Balance of Death Page 6
With this scendental Soten their minds are linked to a specific physical point. This allows them to communicate with anyone familiar with the location and particular Soten. They begin their meeting with Ka’eo the sage of the Erlong clan, Nenatta a representative for the Vokhes clan, along with various key figures amongst the clans such as spies, and a few masters. “Let us begin. Our main focus today with Setgaith back will be our newest Soten, Amneka’s plans to culminate the central lands, and reporting on our clan commitments.” Thromb commands with a sharp but respectful intonation. A moment of silence as Thromb pauses to let his words sink in half hoping someone will want to address something giving him some indication that they are taking these meetings seriously. As time has passed the clans have begun to separate more, and part from their original purpose. Or, at least what Thromb has always understood as their original purpose.
Thromb begrudgingly starts off leading the direction of the assembly; “Setgaith have you gotten the chance to review the hand signs for the evelalect Soten in question?” Thromb says with a tinge of anger translating his expectations that Setgaith should be ready to speak about this. Setgaith’s absence while accompanying the group being irrelevant. As it was Setgaith’s decision to break protocol and personally accompany their collection efforts in lieu of sending a subordinate.
Setgaith well aware of Thrombs position; “I have yet to formally be shown the signs, I have been told what the issue is though. Nenatta have you been made aware of it?” Setgaith replies unphased by Thromb.
“We’ve seen it and although we have had similar patterns within transformation Soten we aren’t able to translate those solutions to this system.” Nenatta uninterested in engaging in these issues. While officially it is the Vokhes clan’s responsibility to further evelalect Soten this level of coordination hasn’t taken place in centuries, and she resents Thromb’s attempt to restore the clans to the old paradigm.
“Well given that Setgaith is our leading sage in Soten development and research I will place this on your shoulders. Utilize Nenatta and you can report out on this next month.” Thromb directs the conversation attempting to wound Nenatta for her indifference. Not wanting to linger on the subject he views this as something he will have to personally push over the next month to see progress. As a way of proving that he will not allow clan members to betray their commitments. “let us move onto Amneka. As your reports will have laid out there is a movement taking place and our spies report an even further development plan than what they have communicated with us. We must accept that what Amneka stands for, is different, than what it now stands as. Given their new coordination with the circle of śmierć it seems lofty purpose laid out by their forefathers has been fully corrupted by personal ambition and a society disillusioned by the lack of fellowship. Every man inspired by the option to pursue personal greatness and blinded to the true glory of sharing mind and effort with those you would call countrymen. In their celebration of personal freedom to reach for the heavens they erode the foundation that affords them such. The many distracted by differences they miss the monolith-they stand upon-combined efforts originally generated. Continued differentiation leading them to an inevitable destruction of what brought men together originally: fellowship.” Thromb lectures. His lengthy indictment being a murky reflection of his concerns for the clans. A thing not easily mistaken by those present. Especially as a speech of this nature is not commonplace for a meeting of this type.
Thromb reigns the subject back in and puts it back on task; “I think it is important that we learn from our environment. Generations needed to be reminded on what ground they stand. In any case we have a meeting with Amneka in 28 days. We have no confirmation on when they enact their plans, but we have intel to suggest as early as 49 days. Our focus will be to ensure they don’t occupy any of our direct territories. Next, we must establish an agreement to prevent the destruction and over consumption of resources. Feel free to raise any additional concerns, but also I’d like to establish who will be working on which agenda.” Thromb concludes waiting for a response.
The group’s attention is divided between digesting Thromb’s lecture, and contemplating their role in these issues. “I will work with masters of the Shanshe on plans and contingencies for our territorial concerns; I think it is important you personally focus on gathering as much information on their intentions as possible. We need to determine whether or not this could turn into a conflict.” Ka’eo shares his concerns. Being the leader and sage for the Erlong clan his skills lie with powerful Soten used for kingdom and city defense. The Erlong’s Cognates and above are trained in deep and powerful chakra reserves.
Thromb agrees with Ka’eo, but finds it difficult to leave their plans, for territorial protection, in someone else’s hands. Nenatta’s pique has mostly faded after Thromb’s speech, she understands his concerns and shares them, but her clan has her under strict orders and their survival may be sacrificed if she extends too much. Still she is determined to provide her brethren with as much as she can. “I will help Ka’eo with the territorial agenda, but I can get another sage from the Vokhes to help with the environmental agenda. I will personally travel to Erlong’s territory to be directly involved with the planning.” she feels conflicted knowing she is holding so much back from those she considers her family.
Setgaith’s feeling of disenchantment with the clan’s Soten development and philosophies leaves him at a distance from these issues. He wants nothing more than his kin to have what they want, but desperately feels they have digressed from what lady Kutara envisioned. “I am at the full disposal of these efforts; I will look into the evelalect Soten as well. Keep in mind though I will soon be traveling to the Hreif forests for research.” Setgaith shares knowing that his response will not be well received, but refuses to disguise his purpose on principal.
