Chapter 194 – Contact
The Spirit Wardens had managed to shock the Inner Disciples twice in less than a week, and a third one was just around the corner. Although... The third shock was quite the opposite of the first two in its effects. It all stemmed from a very simple announcement, placed inside the Nine Hanging Bells, announcing that they were now recruiting.
“Fifteen Suns?!” Someone yelled out when they reached the part where it said disciples had to pay to join.
"That can be right... WE have to pay THEM to join up?" Another man read it twice, unable to believe his own eyes. “FIFTEEN?!” He yelled the same after reaching that exact part.
“And then five per month as long as you are a member,” the disciple beside him added, his face stuck in a perpetual grimace. “They have gone mad.”
More people pressed closer after hearing the exclamations, while someone farther behind them leaned sideways; others tiptoed, doing their best to read over others' shoulders.
“What do you actually get for that money?”
“It says..." The closest to the announcement read it quickly, mumbling a little before finding the list. "Association missions, shared resources, discounted access to information, and... WHAT?!.”
“What?" Someone yelled from behind.
“You have to sign a contract! It says, um... They require a full disclosure of any outstanding financial obligations... standing promises... contracts... association connections... favors owed... The fuck?! Why not just ask how big my dick is outright?”
"Nobody cares about that." A feminine voice added from somewhere, "They either lost their touch, thinking that with three Paragons they are already number one on the list, or they are simply mad. This is worthless, utterly worthless!"
“Yeah, they want everything.” Others agreed, as multiple heads kept shaking back and forth within the crowd. "And they already think they're worth infiltrating. Hah!”
That got a round of laughs, as everybody conveniently forgot that a few days ago most disciples wanted to find the Wardens' elusive headquarters.
“Wait, there's more!" The first voice, closest to the announcement, continued, "After joining, you become an Outer Warden, and it's apparently the probationary rank.”
“That is fucking insulting! After paying 15 Sun Crystals, you are not even a proper member? Nah. Naaaaaaah, this is a joke. Someone is trying to make them sound bad.”
“I never heard a fake announcement appear here.” Others argued, reminding everyone that this had to be genuine inside the Nine Hanging Bells.
“Do you at least get into their hideout?”
“No.”
The crowd exploded upon hearing that answer, and it was clear that nobody present would ever entertain joining them now.
“What?!”
“You pay them fifteen Suns, and they don't even let you into the headquarters?! They don't even tell you where it is? Then why the hell are you a member of?!”
Someone began laughing so hard he had to lean against the wall, while some people who had just arrived, hearing only the last part, couldn't wrap their heads around it.
“There has to be more.”
“There is.” The now clearly sarcastic tone was unmistakable. “It says: To become a proper Warden, you need enough contribution of your time and effort; otherwise, your membership will be revoked."
The laughter got worse when hearing that, and someone even joked that they would make you sign another contract, not realizing that was exactly what would happen after promotion. As more and more people came, reading their sign, fewer and fewer people considered joining them, throwing out the idea at once. It didn't take long for the news about their ridiculous recruitment to spread either, so by that evening, the Spirit Wardens had acquired a new reputation: The Wardens of Greed.
Before that day, a surprising number of Inner Disciples had been planning to join, mostly to discover where they were hiding, or to get the advantage of being in an association that also had one of the biggest Inner Disciple groups as an ally. Their main motivation came from the fact that it was always easier to secure a spot in a new, emerging group than to get a foothold in an already established one. However, after that day, all that excitement died down in a flash.
As for Fire Ring, they found the whole thing considerably funnier. Val read the announcement in his office, unable to hold back his laughter, finding them pretty ballsy to enter the fray like that. Most new groups would act humble, but the Wardens did not. On the other hand, he knew their worth from Cal'Fia, that they used similar moves while being an outer, and that what Siu created down there had proved to be a working model. People here would realize it, too, in time, but by then it might be too late.
On the other hand, the Burning Banner's response was different when they caught wind of the spreading news.
“Fuck that,” Kal spoke up after hearing the part about the monthly fee.
“Which part?” Rovan asked with a chuckle.
“All of it. Damn, they are nuts...”
