PtM Book 16 - Chapter 1: Grief

2/3 this week.

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It happened in a single jarring instant.

One moment, Cha Ming was kneeling on the muddy forest floor next to Yu Wen’s gravestone, and the next, he was surrounded by strange trees covered in slick, blood-colored bark. The muddy ground beneath him where grass had long stopped growing was now dry loam and unbroken twigs.

An object hit the ground beside him with a thunk, but Cha Ming didn’t move. In fact, he didn’t look around or even seem to notice the transfer. There was no amazement or confusion on his face. His eyes were empty, as though he were soulless.

Many minutes passed, but to Cha Ming, they felt like hours. Hours of foggy existence interrupted by the faintest nagging feeling at the back of his mind. Something was coming, it told him. Something dangerous. An enemy of some kind, in this strange place he didn’t recognize.

On a subconscious level, he knew that he should probably turn around and ascertain the threat, but a part of him wondered whether he should even bother. He could tell that the thing approaching him was weak, and definitely not human. It could kill him – but so what?

Did he want to keep on going? Was the current him worth saving? He immediately regretted this train of thought because it made him remember things that he would rather not. Things that his mind might understand, but that his emotions and his soul could not process.

Things that awakened a final seed of resistance inside him, that told him that he had to live on. It’s what she would have wanted. So he turned his head just in time to see a flash of gray out of the corner of his eye.

It was a small monstrous demon that looked like a hyena. It lacked all forms of higher-level intelligence. But it knew fear, and it knew power, and Cha Ming was far from helpless. But he was broken. He was weak. It saw that and decided to take the risk.

That was the last decision it ever made. Cha Ming caught it by the throat with an iron grip, then twisted and snapped its neck.

He tossed the creature to the ground before taking a brief look around. His head hurt. His heart hurt. Everything hurt. He’d found comfort in numbness, and danger, of all things, had awakened him. He wished he were dead instead.

But now that he was aware, he knew that he could not let himself die. He did not think on the why, because the why hurt – he only knew that surviving was important.

The trees are different. The ground is different. The sky… isn’t violet. There’s a puddy over there, and it isn’t inky. The energy is different. Those clues were enough to tell him that he was not on the Inkwell Plane any longer. He was somewhere else. Somewhere dangerous.

Another thing he noticed was that the qi balance was off. It was no longer water-heavy and skewed towards demons. It was perfectly balanced, and therefore quite suitable for him.

Obscuring the blue-sky overhead was a lush canopy of green, leafy trees and scattered clouds. So dense was the foliage that he could barely pierce it. In fact, several ‘stories’ of branches existed in this place. There was a canopy above the canopy he was currently seeing.

Where am I? Cha Ming finally thought to himself. How did I get here?

A familiar presence that answered his questions. Yes! You’re awake!

It took a while for Cha Ming to register who it was. Huxian?

Yes! You remember who I am! His brother answered.

Cha Ming put his hand to his head. He was woozy and had the worst headache in existence. What’s going on? Where am I? How did I get here? And are you here as well?

We’re in the Heartforge Realm, Huxian explained. As for how and why we’re here, I think your teacher left you a letter.

Cha Ming didn’t remember a letter. He barely remembered seeing Sun Wukong. In fact, when he thought about his appearance, the pain intensified, and decided that perhaps thinking about the moments after his resurrection, or anything about his resurrection was probably a bad idea. Are you in these woods as well? Are you nearby?

Naw, different trial, Huxian said. But we’ll be in the same place soon enough, or so I’ve been told. We just need to pass the entrance trial. No big deal.

… Trial?

There should be a big sign explaining it, Huxian said.

Cha Ming looked around and discovered that indeed, there was a large sign he’d somehow missed. It was made of hastily assembled wood, and a single word had been cut into its rough surface: Survive.

It says I should survive, Cha Ming said. And did you say my teacher? Did Sun Wukong send me here? Huxian confirmed this, and Cha Ming’s already sour mood took a turn for the worst. Well, I want out. I didn’t volunteer for whatever this is.

Well… he kind of forced you into it, Huxian said.And if you fail, you die, so keep up!

