Author's note: this is from Aldus's point of view

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I watched the green fiery ball with dread, and it took me a moment to realize that the lifeforce from inside the ball came out strong and steady, and that prevented me from doing anything rash.

A few endless minutes later, the swarm of Bulbine wasps moved in fluid motions, creating wave-like patterns as the fiery ball expanded, and then they ascended into the canopy of the Verveine tree.

My eyes widened at the sight of Serina holding on her palm Glatellia in her humanoid form. Out of all Bulbine wasps, only the ten royal guards were hovering around Glatellia, all facing Serina with their heads bowed in respect… or was it in submission?

What was really surprising was that Serina was glowing. Literally. Bright neon green glow permeated from Serina and slowly subsided to reveal intricate green markings that covered every inch of her skin which was not covered by her clothes, and I assumed that it's the same with the rest of her body.

Serina and Glatellia bowed to each other.

Glatellia spared me a glance and I swear that she smirked before turning into her insect-form.

Serina placed her hand on the trunk, and Glatellia disappeared back into her nest, followed by her ten royal guards who used a separate entrance.

It was obvious that Glatellia and Serina communicated and by the time I reached next to Serina, I saw that the green markings on her skin changed color into golden. I never saw anything like it. I wanted to take a note of the markings so that I can figure out their meaning later, but within seconds they faded like they were not there at all.

"What happened?", I asked Serina who seemed to be dazed and… happy.

"I've got to meet the queen of Bulbine wasps.", Serina responded and I saw a hint of green twirling in her silver eyes for a moment, it turned into golden and then vanished… just like the markings on Serina's skin. "Glatellia said that I have the potential of a royal and she gave me a gift."

I was intrigued to find out more.

Bulbine wasps are not common, even in our society. Due to their volatile nature, they require a specific environment and strong leadership for the hive to stay together.

The queen of Bulbine wasps are known as powerful and willful creatures, and Glatellia is the one at the top of that list in both her power and instability.

Many centuries ago, Glatellia was young and not careful enough which brought her into a situation where her power of premonition was being known. Glatellia's power is not only to see what might happen, but she can see infinite possibilities and exact steps to reach them. It is a dangerous power to have, especially if it falls into the wrong hands, and Glatellia was hunted by many who wanted to make her submit so that they can use her for their own selfish reasons.

Hundreds of thousands of Bulbine wasps were under Glatellia's command, but her hive was decimated by the hunters and she accepted the refuge I offered because I made a blood oath not to ask her to use her powers for my benefit.

Glatellia is in my indoor garden for more than four centuries and only a handful of times she offered me her guidance. I assume that she has her own agenda, but… don't we all?

The fact that Glatellia acknowledged Serina as a royal was unexpected, and I wondered what is the hidden potential that Serina has.

A question popped into my mind followed by various possibilities. Is that potential the reason why I was able to resurrect Serina? If that is true, it would give me a hint of why her revival is such a success compared to the numerous failures before her, and at the same time, it would confirm that not everyone can be brought back from the dead.

Hmm… I need to do more tests, but how can I test for a potential someone has? And what am I even looking for? I thought of a few creatures who might be able to give me some hints.

There was one other thing I had to ask Serina about. "What kind of a gift did you receive?"

"She said that I will know when the time is right."

I exhaled dejectedly. It's just like Glatellia to talk in riddles, but I believe that she gave Serina a blessing. After all, if she wanted to harm her, Serina would be a pile of ash by now and that would be my chance to see if Serina would be reborn like a phoenix, or if such intense fire could actually end her life. After all, we are immortals, but that does not mean we are invincible. However, the fact that Serina came out of that ball of green flames unscathed is close to a miracle.

"How are you feeling?"

"Never better.", Serina responded and her smile convinced me that she is telling the truth.

"Did you find out something we could use related to my pheromones?", she asked.

"Yes. Let's go home and talk about it. I'm sure you are hungry."

Serina glanced at Krob and then back at me. "But I didn't get to see the whole lab. There are at least two more rooms to explore."

"You will see them next time.", I said stiffly. I think we had enough excitement for one day. Who knows in what kind of trouble will Serina get next? She seems to have the talent to get herself into a sticky situation.

Now that I think about it, in the last month, she got killed, nearly devoured by a werewolf, chased by a mob from the fair, and surrounded by a swarm of Bulbine wasps. Oh, and Krob thought that she was food.

"You are lucky that things ended this way.", I said to Krob who stood silently a few steps to my right, and he shivered in fear.

"Don't blame him…", I heard Serina say. "He was collecting thorns for you with the utmost care, and I took advantage of his focus on the task he was performing, to approach the tree sneakily."

I noticed that Krob was surprised how Serina stood up for him, and I wondered if Serina is defending Krob because she cares for him, or because she would do that for anyone. She is a kind person, but I am not. "If he paid attention to your safety, you would not get a chance to do sneaky things."

Serina smiled brightly. "What can I say? I am a sneaky person!"

I watched Serina walk toward the exit, and I couldn't help but shake my head. Her eyes sparkled with joy and I didn't want to spoil her mood.

"Consider yourself lucky, Krob.", I grumbled to what Krob lowered his head, but I saw him smiling before he moved to walk after Serina.

I turned to the Verveine tree and bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Glatellia…", I communicated mentally.

"She is a good seedling, Aldus…", Glatellia responded. "The sequence of events is delicate, but there is a path for her to be a powerful guardian."

My eyes widened at this information. Guardians are super-rare and they are the most powerful creatures on Earth. I smirked. Of course, Serina has such potential. I created her.

One thought came into my mind, and I had to ask Glatellia: "Is she the reason why you asked me to continue my research on reviving the dead?"

"Until she blooms, she will need protection and guidance. Don't mess it up."

I was irked that she didn't answer my question. "I will do my best."

On my way out, I noticed that most of the Bulbine wasps returned to their spots at the ceiling. They like it there because the humidity is at its highest.

…

Serina and I returned home through the underground passage and to shorten our trip, we used a portal that leads straight into the basement of my villa.

I called the driver to bring the car back without us.

"Is that magic?", Serina pointed at the space where the portal closed behind us.

I looked at the silly girl. "Magic is the science which you don't understand. We experienced instant travel between two points that were connected by a tunnel filled with void. Both sides of the tunnel are marked by runes and they require to be activated in a specific sequence in order to work..."

"I will take that as: 'no, it was not magic'.", Serina cut me off dryly, making me chuckle.

"I am amused that after everything you saw in the last few weeks, you still believe in magic."

Serina pouted. "I can't help it. It will take some time to get used to this new normal."

I patted her head. "And you are making wonderful progress. Let's change and then we can talk over dinner…"

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