Chapter 679


    Dead. Nurcan was dead. And worse, Annelie had been right. They <em>had</em> been impatient. Foolish. She didnt trust that these other systems would have actually shared information about Assimtion, but at least they should have waited longer. They clearly hadnt gathered enough information before they struck, since calling upon Otakar wasnt supposed to have been necessary.


    But regrets were for the living. And now Nurcan was dead. Soon, her consciousness would fade and she would stop having regrets. Regrets about not being stronger. Regrets about being too slow and too fast all at once.


    Any moment now, and her thoughts would cease entirely. Wouldnt they?


    No. That might not be true. Certainly, that was the case for the vast majority of individuals, but she was a special case. Or rather, the Twin Soul Sect was. Her soul was eternally marked with their filth. The power it had provided her was desirable, but shed tried to not consider the other implications.


    It wasnt so bad, to reincarnate with memories. But she didnt know if she could still expect to be around Ekict, or even in the right time frame. So she had regret.


    Was she moving? She had the vague feeling she was moving, even if her sense of time was all out of whack and her understanding of space was basically nonexistent. Yes, she was definitely moving. It was almost like falling, something pulling her towards it.


    Wait, was that? Of course it was. She was going to the upper realms. But to live again, even if she despised them, perhaps it would be worth it. And she could hide her feelings as long as necessary.


    Then she was yanked to a halt. She thought she would find herself in a body. Presumably that of a newborn, but detailed information on the Twin Soul Sect was hard to find even with ess to those from the upper realms.


    But she was not in a body. She was still a soul, but unable to move. These markings said a voice. I dont recognize them.


    Oh no.


    Theyre old, said another voice. I remember the system though. Ekict, I think they called themselves. Gave us quite a bit of trouble. Didnt think we had any more there. A vague sense of something walking into her vision- but without eyes or a source of proper energy, she couldnt really see. Hello there, good to see you. Time to report in.


    Ah, yes. Of course. What should she say? She felt a sort of <em>tugging</em>.


    What are you doing? Report!


    She would make up something believable. Starting with The system of Ekict-


    Not like that! What are they even teaching- no, wait. Youre Integration. Dont tell me you forgot the technique? A pause. Oh, this is <em>interesting</em>. Look at this.


    What am I seeing, grandmaster?


    This soul isnt one of ours. But it has our cultivation. Fascinating. You have much to tell us.


    Of course I-


    None of that now. We dont need you to <em>talk</em>. We have better ways of extracting information. And since youre not really one of us, we dont have to apologize for how much it will hurt. Come then. Tell us everything.


    In herst moments of consciousness, Nurcan had thought death was the worst thing that could happen to her. But now, she realized how much worse things could be.


    -----


    At some point, it became impossible for Anishka to continue stirring up discontent among the lesser cultivators without getting aboard a ship. So now she was trapped on a galleon or some sort ofrge sailing vessel. There were easily a couple hundred of them packed into the thing, but more than just being a transport ship it was brimming with weapons. Enchanted ballistae and energy cannons were certainly rtively primitivepared to what she was used to, but at some point it became less about efficiency and more about the absolute quantity of power something could put out at any point. In that, at least, they were reasonably matched.


    There werent a lot of private ces to meet on such a ship. Normal quarters were jam packed, so unless she wanted to be overheard by ten sets of bunks she couldnt do much there. That left only ces such as the cargo hold, which were off limits most of the time. Hardly optimal circumstances to stir up passionate resistance, unless she could guarantee <em>everyone</em> within sensory range would be on board with her intent. A good majority of people were, but that wasnt enough.


