Waterstrider

Canvas Town, Tseludia Station, Pantheonic Territory, Fourthmonth, 1634 PTS

Han Yu examined the flyer he had received once more, hesitant to believe that it could be legitimate. A couple days before, they had been passed around the neighborhood by a group of people who were known gangsters.

He had heard that the Redwater Gang had changed somewhat in recent days, but if the information on this flyer was to be trusted, the change was far more than surface level. After the death of their previous ganglord, the new head had decided to change them from a gang into a sect.

Based on what Han knew, this was something that had never once happened before on the station.

He pursed his lips, trying to decide whether to trust it or not. There was an undeniable draw to it- all young Seiyal grew up hearing about the mighty works of martial artists, the power of the sects and clans, and most of them wished to be part of that world.

However, in reality, very few living in Tseludia Station ever got that opportunity. The Hadal Clan was very insular, and even those few extremely rich or talented outsiders who got in would spend their entire lives subordinate to those who simply bore the Hadal surname. For this reason, the idea of a sect held far more allure to Han. In theory, they were meritocratic institutions, and opportunities went to those who earned them rather than a product of nepotism.

Ultimately, he decided to go to this entry examination that the flyer talked about. There was no mention of an entry fee, and if he brought only pocket change, he had little fear of being extorted if it indeed were a ploy by the gang.

In the end, what made the decision for him was five words on the front page which described the nature of the newly formed Redwater Sect. The words were part of a section detailing the hierarchy. At the top it said ‘Sect Leader Cyrus ‘Riverfiend’ Yu.

Han and his friends had in truth paid very close attention to the mentions of this figure in the media. Riverfiend, a martial artist powerful enough to achieve remarkable deeds despite not being beholden to the chains of the Hadal Clan. According to the news stories, he was said to have stolen from the Celans, and destroyed a black market in the 8th district, resulting in one of the largest battles in recent memory. After that he had disappeared without a trace, causing people to question whether something had happened to him.

Perhaps what he was reading here really was the truth. Han had trust in the Riverfiend, knew that for a titled martial master such as him, he would not just mysteriously disappear. If he were to die, it would be in some epic battle or in a failed ascension.

It also struck Han’s attention that if the flyer was to be believed, he and the Riverfiend himself shared a surname. Perhaps they were distantly related? The thought sent a jolt of excitement down his spine, and Han certainly knew he would wish to brag about the matter to his friends if it turned out to be true.

As he rushed to go talk to his friends about it, one matter suddenly struck him. The Riverfiend was said to be an unorthodox martial artist. Wouldn’t that make any sect he formed similarly unorthodox?

After considering the matter, Han quickly realized that he simply did not care about the issue. In the media, unorthodox practitioners were always depicted as cruel and evil monsters who cared about nobody but themselves. As someone with a large interest in martial arts however, Han knew that there was no way that this could be true. If it was, there was little chance that they would have been able to form such large clans and sects across both Crucible and Bounty.

No, he found it more likely that the way unorthodox practitioners were presented in the media was merely propaganda from Sunlit Hall, an attempt to discredit their enemies. Every Seiyal and Tovus in the station knew that most media that was created for Canvas’ culture was in part funded by the clan.

Ultimately, Han found that he did not particularly care if the sect was unorthodox or not. What, it meant that his lifespan wouldn’t be as extended by his martial arts as another sort of martial arts was? Wasn’t that worth the price if the only other martial arts he was able to learn was the poor quality dregs that the Hadal Clan allowed to leak out? It was better to be a king for a day than a peasant for a century.

Han’s family had never been devout worshipers of Ceirra anyway.

With such thoughts in mind, Han continued to scurry to the alleyway where he and his friends usually met up. He knew that he would likely be drawn to the event, but wanted to see how many of them would want to join him. He also decided that he would brag about his newfound connection to Riverfiend, even if he wasn’t certain yet. He smiled, looking forward to it.

Perhaps life was looking up, and perhaps he wouldn’t be trapped in these slums all his life like his parents and grandparents had been.

Canvas Town, Tseludia Station, Pantheonic Territory, Fourthmonth, 1634 PTS

As we had expected, the Hadal Clan heard about what was written on the flyers, and arrived a day before the examination was to take place. If anyone else but me had been the founder of the sect, they likely would have been eliminated without a second thought. Instead, the group that arrived was simply a pair of faces that I recognized.

Wei was just as I had remembered him, a weathered man who exuded a powerful sense of might, his figure appearing as stately rather than feeble. Ria, who walked beside him, however seemed a bit different from the last time I had seen her. She seemed a bit more tired than the last time I had seen her, that bright spark in her eyes just a little more faded.

The two of them bowed at me.

“Greetings,” said Wei.

According to tradition, it would have been proper to refer to me by my title of Sect Leader, even though they were not part of my sect. However, I could read between the lines and understand what he was trying to tell me. The Hadal Clan had yet to decide whether or not to recognize my force.

“Greetings,” I replied, directing my hand behind me to the interior of the sect. “Would you like to come inside? I’ll have a disciple make us some tea.”

Wei nodded, and the three of us went inside the clan. I took a slightly longer route to the sitting room Rachel had claimed we should use, showing off the newly renovated interior of the building.

“This is rather impressive,” said Ria.

I laughed, knowing she only meant how quickly it had been put together.

“I’m sure it must look quaint to you, but a newly founded sect could never have the might and history of your own Hadal Clan,” I said.

I trusted the two of them could read between the lines to the true meaning of my words: I understood the difference in our relative power, but I wasn’t without ambition. Though I had made the statement, I knew it was too early to discuss this matter.

“How has Taek’s recovery gone?” I asked, changing the subject..

Something shifted in Ria’s eyes, and she responded with a soft smile.

“It’s been slow, but he’s expected to fully recover in time with no loss in function.”

