“Null! Glad you are fine, but this Rift won’t close! I can hold it for now but if it keeps to stay open we do not know what might… HOW did you do that?!”
While Esther was panicking, Null raised his arm and the Rift closed to become a small fluctuation with a few light flashes inside the runic Circle. With only a small gesture the volatile rift into absolute chaos came docile and made no attempts to break open again.
“To be honest, I do not know, but I feel some kind of… connection. I tried to make my will be heard by it and it just closed for now.”
“We worked that hard on creating the right Rift with all our might combined and now you can just wave your hand?!”
“Well, no. I am connected to this one. Creating new ones would be… problematic.”
“You get weirder every day, but whatever. How is Baphomet?”
“They sleep. Overexertion made them heavily fatigued and their form is not… stable.”
“Figures. That horned freak had worked the hardest of all of us. What are you doing now?”
“Waiting for the fallout? We made a rather large spectacle, better be ready for many new inquiries.”
“While you are right Baphomet said something disturbing-”
“Do not care, not my problem. If something outside our reality wants us to do something we will do it, when the time is right. I am neither their lackey nor an errand boy.”
“...Can I distance myself from your faction? I might not be able to handle something out of our comprehension being miffed about you.”
“No.”
“...Great. Well better working hard to make the best out of the situation. What do you want to do in the imminent future?”
“Huh, that would be the tunnels to the liquid Miasma and the creation of all the Mana in existence.”
“So Global chaos? Neat! I will look forward to what will happen to the Surroundings.”
With the talk finished everyone went to their Rooms to recuperate after the first phase of Nulls plan to invade another World was finished. Null himself was not too exhausted as he not only could not get exhausted himself but only his bodies and as he ‘dreamt’ about his Soul changing into a black Sun.
—
In a far corner of the Castle is a now rather large machine Factory. The air was filled with the smell of metal and lubricants while gears were seen inside the walls slowly clinking silently in a weird rhythm. Null was wandering the corridors and saw some walking crates bringing parts from one place to the next for assembly.
“Dr. Simov really has taken over the whole wing. While all here is mechanical it not only looks but even feels… alive.”
Wondering about the mysteries of what Dr. Simov could create out of just a few raw materials, Null came to a stop in front of a large pair of Doors. In front of the doors were two mechanical Soldiers. Those soldiers were inundated with gears and while not being visible Null knew how their internal parts were made out of metallic muscles.
Noticing Null coming closer they made a small bow and the door itself started to open without anyone doing anything.
‘Yup, the door is a Robot too. Wait, they still call them Golems, even if they are way more technologically advanced? Or was it Automata?’
Inside the large hall were many machines and tools moving on their own without any direct surveillance. At the end of the hall was a man with dirty clothes, unkempt hair and a hunched over demeanor working concentrated on some kind of core.
Next to him was a tablet with a now cold soup, bread, fruit and some meat, completely untouched by himself. Null sighed and came closer seeing Hermann, an Automata which was a former human but was rebuilt by Dr. Simov after he died. His best friend Hermann had his own will and still was with Simov, even without being forced to. They were close before and still work together after his untimely death and resurrection by shoving a Golem Core into his body.
“Simov, you need to eat. The Children especially made this for you, it would be a waste, if you were to let it go bad.”
“Later. Need to concentrate. Will eat afterwards.”
Dr. Simov has a speech quirk, as he at most said three Words in one sentence. His whole demeanour was that of someone who was a genius in one aspect and a bit stunted in others. In other words he was autistic, but this made him one of the best in mechanical body parts. Also his Golem Cores are way more advanced and scrape on the extreme technological marvel of the lost Kingdom, which was destroyed by the Starfall event.
“Is that so? A bummer, as the transfer was a success and now I would start the full endeavor of cleaning all the Miasma that is accumulated under the Mountains.”
This got his attention. Dr. Simov himself is extremely against the harm of the World and also War. He can build the strongest Army in a matter of Months but was one of the most passive people Null knew. His original genius was used for prosthetics for old Veterans in the Empire. Now he is a fugitive as he ‘defiled a war hero’s remains’ as he somehow had been able to revive Hermann as an Automata.
“I have time. What comes first?”
“First? Well the first thing you need to do is to eat, afterwards we will start all the Circles to grind Mana. Right now I am changing the direction to where the Mana is led to.”
