Rising Kite - A story from the world of HWFWM

Another small opening appeared in the air around the lone stone platform where Kite was standing, joining the multitudes of other such diminutive gates which were already in place. Like all of its companions, it discharged a sizzling bolt of magic towards Kite. And like all others so far, Kite acted to defend himself.

“Ward!”

The twin barriers of Heaven-and-Void Warding reappeared, the last two discs of force having been cracked and almost broken. One intercepted the new incoming projectile while the other blocked three already en route. Meanwhile, the arms of Kite’s mantle was a blur, intercepting what other projectiles they could via multiple applications of Pattern-Shattering Counter. All of the small openings occasionally launched their attacks of varying form and speed, and their number and the frequency of their attacks had only grown during the minutes - Gods knew how many - in which Kite had been subject to this particular trial.

“They are getting more and more devious with the angles too,” he thought, lashing out with his staff in one direction while one of Matra’s descendants managed to disperse another just in time. “Shame I was told not to use my stationary barriers. A few layers of force walls would have bought me a lot of time.”

His thoughts were scattered as the first projectile of the trial hit him, searing pain blooming in his right shoulder as another gate had opened and fired a swift beam at him. Kite regained his equilibrium, but the number of attacks just kept on rising while his mana was actually flagging dangerously low. Without opponents to continually drain through Spirit Singularity, the mana-draining of his counters just could not keep up on their own through the cost of retaining Kite’s mantle.

Another projectile hit a short while later, then two more, and then three. Fighting through the pain was one thing, but when the arms of his mantle started flickering ominously and he felt the headache of mana-exhaustion coming on, his defenses were already crumbling. Five projectiles struck in staggered succession, and everything went white.

A moment later, the low roof of the alcove in which his body had been lying came into focus, and Kite took a moment to steady himself and separate his mind from the illusory onslaught of the mirage chamber.

“Everything alright, junior brother?” Christine asked as she walked over from the control panel where she had been standing next to Mtanga and Ryker. The gold-ranked Ilmaril wasn’t present at the moment, having come and gone during the past two days of similar tests. And heavens, had there been tests.

“I am well, even though this one was rather strenuous,” Kite said, sitting up carefully.

“At least you didn’t sit up and bash your head into the ceiling of the alcove this time,” the elf woman teased. “While we are still calculating the results, I believe that you scored very well in this. Lasting until your mana was almost empty is quite a feat with your power set.”

“Then I will hope that it is so. Compared to the test in area control, this one felt a lot more aligned with my strengths,” Kite said, wincing at the memory. He had thought that he had become a lot better in managing swarms and other such opponents. The tests of the adventure society had proved just how far he still had to go.

“But don’t you agree that the dynamic, combined tests are a lot more fun than just testing the parameters of your individual power? Just wait until you get to do this in a moving, shifting scenario,” Christine said cheerfully. Her laid-back demeanor aside, the elf had turned out to be quite the expert at configuring and creating scenarios for mirage chambers, and she seemed as happy as one could be to see them all on display.

“In that, I do agree,” Kite said. “Still, it was enlightening with those systematic tests you devised. I don’t think I will ever get the opportunity to get such a precise feeling of just how much my barriers can endure, or how much mana my attacks drain.”

Christine was about to answer, but a loud clearing of someone’s throat followed by an equal nudge of aura cut her off.

“Ah, it seems that Ryker wants us to get moving so that you can rest for a bit before the next test. It will be something akin to the same thing, but while running through a dynamic environment while chased by monsters. Doesn’t that sound amazing. Fair warning; I know that floating eyeball monsters are a bit cliché, but it just felt so appropriate for this scenario.”

“I… see. I sure have something to look forward to, then,” Kite replied, his smile growing a bit strained. It would be a long day, it seemed.

“Ryker?”

“Hmm?” the man in question asked, attention mostly focused on the display screen where the Hua-Xian recruit was working his way through some of the last tests of the day. Most adventurers hated escort missions - Ryker sure did - but he had to grudgingly admit that Kite was at least good at it.

