Pandora Unchained - a Cultivation Progression Fantasy

Unlike in Delphi, where the major powers were all situated on a single street, Olympia's major clans and organizations were more spread out and managed large sections of land called districts.

The Kepler Clan was based out of Viper Manor, and like other clans, many of their subordinates lived and worked in the Viper District in the surrounding area. Where the Kepler Clan differed from other clans was that they operated many hospitals and pharmacies—facilities that were required in nearly every district. No faction, not even the Hyde and Zeiss Clans, dared go without medical care.

It was difficult to say whether the Kepler Clan's skills in the political area were the result or the cause of their complex treaties and agreements with nearly every faction in Olympia. Still, it remained that the Kepler Clan, despite falling short of an Olympian Clan, held a disproportionate amount of power and would go to great lengths to maintain the power they'd amassed over the past twenty generations.

Gaining significant support from the Council of Elders will be an uphill battle, thought Sorin as he considered the accommodations Percival and Clarice had secured. The residence could only be secured with the council's approval and could be seen as both a favor and a reminder. It could also be both—a carrot and a stick combined to lead me down the road they've chosen.

Surprisingly, no one stopped or intercepted Sorin when he arrived at Viper Manor. When he asked the guards why they didn't even check who he was, they answered that there wasn't a single person in the clan who wouldn't recognize their own God Seed.

Viper Manor was tiny compared to the entire Viper District. Only members of the Kepler Clan with the purest bloodlines and highest cultivation realms were allowed inside. Sorin could feel them walking up and down the halls to catch a peek at him. He could feel them just as easily as he could feel the old geezers waiting for him behind the Serpentine Hall leading up to the council chamber.

Sorin laid his hands on the pair of golden double doors and stopped for a moment. Each door was engraved with half a staff and one-half of the two coiling serpents working their way up said staff. He felt a tingling sensation as the doors reacted to his presence and lit up with a fierce green light. The snakes on the metal doors tilted their heads in a slight bow as the doors left his hands and opened of their own accord.

The council chamber was dark and inhospitable. Not a single light could be seen, which was interesting given that the thirty-three most powerful cultivators in the Kepler Clan were sitting right in front of him.

Is it some sort of tactic? A ritual I'm not aware of? A green light lit up on the lower levels of the chamber to reveal a middle-aged man with the look of a rattlesnake. "See? I told you there was no need to send someone to fetch him. He has no one else to rely on. He has no choice but to come pay his respects."

A second green light lit up opposite the first. "What's the point of all this posturing when dealing with family? We're all allies here. Thirty-three powerful voices singing together in harmony."

"As if you ever had the clan's best interest in mind," said a third voice accompanied by a third light. "You've always prioritized your own hospital over others."

"And you haven't done the same?" asked the second voice. "We're all physicians here. Our patients are our number one priority."

"Enough!" A large green light appeared on the upper levels of the Council Chamber, revealing someone Sorin hadn't seen in a very long time: Reeves Mockingjay Kepler, the current leader of the Kepler Clan. His appearance was surprising because it completely ruined the staged appearance these councilors were aiming for.

The appearance of the largest light naturally forced the other councilors to reveal their own lights. Judging by their expressions, it was clear that this wasn't the first time such a thing had happened.

Division on the council and conflict with the leader? This is something I can take advantage of.,

"We're gathered today to welcome an important member of our family," continued Clan Leader Reeves. "He might have erred in going to Hero Square before paying us a visit, but no harm was done. This slight deviation doesn't change anything."

"No harm was done?" said a man sitting on a slightly lower level than Reeves. "In case you haven't heard, Clan Leader Sorin had a direct altercation with Young Master Ratten from the Hyde Clan. If he'd come here earlier, such a situation might have been avoidable."

"I wonder what council you could have given the boy, given what happened with Melinoë, Chief Elder Baron," said a familiar voice. The speaker was Elder Marik—or Chief Elder Marik, judging by the position of his bench. We accepted the mission and the associated rewards for succeeding; it's only right that we accept the wrath of the Hyde Clan accompanies it."

