System Break

There were a few tiny breaks in the purple clouds and rays from the sun streaked down to the earth. It was the first time we'd seen the sun in days, and it lightened the mood. 

I don't know what it was about dark skies that was depressing but there was no doubt it had that effect on most people. At least the purple portal clouds which promised and outpouring of monsters did.

Gisael took the lead while I watched Sakaala and Peppin run.

"Peppin," I said.

"Yes? Did I do something wrong?"

I shook my head. "No and why is that the first thing that popped into your head?" She was about to answer. "Don't answer that."

"What then?"

We were running towards Dawnharbour after Peppin packed a few things she couldn't live without. I was surprised that it wasn't much. She had a couple of ornate daggers, her sword, a few changes of clothes and a rolled up portrait of her family. She dressed in her travel clothes which included pouches, pack, and supplies. And she left behind anything saffron whether it was marked with the black lion or not.

"It is a secret that is known to a very few and I have to show you in order to train you properly."

"Oh," she said, and we ran for a short while. "I promise to keep your secret. I'm intrigued now. What is it?"

"I can't sense qi. Not like you."

She stopped and turned to face me, so I stopped in front of her. Her eyes squinted as she considered me.

"I can see your qi, and mine, and Gisael's and the Gargscarabs."

Her mouth opened and she said softly in realisation, "And the land core." She took a step and tugged on her ear. Gisael and Sakaala stopped at a distance and waited patiently.

"But," she said and paused. She gathered her thoughts and continued, "When we're adepts we study a lot. We read hundreds of old books, some of them are actually useful. One of the things we are taught is that only one person could see qi. The Qi Sage. So how can you see qi, you're not the Qi Sage are you? No that's impossible he died thousands of years ago."

"I'm not the Qi Sage. I'm not even from here. I'm from one of the worlds the Qizhu Scholar said was one of the Prime Worlds."

"Are all adventurers from this world?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"It's hard to believe, and I understand why you keep it a secret. Protectors … no everyone … would go insane if they thought you were the second Qi Sage."

I pointed. "We need to keep moving."

She nodded. "Sorry." She began to run after Gisael. "So," she said, "This explains a lot." She jumped and skipped. "I'm so glad I chose to train under you."

Sakaala scoffed but was otherwise quiet.

Demon Bird finished scouting the river and it did wind its way east then south. It merged with two other rivers before it reached the sea. And while he scouted we killed one group of monsters after another as we ran in a straight line.

I watched Peppin use her techniques. She was extremely efficient with her qi blade and barrier, but they were weak and would not stand up to a powerful defence or attack. It wasn't her fault; she didn't have the reserves to pour qi into them.

I studied her barrier closely because it was a technique I had limited exposure to. She cast web like strands out from her hand and created a disc. She created a curved shape covered in a honeycomb pattern. The pattern and the shape were strong for the relatively small amount of qi she gave it. 

Her qi blade was amazing, and I looked forward to her reserves growing. Her sword was thin and slightly curved. She swung it from her wrist, and it arced quickly through the air. Her qi lined the curve and when she released it a crescent shape flew outwards slicing anything in its path.

"Wait," I said, and I bent over strange looking cat. It had the body of a large cat except longer and thinner. And it had spikes protruding from its spine all the way up its tail turning it into a weapon.

With my skinning knife I began to cut either side of the spin. I planned to take the fur minus the spikes embedded into its skeleton.

Peppin watched with an amused look on her face. "You didn't fight and now you act like a farmer."

"I like skinning and I was watching your techniques. It was easy prey and you three didn't need me." I hung the skin from my pack to dry as we ran.

We headed west gaining as many miles as we could before the sun set.

Gisael and Sakaala set up camp efficiently while Peppin watched. 

"What did you see?" Peppin asked.

I explained what I saw during the fight and then added, "We will build your core first, then work on your power. Your qi body techniques are weak as well. You cover less than half your muscles, but your efficiency is good."

"You have to be efficient," she said, "When your core is starved. We had to give everything to the duke, and we couldn't even sneak cores. He always had a protector spying for him and quite a few adepts. Many of them were his relatives." 

She frowned at the remembrance with a far off look and then continued. "Dukes and all nobles marry to strengthen their line. It can be about politics or wealth but what they look for the most is someone strong in qi. They would marry a peasant beggar if she was extremely gifted."

"Why aren't you married?" Sakaala asked.

"Because my core is not strong. I would tire when I was an adept after one technique. I fainted quite a lot pushing myself. This is a weakness they wouldn't want in their bloodline."

I laughed. "How fucking stupid. It's easy to build your core. What you have done is what's difficult – intricate qi patterns created with precision and efficiency. But they are ignorant, they don't know shit about qi."

Her face lit up from my praise. She sat up straighter and looked into the fire with a genuine smile that wouldn't quit.

Sakaala plonked down across from me and flopped onto her back. "I'm exhausted," she said. "I'm going to dream walk now."

"Okay," I said, "I'll watch over you."

"I wish," she said and closed her eyes.

Peppin looked from Sakaala to me. "Is she like an adventurer?"

Sakaala was gone. "No, she is an adventurer."

Peppin's eyes widened. "I thought they were just men."

I shook my head. "They can be anything."

Peppin peered at me.

"Only Gisael is native."

"He is an alpha," Gisael said, "The others do not compare."

I chuckled. "I recall you killed an alpha when I was away."

Gisael bared her teeth. "He was not like you. He attacked us."

There was a flutter of wings and some dirt was blown into the air. 

"Holy," Peppin said as Demon Bird landed.

"This is Demon Bird," I said, "Don't be afraid."

Peppin pointed. "His name is literally Demon Bird. Did you tame a monster?"

"He is from the forest, he's not really a monster - are you Demon Bird?"

The bird squawked and it sounded like a negative.

Peppin gasped. "He understands you?"

"And you. So don't insult him or he will give you some of his food."

Demon Bird squawked another negative.

"I will take first watch," Gisael said.

I scanned the area and couldn't see any cores. "We're clear at the moment."

"I am tired too. Wake me for my watch." Peppin said. 

I looked at her core and it was low. A regular day almost exhausted her. Until she grew she'd be handicapped in a major battle.

"Eat a small core each night," I said. "It's not ideal but its all we can do while we're away from our land core."

She sat up and I picked out a core for her. She looked at me wide eyed as I stabbed it and squeezed it into her open mouth.

"There," I said.

She stared at me and I pushed her onto her back. "Get some rest." She pouted for a moment before she closed her eyes.

I stood and walked to Gisael's side and sighed. She put her arm around me. "It is good what you do. In all the stories the Qi Sage was a teacher. He taught the Alfar how to use qi just as you teach us once again."

"To what end?"

She shrugged. "I do not worry about these things."

"You are wise Gisael. I'm glad you're with me."

"I am glad you are here. Mother is wise, she is the one who knew from the beginning. And she is the one who told me to follow you."

"Mother knows best," I said and chuckled.