The festivities went on well into the night. It was hard to tell how much time had passed exactly. All they had to go off is the campfire and the bubbling stew above it - and while the pot was steadily getting emptier with every helping they ate, the fire seemed to burn on without a care.
Rayza set aside her bowl with a satisfied sigh. Spirits, she hadn’t eaten something this tasty for weeks. Since they left the last town, actually. You always forget the rousing effect of good food until you eat some after a long fast. She looked down to find Ciel curiously eyeing her.
Smiling, Rayza stroked her daughter’s hair. She still couldn’t believe it. All that she’d wished for, all her life - right here, in her arms. Her pipe dream…had come true. What would her father say if he saw her now, she wondered. Probably some sarcastic comment. Or would he have softened up if he saw his granddaughter?
Now, only the Spirits could know.
Rayza wrapped her arms around Ciel and pulled her close to her chest. Humming the comforting lullaby her mother-in-law had taught her so long ago, she rocked back and forth. All the singing, laughter and dancing faded into the background as she shared this intimate moment with her baby.
Was she humming for the child? Or was it for herself?
To be honest, it didn’t matter, and Rayza didn’t care about the answer. She loved her daughter, that’s all that mattered. So what if she wanted to selfishly feel bliss for once? It would definitely help distract from this light ache in her heart.
Though she couldn’t help but wonder why she still felt it, after all this time.
“Hey, Rayza.” Ionyr said, causing her to jolt and shoot him an angry glare. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to disturb you.” He said sheepishly. “But I can’t help but wonder if Ciel wants something to eat.”
Huh. She hadn’t even thought of that. Rayza looked down and found Ciel staring back, her expression unchanged. Made sense that she wouldn’t be able to express her wants - but that would make caring for this child exceedingly difficult.
What do children at this age eat, anyway?
“...ah.” Rayza said, mouth agape as it dawned on her what Ionyr was trying to get at. She looked up at the ghosts, completely ignoring them as they danced on. “I don’t know…” She mumbled, cheeks heating up. “If there’s anything for her to drink.”
She glanced down at her chest. Truth be told, this was something she hadn’t considered. Since she never got pregnant, would her body produce milk for Ciel? And if so…would this become a regular occurrence?
“Well, a baby needs milk. Better give it a shot - I’d like to watch the show.”
“Haha, very funny.” She huffed, lightly punched Ionyr’s sturdy arm. “Idiot.”
“Uh…that wasn’t me.” Ionyr said awkwardly, pointing up. When she checked what he was pointing at, she found…
“Hey.” Roger’s translucent form, floating above them. He’d been hidden in the rainbow colours of the dance, since his own was constantly changing with it. “Please continue. Pretend like I’m not even here.”
“You’re so lucky that you’re already dead.” Rayza hissed, burying her face in her hands to hide her embarrassment. Roger laughed, his shape shimmering with a joyous yellow.
“True!” He said, laughing as he floated away to rejoin the others. “Guess it’s all a matter of perspective, lass!”
“Prick.” Rayza muttered.
“Come on, Rayza.” Ionyr sighed. “Not in front of Ciel.”
“Oh shit, you’re right!” She exclaimed, freezing as she realised her mistake. Ionyr gave her a look that screamed ‘Really?’, making her sigh.”Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
“Well, you don’t have to stop completely.” He said, placing his hand on her back. “It’s part of your charm.” Leaning in, he grinned at his daughter.
“Don’t you agree, Ciel?” The baby stared blankly. “She agrees.” Ionyr declared matter-of-factly.
“You idiot.” Rayza said with a chuckle, facepalming. “Though then again…” She placed a hand on his cheek. “That’s a part of your charm.”
“Aw, Rayza…not in front of everyone!” Ionyr said, jutting his thumb to the side. When she turned to look, she saw a crowd of ghosts, eagerly watching them.
“Don’t mind us.” Roger said, grinning cheekily. “Just pretend we aren’t here.”
“You damn ghosts…” Rayza mumbled, her eye twitching with fury. She shot up and took a deep breath before letting loose an ear-shattering yell. “FUCK OFF!”
“Yikes! Real sailor’s mouth on this one. Quick fellas, run for your life!” Roger and the other ghosts laughed as they took to the skies once again. Ionyr joined in their mirth with an awkward chuckle.
