Ocean Song clasped his hands behind his back as he walked around his new Sect.
As Sect Master, he needed to know all the ins and outs of his new sect. And he was particularly glad he now had a proper home. Sure, he had that cabin in the woods before, for all the few days he stayed there.
But that wasn't really a home.
The others were also exploring curiously.
Even Daedalus looked intrigued, his nature as an Architect getting the best of him.
Ocean Song wandered deeper into the sect, letting his hand trail along the polished railings of spirit-wood and cloudsteel. He didn't actually know what the materials were, but those names sounded sufficiently cultivator-like, so that's what he mentally named them.
He passed by a towering arched hall—marked Hall of Profound Enlightenment—only to find that it currently held nothing but decorative pillows and other supplies.
Truth be told, he only hastily gave it that name on his drawings and didn't actually know what to use the place for yet.
But still, it sounded mysterious.
Turning a corner, he found the forge.
The heat radiated like a dragon's breath, and inside was Tyson, eyes wide with childlike awe. The forge was clearly tailored to someone massive—anvils the size of bathtubs, hammers longer than spears, and bellows operated by enchanted statues that moved with slow precision.
Tyson was holding a hammer in both hands, testing its weight.
Tyson, his younger brother, who had never once in his life ever seen a hammer, took to it like…a fish in water, ironically enough. He grabbed a few pieces of basic iron and started working it like he had been doing it for years.
Ocean Song, while proud as the older brother, wanted to call up his father and ask why he didn't have such a profound smithing skill!
As a True Cultivator, he knew bullshit when he saw it.
However, Ocean didn't say anything—just smiled and backed away, leaving his brother to play.
A little later, on the southern slope of the sect, Ocean Song found the garden.
It wasn't flashy. No glowing fruit or divine vegetables. Just soft grass, a koi pond, and a breeze that smelled faintly of wildflowers and rain. And there, beneath the shade of a willow, sat Medusa.
She didn't acknowledge him at first.
Ocean sat down beside her, legs crossed, gaze forward.
They sat in silence for a while.
Eventually, she spoke. "This place is too nice. Makes me nervous. I genuinely think I finally gave in and drank my secret stash of whiskey I kept in my desk drawer back home.
"Can monsters get drunk so easily?" Ocean Song wondered aloud. The only experience he had with getting drunk so far was the incident with Thor and Odin. And that wasn't exactly a good measurement.
"There is a lot in my drawer."
Ocean Song grimaced; he could see her odd mood. "What's happened in the past can't be changed; we can only control what we choose for the future."
Medusa tilted her head up, looking at him from behind her veil. "Did you read that from a fortune cookie?"
Ocean Song smiled lightly. "Choice is the most powerful force in the world. Through choice, a person picks up a sword. Through choice, they wield it for bad. However, it's also a choice to want to be better."
Medusa snorted. "That easy, just a simple choice?"
Ocean Song shook his head. "It won't be easy; nothing is. There is balance in all things; to choose to walk a different path, it may be filled with hardships."
"I don't think I've made my own choices in a long time. When Poseidon told me he wanted me, well, I went along with it. Why wouldn't I? When he said we were going to desecrate Athena's temple, I didn't reject it. When I turned into a monster, it was as if I was an actor in someone's script. You claim I can simply choose to not live this way anymore? How am I supposed to believe that? What even am I supposed to do now?"
"I can't answer that question, Fellow Daoist." Ocean Song stood up and took a few steps forward. "The Dao is different for every person. Your path is for you to walk alone. But know this…" A giant breeze carried over the mountains, making his clothes flutter slightly. With a light swing of his sword, the wind broke.
Medusa's gaze followed it; she looked up, and the clouds in the sky had been cut in half for several miles.
"Through choice, even the Divine Realm can be toppled."
Medusa said nothing more—but she didn't leave the garden. She just sat there, staring at the sky as Ocean Song walked away.
[Line Break]
Ocean Song found Daedalus by the northern pavilions, standing on a balcony and staring at a fountain that somehow had water flowing upward in spiraling waves.
He looked up when Ocean approached, eyes narrowing.
"What do you want?"
"No, just checking in on one of my fellow Sect Members!" Ocean said cheerfully.
Daedalus scoffed but didn't move.
Ocean left him alone but made sure to loudly announce. "Senior Daedalus, you found the Pavilion of Wisdom, I see."
"It's empty." He deadpanned.
"..... Please don't think that's symbolic; we just haven't filled it yet with illustrious tomes and knowledge of sages." Ocean Song quickly said.
Daedalus just stared at him.
