THEOS

Chapter 39: The Cat-Bird

Hey, Im Luke. He extended his hand, and introduced himself to the Outer Disciple that had delivered the news.

He grabbed Lukes hand as he caught his breath. Axin.

Sooo what did you guys find?

He grinned. A griffin. Its why were here. We heard rumors of one in the area, and Elder Agnella decided to lead an expedition to capture it.

Lukes eyes widened in surprise. A griffin? He asked, just to make sure he had heard him right. Thats the thing with an eagle's head and wings attached to a lions body, right? He asked eagerly, already imagining what such a creature would look like in real life.

This world is crazy, but they do have some cool stuff. He thought to himself.

Axin grinned in response. Mhm.

What does she want it for?

He shrugged his shoulders. Im not sure. We think she just wanted a steed, but they're supposed to be valuable. I just hope she catches it this time so we can go home. Weve been after it for months, but it's really fast, and only the Elder can fly fast enough to chase after it. He explained, stepping back into the main street. Whats your deal by the way?

Its a long story.

Mhm. Axin grunted. Some other time then, Im a bit drained for a long story.

Yeah, Im dead on my feet too. Do you mind taking me to your camp? I think Id kill for a bed and a warm blanket right about now.

And I have a lot of thinking to do. The Olympics, the Rising Sun, the Emperor, Arke. There's so much going on, and it all came on so suddenly.

Yeah, I was just about to head there too. What was the giant like, by the way. Youre the guy that stayed with her, yeah?

Luke nodded. I was, and it was scary. Really scary. It was at the Warrior-tier. Thing almost killed me. Luke stretched his arms. Are they all so happy?

It was happy? Axin asked incredulously.

Yeah It was trying to kill me, but it was laughing and smiling and stuff.

But they dont have mouths. Axin pointed out.

I know, and it didnt, but it did this thing with its eyes, and it was waving and stuff. I dont know, I just thought it was weird. Luke frowned. And creepy.

I guess well find out if that's normal or not eventually. In the stories, the giants are always mindless beasts, but maybe those are just the Mortal-tier ones.

Maybe. Luke ran his hands through his hair.

The pair heard the camp before they saw it. Sounds of laughter, and loud conversations proliferated through the night as the members of the Rising Sun Sect celebrated the giants' defeat.

When the camp finally came into view, Lukes mouth dropped open in surprise as he saw Lukeus swaying drunkenly as he stood atop the giants foot, a mortal woman draped across his shoulder, and a bottle full of booze in his hand.

I cant believe they actually dragged its feet here.

It was the most epic thing Ive ever imagined ever seeing! Lukeus lifted his bottle into the air. The crowd assembled before him cheered, seemingly impressed by his nonsensical speech, and lifted their own bottles in response.

He was in the town wasnt he? Luke grinned at the spectacle, as he walked deeper into the camp.

Everywhere he went the Inner Disciples had assembled in small clumps, and were regaling their black-robed counterparts with already embellished accounts of what had happened. Who for their part were wearing looks of disappointment, realizing that they had not only missed the chance to see Elder Agnella fight the monster, but also how Arke stopped it in its tracks, and how Emperor Cyzicus had made short work of it.

Their voices sank to whispers as they recounted the events that took place after.

Did Lord Cyzicus really call her a mean lady? A blonde girl asked

He did, and she got angry, and then my face was in the dirt. She was so strong, but then Lord Cyzicus was like, I wont let you harm my citizens, even if it kills me, and he sounded so scary when he said it, and Arke flew away after that.

Youre telling the story all wrong, what really happened is Another Inner Disciple shook his head and interrupted them. Interjecting with his own, more correct, version of the story.

Do you have a spare tent for me? Luke asked.

You can sleep in that one Axin said pointing to an empty one in a group of filled ones. Its mine, but I dont need it for tonight. He patted Luke on the shoulder and walked away, with a pep in his step.

Luke followed him with his eyes as he made a beeline to a girl on the opposite side of the camp, and scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he realized why the tent had been offered so freely.

I really need to start carrying more of my stuff in a physical bag and lug it around. At least until I can get my hands on one of those magic rings, and use it to explain my inventory.

Settling into the tent, Luke called up his status.

Status | Skills | Quests | Inventory

Name: Lukas King

Tier: Mortal

Mana: 980 / 4648

Rate: 15% per hour

Strength: 109

Agility: 239

Constitution: 112

Arcana: 83

Stat Points: 0

Bloodline: Locked. Conditions not met. (1/10 000)

Charges: 7/10

It has not been a productive two weeks. He thought to himself. I barely improved any attributes other than Agility, and even then, most of that has been from Stat Points.

It makes sense, I didnt really bother exercising when I was in the grass-lands on the way here, so I shouldn't moan about it now. I probably could have figured something out, but it's not like I packed anything that would help me work out either, so it is what it is. Ill have to make preparations so that I can continue cultivating even in the wilderness from now on, but it might be tricky.

