Chương 311: Make Hua-Xi stronger

"I believe that you are correct. It is indeed high time. Son." Ardent's words hung between them for a while, both men seeming caught up in the sensation of acknowledging their bond of blood in truth. Or perhaps embracing it was a better word, as it had been no secret between them since the revelation years back. Just not something spoken of. To Kite, the process was one of relief, as the use of that single word meant that they both had the same intent for today's meeting.

Had Ardent instantly rejected the notion and kept shying away from it, it would not have been the end of the world. But Kite certainly felt that it would have been a grave waste of potential, a sentiment borne of hours spent conversing, meditating and training beneath the man. There was a tentative care there, but its edge cut both ways as Ardent had helped Kite cultivate important parts of himself and his path while also taking great care to not get too close.

To not interpose himself in Kite's life, although whether that was for Kite's sake or his own remained unclear.

"Your last visit left me with a lot to consider and reflect upon," Ardent eventually continued.

"I spoke to you then of the void's part in my life and my path, as my haven and means of detachment and clarity. Honestly, I felt that the change in perspective threatened the foundations of who I am now that it was no longer held at a distance. It might sound utterly out of proportion, I am aware, yet that was the truth I was forced to contend with. How could I be a father to someone with that mindset?

That is not what I would value in family, even though I had not dared to bring someone else in that close since your mother and I were torn apart."

"And yet we stand here," Kite observed.

"I too have found the void to provide me with clarity similar to that which you describe, a haven for the mind. But there is still a marked difference of closeness to the world in our approaches. My void might be empty, but it is still somehow warm. What changed? If I may ask?"

"Perspective," Ardent replied, the lone world seeming to hold a world of meaning to him, and Kite actually saw a small smile tug at the somber man's lips.

"Oh?"

"Our last conversation rather forced it upon me, and I was forced to start adapting; to imagine a version of myself where I was… closer, yet still me. Could a void both shield and protect? Was a void still true to its nature if something occupied it along with me? Did it have to be… cold, as you put it two years ago? This warrants further discussion between us in the future, preferably with tea and more time as we ponder the nature of the void together, but to put it succinctly…

The void can be more to me, proven by how my path responded."

"What? You progressed?" Kite asked, a bit awed. Ascending to gold rank had proven to not be the end of looking for insights, but rather the very beginning, and as the road to diamond rank took well over a hundred years in the best of cases - if possible at all given one's lifestyle, talent, wits and willingness to take risk - ascending even a single step in one of one's powers was something worth celebrating to many.

"I did. So… Son. It seems that the shift was less a rocking in my foundations and more something to show me how I had stagnated, caught in the same environment and cycle. I know not what exactly being a father might mean, if you'll allow me the role I previously thought best for everyone that I relinquished, but I would like to at least explore it."

"Well, Father…" Kite replied, still tasting the word.

"Fortunately for the both of us, I have plenty of experience in being a son. As Auntie Crow likes to say; the wise mind is not necessarily the sharpest, but the one most open to new experiences."

"A fine sentiment," Ardent agreed, still seeming to be orienting himself as Kite could feel his momentous aura shift.

"I hope that I might be able to meet these adopted mothers of yours one day. To thank them properly for what they took upon themselves."

"I am sure that they will be most pleased as well," Kite agreed, hesitating a bit as a thought struck him. But it was one that felt right sharing.

"Also, you might have others to whom you will have to be introduced, should Fortune will it. Because if things go well here in the capital and we have a home to return to, Dragonfly and I will have children. Several, if Fertility has anything to say on the matter. My Aunties know, of course, but… I felt that it would be appropriate that you did too."

While Ardent outwardly did not react much, Kite could feel the ripple going through his father's aura at the news; quickly suppressed but a much larger slip than was customary.

"I… see," he eventually said, a faint smile still there as his piercing blue eyes grew a bit warmer for a moment before the clear, clean focus returned soon after.

"Then that is yet another reason for us to act decisively in these upcoming days. To fight, if the need arises. For more than just our kingdom."

"I take it that Director Temren has kept you informed then?"

"My sect has been part of her network for years now. We stand ready, as I share her opinion that something is coming now. I can feel it in the spirit of the city. It's restless to a degree unfelt even during the Grand Proving," Ardent said somberly.

"She has called a meeting, and we - or rather Obsidian Crow - thought it best that I was the one to inform you," Kite said with a helpless smile, his words eliciting a scowl on the face of his father.