“Excellent,” I replied. “He left a good impression on me.”

It wasn’t even a lie. While I indeed did not particularly care about the man’s fate, his courage and strength had given me a favorable opinion of him.

We chatted a bit about the events at the black market and Taek’s recovery until we reached the sitting room, where we knelt across from one another on cushions at a small table. Wei and Ria sat next to one another, facing me. Kein Huang quickly arrived, bearing a teapot and some cups. He poured me a cup of a purple tea that Rachel claimed originated on Staive. I hadn’t bothered to remember its actual name. Apparently, by chance it was digestible to the peoples of Canvas, so we had obviously found a way to turn it into tea. It was quite popular on the station these days. Ria gave a hum of approval as we all took a sip together.

I had chosen to give them face by letting us all take the first sip together. As a sect leader, I in theory had a higher ranking than them, but I wanted to make it clear that I had no intention of making the Hadal Clan an enemy. Not at the moment at least, I muttered in my mind.

Wei was the first to speak.

“Do you mind if I ask your intentions on the station, Mr. Yu?”

As I had proclaimed us equal in status, he had immediately discarded my title. It was hard to tell if that was a good sign or not.

I sipped at my tea, enjoying the odd bittersweet flavor.

“Originally, I came here because I heard word that the Celans here were holding onto several marshfiend pearls.”

I chuckled sadly.

“The information was either false or outdated, and I do not have enough time to make another voyage, so I decided to continue my master’s legacy here.”

Wei nodded.

“You don’t see many natural treasures in this system. We have to import most of ours.”

“Did talks with the Staiven fall through?” I asked.

He laughed.

“They see our method of using their eyes as wasteful, apparently.”

“Not a surprise,” I said, taking another sip of my tea.

The opinion the Staiven held of our people had become very clear in the time I had spent on the station. To them we were an inferior, primitive people living off of their charity.

“Is this really about legacy?” blurted Ria, “Aren’t you the one who-”

Wei silenced her with a glare, and I sighed, giving a sad smile to the two of them.

“I see you’ve found my history,” I said. “The truth isn’t quite like it’s been described in the reports, I expect.”

The fact that she had learned about my past certainly explained why Ria was acting differently than she had been the last time we met.

“But you killed your-”

“Ria.”

The word came from Wei, who had a very stern look on his face.

“But Uncle, we can’t just-”

“Your feelings are not more important than the Matriarch’s will, Ria,” said Wei.

She sighed, going silent once more, as Wei turned to me again.

“I’m not here to discuss events over a decade past, in another system entirely,” he said. “Instead, by the way, would you prefer I refer to you as Mr. Cyrus Yu, or Mr. Jin Luo?”

“My name is Cyrus Yu, now. I left Canvas to put the past behind me.”

He nodded, moving on.

“Just what was it that you stole from the Celans anyway, Mr. Yu?” he asked.

I had anticipated this question. I shrugged in response.

“Assorted rare materials and treasures, plus some technologies I couldn’t hope to recognize. I sold it all at that black market and used the funds to pay for the sect’s needs.”

Wei nodded, and I found it difficult to tell whether he believed my words or not. Either way, he was willing to leave it at that, which would suffice.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, our Hadal Clan does not typically allow for the formation of other martial clans and sects within our territory.”

I nodded as he took a sip of his tea, smiling at me.

“We are considering whether or not to make your Redwater Sect an exception.”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Suffice to say I’m here to offer you a deal, Sect Leader Yu. Should you agree, the Hadal Clan is willing to recognize your legitimacy, and even perhaps give you something from our treasury. You see, Mr. Yu, we happen to have one of those marshfiend pearls you seek. While I can only offer you one, perhaps you will be able to find an elder Staiven of the correct variety before your time runs out. I expect you have several years left, given your age.”

I nodded at that, reinforcing his understanding of my condition. It seemed that while the Hadal Clan had indeed traced me back to my identity on Canvas, they had not learned the full extent of what had happened. They didn’t know about the tear in my soul.

I took another sip of my tea, finishing the cup. I calmly poured another as I spoke.

“That sounds excellent, Mr. Hadal. What would your clan have me and my Redwater Sect do for you in exchange?”

He poured himself another cup as well.

“We simply wish for some assistance here and there. There are certain things that you people’s nature lets you do that we cannot.”

I nodded, understanding his point. As expected, they wished for us to perform criminal activities for them, giving them plausible deniability about the matter, though of course everyone would easily be able to see the connection. Wetwork and burglary, I would have wagered, not that I particularly cared. I myself had no qualms about doing such things. I had done both for my own needs on the station, and I had only been here for a couple weeks by this point.

I smiled over at him, expressing my opinion about the idea.

“We’ll need a contract, of course.”

He nodded.

“Of course. I’m looking forward to working with you, Riverfiend.”

“I as well, Mr. Hadal.”

We lifted our cups forward and clinked them together. To the side, Ria’s face still showcased a deep uneasiness.

Ceirra: [The Goddess of Light from Canvas and the creator of the Seiyal race, Ceirra is an ascendant whose origin in unclear to most mortals, having been one of the group of ascendants who migrated to the world before it was inhabited by any sapient life. Her relationship with her fellow deities has largely declined over time, in part due to the fact that she has developed an intense hatred for her fellow deity Saaya, who was also a god of Canvas, and the creator of the Reth. She is widely revered by the Seiyal, particularly those of the orthodox path of Sunlit Hall, who she is the direct patron of. As such, Sunlit Hall has gone on various crusades against both the Reth and Seiyal who revere Saaya, which resulted in the great war between the orthodox and unorthodox paths. While it is not a requirement for organizations to believe in Ceirra to join Sunlit Hall, there is clear discrimination against those who don't even pretend to, within the organization.]