"No.... not a Tachikoma. It's too big... but whatever it is, it's defiantly mechanical. I can't sense any Spiritual energy from it at all."

Yeom Ki stared at the strange device in front of him, the likes of which he'd not seen in centuries. At least... not since waking up in this strange world. Was this the Fallen Star that Chang Xiurong saw? What did this mean? Had the doorway opened again? Or had someone (or something) followed him all those years ago? He'd thought he'd finally escaped his past. But maybe one's history wasn't something they could so easily forget.

There were simply too many pieces missing to be sure, however.

Jīshí stared down at the young man and squinted her eyes in suspicion.

[Jīshí] - "Is there a problem?"

Yeom Ki gave a chuckle and flashed a smile.

[Yeom Ki] - "N-no, of course not. If your Ladyship allows, how about we send the children away. Then we can have an adult conversation about this situation.

Jīshí frowned but waved her hand to dismiss the group. As one, they stood and quickly made their way out of the Throne Room, Yeom Ki following close behind. When they finally left, Yeom Ki sent Wu Song a telepathic message.

[Yeom Ki] - "Gather the rest and prepare them to leave. Depending on how this goes, we may have to retreat..."

Giving it another moment of consideration before speaking once more.

[Yeom Ki] - "... If I give the signal, collect the Fallen Star and make a break for it back towards the Sect... leave the Elemental to me."

Wu Song stared in shock but bowed and moved to carry out the orders in the end.

Jīshí watched the man follow the group and frowned. He was planning something; she knew it. He always was. It was one of the reasons she found herself hating the man. You could never tell if his words were genuine or if there was some other angle he was playing.

As she mused on these things, Alpha whispered with a cheeky smile in his voice,

[Alpha] - "Ohhhh? Who was That (￣▽￣)? An old flame, perhaps?"

Alpha may have only understood half of the conversation so far, but he wasn't so clueless as to miss the tone of the man's voice. Or Jīshí's reaction to his presence.

[Alpha] - "Jīshí, you cougar! Who'd have thou... GAK!"

Not even bothering to look down, Jīshí slammed the AI into the ground with a careful Spiritual force application. (And silently questioned how he had managed to sneak an emoji into his words... how did that even work?!).

[Alpha] - "I give! I give!"

As the force dissipated, Alpha creaked back to his feet.

[Alpha] - "Fine, fine, I get it. Don't ask a lady about her Exes..."

Alpha shook himself and readjusted his weapons system, pointedly ignoring the seething glare from the Elemental, as he continued.

[Alpha] - "Mind filling me in on all of that, by the way? Their language isn't really similar to anything in my database. It reminds me of a few ancient dialects of some more primitive languages from Earth's past, true. But it's not enough to build a working Lexicon on. You kept mentioning a 'Fallen Star,' though. I assume that's supposed to refer to me, but what does it mean?"

Jīshí was silent for a long moment, watching the figures in the distance mill about, before answering the AI.

[Jīshí] - "I've mentioned before that the ultimate goal of Cultivation, and all Paths, really, is to ascend into a higher level of "Life." This, however, is a long and tedious process that, even for myself, is something far into the future. On this planet, in particular, there is a much more... immediate goal..."

Her voice trailed off as her gaze turned to the sky.

[Jīshí] - "The Third stage of Evolution on this planet, no matter the Path, is named {Firmament Breaker}. And its name is quite literal."

[Alpha] - "What IS that thing anyway? None of my sensors are picking up anything recognizable. I can't figure out anything about it at all."

[Jīshí] - "No one knows. Both its origin and its makeup are shrouded in Mystery. Even us Elementals, who have existed since the world's foundation, can not recall anything about it. It's as if those memories have been snipped from the souls of every living thing, leaving nothing but an empty void. All we know is that the Firmament protects our world, hiding it from the great Cosmic Horrors of the void (your people, come to mind). And yet, at the same it, it is our Prison, preventing us from leaving this world, and cutting our Path short, limiting how far we can grow."

She looked back down at Alpha and collapsed back into her seat.

[Jīshí] - "As for what that has to do with 'Fallen Stars,' it's simple. When a {Firmament Breaker} attempts to do just that, they must physically force their way through the barrier. Not all people are equal, however. Contact with the Firmament continually drains energy from anything it touched. Less than 1% of all those who attempt it ever manage to generate enough power to all the way through. So, let me ask you, little Alpha, what do you think happens to the remaining 99% who fail?"

[Alpha] - "They Die?"

Jīshí chuckled and shook her head.

[Jīshí] - "Worse. They become trapped within the Firmament itself. Like flies in Amber, their energy continuously drained away, faster than they can replenish it, as the world eats away at their existence. After some time, years, sometimes Centuries, depending on how much time the {Firmament Breaker} had left, they are finally 'absorbed' altogether, their existence erased."

Alpha stared in shock, thinking about what he'd just heard. Holy crap, that was terrifying. It was one thing to simply die. It was another thing to be trapped for the rest of your life, slowly withering away, unable to move, or even struggle. What kind of existence would that be?

[Jīshí] - "When a failed Breaker finally vanishes, all that is left of them is the things they chose to bring with them on their attempt. Often, these are powerful tools and equipment. Sometimes it is inheritances they've prepared in case they fail. Other times, it is parts of powerful Demon Beasts that somehow managed to not be erased. These items flow along the Firmament as it shifts and stirs, and after many long millennia, some of these items may slip from its grasp and fall back to the Earth below."

[Alpha] - "And these left behind remnants are 'Fallen Stars?'"

