Chapter 388: Ryun

Chapter 388: Ryun

Evolving Skills

You shouldve called for me, or anyone from my family, Nayra said.

They were sitting in a meeting room, returned from their trip just that morning. Ryun and Tali sat on one side of the table, with Nayra and Anrosh on the other, Lesamitrius was standing near the door behind them.

It wouldnt have changed anything, Ryun told her.

Of course it wouldve, Nayra insisted. We have history, we couldve

No, Ryun interrupted with a shake of his head. That history would not have changed anything. Perhaps I wouldve listened to your advice, but in the end, I would not have acted any differently. They attacked what was mine, and for that they were going to die no matter what. Even if I had called for you or your mother, it wouldve still been my decision in the end. I am the Sect Head of Twilight Melody, it is my responsibility.

Nayra looked at Ryun for a long moment, not answering. Ryun had never hidden who he was, she had to know the truth of his words. Finally she nodded, acquiescing. Ryun could understand why she thought that he shouldve called her family, Tali had suggested it too. His reasons were as he told her, it wouldnt have changed anything. They were guilty, he had heard enough. The only reason he gave them so much time was because Zach asked it of him. He wouldnt have done it otherwise. Perhaps, he had ended up being less thorough in his actions because of him as well.

Send word to your mother, Ryun spoke. She should send someone to take control of their territories and people soon.

You want us to take them in? Nayra asked.

You said that there was history, Ryun tilted his head.

She opened her mouth, and then just shook her head. Of course.

How is the construction going? Ryun asked, changing the topic.Updated from n0velbIn.(c)o/m

Anrosh cleared her throat. It is going well; we are on schedule. The arrays we purchased from the Speakers Hall, arrived yesterday and are being placed in the walls now. Formations have been laid down beneath the major streets, and anti-pest formations are being placed in the ground on the outer ring.

Ryun glanced at Tali, then back at Zach. Like your titles, Ryun said. Being a Sage, crafting a Way of Aspect.

Zach nodded. Aspects are so strange, he put his hand to the side and a sword appeared in his hand. It had a hollow in the center of the blade, near the handle, where a soft blue light pulsed. Ryun could tell that the Essence there was that of a Soul. There are countless Aspects in this world, some are what I have come to think of as building blocks. Aspects like Time, like Space, Light, and Gravity. And there are those that are combinations of different Aspects, others that are concepts that dont really have a physical form but do have an impact. Lately, Ive been thinking a lot on what such a Way of an Aspect would be like. I know what it meant for Time. I took the loose laws and ideas of Time, and I gave them form and direction. I forged a Way that was singular in its purpose. But what would the Way mean for the Aspect of the Blade? It is the element of Metal, it is the concept of Sharpness, of Conflict perhaps, of War? Of Blood? I dont know, the Blade is not my focus. But, if someone made a Way of the Blade, how would that impact the other Aspects that were part of that idea? Would it impact them at all?

Ryun was listening closely, interested in his views of the Aspects. Do you think that these Ways were one of the reasons behind the nature of the Infinite Realm? Tali asked.

Zach blinked, as if he had been startled from his thoughts. Then, he turned to look at her. Definitely, Zach answered. I was the first to create a Way, the Dao, it seems obvious to me that this was the end goal of all three focuses. Though, I suspect that there is something more beyond it.

Ryun tilted his head. More?

I dont know, Zach sighed. There is a clear progression in the way that we interact with Aspects. We have the Aspect Mastery titles, which we gain once weve mastered the use of an Aspect and aligned ourselves with its most whole form, the tier nine Essence. And then we have the ones focused on understanding. I believe that Mastery and Understanding are not the same thing. One can have Mastery without understanding, he hefted his sword. Take this for example. I could have Mastery of the Blade Aspect, but it doesnt mean that I understand all of it. I might not know how to make such a weapon and forge several Aspects together in order to make the Aspect of the Blade, but that will not lower my ability to use it. Just like me not knowing the exact inner workings of my body wouldnt lower my ability to use it. Understanding is something different, I have achieved the Glimpse of an Aspect, just like your Kri has the Glimpse of Absolute Cold. Ive pushed that a step further, to gain the Grasp of Mind as well. I know that Sage is a progression of that, though I am unsure if it is the next step or if there are more in between. The Sage of Time was me skipping steps, it was a unique event that I dont think I will repeat again. What I am pretty confident in, is that being a Sage is required to make a Way of Aspect.

Ryun nodded, that did make sense to him. So, about skills, Ryun said, turning the conversation back to the topic. You believe that we should evolve them in a way to complement our Aspects.

Zach shook his head. Not Aspects, but as I said before an idea, a build, or maybe Perhaps it would be easier for me to explain by using myself as an example, Zach paused. My goal, the idea behind my being, is to understand Aspects. Therefore, I seek to learn more than one Aspect. I understand Time, I shaped it. I want to do that for other Aspects too. To share that knowledge. So perhaps Knowledge is my ultimate Aspect, if it even is an Aspect He narrowed his eyes. Perhaps I could make it an Aspect, he said, almost to himself. A concept with He shook his head. Im sorry, I didnt mean to trail off.

Dont worry about it, Tali said. I think that I understand. The idea behind your build, your self, your being and power. Something that encompassed everything you are, past, present, and future. Something that is built from all your focuses, your ideal, your Aspects. An idea a purpose, or a meaning.

Zach tilted his head at that. Meaning of a person, yes, that does sound better.

Ryun tried to think about it. His Ideal made him the Witness of the Journeys End, he had the Aspect of Oblivion, his Paths were those of the Final End and the Unbreakable Wall. There was a theme there, an idea, a meaning, as they had said. His skills were a bit scattered. Could he bring them together somehow? In a way that could solidify everything about him, put in the missing pieces.

Perhaps, but it would take some thinking about.

He focused back on Zach and Tali as they talked, theorizing, but in the back of his mind he was already thinking of ways to evolve his skills in the right direction.