THEOS

“So, how long have you been doing this for?” Luke asked him, as they rowed the boat down back to port. A long day of work behind them.

“Since I can remember.” He replied, his eyes locked firmly in the distance.

“You know, If things were different, I would have been a fisherman too.”

Well, not me perse, but this body for sure. I’d still be sitting behind a desk.

“That so?” He replied curtly. “I could tell that ya knew what you were doing.”

“Yeah. I spent a lot of time on a boat growing up. They were good times.” Luke said wistfully, looking across the surface of the river. Idly tracing the paths of the boats as they too rushed towards the dock.

Is it weird that I’m feeling nostalgic about memories that aren’t mine? I know I’m not Max. His soul left this body, and I took it over. His memories are just that, memories. I can barely put the few names I remember to faces. I can’t even remember what the Fisherman and his Wife even looked like, beyond them both being old. Being here though, on a boat, It feels right. Like I’m at home.

“Yer Pop a fisher too?”

“I don’t know. I can’t remember him. The man who raised me was.”

“Mmm. Any man that raises ya, might as well be a father.” He grunted. “How’d the cultivators find ya? Or did ya find them?”

“They found me. It was pretty sudden, how it all happened. I never really thought my life would turn out the way it did. I didn’t even know any of this was possible.”

“No one ever does. When I was a boy, some Robes –” He trailed off, and looked at Luke awkwardly, before correcting himself. “Some Cultivators came by, and killed a crocodile that was harassing the town. And what a beast it was too. A hundred feet long, and more than a dozen thick. We were supposed to stay in town, and not disturb them as they worked. But I was a kid, and I’d heard stories. I wanted to watch them kill it.” He turned to face Luke, and smiled widely with joy. Proudly showing off two rows of yellow teeth.

“It was brutal, but boy, was it amazing. They stood a distance away and threw these things that exploded. But that didn’t do nothing to it, so they went at it with their swords and spears. Poked it full of so many holes, the ground turned red with its blood. Even that wasn’t enough, so they started filling the holes they’d poked in its hide with more of that magic paper. That did it in, all right.”

“That would… The blood didn’t scare you?”

“Why would it?” He looked at Luke strangely.

Why do I keep forgetting that this isn’t Earth. The people here are used to a harder way of life.

“My Pa had me gutting fish and butchering chickens since I was a wee little lad.” He chuckled. “Watching those Robes made me want to be one of them. I’d heard that they held a trial every year, and that anyone could try it, to see if they had the talent. I begged and pleaded for days, so my Pa would let me go.” He shook his head fondly.

“Did he?”

“Aye. He did. Gave me his blessing too.” He turned away from Luke. “The week before I was supposed to leave for the test, he died. They said he got pulled into the river by a monster fish. A buddy of his noticed that he wasn’t bringing his boat back ‘round, and when they checked, he wasn’t anywhere on it.”

“I’m sorry.” Luke said softly. “Does that happen often around here?”

“Aye. Every now and then we’d all hear some stories. The Mayor even asked the Robes to look into it, but none of em found nothing. Said there’s nothing they can do, and after a month they went back to that mountain of theirs.”

“That’s not good.” Luke supplied lamely. Fighting the urge to peer in the murky depths of the river, and seeing for himself if the monster was under the boat. He had been worried about there being some powerful beast in the water, and having his suspicions confirmed was unnerving.

“It’s not for a lack of trying, mind you. Whatever it is that’s pulling us under, don't stick around, and you lot, have more on your plate than a couple missing fisherman every year.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Luke shrugged his shoulders. Wondering how much the fisherman actually knew about cultivators and what they got up to.

I doubt he knows about how we raid tombs, and compete in lethal challenges for the prizes left behind in them by uber powerful Empresses.

“Are… are ya going to fight it in the Giant Tide?” He asked suddenly. “I heard some of the Rising Sun folk talk about needing to go to the Capital soon for it.”

Does he mean the Gegenees? He has to be unless there’s more than one kind of giant terrorizing the island. I hope not.

“I am.”

“Hmm.” He grunted softly. “I know you lot aren't supposed to mingle with us mortal folk, but why don’t ya come around. Let my wife treat ya to some dinner.” He looked around the boat appreciatively. “You did some good work today. More than I expected.”

Well this is unexpected. But… I kind of want to. Besides, Luke reasoned to himself, it can’t hurt to learn more about the island. There’s no better way than breaking bread with the locals.

“Your wife won’t mind?”

“Zoe? Never! She’ll be happier than a horse with hay to have a guest eat her food.”

Luke drummed his fingers on the oar. “If it won’t cause any trouble, then… Okay. My name is Luke by the way.”

“I’m Al… Now I’m guessing ya know how to tie a knot?” He asked.

Memories of old wrinkled hands, guiding him through the process flashed in his mind.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Good lad.”

“Have ya been to the town before, or are you like most of em others Robes, er… Cultivators, camping outside the walls?” He asked him as they lugged his catches for the day towards the market.

Luke lifted an eyebrow at the slip. Is calling cultivators, robes, supposed to offend me or something? He’s been doing it the entire time I’ve talked to him.

“Camping outside. I’m still pretty new to all of this, and I guess they don’t trust me to uh talk to you all. I know the rules though. Can’t sell you anything, can’t tell you how anything works and all that. To be honest. I’m not supposed to be talking to you at all. I’m a little surprised you haven’t asked me any questions about how it all works.”

