Chapter 5: Book 3, chapter 4
The mop sloshed the soapy water back and forth across the smooth stone floor. By now her bucket full of water was a murky brown, despite her having emptied it down the toilet three times.
Zee was regretting her recent life decisions. She did not think she would have to clean the place after helping Yukna change her cultivation technique. She sighed. This was technically her own fault.
At least she wasn't the only one suffering the horrendous smell. Allison had her own wooden handled brush and bucket, scrubbing the floor vigorously.
For a moment she wondered why a princess like Alison didn't have a maid or butler. Then she remembered that Pierre had been the butler.
That made her sad, as it brought up the unpleasant memories of his gruesome death. She now knew he had been more than just a butler, he had been like family to the princess.
Zee pushed those memories to the back of her mind, where she hid all of her other unpleasant memories. The princess, who was helping her clean, looked similarly troubled.
"So, how was your day?" Zee asked, her voice nasal. Allison looked up, somewhat startled, like she had been lost in thought.
The expression looked kind of hilarious, having her own wooden clip pinching her nose shut to block out the smell.
"I met with the king of Carmanah today. I actually enjoy what we are doing now more than that meeting." Allison said her voice was kind of funny with the nasal tone.
"Is it just the king here?" Zee asked, stifling a laugh at the sound of her voice.
"Ya. The queen of Carmanah is back home, running the kingdom. She is not the type to let anyone else run the kingdom in her stead." Allison said, strong resentment in her voice.
So much for that. Zee decided to change the topic from Allison's birth parents, knowing it was a delicate subject.
"Do you know when the tournament starts?" Zee asked.
"In just under one month's time. It should be exciting this year. They are holding the tournament on the five thousand-year anniversary of the Kelvish dominion." Allison said, her hair bouncing from its tail to hide her face as she scrubbed the floor with her brush.
"What kind of tournament is it? You have mentioned the tournament several times, but I still don't know what kind of tournament it is?" Zee asked.
Allison cracked a wan smile. "Once a year, five of the surrounding kingdoms hold participate to hold both a team event and a single combat event. The Kelvish dominion does not participate in that. Every five years they come in, and host their own tournament.
Sometimes they even take the warriors off-world, and we compete against other planets in the dominion. Given that this is for their five thousand-year anniversary, the tournament will probably be big." Allison said. The princess paused, looking guilty.
"What's wrong?" Zee asked, noting her tense posture.
"I don't know how to say this but" Allison took a deep breath of rancid air." Your grandpa has caused a major incident." Allison said.
Zee blinked stupidly, perking up.
"What did he do?"Zee asked.
"Malden said he smashed through a blockade of thirty blood gorger warships. He supposedly gave Cardas Thornhill a black eye and bruised ego in the process." Allison said.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Zee asked, excited to hear that he was still coming for her.
"Not really. From the rumor's going around, the Kelvish dominion is gathering and training warriors. I can't confirm it, but I suspect they are using the tournament as a way to find suitable warriors to recruit." Allison said.
"That doesn't sound so bad." Zee said hesitantly.
Allison's expression darkened. "Zee, your grandpa's actions over the past year are enough to spark a full-scale, sector-wide war," Allison said.
"Surely not. It can't be that bad can it?" Zee asked a pit forming in her stomach.
"It might just turn into another skirmish between the blood gorgers and your home the Lorocan empire. Given that his invasion is public, I have my doubts. His invading so far into blood-gorger territory will demand a response. If the gorgers do not, they could lose face, and they cannot afford that. "Allison said.
Zew scratched the back of her head, nervously.
"Sounds like grandpa is going a little overboard,"Zee said
"No kidding. He must care for you immensely to go this far to bring you home." Allison said.
"Ever since gramma died, he had been a bit, overprotective of the family," Zee said, biting her lower lip thoughtfully.
"Overprotective is an understatement. Starting a sector-wide war that could kill billions all to save you is, a bit extreme." Allison said.
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Zee asked.
"Sorry to say, but I may be understating it. A full-scale war between the Lorocan empire and the blood gorgers will mean that all of the factions under each side will be pitted against each other. The Kelvish dominion alone has several dozen planets under its rule and we are one of the smallest factions under the blood gorger's rule." Allison said.
That was a very troubling thought.
If that happen, she was ultimately responsible for all the people who might die. Her expression must have shown her thoughts as Allison poked her with a finger.
"This is not your fault. You are just a peak F ranker, and a teenager no less." Allison said.
"I feel like it's my fault. Why couldn't I have just stayed home like I was told to? If I had just done that none of this would have happened." Zee said, angry with herself.
Allison gave her an even look, her expression hard to read. "I am not saying you are completely blameless. Your actions have consequences. Beating yourself up for past mistakes is foolish. There is nothing you can do about the past. All you can do is strive to make better choices in the future." Allison said.
Zee stabbed her mop back into the soapy bucket, the water sloshing over the rim onto the black stone floor. She let out a tired sigh.
"I wish I could do that. I wish I could be more like you. Always in control, so unflappable and self-assured." Zee said, envy in her voice.
