Ferser kept up his instructions, occasionally he would take over and prove that the method was doable. Zao Zhan would spare no effort in his development if it meant that he would complete his mission.
-{'Tighten up your index finger when you switch the suns during the chant. You're catching it on your left palm, when it should be on the padding for your thumb. The extra strike is causing the entire formation to come out of balance.'} Ferser kept instructing Zhan, there was no use in yelling for the time being.
Ferser needed Zhan to willingly continue with the training. If he was forced into it, he would lose interest or become guarded. It wouldn't be in the Ferser's best interest for him to aggravate his host. The Contract was really very clean, he didn't even take advantage of the Prince during the negotiation.
"Amazing" Zhan flipped through the hand signs again and continued pouring his energy into the formations.
-{'Yes, Yes. Endure. There are many such signals and signs to learn. Once you get the basics I will show you the first curse.'} Ferser was happy with his choice.
If Zao Zhan died an early death, it would release him. Ferser preferred to not drift between bodies.
-{'You have that one down, Try this.'} Ferser wanted to give some more advice but Zhan wasn't quitting.
"I want to work on this more. I can feel something strange with these signals, its almost like if i changed them slightly they would be useful for other things." Zhan tried to manipulate the hand signs slightly, the result was anything but expected.
When releasing the Edno sign, another change took place. Sparks began to fly and the rocks nearby started to crumble.
-{'interesting. you will make quick work of understanding hand signs. Spells, conjurations, summoning and such, can all be done with various methods. Each has their own drawbacks and advantages. Being able to produce an effect with multiple mediums was one of my greatest strengths. With your soul abilities and Ice power, you're much like Huie from the Isle of Frozen Horrors. Huie is very skilled in draining his opponents of their life energies. He uses needles, You use a bow. With some modifications to your Ice Arrow Attacks, you could create ice needles that you fire from your bow.'} Ferser was really rubbing it in, he knew what buttons to push to get the reaction he wanted.
-{'The bow is nice.'} Ferser noticed that Zhan got annoyed at the mention of changing his method of attack.
-{'I like when you think about your wife.'} After mentioning Khan Ni, Ferser got an ear full.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT MY WIFE!" Zhan started yelling at his shadow.
-{'Touchy, Touchy. Very well, I will leave your personal life out of our conversation. Don't get your panties in a twist. Now, Focus on the Formation and horse stance during your signs. You're dropping your shoulder a bit and you could squat more during the release. If you can manage to do the correct line of signs, you'll throw a fire lash to restrain your opponent. We're fighting Vampires, so its important to use tools that work well against them.'} Ferser started to show him the movements and even demonstrated.
-{'Your Turn.'} Ferser wouldn't stop, ever.
-{'Again'} Zhan fumbled on one of the first movements, invalidating the rest of the sequence.
-{'Again!...'} Ferser's voice increased in volume, the vibrations shook Zhan's head briefly and he steadied himself.
It was going to be a long night.
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There was a distant crash in the Villa under the mountain. Han had been working hard to please his father.
The crash came as a surprise to all the people in the cavern.. the ringing didn't stop for some time.
Genba was watching in case of emergencies, but Han was working hard to learn forging and close combat against Abi or Genba. Genba wanted to give Abi a child but until they had direct intervention from Wu Hai and the Gygax, they were unlikely to succeed. Their species just wouldn't mix, but it never stopped them from trying.
Abi was busy with details concerning the projects inside the mountain, the construction was ongoing, everyone had special needs. Many times residents would directly alter the substructures without telling others, it led to a few surprised workers when they went to clear new tunnels.
"The majority of the prisoners are about to be released. I'll make an announcement in a little bit, could you call a few supervisors over and tell them to gather everyone in the central chamber. You have half an hour, I want everyone. Stop all work." The Matriarch had come down to check on her Son's progress and the prisoners were a great excuse for her attendance.
"Yes." Abi flickered with fire, flew across the cavern and then up some stairs.
"She's come a long way, I wonder when she'll be expecting." Zao Calistown had an extra sense for things after all the things that had happened with her grandchildren she had taken the time to ask Wu Hai to help her understand them all better.
Calistown was a proud woman, she never needed such abilities before and she didn't especially need them to begin with. She chose water and stars, it left her a bit unique among the Clan. Calistown felt like she had a long way to go on her path of enlightenment, but she had been one of the few with altered powers that chose stars. The reactions of the ethereal plane gave her even more of a great regal appearance.
