Cultivation is Creation
Chapter 284: My Own War

It was the morning of the battle.

A perfect blue sky stretched overhead, unmarred by even a wisp of cloud, as if the blue sun itself had swept away any obstruction to its watchful gaze. It felt almost deliberate, this pristine day chosen for bloodshed.

I stood on the main terrace of the Blue Sun Academy, watching the bustle of preparations below. Disciples of various ranks moved with purpose, gathering supplies, checking equipment, and arranging themselves into formation groups.

The air buzzed with nervous energy: anticipation mingled with apprehension.

"It's starting," Azure observed from within my inner world. "Hard to believe they're actually going through with a frontal assault based on your vision."

"Not just based on my vision," I replied silently. "Based on thousands of years of the blue sun's manipulation. I'm just the current mouthpiece."

I'd spent the night in meditation, finalizing my own preparations. My Cerulean Vein was as developed as it could be after such limited training. I'd memorized the basic calligraphy characters Kal had taught me and practiced painting techniques until my hand cramped. It wasn't much, but every scrap of skill might matter in the hours ahead.

Kal had already left before dawn, he said he had 'preparations to complete.'

We both knew what that meant. In all likelihood, Kal was making his way to the Red Sun Academy ahead of the main force; planning to sabotage their defensive formations from within.

A flutter of movement caught my attention. Elder Sorrin was approaching, his formal battle robes billowing slightly in the morning breeze. Behind him walked three figures whom I recognized as my assigned escort.

"Most Honored Saint," Elder Sorrin greeted me with a respectful bow. "The preparations for your journey are complete. Your escort stands ready."

I turned to face the three Lightweavers who would accompany me to the World Tree. Each wore the distinctive azure robes of the Order, though with variations that indicated their specialties.

"Saint Tomas," the tallest one stepped forward. "I am Corwin, Rank 6 Calligrapher. It is my honor to lead your protective detail." His voice was deep and measured, his posture military-straight. The Cerulean Vein visible on his forehead flashed briefly, it resembled a geometric lattice of interconnected lines.

The second man gave a more relaxed bow. "Bram, Rank 5 Painter, at your service." He had a friendly face and eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled, suggesting someone who laughed often. His Cerulean Vein also flashed, forming a spiral of interlocking waves.

The woman stepped forward last. "Isara, Rank 5 Singer, Most Honored Saint." Her voice had a musical quality even in simple speech. Her Cerulean Vein resembled a series of concentric circles with small nodes at critical junctures, like a visual representation of sound waves.

I studied them carefully. These three weren't just protectors, they were watchers, assigned to ensure I completed my "divine mission" as the blue sun intended. The thought that the Blue Sun might possess them to attack me when I deviated from the plan troubled me.

"I'm grateful for your assistance," I told them. "The journey ahead won't be simple."

Elder Sorrin cleared his throat. "The World Tree you seek lies deep in Skybound territory, the region known as the Vermilion Vale. Based on our latest intelligence, enemy forces are concentrated at their Academy, but we cannot rule out patrols or sentries in the outer territories."

"We'll remain vigilant," Corwin assured him.

Sorrin turned to me, his expression solemn. "Most Honored Saint, while our forces engage the Red Sun Academy, you must complete your sacred task without delay. The blue sun's vision was clear, only through awakening the World Tree can we achieve final victory."

The irony wasn't lost on me.

The "victory" the blue sun sought was the destruction of the world's barriers, the very protection keeping that unknown entity from breaking through. Yet here was Sorrin, a devoted servant, unwittingly working toward his own destruction.

"I understand my duty, Elder Sorrin," I replied. "The World Tree will be awakened."

This wasn't a lie, though my definition of "awakening" differed significantly from what the blue sun intended.

"Elder Thorn will remain here with me to defend the Academy," Sorrin continued. "All other elders will join the assault on the Red Sun Academy. We expect fierce resistance, especially from their Headmaster and elders."

I nodded, thinking of Hiron, Molric, and the others at the Red Sun Academy. With my public announcement of war, the coming battle would be devastating for both sides.

"May the blue sun guide your hands and illuminate your path," Sorrin said formally. "When you return, our world will be forever changed."

On that point, at least, we agreed completely.

I bowed to the elder, then turned to my escort. "Shall we begin?"

As we walked toward the Academy's eastern platform where our transportation awaited, Azure's voice drifted through my thoughts.

"For someone about to commit cosmic treason against a celestial body, you seem remarkably calm."

"Fear won't improve my chances," I replied mentally.

We emerged onto the platform, and I stopped short in surprise, four magnificent creatures awaited us. They resembled horses in their general shape, but their bodies seemed formed of condensed blue mist, and ghostly flames flickered around their hooves.

