Weaves of Ashes

Chapter 145: Chapter 140: Oath of Protection

Location: Dragon Sanctuary - Ancient Grove

Time: Day 572/211 (Subjective/Actual) - Afternoon

Realm: Lower Realm (Doha)

Among the ancient trees, Isha materialized more fully, his concern evident in the way his nine tails swished with agitation.

”What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

Jayde took a breath, glancing back toward where Yinxin played with her wyrmlings in the distance—tiny silver forms splashing at the lake’s edge, their chirps of delight carrying on the breeze.

”The worms. The mission. You heard Green and yourself laying out the probabilities.” She met Isha’s ancient eyes. ”I might not survive.”

[Jayde—]

”Let me finish,” she said gently but firmly. ”I’m not being pessimistic. I’m being practical. There’s a real chance I die protecting Yinxin while she casts that spell. And I need to know...” She gestured toward the distant dragons. ”I need to know they’ll be safe. Not just during the battle. After. If I’m gone.”

Isha’s form solidified, his translucent body taking on more substance as he studied her with sudden intensity.

”If I die,” Jayde continued, ”the Nexus will eventually need a new contractor. Someone else will activate it and gain access to the Pavilion. And when that happens...” She looked around the sanctuary they’d built. ”Yinxin and her children will be here. Vulnerable. Exposed.”

[You’re worried about the next contractor,] Isha said slowly, understanding dawning across his fox features.

”Silver dragons are worth fortunes. Dead or alive. Their scales, their blood, their cores—cultivators would kill for access to even one dragon, let alone a mother and three wyrmlings.” Jayde’s voice hardened with determination. ”I need your word, Isha. Your absolute sworn oath. That you’ll protect them. That you won’t let the next contractor anywhere near them unless that person can be completely, absolutely trusted.”

***

Hidden behind a tree trunk thirty meters away, Takara listened with complete focus.

She IS planning succession. Making arrangements for after her death. This child...

He pressed closer to the bark, his enhanced hearing picking up every word despite the distance. His kitten form remained perfectly still, perfectly silent—centuries of espionage training making him invisible even to Isha’s artifact senses.

***

Isha’s presence flickered with complex emotion—surprise, respect, concern, and something that looked like pride.

[You’re planning your succession,] he said quietly. [Making sure your family is protected even after you’re gone. That’s... that’s what Master used to do. Before every dangerous mission. He’d give me contingency orders, backup plans, instructions for if he didn’t return.]

”I need more than instructions,” Jayde said. ”I need a vow. Binding. Something that can’t be broken even if I’m dead and you have a new contractor.”

She moved closer to the translucent fox, her voice carrying steel beneath the request.

”Swear to me, Isha. Swear on whatever Luminari hold sacred. That Yinxin, her children, and Reiko will be protected. That no contractor will know they exist unless that person has proven themselves beyond any doubt. And if a contractor does earn that trust...” She took a breath. ”They must make a blood oath. A binding oath that they’ll take Yinxin to the Upper Realm, where silver dragons can live freely. And they are forbidden from contracting Yinxin or her children. Ever. No matter what.”

Silence stretched between them.

Behind his tree, Takara’s eyes widened.

She’s demanding he potentially deceive future contractors. Limit strategic assets. Prioritize individual lives over mission success.

Exactly what Lady Ala would want. Exactly what these dragons need.

***

Finally, Isha spoke, his voice carrying weight that made the air itself feel heavier.

[You’re asking me to potentially deceive future contractors. To hide assets that could help them complete missions. To limit their options even when those options might save lives.]

”I’m asking you to protect innocent beings from exploitation,” Jayde countered without hesitation. ”Yinxin isn’t an asset. She’s a person. A mother. Someone who’s suffered enough. Her children deserve to grow up without being hunted, harvested, or used as tools. They deserve freedom.”

[And if the next contractor needs dragon magic to save a world? If Yinxin’s power could prevent billions of deaths, but I’m forbidden from revealing her existence?]

Jayde felt the weight of that question. Felt the impossible choice being laid out.

”Then you evaluate,” she said finally. ”You’ve existed for hundreds of thousands of years. You’ve guided countless contractors. You know how to judge character. If someone proves themselves worthy—if they show the kind of integrity and compassion that puts others before personal gain—then yes. You can reveal Yinxin’s existence. But only after they’ve proven themselves. And only if they make that blood oath.”

She met his eyes directly.

”No shortcuts. No compromises. Yinxin’s safety comes first. Always. Even if it costs missions. Even if it costs worlds. Because she’s already paid enough.”

***

Takara felt something shift in his ancient heart.

’Even if it costs worlds.’ She would sacrifice potential planetary salvation to protect one dragon family. Would choose individual lives over strategic advantage.

That’s...

He didn’t have words for what that was. Only knew that in five thousand years of service, he’d rarely met beings willing to make that choice. Most prioritized the greater good. The many over the few. Strategic necessity over personal loyalty.

