Chapter 56: Silver Lords in Exile

Chapter 56: Silver Lords in Exile

Sakura

So, Princess. What can you do? Modgi, the purple robed student asked as he made our way towards the front of the line.

Her name is Sakura. Use your words with respect. King said in a voice that sounded more like boulders breaking then actual speech. There was a clear edge of annoyance, as a small dusting of ash left his nostrils.

Right, uh. Sakura. I apologize. But really, what can you do? Besides having companions that are . . . utterly terrifying.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Ha, forgive my brother Lady Sakura. Modgi has an over inflated ego. The black clade swordsman said. His name was Regi if I remembered right. Im a close in fighter. I have a few Abilities that have a moderate range, but I focus pretty exclusively on reinforcement spells, abilities, and techniques. Modgi here is our ranged spell caster blaster.

Im an elementalist. Modgi complained. I'm decently skilled in Water, Fire, Sky, and Earth, and approaching mastery at the silver stage in Wood. He said it as if he were proving a point.

Before his brother could tease him more, I cut in. Oh? Ive been interested in learning about that path. I said, genuinely curious.

And what affnities do you have, might I ask, Lady Sakura? Modgi asked, this time sounding at least moderately respectful.

I have no innate affinities myself, however I am not hindered either. So far I am decently skilled at Fire, and Wood mana manipulation. But I havent bound a spell into an Ability in either yet. And I have just gained access to Sky, Earth, and Venum elements thanks to Sky here. I patted the snake on the head as he wrapped himself around my shoulders. If you wouldnt mind, I would be most grateful for my senior sect brother's thoughts on the matter. After the tower is challenged of course.

Of course. And . . . yeah, I wouldnt be opposed to helping out. Sounds like you gained access to a lot of magic types all at once. Thats got to be a heady experience.

I hadnt been brave enough to touch them yet beyond what little I had done with Sky. Nor had I had the opportunity really. Suffice it to say, I am a novice yet. Having only done the basic exercises with them as a child. I remembered back to when Gamera had forced me to use different types of mana and imbue them into my daggers before I threw them at dummies. Dozens of types of mana, of the course of days.

Hours and hours of practice, only to stop once I was able to successfully imbue them regularly, to another type of mana. He had only wanted to make sure I had the ability to use them, not to teach me to master them. I had later learned, that was both the blessing and the curse of our line. We had no affinities, no magic would come easy to use. But, neither were any types of magic barred from us. Usually.

Gamera and my parents had been concerned that my mothers affinities in Sky and Force magic might have transferred to me. It wouldnt have been a curse so much, as the loss of opportunity. One born into High Nobility, even Royalty had the luxury of time that those born to lower stations often didnt enjoy. Usually. And with time, and carefully chosen companions, the Gamera family had walked merriod paths. Ever blazing their own trails up the infinite mountain passes of the Dao.

Now however, with the Exile and the deadly journey around the edges of elven lands into the western part of the continent soon to be under way, I felt that luxury was gone.

That is understandable. Modgi said. It's not uncommon for members of the inner sect, even some members of the sects core, to need to begin learning a new element from scratch, once they meet a new companion. Though they usually rise in skill quickly once they have set their minds to the task. I am sure it will be the same with you, Sect Sister.

Thank you, but do not think of me as helpless in the way of magic. It might take me a bit of concentration, but fire and wood spells are not beyond me. And I have these. I showed my twin daggers, pulling them from the hidden sheaths hidden in my robed sleeves. In addition to that, both Sky and King are formidable supports in close combat. I looked over at the last member of our little party, she was quiet, watching the crowed, ignoring our conversation.

You have lost your slow tongue, and have found a silver one. How? Sky asked in my mind.

Sakura gets anxious around people, but once she knows them shes good at talking. I think it's like, when you're about to fight a foe you dont know. You get a bit wobbly in the knees. But once you know your shell can take their best shot, youre not nearly as concerned. King interjected.

King was right of course. Now that I knew my place in this group, now that I knew they wouldnt reject me out of hand, I was comfortable again. The Sakura side of my personality, the friendly girl from this world who knew how to navigate these situations came out. I found the conversation almost easy now.

You know, I once used throwing daggers. But once I grew comfortable with them, I changed to these blades, upon my uncle's suggestion. I think I might need to pick up a new weapon soon though, as I am growing used to these again. Tell me Sect Sister Tedgy, how do you find the bow as a weapon?

The quiet young woman startled slightly at being addressed as we came to the main door. I slid down off Kings shell, and placed the coin in the center of the door. As it began to move, I looked towards where Tedgy was standing. She looked uncomfortable at my gaze.

Uh. The bow is a fine weapon.

What magic do you use with it? I asked, trying to engage the girl in conversation. But she seemed almost reluctant as the two large doors that had swung open closed behind us. The room ahead of us was an empty circle, save for a set of winding stairs heading far above us. I couldnt see where the stairs ended, but I was sure the tower was taller on the inside.

Oh, I cant use mana. Her voice trailed off, as King and Sky turned into light and re-entered my Vault.

Were triplets. Regi the swordsman interjected as he took point. I followed close behind, with his siblings taking up the rear. Theres a common deformity among triplets, where different siblings will take aspects of the other's spirits into themselves. I for instance, have over sized mana and chie channels. Was born with them, at peak Iron. He gestured down to his siblings behind me. My sister was born with an abnormally large Chie core, and no mana core. While Modgi was born with a massive mana core, and an anemic chie core.

So youre the only balanced one?

Hardly. My body is the focus of my chie and mana. I have. . . difficulty expressing it outside of myself. Regi explained.

While for me, it's almost like breathing. Reinforcement spells and techniques are difficult for me to use, because the chie and mana leak from me like a broken dish. Though it's gotten better as I ascended to Silver.

