The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

Outside the door, the stranger stomped into the house, every step shaking the wooden floor to its foundations as if thousands of pounds had been concentrated in that figure. He matched Oscar's height, well over six feet, and not-so-burly frame, a simple glimpse past his white sleeves revealing dense, compact muscles. A pair of teal eyes shone and gazed into Oscar, reflecting his entire figure. He brushed his white hair aside and trotted in haste, clenching his fists as veins pressed against the skin.

"You woke up?" His voice boomed, shuddering the walls. It was Erden's voice, the same deep growl-like speech. Oscar regarded Erden with scrutiny, still stunned and unable to believe what he was seeing. His friend, the Prielapos, the deer, had become human, garbed in the same style of clothing he wore, Issac's style. The teal vest matched the white shirt underneath, accompanied by a pair of long, black pants. Strangely, his white hair curled to the right, wavy and clean. Erden grunted, "Not once have you checked on me. I had to find out for myself that you were back."

"Erden?" Avril looked incredulous, widening her eyes. Her shock was understandable, considering beasts could only transform into a human form as King Exalts, no less required.

"Surprised?" Erden laughed and pounded his chest with a fist. "During my training, I delved deeper into the Blood Transmutation and learned how to transform. I can only imagine the shock on Ruvin's and that damned Borinn's faces when I show myself. Who says beasts need to be King Exalts to transform?"

"It is you! Erden!" Avril rushed over, opened her arms wide, and dove onto Erden, embracing him. "After so long, the trio is finally reunited! She wonders why Erden never contacted her for ten years." She scowled and pulled on his ear.

"Blame that old Prielapos. He locked me in training the entire time. I surprised him by revealing my human form, and he agreed to set me free for a visit." Erden said.

Oscar stared at Erden for a few more seconds, blinking several times; he still couldn't believe it really was Erden. The connection asserted the truth, the familiar Ein flooding into his core, which had been shut off. His vision distorted as if hit by waves in the ocean, but they were tears instead. How could he have been so foolish to lock himself away when he still had these two? Why had he not remembered that? He shouldn't have despaired. And because of that, these two suffered greatly.

"Hey, old friend. Why are you crying?" Erden knelt before him, sounding softer than earlier. "I understand. There's no need for words between us. But I will say none of it was your fault. The pain you endured, I could never endure. I don't blame you for leaving me with that wretch for thirty years." Erden grinned widely, an immature, childish expression on that tall frame. "Don't worry. I'll come by when I'm done training, and we can travel again. Together, we'll stamp out any who cause any trouble."

Avril frowned and said, "Erden. Oscar…he doesn't want–"

Erden sat on the floor and chuckled, his gentle laughter filling the room. "Then what now? Will you relinquish the new academy, cast aside the others who swore loyalty to you, revenge?"

"...What's the point? I don't know what you and Demon have done over the decades, but was there any point? Tell me. What was the point in returning home to find my parents dead and see my friends die in my arms? The empire still lives, but it is no longer home." Oscar shook his head, deciding not to think about them more, the mere thought aching his mind. They haunted his dreams, and he could not let them linger in his waking moments, lest Avril have to calm him in the day forcibly, and she's dealt with enough of his problems for ten years.

"I see…." Erden rose and harshly rustled Oscar's hair, rough yet oddly warm and enlivening.

"I'm sorry, old friend. Your life is my own. It's selfish and cruel, but I do not see the appeal in living for more years. Why drag it out further? I only want to live in peace." Oscar gritted his teeth, fearing Erden may rebuke him and be angered by his words. After all, their lives were one. If he died, Erden died, and the reverse held true. He sighed as the breeze scattered over him, warm and hot, yet he felt cold. Regret was not enough to describe his offense against Erden, denying his friend the right to live long and proud as a King Exalt and potentially a Primaere since he would waste away the rest of his years as a Marshal Exalt. "I'm sorry for being the bastard I am."

"We are one. That has rung true ever since our days in Ashen Grove. I understand if you wish to put down your shield and rest." Erden released Oscar from his coarse grip and smiled. "Well, do you have a room for me? We still have over two hundred years as Marshal Exalts. We can enjoy the rest of our lives in peace." He suddenly frowned and shoved a finger in his ear, clacking his teeth in increasing irritation. "I understand!"

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"Is everything ok?" Avril tilted her head in confusion and asked gently.

"No. Somehow, the old beast can reach me from there. He says I need to return now." Erden scowled, more expressive in his human form. He hugged Avril and nodded to Oscar. "No matter your choice, I am on your side and will never leave. We had sworn this when we shared our blood. And the blood shall not be denied. I hope I can see some fawns around when I return." He winked at both of them. Oscar found it in him to laugh, uplifted by Erden's consent and blessings. He understood his friend meant his and Avril's children, and she seemed to know as well, blushing fiercely yet staring at him with a feverish gaze.