What?! Cha Ming’s headache intensified. But he wasn’t surprised. This was exactly the kind of thing the Monkey King would do. And if it were another time, perhaps he’d entertain the monkey king. But right now, his is soul didn’t feel like it had been put through a meat grinder then pressed back into shape using a cookie cutter and a rolling pin.

Huxian had mentioned a letter, and Cha Ming did not remember a letter. But he did remember a thunking sound just after he’d appeared in this strange place. He soon found the culprit, a bundle on the ground.

My soul… is damaged, Cha Ming thought, inspecting himself. My wings are shattered. My body is malnourished from having not eaten for three months. My physical wounds are mostly healed, and my qi has mostly recovered. My spiritual sea is a mess though. The core is fine, but my soul…

He picked up the bundle and pulled out nine items. The first was a storage ring. Such things were quite valuable in the Inkwell Plane but were mostly useless to him. Unless… He checked the Clear Sky World and discovered that he could not access it. Unfortunate. The storage ring was clearly there to make up for this deficit.

The next item he pulled out had a note attached to it. It was a large bundle of dry bread rations labelled Sabmel Bread. His eye twitched lightly as he pulled the third item, identical to the third. More Sabmel Bread. It seemed that Sun Wukong was still in a joking mood.

The fourth item in the pack was a clear item called a Heartforge Badge. By touching it, he could sense that it contained zero points and had a stored residence containing custom upgrades that would cost him a thousand points a month in upkeep. Whatever that meant. It was also bound to his soul and would always return to him as long as he still lived.

Next is… a staff? Cha Ming pulled out what could only be described as a war staff from the pack’s deceptively large space. It was made of dark wood and carved with demonic runes. It also had a note attached out it that said “DO NOT bind before reading my letter.”

He felt an overwhelming pressure when he touched it, accompanied by a presence that calmed his emotions and stabilized his soul. It took away a lot of his pain. Still, he trusted his teacher, despite the fact that he’d thrown him in some sort of death match. He stowed the staff in the storage ring and finished out the last four items in the pack: a sealed calligraphy set, a letter of apology to a person he didn’t know, and a glowing white needle that made his soul feel all tingly and warm. Instinctively, he stored that last item directly in his spiritual sea, which he hadn’t known was possible before receiving it. A warm wave of relief washed over his badly mangled spirit, alleviating a good half of his terrible headache.

He picked up the letter at the bottom of the pack. It was short and hastily scrawled by the Monkey King himself. Cha Ming read it out loud.

“Sorry about this boy. You weren’t looking to good, so I talked to my teacher and he thought it best if I sent you here.

“I’ll be brief because your life is probably in danger. First, things first, the bread. I can’t give you too much, or it will defeat the purpose of the trial. The bread is what I could give you, and the rest you’ll have to rely on yourself. I hope you got the reference – some stories are timeless. If not… whatever.

“Second, the Savage Deity War Staff. This I feel conflicted about. On the one hand, I don’t want you to have it, but on the other, it might just be what you need to survive. If you bind it, it will seal away the things that are unnecessary for your survival. You will gain great power, but it will come a price.”

When Cha Ming read this, he Ninesky stir within the Clear Sky World. He caught a flash of excitement in her expression, and a resonance from the seven artifacts surrounding her. The resonance from the Clear Sky Staff was greatest, and he could tell that should he bind this war staff, the Clear Sky Staff would be replaced.

“The other things in the pack aren’t as important. They have their uses, but I can’t say too much about them without incurring a penalty on your behalf. You’ll probably figure it out on your own. The needle is helpful regardless of what you choose, and those special items are there for you to do whatever you want with them. The badge comes with some perks that cost you in the short run, but that’ll benefit you in the long run. As for this place, it’s called the Heartforge Realm. It’s like a contest. A trial for juniors.

“I’ve given you gifts, Cha Ming, gifts that I feel will help you in the trial. That is my right as your teacher, but they have come at a price. I brought your brother along and got a few of your friends an invitation, but that’s also going to cost you.

