"No way," Vivian turned to look at Isa. “I am not a Matriarch.”
"Aren’t you?" Isa’s sharp retort caused Vivian’s step to falter.
I’m not fit to fill those shoes. Not before, and certainly not now. I’m too much of a coward, always in need of protection. I can’t make tough decisions, and I certainly shouldn’t be responsible for others. So what makes me eligible now? Why am I being forced into it? Vivian casually moved her gaze from one building to another.
"Go on then, keep denying it. You’re only lying to yourself though," Isa noted Vivian’s reluctance.
Vivian turned to look at Isa with her tongue out, then asked, "I can only imagine how long it took to build this city. How did they get the buildings so tall with all this heavy material?"
"We don't know either. We don’t really have the luxury to ponder the mysteries of the world," Daryl responded as he carefully weaved through the rubble littering what remained of the road. "We're mostly concerned with surviving from day to day."
"Man made structures in the embrace of nature. This is truly beautiful," Vivian admired, brushing her hand across the smooth moss and rough stone of a building that hadn’t collapsed yet.
"It wasn't always like this. The plants have slowly been reclaiming the buildings, and as they do—" Daryl paused deliberately and as if on cue, a building not too far away collapsed. "The integrity of the structure fails."
Vivian looked at the plants growing on the buildings around her with new respect. "And what about where we're walking now?"
"No need for concern, we've taken the time to strengthen the plants where we frequent. Even as the walls crumble, the plants are able to support the structure," Lulu replied.
"Where are we going?" Vivian asked.
"Just a mini-tour of our humble abode, and then we have our daily duties to attend," Daryl responded. "Although Isa has already brought enough food to sustain us for several days. Molli and Bayne can take a break from foraging and hunting. They can begin preparing it when we arrive."
"That won't be necessary. Isa can handle that," Vivian volunteered. "They can spend the rest of the day with Emily instead."
Bayne's eyes lit up while Molli staggered slightly. Emily already had a bounce in her steps, but after hearing that? Her joy mingled with her boundless energy, sending her skipping and hopping amidst her parents with a beaming smile plastered on her face.
"Perhaps we could spend some time with Evan, too," Daryl gave Lulu a glance before rubbing his son’s head fondly.
"I insist," Vivian deliberately gazed at Molli, who looked away but nodded slightly.
"I don't need a tour either. We're heading to the sleeping area, the baths are a few buildings over, and the main building you use—is over in that direction," Vivian stated calmly and accurately. "If you could just point out a place I can use?"
"You intend to prepare by yourself?" Lulu raised her eyebrow.
"That was my intent before I met you all," Vivian nodded.
"We can handle that if you'd prefer to rest?" Lulu pushed. "Surely you're tired after that run earlier?"
“Take your pick of the buildings along this walkway, any should suffice. The vegetation here has all been strengthened,” Daryl interjected.
"Thanks for the offer Lulu, but this won’t be any trouble," Vivian stopped walking in front of a building that had a fair mix of plantlife covering it. She lightly tapped the wall causing the building to crumble within.
Vivian raised her arms to the sky and began chanting.
I was born in the light, steeped in darkness till only the gray remained. I will provide and protect, for I am the new caretaker.
Her words were laced with mana. A thin blue dweomer formed in the air above her.
I invoke the power of creation. Spawn from the green, take the first breath of life. I offer this fertile land. I beseech thee, take this land for your own and make yourself known.
Vivian grasped hold of the magic sphere and lowered her arms, pushing the blue dweomer down underground. The adults behind her stared mystified, unable to blink for fear they’d miss any part of the miracle taking place.
Lush vines emerged from the ground, accompanied by various tree saplings, moss, and grasses. All manner of plant life weaved together as it rapidly grew, reaching up into the sky, taking the ultimate shape of a huge tree made of many plants that twisted around each other, woven tightly together.
"How did she do that by herself?" Daryl found his voice as he tilted his head back to look up at the height of the tree. "The last time I saw a plant amalgamation even half that size, it took at least 15 of us working together. It didn't have as many plants worked into it either. Not to mention the harmony—"
"She's not done yet," Isa interrupted.
"What?" all eyes fell upon Vivian as she said some final words.
"The caretaker welcomes you. Please enjoy your stay," Vivian curtsied before the tree. A short delay after and the massive tree bowed in response. The ground shifted as the roots from the tree dug far and wide through the soil, connecting to every plant inside the city. All the plants grew in thickness and strength, reinforcing the structures that hadn't collapsed, and toppling the rest that could no longer be salvaged. The wild grasses multiplied like wildfire, growing thick and tall. Nature had fully claimed the city.
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Vivian swayed weakly on her feet, it took every effort she had to keep standing after completely draining her mana pool. The tree noticed her state and extended its branches towards her, forming a chair of vines.
"I need to rest a bit. That was more draining than I was counting on," Vivian stated as she fell into the chair. She was effortlessly taken towards the gigantic tree. The trunk parted as she approached and closed behind her after she passed through.
"We didn't just dream that right?" Molli asked, catching everyone present off-guard.
"No, that definitely happened," Daryl answered, his voice shaking. "And not to mention the rest of the city—"
"Only the Matriarch could pull off something of that magnitude, and by herself no less," Lulu took in the sight with wide open eyes.
Isa listened in but offered no explanations. She carried the boar towards the tree, and a sturdy table made of branches appeared for her to use. Isa gave a nod in gratitude as she started to prepare the boar.
