At first, I thought I was imagining things. But as we continued walking, it became clear that there really was light ahead. I had to stop myself from speeding up. I didn’t have a problem with darkness, but finally seeing natural light again felt amazing. The air was starting to smell fresher, too. While I was glad that there was air around us and the caves weren’t flooded here, I wouldn’t mind a bit of a breeze.

Although, thinking about it, we probably were below the waterline still. This must mean that there are no direct connections to the ocean here. Perhaps someone has pumped out the water at some point or something?

I looked back at the others, then paused. I’d been too distracted to pay much attention before, but Mior’s presence had been diminishing. Now, I couldn’t see the spirit anywhere, and I couldn’t pinpoint their location with my other senses, either. It seemed Mior had decided to leave. Although I suspected they might still be around. I just hope that means we’re close.

Al didn’t seem to have noticed. He looked tired, but was walking quickly enough that I had to increase my pace a bit if I didn’t want him to step on my heels. Then the tunnel widened a bit, and he sped up to walk beside me. I sighed but didn’t comment. I’d just need to keep my eyes peeled, but at this point danger was probably just as likely to come from behind us than ahead. After all, we’d passed several intersections. I only had a rough picture of what our surroundings looked like, and the caves probably extended beyond that. At least there didn’t seem to be any strong spirit beasts close to us at the moment.

“I can’t wait to take a shower and get clean clothes,” Al said. “It’s a shame they don’t have coffee here.”

I smiled at the thought. “If you’re thirsty, I can get you some water? Or something to eat?”

“No, thank you. I’d rather just get back quickly.”

I could definitely agree with that sentiment. While I’d managed to push it aside, I still felt some worry, which I wouldn’t lose until I saw the others were fine with my own eyes.

“It’s a bit strange to think that we lived two lives only because one of our ancestors pissed off some higher being,” Al mused. “But I guess nothing about the situation is normal.”

“Yeah, just look at the time thing,” I agreed. “When Mother died on Earth, we weren’t even born here, and yet we already lived our life on Earth. Probably some sort of local time, simultaneity thing. That’s already screwed up enough in one universe if you consider special relativity. Like the Andromeda paradoxon. Maybe this is just a higher level of the same thing, when you consider different universes.” I snorted. “Or maybe the simulation hypothesis is true and we’re all just living in some computer. I didn’t agree with it before, but in this world the laws of physics are actually broken, or at least bent with magic. That’s definitely evidence in its favor.”

Al shook his head. “Uh, I liked physics, but I only have a vague idea what you’re talking about right now.”

I scratched my cheek. “Sorry. Either time is screwed up between universes or this isn’t real. Although, even if we live in a simulation we should just continue living our lives, right?”

“I suppose I’ll let you worry about that,” Al decided after a moment. “I’ll just be sad that I don’t have access to the Internet anymore.”

I chuckled. “That’s fair. I really miss the Internet, too. It would save us so much effort with trying to do science stuff and develop technology. And all of the stories I’ll never get to read or watch again.”

“Me too! I was just about to finish the last season of my favorite anime.” Al groaned. “And I was watching online tutorials to improve my drawing. Now I barely have time for that and lost a lot of my skill.”

“You like art?” I asked. I’d never noticed that before.

“What, I can’t like physics, tech and also art?” Al crossed his arms and gave me the stink-eye.

“No, of course you can,” I quickly assured him. “I just didn’t know. Why don’t you show me what you’ve been drawing? I’d love to see.”

His frown smoothed over. “Thanks. People always teased me for that. Sorry if I overreacted.” He sighed. “I can show you a few pieces once we’re back home.”

“Great.” I smiled at him, then returned my focus to our surroundings.

The light was definitely getting stronger. I’d been distracted by the conversation, but we’d walked steadily upwards and passed a few other branches. By now, I could sense that we were nearing the surface. There were more qi signatures around. Most of them were still pretty small and a little farther off, and a general background of life that I’d rarely noticed before. Maybe plants and such? The air also started to get colder as we walked on. It was probably morning outside, but still winter, so that was to be expected. I noticed that Al was drawing his robe more tightly around himself. If we had to walk for much longer, I’d need to warm him up again.

Then something prickled on my senses, and I halted, forcing Al to slow down with me. I frowned and concentrated on my qi senses. There was a familiar sensation, slight but noticeable. And unless I missed my guess, it was getting stronger. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.

“Come on,” I hissed and pulled Al back. We’d passed the last intersection only a few meters ago. I pulled him into the side tunnel. He looked confused and annoyed, but I put a finger over my lips and gave him a look that made it clear I was serious.

Taking a deep breath, I concentrated on my qi and started using a few techniques. It was fairly easy to bend the light around me so I’d stay hidden. I did the same to Al. It was more effort than to do it together but better in case we separated. Then I tried to pull in my qi presence as much as I could and focused on pulling darkness affinity qi around me to smother my aura. I tried to do the same with Al, but it was difficult. Doing something like this was always harder on someone else than yourself. He didn’t have much qi, comparatively, but also didn’t have much control over it. It should still work.