"That troublemaker… Now I'm left with not only having to somehow balance the karma between us for what he has done with his prodding but also suffering his smugness… Fortune might be bountiful, but the fickle trickster in her remains. Tell Director Temren that I shall be there. And… Thank you, Son. When all of this is done, we can both step together into the light." Kite felt odd walking disguised through the halls of the Heavenward Adventure Society campus after having come and gone openly during the years.

He could understand the need for secrecy though, even if it made more obvious sense when making his way through the city streets. Director Temren's missives had been clear though; to not reveal his presence to anyone but the inner circle of gold-rankers that was to attend, and thus it left Kite walking the halls while under the illusory disguise of one of the functionaries who often ran messages around both the campus and city at large.

He was around halfway to his destination when he suddenly detected the faint touch of an aura upon him, like a knife held to his skin with a touch delicate enough to balance just on the edge of breaking through.

"Bright Day," he murmured in surprised greeting, softly enough to be almost inaudible to anyone, unless that happened to be a gold-ranker standing nearby. A privacy screen - fortunately quite a common sight around the hall as people had meetings on the go - sprung up around them a moment later as River shifted into view, her face obscured by the featureless mask whose depths seemed to have reached a new level of haze after ascending to gold rank.

"Kite," the acolyte greeted back with her usual terseness.

"You succeeded."

"As did you," Kite replied.

"Since three weeks back." Kite was not surprised, as what little he had felt of River's aura had been a bit… raw, for lack of a better word. It was obviously a lot more powerful, unsurprising for one as scarred as her, but it was also obvious that she had received a lot less help and training than Kite in consolidating his advancement. Not that Kite's five months of consolidation had caused that much of a leap though. They were both fresh gold-rankers by most standards, but gold they both were.

"Congratulations."

"Blessed Pain carried me through. It was… closer than I would have liked. But facing one's shortcomings head on is also an offering to my god."

"I suppose that is one way to look at it," Kite agreed tentatively.

"Still, it is a relief that you managed and remain willing to work with us."

"Don't be a fool. I have never been closer to my vengeance. They shall suffer the pain of seeing their long-held plans crumble into dust and failure, their attempts a pathetic note in the annals of history." Kite could only nod in response to that, noting that River certainly seemed to have lost none of her intensity in the years since they last met.

By now they had arrived, and River let the privacy screen drop to allow Kite to walk through the final corridor seemingly alone before knocking on the doors to Anasta's office and entering upon the usual aura signal.

"Welcome Kite. River," Anasta greeted from behind her desk as the privacy enchantments dropped, Maximilian standing at her side. Other than the two of them, those present consisted of Obsidian Crow along with two silver-rankers from his clan, Soul, Ardent Horizon Seeker, and - seeming most out of place - Wander. With the exception of the latter, the rest were seated in chairs that formed a rough circle with Anasta's desk at its top while Wander's bodies were spread out around the room in their usual curious way.

"Director. Everyone," Kite greeted back, taking his own seat even as River - ever restless - remained standing behind the one left for her.

"Then that is everyone. Time is short, so I suggest we begin," Anasta said, rising from her seat." You have all been briefed on the general outline, so I shall try to update you with the latest reports as of today. So far we have seen no indication that the Tengu Clan's re-entry into the city has been noticed. No spikes in activity, no rumors. Nothing.

While we cannot know for sure that is the case, we can at least assume that those who might have been able to detect it are few and unwilling to share or spread the information.

What we have seen is a continuous rise in suspicious activities at a few locations around the city. However, given the limited number of operatives at our current disposal, all of these need further investigation. But I believe that the signs so far make it safe to assume that something is intended to happen here in the next few days. Wander here is already moving in on several of the locations, and Obsidian Crow will join her in a more concentrated effort after this is over.

His duties will be centered around information gathering throughout this joint operation of ours, and thus we shall have to make sure that he can operate undisturbed. Sect Leader Ardent, is there anything else you would like to inform us of, seeing as you and your sect have had access to the original missives in regards to the tournament?" Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

"Nothing more of the event in general, Branch Director," Ardent replied, his detached and focused exterior properly back in place as he addressed those gathered.

"Along with the other two sects of the capital, the Silent Horizon sect has received territories outside for us to hold and contend from. My sect has clear instructions to remain on the defensive in preparation for our previous arrangements, while I and some of the core disciples will be available to intercede here in the city.

The official start of the event will be tomorrow, held in the grand arena, though I have already heard rumors of clashes and some sects looking to seize an advantage before it begins, with intercessions from the King completely absent."

"I was surprised to be invited to the event, but that will at least give the rest of you a good cover to attend," Anasta noted, looking at Kite, River and Soul.

