Gu Kaogu, Pre-Sovereign Era’s Excavations, p.1:

At the first days of cultivating, there were no immortals.

There were also no mortals, for the language spoken dozens of millennia ago consisted of an alphabet of thirteen letters and ninety-nine words. Instead, people called themselves humans, and cultivators called Inhumans. Although it sounds silly in the modern language of the northern continent, people of that time adapted to be burly and giant like to protect themselves. And they were so loud that one of them shouting could send a pack of wild wolves fleeing today. So under no circumstances, you should consider it silly.

But that is not the focus of our topic, so let us move on.

The humans were, as said, burly and giant, but still humans. They had their limitations, whether on their intellect or in their physique. (And the former one they lack in an exaggrated amount, clear from the inefficiency of their language.) They had no tools, even from simple bronze. They had no precise culture or laws, had no grasp on science and medicine other than the knowledge of a few herbs, and most important of all they were only prey to nature.

In summary, they were the epitome of idiocy and the lowest of our kind.

Then, how did immortals, how did Inhumans come to be from these small-minded idiotic people? (People who took offense in account of their ancestors may stop reading this book, for I have no patience on criticism based on emotions. And facts like this, not statements, I assure you, will be prevalent more the further into the topic we go.)

It all started with a madman who punctured his artery with a primordial tiger’s fang. Stupid move as it was, and he died not long after because of infection, but even for a short term, he gained the powers of an inhuman that flowed through the beast’s body. As he threw a fit of anger in the despair of dying, in an unintentional motion, the man crushed a boulder as high as himself with a smash from his head. (Remnants of this rock are still preserved.) The sight, as said in some murals((And they are also available in the central museum), shocked both the man and the people watching. And among the spectators, as I like to imagine, one’s eyes started to shine, for nothing is more appropriate to a moment of inspiration than a burning spark.

That man’s name was something along the lines of Dad inhuman, for reasons obvious, but in our time, his name would be Su’en. And Su’en, the one intelligent man among a hundred fools, would be the inventor of the first meridians: An outside vessel made to purify the Qi and use that energy to empower normal humans.

So he started, and soon he found out. That there were many things beyond his...

*********

The four weeks passed in no time for Ubel.

In the mornings he went to the Star Library to meet with Quan, who tried to make him use the spell to find the real contents of the books.

Of course, his attempts at learning the magical pictograms of Quan went too horrible to recount as a whole. As a summary, he spasmed, lost control over his body, even squirmed in pain for a whole day after trying again and again and almost got comatosed from shock. To force a cripple to use Qi was not something a sane man would find sensible, and at that point, he had doubts about whether Quan went senile or not.

At least the man stopped forcing him after the seventh try. He looked disappointed, too, but Ubel didn't want to address that. Quan solved the riddles of the books himself and let Ubel read them for the days they spent. In the meantime Ubel learned about a myriad of things, Quan busied himself with a stack of empty papers and notes. Ubel tried to ask, then peep on them to find out what they were but it didn’t help him understand. Though he got reprimanded for not paying attention to what he was being taught. So, it was a fine little experience that lasted a couple of hours before returning to studying.

The tension covering Gaobun's home wasn't something he could bear much, too, so most of the time he spent long nights in the Star Library. Quan urged him to go back to Gaobun to watch over him again and again, so he gave up after the third day. And things kept going on that way until today.

Now, he was leaving, and that was the important thing.

He stood at one of the crowded multitudes of platforms beside a huge eagle. He wore an empty purple robe with no insignia or symbol. He gave back all the clothing, though they insisted he should keep them still, and the disciple token to the Disciple hall.

Their faces were...confusing. They looked betrayed, even sold out, when he pushed both token and the clothing onto the table again. The looks he received still gave him chills and some disicples even followed him here. From the corner of his eye, Ubel could spot seven to eight of them, rounding several wooden boxes and whispering. Was it such a big deal that he left the sect?

It wasn’t, at least for Ubel.

Rolling his eyes to the group, Ubel ran his eyes over the visible side of the mountain. Lush and rich green trees, bright brown earth, people donning robes with colors of all kinds. Hushings and whisperings. Loud laughter. A small stream of air brushing his large sack of items, including the bow, strapped to his back.

Now thinking of not seeing the mountain again made him feel strange. Not being able to walk around its streets again, inspect the people and explore their words. Not watching the fluttering red lights of the borough seven or blinding white of the Star Library again. It was too much of a weird feeling than nostalgia or sorrow. But a feeling was a feeling, no matter how disturbing it was.

He had attachments to this place, he had...karma with some people here.

