Chapter 598


    Eight towers stood tall in a ring. It was ironic, because the Harmonious Citadel traditionally had seven styles. Bow, sword, spear, axe, dagger, morningstar, and shield covered a wide range of cultivation but just weapons. When one among their ranks gained great power of light, they couldnt help but support him. Apparently theyd finished the mans fancy, extra big tower. It made the whole ce seem lopsided.


    Everheart wondered if it would look better after he took down the Spear Saints tower. It wasnt directly across, so probably not but that was the Harmonious Citadels issue to deal with.


    A lot of expense had gone into building the structures, both for defenses and energy gathering formations for training. And of course there were the luxuries. Everheart understood why people would want such things he just didnt get how they could focus on them so much as to miss out on other important features.


    But he wouldnt mind having heated baths filled by fountains. He wondered if he could steal it. The tower, of course.


    Admiring the work? a nearby spear disciple asked. The invincible Spear Saint is one of the strongest pirs of the Harmonious Citadel.


    Invincible? Yeah right. Even now hes at best half as strong as the previous one.


    Previous?


    Oh yeah, there have been loads of saints. You think they never die, with how many enemies are made here? Everheart grinned. Thest one was an amazing woman, and her sister nearly as strong. It took five of the other saints to take em out, and only because I- I heard they were missing a critical ally at that moment. That guyter came to seek revenge and destroyed the usurpers spear.


    The disciples shook his head, Now I <em>know</em> youre making things up. The holy spear has been in the hands of the Spear Saint for millennia, its design unchanged and unbreaking. I have felt it myself, and it is far too powerful to be easily reced.


    Yeah, the spear that was destroyed was also not so easily reced, Everheart nodded.


    He decided that it would be too much work to steal the whole tower. He had better things to do than set up aplicated exercise like that, which would also require getting everyone out of the tower. So hed just n how he wanted it to fall. Towards one of the adjacent towers, or to the still-covered statues, breaking through their vandalism shield? Choices, choices. Now that he thought about it, there was someone he should probably get in on this.


    -----


    The Ukast was a frozen wastnd with nothing to offer. Everything frozen there could be more easily peeled from a gas giant without having to freeze anyones butts off. But Vari was there anyway, following a stupid mysterious message.


    If you would like to learn more about your mother,e to Ukast. Alone.


    It was a stupid message becauses werent good meeting locations. It didnt say anything even as useful as the north pole or even vague like the equator. Just Ukast. And she was stupid for listening to the message at all, and even more foring alone.


    She didnt even know where the message hade from or what time frame she was supposed to be here. Shed shown up as soon as possible, and it was only after a day on that she really thought about anything.


    Her more reasonable minds thought that it was a trap- if a clumsy one- was justified when an arrow flew towards her through the swirling snow, cutting a trail with its shockwave. She raised her arm, solidifying a barrier like a shield and deflecting the arrow. Powerful. But she couldnt trace the attack to its source. There was no immediate follow-up, either.


    The dagger came at the back of her neck, and she knew shed been found out. Why did she even make friends if she didnt bring them? Her hand just barely managed to p the wrist away as she spun, automatically performing one of the counters in Citadels Downfall.


    The snows made it possible to track her opponents, and somehow her energy senses couldnt find anything but snow and ice.


    A spear attempted to pierce her guts, and Vari kicked upwards, spawning a trail of fire as she did so. They were mainly suited to <em>resist</em> fire, but shed learned to activate some of the element as they were suited and she had a few sources to learn from.


    Even as she began to melt away the snow around her, a sword tried to chop her in half at the waist. Her gauntleted hands pped down on either side of the de in a counter inspired by but not actually part of Citadels Downfall. Surprisingly, instead of attempting to wrest their weapon free that opponent simply let go.


    That was around the time Vari realized there was but one enemy, well versed in every style of the Harmonious Citadel.


    The world around her began to unravel beneath the power of an axe, but it was a simple vertical chop. She could dance around it and throw out a counter, punching towards an unseen midsection. Her fist met the metal of a shield and she was thrown backwards.


    The spiked morningstar came for her as she was still on her back, and she kicked it upward and away. She managed to spin to her feet and tried to predict which weapon woulde next, drawing upon all her knowledge of Citadels Downfall. Her hand thrust out, seeking something to grab onto. She sped around something while at the same time a hand closed around her own wrist.


    Cross-body punches connected between them, and Vari felt her bones shatter. Her opponent wasnt just a little bit stronger than her. They was <em>so</em> much more. Probably toying with her the whole time. And then pulling out a grapple and punch? The Harmonious Citadel spurned those simply because they did not fit the image they had cultivated.


    Dammit, who <em>are</em> you? Vari cursed towards the unseen figure who had not let go of her arm. She was melting falling kes as they approached her, but it wasnt enough.


    Who am I? A masculine voice came in return. You already know that, dont you?


    ... I really dont, Vari said.


    ... Wait did I forget to put my name on the note?


    You didnt put <em>anything</em> on the note! Vari said. Just this whole stupid! She was trying to maneuver the man to where she could see him, but she couldnt pull him closer nor could she step towards him with how he was holding her arm.


    Cant you guess at least? You should have heard of me.


    I dont know. The mysterious saint of light?


