The Heavens Shall Fall

After the fight, Marly wasn’t letting Siu’s promise of a ‘feast’ be forgotten, so they ended up, somehow, following Seloryn to a place to eat. Right as they got to their destination, Seloryn disappeared for a moment, only returning when Quillian said he would pay. Nobody wanted to turn down such a generous offer, especially Marly, who soon had a massive piece of honeyed bread in both paws, stuffing the entire thing into her mouth, without chewing. Arya, just as eager, sat beside Siu, holding her own bread with ample meat on it, trying to look dignified by using her hands, yet she kept complaining between bites that if she had been let into the arena, they could have won. They were in the middle of the second course when Joren arrived, clearly searching for them, walking up to their table with a yawn.

“Better morning or something...” He yawned, sitting down, “I just finished my shift and was going to sleep when I got the message…” He muttered, accepting a cup of tea from Seloryn, who evidently sent word to him, “What did I miss that was so important for you to send a runner over?”

“Siu had a duel against the 100th Paragon,” Seloryn said simply, and Joren was in the middle of taking a sip, simply nodding his head before it registered, making him choke on the tea.

“The fuck?!” He coughed, snapping his head towards Siu.

“I lost,” Siu said simply, raising his hands at once.

“No shit!” Joren muttered, wiping his mouth, “What were you thinking?!”

“There was no thinking involved in this,” Quillian answered, probably waiting to say it for a long time, “But it wasn’t a bad loss, so…”

“True… You don’t look injured,” Joren muttered and then waited until Siu had eaten half a dumpling before pointing at him with a finger. “Care to explain? Now that I’m fully awake, I deserve that much!”

He started from the previous morning, up to the end of the duel, causing Joren to snort into his tea one more time. In the end, when all of his questions were answered, Joren just shrugged, ordering a second cup of tea.

“Damn it, Siu, you managed to step into a pile of shit, yet you came out of it with clean shoes. How the hell did you do that?”

“Luckily, his opponent held back, underestimating him,” Vael spoke up, then quickly added, “And underestimated Marly, too.”

"Mhmfmhf!" Marly said something, but her squeaks and thoughts were blocked by all the food stuffed into her mouth, making her head look twice its size already.

“Yeah,” Siu nodded, patting her back so not to choke, “That helped a lot, and I was counting on it.”

“Maybe Nokoh will not remain hostile to you after the dust settles,” Vael continued, “I didn’t feel like he was actually holding a grudge, well, maybe he has a new one against this Merra woman, but against you… I don’t know about that.”

“Maybe not.” Siu leaned back, wiping his mouth, “I just hope Merra will get off my back after this.”

“I have a suggestion that would guarantee that,” Seloryn said, putting her cup down on the table, making a surprisingly loud knocking sound, drawing all eyes onto her. “Nokoh, or in fact, anyone else, could approach him or one of us, because we are alone amongst the inner disciples. Yes, someone like me can handle it, because of my own strength, but even I can’t deal with everything.”

“I think I know what you are getting at,” Siu smiled a little, remembering their conversations from before, and he had known this was coming. She didn’t say so directly, but he knew the moment she first took him on a tour.

“We should form a group.” Seloryn said simply, smiling and nodding at Siu, “I was waiting for the ideal moment, and I think this is it. It would stop any further actions to drag us into some petty conflict.”

Arya’s ears rose listening to her, and Marly also stopped chewing to hear her better.

“A group? You… In a group?” Joren’s eyebrows lifted. “Hard to believe.”

“Why?” Vael looked genuinely curious, which was not a surprise.

“I was used before, when I first got to the Inner Disciples and then got myself on the Paragon list,” Seloryn said simply, “And since then, I went solo.”

“There are things that I don’t miss from being a disciple,” Quillian muttered, shaking his head while Siu simply took a sip of tea, not wanting to ask more questions, even if both Arya and Marly were nudging him through their connection to do so.

“Let’s stay on point,” Seloryn leaned back slightly, looking over them, “Siu already has a group amongst the outers, and it dominates the scenery. By now, I would dare say, they are the number one outer disciple association. We can capitalize on that, so we can recreate the Spirit Wardens as an inner-disciple group and link the two.”