“Don’t you think that you are laying it on a bit too thick?” Christine asked pointedly, her eyes also on the screen. “We all know what countries like Hua-Xi can be like to the adventure society, and no one is saying that it is a good thing. But maybe try to judge Kite a bit less for his heritage and a bit more from his actual capabilities and mentality. His country isn’t even the only one. You know as well as I do that there are many, many more out there who dislike the influence we have.”

“And you know just as well what would happen should they get exactly what they want; the mighty would love their so-called freedom - which they already have plenty of, I might add - while the people would suffer,” Ryker countered. “Besides, you’ve traveled the world plenty and should know that a fruit can look as nice and ordinary as it wants to, but if it grows on a corrupted tree, its own intentions matter little, and its origins will still show themselves. From what I’ve heard, there are plenty in Hua-Xi and other countries like it that just spit on everything good that the adventure society tries to do for them.”

“While it is the answer I expected, you still manage to disappoint,” Christine sighed. “And besides, you missed my whole point. Even you should see that your dear fruit analogy is holding less and less water for every test and evaluation we have made so far,” she finished, indicating the screen where a wide-scale blast was absorbed into the dark aperture of the power named Gate of Nihility as Kite brought his charge closer to the end objective.

“Bah. Why are you so impressed with him? He has gotten plenty of lower scores so far; area control, mobility, ranged capability,” Ryker said, checking each point off one finger. “And his combat style is all over the place. Sure, his base technique is adequate, but it lacks the depth of a true elite.”

“And what about his scores on defense, suppression, isolating enemies, battlefield control and - soon to be - protection detail?” Christine countered. “All that supposedly growing from some kind of ‘corrupted tree’, having managed to climb up from rather humble means compared to most of us. And that is even without mentioning the psychological profile. ”

“It was a very nice chat,” Mtanga chimed in, his pearly smile a stark contrast to his dark skin.

“Still not convinced,” Ryker said tersely. “You know what the Task Group needs and their standards. I still believe that he won’t make it in the end. Not with that background of his. The tests are only a small part of the evaluation after all.”

“While I have faith in junior brother’s capabilities, and even more in his potential,” Christine said, not bothering to hide her smirk at Ryker stiffening at her use of the Hua-Xian honorific. “I suppose we will just have to do the old ‘wait and see’. But I will not stop bothering you about this, either.”

“-so for the final stretch, I just chose to telekinetically grab the poor imaginary civilian and throw her into the safe zone. Which I don’t believe scored me too many points,” Amica joked from where she sat across from Kite at the small table in her room. “What’s with that look? The imaginary woman survived too. I know my strength. She would have gotten a few bruises, sure, but better that than dying because I couldn’t keep enough of the monsters off her there at the end.”

“Whatever senio- I mean, if you say so, Amica,” Kite said, still not entirely convinced. It was nice with some humanoid company though, as the other recruit had invited him to dine together when running into Kite in the corridor of their dormitory. “One needs to be careful in handling lower-rankers, that’s all.”

“I can be plenty of careful, trust me. You should just see what I can… handle… with my powers,” she said, wagging her eyebrows exaggeratedly at Kite, who laughed.

“I am sure that each and every one of your hypothetical partners have noted your proficiency, and that the ones from the early practice days are sworn into silence.”

“Hypothetical? You don’t think I look good enough to land one? Or dozens?” Amica asked, her voice filled with mock indignation.

“I assure you that I meant no disrespect, but merely did not want to assume. Who knows? Maybe you have sworn an oath of celibacy to Purity in recent years?” Kite countered.

“Oh I assure you that I most certainly have not,” Amica said, eyes twinkling. “But speaking of such matters, do you have anyone special waiting for you at home then? Any partner? Or partners? I won’t judge. We high-rankers can sure get around if we put our minds to it.”

“Not a partner per se, but she is definitely special to me. We go all the way back to iron rank,” Kite said, realizing how long it had been since he and Dragonfly had first met. Sure, those four years would be next to nothing for a venerable gold-ranker, but Kite was not one. At least not yet.

“So no partner then,” Amica confirmed. “But I get it. It’s good to have reliable ‘squeezes’ when you feel like it, no?”