"Chief Elder Marik is right," spoke another Chief Elder that Sorin didn't recognize. Judging by his robes, he was from the Rosair Branch. "Though I do wonder how much damage this will cause us in the end. Killing Melinoë is something we've done many times in the past, but extinguishing her God Seed?"

"As I've been told," came a soft and familiar voice. "It was the God Seed of Achlys who did the deed." "What's our official stance when it comes to the Hargrave Clan again?" The speaker was none other than Elder Adrian. How did he also get promoted to the level of Chief Elder?

There was a total of six Chief Elders corresponding to Medicine, Records, Information, Defense, Logistics, and Punishment. The Clan Leader was seen as separate and impartial to all these factions. In practice, however, there were alliances and enmities between the factions, as well as neutral parties like Logistics overseen by the Sovinger Branch and Defense overseen by the Defensor Branch.

"I believe we're back to being… where was it." Clan Leader Leaves rifled through a stack of papers. "Ah, here it is. On paper, we are 'good friends.' Whether or not we progress our relationship and become 'best friends' again depends on how well they navigate the current political climate and if they survive the wrath of the Hyde Clan.

"But that is not why we're gathered here. As I said, we've assembled to welcome an important member of our clan. Is there anything you would like to say, Sorin?"

Truthfully, Sorin wanted to spit in the man's face. Violence and Madness had been giving Sorin a hard time lately, but in the end, the cold, calculating strife won out.

As a God Seed, bowing to the Clan Leader was not necessary, but he gave Clean Leader Reeves a respectful nod. "I've come to pay my respects to the Council, the Clan Leader, and to the Grand Elder. I would also like to thank you all for the warm welcome and the gift of my parents' old manor. It's… good to be home once again." This was a necessary lie, given the situation.

Clan Leader Reeves looked at Sorin appraisingly. "We're happy that you still consider this place your home, given what transpired over eight years ago. The clan wronged you, Sorin. I will not deny that. You have my word that we will do our utmost to make it up to you.

"In addition, I've been made aware that we haven't been properly looking out for your safety. Some efforts were made in Delphi to make up for that, but we need to take things a step further. It is for that reason that I recalled Elder Marik from Delphi to resume his duties as the Chief Defense Elder. I have also taken the liberty of promoting Elder Adrian from Delphi to the position of Chief Logistics Elder. Please don't hesitate to speak with them or approach me directly if you have any problems."

Sorin wasn't sure how much of this had been the Clan Leader's decision and how much had been forced on him by the council and the Grand Elder. Elder Marik's current position was a definite boon, but Sorin wasn't so certain about Elder Adrian.

"I thank the Clan Leader for his consideration," said Sorin. "I'm also happy for the recognition of past wrongs and the Clan Leader's solemn promise. In addition to delivering greetings, I also had another purpose in coming today. I wonder if the Clan Leader has any specific instructions for me."

Clan Leader Reeves waited a few moments before nodding to Elder—no, Chief Elder—Adrian.

"Sorin, as Chief Logistics Elder, it is my duty to handle matters relating to supplies as well as rewards for services rendered," said Chief Elder Adrian. "One of the first things I did as Chief Logistics Elder was look into your accomplishments. I was surprised to discover that you'd been issued simple merit points after making such an oversized contribution to the family—something that is unacceptable and will be immediately rectified.

"The aid you provided to the Pollen Clan in slaying Python has greatly improved relations with their clan. Even more significant is your purging of Delphi's curse, which earned the family great rewards from the Pandoran Council and eased our tense relationship with the Hargrave Clan.

"Then there's the matter of the new plant species you've discovered and the modifications you've made to the Meridian Opening Tinctures and Bone-Unsealing Tinctures. These are substantial accomplishments that will benefit the clan for generations. Such actions must be thoroughly rewarded.