Like a passing storm, Erden came and left quickly, leaving the door wide open as it clattered on the wall, banging from the hot gales released by the Beak of Ra. Oscar turned to Avril, who said she would make some lunch. He wheeled himself into a spare room and inhaled the warm air, his veins expanding from the rush of hot blood. He focused on his legs and cursed at how useless they had become, able to move amid his nightmares but not now. His power of flight also refused to heed his call, leaving him tethered to the earth.

'Look at you now. A bird with no wings, a cripple who can't even properly embrace his wife.' Demon spoke, his voice echoing in Oscar's head, cold and indifferent, never changed since last they spoke. 'Are you proud of what you've become?'

'When was pride something you believed in? You'd fight in the mud to survive.' Oscar retorted and closed his eyes, facing Demon in the inner world, noticing Ignyres resting in deep meditation in the corner. "Thank you, Ignyres. You'd helped my wife survive and come here."

Ignyres's three orbs locked onto him, and the Ancient of Fire seemed somber, the flames waning and volcanic shoulder dormant. He said in a low voice, flickering like the soft crackling of embers, "A burning blaze, an inferno of determination and strength once rushed from your entire being. Now, it is small and weak but strangely warm and soft. You've changed. I do not know for better or worse, but your fire still interests me."

"You'll waste away here, old Ancient. I don't deserve you. There are far more important things to do other than clinging to a quitter like me." Oscar said. To keep the Ancient of Fire here was the height of folly, the obvious problem being a gap in Talos's defenses against the Caerulumen.

"Nah. I'm staying here, boy." Ignyres regained his familiar cackles. "Besides, I don't believe the Caerulumen's machinations will come to fruition until way later, much later. For now, I'll rest and see your life. Instead of the great blaze, I'll watch how your fire progresses."

Oscar knew nothing could convince the Ancient of Fire, a stubborn tenant in his body. He nodded and sat across from Demon. Closing his eyes, Oscar formed a link to both Demon and Erden, absorbing their memories and emotions. Somehow, Demon learned to feel anger, but that was all he knew, and Oscar saw all he had done in both indifference and anger, so many innocent lives lost to a cruel blade. The screams of the helpless, the uninvolved, many voices crying for mercy drowned out all others in his hearing. Their faces surfaced in his mind, pale with lips of blood, staring at him, big gaping holes where their eyes should be.

"Bastard…." Oscar growled. He saw everything.

"Hmm. Where's the shouting? The scolding? The threats?" Demon, having his face, scoffed. "I fought for our survival, to take revenge, to get you back. If that's not loyalty, I don't know what is."

Oscar gazed deeply into Demon, having only one question. "Why the change of heart?"

Silent, Demon brooded over the question and answered, "I'm instinct. I'm survival. After decades of killing everyone in our way, slaughtering many New Dawn scum, I realized that it needed to be you at the helm. I am not the one who has to live. It's for you. The instinct can't be the one in control. Hilarious. I got the support of a Trigem Primaere and did everything to fuel our revenge, but you tossed it all away."

"Angry?" Oscar asked.

"No. No, I am not." Demon said. "The goal isn't to live forever. I survive for us to get past the unreasonable possible deaths, the falls into sudden chasms that should not have been under us. Choose to die of old age? What's to survive against that?"

Oscar lowered his head, a smile stretching from his lips. He turned to his blue core, the elemental spark of metal shining inside, the light glancing down its edges. Without looking at Demon, he said, "Thank you."

"How rare. For you to thank me wholeheartedly." Demon stood and walked alone into the deep darkness of the inner world.

Exiting the inner world, Oscar heard Avril call for lunchtime and hastily wheeled back to the living room, seeing the strange array of meals: oysters in various forms, creamed spinach, strong tea, a yogurt dessert of fruits, particularly strawberries and bananas. His neck almost creaked as he faced Avril, her cheeks blushing red. A book he read once listed prominent foods that enhanced a couple's nightly activities, everything on the table being on that list.

"T-there's still five years until the medicine is ready." Oscar nearly bit his tongue out of shock at how bold his wife had become.

"I-I know. But I don't want to waste any time before." Avril glanced at him, her shy yet assertive eyes destroying his reasoning.

He devoured the entire meal and ate a similar one for dinner. After a bath and deep into the night, Avril kissed him and toppled on top, no longer holding back after a long day. The way her hair fluttered wildly, catching the candlelight, was entrancing. Her golden eyes shone brightly, deep love pouring out from their pupils, all to him, and he couldn't resist and responded to her every night. For the next month, they relished in each other's embrace, partook in deep pleasure, and never let the other go, enjoying their first month. Of course, he still had his mishaps, struggling in his sleep and having to be soothed by Avril, who never complained.

One morning, Oscar woke up, squinting to the bright light showering the room. He heard a loud shout from outside. Realizing it was Avril's voice, he sprang up and clawed over to the wheelchair, pushing himself across the room. Opening the door, he heard her yell, "I said scram! Never come back!"

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