Broken Core [LitRPG • Cultivation • Post Apocalyptic • Romance]

Raising his brows, James watched as three of the men walked passed him and reached for Luna. The Fenrir didn't look like she was going to act until the black haired man punched James in the stomach.

Frowning, James looked down at the fist as Luna started to growl. Her soul leaked out as she lost control of her anger. Like a dam breaking, she flooded the area, suppressing everyone.

"Leave him alone!" she snarled.

The core cultivators sunk to their knees. Even the cultivators many feet away were affected and many of them dropped to the ground.

Luna stalked towards the black-haired man. "You dare touch my husband!"

"There she is," James joked.

Gulping, the cultivator met her eye. "W-what a-are you?"

Raising her hand, she summoned her claws. Before she could strike, a figure blurred in front of her and grabbed her wrist.

"Enough," a soft, yet powerful voice said.

Scanning the newcomer, James found a soul more powerful than any others he had seen on the mountain. It was also tinged with silver light. The nascent soul cultivator had a slender build with blonde hair and blue eyes. He had stopped Luna, but his hand was shaking from the effort.

"Elder Bo," Mender greeted with a respectful bow. "I was just bringing them to you."

Bo turned to Mender and Jamie. "What have you brought onto my mountain?"

"Can we talk somewhere private?" James asked.

Bo glanced at him and nodded. "That would be for the best." Letting Luna go, he started walking towards the core sect. Mender chuckled as he fell in next to James. Jamie took Luna's side as she ushered the wolf to follow the elder.

"That was well done," Mender whispered. "I was worried you would show your strength."

Eyeing Luna, James shrugged. "She is more than enough for this sect. She just needs to accept that."

Luna glared at him. "You enjoyed that too much!"

Bo glanced over his shoulder, frowning at her outburst. Clearing his throat, he pulled their attention to the gates. The guards quickly stepped aside as the elder slowed his pace to walk with them.

"You've hidden your cultivation," Bo stated.

"We have," James admitted. "It wouldn't do to scare everyone."

"How did a Fenrir reach nascent soul?"

Luna frowned. "Hard work."

"Indeed…"

James ignored the comment as they were led to a large building built directly into the mountain side. The rich Qi was overflowing and he noticed Mender and Jamie pulling on it as quickly as they could.

"Will we be meeting with the other elders?" James asked.

"Not yet," Bo stated. "They are in meditation and have been for weeks. I'm currently in charge of the sect."

Looking at the man's soul again, James searched it for answers. "You were part of the Great War."

Bo froze mid-step. "Intriguing thought."

"Fact actually." James kept walking, pulling Luna with him. "That's a good thing. I have many questions for you."

"And I, you." Bo fell in next to him. "For example, why are two of my cultivators missing from your group."

"They died from Forsaken," James answered honestly. "They thought they would separate from us and reach you first. Turns out they didn't like Luna and wanted to prevent her from reaching the sect."

Humming, Bo turned to Mender.

"It's the truth, Elder."

Jamie nodded as well.

"I'll leave it alone for now," Bo said.

Reaching the building, Bo pushed open the doors and James felt the ambient temperature even out as the braziers warmed the room. Crystals glowed on the wall, illuminating the space further as souls hid in the walls, telling him that the elder was guarded by peak core cultivators.

"They won't help you," James said.

Bo froze again. "What do you mean?"

"Your guards." Pointing out a few of the hiding spots, he added, "they won't help. It would be better if we find a truly private space."

Sighing, Bo clapped his hands. "Leave us!"

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James watched the souls retreat until they were well outside the building.

"You detected them easily," Bo said. "How dangerous are you?"

James pulled Luna into his side. "I'm not sure what you are talking about. This one is the cultivator."

Snorting, Mender gave him away. Bo glanced at the healer and raised his brow.

Mender quickly schooled his face. "Sorry, Elder." Bowing, he added, "James kept me alive on many occasions. He's the reason that Jamie and I made it back in one piece."

Jamie bowed as well and held out the cultivation ring. "He also made this."

Bo's eyes widened as he looked over the silver and white ring. "This ring…"

"Is for sale!" James chimed in. "Made a few of them actually. We have to show one to her master, but we can spare one for you."

Slipping the ring on, Bo stared at the ring in wonder as the ambient Qi was pulled into his body sharply. "Wonderful!"

Smiling, Jamie stood up. "I taught him what he knows!"

"She was a good teacher," James admitted. "But we aren't here about the ring. I need answers about the war. Specifically, what caused the rending."

"Why does it matter?" Bo asked, turning back to him.

James crossed his arms. "I've done some research in the old city near here. Came across news of a group of cultivators that were researching the cause. Did the rending create the Forsaken?"

Bo gestured them to a low table. Moving together, they all took seats and the elder summoned a pot of fresh tea and poured for them.

"Show me your strength first."

James relaxed his hold and flooded the core sect with his soul. The air shifted around him, making Bo gasp as his hands shook.

"As you can see," James started. "I'm strong enough for the cities. I need answers for what I'm going to be walking into when I leave here." Pulling in his soul, he returned the atmosphere back to its calm state.

"You are planning on digging up more research facilities?" Bo questioned.