    Wow. Rude. You think Im one of <em>them</em>?


    Youve only been using the Harmonious Citadels weapon techniques!


    That was to make sure youd been practicing Citadels Downfall, the man countered. Obviously if I were serious I would have used something better.


    How is that obvious? I dont even know you!


    Oh yeah? The figure finally came into view, a bearded man with salt and pepper throughout his beard and hair. What about now?


    ... No?


    Huh. I could have sworn I used this depictionmonly, he muttered. Well, whatever. Im Everheart.


    Hah. Vari deted, Nice try, but I know hes bald.


    Which bastard told you that, huh? the man narrowed his eyes. Ill kill him.


    This is news from the lower realms. The world he was born on, in fact, Vari said. But I suppose an imposter wouldnt know which one that is.


    It was Anton, wasnt it? That traitor. Vari did her best to not react to that, but she wasnt a very good liar. Fortunately, the man didnt seem to care. Well, fine. The man suddenly changed, from the way his hand gripped her wrist- still strongly, but now with thinner fingers. And his hair faded away. Anyway, I really am Everheart. Your uncle. Kinda.


    What.


    -----


    Feeling the soft yet durable fur ahead of him, Chidi made his way over the rough stone and past the scratchy grass to his best wolf friend. Someday well get you a name, buddy. The wolf barked once in response. Im finally allowed to cultivate. Its really hard, actually, Chidi sighed. Everything aches. Ive been working most of the day and I keep having to switch to new tasks any time Im getting used to something. You dont have to train hard, do you? You just grow big and strong naturally.


    An offended bark was followed by a tackle. Chidi felt the distance between them close but couldnt react when he was shoved onto his back. Sharpness tore towards his neck. Then stopped.


    Sorry, I didnt mean to be rude. Im sure you work hard in different ways. The jaws withdrew and the sharpness faded away as the wolfs mouth closed. A wet nose poked Chidis hand. Then again, harder. I uh what do you want?


    Sharp teeth pressed gently against his skin, sping his hand as the wolfs head shook back and forth.


    Oh, you want to wrestle? Im kind of tired, but alright. I guess I can ruin a whole <em>other</em> set of muscles.


    Chidis first move was to kick his knee into his friends belly. He wasnt gentle about it either- at least not by human standards. By the lupines standards, anything that didnt draw blood was fair game.


    The wolf flipped over backwards, and Chidi navigated how he charged by feeling the sharp ws digging into the loose dirt, as well as the intent of energy flowing through the body.


    Ten minutester, Chidi was lying on his back once more, groaning. Alright, arlight, you win. Im already tired anyway. Not that it would have made any difference. So you train by sparring with your siblings? An affirming growl, but Chidi detected there was something more. I heard that realbat is the best for growth. Do you actually fight things? Chidi knew the former location of the Gardens still had many beasts, and it wasnt that far- though there was a wall keeping beasts away from civilized areas.


    Another growl. Affirmative again.


    I think Im beginning to understand you, Chidi said. Is it weird for me to use words? Should I growl back instead? Chidi attempted to replicate some of the sounds.


    He hadnt known that the wolves couldugh, but the sound that followed was <em>definitely</em> that, and came with a lot of fur rubbing against dirt as his pal rolled around. So maybe he didnt sound quite right. But that was fine.


    -----


    So, Catarina said, What material would be best for this ascender catching?


    Im not sure, Engineer Uzun admitted. Wed have to try dozens ofbinations to narrow down the desired properties


    Yeah, thats no good. You get three material attempts, tops. This is already an expensive project, and we cant afford to dismantle and rece it. Catarina shook her head. What about power sources?


    Well, it would be optimal to have this orbit around the sun. Youd never have to worry about power. The only problem is it would be kinda exposed. And I suppose the gravity might interfere with the transfer.


    Lets set that aside for the scenario where weve expanded enough to build a second one, Catarina said. Weve got an area with high volcanic activity, but since we took over it hasnt been consistent.


    That might do it, Uzun nodded, Or we could attempt a nuclear generator.


    Dont those explode?


    Only if you do it wrong. Youve never had any of your energy generation or storage blow up?


    Alright, Catarina nodded. Fair.


    And the radiation is easily shielded from by lead, which is basically free.


    Yeah, we could bring an entire lead asteroid over if we ran out.


    To increase efficiency, I would suggest using high conductivity elements like silver. The whole formation is losing at least ten percent of its energy to waste. It might not sound like much, but you could extend the effective duration another month without needing to add energy storage. Its easy to mine from asteroids as well. Weve got scanners if you dont want to send people to manually take a look.


    Catarina nodded, That sounds good, but the increased flow would actually throw off otherponents. Wed have to ount for that. But I appreciate your knowledge of mundane materials.


    Once we getputers operating, Uzun added, We can monitor and regte the flow. It wouldnt require a cultivator to handle it, and it might even be more efficient than manual operation.


    Im not sure about <em>that</em>, Catarina said.


    Well okay, you might be an exception. But I can guarantee it would be better than the vast majority of trained individuals if properly programmed.


    And that will take?


    Decades, probably, Uzun sighed. If were lucky.


    So not long at all then. Im d we brought you in, Catarina grinned.