I felt my ears itching. I idly brushed at my ears, trying to shoo away the bug buzzing around me. I turned my attention back to the stream. It was unmistakable. Something was singing to me from the river. Or more accurately, from the sand and rocks around the river.

I idly noticed Jillian saying something to me but I was overtaken by a feeling I had never felt before. Gold lust. I must have it. I extended my mana and roots into the surrounding riverbank. As I focused my attention on the stream, I tapped into a deeper, more primal aspect of my druidic powers. The world transformed around me, revealing the hidden treasures of the earth in a way I had never experienced before.

Beside me, Jillian gasped. “Oh my god, Gavrin, you’re eyes are glowing.”

I briefly wondered what she meant and guide a ball of water towards me and flattened and shaped it into a mirror to see my reflection. My eyes were gleaming a bright yellow light. I never knew how I looked while using my powers.

I returned my attention back to the ground and released the water. The gold in the riverbank shone with an alluring, luminous aura. Each grain and nugget glowed like tiny suns, embedded in the earth, their radiance pulsing in time with my own heartbeat. This was not just the physical appearance of gold; it was the essence of the earth’s wealth calling to me, stirring a deep, almost overwhelming desire; gold lust.

My mind was flooded with visions and ideas about how I could incorporate gold into my crafting. The convergence of my druidic magic and the newfound resources sparked a surge of creativity, revealing numerous possibilities for innovation and enchantment.

I realized that gold, with it excellent conductivity, could be used to enhance the efficiency of magical gadgets and tools. I envisioned circuits of gold inlaid in wooden staffs or wands, significantly amplifying their magical output.

Beyond functionality, I saw the aesthetic potential of gold. I imagined beautifully crafted items adorned with intricate gold inlays, combining natural motifs with elegant designs that reflected the harmony between nature and magic.

Inspired by the elemental energies I often wielded, I thought of creating gadgets that could harness and amplify specific elemental forces. A gauntlet with gold wiring, for instance, could enhance my control over earth and water, or even channel fire and air more effectively.

Another idea was to develop devices that could detect magical energies or hidden natural resources using gold as a core component to increase the sensitivity.

I envisioned embedding binding spells within the gold itself, making the enchantments more robust and long-lasting. These spells could range from protective wards to boosts in magical affinity.

I considered how gold could interact with other natural materials, such as wood or stone, in my crafting. By enchanting these combinations, I could create items that were not only magically potent but also deeply connected to the natural world.

My mind swirled with images of potential creations; a compass encased in gold that always pointed towards the nearest natural ley line; a set of runic stones with gold tracings that glowed when certain magical conditions were met; or a cloak clasped with a gold brooch that could blend its wearer into the natural surroundings.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The influx of ideas was exhilarating. Each concept was a blend of my deep understanding of nature, my mastery of magic, and the new realm of possibilities that gold and other minerals opened up. I felt my crafting potential had majorly increased right now.

My mind slowed down and I returned to myself. I was still channeling mana. My roots were still shifting through the wet earth and sand collecting all the gold flecks within reach.

As I extended my senses further, I noticed other minerals, each with its own unique aura. There were veins of quarts, shimmering with a clear, steady light. Flakes of mica glittered like tiny stars scattered throughout the sand. Iron deposits gave off a deep, red glow, indicative of their strength and utility.

Occasionally, I spotted specks of other valuable ores and gemstones, their presence adding to the chorus of the earth’s hidden riches.

I extended my mana, intertwining it with the roots that spread from my feet into the riverbank. The roots acted as conduits for my will, seeking out the glowing ores and minerals.

My druidic powers swirled and glowed around me, I identified the most valuable and useful minerals. My connection with the earth allowed me to discern their properties and potential uses.

The roots gently coaxed the minerals from their earthen bed, ensuring the surrounding environment was harmed in the process. This was a delicate task, requiring a balance of power and finesse.

As the roots retrieved the minerals, I guided them to the surface. I created small earthen vessels with my magic, where the roots deposited their treasure.

Finally, I used a combination of water and earth magic to cleanse the minerals of any impurities. Once purified, I carefully stored them in my dimensional shard, ensuring they were securely and neatly organized for future use.

As I completed the process, the intense pull of the gold lust gradually faded, leaving me with a sense of accomplished and bone deep exhaustion as if I had been channeling my mana all day.

Jillian watched in quiet awe as Gavrin worked the earth with his extraordinary abilities. The spectacle before her was unlike anything she had seen before – it was a dance of nature and magic, a symphony of elemental forces at play. As the day progressed and the light shifted from the bright tones of morning to the softer hues of late afternoon, she felt compelled to capture this moment.

Sitting comfortably with Thor and Loki at her side, she opened her sketchpad and began to draw. Thor, ever watchful, rested his head on his paws, keeping a gentle eye on Gavrin, while Loki, with her curious nature, occasionally glanced at Jillian’s sketchpad, as if trying to understand this human activity.

Jillian’s skilled hands moved deftly over the paper, her eyes occasionally shifting between Gavrin and her drawing. She aimed to capture not just the physical actions of Gavrin tilling the earth but also the essence of the magic at work. She sketched the lines of force emanating from Gavrin, envisioning them as swirling patterns around him, intertwining with the roots and the soil. The movement of the earth was rendered as fluid waves, almost alive under Gavrin’s command.

The background of the her sketch was the forest itself, with its towering trees and dappled sunlight, framing Gavrin in a natural tableau that spoke of his deep connection to the environment.

Jillian worked to infuse her drawing with the tranquility and concentration she observed in Gavrin. His expression, focused and serene, was a central element of her sketch. The peaceful coexistence of Thor and Loki beside her, blending into the scene, added a sense of harmony and companionship to the drawing.

As the afternoon waned, Jillian added the final touches to her sketch. The result was a captivating portrayal of a moment where magic, nature and human intention converged. It was a testament to the extraordinary changes their world had undergone and a poignant reminder of the beauty that could be found amidst the chaos.

When she finally finished, Jillian looked up to see Gavrin completing his task. The earth had settled, showing little sign of the upheaval it had undergone. She was proud and happy with her artwork. She had captured this unique moment in her art. She couldn't wait to share it.