Chapter 198: A Higher Domain

Taking the comfortable and extravagant chair Mei had created, Rachel crossed her legs and glanced between the two powerful entities as a wave of pressure made her dizzy. The elegant moon bunny’s soft words were somewhat muffled as Anthony mirrored her momentary nausea.

"Take your time to adjust; you have entered a higher domain than your spirits are accustomed to. It will pass as your mother balances the equilibrium between us."

Tintreach chuckled, two electric fingers held against his temple. "This shaman is skilled; I have yet to hear of one capable of meditation at this level at this stage of the Sundering."

Mei didn’t respond, returning to her kneeling position, closing her ruby eyes, and sipping at a cup of hot tea that Rachel was sure hadn’t been there a moment before.

Evening out her breathing, Rachel let her vision go black as she harkened back to the respiratory exercises her grandfather had taught her growing up, where his instilled Taoist Neidan principles had helped her a lot in her early martial arts days to process her internalized anger.

Gradually, her thoughts cleared, and the pressure binding her chest eased. The chime of her mother’s bell dispelled the sea closing in around her, and she opened her eyes to the majestic cosmic view with its nebulous clouds and void-like holes spiraling around them.

She sat for a time, studying the two creatures before her. Mei’s grace and radiance were beyond words, yet it wasn’t as if she’d changed. Instead, Rachel’s perception of the elegant moon bunny was what had altered due to her more balanced spiritual medium.

Her thoughts slowly filtered back, bringing with them a new perspective on the Legend Quest. Conner’s Seed had acted as a bridge between the dimensional differences, like a translator, but that couldn’t account for actually basking in these entities’ actual presence.

Rachel might be looking right at Tintreach, but the Lightning Lord was practically the living embodiment of a colossal hurricane in size and power that could single-handedly devastate continents, which put Moongmor’s and Mei’s power into perspective.

Yet, the one thing her mind latched onto was Tintreach’s comment about her mother. Her gut cramped as she observed the cloudy, electrified storm entity that looked down on them with mild enthusiasm.

How powerful is Mom’s shamanism if someone like this living storm is complimenting her? She knew about The Oscillation—or The Sundering to these creatures—long before it happened... When did she find out? Or did Grandma know about it first and pass the knowledge down?

So many questions were now budding inside her regarding her mother’s side of the family, which also made her question her grandfather’s adherence to Taoist principles. After Tom’s revelation regarding China, she’d scoured her Asian historical memory and recalled Empress Wu had something to do with Taoism, but perhaps she was picking at threads that didn’t exist.

Anthony was the first to speak after her declaration of discussing business, his voice a tad hoarse at first before picking up speed. "What... are you two? You aren’t gods, as far as I understand, but are you really spirits? What kind of deals can you offer, or goals do you have?"

Tintreach’s chest shook as he yawned—the sound rumbling through them like thunder—and took a more casual posture. "Do you want to tackle that one, Moon Bunny?"

Mei’s illuminated crimson eyes slowly slid open, gaze resting on the steaming cup in her hands. "It is a challenging concept for you to understand, so I will make a simile:

"Think of my use of dimensions as giant stone gates, each one requiring certain certifications to pass. Between each gate are numerous veils that one must pass to reach beyond the barrier. Though we have yet to go through the gate to the 4th dimension, we live in a closer veil to it than you. Therefore, we have a greater understanding of it and are more closely aligned with its requisite. Some humans have given us the title of Immortals as a collective."

She brought her tea to her lips to drink as Rachel responded, recalling the stories regarding the moon bunny’s goddess. "So Chang’e really did start out as a mortal, took the immortality elixir meant for her husband, and passed through six gates? Figuratively speaking, that is."

Mei lowered her cup with a small smile as her gaze lifted to her. "I understand you have come here seeking answers, Lady Rachel. Unfortunately, I do not have a full grasp of my mistress’ ascension. I would assume so, yet I do not know for a certainty, nor does it particularly interest me. I am merely thankful to mediate between My Lady and her Lower Lunar Court. I can only impart what I have been given."

Rachel interlocked her fingers over her belly with a sigh. "I guess it doesn’t matter that much at this time. Anthony’s here to figure out what Taranis wants, and I’m trying to get this promised Positive Lunar Energy Chang’e offered. Is that right, my guy?"

Anthony shifted in his chair with a laugh. "Not wrong. I don’t know what Taranis wants from me, and I’m not even sure what I want to do with these powers I have, which is why I haven’t used most of my points or selected any Feats."

Ears flying up at the admission, Rachel’s focus snapped to the Legend. "Not even your Level 5 Perk that connects to your Limit Break?"

He showed a sheepish smile and shook his head. "I haven’t needed to. As a side note, you can look at all three Limit Break options if you hold onto your Perk option."

"Huh... What about the Quests you’ve been doing with Barb and the girls?"

"Hah! Well..." He ran his fingers through his hair and looked off to the side as a giant comet streaked by them, leaving a dazzling tail. "Barb is a powerhouse herself, Fiona is an elemental machine gun, Maria can fix any rush jobs if the escort is hurt, and between Scarlet and Selvaria... yeah," he weakly chuckled. "Did Selv tell you the story about body-slamming a giant mole lizard and suffocating it to death with a bear hug? I hardly have had to do anything but lead them to the next objective, to be honest."

"Pfft! Way to be a leech," Rachel mused, finding it a little grating to hear the adventures and experiences she’d missed out on. "Hmm. I think we’ve gotten a little sidetracked... How do you want to handle this, Mei? And, please, cut the Lady and Lord business for us; it’s not our culture."

"I don’t know," Anthony chortled. "I kind of like the whole medieval vibe."

Rachel snickered. "Sure, My Lord," she mockingly returned. "Mei?"

The bunny set her empty cup on the saucer in front of her and glanced to the side. "You had your own agenda for being here, Lord Tintreach. I would rather refrain from shouting as you do battle in the background, so please be respectful and maintain proper boundaries... Does your master know you are here?"

Curiosity sparked in her at the question as the Lightning Lord rose to his full height.

"Hu-ho, of course, Moon Lady, as I made it clear to him that I would not accept any soldier without approving of their merits." He dwarfed them yet soon shrank to a man’s size while extending his glaive toward the former chemist. "My Lord has sent offers to several Legends across Ireland, but I have not accepted one. Let me see if you will change my opinion, Anthony the Legend."

Mei sighed and shook her head. "Such rebellion."