A Darker World

"Oh, by the way, Akari. Is there anything I need to know if I take a Mission against the Underworld?"

"They're very cunning and extremely hard to kill; their 'Elders,' mainly because they used a technique to connect themselves with their highest-ranking soldiers."

"..." Kaida blinked; it was troublesome. "So, generally, no one can truly kill these high-ranking followers? Unless there's some sort of technique they have which allows it?"

Akari nodded. "Correct, that's the most crucial detail you need to know. Considering you've already fought one from the previous mission, you know they're highly competent and able to create moves which, for most cultivators, would need an entire lifetime to make."

Kaida's eyes showed a hint of confusion. "I doubt any tensions involving faith would be possible. Amaris doesn't even know what a God is... I'd rather it not be out of pride that the place doesn't change."

"By any chance, is there a reason they don't just stay in the Empire?"

Akari looked over, never really thinking of that. "Well, they've said Mother is Corrupt, but if she were, she wouldn't let the people decide what laws and policies are enacted upon the Empire."

Kaida shifted slightly, her eyes no longer showing confusion, and instead a hint of anger.

"The people get a say in what laws pass... and that's the part they call corrupt? No, probably not that. Either someone's not doing what the Empress wants for the people, or she's purposefully excluding certain people."

Kaida disliked the latter; it felt instinctual even if she'd never even met the Empress. Kaida trusted her gut when it came to this, especially since she had hope that she wasn't like that; otherwise, she'd be-

"Never mind, I forgot. She's one of the strongest in the world; overthrowing her would be near impossible."

Kaida sighed, her desire to delve deeper into the conversation evident. She wanted to talk more with Akari, but looking ahead, she could see Akari was getting impatient, probably because she was moving somewhere else.

"I'll go now. I need to figure out how these spirit stones work anyway."

Akari nodded, and Kaida turned away, waving and walking off, leaving the way they entered. Walking to the edge, Kaida looked down towards the ground and jumped off. As she reached terminal velocity, considering she was in the stratosphere, Kaida used the same technique she had used when she fell off the cliff to slow down her fall again.

Upon landing on the ground, she took a breath. Her mind relaxed as she let herself take a breather, not needing to be so paranoid now. But she'd still have to fight that guy who challenged her. It was either today or the next day; she still had no idea about a lot of this world, so she'd need to figure out more.

She heard footsteps, and her Qi surged, sharpening her focus as her eyes turned swiftly. Yet, it was just a person walking by, and with that, her Qi fell back down once more. She felt she was too paranoid.

"That Alaric guy... He clearly thinks he's right, but I have no idea. I shouldn't ask Akari or Amaris, maybe someone else who's neutral. Or I'll figure it out myself."

She looks down at the ground as grass sprouts somewhat from the precise cracks of tiles under her foot. Not all of the Sect was made with the same Material; it would be too expensive or draining to make it then, at least that's what Kaida assumed.

Kaida continued moving, her mind clearing as she felt a lot better. Even though she knew what was going on, she wanted some peace and happiness; she wasn't going to deny herself that.

Kaida noticed a person on the side. He was walking back, but they appeared to be somewhat injured, yet acting as if they weren't hurt at all, and even denying the need for help.

"Idiot."

Kaida sighed, her hand moving to form something like a cloth that absorbed the blood from his waist as she threw it to him. It didn't appear to be made of Qi; it just looked like a regular towel.

Kaida left the Sect, not forever, but just to walk around; she had no idea what to do now other than wait. She felt like the direction she was going was aimless.

"Who?" The guy spoke, looked around, and yet when he looked back, Kaida was only walking away.

"YOU, did you throw this?" The guy was wiping his waist with it, but he still wanted to know. Kaida looked back and nodded, yet continued on her way.

"...Thank you."

Kaida was... Surprised, to say the least, she knew he had whispered, but to hear him say that when he had refused all that help, maybe he was just hiding it to show off or look strong.

She didn't know how far she'd walked, but when she looked up, the architecture had changed. Less stone. More wood. Open fields, a quiet road, and no Sect barriers in sight. In a small rural village here, the grass has grown, uncut and unkempt. She watched the grass move against her feet.

She saw a few children playing, her face still deadpan, but she was filled with a sense of ease. It was quiet, not in an eerie manner, but in a manner that she wasn't to face something imminent.

Tap.

Kaida's head turned slowly. A man, older in looks, walked up. No Cultivation.

"What is someone like you, a cultivator, doing within this village?" His question wasn't threatening or hostile. No, it was curious.

"...Simply passing by." Her voice was clear, yet her tone was softer, like she trusted this place more. "Is there any worries I might have?"

The elder chuckles softly, hearing her words. "No, no worries needed. I was simply curious. Rarely do cultivators come down to a village like this. You seem a lot different, though." His voice was raspy but deliberate.

She would tilt her head slightly. "Different how? I've heard many other things from cultivators... But being called different from them is new."

He smiles. "There's always a first for something. But, I may be taking up your time, so I'll continue with my day." He slowly begins walking off, to her left, from where she came, a larger home, probably his.

