Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

“Oh dear, I might have overdone it. The mistress would be cross with me if she knew that an unexpected guest was treated as such. Were iron-rankers always this fragile? Or is it simply the youth of today?” thought Resplendent Gleam of Imagination, or Gleam as the mistress had mostly called her.

As the diminutive figure which had clung to the gate toppled unconscious, she retracted her partly released aura while looking down at the young human man. Her diamond-rank senses immediately started going over him, multi-faceted eyes providing her with layers of information leagues beyond the scope of normal perception.

“Hmm, unconscious but not injured. That’s good at least. Minor bleeding from ears and nose. Rectifiable.

Iron rank, later stages. Hmm… Negation confluence. Unusual. Huh, a rather interesting path for one so young, if less effective at the early ranks. Should he survive long enough he could be a force to be reckoned with. A natural pathbreaker.

Three racial gift evolutions as well-

Oh hello there! A celestial carp! How novel. Be not afraid, little one, I-

And there she went back into the flask. I said be not afraid. Why is she afraid?

Another familiar as well. An astral gatherer! Well met!

…

Yes, this palace is most beautiful, if I may say so myself. I had a hand in crafting it too. Well, many hands.

…

Yes, you may look around, but please stay in the courtyard. Would not want the defenses to think that you are trespassing.

And what have we here? Separate dimensional storage. Only for weapons I see. Less utility, but it is something at least. Oh. Oooooooh! It’s little Third! So it was your gate I sensed. Well overdue as well. No gate should be left for over a century. What are the warriors of today amounting to?

Well, you turned into a rather interesting tool. Should merge well with his path.

But alas, I think it would be best to wake the young man. Can’t have him bleeding on the tiles for too long.”

A gigantic insectoid leg made of shimmering metal reached down toward the sprawled figure. As it closed in, layers started peeling back from one of the claws at the end, revealing a myriad of smaller arms with multiple joints. They gently picked up the unconscious youngling and turned him over so that he rested on his back.

“Best to use a bronze rank concoction. Would not want him overdosed and all giddy. I wonder if I have any left… Ah, there!”

One of the smaller arms produced a small orb glowing with light which it held above the man. The orb dissolved into a fine mist which spread over him. Gleam had just enough time to put him down on the ground before he started awake.

As Kite’s eyes flashed open, his mind instantly began to war between primal fear and childlike wonder. Towering above him was a huge insectoid face, composed of metal shimmering in every hue imaginable. It sported multiple faceted eyes in different shapes and colors, like gemstones decorating this grand creation. Behind the face was a long articulated body which sported ten pairs of legs. The being did not resemble any one insect Kite had seen before, and he was unsure if it was even a biological being. He could feel the faintest hint of an aura from it, recognizing it as both the same aura he had felt earlier before fainting, and that it was so many magnitudes above him in strength.

“You… you are beautiful.” slipped from his subconscious mind before his reason caught up to it, along with the stunned fear that the saner part had advocated for all along.

There was a brief silence before it spoke, voice still resonating and loud, but now more within the limits of what Kite’s body could tolerate.

“Why thank you! What a pleasant young man. The tonic seems to have worked then. I was a bit worried as it has sat in my storage space for about three hundred years now. Good to know that my work has an appropriate shelf life, at least.

But where are my manners? Greetings, little one. I am Resplendent Gleam of Imagination, but please call me Gleam. And I am very sorry for the rather forceful welcome. It has been quite a long time since I met one of your low rank.”

Being totally stunned by what felt like an all-powerful being casually addressing him, no words surfaced in Kite’s mind as he stared up at the speaker.

“Be not afraid, little one. I mean you no harm.” Gleam continued after a brief pause. “Take a while and calm down. Your aura is a bit all over the place.”

Nodding mutely, it was still a good ten seconds before Kite remembered that breathing actually was helpful when trying to calm down. Or stay alive. Closing his eyes from the madness around him, he let his mind grasp at the familiarity of the exercise and after a few moments, he felt his body and mind calm down.

Swallowing to ease his very dry throat, he managed to speak.

“G-greetings. My name is Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune. I would be honored if you would call me Kite.”

