One of the things I learnt from Vaku were sects and clans. Unlike the Medusaes that lived together in peace, not all races lived together.
Some races were even at war with each other. A lot of more advanced races had many sub-species among them, and to each other, they looked like materials for evolution.
A cruel and messed up concept but no one could actually fault them, they weren't even related after all. What difference was it from humans going to war with eachother.
Clans and sects held weight in this world, so much so that not just anyone can create one. But I plan on using that to my advantage.
"You should understand now why I had to cancel the alliance." I took another step forward, stepping closer to Ferelith as I spoke,
"Apart from the fact that we no longer owe eachother, do you dare say that you species can balance my sect?"
"There are just three of you."
"Three human that managed to add so much force to your team. How much faith do you think we've gathered just by virtue to surviving this long?"
Ferelith's eyes narrowed and her fist clenched.
"And the core?" She asked.
"I killed the beast, I should get the core. You can have the rest of it."
"Why don't you have the rest of it and give us the core?" Ferelith rebuked.
I didn't reply immediately, I just smirked.
"By virtue of our previous alliance, I'll take one of your people into my sect."
The air became tense once more but for a different reason. This time, most of the Medusaes who have been looking at me with anger, hatred and disgust suddenly looked at Ferelith, hoping they would be the one that gets to join my sect.
It was a funny sight, one that felt bizarre to me.
'All of this just to join a sect? Is this because of this faith? I need to learn more about this world.'
"Fine. You win this time. But it won't be so easy next time." Ferelith sighed. She glanced at Vaku who has surprisingly remained silent the entire time.
Vaku looked beside him at the juvenile Noemie and Ferelith nodded.
"Noemie, do you want to join them?" she asked, but we both knew she didn't have to ask. For some reason, I could just tell that he was going to say 'yes'.
Just as I expected, Noemie nodded his head. The disappointment in the eyes of the other Medusaes were obvious.
"Just because we are separated now doesn't mean we can't cooperate. But you should be ready to pay the price, just like I would if I need anything from you." I patted Noemie's head as he stood beside me.
"I hope you know what you are doing."
"All I'm doing is taking the step you all are afraid to take."
I looked at the core in my hand one last time before swallowing it.
You have absorbed Primitive genome core
Genome core earned…
Karma earned…
This time, maybe because a primitive core was more powerful, I could feel the changes in my body.
It was extremely subtle, but I could tell that my body was…. Loosening.
'I see…' I felt like I now have a vague understanding of what the genes were doing. To put it in simple terms, they were increasing my limits.
There was only so much a human could train in their lifetime. At first, progress is quick and the changes are obvious, but the more you progressed, the more your progress stagnate.
It was later determined that this was because the closer your got to your limit, the slower you can climb the mountain that was the peak of humanity.
But what if there was no peak? What if the peak was so far from your current progress?
'If I train my body, I'll be able to get stronger pretty quickly. I've likely already surpassed my previous self'
"How do I create a sect?" I asked the moment I opened my eyes. I remember Vaku saying something about a phenomenon happening when a sect is created.
The phenomenon usually differs depending on the person creating the sect but I don't know about the actual creation process.
"You don't even know ho—" Ferelith began before pausing. She seemed to have remembered that I wasn't from this world.
"It's all in the mind. Cerebrum is connected to out very being. To create a sect or clan can be a little hard."
I remained silent, listening to every word Ferelith said.
"You have to visualise it. Your sect, it's symbolism, what it represents. It's like creating a concept."
I closed my eyes, trying to do exactly what Ferelith was saying. I started slowly, thinking a lot about what I wanted my sect to be, what it would represent.
I already knew what I wanted it to represent. The very top. Just like the voice in my head said, I wasn't satisfied with my position back at the SADF, I wanted more.
I wanted power and respect but most of all, I wanted to be more than a man that takes orders from someone else.
I wanted to be free.
"And when you are done, give life to your sect by naming it, and if you did the process right, Cerebrum will acknowledge it."
A name…
At that moment, I couldn't think of anything more free than a butterfly. This sect will symbolise a transformation journey, not just for myself but anyone else that joins us.
"Mariposa." The words left my mouth before I knew it. There was silence and I almost didn't want to open my eyes from shame.
But I did.
The first thing that entered my eyes was of a gigantic butterfly hovering before me. Its wings was a myriad if colours, blue, black and purple.
It looked ominous yet beautiful, delicate yet extremely powerful at the same time. And when I reach out to touch it, it vanished.
Then it happened.
Boom~
A loud boom resounded through the space, shaking the world to its very core. What followed next was a scene that was forever branded in my mind.
The sky was suddenly dies blue, purple and black, just like the butterfly wings.
'So this is the creation of a sect…'