Oh.

Well then.

"So that makes you my 'great-great-great-aunt' or something?"

"Right," The voice replies to my mind. "It was my sister who was married off to the leader of the Corrupt who stayed behind. And my brother, the leader, who married the Pure God Woman."

"And the children those two couple's produced?" I ask leading her towards my assumption.

"Were the first Hawk and Void Walker. They would then conceive the next generation."

"And those generations then conceive the next generation? The Witch is my Aunt then? And Claire is my Cousin?"

"Mhm."

Ah, well. That makes some things I have recently participated in, less couth.

"It's perfectly natural for god's." She explains, reminding me she can read my thoughts within the Bay.

I had been speaking blankly to the altar for a few hours now. She explained the tale of the Fifty earlier. She then explained her own position in the tale. She was the twin sister of the void mage in the story. It was her who had maintained this barrier for so long, it was actually to protect the altar she had now resided within. The device was the only thing keeping the three worlds linked.

Without the barrier powerful beasts might come and feed on the leaking energy.

When she explained that I glanced at the large Cockatrice that was slumbering beside us.

She interjected that the beast was actually aiding her in the maintenance. It was him who provided any excess energy when needed. Maintaining this barrier was more difficult than originally expected. So the Beast God contracted the Cockatrice to keep the girl company in the desolate church.

And here I had planned to kill it. 'Tsk tsk' indeed.

The girl laughs at my thoughts cutely. She must have been young when she was merged with the intricately carved altar. The story hadn't revealed much but I assumed the leader's wife to be older.

"We're immortal so…" She says interrupting my thoughts. "By the way, it's kind of weird Degin didn't tell you all this. He's still around right?"

"Degin? Well I mean it's a title so it's got to be a different person by now."

She laughs again

"Well sure it's a title, I'm not dumb. But it's been the same man carrying the title for the past three hundred years."   

"Are you sure?"

"Nearly positive. Hell, I bet a lot of people I'd recognize are still there. Especially now that the world is so chock-full of Chaos Mana."

"But how? There are only forty tribe members?"

"Oh well then now I'm completely sure. We had forty when I was around too. It's probably the same guys, are Ron and Deb still trying?" She asks hoping to get some tribe gossip out of me.

The names, they are surely Den's parents names. I feel bad it's taken me so long to remember the names. They looked younger when I met them. Had they really been trying to conceive Den for the past two hundred years?

"Yep. Well that's a relief, but really 'Den'. People with three letter names are so boring! At least be a little creative with your naming."

Why didn't they tell me any of this?

Why had they kept so much from me again. I had even asked Degin about the barrier and he claimed he knew nothing. I actually had a bit of trouble believing the Altar girl's words.

She then shows me a Intent image of the man she remembered. It was indeed Degin. He looks wierd with facial hair, it's good he shaved it.

"It will be your turn next, I understand from the intent of the earlier pulse you have already taken a few steps towards creating the new generation Hawk."

It's hard to cover the reddening of my face. Her words bring back pleasant but now conflicting memories.

Earth-me thought the conduct was inappropriate with a cousin.

But the real me still loves Claire with all my heart.

I also didn't like the thought of dying, the moment I have a child my life will become a ticking clock.

Sixteen years and I would have to choose, die or continue along selfishly?

It was clearly not an actual choice though.

There would only be a single answer, when the time came i would happily hand my mind to my child. But it wasn't something I had to look forward too. Right?

"It's understandable to have trepidations, the first hawk was nervous to exchange his mind as well. He wondered if he couldn't handle it all in his lifetime. As you see around you it would have been entirely impossible."

"But wouldn't he have been immortal? Why pass on the mind if he could have just continued forever?"

"It's not about time. The first Hawk learned that while nearing the ceremony of his son. It's about giving another mind an attempt at the task. That's the only way we can truly continue. Your father felt the same way, and now here you stand. The begining starts again."

I see.

Dad did much to prepare. He locked my mana away in order to make me into a blank slate. He also instructed Joye to train in building a world with high levels of Pure and Corrupt mana. And forced me to cultivate my first stone inside it. With my first stone being a combination of all forms of mana I could attempt to put the world at balance. And if I failed I would have the chance to create a new Godly mana holder with Claire.

