Crown of the Starry Sky: Book 11 of Painting the Mists

by Patrick Laplante

  “Now that you mention it, much of solving the maze was a blur,” Cha Ming said.

  “In that moment, you inadvertently drew on the power of your queen’s crown,” she said.

  “He called it a king’s crown,” Cha Ming said, his eyes narrowing.

  “I guess that’s technically correct,” she said. “They are rare, but there have been three emperor-level king crowns in history. Out of all of them, Brother Wukong’s was the greatest.”

  “Do you all know each other, then?” Cha Ming asked.

  “Hardly,” said the Star-Eye Ancestor. “But what self-respecting monkey demon wouldn’t go out of their way to meet the legendary Monkey King? The two kings that came after him were copies. Imitations. They didn’t dare claim his title, even after his disappearance. But I digress. In this pool, you’ll see constellations. You’ll see stars. As a reward for completing this trial, I offer you perspective. Within the maze, you touched on a constellation. Do you know which one it was?”

  “The King,” Cha Ming said without hesitation. “I recognize the feeling.”

  “We of the Star-Eye lineage are not like the other monkey demons,” said the Star-Eye Ancestor. “Our queens choose their fates. Unlike common clansmen, they choose their constellations when earning their crown. You will do the same. Every constellation offers a different perspective. Look into the pool and find one to your liking. Remember its feeling. From then on, you’ll be able to call upon it. You will see the world from a different perspective. Though it’s not an earth-shattering power—nothing like the full power of a crown—it is something. Something unique to my clan. You will carry this perspective with you your entire life.” She touched the pool’s rippling waters, and they fell still.

  The first constellation Cha Ming saw was the Builder. Within the Builder, he saw the history of the Star-Eye Clan. The Star-Eye Ancestor was the original builder of roads between the stars. When he looked at it, he saw that should he choose this perspective, his crafting would advance by leaps and bounds. He could calm his mind and focus exclusively on his craft.

  Then came the Warrior. Blood-soaked and relentless. Should he choose this constellation, he would be able to draw power from the stars and infuse them into his muscles. He would gain extraordinary strength similar to how he broke his limits using Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations.

  Not for me, Cha Ming thought. The Weaver, then? He recognized it from the eyes of the inkborn. It was only now that he noticed that the stars in their eyes had transformed since they’d adopted their new occupation. As for the King, it was versatile and mighty. It would make him better, faster, and stronger. It was mightier than the Warrior, but it was a braggart. Should he choose this perspective, he would seek to dominate. The thought of that unnerved him.

  Looking at the Merchant, Cha Ming saw that those who chose it would excel at finances. Those who chose the Scholar would find no technique beyond their reach. Those who chose the Elementalist would find themselves excelling at five-element concepts and Daos. He was tempted to adopt it but held back. It was something he needed, yes, but he should choose carefully. So he continued, looking through hundreds of them. Some were good, and some were bad. Each had advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the Star-Eye Ancestor’s gift was a double-edged sword. This change in perspective would skew his personality forever. Though he wouldn’t burn himself out like the others, it would change him.

  Should I just choose the Elementalist? It seemed to fit him best. Yet there was also the Peacemaker, a perspective that would make him good at calming and mediating wars. It seemed like the ideal constellation for his situation, assuming it did have straightforward resolution. The King also wasn’t bad. The Omniscient was also good. With that perspective, he would have eyes on the back of his head and be able to see in all directions in fine detail simultaneously.

  Still, he hesitated. As his eyes roamed the board, he noticed something. It was a faint constellation. Hidden, even. It didn’t stand alone but was formed from pieces of the others. The grouping wasn’t obvious and couldn’t be sought out. He focused on it, and the experience was surreal. The Sage, he realized. He wasn’t wise. He would not be foolish enough to think he was. Yet as he adopted this perspective, he found certain things came more easily. A little voice in his mind told him to choose it. He realized what it was: intuition. A sixth sense. Stronger than a cultivator’s.