“I know you’re upset, but-” She silenced him by angrily pressing her lips to his - taking her sweet time to wrestle tongues in a passionate exchange. Only once she needed air did she part lips. Ionyr was evidently dazed, staring off into space momentarily. “What the-”
“Now I’ll stop swearing.” Rayza said, sitting down beside him. Checking on the ghosts, she saw them all merrily dancing once again, unaware of what she did. Good.
“While I did enjoy that…” Ionyr said, wiping the saliva off his lips, “I don’t think we should do that in front of Ciel either.”
“Yeah, I know.” Rayza sighed dejectedly. “Really needed that one, though.”
“Same here. Now, about feeding her - what should we do?” Ionyr scratched his head.
“Good question.” She hummed, caressing Ciel’s cheek. If only the Creators had left something for them to figure out these sorts of questions.
…ah. Right.
“Need to grab something from your pouch real quick.” Rayza flicked it open and deftly pulled out the Creators’ tablet.
“Oh. Forgot about that.” Ionyr said upon seeing it, seeming a little apprehensive as Rayza began inspecting it from every angle. It really seemed to just be a flat, smooth stone. There was no obvious way for her to interact with it.
“How do you use this thing?” She mumbled under her breath.
“Answer: you just did, dumbass.”
“Who’re you calling a dumbass!?” Rayza yelled, glaring at Ionyr.
“I didn’t say anything!” He said, raising his hands in surprise at the sudden accusation.
“Then who did?” She hissed, clenching her hand around the stone.
“Answer: it’s the tablet speaking. The one you’re currently trying, and failing to crush.”
“What in the Great Spirits’ name…” Rayza stared at the tablet, which now had a faint white glow emanating from within. “I think I figured out how to use it.”
“Really?” Ionyr raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. “How?”
“Every time I ask a question, it answers.” She said slowly.
“Then why can’t I hear it?” Ionyr asked, crossing his arms.
Yeah, why can’t he hear it?
“Answer: The same way you ask the question in your mind, I answer the same way, as a thought.”
“This thing is amazing.” She said, simultaneously in awe at this marvellous creation and creeped out by this voice in her head. In fact, while it sounded different than she was used to, she did still recognize the voice as her own.
Why was that?
“Answer: I use your mind as a conduit, empty as it may be. Therefore, my voice and character are a reflection of your own.” Every time it spoke, the light within flickered ever so slightly.
“I don’t remember being such a sarcastic bitch.” Rayza said, feeling her anger surge.
It remained silent.
“I’m having trouble following.” Ionyr said, scratching his head. “But are you seriously getting angry at the tablet?”
“Yeah. Piece of shit made me question myself.” She said with a huff, handing it to him. “You take it.”
“You’ve been holding it for half a minute.” He laughed as he took it from her. “So, how does it work?”
He paused.
“Ah, that’s how.” He said, shuddering. “By the Four Spirits, that’s creepy.”
“I know, right?” Rayza said, rocking the baby. “Kept acting like a right pr-”
“Rayza, I’ve been meaning to say this.” Ionyr placed a finger on her lip. “Not in front of Ciel.”
“It was really, really rude to me.” She corrected herself. “Isn’t that horrible, Ciel? How could that tablet treat your mother so badly?”
“Huh, that’s weird.” Ionyr said, eyeing the tablet. “It’s been nice to me so far. Why is it treating us so differently…?” After a brief pause, he raised an eyebrow. “Ah, that’s why.”
“You don’t seem so excited over the tablet.” Rayza noted, stroking Ciel’s hair.
“It’s just…too easy, you know? I’d rather find out these things for myself instead of having them handed to me.” Ionyr sighed. “Just this once, for Ciel’s sake. Can we feed her the stew?”
There was another pause.
“Well?” Rayza asked, looking at Ionyr. He seemed rather intrigued - now she wished she’d been the one to ask. “What did it say?”
“We can feed her the stew, no problem.” He said absent-mindedly, handing her his empty bowl. “Sounds like her body and the ghosts’ are rather similar.”
“That makes a lot of sense, actually.” Roger said, startling her as he floated down to their level.
“Stop doing that!” Rayza’s yelled. Her heart couldn’t take another scare today.
“Sorry.” Roger smiled and squatted down, meeting Ciel’s gaze with a soft look in his eye. “I’m done with the festivities. I feel most alive right here, beside the fire. So, at this moment, I want to spend my time with you two…no, you three.”
He reached out to pat Ciel on the head, but his hand went straight through her. The glow of his form shined through her eyes, as though he were a flame in the lantern. He retracted his hand, staring at it momentarily before letting out a weary sigh.