“I don’t need to.” He lowered his voice. “I already know how.”

“What?”

“My son was in the Rising Sun Sect back in the day. I couldn’t go because I had to look after my Ma, but I wanted him to have a better life than this.” He tilted his head, gesturing towards the filthy streets, and the piles of fly covered fish all along it. “It’s a good life for a small man like me, but I wanted my son to be great. To be better, to go further.”

Wanted, huh. Luke thought to himself somberly.

“When he turned fifteen, I pushed him to take their ruddy test, the one I couldn’t, and he passed. He told me there was no one who did better than him.” Al scratched under his eye. “I was so proud. We both were. His mother cooed for days over how handsome he looked in those robes… Anyhow, you wait here, I’ll be back.” The pair stopped in front of a store front. “I’ve gotta sell 'em. It’ll just be a minute.”

“Um yeah. Take your time.” Luke nodded to him, and stepped away from the front of the door.

Turning around, he looked around the street, and suddenly became aware of all the eyes on him. They were discrete and fleeting, which was why he hadn’t noticed them on the way into the town, but they were there. Staring when they thought he wouldn’t notice, and shying away when they realized they had been caught.

Is a cultivator really that big of a deal to these people. Luke mused idly, stepping away from the shopfront, and onto the street, glancing down the length of it to see what else was down there.

Only to lock eyes with another person dressed in robes, blue robes.

Well that was fast.

They stared at each other, both looking like they had been caught doing something that they weren’t supposed to. Which in Luke’s case wasn’t far from the truth.

Not knowing what else to do, Luke waved at the other cultivator, who took that as a sign to stop gaping and started making his way toward him.

Play it cool Luke. Don’t act weird. You’re not doing anything wrong. You're not breaking the law, even though you kind of are. Just play it cool. He hyped himself up, as the other cultivator approached him.

“Who are you?” The cultivator asked.

“Um. I’m Luke. Who are you?”

He opened and closed his mouth before saying, “I’m Luke.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m Luke.”

“So we’re both Luke?” Asked Luke.

“I guess so.”

“And you’re not messing with me?”

“Why would I do that, I don’t even know you.”

“I am you.” Luke grinned at him. Other-Luke opened and closed his mouth. “That was a joke.”

“I know.” Other-Luke said defensively. “I don’t recognize you.”

“We just met.”

“Are you always like this?” He cupped his forehead. “You’re giving me a headache.”

“No, I’m not. This is just a little funny.” And I just get like this when I’m nervous.

He sighed in exasperation. “You’re not with the expedition?”

“I’m not. I’m not from the Rising Sun either.”

“You’re not?” He frowned. “Are you from the Nine Stars? You’re a bit far from where you’re supposed to be.”

“No. I’m just lost, no real clue where I am. I do want to go to the Capital for the Giant Tide, if you could give me directions though.”

“You are a cultivator right?” Other-Luke asked.

“Yes.” Luke nodded politely.

“But you're not from the Rising Sun or from the Nine Stars?”

“No.”

“I don’t know what to do with you.” Other-Luke said flatly.

“Why do you have to do anything with me?

Other-Luke once again opened and closed his mouth, before crossing his arms under his chest. Burrowing his eyebrows as he tried to think.

“That’s a good point. Nobody ever said anything to me about cultivators not from our Sect.”

“If it helps, nobody told me anything either.”

Other-Luke looked at him blankly. “That doesn’t help.”

“Look, I’m trying okay.”

“Trying what. My patience?” He snorted.

“I suppose. So, the Capital, how do I get there?” Luke asked again.

“What’s the rush, the Giant Tide isn’t for two months. Either an Elder will fly us there, or the Emperor will activate the teleportation platforms.”

“I don’t have an Elder to fly me there.”

“Look, I really don’t know what to do with you, and a town full of mortals isn’t the place to talk. Why don’t you come back to camp with me, and I’ll let Nes talk to you. This can be her problem.”

Luke glanced back to the shop, and briefly met eyes with Al, realizing that he was done with selling his fish.

“I still have something to do here. Where’s your camp? I'll come by tonight, after I’m done.”

“It’s a mile north of the town.” He traced Luke’s gaze, and glanced meaningfully at Al. “I don’t know what your business is with these mortals, but keep your lips sealed about the important stuff. You aren’t from the Rising Sun, so you’re not my responsibility, but this town is Sect territory.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Good. I have to get going, but I will tell the others about you. So make sure you drop by the camp, or they’ll come looking.”

“What happens if I don’t?” Luke asked.

Other-Luke shrugged his shoulders. “Beats me. It’s not for me to decide. Don’t freak out though, If I had to guess, Nes will ask you to come back to the Rising Sun once we're done here. Some Elder might ask you to join up or something. They’ll probably ask some questions, make sure you're not some evil asshole. You’re not the only stray in the world, and you won’t be the last.”

Questions might be the bane of existence.

“Right, I’ll be there.”

“Good.” He started walking away, before stopping abruptly. “With the Giant Tide so close, patience has been running thin, and everyone is on edge. Any other time, the Elder’s would probably give you some leeway to fuck around, and they might not even care what a rouge cultivator like you gets up to, so long you’re not causing trouble. Now though, it’ll probably be better for everyone, especially you, if you make things easy.”

Well, that isn’t ominous at all.

“Got it.”