Path of the Berserker

We did as Master Hao had instructed, with me selecting something that Blue Rose described as being ‘dick pills’ before paying and hightailing out of the factory before Chin or his son could badger us with more questions and conversation. I made up an excuse of wanting to see a bit more of the planet before heading back to the Omni Gate and then bid them farewell in a way that made it clear we wouldn’t be seeing them again.

Or so I hoped.

“I’ll be sure to make good use of these,” I said, shaking the bottle of dick-pills in my hand. “My wife thanks you in advance.”

Chin and Chet returned embarrassed smiles as they bowed.

“You are most welcome, Duke Iron Bull. Please come back anytime,” Chin Yi Fae said. He then looked to Blue Rose. “You as well, Lin. There is no need to let the past sabotage the future.”

I clapped Blue Rose on the shoulder. “Sorry gents, but her future lies with me, I’m afraid. People like us got too much violence to offer the empire. She’ll be joining me for my Liberator orientation in Yee Guo.”

Blue Rose turned to me with a surprised ‘I will?’ sort of look that I quickly wiped from her face with another nudge. “Besides, I might just try these pills out on her and make her my second wife!”

I burst into a belly laugh that had Chin and Chet smiling with even more discomfort.

“Let’s go, Blue,” I said, smacking her on the ass.

She jumped a little and I nearly burst out laughing from the dagger-eyes she shot at me. But she played along with a shameless smile of her own, that had her uncle and cousin staring with slack-jawed confusion.

“I’ll come back when he needs a refill,” she said with a wink and then laughed. “See you boys.”

As we finally took our leave and boarded a skiff Hein had arranged, Blue Rose finally exploded.

“What the hell was all that shit, Max?” she fumed. “Making me look like a damn slut-whore in front of them?”

I waited until the skiff had taken off and we had the rush of the wind to mask our conversation from the pilot. “What? It was just a distraction.”

“At my expense? You made me look like a weak little bitch!”

I shrugged. “Yeah. Which is what they already think you are, by the way.”

She scowled at me again.

Hein patted her on the knee. “Relax. Chun’s right for once. Labeling you are merely one of his concubines was the perfect play.”

“What!” Blue Rose turned her anger to him now. “You agree with him?”

“The less of a threat you appear to them the better,” Hein said. “In their eyes you’ve moved on to better things. Concubine to a Duke? Even they would have to kiss your ass socially now.”

“They can kiss my ass, alright,” Blue Rose, still smoldering. “And to hell with them for thinking I’m so weak.”

“Don’t worry, Blue,” I said. “You’ll show ‘em. Just you wait.”

* * *

We headed into the city proper, and the landscape changed yet again, become more ‘modern’ looking—by Yee standards anyway. It was like being back in Yee Guo, with taller buildings, more densely packed streets and a general sense of hustle and bustle that had me feeling more relaxed. If Chin had us followed, then he would at least have a harder time keeping track of us.

Hein had the skiff driver drop us off as a swanky hotel making sure to tip him heavily. Once inside, we then absconded out the back door and slipped into the city streets.

“We’ll assume the driver will report back to your uncle where he took us,” Hein said. “How far away are the markets from here, Blue?”

“Halfway across town,” she said.

“Perfect,” I said. “Lead the way.”

Blue Rose took us through the back alleys, weaving through the city until we hit the densely packed open-air market that was selling all sorts of wares. Weapons, food and of course elixirs.

“These are the aftermarket,” Blue Rose explained. “People from all over come here, just for the knock offs. Lots of off-worlders here too, so we should blend in.”

I got a sense of what she meant the deeper we went in. There was a subtle chaos to the place that had me feeling more at ease. Everyone here was a rich tourist looking to score and the locals manning the stands and stalls were all too happy to accommodate them. As we wandered into areas of more mundane wares, the crowd became distinctly more local, with normal people just buying goods for everyday life.

By the time we hit the fish markets, I felt sufficiently lost in a sea of nondescript faces, yelling and turmoil. I was in the middle of ogling a giant catfish the size of a shark when someone bumped into me from behind and just kept on moving. I couldn’t see his face, but by his height and headscarf I recognized him immediately as Master Hao. I took the hint and followed after him, Blue Rose and Hein doing the same.

We moved quickly through the market and to a side alley were Hao ushed us through and open door and down some creaky woody steps into a dank ass basement that reeked mold and rot, lit by a couple of Qi stones that were sat on a table surrounded by chairs.

“Wait here,” he said and then disappeared back up the creaky stairs.

A few minutes went by then Hao returned, creaking down the steps with five other men in tow. The first I recognized as Master Jun Ho, the others resembled him in dress and even mannerisms and disposition, especially once they saw who was waiting for them in the center of the dank cellar.

“Should have known you’d come for more than just seeking ‘wood hardener’ for your new master,” Jun Ho muttered, looking directly at Blue Rose. He then looked at me. “As if someone like you would even need the stuff. Your rouse is as thin as my damn patience right now, so spit out what you truly came for so I can be on my way.”

I was taken aback by his swift and spot on assessment.

The other men with him shared the same gruff and no nonsense look.

