Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

Kite awoke to the sensation of Dragonfly tracing the metallic lines on his back, seated next to him. Her pink hair was a cloud of frizzy curls in the morning lights, and she looked part fascinated and part concerned as she, not for the first time since his return, took in the magical tattoo stretching over most of Kite’s body.

“It’s still a bit weird, seeing you so same yet so different,” she mused. “I wouldn’t call them pretty, but they’re very striking. Did it hurt? When you got them?”

Kite sat up next to her, looking down at himself and his changed exterior. The lines of his prize from the jade-sky gate weren’t the swirling embellishment of a piece of art, but rather looked more utilitarian; like the veins of a very complicated leaf if it only had sharper angles rather than organic curves. The metal looked to be the same kind as Kite’s staff and that of the gate, but was completely smooth and easily followed the movement of his skin and muscles. But Kite knew that they went deeper in places, the pain of the metal threading itself through his body vaguely echoing through his mind.

“It was… not pleasant, I will admit,” Kite said. “Even so, it is marvelous. To think that this is accomplished by a person, no, accomplished by something built by a person.”

“You said that you gathered lots of different quintessence and other things too. Did you ask for additional arms, of all things?” Dragonfly asked, a bit incredulous. “Don’t get me wrong, they seem great. It was just a bit more… direct, than I would have expected from you.”

Kite chuckled at her words, extending one of the spectral arms to inspect. “It certainly wasn’t something which I was expecting, but I knew that I would not get to just choose every detail. It felt a bit like designing your own essence power, adding aspects and seeing what came of it. But…”

“But?”

“I have this creeping suspicion that part of it might have been how the officiator interpreted things I said. It seemed to have troubles with some metaphors, and may have taken me saying that I wanted to be able to better lend a hand to my allies a bit too literally…”

It took a few minutes before Dragonfly’s giggling subsided.

“How about you then? It was hard to get too many words from you yesterday,” Kite eventually asked her. “From your spirit, it feels like you have worked hard. Very hard.”

Dragonfly puffed up at the comment. “We have indeed. Been traveling all over the place and even spent some time taking contracts near Convergence. While it might not hold up to your little retreat inside the gate, I don’t feel as far behind you as I did back at iron.”

“I do hope that you have left some contracts for the future, though. Because I haven’t forgotten our promise.”

“Kite, monsters are literally popping into existence every day. If we can have Walker ferry us to the right area, I bet that you and Sage can help push us there in no time.”

“And with no time, you surely mean several weeks, if not months of work?”

“With silver so close, we can assume that we will live long lives, Kite. What are a few more weeks? Better allow ourselves to enjoy it a bit too, now that you’re back and we don’t have to strive as hard to keep up.”

“Dragonfly, I didn’t mean-”

She hushed him with a meaningful glare. “I didn’t mean it like that, Kite. We just didn’t want to fall behind, that’s all. Even though I know you won’t just stop caring about us if we advance slower than you, being silver rank will mean changes in all our lives. Now that we’re all here, we can work toward it together. Hence, we can enjoy it even more.”

“My ardent Dragonfly, you sure are wise,” Kite complimented, a bit relieved.

“Of course. I have always been good at enjoying myself even while climbing towards the heavens, have I not? And speaking of enjoyment, “ she said, giving him a very meaningful glance, “I informed the others that I had called dibs on you and that we would not be back at the guildhall until noon. So there is still plenty of time for some more.”

“To the twice-conqueror of the queen’s gates!” Will called, raising his cup of sap wine in toast. The gesture was quickly mirrored by the rest of those seated along the tables arranged in the guildhall’s yard, glow stones and paper lanterns lighting up the summer evening as the Autumn Wanderer’s guild celebrated Kite’s return.

The months spent apart had melted away in dear reunions and new introductions, and Kite had noted that there were three new iron-rankers in their roster. True to their original recruitment, the ages of the new members varied, as essences had the chance of rejuvenating almost anyone. Still, it felt a bit odd for a man twice Kite’s age to act all nervous as he was introduced to him, scraping his feet and bowing more than Welcome Plum Blossom had done when the teenager had first joined the guild. Apparently, Will had spent some of Kite’s absence by regaling them with tales of his exploits.

The son of the city lord was in fine form this evening, toasting and cheering. Kite was struck by how much more socially adaptable Will had become. While his speech was still formal and proper, he did not otherwise stand out in the small crowd of adventurers. Dragonfly was there too, of course, as was Serene and Worth Transcending Gold. The huge man had given Kite his usual curt greetings before returning to Serene’s side, where he had remained all evening.

