Making the trees was exhausting, so after they finished maturing to bear fruit I was quite tired.

Before taking a nap though, as a responsible Chaos Tree, I made sure the shields around each fruit tree were solid.

They would only respond to the genetics of Natalia, or any of her bloodline.

I also added a twist that cost me, for the direct bloodline of Natalia, none of the Chaos effects will occur. That particular twist took me begging Dryad to help me figure out. She was adamant during the negotiation that after I go to sleep, her word would represent us.

I was too tired to argue, so I agreed.

Hopefully when I wake up things will be semi-normal.

Chaos Tree, signing off for a nap!

***T***

Kneeling in front of the Holy White Tree, Natalia continued to remain in deep subservience. Today was the day the entity would slumber, and it might be decades, centuries, or even millennia before it awoke again.

Even then she wouldn’t be kneeling, except for the fact that the Tree Spirit commanded her too.

“He’s asleep. Get up now. Let’s talk business.” the Tree Spirit said, in her entrancing voice.

It had taken days before Natalia could speak with the Spirit without being completely hypnotized. The voice itself was clearly female, and even without a body to go with it, she knew she could never compare to the owner’s beauty.

“What do you require of this servant, Great One?” Natalia asked while brushing her robe clean.

“Create an empire. I’ve studied the maps surrounding this paltry excuse for a ‘kingdom’ it’s barely the size of a large island. This won’t do, it won’t do at all.” the Tree Spirit said.

It was true the kingdom of Celna was small compared to others, however they made up for it with a higher amount of Aura users. Ruven city was an outlying city on the border between the Elven and Dwarven kingdoms of the west.

“As much as I would love to do that, I’m not sure how a weak swordswoman could assist in that endeavor.” Natalia said. Brushing her robe off, she continued, “Williams can barely be a Baron in this tiny kingdom. If he were to go to a higher rank kingdom he might not even be able to live as a guard, much less a noble.”

“Power is easy to grant.” the Tree Spirit said.

“Eh?”

“Go ahead, take five of the apples, four of the oranges, one peach, and one plum from the surrounding trees. These are my blessing, succeed, and my blessings will increase.” the Tree Spirit said.

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“What do fruits have to do with creating an empire?” Natalia said, as she picked the various fruits lit by small glows.

“Did he forget to tell anyone? Tsk. As expected…” the Tree Spirit said, “The apples grant two hundred years of life each. The oranges will attune you to elements you aren’t already attuned to for using magic. The peaches will keep you looking youthful, but not stop you from aging. Lastly, the plums will expunge impurities from your body allowing it to smell nice, and open the pathways for Aura use.”

Natalia’s jaw dropped as each explanation was more fantastic than the last.

“As long as you succeed in creating an empire for my beloved, then there is no need to destabilize it with your death. For as long as the empire lives, so too will you.” the Tree Spirit said.

I can live forever! Natalia thought, already thinking of the last name she would take for her own. Servants couldn’t have last names unless they married into the Nobility. An empress however, didn’t have to follow such stupid traditions right?

With the fruits it would be possible to extend her reach deep into the surrounding kingdoms. Mages would kill for the chance to increase their affinities, rulers for the chance to extend life, women for the chance to remain young, and peasants for the opportunity to gain Aura.

Each fruit was cleanly tailored to bring out the maximum effect for human greed.

Natalia stared at the small white tree, unable to keep a shudder from passing through her.

“Only your bloodline is safe from the effects of the side effects of the Fruits.” the Tree Spirit said.

“Side effects?” Natalia said.

“The apple will change a person’s gender. You may consume as many as you wish, but only your direct bloodline is exempt from eating more than one. The other fruits have similar issues.” the Tree Spirit said.

That’s not a problem, I’m sure I can find plenty of test subjects for two hundred more years of life! Natalia thought, while grinning.

“Do not fail me.” the Tree Spirit said, before finally falling silent.

Natalia realized if her bloodline could be exempt, than perhaps others could exempted as well.

Eternal life, or eternal regret. There was no question which would be preferred.

Bowing once more, Natalia departed the Garden. She had an empire to forge.

***T***

The king of Celna was old, and the recent events had only aged him further. Cities across the kingdom were going dark. Messengers disappeared into thin air, emergency teleport portals stopped working, and mages vanished overnight.

Something was attacking his kingdom, but it was a silent strike. Quiet, deadly, and almost completely unknown.

After the Blood Forest had burned to the ground, a Hive’s remains had been discovered in the ashes. Whoever had burned the Forest, also took care of the insects.

Could the recent occurences be the result of another Hive?

The king glared somberly at the councilors surrounding his war room, “We are under attack. Someone, tell me what the hell is going on.”

Of the five men and four women in the room, only the General of the North, Duke Eversen spoke, “It’s the non-humans Sire, has to be. There’s no other force in the world that could take out our communications so fast.”

“That’s dogsh*t and you know it, Eversen!” the Ambassador, Duke Olsen shouted. “I’ll not have all my years of work deconstructed by a barbarian from the northern mountain wastes!”

The king watched as each of his councilors took sides in the argument.

Ruling is not all it is cracked up to be. King Evans thought. Sure your every word is heeded, but your every action is watched too. Sometimes, it’s just tiring.

A door to the council room opened with a nameless butler approaching the king to whisper into his ear.

The king stood abruptly without warning at the shocking news.

“Bring them in at once!” Evans thundered.

Moments later a young woman clad in stunning robes of pure white walked in. Evans could clearly feel the gaze of the men in the room lock onto the beauty. Her hair was pure raven black, with eyes of sparkling ice blue. If it wasn’t for the lack of pointed ears, the king would have guessed she was an elf from her gorgeous appearance.

Could also be higher level illusion magic, but then if it is, we are all dead. Evans thought.

“Good afternoon, Lords. My name is Natalia Everlast I’m here to offer terms for your surrender.” the woman said.

“This commoner is stark raving ma-” Eversen managed to get out before there was a sudden sensation of heat.

Everyone in the room stared as Duke Eversen’s arm melted into ashes from the tip of his fingers to the elbow. Ashes simply floated down to land on the floor without a sound. Only the instant heat had betrayed anything at all.

“Archmage!” the feared gasp of his entire council said.

“Oops, did I do that? Ah well, I’m still learning control. Anyways, it’s not like there isn’t benefits for you. Aren’t you feeling old, King Evans? The power I serve is willing to remove that issue for you.”

“What?” King Evans said, his eyes widening at the implications.

The woman approached with a few strides and presented a single apple to him.

“Go ahead, old man. Take a bite. The small price you pay will be worth two hundred years.” Everlast said.

The king couldn’t control himself, even now the fear of death was a quiet voice in the back of his head. He found his right hand rising almost without control to take the apple.

Crunch.

“Long hail, Queen Evans, First Govenor of the Everlasting Empire!”