Eve held her grimoire in one hand while she slowly read through the tale carved into the towering steles of ageless onyx dark basalt. It was a fascinating epic describing an ancient war between two races, the Light Elves and the Demons. Floating over the sand between the steles, she read a fascinating explanation for the desert layers that separated the Endless Forest’s rings. The entire tale was told with art and passion by ancient runes. When the newborn Plane was young, the Forest's Heart appeared between two Empires of elves and demons. As a powerful item, possession of it could grant either side unmatched advantage in all aspects of their civilization.

So, of course, a war started from such.

As the war expanded, each side called on those who allied to their cause, and thus Mythical Beasts gathered under the banners of both demon and elf. Massive destruction on a scale rarely seen on the planet occurred until finally, the divine powers of the ancient world were forced by their own needs to prevent destruction. The Light Elves and Demon races were both exiled to another Plane, one of Endless Sand, as penance for their destructive war. The Heart of the Forest was hidden by divine mandate, and the Endless Forest expanded in growth to defend it. From what Eve could see, the Titans were the weakest guardians, as Dragons were part of the Heart’s defenders.

Reaching the final two steles in the pathway, Eve stared at the runes carved on each side. The few she understood dealt with space, most likely making these last two pillars a gateway of some sort. The cost to open it appeared to be immense from what little she could decipher.

Fascinating. Eve thought before turning to float back to her Hut. While the heat didn’t bother her overly much, it was still a tad annoying even with Bibliotheca Body working to combat the issue. The ruins appear to be buried beneath the sands, and all that remains are these steles. Unfortunately, it appears this adventure is a bust. We’ll stay the night and then go full steam to head to the Oasis.

Eve stayed partially because there was no hurry and partially because Bibliotheca Mindmight makes headway on the portal runes. While she didn’t think translating them would allow her to get back to Earth, more knowledge was always useful. She was also slightly interested in any of the runes on the two steles that might help Nota gain something. This wasn’t the gold, jewels, and ancient artifacts she had originally envisioned, but beggars can’t be choosers.

We’ll settle against one of the portal pillars. I wouldn’t say I like the look of the clouds in the distance. I have no interest in finding out how much fun magical sandstorms can be. Eve thought as she floated down towards the Hut. Truly, this house is a marvel.

Before she had touched down on the sand, the Hut’s appearance had already changed. Chicken feet dug into the sand with grace planting the entire structure deep into the ground, and the door shifted to move above the sands. The outer skin shifted from a normal appearance to a sand camouflage skin, and the roof’s solar panels were tucked away. In place of the solar panels were a series of miniature wind turbines. The turbines spun with decent speed as the wind was starting to pick up.

Eve gaped for a moment in shock at the transformation of her Hut. She didn’t doubt that one day her home would be able to do everything—the picture of a Hut that could walk, float, and fly briefly passed through her mind.

Big sister is amazing! Nota said, giving an image of the Hut. Talks little, though...very quiet.

Is she…happy with me? Eve sent, hesitant to get an answer out of fear.

Big sis is proud. Proud to be family. Nota replied before settling back to sleep atop Eve’s head.

A warm fuzzy feeling hit Eve as she opened the door, causing her to have a wide maniacal grin as she stepped inside. Sara was waiting as the door closed behind Eve and gave a short, respectful bow before approaching.

“Stop with the bowing. It creeps me out.” Eve said, her good mood departing. “Are the children playing in the dungeon?”

“Yes, mistress. They are forming a functional team for delving effectively. I suspect that within a few years unless you indicate otherwise, they will likely depart to make their own future.” Sara said with one raised eyebrow.

Eve saddened and said, “To be expected, this is a home, not a prison.”

“My new Class is a wonder. It had so many wonderful surprises.” Sara said as she moved to walk behind Eve as they strode towards Kudzu’s lab.

“Oh, such as?” Eve responded.

Sara sent her a screen listing her current Status.

Race: Witch

Class: Scripture Witch

Profession: Right Hand of the Library

Level: 400

Health: 7,200/7,200 (720 HPs regen)

Mana: 21,600/21,600 (21,600 MPs regen)

Stats: Str 720; Dex; 720; Con 720; Wis 2,160; Int 2,160; Charm 720

Skills:

Lure (0%)

Contract (0%)

Spells:

Copy (0%)

Read (0%)

Mental Traits:

Mind of Scripture (0%)

Physical Traits:

Body of Scripture (0%)

Eve narrowed her eyes as the numbers immediately made sense. “Eighty percent of my power?” she said, glancing at Sara.

Sara nodded, “I also can no longer gain Slots or Free Stats, most likely to prevent me from using them to benefit you since you could command me to do so.”

“Wilson is nice, but not that nice. I concur.” Eve said before continuing, “Lure for tricking people into Contract, Copy to duplicate Spells or Skills, and Read to take advantage of Polyglot?”

Sara nodded, “My selection was minimal. The only other options were combat-oriented and didn’t play to any of my strengths, in my opinion.”

Eve nodded as they approached Kudzu’s lab door, “I see little point in gaining a talented ally only to hobble them with micromanaging choices. I’ll trust you to do what you think is best in regards to growth, Sara.”

