(Gavin)

"Father," Warren greets Oberon as we return, then stares at me, before looking back to his father. "Where'd Gavin go?"

"He's being a jerk," Nies mutters.

"Warren," Michael rolls his eyes. "It's Zelv, the Fairy. The violet alone should've been enough to tip you off to that. The way Nies is staring at him should also contribute it."

"No," Warren shakes his head. "You can't Formshift into a Species that you haven't befriended the leader of, and the Eternal Fairies don't even have any living members, so for Gavin to-"

"Eternal Fairies?" Oberon asks, and Warren clamps his hands over his mouth. "What's an Eternal Fairy?"

A being as old and powerful as Oberon not knowing what it is, but Warren does?

"Yeah, Warren," I put my hands on my hips. "What's an Eternal Fairy?"

"That mocking tone should tell you it's Gavin," Michael tells Warren as Nies throws something at the back of my head.

I turn and look, seeing a piece of candy on the ground and my patron looking at it sadly.

"You can get off the tiger and get it yourself, you know."

"So much work," he sighs. "Can you get it for me?"

"After you threw it at my head?" I pick it up, then pop it in my mouth. "What's this flavor?"

"You're mean."

"What's the flavor?"

"I wanted to eat that."

"What's the flavor."

"Cotton candy."

"I thought you said it was fluffy and soft?"

"It's cotton candy-flavored candy."

Candy-flavored candy?

"It's good."

"I was going to eat it."

"You gave it to me."

"No, I didn't."

"You threw it at me," I say. "It's food. Now, it's mine."

"I wanted to eat it," he looks sad.

"I can give it to you, if you want."

"Yeah," Warren says. "That's Gavin. But a Form like that couldn't be possible, since there aren't any Eternal Fairies."

"You still haven't told me what they are," Oberon tells his son.

"The weird species of Fairy," Nies says lazily from his tiger. "They're the only Fairy species I didn't bop into existence. Though they have a LIF value, it's almost always random, and it means absolutely nothing to them. They're timeless. Their levels of Affinities are above that of any other species. They also have naturally high attributes, before the System kicks in. No one knows how they came into existence. The Dekami got banned from all realms but their own after hunting down and killing all of them."

"That's why the Dekami got banned?"

"Hiani was friends with one of my sacred tigers. They killed it, too. So I told them to never leave their realm again."

He says that so lazily, as if it's that simple, but I get the sense that they're scared to leave their realm, after he told them not to. Just what, exactly, is Nies? He has to be more than just the Origin of Quests and Oaths, especially with how lazy he is.

"Who's Hiani?" I ask.

"I have no clue," Oberon says. "I've never even heard of Eternal Fairies before."

They threw the best parties, Yggdrasil says. Now that I know that there's a cloak that can shield them from Divine Sight, I have made some adjustments. Should they use one of those here again, I will Smite them myself. Already Smote three.

"There were three here?" Nies asks.

'Were' is the key word here, Nies. There aren't anymore.

"Oh," Nies says. "So that's how you detect them. There are eighty-seven across the universe that have left their realm. I'll sic Ekre on them."

"Why not do it yourself?" I ask.

"I'm keeping you in my sight," he sighs. "Ekre can handle taking care of them. I told them not to leave their realm again. I wanna find out how they got those cloaks. Or made them. Probably made them. And how long they've been around."

Pretty sure you just want to be lazy, Ekre says.

"No," Nies says. "I don't want to let Gavin out of my sight again."

"Okay, gods, Fairies," I say. "I'm kind of hungry. Could you four shut up and?"

"I wasn't say anything, Gavin," Oberon says.

"If you want me to be in a Fairy Form," I say. "To receive your training, then you need to address me by my Fairy name."

"You aren't acting like one of my subjects."

"You rule over most of the Fairies, not all," I say. "And clearly, I'm of a type that hasn't been around since your birth, so I'm not one of your subjects. Especially since, as you stated, this is my default Fairy Form."

"You're being disrespectful," Warren tells me. "Remember our agreement?"

Ah, crap. I mentioned the Forms thing to everyone here.

I took care of that, an unknown voice enters my head. He sounds like he'd be around my age. Only those who already knew caught word of it, and the filter I created won't be noticed or seen through. It will last, should you slip again, while in the Forest of the Fairies.

"What the-?" Nies mutters.

"What?" I look at him.

Did he hear that, too?