"Excellent, Kite. Welcome to the palace of Soaring Soul, the Queen of Jade and Sky. Unfortunately, she has been absent for a long time and is expected to remain as such. I must say that your mode of travel was rather unusual. Had it not been for your low rank, I might have activated the defenses in case it was a plot to infiltrate the palace." Gleam explained cheerfully.

"So you are the caretaker of this place? Working for the queen?" Kite asked, a bit hesitant as he tried gauging how the mighty being would react to questions. He did feel some familiarity with Gleam's way of speech, but could not quite place it.

"Yes I am, little Kite. I have been at the queen's side since the beginning, although I was smaller then. Much smaller. And I suppose that queen is part of her titles, although she no longer actively rules Hua-Xi. She outgrew it quite a long time ago.

But may I ask how you came to be here? You seem to be fresh out of a trial, but I must admit that this is the first time someone has taken a ride on one of the gates."

Kite looked a bit embarrassed as he answered. "It wasn't exactly the plan from the beginning. More an… improvisation in an untenable situation."

"I am curious what kind of situation might make one choose that particular solution. Mind telling me, little Kite?"

And that was why Kite found himself sitting on a courtyard in a flying jade castle which belonged to a diamond-ranked former queen, retelling the various factors which had led to him being there to a gigantic, sentient mechanical insectoid. Who was probably also of diamond rank. And a surprisingly rapt audience.

"That was indeed a most thrilling tale, young Kite. Your journey through iron rank sure has taken a turn for the spectacular. But it was also troubling to hear such blatant disregard for what the queen has decreed law. If you give me a moment, I will look into the matter.”

Upon finishing, Gleam fell silent.

Kite waited for a while, but a myriad of questions gnawed at his mind. In the end, curiosity won out.

“Mistress Gleam?”

“Just Gleam is fine, young Kite.”

“Would it be acceptable for me to ask you a question?”

“Of course, little one! My mind can handle quite a lot of tasks at the same time, so some light conversation would not impair my other processes. Just bear in mind that I might decide not to answer questions about certain subjects.”

“That much I assumed. I recently spent a lot of time with a spherical companion who was quite particular about which questions it answered.” Kite said, smiling with fondness as he remembered.

“Yes, Third. You got it talking then? I did think I might have given it a bit too much of myself. The mistress always did chide me for being overly talkative.”

“What? You know Third?” Kite began as his mind put the pieces together. “No, you made Third.”

“Indeed, young Kite.” Gleam answered as she turned her huge body slightly toward him. Part of her metal shell folded back to reveal a row of multiple spheres, identical to what Third had looked like. “Every officiator is given some of my memories and skills, albeit that some gain smaller slivers of my personality as well. I am responsible for gate operations and upkeep after all.”

“That was actually what I was going to ask about. Did you make the gates? Are you a familiar of the queen?”

“The answer to that, young Kite, is no in both regards. The queen made the gates, and she made me to, among other things, keep them operational.”

“She… made you?”

“Oh yes. It took her a while. I am not allowed to say much more though, other than that the queen is most impressive.”

“Do you know why she made the gates? As they are, I mean?”

“I do, but I would first like to ask you of your own thoughts on the matter.”

“My uncle told me it was as a test of one’s path, to see if it was worthy enough.”

“From what I sense from you, that might not be the only thing you suspect?” Gleam remarked, an amused tone playing in her resonant voice.

“No. Or at least that’s not the only thing that I learned from it. My path surely was tested and strengthened, most of all by the gift at the end. But it also made me feel alone. And while I could prevail, it was a close call more times than I would have been comfortable with. I took risks I would not have if I had been on the outside, as I had no choice. And I imagine that is why many, if not most, die in the trials.”

“Then what did those moments teach you?”

“That… That I should not fight alone when it is not necessary. Sure, I must be able to step up when needed, to make a difference even if I am the only one there to make it. But when I can, I should always surround myself with companions who I trust to watch my back. To turn those close-calls into reliable victories. My path towards the heavens will probably not reach it if pride makes it brittle. Some such paths might, but most will fail. So I believe that the strength of my path is not only me, but the people whose path aligns with mine.”

“It seems like you have given it a lot of thought, young Kite. While I will neither confirm nor deny your assumptions and the insights you have brought with you from within the gate, I will commend you for thinking deeper on the matter. Not everyone does.