[Jīshí] - "Correct. It might seem strange, but you must remember that those who attempt to break the Firmament are often legendary Powerhouses who are nearing the end of their life. Any random item of theirs may be a treasure of the likes that most will never see in their lifetime. To the top Sects and Clans, these items will often be the pillars that their influence is built on. For the lucky loose Cultivator who happens to finds a hidden one? It could be the difference between dying mortal and unknown, and one day attempting to break through themselves."

Alpha was silent, lost in thought, before asking a moment later.

[Alpha] - "... I see. And they think I'm one of these 'Artifacts'?"

[Jīshí] - "Or something very similar. In a way, you ARE. Every so often, by chance, an object floating through the Celestial Worlds may strike the Firmament and become stuck within. It's rare, even rarer than seeing someone successfully breakthrough, but it has happened before. An item like this that can survive their trip through the Firmament tends to be far more powerful (and dangerous) than those originating from the surface. That's why this matter has to be handled with care. Who knows what disaster they might cause. Or who might have their eyes on them."

[Alpha] - "Well, it looks like we're about to find out. Your boyfriend is back."

Jīshí slammed her heel hard into the top of Alpha's casing but quickly turned her attention to the young man walking down the hallway.

Jīshí frowned down at him and asked.

[Jīshí] - "What is it you wanted to discuss?"

Yeom Ki approached the "throne" and spoke. The playful and flirtatious tone was replaced with a serious one that spoke of authority.

[Yeom Ki] - "I need you to surrender the Ta- I mean, the Fallen Star to me."

[Jīshí] - "No."

Yeom Ki thew his arms out and answered back, a slight edge to his voice.

[Yeom Ki] - "I know you've always been the stubborn type, Jīshí, but now isn't the time for this! Don't let your dislike for me cloud your judgment. This object is dangerous, possibly more than you understand."

Jīshí spoke up, once more, her voice bored.

[Jīshí] - "No. It seems you really do have trouble understanding that word, don't you?"

Yeom Ki let his arms fall to his side and spoke in a sad voice.

[Yeom Ki] - "Then you leave me no other choice..."

As he spoke, Yeom Ki's form flicked once more, and he appeared in front of Jīshí. The stone woman's eyes widened in surprise, and she screamed as the man Yeom Ki wrapped his arms around her and lept from Alpha's chassis, soaring into the sky.

[Jīshí] - "YEOM KIIIII! YOU BASSSTTTAARRRRDDDD!"

It wasn't until the pair had traveled several kilometers (though that distance had been covered in only a few long breaths) that Jīshí had the mind to retaliate, forming several large spikes from her body, forcing Yeom Ki to let go. Jīshí fell to the ground, and sat up, though uninjured. She stared up at the floating man and screamed,

[Jīshí] - "And Here I thought you were different than the other 'Cultivators'! In the end, you are all thieves and Liars!"

[Yeom Ki] - "I'm sorry, but I can't walk away, not from this one. Not if what I think about this Fallen Star is correct. If it falls into the wrong hands, we are no longer talking about just the fate of the Origin sect. The flames this thing could light are not something we can control! You or me, Jīshí!"

Jīshí sat up straight, still furious, though with a brow raised in surprise as she asked,

[Jīshí] - "Oh? And what is it exactly that you think this artifact is? You always have been one to hide secrets, Yeom Ki. Tell me, what is it that you're so worried about this time?"

Yeom Ki went silent before shaking his head,

[Yeom Ki] - "I... I can't tell you. You'd not understand. But you're mistaken if you think I'm just trying to fool you. You've trusted me before, Jīshí, I'm begging you. Trust me one more time."

Jīshí simply sighed and shook her own head.

[Jīshí] - "And you're mistaken if you believe I don't fully understand what it is I sit on. Nor what it is capable of. That is all the more reason I can not leave it in the hands of you... mortals. Even if what you say is true, and I can trust you, that does not speak for those around you. The gears are already in motion, Ki. If what is coming is not handled with care, then it will mean the destruction of our world and every living soul on it."

Yeom Ki stared down at the woman in trepidation. Did she know something? Had information already begun to spread? Were things already outside of his control? All he knew was that whatever the case may be, time was running out. He hardened his heart and frowned down at the woman.

[Yeom Ki] - "I still love you, Jīshí, but I beg you, please don't stand in my way on this matter. I don't know what you know, but I can't leave it in your hands alone. If you feel that strongly about it, then come with us! We can protect it together! Just like old times... If not... then..."

[Jīshí] - "Tsk, what? Do you think you can take something I've already laid my hands on, Mortal? I was Ancient when your Grandparent's Grandparents were taking their first steps! If you wish to subdue me, then you'd better be prepared to face the consequences."

Yeom Ki grinned in a way that was more reminiscent of his first appearance, as he spoke out cheerfully.

[Yeom Ki] - "While I would love for you to step on me like old-time, I don't really have to beat you. I just need to keep you here long enough for the others to activate the teleportation Formation. You are powerful, Lady of the Grassy Sea, I'll admit. But once it's in the Sect, then you don't have much say in the matter."

Jīshí was silent for a moment, seemingly in shock, and for a good reason. Portable Teleportation Formations were extremely expensive. Even for a top sect, like Origin, the cost of deploying one would hurt quite a bit. Yeom Ki grins at his victory.

That was until Jīshí broke into laughter.

[Jīshí] - "That was your plan? Little Boy, I thought you more careful than this. You had better pray that any of your people are alive when we return."

[Yeom Ki] - "What are yo... "

Yeom Ki's voice was drowned out the next second by the sound of crashing thunder and continuous gunfire coming from the location of the Throne room. The young Sect Master's head snapped to the side as his eyes went wide in horror. As he turned back towards the direction they'd come from, Jīshí's laughter rang out from behind, blending into the sounds of chaos in the distance.