    It would be so much easier if she could just hide out with Patka, Celina, and the rest. But then nothing would get done. So Anishka found whatever excuses she could, helping around the kitchens and anything else that would get her officially sent around the ship. If she were truly alone, she didnt know if she would have been able to remain calm among so many unknown people who were technically enemies. But she always had the Sergeant and most of the other void ants with her. The Royal Guard were the exception, not because they didnt want to be but because they were too bulky. The Sergeant could hide in Anishkas sleeve with the rest of the squad and not disturb a single wrinkle- but the Royal Guard were significantlyrger. They could be detected visually or by the void they left behind, and around hundreds of cultivators who were at least <em>casually</em> sensing each other at all times, it was too risky. So they had found their own nooks and crannies to hide in.


    Right now she was on her way into the hold to pull out another bundle of vegetables. The easiest way to lose an army was to fail to feed them, even when gearing up for missions like they currently were. They were patrolling, and based on how they had suddenly changed directions it was likely they were heading towards something. An attack from the Trifold Alliance, most likely. Anishka hoped she could do something before they arrived.


    Hey, arge gruff man blocked Anishkas path as she came to thest intersection before the stairs down, A weak woman like yourself should be careful about where she goes.


    Instantly, Anishkas energy red. Im not as weak as you think. Sure, she was only early Essence Collection. The little time shed had hadnt let her grow much stronger.


    Grug,e on, therge and generally rotund man was shoved halfway to the side as a tall and slim individual came into view, We talked about this. Youre supposed to say, Hello fellow cultivator. The world is quite dangerous for those of us below the top, is it not?


    Didnt I say that? therger man looked at the dark skinned figure. I thought I said that, Ufoma.


    You got it barely half right, Ufoma replied, turning towards Anishka. Sorry about that. The whole ambushing thing and the wording. But its hard to catch people alone. Im sure you know how the powerful sects have been making all of the decisions on their own, forcing us lesser sects around?


    I do, Anishka said, not quite rxing- though she was encouraged by the restrained energy of the two individuals. If they <em>wanted</em> to attack, she would be ready first. What of it?


    They takemand only by the right of the strong but do they really have that? Are they strong,pared to the enemies they have brought upon us?


    The spear guy here isnt that strong, Grug said. We can smash him together.


    Grug. You didnt let me finish the second half of the exnation.


    Its easier just to say it.


    Right, Ufoma sighed, What Grug is saying is that the representative of the Gates of the Earth here can easily be reced, should a determined group of individuals work together.


    Huh. Was this apletely independent mutiny, or had her own call to action spread to the point that people were preaching it to <em>her</em>? It didnt really matter, she supposed- as long as everyone worked together, instead of against each other. I think I understand what you are saying, Anishka said. But I also know that we must remain subtle.


    Subtle about what? came another voice. Anishka shivered as a formerly unsensed individual stepped out from the stairway. Is there something you would hide from me?


    This was a disaster. Anishka held her position, but Grug and Ufoma couldnt help but leap back down their crossing corridor. This was the spear guy in question. Haimo of the Gates of the Earth, a peak Life Transformation cultivator in charge of their vessel.


    We were just proposing an arrangement where we look out for each other on the battlefield, Ufoma lied smoothly. I know were supposed to stick to our own squads, but can you me me for trying?


    Anishka kept her face nk and icy. She wanted to support the lie, but she couldnt think quickly enough to manage it. Her thoughts were shattered a momentter regardless.


    I thought we were talking about killing this spear guy and taking control of our lives? Grug said. You told me thats what we were doing.


    Well. This was it. They were dead. Unless they somehow acted fast enough to take Haimo out instantly, the three of them stood no chance. It only took an instant for Haimo to begin rousing his energy- and though Anishka was a step ahead, her spear of ice simply shattered on his chest. His defensive energy was already in ce, and even if it was a more casual amount it was enough to stand up against her.


    She felt it, lightning coursing in and around him. It didnt matter his weapon was not present- he could take out the three of them easily. Or if he was in terribly poor form, hed have to wait for reinforcements. Everyone on the ship would notice thebat.


    Foolish, Haimo said. You think you can- his face suddenly contorted, and his legs copsed from under him, dropping him to one knee. But that didnt stop him from radiating lighting in all directions- in fact, it seemed fully intentional that he sted everything within three meters of him.