“In this, I must defer to your experience,” Kite said, starting to ponder about how to extricate himself from this particular conversation. While he had managed to move past the fluster of his teenage years in regards to the topic of sexuality, Amica had initiated and kept this particular topic for a while now. And while her words were casual, a banter easy to be swept up in, Kite’s spiritual senses were picking up small hints from her aura; an intensity which made him slightly ill at ease.

“Well, don’t you know what they say about experience? It-” Amica began, but was interrupted when she was suddenly sprayed by a quite generous stream of water from the side.

“Wha-” the blonde woman spluttered, turning to her ‘assailant’. Glint, who had been content with eating and then playing around the room while chasing a floating ball of water of her own making, at least had the decency to fake quite a bit of embarrassment. Kite had not focused his attention enough, but his silver-ranked memory came to the rescue as it helped him note how the carp seemed to suddenly have lost control over said globe of water as it instead shot over the room and hit Amica squarely in the side of her head. And he could easily see and sense the intent behind the action as not a bit of actual remorse could be felt through their familiar bond.

“Ah, Glint,” he said with a chastising tone even as he sent a pulse of gratitude through their bond. “Amica doesn’t know you well yet, and she isn’t used to the games and pranks you usually play on my friends. Most people don’t appreciate being soaked like that.”

Glint’s silken fins drooped even further in what to Kite was an impressive display of theatrics.

“Oh I don’t mind a bit of a prank every now and then,” Amica said, smiling mischievously as the water started rising from her in an impressive show of telekinetic fine control. It formed a globe of its own, hovering next to her head. “As long as a certain little fishy realizes that she can sometimes get a taste of her own medicine.”

With that, the globe shot off towards Glint and what followed was a dizzying chase and magical wrestling match combined as the pair struggled to gain control over the water. It was all in good nature though, and Glint seemed to enjoy herself as she ducked, weaved and countered. This also, blessedly, shifted the mood in the room quite a lot, allowing Kite to finally give a slight bow as he rose to his feet.

“I believe that I need to get some meditation in before the next bout of testing. Thank you for the company, Amica.”

“You are welcome back any time,” she retorted, giving Kite a beaming smile as he closed the door behind him.

He walked along the corridor and made the single turn back to his room before turning to the carp floating at his side. “Thank you, little beauty. A most efficient distraction.”

“Tell me, recruit, how do you believe that you have performed in the initial testing?” Ilmaril Thenstone, the gold-ranked supervisor for the testing procedure asked Kite. They were both seated in an office, Ilmaril sitting behind his desk. The only thing which occupied its spotless surface was a stack of documents, and Kite had no doubts that they contained the results from the many tests he had undergone during the last four days. That the gold-ranker wasn’t even opening the folder also indicated that the elf knew full well how Kite had performed.

“I can at least vouch that I have performed to the best of my abilities. The mirage chamber truly is a marvelous training opportunity,” Kite answered truthfully. Not that he had any lies to spin in this regard, and even attempting something like that in front of a gold-ranker was a study in folly if there ever was one. “I believe that my strength lies in countering other essence users and defense, while I fall behind in actual damage and handling crowds of foes. This has been proven true many times so far since I became an adventurer, and while I have tried, and to some degree succeeded, to compensate with the proper equipment, I have yet to procure the right tools in silver rank. And while I have ways to intensify my presence in a fight, I will perform best and most reliably over time against foes relying as much as possible on magical tricks and powers.”

Nothing of this was new to Kite, as it was something he had told himself many times during the self-reflective moments of his career. But he had to admit that he was curious if that assessment held up to the standards of the outside world.

Ilmaril only nodded in response, his face remaining blank. “Then I will summarize the most relevant parts of your assessment. You may read the rest at your leisure. Note that these are not open to debate or appeal, but also not that they won’t impact your adventure society membership, star rating or other such records.”

His somber tone kept Kite on the edge of his seat, even though he did his best to keep calm.

“Do I want this that much? To prove myself? Or is this something anyone in my situation would feel?” he thought to himself, but quickly snapped back into the present as the gold-ranker started his summary.