Gaobun who, in a huge effort, managed to send him off regardless of his grief, and his red eyes that Ubel thought he wouldn't be able to forget. And Alim, whose presence was something fond and peaceful. The late Boris, who helped him take his first few steps and helped him meet Quan, who turned out to be someone he was much intimate with.

What was it, which one was the truth, then? Attachment to a place, or attachment to people? Or if both, which bond was stronger than the other? There looked like it had no answer.

His curiousity lasted only a couple minutes, and Quan came from the top of the mountain with his crane on tow.

*********

Ubel landed on the yellow beach at Orabura forest’s border. His feet sunk with a plop into the soft terrain and he turned to look at Quan, sitting on top of the familiar crane again. Waves from the ocean crashing to the sandy coasts made a pleasant sound and Ubel found himself locked in his place.

He was still grasping the feathers of the crane.

He let go of them and took a step back. The crane shot an annoyed glare but did nothing more while Quan snapped his fingers. A notebook appeared in his hands, with thin pages and a blank blue cover. Then on top of it a few different scrolls and books.

‘’These-’’ He said and placed them on Ubel’s dangling hand,’’-will help you further in practicing the spell.’’

Was it the spell again? Why was it so important that he had to suffer so much to learn a word or two? Ubel didn’t dare to dismiss them though. They were still gifts.

‘’And this.’’ As Ubel took the books, Quan revealed another thing. It was a talisman of communication, it seemed, with words Cinder and Snow over both sides. ‘’If you are in danger, throw these to a flame or water. Someone will help you.’’

‘’I suppose that person won’t be you, senior master?’’

‘’...unfortunately, no, Ubel.’’ Quan sighed. ‘’It will be a miracle if we even meet in this decade. But I hope...’’

‘’What is it?’’

‘’Nothing, I only hope that Gaobun can overcome his trauma quick.’’

‘’Before you come back?’’ Ubel smiled.

‘’Before I come back, yes. Before me.’’ Quan narrowed his eyes.

‘’Then I will be awaiting you here, in the woods with some reserve meat and rice to welcome you.’’

‘’Don’t let them rot, then.’’

They kept silent for a few seconds, they had no more words to continue.

‘’Farewell then...my disciple.’’ Quan motioned the crane. Crane flapped its silver wings and rose into the air with a cry, then flew towards the south.

Ubel listened to the echoes of their voice for a second, accompanied by the now roaring waves and the whistling wind. For a bit, he preferred this sounds for solitude.

Not long passed after he started moving again. He walked right into the forest, left the yellow sands behind, and trod towards the familiar route to his home. There were several clean roads marked with the footsteps of his and his father’s that led to their small hut, but they were further away from the coast. For now, all in front of him was trees upon trees.

Oaks and birches stacked together covered the fields. On the ground, the familiar brown and green patches of grass appeared again. Only the squeals and songs of the birds were missing. It was winter, after all, none of them preferred to stay here and instead went west, where the air was more lukewarm. Though the occasional grunts of the deers or snorts of the boars were still there.

After half an hour, he reached back to the area of the forest he knew the best. He was also surprised that it took only thirty minutes to get here. A result of an immortal’s body, he thought and moved on. There didn’t seem to be any snow, or remnants of it, while the clouds were as white as they could be. This was a good sign.

Seven minutes. Only seven minutes later he came back to the clearing that was their farm. He came from the wrong side it seemed, as the road usually led to the front entrance of the hut. But it was okay.

Ubel came closer to the crops and kneeled in front of one, looked at the leaves and roots. They seemed fine and well-fed, the small stream of water feeding them wasn’t clogged up as he guessed it to be. Standing up, he walked over to the front door.

For a second, his hand didn’t move. A minute sensation of guilt invaded his heart, then disappeared. The subconscious trembling of his hands stopped and he touched the wooden frame. He pushed, so slow that not even a squeak sounded, and closed right behind.

In the hallway, he saw the open room he and his grandma slept. Ubel trod towards the room while casting a glance at the kitchen. There were fresh vegetables lined up on the table, and two chairs left unorganized. He passed through and came before the entrance. He glanced inside.

On a dark brown rocking chair, she was. Her grey hair unkempt and released, two different blankets covered her. A wool shoe covered her feet, and Ubel did not fail to notice the thick leather robe under the blankets. Though he felt warm, hot even, he realized that this was not the case for his grandma.

She was cold.

*********

He stepped inside.

Ubel wasn’t aware of how frantic, how anxious he was. It wasn’t his intention to make a noise, but it still sounded. The floor croaked and the old grandma of his, who now used to living by herself for almost three years, awoke from her slumber in alarm.

The face she saw made her freeze immediately.