Sometimes when the Matriarch moved, afterimages occurred. It was involuntary.
"Mother!" Han ran up when he saw the familiar light approaching.
"Where did Abi go?" Han was a chatterbox, sometimes he wouldn't stop asking questions, but it was a good thing for him to be curious.
"You'll find out, besides; I think you'll be changing teachers again soon. Don't worry, we already have arrangements made." Calistown looked at Han and smiled.
Zao Han was covered in soot, he had been back and forth with either Genba or Abi for the last month. They started spending a lot more time practicing real battle preparedness instead of just dodging. Han's aptitude for combat was closer to his father. The Patriarch was a skilled hunter, but in his youth he lacked the overwhelming powers that his sons were granted so easily.
"I know you hate it, but go do the clean up spell. You look awful." Calistown brushed some debris off his shoulder.
"Yes. Mother." Han snuck off out of sight and started chanting the cleanup spell.
No matter how ridiculous the spell chant was, he couldn't dismiss its usefulness. Even the Sweat would be wicked from his body by the end, but the sight of someone casting the spell was enough to sink any social standing and dignity once you were caught.
The Matriarch spoke with a louder voice that carried through the cavern, asking if he had completed the cleanup spell.
"Mom!" Han was embarrassed, and a little frustrated.
"Hey. Its important, you missed a spot." Zao Calistown was unafraid of the looks her child was giving her.
He, just like his elder brothers, would have to learn to accept their mother's unyielding love and concern.
"I think you should join me Han, It will be good experience to be standing nearby when I make the announcement. Make sure to straighten up." Calistown chided her son for his untidiness, his personality was really developing faster than a mother would approve of.
The boys were all 6, it was gut wrenching for her at times. When the Matriarch would see her sons, any of them injured, she would lose her calm exterior. To the young prince Han, it was wonderful that his mother loved him but it was still somewhat of a social stigma. At his age, he wanted respect and recognition rather than coddling and conjecture about 'how' he was working through maturity.
"Yes. Mother." Han hugged the Matriarch, straightened his clothes a bit and walked to the door to wait.
He was still a prince, and there was a pecking order to leaving a room.
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A South America regional representative meeting was held, many of them were more than curious about what the other worlders would really bring. Would it be calamity, or exploitation? Or could it possibly be the Utopia that they keep claiming it to be?
The only thing that was certain about the entire situation was that it was way beyond containment.
People around the world were constantly arguing over details, but none of them truly knew what to expect. Then more videos finally made their way onto the internet.
Xui Ying made a statement, a Bold one. 'No entry for China'
The furious voice of a pissed off mother went out across the world.
The commentators had been talking non-stop for a few years now, every time a new piece of the puzzle came out, more conjecture would come.
-"What do you think we should be doing? Should be be bowing down and accepting them or should the entire world be fighting them. So far, they've been defensive. What happens when someone else makes a move? "
-"I hope it doesn't come to that, the problem with everything is their refusal to share information with the public. They've made statements we've all seen, both in action and on camera."
-"Wouldn't you defend yourself? I know I would. She even said she was born on Earth. That doesn't make any sense, how could she have that kind of power and be from here. She isn't a comic book character."
-"You're right. She's not. Her name has been verified, we have the details here. Xui Ying, Born 1996. Two Children, Widowed. She grew up near Hong Kong... we have her employment records, and even the pension accounts she was receiving. She's definitely 'real.'"
-"Well, I can't explain it; I sort of wish I could visit the place myself, but the blockades into the region have not stopped. There isn't much they can do for locals, but outsiders have been continually turned away."
-"Hold on Jacob. We have a new report. Zao Ho is reportedly standing at the gates of the Jungle City. He seems to be doing something."
The Helicopter covering the vantage point stopped in its position and kept a lock on Zao Ho's actions. The live feed continued.
-"It seems that he's gathering energy for something"
-"Oh my. He disappeared."
-"Where did he go?"
-"I don't know Carlos. But I have a feeling we'll find out soon enough."
The voice stopped for a moment while the camera steadied again on the position where Zao Ho had disappeared. The wall began closing itself up, mending like a pool of water that had been stepped in.
-"Did you see that? Did you see that!? How many times has he left already? And why let everyone see him leaving?
-"Play that back."
Excited, the podcasters were rewinding the video and made a loop.
