THEOS

Chapter 34: The Rising Sun

So, how long have you been doing this for? Luke asked him, as they rowed the boat down back to port. A long day of work behind them.

Since I can remember. He replied, his eyes locked firmly in the distance.

You know, If things were different, I would have been a fisherman too.

Well, not me perse, but this body for sure. Id still be sitting behind a desk.

That so? He replied curtly. I could tell that ya knew what you were doing.

Yeah. I spent a lot of time on a boat growing up. They were good times. Luke said wistfully, looking across the surface of the river. Idly tracing the paths of the boats as they too rushed towards the dock.

Is it weird that Im feeling nostalgic about memories that arent mine? I know Im not Max. His soul left this body, and I took it over. His memories are just that, memories. I can barely put the few names I remember to faces. I cant even remember what the Fisherman and his Wife even looked like, beyond them both being old. Being here though, on a boat, It feels right. Like Im at home.

Yer Pop a fisher too?

I dont know. I cant remember him. The man who raised me was.

Mmm. Any man that raises ya, might as well be a father. He grunted. Howd the cultivators find ya? Or did ya find them?

They found me. It was pretty sudden, how it all happened. I never really thought my life would turn out the way it did. I didnt even know any of this was possible.

No one ever does. When I was a boy, some Robes He trailed off, and looked at Luke awkwardly, before correcting himself. Some Cultivators came by, and killed a crocodile that was harassing the town. And what a beast it was too. A hundred feet long, and more than a dozen thick. We were supposed to stay in town, and not disturb them as they worked. But I was a kid, and Id heard stories. I wanted to watch them kill it. He turned to face Luke, and smiled widely with joy. Proudly showing off two rows of yellow teeth.

It was brutal, but boy, was it amazing. They stood a distance away and threw these things that exploded. But that didnt do nothing to it, so they went at it with their swords and spears. Poked it full of so many holes, the ground turned red with its blood. Even that wasnt enough, so they started filling the holes theyd poked in its hide with more of that magic paper. That did it in, all right.

That would The blood didnt scare you?

Why would it? He looked at Luke strangely.

Why do I keep forgetting that this isnt Earth. The people here are used to a harder way of life.

My Pa had me gutting fish and butchering chickens since I was a wee little lad. He chuckled. Watching those Robes made me want to be one of them. Id heard that they held a trial every year, and that anyone could try it, to see if they had the talent. I begged and pleaded for days, so my Pa would let me go. He shook his head fondly.

Did he?

Aye. He did. Gave me his blessing too. He turned away from Luke. The week before I was supposed to leave for the test, he died. They said he got pulled into the river by a monster fish. A buddy of his noticed that he wasnt bringing his boat back round, and when they checked, he wasnt anywhere on it.

Im sorry. Luke said softly. Does that happen often around here?

Aye. Every now and then wed all hear some stories. The Mayor even asked the Robes to look into it, but none of em found nothing. Said theres nothing they can do, and after a month they went back to that mountain of theirs.

Thats not good. Luke supplied lamely. Fighting the urge to peer in the murky depths of the river, and seeing for himself if the monster was under the boat. He had been worried about there being some powerful beast in the water, and having his suspicions confirmed was unnerving.

Its not for a lack of trying, mind you. Whatever it is thats pulling us under, don't stick around, and you lot, have more on your plate than a couple missing fisherman every year.

I suppose thats true. Luke shrugged his shoulders. Wondering how much the fisherman actually knew about cultivators and what they got up to.

I doubt he knows about how we raid tombs, and compete in lethal challenges for the prizes left behind in them by uber powerful Empresses.

Are are ya going to fight it in the Giant Tide? He asked suddenly. I heard some of the Rising Sun folk talk about needing to go to the Capital soon for it.

Does he mean the Gegenees? He has to be unless theres more than one kind of giant terrorizing the island. I hope not.

I am.

Hmm. He grunted softly. I know you lot aren't supposed to mingle with us mortal folk, but why dont ya come around. Let my wife treat ya to some dinner. He looked around the boat appreciatively. You did some good work today. More than I expected.

Well this is unexpected. But I kind of want to. Besides, Luke reasoned to himself, it cant hurt to learn more about the island. Theres no better way than breaking bread with the locals.

Your wife wont mind?

Zoe? Never! Shell be happier than a horse with hay to have a guest eat her food.

Luke drummed his fingers on the oar. If it wont cause any trouble, then Okay. My name is Luke by the way.

Im Al Now Im guessing ya know how to tie a knot? He asked.

Memories of old wrinkled hands, guiding him through the process flashed in his mind.

Yeah, I know.

Good lad.

Have ya been to the town before, or are you like most of em others Robes, er Cultivators, camping outside the walls? He asked him as they lugged his catches for the day towards the market.

Luke lifted an eyebrow at the slip. Is calling cultivators, robes, supposed to offend me or something? Hes been doing it the entire time Ive talked to him.

Camping outside. Im still pretty new to all of this, and I guess they dont trust me to uh talk to you all. I know the rules though. Cant sell you anything, cant tell you how anything works and all that. To be honest. Im not supposed to be talking to you at all. Im a little surprised you havent asked me any questions about how it all works.

