Bayne had watched everything in shocked silence; everything he knew about the world was crashing down around him. Vivian didn't back down from the sphinx-a creature way out of her league-and suffered a crushing defeat. Yet she survived. Jaden had grown and not just in size. His raw strength and confidence far beyond anything Bayne had ever experienced before. And then there was Anya, the sweetest Tree Spirit there ever was; providing their clan with food, clothing, everything they needed, including fun breaks from reality.

Bayne averted his eyes as that very same Anya enacted her retribution on the sphinx. Some things just should not be witnessed. Its pained wails were evidence enough of her cruelty.

To think, she plays with us with the same vines that are now tormenting that monster. Bayne swallowed hard as he tried to block out the sphinx's agony from his eyes and ears. Jaden left in a hurry, did he know what was in store?

Bayne was listening to the leaves rustling energetically and for the first time, was glad he couldn't understand what she was saying. The beast's wails suddenly increased several octaves drawing Bayne's eyes out of sheer curiosity. He immediately regretted looking and broke off into a run towards the main building as the wails only got worse.

The female Liralau was still running on her way through the forest when she first heard the wails of her god's favorite pet. In the end, her curiosity got the better of her and she picked up the pace to her limit. Ahead of her, Isa was hovering. Waiting for her. Isa spewed forth fire from her body, indicating she should stop. And stop she did, she didn't want to get on the bad side of the grey skins.

"Yes?"

"You are familiar with the sphinx?" Isa asked nonchalantly.

"...Unfortunately."

"Bad history?" Isa scratched her head with her talon, "That changes things."

"What?"

Isa winced as the wails increased by several octaves. "What you're hearing... the sphinx is currently... how to say..."

"What about the sphinx?"

"Those wails are from the sphinx," Isa stated.

"You're joking. The sphinx is noisy and loud, but doesn't sound like that."

Isa only smiled coyly in response.

"You're serious? But how? Oh, I gotta see what's doing that."

"...You're a strange one." Isa commented, "Well, in that case... just follow the wails in that direction."

"What is making that god-awful racket?" Daryl cursed as he lost his concentration and the light went out for the umpteenth time.

"I don't know, but at least the tunnel isn't shaking anymore," Lulu commented, which met with unanimous agreement.

"Are Matriarch and Jaden back yet?" Emily asked, "They've been gone sho long..."

"I'm sure they're both fine. Of all of us, they are the most capable of taking care of themselves." Molli soothed.

"Molli?" Lulu looked at her confused.

"Yes?"

"It's just strange, it used to be difficult to get a single word out of you," Lulu stated.

"As I said before, we've all been going through some changes." Molli replied, "And we're not aware of them ourselves, it feels natural like we've always been this way."

"What's different about me?" Lulu asked.

"You've never hurt me before when correcting my behavior." Evan sulked.

"You've never done anything that bad before. I'm pretty sure that's not it." Lulu rebuked, "And you'd best not do anything like that ever again."

"Am I different?" Emily asked looking slightly worried.

"I'm sure you are, but it's very subtle," Molli replied.

"Shuttle?" Emily looked at her adorably confused, her head tilted slightly to the side.

"Subtle, it means so little the difference is hard to see. You don't have to worry, you're still you." Molli explained.

"Kay!" Emily's beaming smile lit up the dark passageway, even brighter than sunshine.

They made their way slowly walking through the tunnel. There was no chance of getting lost, but none of them were particularly keen on walking into a wall when Daryl lost his concentration and the light went out; which was becoming more frequent.

"Finally." Lulu gave Daryl a look of disgust as he opened the door leading out of the tunnel. They saw Bayne seated at the table, drinking something. Daryl headed to the door to take a bath and get a change of clothes.

"You don't want to go out there... phew what's that smell?" Bayne took a deep swig as he tried to drown his memory of what he'd seen. Daryl ignored him and left.

"Bayne?! You're not hurt?" Molli asked; relief thick in her voice.

