My bed, located in one corner of the small room, resembled stone and didn’t appear comfortable at all; my mattress was thin and worn. The simple wooden desk under the window was sturdy enough, although the chair nearby wobbled slightly when I tested it.
On the other hand, the view was excellent — the window extended almost from floor to ceiling and provided a disorienting view of clouds drifting far below the floating city.
"I’m just glad it’s private,” I whispered, recalling the barely-concealed madness I’d observed in the eyes of the other initiates. I preferred a cramped room to sharing space with a sociopath.
I placed the intimidating stack of books the Quartermaster had handed me on the desk with a big thud. There was barely room for one person in the room, but it would suffice.
“And safe,” Azure added. “I’m detecting multiple protective formations embedded in the walls of the room. Although, whether they’re designed to prevent attacks or keep students in…”
“Both probably,” I replied as I trailed my fingers across the wall, feeling the slight heat coming from the wall. “The heating formation must to be essential up here, I can’t imagine how cold it gets at this altitude.”
“The ambient temperature alone would kill someone without protection at this elevation,” Azure replied. “And the—”
“Thanks Azure,” I coughed to interrupt him. Occasionally, I forget that my everyday comments tend to activate his analytical nature. “Good. Well, we should begin. Elder Molric expects us to grasp the basics by tomorrow.”
As I sat, I examined the first book. The cover was black leather and the title, Fundamental Principles of Resonance and Runic Theory, was etched in silver.
Carefully opening it, I began to read:
“Resonance is the fundamental basis of all power in our realm. In contrast to brute physical forces, resonance reflects the harmony between the practitioner and celestial energy. The power of the red sun is not subject to mortal will – it must be respected and guided via proper resonant frequencies….”
“That’s interesting,” Azure interjected. “That seems to mirror the idea of cultivating alignment with natural laws, but they seem to be a lot more focused on this particular energy source.”
I nodded, continuing to read: “Through the creation of stabilized resonant patterns via the appropriate runic inscription, practitioners can tap into and control the power of the red sun. Each rune serves as both a focal point and a stabilizer for the raw energy and prevents the power from overwhelming the practitioner’s physical and mental limitations….”
“I see the difference now between our meridian cultivation and theirs,” I murmured. “We cultivate our bodies to naturally store and regulate qi. They are using external tools to achieve a similar result.”
“Not entirely external,” Azure clarified. “Once inscribed, the runes are an integral part of their being. More like… permanent cultivation patterns implanted into their essence.”
I was going to respond, when the next paragraph caused me to pause.
Warning: When establishing resonance without proper runic stabilization, the majority of times, the practitioner experiences unpredictable transformation or death. Those few documented instances (Natural Vessels), are viewed as anomalies and should never be referenced as examples of standard training procedures.”
“They certainly want to drive home the importance of runic stabilization,” I mused. “Makes me wonder how many people have died trying to skip this step.”
“The emphasis is justified,” Azure responded. “They system seems to be missing the gradual conditioning that cultivation provides. Without proper foundations, the energy would be extremely volatile for the average individual to manage.”
“Well, they need to try harder,” I muttered, remembering Vayara's nonchalant regard for human life. “More than half of the initiates I’ve seen look only a single bad day away from slaughtering an entire village.”
I then quickly flipped through several additional pages, examining technical diagrams illustrating proper placement of runes and energy flow patterns. The similarities between cultivation and their system were obvious, but there were significant differences.
“Look at this,” I said, indicating a particular paragraph.
“Unlike primitive methods of manipulating energy where expansion occurs gradually, resonance allows practitioners to instantly access higher levels of power through careful regulation of the runic structures. This is what allows the Skybound to attain their trademark skill – unaided flight – by the second rank.”
“Yes,” Azure confirmed. “That’s why Vayara was flying about so easily.” I recalled her descent on the village. “She can’t possibly be beyond Elemental Realm in terms of pure power, yet she was gliding through the air like a Stellar Realm cultivator.”
“Yes,” Azure agreed. “Most cultivators spend hundreds or thousands of years to progress to Stellar Realm and achieve what these practitioners accomplish in their second rank. However, I suspect there are considerable trade-offs for such rapid advancement.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
I nodded. Every magic system had its advantages and disadvantages.
Upon completing the first book, we moved on to the second, which was titled Ascension: A History of the Skybound Orders.
Its introductory chapters were... interesting to say the least:
“The term ‘Skybound’ comes from the earliest days of our order, when the first practitioners realized that they were naturally drawn to the heavens by achieving proper resonance with the red sun. This was perceived as a divine sign – only those deemed worthy of the crimson light's favor would be elevated above the general populace and brought closer to their celestial benefactor.
The nine ranks of the Skybound represent the nine celestial spheres through which an initiate must ascend to achieve true enlightenment. At each rank, the practitioner moves closer to perfect resonance with the will of the red sun, and at the ninth rank, achieves direct communication with the celestial energy itself.”
“A bit boastful, aren’t they?” I remarked.
“Many powerful sects have origin stories similar to this,” Azure replied. “However, I did notice that they fail to mention anything about transcending the red sun to godhood or creating universes.”