“Wait, you do have a group?” Joren asked, gawking, glancing at Siu, who smiled sheepishly. "A number-one-type group? The hell?!"

“Y-yeah,” He muttered, “But that means little here.”

“Not exactly.” Seloryn smiled at him, fingering the edge of her cup, “If we have disciples coming up from the outers, immediately joining us… That would be the best foundation for creating a group that can support itself, us, and, who knows, who else in the future. This is how factions within the Elders form. Gather talents to your side before they become an elder.”

While she was speaking, for a moment, Siu saw the familiar tower again, hearing Rinmei’s voice, complaining while the twins were laughing about it... More importantly, he could hear and smell Neya again. He didn't know he could miss something this much.

“Already thinking about being an elder?” Joren laughed. “You never change…”

“I have plans, yes,” Seloryn continued, “Anyway, listen to me! We can keep the name. It will sound strange at first for inner disciples, but nobody will care. It would at least give us ample protection, well, to you mostly, because of my rank. Any group with a Paragon in it is counted as a proper faction. It will for sure stop every future idiot from trying to pull something like Nokoh did.”

“Yeah,” Siu looked at his tea, snorting. “That sounds useful.”

“See?” She grinned, “I want everyone at this table to join.”

“Everyone?” Quillian chortled, “I am too old for it, girl, I don’t think I’m up for it, nor do the rules allow me to be part of a disciple’s association.”

“No, you can’t be, not officially,” Seloryn turned to him, dead serious. “No one is asking you to be a member… But, you could be an advisor.”

“No.”

“Or sponsor.”

“Absolutely not!” Quillian answered quickly, “I don’t have time to spare, not to mention, my money is finite, and it has a better use than waste on nobodies. I planned to waste it on somebody!” He added seriously, throwing a nod towards Siu.

Getting a bit taken aback as to why he was pulled into the argument again, Siu looked between the two while they were going back and forth, and noticed that Quillian avoided his eyes. The moment that clicked for him, Siu kept looking at him… glaring him down, causing his mouth to twist.

“Do not stare at me like a sad orphan, you are not a kitten!” He finally snapped at him.

“Senior,” Seloryn smiled, pushing the idea forward. “You are already financing him. I don't ask you to do the same for everybody, but you could help us out with tips and some tricks. You have the knowledge to help us avoid the pitfalls.”

“Me financing this idiot is pure research, and a solo thing. I don't think I would have time helping anyone else when I need all my attention to help him!” Quillian argued, not giving in so easily.

“Well... in a group, that research could go on even more smoothly!” Seloryn continued, not giving up, “The Spirit Wardens could provide you with more data as we organize training sessions, and if we go on a mission, we could even bring you back more data, about anything you fancy. You just need to provide your oversight to us, which, with your experience, would be invaluable.”

“Girl… You are dangerous,” Quillian stared at her for a long moment, then finally, he looked at Siu, locking gazes with him, and shrugged a minute later. “Fine,” he growled, “But I’m doing this advice thing on my own terms and on my own time. Got it?”

“Perfectly.” Seloryn grinned, throwing a quick wink at Siu.

“Thank you, Senuor,” Siu smiled, making him wave a hand.

“Don’t thank me, just get me actual research data; otherwise, I’ll quit.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Vael had been silent through all of it, just watching them with a smile, remembering his times back home. It was at that moment, when Siu’s head turned to him, that he flinched, as it was followed by everyone else turning towards him.

“What?” He sat up straight, feeling like he was about to be questioned again.

“You too,” Siu said simply, “Seloryn said that everyone at the table should join.”

“…” Vael blinked his eyes, feeling his own affinity short-circuited him, “What?! That is not possible.”

“Officially, maybe not.” Seloryn nodded, getting quickly interrupted by Vael, not wanting to give her the same chance as Quillian did.

“Not maybe.” He said firmly, “I am not a Hollow Song disciple for starters, and I am still under investigation. I am a prisoner, let’s not distort the truth! My name is attached to treason, murder, theft, and whaítever else I may be accused of since my capture... That’s not a good look at all!”

“All excellent reasons to keep you where people can see you,” Siu said, ignoring the face he was making. "We could be your jailors or something."