"I don't know," he looks around. "I sensed a strange presence, but only for a moment. I couldn't pin it down."

"The Dekami?"

As if I'd allow one of them back into this world, Yggdrasil says. I could sense it as well, but also couldn't it track it down. A Divine Being capable of avoiding our perception. They were likely only communicating with someone, though.

Yeah, me, but I'm not going to tell them.

I sit between Michael and Warren, and Oberon sits down. Nies parks his tiger between Warren and I, and as we eat, it becomes clear fast that he's too lazy to reach forward and grab things off the table, so I help him out a little bit.

Most of the Fairies are a bit unsure of the situation. Two Divine Beings openly communicating with us, one of whom is sitting in front of them, and he's probably nothing like any they've heard of before. Then, there's the strange Fairy among them, one none of them likely know of.

Except Warren, and I plan on finding out later how he knows about the Eternal Fairies. I just hope I can get Nies away, I don't think he'll be too keen on sharing information with a god hanging around.

He probably won't, that voice returns. And Nies won't be leaving your side anytime soon. Warren heard about them from the Spirits. He knows of many things that most wouldn't.

"That weird presence is back," Nies mutters. "It's annoying me. It's gone. I wanna kill it. Where is it coming from?"

"Have a cake," I hand a slice of cake to him, and he starts eating it, looking somewhat content.

I end up feeding him the entire cake.

After dinner, I'm given a tour by a green-haired Fairy named Isai. Ee-sah-ee. He shows me around the palace, and then to the gardens where many of the noble Fairies sleep. There are around a dozen already sleeping, though a couple are talking, both of them sitting on hammocks.

It seems like the Fairies will sleep on the ground, on stone or wooden benches, or on hammocks, though I see a couple sleeping on branches.

The two Fairies that are talking are one with brown hair and eyes, and one with white, his glittery white wings out, dressed in a loincloth that matches his colors. I'd put his 'human age' around ten, and when he sees me, he stares.

"Prince Haia," Isai bows.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I know they don't speak Jozan, but… that sounds like 'hiya'. I think that's English, too. Must resist the urge to make jokes.

"Isai," Haia greets him, then looks at me. "Zelv?"

"Hiya, Haia," I say, and Nies snickers behind me, the Fairies looking confused. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. It's been so long since I wasn't under stress and pressure, and it seems my old personality is slipping out. In several languages I know, your name would sound like 'hiya', a greeting."

"A strange Fairy," he says. "Followed by a Divine on a strange cat. From which land do you hail?"

"Actually," I say. "I'm a human, but your father decided I should be a Fairy while I'm learning under him."

"Humans can't change forms," he says. "And my father doesn't have the power to do that."

"There's a Divine following me," I say. "I don't think a human being a Fairy isn't too out-of-concept."

"All this traveling is annoying," Nies sighs. "Can we just settle down somewhere and nap?"

"You're free to."

Especially since you're not even the one who's doing the traveling, Nies.

"Uh-uh," he says. "Not unless you are, Gavin. Not letting you out of my sight until you're back in human form."

"Gavin?" Haia asks. "You're the human Wizard Father was hoping wouldn't return? The son of that asshole, Christopher?"

"Yes," I nod. "Your father has also acknowledged that I'm not my father, and that I'm not the enemy of the Fairies."

"Uh-huh," he doesn't believe me.

"I swear on the blood in my veins that I am not an enemy of Oberon's or of the Fairies as a whole."

My body glows crimson, and out of curiosity, I look at Nies. He looks sleepy, but also has that crimson glow.

"I forgot I did that," he says. "If someone swore a Blood Oath while I'm in the mortal realms. How do I turn it off? That's your third one since arriving in the forest, and I don't wanna be all glowy all the time."

"It's the fourth one made because of me," I tell him. "Since I arrived here. Oberon swore one, too."

Or was it five?

"Me damn it," Nies mutters, and I snort. "That's rude."

"Says the god swearing on himself."

"I'm allowed to insult myself."

"Oo-oo huku mutata."

"Where in the 'verse did you learn that language?"

"I forgot that a Divine Being would know something like that."

"That was really, really rude, Gavin."

"Says the god stalking his Hero."

"I'm kind of afraid to ask if they're always like this," Haia says to the other Fairy.

Maybe I should've kept Appraisal? Why didn't I, actually? Too bad I can't just add it back on, I'd have to Remove this Form to get Appraisal.

My Gift to you.