"You also spent much of your precious time teaching the next generation of poison-based physicians and made great strides in improving our relations with the Medical Association.

"I've discussed with the Chief Elders and the Clan Leader and have settled on three rewards to compensate for your efforts."

Sorin frowned at the unexpected development. "Three rewards?" Were they trying to shortchange him why pretending to be fair, or were they playing a different game?

"Three rewards," confirmed Chief Elder Adrian. "The first reward consists of three divine crystals." A slit in space opened before Sorin to reveal a box that shoved itself into his hands. "These crystals are of above-average quality and have been purified by Lord Hope. Though we of the council understand that God Seeds grow through completing their divine missions and not through absorbing divine crystals, it remains that such crystals are excellent trade goods. There is only one rule that comes attached with this reward: these crystals cannot leave Olympia."

Sorin opened the box and saw that these crystals were larger versions of what Stephan had shown him. He couldn't directly verify if what Chief Elder Adrian said about their quality was true, but a subtle nod from Chief Elder Marik clarified his doubts. "Many thanks to the council for its kind gift."

"This is not a gift but a reward," Chief Elder Adrian chided. "As for the second reward, it is a crafting opportunity. I believe the armor you use is a product of the Sanderson family?"

Sorin nodded. "That's correct. The quality of their leather equipment is outstanding, and from what I've heard, only the Sanderson family can craft demigod-level leather equipment."

"It's notoriously difficult to book Grandfather Sanderson's services, even with sufficient materials and achievements," agreed Chief Elder Adrian. "Which is why I think you'll appreciate this voucher."

A sheet of paper appeared in Sorin's hands. "What's this?" said Sorin, flipping it over. "It doesn't state an amount and only says one piece of equipment."

"It is as described," interrupted Clan Leader Reeves. "The clan will foot the bill for the production or upgrade of a single piece of equipment to the peak of three stars. No matter the materials. No matter the grade."

Sorin's mind short-circuited. This… is a very good reward. Whatever game they're playing, it's hard for me to refuse. "This is a very generous reward," Sorin finally said. This time, he clasped his hands and bowed lightly. "I'll remember this favor."

"It is not a favor," said Clan Leader Reeves. "We are simply giving you what you are owed for your contributions to the clan." This time, Sorin could sense some animosity in his voice. It was clear that he didn't agree with the idea; that said, for someone like him to play along, there must be a reason for him to do so.

"In the end, these two rewards are a little lacking compared to reserves rendered," admitted Chief Elder Adrian. "I wasn't sure what else you might like, so I spoke to the Grand Elder about this matter. The Grand Elder is an understanding individual. He spoke to Grand Elder Hargrave and came back with this."

This time, Chief Elder Adrian personally flew down and handed the item in question over to Sorin. It was an eight-chained bracelet adorned with a single gem and radiated a familiar power. "This is a demigod artifact. And with such powerful poison."

"To give you a little background on this artifact, it is a normal storage and delivery artifact at the demigod level that contains three drops of their signature poison, the Tears of Achlys," explained Elder Adrian. "This is the same poison that extinguished the God Seed known as Melinoë. Though these three drops are not as powerful as the ones used to extinguish Melinoë, they are potent enough to kill virtually anyone at the three-star level. Even demigods would greatly suffer from contacting this poison."

The bracelet confirmed that the Kepler Clan wasn't trying to shortchange him. If anything, they were being more than fair. That's when it clicked for Sorin—they were being fair. This meant that all his previous achievements had been accounted for, and no preferential treatment would be given on account of them. In other words, they'd decided for themselves what his rewards would be and had deprived him of any choice in the matter.

Elder Adrian flew back to his position and bowed to the Clan Leader. "It is done, Clan Leader. All rewards have been issued. All debts have been cleared."

"Thank you, Elder Adrian," said Clan Leader Reeves. "Now that greetings have been made and rewards have been given out as deserved, we will proceed to the last matter: assignment."