Elder Cultivator

Everything seemed normal when they killed the snakes, despite gravity going the wrong direction. Approaching crawlers possessed some potential danger, but instead of worrying about that Alva took a shot at one of the many-limbed creatures. It was mostly clawed legs with barely a torso or head, but she was skilled at picking out weak points. Her shot found a heart or something equivalent, and the creature went down- individually, they seemed to not be a threat. Then it exploded, and a colored orb fell down.

Down from their current orientation, not compared to where actual gravity should be, nor the perspective of the creatures they were fighting. That particular crawler had come along the wall, so it fell towards the crossroads… where one of the nearby cultivators snatched it up. Annoying, but nothing worth concerning herself with yet.

As the crawlers came for the closest enemy, the one furthest up/forward, they clawed at Timothy. He adequately defended himself against their many limbs, but as their claws missed his legs they tore chunks out of the tree he was standing on, forcing him to jump to another or fall. He could cling to the wall or floor with his energy, but supporting his weight with energy alone while fighting was not the best prospect.

Further crawlers were slain, and more orbs of different colors dropped from them. Pure colors, not the mixed rainbow like the one Alva had snatched from the projection of Everheart. It was unclear if these were worth more or less, or if they were in fact not associated with the points at all.

Since the challenge had been set, Catarina reached her free hand out to catch any that fell near her, dropping them into her storage bag. They could chase down the others later, and for the moment staying safe was more important. The crawlers might be somewhat dangerous, but the humans’ cultivations weren’t weak either- even if they could only reach the upper realms through ascension, many people and creatures born in the upper realms were beneath their level.

Vari focused on defending not herself or the others, but the trees they were using as platforms. Using her energy to form a barrier on stationary objects was easier than people, but her range was restricted. She had to be close to her target, and touching was best. She leapt back and forth, fortifying the trees others were using. As she moved between another pair, she felt a momentary weakness. Then she was falling.

A fall would generally be of no consequence to a Life Transformation cultivator, but that was in typical gravity. Everheart’s Tomb wasn’t normally different, but falling sideways was already abnormal, and landing in traps would be a problem. As Vari tried to web out her energy to catch herself, she found her control slipping. Then she was yanked to a halt.

Alva dropped her onto the tree next to her and went back to shooting without pause. Vari was helpful, if confused. And while they were on a team, she wouldn’t just let her die. But despite her lower cultivation, Vari was normally competent. It was strange that she had fallen at all- and even now her energy seemed in disarray. As Alva searched for the issue, Hoyt was already on it.

He left behind the gouges of fire around where he had been fighting, confident they would scorch any enemy that passed through him- but he had another target. He leapt at an angle, spinning to add what felt like horizontal momentum to his movement. It didn’t matter if his opponents were standing on a floor or wall, all that mattered was if his attacks could reach them.

His axe chopped into the middle of the observing cultivators. While they didn’t seem like they were doing anything, falling orbs were disappearing… and they had all dealt with similar illusionists before. His attack wasn’t a warning shot either- but without knowing where to properly direct his attacks, he just chose somewhere central. His momentum and energy converted into a spiral of fire as he struck, filling the area with fire. It didn’t matter if he knew where his opponents were if fire was everywhere. Hoyt could tolerate snatching falling orbs, but interfering with them as they fought was unacceptable.

Involuntary cries of pain directed him towards actual targets, and he spun around on his axe that was holding him in place to kick at the source. A wave of fire covered everything but a humanoid shape, though the illusion quickly fell away as the person’s energy crumbled. They crouched down to their relative ground and covered their head… and Hoyt withdrew some of the energy. There might still be some mercy for these people.

The tide of crawlers didn’t last much longer, and the others also began to seek out the illusionists. Soon enough they had them all packed into a corner where it was convenient to reach them and respective gravities met.