Once I finished, I checked to make sure he was covered and the techniques would work for a while. Then I pushed him down the tunnel. Al frowned and shook his head. At least he had the good sense to stay quiet. I pushed again, more insistently, and glared at him. Finally, he took the hint and started walking down the tunnel. I put up a qi barrier to stop air traveling between his position and mine, effectively stopping sound as well.

This was a risk, but I could still sense him pretty well, and I’d know if another spirit approached him. He also had defensive talismans and a calling bracelet. I just needed all the stealth I could muster for what I wanted to do now.

I took a step forward, listening closely. My still bare feet made no noise on the hard rock of the cavern. I also couldn’t hear anyone else coming. Though I could sense them. Carefully, I peeked around the corner of the tunnel. The opening onto the surface was close, very close. The presence I felt came steadily closer. Now they’d almost reached it.

I took off. Pumping my legs hard and channeling a bit of qi to accelerate even harder, I tried my best to be quiet. My technique to hide me from sight would have trouble covering me with this kind of motion. Not to mention my presence would be felt more clearly the closer I came. But the tunnel ahead of me was straight and long enough I could pick up quite a bit of speed. I crossed dozens of meters in moments.

Light from ahead stabbed into my eyes, but I relied on my other senses as I came to the opening. I’d timed it right, the spirit was just crossing the threshold. They noticed me a moment too late. I barreled into them, trying to get a good grip.

They managed to twist aside, breaking free for a moment. My heel ground into the ground as I pivoted, bleeding off some of my momentum and using the rest to go after my enemy. A knife slashed towards me, glancing off a qi shield my protective talisman threw up at the last moment. I got a grip on the spirit’s arm, wrenched it, and managed to disarm them.

‘You,’ the spirit hissed, its form boiling backwards as they took a step back. ‘Accursed spawn of the Moon, you’ll pay for evading us.’

I had no desire to trade insults with this piece of filth. Their sight alone made my anger return in force, crying out to destroy them. For once, I didn’t feel the need to struggle with my self-control. I simply jumped forward, batted aside another reaching hand, then grabbed the spirit’s neck.

Of course, my enemy tried to evade, but I didn’t let them. I tightened my grip, putting some qi into it to make sure I got it. While they flailed around, I kicked their leg out. Not so insubstantial, are you now? I got behind the spirit, keeping one hand choking them while I caught their arms with the other, making sure they couldn’t hurt me.

‘Not so tough now, are you?’ I growled. ‘Think you can take my brother from me, do you?’ I tightened my grip, wrenching a little. I had no idea if spirits could feel pain, but I might find out.

It didn’t seem so. The spirit didn’t make a sound, and I didn’t feel any extra tension. Although the way their body worked was pretty wispy, anyway. But they didn’t seem to like the situation any.

‘Let me go, princess! I can help you! It wasn’t my idea to go after your brother, the Storm made us do it! The Pioneer was in charge here!’

I grunted, then twisted my head to the side as I sensed another change in our surroundings. A moment later, I relaxed a little more as I saw it was only Al, hesitantly coming out of the tunnel. I tugged the spirit a few more steps away and frowned at him. “You should have stayed put.”

“There was some spirit beast coming closer to my position,” Al said, his eyes focused on the spirit I had captured. “Wow, Nari. I’m not going to call you lazy or a wimp in fighting anymore. What are you going to do with that jerk? Can we even kill it?”

I frowned, taking a moment to think. “You, spirit. Just tell me something. The Pioneer. Is he a spirit?”

The wispy material under my fingers stiffened for a bit, betraying the answer. Then the spirit spoke, hope in their mental voice. ‘No, he’s not! He just acts like it. I know all about it. If you let me go, I can show you his weaknesses.’

“Quiet,” I growled. Then I turned back to Al. “Step back, will you? Let’s get away from here.”

I dragged the spirit a few more meters, careful not to let them dislodge my grip, until we reached the shadow of a rock formation, flanked by a big fallen tree. There was a hint of what I’d come to recognize as the ‘scent’ of spirits in the qi gathering here.

“Hey, Mior,” I called. “Come on, I know you’re still around.” At least I hope I’m not just embarrassing myself.

Al started and looked around. He almost missed it when the shadows of the rock condensed a little before Mior stepped out of them. He was frowning at me. ‘Don’t be rude, Little Light.’

I shrugged, as well as I could in this position. ‘Sorry. Here, take care of this, would you?’

Mior sighed, then stepped forward and grabbed the spirit. I withdrew my hands, watching as Mior let some of their qi billow outward, covering the captive, who stiffened and stopped moving.

I took a step back and looked around. It was morning, the sun shining from above the ocean to the east, the air crisp and clear. A little further down, I could sense another spirit, but that one seemed to be moving away from us. Still farther, in the direction of the town, I could see a group of people in colorful cultivators’ robes.