Allison snorted. "Are you joking? You always act far more self-confident that I do. I mean seriously, you talk with crown prince Malden and prince Ferdin like they are just normal people. And don't get me started on the fact that you insult Malden on a regular basis. I get a pass because I have known him for years, and I am his adopted sister, but you...
You are none of those things, and yet you treat him like just a normal person."Allison said.
Zee leaned on her mop, the mop squishing out soapy water across the smooth black stone floor.
"He insulted me first." Zee said defensively.
Allison burst out laughing, shaking her head at the statement.
"That kind of attitude with a prince is why you get in so much trouble," Allison said.
"Just because he is a prince doesn't mean he can be an ass." Zee said.
Allison shook her head at the statement. "Actually it does. This is his kingdom, and he can do whatever he wants." Allison said.
Zee rolled her eyes. "Just because he was born a prince doesn't make him superior," Zee grumbled.
Allison sighed but must have decided it was a pointless argument. Allison waved a hand through the air dismissing the topic.
"Anyways. Back on the subject. The reason why I mentioned a war wasn't to make you feel bad. It merely has relevance because it means the Kelvish dominon is expending vast resources on the tournament this year." Allison said taking a deep breath before continuing." They recently discovered an extraplanar space, on the dead E grade planet Sphedhara. The limit of people they will teleport is a hundred warriors from each kingdom." Allison said.
"On a dead world? Are they crazy? You will be going to your deaths." Zee said, eyes widening.
Allison winced, for once showing some small hesitation.
"Zee. I know it's dangerous, but they found a planar space there. It is risky, but it's also an amazing opportunity to get stronger. Do you realize how rare of a chance this is for me? If I don't go, I may never get the chance again." Allison said.
"It's an amazing opportunity to die. Extra planar spaces are rare, but it is on a dead world, Allie. Grandpa warned me to avoid dead worlds like the plague." Zee said, vehemently.
Allison dropped her mop, letting it clatter on the clean smooth stone floor..
"Zee... It's a planar space.... It's a chance for me to rank up, to prove myself as a strong fighter of the kingdom. And maybe even find a sponsor from the Kelvish dominion."Allison said.
Zee's face scrunched up in worry. "You don't need to prove anything. And besides, there are plenty of other ways to rank up without going to a dead world."Zee said, emphatically.
"Why are you so against this? You know I can handle myself." Allison said.
Zee suddenly felt lost, her eyes falling on the wet floor. She hadn't really thought of it much, but Allison may never come back. After losing all of her family, and being thrust onto this planet alone she was lost.
Over the past few weeks, she felt like some normality had returned. The thought of losing one of her only friends in the world was just too hard to bare.
It made her angry. There was no way she was going to allow more of her friends to die. Especially when she could do something about it.
"I am coming with you," Zee said, her tone filled with conviction.
Allison cocked her head, blinking at Zee in confusion. "Didn't you just say it is going to be like a suicide mission?" Allison asked, cocking her head.
"I said that to convince you to stay. But I might as well be talking to a wall. Since you are not going to do the sensible thing, I am coming with you to watch your back." Zee said.
"I see," Allison said, nodding slowly.
"Have you told Yukna yet?" Zee asked.
Allison winced, looking visibly pained at the idea. "I will once she gets some rest."
"You better, or I will," Zee said.
"When did you two get so chummy?" Allison asked, narrowing her eyes at Zee.
Zee shrugged sloshing more soapy water onto the floor. "What can I say, she is just likable," Zee said.
Three days, and a lot of help later, Yukna was looking lots better. It was now to the point where Zee no longer had to worry, and could focus back on her own things.
Since her recent decision to join the tournament, she was determined to train as much as she could beforehand.
The princess had her own goals, one of which was to win the tournament. Zee didn't particularly care about winning personally, but she did want to grow stronger.
That was rather convenient, as it meant they could hone their skills against each other. Allison had come a long way since she started teaching her.
Zee would have been jealous if she wasn't so proud of the woman's progress. At this point, Allison wasn't that far behind in terms of skill with the sword.
Zee was actually very happy they were close friends, as she doubted she could win if it came to a straight-up fight. In fact, the only way she would likely win would be by a surprise attack before Allison could unleash her terrifying flame powers.
Even Dern, a soul-sucking monster, respected the havoc Allison could bring to a fight.
Zee shook off the random thoughts and squared off with Allison.
Given the foul odor still infesting the training room they were sparring on the front lawn. The weather was cool and clear, the sun just peeking out over the eastern mountains.
Allison had her white hair tied up in a braided bun, her expression relaxed. She was dressed in a soft blue blouse, snug black pants, and sturdy, calf-high leather boots.
Allison waited patiently, a wooden longsword held casually at her side.
The wind tussled at Zee's hair, swirling around them. It was a distraction Zee really didn't need right now. She pushed out the outside distractions and focused. With some effort, she separated her aura into two parts, expanding the outer shell to encompass the area around her.
"Good. Now, infuse your aura with your spark of compression." Malden said, his deep voice drifting in from the side.
She furrowed her brow, focusing intently, tuning him out while she focused. Just then, something clicked into place, her mental energy flowing into her aura.