"Ahem." Ocean Song cleared his throat. "How do you like your new home?"
"Are you trying to develop Stockholm syndrome in me?" He asked incredulously.
"Fellow Daoist, don't use such words…"
"I'm sorry, are they too big for you?"
"You seem stressed, fellow Daost."
"I think I have an understandable amount of reasons to be stressed, as you put it."
True, Ocean Song admitted.
Almost getting a furious Queen of the Gods locked onto you has a way of doing that.
"Let's not talk about any negatives; let's talk about the positives!"
"What positives?! You made me an accomplice to one of the worst grand thefts in the history of the world!"
"...want to learn how to cultivate?"
"What?" He asked in confusion.
"Cultivate? My sect teaches Cultivation, so of course I will teach you the secrets to my strength." Ocean Song clasps his hands behind his back.
Daedalus blinked. "Wait…" He held up a hand. offering to teach me all your nonsense?"
"...yes?"
Daedalus opened his mouth slightly, studying him as if there was a joke somewhere. "...alright."
"That's the spirit, fellow Daoist! See, friendships are forged through conflict. By crossing blades, you can know the heart of your opponent!"
"...you kidnapped me; we didn't fight." He pointed out.
"Are you still holding a grudge about that?"
"Until the day I die, I will curse your stupid fish." He said in a low voice.
Ocean Song scratched his head. "In truth, fellow Daoist. I do not wish to force you to stay. If you truly want to leave, we can consider the wager settled after you help set up the Sect's array formation."
Daedalus was surprised; his crossed arms and standoffish demeanor shifted, a skeptical look taking over. "You would let me go, just like that?"
Ocean Song nodded. " A sect should be built upon mutual trust and support. I was in a state of…panic." A true cultivator knows to apologize when they did a wrong.
Daedalus, oddly enough, sympathized with him slightly. He, too, could freely admit that he understood Ocean Song's 'panic.'
There are few things more terrifying than a certain goddess's fury.
"However, I would like the chance to win you over, at least." Ocean Song smiled. "You need not accept, but if you are willing, I can do my best to grant any desire you have. Any long wish you have unfulfilled? Medusa had her own desire, and we came to an agreement."
Daedalus furrowed his brow. One of his questions—why Medusa, the legendary monster, was willingly hanging around the son of Poseidon when she takes special pleasure in turning both Poseidon's children and Athena's children to stone—..
The fact that she barely even said a word and showed no true hostility to him—a son of Athena—was honestly astonishing, considering her reputation.
There was a reason he was gung ho on slaying her when he first appeared, as opposed to Ocean Song or Tyson.
Daedalus's first knee-jerk reaction was telling him where to shove that 'offer' along with his fish. But curiosity also got the better of him.
"Do you think I stayed in the Labyrinth because I wanted to?" Daedalus snorted again. "I hid there so Death couldn't find me. What do you think will happen now that I'm out here in the open?"
"I can ask." Ocean Song.
"Ask? What do you mean you can— Before he could finish, Ocean Song took out a black feather. He was about to also ask what that was, but his body went stiff and his eyes dilated. "...no."
"Senior Thanatos, may I request your presence?" Ocean Song called out.
There was a beat of silence.
Daedalus's heart stopped beating, at least he thought it did. He felt like every hair on his body stood up, an old fear he hadn't experienced in a long time creeping up.
However, as nothing happened, slowly, he started to relax; he let out a breath of relief, only to see a larger shadow cast overhead behind him. He could feel a cold touch now breathing down his neck.
He swallowed and didn't want to turn around, but he did so unconsciously.
Death.
Death stood there, looming over him.
He knew that it would take but a single thought for his worst fears to come true.
"Greetings, Senior Thanatos!" Ocean Song bowed politely. "Can you please not reap fellow Daoist Daedalus? He's technically not dead, and he's now a member of my sect!"
Thanatos did not speak, but actions—or rather, lack thereof—spoke louder than words in this case. That is, Thanatos didn't immediately reap Daedalus's soul, the man who had cheated death repeatedly over the years by shoving his own soul into what was basically a puppet body.
"I apologize for the poor reception, Senior Thanatos. For my sect was just built, we lack the proper amenities to host you as is befitting of your station. However, I have a selfish request, and I must lose face by asking if you could not reap Daedalus's soul since he's technically still alive." Ocean Song repeated his earlier request with another spew of respectful bootlicking.
Thanatos didn't speak directly, as if its words would cause harm to those around it. Rather, a certain cold swing emerged, sweeping everywhere, letting out its own howls.
It wasn't for intimidation or to show discontent; rather, Ocean Song could understand what was being 'said.'