I have to work on doing it myself with the power my father granted me.

Not that I don't want children. It's more that I want to fix the world myself. I think I can.

It sounds the perfect task for me.

It sounds the perfect task for the other mind too. I can feel his excitement by the happy memories he quickly flashes me.

"Well I'm glad you both agree."

"There's something i still want to do though."

"Mhm, I figured as much, even with explanations for it's purpose you wouldn't likely give up would you? You're intent told me as much."

She says some words that bug me slightly, she had said the same thing the Cockatraice said earlier. I apparently leak my intentions with every breath. I leak secrets I keep in my mind, I leak my name, my history, my habits, my weaknesses. She told me that she had heard all these things about me long before i even stepped into the winter zone.

I also learned about the season zone earlier. Its due to the latent intent of the lazy Cockatrice. It was as I assumed when he first spoke. He wants to leave, he wants to enjoy the seasons in a nice place.

This desire for vacation. This desire for comfort, had been incorporating with the large mass of mana. This created a massive cloud of intent mana.

His discontent in staying in the church had created this horror, yeah you're damn right i still want to put an end to it.

"I see. Well there is little I can do with my drained power. The barrier had formerly only extended around the church and city ruins. With my weakening power I can't maintain its shape. And as you've already guessed, the explosion from its destruction would kill the world."

"So the only chance is to shrink it again."

"If you're desire is to stop the weather effects and toxicity, that indeed would be the only way. But with the density of mana it would require massive amounts to accomplish."   

"I see. So it's not something I can do in the two weeks till my coronation?"

"Your coronation is tomorrow Drew."

"What's that?"

"Have I not mentioned the dilation?"

"Dilation? You don't mean?"

"Right with the heaviness of the mana 'time' here passes much slower than elsewhere. What was an hour walKing here in the snow this morning was days in the capital. Claire is actually already in the mage's tower. She arrived around a half hour ago here, a day ago in Colgate."

"I don't understand? How's that possible?"

"Traces of my sister's magic mixing with the mana in the air."

"From freezing time here hundred of years ago?"

"She didn't exactly freeze time, if the God leaders had looked at their subordinates for longer they would have realized they were in fact moving, only very slowly. My sister only slowed the time down heavily for everyone except the god leaders. Look there." She says making an arrow appear in my mind.

I look up at where she has indicated and see what remains of a thin tear in the church's steeple. It was small but it was clearly a void which vibrated chaotically.

"Oh, so thats a… Wait, no. If Claire is already here then I need to go. I don't want to be late even if this is important. Don't get me wrong. I will destroy this barrier, it is my sole mission right now. After receiving my Dukedom."

"Well I suppose that is fairly important." She huffs, somewhat unsatisfied with my answer.

She is likely as lonely as the Ents and Cockatrice. I can't imagine this lazy Cockatrice being my only company. Must be hard.

"You have no idea."

Oh damn, I gotta stop forgetting about that.

"But if like you said time is dilated, how will I return in time? You can't make teleport void can you?" I ask salivating at the new possible tool.

"No. I can't, that actually was developed by the first Voidwalker, The Corrupt God and my sisters daughter. So I don't really know how it works."

Oh so she was particularly skilled as well, well I suppose that makes sense. She was descendant of interbreeding between god tribes. The child would naturally be extremely gifted.

Well I suppose I'm one of those too. I should develop some magic!

"You really can't focus for more than a half second can you? You remind me of my brother."

"Thank you."

"Ok well, he was an important person. But don't get me wrong that wasn't a compliment."

"You're right, Oh! How ever will I return? I could never make it at the pace I was going!" I say overtly loudly towards the Cockatrice. "If only I had a majestic magical beast to fly me through the air at breakneck speeds."

I tried to make it sound passionate. I think I did well, The cockatrice slowly opens its eyes and peers at me.

"Heh, you brat. I know your game. Alright so be it, but I can't promise I can get out of the mass in less than a half day."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The time dilation confused me but his conception of the time seemed to have no issue, he had said a half day but he meant a half day on the outside. He seemed to be able to grasp his pace and cross reference it against the rate the dilation was set at.

