I had a dream. I was a mote in the vote and heard a rumbling I knew to be a voice. The meaning of the words flowed into my mind.

“In the timeless scrolls of Eldareth, the Celestial Timber, Sylvanis, reigns supreme above all flora, its essence not merely of wood and leaf, but of enchantment and cosmic force. Birthed from the depths of the Primordial Chasm, where the very essence of matter melds with arcane energy, emerges Sylvanis’ first majestic bough. The divine column surged through the realm of Eldoria, granting life and foundation, before piercing the heavens at the celestial fortress of Skyhold, its branches sprawling across the cosmos. The vast limbs cradle the celestial planes; their leaves forge the canopy of the heavens; their blossoms and fruits, the shimmering constellation of stars. Across its verdant expanse roam four noble stags, the heralds of the winds, feasting upon the astral flora, these are the sentinels of the winds. Perched atop the highest bough, the great eagle, Aetherwing, with a vigilant falcon nestled between its eyes, oversees the serene aether.”

“A sprightly spirit, the squirrel Zephyr, flits along Sylvanis’ core, a messenger of storms and change, striving to incite conflict between Aetherwing and the dark leviathan, Gloomrend, who gnaws relentlessly at the tree’s roots. Gloomrend, along with the serpents of decay, are the volcanic fury that seeks to dismantle the world’s bedrock. Meanwhile, another of Sylvanis’ trunks blossoms in the luminous south, overarching the radiant Well of Fate, where deities convene in judgement. Within this spring dwell dual swans, the ancestors of all their kind, believed by the sage Finnian to mirror the sun and moon’s celestial ballet. Beside the scared spring reside the Fates, three ethereal guardians of destiny, who daily anoint Sylvanis with life-giving waters, ensuring its foliage against corruption. These hallowed waters hold such sanctity that all submerged within are purified to the core of luminance itself. The heavenly dew descending from Sylvanis upon the earth below is known as ambrosia-dew, the bees’ sustenance.”

“Sylvanis’ third root ventures deep into the frigid north, above the tumultous expanse of the Oceanic Abyss, the wellspring of Wisdom’s Echo, a reservoir brimming with unfathomed insight. Vaelmir, the well’s guardian, partakes of its waters, gaining boundless wisdom. In an era veiled by time, Eldrin, the Seeker of All, solictied the well’s profound clarity, a boon granted only with the offering of an eye.”

The dream ended, leaving me adrift in a tranquil void. Yet the serenity was soon piereced by a voice, resonant and vast, suffusing every fiber of my being with its omnipresence. “My son,” it intoned, imbued with the warmth of the sun and the majesty of the stars, “you stand at the crossroads of destiny, where the paths of the ancient and the yet to be converge.”

The voice, as ancient as time and as tender as a father’s whisper, continued, “The cosmos weaves its tales with threads of light and shadow, and now, you must choose your strand. Will you be the beacon that guides through the darkness, or the shadow that honors the light by defining its boundaries?”

A profound silence enveloped the space, as if the universe itself held its breath, awaiting my choice. The weight of the decision pressed upon my soul, a burden both daunting and exhilarating.

“In your heart lies the power to shape realms, to mend the frayed edges of reality, and to stand as a pillar amidst the swirling sands of chaos. Choose, my son, not with the mind’s fleeting whims, but with the soul’s enduring light. Let your choice echo through the ages.”

The voice faded, like the dying embers of a celestial fire, I awoke, the remnants of the dream clinging to my consciousness like dew upon the morning grass.

“Damnit.” I said, snapping my fingers. “I had questions, that rat bastard got away again.”

The gentle light of dawn was filtering inside my room. It had been a couple of months since the Lightning fell. I had made a lot of progress with my mana and magic control. Thor and Loki were growing enormous. We had to go hunting constantly to feed their hunger.

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Because of their size I had moved several miles outside the town. The survivors were complaining that my dogs were scaring people. They were big softies and I knew they wouldn’t hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it.