"Nah I'm fine. Lucky Vivian and Jaden showed up when they did..." Bayne's expression turned sad. "That big cat went after Anya. Vivian got crushed protecting her."

"Big cat?" Lulu raised an eyebrow. "Also, crushed?"

"Big flipping cat was just walking normal like, Vivian happened to be in its path. I reckon she thought it was attackin' her, she struck back and got stepped on." Bayne paused to take another drink.

The four of them looked at each other, Lulu repeated the words of the oracle, "One of us would be gravely injured..."

"I swear she should be dead. She's tough that 'un." Bayne finished his drink and dropped the cup. "And then there's Jaden... grew up in an instant he did. Tossed that giant cat around like a toy."

"You're not making sense now," Molli interrupted.

"Aint that right?" Bayne agreed, the alcohol started to affect his speech, "S'truth though. E's a strapping young man, though e's got quite the scar on 'is face now."

"Where are they, Father?" Emily asked pushing forward.

"They're... I dunno?" Bayne scratched his head awkwardly.

"Anya, you know where they are?" Emily asked. Bayne flinched visibly.

"What's gotten into you?" Molli asked.

"Nothing, fortunately." Bayne shivered, "I've seen some things I wish I'd not."

Vines emerged along the floor, starting at Emily's feet and leading out the door. Bayne's hand grabbed gently onto her shoulder as she was about to run off.

"Molli, go with her. And no matter what both of you do, do NOT look in the direction of the wails."

Molli looked quizzically at him, but seeing his seriously grave expression, she simply nodded. She and Emily ran out the door.

Lulu and Evan sat down at the table with Bayne. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No," Bayne denied, casting two of them a gaze, "All I'll say is I'll never see Anya the same way again. Never, under any circumstance, get on her bad side."

Lulu nodded in understanding, "The more delicate the flower, the sharper the thorns."

Bayne's thoughts turned to Emily. He shook his head to clear his mind. "Anya, another drink please."

Jaden had found his way to the new building Anya had formed around her heart. Seated on a vine bench inside, he overlooked the cocoon.

"Is there anything more we can do?" Jaden threw the question out, not sure any answer would come. Anya's leaves rustled, but the reply wasn't positive.

There is another option.

"Please don't keep me in suspense," Jaden stated.

Within the Ominous Forest, lies an abnormal pond with extraordinary healing properties. It is a two-day journey for the average person. You're hardly average though.

"Thank you, Sasha."

Medical Cocoon: Vivian(Severely Crippled) Every bone in her body from her skull to her toes became broken and fractured when she was stepped on. She's teetering the doorway between life and death. The healing properties of the cocoon are just barely enough to keep her stable.

"Show me her status."

Name Vivian(Crippled) Title Matriarch of the Race; Caretaker(!) Level(!) 10(5) Health pool 1/1000(40) Mana pool 60/60(20) Strength(!) 1[10](8) Constitution(!) 1[10](8) Dexterity(!) 1[10](6) Agility(!) 1[10](6) Wisdom 1[5] Intelligence 1[3] Willpower 9[10] Misc If this host could stand, she'd be five feet(152 cm) tall and her tail is seven inches(17 cm) long.

Surviving getting stepped on by a beast capable of destroying cities has pushed her stats to their maximum; however, they cannot be utilized due to (Crippled) state.

Level restriction encountered. Skill List Survive. Anya's Blessing(!). Sleep Resist(advanced). Quarterstaff(Master)

"What is Anya's Blessing?" Jaden asked skimming over everything else. Anya's leaves rustled in response as Sasha displayed the details.

[Anya's Blessing] A Composite skill for boons Anya had deemed the recipient worthy to have.

[Nature's Caretaker]: Natural healing abilities are augmented, becoming slightly faster and more efficient, this is further increased when bathed in sunlight. As this is a part of Anya's blessing, she may spend her mana to further augment this ability, allowing near-instant healing. The Caretaker must be within Anya's territory for this to be possible.

