Chapter 225

Chapter 225

Matt watched the other team as Aster finished recounting the official end of their adventures on the fourth floor of Minkalla. As his bond described in great detail how they fought dozens of other teams under the attacks of the Fae, he was able to see how his friends had changed over the years.

Mostly, it was subtle things.

Mathew clenched his fist at the mention of Liz targeting an enemy healer and shifting to be just a little closer to his wife. Kyle, in awe as Aster described her and Liz taking out forts on their own, Vinnie asking about how Minkallas restrictions actually felt, and endless questions about the planet itself. Tara was disappointed she wasnt able to pick up any secondhand ideas from their interactions with Jill, the archer pair of the husband and wife team who they had made friends with in Minkalla. Samantha, at rapt attention when they described the magic the general was working. And Melinda, mouth thin as she asked about their tactics and injuries taken in the fourth floor, when they finally started facing other cultivators.

They seemed to soak in the information in preparation for their own delve into Minkalla in the coming years.

As they drifted on to other topics, Matt was quite interested to hear about what kinds of delves theyd been getting into. Unfortunately, they didnt have many interesting stories to tell, and Matt hadnt seen most of the movies Mathew and Melinda had been watching, or even heard of ReForge before Vinnie and Samantha started talking about the game at length. It made it difficult to really relate, as the games crafting system was so different from reality Matt simply had nothing to offer. Aster was fine with it, though, and the traitor seemed quite interested in learning how enchanting worked when it was someone other than Matt explaining it.

Tara was at least easier to talk to, as she was looking for some advice on starting to do some basic enchanting-work with her own arrows. Quality ammunition was expensive, after all, and while she didnt have a crafting Talent or Domain, she was interested in being able to do some of her own repairs and maintenance, a topic Matt was more than happy to help with. Her growth quiver was good but not unlimited or perfect.

Liz had settled into a similar conversation with Kyle, discussing the respective alchemy theyd done on their blood. Oxygen became something less of a concern as you rose in Tiers, but Kyle had taken his third Tier Talent and used it as a baseline to hold more than just oxygen. So far, hed managed to extend it to carrying other gasses, but from the sounds of it, he was hoping to get a blood iron of his own and become capable of carrying around several times his own body weight in solid steel.

When the conversation finally ended and Matt described his Inspiration in greater detail, they finally broke up the impromptu party, with Matt following Kyle out onto the attached balcony.

They stood in the predawn chill for a few minutes, listening to the city underneath them that didnt seem to sleep with people walking or flying around.

Kyle finally broke the silence. I want to enter Minkalla, but I dont think it's going to happen.

Matt was taken aback. No? I mean, with Melinda you wouldnt have to worry about the healing cooldown, youll be fresh the entire time. I mean sure, youll need to load up on mana stones beforehand, but thats not too bad. And the rewards are pretty good, most cycles dont have someone clogging up the fourth floor and throwing everything into chaos.

Kyle just shook his head, We wouldnt make it far enough for the rewards to really matter. You three only made it halfway, what chance do we have? Besides, you saw the others. Melinda was terrified at the thought of facing an entire planet full of yous, Vinnie doesnt want to go anywhere near that planet that could cut him off from his [Earth Manipulation], Mat doesnt want to go anywhere that Melinda could be in any kind of harm, where her status as a healer doesnt mean shell be protected, but actively aimed at. Theres no backup, nothing.

He sighed, I could get Tara to go, but really whats the point? The two of us definitely wouldnt make it past where you three cut your losses, and floor 5 is where the rewards start to be really good. Weve all got our Concepts, we dont really need more skills, and none of us really need to worry about being able to bench an extra three pounds or getting more growth items, weve got plenty between us already. Maybe just the two of us could get to the third floor, come out with a pile of skills to sell, but Melinda may well have a heart attack from stress if we tried.

Matt didnt really know what to say to that, and just stood there with him in what was hopefully a companionable, rather than awkward, silence.