“That being said, it makes sense that our bodies are similar.” Roger noted, glancing at the pile of dust that used to be him being blown away by the wind. “Same Creator and all.”
“So can you tell us if there’s anything we need to look out for?” Rayza asked, reaching over to the pot to fill her bowl.
“Not really. The Creators’ designs are perfect.” Roger said, standing up. “She can probably handle more than you can - you’re only human after all.”
“But what if she gets hurt?” Rayza asked. She knew her worries were likely unfounded, but still - she wanted absolute certainty that nothing could happen to her baby.
“Relax, lass.” Roger chuckled, lifting his legs and lying down on…nothing, just floating in midair. “The Creators told you of the World Soul, right?”
“Yeah.” Ionyr said, sneakily packing away the tablet. “What about it?”
“Good, makes this easier. Our bodies, and Ciel’s, are made from the element of Earth.” Roger said, rocking side to side. It looked like he was lying in an invisible hammock. “She is literally made from this world itself. Should anything ever actually be able to physically harm Ciel, she has the entire world to use as a bandage.”
“Hold on, what about that thing that happened when the innkeeper hit you?” Ionyr asked, leaning in, a curious glint having returned to his eyes.
“Oh, that. It’s a perk of living a few centuries in that body. ” Roger laughed.
“Try and fail to end yourself often enough, and you start roughhousing to pass the time. Eventually you figure out how to use the body’s innate magic to manipulate its broken off fragments.” He sighed wistfully. “Though even those brawls became boring after a year or two as well.”
“Geez…that’s horrible.” Rayza muttered. “What happened when you didn’t regenerate?”
“Tried that once. Woke up the next day, back to normal.” Roger shrugged. “Didn’t try it again. Who knows, maybe they copied my consciousness again to place in a new body.”
“About that…” Ionyr said, twiddling his thumbs. “I’ve been thinking…there might be no way to prove that you’re the real Jolly Roger. But…” He shook his head and stood up. “That uncertainty, and your centuries worth of struggle that made you who you are today…that is yours, and yours alone. And I think that’s worth something, you know?”
There was an audible silence, as even the ghosts dancing above became quiet.
“Sorry, that was a weird thing to say.” Ionyr laughed sheepishly and sat back down. “Never been good with moments like these. Just ignore what I said.”
“Thanks, lad.” Roger said firmly, a slight quiver to his voice. “Your words are comforting, truly. They give this old soul some peace.”
Echoing from above came a resonating chorus of agreement.
“I think the time has come.” Roger floated down onto the ground, joined by his fellow prisoners. “ Ionyr, Rayza…and Ciel, too. You, who bore witness to our suffering…we beseech you. Carry our will - our legacy into the future.”
Roger knelt down on the ground, with the others quickly following suit. Their translucent bodies began lightly pulsing, letting off small sparks that sunk into the earth.
“Roger, what-?” Before Ionyr could finish his sentence, one of the ghosts burst, small particles of light dispersing over the area as an echo of a relieved sigh resounded in the clearing. Most landed on the ground, the few that dropped in the fire made it burn brighter, and a few landed on the family. As it touched Rayza’s skin, it felt…warm almost. It evoked a sense of deep gratitude.
“Our time has come.” Roger said, a grin on his face. “Now we will see if we are the real deal or not.”
“W-what do you mean?!” Rayza asked in a panic. “What’s happening?!”
Another one burst, leaving an echo of a satisfied chuckle.
“If we are truly the people we claim to be…” Roger said, speaking over the echo. “Then we are born of the World Soul. And should that be the case…”
Three went at once, their happy echoes intermingling as sound and emotion in Rayza’s body. The flames of the campfire roared as the lights touched it, burning with all the colours of the rainbow and completely engulfing the small pot hanging above it.
“Should that be the case…” Roger repeated himself. “Then we will be accepted back into it…to be reborn anew.” Most of the other ghosts nodded and burst, leaving only the good captain, whose form was already giving off similar sparks of light.
“Welp, looks like it’s my turn. Ionyr, Rayza…it’s been a pleasure. And Ciel…” He said, smiling at the child. Her eyes were glowing, reflecting the lights in the clearing. “May your life be blessed, little Star. Farewell.”
