---POV: Sir Geyser---
I couldn’t help but stare at the leafy face of the old tree, unable to snap back to reality.
“What… did you just say… “ (Aaron)
Voicing this question, even if I know exactly what he said, I needed a repetition, a guarantee that I didn’t mishear.
[As said, it appears that lost souls reached over here from the dimension that connected here not long ago. Luckily, most of them ascended before something happened, however, several of them managed to fuse with not yet born bodies, causing a weird fusion and something like a reincarnation.] (World-Tree)
Speaking the words without any further explanation, I couldn’t help but swallow my saliva.
It is stated by the Origins that souls can’t obtain another, new body as they are bound to ascend, unless someone puts them in artificial-life forms that are capable of carrying such a soul. And honestly, I don’t even want to know how the Origins actually gained access to that knowledge, or why, but it is a fact that is widely believed by dragons and intelligent monsters alike.
So how come… something like reincarnation is possible…
“Old Tree, tell me, how many… ‘Reincarnators’ are there, and what are the most probable consequences… “ (Aaron)
[Honestly, I can’t tell the exact consequences, but I can make estimates. The only reason they could fuse is probably that they came from another dimension with different stability, causing their souls to be weaker than the local ones, leaving them to be more ‘adsorbed’ than fused by the original ones.
I estimate that most of the ‘Reincarnators’ will stay the way the original soul dictates, with maybe memories or knowledge that belonged to the former. As for their Power, the differences are minimal, with them maybe becoming talents within their ranks, but nothing extraordinary. And their number, there are currently twenty-eight of them left, with twenty-three of them being human, and the last five ending up as beast-men or part of the Evil-Races.] (World-Tree)
Listening to the talk of the World-Tree, I reckon he must have been observing them for a while, probably since they arrived. Still, no great influence… I worry that this might be the start of a new era… one that might reawaken the magic-technology we dragons worked hard to destroy, so that the happenings from thousands of years ago won’t repeat themselves.
Anyway, Evil races… how come earth’s souls could fuse, or be absorbed by them? I mean, if Arin and the others didn’t lie, then there should only be humans on earth, the world Arin comes from. Well, I heard from Illois that the original Evil-races were survivors after the great collapse that were originally experiments of the High-Humans to create an immortal being whose genes they could use for themselves…
Argh… thinking about this is irritating, so much has to be prepared and looked out for, why can’t I just sit back and enjoy my time with the little ones, can’t I at least have that!
While feeling irritated by the Situation that slowly but surely surpasses my threshold of what I can keep under control, I begin scratching my head and pulling my hair, feeling frustrated.
Giving up, I just drop myself and stay lying on the floor, looking back up to the crown of the old tree as well as the clouds passing overhead.
How come that every time people pass through dimensions, the world changes so rapidly… is it maybe a curse of Treia… A world meant to be changed with every time we clash with other dimensions?
Laying aside the philosophical thoughts, I slowly let my thoughts drift, thinking about everything I would need to prepare as I continue my journey with Arin and the others.
Meanwhile, the old Tree is watching me with an amused smile, staying silent as his gaze kept watching over me, as well as Arin, Sumi and Lumi who are currently lying on weird chairs that work like beds, formed from roots and leafs.
Having something suddenly come to mind, I turn my head towards that leafy face of the old tree and ask an important question.
“You said something about Sumi's origin, can you fill me in on it?“ (Aaron)
The leaf-face only laughed for a moment, before an astoundingly large leaf floated in front of me and displayed a mirror, showing myself.
“Old Tree, I am not in the mood for jokes, please just tell me what you want to say.” (Aaron)
Getting irritated as the problems continued to pile up one after another, suddenly the Trees voice was once again projected.
[It's simple, it is the same as your own. She is a descendant of an Origins-Family.] (Old Tree)
Hearing the response of the Old tree, I only sighted, already having guessed that that was the case...
When an Origin is born, mostly the rest of the family belonging to them can gain a blessing connected to the power the origin unlocked, in my families case, the balance-like power the Divine-Dragons brother was blessed with, my ancestor. In my personal case however, I never gained the true power of balance, as I didn't have the ability to wield Dark-magics, as well as water and earth. I could however strengthen the dark magics of others by using my own Light-magics, which is something normally seen as impossible.
In this case, it isn't impossible for a blessed child to appear from the Fox-Queens side. However, her concentration of the blessing is unnaturally strong, so she mus have been lucky, or unlucky however you look at it.
Still, thinking about the problems that may arise from this, together with the ones I already had with me and was informed of just now, my mind began working over-time. Trying to maybe find a solution to all this, as stress began piling up for an uncertain future... until something clicked.
So, while I am still lying on the ground, staring at the sky, I ask a question to the old tree.
