The winding mountain trail led upward forever, every curve and turn offering a new vista of steep terrain. I didn’t allow myself to reveal the exhaustion that this body was experiencing, but it was getting harder to act dignified as my legs burned and my lungs ached.

  In an attempt to get my mind of it, my thoughts wandered.

  I had a question that had been bothering me since we left the village.

  Once I confirmed that I was breathing steadily enough for conversation I finally asked, “Why did you kill the Sun-Touched? I assumed they also worshipped the red sun.”

  The Skybound, who had been hovering near me as if unaffected by the concept of physical exertion, chuckled. “The Seventh Band? Just a bunch of mortals pretending to be great. They worship us, yes, but they’re essentially pawns.”

  It glanced at me, with frost-shifting across its robe. “Typically, we need permission from the Order to kill a lot of people at once. That’s why I killed everyone in that village; it was technically against the rules. So, I had to make sure that no one survived. The Seventh Bands' deaths were merely convenient loose ends.”

  The casual manner in which it spoke of mass murder reminded me uncomfortably of how some cultivators regarded mortal lives - as tiny insignificant specks hardly worthy of consideration. I’d seen that type of mindset often in the Azure Peak Sect; however, I hadn’t ever seen it expressed quite so bluntly and to this extreme.

  “I hope,” it added softly, with its voice descending into a deadly whisper, “you understand the importance of discretion?”

  “Of course,” I nodded quickly. “I wouldn’t want to create… any problems.”

  “Good.” The frost patterns in its robes stabilized. “Did you have any other questions?”

  “The Order,” I asked, and was glad for the change of subject. “What is it, really?”

  “The Order of the Last Light,” it replied, a certain type of pride coloring its voice. “Those of us who have been blessed by the red sun’s power. When the twin suns first appeared in our sky, most fled from the red sun’s light fearing the madness it brought. However, our ancestors recognized its true nature; it was neither a blessing nor a curse, but a gift. Our ancestors learned to tap into its energy using runic inscriptions and transformed themselves into something beyond mortal.”

  I tried not to visibly wince at the cult-like fervor in its voice. This sounded like the type of recruiting propaganda that would be fed to initiates to make them ignore the obvious “crystallize people” aspect of their power source.

  “The Order was created from those first enlightened beings,” it continued with its frost patterns changing to excitement. “They built their floating cities to remain close to the red sun’s light and far from the ignorant masses below who still cower in fear of its brilliance. We are the chosen of the Last Light; the final enlightenment that will reshape this world.”

  The person who had nonchalantly murdered an entire village was now reciting what sounded like memorized passages from “Cult Recruitment 101.” While given what I’d witnessed of the effects of the red sun, perhaps this was an upgrade over total madness.

  “There are nine levels of the Skybound,” it continued, “with Rank 1 initiates such as yourself at the bottom of the hierarchy and Rank 9 elders at the top who directly communicate with the red light. With each level comes greater comprehension of the sun’s secrets and a greater spiritual link to its energy.”

  “And possibly greater mental instability,” I thought to myself, though I remained silent and expressionless. I needed their knowledge, not their philosophy. Although, I had to admit that the Genesis Seed’s protective properties may be the sole reason I’m able to see how frightening all of this was.

  I listened intently as it then described their method of advancement.

  In this world, they called it Resonance, not Cultivation.

  “The first three levels of the Skybound concentrate on mastering control,” the Skybound explained. “Level 1 initiates establish their foundation through the Fundamental Rune. Level 2 initiates strengthen that connection, getting the ability to manipulate the elements. Level 3 is where most initiates gain an understanding of the deeper mysteries.”

  I scanned its robes to locate the runic symbols it referenced.

  “I don’t see any markings on you.”

  Suddenly, it stopped floating and turned to face me fully.

  Only then did it lower its hood.

  What I saw nearly made me stumble.

  The Skybound was an impossibly beautiful young woman — pale skin like moonlight, facial features that would inspire sculptors to tears, and eyes with the same crimson flames I’d seen blazing in the sun above.

  But what really drew my attention was the complex rune on her forehead.

  It actually shifted and swirled like living frost, giving a somewhat delicate and predatory feeling.

  The cognitive dissonance I was experiencing was overwhelming.

  How could someone who looked like an angel commit atrocities on the scale she had? And then I remembered a phrase I’d heard back in my original world: the relationship between beauty and insanity in women — if there was such a scale, she’d be maxed out on both axes.

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  “This is my Fundamental Rune,” she explained, her voice was surprisingly soft. “And these are my elemental markings; they allow me to manipulate ice.”

  “They look beautiful,” I admitted, looking down at her now exposed palms to study the intricate ice-based runes marked on them.

  “You haven’t even drawn a Fundamental Rune yet so technically, you’re not even Rank 1.” Her head tilted slightly toward me. “It’s quite unusual to discover someone who can use the red sun’s energy without the support of runes. The risk of losing one’s mind…” she trailed off as she looked at me as if waiting for me to begin foaming at the mouth.

  After a few moments of that not happening, she turned away to look at the direction of the academy.

  “The elders will surely want to personally evaluate you.”

  It was almost a whisper, but it immediately caught my attention.

  In the Azure Peak Sect, the elders had never shown any interest in my progress. Then again, I’d kept a low profile there on purpose — in a world where death was final, being cautious was necessary.

  In this world, with the Time Loop in effect, I could afford to be a bit more daring.

  “As long as my soul remains intact, I’ll be fine,” I thought to myself. “It doesn’t matter if this body dies, I’ll simply go back to my original world. The only true danger would be soul damage.”

