Brotherhood robes. Unique, identifiable at a glance, doubles as high grade and near impenetrable armour, contains many runic secrets only those who wear them know, and is generally visually appealing. They were a deep crimson with golden outlines and a design capable of altering itself on the fly based on the number of sect members. The bottom half of the robe, on either side of the front, sported embroidered imagery of a hooded procession all in lock-step towards the person wearing the robe in the middle. Whenever a new robe was given out, and the disciple wore it for the first time, the number of featureless cloaked figures would increase meaning the design updated itself automatically. Whenever a Brotherhood disciple died, resigned from their position, or was excommunicated from the sect, the number would also decrease in real time. The size of the procession would increase or decrease as necessary to fit the correct number of members on its design. It was rare to see a Brotherhood robe change, to adapt to new members, but the tryouts were one such possible avenue to capture this once in a lifetime sight. Also, the golden outline of the cloaked figures would shine whenever one of the active members was wearing the robe so you could always tell how many disciples were currently active and flaunting their prestige across the globe or simply using the robe to guard themselves from danger. It was a fancy touch that emphasised comradery, silent layers of protection in spite of distance form one another, and unity.
A brotherhood disciple always knew how many of them there were at any given time and whether they were currently on duty or not. Perhaps there were also runic engravings that alerted members of other nearby cohorts, or could track further away ones down with some semblance of precision, but that was impossible to tell just by looking at the robes as many secrets were well hidden within the carefully constructed contours. These secretive but plentiful runes were made by an unknown expert that had direct ties to the sect and his existence was never revealed or discussed openly. They were either an era-spanning rune genius, one that had been alive for countless centuries, or the techniques that once belonged to the original rune engraver had been passed down through multiple generations and the business was run by the descendants to this day. Regardless of which possibility was true, it was undeniable that the craftmanship of the runes was impeccable, faultless, and tailor made to ensure the pedigree the Brotherhood deserved.
As for the robe itself, apparently the sect possessed a method for forging the robes but was constantly reliant on one of their members actually knowing how to create it. In short, they always needed a blacksmith present amongst their ranks in order to keep creating more robes as was necessary. Thankfully this hadn't been a problem, and robes were occasionally repurposed for new disciples from old ones that were long gone, but it was entirely feasible that the sect was accidentally left robe-less one day if things went awry. The secrecy behind the robes was understandable, though, there was nothing else like them out there. Ares could easily wear his Brotherhood robe as an extra layer of protection and it would serve him well basically for his entire cultivation journey. Maybe when he started mingling with the Gods and the ancient experts in the highest of higher domains would he feel inclined to look for something to update his war-wardrobe with but it was entirely unnecessary. Again, the Brotherhood robe was no joke and the intricacies were heavily guarded for a very valid reason. Apparently the robes could even self destruct if they went missing so as to prevent them finding their way onto the black market where they could be sold and dissected freely. Tracking runes were also a given so stealing one, or owning one when you weren't supposed to, was theoretically not possible. There were plenty of fakes but real ones were never anywhere they shouldn't be and so pretending to be a member of the sect was actually rather difficult. The obvious identification that everyone should possess, the robe, was a nightmare to replicate in any convincing way. Not that it hadn't happened before but it was extremely rare as the talent required was considerable... Actually, speaking of fakes, one of the current members of the sect, ironically their current blacksmith, had earned their place outside of a tryout precisely because they created such a convincing fake in the first place. It was so impressive that their talent was recognised, appreciated, and heavily sought after.