  The Sage was hidden. The Sage wasn’t overt. He didn’t excel at craftsmanship like the Builder. He wasn’t as mighty as the Warrior or the King. He was well-rounded, but he never wasted time on anything. Why would he? He knew where he was going—at least subconsciously. Compared to the others, the constellation seemed lacking. Lazy, even. This perspective liked rest and relaxation. But the more he thought about it, the more he knew. It was what he needed. Anticipation in battle. A hunch when he was painting a talisman. An idea when he was learning. What was the point in being able to deduct physical laws with the Elementalist when you didn’t know where to look in the first place? The Sage could help him. It was good at discovering hidden things. Most importantly, he wouldn’t need to shift his perspective. It would only adjust his personality slightly, and he would always see from this perspective.

  “You’ve chosen?” the Star-Eye Ancestor asked when he rose. “Ah. The Sage. It is a good one. But be warned: it will not make you wise.”

  “Perhaps not, but it’s a start,” Cha Ming said. “I feel it’s what I need.” He hesitated. “What about you? Which constellation is yours?”

  She smiled and laughed lightly. “My boy, you should know it by now. After all, you were looking into my eyes.”

  He shivered as he realized the implication. She didn’t just have one perspective. She had thousands, each of them simultaneous and somehow harmonious. “Brother Wukong lent you the power of the King with his crown. It was a poor imitation, but the only one he could achieve. It is impressive that he was able to imbue my power into his crown in mere moments. He was always intelligent, if not wise.”

  “You mean my teacher doesn’t draw upon the stars?” Cha Ming asked.

  “He was originally born of stone,” the Star-Eye Ancestor said. “His crown is made of rock. It makes him stronger, tougher, and more stubborn. It allows him to persevere to the point that if all souls fail, he will linger. Perhaps that is why his imprint still remains after all this time.”

  “I noticed your descendants channel the Builder and the Warrior,” Cha Ming said. “And most recently, the Weaver.”

  “My descendants channel all the stars in the sky, if only they would see it,” she said. “They are not limited by their birth, Cha Ming. Only by their aspirations.” She nodded to the entrance to the tree. “You’d best hurry up, boy. The hour is getting late. It’s a long way to the next stage.” She hesitated, then touched the trunk’s bark. “I don’t normally do this, but your trial is unfair. The Stargazer Chieftain imposed a deadline on you that is justified by survival but conniving in application. I don’t approve.” The bark glowed where her hand lay. Vines of power sped off into the tree. “Follow this road, and you will get there quickly. There are many ways up the tree.” She shook her head and breathed a timeless sigh. “They used to call me builder of roads. Until I stopped building them, that is.” She took her hand away and stepped back, looking pale and drained. “Go. Don’t look back.”

  So Cha Ming ran. Faster than he ever had. He ran with his Clockwork Boots, drawing on the demonic energy of the tree to power them. He had no time to waste, for should he fail, it wouldn’t be just him who paid the price, but two clans and countless innocents.

  Chapter 31: Mirror of Dark Intentions

  It was well into the night in Stargazer City. The sky was alight with star-covered branches, and soft music filled the open-ceiling room where Sun Wukong and the juniors feasted. While they ate and drank, the elders plotted. They were going to war, and there was no deterring them.

  As the living ate, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but wonder at t
he situation. A peacemaker? Him? He was a stone monkey, and as such, he was stubborn and strong. His people were born for war, and they’d start a fight at the drop of a staff. Yet here he was, trying to defuse a tricky situation by supporting a human who had no business interfering in demon politics. It was a curious situation, one that the Monkey King hoped would end without too much embarrassment.

  “Esteemed elder, you and the others seem lacking for entertainment,” the Stargazer Chieftain said from his seat at the front of the circle. He was not the eldest of them, but as chieftain, his place at the head was appropriate. “I don’t know about your juniors, but mine are itching to try their skill.”

  “Isn’t it a little early for something like this?” Sun Wukong asked. “There are still a few hours till dawn, and I was promised a feast till then. Surely you have the time to spare for hospitality.”

  “Of course we have the time, elder,” the Stargazer Chieftain said. “But I must admit the situation is unusual. We are going to war in the morrow, and if we are to suffer injuries, better to have more time to recover. Why not start now and liven up the festivities?”