Noticing him watching the pair who sat serenely next to each other, Dragonfly leaned in for a whisper. “Serene and Gold are definitely a thing now.”

“Oh?” Kite asked, looking at her. “From your wording, you still sound a bit unsure.”

“Well, I am almost entirely certain. Probably,” she ventured, giving off a frustrated sound. “Kite, you should have seen them. They are just so… synchronized. I have yet to catch them in any overt romantic actions, but the way they act and are almost always together, I swear that there is something going on.”

“Still, couldn’t it-”

“They’re singing together, Kite. And Serene even said that she really enjoyed his songs. Serene, Kite.”

“Oh. Oooooooh!” Kite said, realization. “You mean what she said back when we first-”

“Yes!

“And now they are-”

“Yes!”

“Huh.” Kite said, looking at the pair again with new eyes. There was indeed something there, a kind of harmony. “Well, good for them, if that is the case.”

“I know! They are so cute together! I just wished that they’d dare to be a bit more open about it. This world needs all the love it can get.”

“Auntie Crow used to say that relationships are as varied as the clouds in the skies; ever shifting and changing. We should let them work out what suits them best, should they wish to continue intertwining their paths,” Kite said sagely.

“I suppose we aren’t to judge,” Dragonfly agreed, leaning against his side. “But Kite?”

“Yes?”

“I am so glad that you are back. I have only had Will to talk with about this. And he remains as clueless as ever.”

Kite winced at her words, looking towards the cheerful elf spearman who was animatedly talking with branch director Jarvan, the latter having showed up unannounced to the gathering.

“My sympathies, my ardent Dragonfly. My sympathies, indeed.”

One moment, the heavy, two-handed axe was beginning its vicious arc, a surge of mana accompanying the strike. Then an almost unseen blade flicked, held by a spectral hand as the projected attack snuck by Dragonfly’s guard. It was but a small cut, one that she would normally welcome as it would only bring her strength.

But when facing Kite in a spar, even small cuts meant that she risked having to start all over again, her inner flame doused by his dispelling attacks. And now… Now things would get even more annoying. Supremely, unfairly so.

The greataxe wobbled as Dragonfly felt the strength fleeing her arms like a water skin with its bottom torn open, a strength that had constantly been with her since absorbing her first essence. One that she now found herself missing dearly.

“Oh cursed heavens- how is that fair?”

It had only been a quick exchange, the group spending the morning after Kite’s welcoming party by taking turns to demonstrate some of their recent power advancements in one of the practice squares of the adventure society campus.

Those gathered had been thoroughly impressed by Kite being able to materialize additional arms, and during their short spar, Dragonfly had quickly come to despise the additional, ridiculous versatility it would give him when he learned to master it. But the power advancement demonstrated now took the prize in her books, even if she knew it to be mostly an emotional response.

WWJS:

Congratulations!

Your ability [Disrupting Strike] has reached Silver 0

[Disrupting Strike] has gained additional effects.

- Disrupting strike -

Special attack. Cost: Low mana Cooldown: 2s Current rank: Silver 0

Effect - Iron: Strike an opponent to attempt to cancel an ongoing magical effect and deal disruptive force damage. The latter is increased if an ability or effect was affected. Some ongoing or very powerful effects might not be able to be negated entirely, and will instead be suppressed or reduced for a short duration.

Effect - bronze: Dispelled effects suffer an increase in cooldown in proportion to their cost and original cooldown. The minimum cooldown for such an effect is 10s.

Effect - silver: This ability gains an alternate effect, with its own cost and cooldown separate from the original. May increase cost to moderate mana to instead target a special ability of the target, suppressing it for 30 seconds. This effect may not target aura or familiar abilities. Cooldown: 30 seconds. A target may have only one of its special abilities suppressed by this power, regardless of source.

As Dragonfly had never worn a suppression collar in her life, this was the first time she had felt her Mighty Strength ability being taken away, suppressed by Kite’s negating magic. As a peak bronze-ranker, she was still strong, but suddenly losing that extra strength completely caught her off-balance. The blow she had begun was easily blocked by Kite’s shield carried in one of his spectral arms while his staff swung towards her, stopping an inch from her neck.

Dragonfly slumped as the spar ended, giving Kite a sour glare. “Kite, did anyone ever tell you that you are annoying? How long will this last? I feel as weak as a kitten.”