On another matter, I believe that I have found what I was looking for after following the trail of the portal. And I have planned a course of action which should efficiently fulfill multiple objectives at once.

While your company is pleasant, young Kite, you cannot tarry here. This place is ultimately not for you. But fortunately, you are no threat to the queen or her secrets. You have no way of knowing where you are, and no way to conceal falsehoods and ill intentions from me. Thus, I will assist you in returning to where you came from.”

“Oh… Thank you, Gleam. I must admit that was one of the questions as well. This place is truly wonderful, but I feel like it is not a good place to be found trespassing in.”

“I can confirm that it is not, young Kite.” Gleam answered with a chuckle before continuing. “Then would you mind entering my body, so that I can at least make sure that you have a safe return?” As she spoke, a part of the shell covering her head folded back as she lowered it closer to Kite.

It formed a rounded door, through which Kite could see what looked like a surprisingly comfortable little cabin, complete with a plush armchair and silk draping of a luster and quality worlds away from what Kite had ever seen.

He began moving closer, but slowing down as he had almost reached Gleam’s massive body. Apparently sensing the question in his thoughts, she clarified.

“I assure you, little Kite, that I am quite mobile. While carrying you on my back would have been a tad more epically appropriate, the speed of which we will travel would have shredded your physical form if you were left exposed.” As she finished, Kite saw something coalescing above the huge construct.

What first looked like mist and vapor gradually solidified into the shape of the wings of a dragonfly, slender and shimmering like a cascade of the purest diamonds. Kite allowed himself a moment to gawk at the sight, as well as took one final look around him at the colorful walls and towers visible from the courtyard. Then, with a breath to settle his reeling mind, he entered the diamond-rank construct as the shell closed behind him.

Frost among Morning Dew had to admit two things to herself. First, the grand elder was quite skilled. She had known that, at least parts of her, but apparently interacting with only the more stupid and prideful younger members had her generalizing a bit too much.

The second thing was that it had been a long time ago since she had such fun. The thrill when their auras and paths had collided had her shivering while the shockwaves from the clash had the initiates scrambling for cover.

Her weapons of ice had met his fists of viridian flame, the battle ebbing and flowing as relentless frost met unyielding fire. During one such lull in the battle, she took the time to speak as well.

“Really, Lark? Are you really willing to openly defy the queen’s law for such lowly reasons? Why is this even worth it to you? Or the sect?”

“The motivations of our sect is beyond the likes of you, outcast. I would even call it our duty to aim beyond the heavens and be bound by no one, not even the former queen who hasn’t been seen in these lands for centuries.

I understand that the concept of loyalty is foreign to one such as you, but the people of the sect stand by our own.” he stated with clenched teeth.

Inwardly, the grand elder was still cursing this whole affair. The outcast was good, that much he had to admit. While he might be able to claim victory today, doing so would force him to put his life on the line. Contrary to his words, this was something that he was not willing to do for such a lowly cause. But if he could at least chase her off after an even battle, then the waters would be muddied when the questions started cropping up.

The pair clashed again, their violent exchange continuing to demolish the clearing and the nearby forest.

Several minutes later, just as grand elder Lark was about to move the fight towards his own end goal, there was a change as mistress Dew suddenly snapped up a conjured blade to deflect a golden arrow which had flown at her from within the trees.

A moment later, another woman in the sect’s colors appeared in the now much larger clearing, standing close to the grand elder.

“This is quite a dance you have started here, Lark. The sect leader sensed it all the way to the sect and sent me to investigate. May I ask why you and this outcast are fighting it out here on our doorstep?” asked Unerring Sight, the second grand elder. She was a celestine woman with bronze hair and eyes, almond skin and regal features. In her forehead glowed a golden third eye, its magic obvious to anyone who beheld it. She matched Lark’s silver rank, but was slightly younger and less far into the rank than him.

“Grand elder Sight. Your presence is a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. This outcast is aiding in the escape of a thief who has stolen from the sect grounds. I was about to detain him, but she stopped my attempt.”

From her silent stare it was obvious that grand elder Sight did not believe his words. But she was also a member of the sect, obvious from her answer.