  The possibility of receiving direct guidance from their elders was tempting. I desperately needed to acquire power rapidly if I hoped to stand a chance against that fifth stage Qi Condensation cultivator waiting back home. Normal initiate training would be far too slow, but if I could capture an elder’s eye…

  “As long as they don’t decide to use me as a test subject,” I silently mused.

  “Master,” Azure chimed in, “the silence has become uncomfortable.”

  He was right.

  I’d been lost in thought while staring at a beautiful woman.

  That was not a good look especially if I didn’t want her to take it personally.

  Who knew what could trigger her?

  “I should have done this earlier,” I bowed, remembering that proper introductions were long overdue. “My name is Tomas.”

  She smiled, and for a brief moment, I almost forgot the fact that I had watched her massacre dozens of innocent people. “Vayara,” she replied. “Although you’ll be required to address me as Senior Sister once we arrive at the academy.”

  “Of course, Senior Sister,” The title felt odd on my lips, not due to the formality, but due to how similar it was to what I would have used in the cultivation world. These small parallels between the two systems fascinated me.

  We continued walking up the trail.

  The red sun hung lower in the sky now, casting a glow over the frost designs on Vayara’s robe and causing them to shimmer like blood-red diamonds.

  “Tell me about the academy,” I said, half-out of genuine curiosity, half to distract myself from my screaming muscles. “What can I expect?”

  “Struggling to survive, mainly,” she replied with the same serene smile. “Many initiates do not survive their first year. The red sun’s energy…” she pointed toward the crimson light overhead “…it transforms you. Those who cannot adapt, those who cannot manage the resonance…” She shrugged. “Well, the crystals in the Failure Garden are quite beautiful.”

  “Crystals?” I asked, though I had a bad feeling that I knew what she meant.

  “When an initiate loses control, the transformation is… thorough.” Her eyes sparkled. “We preserve the more intriguing specimens as a warning to the new initiates. Many of them retain enough consciousness to scream.”

  “That sounds… educational.”

  “Oh, it is!” The enthusiasm was actually pretty unsettling. “Nothing teaches proper resonance control like witnessing the consequences of losing it. Though I believe you’ll have … different challenges.”

  “Because I can use the power without runes?”

  “As far as I know, it’s rare,” she nodded. “Most untrained vessels either die or transform into crystals within days of exposure to the red sun’s energy. Yet here you are, apparently remaining stable despite having none of the standard protections.” Her gaze became calculating. “The elders will certainly want to understand how that is possible.”

  I thought of the Genesis Seed, and how it had purified and integrated the red core’s energy. The World Tree Sutra had protected me from the madness that afflicted others, but I couldn’t exactly tell them that.

  “I look forward to learning,” I said diplomatically.

  “Oh, you’ll learn. One way or another.” She gestured toward a gap in the clouds ahead. “We are almost there. Welcome to your new home, little initiate.”

  I followed her gesture and gasped in awe. Through the crimson-colored clouds, I saw parts of an impossible architectural wonder — a city of floating spires of ice and crystal, linked together by luminous strands of light.

  The academy was not situated atop the mountain, it was hanging above the mountain, a city in the air that defied logic and conventional notions of structure and gravity.

  “It’s….,” I searched for words that wouldn’t get me killed.

  “Stunning? Horrific? Both?” Vayara smiled. “Yes, most initiates react that way. The Order of the Last Light selects only those who can transcend mortal limits.” She glanced at me. “However, you’ve already started that process, haven’t you?”

  I thought of the cultivation world. “You could say that.”

  When we reached the base of what looked like a floating dock of ice, Vayara reached into her robes and pulled out what resembled a silver pen with a crimson tip. “Take off your shirt,” she commanded.

  I must have looked as nervous as I felt, because she actually laughed.

  “It’s a temporary rune to help you fly,” she explained. “Would you rather climb thousands of steps?”

  “Flying sounds better,” I confessed, removing my shirt.

  The mountain wind was bitterly cold against my skin.

  “Be still,” she ordered, moving closer to me. “This needs precision.”

  Her pen was ice-cold as she began drawing on my chest. Each line produced a faintly glowing crimson color. I tried not to shudder as she worked, watching as the elaborate design formed over my heart.

  “The Skybound Rune,” she explained as she worked. “Temporary version, naturally. The permanent version is… significantly more complicated.” She completed the final stroke with flair. “All done.”

  I looked down at the glowing pattern. It resembled a combination of a snowflake and a burning sun, with all sharp edges and radiating lines.

  “Now,” she touched her palm to the rune, “this might feel a bit strange.”

  “Strange” was an understatement.

  As she channeled her power into the rune, it felt as if my chest was simultaneously freezing and burning.

  Then suddenly I was airborne.

  “Whoa!” I wildly waved my arms as I floated a few feet above the ground, utterly powerless to control my flight. “How do I—“

  "Focus," Vayara instructed as I slowly spun upside down. "Visualize the direction you want to travel. The rune responds to intention."

  "Master," Azure chimed in, "the rune appears to be generating a local distortion in gravitational forces. Imagine it as a current you can swim through."

  Both of their suggestions helped. I pictured the air as water and used subtle motions to regain my balance. With a few more awkward moments, I managed to establish something that looked like stability.

  "Not bad," Vayara said, which I took as a compliment. "The rune will last approximately an hour - plenty of time for us to reach the academy and register you properly. Just keep up."

  She ascended the crystalline dock as I followed more cautiously, sometimes stumbling when I moved too rapidly. By the time we were half-way to the top, I felt like I was getting the hang of it.

  "Ready?" Vayara asked as we neared the top of the dock. "Now the real fun starts."

  I nodded, sensing the rune pulsing steadily against my skin.

  Whatever lay ahead in those crystal spires, I would face it. I would learn from it. I would harness their power and make it mine.

  And hopefully avoid winding up as a screaming crystal in their garden of failures.