But she chooses family. Chooses protecting those who’ve suffered. Refuses to sacrifice them for abstract millions.

No wonder Lady Ala loves her. No wonder Master Pyratheon created her.

She has his heart. His values. His impossible, beautiful, frustrating commitment to protecting individual lives even when logic says to sacrifice them.

***

Isha studied Jayde for a long moment, his nine tails moving in patterns that suggested deep thought.

[You’d sacrifice potential worlds to protect one dragon family?]

”Yes,” Jayde said without hesitation. ”Because the moment we start measuring lives against each other, deciding some beings are acceptable losses for the greater good, we become the monsters we’re fighting. Yinxin isn’t a tool. She’s family. And family doesn’t get sacrificed for strategy.”

Takara closed his eyes, absorbing that.

Family doesn’t get sacrificed for strategy.

Such simple words. Such devastating philosophy.

Such absolute certainty that individuals matter more than calculations.

***

Another long silence.

Then Isha’s form blazed with sudden light—not threatening, but ceremonial. His presence expanded, filling the grove with power that predated human civilization. The ancient trees seemed to bow slightly, recognizing something older than themselves.

[Very well,] he said, his voice resonating with harmonics that suggested ancient languages and binding magic. [I, Isha, First Artifact of the Starforge Nexus, created by Master Pyratheon to serve the greater good across dimensions, do hereby swear upon the memory of my creator and the purpose for which I was made:]

His voice deepened, each word carrying weight that bent reality around them. Takara felt the oath settle into existence like chains forged from pure intention.

[I swear to protect Yinxin, her children, and Reiko from exploitation. I swear to conceal their existence from future contractors unless and until such contractors prove themselves worthy through demonstrated character and compassion. I swear that any contractor who earns the right to know of Yinxin’s existence must first make a blood oath to: transport her and her children to Upper Realm safety, never contract her or her children, and defend their freedom with their own lives if necessary.]

The light intensified until even Takara’s enhanced vision struggled. He squinted through brilliant radiance, watching magic older than most civilizations write itself into the fabric of reality.

He’s actually doing it. Limiting himself. Constraining future options. All because a young girl asked him to protect her family.

[I swear this upon Master’s name, upon the Nexus itself, upon the hundreds of thousands of years I’ve served. This oath is binding. Unbreakable. Eternal. Should I violate these terms, may my core fracture and my existence end. So I swear. So it shall be.]

The light faded gradually, leaving only Isha’s normal translucent form—but something had fundamentally changed. Takara felt it through the ambient essence. New constraints woven into the artifact’s programming. Limits that would persist across eons, across contractors, across civilizations.

She did it. She bound an ancient Luminari artifact to protect her family. Made it impossible for future exploitation. Ensured safety that will outlast her own life.

That’s... that’s immortality of a kind. Not living forever, but protecting forever. Making sure those she loves remain safe even after she’s gone.

***

”Thank you,” Jayde said quietly, her voice thick with emotion.

[Thank you,] Isha replied, his voice softer now. [For caring enough to plan for their protection. For seeing them as people rather than resources. Master would have...] He trailed off, emotion choking words. [Master would have approved. He made the same kinds of choices. Valued individual lives over strategic advantage. It’s why I loved serving him. And it’s why I’m proud to serve you.]

Takara felt his kitten eyes water slightly.

So this is what the Luminari were really like. Not just the warriors we heard about in legends. Not just the dimensional guardians who saved worlds.

But beings who cared. Who valued individuals. Who made impossible choices to protect the vulnerable even when logic said to sacrifice them.

No wonder they’re gone. The universe doesn’t reward such kindness. Doesn’t protect those who prioritize compassion over efficiency.

But maybe...

He looked at Jayde, really looked at her.

Maybe their legacy survives. In beings like this. In choices that echo across time. In oaths that outlast the ones who swear them.

***

Jayde felt her throat tighten. ”I’m not trying to be noble. I’m just... they’re family. And you protect family.”

[That’s what makes you noble,] Isha said gently. [Not trying. Just doing what’s right because you can’t imagine doing anything else.]

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the oath settling around them like a protective mantle.

”We should get back,” Jayde said finally. ”Before Yinxin thinks something happened.”

[Of course.]

Takara retreated silently as they began walking back, moving through shadows with skills honed across millennia. By the time Jayde returned to the lake, he was sitting exactly where she’d left him—beside Reiko, grooming one white paw with perfect kitten innocence.

”There you are!” Jayde scooped him up, tucking him back into her pocket. ”Thought you might have wandered off.”

Takara purred, nuzzling against her hand.

I’m exactly where I need to be. Protecting someone who deserves protection. Serving someone who values service for the right reasons.

Lady Ala chose well. Master Pyratheon created well.

And I will die before I let this child fall to those abominations.