So, to summarise, these robes were a big deal. A Swiss army knife of convivence, shielding, style, and tradition. If one of these were ever sold at auction it might singlehandedly break the economy across thousands of domains just to facilitate one measly sale. They were arguably a bigger anomaly than the entirely replaceable people that wore them as they were staples of the sect that had outlived every member throughout the Brotherhood's entire existence. There were even stone carvings of the Brotherhood robes in certain historical venues if one could be bothered to search hard enough and unearth the truth. The symbolism and legacy these robes represented could bring nostalgia to even old Gods so it wasn't strange that the spectators were hyped and drooling over themselves in the stands as Finnian revealed not one, but two robes at the same time. He held one in each hand, carefully so as to display their full length without creasing and tarnishing their image, and silently gloated with genuine pride plastered on his smiling face. As he did so, the cloaked elf stormed over and looked to eagerly snatch it right out of his hands. It was rude, extraordinarily so, but he simply chuckled, accommodated her high strung actions, and let her have it. Finnian's pompous display of the robes was nothing more than grandstanding anyway and the dark elf actually needed it ASAP for the sake of whatever burden she was carrying... At least she thought she did but she still didn't really understand how the Brotherhood worked yet and Finnian was going to have to explain it to her when she finally gave up searching for the 'Brotherhood Call' rune. It was decently well hidden so that no one could use it accidentally, or without a member's permission if they were borrowing the robe for whatever reason, so there was no chance the elf was going to locate it any time soon. Finnian's belief on the matter was proven correct when the elf clicked her tongue, balled her fists, and turned to face him, presumably with a ferocious scowl hidden under her guise and many veils.
"Where is it?!" Her voice was hurried, her breaths caught on one another and vied for supremacy, and the tone unintentionally shrill in sporadic spurts as though she couldn't maintain control of her numerous emotions and keep them locked away any longer. When Finnian shook his head in response to her question she felt like strangling the bastard but he quickly clarified.
"There's no need to press it. Rather, I'll be quite disappointed if you do because it means you aren't thinking straight and that should be your specialty if anything."
"Wh... What?" The cloaked woman was taken aback and, for a moment, it was clear she felt her whole world had come crashing down as if she'd been betrayed. She probably assumed she came all the way here, and took part in this trial, all to be ultimately rejected at the final hurdle and to have her request for aid shunned. Perhaps the tales about the Brotherhood weren't true after all and her challenging, rigorous, and straining journey was all for naught. Again, though, Finnian was quick to clear up the misunderstanding as he could see the hatred practically swelling to a bursting point in the way she hunched and carrier herself. That animosity was very real but she wasn't thinking properly and he had to make sure she understood the problem here because it was important to know what he was about to teach if she wanted to be a disciple in this sect, a proper one anyway.
"It's not that we won't help you, you just don't have to use the Call. The Call rune is a means to contact us when nobody is around, or at least nobody capable of helping you is. It's a more serious manner of communication that shouldn't be used without considering if it's truly necessary first due to the strain it puts on everyone else. Mrs Elf Lady, I am right here and I am more than enough to solve whatever problem you're facing, I can assure you of that. Ethan, another disciple, should also be in one of the nearby domains too if we need a bit more manpower. Calling the rest of the sect is possible but irresponsible. Yes we will answer the Call without fail but we are not machines; we have lives and important business to attend to. Pointlessly disturbing people when there are options already available to you that are perfectly acceptable and sufficient... It won't get you kicked out of the clan or anything, but we won't appreciate it and we'll run an intervention eventually if it becomes something we think we can't overlook anymore.
Think carefully.