Thromb unable to hold his tongue; “You would choose now to do such things? Do you not understand the severity of what we are discussing? We have endured your levity for sometime now, but even you must take note of such things.” Thromb declares in an attempt to get through to Setgaith. A man he has known since birth as a brother and holds in high regard. Thromb cannot reconcile Setgaith’s prioritization of research over survival. He cannot see that what he is actually doing is prioritizing a meaningful existence over a prison of visceral survival that leads to the servitude of reality.
Setgaith has had this conversation with Thromb before and is well aware of where it will lead; “I am still the sage of the Qilong clan, and will not be ordered into a course of action.” Setgaith declares his resolve.
8.14
Thromb is not satisfied, but knows that pushing it here and now will serve no purpose. “We will have this discussion. But, in the interest of keeping things moving. The krishunder have been steadily increasing in volume. Seemingly it is just a natural progression, but they are only a few thousand miles east of the Qilong territory, so it is cause for some concern. We are dispatching a reinforced squad to track and report. Incidentally, this could be in our favor given the situation with Amneka. The only other update would be circle of śmierć’s change of leadership. Seemingly temporary, while Treggin is busy in another realm. Are there any other updates or questions?” Thromb asks knowing there isn’t anything else pressing for this group to discuss.
“Have the krishunder’s numbers passed the critical point?” Ka’eo troubled by this new added danger. Thromb picks up on this and wants to reassure Ka’eo.
“They have, but they are about a 60 day travel from your territory even considering their enhanced pace. If there is any further movement in the squad will report back and work to slow their movement. I will keep you directly in the loop on this brother.” Thromb expresses how adamant he is about the people of the clan’s territory and especially his fellow clansmen.
“I appreciate that, and if there is anything you need of course reach out. As we shared at our last meeting the crystal technology used for large scale siege has m
ade tremendous progress. There are alchemic inventions now that can begin to rival our power output given enough numbers. This will mark the first time that a non Soten or magic user has been able to produce this level of power. Of course it takes lots of time and people to generate this level of power in the absence of magic or Soten. We have been doing our best to push our limits to gain higher echelons of chakra reserve. That is all I have for the group“ Ka’eo says in an attempt to relay how serious these alchemic inventions are, and highlight that the nature of battle seems to be shifting away from small powerful groups into large scale battles, aided by new technology.
After some silence Thromb gets ready to address the group one final time before concluding, just as he is about to the cleric assigned to the clans speaks up. “Folks, I want to add as we look into this new Soten and as the Erlong clan works to combat the rise of technology ensure we are reporting to me all our advancements and include me in all major assemblies. I am especially interested-Ka’eo- if you are successful in reaching a new echelon.” Says Victor Drach. His cracky voice and smooth cadence seems to mirror the bitter mixture of cordial presence and inhibitory/outright adversarial actions. The majority of the clans dislike the cleric and his responsibilities, however, Thromb has a distinctive anger and hatred towards their intervention. He sees him as no more than a dull tool of Thatos; absent any discerning thought of his own; desperate for any power that will be fed to him regardless of the actions that begot it.
“Very well if there are no other remarks I welcome an early close as I imagine our follow up will be much more extensive due to the agendas laid out in this session.” Thromb asserts ready to begin planning with his teams internally. The masters remain quite as generally they will bring up any concerns to their respective sages after the larger group communication. The rest of the sages with nothing further to add and the remarks by Victor seem to cap off any desire to further internal conversations; reminding them that these more official chakra presence meetings feel very exposed. After some time of silence; “Thank you all for your attendance I look forward to updates on all of our points, and my hope is that each clan representative will continue to further their clan’s cultivation of their given responsibilities. I hope next time we meet each of you will have even more to report on. Till next time.” Thromb says before disconnecting his consciousness to the physical connection point. The feeling is like when you wake up from a dream. For newer Soten users the process of connecting and disconnecting one's consciousness to a meeting point is a bit jarring, but Thromb has done this for years so it is no more difficult for him than opening your eyes from meditating or deep thought. He leaves the meeting house with a purpose. The other two physically in Qilong city get up; Victor approaches
Setgaith.
“I am curious what is it you are looking to discover in your venture to the Hreif forests?” Victor questions Setgaith in an attempt to subtly remind him that anything he is advancing must be brought to the cleric’s attention. Setgaith, used to this type of probing by Victor, sees it now as a matter of formality. Tired from guised answers given, to best translate his goals in a digestible fashion for its recipient speaks plainly.
“I grow weary of our system of education that it relies wholly on memorization of findings rather than an understanding of them. I seek to begin a more exponential growth in lieu of such a linear one.” Setgaith answers. Setgaith lacks knowledge only the clerics are privy to preventing him from seeing the seriousness of his cause. Victor is also cautious that Setgaith might be hiding his true motives.
“I see well good luck on your endeavors. Stay alert out there the Hreif forests are dangerous areas for even the likes of you.” Victor replies not giving away his suspicions. Setgaith, quite familiar with such disregard in the face of his goals looks no further into his response.