A frown was seen on Dr. Simov’s face. He knew how Null would not really start if he would not at least eat, as he noticed how caring that creature was with the people living under him. While he appreciated the strange Demon giving everyone, especially the children living in the castle, a healthy and stable life full of smiles, he himself would rather work until he passed out.
A human's life was limited and his even more so. That is why he was working tirelessly to fix what the old Kingdom broke. Resting was a waste of time in his opinion, but right now his opinion was overruled by the one who gave him shelter.
Hermann, Simov’s best Friend was nodding mechanically. Although he could not smile anymore as his facial muscles were not usable anymore, he showed his approval of how Null forced Dr. Simov to take care of himself.
—
The next day the Root living in the Woods south of the Crater noticed a sudden change. Mana was flowing slowly into the Forest and getting stronger by the Minute. They were warned beforehand by Leaf, a Woodwalker living inside the Crater before, but the sheer Mass of Mana was rather startling even for them.
Mana and Miasma do not like each other. If Miasma and Mana come into contact they fight and grind each other until they find an equilibrium. Adding Mana in a Miasma pool would make it more volatile and displace it while also diluting the severity of the mutations caused by the Miasma. Now that Mana is flowing out the ground, at first a trickle then a tide, the Miasma gets incensed and starts to roil while being washed over and over by the Mana. Many Monsters and Beasts were in a frenzy, as the Forest was starting to change from within. Even if it was a positive change, the Beasts were panicking out of the fact that some unknown event was turning their home upside down.
{Tell the Queen, the Crater started to dispose of their Garbage into our Forest!}
The messages were sent but the Queen was having a completely different opinion.
{Hear my Command! The Forest will go through a change, this will be beneficial, as the Mana will cleanse all Miasmic pools we still have not cleansed. Get ready for our Forest returning to the glory we had ten thousand years ago.}
Sending the Message through the Forest the work for the Root was tripled. Many still have animosity against the Beings of the Crater but the Word of their Queen Mother was Law.
Changes were documented and quickly being informed to the Elders. Slowly a specific phenomenon was noticed and explored. Old texts were reviewed and legends being scrutinized to see the truth of the changing Forest. Myths of the Forest of old were proven true, while things were cautiously explored.
Inside the Crater Dr. Simov was measuring the Mana for impurities while being pumped through the Tunnels the Ground Diggers had created under the Forest. Some old caverns were found but except for some Roots of the Trees from Upwards only a few underground ponds were found. Now with the Mana streaming into those caverns the former static Roots started to draw more and more Mana into themselves and started to visibly grow.
“Purity over expectations. No side effects.”
“That is great Dr. Simov. With this we should be able to cleanse the Mountains in about… twenty Years?”
“Unexpectedly fast. World will heal.”
“What about the Ground Diggers?”
“Working hard. Forest tunnels grow. Miasmic tunnelers die.”
“We need another way to get to the deeper parts of the Caverns. Do you have an Idea how to get to the deeper parts?”
“None. Everything breaks down. Too dangerous.”
While the tunnels are inundated with waste Fuel of the Former Kingdom and now the Empire, those Tunnels were layered. Deeper down the Miasma breaks apart everything that works with Mana and even Fuel. Nothing could hold on to those high levels of corruption.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“We slowly need to pump the upper layers out to get to the deeper parts. the broken pipes are the most disturbing thing.”
Down in the Tunnels were the original pipes of the old Kingdom corroded through and broken beyond repair. Normally the Miasmic Fuel was stored in tanks but those were already under an eerie rainbow colored Lake made out of used up fuel.
“We will keep at it until we can not reach the rest of the source of the Pollution.”
“Understood. Thank you. Wish comes true.”
“I never heard why you want to heal the world from this Miasma filled Fuel anyhow. Can you explain?”
“Just want to. Better than war. Everyone is happy.”
“So you think if the source of the Pollution is gone and Mana is filling the World Wars for resources will become unnecessary?”
“Yes.”
“A noble view but I know how Humans work. This will not happen.”
“Better try. Trial and Error. People need chances.”