"We shall see what we can make of it, though I suspect that Wander and Obsidian Crow will be the ones to find actual traces of activity. And when they do, we shall be ready to act."

"Any assistance from the churches?" Kite asked, receiving a shake of the head in response.

"None," Anasta said.

"Signs point to them quietly retracting their people to the temples, but it is a subtle thing. Given what we know though, I would say it is only further confirmation. Discord is preparing to act. I do not know why most of the other churches are doing little to intervene, but have to assume that they have their reasons. But something is happening, and we have to act assuming that those of us present here and the people we represent will be the only ones who can enact a proper response. That requires plans.

And contingencies. So let us get to it, everyone. Discord shall not claim this piece of the world without the struggle they so much seem to enjoy."

"Are you ready, my love?" King of the Pure Firmament asked as he turned to Ametrine, who in turn sat in the royal lounge adjacent to the box reserved for the King and his personal guests in the grand arena of Heavenward.

"Soon," she replied idly while a few attendants put the final light brushes of makeup on her and fixed her hairpins in place. Not that Ametrine's natural beauty needed much enhancement, but it was something that had lingered in the fashion of Hua-Xi for centuries now to the degree that even golds like her paid their respect to tradition.

In truth though, Ametrine was more focused on checking the aura mask in place over her spirit, the ritual a familiar one before each public appearance even though the magical construct hiding the tint of the divine in her aura had been with her for decades now. Deeming herself ready, she rose and stepped up to her King, standing just behind and to his right as was her place.

There were no other guests of honor this day either, just the two of them while the sect leaders and other heads of families and organizations sat with their people. It felt almost intimate, though Ametrine's mind was far too occupied with thoughts of the preparations currently happening in the ritual grounds in the palace and around the city to properly appreciate it. The Haze should be activated soon, just in time for the event to start.

While the trials in the north some fifteen years back had not led to any viable results for a more potent and directed aura affliction, it had at least produced a result that should nudge the state of the capital and heartlands as a whole in their favor for what was to come. A pair of great gongs rang out in the arena outside, silencing the clamor of the crowds as well as signaling for the time to emerge.

Her King looked imposing as always this day, having chosen to wear his armor to further symbolize his upcoming participation, the intricate artifact further accentuated by golden robes and a series of stylized metal wings enchanted to float in a slow circle behind his back.

Ametrine herself was instead garbed in robes of white that only served to highlight the colors playing in her bismuth hair while sculpting her shimmering smoke like a shawl that draped around her shoulders before dissolving in the air behind her. The King stepped up to the railing, a touch activating the enchantments for his voice to carry as he looked around.

The stands and boxes that had been filled to bursting during the Grand Proving now seemed even more crowded as even more warriors from around the whole kingdom had gathered in the capital, with many more relegated to waiting in the territories assigned to their sect. All the most affluent and powerful local families were there in force too, as well as the local heads of the Adventure and Magic Societies.

Ametrine could not help but note the tense look of Anasta Temren, smiling inwardly as she imagined the struggles of the branch director over the last decade. The woman had managed to put up quite the resistance, but in the end her struggles had only served to further increase the divide between the Adventure Society and the locals. Ametrine was unsure whether she had been behind the guild's founding in the north, but intelligence so far suggested it unlikely.

Many in the Adventure Society entourage were throwing some more or less hostile looks the King's way, but that was only according to expectations. But as her King was preparing to speak, she let her attention wander around the rest of the arena instead; scanning, interpreting, remembering. It was her role by his side, and one she would continue to play now that the culmination of their plans had finally arrived.

"In this arena, I can already sense it!" the King began, his voice as powerful as his aura. While Ametrine knew that he had not truly progressed that far into gold-rank over his years as a monarch, her King had always been adept and forceful in his spirit, domineering as was his right. And today he showed that, the towering sense of the worst foe one could find touching upon everyone present.

"The heart of Hua-Xi. It is the beating heart of the warrior, most alive when blade and spirit alike clash in glorious tempering. This is what you will all be striving towards in the days to come as you prove before the kingdom and the heavens that you and your sect are the most worthy to continue your climb. The individual, the group, the sect, the principles strengthening your resolve; they shall all be tested in a conflict hitherto unseen in the history of our kingdom.

We shall all come together to celebrate what defines us as a people. I too shall participate, inviting gold-rankers from all over the kingdom to come face me here in the arena outside the normal clashes for the crown. Thus, we shall all improve as one, as tempering is what shall make us all stronger. Make Hua-Xi stronger." Ametrine smiled quietly to herself as he spoke, making just the right enunciations in the speech she had written for him.

