Gaia stood in front of a human military vehicle. Time was frozen for everyone but her and one of the few on this planet that had caught her interest.
She smiled at the blue eyed man. His growing relationship with the Infernal Wolf was one she foresaw blooming greatly. However, it was another relationship he had that worried her.
“So before we start, I don’t suppose you will accept a blessing, not even a small one?” She held two fingers apart with a small space between them.
The man in the vehicle seemed to think upon it for a moment before he shook his head.
“Unless it’s something that you can’t take back for any reason, then no. I’m in enough deep shit with a previous noose around my neck. I would like not to have another one currently.”
Gaia nodded understandingly, and rubbed her hands together. “Fine then, a classic quest then. Now I will start off by saying I can’t give you everything, this is a guide. I have one definitive request from you, accept it, and you and I will forever be linked by the strings of fate. I should warn you, this will count as accepting a blessing, so whoever is left in line to talk to you will go away. Time will return to normal.”
“What is this request?”
“Finish her quickly.”
The mortal man nodded, determination flared across his face for but a moment. “I can do that. I accept the deal, you help me and I’ll do that for you.”
Gaia gave one last friendly smile before she submitted the quest through The System. This specific sliver of her consciousness faded and returned to her real body.
A domain stretching farther than any normal planet could ever reach laid out before her. It was all hers that grew outward from her original body. A body that she hadn’t truly needed ever since she was Master rank. That was long ago, long before even Mathew’s solar system existed.
All the conversations she just had with the few dozen potential followers repeated within her mind. Gaia blinked.
Notifications crossed her vision. People dying, completing various parts of their quests, or things that happened outside of Earth.
Gaia huffed, “Damn it, lost track of time again.” She waved a hand across a field of growing trees. “Wake up children, it’s time to prepare.”
Several humanoid creatures walked out of the trunks of the trees. Gaia smiled down at them. “Good morning and happy birthday to you all! I am so glad to meet you, but I hate to say we are running thin on time. We have a few weeks, but the first of our arrivals will be arriving before we know it.”
Gaia split her mind and created a smaller version of herself. A flowing pink dress fitted around a human shaped body. Her hair mimicked that of vines that was tied up in a ponytail. “Now then everyone, I have lists for you all. Once those from Earth come, you will follow the rules. I can’t have The System thundering around here right now. Last time it was here, four generations of growth went bad.”
Dozens of dryads were given instructions of who they would be assigned to. Gaia knew who had the most potential. It was part of who she was. She could look at anyone and see if they had the drive to grow into a deep rooted tree, or wheat to be harvested.
Yet, there was one she couldn’t figure out. Mathew McGonald. He wasn’t a normal human. Not only did he have a piece of Doozkora on his person, but had a dormant bloodline. Gaia wanted to believe it was a stroke of luck.
She would have to do more digging, reaching out to old contacts. There were at least three other Gods who could give her answers, but not before Phase 2 started. Unless he came here himself.
Gaia wanted him to show up. But she knew it would be a while. She checked on him real quick. She couldn’t truly check on him, but could see a few things that were going on with the planet. Already Mathew was Level 20. “Good, I'll give him a few more months before he gets here. He didn’t even have a single Axiom when I saw him. The Earth Dungeon will take the longest. That’s even if he enters the World Quest.”
Gaia huffed. She spent a lot of money on getting golems added to the second floor, along with Sand Sharks on the third. She needed new seedlings. Earth was a prime target. Plenty of their culture revolve around her, funny enough.
There was so much correlation she went back through her memories to see if she or one of her followers did something, but to the best of her knowledge, nobody did.
Double checking the Dryads were all ready to go, Gaia blinked once again.
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Berry, Cherry, Wary, and Chuck all stood next to a platform. All four of them waited with anxious excitement. They couldn’t wait to fulfill their birthright duties.
They were assigned to a unique human named Mathew McGonald. Gaia had given them extra instructions that were to be followed perfectly.
Berry clapped his hands, “Oooo, I hope he accepts the offer. Mom really wants him to visit.”