“Exactly,” I replied, considering what I knew of cultivation. “Their ultimate objective appears to be communion with the red sun, not to exceed it. It’s as if they are intentionally restricting themselves.”
Following completion of the history book, I opened the third book, Crafting Your Fundamental Rune.
This book was unlike the previous two, which were filled with extensive theoretical content. Instead, this book contained practical illustrations and step-by-step instructions. I leaned forward in my chair and became more engaged – this was the information we would actually need to use.
“Now this is much more to the point,” I grumbled, opening to the first chapter:
“The design of an initiate's Fundamental Rune is likely the most important decision they will ever make. This pattern will provide the foundation for all subsequent development, determining everything from the elemental affinities to technique compatibility.
While the basic configuration must adhere to certain universal principles to preserve structural integrity, the specific images included in the design will shape the practitioner's career path.
Common motifs include:
- Flames: Enhance fire affinities and aggressive techniques.
- Waves: Improve fluid energy circulation and water manipulation abilities.
- Mountains: Strengthen defense and enhance earth attunement.
- Lightning Bolts: Increase speed and electrical conductivity.
- Leaves/vines: Enhance life force manipulation and growth techniques.”
I studied each example illustration with great detail and noted how the basic runic structure could be altered to include the various elements mentioned. All of the flame designs included sharp corners and upward spirals, whereas all of the wave designs featured smooth curved lines. Every variation seemed to guide the red sun's power in distinct ways.
“A tree design makes sense,” I said, tracing one of the leaf patterns with my finger. “It matches up perfectly with the Genesis Seed and Elder Molric is obviously knowledgeable about working with wood-element runes. To have a teacher who has already navigated this same path... that kind of support could greatly accelerate the process.”
“A good option,” Azure agreed. “The Genesis Seed processes energy in patterns similar to these botanical designs. We can use them as a model to design the Fundamental Rune.”
Turning the page, I found what we were looking for, a chapter called The Forging of the Fundamental Rune.
“To create your Fundamental Rune:
- Achieve a state of deep meditation
- Let the red sun's energy flow freely through your body
- Observe the natural patterns formed
- Use your blood and essence to draw these patterns while including your chosen design
- Stabilize the pattern and imprint it upon your designated site (commonly the forehead)
WARNING: This process cannot be reversed. Choose your design wisely.”
“That is the problem,” I sighed, closing the book. “If I engrave it on this body, the power remains here when I return to the Cultivation World, which defeats the purpose of this trip.”
“Look in your inner world,” Azure suggested, and I recognized that slight transition in his tone that meant he had realized something.
“Interested,” I asked, curious about what Azure had discovered. “I’ve noticed something interesting.”
Curiosity got the better of me, and I shut my eyes and focused on my inner world.
The Genesis Seed was present, as always, but as I watched more closely, I became aware of what Azure had noticed, the red sun’s energy that the seed had purified was no longer simply sitting there, it was moving, forming strange configurations before breaking apart, as if it were attempting to generate patterns, but unable to stabilize them.
“It is attempting to create a Fundamental Rune on its own?” I inquired, fascinated.
“Not exactly,” Azure clarified. “It is more as though… the energy tends to create these patterns, but lacks the appropriate structure. If we learn the proper way to accomplish this here…”
“We could create a Fundamental Rune directly in the inner world,” I concluded, excited. “One that would remain with us when we return.”
“Precisely,” Azure continued. “However, I suspect it will be substantially more challenging than the conventional method.”
I nodded, returning to examine the diagrams more intently. “Then we’d better understand exactly how this works.”
Several hours passed as I poured through the books, taking meticulous notes on resonance theory and runic principles. The red sun’s radiance dissipated into a soft, steady glow, supplanted by the steadier radiance of the blue sun. My eyes grew heavy, but I forced myself to continue — there was still so much to learn, and so little time remained.
“Master,” Azure interrupted my reading sometime later, “you need to rest. Dawn will break soon, and these texts indicate that the first day of training will be extremely taxing.”
I looked down at the pile of books I had only begun to read. “How long was I reading?”
“Approximately six hours. The red sun has now set, and the blue sun will soon rise.”
I massaged my weary eyes, sensing the weariness of the day beginning to manifest.
“Can you add these books into your database while I sleep? We might need to look over them again.”
“I will thoroughly analyze and catalog them,” Azure replied.
“Okay, I will take some rest then,” I sighed, making my way to the small bed. “Wake me before dawn?”
“Of course, Master.”
I lay down upon the thin mattress, not bothering to remove my new robes. They were uncomfortable, but I was too fatigued to worry about it.
Even as exhaustion pulled at me, my thoughts refused to stop roaming throughout everything we had learned. The Skybound system was intriguing — more restricted than cultivation in some respects, but with several advantageous characteristics we might be able to exploit. If we could successfully create a Fundamental Rune within my inner world…
“Rest,” Azure cut through my jumbled thoughts. “You can speculate about breaking their system tomorrow.”
I closed my eyes, recognizing that he was right.
But as sleep finally began to assert itself, one final thought drifted through my mind:
"I really hope Elder Molric isn't the 'experiments on his students' type of unorthodox master..."
if you want THREE chapters daily, we're already 33 chapters ahead of RR!