“Hey, Old Tree. I already have too much to worry about, so can I leave the ‘Reincarnators’ in your care?” (Aaron)
Honestly, I didn’t want to take care of them as well, as otherwise, even this long lived ancient Dragon will become old rapidly. So, feeling a sudden, rather amused expression directed at me, I immediately sit up and look at the tree, who keeps wearing a stupid grin.
[When did I ever tell you to worry about that? I am more than capable of keeping an eye on them, so you don’t have to worry about it. Especially since you already have more than enough to take care off.] (World-Tree)
Hearing the words of the world-Tree, I feel stumped, unable to refute him… why was I worrying again… is this my nature…
Darn, I can’t help it, I really like to be prepared for everything that might happen, so knowing this, I am unsure if I can ignore this…
Feeling vexed, I notice the wide grin on the leafy face of the old Tree, as the guy probably already knows my thoughts. So, feeling even more annoyed, I let myself drop again, wanting to land back in the slightly glowing grass on the floor.
However, even before I met the ground, a sudden strong pressure caught me, and like an attack directly to my side, I’m thrown from my position and hurl through the air, only to regain balance after drifting along the floor for a while.
I didn’t really feel pain, my skin is too hard for that, but the impact itself still left me with a lingering sting at my side.
Looking to where the pressure came from, the only thing I could see was a massive cyclone, centered around Arin and the others… a literal tower made of mana. Only the pressure itself held me back, making me have flash-backs of the time when that one sludge-monster nearly killed me when I was still young and reckless.
Well, my personal traumas aside for now, I watch as the mana stops expanding at a certain height and reverts back inside, as it looks like it is rushing up on the outside, and returning down in the inside.
Sadly, before I could even take a closer look, the pressure continued to push me down, with even the faeries in the distance falling to the ground, unable to stand back up. Meanwhile, the old tree began moving, to do whatever he was planning. I tried calling out to him, but it didn’t work as even my voice couldn’t leave my mouth, with me only being able to breathe due to my wind-affinity.
When I was about to try and retreat even more, countless leaves shot out from the Tree above me, forming a honey-comb like web around the tower made of mana.
“Old Tree, you have to get Sumi out of there, she is in danger from the pressure! And please tell me that Arin is still alright, the amount of mana is already dangerous even for me!!!” (Aaron)
Suddenly remembering that the little ones are still within that storm, I grow worried. The pressure can already put me down, an ancient Dragon, however. So, feeling worried, I steal glances at the only being here that has even an inkling of a chance to know what is happening.
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Still, I felt betrayed the moment that the old Tree suddenly smiled, looking relieved. Could it be that he is actually trying to get rid of them…
No, no, this isn’t rational anymore, so trying to regain my bearing, I throw a question to the old Tree once again.
“Hey, Old Tree, tell me what is happening!” (Aaron)
Feeling uncertain of the situation, I just keep staring at the tree, hoping for a reaction, yet there was none whatsoever.
Becoming anxious, I turn my sight to the tower of mana surrounded by the honey-comb like weaving, still moving and roaring with power I would never wish to have to stand up against… Even then, just as I was about to lose hope, the Old Tree turned his leafy face towards me and spoke in a teasing tone.
[Heh, if you truly want Lumi back, I would advise bringing her to the Silver-Lake, the spiritual Properties of it might be able to help her… in more than one way, just as it may help Arin…
Anyway, you no longer need me, so I wish you luck my friend…] (Old-Tree)
Feeling slightly worried, I can only watch as the face constructed of leafs dispersed and the leafs flew everywhere, all of them being carried by the wind…
What did he mean by ‘wishing me luck’ anyway...
Losing some of my irritation to the confusion building up inside me, I watch as the honey-comb like net also disperses, its leafs following the fate of the previous ones… however, even as I prepared for it, the pressure that should have returned never arrived.
Looking up, the sky is actually clear with no impurities, with clouds hanging like white drops on a blue canvas...
What the heck am I thinking about… regaining myself while focusing on the scene in front of me, I try to see if Arin and the others are alright... but what steps into my sight, is something I have never seen before...
There, Arin and Sumi lied on the ground, with the chairs they lied on having vanished into thin air.
However, above the two who were calmly breathing while lying in the soft grass, a large cloud of mist gathered, with specks of all colors jumping along the outer side of it, causing a beautiful spectacle...
Just as the fog began to disperse, it parted and revealed a figure inside, rays of light shining from within...
...
Oh my... god...
---POV-Change: World Tree---
Aaron finally arrived, bringing the chosen child along. Well, he is more like a brother to me, or a nephew if we look at the family-tree. Well, it is funny since I am literally a tree...