“While we have tested you on numerous capabilities, the assessment mostly agrees with your own summary. Your clear strengths lay in defense, suppression, staying power, small-scale combat, extended combat, civilian protection and non-lethal takedowns. Within these categories, you scored between seven and ten points out of ten possible. As I told you before the testing began, a rating of ten is most unusual. In your case, it was in the category of non-lethal takedowns. Your rating of seven was in defense, with your barriers being flexible and quick but lacking the width of different powers to be classified as a true defender. Thes rest was between eight and nine.”

Sensing that the other metaphorical shoe was to drop, Kite tried to hold on to the sense of pride at the praise, even though it had been delivered in a deadpan voice.

“As for your weaknesses- ,” Ilmaril continued, the glowing blue orbs that were his eyes never leaving Kite, “- you scored between two and four points in the categories of burst damage, area damage, sustained damage, damage flexibility, and personal mobility. The latter was your highest score among them, with your version of air-walking and situational burst of movement alleviating things somewhat. Scores like this would quite thoroughly eliminate any chance of a striker-role in this or any other task group. Or any role, for that matter. Eliminating opponents is usually the task of our specialized contracts, and everyone needs to be able to contribute. But Task Group Gauntlet is not just any such group.

We are unique in that we deal the most with people. People that are both powerful and cunning, relying on their powers to both wreak havoc and escape. People that have sometimes eluded conventional bounty contracts for months or years. People that, if left to their devices, will continue to prey on society. And you, recruit Kite, should be quite good at decisively dealing with such people.”

Kite sat back, surprised enough by the slight hint of approval in Ilmaril’s voice that he barely registered the implications.

“There are still terms, as we present to all prospective members,” the elf said, holding up one finger. “Because we have not only evaluated your power, but your skills. Here, your… rural heritage shows. Your fighting style seems to be mostly self-taught, a mix not yet having come into its own. That needs to improve, as well as your knowledge of ritual magic, astral magic and formation magic. The latter was better than the rest, but as a member of Gauntlet, you will need to know what you will be encountering, even if it isn’t your job to deal with them in the end.

The adventure society will provide you with training opportunities for each of these, as long as you are willing to learn and prove to be the most dedicated of students. And, of course, as long as you accept our offer to proceed to the next step of the evaluation. Be advised, or warned, that this is next is training, evaluation and real life combined. While we offer individual training, we are not a school or an academy. We do not teach adventurers from the ground up, but refine those with potential. There has been misgivings about you from several in the decision-making committee, Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune. I will not hide that this is mostly due to your heritage. This means that you also have an opportunity here; to prove them wrong in those assumptions. To prove me wrong, because I have seen the arrogance of some of your countrymen first hand, even if it was many years ago.

So, make your choice.”

As it turned out, Ilmaril Thenston was one of those persons who could arrest a room while he was speaking. Kite had barely breathed during what turned out to be a small speech, and finally gathered himself as elation, relief, a bit of pride and some trepidation welled up within him. But in the end, the answer was easy. He had not come here to walk away from an opportunity of contracts that would widen his horizons and lean into his strengths as well as the welcome offer of additional training to shore up some of his weaknesses.

“And most of all, skills I can take home with me when we start to try and shed some light into those dark corners of my home to see just how far the roots of Discord have managed to worm themselves,” Kite thought, rising to his feet and bowing in respect to the gold-ranker.

“Then I thank you for your offer, as I accept,” he said, keeping his head bent for a few seconds longer before straightening.

“Good. While you may not yet be a member, you being here speaks well of the branch directors of Hua-Xi and their judgment. The continental council was wise in making sure that outsiders managed those branches,” Ilmaril noted before continuing. “With your addition, we have enough recruits gathered to create a team for evaluation. Note that this is only a temporary one, both in that there are no guarantees that all of you pass or survive this evaluation, and in that most members of Gauntlet are called in for their specific power set for specific contracts. But it will do for now.

This evaluation period will last for six months, so I truly hope that you set your affairs in order before coming here, recruit. As you will find yourself quite busy, quite soon.”