He had a presence to him, her King, as he always had, and as he started explaining the more detailed rules of how the sects would contest and defend their territories from their neighbors as well as the rules of engagement, she instead found herself focusing on another sensation. It was the faintest thing, barely detectable as it bloomed out over the city. Knowing that it was there, Ametrine could easily push it away, even though she doubted that many others would even notice that the Haze had been activated.

At least not right away. Not even when their emotions were ever so slightly heightened, inflamed to act and - most of all - react. It might just have been her wishful thinking, but Ametrine liked to think that she could see the rival gazes thrown between the different boxes intensify just a bit, becoming an excellent fertilizer for strife to grow.

The only uninformed one in the city she suspected might have noticed the change was Ardent Horizon Seeker, but the somber man did not give anything away where he sat in the box of his sect. And even if he did, there would not be anything he alone could do to stop it.

"-and as many of you have already heard, long range teleportation will remain locked down in the area around the city for the tournament, utilizing the city arrays. This is so as to not overly favor those sects with an abundance of teleporters or portal users. After all, this is less a tournament of positioning than one of direct conflict that pits path against path on a wider scale." Kite barely heard what the King said next, glancing at his companions.

Anasta only gave him a brief nod in return, proving that she had caught this meaning. The people they hoped to call upon would face a lot more complications as they arrived now that they could not just appear in the teleportation squares of the city itself. Was this actually part of the tournament or another of Discord's workings? One setback so soon would not dissuade Kite or his companions, but it was one that no doubt would prove to have severe consequences.

But his thoughts of how to readjust their plans were interrupted as River - clad in illusory disguise much like himself and Soul - suddenly stiffened at his side. Her eyes seemed to be scanning for threats for a few moments before widening, hand reaching out to activate the privacy enchantments of their box.

"Shield your spirits. We are under assault," the acolyte of Pain hissed as the others looked towards her.

"A subtle thing. Keep your emotions in check." As the privacy screen fell again, Kite did just that even though he still had trouble finding what he was looking for. What did she mean? Was there– There! Like cobwebs barely brushing against his aura. Barely detectable and easy to push away if one knew where to look. Except most would probably not. Whatever had just happened did not feel like a targeted spiritual strike either, but more like the haze of heat in the air.

Kite let his gaze hone in on several of the more affluent and powerful people of the crowds to see if they seemed to notice, coming up with nothing until his eyes finally fell on the royal box where the King was still introducing the event. The monarch himself either did not notice or care, making the introductions for the event in which Kite would not be participating. But what of his favored courtesan? She had seemed like the type to sit back and observe each time Kite had seen her during any public appearances.

As such, he found himself focusing his gaze upon the stunning celestine woman, who also seemed completely unresponsive to the faint shift that had fallen over the arena. But that was when he froze, not because of anything the King had said. No, Kite's senses had instead honed in on something. The slightest of shifts around her form. Something which he would never have been able to notice before his ascent to gold rank. Something, fortunately, one other person among them might be able to confirm.

"Look at the courtesan beside the King," Kite slowly leaned in and murmured to River, the acolyte's gaze shifting to hone in on the woman.

"Can you see–""Aura mask," River hissed in return, the perception power she shared with Kite confirming his suspicion. Kite could feel her almost losing control of her own spirit at that moment, with almost being the deciding word as only a flicker of murderous intent could be detected from her for a brief moment. At their side, Anasta threw the acolyte a sharp look which had the intended effect of River further centering herself. Still, the more Kite looked at the celestine woman, the more he saw it.

And that smoke… Could she be? Could Discord really have someone that close to the King? From what he had been told, this Ametrine Wreathed in Dreams of Silk had been with him for decades. That… was worrying. Most worrying. But it also made a wicked kind of sense, providing hints and explanations to many questions he and his companions had discussed over the years.

As such, it was with new eyes that he regarded the arena and the warriors gathered there, the air almost seeming to hum with tension between sects who - if the information they had received was true - had been skirting the edges of true bloody conflict with one another ever since the Grand Proving. He did not know if it was mere happenstance or him just imagining things, but for a moment it felt like the celestine met his eyes, seeming to consider him briefly before letting her gaze wander on.

She did not know him, at least not with the illusion covering him. But now? Now Kite knew of her. Their operation in the city had suddenly received a much more tangible target, even as the machinations of Discord seem to have started winding up. Conflict seemed inevitable, but by the Gods, Kite would do his utmost to also see it to its end along with that of the schemes of their foe. These days, his ambitions would tolerate little else.