-"I want to go. That's it. I've decided, by hook or by crook. I will get the hell off this rock!"
'TAKE ME WITH YOU!' became the hottest topic for the coming weeks.
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The residents of the Western Mountain were primarily ex-slaves and those who had not yet earned their freedom for various reasons. Earlier they had been directed by their supervisors to meet in the main shaft for words from the Matriarch. Tensions were high, they had all been promised a chance for freedom and many of them had worked especially hard to prove their worth.
"Greetings. I am Zao Calistown, Matriarch of the Zao Sect. To me, this great sect is like a family. It pains me to see you all have suffered. Our City might not be the biggest, it isn't even the most powerful. We make up for our own shortcomings with skill and desire to move forward. In the spirit of advancement, I cannot in good conscious retain any of you against your will. My own sons cannot be bound, why should you." Calistown walked three more steps and produced a brazier from her storage ring onto the stage.
Abi ran up and lit the brazier.
"There comes a time in all lives, when they must decide. They must decide what it is that they want to fight for. What it is that they want to live for. To die for. And now. I give you that choice." The Matriarch of the sect finished her statement, raised her hand and fed out her spiritual sense into the crowd.
A scroll was materialized in her hands, and she began to read.
"These are the names of those who have shown significant ability to be trusted, from the thousands of you only seven hundred have been granted membership to our outer sect. It will be their choice, of course." Calistown took a drink and started calling the names out.
One by one, they were brought before the assembly of Elders present. Genba did his best, all 700 members were going to be given a token with their name on it. They were arranged according to the list beforehand, a lot had gone into the ceremonial side of the event.
"The rest of you, I have not forgotten you. I'm told that the vast majority of you have accepted your places, shown gentler natures and even made yourselves at home. You are welcome to stay, but as residents.. If anyone here still desires to enter the Outer Sect, you'll have to prove yourselves at our next round of recruiting in the springtime." When Calistown finished her statement she held a stack of contracts in her hands.
It was the stack of slave contracts.
"No longer will the Zao Clan, the Zao Sect, or Zao City tolerate the practice of slavery within our borders. There are only 25 of you who should not be released, I've kept their contracts separate from the rest of you. No one will treat you badly because of your past, as you've noticed." Calistown felt like the timing was right.
The Stack of contracts were thrown into the brazier. a hissing sound could be heard throughout the mountains underbelly. Tools fell to the ground in every directions, clangs and tippets could be heard like a melody of relief from the Western Mountain's population.
"I'm free. I'm free!" Similar statements were coming from among the crowd, many of them didn't believe they would actually be free.
For some, the promise had come many times before.
"If you've been freed, you can leave this City. If you choose to stay, you'll have to work for contribution points or fend for yourselves. Embrace life, you only get so much of it." The Matriarch of the Sect stepped down from the brazier's stage and was surrounded by grateful onlookers.
The path was cleared as she left, no one stood in her way.
Before she left the chamber she stopped and spoke once more. "There is a lot of time in the day. If you're still here tomorrow and want a place in this City, seek the Elders in Zao City. They will find work for you. One more thing, if you disobey the city laws.. you will be evicted or executed. The loss of my granddaughters has made the Sect think twice about trust."
Calistown wiped a tear from her eyes, it was improper for the Matriarch to cry in public and said, "Han. Lets go meet your brothers, its time to pick your profession."
"Profession?" Han was curious, he was already the prince.
"Don't worry, its an Earth term. It means, what you will do besides fighting, learning to fight, and hunting. I was confused at first, but I'm sure Abi at least partially explained what I'm telling you didn't she??" The Matriarch seemed a little bothered, she had given instructions out and expected them to be followed.
"Um... " Han didn't want to trouble Abi, she and Genba had been very good to him.
"She's a Blacksmith?" Han tried to fake it, but failure wasn't the outcome.
'lucky little brat.' "Right! Good, now. lets go meet your brothers." Calistown was happy she didn't have to explain, or argue but she would have rather Han been prepared.
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It was noon and the suns had covered the land, the shadows were few and far. Tiancho was listening to Cheng Yu talk about the twins' first meeting with Zao Wu Hai. The story was pretty funny, they had even wanted to eat the duck their Uncle had been riding.
"Meat is the key to a strong body! We both eat a lot everyday" Mu finished his grilled meat and patted his stomach.
