Keenan crouched on a tall branch, his eyes focused below on the forest floor. There, he could see dozens of green humanoids walking through the forest. Originally, this was a ‘safe’ area for him, somewhere that others rarely tread. However, since the appearance of the Sylvans, that had all changed.
Now, his eyes glanced towards a large tree that had appeared in the center of the nearby city, growing at a visible rate every day. Though it had yet to bear fruit, the Mother Tree had fully taken root, and brought in numerous personnel to tend to its forest.
It was hard to know what deal the Sylvans had struck with the dungeon ruling this territory. All he knew was that the local monsters did not seem interested in attacking the Sylvans or those that accompanied them. They allowed the tree people to nourish the forest with their passing in peace, before turning their fangs to any who were left behind.
Keenan’s grip tightened on his bow, unwilling to appear before such large numbers. Few knew the forest better than him, and yet these people always managed to find him no matter where he hid. It was clear that they weren’t searching for him, as they would only give him a happy wave before continuing along their path.
“Where can I go now?” He muttered quietly to himself, before feeling a slight shift in the branch he was on. His eyes went wide, instincts fully taking over as he spun around, retreating to the edge of the branch. His bow lifted to aim at the intruder, only for his eyes to blink in confusion.
Sitting on the branch, not that far away from Keenan’s former position, was a golden Sylvan. It was hard to properly identify them, but she seemed like one of the two that had entered the city before the Mother Tree had appeared. “Hello, Keenan.” The Sylvan spoke audibly, a small smile on her face.
“What do you want?” He asked, somewhat surprised that this one was talking. None of the other Sylvans he had seen had ever spoken a single word out loud. At most, they would extend their hands to him, and he might hear voices in his mind.
“I only wish to talk.” The woman said, lifting her hands in a pacifying gesture. “My name is Claret of Communication, born with the power to speak with all things. Since our arrival, I have been trying to meet with all of this area’s inhabitants. I apologize that it’s taken me so long to meet you, but it’s rather hard to find someone who doesn’t wish to be found.”
“Maybe take the hint.” He remarked, still keeping his bow at the ready. However, Claret simply smiled.
“I’ve heard about your story.” Claret said, extending her hand. “I’ve come here with a peace offering. Something that I believe will help put your mind at ease.”
“Heard about…” Keenan’s brow twitched. There was only one person in the city that truly knew Keenan’s story, but he could not imagine Jace casually telling it to a stranger. “What is it?”
“The first leaf to fall from the Mother Tree of Fortune.” Claret answered, producing a palm-sized leaf in her hand, having likely kept it in a personal storage space. “This could be regarded as a treasure among my kind, but I feel that you are the one who would get the most use out of it.”
“Why?” Keenan questioned simply, looking at the leaf resting in her hand.
“Because your friend asked me to give this to you.” That got Keenan’s attention. “The first leaf of a Mother Tree carries the most potent effect of the Mother Tree’s aspect. Most people believe that the Fortune in my sister’s title referred to wealth, but that was not the case. Her Fortune was that of fate, the weaving of probabilities.”
“I already have enough luck, thanks.” Keenan said in a bitter tone, becoming increasingly wary.
“You misunderstand.” The woman shook her head. “This is not good or bad fortune. It merely is. I have confirmed this effect myself, and had a number of people verify it. The effect of this leaf is to negate one title or effect which influences your Luck attribute for as long as it is held on your body.”
Before Keenan could speak again, the woman continued. “I am aware that you are a demigod, Keenan.” She said in a gentle tone. “So am I. I can sense your latent divinity. All of my golden sisters are born demigods. That is why I believe that this will work for you. A demigod’s power to suppress a demigod’s power.”
“And what do you want from me?” Keenan refused to believe that he was just being offered this gift out of the kindness of their heart. He had seen far too much for something like that.
“It’s quite simple.” As if to confirm his suspicions, Claret did indeed state a request. “If possible, I would like you to help protect my sister’s grove. Not all of it, mind you. I would not impose such a daunting task on you. Merely, if you see one of our green kin coming to harm, I ask that you intervene. They are our caretakers, but possess such little fighting strength of their own.”
Claret’s expression turned somewhat somber, eyes staring off into the sky. “In a distant grove, our green kin had been abducted due to their exotic and harmless nature, as well as their natural beauty. Most, we were able to find again and return to the forest, but there are still some that escaped our pursuit. I would wish not to see such a scene repeat itself in my sister’s grove.”
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“What makes you think I’ll do it?” Keenan asked. “I could just take the leaf and run.”
Claret turned to look at him again, and simply smiled. “An honest boy, one with a kind heart that has simply been hurt too much. Someone that doesn’t make friends easily, but will return the kindness he receives a hundred fold. I choose to believe the words of your friend, one blessed by a fortune of his own. If such a person is willing to say such words for you, then I am willing to entrust the safety of my people to your hands.”