“Then we shall drive her from our lands together, so that I may be properly apprised of what has occurred here. If it is as you say, we should have no problem in tracking down the thief in these lands once this matter is settled.” she finished as she conjured a short golden recurve bow stylized not unlike a lyre. The strings sang in harmony as an arrow appeared and she drew it, holding it taut as her gaze settled on mistress Dew.

“Really, Sight? Are you going along with this? Even in the face of the queen’s law?” the lone mistress Dew asked, getting only uneasy silence in response. “Well then, let us get on with it.” she finished, brandishing a spear of ice, frost falling gently from its whole length.

There was a moment of stillness before the battle began anew, but the sudden numerical advantage of the sect made itself known. While it was obvious that grand elder Sight did not fight with her whole strength, there was still a consistent torrent of pinpoint arrows which constantly broke mistress Dew’s flow and rhythm, allowing Lark to punish her and drive her back steadily.

As such, there was only a minute or two of fighting before mistress Dew started to disengage.

“What are you doing, Sight? Don’t hold back now. She can be a valuable prisoner!” Lark shouted as they fought, new ambitions rising along with his unexpected reinforcements. If the outcast hag could be taken prisoner, suddenly they controlled the whole narrative while even looking magnanimous for not simply killing her outright.

Grand elder Sight gave him a flat look and was about to speak, when a sudden stillness filled the air, causing all three silver-rankers to stop where they were. The brittle moment of serenity then proceeded to be brutally shattered as a diamond rank aura was partially released over the area.

All three of the silver-rankers staggered under the sudden pressure of the powerful presence, while the five initiates dropped unconscious in an instant where they were hiding to observe the battle. In the sky above where the jade-sky gate once stood, a massive shimmering insectoid suddenly appeared, its articulated body held soundlessly aloft by a halo formed by iridescent wings.

A booming voice which seemed to simply fill the lands below echoed throughout the landscape.

“BE AFRAID. BE VERY MUCH AFRAID.”

From within his comfortable cabin, Kite had apparently been protected from the effects of the absolute unthinkable speed Gleam had reached as she had traveled. He had even been able to watch his surroundings through one of her smaller faceted eyes which acted like a window, but the world simply turning into colored lines still had his mind reeling. Even as they stopped high in the air above the clearing where the gate had stood, it felt like Kite’s thoughts had been left somewhere in their wake, only catching up a few seconds later.

From their lofty vantage, they could clearly see and, to Kite’s surprise, hear the exchange as another grand elder from the Victorious Sunset sect had joined the conflict, as well as see the battle resume. He did not know why mistress Dew had been present, but as she was suddenly outnumbered he feared for her safety.

Gleam apparently kept them unseen at the moment, since none of the people below had even stopped to look up.

“That woman with the ice. That’s my teacher. I have no idea what she is doing here though.” Kite mumbled.

Gleam’s response resonated from all the walls around him. “I started surveilling this place partway into our conversation back at the palace, little Kite, as I was curious what had led you to me even before your explanation. From what I have gathered, she fights here to uphold what she thinks is right, as well as for the enjoyment of it. Mortals sure are curious.

But she has attempted to uphold the queen’s law, and for that she is to be commended. I assume you would like me to take this into consideration going forward?”

Kite was surprised that the obscenely powerful construct even cared to ask, but thankful nonetheless.

“Yes. Please. Without her, I would probably have been dragged down from the gate even before it ascended, and left at the mercy of those five.” Kite said, indicating the hiding initiates. “Or at least four. I don’t think young master Providence’s heart was in it from the start.”

“Hmm, yes one of them seems more unwilling than the others. Quite conflicted.

Either way, I believe it is time to act. While helping you return was one of my objectives, I believe that it was about time an example was made. The queen might be absent in person, but her decree is eternal.

And I believe that a dramatic entrance will be beneficial to our cause. How fun! It has been centuries since I got to make one of those! I would ask you to please try to go with the flow from here on out.” Gleam finished, sounding slightly giddy at the prospect.

Before Kite could respond, he could hear her word strike the lands below like a thunderclap.

“BE AFRAID. BE VERY MUCH AFRAID.”

From above, the whole forest seemed to shudder as the people fighting below staggered or toppled over, unconscious. Kite was blessedly protected from the thunderous voice this time around, only hearing the words in a manageable volume.