A faint smile appeared on her face. Her mood lightened. She resumed walking through the village, but on the side, she caught something. She didn't have a clue. But she wished to analyze, and her instinct to know took over; she moved towards it slowly.

Inside the alleyway, at least what it seemed like. Her eyes drifted down, noticing someone in the same clothing as other market couriers, whom she had been before going to the Sect to infiltrate and relay information. Though she hadn't done that in the slightest.

She didn't look behind her, but she could hear groaning, a young man, in his 20s, bleeding from the chest. She bent down beside him, silent.

"...W-Who are you!? Did they-"

"Shh- No, no one sent me. I just saw you from the corner of my eye. Now tell me where you're from."

"...How can I trust you, well... I'm gonna die anyway, so here's what I have to say..." His voice hitched, trying his hardest not to cry. "Just... Don't trust the Underworld, at all. The Eld- Gck!-" He coughed up some blood.

Kaida noticed it instantly, but seeing it involved the elders, she waited. Her hand was on her lap; she wanted to move it, but she couldn't trust anything in a world as new as this.

Bright, frothy red... but tinged with something darker — a heart wound, maybe. Something Kaida couldn't heal, but she doubted he even wanted it in the first place.

"Take your time." Her voice was soft but measured. "I'll be here with you. If you want, I can take you to a place."

He looked over, somewhat confused. He didn't expect someone who appeared as emotionless as she did to say this. "Wh... Why?" Tears slowly streamed down his face.

"Just because you're on the opposing side doesn't mean I can't be nice to you." She sighed. Her hand moving, a soft flow of Qi directly to him; it felt vastly different from what he was used to.

It slowed his blood flow, but it gave a little bit more time. Kaida was able to close the wound for one of his lungs, as well as take out the blood inside of it.

"I don't have much Qi right now, so I can't heal you constantly. I'll just give you more time." She spoke again, though quieter.

"...Well, T-Thanks, Genuinely- I-"

She stares at him deadpan, but her eyes reveal a solemn look. Even now, she isn't going to risk an attack; she's seen people used as bait like this.

"Right... Here's the thing: The Underworld doesn't just work underground; they're connected to many dukes and viscounts. It'd be impossible to get rid of them without causing damage in the Empire's landscape- I only got out because of the... They gave me an item, but I'm already gone." He flinched. A hand rested on his hair as he felt it being ruffled...?

"So even non-cultivator families have their hands dirty... not surprising, just annoying."

"You don't need to talk about just the Underworld. You can say anything you like." Her voice was more polite, though casual now.

"...Well, I just wish I could've done more and realized sooner... But, if you can, there's this creature; ...I only saw its silhouette once. It moved like it wasn't made of bone. And it spoke... in her voice. But I don't know what it is, but they say it's going to rival the Empress... And, the thing they used to make it was other humans... Including my mother to scare me into joining..."

"...W-" Kaida was genuinely surprised; it wasn't something she expected from a world like this, which was more focused on cultivation. If anything, she tilted her head, staring at the man. But his eyes started to close, yet he kept trying to stay awake despite it.

"...Tell my friend.... Osami, that I didn't forget. I just... didn't know how to fight back."

"Osami..." Kaida nodded.

It wasn't long before he was gone. She moved, her hand lifting up his body as she jumped up, above the wall, and then began walking to the outskirts of the village swiftly. Kaida stopped and looked down. The grass was empty. She put him down gently. She removed most of the grass, seeing that he wasn't awake anymore and couldn't form a sentence. He had passed away.

She put his body into the hole, and moving the dirt back to cover his body, she didn't have a coffin, but she didn't want him to simply rot in the alleyway.

Kaida looked down. The ground stirred slightly, and a small tree grew, yet no seed was planted right above his grave. It was fitting; she only hoped it broke the green pattern within this area and became pink, a sakura blossom, but that was illogical. Yet hopeful.

["...Ma'am, I just woke up. What are you doing here?"]

Kaida was deadpan but amused. A system like Cinder was sleeping, but if she needed it or wanted to, Kaida wouldn't bother.

"I just thought nature was a better fit right now."

[Cinder was confused. "I... See. Alright then, Kaida."]

"Hmm? My name? Cute. At least Cindy's learning to be independent."

Kaida continued moving, now back to the Sect. She found it amusing that so much had happened in this much time, but it felt worthwhile, even with everything grim she learned. Her Qi started to return to her body; she heard something moving. Looking up, she saw a pouch falling from the sky. Moving back, she let it land on her hand.

["Those are the Pills. I'm hoping you win." Cinder spoke quietly.]

"Well, thank you, then, Cindy."

"She seems softer... At least that's something good."

Kaida looked up. The sky was darker; it was nighttime, with thousands of stars shining, and near the center, a galaxy, indicating that the place wasn't polluted yet. In that moment, A bright flash appeared. About 3 seconds passed by; it was across the entire night sky, and Kaida had to cover her eyes.

"Not a bad ending to a long day."