Interlude - The Price of Power

Interlude - The Price of Power

The Price of Power

Why are we here? Kri asked her mother. A couple of days ago, her mother had just picked her up and without any explanation taken her out of the city. They rode out, across the territories, just the two of them. Kri would have to be blind to not notice that something was up. She was far more motherly with her than she had been before. She talked with her about the most mundane of things, and she caught her looking at her when she thought Kri couldnt notice.

One of her skills was |Enhanced Vibration Sense|, and Tali had forced her to train it to the extreme. She had made her wear blindfolds and ear plugs for hours while she trained with the spear, relying just on her skill to take in the world around her. She could tell that her mother was acting weird.

But now they stopped, her mother walked their mounts away and tied them to a tree, then returned to the small cliff-side.

We are here because we are going to have a very important conversation, her mother said while looking out in the distance.

Kri followed her gaze and saw what she expected to see. The ruined city of Venoran stood in the distance, covered by nature now, the green vines covering the walls and trees growing from inside the buildings. There was some talk about rebuilding it, but there was just never any time.

She turned her eyes back on her mother, studying her skin. The white snowflake patterns on her skin were a clear indication that her body had changed. Most people thought that she had advanced her second Path and improved her body. But Kri knew that her mother had gotten her second Path past that point long ago.

We had to go all the way here for a conversation? Kri asked.

Her mother smiled, but she couldnt help but think that it was a sad smile, a worried smile. Not for the conversation, for what comes after.Thi/s chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.co/m

Kri blinked, she had questions, but her mother shook her head and spoke again.

You told me that you wanted to advance, she said.

Kri immediately straightened, hope blossoming inside of her. I do.

Her mother nodded. I dont think that you really understand what that means.

Mother, Kri started, but she raised her hand to stop her.

No Kri, you listen now. We could raise you, all the way to Immortal even, today. In a day you could be like me, is that what you want?

Kri frowned. I mean, I do want to advance, she said slowly. She knew that there was a difference between being raised and doing as much as you could on your own. But she had never really seen that difference. They all talk about it, but her mother was still strong. Kri had seen her fight against the undead, it was amazing.

There is a difference, her mother continued. The way that we, our sect works, is that we do not grant power freely. All power has to be paid for. I pay it through my service, by putting myself between Ryun, the sect, and everybody else. Others struggle, they fight, they prove themselves in combat, or they prove their talents and craft, they create something of worth. And we reward them. And we will rework that part of the way that the sect is run, new rules will be put into place, but the bottom line is going to be that everyone will contribute if they want to be supported.

Kri nodded, that did make sense to her.

You are going to have a choice now daughter, her mother turned to face her. Three choices actually. You can remain as you are, train, master each Realm and each of your powers slowly. When Tali thinks that you are ready she will grant you permission to advance. You will advance slowly, but you will be safe and you will do it right. Next, you can decide to abandon that path and follow mine. We can advance you, but you will sacrifice your future potential. You can stand by my side and learn how to run the sect. You will fight, but you will never be someone that shakes the world.

Kri looked unsure, she this wasnt what she expected. Had she overstepped when she pushed her mother before? Was this the result of that?

And the last choice? Kri asked slowly.

You can do what Ryun does, her mother answered softly. Take a shorter path, one that isnt perfect, and one filled with a lot more danger. One that could get you killed in the process.

Kri shifted as that set in. Her mother stepped up to her and placed a hand on her cheek.

I love you Kri. You are my everything, but you are also a grown woman now, I was younger than you are now when I had you. I wish that I could keep you safe, keep you away from the dangers. But we live in this world that is filled with danger. I understand that you need to be able to protect yourself. So, even if it might lead to your death, I know that I cant keep trying to keep you safe, that it is ultimately your decision to make.

Kri opened her mouth, but then closed it and thought about it. She had been getting frustrated with the way things were now. She knew, at least intellectually, that she would advance eventually. And that when she reached higher Realms she would be better than those she now felt were passing her by. But it was frustrating. Always placed in the safest place possible in combat, always held back. Yes, she had seen fighting, she fought monsters, undead, and other Cultivators, but it never pushed her to her limits. She didnt even know what those were.

Her mother was she ruled their sect. Kri knew that she had been raised, that she depended on Ryun for advancement. But she had seen her mothers life. Staying in the sect, helping run everything, being a presence. She didnt want that, she understood and appreciated her mother for all that she did.