"Mist Steeds," Bram explained, noticing my reaction. "Not true spiritual beasts, they were created by our Rank 7 Lightweavers. Much faster than conventional transport and capable of traversing difficult terrain."

I approached one cautiously. The creature regarded me with curious eyes, then lowered its head slightly in what seemed like deference.

"They can sense your connection to the blue sun," Isara said. "They're honored to bear you to your destination."

"I've never ridden one before," I admitted.

"They respond to intention more than physical guidance," Corwin explained. "Think of your destination clearly, and they'll understand. Just don't think too specifically about the scenery along the way, or they might take unexpected detours."

I nodded, reaching out to touch the steed's neck. It felt substantial despite its misty appearance, like touching cool, dense fog that somehow maintained a solid form. The sensation was strange but not unpleasant.

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"We should depart immediately," Corwin continued. "The journey to the Vermilion Vale will take approximately three hours at full speed."

With that, we mounted our steeds. As I settled onto mine, I felt a subtle connection form, not unlike the mental link with Yggy, but much simpler. The creature seemed to understand that I was its rider and awaited my direction.

"To the Vermilion Vale," I thought clearly. "To the World Tree."

The steed's ears pricked forward, and I felt a surge of eager energy flow through its form.

Without warning, it leapt from the platform, not downward, but straight outward into open air. My stomach lurched momentarily before I realized we weren't falling. The Mist Steed galloped across the sky as if on solid ground, its misty hooves leaving faint blue trails that dissipated seconds later.

The others joined us, their steeds forming a protective formation around me: Corwin leading, Bram and Isara flanking me on either side. Below us, the Academy receded rapidly, becoming a blue-white jewel set against the mountainside.

"This is... remarkable," I said, genuinely impressed by the sensation of riding across the sky.

"Not the most comfortable mount for long journeys," Bram grinned. "But nothing beats them for speed or maneuverability."

"They're also nearly impossible to track," Isara added. "The energy trails dissipate too quickly for most detection methods."

I considered this information carefully. If we needed to escape quickly from the Vermilion Vale, these steeds would provide a significant advantage.

As we flew, I took the opportunity to learn more about my escorts. "How did each of you come to join the Blue Sun Academy? Were you born with Cerulean Veins, or did you develop them later?"

"I was identified at age seven," Isara answered first. "My village was visited by a traveling Lightweaver who noticed my reaction to a musical performance, apparently, I was unconsciously channeling blue sun energy through humming along. My parents were honored to send me for training, though it meant seeing me only once a year thereafter."

"Similar for me," Bram added. "Though in my case, it was drawing. I kept creating pictures that seemed to move when no one was looking directly at them. The local healer recognized the signs and contacted the Academy."

Corwin remained silent, focused on our flight path. After a moment, Isara gently prompted, "Corwin was a rescue case. He doesn't speak of it often."

The team leader sighed, his shoulders tight beneath his robes. "My village was attacked by raiders when I was nine. Sun-touched beasts killed everyone, or so they thought. I survived by hiding beneath bodies." His voice was flat, emotionless. "A Blue Sun patrol found me three days later, half-dead from thirst. The trauma had awakened a Cerulean Vein. Elder Thorn himself brought me to the Academy."

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, understanding better now his dedication to the Blue Sun's cause. For him, the Academy represented salvation from the red sun's horrors.

"It was long ago," Corwin replied stiffly. "And it gave me purpose. Everything I do serves to prevent others from experiencing what I witnessed."

As we rode, the landscape below transformed from the cultivated beauty of Academy territories to wilder, more rugged terrain. Forests thickened, mountains grew more jagged, and the neat villages clustered around the Academy gave way to scattered settlements that appeared more fortified.

"Border territories," Corwin explained, noticing my observations. "The influence of both suns is more balanced here. Settlements need stronger defenses against both raiders and Sun-touched transformations."

I nodded, recalling my experiences in Porvale village. The border regions lived with constant threat, caught between the opposing influences of the twin suns.

Bram pointed ahead. "We'll cross into Skybound territory in about twenty minutes. From that point forward, we should maintain vigilance. Their patrols aren't as frequent as they once were, but we shouldn't take unnecessary risks."

"How will we know when we've crossed the border?" I asked.

Isara laughed softly. "You'll know. The very air changes."

She wasn't exaggerating.

As we continued our journey, I began to notice subtle shifts in the environment below. The predominant blues and silvers of Academy territories gradually gave way to warmer hues: more reds, oranges, and deep earthy browns. Even the quality of light seemed different, as if filtered through a faintly crimson lens.

"There," Corwin said, pointing to a river winding through the landscape below. "The Crimson Divide. The traditional boundary between our territories."