I deferred to Blue Rose but she had that same deer-in-headlights look from before.

“Perhaps some introductions are in order,” Master Hao said, breaking the tension. “Duke, this is the assembly of Yi Fae elders, led by Master Jun Ho. Master Ho, this is the Duke Iron Bull, his retainer Master Hein Dong and of course you already know Miss Lin Yi—”

“The Blue Rose, you mean?” Jun Ho said, cutting him off. “Speak then girl. What is it you hope to accomplish here?”

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I gave her a nudge and when she looked at me, I saw the fire re-enter her eyes.

“I’m here for revenge,” she said. “I’m here to take back what my uncle stole from me and make him pay for what he did to my family.”

“Make him pay, huh?” Jun Ho scoffed. “That why you brought the Bloody Duke with you?”

“Damn, the Bloody Duke?” one of the other elders said and then they all chimed in.

“Figured the likes of her would come up with something like this.”

“Aye, this your plan then, Lin? Going to destroy our world like he did his?”

“Bloody is right. Bloody useless.”

“Go on back to being a Legionnaire.”

“Told you, it’s be a waste of our time coming here.”

“Alright hold on!” I shouted above them. “First off, none of that Bloody Duke shit is true. And didn’t kill my own people, and I certainly didn’t come here to kill yours.”

“Then what did you come here for then?” Jun Ho said. “And don’t tell me more pills.”

“He came to offer you all an opportunity,” Hein said stepping forward. “If you all are smart enough to listen that is.”

He paused and his words caused their grumbles to quell.

“Bold one, aren’t you?” Jun Ho said with a smirk. “Go on then. What is it?”

Hein looked over his shoulder at Blue Rose as if for confirmation and she nodded at him. “We offer you the opportunity to follow the true heir of the Yi Fae clan and redomicile on the sovereign world of Terra, where the Duke will give you the freedom to create as you see fit. As true artisans. Not slaves to quota or restrictions.”

“Is that right?” Jun Ho said, looking to me now. “The great Bloody Duke come to save us from our villainous, backstabbing masters, have you?’

He let out a mirthless laugh and the other elders joined in.

Man, what a bunch of jaded assholes, I thought. But I guess I couldn’t blame them too much.

“Look,” I said with [Struggler’s Resolve]. “I know my reputation precedes me, but believe it or not, I’m more like you than you know.”

“Oh? How’s that then?” Jun Ho asked.

“I trained for six years under the masters of Ri Ben as an initiate and earned my headband as an apprentice. I know what it means to hone and master your craft and I can tell the direction Chin Yi Fae is taking your clan is not the direction Blu—I mean Lin’s father would have wanted.”

“What the hell do you know about our clan?” Jun Ho shouted, his façade of indifference dropping as true anger took hold. “You’re just another damn noble looking to profit. You have any idea how many governors and princesses come tempting me to leave Genisha for bluer skies and sweeter waters? You’re all just in it for the money. But to hell if I’m going to just trade one Wen-grubbing master for another.” He let out a harrumph. “Better the damn devil I know.”

For the first time I sensed more than just anger in him. Just below the surface was a river of pain.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” I said. “I do need you for the wealth you’ll bring to my planet, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand you or wish better for you either. Back on my world, before the empire came, my father worked for master like yours. All they care about was production and profit, not skill. But he eventually left them to work for himself. It was a risk, but he held his own destiny in his hands. That’s what I’m offering all of you.”

“To work for ourselves?” Jun Ho said. “How?”

“By following her,” Hein said pointing at Blue Rose. “The true heir of the Yi Fae Clan.”

Jun Ho laughed. “You almost had me for a second. I’d be damn if I’ll be following someone who calls herself Blue Rose.” He then leveled his eyes at Blue Rose herself. “You made it clear your whole life you wanted nothing to do with your father’s legacy. And now that it’s gone, you expect to prance in here and pick it back up? You got some nerve, girl.”

I sensed a flare of anger and in a burst of Qi, Blue Rose was across the room, holding Jun Ho by his collar.

“You listen to me, you old fart!” she shouted in his face. “You think I don’t know my past? And yes, I choose to call myself Blue Rose, because I know what I am. But I went through a literal Hell World to atone for my sins and avenge my family. And you can pretend like none of it matters now, because you weak willed asses are all dependent on my uncle for your very existence, but you know damn well what he did to take over this family.”

Blue Rose was shaking with anger, her eyes on the verge of tears.

“I came back to reclaim my families honor and to restore my father’s legacy the way he would want it. And the Duke Iron Bull is offering you that. Us that. Why won’t you take it?”

Jun Ho was still staring at her wide eyed, fear in his soul, but eventually he steeled himself and yanked his collar from her grasp. “Well, I have to say, you have grown some. You’re not the same aloof brat who didn’t give a shit about anything nor earn her place. You at least have the fire of conviction in your heart now and I truly believe you do want to avenge your father, but there’s a reason your uncle doesn’t fear you, Lin.” He then let out a sigh and his tone changed, becoming less abrasive and more sympathetic. “You don’t have what it takes to lead this family. Never did. That legacy died with your father and your brothers.”