Dr. Simov was optimistic but Null wasn’t. It was a great experiment on a large scale so Null was enthusiastic about it. If he wants to change the other World, this world will be a first experimental trial. What will happen to the Forest? What about the Continent? If enough Mana is flooded the World will it change the laws of physics? Null was giddy to see how much the World will change just because he forcefully reverted the Worlds damage in a way too short time.
—
“Null? A delegation of Root are in front of the Entrance of the Crater.”
Esther was telling Null about what she noticed through her Wards. Right now a Month was over and strange changes of the Forest were being noticed even by the surrounding Nations, but Null did not notice any of it as he was right now working on streamlining the five Miasmic converters, as the long work time and heavy corruption was breaking them down almost daily now.
“Huh? Why do they not come in right… Oh, right! You sealed the Entrance. Let’s see… Everything is stable for now, so we have time to hear their nagging about us soiling their sacred Forest again. Could you please open the Wards to let them in?”
“Sure! I was bored anyway. Can I slap some of them if they are too impudent?”
“No, we need them still on our side, as they hold most of the other Idiots from our Doorstep.”
“Aw, fine. But I will be with you, I want to see how they still think they have more say than us in how we should do things.”
“You are enjoying this rather much, aren’t you?”
“Of course! They get so much for free and still complain, but when you say you stop giving it is wrong also. They think they are the center of the World but are so insignificant right now.”
“Well they are rather elitist.”
“Like the Humans in Ulk.”
“Ugh, I remember them. They even injured Snow one time. I do not like those Idiots, but the Roots at least know to not go overboard unlike those humans. By the way, when do you go remove the Wards?”
“Already done."
“Huh? Oh, they are on the way inside. Why did you not say it beforehand?”
“They can wait for us, don’t you think?”
“You really want them to throw a useless tantrum?”
“Of course! It is so funny if those hundreds of year old wise elves behave like little children.”
“You really got twisted, Esther. Well nothing to complain about.”
‘Snow, Leaf, there are Ambassadors of Root coming to the audience Gazebo. Could you meet me there?’
Mentally sending a notice to Snow and Leaf both send a confirmation before finishing their work and walking from the Castle to the Lost Village. Inside the Gazebo were many high ranking Elder of the Roots looking grumpy of waiting so long but did not say a single word of discomfort.
Arriving at the meeting place the Elders wanted to say something but held back before bowing. Null noticed their rather strange behaviour, as they were more held back as they normally were. Looking over the Elders, Null noticed neither Leafs or Petals former High Mothers were with them. This would at least help with them not being too accusing or demeaning, but should not reduce it to zero.
“You want?”
Before Null could even said something Esther threw some words into the powder keg to see how they would react. She was rather bored the last few weeks so she was searching for a bit of entertainment in the form of conflict.
“You! … I am sorry, we are here by the Order of our Queen Mother. The strong Mana you… blessed our Forest with has reverted it back to the misty Legends of old.”
‘Misty? Oh, outside is really the Forest filled with Fog. Is this some kind of side effect of too much Mana? How did the Monsters react and what would the Plants mutate in? So many new questions, exciting!’
Null was pleasantly surprised by the sudden change. He had thought there would be changes but the Mist was interesting to say the least.
“I hear the Song of the Forest even from here, former brethren. The Woods are delighted even if they feel a bit hurt by the sudden influx. Like a massive downpour after a long drought.”
“You are right, Leaf. That we are grateful for. By the way, would you-”
“No, I'm staying with my wife. A cut off branch will not mend back.”
“But it can become a new tree! You are a Woodwalker! We would-”
“I do not care. You can ask over and over, I am entwined with my Wife.”
“...such dirty women…”
“What was that?”
While Null did not care about those slang words, he knew about how damaging they were for Roots. At least normally, but he also knew how Leaf and Petal did not care. Even if they were cursed and defamed, they would not care as they stopped caring for their Family after they were cut off their Family trees.
“Ah! I did not… I am sorry, please accept my apology.”
“Wrong person you are apologizing to.”
‘Wow! They are so incensed but still bow their heads. The murder in those eyes is palpable.’
“I apologize, Leaf. It was a slip of the tongue.”
Not only Esther but Null were having a nice time annoying the Root ambassadors, but somehow they held their tongue today. It feels like something had happened, which made them careful with their Words.
“Our Queen Mother invites you to visit our City. She wants to speak to you before… um… before next year. Would you be able to make time for a visit… please?”