"Are they?" Rovan asked, smiling. "We use contracts too. We also demand members to do tasks and contribute. The only difference is, no organization puts it out like this, as if it were a menu in a restaurant. Huh. Interesting and confident, if you ask me."
"Don't make them sound good..." Kal snorted, rubbing his shiny head.
"I'll have to." He shrugged, standing up, getting ready to leave. "Because I found someone who can get us in. So, hold back your tongue, please? And come with me."
Kal didn't argue, and when asked, he managed to stay silent, waiting in a simple teahouse that was only big enough to seat five or six people at once for half an hour. As they sipped on their bland drinks, a figure finally arrived, catching Rovan's eye, and when their gazes met, the slick-haired man simply beamed at them. He made his way over without bumping into anybody, sitting down opposite them, ordering a tiny cup of tea.
“I heard that you've been looking to speak with the Wardens.” He began at once.
"We do." Rovan nodded as he stared at the man, while Kal, seated beside him, narrowed his eyes, trying to measure the man's powers. “You are part of Golden Scroll... No?”
“Yes, my name is Toban. It is a pleasure to meet you.” He said with a smile as his tea arrived, taking a satisfied sip, even though it barely had any taste.
“You don't look like much,” Kal muttered, making Rovan step on his foot under the table, but Toban simply chuckled.
"Thank you."
"I'll get to the point," Rovan continued before Kal could say anything else, “We want a meeting with the Wardens' leadership. Can you arrange it?”
“Yes, I can.” Toban nodded just as simply.
“How much?”
"Thirty Suns, and I can get you an invite by tonight."
"...!" Kal was already inhaling like a seagull ready to cry out, but Rovan was faster, putting the CC on the table without a flinch.
“Oh?" Toban raised a brow, but didn't reach for it yet. "Before I take it, I will have you know that the invitation will come with a confidentiality contract. Without accepting it, you won't get in.”
"...!" Kal was once again opening his mouth and, once again, got a foot planted on his big toe.
"I understand," Rovan said simply, making Toban scoop up the CC and finish his tea.
"Well then. Let me get to work, and I hope you come to us again when there is something you need." Without waiting for anything else, he just bowed and left, disappearing in the crowd outside.
"Man..." Kal finally managed to speak after Toban left. "I think we just got swindled... big time."
Rovan said nothing to that, feeling the same way deep down, but he didn't want to jinx it. Their fears were dispelled only when the invitation indeed arrived, right before sunset. It was done through Rovan's own silver sash, warning him that if they broke the contract, their fine would be enforced by the Hollow Song itself. And the amount they would have to pay... simply put, it was impossible, even if Rovan had sold everything the Burning Banner owned.
Still, the moment Rovan and Kal accepted it, they were given temporary access permission and a clear sense of where to go. Already feeling strange and weirded out, none of them wanted to wait, and they left before dark, heading up the same route that so many brokers and their workers had tried to explore. Yet, unlike those attempts, their path soon led them to a rushing stream they had never seen before.
“Did we take a wrong turn?” Kal stopped suddenly, feeling a shiver run through his back.
“No,” Rovan said as he kept walking.
“How do you know?” He continued asking, catching up to him again, not wanting to get lost.
“I've been counting and watching; I think we are already inside a formation... This is... I have never seen anything like this. How can a group get a hold of something so powerful?”
“Are they backed by a Core Disciple?”
“Maybe...” Rovan said, frowning, as that was his thought, too. Which would imply an Elder's presence, which also said a lot.
“That wasn't here.” Kal suddenly exclaimed, pointing forward where a red gate now stood, with a bridge behind it.
“No wonder the location can't be mapped...” Rovan muttered, recognizing the rippling air between them and the other end of the bridge. "I can't believe they own a spatially separated space! Suddenly I think their rules are not harsh enough and prices are way too low."
For once, Kal had nothing else to say, only gulping, hurrying after Rovan as they began crossing the bridge. Their passage was uninterrupted, and when they stepped through the second gate, both men stopped, their mouths falling open. They both expected the space to be different and weird, but... the sheer size of it was jarring. The Warden's main compound would have been impressive all alone, but all that vast and still unoccupied land behind it... It was too much for their brains to handle.
“What the fuck?” Kal finally broke the silence, making Rovan flinch and shake his head.