Then, a second later, Gleam landed after having moved faster than even the silver-ranked perceptions could follow. Small explosions of earth, grass and shrubbery filled the clearing as each of her ten legs scattered soil and vegetation alike.

For a short while, there was only stillness, before grand elder Sight was the first one to fall to her knees, followed by the other two.

Frost among Morning Dew had not expected this turn of events. She inwardly reflected that very few beneath at least gold rank probably even had the mental faculties to imagine something like this. The magnificent insectoid construct had appeared like a divine herald, inspiring awe from movements and mere presence alike. And now it towered above them, apparently not pleased.

In the stillness that followed, none of the three silver-rankers found the strength to speak, all such thoughts sapped by the aura bearing down on them.

“EXPLAIN TO ME WHY SUCH A FLAGRANT DISREGARD FOR THE QUEEN’S ETERNAL LAW IS ALLOWED TO TAKE PLACE.” the construct boomed yet again, albeit slightly less thunderous as to not damage the people beneath its multifaceted gaze.

As its aura retracted slightly, grand elder Lark was the first to speak.

“Divine eminence. There was a thief. A knave who-”

“DO YOU THINK ME UNABLE TO READ THE FALSEHOODS OF LESSER BEINGS, YOUNG MAN? PONDER THAT FACT, CONSIDER YOUR WORDS AND BEGIN ANEW.”

Lark was apparently subjected to an instant of more intense aura-suppression, as he wobbled slightly even kneeling as he was. He then continues, apparently having caught the glaringly obvious hint about the consequences of falsehoods and half-truths.

“There was a disagreement regarding the result of a clash of paths between one of the students of my sect and an outcast iron-ranker.” he began, tone polite but very, very strained. “The former disciple felt cheated, destroyed the message from the officiator and was appropriately punished as a result.”

“WHO WAS THE OFFICIATOR OF THIS CLASH?”

“I… I was, divine eminence.” mistress Dew stated, even her normally controlled decorum cracked as her voice was shaking a bit.

“DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ERROR IN YOUR JUDGMENT OF THE RESULT?”

“No. I do not. I will admit taking satisfaction in seeing the former disciple beaten so thoroughly, due to how the clash was initiated and the disciple’s demeanor, but none in their right mind who witnessed it would be in doubt.”

“CONTINUE YOUR TELLING OF THE EVENTS.” the massive construct demanded of grand elder Lark, apparently satisfied with mistress Dew’s answers.

“Well, I was not here for all of it so I can hardly attest to-” he began, but stopped at a glare from the other grand elder, who had yet to speak. He drew in a shuddering breath, continuing. “Apparently, the now initiate still felt a need for redemption, and brought several other initiate’s with him to facilitate an ambush here next to the gate. I do not know how they knew where the outcast would be. There was an altercation, but they apparently failed to stop the outcast from reaching the gate, deciding to wait outside instead.

I came here in person as the sect leader had sensed the presence of a silver-ranker staying on our territory.”

“AND WHAT DID YOU DO?”

“I… I decided to stay and make sure she did not interfere with the initiate’s plans.”

“EVEN THOUGH YOU KNEW THAT THEIR ACTIONS WERE DISHONORABLE?”

There was silence as grand elder Lark stood still, face reddening in shame and fury.

“Yes.” was the simple answer he managed to choke out.

“WHAT THEN?”

“The wait was… long. When the outcast emerged, I revealed myself and offered him mercy. He-

“WHAT WAS THE CONDITION OF SUCH MERCY?”

“He was to give over the spoils from his time in the gate.”

“THE SPOILS HE HAD EARNED? BY HIS OWN POWER? IN THE QUEEN’S SANCTIFIED TRIAL, PROTECTED BY HER LAW?”

“... yes.”

“AND WHAT WAS HIS ANSWER?”

“He… refused. Then he attempted to challenge initiate Rise again to settle the matter, which the initiate refused. The outcast then escaped via the departing gate.”

“AND WHY DID THIS LEAD TO YOU FIGHTING THIS WOMAN? YOU ARE TREADING DANGEROUS GROUNDS HERE, YOUNG MAN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GLOSS OVER DETAILS IN YOUR TELLING OF THIS STORY.”