And you Tedgy?

Well . . . I was born into Iron cultivation. But without a mana core I never learned magic.

You could have cleansed a beast core and absorbed it. Why not? I asked, trying to keep my voice from sounding accusatory.

I . . . well.

Our family head had the bones cast for us. Regi cut in, picking up the story for his clearly uncomfortable sister. She looked into spirit and found that even if she did take on a beast core, she wouldnt be able to grow it. Something about how our souls work as triplets.

So im waiting until I reach the Noble realm before I ingest one. Tedgy explained, gaining confidence as we ascended the stairs.

Thats got to be challenging.

It is, Tedgy said from behind me. But there are other benefits that come with being triplets. For instance, I cant cast spells myself. But, if were close enough, I can access Modgis mana core, and push it through my own meridians. Which is how I am able to use Abilities and Techniques.

I prepared my daggers. The Technique I had activated had weakened considerably. But it was still active on the blades. If he would step on me, then I'd at least prick his pride.

A black blur interposed himself between me and the Lord. His blade sang as it met metal staff, three times they clashed and the sound only grew louder. Sweat poured from Regis face, and soaked his clothes as he tried desperately to keep up with the swiftness of the Lord.

Why?! Regi shouted as his arms finally gave out and his sword clashed for a fourth and final time with the staff, only to be shattered into dozens of pieces. This isnt a challenge! It's a massacre!

The titan responded by bringing his staff down in an overhead attack. Before he connected Regi was wrapped in protective purple magic, and the staff bounced off the swordsman as if he were made of rubber.

What?! The Silver Lord shouted in rage. Who?!

A beam of silver light shot down from the bell high in the tower, and another figure equally as tall and intimidating appeared next to him. This one was female, and her expression was as stern as stone.

The boy was right. This is no trial. Calm yourself, my love.

The Star Lord took several deep, bracing breaths, and the rage in his eyes subsided. She brought a usurper here.

I see the snake. The woman said. And I see children, here to learn at your feet. And instead of teaching them, you beat them into submission.

I . . . The lord's face fell. The rage was replaced with shame and solemnness. I let my emotions run away with me.

The usperber being here was merely the straw that broke the Gameras back. You have dealt harshly with almost all of our students of late. What troubles you? She wrapped her arms around her lover in a gentle embrace.

I tried to focus on their words, but it was all I could do to force myself to keep breathing despite the pain every breath caused.

He sighed deeply. It's this exile. Are we not lords of the sky and peaks? Are we not nobility of the celestial realm? And our Golden Kin its rulers? Why must we flee at the behest of dragons? Pretenders to the celestial realm?

Shhh, my love. You took your displeasure at our choice to follow our students into exile, out on the very ones we seek to serve. That is not our way.

After a moment, he nodded. You are correct, my love. Now what?

We repair what you have broken. She stretched out an arm towards me, and in a moment I felt star mana infuse every piece of my being, knitting bones, healing flesh, and replacing blood. In a matter of seconds I was whole once more.

I gasped deeply, finally able to fill my lunges to their capacity without wracking pain. Breath child. My love has a wrong to right. And you are the first he is to speak to.

She leaned over to her lover and whispered something just loud enough for me to hear. Be kind. She is of Gamra blood. With those words she disappeared in a beam of moonlight, back towards the bell at the top of the tower.

Then with a wave of his hand, the entire scene was coated in thick starlight, and the world turned white around me.

***

I found myself at the top of the stairs to the tower, walking down them as my mind cleared. Something rattling around in my pocket with each step. The other members of my part were hale and whole, walking next to me. Their eyes slowly filled with life, as my own head cleared of whatever fog had just filled it.

What happened? I tried to ask, but Regi shook his head.

Keep moving. I get the feeling were already overstaying our welcome.

The pressure around me didnt feel malevolent, but it surely didnt feel welcoming either. Nodding in agreement, I continued walking along in silence. Inside my soul vault King and Sky were both still dormant, but I could tell they were also fully healed. Stronger than they had been, perhaps, though that was difficult to determine with the sustained pressure from the tower all around me.

It felt like a much shorter climb down then up, and we reached the double doors at the bottom of the tower in moments. As the doors opened, and I began walking out I felt a presence directly behind me.

Hot breath brushed directly against my neck, and after a moment's hesitation as the others passed, I heard words whispered by a feminine voice directly into my ear.

With my compliments. Be welcome in my tower any time. Little snake.

I walked into the sunlight, and looked up at the clock. The tower bell rang clear as we exited. The sand clock read that only half an hour had passed. What?

Time dilation. It's normal. Powerful spirits in their domains can do all kinds of interesting things. Modgi said.

What's this? Todgy asked as she pulled out a solid gold coin. On one face was the bell tower, on the other shining stars. A victory coin? But . . . didnt we lose?

Each of us pulled out a similar coin, and I rolled mine around in my hand. Wondering just what it meant.

We should tell Wu Zin. Regi said. He locked eyes with me. The Star Lord was . . . he was not acting as a teacher should.

I nodded. It's true. But, after you were defeated, well. I think the issue has been resolved. I didnt know why I kept the two spirits' conversation a secret. But it had felt oddly intimate, private. Not something to share lightly. Perhaps he wanted to test how we faired against an overwhelming opponent? If we would give up?

Regi and the others continued discussing it, and eventually they did take it to Wu Zin and his clerks. But in the end, my explanation was what was accepted as the official explanation. Though I saw Wu Zin clearly didnt buy it.

I had a feeling there would be a conversation between the Star Lords and our venerable Sect Leader sooner rather than later.

After we ate together to celebrate our victory, I returned home. It was shortly past noon, and I hoped I might catch my brother before his attempt on the Gold Lords challenge.