“Roger…!” Ionyr reached out, but before he could stand up, the old man had burst, covering them in his light and leaving them only with an echo of his hearty laughter. Ionyr sat back down, bearing a mournful expression. Rayza imagined that he must be feeling it as well. The remnants of Roger’s joy. She placed a hand on his, giving him a reassuring smile…though she also felt saddened by the old storyteller’s departure.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ciel’s eyes glowing faintly. As Rayza looked down to check on her daughter, her eyes widened. She realised that each time any of the ghostly lights touched Ciel, her normally blue eyes pulsed with the same colour. And slowly, the Star’s expression was shifting from the usual vacant look, her eyes betraying a tiny sense of wonder.
“Ionyr, look.” She said quietly, so as not to disturb her daughter while pulling at his shirt.
“No, Rayza…look over there.” He replied, placing a finger under her chin and gently tilting her head up.
“But Ciel is…whoa…” Rayza fell silent when she saw what he was pointing at.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Where the ghostly sparks fell, the ground was pulsing with light and emitting a steady, deep humming noise. It was like the earth was reacting to the ghosts’ death. Did this mean…?
“They were the real deal after all. Returned to the earth whence they came…accepted by the World Soul. ” Ionyr mumbled, standing up and cautiously approaching the throbbing earth. “May you all rest in peace.”
Suddenly, he was knocked off his feet as the earth began moving below him. He reacted just in time, throwing his hands to the ground to stop his head from dropping straight into the campfire.
“Are you okay?!” Rayza asked worriedly, and he nodded.
“Yeah, but what the hell is going on here?!” Ionyr exclaimed, jumping to his feet and backing away from the shifting earth. “It’s just one thing after another!”
The ground morphed, shifting and mounting on itself to form four thin pillars.
“Is it the Creators?” Rayza asked, reaching for the comforting grip of her emergency dagger. Drat, it wasn’t there! She must’ve dropped it somewhere in the cave!
“No, this isn’t an earthquake. Whatever this is, it’s not using the same power as the Creators.” Ionyr said, protectively extending an arm before his family. “Get behind me. Be ready to grab the horses.”
The four pillars of earth, brimming and cracking with the ghostly light, had started to expand at their tip, resembling a blooming flower.
Nodding, Rayza stepped towards the horses. While keeping her eye on the ongoing phenomenon, she reached out, attempting to grab the reins. However, her hand found only air. Upon glancing at where the horses were supposed to be, she did a double take.
Both of the horses were somehow completely calm. Why? Couldn’t they see what was happening? Regardless, she thought, they were good to go at a moment's notice. She turned to let Ionyr know.
“Ionyr, the horses-”
As she turned, she found that the four pillars had grown into the shape of a four-legged animal. Extending upwards from its torso, the earth morphed into the shape of a skull. From the top, two small horns began to form, slowly growing larger and larger. Once the horns reached a certain length, they forked into two branches.
Rayza quickly realised the shape these horns were going to take, as they branched off once more. Once the antlers stopped growing, she glanced back at the horses, who had now bent one of their knees, stretching out the other before them. Were they…bowing?
“Something isn’t right…” Ionyr mumbled, taking a step back. “I’m getting goosebumps, but somehow…”
“You’re not nervous, right?” She said, nodding. “Same here.”
“Smell any danger?” He asked, seemingly hoping for a positive. Unfortunately, she had to disappoint him.
“No.” Rayza shook her head. “I feel oddly calm.”
“Same here. This is new to me.” He said, his gaze firmly affixed to the effigy before them.
By this point, it was clear what it was morphing into: a mighty stag, ghostly energy brimming from the tiny cracks in its earthen shell. Slowly, surely, that shell was starting to fall off, revealing a form of pure light inside.
Ionyr took a step back. Suddenly, the figure began to stir. It shook, gently at first, then stronger and stronger as it struggled to free itself. Eventually, its shell burst open as it managed to break out a leg. As the dust settled, Rayza finally got a good look at it.
The limb was akin to hot iron, shining brightly with the remains of the ghosts’ power - though as it settled, it revealed a thin leg, seemingly made of tree bark. Another leg quickly followed suit, and it didn’t take much longer for the entire body to burst free.
Shaking off the dust revealed this being’s true form - its body appeared like a stag’s skeleton, entirely made of a tree’s bark, healthy and stout. Its hooves were of stone, not too dissimilar to those under their feet. The ghostly energy coated it, but imperfectly, stirring and moving, leaving gaps to peek at the main body beneath.