“I can’t tell you much more. About the trials, about this world, about missions. From now on, you’re free to do whatever you will.

“I only have one last piece of advice to give you: In the Heartforge Realm, you’ll find a reward called an Awakening. Get it. Get it no matter what it costs.

“That’s it. That’s all. Signed, your bestest pal who you should definitely not bear a grudge against during the next 60 years. Because that’s how long you’ll be here. – Sun Wukong.

Cha Ming felt at his forehead. “An awakening? A reward? What is he even talking about?” He felt more confused now than when he’d gotten here. “Sixty years? What kind of crap is this?”

“PS: I’m sorry I can’t explain in more detail. It’s Master’s rules, and I can’t break them. I know you’re probably angry at getting shoved in here now of all times, but as your teacher, I felt a kick in the pants was best for you. I know you’re probably worried about the Inkwell Plane – Don’t be. I’ll take care of it. I’ll take care of everything.”

That was all. Simple and straightforward like the Monkey King himself. And since Cha Ming had almost let a rank 1 demonic hyena do him in, he could see why his teacher had decided the key to his recover was a good-ole-fashioned training montage.

Speaking of which, Cha Ming’s eyes flickered to the woods, where even more creatures had come out of hiding and were eying him with predatory expressions. He cursed the Monkey King one final time before finding an opening, then fleeing through it.

***

Not far from where Cha Ming was undergoing his entrance trial, in a small realm that was entirely contained in the spatial equivalent of a soap bubble, Huxian sat on a flat disc of earth suspended beneath an artificial sky. There was grass in this place, and on this grass sat about three thousand demons. They were waiting and just as confused as he was.

The sky was blue. The grass was long, and it smelled of dew. The sun was bright, and not too hot and not too cold. Really, it was the perfect day.

Not far away from where the three thousand had first appeared was a large stone stele. It could be seen from every angle and from every place on the disc. The stele was etched with simple instructions:

Choose a path and clear its trial to enter the Heartforge Realm.

Fighting outside the trials is prohibited.

The instructions were carved many feet deep using what could only be a massive demon’s claws. The cuts radiated killing intent so potent that it could stop one’s heart from beating.

Behind the stele stood three giant arches built in a style that was archaic even according to his ancestral memories. There were no instructions on the arches, though each of them had a name.

A few uncertain hours had passed, and not a single demon out of the three thousand had chosen to enter one of the arches. Huxian could understand why they were so hesitant – they were all geniuses on their home plane, and as such, they had an abundance of caution.

The first arch led to the Path of Battle. It reeked of blood and death and metal, making it clear that the penalty for failing in this trial was death.

The second arch led to the Path of Supremacy. The road was covered in a mysterious sheet of mist.

The third arch led to the Path of Sacrifice, but the nature of the sacrifice was unknown. Looking at instilled a sense of loss and regret.

Huxian was a patient demon, so like the others, he chose to wait. He knew that eventually someone would attempt a trial and reveal something about their nature.

A few of Huxian’s ancestors had come to the Heartforge Realm, but these memories were under seal, so he knew little about this place. What he did know was that ten thousand people were invited to the Heartforge Realm every opening, and a hundred of these spots would be reserved for the plane on which it was activated.

It therefore came as no surprise to Huxian when he was locked onto by a member of the Paper Tiger Clan. It was none other than Prince Baleful Vision, who’d tried to take a poisonous flower he’d found in void space. Great. Just great.

“You.” Huxian said when the prince approached.

“Me.” Baleful Vision said with a toothy smile. Strangely enough, the prince had broken off from the other twenty Paper Tiger Clansmen. Only a single female clanswoman accompanied him. It was clear that they were item.

“Come to take your revenge, have you?” Huxian said. “Well get on with it. I’ll give you a free shot.” He held his hands out and readied himself for a vicious scratch.

“And break the rules hours after we arrived?” Baleful Vision said. “I think not. Besides, why would I want to get revenge? Last I checked it was me who tried to take your flower. You blew up my ship in revenge, so I think we can call it even.”

Huxian’s eyes narrowed. “That’s suspiciously reasonable and even-headed for a tiger.”

