The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

"I've always challenged how the Blue Ocean Pavilion had been organized, but suddenly changing the traditions would rile up all the previous and current members," Remulus formed a bubble around them and flew out of the balcony, dragging Oscar and Avril along for the ride. "First and foremost, I have always been an educator. Minor Hall, Outer Hall, Inner Hall, Legacy Hall–" he clicked his tongue in clear disapproval of the Pavilion's halls, "too many divisions, a backward method that turned most into brutes."

The Ein surged, and the bubble hovered above the palace, bouncing between the stone spires that pierced deep into the clouds. Below, people, young Exalts, crowded to and from the coarse stairways leading toward the entrance. Several guards stood and watched, their visors shifting as they focused on each passing student like a hawk regarding its prey. Upon a closer look, distinct badges of varying colors decorated the chest of their gray uniforms, going from white to silver to gold and black.

"Black represents the fabricator students. White represents the alchemists. Silver represents those who would have talents in administration and governance, the scholars. Gold represents the fighters, the protectors. To achieve unity, each dorm room holds four people, one from each group, and I have set trials for the groups." Remulus rubbed his beardless chin, satisfaction in his deep smile at the students below. He was a true educator. That was immensely clear. "This is the general learning palace for all students to learn the basics. Most of the teachers spend their time here, including me."

"And the other three?" Oscar asked, entertaining the old Exalt, who behaved like a child, excited at showing off their toys. Who was the older one here?

Remulus pushed off the air, launching the bubble toward the second palace where only gold badge students gathered. Oddly, the palace had several domed roofs, dozens bulging outward, and from inside, cheers and roars resounded, faint chaotic Ein shattering like broken glass. All this could be felt from within. Abruptly, some of the domes fell silent, and then louder cheers and applause erupted, signaling the end of a battle and heralding a new victor. Remulus explained, "This palace is for the gold students to hone their powers in the art of battle. They will be your warriors for the upcoming Fallen Heaven and protectors during the Great Scouring. Next!"

He brought them to the third palace. Oddly, it seemed similar to the ruined city of Orbis. Stone towers formed a foundation, and more towers were stacked on top, with great stairs spiraling around to provide entrance to all levels and towers. Here, students bearing the silver badges, mainly carrying scrolls and books in their arms, forming a tower of their own. Oscar answered for Remulus, "For all the scholars?"

"Indeed. What's special about this palace is that it accepts normal people, not necessarily Exalts. The mind is a brilliant tool in which ordinary folk can surpass Exalts." Remulus slowed his descent, entering the balcony of the last palace. Inside the room filled with statues, a small fountain, and velvet red carpets, an older woman, middle-aged yet exuding elegance and attractive maturity, paused her hand and lifted her gaze, slowly widening her eyes. Helen Alkemar, the former Branch Head of Convecia City.

"You two sure took a long while. I was beginning to believe you had all forgotten." Helen seemed surprised to see them, her blue eyes gentle and smile warm. She came closer and hugged Avril. "I heard you took over as Branch Head, a fine choice by the guild, and you…." She made a face, frowning as her brow struggled not to furrow but looked worse from the dense creases writhing. "Your legs. Can no elixir heal them?"

Oscar felt a sharp jab from a long needle and yelped, Helen's motion swift and fluid. He didn't realize she had done so until after the needle already pierced his thigh, though his guard was also down in friendly company. She studied his face before shaking her head and mumbling incoherent ramblings until she raised her voice. "From your reaction, the pain is evident, but I struck a nerve that should have moved your leg. Avril, have you not tried to heal him?"

Seeing her stare at Avril in reproach, Oscar clenched on the armrest, breaking it again. Gaining their attention, he said, "Don't blame her. It's all my fault. Her elixirs are perfect. The problem is me."

Before Helen could respond, the door burst open and slammed into the wall, cracks spreading on the weaker door. Hector, his face covered in soot, swaggered his way in, his scruffy beard as scruffy as always. His beady eyes snapped wider as he trotted to Oscar, circling around the wheelchair, brushing aside Avril and Helen, his rage turning into a snarl. "What the hell happened to you, boy? How are you gonna craft any armaments while stuck in that chair? Who did this? I'll kill them!" He wagged his hammer around.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

His rough, boisterous shout and declaration quaked the room, his Ein blazing like hot flames. Helen cursed and spread out a sudden frost to quell the rising heat, pulling on Hector's scruffy beard and berating him for causing another ruckus. Oscar was grateful for Hector's harsh yet caring words. Even after so long, Hector's unusual care for him and Avril was warm and comforting like always. Freed from Helen's grasp, Hector wiped his face, the handkerchief turning from white to black, and tried to return it, but Helen rejected it in disgust. Shouting at each other, Hector roared, "I only wish to know what happened to him! I have the right and a hammer to crush into their skulls!"