If you push that button now, what will happen to your fellow new recruit?..." Ares was still stuck to the floor but he gave a vigorous nod because he'd actually been rather concerned this stubborn elf would drag him, unsolicited, into her mess as the complications it would create for him now were enormous. "If you found and pushed that rune, Ares here would be forced to also come along and lend you a hand. I'm sure he'd be a valuable asset, and might even be able to solve the problem by himself given what I've seen here today, but is that really correct? He might be happy to help... In any other given situation. I'm sure he has a life, and a family, and probably a sect too that he's loyal to all waiting for him. He needs to return inside the barrier and he's already mentioned before to Mimi that it's going to close soon so he needs to be here for that. If you force him to be dragged away to a foreign domain this very instant he won't make it back in time before that rift closes and will remain stuck outside the barrier for years on end, constantly worrying about his loved ones and any unfinished business he might have back in Sheryashka. Yes you may use the Call freely, but you should always consider the repercussions your actions will have on your fellow disciples. It is not exclusively a tool for your personal benefit and you have to respect your fellow disciples just as they have to you. You don't exploit the Brotherhood the same way you shouldn't exploit your own family for personal gain; we're more tight knit than just being a gathering of random strangers you can control at your every whim. As I said, I will go with you to, I'm guessing your homeland, and solve whatever is causing you grief... Provided there isn't anything morally repressible going on anyway, the Brotherhood is not an evil sect so don't expect us to cross legal boundaries so easily... But the point still stands, the Call should not be used as liberally as you are able to, think it through whenever you want to push that button"
The elf grappled intensely with Finnian's words, that starkly contrasted how she environed things would play out, but eventually gave up on locating the rune as the weight of his words sunk in. Ares sighed in relief and could finally stop sweating nervously and dripping buckets. If that crazy woman actually used the Call he might have to give up on being a member because there was no way he could afford to get stuck outside the barrier at this moment in time. If nothing else, he missed his family! But from a to-do list perspective, he still had to sort out the sect and begin its ascendency through the domains. He had a gut feeling Heaven's Path, name change stillpending, would be an important hub and central base for him in the future, one he couldn't just ignore, and he was not willing to compromise on that front. His family, his sect, and his cultivation journey could not be halted here for multiple years on end while he tried to force himself back in the barrier. It's not even like he could adventure around out here during that time because he'd need to study the barrier intensely and relentlessly. It's not like his understanding of it would increase if he wasn't actively solving its foundation so he would literally be locked to it that entire time like a slug on a piece of glass. He'd fall so far behind and waste his early years, the most important years for a cultivator, and all for what? Because some elf couldn't make do with Finnian, one of the strongest cultivators in the world? He was at least in the top hundred thousand if the rumours were accurate and that was worthy of serious respect! The hell did this crazy elf need Ares there too for!? To sit around and look pretty?!
That Brotherhood call thing was fantastic but also already proving somewhat troublesome. Thankfully Finnian was here to save the day and remind her that rune wasn't some fun little button she could press whenever the mood struck her. She was no doubt struggling with the weight of her troubles, her anxiety gnawing away at her mental stability, hence why she hadn't considered who she'd affect by pressing that rune, but that didn't make her actions any less childish! Nonetheless, she was a fellow sect member now so Ares could only really wish her the best of luck. After all, it was highly likely her clan, and by extension, her family were in danger so Ares understood her determination on a personal level. If he was too weak to save those he cared about, and had to undergo a pilgrimage far away to seek help out of sheer desperation, his mind would constantly be plagued with grim thoughts about what was happening back home while he wasn't there. He didn't blame the elf, not really. In fact, out of sympathy, he even summoned three sacks and nodded to them as he mustered the willpower to lift his head a little.
"Here, take these. Probably won't need 'em, I mean you have Finnian personally tending to your plight, but it can't hurt to have them sitting around in your back pocket in case things get dicey. Hell, even after your issue is dealt with, you're a fellow disciple and we're supposed to look after each other so consider those sacks as being on the house. Also a thanks for not pressing the button and royally screwing me over, I guess?" Ares' quick integration into the sect ideals was not missed by Finnian who was grateful he was already acting like a proper member and trying to be helpful in whatever way he could manage.
"What are they?" Though brusque and curt, the dark elf wasn't against picking the sacks up and storing them in her spatial ring before she set off with Finnian. Of course it was natural to want to know what she was taking so Ares just gave her a quick rundown while she put her robe on and the design altered in real time in the background of Ares' talking.
"Portable explosives, basically. They work like any other normal treasure or artifact so just funnel mana into them and you'll figure out the rest on your own I'm sure. They pack a punch in their own way, and there's a lot of them, so do whatever you want with them. Use them, experiment on them, sell them. I don't care so go wild. Still, if you detonate an entire sack it should, uh, leave a mark on whatever you throw it at... If whatever you threw it at it still even alive by the end of it... It's quick, and a bit of a dirty strategy, but just chucking the sack at someone you want dead ought to prove highly effective... Unless it's a mecha dryad..." Ares mumbled that last part under his breath with a kiss of his teeth as he remembered the Baja incident. He'd thrown a sack of Shock Beads at the dryad and it didn't even flinch in response. It hadn't even been dented more than a smidge and he couldn't help but begrudgingly remember it even now. The beads were great but they lacked penetrating power so, loathe though he was to admit it, he insinuated as such with his offhanded comment and left it at that as it was a comprehensive enough description.
