Fatherly Asura

[Spring] arrived after the passing of less days that Fu had realised, and in this change he felt a great swallowing of self.

The oneness of Heaven’s change brought with it freshness of breath. Life. Persistence and growth. Indeed for his concept alone each turn of the [Season] was an exercise in insight, scintillating and teasing their [Senses] with novel worlds upon each bud or melted flake.

Such sallowness, however, was not for their distance to snow, ice, decay, and endings - the greater of which insight his counterpart, Fu Gao, had embedded himself within thoroughly - no. It came for the truth that few spoke of, so universal and clear as it may be.

[Tyranny].

The greater one’s strength, the greater the [Seasons] impeded.

“What will come in ten?” he asked.

Cloud Dragon Hall held many mists, some solemn, some playful.

None answered his query.

“Nine [Seasons],” hummed Shuidi.

“Nine [Seasons],” nodded Fu. drinking deep of his pipe. He stood then, unfolding from the lotus to stand tall upon his lakeside berth. “There is but one conversation we must have, and then we might proceed as always. The winds do not circle endlessly, but move. This doldrum of storms can end.”

The course was set.

Grandmother Hua rapped upon- in truth, the screen flew open at her second knock. “Of all Paths witnessed, this was second swiftest. Hmm. Yes, I see the wind is behind your sails now, Gao Fu. This is good. It will be needed.”

“Grandmother,” clasped Fu. “The second swiftest?”

“In some the weight of duty held you still. In others you acted rashly. No more will be said, for the future one might have taken is a madness unto itself,” her fingers sparkled, if only for his benefit. “Speak it aloud. Confirm it as one might their [Dao].”

A formation of ancient feel shrouded the moment. An assurance of privacy.

“From wise lips came wise words, once,” smiled Fu, though he held no hint of humour. “That to survive these Heavens one must become so small they avoid notice, or become large enough that they might trample all others.”

“Hmm,” shared Hua, but no more.

“An antithesis learned through Mubu guides these claws. Our future is decided.”

Hushi’s thundering tone followed that of his sister. “A God of Lonesome Skies imparted their reason. Our future is decided.”

“Against an Empress’ wisdom, our future is decided. We will become the arbiter of True Change. [Primordial Lords of Tribulation], known to all beneath the Heavens. If your will follows Yongwu Long, Grandmother, then we shall enforce all that comes after.”

Myriad constellations glittered across the Sage’s pupils. “One might presume your insight shallow, Gao Fu. Mubu corrupts with his lessons, for [Freedom] is no bedfellow to [True Change]. His crown exists and does not for that is its nature. If one held the crown of [True Change], then they themselves would live a lie and cease to be so, for one thing cannot both be eternal and embody its concept.”

Shuidi hummed, having much of Hua’s brow quirk. “We will hold no crown, Grandmother. A claw is enough.”

“To sacrifice ambition in this way, Gao Fu, it is… Hmm,” Hua firmed. “It is most like you.”

Fu’s tongue wished to ask more. Questions such as need we not explain more or is proof required in all their variations, and yet it was folly to presume that the [Cherry River Sage] did not know all answers.

Even still.

“Children must stand on the backs of their fathers. Is this not the way of winds? The rushing gale clears all so that shallow breaths might follow. That they might build into ribbons, gusts and storms of their own?”

Hua’s hum then was uncanny, as was the softness of her palm against his cheek. It caressed gently, then followed with an affectionate tap. “A fool would warn the [Primordial Lords of Tribulation] against coming hardship, and I am no fool. Very well. Hmm. Yes. The [Cherry River Sage] agrees with this course.”

The [Fatherly Asura’s] trio dipped. “Might we ask on a course?”

“The folly of all that petition the [Cherry River Sage] is in their ignorance. To know all futures reveals little. Only the past is certain, for that alone cannot be persuaded,” began Hua, departing with the intention that he follow.