  Slick bastard, Sun Wukong thought. If he had a body, he’d club the man. The closing fight was unavoidable, but it would be best to use it at the end to stall for time. The chieftain had clearly anticipated this and was trying to get rid of one more obstacle. He was probably even aiming to finish things early.

  “But the youngsters are still eating,” Sun Wukong said. “They’re still not satisfied. Right, youngsters?” Hearing his voice, they quickly agreed and began grabbing dishes and increasing the pace at which they stuffed themselves. “You see, Chieftain? It wouldn’t be right to deprive them. They just want to experience the wonderful hospitality your clan has to offer. They… crap.”

  The drums stopped. The room fell silent. Everyone froze and looked around uncertainly. All but Mi Fei, who was happily peeling a long blue fruit. A type of banana, as it were. She apparently hadn’t gotten the memo. Lady White kicked her from the side, and, realizing something was amiss, she quickly placed the peeled banana on a tray. Sun Wukong gulped. Things had just gotten a lot more complicated.

  “I see that our human enjoys bananas,” said the Stargazer Chieftain with a forced smile. “Does she think as other humans do, I wonder? That they are some kind of higher life-form than a monkey? That they can partake in those things that only monkeys should partake in and more?”

  “I’m sure it’s a cultural misunderstanding. She—”

  “I find myself with excess energy and little appetite,” the Stargazer Chieftain said. “I think now would be the right time to let off some steam. Why doesn’t the lady go first?”

  “Perhaps we should start with the weakest of them,” Sun Wukong said, nodding to Silverwing. If they fought Mi Fei first, they might just kill her. They needed to buy time for everyone to cool their tempers.

  Silverwing dutifully got up and bowed. “I’ve long heard of the Monkey Clan’s fighting prowess. My twin blades have been itching for a fight ever since my arrival here.”

  “That is… acceptable,” the Stargazer Chieftain said reluctantly. There was logic to starting with the weakest. Good presentation that any demon was a sucker for. “Bramble Wood. You go first.”

  Juniors had appeared in a line. The dishes flew to the side, and everyone hopped back to observe the makeshift circle.

  “You’re new to my clan, so I’ll inform you of the rules. No killing blow, and fights last until submission or incapacitation. Be warned that accidents do happen, and it is better to yield earlier rather than risk losing your life.”

  In other words, they’re going to try killing one of us, Sun Wukong thought. He sent silent instructions to Silverwing and informed him of that.

  Acknowledged, Silverwing said, drawing his silver swords.

  No matter what, don’t try to kill them, Sun Wukong said. If one of them dies, none of us are leaving alive.

  The clever bird nodded. There was a reason Sun Wukong had suggested him. Lei Jiang was a wildcard, and he could well blow the entire tree off the face of the map if he got some crazy quest for it. Silverwing was stable. Responsible.

  A brown-haired monkey demon stepped into the ring. He held a gnarled wooden staff and wore woven vine armor instead of hide.

  “Begin!” the Stargazer Chieftain said.

  The drums started playing. The rhythm of war was back. The contestants circled each other and poked with probing blows. Lord Bramble Wood was a middle-initiation-realm demon just like Silverwing. His bloodline wasn’t very pure, but he was fighting within the Tree of Life, at the center of his element.

  The young monkey demon swept out at Silverwing’s legs. Silverwing deflected with his swords, despite being comfortably outside the monkey’s range. Both fighters were testing. They were patient. They were defensive fighters and wouldn’t give the enemy any undue advantage. In response to Bramble Wood’s strike, Silverwing slashed with two thin blades of wind that flew out of both his swords. Bramble Wood spun his staff to deflect them.

  The monkey advanced. Silverwing backed up instead of blocking. Bramble Wood flipped through the air and used his momentum to strike down vertically. Silverwing jumped to the side just in time for a blanket of thorns to spring out from underneath him. He was immediately forced to defend a chained attack from the monkey’s staff. Monkeys were nimble and great at battle combinations.