Both Cherry and Chuck nodded in agreement, “I think she wants to make him a Vinechild.” Cherry commented.
Wary stood there aloof, watching the other platforms. “Nobody else had anyone appear yet. Calm down, Mom said it would be a while.”
“Yea, but that was forever ago.” Chuck pointed out. “What if they forgot?”
“I don’t think someone would forget to do a quest from Mom.” Berry said. “She’s a God after all.”
All four of them agreed on that. Who would turn down an offer to visit a God’s Domain? Only the top of the top get such an offer.
They waited by sharing small talk. For only being born a few weeks ago, they all had personalities and enough maturity to be trusted by Gaia.
Eventually a flicker flashed across all the platforms. Berry, Cherry, Wary, and Chuck all gasped as a human, wolf, imp, and two wisps appeared on the platform. All of them looked battle worn.
“Oh my Mom. He’s here! He’s early!” Chuck said in a hushed yell. “What do we do? I’m not ready for this!”
“Calm down.” Wary said. “I got this.”
Wary cleared her throat. “Welcome Mathew, to Gaia’s Domain! I’m sure you have several questions, but know that you are limited here. Completing the bonus requirements for your quest was enough to come here, and she has planned out a few potential rewards for you to claim.”
Mathew looked around. He was speechless. Not at the talking tree people, but the sheer beauty of where he was. Bright greens, warm sunlight, a rainbow of flowers dotted the ground around the platform he stood on.
A slight breeze washed over him, carrying the scent of lemon. It was peaceful. It was perfect. He stood there, lost in the moment.
The four dryads looked at each other nervously. “Mom said this might happen, but I didn’t expect him to be so enthralled. Should we wake him up?” Cherry asked.
“No, Mom said not to for this one.” Berry reminded them.
Two hours went by. Both the wolf and imp broke out of the trance before the human did. The Imp glanced at them all. His eyes went wide for a moment before he collected himself. Berry waved with a smile, “Hey, how are you all doing?”
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Agnox puffed out his chest a little more than usual. “I didn’t expect Gaia to have such beautiful greeters.”
“M- Gaia wanted to establish warm welcomes for everyone.” Wary said, almost saying ‘Mom’. “Once your Master wakes up, we can start to explain things.”
Another half hour went by before Mathew slowly shook his head. “This place is…where am I?”
Wary smiled at Mathew. “This is Gaia’s Domain, it’s a perfect reaction that you had to coming here. No other God’s domain will have such an enthralling effect for you. Be glad you came here first, as Gaia is one of the most forgiving.”
Mathew looked at the wooden human. This one had a green hue to her skin. Three more stood behind her. One with pale white skin, one with pink skin, and a third with dark brown skin. All looked to be carved from wood. Their hair was a mix of branches and leaves.
“I’m sorry, who are you all?”
“I am Wary. A Willow Dryad. These three are my siblings. Berry a Birch Dryad, Cherry a Cherry Blossom Dryad, and lastly Chuck, an Oak Dryad. We are children of Gaia, grown and birthed to aid her in smaller duties.”
“And what are those duties?” Mathew asked while placing his hands behind his back. He was warry out the situation. Trust wasn’t earned yet.
“We are to guide you and help you acquire your rewards. Keep in mind, your results will determine exactly what you can claim. Having questions answered beyond what we are talking about now will cost you.” Wary said.
“If you follow us, we can lead you to a place where you can clean yourself, change into proper attire, and eat food.”
Mathew crossed his arms, “Will that cost me?”
Cherry spoke up, “No more than what it already took for you to come here. Your entire first day is already paid in full by accepting.”
“Well, if it’s already paid for, I can’t let it go to waste.” Mathew gestured forward, “Then lead the way please.”
Mathew followed them through an orchard of purple apples. The smells were otherworldly. He was tempted to take one and eat it, but the threat of being charged for it loomed in his mind.
He completed the quest more than what was required, however he wanted to know exactly by how much before he accepted any extra free stuff. Questions flooded his mind. Yet relief stirred. The horde would be no problem for him today.