He didnt want to push them further than they were capable of, and Minkalla was dangerous. Sure, Melinda obviated a big part of that, but there were still floors where her healing would be negated, cut off from skills or mana.

He knew they were better at not relying on Melindas Talent now, especially when compared to when they were kids. But they still always had the knowledge Melinda could bring them back from damn near anything.

If they went into Minkalla and got a bad floor, some or all of them might not come out, which would make Kyle pushing the team into Minkalla for his own sake beyond selfish. He also didnt want to push Kyle and Tara to try and brave the Forge on their own. They were part of a team and used to being part of a team, they just didnt have the habits needed to manage that difficult of a delve as just a duo.

It was a hard pill to swallow that the team you had been with since you lost your family, the people who had become your new family, were now slowing you down and preventing you from doing something potentially beneficial for your own future growth.

I don't have a good answer. Minkalla is called a slaughterhouse for a reason. I dont regret going in, but we were almost forced to Tier up a few times, and our lives were at risk the whole time. I wish I had an answer for you but I dont.

Kyle didnt say anything, which eventually led to another few minutes of silence when Kyle started talking about his discontentment with them not going into Minkalla. He clearly didnt want answers, and just wanted to vent, which Matt let him do for almost fifteen minutes.

After standing around for close to half an hour, Kyle shrugged and clasped Matts shoulder. Thanks, man.

When they went back into the room, the rest were watching a movie, and Melinda pulled Kyle into the spot next to her and quietly talked to him, even as the movie played in the background.

The next day was a blur as the twins Annie and Emily arrived with Conor, who joined their team after the Pather war so many years ago.

Emily and Tara seemed incredibly out of sorts for the first fifteen minutes or so, but as the awkwardness faded, they seemed to just click with each other. Matt quickly understood how their relationship had survived nearly a decade apart.

Seeing two of his friends so happy together brought Matt a sense of happiness, and he couldnt help but start pestering the others in Melindas team who were still single, prying for any hints of a relationship.

He was firmly put in his place and told to buzz off, but he didnt let it get to him.

Eventually, he, Liz, and Aster left to reunite with Lizs family and give the others some time to settle in.

They were coming back from a mini golf excursion with Daniel and Erin when Travis and Keith came out of their rooms in full armor.

Seeing them, they imminently beelined and grabbed Matt, Liz, and Aster, guiding them to their room. Get ready. We want to spar, and the three of you are the closest to our combat prowess.

Matt didnt need to hear anything else, and quickly changed into his under armor and then summoned his armor to his body with his spiritual ring.

Aster was just as fast as him, but Liz hesitated. I don't know if this is a good idea. If we beat you two, will you two be ok?

Leah appeared from her room. Im the highest Tier, and I can ref!

Mara and Leon came out of their room wearing clothes proclaiming their belief that Travis and Keith would win, but before Matt could make a joke at the corny shirts, another pair of Mara and Leon came out wearing even cringier shirts rooting for the three of them.

Travis poked Liz on the arm and grinned. You can give up at any point, little sister.

Liz narrowed her eyes and returned the grin. Any stakes?

Keith groaned, and Matt picked up Aster, already seeing that the two would get into an argument about what they should bet.

Fifteen minutes later, all the siblings were aware and shouting their suggestions for more and more ridiculous bets. Eventually, Liz and Travis settled on an agreement.

The losers would have to wear the pair of shirts Mara and Leon were wearing to cheer on the winners for a week anytime they went out. Matt and Keith shared a glance, but they both knew that theyd hardly be able to change the siblings' minds. They might even end up with their significant others wearing shirts with their own faces on them.

Considering how much worse that would be, neither of them said a thing.

They entered the combat room to see Kurt, Luna, and both sets of Mara and Leon waiting for them. The latter of which were, of course, in a fierce argument about which team would win.

Matt took his position standing across from Keith, with his warhammer and shield combo, and shifted his grip on his sword to take his stance, ready to strike at a moments notice.

