Kirian was standing tall in the sky. His mount was a series of five blades that hovered four around him and one under his feet. Despite the narrow surface he had to stand on, his balance was perfect and he could swear he was standing on stable ground. It was all mesmerizing to him.
He knew about hover boards in his last life. However, that was advanced technology. This was magic. At least, that was all he could relate it to.
"These... are a mount?" Kirian questioned. It had taken them over an hour to get Kirian ready enough to even summon his. However, when he went to mount it was as natural as if he'd done it a thousand times. Kirian had simply began walking as if he was going to walk into the air and the swords appeared around and under him. They glowed with a blue aura around them that seemed to radiate not unlike flames but were cool to the touch. The silver of the blades glitered in the sky and Kirain could only imagine how he looked from below.
"Yes. There are several classifcations." Xin explained patiently. He glanced at his elder brother as they rode side by side. They both had flying mounts, both were swords, but Kirian's was far more impressive. The hilt of his swords were all carefully wrapped and it was clear each blade was expertly crafted. The hilt of his blade was polished wood and was also carved but dull in comparison.
"What we are riding is called 'spirit objects'. They are objects that have been embude with enough soul qi that they have grown conciousness of their own and achieved enlightenment. Depending on the stage and strength of the object they have different levels of awareness and communication. Some are more like plants in the sense of 'life' while others are anywhere from a beasts intellect to a childs." Xin explained. He looked ahead of them. Despite only having just left the city by leaping over the wall Kirian had some how tossed them rather far from the wall and they were just now approaching it once more on their blades.
"Only a childs level?" Kirian asked. He glanced at his swords wondering if they could converse with him, and if so, how? Kirian was used to inanimate objects talking, but not because they were smart, rather because they were programmed to do so. He equated the two things to set himself at ease and not freak out at the knowledge.
Xin could not believe the ignorance that his one proud brother portrayed. That blow to the head was truly messing with him. Xin let out an inward sigh as he nodded. "Yes, something more would take decades of qi cultivation. Some ancient artifacts, like the blade spirits, have the mentality of adults. However, most don't achieve that level." He patiently explained.
Kirians gaze went to the blade he himself road on. It was more than one and that prompted Kirian to look over at Xin, who's mount was but one blade. He glanced between the two. "Then... why are ours different? Why do I have five?" His curiousity was peaked at that. He watched as Xin's face contorted and the man turned green. Had he said something wrong?
"That... is because my blade was someone else's cultivational achievements. Not everyone has the Qi strength to cultivate their own mount." Xin explained through a clenched jaw. He glanced down as if ashamed of himself for having to admit such obvious things.
Kirian was still confused. He only became more confused by that explanation, however. "Is there... something wrong with that? You must be talented to acquire the trust of someone elses mount... right?" Kirian's brows furrowed.
They were flying over the wall now. People were staring up at them in amazement. Little did Kirian know but he had unintentinally assumed a regal pose. His back was straight, his chin raised, and his hands were behind his back in a relaxed but elegant stance. Their conversation was carried out while people far below them could admire their regal figures.
"You..." Xin began to talk then stopped. He let out a sigh. He knew his elder brother was only trying to comfort him. He did know the correct way to sooth his broken ego. Still, hearing it hurt. His brother in their current state had no idea how painful the words he spoke were.
"Yes, A mount who has lost it's owner will not actively bond with another unless they think the person is strong enough." Xin admitted. "However, a person who can cultivate their own mount is far more impressive because it requires a massive amount of soul force and Qi. To be able to create your own spirit object is what can set an impressive student far beyond that of a regular one." Xin explained. His gaze darted enviously at Kirian's mount.
Kirian caught it at that point. He glanced at his own blades and his eyes widened. "Wait... I cultivated this?" He did not fully understand the weight of what was going on. However, the idea that his soul force and Qi was enough to cultivate his own mount seemed enough to impress the man before him. It also seemed to set him a step above other cultivators so he stared in amazement at the blades.
"Yes... you decided you didn't want to have just one... so you combined five blades... and made one mount." Xin's words were filled with a mix of bitterness, and pride. He had always looked up to his elder brother Bai Xiao, but he also envied him. All the things Xin worked hard to maintain and gain came so easily to Bai Xiao. It was regretable and amazing all at once.
"Fei Xuu is the mount you cultivated from the age of ten. You just added the fifth blade two years ago." Xin Explained further. He could tell that his brother was struggling with the basics just by looking at the crease between his brow.
Kirian's brows were contorted firmly together. Fei Xuu meant the flying five. He knew that because he had named the swords. He knew the language. Why did he know all this? The more that his little brother told him the more memories came back to him.
He was the young lord of the Xiao clan. His family had high asperations when he'd been born to his mother. Though his little brother was less talented than him, he was still a genious who's peer had no equal in his generation. Despite the shadow Bai Xiao cast, the brothers were very close and even in his arrogance Bai never rubbed his success in his brothers face. He always patiently mentored him and helped him when he was not doing his own cultivation and training.
Cultivation and training.. that was all Bai Xiao ever did. His master's face flashed in his mind but it was a vague idea for him. The man was constantly on missions for the sect and he didn't have time to oversee the training. Plus, Bai Xiao was a fast learner. He'd had idetic memory and had already committed to memory the entire sects library. That left him nothing more to do than work on his fundimentals. He needed to strengthen His spirit, his body, and his mind. Those three would allow him greater achievements when it came to his martial trainings.
"I... think I'm starting to remember things." Bai Xiao spoke. Emotions were overwhelming him. The memories of his life were flickering. His life... back in the Bastille... in the city of the elites. It was hell.
Each day Kirian had lived there had been torment. He'd seen his brother.. .Xin Xiao... had died at the tender age of 12. His father had been a drunk and his mother died during child birth. He'd had no one by his side on the streets. He'd put up the image of a playboy to get by.
However, in that world, he'd been a mongrel. His two toned blue green hair had made him the lowest class of human to exist. A genetic failure. The only reason he'd ended up catching the eyes of the elites was his punching a cop to avoid death by a gang leader.
From there it was a life of watching his tormentor Seth kill everyone he cared about... torture him... and a life of faking happiness to avoid further conflict. Always happy, while branded the angel of death by the other 'pets' the elites called their own.
The memories made Kirian shudder. His final moments... the glare on Seth's face... Was he here? Was that possible? Kirian shuddered at the idea and it caused Xin Xiao to stare at him. The other could tell that his brother was lost in thought and kept his mouth shut. His face had contorted multiple times. THe usual calm and expressionless man was now full of readable emotions.
"It's okay... Master won't be upset if you're remembering things... and your cultivation seems fine." Xin Xiao comforted Bai Xiao. He had no idea what was actually going through the other's mind.
The voice brought Kirian back. No matter what was going on... if this was real or fake... he was here now. Kirian turned to his little brother. His alive little brother, and smiled. The look on his face almost made Xin Xiao fall off his sword from fright and shock. Bai Xiao steadied him with a burst of essence and they both continued back to the sect's base of operation in the city.