Lanek spent a few moment considering his lack of equipment. Considering what he had been told since his “passing”, his weapons and armor were destroyed. He couldn’t just simply make his way back to the monastery to retrieve his gear. To make matters worse, he really didn’t have much in the way of gear waiting for him anyway, he had given his extra armor and weapons to his companions. However, he didn’t regret that since it had benefited everyone involved, himself included.
While he would very much miss his sabre, he wasn’t so torn up about the loss of the chain whip. For the most part, it was becoming much less useful as time went on considering it didn’t do a lot of damage and it was getting more use as a traversal tool than a weapon. He wondered if there was any way to retrieve the reward stones from the monastery without being detected so he could try to get some gear from Eldros. It wasn’t that he wanted to avoid his friends and allies, but he knew that he would have a hard time walking away from everything that needed doing to deal with his quest.
He cursed softly, remembering just how difficult armor had been to come by the first time. Even with Khurzag doing much more efficient and extensive looting runs with his warriors, decent armor was few and far between. Ah well, guess I’ll just have to ask Eldros where I can get some gear when he gets back.
----------------------------------------
The next week passed quite slowly for Lanek as he could only really rest and eat until he got used to his new/old body. That being said, the grove was providing him with some much-needed relaxation. There were no threats here, or if there were, either Eldros or the guardian beast were keeping them away. As a result, Lanek could enjoy the rejuvenating and revitalizing effect that nature had always had on him.
Speaking of the guardian beast, he had seen Idril flying around in the distance. However, much to his disappointment, she hadn’t landed nearby. He supposed that she must be incredibly busy, but he was still curious how her child was doing. Lanek could still feel the demigryph in his soul, getting brief flashes of emotion occasionally.
At the end of the week, Lanek awoke to find Eldros sitting near the center of the grove, staring into the distance. The newly resurrected human stood and approached his patron, standing respectfully until the Primordial spoke.
“Ah, you’re awake. How long were you standing there?”
“Not long. You looked lost in thought and I didn’t want to interrupt you.”
“Damnation.” Eldros sighed deeply. “That’s becoming far more common.”
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not. Even with Idril’s return and you pledging yourself to me, I am still much diminished. More and more often I will find myself unable to focus. My mind will go blank and I forget what needs to be done until someone or something snaps me out of it. Idril has been performing this function for me.”
“Why is this happening? Is there anything I can do to help?”
“My loss of power and influence is killing me. It has likely happened to the other Primordials as well, assuming that any others still live aside from myself and Invidros. I’ve never witnessed the death of one of my kind, but I know how my life will end. These moments will become longer and Idril will find it more difficult to bring me back to my senses. Eventually, I will simply dissipate into the ground and a new tree will sprout, much like it did when you passed. Invidros will most likely dissipate into the atmosphere.”
“Has this happened before?”
“Yes, there were Primordials that existed for eons before I gained awareness. However, as the world evolved and their domains were forgotten or destroyed, they met their ends. Now, as to how you can help me, the only real option is to expand my domain. Worshippers aren’t all that important to Primordials, but our domains are paramount. They empower us like the great temples and cathedrals did for the greater gods. In my case, consider my groves to be my temples. These groves, whether new ones are created or old ones recovered, will anchor me more deeply to the world. As the groves become stronger due to the animals and guardians residing there, the stronger I will become.”
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“I would be happy to help create more groves, but I’m guessing it won’t be that easy.”
“No, it won’t. The tree near your home might be the start of a new grove if it is nurtured and protected, but I’m not sure. Even if it does become a new grove, new anchor sites are extremely difficult to create. It is much easier to find the natural anchor points that already exist and claim them. However, those points are usually not very close to one another. For example, Invidros’ anchor points are mountain summits, but not every summit will be an anchor point even if they are truly massive peaks.”
“How many groves would prevent your death?”
“I don’t know, but every one will help my knowledge and power return, making it much easier for me to answer questions like that.”
“Well, could you give me a quest to reclaim those anchor sites? I’m not looking for a reward, just some way to find them.” Lanek said, explaining the way that the Void’s quest appeared to him while making it visible to the Primordial.
“I can create a quest for you, but it won’t be helpful. I don’t know where my old anchor sites were, my knowledge fades with every passing day. However, if you can claim the new site that your death created, it might be a different story. I would rather wait until then to create a quest for you.”
“Then that is exactly what I’m going to do. I can try to claim it on my way back to the monastery after taking care of the Cult of Xancre. Provided you approve of the quest from the Void?”
“I do approve and I do thank you for your help. The rewards are generous and the System itself will protect you from any nonsense from this Nalgaraz. Shockingly, it appears to have kept its word. Now, before you head out to begin your quest you are going to need some equipment. There is a tomb not far from here that should have some equipment that will be of interest to you.”
“A tomb? You want me to rob a grave for some gear? I know I’m desperate, but do I really need to go that far?”
“It’s fine, the tomb is empty and has been since before Caelis was founded. It belonged to one of my Heralds and was created to protect his equipment until such time as it was needed again. His body was never interred there, he wanted to be cremated and mixed into the soil of this very grove.”
“Are you sure it is okay for me to take the equipment? That sounds like something you would give to someone much higher up than me.”
Eldros’ laugh echoed through the woods. “And who exactly would that be? I have no one else serving me that can actually use weapons and armor. Besides, you already plan to help me reclaim my influence, so you may as well be my Herald as it stands. In fact, here.”
Servant of Eldros has become Herald of Eldros [Unique].
Herald of Eldros [Unique] You have become the chosen Herald of the Primordial of the Wild. You are his voice upon this world and a commander of his forces. Travel this world and spread the influence of your lord to strengthen both Eldros and yourself. +6 SPI, +4 PER, +4 RES per level.
“Holy shit, are you serious? That seemed a bit impulsive, boss.”
“I’ve been considering it for some time. You need to be stronger to survive in this world and it would be a disservice to both of us if I did not give you something to repay you for being willing to save my life. You’ll notice a change in your attribute gains as well. Due to the more spiritual nature of the Herald title, your spiritual and mental attributes have become the focus rather than your physical ones. Although, I believe that will be offset a bit by your new skill.”
“Definitely. How did you know about that? Can you see my entire status screen because you are a Primordial?”
“No. I can see your entire status screen because you have pledged yourself to my service. If you were to leave my service, I would lose access to portions of your status, such as your skills and quests. However, my powers would still let me see everything else regardless of who you serve.”
The ancient being was silent for a few minutes before Lanek cleared his throat, causing the Primordial to shake his head and focus on him. “Again? It’s time for you to go get your equipment and be on your way. I’m afraid that my time is growing short, make haste to the tree.”
A loud shriek shook the grove around him even as air buffeted him from above. Lanek could also hear the sound of beating wings as a massive form landed on the ground behind him.
“Besides,” Eldros continued with a merry grin, “Someone would like a word with you now.”