"Thank you kind beast. You are truly gracious." I say to him as we begin walking out of the small ancient church.

"Oh I'm just doing it because the damned Beast God wouldn't shut up in my head."

"Beast God? He's still around?"

"Mhm, he floats around, he can read the mind of all the magical creatures in the world. He was watching carefully during our duel. It pissed me off."

"Oh, well I'm sorry." I say carefully getting onto the back of the creature who has just kneeled down infront of me at the church's steps.

Anyone who saw this sight would surely be confused, was this beast bowing to the church? The deity inside? Or the deity who awkwardly stumbled onto its back?

Surely it couldn't be the last one.

----------------------------------------

It was fast.

Well from the outside it probably looked like a leaf slowly floating in the sky but inside the thick mana we flew at indeed breakneck speeds. It was hard to hold tight. The feathers were delicate so it wasn't like fur I could grab.

The scales were slick too, so that was no help either.

The sharp edges of the scales tore at my pant legs. I was extremely happy I had switched off of the typical bandit skirt I had worn a few months prior.

I can't imagine the aftermath of riding while wearing the freeing garb. It wouldn't be pleasant.

Another thing that is high on my list for this world is simply underpants. How is this overlooked?

Well with the new looms running in Winter Village and the planned road between them and Spider Village it should be something they can produce.

I had insisted on such a road. No one would be forced to ambush bandits in order to ask for directions ever again. Not that I assume it was a common occurrence.

The mana had begun to dissipate the further we flew from the church. I could now see the ground from inside the thick mana.

I was still over snow, but when I looked in the distance I could see the line of dirt indicating the fall zone. I wonder, since the Cockatrice, the source of this season desiring intent, is leaving the church would this weather stop for a short time?

"Nope." A cute voice sounded in my head suddenly.

Oh, you're still here?

"Well don't sound too excited, I can use intent to hear and speak to you anywhere in the barrier over the bay. It was so hard not to pipe up during your first flight."

Oy, you could have helped with the wolves couldn't you?

"Maybe…"

Unforgivable.

"Wait ah, I…"

I'm kidding no harm.

"Would you two stop whispering!" The Cockatrice crows loudly from its beak.

""Sorry."" We both sent via intent.

It was my only way to speak to the beast over the roaring wind.

We passed over the edge of winter and into the fall zone. We must be passing over the Ents

I pass a quick wave to the trees below.

"Oh you know about them too?" The Cockatrice asks.

"Yeah, nice guys, dealt with the logging problem they faced."

"Oh really? I didn't know they faced such an issue. I feel apologetic for my recent slumbers."

The Cockatrice is a stubborn guy but he seems to care for the place deeply. I suppose he has lived here the past Hundred some odd years to help with the barrier.

And, despite his hate for Dragons and the Beast God, he did faithfully fulfil the duty. I feel like I should relieve him of the duty. I really want to come back after the banquets and find my own way to deal with this energy. Maybe I can just absorb it all.

Maybe not.

It is a lot of mana. It would make my stones look like a joke. It would take years in the already dilated space. Centuries outside, I couldn't waste that much time.

"Hey Cockatrice, do you have a name?" I was suddenly curious, I had been meaning to ask after the duel but the talks with my great aunt interrupted that.

"Nope, only the Dragon God has a name. If I remember right he got it from the last leader of the Mid Gods tribe, before you all took the name 'Blood Hook' and made the first Hawk. The leader beat the beast in a duel and they gave each other names."

"Oh?"

"Hm, you now want to give me a name?"

"Yes, and I need a last name too!"

"Oh? I see, then i will think on it."

"Likewise." I reply with a smile through intent again.

This is a perfect turn of events, I had been bothered by the request to come up with my own last name. I was somewhat relieved I had been given my other title by the King, not that I particularly like the connotation of 'Duke of Blood'. But it was a relief not to think of my own royal title.

The Count was Count of Foods by the way.

It fit him perfectly, and he happily accepted the title. There was also an Earl of Sheep and a Duchess of Grace. I wanted to meet the two, I wonder if they will be at the ceremony.

"Cock?" The cockatrice suddenly asks.

"Nope, no chance, not a chance in hell."

