"What do you mean by that?" Vivian turned to look at Isa.

"Think about it for a moment," Isa said with a mischievous grin.

Vivian wasn't interested in being the Matriarch. She didn't give it a second thought and from the sound of things, it was unavoidable anyway.

"You're no fun," Isa complained noticing that Vivian had turned her attention back to the buildings they were passing.

Vivian turned to look at Isa and stuck her tongue out, then as if nothing happened she asked, "I can only imagine how long it took to build this city. How did they get these buildings so tall with all this heavy material?"

"We don't know either," Daryl responded as he carefully weaved through the rubble littering what remained of the road. "We're mostly concerned with day to day survival."

"It's truly beautiful the way the plants and the buildings are existing together," Vivian commented.

"It wasn't always like that. The plants have slowly been working into 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 vines growing on the buildings around her with new respect. "And what about where we're walking now?"

"No need for concern, we've slowly been strengthening the plants where we frequent. Even as the stones crumble, the plants will be able to support the weight." Lulu replied. Vivian nodded in approval.

"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 quite some time, so that will give Molli and Bayne some free time before they'll have to assist in preparing it."

"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 looked a little sour. Emily was ecstatic. Daryl replied, "Well if you say so."

"I insist." Vivian gave a meaningful look at Molli, who shrugged and nodded slightly.

"I don't need a tour. I can tell we're heading to the sleeping area, there are baths a few buildings over, and the main building you use... is over in that direction." Vivian stated calmly and accurately. "If you could point out some space I can use?"

"You intend to prepare a birthing room?" Lulu asked, confused about how the Matriarch already knew her way around the city better than they did and without even going over it. Only Daryl didn't get lost regularly.

"That was my task for today before I met you all." Vivian nodded.

"We can handle that if you'd prefer to rest?" Lulu asked, "Surely you're tired after that run earlier?"

"I'm fine. I'll use this spot right here." Vivian stopped walking in front of a building that was literally on its last legs. She lightly tapped the wall causing the building to crumble.

I am the light. I am the dark. I am the grey.

I am the provider. I am the protector. I am the caretaker.

Vivian raised her open arms and began chanting, her words laced with mana. A thin blue dweomer formed in the air around her.

I seek the green. I seek the life. I offer this fertile land. I beseech thee, make this land your own and make yourself at home.

Vivian lowered her hands, causing the blue dweomer to descend into the ground. The four adults behind her watched in shock at what they were seeing.

From the ground burst forth lush vines, various tree types, moss, grasses, all manner of plant life woven together grew instantly, taking the ultimate shape of a huge tree made of many plants that wound tightly together.

"How did she do that?" Daryl asked as he tilted his head back to look up at the height of the tree, "The last time I saw an inosculated tree of 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 throughout."

"Foolish." Isa rebuked the statement then added, "She's not done yet."

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"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. The tree bowed in response. The ground shook as the roots from the tree dug deep into the ground, 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.

Vivian shifted 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 slightly more draining than I was counting on," Vivian stated as she sat in the chair. The chair she was on moved effortlessly towards the woven tree. The trunk of the tree 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 tree is definitely real." Daryl replied, "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 was in awe.

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 freshly prepared bed of soft vines, moss, and covered in cotton for comfort. The tree carefully removed her shirt and pants and covered her in a blanket made of more cotton.

"Thank you," she murmured as sleep claimed her.

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

"To think she actually..." Isa mumbled to herself as she worked on skinning the boar. Every so often she would cast a glance up at the giant 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 or a soul she created?"

The tree rustled its leaves in response, followed by an elegant bow.

"Is that so... that's even more impressive." Isa stated, "I look forward to working with you."

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 grey 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 would 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 have need of one."

"That'sh shad," Emily stated somberly. The tree rustled briefly and vines grew from the ground wrapping around Emily, she was carried into the air, whereupon the tree began playing with her.

"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 and was getting ready to say something. "Me next!" he ran toward the tree.

"That's cheating!" Lulu called, chasing after him.

"All kids at heart," Isa mumbled to herself as she returned her attention to the boar.

Not long after there were six Jadendajuda being tossed around and caught by the giant tree, a tiny phoenix was added to the mix. Although she protested about needing to prepare their meal, there was a blissful expression on her face as she enjoyed herself.

After some time passed, the tree had safely released them all on the ground. Isa went to finish preparing the boar, only to find that the task was already done. 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 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 as you are a victim of circumstance for what others have done." Isa explained then turned her attention to Daryl, "But you on the other hand. Invoking magic so often without a mana pool, you're fortunate only your appearance has suffered. Only time will tell how Evan has been affected."

"I..." Daryl started to object.

"I don't want to hear your excuses and reasoning as to why you did it. Magic is a fickle mistress and without paying the proper price, she gets greedy." Isa continued, "Do you realize you are all merely shells in comparison to what your race used to be? Though admittedly, that's not saying much. Even at your creation, you were weak, and you've still managed to get weaker."

Isa sighed again, "You've seen Vivian just a bit ago create a tree spirit. This is something your race would never have accomplished even at the peak existence, even if all of you pitched in. In a short two weeks, she's made incredible progress, reclaiming what her ancestors unknowingly deprived her of, and far surpassing what should have been her peak condition."

"I have my suspicions this growth is related to her child." Isa stated, "I hope it's not the case, your race needs a strong leader, although she does fit the position, there's only so much she can do."

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's no small miracle in itself."

"Thank you for playing with us and for your assistance with the boar," Isa said respectfully to the tree.

"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 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.