I dont need to. He lowered his voice. I already know how.

What?

My son was in the Rising Sun Sect back in the day. I couldnt go because I had to look after my Ma, but I wanted him to have a better life than this. He tilted his head, gesturing towards the filthy streets, and the piles of fly covered fish all along it. Its a good life for a small man like me, but I wanted my son to be great. To be better, to go further.

Wanted, huh. Luke thought to himself somberly.

When he turned fifteen, I pushed him to take their ruddy test, the one I couldnt, and he passed. He told me there was no one who did better than him. Al scratched under his eye. I was so proud. We both were. His mother cooed for days over how handsome he looked in those robes Anyhow, you wait here, Ill be back. The pair stopped in front of a store front. Ive gotta sell 'em. Itll just be a minute.

Um yeah. Take your time. Luke nodded to him, and stepped away from the front of the door.

Turning around, he looked around the street, and suddenly became aware of all the eyes on him. They were discrete and fleeting, which was why he hadnt noticed them on the way into the town, but they were there. Staring when they thought he wouldnt notice, and shying away when they realized they had been caught.

Is a cultivator really that big of a deal to these people. Luke mused idly, stepping away from the shopfront, and onto the street, glancing down the length of it to see what else was down there.

Only to lock eyes with another person dressed in robes, blue robes.

Well that was fast.

They stared at each other, both looking like they had been caught doing something that they werent supposed to. Which in Lukes case wasnt far from the truth.

Not knowing what else to do, Luke waved at the other cultivator, who took that as a sign to stop gaping and started making his way toward him.

Play it cool Luke. Dont act weird. Youre not doing anything wrong. You're not breaking the law, even though you kind of are. Just play it cool. He hyped himself up, as the other cultivator approached him.

Who are you? The cultivator asked.

Um. Im Luke. Who are you?

He opened and closed his mouth before saying, Im Luke.

Youre what?

Im Luke.

So were both Luke? Asked Luke.

I guess so.

And youre not messing with me?

Why would I do that, I dont even know you.

I am you. Luke grinned at him. Other-Luke opened and closed his mouth. That was a joke.

I know. Other-Luke said defensively. I dont recognize you.

We just met.

Are you always like this? He cupped his forehead. Youre giving me a headache.

No, Im not. This is just a little funny. And I just get like this when Im nervous.

He sighed in exasperation. Youre not with the expedition?

Im not. Im not from the Rising Sun either.

Youre not? He frowned. Are you from the Nine Stars? Youre a bit far from where youre supposed to be.

No. Im just lost, no real clue where I am. I do want to go to the Capital for the Giant Tide, if you could give me directions though.

You are a cultivator right? Other-Luke asked.

Yes. Luke nodded politely.

But you're not from the Rising Sun or from the Nine Stars?

No.

I dont know what to do with you. Other-Luke said flatly.

Why do you have to do anything with me?

Other-Luke once again opened and closed his mouth, before crossing his arms under his chest. Burrowing his eyebrows as he tried to think.

Thats a good point. Nobody ever said anything to me about cultivators not from our Sect.

If it helps, nobody told me anything either.

Other-Luke looked at him blankly. That doesnt help.

Look, Im trying okay.

Trying what. My patience? He snorted.

I suppose. So, the Capital, how do I get there? Luke asked again.

Whats the rush, the Giant Tide isnt for two months. Either an Elder will fly us there, or the Emperor will activate the teleportation platforms.

I dont have an Elder to fly me there.

Look, I really dont know what to do with you, and a town full of mortals isnt the place to talk. Why dont you come back to camp with me, and Ill let Nes talk to you. This can be her problem.

Luke glanced back to the shop, and briefly met eyes with Al, realizing that he was done with selling his fish.

I still have something to do here. Wheres your camp? I'll come by tonight, after Im done.

Its a mile north of the town. He traced Lukes gaze, and glanced meaningfully at Al. I dont know what your business is with these mortals, but keep your lips sealed about the important stuff. You arent from the Rising Sun, so youre not my responsibility, but this town is Sect territory.

Yeah, I know.

Good. I have to get going, but I will tell the others about you. So make sure you drop by the camp, or theyll come looking.

What happens if I dont? Luke asked.

Other-Luke shrugged his shoulders. Beats me. Its not for me to decide. Dont freak out though, If I had to guess, Nes will ask you to come back to the Rising Sun once we're done here. Some Elder might ask you to join up or something. Theyll probably ask some questions, make sure you're not some evil asshole. Youre not the only stray in the world, and you wont be the last.

Questions might be the bane of existence.

Right, Ill be there.

Good. He started walking away, before stopping abruptly. With the Giant Tide so close, patience has been running thin, and everyone is on edge. Any other time, the Elders would probably give you some leeway to fuck around, and they might not even care what a rouge cultivator like you gets up to, so long youre not causing trouble. Now though, itll probably be better for everyone, especially you, if you make things easy.

Well, that isnt ominous at all.

Got it.