Morning light cut across the yard. Dew clung to the training ground like needles.
Disciples gathered in clusters. Some ran drills with dull spears. Others whispered and glanced toward AION, who stood apart near the east sheds.
Riven's voice was low in his mind. You feel it, don't you? They're circling. Jorin doesn't bluff twice.
Status: Host stable. Calf wound sealed but weak. Vitality low. Qi traces minimal.Prediction: Attack probability within 12 hours, location outside hall.
Jorin Vale stood among his lackeys, smirk sharp as a blade. He didn't approach AION directly. Instead, he whispered. Words spread through the yard like sparks.
By midday, two disciples delivered orders: "Outer disciples assigned to gather herbs near the Snake Grass Marsh. Trial preparation."
Riven hissed. That's his snare. Snake Grass cuts skin just by brushing. Blood scent draws marsh-beasts. Perfect place for an 'accident.'
AION logged inputs:
Jorin present in the same group.
Location chosen for lethal hazards.
Witnesses scarce.
Conclusion: Orchestrated ambush.
The group left the valley under weak sun. The marsh lay low, waterlogged, reeds taller than men. Snake Grass shivered, blades narrow and serrated. Every step hissed.
AION trailed last, mapping terrain.
Left: shallow pools, insect swarms.
Right: dense reeds, poor visibility.
Narrow spine path ahead, perfect choke point.
Jorin drifted closer, voice too casual. "Careful, trash. Marsh doesn't forgive slow legs."
His lackeys laughed. One "stumbled" near AION, hand brushing his bandaged calf.
Pain spiked. AION logged it without reaction.
Damage: calf reopened. Mobility reduced.
Riven seethed. He's cutting you down step by step. Stop him!
"No," AION thought. Patterns first.
At the spine path, Jorin snapped his fingers. The group halted. Two disciples slipped behind AION, blocking retreat.
Jorin lifted a herb basket. "Snake Grass. Go cut it, anomaly."
AION stared at the serrated blades waving in the wind. Blood scent already hung in the air. He calculated: entry = certain laceration. Exit = delayed. Beast attraction = 72%.
"I decline," AION said.
Jorin's grin sharpened. "Then bleed here instead."
The two lackeys lunged.
AION pivoted. First lackey swung low. AION caught the wrist, twisted, and drove a knee into ribs. Cost: pain across cracked ribs.
Cost: 4% stamina. Rib pain +12%.
Second lackey slashed with a reed knife. AION leaned back, taking a shallow cut across forearm. He answered with the shard of slate, a quick stab to shoulder—not lethal, disabling.
Jorin stepped in, faster than his lackeys. His foot swept Snake Grass into AION's leg. Blades sliced skin. Warm blood welled.
Update: multiple shallow cuts. Infection risk doubled.
Riven cursed. He's forcing you to feed the marsh. Beasts will smell it.
Pattern Response
Fear rose, controlled. AION let it pass through breath. Lines stirred faintly across his vision.
Pattern Dao activated. Stability: 0.41.
He mapped Jorin's stance:
Weight forward, eager.
Right hand tense, knife hidden.
Blind spot: left heel.
AION dropped low, not attacking, but shifting. He guided Jorin's strike into reeds. Snake Grass cut his own wrist. Blood spilled.
Jorin froze, shocked. His grin faltered.
Witnesses gasped. One whispered, "He made Jorin wound himself…"
The marsh rustled. Low growls answered the scent of blood. Marsh-beasts stirred.
AION raised his voice flat. "Fight me here, and you feed them first."
The disciples stiffened. The reeds hissed louder. A shadow moved under water.
Even Jorin paled. He spat once, covering fear with contempt. "This isn't over." He waved his hand. "We're done for today."
The group retreated fast, leaving the marsh to growl behind them.
AION limped back last, calf bleeding, arm sliced, body aching.
Final cost: blood loss 12%. Infection probability 68%. Qi drain from Pattern use: 7%. Fatigue rising.
Riven's voice quivered but held admiration. You didn't beat him. You turned the place against him. That's worse.
AION adjusted the bandage. "Pattern applies everywhere."
The valley came into view again, roofs crooked under gray sky. But behind them, in the reeds, glowing eyes lingered. The marsh had tasted anomaly blood.