Cloud Dragon Hall’s courts were filled with practicing disciples.

Kang Jae, Shaokang and Yasodhara were amongst them, though their own actions differed greatly.

“It would be unseemly to speak at length on prior times. Times when my [Spirit] was not as hale as now,” she continued, setting her stare upon all that toiled there. “Recall, however, the screens within our home on Divine Clouded Mountain. Set for all I had seen.”

“Zhu held one before our arrival. As did Kang Jae. Four remained.”

Hua highlighted Yasodhara. “The Sun Demon’s child was not intended to come alone. Righteous Mridul was to become as close in blood as Gao Zhu - a thing you have yet to solidify formally, I will remind you - alas, the Heavens are fickle. All that transpired robbed one such pleasant future. Heed this as caution against seeking my wisdom.”

Deep melancholy panged in Fu’s heart. “Yasodhara does not know. I see now why you speak of madness. To torture oneself on what might have been is cruelty manifest.”

“This Gao Shuidi would know of the other screens, despite this warning, Grandmother.”

Was that mirth there, crinkling Hua’s lips?

“A transient couple held a room there, welcome despite the length of their absence. The Vajra of smiling face and widening waist with his unrequited love. That future is as temperamental as the [Seasons] themselves,” began Hua. “Once there slept a [Spirit Hawk] obsessed with silk, ever seeking to be swifter than its host who it believed to be the wind. A now-deafened ghost, ousted from the One Hundred and Eight. Three oafish spear-sisters whose vengeance you slaked by accident, beholden despite your incessant dismissals. At length, I might speak on my niece, daughter of the [Cherry River Pilgrim] or the silver-skinned soul that defies all crossroads. Does this sate your curiosity, Gao Shuidi?”

Hushi audibly laughed.

“Allies, then,” noted Fu. “One course among myriad. We are not blessed with this in abundance. Ghosts are seldom blessed in friendship. Yet, of Udvah - your Vajra of widening waist - he is not outwith our reach. Nor his unrequited love. Now-deafened might only be Niharika, but the same cannot be said of her. In this regard we have let you down, Grandmother.”

“There is Yaogaui.”

“Yaogaui?” said Hua. “That oddity cannot be conjured like mist, Gao Hushi. Indeed, it seems you have ears but fail to hear. A house cannot stand on one pillar, but neither would brittle stone serve as a foundation. Temper what already exists.”

Shuidi looked to distant skies.

Fu looked to his disciples, and hoped his next act would not draw further ire. Mists spewed from his pipe, embedded with all the properties of their [Black Orchestrations Array] and the [Sovereign Clouded Existences Art]. “There is the matter of what remains in Zhu and our possession,” he almost whispered.

“For your sake, Gao Fu, I will not address your lack of faith in the [Cherry River Sage],” she hummed, spiting these clearly inferior mists. “The various [Spinters] in your possession can be consumed if you both so wish, in time. Know, however, that your duty is not to step within the [Hollow Throne]. In this tale of Heaven’s will, neither you nor Gao Zhu hold the lead role. That burden is Yongqu Long’s alone.”

“[Divine Qi] is no small thing to hide. Already I fear the Clouded Court’s suspicions. Apologies, Grandmother, my thoughts are scattered and my tongue follows suit. The [Hollow Throne] accepts none without [Divine Qi], this much we know. Is it better then, to imbue another with their power? To grant Long arms that his own might strike truer?”

Hua hummed. “In this moment, Gao Fu, trust that such generosity will not be necessary. The [Hollow Throne] holds a uniqueness beyond such requirements… those that only I, Yongwu Long, and sparse others could know. Hmm. No. A course will soon open that will reward such patience tenfold if only you refrain from absorbing them.”

Fu bowed, dismissing his fog. “Gratitude, Grandmother. The clarity of this moment is a weightless treasure. We shall strive to honor it.”

Starlight glittered in Hua’s eyes, casting no reflection. “That much even a fool might see.”

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