Its head was made of the same bark, yet darkened and deadened. With the energy never reaching up to the head, it left the skull underneath permanently exposed. In its eye sockets, there was no light. But upon each of its antlers, branched manyfold, sat a small flame. None of them shared a colour, and sat at the very end of each branch, flickering calmly in the wind.
Having broken free, it could stretch to its full size, easily towering over Ionyr. As it stood proudly in the clearing, it looked up to the sky. There was a certain majesty to the beast as it seemingly took in the moment.
Rayza was stunned silent. What was this being? Why did she feel so oddly calm upon seeing it? And despite that calmness, there was this undeniable, and inexplicable reverence in the very core of her being. Somehow, in the back of her mind, she knew what it was - perhaps she’d read it in a book as a child, but it escaped her now.
Instinctively, she reached for Ionyr’s hand. He grabbed and held it tightly, turning around to give her a reassuring smile - though the edges of his mouth were quivering. He, too, was unsure what to feel.
The being stepped forward, looking around the clearing, each movement slow, deliberate and graceful. It appeared to be searching for something. As its gaze fell on Rayza, it stopped momentarily. Tilting its head, it took another step closer. Each step it took left an echoing sound hanging in the air, that of a dewdrop falling in water.
Ionyr immediately moved in front of her. It stopped and observed him curiously. Then it snorted - even that left a haunting echo as it turned around. It kept searching, until its gaze fell on one of the villager’s lanterns, hanging from a nearby tree.
Despite everything, Rayza couldn’t help but watch this being gracefully trot about the clearing. She was entranced by it - deep inside her, she felt it. She knew Ionyr felt it too - as did their bowing steeds. This was not a sight meant for mortal eyes. Everything about this situation felt so damn familiar - so why couldn’t she put her finger on it?
Looking up, the stag saw the rest of the lanterns hanging from the trees. It turned around and glanced at them again, letting out an echoing snort. Was it…trying to communicate?
It then stretched its head upward, its mouth wide open. The air shook as it emitted a white aura, a bubble of comfort cast from its skull and antlers that soothed everything it enveloped. The trees’ black bark slowly regained its colour; the ground became moist and fertile; and the black fog at the edge of the clearing was blown away.
Ionyr stood firm as the aura enveloped him, his expression unsure - so Rayza stood by him, letting the soft white light wash over her. She felt all her worries wash away, all at once. A deep calm took over her body as she listened to the being’s roar, a deep, soothing sound. Indeed, it was roaring, she realised now that she was bathed in the light. It reminded Rayza of a soft breeze blowing through an old tree - a forest flute.
And it was at this moment she realised what this being was. Back when she was a child, she’d read all about it - but only once, for she never got a second chance. Her father had hidden away that book right after; the book about the World Soul. The passage appeared in her mind, as clear as if it were yesterday.
Whether animal or human, we are all but fragments of the world we call home. We were not created by it, for we are part of it - therefore, we all had a hand in its creation. Upon our death, we return to the earth we were born from.
From that earth, new life arises in a different form. Our bodies’ ashes give rise to plants, which are eaten by animals, which are then killed by us humans. It is a big cycle in which nothing is truly ever created or destroyed.
With our bodies gone, something must also happen to our souls as well - for they are in need of a new vessel. The energy is returned to the world, to help give rise to the next generation of life. Should enough death, and therefore enough souls, gather in one place, this should birth a higher form of life than simple plants.
If one considers their nature, this could explain the origins of the most mysterious form of life on this world, elusive and mystical - the Spirits, amalgam of plant and animal. This remains a theory, as the birth of a Spirit, be it of minor or greater nature, has yet to be observed.
Rayza watched with renewed awe as the Spirit Stag continued its soft roar, raising its head higher and higher, until it eventually tore itself from its torso. Floating up, the skull was trailed by a white mist, a sort of ectoplasm that flowed from the hole in its neck. Once the light had fully left the body, the wooden skeleton fell to the ground, lifeless.
Approaching the lantern, the Spirit then lightly scooped it up with one of its antlers’ many branches. Carefully, slowly, deliberately, making sure not to break it. The flame at the end of said antler flickered happily as it nestled down in its new home.
After the small light settled down in the lantern, the stag then flew up, towards the other lanterns. Small droplets of its form dripped down, causing flowers to bloom on the earth they touched. Gracefully, it flew around the top of the clearing, spinning its head while scooping up the other lanterns as it went by.
