I Can Create Clones

The emergency bells of the main Drake family compound had not rung at dawn for over two decades, but their resonant tones now echoed across the sprawling estate with urgent authority. In the central communication chamber, Elder Voss stood before a crystalline formation that pulsed with spiritual energy, his High Supreme cultivation barely containing the frustration radiating from his ancient frame.

"Marcus has been missing for eighteen hours," he announced to the assembled Supreme Elders, his voice carrying the weight of barely controlled concern. "His spiritual signature vanished from our monitoring networks sometime before midnight, with no trace of his intended location or activities."

Elder Cassius paced the chamber's perimeter, his Middle Supreme aura fluctuating with agitation that spoke of deeper concerns than simple worry for a missing colleague. "Marcus was conducting personal investigations into the Starfall branch situation. If something has happened to him during unofficial family business..."

"The implications would be catastrophic," Elder Lyanna finished, her Low Supreme cultivation making her the most junior member present but her political acumen sharp enough to grasp the broader consequences. "A Supreme Elder disappearing while investigating branch family activities creates questions we may not want answered."

Elder Thane stood near the communication arrays, his own Middle Supreme power focused on analyzing the spiritual residue from Marcus's last known location. "The energy patterns suggest he left the main compound voluntarily, but there's no indication of his destination or purpose."

"He mentioned concerns about the mysterious Lysander," Elder Darius observed, his Low Supreme rank making him cautious about offering opinions in such elevated company. "If he decided to investigate personally..."

"Then he walked into a situation he couldn't handle," Voss concluded grimly. "The question is whether we're dealing with an accident, external threat, or something more complex."

...

In the eastern wing of the main compound, where the first heir's faction maintained their political headquarters, Maximus Drake received the news with the calculating composure that had marked him as the traditionalist candidate for family leadership. His Peak Ascendant cultivation, while not yet at Supreme level, commanded respect through decades of proven competence and unwavering dedication to family honor.

"Marcus's disappearance creates both opportunity and danger," he said to his assembled supporters, his voice carrying the measured authority of someone accustomed to long-term strategic thinking. "He was Aurelius's primary backer—without his support and resources, the progressive faction loses significant political momentum."

Elder Theron, his chief advisor and longtime supporter, nodded thoughtfully. "But if his disappearance is connected to the Starfall branch situation, it suggests forces we haven't properly assessed. A Supreme Elder doesn't simply vanish without extremely powerful intervention."

"The mysterious Lysander," agreed Commander Darius, whose military background made him focus on tactical implications. "Peak Ascendant with damaged cultivation, yet somehow stable enough to command respect from branch families and concern from Marcus. The capabilities don't match the apparent power level."

Maximus moved to the chamber's strategic map, where colored markers indicated various family assets and political alignments across their territorial holdings. Marcus's sudden absence created a visible gap in the progressive faction's power structure—one that could be exploited if handled correctly.

"We maintain our position," Maximus decided. "Express appropriate concern for Marcus's safety while quietly consolidating support from moderates who may be reconsidering their factional loyalties. If Aurelius's network is weakening, we position ourselves as the stable alternative."

"And the Starfall branch investigation?" Theron asked.

"We conduct our own, but carefully. If something eliminated a Supreme Elder, we approach with overwhelming force and clear exit strategies. Whatever happened to Marcus, we don't repeat his mistakes."

...

The reaction in Aurelius's faction headquarters was markedly different—barely controlled panic disguised as strategic planning. Unlike his brother's methodical approach, Aurelius Drake paced his private study with the agitated energy of someone whose carefully constructed political edifice was beginning to crumble.

"Marcus is dead," he announced to his inner circle, his voice carrying grim certainty that silenced the room. "Supreme Elders don't disappear—they're either eliminated by overwhelming force or betrayed by people they trusted."

Elder Cassius, his remaining Supreme-level supporter, tried to maintain optimism despite growing concerns. "We don't know that for certain. He could be investigating something that requires extended absence from communication networks."

"Marcus would never conduct operations without backup protocols," Aurelius replied sharply. "His disappearance means someone with significant capabilities has moved against our faction. The question is whether they're targeting individuals or the entire progressive movement."

The implications hung heavy in the chamber's air. Without Marcus's resources and political backing, Aurelius's succession bid faced immediate challenges. Worse, if their primary supporter had been eliminated by forces they couldn't identify, every member of their faction was potentially at risk.