“Turn out your bags,” Alva said, her bow drawn and ready to fire. “Hand over any of the challenge orbs… and you can leave.” She was open to seeking opinions of the others, but she knew they would agree with her actions. While the small group had started the aggression, they didn’t necessarily deserve to die. Even in a place full of danger like Everheart’s Tomb, the group was not one they needed to be in deadly conflict with. It wasn’t the Harmonious Citadel directly robbing them, but a group snatching fallen loot out from under them… and interfering with their fight. Maybe they would have gone further if given the chance, but they could be afforded some benefit of the doubt. Once.

The woman responsible for the group bowed her head in submission. “I thank you for your mercy, on behalf of the Illustrious Beguilers.”

Alva didn’t know who they were, which meant they were probably a small group… though there could be many such groups that were stronger than the Order. At least, what was left on Ceretos. The upper realms had a great population and powerful energy, so of course cultivators on average had high ranks.

After sending the group on their way, Alva and the others began to attempt their climb once more. Only to very suddenly find themselves falling to the normal floor. Perhaps whatever trap or trick they had encountered had expired… but they remained cautious should gravity divert itself once more.

Vari’s eyes were sparkling as she watched the four, despite the awkward change in direction. “All of you are so strong.”

Hoyt furrowed his brow, “This is quite a large amount of devotion,” he commented, while noting Alva received at least twice as much as any of the others. “I don’t think this is necessary. We were just fighting. Doesn’t this weaken you?” he asked Vari.

She tilted her head. “Why would it? Devotion provides the core of the Harmonious Citadel’s strength. It is only natural that those of you with saint-like features would receive devotion.”

Alva just shrugged. It wasn’t going to be a short road to convince Vari that anything was weird about her. They had a Labyrinth to get through still… and maybe points to collect. If they could figure out how the orbs worked.

-----

Though it wasn’t precise, Catarina had calculated a general amount of points. Solid colored orbs radiated the least amount of upper energy, and thus were probably weakest and worth the least… though it was possible it was exactly the opposite. Either way, certain colors seemed to be worth more, and mixed colors were the most. The rainbow orb from the projection was likely worth as much as the dozens they had collected put together.

Now there were more on offer. Another similar rainbow orb sat on a pedestal in the middle of an empty room, prime for the taking. Which of course meant it was extra trapped.

“I have the feeling that just avoiding traps won’t be sufficient here,” Catarina commented. “Though there’s no projection around to explain it… I’d guess this is a formation test.”

“Just tell us if you need anything,” Timothy said.

“I will,” Catarina nodded. “I think I just have to…” she began to walk in a strange pattern. It spiraled inward, then back outward. Her path even crossed over itself several times, but ultimately she made her way to the center. Then she kicked the pedestal to knock the orb off into her hand. She thought she might be able to just make her way out, but instead traced a new path through the mostly invisible flow of energy. The whole process was sometimes excruciatingly slow, minutes spent on a single step, but after a few hours she had the orb.

There were more monsters, though even with other complications those were the easiest to handle. More challenges appeared- suspiciously appropriate ones. Archery, where a target had to be shot around a corner while the arrow had to wind through an invisible maze. A corridor where continuous attacks rained from both sides, where Timothy and Catarina worked back-to-back. When they came to a towering tree with an orb embedded in it, Hoyt frowned.

“Is it just me, or does that tree look particularly dry and flammable?”

“That was the impression I got as well,” Alva said.

“How much of this is a trap?” Hoyt asked.

“That’s always the question, isn’t it?”

“I can do more than just burn things,” Hoyt pouted.

“Then you’d better get on it,” Timothy suggested. “It’s… growing towards us.”

Not only was the tree extending roots, but also twiggy, leafless branches. They weren’t just moving, but also expanding. Though there was nothing that said the challenge had to be taken on by a single person, the others took supporting roles while Hoyt chopped through the branches and set everything on fire. The tree burned exceptionally well, which is where Hoyt’s training with the Glorious Flame Palace to control what he burned came in handy. Otherwise, the entire area being covered in flames would have been very uncomfortable for the group.

