Audun was now back into the real world. At least, the seemingly real world that was frozen in time. This time, however, he was greeted by a smiling maiden. She had deep, violet hair, that ran down her back, stopping above her waist. She was tall, and had a dark complexion, with dark brown eyes to match.

“Welcome back, Audun. You have passed the test, choosing the world of cultivation, over one of false comfort. You may now ask any questions that come to mind.” Her overbearing aura hit him hard while she spoke, making him slightly dizzy. Luckily, his will was strong, so he shook it off.

“Who are you? The aura you emanate is even more oppressive and overbearing than the Patriarch’s, and he ranks among the top three experts in the world!”

She let out a light laugh. “I’m sorry to shatter your dreams, little one, but your Patriarch is no where close to the strongest expert in this world. I am Natalia, and I suppose I am one of the top ten experts in this world. Or rather, I was.”

Audun’s eyes widened, it seemed that the sayings were true, saint rank was not the peak. “What happened to you? Surely an expert so strong doesn’t need to hide in a backwater forest?”

“While it is true that I could easily fend off most experts of this continent, if I were to reveal myself, the church’s backers would come for me, and them I cannot handle.”

“Who are the churcher’s backers?”

“Unfortunately, little one, I cannot tell you for many reasons. But what I can tell you is what you need to know. I can tell you more about yourself and your condition.”

“Do you mean I’m not alone?” An excitement swept through him, if there were others like him...

“No, you are truly unique in this world. However, I can tell you the ways of the heavens, which truly affect you, more than any others. Tell me child, what is luck?”

A sense of sadness washed over him, he was alone after all. “It is random chance, just something that happens if it happens.”

“It would seem that way, especially if that's what you were told. Yet no, luck is much, much more. Luck is bestowed by the heavens, bestowed onto a person for karmic merit. It is given to those who earn heaven's favor in one fashion or another.

So this means that for you, you cannot receive heaven’s luck. For most cultivators, this is a death sentence. There are too many unforeseen events for a luckless person to be able to survive as long as we do. Yet you are different, you can siphon heaven’s luck. You can wrench away another's destiny and claim it for your own. Look to yourself, and you will see it too be true.”

Audun thought back to his short life, the one that began after the incident. He struggled every second for survival, nearly dying numerous times. He thought back to when lucky things would happen to him, and when he thought back, it only happened when beings who could earn luck were around. Every near death experience was salvaged, due to there being a sentient being around.

“I can tell by your face you know it to be true. And you can go even farther.” Natalia waved her hand, and Avari appeared before them, asleep but standing. “You can kill them, and siphon all the karmic luck they’ve built up. This would go so far as to even allow you to break through, as I see you’ve had difficulty doing.”

She was right, he had been unable to move to the next level. Most cultivators absorbed qi until their dantian’s experienced a qualitative changed, and the qi condensed, becoming purer and denser. They would then move to the next level. Audun became stronger as his qi pathways opened more, but he could sense they’d reached their limit. Ever since this happened, he has stagnated in power. But this luck could help him move past this, and become stronger.

“And her most of all, even someone of your level can sense heaven’s favor on her. She would assuredly be able to supply you with the amount of luck necessary to find a breakthrough.” Audun hesitated, wondering whether or not he should. His whole reason for existing was vengance. to get back at those who wronged him. It should be easy, to sacrifice someone who would assuredly betray him if she found out the truth. Yet he couldn’t help but reminisce back to their short time, and the comfort she brought him. And to the time where she had helped save his life.

“No, I would never betray a friend like that, even for all the power in the world.” He felt terrible for the thought to even have crossed his mind. He would never, and he knew she would do the same for him.

“Even if her death would lead to those whom you seek vengeance against?”

“Even then, I would find another way.”

“Oh the innocence of a child.” She waved her hand, and Avari was gone. “Yet, this innocence allowed you to pass my true, final test. You must keep those you love in you heart, because this world is too harsh to exist all alone.” He thought he could see a tear in her eyes, but it was gone in an instant, so he thought he must have imagined it.

“I cannot offer as much as I was once able, but I can give you access to this.” A vial of a violet liquid appeared in his hands. “I know you practice the martial arts of the Baste clan, and that liquid will reform your body to have the strength of an early sky expert. And this,” she produced a scroll, “is the next level of your training. Your new body given to you by the drink should allow you to practice this level all the way through. But you must find a way to break through, little one. There are no more crutches any can offer you from here. Now leave, and don’t forget our agreement.”

She gently cut a hole next to her, which revealed a world of motion and life. A world that Audun deeply missed. A place that would fill in the silence of his divine sense. He turned to Natalia and bowed a deep bow, one that spoke more than his words ever could. She had helped him so much, and he still had little idea why, but he knew he shouldn’t ask.

Smiling, he stepped out. As he left, he heard a faint whisper, one that was probably just wind blowing by.

“I miss the world so much, Michelle…”