Anyway, I have to admit that I was marvelously shocked when I noticed the power contained within Arins Soul and Spirit, as well as body. I personally have never seen such a strong concentration of mana and magic-power before, and I am the expert in this field.
Well, that doesn't matter currently. Seeing as the conversion of Arins Mana into Lumi's spirit worked, I can say that I am proud of myself. Controlling this amount of power was harder than it looked, I am even more astonished that Arin's body even held out until now.
He really needs to unlock his blood-lines, otherwise...
Those thoughts aside, Arin seems to be stable, and the seal I put on his spirits growth should be working. However, the only reason it seems to be holding together is because Arin also wishes for his mana to stop growing, at least temporarily.
His Origin-Seed however... Normally such a seed only forms when enough pressure is found in the spirit, allowing the mana to concentrate in one spot to form the seed, mostly directly intertwined if not next or even inside the soul.
Arin however, even his spirit isn't having just the blob like form, more like it takes the exact shape of his physical body... how does he do it...?!? And even his Origin-seed, how come it practically grew together with the soul, as though they belong together... No, why did it even already appear even though Arin's spirit isn't even fully matured yet...?!?
God, all these question and no answers. Could it be that his concentration and purity of mana is already so high that the Origin-seed could automatically form? Maybe it is also related to his souls evolution, that might have happened at the same time as the Origin-Seed officially formed within, allowing them not only to be two entities that connect to one another, but one entity with two sides... Though I can't imagine the consequences of such a thing yet, Arin will sooner or later have to face them...
Whatever, I give up. Congratulation Arin, you managed to bring a hundreds of thousands of years old Tree down to his knees in his understanding, I congratulate you, even if you won't be able to hear me.
Well, looking at Aaron as he is sitting beneath my crown, as well as the by now sleeping children, I can't help but have a smile creep up on my by now non-existent face. The fog floating above the sleeping kids is actually Lumis reformed spirit & soul, allowing her to already gain a semi-physical form. I believe that if she was to gather more of the spiritual energy, for example from the silver-lake, she may even gain a complete semi-physical form...
However, seeing Aaron stare at the cloud of mist as it slowly revealed the figure within, my interest got piqued at his reaction, leaving me to pay special attention to what is to come...
There, where the mist began to vanish, the figure of a beautiful woman revealed itself, with bright and healthy skin, crimson-gold eyes and pure white hair swaying in the wind.
The figure belonged to Lumi, who seems to have gotten a tad more beautiful than I remember her last. Her body is still slightly ethereal, but from afar, she would look like any other living being.
However, Aaron didn't seem to become aware of this, as his gaze was fixed on Lumi, his eyes wide open while his body froze.
He didn't even move from the spot or stand up, only staring with a shocked expression. Meanwhile, Lumi finally opened her eyes, her body suddenly wrapped in light as her clothing returned, being a simple white one-piece dress that perfectly fit her.
Getting out of his stupor on the other hand, I could see Aaron turning red, his mouth wanting to speak, however, not a single word escaped his lips, until...
…
---POV-Change: Aaron---
…
“beautiful” (Aaron)
Accidentally sprouting from my mouth what my mind was thinking, I couldn't help but be smitten when I spotted Lumi, my mind going blank as my thoughts vanished, my tongue moving on its own.
How... my heart was fluttering, how come I still feel this way... I am a thousands of years old Dragon for gods' sake, how come I...
Unable to think, I only watched as Lumi finally opened her eyes and spotted me, her face beginning to turn crimson.
Suddenly realizing what I said, and that she must have heard it, I could feel my face heat up, making me unwilling to keep looking at Lumi, but I couldn't tear my gaze away, unable to take my eyes of off Lumi, who stood a short distance in front of me.
However, as both of us were unable to react and our faces slowly turned crimson, the whole atmosphere was torn apart when suddenly Arin awoke, sitting up as he looked around half-asleep.
“Uaah, morning Mom and Dad...” (Arin)
Yawning, he then rubbed his eyes, fighting the drowsiness that remained. However, Lumi and me froze, both of us having hard time swallowing what we just heard, coming from this innocent child…
How come...
Hearing his words, both Lumi and me look at one another, however, the next moment, I immediately look down, my face heating up, my mind beginning to drift...
I mean, me being married to...
Oh god, feeling my thoughts become all jumbled up, I just look at the ground, trying to hide my embarrassment.
I didn't know how Lumi reacted... but what if really...
---POV-Change: Arin---
“Uaah, morning Mom and Dad...” (Arin)
Still feeling murky, I slowly open my eyes, my sight being clouded and misty.
Also, I couldn’t help but feel relieved somehow, I felt like a stone was removed from my chest as my whole body feels light. I even had a nice dream, one where I really felt comfortable as I was surrounded by warm faces.