When the orb- with flickering flames contained inside it- dropped to the ground- Hoyt picked it up. “Well, great. Now I’m certain that… guy is watching us.”

“I thought we could assume that,” Alva said.

Hoyt shrugged, “That’s what Everheart wants people to think, at least.”

“It’s lucky we ran across these particular challenges, huh?” Vari said. “Though I’m sure you could have handled anything.”

“I’m amazed you could think this is just random chance,” Timothy shook his head. “I won’t say what I expected to see, but there are certainly worse things that could have come up. And probably should have.”

As they continued on through the labyrinth, they came to a confluence of differing paths, dozens of corridors all arriving in the same large room. Somewhat predictably, there was a glowing golden orb in the center. Dozens of cultivators could be seen trying to reach it. Nothing was directly stopping them, but every step they took seemed as if they carried a thousand tons on their back. A great pressure obviously bore down on anyone moving forward, and many had to retreat as they found themselves running low on energy. Their retreats weren’t always entirely successful either- many collapsed as they reached close to the edge, suffering injuries to their bare bodies from being unable to block the pressure with their energy.

Moving away from the center was somewhat easier, but clearly not trivial. That meant they had to judge whether they could make it all the way- or turn back before it was too late. The four from the Order silently exchanged glances. It was better to be conservative with such a thing. No point in hurting themselves for unknown value. They were only participating in the challenges because it felt like refusing would be a waste.

A cry of pain as one cultivator pushed too far, then collapsed into a heap of mangled bones and flesh. A reminder that this Tomb was not above killing people, quite regularly as well. But as long as they didn’t overestimate themselves, they should be fine- or even grow from the experience.

As the four of them stepped forward, Vari remained behind. “You’re not coming?” Alva asked.

“What is the point? The four of you have a chance to succeed, but I don’t have the strength.”

“You might be surprised,” Alva said, “But caution is reasonable as well.” It was entirely possible that someone of lower cultivation might do better… but that was up to the particular whims of Everheart.

Alva felt her energy draining as she pushed forward. It wasn’t just fighting against the pressure, but some was intentionally torn away from her. That meant she was powering the very thing that was restricting her. Some curses for Everheart flowed out silently. It wouldn’t do to tip things further against them in an area where they were watched more closely.

As she pressed forward, Alva felt herself invigorated with a strange energy. Not entirely unfamiliar, but somewhat unexpected. But as she looked over her shoulder, it was clear that Vari was anticipating something. The further she went, the more difficult it got. Alva reached a point that on her own she knew she should not pass. The others were slightly behind… perhaps receiving somewhat less devotion. Should she count on the devotion sustaining her? It didn’t seem inherently reliable, but in the current circumstances it would feel rather insulting to just give up.

As Alva pressed forward, the drain and pressure both increased… along with the devotion bolstering her. It was uncomfortable, not because the energy itself felt tainted in any way but because of how easily she could come to accept or even expect it to be there. And though Vari seemed content with her life, ultimately this couldn’t be sustained forever, could it?

Almost without thinking, Alva reached the pedestal and snatched the golden orb. The pressure immediately dissipated, but instead of a fight breaking out like Alva expected, the various groups were thrown back into whatever corridors they came from. Except hers.

“I guess we continue on, then,” Alva said awkwardly. “We should be vaguely close to the exit, but this challenge thing might be over soon as well.”

As they continued onward, they next found a body on a large stone slab. A burial of some sort? That was their initial thought, but several factors keyed them in that things were different. First, there was the sense of life and energy flowing from the person laying there. Then there was the snoring.

They decided to leave them undisturbed, and began to sneak around the perimeter of the room… until Vari kicked a loose stone. It clattered across the floor, echoing between the walls. “... sorry.”

The snoring stopped, and the figure sat up. “Wha? Whozzat? Oh, challengers. Are you a group?”

“What?”

“Are you a group? It determines how the points are handled.”