by Warrior's capable chosen. Will the pair of you continue this path of clashes and betterment, to reach towards the heavens? Will you ask for Warrior's blessing of your union?"

Placing a hand each on the pedestal in between them - a symbolic piece called the foundation of union, which would remain in their home for the rest of their days as a symbol and reminder - Kite looked to Dragonfly, sharing in her smile as they both said as one:"We will."

"In sowing good karma, a soul may nourish others to in turn be nourished by them in the days to come. Generosity and bounty are the tenets that bind together the truly fortunate of the world, their good will a rising tide that raises all ships," spoke Evening Held in Gentle Hands.

"In bringing such good tidings into your joining, you lay the foundation for the world to support you in your climb towards the heavens, as you have propped up those around you. Will the pair of you continue this path of sharing and thriving? Will you ask for Fortune's blessing of your union?"

"We will."

"It is in collaboration and joint purpose we find ourselves able to rely on one another to build something greater than the parts of the whole," Embrace of the Winds spoke last, smiling towards the pair as if knowing them a lot better than a person who had met them that very same day.

"By standing together with those who share your ideals and bringing these into fruition in a joint cause meant to better the world, you can help spread the touch of Unity to combat everything that would tear the world and its people down for their own individual gains. Will the pair of you continue this path of connecting and uniting? Will you ask for Unity's blessing of your union?"

"We will." Then, just as they were about to continue with the next part of the ceremony, a new presence descended; one that was enough to give pause even to Mistress Dew, the lone gold-ranker among them, bringing absolute silence.