Elder Cultivator

Cynbel was smart enough not to chase Timothy into Scarlet Alliance territory. Most likely the head of the Ponderous Turtle Clan hadn’t been intending anything more than posturing. Timothy thought he came out ahead, riding the momentum of his enemy’s attack out of the system before eventually heading across the border.

Instead of ending up directly around Xankeshan, however, he ended up near one of the new border planets. The planets and systems weren’t new, but they were newly inhabited. It was a mix of Scarlet Alliance members and various refugees from the war in the midfields.

Catarina was there waiting for him, presumably responsible for controlling the spatial distortion formations. “How was your first battle with a Domination cultivator on an equal playing field?”

“I wouldn’t really call it a battle,” Timothy said. “I can’t even say that Cynbel used his maximum power in the few attacks exchanged. But at least I determined I can repeatedly block casual attacks. I feel I successfully established myself as a real Domination cultivator.”

“I was planning to never fight anyone on the basis of cultivation again,” Catarina said. “So it’s good that one of us is.”

Timothy raised an eyebrow. That declaration could have been indicating she had become a pacifist, but he knew better. “I feel sorry for anyone who provokes your wrath.”

She had put together formations that could trap a Domination cultivator while she was merely in Augmentation. They didn’t keep Zaur forever, but they had been sufficient for Timothy to stand toe to toe with him for a few moments. Long enough for Chidi to familiarize himself with the man’s energy and thus prepare for a single moment of Negation. The injury from that had driven him away in fear, ending the second war.

“So,” Catarina began. “Did you figure out his anchor?”

Timothy shook his head. “The only thing I can say is that it’s not his turtle. However, he was able to channel his power through said turtle, presumably improving the versatility of his attacks.”

“We’ll have to monitor his movements, but I don’t expect we’ll be engaging in battle for at least a few years. Hopefully he goes back to butting heads with the Trigold Cluster. At least that would bring about positive results for us. We’d probably need to help more planets with evacuations, though.”

-----

Bear Hug listened to Lev’s explanation of what was happening with Anton. They didn’t really understand war, but Lev said it was kind of like when the beasts rained from the sky.

“There will be a new planet?” Bear Hug asked. “Are plants needed?”

“I think they will have plenty of normal plants,” Lev said. “Or otherwise be able to provide them. As for people, I think they will have enough difficulties already. With the humans and the people of Akrys.”

“Okay. Do you know how to make a briar patch less angry?”

“I could defeat one,” Lev said. “But if it actually angers, I’m not certain about the results.”

Bear Hug nodded again. They liked nodding. Movement was fun. “What’s with all that energy over there?” Bear Hug asked.

“Over there?” Pointing with energy was actually quite specific, though Bear Hug didn’t know the proper distance the direction was clear enough. “I’m surprised you can feel that,” Lev said. “I’m not really certain. The mountain is building up energy, but it doesn’t seem like an eruption.”

“I think we should go look.”

“That’s a far journey,” Lev said.

“Nobody has eaten me in a long time,” Bear Hug said. “I can walk far. Maybe we can find a good lake so I can stay there while we go there.”

Lev had heard about Bear Hug’s ability to split themselves. He still didn’t fully understand it, and maybe Bear Hug didn’t either. However, it seemed to provide some form of safety and stability, so that was good enough.

He could have carried Bear Hug and been there in moments, but the journey was the whole point. So they set out. Lev was interested in seeing some of the other people in that direction anyway.

-----

Velvet followed Cynbel back to the south. She might have complained about being drawn back and forth across the upper realms, but it was better for the Domination cultivator to spend all his time traveling than to actually be doing anything important.

Unsurprisingly, he dove right back into battle. Cynbel wasn’t taking things seriously, but perhaps that didn’t matter. With attacks that were significantly less powerful than those launched at Timothy, whatever section of the battlefield he was targeting still fell. Velvet sensed the many points of energy disappearing under the waves of his power.

Then suddenly, he stopped. He ran, leaving behind clan members and others from the Exalted Quadrant. Velvet suspected that they would still win the battle, but it was far less guaranteed without him.

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She struggled to keep up. She made it one system in the time he made it two. Even if she was willing to give up all pretense of stealth, she wouldn’t be able to catch him. All she could determine was he was heading directly back towards the Exalted Quadrant. It might have been some sort of trick to throw her off, if she’d been spotted, but if that was the case she would wonder why he didn’t simply charge towards her. She wouldn’t have been able to get away, and she had no illusions she could harm a Domination cultivator alone. Not without successfully advancing herself.

-----

Runa was having a difficult time understanding Crossed Antennae. She understood that void ants weren’t human, but the way she acted was just… difficult. It was crazy. “You want us to just launch a direct assault? On a Domination cultivator?”

“Of course not,” Crossed Antennae corrected. “It will be an ambush.”

“That wasn’t the issue,” Runa grimaced. “What about wearing down her base, first?”

“Are your forces sufficiently superior?” Crossed Antennae asked. “So far, the Chaotic Conglomeration has lost battles with and without her presence. How many humans will die to her while you… weaken her base?”

