"Grandfather, I want to practice the sword!"
Looking at his troublemaking granddaughter that had just come back from her little escapade, Flint rubbed his temples as the reports from his scout corps had just briefed him on a situation that had occurred in the Ironspine mountains.
Picking up his cute granddaughter who caused him no end of trouble, he smiled at the spitting image of his daughter. "And why do you want to practice the sword of all things Embervesent? Has Elder Gundlach not been guiding you on the bloodline cultivation?"
"Nuh uh, Elder Gundlach is so annoying. He doesn't let me have any fun, all we ever do is cultivate. I wanna practice the sword! It looks so cool and fun."
"Embervesent, cultivation isn't meant to be fun you know. It is there so you can protect yourself when you travel the world and become the strongest beastkin in the whole wide world. Your mother was the finest cultivator in the entire Crimson Scale lineage."
"Then why did she have to go away forever? Why did father leave?" Tears began to form on the tiny red-haired dragonkin that flowed freely as she began to remember her lack of parents.
Sighing at the painful memories himself, Brocca did his best to comfort the grieving grandchild. "Your mother and father loved you more than anything in the world...remember that. Your mother's passing is a tragic loss...and your father in his rage went to avenge her death. The ones who were to blame are so incredibly powerful, but I know your father and his will is the strongest I've ever seen. Believe in him...you'll understand one day when you find someone that you'd be willing to go to the ends of the world for."
Crying herself to sleep and feeling the comforting embrace of her grandfather's arms, Flint sighed and ordered his guards to search for any and all sword cultivation material they could get their hands on.
'Why did you have to leave your only child? Is the rage burning so heavily in your heart that you'd forget those who are still alive?'
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Embervesent woke up with a start and grabbed the blanket covering her body. Cupping her lightly pounding head, Ember groaned as she felt the pain from across her body and mind.
Speaking to herself in the barest whisper, Embervesent sighed. "This is not at all what I thought true sword cultivation would be like..."
'But of course not. Just because one can swing around a piece of sharp metal in a fancy pattern, doesn't at all qualify them as a true sword cultivator. They would at best be considered charlatans in my world. If there is no spirit and soul to fuel not only yourself but also the extension of your body, then you nor Noxtis would ever tread that path to the pinnacle of your world.'
"Why is it so difficult for me then? I haven't even formed my Qi seed yet."
If the Phantom Mirko had a physical body, its blood pressure and irritation would skyrocket from that comment. 'Considering that you have only been at the Gathering Stage for only a few days, even though you've been at it for every waking moment at this point, don't expect immediate results. With the bond you have with Noxtis, be glad that your dantian and mental space has been changed to boost your potential to the utmost.
Besides, it also is because your body stage is much further along than Noxtis was at the time he started. You naturally have your body steal much of the Qi you try to funnel to your dantian. If the same happened to a normal human cultivator, they would never be able to even start cultivation at all.
Besides all that, your dedication and perseverance are astonishing. Your control over the ethereal source that is the energy of the world is much better than many that I have seen.'
Just then, Noxtis knocked on the door. "Mornin' Ember, I brought breakfast!"
Interrupted, Phantom Mirko encouraged the young dragonkin lass before dispersed to recharge his spirit qi and left the two beastkin to their breakfast.
Unconsciously a smile grew on her face and tidied herself up slightly. "You can come in!"
Entering the room, Noxtis carried a large platter of meats, bread, and veggies for the both of them. "I made a lot this time since you ate so much yesterday."
Setting down her platter, Noxtis sat down with his own and laughed. "You surprised me at how much you ate, almost would've eaten all of my share if I didn't stop you."
"Well I didn't expect you to be such a good cook, and I just eat a lot normally. You should see just how much my Aunt and Uncle make for me after a good workout."
As they ate the food together, Noxtis and Embervesent talked lightly about various different topics from their childhood, funny memories, and of course sword cultivation. It wasn't long before the food had long disappeared but the duo still chatted happily.
"You know Ember? I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't think you'd be this easy to get along with. Considering your background and all, plus we haven't known each other for very long."
"And I didn't think you'd be such a gentleman despite your rogueish upbringing, Mr. Loner. To be honest with you, I don't think of myself as a cold beastkin. More than anything I would love to have someone to confide in and train with." Lying back on the bed, Ember stared at the thatched roof.
"Considering that you not only share the passion I have for swordsmanship but also have no bias or scorn for me being a dragonkin is only more than enough to see you in a good light."
Patting her toned stomach that somehow stayed slim despite practically inhaling her platter of breakfast.
"And you're a fantastic cook and are very friendly despite our first 'interaction' being me spying on you then getting a bit too excited in our fight. And while it may seem a bit cliche, my grandfather has taken care of me for as long as I can remember.
Of course, I wanted to have friends to confide in and train with. But due to my position, everyone distanced themselves from me, and only got worse when I started training in the sword. I would sometimes hear other tribesmen say that all my strength and success was because I was the tribe leader's granddaughter and I was getting any resource under the sun.
They put off the hard work and dedication I put in every day as being a 'genius or 'princess' and I hated it...I didn't choose to be born the way I am. Even after beating the doubters and those who slandered me, no one took my accomplishments seriously. It was so lonely..."
As the duo walked back towards the trading area, Noxtis remembered something. "So what are your plans after the trading is over? Going back to the Crimson Scale city?"
Pausing slightly, Ember thought for a moment. "I have been talking with Master Mirko for a bit, and he told me a bit about your current situation for finding a metal ore to forge your sword spirit. While our caravan doesn't have anything like that, I'm sure that our tribe will have plenty of rare metals and ore that should be suitable.
You should come with me since this was our last stop on our merchant trip anyway. I need to tell grandfather about leaving the tribe anyway."
"What?! Leave your tribe?"
Continuing to walk, Ember nodded. "Yeah? I have nothing more to learn from there with you and Master Mirko at my side. Master Mirko already transferred the Inferno Blade cultivation technique to me and I need to form my Qi seed as soon as I can. Now that you mention it, I can also look for my sword spirit materials at the same time."
"But...what about your grandfather? Won't he try and keep you in the tribe? Why would you leave everything just to travel with someone you just met?"
"Noxtis, I know my grandfather. While he won't be happy that I will leave the nest...but I'm sure he will understand after talking with him. Many of the Martial wing set out on their own journey when they get to a certain point in their body stages. Besides, that place hasn't been a home to me for a long time. The only reason I hadn't left sooner was due to my grandfather being there.
Plus, who's going to protect you when you're out and about in the scary world?
*Hmmmpfff* "We'll see who protects whom..."
Ember giggled as Noxtis completely ignored her not-so-subtle words.