Liz was slightly behind him, and had her shield and spear at the ready to join the melee or engage in a magical fight with Travis, who, like Aster, was well behind his frontliner.

Leah had been relegated to the stands, Kurt having taken her place as referee. He wasnt entirely sure why, but he didnt allow himself the distraction as the silent man counted down.

When everyone was paying attention to her once more, Luna continued. All of you are at that point, which is why this Ascension will be so useful for you. Now, even if you were high enough Tier to genuinely attempt it, a single Ascension completing or getting close to completing your Intent is so unlikely, you'd be more likely to see another Duke Waters rise this decade. While it's just as useful, the amount of energy needed to make an Intent is miles beyond what is needed to make a Concept. An ascension is like a cup of water. A cup of water which is more than enough to fill another cup and very useful to make a Concept, but that's only until it's compared to the ocean you need to make an Intent. It's even worse for an Aspect, which is, to continue the metaphor, like needing a sun's worth of water, and still only getting a single cup's worth from an Ascension.

Hearing that, Matt had to ask, So what makes all of this so worthwhile, if we wont be able to make any substantial strides towards our Intents, and in fact we shouldnt even try? I thought it would be far more useful than it sounds.

Kurt stepped in and wrote, It is useful, in particular at the very start and very end of the process. Because your Intent is all about beginning to connect your Domain to the realm directly, being able to interact with the increased malleability of reality during and in the wake of an Ascension gives it first practice, then later it will make it easier to manifest your final Intent. For now, just focus on trying to feel where your Domain is trying to lead.

Luna stepped back in the moment his pen stopped. As I mentioned, for now, just attempt to feel out where your Intent is leading you. Most people tend to start with either their phrase or image, as theyre familiar with that from their Concept, but dont let that constrain you. If you begin meditating on it now, youll be in a good position for when the Ascension actually happens.

After that, Luna answered some questions from everyone before leaving them to the training room.

The rest of the family came in, and Leah, Sam, and the others who had already created their own Intents gave some more advice about the reasons for the directions they took their own Domains.

Through all of it, Matt wasnt sure he had an answer that really suited him, and continued to feel that way despite meditating on it.

With less than a month to the actual Ascension, Matt felt like he was at a crossroads, but with no directions.

He wanted to protect himself and his friends, but he also knew that wasnt all that he was.

Him being endless seemed so easy and obvious, considering his Talent in the early days. But now, at almost forty nine years old, he didnt have the surety of youth that he had back then. He had lived so for so long and done so much in those years, he felt things had become muddled.

Though, he was already halfway through Tier 13 at his current age, where The Path only demanded someone reach Tier 13 by age fifty-five.

With their progress, they could reach Tier 14 before they were fifty three. Though with Lunas plans, it was probably more reasonable to expect them to reach it by fifty five.

Staring at his hands, Matt sighed.

He had done so much, but had he lost himself in the intervening years? He didnt know.

He didnt have an easy answer, which seemed to be something of a theme considering his lack of headway in making an Intent.

Two weeks before the start of the Tier 10 tournament and Ascension, two large events were happening that helped him take most of his mind off the issue.

The first was Aunt Helen arriving in the Citadel system, and the second was Lizs fiftieth birthday, which they were celebrating early.

Thankfully, both of those events were related to each other, as Liz had already made it clear she wanted a simple family and friends event for the birthday party.

Having known this, Matt completed most of the planning with Mara and Leon when they first arrived. After checking in with them one last time about another matter, he went to visit Aunt Helen at her request.

He didnt know why, but he expected her to be older than when he had last seen her, despite knowing she was immortal and hadnt aged in millions of years.

As he entered her floating house, he was met with one of the clone-like butlers who silently took his coat before showing him where he could store his shoes.

Following the sound of chopping and clinking, he found Aunt Helen in her kitchen and moved to join her, seeing that she already had an apron waiting for him.

Seeing there was a massive pile of peppers that still needed to be cut up, Matt silently pulled out his cooking knife and got to work.