    Anishka and the other two leapt away, to various levels of sess. There wasnt a lot of room to move here, and Grug took up most of the hall. She felt him copse to the ground. She and Ufoma managed to get further, but there was an immediate issue. The lightning around Haimo created sparks that had already caught the area on fire as it coursed through the wood- despite the precautions taken to prevent such a thing on cultivator ships. He might kill them even without targeting them- but when he got over his sudden shock he could probably take each of them out one at a time.


    But Anishka wasnt willing to just give up, especially not when she sensed the tiny mandibles of the Sergeant were at y here. She didnt see anything on the mans neck, but that wasnt the only vital point of the body. Perhaps a tendon in his leg? No, too big. Then again, everything was big for the ants.


    Just the heat emanating from the area was enough to give Anishka pause. But this man wasnt a fire cultivator- so her instincts were to take control of those mes. She targeted his head and upper body, concentrating the heat towards him and away from the rest of the ship, creating a barrier of cold.


    Ufoma shouted something she couldnt quite understand, or perhaps something that wasnt really a word. Instead, the sound was akin to a hammer striking down upon Haimo, just beginning to get a handle on the other two attacks currently in progress. Anishka felt the mans defensive energy split between upper and lower body, while also sensing a trickle of blood squeezing out of the mans armor around his inner thigh. Hopefully the work of void ants.


    It would have been nice if a Life Transformation cultivator was so easy to kill, but he brought himself fully to his feet and gathered himself properly. How annoying. Now that I think of it, I have seen your face, havent I? the man frowned at Anishka. She had changed her hairstyle and used simple non-energy techniques to disguise herself- precisely because energy techniques would be more obvious. But obviously she wasnt perfect either. They just need to be able to recognize you for the reward. Lightning crackled and spun around his arm, which he immediately stabbed towards her torso. The lightning itself was a spear, but wide enough that it filled the whole hallway. Anishka couldnt dodge it.


    She certainly didnt expected the fallen Grug to leap up and shove his way around the corner directly into the attack, but he did- and the two of them were flung backwards. Her energy had mostly protected her from the first moments of the attack, and the force of the blow turning into momentum backwards was actually for the best. She did m into a wall eventually, but she had some time to minimize her momentum.


    Grug, meanwhile, simply flopped about without intention. No, perhaps he couldnt do anything. Hey face down on the ground. Grug-


    He raised a hand, then pushed himself up. Dont worry. Im a tree cultivator. His friend Ufoma would have had something to say about that- both about it being unhelpful and doubtful information- but in pitchedbat he was quite upied.


    It had only been a handful of seconds, but the whole ship was alert, converging on their location. Haimo was knocked to the side as he attempted to repeat his attack, Ufoma pushing him down the side corridor with another sonic attack. Then Ufoma danced through the remaining mes towards them. Grug, help!


    Anishka wondered how she ever saw the man as threatening. He was more like a ball than a person, almost rolling forward down the hallway. Actually, he hadnt been <em>that</em> round before, had he? What happened?


    She wasnt quite sure. Ufoma leapt over Grug as Haimo came back around the corner, standing unsteadily with his legs spread apart, mming one fist into his inner thighs. Anishka waspletely certain that the Sergeant was there and she couldnt stand to drag things on. There was only so much she could do at a distance, but she pulled heat from one side to the other, trying to freeze the area around his right knee while burning his chest, or something like that.


    But even in his condition he was still a Life Transformation cultivator, countering with another bolt of lighting as he charged down the hallway. No, instead ofunching it as an attack, he <em>became</em> the attack. The man himself became lightning, striking Grug directly and tearing into his belly. Except instead of piercing through the man, he seemed to slow. And then he went directly upward, half of his body sticking through the fortified deck. The crash was deafening, but the sudden cessation of energy from the man and following silence said even more.