Keenan grit his teeth at the confirmation that this was all set up by Jace. Jace really was too honest for his own good, and far too willing to follow his hunches, wherever they may lead him. Still, he let out a long sigh, stretching his hand out to take the leaf. As soon as he did, he felt a strange force enter his body.
Keenan couldn’t be certain that the effect had truly taken hold, nor would he be able to tell for a while. In fact, he knew that something would change if this leaf worked as she said. For years, his daily life had involved using his overwhelming luck to his greatest advantage. Without that luck, it was certain that he would have to struggle to hunt, and may encounter more unfortunate scenarios than ever before.
Despite knowing this, he still took the leaf. If it really was able to negate the effects of his title, that meant that it would negate the power that it had on other people, as well. He could live with others, without needing to worry about accidentally hurting them, or worse. This wasn’t particularly something Keenan wanted to do… but the option did sound nice.
Claret nodded her head happily as the leaf was taken. “Remember, you must wear it on your body. If need be, you can turn it into an amulet. And don’t worry, the first leaf will not die before the Mother Tree that bore it. You have a thousand years to enjoy the effects.”
“Thousand…” Keenan muttered. By that time, he knew he was likely to be long dead. In other words, as long as he protected the leaf, he wouldn’t have to worry about his title causing problems for the rest of his life? “...Thank you.”
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Petra hummed to herself as she looked out at the cityscape of the new Rainbow Isle, a city built together between the adventurers of Fyor and the Rainbow Eyes of the twenty-eighth floor of Fyor. Now that the city had finally been completed, it was beginning to accept new residents from those able to withstand the floor’s pressure.
Naturally, this included one inhabitant Petra was really happy to see moving to the higher floor, her eyes training onto the figure of Thelsa carrying a box of beverages as she made her way into a tavern. Roughly half of the twenty-seventh floor’s population had elected to move to this layer, as it was more peaceful than the previous floor. Granted, it still had its own problems with the war between the two races, but they didn’t have to worry about being eaten by every tree that they passed.
Petra shook her head as she thought about the ever dwindling population of the upper floor cities. The nineteenth floor, Dawn, truly served as the benchmark for the common person, as there were many who did not train beyond that point. Furthermore, Maxers were becoming more and more rare as the level limit increased, instead being replaced by gods looking for a sense of adventure. We could always use that new forging method, right? Petra suddenly asked, transmitting her thoughts into her shadow. It’s totally safe, so…
Naturally, Thelsa knew what Petra was talking about, and how she didn’t want to suffer a repeat of when Thelsa achieved her perfection. I’ll think about it. We have enough saved up, at the very least. Why don’t you get the treatment yourself?
Petra simply chuckled at that. I could, but I don’t know if there will be any conflicts if I gain divinity before you. So, I’d rather have you take that step before doing so myself.
Thelsa hesitated for a moment, giving a small nod. She had been keeping track of the situation with the divine forging method, so she knew what ingredients were required. Even if they didn’t want to spend any coin on the Boundless Caravan, they already had most of the materials that they needed, including a Holy Rose. Granted, it was one grown in their shadow world, but their alchemists hadn’t been able to discover anything different about it aside from the color.
Still, Petra knew that she was reaching the limits of what she could achieve as a mortal. If not for the power of the World’s Shadow, she would have lost her ability to participate in high level fights long ago. If she wanted to get even stronger, it would have to be as the Goddess of Shadows.
How is the construction progress on that submarine coming, by the way? Petra asked curiously, changing the subject. Two of their shadows were on the construction team for the submersible vehicle that would take them to the next gate, so she knew that Thelsa would be keeping up with the construction efforts.
It’s a slow process. Thelsa sighed, entering the new tavern and setting her box down. There are monsters in the water that consume magical effects, so we can’t use typical enchantments to offset the extreme pressure. Right now, we’re looking into bringing a few smiths from Bloodhaven and Duena to forge the outer hull for us.
Eh? I understand Bloodhaven, but why Duena? Petra asked curiously. Duena was a relatively popular city of the dwarves, known for excellent craftsmen. But if all they needed was good craftsmen, their own people should suffice, or those of Bloodhaven.
The Divine Guild, Golden Hammer lives in Duena. It’s a group of dwarven blacksmiths that have all obtained godhood in different domains related to crafting. It’s said that the guild leader is a subordinate deity to Tubrock, which would likely make the others the same.
Petra let out a small gasp of understanding, nodding her head. It all comes back to gods. It feels like the age of mortals really is coming to a close, isn’t it?
That’s right… Thelsa confirmed silently. If you want the best of anything, you look for a god. That’s just how we have grown. They’ve even considered using divine gold as the primary material for the hull of this submarine, if it weren’t so expensive.
Petra clicked her tongue at that. If the pressure of the ocean on this floor wasn’t so severe, she’d go down there herself to see what the next floor had to offer. However, even if she were able to make it to the next floor, she was certain that she wouldn’t be able to bring others with her.