“Then welcome back to the humble level of the rest of us, my ardent Dragonfly,” Kite shot back, not helping Dragonfly’s grumbling. “As to your questions, around half a minute, I believe. I can do it again after an equal amount of time, but it will at most allow me to keep one ability suppressed if I can continue to land the strikes.”

“Kite, you have four arms now. I don’t think landing strikes will be a problem.”

“You would be surprised,” he mused, thinking back to his sparring sessions with inner disciple Ivory while waiting for uncle Walker. That had been like trying to strike the wind, Ivory giving off a similar feel as mistress Dew in that he was a very-well trained veteran warrior. He continued.

“I will have to expect that most enemies may compensate quickly, but you did prove that the surprise can provide valuable moments to strike.”

“Remind me not to fight you in any real duels,” Dragonfly noted, rising to her feet.

“I, on the other hand, would love to!” Will exclaimed from the sidelines. “Time to get a proper feel of the Pathbreaker and his gains!”

They continued like that during the day, enjoying each other’s company and strategizing further. While Serene stayed at the sidelines, using her healing magic to patch up scrapes from the sparring, Gold did join in the spar even if he clearly had a great respect for Kite in regards to dueling. Dragonfly showed off how her animated axe could now perform special attacks on its own with even greater control, and Will had proudly exclaimed how his main weapon conjuration, The Spear Perfected, could now infuse its power into any spear he touched, reinforcing and adding its magical abilities to it.

“The Saint of Spears should not be limited to one specific weapon, after all, only by the concept of the spear itself,” he said, nodding sagely along with his own words.

“Will this mean that you will actually start a collection of spears now?” Dragonfly asked.

“Why, of course! I have long since started saving pieces which I felt resonated with me.”

“So you can go about admiring your grand collections of firm shafts standing on display?” she continued innocently.

“A sight to behold indeed!”

“But whatever will you do with so many implements of penetration? Can you really handle them all yourself?”

Kite was both pleasantly surprised and a little disappointed that Will’s eyes had thinned while Dragonfly last spoke, his proud answer dying at his lips.

“Wait, just wait a moment. You are once more back to your base innuendos? For shame, Dragonfly, for shame! Undignified peasants, the lot of you!” he added, seeing the rest of those gathered politely trying to stifle their smiles.

“But speaking of the future beyond collections- ,” Kite broke in, “- this would be an excellent time to plan for us traveling south for a while. From what you have told me, all of us reaching silver would take at least another year if we only went looking for contracts around Gilded due to the rather low rate of silver-ranked manifestations.”

“That is true,” Serene agreed. “Convergence had quite a lot more of them, enough so that even us outcasts could manage to pick up some of the contracts.”

“And while I believe that Vista is probably sweeping through the lands around Bastion like a hurricane, it should be worth our time to travel there as well,” Kite added.

“Oh, and maybe see the ocean?” Dragonfly asked excitedly. “Master Force and I never went to the coastal regions, and neither did the rest of us while you were inside the gate.”

“I have also heard that the mountains around Boundary have become more dangerous as of late. Maybe we can check in with the adventure society’s administration to verify-”

As such, they took on planning in earnest, speculating and assigning different tasks within the group. It was only when they were about to go their separate ways for the day that Gold gave Kite a long look, indicating the wish to speak privately. Kite slowed down a bit, falling into step beside the large man as the others pulled ahead.

Kite had not had many conversations with the former inner disciple of the Descending Star sect, even after he had officially joined the Autumn Wanderer’s guild when his contract with Kite had run out. But one thing they had all had in common was that Kite had found it best to give Gold the time to gather his thoughts, waiting in silence until the large man spoke.

“Pathbreaker, is my presence still acceptable?” Gold eventually asked in his deep, resonant voice.

Kite pondered his words, trying to deduce the correct meaning behind the statement.

“You mean with us? As a group?”

“Yes.”

As Kite had guessed, this was about Gold stepping in when Kite had been away in the gate’s trial. With his armor, bone and resolute essences, Gold was a defensive powerhouse who, according to Dragonfly, had been able to mesh well with the team. While their paths were very different, both Kite and Gold could act as a defender, engaging enemies which were more likely to be of greater threat to other companions. How they did this was quite different, however, with Kite being able to engage that role at a distance with his barriers and projected attacks while Gold was a lot more direct; charging left and right across any battle in his empowered armor.

Instead of directly answering the man’s question, Kite asked one of his own.

“Have you enjoyed your time with us? Or rather, with them?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think that you work well with the group?”