“What can I say,” Baleful Vision said. “I’m a visionary.”

“Well I’m not interested in talking,” Huxian said. “You can go now.”

“Must you be this way,” Baleful Vision said. “We’re away from the Inkwell Plane. Away from external pressure. We can be ourselves here and not have to deal with our ancestors breathing down our neck. Though I must say, I’m surprised that there are no members of the Inkwell Clan here. I’m not sure whether to be suspicious or disappointed.” He nodded in the direction of the other demons, who were now flocking together in groups. “What do you figure? Which of these brutes is going to jump in first?”

Huxian crossed his arms. “We’re not friends, Baleful Vision. Stop acting like it.”

“But I want to be friends, and I won’t take no for an answer,” Baleful Vision said. “You’re one of the few who deserve the privilege, and while you might be able to run away, this place is small, and you’ll tire eventually.”

“Your tribe literally eats babies,” Huxian said. “I don’t make friends with baby eaters.”

Prince Baleful Vision raised his finger then lowered it. “You’ve got point, but I’ll have you know that I highly disapprove of our baby eating practice.”

“How many inkborn and how many inkwell clansmen died to give you those stripes, I wonder?” Huxian said. “The stronger than Paper Tiger Clansman, the more ink it would take, I’d imagine?”

Baleful Vision’s face fell. “The realm will be open for a long time, so perhaps you will change your mind. As for the nature of my being, I am what I am.” He looked over to the increasingly restless horde of demons. “My bet is on one of those with an ox clan bloodline. They’re notoriously stubborn and fearless.”

Huxian sighed and decided to play along. It was less troublesome that way. “Why not one of the God Beasts?”

“There are quite a few God Beasts here, I’ll admit,” Baleful Vision said. “Almost five percent, by my count. But it’s been my experience that God Beasts are naturally cautious creatures,”

It was a fair assessment. Those here that didn’t have God beast bloodlines either had princely, kingly or imperial bloodlines. And it was exactly this sort of demon that Huxian would be wary of. They were powerful enough to ignore his suppression, but weak enough that consuming his bloodline would be very beneficial for them.

“Look at them, eyeing you like a side of beef,” Baleful Vision said. He shook his head sadly. “What short-sighted demons. God Beasts aren’t easy to handle, and besides, isn’t it just better to make friends?”

“We’ve already gone full tribal, so I don’t think that’ll be happening,” Huxian answered.

Despite being from so many different worlds – usually anywhere between two to four per world – it was easy to find bloodline commonalities. As such, demons had done what they usually did and assembled according to clans, which had then organized themselves based on bloodline strength

“I won’t bet on species, but bloodline level instead,” Huxian finally decided. “An imperial demon will try.”

Baleful Vision nodded. “As a half-imperial demon, I can see why you’d say that.”

“And as a member of the tiger clan, you should understand my reasoning better than most,” Huxian said. There was a popular saying in demon circles: There can’t be two tigers on a mountain. The tiger clan’s leadership battles were notoriously bloody.

In the end, they were both right. A member of the ox clan – one with the Crimson Quake Emperor bloodline –finally had enough of all the waiting and made his way Path of Battle.

“Cowards, all of you!” the ox demon mocked as he walked over to the tall archway. “It falls to I, Lord Crimson Tide, to clear a path forward. You would do well to remember the favor when we meet again. If we meet again.”

“What’s your guess on his motivation?” Huxian asked.

“Mating rituals,” Baleful Vision said. “In their clan, it falls to powerful males to impress females, usually through battle or acts of bravery. Not at all like my Tiger Clan, where we simply suppress anyone and take the mates we desire.” The tigress beside him shifted uncomfortably. “You?”

“Class-based hostility and discomfort,” Huxian said. “Look at his. Listen to his words. He’s boasting because he’s afraid. There’s also bitterness in his voice, and anger that he isn’t strong enough to challenge the one with the Stone Titan Ox Godbeast bloodline.”

“That… you’re reaching.”

“I may be embellishing,” Huxian admitted. “But it’s got all the makings of a good story.”