But she she had dreams of her own. She wanted to be out there in the wild, fighting, surviving, exploring and finding treasure. Pushing herself as far as she could go and more. There was one moment in her past that had always been so clear to her, a shining moment that she wanted so hard to reach for. When Ryun arrived in the Infinite Realm, when he found them. She remembered him fighting against dozens, and just the effortless strength that he displayed. That was who she wanted to be.

She made her decision.

Her mother sighed, already understanding without her even having to say anything. She leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

Okay then, her mother said slowly. I hope that you dont come to regret it.

Kri frowned but her mother spoke again before she could ask her to clarify.

She pointed at Venoran. Go to the mountains above the city, through the pass.

Kri tilted her head, but felt like she shouldnt ask any questions.

Her mother walked away, leaving her alone and confused. After a while she turned to look at Venoran and the two mountain peaks stretching above it.

She climbed the mountain as her mother told her, going through the pass, wondering why she was sent here. But while she did wonder, she wasnt really worried. This felt like like the things from the stories, when a young Cultivator was sent on a quest to prove themselves.

I am, she didnt feel the need to be humble, not with Ryun.

And you have |Vibration Sense|?

|Enhanced Vibration Sense|, yes.

What is your range?

Around fifteen meters, depending on what is around me, Kri answered.

Fifteen, Ryun mulled it over. It will be close.

She was about to ask him what it would be close for, when he extended his hand. Give me your spear.

Kri did as he asked. He looked it over then made it disappear, probably inside his storage. Then, a different spear appeared in his hand. Here, you can have this one.

She took it from his slowly.

Spear of Cold Thrust

+5 to Dexterity

+5 to Strength

+10 to Wisdom

Any attack with this weapon inflicts cold damage equal to 5% your wisdom, the damage will tick every 5 seconds, dealing 1% less damage for the next 5 intervals.

It was a better weapon than the rare one that was given to her. She looked up at him, confused.

He placed a hand on her robes and frowned. These will work, I guess.

She was completely confused, but he again spoke, not letting her question anything. Show me your screens, all of them.

Kri frowned but did what he asked.

Hm Ryun hummed. Tali gave you a few more stat potions, and you have a couple of titles I see.

Kri nodded. She had gotten the One Against Many, Lordobviously, and Apprentice Warrior: Twilight Melody Sect titles. And Tali had given her one more bath to increase her stats.

Itll be hard, Ryun said. But that is the point.

What is? Kri asked finally.

Ill give you one last chance Kri, Ryun said, his face serious and his black eyes holding hers. This is your last opportunity to choose another path. If you stay, I will push you more than you have ever been pushed. It will hurt, and you will hate me, you will curse yourself for wanting this. But, if you survive, you will get what you want.

Kri frowned, she felt like this was a crossroad. A part of her was terrified, but another wanted to advance more than anything. She wanted to be like him.

I made my choice, Kri said.

Ryun nodded, and for a moment she couldve sworn that she saw some expression on his face sympathy?

Then the world went black, the pain followed a moment later. She fell to the ground and screamed; her face was on fire. She put her hands on her face and felt blood, felt her eyes were gone. She was in so much pain that she couldnt even think.

Focus on your skill, a voice said, and she realized that it was Ryun, standing next to her. He had done this. For a moment she felt hurt beyond anything that she had ever felt before, betrayed. But then she remembered, he had gouged his own eyes out, had trained himself while blind. He was doing this for her, she tried to calm herself and pushed up to her knees, then up.

She was shaking, but she tried to keep a strong front.

Hm Ryun hummed. Now the real test begins, try not to die.

She frowned, but before she could even register what his words meant she felt herself thrown to the side then down. She was falling, her heart beating in her chest like crazy. She smashed into something on her way down, a stone, a wall? She didnt know, and she didnt have the time to wonder. She hit the ground hard and groaned. He he had thrown her down the crevice they had been standing next to. She scrambled, tried to get to her feet and felt her leg hurting, she had to have injured in on her way down. She reached for the bag of potions on her waist, but found it missing. She didnt know if she had lost it on the way down or if Ryun snatched it away from her.

Then, she heard a sound and something hit the stone next to her, rattling against it. She focused her sense and realized that it was her spear, he had to have thrown it down after her. She moved toward it, but then froze. Her sense caught something else at the edge of her range. And then there was a sound, a grinding of something against the stone. A moment after a deep noise, like a growl, filled the air, and she felt an aura of something fill the cave.

She wasnt alone down here.

It moved, and she threw herself to the side, her sense alerting her of the attack. One of her hands trailed behind her and she felt her palm slid across something hard. The contact was enough for the identification window to appear.

Black Viper King (Tier 5)

She was going to die.