“Yes.”

“Do you believe that my presence will diminish that, or that yours will diminish mine?”

At that question, Gold stopped to think for a short moment.

“More people. Slower pace.”

“Of course. But other than that?”

“No.”

“Then, Worth Transcending Gold, you are free to stay with us. I have already asked the others, and they have enjoyed your company. And while I do not know you very well, I look forward to doing so.”

“I see. Good. Thank you, Pathbreaker.”

His stern face did not reveal much, but Kite thought that he picked up a great deal of relief in the man’s aura even though he was not trying to pry. Serene seemed to have picked up the shift as well, turning her head as she walked. She met Gold’s eyes for a moment, and Kite had to admit that he had never seen Serene truly beam like she did at that moment. Her eyes then turned to his, and a moment later, a chiming whisper manifested close to his ears.

“Thank you, Kite. You have both our gratitude.”

Kite only smiled, giving her a nod and a wink in way of response.

“So that is confirmed then,” he thought as he saw Gold rejoin the rest, stepping up next to Serene. They walked at a chaste distance from each other, but as he stretched his aura senses just a little bit more, he got a faint feeling; as if their spirits were reaching out to each other, intertwining slightly.

“Good for them.”

“So, little Kite, you’ve barely arrived and now you are leaving again? In that much of a hurry to catch up to your old uncle, eh?” Walker asked over his cup of tea, the pair once more back in their little loft.

“I have been back two weeks, uncle. Surely you are not yet an old ancestor who can snooze away a year or two?” Kite shot back.

“No, no, I suppose that you are right. And both me and the guild have been happy to have you all gathered. It warms an old man’s heart to see what you have made possible. The Autumn lands will be in good hands when you leave, little Kite.”

“You make it sound like I’m leaving Gilded for good, uncle.”

“I know you’re not, but when one really reflects upon your plans, it is quite clear that little Gilded isn’t enough for your path. Probably hasn’t been for a little while now. With silver rank on the horizon, I believe that our little Kite will need to widen his horizons.”

Walker’s word left Kite a little taken aback. “Uncle, it’s not like that. I-”

Walker interrupted him by holding up another finger. “You need to go south, and pretty far too, in order to keep up the stream of contracts.” He held up another finger. “You are actively planning on buying land and setting up a permanent dwelling south of Bastion. Like before, that is one decent trip south of the city.” Finally, he held up a third. “And you aim to take an active part in the next venture planned by the local adventure society. One whose scope encompasses the whole region, if not the whole country.”

At his uncle’s words, Kite leaned back in his chair. What Walker said made sense, it was just… he hadn’t really thought of it like that, and things had just gradually kind of grown on him. But his uncle was right; Kite was leaving Gilded. Not for good, but as his base of operations. His home.

“I… didn’t think of myself as the kind of adventurer that just left it all behind to keep searching for power,” he said, feeling a bit ashamed. “I suppose that I was mistaken.”

He was surprised when uncle Walker only snorted a bit at his words, shaking his head theatrically as if disappointed. “Ah, little Kite, it warms this old man’s heart that you, an earnest young man who is reflecting beyond his meager years, can still sometimes prove that you still struggle with the perspective that only experience can bring. Then I won’t have to be too ashamed of the comparison to how I thought and acted when I was your age.”

At Kite’s questioning look, he continued. “Ponder, for a moment, a comparison between you and every other young soul who has left the Autumn lands quicker than a spring flood when even sniffing the barest hint that silver rank is possible for you. What have you done that, to my knowledge, very few have done before? Something on a scope which, I do dare say, is unsurpassed within local memory?”

Kite mulled the question over, his gaze wandering over the room until it finally stopped. Not on any particular object, but rather the wall itself. Part of the house. The house which was…

“The guild,” Kite said, looking back to Walker.

“As I said, almost painfully wise beyond your years. What in the heavens did your aunties feed you?

Yes, Kite. While I have heard many a local family rising in prominence on the shoulders of a young talent sending back resources, I have yet to see or hear of someone leaving such a mark. You have literally invested in the region itself before moving on, even if you didn’t have to. No one would bat an eye had you not, not me or your aunties. But you saw what you could do and did it because you wanted to. And the Autumn lands will be left better for it even should you, merciful heavens forbid it, perish tomorrow.

So, little Kite, you more than anyone else should be allowed to move on with a clear conscience. But know that your uncle might become cross with you unless you come visit from time to time.”

