Chapter 170

Brenna

The Snake in the Garden

Brenna watched the whole time as Lykan made comment after comment to the strange alien. Judging by Lykan’s reactions, it was clear that more was happening. The Titan before them, was not the largest threat this world faced. Rather they were just the largest known enemy that they currently faced.

He didn’t trust the creature, that much was certain. Just the way his qi felt on edge when she had around caused her to question just what he was after. He was showing her the path of cultivation. At least, he offered her the proposed way to her cultivation.

It was clear that Lykan was a genius cultivator, not just one who could understand how to cultivate himself, but likely a peerless prodigy who could himself identify the strengths and ways to get others to cultivate. Not only would he allow people to cultivate, but he would allow them to cultivate in a way that was most conducive to their own personal success.

While Brenna was not exactly certain how rare of a talent this was, she knew for a fact that Lykan was the only one on their planet that could do so. Also, the way he so readily accepted the viper to join him. These were all signs that Lykan was either suicidal, or that he had a plan on how to get ahead.

Did he really think that inviting such a monster into their midst would be in any way beneficial?

He seemed to think so, but his reasons were odd to say the least.

Of course, the entire time he was conversing with the monster in that strange alien language, he had been open. He had left his mind wide open; this was his only way of assuring both sides of his good intentions.

Lykan had assured the viper that he was safe by conversing with her solely in her language. Then by leaving his mind open, he assured Brenna that he was not being manipulated, while also assuring her of a plan.

He knew she lied, over and over she lied, but he still trusted her. Well trust was not the right word to use. It was clear that he didn’t trust her, not fully. But he knew he had something that she thought was invaluable, and for what? For the tri-weave skin formula? What a joke, Lykan had already figured out most of how that was formed a while ago and was already working on a five layer version that did much the same. The only reason why he stopped himself, was he wondered if he could do a seven-layer version of the same thing.

Lykan had spoken with her at length about the different layering and the way each part would need to be woven together. He almost wondered whether the best pattern would be a blending of the three forms. The seven-layer version was the most durable but allowed for the least amount of movement. For someone like Lykan this was possibly the worse function. The tri-weave blend that the alien spoke of and apparently used was the one best suited for movement. This was the one that Lykan found himself wishing to implement amongst most of his body. The only problem was, there were places that such a weave was not as important. That was where the penta-weave blend came in, it was more resistant to damage, while also allowing for more movement.

That was why Lykan was currently in the process of mentally mapping out a system that would incorporate all three different forms on both his and Brenna’s body. The idea was to come up with a network of interlocking pieces that would provide the most protection to the most vital of areas.

Of course, while he worked out the logistics and mental patterns, he remained exposed and vulnerable to attacks. While this meant little when dealing with other humans and native inhabitants of this world, it was still a glaring weak spot when he tried to deal with monstrous Titans.

Honestly the hardest part for Brenna was remaining calm, even after the figure disappeared, and the training figure reappeared. Now that she knew what to look for, there was a slight change, but very subtle between the two forms. The figure of the living Titan that Lykan had been speaking to was not that different from the figure who had been providing guidance all along.

Then when the serpent finally entered their layer, Lykan showed deference by bowing slightly to the creature. This was the same level of respect that Brenna and Lykan both had to show to the training assistant. While Brenna knew that such an act was not entirely necessary, it was still a nice gesture on Lykan’s part.

Brenna nearly lunged up and struck the being, when she failed to return the gesture to Lykan. This was clearly a play for dominance. This was the monster’s way of saying she was in charge here, that she would not bow to a lowly inhabitant.

Only Lykan’s calm demeanor stayed her hand.

Seeing her concern, a gentle breeze overtook the room. While Lykan never made so much as a glance her way, she knew the breeze was caused by Lykan. It was clear he knew both the situation and Brenna’s emotional state.

Still despite everything, he as calm. Or maybe because of everything, he was calm.

The viper came and sat in the middle of their training room, then she began speaking.

It was clear from her tone and inflection that she meant to take command of this situation. She was here to force Lykan to submit to her will. At least that was the impression that Brenna got from the exchange.

Lykan however seemed to not be flustered in the slightest. Instead, Brenna almost swore he was smiling at the power play.

At his calm demeanor the Titan continued to bluster and position for posture for strength, but Lykan seemed to realize the situation for what it was.

After a time Lykan just raised a hand, gesturing for the Titan to stop.

Had anyone else on the planet made such a gesture, they would have no doubt lost the hand in a single strike. But here, and now it was clear that the Titan wanted something from Lykan. Something Lykan was willing to freely give, the knowledge of how to cultivate. Not just how to cultivate, but how to cultivate in a way that was beneficial for her.

This seemed to be enough to stop the Titan’s posturing. At least that was what Brenna thought, but then she spoke again, no doubt dangling the same tri-weave blend that she had offered Lykan in the first place.