I quickly pull up my Skills, and find my full Appraisal there… along with more.

Divine Appraisal 1: the power to Appraise the Divine and their offspring, no one can hide their secrets to you.

Divine Appraisal Resistance 1: the power to resist the Appraisals and gazes of Divine Eyes.

Targeting Eyes of the Divine 1: you may see those around you. At Level 1, all will appear as green dots to your vision.

Who are you?

I look around, noticing that Nies isn't appearing as a dot, though he is looking agitated.

Just a friendly person.

Are you Nies's father?

No, but your assumption to that was quick. I'm impressed. Not many would jump to that conclusion that quickly. You could consider me… his older brother.

"I'm not feeling too comfortable," Nies mutters. "It's still here this time. It's sticking around."

Also, those Skills will not be detected by Divine Beings, even if they're looking directly at your Skills. Only you and I will know of their existence.

"Yes," I look at Haia. "We're always like this. Sometimes, I even stick sticky stuff in Nies's hair."

"No, you don't," Nies mutters.

"He does," Michael tells him. "You didn't see him put some honey in it earlier."

Nies stares at Michael, knowing that he'd not lie about that, especially since we're around a lot of unfamiliars. Micahel's reverted back to his silent, watchful mode, and I doubt Nies would have paid much attention to him, had he not spoken. He's been following us around during the tour.

Warren's with his Father, I think.

"He did what?" Nies starts feeling the back of his hair, then gets an aggravated look on his face.

The tiger behind him approaches and starts licking the honey out.

"I can't believe you did that," Nies grumbles.

"I couldn't resist," I tell him. "You took your eyes off me."

"You're mean," he grumbles.

"Says the god who won't leave his Hero alone."

"You're mean," he says that as if that's the only reason he needs to stay here and watch me personally.

The tiger returns to its guarding position beside Nies, and the god huffs. I guess the honey's gone.

"That was good honey, too," he grumbles.

Yeah, he wanted to eat the honey.

"You can get some later," I ruffle his hair, and he stares at me.

"I'm not a kid!" He pouts.

"Fine," I say. "You can't cuddle me tonight, Mr. Adult."

His expression says he regrets those words.

"You'd let him cuddle you, but not me?" Warren asks.

"He's a god," I tell Warren, who's approaching with a couple of other Fairies. "And specifically, the one I'm a Hero of. Yes, I'm going to let him cuddle me, if he wants to. He can smite me by accident. I don't want him to intentionally smite me."

"But you just told him he can't cuddle you."

"He told me he's not a kid."

"You're not, either."

"And nor are you," I tell him, and he opens and closes his mouth several times, then pouts. I look at Michael. "You clearly aren't."

"What am I missing?" Nies mutters.

"Your sanity," I tell him, then look at Haia. "How are you?"

"Utterly bewildered."

"How old are you?"

"Eighty-seven."

"I'm eighteen," I tell him. "I think your dad is jealous of me."

"Of what?" Warren asks in disbelief.

"You do realize that," I say. "Without his zierna or the power granted under the shade of Yggdrasil, I'm more powerful than he is, right? And I'm only eighteen. He is… who knows how long? Everyone has a different version of his age."

"Two thousand three hundred seventeen," Nies mumbles from his tiger.

His birthday's in two weeks, so he's nearly two thousand three hundred eighteen.

Thanks. What day?

Tuesday.

Got it.

"I am so confused by everything going on," Haia says.

"I'm just wanting to lie down for a bit," I tell him. "I've had a long couple of days, and could really use some sleep. Plus, I've never been in a Fairy Form before, and it's taking a lot out of me. It'll take me a few days to adjust to it."

Haia's eyes widen when I say that.

"You-"

I'm already shielding.

"-have Formshift?" He asks. "But how? You're human!"

"So weird," Nies looks around. "Whatever this thing is, it's preventing others from knowing you have Formshift unless they already know. I can sense its presence still. This is annoying me."

You're annoying Nies.

I can't fully mask my presence from those who are sensitive. Yggdrasil can sense me strongly, but we've already spoken, and he won't out you.

That sounds like it has some other meaning to it.

Your supernatural ability to sense things that have not even the slightest hint or suggestion to it is unnerving. I like it.

So it does mean something other than what it seems?

In some societies, being outed means being revealed to not be straight.

Like my team.

Yeah.

"What presence?" Haia asks, then hesitates. "Sorry, Your Divinity, if I have co-"

"He'll ignore it," I say. "He's used to it with me. I think he likes it, actually."