The Cyclops furrowed his brow. "I see, you say his method of 'extending his life' goes against the natural laws? But Senior Thanatos, I argue, what even is 'natural'? Everything exists within 'Nature,' so should his own ability not be approved, albeit begrudgingly?"
A few gestured that Thanatos returned.
Ocean Song nodded along, as if understanding. "Ah, I see, so it wasn't his original creation; it was the creation of his cousin." Ocean Song realized that changed things slightly. There were…rules. 'Cheating Death' had certain limitations put on it for mortals. Daedalus's method of cheating death was…well, it fell on the wrong side of the line because he 'stole' the method. "What about a form of punishment delayed until after his death? Senior Thanatos, you work hard, and you're never appreciated. You deserve a break, don't you think?"
Thanatos tilted his head in confusion.
"Why not hire him as one of your personal employees after his death? He can 'repent' with a bit of assistance in your normal activities. He is punished with servitude for a time, learning the value of proper life and death, and you can have your workload eased slightly." Ocean Song offered.
Daedalus stared at Ocean Song.
He couldn't believe his ears, he was negotiating with Death. Daedalus wanted to call him out on the stupidity of it, but all of the sudden, Death itself looked at him, and pressed a finger against his chest.
Daedalus couldn't speak a word as he felt something push deep into his soul.
And then, Death Disappeared.
Daedalus sat down on the spot; it was like a weight was both lifted and then added back to his shoulders.
Not only would he not be reaped on a whim by Death, but he would also…well, he would avoid the whole reason he didn't want to die in the first place. Someone as old as him wasn't afraid of death because of 'normal' reasons.
He just knew that the bastard King Minos was one of Hades's judges, and he wouldn't have a fair judgment when he died.
But now, it looked like he sidestepped that entirely.
There was no one in heaven or hell that Minos would dare go against Thanatos.
Daedalus stared at the monster.
The monster who just casually summoned Death and negotiated with him….successfully.
He watched the Monster being to walk away.
Daedalus found himself standing back up and following.
[Line Break]
Ocean Song walked to the main courtyard.
He stood there and was Daedalus hesitantly peeked around the corner and walked on over. Likewise, Tyson happily strolled over, holding a new sword he somehow forged in the time he was away.
Lastly, Medusa came through the archway of a different entrance.
As if silently called, they all appeared.
Ocean stood before them with his arms spread wide.
"Fellow Daoists. Today marks the beginning of our true cultivation path."
He didn't strike a pose—he was the pose. The wind rippled around him in exaggerated, dramatic gusts that were most certainly not magical in origin. A True Cultivator doesn't need to summon the wind to pose heroically; the world answers the call!
"We are a small sect, yes. But greatness is not measured by numbers. It is measured by heart. And style. And possibly the size of your koi pond."
Tyson raised a hand. "We have a really big one."
"Exactly," Ocean said, pointing. "Already we are among the elites." Ocean Song was glad that Tyson had found the big koi pond already.
Though, for some reason, Medusa and Daedalus didn't look entirely convinced.
For a moment, Ocean Song wondered where Hecate went, but he dismissed it as she was probably busy with godly stuff. As much as he enjoys having her around, she probably doesn't care for their random stuff.
"Nessie, you too." Ocean Song called out.
The large sea creature appeared right next to Daedalus with his head hung low. "Bawhooo!"
Daedalus cursed, jumping away, clearly startled.
Ocean Song paused for a moment as he let the man release a string of ancient Greek curses.
"Now, I'm going to teach you all how to cultivate." Ocean Song sat down in the proper lotus position. "Please." He gestured for them to follow suit.
Each of them, even Daedalus, followed suit. Maybe more out of curiosity on his part than anything, but he silently seemed to be following along at this point.
"I will now preach the Dao." Ocean Song stoically.
He didn't start immediately; he gave them a chance to get comfortable.
"The Dao is not a power to be claimed. It is not a sword to be sharpened or a title to be shouted."
His gaze swept across them.
"It is not strength, or fame, or revenge. It is not a path of certainty. It is the absence of certainty that makes it sacred."
A pause.
"One begets two. Two begets three. Three begets all things." He continued. "In the beginning, there was Formless Chaos. From the Chaos came Taichi—Yin and Yang. From Yin and Yang formed Heaven, Earth, and Man. From Heaven , Earth, and Man comes the myriad world."
Ocean Song summoned wind between his fingers; lights emerged. "From Heaven, Earth, and Man comes Qi. It's the fundamental life force of the universe, and as beings part of the universe, we too can wield it."