Hearing her words Lykan just shook his head. Then turned his head to the left and spoke a few words to the training assistant. The assistant who was still on, to help providing a suitable area for the Titan to learn to harness her own element.

Lykan then said a few words to the trainer, and the very model of the tri-weave pattern came up. Seeing the pattern, the Titan grew visibly irritated and demanded that the model stop. This was when the true status of Lykan and Brenna as outsiders was apparent as the image stopped displaying the tri-weave pattern before them.

Yet, the demonstration was not lost on the individual before them. It was clear that Lykan not only knew of the tri-weave formula but had known that the trainer was also capable of showing the design.

This was when Lykan went in for the kill, holding up his hand he noted a penta-weave and septa-weave pattern as well. While Brenna was still trying to catch all the nuances of the alien language, her connection to Lykan’s mind let her fill in the blanks.

He had played her.

He had invited her out from her little hole, and then he had toyed with her. Letting her come here. He let her make power play after power play, only to show that once she was done and every card she had, had been played. Lykan still had more.

The effect was a crushing defeat.

Even if the two sparred, Brenna was not certain that a more crushing defeat could have been delivered.

Lykan for his part was the picture of serenity. His posture loose and relaxed, no sign of tension. Even when the Titan seemed close to striking out in rage and anger, Lykan just held his ground. Never succumbing to the moment.

The entire thing had happened so quickly, only a few minutes of talking and posturing before the Titan lowered her head and pressed it against the ground in supplication.

She had submitted?

Never in all her wildest dreams did Brenna ever think that a Titan would willingly submit themselves before a human. Not even one as powerful and inspiring as Lykan.

Yet, he had a poise to him, a purpose. Just looking at him, it was clear that he was more than the mortal shell that encapsulated his beautiful soul. He was power incarnate. No, he was more than that, he was the truth.

He was the key to unlocking the fundamental principles of the universe. At least, that is what Brenna thought while looking at him. Apparently, she was not the only one who felt this way, as the Titan too also seemed to notice something within Lykan.

After a second of prostration, Lykan spoke, and the Titan listened. When she raised her head, the defiance was gone, the anger and humiliation of having to listen to a lesser was gone. Instead, all that remained was sheer reverence.

“I will speak the commands to you in my language. Then translate them for you.” Lykan first began in human common, then spoke once again in the Titan language.

“If you are to truly be my disciple. Then you must learn my language. I know that by following me, you are forsaking your own kind. You must forsake your past, to form your own personal future. One where you have one. A future of your own making. Know that I do not promise you power. I can and will only be able to show you a path. Where you go, and how far that path takes you is all your own.”

When Lykan translated this, to the Titan language, the female bowed deeply from her kneeling position once more.

Seeing the action, a shiver ran down Brenna’s spine. She had witnessed possibly the most important exchange of power on this planet. One where a

Titan, the scourge of the heavens bowed reverentially to Lykan, a nothing in the grand scheme of things. How was such an event even possible? How had this seemingly random chain of events come to pass.

Brenna still felt deceit from the alien, but it was momentarily tamed. For the moment, the Titan had shackled her own greed, to follow the path of Lykan.

“Now, rise.”

Once the command was translated, the Titan arose to her feet.

“Assume the stance of water.” Lykan said.

The Titan looked confused for a moment, then moved her feet slightly apart and stared at Lykan.

Lykan just shook his head.

“Sit.”

And she sat.

“You must first understand what water is to you. You stand erect as one who once relied upon water, and now wishes to retain independence from water. If you are to continue your path, you will need to lose this mindset and follow the path of your ancestors. You must be dependent on the water. Use the water within you as a baseline. When in doubt, always pull from yourself, before you wish to enact change upon the world around you.” Lykan spoke.

In a way, Brenna knew this dual language lesson was as much for her, as it was for the viper. The lesson was not lost on her. This was Lykan’s way of helping to enforce Brenna’s own understanding of Earth. Well not just to increase her understanding of Earth but help her see the strengths of Water. If she paid attention, she would see the weaknesses of Water, should this viper ever attempt to turn on her master, or her.

“Now, focusing on the qi within your body. Begin to move the energy like waves in the ocean. Start with a ripple, forever repeating onward, until it gets to the edge of the pond that is your skin. Then once it is there, let that ripple travel back, while you start a second ripple. Do not stop the ripple, nor try to guide it. Instead, just see the ripple and let it be one with you.”

Then just like that, the Titan’s first lesson on how to cultivate Water began.

Seeing the entire process, Brenna couldn’t help but feel chills run down her spine as she knew this was a moment that would forever change the fate of her world. Whether it was a good changing point, or a point that would mark the inevitable decline of their planet was one that still waited to be seen.