It was for the best, more and more people were arriving and I was starting to feel crowded out when I went into town.

I had a compound. Well, not so much a compound as a place to hide when I transitioned in and out of the dimensional shard. I was still trying to hold that one close to the vest. So far it was working out.

Raj had set up a little shop in town and Kim was running a little inn and bar combination. I was providing the raw goods for both of them.

Little Maya was becoming quite the tailor. Or seamstress. I am never really sure of the right words anymore. Her armor was the envy of the newcomers.

Queen Seraphina and the ants could create large sheets of chitin that could be modified into armor. After processing, it was difficult to determine what it was originally.

As I went about my day, my mind kept wandering back to the dream and the enigmatic voice that seemed to know me better then I knew myself. The choice it spoke of felt significant, a pivot point upon which my fate would turn. I wondered if it was merely a dream or a glimpse into a deeper truth about the world and my place within it.

After breakfast, I stepped outside and was greeted by the crisp morning air and the sight of Thor and Loki playing wrestling in the clearing. Their joy was infectious, and for a moment, the weight of destiny felt lighter on my shoulders.

I decided to visit Raj’s shop first. The walk into town was a familiar one, yet each time, I noticed subtle changes, a new structure here, a repaired road there. It was a reminder of how much had changed since the Lightning fell, and yet, in many ways, life continued unabated.

Raj greeted me with his usual warm smile, his shop bustling with activity. “Gavrin, my friend! It’s always a pleasure to see you. How are Thor and Loki? I swear they’re getting bigger every day.”

I laughed, “They’re doing well, keeping me on my toes. How’s business?”

“Thriving, thanks to you. The materials you’ve been supplying are a hit. People are amazed by the quality. And with Kim’s inn becoming the heart of our little community, we’re seeing more trade than ever.”

I nodded, pleased to hear it. The community’s growth was a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its people. It was a far cry from the chaotic days following the Lightning.

Next, I visited Kim’s inn, a warm and inviting place that had quickly become a hub for travelers and locals alike. Kim was in her element, her culinary creations bringing comfort and a sense of normalcy to many.

“Maya’s been asking about you.” Kim mentioned as she served me a cup of her signature brew. “She’s been experimenting with the chitin armor designs. You should see the latest piece she’s working on; it’s remarkable.”

The mention of Maya’s progress brought a smile to my face. “I’ll make sure to visit her before I head back. Her talent is truly something special.”

I mostly wandered around town the whole day and helped out where I could. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, I made my way to Maya’s workshop.

Maya’s eyes lit up as I entered. “Gavrin, you’re just in time to see the new armor prototype. With the chitin you provided and a few magical enhancements, I think we’ve created something extraordinary.”

She unveiled the armor, and I was taken aback by its craftsmanship and beauty. It was light yet incredibly durable, a perfect blend of nature’s gifts and Maya’s skill.

“I can’t believe you are still finding ants big enough to shed these shells.” Maya said. “But I need more, the demand is going through the roof. Someone said earlier, the material is lighter than steel but stronger.”

I nodded my head. “That’s good to hear, I guess. I’ll have to check my stocks but I think I can find some more to bring in. Maybe later this week?”

Maya seemed a little let down. “Ok. I’ll hold you to that.”

After that, I headed out. It didn’t really matter to me if I left in the dark. There really wasn’t anything out here that could harm me anymore. With our constant patrolling, I managed to either kill or dissuade larger monsters from getting too close to town.

A Fernando dropped from the trees and started chittering at me. I had been making more green revenants as I had the materials. People in town thought they were just a new species of squirrel but they were totally my creations. I had a huge network of squirrels running all over the place spying and scouting for me. I found it easier to head problems off at the pass rather than let them develop into something worse.

Tonight was a case in point. Fernando was reporting a large group of people were approaching from the west. He couldn’t get close to them because they kept killing everything they ran across. I decided they were worth a closer look.