Drew Cock, Are you joking me? That is just cruel.

"Heh, fine." He mutters through the tearing wind. "Oh, perhaps Gordianus?"

"Gordianus?"

"Right, it's the name of the ruined town outside the church. It's a good name!" The woman again pipes in.

"It's as she said, the city was once greatly feared by the beasts in the time before the tribes. It was only the Dragon God who finally destroyed the town, and with that he declared the war with humans over."

Interesting I knew nothing about this Beast God, I very much wanted to meet him.

He reminded me of the guy in my head. Just wants to watch an interesting turn of events. I wonder, have we entertained him up till now? Is he happy with his investment?

Colgate appears in the distance. I can see the mage tower sticking up from the elaborately carved town. It was even more beautiful from atop. But I was looking forward to the other beauty that was awaiting me, I cared little for the view. I just wanted to move faster.

And in turn the beast increased speed. He must have been forced to by my accidental slip in mana.

"Sorry about that." I say patting him who seems surprised by his sudden increase in top speed.

I reign in my mana and he returns to his earlier state.

It reminded my other mind of a imported tv show he'd watched. There was a beast who could sense the feelings of its rider, it went faster when asked, stoped when asked.

Its name popped into my mind, it's not bad.

"Vigi?"

"Oh? It's not bad. I like it!" He suddenly snorts circling the town a few times to slow down his intense speed and then he lands in a clearing near the river.

With mana vision they should be able to tell I'm with him so it shouldn't cause too much commotion.

It would also be a good chance to introduce the village to the creature who helps protect them. He will surely love the attention.

Even if he pretends he doesn't.

As I expect a large group assembles. It reminds me of the day I first arrived at Colgate a few months prior. It was nostalgic, even a few of the villagers smiled this time instead of looking upon me with fear.

"Howdy." I say after hopping from the beast.

"Always one for a flash entrance I see." The village chief says chuckling as he steps forward.

"Is there any other way?"

"I suppose not for our Duke."

"Oh, you found out?"

"Yeah this one has been bugging everyone about it. I'm sure there will be much you two will need to discuss" He says pointing with a broad smile towards the area where the crowd is parting.

"Ah. Long time no see, you sure are late. As usual."

I'm surprised by what I see through a quick glance of mana vision.

"Aughu… Uhh… Yeah um, Claire. Can I speak with you aside for a second." I gulp after a moment.

"We don't have time, the ceremony is today. Come on we need to hurry."

So it's already been a day, huh?  

But, no! I have a much more serious topic to discus with Claire.

She silently lead me towards the mage tower without a word, dragging me roughly. I had wanted a chance to introduce the beast I rode to the people but it instead burst off towards the church. I would miss Vigi, the time riding him was fun. But I again, have bigger fish to fry right now. So to speak.

"Here let's go." She says stepping into the empty mage tower.

I again remember the scene I had seen Den and Lola in, it reminded me of my own situation.

"Claire wait," I say trying to grab her hand, she instead grabs mine and has already pulled open the void. She drags me into the small dusty shack she has been staying in the past two months.

----------------------------------------

Lit by the dimming sun from the window in the capital. I take a moment to reactivate mana vision to reconfirm what I had seen earlier, it could have been a mistake on my part but this time I was sure.

"Claire, wait." I say stopping her from pulling me from the dirtied room and towards the door. I understand she was in a rush to get to my ceremony but the ceremony was peanuts compared to the discussion I have to have.

"Have you been sick lately?" I ask already sure.

"Yeah, a little, from the food I figure."

"It's not the food." I switch on mana vision a third time to check. It's not rare for tests to be wrong. Right?

No, there is no denying it. She once had a single distinct mana ball forming in her gut. But here I can clearly see two separate orbs of mana. One much smaller than the others.

"Claire, do you remember what we did the night before you left for the capital?"

"Auh, uhm. You mean when we…?"

"Yeah."

"Wait you're not saying I'm…?"

"Yeah, It's easy to tell with mana vision." I explain embarrassed by the situation, it's typically not the man's job to explain this type of occasion.

"You're pregnant Claire."

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TO BE CONTINUED IN VOLUME II

LINKED 'IN GOLD'