Not only Null but everyone was weirded out of the Roots being so courteous. Null, having enough from their whole ‘more noble than tough’ demeanour was entertaining the same idea as Esther to make them uncomfortable for once, but right now he felt they work hard to be as hospitable as they are able to squeeze out.
“Are there signs of the Seed stirring?”
{Leaf! Don’t talk so casually about sacred things!}
Suddenly one of the Elder started to speak in Elven Root to reprimand Leaf. Leaf herself just scoffed and spoke back in common.
“I am no Root anymore, you cut me off. While I respect Queen Mother you lot are beneath me.”
“How dare you!”
“Easy, I dare because I respect only those who show respect.”
“Um, Leafy? What do you mean about a stirring seed?”
Not caring for the heavy atmosphere, Snow just casually asked about what was going on.
“Oh, it is about the Seed of the World tree-”
“Stop it right now!”
“What is it?! Do you think if Queen Mother would want us to come over she would just ask for time for tea and fruit? As you still did not deny it, am I right or not?!”
“...”
“So it is true.”
“What is going on, Leaf?”
Null was intrigued too, but right now Leaf was thinking about what would be the appropriate thing to do right now.
“Sorry Null, but the specifics should be told by Queen Mother. If I explain my half truths I heard as it was passed down I might tell something wrong. If those tree bark Elders say we need to visit this year, it might be possible we could not see her afterwards ever again. Would you be able to work on a schedule?”
“That urgent? We should be able to go any time. The Grinding Circles are working fi- Dangit! Four of them are working right now. I need a day to repair the fifth.”
“So we could go tomorrow? That would be great. Petal might be able to go too for a short while.”
“Wait, Petal can walk?!”
The Elders were shocked, but Null knew what Leaf meant. Petal, an Alraune, is originally rooted to where she is. There should not be a possibility of her going anywhere, but for a short time she could separate from her stem and walk around. While this is possible it was not without a burden on her. Splitting in Elf and giant Tombstone Flower makes her use of nutrients rise exponentially. The time she can be like that is at most a few hours and it was never tested on how far she could travel.
“It should be feasible, but at most we can stay for an hour, maybe two. Otherwise her form will wilt and she needs a long time to regrow her humanoid part.”
“Hey, we asked a question!”
“She is aware, but it might be better for her to be with me. If it really is an announcement about the World Tree seed, I bet she would love to be hearing it herself too.”
“I understand, then I will see how I could maybe help her to elongate the time. So, back to the topic. We would be ready in a few days.”
“...We understand. Would you like a delegation or do you think you can find your own way to us? You know the way to our City, right?”
{Morning Sap, we were ordered-}
{Let them choose. They keep disrespecting us and who would want to guide them?}
While hearing their words Null thought they were up to no good, but thought he would be better to step into their little trap to see what they are up to.
“Sure we know the road. I would say in four Days?”
“We will expect you in four days when the Dew glows.”
‘Ugh, why not say early in the Morning? Such plant brains.”
While secretly cursing their speech, Null smiled at the receding delegation. After they vanished Esther showed her annoyance.
“Ugh! So uptight, but they were rather cordial this time. Something serious is going on as it seems. By the way, why do they walk the way the do?”
“Huh? Oh their walk. They do not want to show their backs.”
“Huh, and why do they not want that?”
“They do not show outsiders their back, mostly because they have open flesh and bark on the back.”
“So their sickening sweet smell is-”
“-their back going between flesh and plant. It looks like festering wounds with a piece of wood inside, but is their natural look as they are growing on their trees.”
“While I should protest talking about our… I mean their sensitive point being criticized, but I don't really care. It is true Roots are born twice where the newly born by the root are placed on their family tree to grow on their bark until they are plucked afterwards.”
Leaf threw in her own knowledge of her former race. After so long she really had lost her patience with how highly the Root thought of themselves. Their elitist thinking had made the collaboration between the Crater and the Dark Forest way harder by an order of a few magnitudes.
“Ah, how mysterious. Better for me to stay at home. I do not like that smell and a whole City of them? Ugh!”
With this the whole Discussion was settled. Null was reinforcing the Runic Circles with the help of Esther and Simov, while Leaf talked to Petal about the upcoming trip.