Noticing my cloudy sight, I pull up my arms and rub my eyes, before I once more take a look around, the light stinging in my eyes. However, thanks to my fox-traits, it didn’t take long for me to adjust, so I stretch my arms and legs in order to wake up. However, it is then that I finally noticed the weird atmosphere drifting around.
In front of me, I could spot mama Lumi, who already had an appearance not much different from when she plays with me in my mind-space.
However, her behavior is weird, as her whole face is crimson, while emotions of confusion, irritation, happiness and a few others I couldn’t distinguish overflow from her. Also, she keeps looking between me and Uncle Black who is sitting a short distance away, the latter’s emotions also being very complicated.
I can’t understand what is happening, so, inclining my head, I ask mama Lumi what happened.
“Mom, why are you looking at me like that, what happened?” (Arin)
Putting on a smile since I know that mom likes that, I try to sit up, my tails aiding me in not tilting to the side again.
Mom, finally focusing on me after she heard my voice, became completely red in her face as she approached and sat down beside me.
“It… it’s nothing Arin, nothing you need to worry about. Mom is tired, so I will rest for a while, I will see you later, my little treasure.” (Mom)
Saying so, mom ruffled up my long hair for a bit, awkwardly smiling towards me before she vanished again in a smoke-like effect.
Slightly confused, I look over to Uncle Black, hoping to get an answer, but he was only silently sitting there, his very being focused on the grass below him. Maybe there is something there? Looking over, I couldn’t spot anything, which didn’t really help.
Sumi however, who was awake beside me, seems to have noticed something in the exchange between Mom and Uncle Black, as she was also slightly red with a suspicious glint in her eyes, but immediately lost it after she hugged me close, not letting me go.
For me, I didn’t understand what happened, but I am sure I will understand one day. So, pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I just enjoy it as Sumi hugs me from behind, holding me.
There was a surprise however, as suddenly seven near pure black tails appeared beside me, all of them belonging to Sumi…
Looking up by pulling my head back, I managed to get a look at Sumis face, which isn’t far away from me. She in return, probably noticing the change she went through, thanked me once more, her deep black eyes radiating a gentle warmth.
Well, not that it matters, so I just lean my back on her and close my eyes, my body still feeling drowsy… is this the aftereffect of using large amounts of mana to help mom?
Anyway, feeling drowsy and having a calm breeze blow against my face, carrying the fragrance of countless flowers, my mind slips away, my thoughts calming in the dark abyss...
…
…
---POV-Change: Aaron---
Calming my beating heart, I finally regain awareness of my surroundings, noticing that Lumi already left, while Arin seems to have been exhausted, already falling asleep again. Sumi is hugging him while looking after him, making it a nice picture to see, as they sit there, surrounded by countless flowers of all colors while specks of colored mana jump around.
However, are my eyes deceiving me or are there seven tails on Sumi…?!?
You know what, whatever, let it be…
My mind wavering, I feel as though I was in front of an important question, one that I thought I already left behind. Well, no one would have thought for Lumi to return, but why are my feelings still…
Distressed, I look up at the world-Tree, various thoughts and ideas racing past my mind. Could it be that this old Tree is more aware of my feeling than I am myself…?
Ugh, feeling weird inside, I turn away and return my sight to the kids sitting in the grass. If I am not wrong, then Arin should be drowsy and unable to stay awake for long for some time, as it appears that once the mana’s pressure lifts, even if he is not aware of it, his body will desire rest in order to restore what was damaged due to the strain, and that will take time.
Well, at least I will be able to enjoy watching his cute sleeping-face for a while…
And maybe… just maybe… I can finally talk with Lumi… I have a few things I have to tell her…
I can’t be afraid of that, I am a thousands of years old Ancient Dragon, so Aaron, get it together!
Motivating myself, I stand up and dust off my clothes, even if they don’t need it as they are made of magic-essence.
Walking along the Tree, I quickly reach the kids resting in the grass. However, I am honestly surprised by the scene presented to me.
While hugging Arin, Sumi must have fallen asleep as well, probably due to the pressure brought by the evolution, leaving her to rest her head on top of Arin’s, while the boy in question calmly leaned onto her chest as soft breathing could be heard from both of them.
If I were an Artist, then I would call this a picture of perfection, especially with the massive Tree in the background, and the countless fairies flying at a fixed distance around them, greatly interested in the pair.
Deciding against waking the two, I sit down near them and close my eyes, I might as well sort my thoughts…
‘Sigh’
Letting out a breath, I begin lamenting the amount of things happening around me, so, enjoying this short time of calm silence, I begin to digest everything that happened.
I hope at least that everything currently happening to us, won’t bring even more trouble with it…