Allison yelped, collapsing to her hands and knees. It wasn't just the princess, but grass as well, crushed under and invisible weight.
Panicked that she might have hurt the woman Zee stopped the flow of mental energy.
Zee rushed over, but the princess was already climbing back to her feet.
"Don't worry. I'm fine, I was just startled is all." Allison said, giving her a half smile.
Zee let out a relieved sigh, glancing over at Malden and Yukna who were sitting on plush chairs. The two were sipping steaming tea, watching them spar.
"It's about damned time you figured it out." Malden said, taking a sip of tea."Do it again, only this time do it longer."
Zee gave him a rude gesture, turning back to face the princess again.
"Ready?" She asked.
"You won't knock me down again so easily," Allison said, widening her stance.
Zee projected her aura again, and focused, infusing more of her mental energy into her aura. Allison looked suddenly weighed down, but she didn't fall this time.
The princess grinned, leaping forwards, and swinging her sword at Zees ribs. Zee panicked, her focus on her aura shaky, as she raised her sword to block.
Wood met wood, her arms observing the heavy impact, as she deflected the blow.
Malden must have thought she was having too easy as he cut in.
"Allison keep attacking. Zee do not loose control of your aura." Malden said, his voice commanding.
She grimaced at that, the process of splitting her focus on both defending and her aura much harder than she expected.
The princess attacked, moving slower then usual, like she was moving through water. Or more like she weighed far more then she was used to.
Even with that, Zee had trouble both defending and maintaining her focus.
When her focus inevitably dropped, Allison regained her usual speed. That meant Zee was hit.
The princess was not one to shy away from giving her bruises in sparring. Zee supposed she deserved it. Especially since she had given the princess many bruises before during their sparring.
Over the next two hours, Zee was turned into a practice dummy.
Zee collapsed on the grass, breathing hard, feeling like a tenderized slab of meat.
Malden walked over and peered down at her, shaking his head, his fluffy ears twitching in amusement.
"Good job Viotti. Watching you get hit repeatedly with a stick made my day. Sadly I have other things I must do today." Malden said.
Zee laughed, groaning as her bruised ribs screamed in protest.
"I am glad It was amusing to you," Zee said, though ragged breaths.
Yukna walked over and held out a canteen.
"I thought you did really well. Mastering your aura doesn't come overnight."Yukna said.
Zee took the canteen taking a long drink of cool water. She gulped it down, the cool water soothing her throat. Zee let out a relieved sigh, wiping sweat from her neck with her sleeve.
"Thanks. Now, this is why I taught you my cultivation techniques and not Maldy."Zee said, giving a wink to Malden.
The crown prince scowled. "Just because she is nice to you, you show her favor?"Malden asked.
Zee sat up, raising one hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Exactly. Being nice goes a long way. Who knows, if you start being nice, I might even teach you, for free as well." Zee teased.
Malden gaped down at her, his fluffy ears twitching in irritation. "You taught her for free? This is unfair. Why does she get it for free and I have to pay a king's ransom?" Malden asked.
"That's because Allison is a friend, and Yukna is Allison's family," Zee said in explanation.
"No fair, I am Allison's family too," Malden said.
"Adopted family doesn't count." Zee countered.
"Says who?" Malden asked, folding his muscular arms across his chest.
"Sorry Maldy, those are the rules, that even I have to follow," Zee said, helplessly.
"And who makes the rules?" Malden asked, eyes narrowing.
Zee grinned. "Well, myself of course," Zee said.
Allison burst out laughing, walking over and patting Maldy on the back. The crown prince glowered at her, his ears flattening.
"This is just unfair." Malden said.
"It's ok Maldy, you are filthy rich, you can afford the price," Zee said sweetly.
"Are you sure there is nothing I can give you, instead of an E-grade natural treasure," Malden asked unhappily.
A devious smile lit up Zee's face. "There may be something," Zee said examining her fingernails casually.
"What is it?" Malden asked warily.
"I heard you have a really comfortable bed. I want it." Zee said.
"You want me to buy you a bed like mine? Done." Malden said.
"No, you misheard me. I want your bed, oh and I get to choose a replacement. A bed that you have to sleep on for a year." Zee said.
"That's an unreasonable demand. You are going to make me sleep on the floor or something."Malden said, aghast.
"I think it's fair. A year of discomfort or an E-grade natural treasure." Zee said, leaning back on her hands on the grass and grinning.
"I hate you,"Malden said, frowning unhappily.
Behind him, Yukna and Allison were smiling, clearly amused by her antics.
The guards, watching on from a respectable distance away were not so amused.
Noting his guard's angry expressions with her spatial ripple, Zee decided to change the subject.
If she kept insulting Malden they might actually attack her, orders be damned.
"Thanks for the help Maldy. How long until you need the spatial storage?"Zee asked.
Malden brightened." In the next three days, before fathers birthday. Have you managed to make it?" Malden asked, his unhappy expression changing to excitement..
Zee gestured to Yukna. "Dern and Yukna are going to help me make it." Zee said.
Malden grinned. "Excellent. Come to my estate once it's finished."
Zee nodded seriously, upon which the prince turned on his heel and strode away, his guard surrounding him as he left.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone