Book 5, chapter 10

After the hectic scramble of combat class, Zee returned to her current residence. Only four others besides herself and Allison had made it back with their black flags. Somehow, Hespa even managed it, though that was probably thanks mostly to the competence of his lackeys. 

Entering her room, she tossed her sweat soaked uniform in the corner and had a quick bath. The other uniform from the day before was gone. It had been cleaned and hung in the closet. Bastion had probably washed it for her. She would need to thank him later. Dawning a formal uniform, and quickly brushing out her wet and tangled red hair, she rushed off to her next class.

Aura manipulation class was busy, but also monotonous. It was mostly just lectures for now, with no practical training yet. Advanced ritual theory was next. Master Garg's monotone voice was incredibly mind numbing and threatened to put her to sleep more than once. 

Thankfully, Yukna was there to elbow her awake. Spatial manipulation class came last. After the first day, she sat in the very back next to Elvot Denma, and kept her mouth shut. She was determined to not cause a spectacle this time.

Anton seemed more than happy with her silence, lecturing on the fundamental laws of reality. It was a subject that made her brain hurt to think about, but it was necessary to learn. Thankfully, the allotted four hours for the class was coming to an end.

Antons' concise voice echoed around the classroom. "The core aspects of space are often times unstable. Reality is always in a state of flux, which, for us as spatial cultivators, means that we have to smooth it out. If we are not careful, like the example Viotti gave us yesterday, we can destabilize space in the area.

The most common example that may cause this phenomenon, is opening a brute force gate. Brute force gates will cause ripples in the fabric of reality, which will make opening another gate nearly impossible," Anton said.

The dodecahedron floating next to him flicker, and the image of a fizzling gate vanished.

Anton glanced around at the students, most of which were attentively taking notes. "Alright class, that's enough for today. On your way out, grab one of these textbooks. Read the first hundred pages tonight. We will pick up from there tomorrow," Anton said, patting a pile of books that had miraculously appeared on the edge of the lectern.

Zee waited for the others to grab their book first, before getting her own. It was a thick book with a well worn leather cover that was surprisingly thick. Anton didn't acknowledge her as she walked out, which was a relief. Going unnoticed was probably for the best.

After attending four classes, most of the day was gone by now. The hours had passed in a blur of lectures. Now, it was time to go visit her great grandpa Farsiac. Avatar of Dominion was ready, and had been for a few hours now. She was excited, but still, Zee waited until she was back at her mansion to use the hidden feature of the obsidian token.

Even though it was dark out, Bastion wasn't home yet, so she took a seat on the edge of the bed. She had intended on telling him what she was up to, but lost patience and channeled energy into the toke. 

The artifact hummed to life as her energy entered it. There was a sharp surge of power, and space twisted around her. It was a seamless transition. One moment she was sitting on her bed in her room, and the next she was in the hidden gardens next to a tall fruit tree.

She was now sitting on a carved wooden bench, with the tree rustling overhead, and the smells of the earthy garden filling her nose.

Standing up, she looked around. A few feet from the thirty foot tall tree, she was in the center of what looked to be a spiral pattern of cobbled pathways. 

Laid out in neat rows were the spiritual herbs that always seemed to flourish in the gardens. Noone was in the garden when she appeared, but she had doubts he was aware of her arrival.

Zee knew better than to wander through the dangerous garden, and retook a seat on the bench. The tree swayed above her, and the stars glistened between the leaves above the open courtyard. It was a pleasant wait, with the quiet rustle of branches in the wind, and the fragrant smell of blossoming flowers. She didn't have to wait long, ten minutes at most before a wizened old man walked out of a side corridor. 

Striding with purpose, he walked along the cobbled path towards her. He looked frail and old, but he held himself with a refined heir. His immaculate robes swayed around him as he walked, his wheat shoulder length black hair tied up in a bun. As he approached, Zee stood. She bowed at the waist in a formal greeting, with one hand on her chest.

"Good evening grandpa," Zee greeted. According to custom, she should not greet him as the emperor unless she wanted to be addressed in that official capacity. Since she was looking for help with her bloodline talent, the wiser course was to address him as family instead.

His eyes glimmered as he studied her. "Good evening granddaughter, what brings you here so late," he asked curiously.

Zee took a deep breath of the pollen filled air. "I have awakened the Avatar of Dominion and wanted your guidance," Zee said.

 Farsaic nodded slightly, his cunning gaze boring into hers. The look of calculation in his eyes made her hair stand on end. Zee suddenly had her doubts about coming here. 

 Finally, after a long pause, he replied. "Do you know which aspect of dominion you have inherited," Farsaic asked.

Zee shook her head, "I have no idea,"

"Activate the bloodline talent and we will see which aspect of the Avatar of Dominion you have," Farsaic said, his expression decidedly neutral.

She had come here for this very thing, but that didn't mean she was any less worried by his look of calculation. Calming her racing heart with a few deep breaths, she reached inward. The vortex at the back of her neck was full to bursting and heeded her call.

The dark garden was suddenly awash in dark hues as a swirling orb of blue flames formed above her head. It was only the size of her head, but it grew rapidly. Waves of pressure radiated from the ball of crackling flames, drowning the gardens in its domineering glow.

Nearby, the herbs withered away and died, robbed of spirituality by the oppressive orb. The tree behind her creaked and groaned, its branches cracking loudly under the pressure of the domain.

It wasn't hot at all, but that didn't make it any less terrifying. With each passing second, the domineering sun grew as it dragged in more of the spiritual essence around her. It was an incredibly potent domain skill, creating huge pressure, and drawing the life from everything around her.

Zee was mortified at the damage it was causing to the rare herbs, but Farsaic had the opposite reaction.

 He looked thrilled. "Would you kindly stop destroying my garden," Farsaic asked.

She focused and cut off the flow of energy from the bloodline talent. The growing blue sun sputtered, and exploded in a whoosh of flames that dissipated into the air. 

"The aspect of decay, how interesting," Farsaic said, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

Zee glanced around at all the decimated spiritual herbs that her bloodline talent had sucked the life from. "Sorry about that, grandpa," Zee grimaced.

"Don't worry about it, it was just some herbs, not a big deal," Farsaic replied, waving a hand dismissively.

They were very valuable, and hard to get herbs, but he was the emperor, so it probably wasn't a big deal. Farsaic stroked his chin, looking at the damage she caused with a thoughtful expression. 

"That was an impressive display. I don't think I have ever seen the avatar express itself as a sun before," Farsaic said.

Zee cocked her head. "It doesn't look the same for you," Zee asked.

He shook his head," No, my avatar is a six armed statue that towers into the sky. It radiates decay, but not the same as yours. Mine decays anything physical while yours appears to decay the spiritual," Farsaic mused.

Zee bit her lip thoughtfully. Holding out her hand, she channeled her spirit echo skill, and dark blue mist enshrouded her hand.

"This is my spirit echo skill. It has a similar effect, though it's not nearly as potent as that sun was," Zee said.

"Fascinating," Farsaics calculating expression returned. "Zee… In six months, I am planning on sending several of my descendants on a little expedition. They are traveling into the turbulent storms that border the cosmic river. We have detected what we suspect must be a key to the eternal throne in those spatial storms," He said.

Zee cocked her head at his not-so-subtle inquiry. "Are you asking me to go with them," Zee asked.

"It should line up perfectly with your end of semester. It will be dangerous, but it will be a good experience for you," Farsaic said.

Zee frowned, not liking the idea. "I think I will have to pass. I already have a key, and do not intend to get another. Plus, I have no desire for anyone to learn I am the granddaughter of the emperor," Zee rejected.

Farsaic didn't look deterred in the slightest. "At least consider it," Farsaic said.

Zee's expression didn't change, her resolve firm. 

Noting her resolve, he decided to add on some incentive. "If you go with them, and acquire one more key to the eternal throne, I will grant you a bloodline treasure that is superior to the magna cherry. It will be more than potent enough to awaken the third and final piece of your bloodline. The third piece of my bloodline is just as potent as the Avatar of Dominion," Farsaic said.

Zee paused. His offer was tempting. After witnessing the power of the Avatar of Dominion, Zee was excited to see what the third talent could be. She wasn't immune to being bribed, but one bloodline treasure wasn't enough to risk the storms at the edge of the cosmic river. The river itself had caused the deaths of countless celestial grade cultivators, and the storms at its edges weren't much tamer.

D grade cultivators would routinely go missing in the shallows while searching for riches, never to return. Considering the danger, Zee was leery about going. But then again, danger brought opportunity, and opportunity brough riches. And if the price was right, Zee might go. 

Adopting her best dissatisfied frown, Zee faced Farsaic. "One bloodline treasure is not enough. If you want me to go, I will need proper supplies like healing pills, protective arrays to survive in the storm, and other necessities. Also, I'll be bringing my team with me, and they will need the same supplies to go into that same danger. Also, each of my team requires a natural treasure equal in value to the one you are giving me," Zee said, offering a hand.