"Alrighty, shows over folks. No reason to stick around here any longer!" Finnian waved at the crowd and they began dispersing as Finnian spoke to the elf once more. " Let's get going then, no sense in wasting any time and risking whatever your problem is spiralling out of control more than it already has. You can explain the details on the way... And as for you..." Finnian swivelled on a dime to look at Ares. He sighed and chucked the robe at his limp body, watching it gracefully flop onto Ares' face and cover him head to toe. This might have seemed sacrilegious but the robes were enchanted such that staining or dirtying them was pretty impossible without a concerted effort over a prolonged period of time. The edges of the robe softly touching the floor on either side of Ares' flat body wasn't enough to lave any mark or dirt on it whatsoever, the enchantment could even protect the robe from a river of blood without letting it get stained, so this much was acceptable. "... You're still recovering but, based on your condition, I think you should be up and running in another hour or so?"
Ares wouldn't be right as rain or anything in an hours time but he'd be able to walk and move about normally; that was good enough as there was no need for him to fight anything for any reason. "I'll leave the AAA with Mimi, to give to you when you recover, so I can depart now... Ah, Mimi is the fake Alice by the way... And, er, actually, you know what? I think I'll do it differently..." A flicker of realisation passed through Finnian's eyes as he witnessed a wide smirk appear on Mimi's face when he mentioned leaving Ares' reward in her care. This silly girl was going to make Ares' life extra hard for no good reason if he made that mistake so he was going to have to go about this in a different way. It wouldn't be great for Ares regardless but it was better than nothing as he really had to get going or the elf was going to drill a hole into his back with her pushy stares.
"... Do you have some kind of spatial storage that can't be stolen from your flaccid body? If you do, we can put the AAA in that instead and then... Have Mimi keep an eye out on you to make sure you aren't attacked while in that state... Though I can't guarantee she won't be the one 'attacking' you... Still... Uh... You're a member of the Brotherhood now... So she won't go too overboard... I think... Well good luck anyway!" Finnian, understanding the reassurance he could offer Ares, in light of his current situation, was highly limited, decided to escape his problems rather than confront and solve them. There was no solution to this, Ares was just sort of doomed, so the bastard gave him the AAA and ran away! Ares felt a single tear well up in his eyes as Mimi ominously hovered over his body with a cackle and a wide grin...
"DAMNBRATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!" A familiar, haunting cry rang true throughout the courtyard as Mimi pranked and punked Ares to her heart's content. Funny moustaches were drawn with colourful pens, hair was glued together, ticklish spots were terrorised, nostrils were ruthlessly pinched, and so on so forth. An hour of 'playtime' in Mimi's world was not something that passed by quickly. Time flies when one is having fun and it was safe to say Ares was not enjoying himself! He'd at least guaranteed the safety of his psychic AAA, it was resting out of harm's reach in his Blade, but he was not spared that same comfort and luxury as Mimi's every whim was was enacted without mercy. On this day, Ares met a demon! It also somewhat bugged him that the face of his tormentor was such a jolly woman, the real version of which had done no wrong! That damn friendly smile tha belonged to Alice did not match the actions the rest of the body were undertaking! This dichotomy wouldn't last for long, however, as if there was one thing that was true about Mimi, it was that she was highly prideful. There was no way she was going to let this 'torture' session end before Ares had seen the true face of his captor, that was what her ego demanded! She was planning on revealing herself, burning her image into Ares' brain, and then scattering like the wind to leave him with nothing but his own thoughts and agitation at having been played like a fiddle! This brat was well and truly evil!