It was extremely common to find them both drunk, but when they were training Tiancho it would take all of their focus. He wasn't an idiot, when the Twins would lighten up on the training Tiancho could really give them a run for their money. He was largely difficult to hit, Tiancho would hide in the shadows or vanish into a mist momentarily to evade.
Yu took time to distract the Prince, "You've come a long way during your training, I can see your mother coming."
Tiancho turned his gaze.
"Sucker" Mu launched another volley of platforms at Tiancho's feet.
He didn't want to injure the child, but he needed to be somewhat sincere in his attacks.
"You wish!" Tiancho shot through the platforms like a water cutting steel.
The blast caught Cheng Mu off guard, his footwork gave way and he was forced back into the air.
"Got you now" A black figure shot out of the trees, it was a shadow carrying a brick.
"!@$%!#" Mu was furious, he had gotten hit in the back of the head with a brick.
"Damnit! Fine." Mu turned and popped the shadow with a spike made of glowstone.
"Aww.. no fair. Light weapons Vs Shadows." Tiancho felt defeated and started to sulk.
"Yeah, it isn't fair. But battle isn't either, the prepared warrior always has a better chance at winning. Not because they cheat, but because they were ready for whatever comes." Cheng Yu tried his best to console his disciple.
"He will be fine." The Matriarch watched the scene from the sidelines, it was nice to see him working hard.
"Well, he had a brick.." Cheng Mu rubbed his head.
The Matriarch Smiled, it was nice to see the young princes together in the same field of view from time to time.
"Tiancho, Han. We have two more stops." Calistown knew that the walk and discussions would take up the rest of her day, but that was the point.
"Yes. Mother." It came in unison, the boys both grinned and started to chat among themselves about professions.
Neither of them were familiar with the term, but as the Matriarch, Calistown wouldn't allow that to continue. She had set her mind to giving them all a sense of duty and responsibility. A combat teacher alone was not a well rounded education, one subject would never be enough.
"We don't have far to go. Don't wander off." Abi was walking with Genba behind the Cheng Twins.
"Yes. Teacher." Han grabbed his brothers hand and they both dipped into the shadows, it was always more fun than walking.
"Ho is suppose to meet us at the Mi Family residence, Wang should be training still." Guzhe popped out of the shadows and reported the situation to the Elders.
Movement through the shadows during the daytime required a great amount of skill, Guzhe approved of their tactic that was making good use of the journey between stations.
"Children!" Abi knew what was happening, she wanted them to keep their minds on training instead of horseplay.
"A steady mind makes vast improvements, let them be." Genba grabbed his wife's wing and pulled her a bit closer.
"We can always try again tonight." His eyelids came closer together, revealing his animal like intent.
"Come on. The Matriarch is getting much further ahead." Abi winked and sped up to catch the group.
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On an outstretched and flat piece of the north western continent, a cloaked figure stood in the snow half alive. The air was thinning the further up the mountains they went.
-{"You must endure."} Ferser said a lot of things, but he was usually correct.
"Exactly why do you need me to do? I've been marching and training. My body can only grow so fast." Zhan felt like his possession had turned into more than he was bargaining for, but Ferser was within him.
Zhan couldn't face his family without expending every effort.
-{"Wrong."} Ferser started to correct the Prince.
"What do you mean wrong? I've been training hand over fist for years now, this is as far as I've been able to come." Zhan was sure that he was right.
-{"So what if you searched your little corner of the world, the deficiency is with your thoughts. If you truly want power, I can give you power. The problem is that you're unable to wield it until you get stronger. Seems rather roundabout. What you should be doing is gathering energy sources, fighting and practicing the Tongues."} The Devil had a good point, it struck Zhan harder than he wanted to admit.
"My Child, if I fail you.. forgive me." Zhan shed a tear for Xi, another for Xue and then addressed his inner devil.
"Which way, Ferser." Zhan's attitude took a swift and sharp change.
-{"Such wonderful bloodlust, use that feeling. Let it guide you during your training. For now.. take the path than leads up the mountain. Only at its peak will we have a good place to start your training in full. We must find a way to awaken the bloodline within you, otherwise I will not see my revenge and neither will you."} Ferser took control of Zhan's right arm and pointed into the distance for a moment.
-{"There is a cave system nearby for rest, much like the one you met me in. Head there, but be alert. We are in the territory of the Demoness Vira.} Zhan wanted to hear more and Ferser was quite a chatterbox.
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