Her demands were frankly outrageous. Six peak quality E grade natural treasures were a tall order. Surprisingly, Farsaic took her hand and shook it without more than a moment's hesitation.

"Done,"

Given his quick agreement, Zee didn't feel good about the exchange. That had been far too easy. She felt like she had been scammed, even though she had gotten an excellent deal. Still clasping his hand, Zee decided to add one more thing.

"Lastly, I want you to pay up before we go, not once we return. My team and I will need the increase in power that those natural treasures can offer if we are going to brave the storms at the edge of the cosmic river," Zee said.

Farsaic nodded and shook her hand again. "Very well, granddaughter. Talk to your team and return with their decisions. Just know that if they accept my gifts, they cannot back out from going into the storms," Farsaic replied.

"What do you want me to tell them? About the mission I mean," Zee asked. 

Farsaic shrugged. "Tell them what you like. Just keep in mind that your words have ramifications. It doesn't bother me if anyone finds out that you are the granddaughter of the emperor. But I will not make that choice for you. People knowing you are my descendent means you will be dragged into imperial politics. If you don't want that, I would suggest you keep our relationship a secret for as long as possible. It will get out eventually since some people already know, but no point in spreading that information quicker," Farsaic said.

Zee nodded, and let out a sigh. "I can't believe you never told me," Zee said.

He rested a bony hand on her shoulder. 

"You know why I didn't tell you. I did it for your own good. It was a favor to your parents and grandparents," Farsaic replied.

"Ya, i know," Zee said, letting out a sigh. 

He smiled. "I am glad you came by,"

"It was good to see you again, gramps," Zee said.

"Please don't call me that, it makes me feel old," Farsaic said.

Zee grinned and started channeling energy into the token around her neck. "But, you are old," Zee said.

She disappeared, leaving Farsaic alone in his garden. He laughed at her parting words. What a cheeky brat.

Zee reappeared back inside her bedroom, in the same spot she had left from. Bastion, who was undressing, leapt back, a look of startlement on his face.

"Holy hell Zee, you scared the shit out of me," Bastion said, glowering at her.

"Sorry about that," Zee said, losing her train of thought as she looked him up and down.

The man's toned athletic body was on full display, with most of his clothes on the floor. All he had on was a pair of white boxer shorts. It was a very eye-catching sight.

Bastion snapped his fingers in a vain attempt to draw her attention away from the scars tracking across his chest.

"Hello, Zee, my eyes are up here," Bastion said, putting his hands on his hips.

"Hmm? What were you saying," Zee asked.

Bastion shook his head. "You really need to stop appearing out of nowhere," Bastion chastised.

"I disagree. You should have seen the look on your face," Zee said.

"Your ability to phase through walls is so unfair," Bastion muttered.

Zee laughed. "I rather like it, though i do wish I would have been a few seconds later," Zee said, eying his boxers.

He rolled his eyes. "You need to get your head out of the gutter. Where were you," Bastion asked curiously.

"Oh, you know, just visiting the emperor and striking a deal," Zee said offhandedly.

He raised an eyebrow. "Now you are just messing with me," Bastion said.

"Nope, I am totally serious," Zee said.

His brows furrowed. "Huh. What kind of deal did you strike," Bastion asked.

"The normal kind. I sort of signed us all up to go into the storms bordering the cosmic river," Zee said.

"Isn't that place incredibly dangerous," Bastion asked.

"Yup, insanely so. But the emperor is sending a bunch of his descendants there in hopes of finding a key to the Eternal throne. I don't think he would send them all to their deaths, so we should be fine," Zee said, starting to unbutton her uniform.

"And you signed us up without asking," Bastion asked.

Zee shrugged. "I saw an opportunity and took it. It's not like you are being forced to come, well not unless you accept the payment the emperor is offering," Zee said. She tugged off her grey uniform coat and started unbuttoning her shirt.

"What kind of payment are you talking about?" Bastion asked, his curiosity piqued.

Zee grinned. "Nothing much. I have bargained so that each of you who come will get a peak quality E grade natural treasure," Zee said.

"Right… That doesn't sound like much now does it," Bastion laughed.

"I knew you would see it from my point of view," Zee said.

Zee walked over and placed a hand on his bare chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Grinning, she pushed him back onto the bed. Bastion laughed, pulling her on top of him.