“So, Ilmaril, it seems that the initial evaluations bore fruit,” Darnos of the Rending White noted as he held up his glass of liqueur in toast while being thankful that there were no normal- or iron-rankers present as they might have fainted from the fumes alone. “Another team of prospects who will need to learn how to fight by each other’s side, to face down some of the worst people that this planet has to offer while seeing places both grand and foul. Ah, to be young again,” the draconian said wistfully.

“It is as you say, Sir,” Ilmaril confirmed, not letting go of his notepad while tentatively sipping his own glass. “With the addition of Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune - gods, what a mouthful - we should have what we need to progress to the next stage.”

“And what about their role assignments?” Darnos asked, obvious curiosity filling his voice. “That the Steiner girl is a controller is obvious, as well as Cardenco being able to fill the scouting role. But which others have you put in there?”

“You are correct, Sir. Gray Sky with his gorgon confluence will serve as another controller and damage dealer, with a more pure kind of striker added in with Sztyka. If you have read her dossier-”

“Which I have,” Darnos confirmed with a smirk and a nod.

“-then you will see the obvious synergy between her and having two controllers.”

“You are quite right. Thinking about being caught immobile in front of her makes my scales writhe.”

“With Kite Flown in-”

“I believe that he did say that just Kite was fine, Ilmaril.”

“With Kite added in as a suppressor and pseudo-defender, I believe that they have the chance to do good work even during their evaluation, as long as they can mesh well enough together.”

“Any expected difficulties?”

“While I would have imagined the Hua-Xian to be the source of such worries, he is actually near the bottom of that list,” Ilmaril stated, keeping his tone impassive. “No, Cardenco and Gray Sky are up at the top, with Amica Steiner as being a bit of a wild card. Her… history… should make her a bit less predictable depending on their foes, but it is deemed to be within acceptable limits.”

“It sounds like we might just have another set of members on our hands. Gods know that we always need more,” Darnos said, emptying the rest of his glass.

Sensing the dismissal, Ilmaril rose to leave. “I agree, Sir. Is there anything else you need from me?”

“No, no,” Darnos said, before seeming to remember something. “Oh, but do send my appreciation to your niece. Christine has done an excellent job with the local mirage chamber.”

“I will make sure to convey your words, Sir,” Ilmaril said, a hint of obvious pride playing across his aura as he closed the door.

As Kite walked through the now more familiar tunnels beneath the Port Singhni branch, he felt relieved and surprisingly relaxed. Back in his early days as an adventurer, the verdict of him passing the initial tests might have left his mind roiling enough to lay sleepless for quite some time, but a few more years of very frequent meditation made finding his calm second nature in those moments. But now, nearing what would be his fellow recruits and temporary teammates for the upcoming six months, some nervousness started simmering beneath the surface.

“Ironic that I am more nervous of this than some other silver-ranker challenging me to a duel back at the capital,” he thought with a wry smile.

“Kite!”

The call brought him out of his reverie as Amica Steiner came floating up behind him. Her aura also leaked hints of excitement, which made her purpose there easy to deduce.

“Amica,” he greeted with a smile as the intense feeling from before was nowhere to be felt. “Shall I take it that you too passed?”

“I did, of course,” she said with a confident smirk, turning to float in front of him even as they moved closer to their mutual goal; the mirage chamber. “It seems like I will get plenty of chances to show off a bit more. You haven’t seen all of me, after all,” she said, apparently not noticing that Kite’s smile turned just a little bit more strained as the odd sensation returned, subtle and just out of reach.

“Well, I will admit that I have already thought of some synergy for us, should we work together,” Kite admitted, steering the conversation onto more professional matters for the final stretch.

As they entered the control hub of the mirage chamber, Kite’s attention was immediately drawn to the new person in the room. Ryker, Mtanga and Christine were all present, the former standing almost at attention and looking like the very epitome of a stern professional while the other two were tinkering with the mirage chamber controls while talking. The newcomer was meditating atop one of the flat slabs where one interfaced with the mirage chamber, her eyes closet.