“Hah!” Joren stared at him as he agreed with Vael here. “That is one way to put it…”

“You have the experience, being a sect's head disciple.” Seloryn said suddenly, “You can’t be an official member; that is a given, but you can be a guest.”

Vael’s jaw almost dropped to the floor, hearing her say that.

“She’s right,” Siu continued, pressuring Vael, “You cannot be an official member, but it doesn’t mean you can’t help us out at all!”

Listening to them, Vael looked down at his black bracelet, slowly rubbing it, the memories of how it was back hom intensifying, making his breathing pick up a lot, causing him to activate his technique to try and rein in his emotions that were going haywire.

“Why?” he asked in a hoarse voice, not raising his head.

“Because you are alone,” Siu answered so quickly and simply that Vael went still, his eyes fixed straight before him, watching the table, not daring to raise his head. For a long moment, he said nothing, but suddenly, he gave a humorless, choking laugh.

“You invite trouble very casually, aren’t you?”

“I have...” Siu grimaced, looking at the others, “An affinity for weird outcomes, yes.”

“What if the elders object?” Vael asked finally, quickly wiping his eyes.

“Then we adjust.” Seloryn shrugged, ”We deal with it if it happens, until then, don’t worry about it.”

“You all…” Vael muttered, glancing around everyone at the table, “You make that sound simple! Haaahh... If it works out, I can advise any member,” Vael said slowly, “if permitted. And if I am allowed, I would be happy to be a sparring partner for anyone needing it.”

“We will ask around,” Siu nodded with a smile. “And that is more than enough.”

“Before we register,” Seloryn suddenly tapped one finger against her cup. “There is one more person I want to join.”

“Oh, please no!” Joren moaned, already having a firm guess.

“Ruben would do fine with us,” Seloryn said confidently, glaring at him.

“Eh?” Arya frowned. “The umbrella princess?”

“Hah!” Joren laughed at that automatically, then winced, knowing he would have to interact with his half-brother even more.

“Look,” Seloryn ignored all that, of course, “Ruben is Rank Ninety-Nine on the Paragon List, while I am Rank Eighty-Eight. If he joins, the Spirit Wardens will have two Paragons attached from the beginning, which is rare. Very few associations can say they have two Paragons on their roster”

“That matters a lot,” Quillian agreed seriously. "When I was your age, the top ten associations were the only ones that had more than one Paragon on their team. Usually, those on the list are heads of their own organizations and not so keen on joining others, being under others' command."

“And if Siu gets on the list, too…” Seloryn whispered to herself for a moment. “If the Spirit Wardens publicly include Rank Eighty-Eight and Rank Ninety-Nine, then any disciple beneath us must think twice before starting trouble with any of us. It would also mean that anyone above us must at least be honest about making a move…”

“He may not accept,” Joren said, hoping for it to be true.

“Oh, believe me,” Seloryn smiled. “He will.”

“Why do you sound so sure?” Joren asked with a moan, rubbing his face.

“Because you will be there, and he would feel that if he doesn’t join, you won over him, big time.”

“Fuck…” Joren’s face darkened, knowing it was the truth and also why he couldn't quit now. What if he leaves, and Ruben joins? He would feel the same way! “That is not a recruitment strategy, but blackmail, Seloryn. You are horrible!”

“I am.” She grinned, “I learned how to manipulate people, be happy that I’m so honest about it!”

“You know what?” Quillian chortled as he sipped his tea. “Put that on the association's banner.”

“We will need something better than that,” Seloryn said as she leaned back, looking pleased now that the table had agreed with her idea. “Then it is settled! Siu will be the leading figure.”

“…” Siu winced, as finally it was his time to be surprised. "Me? With two Paragons under me? Won't that bring more eyes to us than needed? Aren't we planning to avoid something like that?"

"You can't avoid that with two Paragons in your group," Quillian smiled cruelly at him. “Welcome to inner-disciple life. You thought fighting was the hard part... Well, wait until the news spreads!”

"It is best if you are the head of the association," Seloryn continued, looking into Siu's eyes, "Anyone coming up from the outers would expect it to be the case, and it is best for future stability. You already have the experience establishing the Wardens, so you just need to recreate it. Easy."

"If I learned anything..." Siu muttered, closing his eyes and leaning back, "Is that whatever looks easy, it is never as such..."