The river deserved its name, its waters reflected the light with a distinctly reddish gleam, creating the impression of flowing blood. Whether this was a natural property of the water or an effect of the red sun's influence, I couldn't tell.

Before we reached the river, Corwin raised his hand. "Bram, periodic sweeps with your detection painting."

"On it," Bram replied, all playfulness gone from his voice.

He pulled out a small scroll and brush. With quick, practiced strokes, he created a simple eye design that lifted from the page and expanded, becoming transparent as it grew to several meters in diameter.

"Scrying Eye, extend range to maximum," he murmured, and the ethereal construction pulsed once before shooting ahead of our formation. I could tell from his focused expression that he was seeing through the eye's perception, scanning the landscape below for any signs of danger.

"Clear for now," he reported after a minute. "But I'm detecting traces of recent runic activity approximately twenty kilometers ahead. Skybound patrols, most likely."

"Expected," Corwin nodded. "Isara, prepare a concealment song."

"Already composing," she confirmed, her eyes half-closed as she hummed quietly, the melody barely audible over the wind.

I felt a subtle shift in the energy around us, a harmonization that seemed to blur the boundaries between our forms and the surrounding air. Looking down at my hand, I noticed the edges of my fingers seemed slightly indistinct, as if viewed through heat haze.

"Song of the Passing Clouds," Isara explained, noting my observation. "It doesn't make us invisible, but rather unremarkable. Anyone looking up will see only what they expect to see: birds, perhaps, or a momentary trick of the light."

"Impressive," I acknowledged genuinely. "I've only seen Kal demonstrate the painting method in detail. The other approaches are fascinating."

"Each has its strengths," she replied with a modest smile. "Song works well for area effects like this, while Corwin's calligraphy excels at precise, targeted interventions."

"And painting is the most versatile but requires the most studying," Bram added. "Though from what I've heard, you're progressing remarkably fast in your studies with Elder Kal."

I shrugged slightly, careful not to disturb Stormwing's rhythm. "I have much to learn still."

"Learning is the path of a lifetime," Corwin interjected unexpectedly. "Even Rank 8 practitioners continue to discover new applications and refinements."

Our conversation lapsed into silence as we crossed over the river.

I felt a subtle pressure against my Cerulean Vein, not painful, but noticeable, like moving from cool shade into direct sunlight. My inner world responded immediately, the Genesis Seed extending its protective influence to shield my blue sun from what seemed to be the amplified presence of the red sun's energy.

"You feel it, don't you?" Isara observed, watching my expression. "The pressure of the red sun's influence. It grows stronger the deeper we travel into their territory."

"Is it dangerous?" I asked, though I already knew the answer from my previous experiences.

"Not for a brief visit," Corwin replied. "Extended exposure, however, can lead to... complications. Psychological effects first: increased aggression, paranoia, heightened emotional responses. Physical changes follow if exposure continues unchecked."

"Those born with resistance fare better," Bram added. "Like Skybound cultivators themselves. The rest of us rely on protective formations and regular purification rituals."

"How much farther to the World Tree?" I asked, steering the conversation back to our immediate goal.

"Less than an hour now," Corwin answered, pointing to a distant mountain range on the horizon. "The Vermilion Vale lies just beyond those peaks. The World Tree stands at its center, visible for miles once we clear the mountains."

We continued in relative silence, all of us growing more alert as we penetrated deeper into Skybound territory. The landscape below became increasingly wild and untamed: ancient forests sprawled across valleys, interrupted occasionally by clearings where massive stone formations thrust upward like the spines of buried behemoths.

"The Old Bones," Bram explained, following my gaze. "Natural formations, but the Skybound believe they're the remains of guardian spirits who died protecting the world during the Sundering."

"And what do Lightweavers believe?" I asked.

Bram shrugged. "Most dismiss it as superstition. A few think they might be crystallized energy formations from when the original sun split. Personally, I think there's usually some truth in old legends, even if it gets distorted over time."

As we approached the mountain range, our steeds began to ascend, climbing higher to clear the jagged peaks. The air grew thinner, and I noticed frost forming along the edges of my mount's misty mane.

"We'll cross at Widow's Pass," Corwin called back to us. "Stay close. The wind currents can be treacherous."

He wasn't exaggerating. As we entered the pass, a narrow gap between two towering peaks, fierce crosswinds buffeted us from all sides. My Mist Steed maintained its course with admirable determination, but I could feel it straining against the powerful air currents.

"Almost through," Isara encouraged, her voice barely audible over the howling wind.

Seconds stretched into minutes as we fought our way through the pass. Then, suddenly, we emerged on the other side, and I gasped involuntarily at the vista that spread before us.