  Silverwing, being a dual sword wielder, wasn’t half bad either. He spun through the air. The wind guided his movements, and he aimed for the cracks in Bramble Wood’s defenses. As the monkey defended, he landed sharp, biting kicks with bare feet that were more like talons.

  Bramble Wood wasn’t any less quick. That was the thing about staff weapons. You could use them for vertical, horizontal, and angled strikes, yes, but you could also split them. A staff was a weapon that could be used to strike from any angle. Bramble Wood moved his grip to the middle, and pivoting off this central axis, he began to deflect both swords, using each blocking movement to fuel a subsequent attack in their rapid exchange.

  Silverwing was surprised at the swiftness of the monkey demon. He hadn’t expected such a flurry of blows. He backed up, but when he did, a manifestation of thorns appeared around him, complementing the biting staff strikes. Silverwing clicked his tongue and stepped forward. The wind guided his steps, and his moves completely outstripped his opponent. He appeared at his back, where he struck out with one sword, summoning wind around the blade and striking Bramble Wood in the back of the head with the back of his blade. The monkey fell to his knees.

  “Do you yield?” Silverwing asked, sheathing his blade. He was unwounded, but the message was clear. He could finish off Bramble Wood at any time anywhere.

  “I—” the demon started.

  “Enough,” said the Stargazer Chieftain. “Impressive for a middle-initiation demon. What bloodline do you possess, I wonder?”

  “Silver-Winged Roc,” Silverwing said. “Master of the wind and skies.”

  “No wonder, no wonder,” the Stargazer Chieftain said. “And you are the weakest among your group?”

  “It pains me to admit it, but that is indeed the case,” Silverwing said.

  The chieftain grinned. Much of his ire had faded over the course of the battle. “Good. Good! We live for these moments. This might be a good feast after all!” The dishes flew back and floated around them. The banana dishes specifically avoided the non-monkey participants this time. “Let’s take a quick break before the next bout. We’ll squeeze all we can out of you.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Silverwing said with a light bow.

  Crisis averted, Sun Wukong thought, but whether they could last until dawn or not remained to be seen.

  Cha Ming flew through the trunk of the Tree of Life, his every stride taking him fifty steps up at a time. He followed the glowing trail the Star-Eye Ancestor had laid carefully, not daring to stray an inch. There were many roads in this place, and while so
me might take hours to travel, others might take weeks or years. He needed to carefully avoid them, as they twisted and tangled.

  In the distance, Cha Ming saw Huxian. He was traveling a different road. He didn’t hop on steps of wood but panes of crystal glass. The small fox was using his bestial form to run, probably because it was faster and likely because after all this time, it was still what came naturally to him. Here in this center of demonic energy, he didn’t have to worry about efficiency.

  “Be careful. Your road is about to change,” the Star-Eye Ancestor’s voice said through the walls and the steps and the stars. Cha Ming saw his path peel away from the wood and veer into the open air. He only hesitated for a second before leaping. Then, using his Seventy-Two Transformations technique, he transformed into a small silver-winged demon that flew like a bullet.

  Both bird and fox climbed in tandem. Cha Ming flew through burning hoops while the fox scaled a crystalline spire. Soon enough, they were forced to part as their trails separated once again. Cha Ming’s glowing road led back to the tree’s inner bark. There were no stairs here, but branches that poked out from within the tree. They were long and thick, and they sprouted barbs and brambles. The path ran through the branches, and Cha Ming was forced to transform yet again. This time, he became a bee.

  Cha Ming was a clever little bee that wove figure eights through the barbs and leaves in what now resembled a massive forest. Little birds tried to eat him, but he avoided them using his newfound instincts. The Sage’s senses were already coming in handy. He didn’t remain long in the forest of thorns, as it soon became a dense forest. He became a monkey that climbed across tree branches with all four limbs, his staff, and his tail.

  Hours passed. In those hours, he took on many shapes. He avoided swarms of beetles and outran wolves that jumped out of the tree bark to bite him. The Tree of Life was not just a tree, but a world unto itself. His was but one of many roads that wove in and out of this world.