Sara bowed low as Eve opened the lab door and stepped inside. The door closed swiftly behind her, and the refreshing scent of thousands upon thousands of herbs washed over Eve. Kudzu’s humanoid form looked up from a series of experiments being processed by tens of tiny vines moving in synchronicity as she approached.

“Where is she?” Eve said, her tone frosty.

Kudzu sighed before waving a hand at the vine-laden wall. A pod that resembled nothing so much as a bean pod exited the wall moving to face Eve. She looked inside and said, “Kudzu, what were you thinking?”

“I have needs! Important needs!” Kudzu said, his speech impassioned.

Eve gave him a frosty glance, “You better be real specific about those needs, or I’m going to start cutting important things off you.”

Kudzu coughed, “Baked goods, I have important baked goods needs. Seriously what gutter were you thinking with, Slicer?”

Eve stared before she rubbed the bridge of her nose to alleviate the non-existent metaphysical headache that was starting. There was likely a substantial reason her plant companion had kidnapped the best baker in Glenwood. He was clearly an addict of bread products, and she hadn’t seen this coming. In point of fact, if the mice hadn’t betrayed Kudzu due to his refusal to share the baked goodies, it might have gone unknown for a good amount of time. Eve’s own Aura was more partial to detecting threats to minimize strain on her mind. Which meant that the kidnapping of the baker had completely slipped her mind, literally.

“Let me be clear. You will open this pod and wake her up gently. I will then have a chat with her, and you had best keep your mouth shut and make yourself scarce.” Eve said, “The only reason you aren’t mulched right now is that I suspect this is less a kidnapping and more an elopement scenario. In the future, you will clear all passengers you desire to have in my Hut with me. Are we clear?”

Kudzu took one look at her expression and said quietly, “Crystal clear.”

Eve nodded before she relaxed. While she wasn’t happy with Kudzu, he was part of her family. She could forgive many things, as long as honest mistakes were not repeated by those Eve trusted. Snapping her fingers, Eve gestured to the pod giving Kudzu a sideways glance. The bean pod opened, revealing the top baker in Glenwood's drooling and unconscious form. It was clear the pod was releasing a gentle sedative to keep the passenger asleep. As the sedative slowly stopped being administered, the baker woke up in a daze. Kudzu slipped away before the baker was fully awake, so she didn’t see him.

Using her Domain with rapid haste, Eve created a pair of chairs and a small boxed room with a miniature table. The dazed baker managed to stumble out of the pod, and Eve guided her into the second seat with a gentle push from a few pieces of paper. A set of paper cups, along with a few snacks, appeared on the table.

It was the work of several minutes to watch the young woman before she was finally focused and coherent enough to question. Eve allowed her to take several sips of tea, as well as a few snacks. Finally, when the girl appeared to have mustered up her courage, Eve said, “I have a few questions for you, I apologize for the suddenness of the situation, but it appears one of my family has abducted you. Would you mind giving me your name?”

“Brianna, ma’am. I, uh, was talking with Mr. Kudzu before? He, um, he was asking me about whether I would be willing to relocate…” Brianna said, clutching her teacup in both hands.

Eve sighed, “What exactly did he say, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Mr. Kudzu, he, he offered to give me my own bakery. He showed me examples of fantastical machines that were superior to anything I’ve ever seen, ma’am! I, I might have been caught up a bit, h-he’s very attractive…” Brianna managed to say before blushing.

“Kudzu isn’t human. Are you aware of that?” Eve asked.

Brianna’s face grew flushed as she said, “I-I’m not like most of the village ma’am, I like…things they d-don’t think are n-normal…”

“Tentacles? Perfumes? And other such delights, at a guess?” Eve said, suddenly seeing the situation in a much different light.

“Y-Yes?” Brianna said, her eyes wide.

Ah, well. This makes a lot more sense now. Someone who fits all her fetishes asks her to leave the village that never understood her. Eve thought. Well, what is one more stray? At least now we’ll have the best-baked goods possible.

Crunchies! Nota said, adding her opinion while projecting a mental image of chocolate chip cookies.

After pausing for a few moments to gather her thoughts, Eve pulled a piece of paper out, inking it with mana to form another Contract.

“There are many rules in my Hut, although nothing that should stop you from…enjoying…your stay here. Read and sign this if you agree, and a room will be provided for you, Brianna.” Eve said, laying the parchment down on the table before sliding it over to Brianna.

The younger woman let go of her teacup before taking the paper with both hands to read. Brianna finished reading after a short time and said, “This is very generous ma’am, are you s-sure it is ok?”

“Kudzu prizes you. While I would have preferred to be informed, you are here now, and I do not begrudge one of my eldest his choices. If he didn’t have any interest in you besides your baking, I suspect there were better options available. I have my theories, but perhaps they are just the meddlesome thoughts of an older woman.” Eve smiled.

Brianna gulped before signing the contract with her mana. Eve was thrilled to see that the baker used mana, as it was one of the many reasons she believed Kudzu had chosen the young lady.

Watching the paper vanish, Eve smiled and said, “Welcome to the family, Brianna.”