It almost looked like…it was dancing. Just like…
Shortly after it had gathered all the remaining lanterns and let the flames settle inside, the Spirit floated up above the trees and looked over the forest. Examining every direction, it then gathered up its energy before releasing another great, soothing roar.
With that roar, all the black fog that coated the ground in the forest began flowing up, towards the Spirit, circling around its antlers. As more and more of it gathered, the fog began clinging to the lanterns like moths to a flame. Eventually, the last of the mist arrived from the forest to circle the skull, enveloping it completely.
There was a sudden lull. A silent beat amidst this magnificent act. Then the stag roared again. With a mighty burst, the black mist exploded from away from the skull, collecting in small orbs that hung in the air for just a brief moment. They were then sucked into the lanterns, all at once, leaving only the shimmering white aura of the Spirit.
It roared again, releasing its white mist to wash over the sea of trees in pulsing waves. Everything the light touched was revitalised - with each wave, the dreary swamp turned into a luscious forest of pine and oak, covered in mushrooms and vines. Bit by bit, the black trees regained their natural colour, and small patches of grass began to grow on the dry ground.
With each and every roar, with each and every wave of light, life was returned to the dead nature. The plants pulsed with a soft glow, in rhythm with the soft flute that was the beast’s roar - as though they were singing along.
The Spirit, after observing its work, flew back down to its body that it had left behind. Slowly, gracefully, it attached its skull back in its place as the white mist returned to the wooden skeleton. After repossessing its body, it rose to its feet, looking around the clearing once more.
It was completely unrecognisable - where before there was only a dead forest, sapped of strength, now stood a lush bastion of natural beauty. Releasing an echoing snort, as though satisfied with its work, the Spirit’s gaze wandered onto the family. Once it found them, it stepped a little closer.
The dim lights in its eye sockets were firmly affixed to Ciel as it approached. Ionyr extended his arms, blocking its view of his daughter. The stag stopped and stared at him briefly. As it kept eye contact, its head vibrated, causing the lanterns to shake and let out a wooden rattling noise.
Only then did Rayza realise that the lanterns had morphed - before, they were clearly metal, but now they were seemingly made of wood. As though they’d been absorbed into the Spirit and made part of its body, their entire structure had changed. The flames valiantly burned brightly within the darkness contained in the lanterns, each its own colour. As the stag shook its head, the colours mixed and melded into a gently glowing rainbow.
Those flames…could they truly be…?
“S…”
Yes, that voice…
“Safe…”
It sounded like many different voices, overlapping and congeling into an amalgam that was at once haunting, yet maintained a calmingly soft tone - a choir to accompany the deep flute.
The Spirit stopped shaking its head, and the glow faded. It then took another step, lowering its head down to their level. Ionyr glanced back at her, unsure. Rayza looked at Ciel, who was curiously staring at the Spirit. She herself was uncertain on what to do. She couldn’t sense any danger…yet still felt nervous.
They’d never encountered a Spirit on their travels before - few people had. The stories she’d heard about them varied wildly.
Guardians of nature, peaceful, stout and kind.
Manifestations of nature’s beauty, hidden, wary and distant.
Nature’s avengers, violent, merciless and quick to anger.
Was she willing to bet her newborn’s life on this one not being the latter?
Seemingly sensing her hesitance, the beast stopped and shook its head once more.
“Star…”
It spoke, before stopping and lowering its head. Was it…bowing? Suddenly, Ciel pulled one of her small arms from the cloth and raised it towards the stag.
“Ciel?” Rayza asked, but her daughter was ignoring her. Her eyes were affixed to the Spirit, a miniscule twinkle in her eyes. Rayza’s jaw slackened. Was this the first sign of humanity in the Star? “...alright.” She said with a sigh, smiling.
Ciel was Ionyr’s daughter after all. It only made sense that she be reckless in the name of her curiosity. Rayza stepped past Ionyr, giving him a nod. Seeing her smile, he seemed reassured. Taking a deep breath, she presented Ciel to the stag.
The Spirit curiously eyed the baby, tilting its head as it leaned in for a closer look. Ciel reached out, awkwardly trying to touch her hand to the Spirit’s skull. Snorting, the stag touched its snout to the Star’s hand.
A white gleam emanated from where the hand and skull touched, which seemingly caused the mist to creep up the neck of the Spirit ever so slightly. Forming a thin, flashing coat around its head similar to its body, it revealed the visage of a beautiful stag. With small, barely noticeable pulses, the lights in both their eyes flickered, as though they were somehow communicating. Rayza watched the whole thing with bated breath.