They worked for almost fifteen minutes when he finally asked, How did you know I needed to talk to someone?

Aunt Helen smiled. Everyone asks that, and Ill give you the same answer I give them. Spend a few million years rebuilding your Concept and spending all that time outside rifts and amongst people. You get a sense for these things after a while.

Matt chewed on a pepper piece that had a bit of black on it and nodded at its flavor. I spent a life as a chef. My family was alive, and even Aster was my little sister, being born shortly after the incident Minkalla cooked up to stop the rift break. I got really into cooking in that life Matt continued to tell Aunt Helen about his first Minkalla Folded Reflections life until he got to the moment when he woke up from the dream. I actually woke up when I heard you would be at a competition I was going to.

Aunt Helen reached out and ruffled his hair, despite him being nearly a foot taller than her. Im honored to have been able to help. You said you worked for Chef Abdul. You know he actually got a Red Feather from me about five years before you went into Minkalla?

Matt hadnt known that and was intrigued. Oh? So Minkalla didnt make him up completely?

Aunt Helen shook her head, feathers bouncing. Minkalla lies, and lies often, but most of its lies carry some grain of truth. Some say its to be more cruel, but I believe its because even Minkalla finds it easier to borrow from whats real and change it than to invent something wholesale. That's how even the best illusionist do it as well after all.

They continued to talk until the soup Aunt Helen had been making was set to simmer.

Matt looked at the older woman and frowned.

Seeing that, she laughed. Spit it out, Matthew. Im sure it's nothing I haven't heard before.

Matt shrugged helplessly. It feels almost cruel to complain about me not being able to make my Intent to a woman who is rebuilding her Concept.

Aunt Helen looked surprised for the first time all evening and laughed. Oh honey, you're sweet, but you don't need to worry about that. Tell me your problem, and let's see if getting it out in the open can help. I thought you were having some other issue. Intents are easy.

Saying that, Aunt Helen smiled. What do you want your Intent to be?

Matt opened his mouth, but Aunt Helen shook her head. No, no, no. Im not asking what you think your Domain will turn into but what you want it to be. Disregard your Concept and your Aspect. Disregard everything that you think is limiting you. What do you want your Domain to be? What do you need it to be?

Matt mulled that idea over, opening and closing his mouth a few times, trying to think of something to say but, in the end, came up with nothing.

I dont know. If Im Matt cut himself off and asked a different question. Can you see what my Tier 25 Talent is going to be? Is it any more clear?

Aunt Helen pressed a hand to his navel and then his back before shaking her head. It's not in your mana pool. I can tell you that. I can't really tell you more than that, but it won't solve your mana concentration issue.

Matt jabbed his finger at the table. That's it. If I have one thing I want, I want to be able to solve my mana concentration problem myself. I know the Emperor is working on something, and Im grateful hes spending resources that I cant even imagine, but I dont want to be beholden to someone else. I want to be able to stand on my own. Be able to protect my friends and do good, yes, but I want to be self-sufficient. I want to be a sword fighter and a mage. I want... I want too much.

Aunt Helen laughed. It's that easy, Matt. You say you had too much choice and couldn't make an Intent as easily as your Concept, but Matthew... Catching his attention, she flicked him in the forehead hard enough to send him jerking back. Listen when people tell you an Intent is not a Concept. Matt, you're not finding your place in the realm any more. You already found it when you made your Concept. It's called an Intent because it's about declaring where you want to go. You say being older means you are too muddled to have such a clear idea about yourself, but I say you have the experience to deduce what you want to be. You decide your own Path. Not me, not Luna, not Emmanuel, not Liz. Not even Aster. Those are people who can help you, but they aren't you. Set your own goal and go for it, my dear. Almost anything can be realized with a flexible enough mind.

Matt mulled that over and stood up to give Aunt Helen a warm hug, which she returned.

Thank you. You were right. I was getting in my own head. I chose my Path. I just need to figure out how to get there.