They initially seemed like abstract splashes of color , but Zac soon stopped and looked to the side . It was a painting dominated by splotches of angry red , with accompanying details of deep blue , gold , and purple . Something about it was drawing him in , and a few seconds passed until he realized there was order to the madness .
After a few more seconds , he felt the scene shift . The red splotches were no longer dots of paint but rustling leaves of tree crowns . Gold rivers ran between the trees , all under a purple sky dominated by blue , flying creatures .
This is? - Zac asked curiously .
A small hobby of mine , - Catheya smiled as she walked up next to Zac . - This is an unstable realm I visited inside the Million Gates Territory . The moment I stepped through the spatial rift , I knew it would make a great painting . -
You painted all of these? - Zac said with surprise .
Of course , - Catheya said . - I’m not sure how you’re able to keep constantly pushing forward . Most of us need outlets to decompress . This is something I learned from my mother . -
Your mother? I think that’s the first time you’ve mentioned her . -
She’s from a distant subsidiary branch of Sharva’Zi . She and my father had a short romance when he emerged from secluded cultivation . They met when he saw her paint a mountain range . When I was born , I was lucky enough to have a strong mark of Zi even though my mother’s heritage is weak . I became an official daughter of the main clan . -
If you hadn’t had the bloodline? -
Then I would have lived with my mother’s branch , though my father’s identity would have resulted in me getting adopted by the clan leader , - Catheya shrugged . - I still visit when I get the chance . -
Zac hummed and looked around . Draugr society was mostly similar to what he was used to , but there were some distinct differences . Marriages were uncommon and almost only took place between Dao Partners . Perhaps it made more sense . Until death do us part had a completely different meaning when some lived for millions of years .
It was more common to have shorter trysts between cultivation sessions or missions , and those affairs occasionally resulted in children being born . Of course , this was mainly for Hegemons and higher . Those stuck in the lower grades had more traditional family structures .
Catheya’s situation was fairly normal , though the difference in status between her parents seemed unusually large . Bloodline decided which clan the offspring would be part of , though there were rare exceptions . For example , if Catheya’s father had wanted to adopt his daughter even if she was born with the lower bloodline , he probably could’ve .
By the sound of it , her parents were no longer together , which meant Catheya’s mother would have returned to her clan . Perhaps the two split when Catheya was young , which would explain why Catheya still had a connection with her even though their bloodlines didn’t match . Many parents severed their connection shortly after birth if their bloodlines didn’t match .
Ultimately , the clan was considered the true family unit , and being a father or mother was not seen as very important . It all felt a bit foreign to Zac , but it was quite normal compared to some societies he’d read about over the past years .
What about you? -
Me? - Zac said , hesitating a bit . - My dad died during the first month of the Integration . He was a mortal like me , but we were split up . He was killed when the batch of cultivators returned from the tutorial . My mother died when I was young . My sister . . . died a few years after the Integration . Only me left now . -
I’m sorry . . . - Catheya sighed as she placed her hand on his arm .
Zac gave her a weak smile then turned to another painting . It almost looked like a starry sky partly shrouded by an ethereal haze . It was beautiful but gave off a sense of danger . Zac recognized the scene . - The Vigorbloom Lilacs . -
That’s where I got to know you . Well , some of your secrets , at least . -
It’s beautiful , - Zac said . - You’re really good . -
You can’t have it , - Catheya grinned .
I wasn’t fishing or anything , - Zac assured , though he muttered under his breath , - Stingy . -
I’ll paint you something else , - Catheya laughed . - Come . -
They toured one building after another , where Catheya excitedly showed off interesting plants she’d trapped in ice or paintings of her visits . Eventually , they reached a padded bench overlooking the mysterious pond at the foot of the hill , where a bottle and two glasses already stood waiting on a table . The two sat next to each other , and Zac’s mind shuddered as he felt a brief bout of déjà vu .
The view was completely different to back home , but the situation was reminiscent of those mornings he’d shared with Thea in his pergola . He didn’t push the thoughts aside , letting them pass on their own . More than a decade had gone by since then , and Zac knew he had to let go and move on . Doing so didn’t mean he’d forgiven his mother or forgotten his goals . It meant he would look ahead instead of being trapped in the past .
By the way , how’s the kernel? - Zac asked . - No problems , right? -
It’s the opposite , really , - Catheya said as she poured Zac a glass . - It’s amazing . Almost feels like I have another Hidden Node . Energy flows smoother , and the Dao feels clearer . It’s a shame it’ll be gone after I form my Cosmic Core . -
Who knows , it might have lasting effects , - Zac mused .
Really? -
Well , they felt a lot more powerful than normal kernels . They might permanently improve your affinity . -
Then it’d be the second time you got me something that raises my talent , - Catheya said as she looked deeply into Zac’s eyes . - My fate really has been sent off-kilter by you . -
Zac’s mouth opened , but his mind went blank .
Zac coughed after a few seconds of awkward silence . - It’s quite the view . This place really is perfect for you . You were a lot smarter than me when picking your home base . -
Zac expected Catheya to use the prompt to explain the mysterious pond beyond its mythological origin . Still , he was surprised to find her smile turn crooked as some sorrow appeared in her eyes .
Perfect for me , - Catheya sighed .
What’s wrong? -
Catheya didn’t move for a few seconds before answering .
I was born with a great affinity to Ice and Death , so my father entrusted me to his friend who walked a similar path . I’ve lived and cultivated within environments such as this all my life . It’s , as you say , perfect for me . But it sometimes feels like a prison .
The Perennial Vastness is a gateway to all kinds of wonders . There are thousands of worlds holding environments I didn’t even know existed . Yet I’ll have to keep going back to the worlds of Ice and Death . The rest are hostile to me in a way I don’t think you living understand , - Catheya said , shaking her head when Zac was about to interject . - I can tell you don’t really feel the suppression like I do . Some zones are so damaging I can feel my body dying unless I actively resist with beacons or Miasma Crystals . I’m relegated to a corner of the Heavens .
Maybe that’s why that story with the Belsim resonated with me . -
I’m sorry , I— - Zac said , but Catheya shook her head as she placed her hand on his .
No , I’m sorry . I shouldn’t complain . I know I’m better off than most . Staying in the Perennial Vastness is just a constant reminder of how we are outsiders . -
Well , how about this? - Zac said after some thought . - I’ll sneak into the Heart of the Empire when I visit . That place probably has all kinds of good things . Finding something that will allow you to travel the Multiverse shouldn’t be too hard . -