A painful silence fell and Blue Rose didn’t say anything for a while.

Just stared back at Jun Ho with tears in her eyes.

“And you’re just going to accept that?” she said finally. “To allow my uncle to destroy everything my father created?”

Jun Ho shrugged. “What choice do we have? We’re artisans, not nobles and business men. Like I said, better the devil I know, and in truth you’re a Yi Fae in name only.”

Blue’s nostrils flared. “What the hell do you mean by that?”

“I mean it as no offense,” he said and placed a hand on her shoulder. “We believed in your father because he was one of us. The best of us really. But you never inherited that talent, Lin. You simply don’t possess the skill to lead us.”

“And my uncle does?”

“Yes,” he said matter-of-factly. “Even if it’s in the wrong direction, it’s his right to do so.” He then turned and headed for the stairs. “You inherited your mother’s talents Lin. Best you stick to honing those. You’re much better at it.”

* * *

We all sat in silence.

The reek of dust and mold added to the atmosphere of defeat and despair. Blue Rose hadn’t said anything in over ten minutes, her stare glued to the dirt floor. Hein sat next to her in support but hadn’t said anything either.

Master Hao was eventually the first to speak. “So…that didn’t go so well?”

Blue Rose scoffs. “Tell me about it.”

“It’s just a first meeting,” Hein said. “No negotiation concludes in a single meeting.”

“Is that what this was?” Blue Rose said. “Seemed more like a confirmation of my incompetence. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Wait,” Hein said, resting his hand on her shoulder, for her to sit again. “Master Hao, can’t you speak for her? Master Jun Ho respects you, doesn’t he?”

“It’s the only reason he showed up,” Hao said. “But trust me. He won’t show up for another. What he said was harsh, but honest. I’m sorry Lin, but he was right. The clan won’t follow you. And they won’t follow you either Duke Iron Bull.”

“Bullshit is what it is,” Blue Rose cursed. “How can he stand to see my family destroyed like this and then just go along with it?”

“Because he sees you as just more of the same,” I said.

Blue Rose glared at me, a bit of hurt in her eyes. “And you believe that?”

“I believe he believes it, and that all that matters now.” I then turned to Master Hao. “What will it take to change that?”

“Huh?”

“What would it take for her to prove she’s as good as her dad?”

Hao laughed. “She’ll never be.”

“Humor me,” I said.

“I don’t know,” he said flippantly. “Craft a twin dragon elixir?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a joke,” Blue Rose said. “It’s like saying capture a star or something. It’s a figurative impossibility.”

“Then what is possible?” Hein said. “She doesn’t have to be her father but there must be something she can do to earn as much respect as her uncle has.”

Hao scratched his headscarf. “I guess, winning the exhibition could do that. Hell maybe even a second place would earn you respect from most.”

“What’s this exhibition?” I asked.

“An annual tournament, hosted by the governor. It’s to give the other clans a crack at glory, but really it just reinforces the Yi Fae clan’s dominance. It’s the only time Chin allows Jun Ho and his crew to cut loose on the ingredients. A way to keep them happy almost.”

“So what can she craft to win this thing? Maybe this twin dragon potion?”

“It’s a figure of speech, Max,” Blue Rose said. “And it’d take me years to get good enough to even qualify for the exhibition, much less win it. And we don’t have years. We’re just going to have to convince Jun Ho again.”

“We will,” I said. “When is the exhibition?”

“It’s held every spring,” Hao said.

“So soon then,” I said. “How far away is it?”

“You mean this year?” Hao said. “It’s in six months.”

“Perfect!” I said. “Master Hao would you be willing to train Blue Rose?”

“In six months?”

“No,” I said. “What if you had years?”

Blue Rose looked at me blankly for a second and then the realization hit her face. “Oh no… I’m not doing that, I can’t do that.”

“What is she talking about?” Hao asked.

“What if I told you there was a way to turn a day into a year. How much could you teach Blue Rose in that time?”

“I’m not spending 20 years in that place, Max!”

“What place??” Hao said.

“Ri Ben,” I said. “I trained with the masters there. They have a way of compressing time.”

Hao’s jaw hung open as his eyes grew wide. “I’ve heard the rumors! So they are true?”

“I’m living proof,” I said.

He turned to Blue Rose with eagerness in his eyes. “We must do it. I can teach you my ultimate technique. Something even Jun Ho has never been able to achieve.”

“Not that sounds like something that will win him over,” Hein said. “What is it?”

“Golden Seed Essence,” he said. “The ingredients are so rare that few ever attempt it, much less master it. But if that’s the only thing I’m teaching you, then perhaps in five years you could master it.”

“Five years doesn’t sound too bad,” I said. “Less than I did.”

Blue Rose sighed. “Maybe…”

“You can practice with lesser ingredients of course, but for the exhibition, you’ll need the real thing. That would impress the hell out of everyone.”

“What’s the real thing?” I asked.

“A golden seed of course.”

“And where would I get one?”

“That’s the hard part,” Hao said with a sigh. “They only come from one place. The Celestial Realm.”