Chapter 5
A few days later Setgaith is conducting a final class for some masters before heading out later in the day. He stands in an open courtyard with high walls circling him. These walls have stood for centuries seeing countless masters trained. To learn in their presence is an honor many across the land would give much to attain; particularly the Amnekian magic colleges. Masters are gathered anxious to learn from Setgaith, the storied sage of the Qilong clan. As he is lecturing, Thromb walks in from the only doorway to the courtyard, and stands next to the door with his arms crossed. A few students take note of him, but try not to make eye contact. Setgaith figures Thromb is here to appeal his decision to accompany another collection party. Excited to begin his journey to the Hreif forest Setgaith uses Thromb’s presence to end his lecture sooner. “Well, we are almost at our end, and clearly I have things to attend to before my departure.” Setgaith says as he gestures to Thromb. “I would just like to conclude this with the synopsis that chakra has many forms. Our most common outward expressions of chakra is its pure form where it is simply a type of energy. Let us not forget there are other more physical forms that closely relate to our corporeal self. This is where I believe we can make strides in our new Soten. As an example: you all know adding weight to one’s self is dangerous. Your physical form must be able to sustain whatever level of force you apply.” As Setgaith says this he composes a Soten weaving his hand signs one after another rapidly. As soon as his final hand sign completes, his gravitational pull increases dramatically, his new weight crushes the rock floor below him until his feet meet with a more solid bedrock below. Setgaith’s feet now stand in the rubble that was the upper layer of floor.
“Now I have not mastered further physical resistance to sustain more weight. But, I can still increase how much I use by applying the weight to corporeal chakra.” Setgaith places his hands together in front of him and breaths out, as he does, his gravitational pull returns to normal and he steps away from the shattered ground. Displaying that his weight is no longer too much for the top layer to support.
He composes his Ekten causing bright blue chakra to emerge from him. A bubble of chakra begins to take form like when he stopped the sonkissa. Then he composes one more Soten to increase the weight of the corporeal chakra around him. A deafening crack screams through the room as the sphere around him takes smoother form and plummets into the earth below. “As you can see this amount of force pulling on anyone would most certainly kill them, but we are able to reach beyond these boundaries by combining our knowledge and the properties of various abilities.” Setgaith lectures. His body sunk into the hardened earth below; only his head exposed.
To sink into this chakra tempered ground is a feat even for masters of the Qilong clan. “So I would like to leave you all with the task of trying to further the goal of this new evelalect Soten under this premise. Thank you.” Setgaith concludes. He releases the supply of chakra allowing the bubble around him to dissipate as his feet meet the crater he is now standing in.
The masters funnel out of the courtyard leaving the two sages, Thromb and Setgaith, left. Setgaith gracefully hops out of the crater and walks towards the exit. “So you are going to go through with it huh” Thromb say’s to Setgaith with anger. Setgaith continues towards the exit.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to have this conversation again, I have to prepare.” Setgaith smugly replies hoping to get through to Thromb that he will not be guilted into staying.
As Setgaith is about to pass by Thromb standing next to the exit, Thromb rakes Setgaith’s arm aside and slams his palm with tremendous force into Setgaiths chest. He goes flying backwards from the force. Keeping his composure Setgaith lands on his feet still sliding backward. He composes a Soten increasing his weight significantly. Thromb starts walking towards Setgaith; “I don’t understand brother. How could you put your clansmen, and the people of your territory at risk like this!” Thromb yells venting his deep frustrations. “And, for what, to further some personal curiosity?”
Thromb throws a punch with great speed and power behind it.
Setgatih narrowly dodges it to the outside. “When will you underst
and. We are not a group of mercenaries or even a society. We are beings that have committed our life to the teachings of Lady Kutara. For us; simply surviving isn’t the same as living.” Setgaith breaks his calm and shouts at Thromb. Veins in his forehead and neck are tensed as he exerts his frustrations vocally. “What good is defeating Amneka if we are no longer what we sought to be in the process?” Setgaith finishes. Thromb’s body still tensed for battle, but Setgaith’s words have resonated with him on some level, and this confliction clouds his anger allowing him to regain his composure.
Thrombs jaw tenses along with the muscles in his cheek. “I hope you are right brother, and I hope there is something left of the clans for you to enlighten.” Thromb declares before turning and leaving.
For the first time Setgaith is concerned by Thromb’s words. Is there really a chance that the clans could be wiped out? Is that their goal? He decides to stay in contact with the masters of his clan during his journey to aid in anything they may need.
Thromb is packing up getting ready to transport to Talonmoor region. He will be meeting alone with his spy in the circle of śmierć. He doesn’t want to take any men away from the process of fortifying the lands, and has no reservations about risking his own safety. Setgaith has already left. Due to the impending issues of Amneka’s movement they have reduced their party to a few, and their haste easily interpreted by their choice of mount. All of them aside from Setgaith who is sprinting are riding Boems. They are immense horse like creatures; clearly built for speed. Their overwhelming size makes them look lean, but upon closer evaluation they dwarf most others even Vikaman. A man couldn’t reach the top of their shoulders from the ground. neck too thick to wrap your arms around, and a thick bone plated face with four horns protruding outward.