After a few minutes, Oscar managed to calm Hector down, and he blasted off, grumbling about how he couldn't bash in Oscar's skull for hurting himself. Helen sighed and apologized for their rudeness and chased after Hector. Remulus laughed and brought them away. "They're quite famous as the bickering couple. The last palace mixes alchemists and fabricators in one building. I'm sick of that crap on separating the two."

For the final part of the tour, Remulus lifted them over the mountain and showed them to a house built into the slope. Oscar found it odd. The house's interior was exactly the same as their home in the Beak of Ra, not a wooden tile out of place. Avril sprang into action and took out the furniture from her space pocket, aligning them in the same positions before Remulus could speak. The Pavilion Master sighed and chuckled helplessly. "Yes, it is your home, a replica. A forest is growing near the ground, perfect for Avril to train, and a metal ore lies inside the mountain, a good spot for your training."

"Thank you, Master." Avril cheered, clearly excited and relieved to find the home the same as the one they left behind, her thoughts not escaping his understanding. Remulus departed, giving one final nod, returning to his palace. Avril whistled and took out several pots and pans, already chopping vegetables and mixing spices. He admired her from the side, grinning and bobbing his head to her tune, feeling at peace. But he remembered someone else was waiting for him.

"I have to go meet someone." Oscar grimaced.

"Is it important? She will be done cooking quickly, confident in her growing skill." Putting down the knife, Avril stepped over and crouched near him, eyes round and clear as if they saw through him. "Why must you meet someone who makes you put on such a face? Don't go then."

"I wish. But it's for us. Do you want to come with me?" Oscar held out his hand.

"No, I'll be here, waiting for you. But don't come back too late." Avril flicked his forehead and waltzed back to resume preparing the ingredients.

Oscar wheeled outside and stopped, the fresh air filling his lungs, nice and cool. High above the city, he glanced over and watched countless students and teachers, bells ringing in the distance like chimes on a clock. They radiated hope and freedom, eagerness and passion. He recalled several others, black flashes of horrid scenes rushing to the forefront of his mind. Not wasting a second, he opened a vial and downed the elixir. The pain numbed but still lingered.

"Afraid?" A faint sigh echoed in his ears but not in the outside world, undisturbed by the forceful voice. Suddenly, Oscar soared upward, controlled by another. Reaching the top, he landed gently on the flat plateau and wheeled to the edge where Carcoatl sat, watching over the Lunate continent, a crescent-shaped land stretching across the horizon. Carcoatl coughed and wheezed, and as Oscar drew closer, he unveiled his hood, revealing his head for the first time, eyes blocked by scarred and rotten flesh, the head looking as if melting slowly, and chin exposed to the bone. But a great, black smile rose, and the Snail Primaere laughed, sounding like a broken bagpipe. "I've long waited to meet the real you. Tell me, Oscar, how was Isaac?"

"Gol-4? It was a golem, but I call him brother and friend." Oscar talked at length about their journey in Ashen Grove, the many tales told by the golem, and the many times they struggled together. Carcoatl laughed along with him. A somber mood fell on him, drooping his shoulders low. He wished he had him by his side, the ever-goofy companion who provided insight and camaraderie. "I wish I could see him one last time."

"Isaac was a good man and an even better Exalt than most. Many feared him, admired him, and befriended him. Ultimately, the fear won, and I could only watch his wings be torn and cast down into the earth." Carcoatl groaned, his voice weakening. "I know your pain, child. I lost him, too."

The silence dragged on, and Carcoatl spoke no further, fiddling with his tattered sleeves, his pus-ridden fingers leaking on the cloth. Oscar leaned back and stared into the deep, blue sky, the clouds lazily floating by. "Why am I here?"

"Fallen Heaven will be ready. The call strengthens, and soon you will hear it. I believe it will be several decades before it summons you all. But a question remains." Carcaotl spoke in his gargled speech. "I know you will become a Greater Marshal Exalt, but I fear for your heart."

"My heart? My heart, is it?" Oscar clenched his legs.

"Is it fear that stalls your legs? Is it fear in how you view this city?" Carcoatl gestured at the sprawl of buildings and palaces. "What is it you fear? What is holding you back?"

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