“I can explain, your divine emi-” mistress Dew began, but was interrupted.

“I WOULD HEAR IT FROM HIS OWN MOUTH.”

There was yet another pause, grand elder Lark looking as if the very words he was about to say physically hurt him.

“I attempted to stop the outcast from leaving. This woman-” he said, gesturing to mistress Dew, “-intervened on the boy’s behalf. I was enraged by her intervention, and we proceeded to fight.”

“THIS HAS BEEN MOST ENLIGHTENING.” the giant construct stated grimly. “HOW WOULD YOU DEEM YOUR OWN ACTIONS?” The question was leveraged against mistress Dew.

“I… Divine excellency, I stand by my actions. I officiated justly, and tried to uphold what was right. I am also under contract from the adventure society to do just that and make sure that Kite, the boy in question, would be able to have his trial as I believe the queen intended; free from interventions and sabotage.”

“AND YOU?” the construct asked again, this time directing her question toward grand elder Sight, who had remained silent up until now.

“I… I chose loyalty to the members of my sect over upholding the queen’s law. While I did try to enforce leniency, I still knowingly participated in a conflict whose grounds were unjust.”

“AND FINALLY, YOU.” the insectoid asked grand elder Lark, a sense of finality.

“I… I…” he choked. “I put the interest of the sect and myself before the queen’s law. Even above it. I tried to save face for me and the sect. It was foolish.”

“IT IS QUITE EASY TO ADMIT FOOLISHNESS AS YOU ARE FORCED TO BY SOMEONE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU. I DO NOT BELIEVE YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SO HUMBLE IN YOUR INSIGHTS IF YOU HAD SUCCEEDED.

THUS, WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THE MATTER OF CONSEQUENCES. AS THIS IS A PROBLEM CAUSED BY VERY MORTAL FAILINGS, I SHALL BE ADVISED BY A MORTAL IN TURN.

Kite, who had followed the whole exchange as Gleam forced the grand elder to lay bare his failings, almost jumped in his seat as her voice once more resonated inside where he sat.

“This will be your cue, young Kite. I believe you will be up to the task. Feel the moment, and play your part.” she said cheerfully. Before he could retort, the panels in her head opened to reveal the doorway, along with one of her legs which she had raised as if to help him down.

Trying to hide the slight nervous unsteadiness in his steps, he rose up and stepped out on the large claw he was proffered. As he appeared, the reactions varied. Grand elder Sight, who had never seen him before, looked on with questioning incomprehension. Mistress Dew was obviously shocked at him being there and his arrival in such a fashion. Grand elder Lark’s face was stony and blank as he schooled his expression carefully.

Gleam was surprisingly gentle and dextrous as she lowered Kite to the ground where he stepped down onto the grassy soil. The clearing was barely recognizable, as the battle between the silver-rankers and the appearance of the diamond-ranked construct had torn up the ground in places and even toppled some trees.

He gave an awkward smile to mistress Dew. “Good to see you again, mistress. Grand elders.” The latter was meant for the two who bore that title as he nodded to them.

“FOR FLAGRANTLY GOING AGAINST THE QUEEN’S LAW THERE WILL BE A PUNISHMENT. YOU, YOUNG KITE, HAVE BEEN THE ONE TO SUFFER THE MOST FROM THESE TRANSGRESSIONS. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST APPROPRIATE TO SEVER THE BAD KARMA BETWEEN YOU AND REACH EQUILIBRIUM?”

“I... “ Kite began before trailing off. He was both stunned to be asked such a question and by the magnitude of consequences this could have. When he thought about it, what perspective would Gleam even have on the dealings in the wider world? With her level of power, wouldn’t her words be law? What scale did she even think on?

“I will take a moment to properly give this thought.” he stated to give himself some time. He could feel multiple gazes bore into him, but felt no auras other than Gleam’s, which meant that the silver-rankers either would not or could not try to affect him with theirs.

He tried shutting out the rather intense gazes upon him, even shutting his eyes to clear his head. While the frustrated, petty part of him wanted vengeance, he knew that it was a way fraught with complications down the line. Even if he asked for something beyond drastic, such as the annihilation of the sect and all its members, there would no doubt remain a legacy of vengeance as former allies and families came for him and his. And Kite was neither brutal or vengeful enough to accept a life where he was hunted for such decisions.

But neither did doing nothing sit right with him. As Gleam had said, karma needed to be severed and a balance reached. Even the sect owing him something along the lines of a huge favor would leave the relation skewed, risking resentment and other complications down the line as well. As his mind was weighing options, one particular phrase auntie Dove was fond of came to mind. And from it sprang an idea.

Opening his eyes, he turned back to the watching silver-rankers and gave them a long look as he weighed his words, before turning his face up towards Gleam.

“In any given action, there is both intent and result. Both are important, yet have to be weighed against one another. As for my personal circumstances, the actions taken against me personally had dishonorable intent but in the end few negative results. However, this imbalance is still one that should be rectified, as the initiates and the grand elder endangered both me and my familiar. I would ask that this debt be added to the one already owed me since my clash of paths with initiate Rise, and trust that the sect will deliver something appropriate to settle this debt both promptly and with consideration.

However, there is also the matter of the queen’s law, a matter which goes far beyond the scope of my personal altercations. From the actions of both initiate and grand elder, I would say that pride, and the brittleness of purpose it brings, have taken their roots in the spirit of the sect’s teachings as some would even act as if above the decree of the Queen of Jade and Sky. But I would imagine that such a strong, reputable institution would have a foundation which would be quite hard to corrupt, as it has produced numerous fine warriors over the years which have gone on to perform great deeds while protecting the people from the dangers of this world.

Therefore I would suggest that they be given not punishment, but opportunity. I would suggest to grant them a period of grace, during which they would have the time to turn their attention back to that very foundation; fostering strong, honorable warriors with the express purpose of helping the people while strengthening their path. And to reward them if they, after that period is over, have managed to excise that which had taken root and led some of their members down the path which has led them in opposition to the queen’s law.” He finished, slightly out of breath as his mind had done its best to put his ideas into words.

Only the wind was heard for a few moments as it rustled the leaves of nearby trees. All of the three silver-rankers looked stunned after Kite’s lengthy suggestion, their minds turning over and over as they processed what he had said and, should the mighty being choose to heed his advice, what consequences would spring from it.

The susurration of the breeze was drowned out by the almost vibrating resonance of Gleam’s laughter, beginning in a low note before gradually rising in pitch. She took her time, the laughter only dying down a minute or two later.

“OH, I BELIEVE THAT THE WORLD WILL HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR YOU, YOUNG KITE. FROM WHAT YOU HAVE SHOWN HERE, YOUR MIND REACHES DEEPER THAN ONE MIGHT EXPECT FROM ONE SO YOUNG.

I MUST ADMIT THAT I WAS OF HALF A MIND TO TEACH THEM A SIMPLE LESSON BY ERADICATING HALF OF THEIR SECT. BUT YOUR IDEA; TO ACTUALLY OFFER THEM AN OPPORTUNITY. I AM INTRIGUED, AND ACTUALLY INCLINED TO FOLLOW YOUR ADVICE.

TELL ME, LITTLE ELDERS; DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR SECT CAN BE WORTHY OF SUCH A CHANCE?”

This time, it was grand elder Sight who spoke, quickly bowing and answering before her fellow elder could speak up.

“I do believe that, divine excellency. I shall return at once to the sect leader and deliver your most gracious offer.”

“GOOD… GOOD. THEN I OR ONE WHO MAY SPEAK IN MY STEAD SHALL VISIT YOUR SECT IN TEN YEARS TIME. IF SAID ARBITER APPROVES OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED UP UNTIL THAT TIME, THE REWARD WILL BE COMMENSURATE.

Gleam lifted one of her huge arms, which folded back to reveal the myriad smaller limbs inside. One of the produced a fist-sized crystal which she, after a moment of focus, carefully handed over to grand elder Sight.

“THIS IS MY DECREE, SHOULD ANY OF YOU HAPPEN TO FORGET IT. THAT WOULD BE MOST… UNFORTUNATE. AND I WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A PIECE OF ADVICE. THE INITIATE, RISE, SHOULD BE EXAMINED FURTHER. THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE FOUND IN HIM THAT YOU MAY FIND INTERESTING.

NOW GO. BRING WORD TO YOUR SECT OF THE MAGNANIMITY OF THE QUEEN OF JADE AND SKY, AND PROCLAIM THAT THESE TWO; KITE FLOWN IN ON WINDS OF FORTUNE AND FROST AMONG MORNING DEW SHALL BE KNOWN AS GUARDIANS OF HER EXALTED WILL.”

“At once, divine excellency.” grand elder Sight responded, bowing deeply again before turning to her fellow sect member. “Grand elder Lark. It is time to return. Please assist me in bringing back the initiates.”

Lark nodded, seemingly lost in thoughts as his gaze had remained locked onto Kite, before he was led off without uttering another word. They gathered the young men who were still unconscious, grand elder Sight producing a small floating disc which quickly expanded enough that it could carry the limp initiates.

Kite, mistress Dew and Gleam watched them depart in silence, grand elder Sight bowing once to each of them before she led her fellow sect members back toward the sect compound in the south.

After a while, Gleam was the first to break the silence. Both of the other essence-users were still quite tense around her, although Kite was slightly calmer as he had gotten at least a short time to try and acclimatize himself to the thought of interacting with a being of her stature and power.

“Well, I must say that went beyond expectations.” she said, voice back to the more conversational tone which she had used with Kite back at the palace. “You were a pleasant surprise in many ways today, young Kite. I did not expect that level of consideration in your advised verdict. I believe I have an idea of why, but what made you show them such leniency?”

Kite turned away from watching the spot where the sect warrior’s had disappeared through the trees, turning to the huge insectoid.

“Many reasons, I suppose. First of all, I do not fancy myself a life of fending off or succumbing to scores of attempts to avenge any damage I might have done, had you chosen to act it out in my stead. I am not yet powerful enough for that kind of attention. Present company probably included. Better to ask for something that would actually help me, not just any wounded pride or hurt feelings I might harbor, and that will fall within limits of what they can provide discreetly without losing too much of their precious face.

The second part actually came from a saying one of my aunties is fond of. That if you want to help someone change, give them something towards which to strive. I and others like me here in the Autumn lands have felt a mounting problem in cooperating with most other sect-affiliated adventurers, mostly for the pride and how they comport themselves. I believe that to at least be a part of what led them to defy the queen’s law when their own agendas felt more important.

This way, they have something to earn by considering how they act which might in the end be for the betterment of the rest of us. In the end, that will lead to less trouble for me and mine.”

“Hohoho, I am not sure just making your own life easier was your only motivation, young Kite. This felt quite more… substantial… than mere self-interest. Regardless, it was quite fun to see them fret as they realized that I might give power over their fate to the one they had regarded only as someone to exercise power on.” Gleam chuckled, before turning to mistress Dew. “Feel free to speak, Frost among Morning Dew. I sense no other listeners around us, which means that the formalities are quite done.”

“Divine excellence, I wanted to thank you as well. Both for intervening here and for bringing Kite back even after the choice of leaving with the gate. A choice we will be discussing at length later.”

“Your thanks are accepted, but unnecessary, young one. While I very rarely intercede in the world, this gave me an opportunity to make sure that these lands still remember the queen and what she gave it.

And now it is time for me to depart. I do have duties to attend, and gates to modify as young Kite here showed me a bit of an oversight in their departure. Would not want seekers of favor or glory to start arriving with each gate, now would we?

Before I go, this is for you as well, young Kite. Good luck on your path. I suspect that if we ever meet again, it will be when you are quite a lot more powerful.” Gleam finished as one if her smaller arms handed Kite a small object.

It was another token, depicting a beautiful sky. Kite recognized it immediately, even though the engravings on this one were bronze.

“Thank you, Gleam. I will never forget either your kindness or your beauty.” Kite said with a smile and a bow.

“Such a well-mannered young man. Take care now, and fare thee well.” the shimmering construct finished, before the sparkling wings manifested again. After the blink of an eye, she was gone.

Kite was left standing there, looking up at the overcast sky of late spring with mistress Dew beside him.

“It seems like you have quite the story to tell, young man. And there will be plenty of time on the way back.”