In way of response, Kite rose from his chair and went over to his uncle, embracing the older man in a fierce hug. They stayed like that for a little while, before Kite eventually manage to choke out; “Thank you, uncle Walker. For everything.”

“Thank you too, little Kite. This is not farewell, but the wise wanderer learns to recognize when one must seek the horizon. This old man will always have a place at his campsite for you.” Walker said, his voice carrying a bit of emotion as well. Then he shot Kite one of his signature smiles, a mix of smug boisterousness and attempt at sage wisdom. “But let us not be hasty, young one. Only the fool celebrates before he has actually crossed the river, no matter how close the shore seems to grow. Go, and come back to show us what you can do as a silver-ranker.”

“I must admit that I thought that you would be more distressed, Jarvan,” deputy director Rupert noted as the door had closed behind the departing bronze rankers. “While the adventurer in me thinks that it is very appropriate that Kite and his companions start seeking new horizons, the deputy director in me is loath to see them leave. Since the unfortunate end of the Descending Star sect, we need all the reliable locals we can get.”

“Why Rupert, do you think me so selfish that I cannot see what an asset that group can be to the local adventure society? That I am such a miser that I would not share them across the branches, so that all my fellow branch directors may be blessed by their presence? If nothing unexpected happens, they should be able to reach silver in a few months. I have even sent a letter of recommendation to the other branch directors of the northern regions.

Besides, they are all aiming to participate in the upcoming ventures in regard to our… suspicions. With the resources we are to receive, discreetly of course, there might even be time with a portal courier for some pleasant reunions every now and then. And the continental council liaison sounded quite interested when I described Kite’s recent developments. Should he accept, I am very sure that a spot in task force Gauntlet will be open to him once he reaches silver.”

“And that he might not be around to sell you as many essences or stones?” Rupert asked, getting to what he thought would be the heart of the matter. To his surprise, Jarvan remained relaxed where he sat in his chair.

“While it pains me, such is life. I will have to thank Fortune for our time working closely together and what Kite had so graciously provided.”

Rupert gave his friend a long look, which eventually flattened. “You already have something planned, haven’t you?”

“Why Rupert, such an accusatory tone!” Jarvan protested. “Just because my son will probably be chosen to head the Autumn Wanderers guild’s expansion to Bastion, leaving me with a standing reason to go visit and a growing network of couriers, you start throwing around such allegations? For shame, Rupert. For shame!”

“Thank you, honored functionary. We will return once the contracts are completed,” the local bronze-ranker said, bowing politely with hands cupped to Marten from across the counter. He gathered up the stack of contracts, now all signed and checked out by Marten himself, and turned to leave, a tiny, glittering carp in tow who floated on a cushion of water.

Desdemona leaned in as she passed him, her functionary’s robe always seeming too small for her leonid frame, looking at the departing adventurer.

“Was that one the new ones from up north that the director told us to be extra helpful towards?”

“It was. A team headed by a-” he began, leafing through the documents,” - ah, here it is. Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune. Gods above, this is really how they name people around here.”

“Ah, that’s right, you’re a new transfer. You’ll get used to it,” the leonid woman said patiently. “I have even found myself liking a few of them, at least those that doesn’t sound as pompous. I could never call myself Brilliant Victory of Perfected Form with a straight face.”

“Wasn’t that the bast- I mean- young mistress who was in here earlier today?”

“She did indeed ‘bless us with her presence’, “Desdemona noticed sourly, her fur seeming to stand on end at the memory. “How was that guy then? Someone recommended by a branch director would even get to act a bit high and mighty in my book.”

“He was… decent, I suppose,” Marten admitted. “And they did grab a lot of contracts out west too. I haven’t been here long, but those don't seem to be the most attractive ones.”

“West? Ah, no. Terrain is apparently very annoying out there, so most stay away. But a lot, eh? You think they’re pushing for silver?”

“Probably, but they’ll have to be at it for a while in this mana-sparse backwater.”

“This place being what it is is what gives us the sweet transfer deals. Besides, we’re irons. What would we do with more mana.”

“My privacy screen doesn’t even work properly.” Marten grumbled, Desdemona shaking her head.

“You’ll have to become very honest then, Marten, or a very good liar.”

“Even so,” Marten continued, choosing to ignore the leonid’s comment, “I will have to admit that they’ll at least keep a decent pace if they can keep it up. Gods know that we could use more reliable silvers around here, not all mixed up in local politics. So I actually wish them luck, and hope for as speedy an advancement as providence will allow.”