The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

Oscar tapped his fingers on his knees, staring at the Great Tree. Sitting on a large moss-covered boulder, he glanced up and down all the vines in his current view. It had been two months since he hunted down all of the Grovekeepers who tried to scavenge on the ground, and now, for the past few days, none of them would climb down from the branches.

Despite having killed over a hundred, the size of a small colony, Oscar determined far more waited, hidden in the protection of the Great Tree. Following Erden's grunt, a purple fruit landed on his lap. Oscar glanced up at Erden, who was balancing another fruit on his nose before tilting it into his mouth.

"When did you learn tricks?" Oscar laughed and bit into the ripe fruit. His mood visibly improved as his shoulder loosened and his back laid on the boulder, dropping his head upside down. Not wanting to waste his time, Oscar began meditation to continue training.

Motes of Ein flowed and merged into streams which then turned into vast unstable rivers, circling all over his body. With the ataerstone in his other hand, the Ein turned into a lighter color, settling into gentler motions. All of it went straight toward his core, which seemed as if it was drawing in a deep endless breath, slow and regulated.

'How peaceful…' Oscar yawned. After years and years of living in Ashen Grove, separated from his family and friends with no idea of their current situation, he could only wait around like this until his core reached the limit. The forest seemed to agree with this uneventful day, no peep or rustle from within.

"Such a peaceful day; you wouldn't think we killed tens of Grovekeepers just last week." Gol-4 rested on Erden's head. "At least it's the sunny season. We came out at the right time to enjoy the weather."

"You really can find enjoyment in anything, Gol-4," Oscar spoke as he meditated.

"Learn to enjoy the small things in life. Believe me, if you ever become a Primaere, the years feel so dull, and days pass by so slowly. In fact, I spent some time sculpting and selling those for a hefty price." Gol-4 laughed.

"Oh, the powerful Primaeres who rule the world have too much time on their hands instead of properly governing." Oscar wondered what it felt like to have such power and a long lifespan. Every time he tried to think of it, he couldn't even imagine.

"Still your snarky mouth. Back on topic, we should get back before the rainy season. I'd rather not have to smell wet fur all day long." Gol-4 turned to Erden and Oscar, who wore fur clothing.

"You can't smell at all, deranged head. But you're right. The rains were way too fierce. Frustrating, really. Finding beasts during the rains was...." Oscar paused, struck by an idea. The rain during the rainy season was so thick the air became like the foaming bottom of a waterfall.

"The perfect cover…" Oscar mumbled to himself, drawing Gol-4's attention. He snapped to Gol-4 with bright eyes and smiled. "It was so simple. With the rain, they'll be huddled up to wait it out. It will also hide me from their eyes as I climb. How's that sound?"

"That…sounds like an idea!" Gol-4 exclaimed.

"Not even a good idea?"

"There's always the chance you could fall off, or they cut the vines midway if they notice. But it's an idea." Gol-4 chattered his teeth in laughter.

"Let's return to Tectusen and wait until the next rainy season, which should be around…four months." Oscar's energy deflated on the last words of timing.

Riding Erden, Oscar and Gol-4 returned to Tectusen in a few days and made themselves at home, cleaning up the dust which had gathered from months of neglect. Oscar looked at the small mound of space pockets gathered over the years from Grovekeepers' colonies and random places in Ashen Grove.

"Taking some inventory!" Oscar raised his hands in a hurrah.

"Again? You're obsessed…." Gol-4 shook his head disapprovingly.

Oscar ignored Gol-4 and went to count. Doing inventory was a good way for him to recollect himself, which brought him some hints of satisfaction. He didn't know the joy of categorizing and collecting until now.

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"Twenty-six space pockets. That's a good haul. I wonder how much they'll sell for." Oscar hummed as he cleaned the dusty space pockets one by one, spilling their contents onto the main square in the foundry district.

"Worth a lot to you, maybe. However, they're only lesser ones able to fit enough for a small room. Get the greater ones and fill an entire lake's worth. All of the space pockets here may get you a grade-four elixir." Gol-4 said, displaying his disinterest in Oscar's wealth by rolling around a space pocket.

"First, you've said that many times now," Oscar flicked his finger on Gol-4, knocking the head away from his pile. "Second, didn't I say you needed to learn when not to make a comment?"