Then a warm force filled her body, something she didn’t feel in years. All the heavy blankets and the extra pillows he kept close to make herself warm flew into the air in a moment. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and happiness, as she flung herself into the arms of her grandson.

‘’Ubel!’’ Her hoarse voice shattered. ‘’My dear Ubel, my son!’’ Ubel reacted quick and caught her by her shoulders. This didn’t stop her from coiling her hands around his shoulders. Tears welled up in her eyes, and the red on her nose spread to her cheeks. She pulled him closer to her chest, Ubel put no resistance.

‘’My son, my dear grandson...’’ She continued to mutter and whisper. Her tears rained down on Ubel’s hair, Ubel’s own on her clothes. ‘’This is real, right?’’ She pulled up his head to look inside his eyes. ‘’This is not another one of those nightmares, right? You are here, dear, right?’’

‘’Grandma-’’ Although he tried to talk, only an incomprehensible cry escaped from Ubel’s lips. His grandma started to shake again and fell on her knees.

‘’How much I missed you, you know my dear, my son. How much I awaited-’’ She laid her head on Ubel’s arm, who tried to calm himself down for a moment. ‘’How much, how much! Aaaah!’’ Her voice went on and on, shrill and hoarse, yet too sweet to make one pained. How heart-wrenching it was to tend to herself and worry over her last relative, only she knew.

‘’Grandma, I am here, I am good, alright.’’ Ubel managed to speak a few soft words. His own eyes were red, too, but he couldn’t bear to see his grandma devastated like this.

‘’You are getting cold-’’ The red on her face spread further. With no thought, Ubel pulled the blankets on the floor and coiled them around his grandma’s body. He hugged tightly as she continued to cry and wail.

‘’I am here, grandma,’’ Ubel said again. He put a hand over her scattered long hair. Both his and her hair weren’t checked for a long time.

‘’I will be here forever with you, so rest.’’

Ubel patted her hair, and her tears continued to flow.

‘’I am...here.’’

*********

After his grandmother calmed down, Ubel carried her back onto her comfortable rocking chair and laid another blanket over her. Her complexion became a bit better after expending all her energy on crying and now, with a smile, she seemed fine enough to rest for a few minutes. Meanwhile, he put the books and scrolls and the sack on the table beside, and he leaned the bow to the wall beside it.

Then Ubel looked at the fireplace, covered with stones to contain any fire they would lift. There was little trace of ash and black, so it wasn’t used for a long, long time. Though he had made sure to cut wood enough to last six or seven winters, all kept at the small cave...that was a minute walk away. Of course, she couldn’t burn any. How did he expect the poor woman to walk over and carry a heavy load of wood at the mid-winter?

Ubel sighed at his stupidity.

‘’Grandma, I’ll go get some wood to light a fire.’’ He said. She peeked at him for a second before mumbling something, then started to sway on her chair. He couldn’t help but smile at her.

He left the house and followed the small stream feeding the farm. The source of the stream came from the top of the Pierced Mountains that were nigh-visible from inside the forest. And the cave in front of him was one of its branches. There were two streams, one large that flowed west to the ocean, and the small northern one that fed their crops.

The cave wasn’t special and Ubel gathered the woods in no time. Though their texture was a bit...wet? It seemed the interior was moist, perhaps because of the stream or because of the weather, but still something he ought to keep in mind. Without further ado, he returned home and put the stack beside the fireplace. Ubel snuck his head inside and peeped up, he saw no black mass of those ash like matter, only the clear sky.

Gracious light, it isn’t clogged.

Ubel held one of the woods, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth wide. Then he exhaled. A wild wind rushed out of his mouth, so hot that the cold air seemed to turn into vapor, and washed over the firewood. In a moment it was back to being dry, and his throat itched with a sore pain. If it works, then it is fine. He did the same thing to the whole stack until they all dried up and put them together on the fireplace.

‘’Grandma, do you know where the hatchet is?’’

She poked her arm out of the heavy blankets and pointed at her right, to the wall between kitchen and bedroom. ‘’Thank you.’’ He said. One inside the kitchen, at the left corner he saw the hatchet laid on some sort of leather with the shovel and his grandma’s wooden crane. Convenient. He plucked the iron hatchet and returned to the room.

*********

Once the fire sprang to life with a sizzle and the healthy color of red spread to the room, Ubel stopped crouching. He grasped the rocking chair from the bottom and turned it to face the fireplace. Grey smoke rose from the burning wood and left through the hole above whilst Ubel stood in his place for some time.

‘’Are you hungry, grandma?’’ As it seemed, she didn’t want to expend any more energy, so she just shook her head. ‘’Then...I will go to father’s grave for a moment.’’