[Guardian Spirit](NEW): Anya lifted the limits imposed on the host body, allowing the host's stats to reach the mortal pinnacle. Anya can further augment this skill with mana when the host is fighting in her defense.

"Anya...Thank you for saving my mother. ... You're right, she's not out of danger yet. However, I still have her because of you." Jaden finally comprehended how his mother survived getting crushed.

"I suppose I should thank Othello for pushing Mother to the brink, amongst all the negatives, there is a positive side here. But I won't. He's going to wish he'd never been born. What's that? He already does? Anya just what... No, I'd rather leave that a mystery." Jaden chuckled as he rose to his feet, "In any case, his life is mine."

"Anya, your blessing grants a healing boost from sunlight. Let Mother basque in some inside the cocoon. No, I don't know why you didn't think of that, maybe you're too busy with Othello?" Jaden placed his hand on the door, "Focus on my mother for now. It's time Othello and I got reacquainted. I trust you're satisfied with the time you've had?"

The top of the building opened. The vines forming the cocoon parted and sunlight glazed the prone form within. A flower sprouted delicately from the end of the cocoon. Its leaves gently shielded Vivian's eyes from the light.

Jaden returned to where he'd left Othello. He caught sight of the female Liralau nearby. She was breathlessly seated on a vine bench. Jaden ignored her and gave his full attention to Othello. Jaden's gray face turned pale white. Othello was in bad shape. Anya had withdrawn her vines entirely leaving the beast free. He lacked the energy to move, though.

"There are things I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy..." Jaden muttered, "and it looks like you've survived all of them."

Othello growled both painfully and pitifully. "Are you here to end me? I welcome it."

Jaden nodded his head, "Bullying the weak and defenseless isn't my style. You can thank my mother for that. Before I send you back to your God though, I have a message for her."

"It is?" Othello asked, keeping his words minimal.

"Some simple questions first. It'll be in your best interest to answer truthfully." Jaden's eyes flickered between their steady calm and the deadly swirl as he faltered in maintaining his composure. "Blink once for yes, twice for no."

"Did she send you here?" Othello blinked twice.

"Does she know what you've been up to?" Othello blinked twice.

"So you came here hoping to earn some rewards by killing more of my people?" Othello blinked once.

"And now you're begging for death." Jaden sighed. "Here's the message."

Jaden placed his hand on Othello's snout, though it wasn't a comforting gesture. "You brought this upon yourself. Whether she comes for revenge or not, both of you will regret the reincarnation cycle. She needs to learn to keep her pet on a leash. And if I have to start with the race she created, so be it."

Othello stared blankly into Jaden's eyes, he sensed no false bravado and it wasn't a threat or a warning. It was presented as a message from an oracle. Something that would come to pass. Jaden's eyes lost their calm demeanor; the solid black spun into a torrent. Othello had no other option, he stared into the swirling abyss. His body went numb, the pain vanished entirely as he looked into those dreadful eyes. He felt his soul being drawn out of his body.

"Consider this my last mercy to you. A painless death after everything you've already suffered." Jaden forcefully blinked, the connection severed. Othello's body went limp and disintegrated into the sands of time. Jaden's body wavered before he collapsed to the ground, momentarily unsteady from the excessive drain. His body wasn't ready for the power he used. His form disintegrated into a gray light once more as the power he drew upon grew weaker. His body reformed, reverting to a younger age.

The female Liralau watched with interest nearby. The 18-year-old man morphed into a gray light, and then into that of a 13-year-old boy. Jaden lurched and threw up a blue liquid, an excess of mana from what his younger body could contain. He spat out what had coated his mouth and wiped his lips before looking himself over.

"Not a 4-year-old anymore? Sorry Mother, seems you've missed out on my childhood now too." Jaden sighed in resignation. He rose to his feet, sadness present in his solid black eyes.