"I have yet to be," Haia says. "In the presence of a Divine Being that wasn't Lord Yggdrasil, and he was asleep until your presence woke him. Father's grumbled about that a lot, since Lord Yggdrasil wouldn't wake for him."

"I have that effect on the Divine," I tell him. "Anywhere particular I should lie down?"

"Anywhere that isn't taken," he says. "We aren't too picky about that."

I pick a single-Fairy hammock, earning pouts from a beastborn, a Fairy, and a Divine Being.

I close my eyes, still feeling the Mana flowing around me. It might take me a few extra days to adjust to that.

"So how does he have Formshift?" Haia asks Nies, who is staring at me intently. I can feel his gaze, it's so intense. "Humans shouldn't be able to have that."

"My girlfriend gifted it to him," Nies says.

There's a sudden movement, and then there's a small body lying on me.

"Now there's two," Nies mutters, snuggling his head into my chest.

I open my eyes to find a tiger kit lying on my chest. Its fur is white instead of orange, and it has three tails instead of one. A crimson mark that resembles a swirl sits in the center of his forehead. I'm not sure what his eyes are, since they're closed, and he looks content.

A moment later, my tunic fades away, though thankfully, black and violet pants form around my legs and waist.

"You're so cozy," Nies mumbles.

"Most tigers don't speak through their mouths," I tell him.

"Most tigers don't have three tails," he flicks all three of them, then wraps them around himself, snuggling into me a little.

"Please don't claw me," I say softly. "I really do need the sleep."

"I won't," he mumbles, wiggling his head a little. "Good night, Gavin."

"I'm a Fairy," I tell him. "Call me 'Zelv'."

"Good night, Gavin," he repeats, and I close my eyes again.

Would you like updates on your missing teammates?

Tyler, Kade, and Kivu?

Yes.

As long as they're doing okay, I'm fine.

Kade is doing well. He's planning on traveling to some islands that have been plagued with issues the last few years, and will do what he can to assist them. His trip will likely occur in the next few months. He's reached Tier II of two different Classes.

Kivu passed away a few months ago, he contracted a disease that turns Aether into flames. It's very rare. Tyler is doing well.

After Kivu passed away, he began pushing himself harder in the Grind Arenas, bouncing between two different ones. He's mastered Crown Heir, the Tier IV version of Royal. He's now working on his first combat Class. He's brute-forcing Levels by only allowing one Class at a time. He will likely return to Jozan soon.

How soon?

Probably in the next few months. With your elimination of every Inquisitor and Executioner Turas had, they'll be struggling. Even without a combat Class, Tyler was powerful, just from the raw boosts from his Royal Class and his Skills and dedication. You put a fierce determination in him, and he won't give up until he returns to his throne. He's matured greatly since you saw him a couple of years ago.

Will he be alright?

He'll be fine. Once he sits on his throne and claims it as his, his Class will vanish, but he'll retain the bonuses he gained from it. In its place, he'll have the King Class.

I thought it was Ruler?

It is if you don't reach Crown Heir first. He'll have a more powerful version of it, though essentially, the same bonuses. Tyler will be fine, in Jozan.

That's good to hear. Would you be able to let me know as soon as he starts to make his way there? I want to make sure for myself.

I can, but he'll be fine. They don't have the manpower to fight him. Well, they could acquire it, but… the resistance will back their blooded King with their full might, and the Village of Kar will ensure his survival. So there isn't a chance in the world they could actually win against him. Your best bet would be to go to the other nations and begin the spreading of his return and the peace of your people.

I'd need to return the Wealth of Jozan to him.

Understandable, but it'd be best to make sure he's secure before restoring the full Wealth of Jozan.

That would still require me being there, unless what you said about the Village of Kar is true. In which case, I can just gift him the ring.

It doesn't quite work like that. As a King, he can ignore certain restrictions using his Royal Quest power, but that, in and of itself, has restrictions, just like Royal Decree. You don't even have that luxury.

I want to know what those are, personally, but at the same time, I don't want the, uh, responsibilities that come with it.

I do have one more thing, before I try to get some sleep, especially since Nies is agitated by sensing you.

Go ahead.

I forget.

Of course you did! He laughs. Get some sleep!

I'll try. Might be hard, with a god sleeping on my chest.

He's harmless. To you.

Chuckling, I settle in.