Something in Mior’s qi shifted slightly. I watched as their grip on the captive spirit’s neck tightened, and qi started to flow from the weaker spirit to them. It looked a bit like Mior was literally sucking the substance out of their captive, and I could feel how they enveloped the qi with their own, pulling it into themselves. After a moment, Al turned away, but I continued watching in fascination. It only took a few seconds before the last few wisps of the spirit’s form dissipated. Mior didn’t feel much stronger, but I was beginning to realize I’d never really felt their full strength anyway.

After the spirit was finished, Mior dusted off their hands and stepped away, Al and me following. ‘Was that all you called me for?’

‘Mostly.’

Mior looked at me with a frown. ‘Thanks for the snack, but next time, clean up your own mess.’

I nodded and tried not to grimace. ‘About the Pioneer, do you know if he’s actually not a spirit?’

‘Yes. I’ve heard he started out as a mortal human who ascended. Perhaps he developed further beyond that. It might be a factor to why he was able to invade your mind like that.’

I nodded and scratched my cheek. It felt like a few pieces were beginning to fall into place. I still didn’t quite have the full picture, but I was starting to get the beginnings of a real plan.

‘You seem a little too human, as well,’ I finally commented. ‘And surprisingly helpful to me.’

Mior cocked their head, then grinned broadly, showing some shadowy teeth. ‘I was wondering if you would ever notice my aura. Yes, I have some human in me, along with Rijoko’s bloodline. A little like you.’

I missed my step. ‘Wait, we’re related?’ I hadn’t really noticed that. Mior’s qi presence did seem more similar to Rijoko’s than other spirits I’d met, but I’d assumed that was just something to do with being a close supporter.

Mior’s expression was hard to make out, but I thought they might look a bit melancholy. ‘Yes. My father was much like you, a human spirit-child of Rijoko, though he ascended beyond mortality millennia ago. My mother was a spirit, of course. I was conceived and born in the place where you attempted to awaken your bloodline. Of course, I am far more spirit than human, unlike someone like you.’

I blinked and shook my head. ‘Doesn’t this make you me your aunt, technically?’ I wasn’t sure what to think about that. The thought felt weird. But we were talking about spirits here, lots of things might seem weird.

Al whistled. ‘Nari, your family is badass.’

Mior chuckled, but didn’t say anything more on the subject.

After a moment, Al shifted and looked in the direction of town. “Can we get going? I’d really like to get back.”

He didn’t have to say that twice. I started walking at a brisk pace, Al beside me. Even Mior trailed along. I was pretty sure now that the group of people we were heading toward was mostly composed of our guards. I wouldn’t object to having the spirit along, though, when other hostile spirits might still stick around. It seemed like they felt the same.

I hesitated for a moment, focusing on the footpath we were walking. I didn’t want to bring this up now, but it was probably best to know before we reached the others. “Al, what exactly happened? Did you go outside the wards?”

Al looked down and blushed. He cleared his throat. “Well … yes.” He looked up, scowling. “They lured me out. Mimicked other people’s voices and cried for help. I should have known you would speak in English if you wanted only me to know, but I didn’t think of that.”

I laid a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. You couldn’t have known, and things turned out alright.”

Al nodded, still scowling. “I’m glad you killed that bastard.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t feel bad about that. I hadn’t killed the spirit myself, but I would have done that easily, and the only reason I might regret it was that Al had been there. He didn’t seem to mind and I couldn’t exactly blame him, but I probably shouldn’t encourage that reaction. He was still a kid.

“Anyway,” I changed the subject, “Mior, I’m glad you’re still here. We can use your help. And I would really appreciate training in defending our minds, like you mentioned.”

Mior shrugged. ‘I cannot be with you too long. This is not my kind of environment, to put it simply. I can do it better than most, but still. Staying with mortals, in a more physical form, is … draining.’

I frowned. That didn’t sound good, although it explained why spirits rarely lived alongside humans, even the way spirit beasts did.

‘I will just have to train you as much as I can once you get back.’

Al raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t there some way we could, uh, incentivize you to stay longer? Maybe some qi rich materials?”

Mior frowned. ‘I’m not some lackey for hire you can buy, young man. Be grateful I’m going to teach you something, as well, as a favor for your sister. And you would not like what it might take to tie me to you more permanently. I doubt you are anywhere near strong enough to weather my qi touching yours.’

‘Wait.’ I couldn’t help a bit of excitement in my tone. This smacked of esoteric knowledge and insight into the way spirits worked. ‘You mean you can tie yourself to a mortal? What, like possession?’

Mior rolled their eyes. At this point, I’d gotten past wondering how they managed such human-like expressions with a wispy face. ‘Yes. I’ve done so in the past, though many called me crazy for it. Spirits generally do not resort to something like this. It might be a way to stay close to you, though.’ Their expression turned thoughtful. ‘Not worth it, unless you happen to have a talented cultivator in the higher stages, who stays close to you, that you can trust with your secrets and who is loyal enough to put his mind and more at risk at your command, lying around here.’

I clicked my tongue. Well … My eyes met Al’s, who had a similar expression on his face, and we spoke at the same time.

“Aston.”