“It’s still…” Runa grimaced. “I’ll need the support of other humans. How will I convince them?”

“I can do it,” Crossed Antennae said.

“Well…”

“Our presence will inevitably be revealed. Surely your own allies would appreciate knowing ahead of time.”

“What if someone tries to kill you?”

“I’ll eat their energy. But just the extra bits for the attacks.”

Misi interrupted there. “I think what she means is that nobody will be prepared to fight void ants in particular. You are aware of her people here, and thus you have likely thought of countermeasures.”

Runa bit her lip.

“I should hope so,” Crossed Antennae signed. “It is only proper caution.”

“Either way,” Misi said. “You do know that physical attacks will be most effective. But most cultivators won’t even try to hit her with their actual weapon. An energy extension or a wide field attack would be people’s first instinct upon recognizing an enemy.”

“And she has her royal guard,” Juli said. “I know that they’re not so easy to cut to pieces.”

Two of said royal guard didn’t appear particularly special- aside from being relatively large for void ants. Still smaller than a finger, though. But those were the ones best suited to dealing with weapons, especially of a certain sort. As for the other two, they had many small pouches that she knew were full of extremely deadly substances.

“I’m still not certain about your persuasive abilities,” Runa admitted.

Crossed Antennae sprang forward, landing on her nose before Runa could react. “How about now?”

Runa’s eyes could only barely process the sign language from that close. “I’d rather you not have to resort to intimidation, but… I do understand the idea.”

-----

Of the various sects within the Chaotic Conglomeration, the Serene Pill Society was mysteriously left out of a particular strategy meeting. Their loyalty was still suspect and currently under review by certain tiny spies as well as larger human sized spies.

“Why are we all here?” Tessouat of the Retributive League asked. “We should be out on the battlefield, if we are to be called upon at all.”

“If you would wait but a minute,” Emrik said. “You would have your explanation. You know my daughter has brought allies to us previously.” Eyes shifted to the twins, who nodded. “They brought wisdom and power. And slightly more, meant only for emergencies. A Domination cultivator certainly meets that requirement.”

Those who were already in the loop no doubt could predict where things were going. However, they did not point out that the presence of the void ants was actually for a different purpose.

“What is it, then? A special weapon?” Tessouat asked. “Techniques to seal the power of a Domination cultivator?”

“Yes. We merely need to prepare an ambush, and we will unleash a threat that no Domination cultivator can withstand.” Emrik wasn’t lying there, but he was only about eighty percent convinced himself. However, he could see that the only other option was to continually accept losses. Unless the Chaotic Conglomeration could pull Domination cultivators out of their pockets somehow. Some of the factions might have them, but they weren’t willing to admit it if they did.

“So we just trust that you have this secret weapon, and aren’t sacrificing us for your own gain?” Tessouat questioned. Others murmured assenting and distrustful messages.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Of course not,” Emrik said. “We didn’t expect you to take us on trust.” He could hope, but he certainly had not expected it. “That is why we have brought these allies here today.”

Senses swept around the room- and far beyond, throughout the city. Tessouat frowned. “I sense nobody of relevant strength.”

“Nor should you,” Runa said. Eyes drifted to her as she extended her arm. “From here on out, I will be translating for one of our secret guardians.” Crossed Antennae stood proudly and freely on her hand.

Uduak, the representative of the actual Order of Light and Darkness that Velvet had once posed as a member of, reacted first. Of course it would be a light cultivator. A beam of energy crossed the room and… was promptly chewed on.

“She says your energy is of decent quality,” Runa translated. “But that you should know void ants aren’t so easily harmed.” Runa cleared her throat. “I would appreciate if you not throw attacks towards me, however.”

“A void ant.” Tessouat’s words were nothing more than that, but the accusatory tone said everything. “Why would you bring that thing here among us?”

“A queen.” Rather than Runa translating, the words were the strange production of distorted energy Crossed Antennae had once learned to speak with Chidi. “Not a thing.”

Everyone could tell the source of the manipulation, but they didn’t quite believe it.

“She also says that the reason to bring her is the same as any other. Allies against powerful foes must be strong themselves. The only difference between a powerful weapon and herself is that she can choose whether she wants to help. Like any other person.”

“... She truly speaks?” Uduak asked.

“The motions of her antennae and forelimbs are far from random,” Runa commented. “Specifically meant for communicating with humans. They are here… because cooperation with humans is beneficial for them.” Runa left out the middle bit where Crossed Antennae said ‘not to wipe out the humans’. Even if it was supposed to be reassuring. Crossed Antennae gave Runa an annoyed look, but continued. “The Exalted Quadrant is not a friend of the void ants. So we share mutual enemies, and can use our strengths together to great effect.”

“How long have they been here?” Tessouat asked.

Runa smiled. “You must not let what you have heard previously influence you. Crossed Antennae has lived among us with her people for decades. And you would never have known, if not for her offer to provide aid.”