What was happening?
But before she could find an answer to that question, the light faded and the stag retracted its head. Looking at Ciel for a short moment, then letting its gaze wander over Ionyr and Rayza, the Spirit took a step back. The Star still tried to reach out, trying to pat the stag’s head, but it was unfortunately too far a reach for her small arm.
It turned around and lowered its head, as if to graze in the meadow it had created. Then, from within the Spirit’s body, a small azure orb formed, shining brightly. The orb made its way through the neck and up to the mouth.
As the Spirit opened its jaws, the ball of light dropped into the ground, causing a splash - like dropping a stone into a lake, blue waves of energy travelled from that spot and over the entire clearing. The stag turned around again to face them, rattling the lanterns.
“Safe...now…under my…protection.”
With that, it trotted off into the forest, disappearing in the blue haze.
“...what just happened?” Ionyr said, baffled.
“I have no idea…” Rayza muttered, pulling Ciel closer to her chest. Her daughter’s eyes no longer held that wondrous twinkle, going back to that blank expression. Sighing, she tucked in the exposed arm. “I’m exhausted.”
“Tell me about it. I was sweating bullets there.” Ionyr laughed, patting her on the back. “By the way, we still haven’t fed her.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” Rayza sighed and went back to her seat, grabbing the bowl of stew. By some miracle, it was still slightly warm.
As Ionyr sat down beside her, she went to feed Ciel a spoonful. Her daughter watched the spoon with mild curiosity before allowing it in. After swallowing, Ciel then opened her mouth again without a single change in her expression, silently asking for another serving.
“What do you think it meant?” Ionyr asked, watching their bonding moment with a tired smile. “By ‘under my protection’?”
“Beats me.” Rayza sighed as she scooped up another spoonful to feed Ciel. “I’m just happy we’re done with the surprises for today. Too much, if you ask me.”
However, Ciel didn’t seem interested in the stew any longer - her gaze was fixed in the direction where the Spirit had headed. Rayza tried lightly prodding the Star’s cheek with the spoon to get her attention, but to no avail.
“You might’ve jinxed it…” Ionyr mumbled.
“What are you talking ab-” Rayza said, looking up and having her words get stuck in her throat.
“We’re in for another surprise, it looks like.” Ionyr said, glancing at the horses. They seemed calm, having stood up with closed eyes, ready to sleep.
In the middle of the clearing, where the Spirit had dropped the orb, there was now a small sapling in the ground. This wouldn’t be all too surprising, were it not for the fact that it was growing at a speed far quicker than is natural. With every passing moment, the sapling grew another arm’s length. It didn’t take long for it to be as tall as Ionyr, and it didn’t look like it was stopping.
The thin stem quickly became a thick trunk covered in dark bark, easily half as wide as the whole clearing. Roots began to shoot from the place it had been planted, shooting between the surrounding trees, snaking around them as though they had a mind of their own. As the roots nestled down, they began to pulse with the azure glow of the orb, coating their vicinity with an ethereal blue haze.
Letting its essence flow into the forest, the tree began to grow ever larger until it towered over every other - and it was then that at its crown, the Spirit’s orb resurfaced, many times bigger than before.
It shined brightly, before tendrils burst forth from it. They shot high into the sky, then slowly started drooping down, until they almost touched the ground. Then, from the bottom up, they began to unfold, revealing shimmering azure leaves. Swaying in the wind, they also emitted the azure haze, slowly distributing the ether through the forest.
“Is this the power…of a Spirit?” Rayza said, watching the scenery with a slack jaw and wide eyes.
“That can’t be a simple Spirit.” Ionyr said, his voice trembling with awe as he approached the Spirit’s tree.
“You think it’s a Greater Spirit?” Rayza asked as she stood up and joined his side.
“Must be.” He nodded, and traced his hand along the tree’s bark. Wherever his hand touched, the brown bark shimmered azure for a few moments, even after he removed it. “Otherwise we’d have trees like these all over the country. Actually, this tree kind of reminds me of the one we used to have in our backyard.”
“The willow?” She asked, running the long leaves through her hands. “Yeah, they are pretty similar.”
“Alright then.” Ionyr leaned against the tree, grinning at her. “I got to name our daughter. Now it’s your turn.”
“What?” She raised an eyebrow. “You mean the tree?”