Mathew was led to a towering tree. It was larger than any other human made structure he had ever visited personally. “This is the bathhouse and where you will be staying.” Berry said.
“You are the first to arrive, so you can pick any room you like. There are showers, tubs, and clothes waiting for you. Once you have cleaned up and showered, join us in the dining room. Follow the signs if you get lost.”
“Anything like a mini-fridge that you’ll charge me extra to take stuff out of?” Mathew asked curiously.
“What’s a Mini-Fridge?” Cherry asked.
Mathew accepted that. “Eh, don’t worry about it. What’s for dinner?”
“A buffet of various foods. All freshly harvested and prepared for you.” Wary said. “If you need anything, simply say one of our names and we will be with you in a moment.”
The shower was simple. A porcelain tub and shower awaited him. It was oddly human in design, but he wasn’t going to complain. He spent an hour under the hot running water. Blood, dirt, and grime fell off of him.
Ivory soap that bubbled up with but a few drops of water lathered up across his body. The experience was perfect. He had already dismissed his Wisps, leaving both Jeffery and Agnox out. A quick unsummon and resummon of both left them clean, but Agnox wanted to bask in the tub.
Mathew found a teal colored robe with his initials on it. Along with underclothes and slippers. All of them matched and the color scheme seemed to fit him.
The dining hall was too large for just a few people. He saw empty tables sat in rows. Each one is made of a different color of wood. “So, I take it nobody else has shown up yet?”
“No, you are still the only one.” Chuck said. “Sit down. Anything you want to taste?”
“Anything not on the table?” Mathew asked as he looked at his own empty table.
“We suggest getting the sampler. It has a bite of everything. Just anything you like, you can order more of.” Wary suggested.
“Sure, what about wine?”
Wary’s smile told a story that Mathew would love. “Red, white, blue, or black?”
“You have black wine? This I have to try.” Mathew said as he sat down. “What about my summons, are they okay to stay out?”
Cherry nodded, “Of course! We can get them food as well, meat is no problem. Gaia said to remind everyone she isn’t a God of Veganism. In the past people have assumed she was against eating meat. I assure you she isn’t.”
“Perfect.” Mathew said. “While I wait for my food, how about we get to explaining as much as you can without costing me more of this supposed money.”
Berry nodded, “So, the short version is you are here to grow, rest, and above all, learn. Items, knowledge, guidance, teachings, resources, a slew of things that Gaia might be able to provide. Keep in mind there are still rules and restrictions on you for being in Phase 1.”
“So being early earned me bonus points, but also I might be screwed because I don’t have access to the full potential I could if I waited for Phase 2.”
“Correct.” Chuck said. “Don’t sweat it. If we can’t get you something exactly how you want it, we will get the next best thing.”
“So, what exactly am I spending, how much, and what is already given to me for free?”
Wary gestured around her. “You have twenty four hours paid for right now. That includes room, board, food, and a one hour session with Gaia. In which she will check your progress, give guidance if needed, and pass along the next step in your quest if you have it.”
“As for what you are spending, don’t think of it as UC. Think of it as favors. No two favors are equal. You are not only early, but the first to arrive. That’s worth a decent chunk of rewards. Now do you mind if we check your quest? We can guess exactly how much you can get in vague numbers if we see that, but only Gaia has the harder numbers.”
Mathew pulled up his quest and turned it around. All four of them gasped in shock. “Mom is totally going to freak out when she sees this!” Cherry shouted. “I’m going to go tell her!”
Wary grabbed her sister. “No. Hush.” She looked around as if anyone saw her. “No, that’s not till later.”
A smug smile grew on Mathew’s face. “I take it this has more than ‘exceeded expectations’?”
Berry nodded once, “Yes, yes it is. If I was to guess, Gaia is going to both love and hate you. Five Axioms? All while in Phase 1? You are on the path of becoming a Legend!”
Cherry slithered out of her sister's grasp and put an arm around Mathew, “So potential Legend, how about some extra wine?”
Mathew couldn't say no to a cute face like hers, wooden appearance or not. “If you are giving it, I’ll take it.”