Meanwhile, inside the tree, Vivian was placed on a hastily prepared bed of soft grasses, and topped in a velvety moss for comfort. The tree carefully removed her shirt and pants and covered her in a blanket made of more moss.
"Thank you," she murmured as the fatigue finally overwhelmed her and she succumbed to sleep’s loving embrace.
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"She actually—" Isa mumbled to herself as she worked on skinning the boar. Every so often she would cast a glance up at the monstrous tree. Isa was having trouble seeing any information concerning the tree. Unable to hold her curiosity back any further, she directed a question at the tree, "Are you a summoned tree spirit?"
The tree rustled its leaves in response, followed by an elegant bow.
"Is that so? Even more impressive, then," Isa stated, settling into preparing the boar in earnest.
The tree rustled once more and fell silent.
Isa nodded as she returned her attention to the boar.
"Mish Isha?" Isa turned to look at the origin of the voice, a pair of azure blue eyes framed in a tiny gray face greeted her vision. With a smile, she replied, "What can I do for you, Emily?"
"Wot did de tree shay?" Emily asked.
"The Matriarch managed to make the plant life here sentient. She created a tree spirit," Isa replied.
"Shentient?" Emily looked at Isa with wide-open innocent eyes that could melt the world.
Isa cocked her head to the side as she thought about how to explain, "Think of the tree as a big sister."
"Dosh she have a name?" Emily asked. Isa looked to the tree. The leaves rustled for a long time before returning to stillness.
"No," Isa translated. "She doesn't need one."
"That'sh shad," Emily stated somberly. The tree rustled briefly and vines grew from the ground wrapping around her, she was carried into the air, whereupon the tree began playing with her, tossing her around and catching her in distant branches.
"She said she doesn't need a name to play with you," Isa watched in amusement.
"Me too, me too!" Evan sounded jealous as he ran up to the tree.
The four adults exchanged looks, three sets of eyes eventually falling on Daryl. He cleared his throat as though was getting ready to say something profound. "Me next!" shamelessly, he ran toward the tree.
"That's cheating!" Lulu called, running hot on his heels.
"All kids at heart," Isa chuckled to herself as she returned her attention to the boar. “Such a sad existence they’ve had, I don’t envy them at all.”
The sounds of six Jadendajuda laughing and enjoying life brought a long-absent jubilant feeling to the empty city. Although it was the smallest and youngest of the bunch that really made it so. Silently, a vine wrapped around a preoccupied tiny phoenix and dragged her up to the canopy as well. Although she protested about needing to prepare their meal, there was a playful expression on her face as she allowed it to happen.
As the sun began disappearing over the horizon, the tree released them all on the ground. Isa went to finish preparing the boar, only to find that the task was already completed. Emily grabbed Molli and Bayne's hands while smiling from ear to ear. Molli looked down at her daughter, a faint smile was slowly cracking her stoic face. Bayne also looked down at Emily, his smile mirrored his daughter's. Daryl and Lulu were sitting in the shade enjoying a moment together with their son Evan.
When was the last time they were able to just enjoy life? Isa pondered and sighed. Vivian too...
Isa's gaze fell upon the tree. The tree responded in typical fashion, rustling its leaves.
"Of course I know she's fine, I worry about more than just her physical health," Isa replied to the tree. The leaves rustled a bit and went silent.
"Isa, how is it you know what the tree is saying?" Molli asked.
Isa let out a heavy sigh and unconsciously raised her voice, causing Molli to jump. "You should understand her better than I do!"
The tree rustled again.
"Sorry Molli, that outburst wasn't meant for you. You are a victim of what others have done." Isa explained then turned her attention to Daryl. "But you on the other hand. Invoking magic without a mana pool, you're fortunate only your appearance has suffered. Assuming you’ve been casting spells longer than eight years, only time will tell the price that Evan paid for what you’ve done."
Daryl didn’t even try to object. He knew she was right, but that didn’t make her words sting any less. “I—”
"I don't want to hear your excuses or justifications. Magic is a fickle mistress and without paying the proper price, she gets greedy," Isa continued. "Do you realize you are all merely empty shells in comparison to what your ancestors used to be? Though admittedly, that's not saying much; your god didn’t think you needed to be powerful. Believing that you’d be left alone if you weren’t classified as a threat. It’s just appalling how the passing of years have made you weaker."
Isa shook her head. "You've witnessed a true miracle today. Vivian created a tree spirit. The level of this feat very few have ever accomplished in my lifetime, and then only from the strongest of races. In a short two weeks, she's repeatedly shredded my worldview of your people. She’s found something that bypasses your people’s limitations.”
“I have my suspicions that this growth is related to her child," Isa stated, "I hope it's not the case, your race needs someone to carry the big stick and although she does fit the requirement, she doubts herself. I have high hopes for her, but presently—"
The tree rustled behind Isa.
"You're right, I shouldn't judge her performance before she does anything. She did create you, after all, that gives credence to her full potential."
"Thank you for playing with us and for your assistance with the boar," Isa added, tucking her wings respectfully.
"Yes! Thank you so much!" Lulu, Daryl, Evan, and Bayne chimed in together.
"T-thanks," Molli added sheepishly.
"Let'sh play again shometime!" Emily waved to the tree, her azure blue eyes sparkling in the twilight sun and a big grin plastered on her face.
The tree rustled in response.
I agree... that little girl is too precious. Isa thought to herself.