“Well, that Spirit did create it just for us, right?” He said with a chuckle. “And since we’re the first to discover it…we also need a name to write on the map.”
“I guess.” Rayza sighed. “What about the Spirit Willow?”
“Really?” Ionyr tilted his head smugly. “That’s the best you got?”
“Shut up.” She said grumpily. “It fits.”
“Come on, you can come up with something better than that! I mean, just look at this!” He gestured towards the tree’s crown. “Something so amazing deserves, no, needs a name just as fantastic!”
“Ugh, fine.” Rayza sighed and closed her eyes, trying to come up with something better. However, that was exceptionally difficult, with the sound of the roots, constantly pulsing in a slow, steady rhythm - just far enough apart to be annoying.
“Can’t think with this damn noise!” She yelled, kicking against the root, only to be knocked over at the next pulse. “Piece of…”
“Rayza…watch it.” Ionyr said, helping her up. Unfortunately, it did nothing to aid with her grumpiness.
“Yeah, yeah, no swearing. Geez, how strongly is this tree pumping…” She stopped. She got it - the perfect name. “Heart of the forest.”
“‘Heart of the forest’....” Ionyr said, closing his eyes in deep thought before nodding approvingly. “I like it. Way better.”
“Fantastic.” Rayza said with a sigh. “Now onto the important questions.” She held out her hand.
“Really?” Ionyr said disappointedly. “You want to just ruin the whole mystery?”
“Can you blame me?” She replied, walking over and reaching for the pouch containing the tablet. “I’m curious.”
“No.” He grabbed her hand while shaking his head. “We’re not using it.”
“Why not? Aren’t you curious too?” Rayza said, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, but…” Ionyr sighed, a wistful gloom in his eyes. “It’s no fun, you know? I really enjoyed talking with you and Roger, slowly figuring things out…using the tablet feels like cheating.”
“You didn’t have a problem checking it earlier.” She pulled her hand from his grip.
“That was for Ciel.” He leaned down and stroked his daughter’s forehead. “For her…I’ll look past myself.”
Rayza seized the opportunity and snagged the pouch from his belt, pulling out the tablet.
“Oi!” Ionyr yelled, seeing it in her hands. His expression turned sour. “Whatever. Do what you want.”
He grumpily went to sit back down. As Rayza watched him go, she wondered. Was this really worth it? What was she even going to ask?
“Answer: You could start with the Spirit. Is it a simple Spirit, a Greater Spirit, or even one of the Four? Or what about the tree? How will it affect the ecosystem? There’s too many questions to think of, so just take your pick already!”
“Don’t bother.” Rayza mumbled, dropping the tablet back into the pouch and heading to Ionyr’s side. “Some things are more important.” After sitting down beside him, she handed him his pouch. “Sorry.”
“Whatever questions you asked, don’t tell me.” Ionyr said, taking back the tablet.
“I didn’t ask for anything.” She said softly, placing her head on his shoulder.
“Really?” He sounded surprised. His expression quickly softened, as did his tone. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.” Rayza watched the tree’s leaves gently moving in the late night breeze. Truth be told, she’d figured that Ionyr would have a distaste for the Creator’s gift from the start. “This is about Ielus, isn’t it?”
“You got me.” He said with a light chuckle. “He’s out there, slaving away for the Ashen Order - pursuing his research in the hope that it’ll lead him to the Creators. And here we are, getting a free pass to their infinite knowledge by pure happenstance.”
“He wouldn’t take that well.” She giggled.
“Yeah. Ielus would hate our guts.” Ionyr became sombre. “And I don’t want that to happen when he meets his niece.”
“You’re right.” Rayza said, briefly pausing. “So we’re heading home, then?”
“Let’s get some proper sleep first.” He said with a nod, then looked up at the tree. “I’d like to find out personally what it means to sleep under a Spirit’s protection. Then we go.”
“Thank the Four.” Rayza said with a yawn. “I’ve been craving sleep since we got out of the cave.”
“Same.” Ionyr said with a weak laugh. “This has been one long day, hasn’t it?”
“As long as it was, it was a good day too.” Rayza said, catching one last glimpse of her daughter before closing her eyes. “Good night, Ionyr. Good night, Ciel.”
“Good night, Rayza. I’ll take the first watch.”
“Thanks…”
Rayza dozed off, finally getting her well-deserved rest after this long adventure. Tired as she may be, there was an undeniable excitement that bubbled in her soul. At long last, her dream life had begun.