At least all that falling improved my Constitution stat He frowned.

Ive been stupid with how Ive been spending my points. He suddenly realized.

Saving them up for future emergencies has its place, but not to the extent that I have been. More than that, I need to start prioritizing my mana reserves.

Running out of it today nearly killed me, and if I had spent those points in Constitution and Arcana, then maybe the skill wouldnt have drained me dry. Especially now that I have the boots, not having the mana to use them is beyond stupid.

The normal drain from the Stances is pretty small, lower even than my passive regen, but it ups significantly when I use it with intent to kill. Ill have to take some time to map the cost of the skill to the relative strength of my opponents. Maybe see if I can figure out how to judge the amount of mana someone has. Arya and Yjarn were both able to tell after touching me, and there's no reason I shouldnt be able to do the same.

In this particular instance, though, I think that the giant was so far above me in strength that it wouldnt have mattered. Which might be a limit of the Techniques themselves. They are, afterall, only Mortal-tier skills.

Just another thing to figure out.

He sighed softly as he subtly shifted his posture. Listening as the activity outside gradually began to lessen and silence overtook the night.

When he woke up, it was to the sound of excited screams and beating wings, as gusts of air rocked his borrowed tent.

He clutched his sword tightly, for a moment fearing it was Arke that had returned before deciding that the odds of that happening, while not zero, were low.

If Arke was really here for me, I doubt I would have woken up.

Its kind of funny now that I think about it. Ive been within spitting distance of her twice now, and she hasnt realized that it was me. Nefkha, I could understand, didn't like the Olympians, and didnt want to help them in any way, so he hid my presence. He thought to himself, as he got dressed. Already having an idea of what the commotion was.

But then, why is Cyzicus so antagonistic towards her? His words were polite, but their meaning wasnt. And, hes not scared of her. He acknowledged that she could kill him, but no fear.

Arke doesnt seem to be the type of person to take an insult lying down, and shes strong enough to kill a god. So why would she let a hero talk to her like that? Unless its not Cyzicus that shes worried about. He mentioned the Creed and referenced the rules, could that be it?

Do the gods govern themselves? Or is there someone standing above even them, someone thats making and enforcing the rules, so that everyone obeys. Either way, it would make some sense. At the very least, it explains that despite all her bluster, she hasnt actually made a show of her power yet. Shes afraid.

Luke grinned at that thought, as he stepped out of the tent. A grin that only widened when his earlier suspicion was confirmed.

Lying lazily in the middle of the camp, was the most majestic creature he had ever seen. It was big, the size of an elephant, with golden wings tucked into its feline body, while its equally golden eagle-like head surveyed the crowd forming around it with curiosity.

Wow.

Howd you get it to be so calm, Elder?

I made it my familiar. Nel answered absently, walking around it in a circle as she stroked its fur.

A familiar? Luke thought to himself, as he inched closer to the warrior and her pet. His mind darted to the egg he had stored in his inventory, as he suddenly realized that he might have a use for it after all.

It would be pretty awesome having a steed like that. Although, he thought grudgingly, an eagle doesnt seem as cool as a griffin. But it is supposed to be an eagle descended from one who ate a titans liver, so maybe.

Luke, there you are! Nel called out to him, the second he made his way to the front of the crowd. Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the cat-bird as she parted the crowd and walked towards him.

Hi, He said, thats a nice cat you have there.

She grinned in response. I have something to tell you. Come. She led him out of the camp, and towards the river. I know I invited you to join the Rising Sun, but Grandfather has requested that you join him in the Capital.

What? Really?

I guess it was too much to expect him to leave me alone. Think about it my ass. Luke scoffed.

Its not what you're thinking. Your participation in the Olympics is still your choice, but he thinks that your potential will be wasted doing chores in the Rising Sun. You can refuse, and if you want to, join the Sect anyway. Grandfather isnt the type of person who forces others to obey his will.

Luke frowned as he considered her words.

Whats the Capital like?

Its the Capital. The Seat of his Power. Its big and they have plays and festivals almost everyday. Its lively. I dont know. Youll be fine there.

It kind of sounds like an Earth city.

And theres really no pressure. I can just not go?

Yes. She sighed. Grandfather said he recognized your type. He wont force you, and he wont try and manipulate you either. Its why Im asking you and he isnt. So you wouldnt feel pressured.

Do you know what he wants from me? Luke asked. Because I sure as hell dont.

She bit her lip. Im not sure, but, she hedged, Ive heard rumors that hes close to breaking through to the next tier, and its not only the winner of the tournament that gets a prize. She looked at him meaningfully.

Huh.

So if Im reading the situation right, he wants me to participate because he actually thinks that I can win, and he wants me to win, because he needs something to break through.

Nels eyes suddenly widened as she looked past Luke. Following her gaze, Luke was wholly unsurprised to find the Emperor standing behind him, idly smelling a rose.

So, what do you say? He asked.