***

They returned to find Yinxin teaching Tianxin not to drink lake water too fast while Shenxin and Huaxin watched from shore. The two cautious wyrmlings had finally ventured into the shallows, their small forms paddling awkwardly while their mother supervised.

Reiko had discovered a patch of particularly soft grass and was rolling in it with obvious delight, his silver eyes half-closed in contentment.

[Everything okay?] Yinxin sent, sensing Jayde’s return.

”Everything’s fine,” Jayde said, and meant it. ”Just making sure everyone’s taken care of. No matter what happens.”

[Nothing is going to happen,] Yinxin said firmly, water dripping from her silver scales as she lifted her head. [You’re going to survive this battle. We’re going to destroy those worms. And then you’re going to live long enough to see my daughters grow into magnificent dragons. That’s the plan. That’s the only acceptable outcome.]

In her pocket, Takara sent a silent message to the dragon, knowing she couldn’t hear him but needing to make the promise anyway.

I’ll make sure she does. I’ll protect her with everything I am. Lightning Panthera honor. Lord Fahmjir’s command. And now... personal choice.

She’s earned that much.

”I’ll do my best,” Jayde promised aloud.

[That’s all any of us can do,] Yinxin replied, then turned her attention back to Tianxin, who was trying to catch fish with her small jaws. [Careful, darling. Wait until they’re closer—yes, like that!]

***

They spent another hour in the sanctuary—watching wyrmlings play, feeling sunlight that shouldn’t exist, breathing air that smelled of life and safety and home. Storing up peace before the storm.

Takara dozed in Jayde’s pocket, one ear always alert, his consciousness cataloguing every entrance, every potential threat vector, every tactical advantage this sanctuary provided.

Good defensive position. Dimensional folding makes external assault nearly impossible. Internal security excellent. Dragons can retreat here safely.

Perfect place to hide after the battle. Perfect place to recover if she’s injured.

Perfect place to bring her if I have to carry her broken body back from the worm colony.

He pushed that thought away, focusing instead on the warmth of her pocket, the sound of her heartbeat, the peace of this moment.

Store this. Remember what we’re fighting to protect. Remember why it matters.

***

Finally, Green’s presence flickered at the sanctuary entrance, her fractured emerald eyes finding them by the lake.

”When you’re ready,” she called gently. ”We should begin training. Time is... not on our side.”

Jayde looked at Yinxin one more time. At the dragons playing in paradise. At Reiko sprawled contentedly in the grass. At safety, she’d purchased with mission points earned through blood and sacrifice.

Worth it. All of it. Worth every point spent if it means they have this.

”We’re ready,” she said, standing. ”Yinxin? Reiko? Time to learn how to survive the impossible.”

[Together,] Yinxin confirmed, nudging her wyrmlings toward their mountain lair. [Stay here, my children. Practice flying. We’ll return soon.]

[Be careful, Jayde,] Tianxin chirped, her young voice carrying concern beyond her age.

”I will,” Jayde promised, touching the pocket where Takara rested. ”I have too much to come back to.”

In his pocket-nest, Takara felt fierce determination crystallize into absolute certainty.

You’ll come back. Because I won’t let you die. Because these dragons need you. Because you’ve earned survival.

And because five thousand years of combat experience should count for something when protecting someone who actually deserves protection.

***

She left the sanctuary with Yinxin and Reiko, passing through the carved door back into the Pavilion proper. Takara remained in her pocket, warm and seemingly asleep, his adorable kitten facade perfect.

But beneath that facade, a warrior prepared for war.

The weight of the upcoming battle settled back onto Jayde’s shoulders—but underneath it lay something stronger.

Purpose. Preparation. People depending on her.

And a home worth fighting for.

Let’s see if I’m strong enough to survive this time. Not just brave enough to die for it.

Green waited in the training hall as promised, her fractured emerald eyes reflecting sympathy and steel.

”Ready?” she asked.

”No,” Jayde admitted honestly. ”But let’s start anyway.”

The healer smiled slightly, her petite frame somehow commanding despite its size. ”That’s the right attitude. Come. We have much work to do and not nearly enough time to do it.”

***

In Jayde’s pocket, Takara opened one blue eye.

Training. Good. Let’s see what techniques they teach for mental defense against psionic assault. Let’s see where the gaps are. Let’s see what a five-thousand-year-old Lightning Panthera can supplement.

Because she’s not going into that battle with only Lower Realm training.

Not while I’m here to help.

And so the preparation began—with a fifteen-year-old girl, a silver dragon, a shadowbeast cub, and a disguised ancient warrior who’d decided that some missions mattered more than pride.

Some lives were worth more than dignity.

Some beings deserved protection even if it meant pretending to be an adorable pet for however long it took.

I’m ready, Takara thought as Green began explaining mental fortification techniques. Ready to train. Ready to fight. Ready to protect.

Ready to prove that Lord Fahmjir’s faith in me—and Lady Ala’s desperate gamble—weren’t misplaced.

This child will survive.

I’ll make absolutely certain of it.