She nodded and Ubel gave a small push from behind to let her chair sway again. He turned to the table behind. From the pack of items, he took out a palm-sized bowl and two sticks of incense. With them, he left the house.

His father’s grave wasn’t that far, for he feared some random beast would try to dig up its remains. Another minute walk's away from the house, upward towards a slope to the south where a small hill stood, they buried him. And he put traps, many of them, for reasons obvious.

But it seemed he would no longer need to worry about random animals with this incense. Quan said it was a type of incense that burned with Qi, as long as there was supply it wouldn’t go off, and the smell it gave made weak animals terrified of it. He mentioned something about affecting the nervous system, but Ubel didn’t give any attention at that time.

After rounding several thick branches and the trunk of a gigantic oak, Ubel came to the clearing where his father laid. He spotted the grave with no difficulty, as there was a two-meter long gravestone at its head with two simple words.

Ke’ai Zhanglao

Ubel wandered around for a second to see the traps, he found none of them triggered until now and sighed in relief, then came before the grave. He kneeled and cast his gaze to the gravestone.

Ke’ai Zhanglao

The more he looked, the more he found the writing of his grandma mystifying. But he didn’t care further. He put the bowl next to the stone and planted the incense. On top of the incense were small lids, sealing the real ones inside. With a swish, he opened both and retracted.

Soon he felt the Qi around him gather towards the two incense sticks and fill them up. Faint, multi-colored wisps of smoke started to rise from their top and like a wave of mist covered him and the grave. It smelled like...dust. After a moment of silence, he kowtowed thrice.

‘’I am back, father.’’ Ubel stopped for a second, then gave three more kowtows.

‘’I won’t be going back to the sect again, I decided myself.’’ Then the last three, and stood straight. He gazed at the name again.

Ke’ai Zhanglao

‘’I was...not supposed to come back here at first. Grandma didn’t want me to see her go away... as you wanted.’’ A slight smirk spread to Ubel’s face. ‘’But guess what happened.’’

‘’I spent a bit over two and a half years on the mountain of the sect, then some more in a city called Yadratafos. Now...I had to stay there for at least a decade, they said, but again guess what happened!’’

‘’They taught me immortality, then I lost it.’’ Ubel put his hands together. ‘’I don’t feel regretful about it, I think it might even be a blessing. Or perhaps it was you who gave me it, father?’’ There was only silence, of course. ‘’But...that is it, I suppose. I am back here again, and I don’t intend to leave grandma, or you, alone.’’ Ubel gave one last kowtow and stood up.

‘’I want to build you a better grave, father, but I don't think it will be too soon. So please bear with here for some more.’’

‘’I will come back here again.’’ So he left, unaware of his reddened eyes. As the smoke of the incense parted way in front of him, he saw the silhouette of a four-legged animal. Short, a bit long, and looked like it had a fluffy tail. Once outside of the mist, he saw the orange body and the long ears much clearly, and the whiskers near its nose.

The old fox looked at him with caution from afar, the familiar face of the troublemaker now looked quite sulky. Ubel recognized him, of course, but the fox didn’t seem to figure out the hand he stole from for years. Though it looked deep into his face, and his eyes, and perhaps its memory made it less cautious against him. Why? Because if it was the past, the little trickster would have fled a long time ago.

But Ubel had confidence that he could catch up to it now.

So he continued to stare at it, and the fox did the same. Half a minute passed and at last the beast gave in. It trod towards him with shaking legs and came beside his feet. Ubel watched where he gazed at. It was looking at his hair, the hair that he hadn’t cut for years.

Oh- It couldn’t recognize me because of my hair?

Ubel reached for the hatchet at his side but the fox didn’t seem too alerted. Did the cunning fox eat something weird these years?

Ubel grasped his hair, now reaching his waist, from the top of his shoulders and with a swift motion cut through it all. Tendrils of raven black hair fell to the ground and flew under a small breeze, but instead of looking at them the fox inspected him. Its eyes widened for a moment then it...tittered?

‘’Now you make me annoyed. How did you even get past the traps?’’ The fox answered with a small growling that he, of course, didn’t understand. ‘’Well...since you are so old now you won’t be that mischievous, I hope.’’ The fox grumbled. ‘’Don’t pretend to understand me.’’ He glared at it, but it soon turned into a soft smile.

Crouching, Ubel put his hand over the old fox’s head and patted its soft fur. It didn’t growl or grumble this time. While playing with its head, Ubel turned to look at the wide patches of forest and incoming dark clouds, signaling a possible snowstorm. He stared back at the fox again, then hugged it with his other arm.

‘’And I missed you too,’’ He murmured. ‘’I missed you all.’’

End Of Prologue Arc: Revolution