Oscar returned to taking inventory, adding the cores and resources gathered in his two-month venture outside. He had fifteen lotus orbs from the lake, thirty-six grade-two armaments, an absurd amount of ores and bars gathered from the mines and the ever-churning foundry, raw herbs and plants, fruits, meats, cores for fabricator work and Erden, books, and two golems.

The golems didn't have distinct features, having a hard exoskeleton with a smooth, featureless face. Oscar held the golems' limbs repeatedly, checking every nook and cranny. After Gol-4's endless lectures and training, he created these two fine products.

"Not bad work for the years you put in under my tutelage. But if only you could have learned the alchemy needed for it."

"With all of your designs and plans in my head, there's no need to worry. I'll find some alchemists on the outside."

"I'd prefer it if it's someone you can trust. If it's to be a weapon, I want you to be the one to wield them."

Oscar nodded and turned his attention to his personal space pocket. Inside were his copper shield, Reis-forged hammer, the Divine Essence petal, and other books. The petal's dense Ein seemed to urge Oscar to keep training to reach the point of using it. He sat down and ate some raw grade-two plants to supplement his training.

The rainy season was four months away.

…….

"Lad! Put me away in the space pocket right now! Don't let all the rain get in through my cracks." Gol-4 raised his voice, desperately pleading and shaken.

"We're partners, aren't we? Erden and I will be hit by the rain for the next three days. It's only right that you share the burden." Oscar revealed a wicked smile while tying Gol-4 to perch on his shoulder, completely restricting Gol-4's movements.

Outside the door, it almost seemed like the entire forest was submerged in a foamy ocean. The remaining trees hunched over, limping under the crushing weight of the rainfall. Rain fell so often that the sounds of their droplets all fused into a singular buzz, lasting forever. Oscar's feet were already drenched by the flood entering Tectusen, which fell into the deep chasms and added to the beauty of the underground city, making it seem more vibrant with shimmering waterfalls of many colors sourced from the crystals.

"Lad, for the last time, I'm begging you!" Gol-4 shuffled around Oscar's shoulder, unable to break free.

"Erden, tear apart the rain." Oscar kicked, and Erden burst out of the doorway. Not a single part of their bodies was spared from the rain. Oscar felt he had taken a deep dive into the ocean. His eyes could barely open from the water entering between his eyelids.

The only shelter he could make was an enclosed tarp made of fur attached to metal rods. The noise made it hard for him to sleep, but he endured the uncomfortable journey with Erden and Gol-4 until they finally returned to the Great Tree. Only the base near the roots could be seen, while the rest up to the top was hidden by the crashing waves of rain.

Oscar smiled in relief when he saw some vines sticking to the trunk due to the heavy water. He ran up to the Great Tree and gripped the first vine he found. To ensure it was safe, he pulled the vine until it could no longer stretch and pulled.

The vine didn't snap or fall.

"Erden! Get on my back." Oscar whistled and crouched on the muddy ground.

Erden trotted over, lifting his dirty front hooves over Oscar's shoulder. With a good bend of his joints, Erden secured himself over Oscar. Nothing would make him fall unless something went horribly wrong.

Oscar didn't mind Erden's added weight but kept gripping the vine and pulling. Was this strong enough to hold them throughout the climb? Oscar decided to go for it and lifted himself from the ground. His hands squeezed the vine, wringing out the water from its stems, not wanting to allow the slippery surface to cause an unfortunate accident.

Rain clouded his vision and weighed him down more. Violent winds whipped and hammered Oscar, flailing him around like a ball. Struggling against the elements of nature, Oscar had only the green vine in his hands as the guide through the storm.

"How much longer?" Oscar gasped, struggling to breathe from the rain.

"A little longer! Keep going!" Gol-4 shouted.

Oscar asked Gol-4 the same question every few minutes, and Gol-4 always replied it was only a little further. After an hour of climbing, Oscar grasped onto something else. His hands felt the rough feeling of bark. He reached it!

Pulling himself with all his strength, Oscar got over the ledge and rested half of his body on the sturdy ground or branch. A few short breaths of recovery granted him strength, and his body passed onto the other side.

His eyes slowly recovered, and he glanced over the area. Walls of brambles and spiky vines covered the entire area, a mighty fortification. Large pods made of vines withstood the fierce rain, and from within the small opening, Oscar saw the gleaming eyes which slowly turned to him.

Oscar groaned and put on his copper shield, cracking his neck. Drenched in rainwater, Oscar said, "Let's fight."

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