It was a rather slim leonid woman, with light gray fur broken up by black stripes. While many leonids around the world wore little in the way of clothing, this one was yet another exception to prove the norm as she was dressed in some kind of glass armor accentuated by long, flowing fabric of deep blue. The material was almost entirely opaque and a murky dark gray. From its construction, centered mostly around the torso, upper arms and upper legs, Kite assumed it to be of medium bulk, but the unknown material made it hard to guess.

“Kite. Steiner,” Ryker greeted. “Please have a seat. We’re waiting for two more to join us before we begin, and I always try to avoid having to explain things twice.”

Kite did consider going over to greet the seated leonid, but something in her aura gave him the impression that she did not want to be disturbed. He instead settled down to follow her example, but Amica apparently had other ideas.

Kite could see her consider the other woman for a while before Amica’s aura surged slightly, pressing against the leonid’s. To his surprise, the other woman gave way to the probing spirit, leading to Amica eventually having suppressed the still seated leonid, even though it was quite a gentle spiritual grip under the circumstances.

But against a telekinesis user like Amica, allowing oneself to be suppressed was to be placed under her power. The human seemed quite surprised by the lack of reaction, and started to gradually lift the leonid into the air. Then shifted her from side to side. Then slowly spun her around. It was only when the still seated leonid where turned almost entirely upside down at a slight angle while Amica tried to tie the blue cloth of the other woman’s armor into neat ribbons when the calm of the room was broken.

Not by the leonid though, the woman still seated as calm as could be even at the odd angle. It was instead the doors opening again, admitting someone Kite did recognize; the runic with snakes for hair. His stride was swift as he walked into the room, the snakes of his low ponytail rising to curiously take in the room.

“Gray Sky, of the Regal Mountain Guild, has arrived as requested. It is both an honor, and expected that Gray Sky was admitted to further prove himself-” the runic began, but was interrupted by a shift in the air in front of him. In a blink, a slim yet well-built elven man had appeared, teleporting in with apparent ease as he struck a pose with a hand on each hip.

“Well, I’m here. Is it finally time to get started?” the elven man asked in a strong voice. He had dark brown and rather short curly hair on top of his head, with the sides back trimmed almost all the way down. His bearing and posture was both demanding and impeccable, his aura shifting and elusive like something one could always try to grasp but never reach.

“At least it was efficient that the both of you chose to arrive at the same time,” Ryker remarked, the man’s mask of stern professionalism not showing any signs of cracking. “And as you are here, it is time to begin. But I will note that you, Cardenco, are late.”

The elf, apparently named Cardenco, turned his head up at the shorter man while ignoring the jibe. “Then get on with it so that we can at least get started. Six months still feels way too long. You know what I can do, so why not just admit me already and be done with it? I don’t fancy being gone from the guild for that long and-”

At that moment, the runic named Gray Sky clapped his hand on the other man’s shoulder from behind, cutting him off in turn. The elf looked at the appendage as if its existence offended him, then turned to look at the runic instead.

“You interrupted Gray Sky. That was most rude,” the runic stated, his voice calm but the snakes of his ‘hair’ and aura simmering.

The elf in turn remained silent for a while longer, almost seeming to have trouble believing the situation. “Do you know who I am, runic?” he asked, voice tense.

“Gray Sky has heard of you, Emilio Cardenco. Neither Gray Sky or his guild is impressed.”

At the words, a light seemed to dawn in the elf’s eyes. “Oh? Oh! You’re of the Regal Mountain Guild? I should have figured it out just from your ridiculous way of speaking. It just oozes mediocrity.”

Before Gray Sky could respond, Emilio Cardenco had teleported again, appearing closer to Ryker. “You seriously expect me to work with a guy like that? The other nobodys I can understand, but someone from the Regal Mountain Guild?”

“As you have been well informed, Cardenco, the task group cares not for guild or lineage. While you are here, each of you are a recruit, maybe even a member in the future. So I expect you to show that you can be professional, and work with whoever we deem necessary for the contract at hand.”

Even though Ryker seemed to grow more severe by the second, Kite couldn’t help shake the feeling that the assistant supervisor had just been waiting to deliver that particular little speech. Looking around the rest of the room, Ryker continued. “And as you are now all here, we can indeed get started. Take a good look at each other, because you will spend a lot of time together over the upcoming months.”