“A sect inside the sect,” Rovan muttered, and although Kal thought it was an exaggeration, he couldn't argue with it after a second glance.
"Welcome." Someone laughed ahead of them, and when they looked, it was Siu, approaching them, with Seloryn following right behind him.
“Greetings.” Rovan stepped forward at once, cupping his hands, and despite everything, Kal followed suit, doing the same.
"Let me introduce myself." Siu cupped his hands, too. "My name is Siu, and I am the leader of the Wardens. Please, Senior Rovan, Senior Kal. Let us escort you in so we can talk comfortably.”
“No need for honorifics,” Rovan spoke up first, falling in step with him, smiling amicably. Sensing his attitude, Siu just smiled without saying anything, but the next time he spoke to them, he did so casually.
"I see. Well, Rovan, Kal, I guess you wouldn't be able to focus on any issues we may have before I give you a little tour. So... This way, please."
For the next half-hour, neither managed to hide their amazement completely as Siu led them on a brief tour, inside and out, barely revealing anything, just making sure they wouldn't derail any talks that would follow with unnecessary questions. It may have worked way too well, because they were still walking, circling the pool when Rovan sighed loudly.
“Haaah! I understand his decision now.”
"Hm?" Siu hummed, tilting his head.
"Fire Ring's eagerness to ally with you," Rovan added plainly, looking into his eyes. “I want the Burning Banner included in that, too.”
“Included in our alliance?” Siu asked, frowning, because he expected something like that, but still... it was a weird request, especially because he didn't really have any connection with Rovan or his group.
“After seeing this place, and the fact that you're somehow connected to all this without even being a Paragon, yes." Rovan explained, being honest with him, "I know it is sudden, and it looks like I'm seeking benefits I haven't earned... So, I am not asking you to make a decision on the spot. I just want you to know that I would be happy to cooperate with you and Fire Ring in the future. On any issues.”
"Even if I want to make a decision, an alliance is still the work of two sides," Siu answered, trying his best to sound diplomatic.
“Naturally," Rovan nodded, "I would also like you to know that we have our own people, reputation, missions, territory, and connections. We aren't as big as Fire Ring, but we can fight just as well.”
“The Inner Disciples are competitive enough already, and seven allied Paragons made everyone nervous.” Seloryn joined the discourse just then, "And if you join in on that... it would put us at nine."
"I am well aware of that." Rovan smiled slightly. "That's why I said that we can fight just as well."
"For now," Siu added, looking at the two, "I can't accept anything. I will talk with Fire Ring, and, in the meantime, maybe we can work together here and there. See where we go from there."
"Yet you allied with Fire Ring on the first day?" Kal suddenly asked, squinting at Siu, "And not with us? When Rovan says we can fight just as well, he is serious! Hmph, I would say, when it comes down to fire-related techniques, we are even better."
"Kal Val is someone I knew from when I was an outer," Siu answered, raising a hand, stopping the rant that was ready to escape the bald man's mouth. "More than that, I have connections to him, and I will say no more than that. Our alliance is not something out of nowhere; people are simply unaware of many things surrounding it, and honestly? It is none of your business anyway." He finished with a surprisingly authoritative voice, surprising Kal, but Rovan remained calm, without getting angry. "Do you understand?"
"Naturally," Rovan nodded, cupping his hand, deciding it was better to leave now, as he had achieved first contact and laid the foundations that he could use and slowly build towards that alliance in the future. "I thank you for your time, Siu. Please do think about my offer, and I look forward to working with you in the meantime. Don't be afraid to look for us if you need help with anything."
"Mhm." Siu nodded with a smile, then escorted them back to the bridge and led them out of their home.
"Well... that went differently than I expected. Are you thinking of accepting their offer?" Seloryn asked, the moment the two were gone.
"Not immediately," Siu replied, crossing his arms, watching the bridge behind the rippling air that swallowed Rovan and Kal. "If I do, everyone would want to join in on the frenzy... However, if we are indeed compatible... Why not? But I want to see that first, because I don't know them."
"Plus," Seloryn smiled suddenly, "You should still focus on joining the Paragon list already. The backlash we got from the recruitment announcement halted our progress... No one signed up to join us. We need that second wind."
"Yeah, yeah," Siu shrugged with a smile. "I know..."