"I am. It's a pastime for me. I'm still not strong enough to kill one of the giant Forsaken, and the wastelands are rich for cultivating."

Bo handed him a cup of tea. "Especially for one that cultivates the soul. How far along are you?"

"Into seven," James answered, not at all bothered that the elder knew the truth.

"None of the test subjects made it past one. Yet you have a lost cultivation method and so does your wife. I wonder why?"

Sipping his tea, James decided the truth would be best. "My mother experimented on me when I was a child. She knew my core would one day be destroyed."

"And your wife?" picking up his own tea, Bo hummed as he sampled it.

Mender and Jamie shakily picked up their cups. There was tension in the air that was affecting them.

"I converted her," James said. "She's just behind me in cultivation, and yet we can't defeat the giant Forsaken."

"You ran into one?" Bo questioned.

"We did. We barely escaped."

"It didn't follow you?"

Frowning, James shook his head. "I haven't sensed it following us."

Setting down his cup Bo closed his eyes. "I've done what I can to forget the war. I was early into my cultivation all of those years ago. Cultivators weren't a thing when the world was rent. The west fell first as their land was torn apart. They were also the first to gain cores and their understanding on Aether.

"The east followed closely as Asia was rent and broken. Europe fell quickly, becoming a wasteland that eventually sunk into the ocean. We found our dantians developed randomly and without cause. I was one of many that found they could cultivate like the fantasy stories we once read."

"And soul cultivation?" James questioned.

Luna leaned in, waiting for the answer. Even Mender and Jamie looked eager.

"Man-made," Bo answered. "Around the world, all the stops were pulled out as the soul was activated and studied. We never finished the research and the project was discarded. I'm loathe to admit that I was one of the researchers on the project. The tests the men and women went through…"

"My mother completed it," James stated. "There are side effects though."

"Ravenous hunger?" Bo asked.

"Yes. I almost ate Luna when we first met."

"Now we keep each other in check," Luna added. "It's not always easy."

Shaking his head, Bo looked towards the ceiling. "As it shouldn't be. What you are cultivating is the very source of life. We never understood what would happen if someone advanced. But the hunger scared us."

"How was the soul started?" Mender asked.

Bo glanced at him. "I don't know. My test subjects were delivered to me. They were already active."

James wasn't liking the answers he was receiving. I feel like the elder is not being fully truthful. What is he hiding?

Touching the man's soul, he didn't find any falsehoods, but he was also a nascent soul cultivator with control over his soul.

"The rending?" James brought them back to his first question.

"That started the war," Bo answered. "We tell people that we won, but the truth is, we fled. Every year, the wastelands expand just a little more. The world is dying and the Forsaken multiply."

"Where did they come from?" Luna asked. "It doesn't make sense."

"From the world." Bo picked up his tea once again. "They come from the center of the world. We sent probes deep into the rents, but all we found were endless Forsaken. It scared us enough to flee to the mountains and to start training."

Closing his eyes, James thought everything over. If the wastelands are growing, then how long will it be before the world fully falls. Will the giant forsaken claim new cities and how will humanity survive? Is there anywhere safe?

"I'm sorry I can't help more," Bo said. "The truth is, the end came quickly and our cities fell equally as fast. If you can make it to Africa, you might find more answers. I know they were the last to fall."

Nodding, James stood. "Thank you, Elder." Bowing, he showed his respect. "We have a heading."

Luna stood and quickly bowed. "Thank you."

Mender and Jamie joined them and were about to bow when Bo stopped them.

"Mender, take charge of their wellbeing. Jamie, I want you to sell his enchantments and help them gather supplies. The four of you are in for a long journey."

"The four of us?" Mender questioned.

Chuckling, Bo nodded. "I can sense that you will join them. You will need money and supplies. Make sure you gather mediums for enchanting to help your progress. If James truly can craft with his soul, then he will quickly master the art."

Frowning, Jamie glanced at him. "It's true that he's improved quickly."

"Soul cultivators will do that." Smirking, Bo stood and bowed to them. "Tell them more before leaving."

Nodding, James took Luna's hand. "I believe we have a workshop to find. Jamie is looking forward to bragging about my work."

"They are my rings," she argued. "I bought them."

Raising his brow, James asked, "and who powered them?"

"I taught you!"

Bo started to laugh. "It's good to see this one growing bold. She is such a soft woman."

"She is?" James questioned as a joke. "I've had nothing but trouble as she steals my projects."

"They are mine!" Jamie growled. "I'm not going to share the profit with you!" Huffing, she started walking away without the elder dismissing her.

Mender sighed and bowed one last time. "I'm sorry about her!"

Bo waved him off. "You should catch up to her before she loses you."

Pulling on Luna, James hurried after Jamie. The woman was already out the door when Mender ran past, catching up to her and bringing her to a stop.

"Are you crazy?" Mender shouted. "You left the elder!"

Covering her mouth, Jamie whirled on James. "This is your fault!"

Smirking, James said, "it wouldn't have happened if you weren't a thief."

Groaning, Mender started walking away. "Why am I the one stuck with you three?"

"Hey!" Luna protested. "I'm stuck with them too!"

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