"The corruption network," whispered Treasurer Valen, his voice barely audible as he voiced what everyone feared. "If someone has discovered the resource diversions..."

"Then we're all exposed," Aurelius finished. "Marcus handled the financial arrangements, maintained the political connections, and provided the Supreme-level protection that made our operations possible. Without him..."

"We adapt," Cassius said firmly, his Middle Supreme cultivation blazing slightly as he attempted to project confidence. "The progressive faction isn't dependent on any single individual, regardless of their importance. We have other resources, other allies."

But even as he spoke, everyone in the room understood the harsh reality. Marcus hadn't just been their strongest supporter—he'd been the architect of the entire shadow network that funded their political activities. His knowledge, connections, and accumulated secrets had died with him, leaving them vulnerable in ways they were only beginning to understand.

"Immediate priorities," Aurelius decided, forcing himself to focus on actionable concerns. "Secure all sensitive communications and resources that Marcus had access to. Contact our academy allies and warn them to maintain absolute discretion. And find out what happened to him before the same fate reaches the rest of us."

...

As evening shadows lengthened across the main compound, the formal Supreme Elder Council convened in the ancient chambers where family leadership had gathered for centuries. The six surviving members sat in chairs carved from spiritual wood that still hummed with power after millennia of use, their combined cultivation creating an atmosphere dense enough to make ordinary cultivators struggle to breathe.

Patriarch Aldwin Drake entered last, his Low Ascended authority making even the Supreme Elders show proper deference. But his weathered features carried concern that spoke of threats beyond simple political maneuvering.

"Marcus's disappearance represents more than personal tragedy," he began without preamble. "If a Supreme Elder can be eliminated without trace or warning, every member of this family faces potential threat from forces we haven't identified."

"The investigation protocols are already active," Elder Voss reported. "But the complete absence of spiritual traces suggests either extremely sophisticated concealment or elimination by powers operating at levels we don't typically encounter."

Elder Cassius leaned forward in his chair, spiritual pressure fluctuating as he voiced the question everyone feared asking. "Could we be facing intervention from one of the other eight major families? This level of capability combined with interest in our internal politics suggests external influence."

"Or internal betrayal," Elder Thane added grimly. "Someone with intimate knowledge of Marcus's movements and habits would be necessary for such complete elimination."

The Patriarch studied each Elder's expression, his enhanced senses analyzing micro-expressions and spiritual fluctuations for signs of deception or hidden knowledge. But all he found was genuine concern mixed with growing fear—none of his Supreme Elders appeared to be concealing involvement in their colleague's disappearance.

"The Starfall branch connection cannot be ignored," Patriarch Aldwin stated. "Marcus's last known investigation involved their mysterious benefactor. Either this Lysander is far more dangerous than initial assessments suggested, or his presence has attracted attention from forces beyond our current understanding."

"Recommendations for response?" Elder Lyanna asked, her political instincts seeking actionable strategies.

"Maximum caution," the Patriarch decided. "We investigate Marcus's disappearance through official channels while quietly assessing the true nature of the Starfall branch's new alliance. But we approach this mysterious Lysander as if he represents capabilities we don't understand, not the damaged Peak Ascendant he appears to be."

Elder Darius nodded slowly. "And if the investigation reveals external involvement?"

"Then we discover whether the Drake family still possesses the strength to protect its own interests," Patriarch Aldwin replied, his Low Ascended cultivation briefly flaring with authority that made the chamber's ancient stones vibrate in resonance. "But until we understand what we're facing, every Supreme Elder operates with enhanced security protocols and backup support for any external activities."

As the council session concluded, each member departed with the sobering realization that their family's internal politics had suddenly become far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated. Marcus's elimination represented a level of threat that challenged fundamental assumptions about their security and influence.

In the shadows of power, forces were moving that even Supreme Elders couldn't easily identify or counter. The Drake family's carefully ordered hierarchy was beginning to crack under pressures they were only starting to comprehend.

And somewhere in the modest Starfall estate, a twelve-year-old boy continued his quiet studies while the consequences of his strategic planning rippled through the highest levels of family leadership.

The game had entered its next phase, and none of the official players yet understood how completely the rules had changed.