He gestured, and a string of Qi shot out of his fingertips and shot into the chest of all three of them.
They were surprised, nearly falling over themselves as the warm sensation filled their chests.
"Feel it, within yourselves. Your first goal is to be able to sense the Qi around you."
He rose slowly to his feet. His voice remained calm.
"Qi is the breath of the cosmos. It flows through mountain and beast. Star and spirit. It comes from the harmony of Heaven and Earth. It binds soul to body, life to time. And we—we are vessels made to hold it."
"Feel it. Feel it, then take it into your body, let it flow naturally, and you'll find your Meridians, your spiritual pathways. Once you get to that part, then I'll lend you assistance in opening your first Meridians."
Ocean Song paused, not because he wanted them to have a moment of quiet contemplation, but because he took a moment to admire his own bearing.
Truly, he was a great cultivator.
His elegance knew no bounds.
"....isn't this basically magic?" Daedalus asked.
"Good question, fellow Daoist; in certain places, they call it 'magic,' yes." He nodded.
Daedalus furrowed his brow, but oddly, he was still following along. Maybe it was curiosity, but he wanted to see whatever this nonsense was to the end.
There were another few moments of silence.
"I feel nothing." Medusa said dryly.
"I'm an expert in magic; this makes no sense. Daedalus added.
"Bawhooo." Nessie joined in.
"Are you sure this even works?" Medusa asked.
"Listen, I didn't almost kill myself several times for it to not work." Ocean Song retorted. "I even tested it on a bunch of children; I know it works!"
".....care to repeat that?"
"Tyson, how about you!" He chose instead to change the subject completely.
"I feel something warm in my chest." He replied.
Everyone stared at him; even Ocean Song was surprised. Rather quickly, he ran over and sat behind his younger brother's back, placing a hand on his back. "Holy shit—I mean….yes, you're almost there, Junior Brother." Ocean Song corrected.
He was startled because he'd never seen someone get it as fast as Tyson before. Heck, even those children he totally didn't use as testers get it that fast.
"Let me help you, junior brother." He began to systematically help guide the Qi into Tyson's Meridian in the heart.
Ocean Song realized that due to their shared heritage, it was exceedingly easy for him to assist his brother.
Only after a few moments did Ocean Song stop, looking at his brother in awe.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother, you're now in the First Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."
"It feels warm and fuzzy in my chest." Tyson smiled.
"Wait, are you serious? That actually worked?" Medusa asked in surprise. She didn't think any of this was going to be real. She certainly hoped, but her pessimism made it hard for her to actually believe it.
"What do you mean? What worked? What did you do?" Daedalus shot to his feet, asking.
"I helped him absorb the Qi into his first Meridian, opening it up." Ocean Song replied, patting his brother on the shoulder. "Why don't you stand up, gather the Qi inside that you now have, and use it to throw a punch?"
Tyson tilted his head, doing as his brother asked. "Like this?" He said casually, throwing his fist out with amateurish movements, but there was a following booom that was released as the air was pushed away.
They all stared at Tyson.
Tyson just giggled to himself, completely uncaring about the newfound strength he had.
Ocean Song stood up proudly as he looked at his brother embark on the path of Cultivation.
"...that's not how magic works." Daedalus whispered to himself.
Medusa and Daedalus, they stared.
They stared at the simple-minded Cyclops seemingly doing something absurd, then, as he walked off and found a wildflower growing nearby, looking at it happily.
"Truly, Tyson must be a once-in-a-lifetime genius. Our sect is blessed to have a genius like him among our ranks, don't you think, fellow Daoists?" Ocean Song asked the others.
Medusa and Daedalus looked at each other, and there wase was a strange…understanding between them.
They both shot back down and tried their absolute hardest to try and feel it as well.
"Wow, Nessie, you're getting the hang of it too!"
"Bawhooo!"
Daedalus, in particular, after hearing that, pushed himself even harder. He forced every muscle of his, all his brainpower, and every ounce of his willpower into trying to understand what the hell Ocean Song was talking about.
He could accept being outdone by the Cyclops. It hurt his pride, but he could accept it.
But he would never accept being outdone by the fish!
However, a moment later, he nearly choked and threw up a mouthful of blood as he tried to force his body in ways it didn't work.
"Fellow Daoist Daedalus!" Ocean Song ran to his side. "Calm down, Fellow Daoist, you're moving too fast! Throwing up blood is a technique for advanced Cultivators, you're not there yet."
Daedalus threw up another mouthful of blood.
[Line Break]
A/N
Tyson, the Genius of the sect.
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