Ultimately, they would never know the answer, so they watched with rapt attention Lord Crimson Tide entered the archway. A projection appeared above the path of battle.

Lord Crimson Tide was wearing spike armor and wielded a heavy battle axe. Both were predictably crimson in contrast to his black fur. A booming voice spoke out as ten creatures appeared not far ahead, each with the same late investiture cultivation realm he did.

“Defeat four waves, and you may enter the Heartforge Realm,” the voice instructed. “There is no retreat – only battle!”

The words lit up a fire in all their hearts. Crimson Tide was no exception, and he immediately began to give off red smoke.

His footsteps caused the land to tremble and crack as he sprinted towards what appeared to be a hound demon and cut it in half. He reduced another two to paste with a single earth-shaking stomp. It was a one-sided slaughter, and within ten seconds, the fight was over.

“Is that all you have?” Crimson Tide called out.

Thirty demons appeared in response. No, not demons. “Are those…” Baleful Vision asked uncertainly.

“Yep,” Huxian answered.  There was no mistaking these creatures that took on the likeness of demons and that provoked the hatred of all living things.

Those in the lower realms would mistake them for abyssal demons, those tainted by devilish energies. But demons knew the difference. They could feel it in their blood.  “They’re all fiends,” Huxian confirmed. “Somehow.” All the nearby demons hissed in unison.

“You think they’re breeding them?” Baleful Vision asked. His clan slaughtered demons to paint their fur and stole color to paint their stripes, but the thought of raising fiends still made him uncomfortable.

“No,” Huxian said, shaking his head. “Maybe capturing and releasing for training? The universe wouldn’t tolerate breeding.”

That was because fiends, fiendish demons, or whatever you wanted to call them, were not of this world. They were beings corrupted by Outsider blood and energy. Humans could also technically become fiends, but their bodies were typically not strong enough.

Left unchecked, these creatures would spread across the universe like a cancer. It was the duty of every living creature to eradicate them. Those who helped them would be cursed by the universe, and those who killed them would be blessed.

The tide began to turn against the unfortunately named demon, but Lord Crimson Tide continued fighting without concern for his own safety.

It was this rookie mistake that ultimately doomed him. You didn’t just ignore fiendish demons and take hits, because their blood was like poison and their saliva caused infections even in elementals.

Lord Crimson Tide inevitably began to weaken. He managed to fight off the third wave containing ninety fiends, only to collapse when half of the fourth wave of two hundred and seventy fiends collapsed and reinforced their comrades.

In the end, not even bones remained.

“Path of Battle Challenge: Failure. Penalty: Death.” The projection faded, leaving the entire assembly terrified. The remaining 2,999 demons began to discuss the results of the trial and speculated on their odds of completing the challenge, as well as the trials awaiting them in the other two paths.

“Well?” Baleful Vision said. “Think you could do it?”

Huxian shook his head. “Fifty-fifty. You?”

Baleful Vision frowned. “If the difficulty remains the same, I believe I can pass through the trial. But White Mirage…” he looked back, and the tigress shivered.

“Fiends are quite powerful for their cultivation realm,” Huxian confirmed. “Those were rank 9 fiends, and you’d probably have to fight rank 10 fiends. Ever fought a fiend before?”

“Never,” Baleful Vision said.

“They’re vicious,” Huxian said. “Think of the biggest and angriest demon you’ve ever fought, and it’s like fighting them in a corner after they started burning their bloodline. To face two hundred and seventy of them… That’s a tall order for any demon.”

Of course, the Baleful Vision wouldn’t know that Huxian meant himself in his current situation. Something was blocking away his karmic links, which meant that he couldn’t draw on any power from his friends, who were still on the Inkwell Plane. Heck, he couldn’t even draw on Cha Ming’s support, even though they were practically neighbors. The unfairness of it all.

“Stupid Heartforge Realm…” Huxian muttered. If not for Cha Ming, he wouldn’t have bothered. Because while he was very short on the specifics, there was a bitterness to the sealed memories of his ancestors that implied that things had not gone well for them.

He also knew that out of all who entered, less than a quarter ever made it back.