Bathed in sunlight, Vivian rose unsteadily to her feet. An unsettling mix of regret and relief crashed through her as Anya's vines pulled the Authen's body down into the dirt. Her body heavy with fatigue, she beckoned her status with a hefty sigh.

Name Vivian Title Matriarch of the Race; Caretaker Level 11(10) Health Pool 550(350)/1700(1000) Mana Pool 57(23)/155 Strength 15(10) Constitution 17(10) Dexterity 14(10) Agility 16(10) Wisdom 9 Intelligence 4 Willpower 15(10)

"I'm fine." she offered to the worried gazes of Brawn and Evan, flexing her arms and legs experimentally. Superficial pain remained, but the worst of it had faded into memory.

"You should still rest when possible," Araya countered.

"And you are?" Vivian looked over the albino woman critically.

"Jaden's wife!" she replied triumphantly. The bravado and pride at her sudden announcement turned her cheeks rosy seconds later.

"Your what now?" Vivian turned her white-eyed gaze to Jaden, scratching his head awkwardly, he forced out a dry laugh.

"Her name is Araya. She's the princess of the Xelia." Jaden cleared his throat and spoke plainly.

"Queen. QUEEN of the Xelia!" Araya corrected forcefully. "And you are the King."

"Jaden," Vivian faltered, her body still weak from the recent encounter, only her growing anger kept her on her feet. "You've grown up entirely too fast as it is. But this takes the cake."

Cake. Brawn thought about that wicked concoction the false Queen had forced him to eat, and he paled instantly.

"I've had little choice in it." Jaden frowned, "When Othello nearly stepped on you, I needed more strength than my body could control, more than even my current body can handle for that matter."

"That doesn't excuse the trouble you're in for this," Vivian glared daggers at him.

"I'm your god before you're my mother," he shrugged dismissively, and he immediately regretted it.

"Your argument is invalid," she grabbed him by the ear.

"Heyy oww!!" Jaden wailed. "That hurts!"

A menacing and cold air descended around Araya when Vivian's gaze returned to her. "I'll deal with you later. You have some nerve shortening the already limited time I have with my son."

Araya shivered noticeably and swallowed a lump of saliva. Her lack of vision only strengthened Jaden's painful protests in her ears.

What a strong-willed woman. Brawn praised in his mind. I never thought I'd live to see someone manhandle a god.

"Mother, you're going to rip my ear off!" Jaden flailed his arms in vain to separate his ear from her vice-like grip.

"Sasha says that's impossible. Besides, you're a high and mighty god. What can I, a mere mortal woman, do to the likes of you?" Vivian retorted sarcastically.

I never said anything of the sort!

Vivian suppressed a laugh when she felt Sasha's indignation permeate every fiber of her body.

"Alright you win! Just let me go!" Jaden coaxed.

"I'm not ready for any of this yet." Vivian sorrowfully stated, letting his ear go.

"You're not the only one upset about it." Jaden moved next to his mother and supported her, easing her burden as the small group began the journey to the village.

The forest exploded in a wave of unprecedented growth. All manner of plant life grew thick and tall within the limited area Anya controlled before expanding far beyond the original borders. In the process, Anya reformed the paths covering them with clover, mint, and petunias of every color.

"What just happened?" Araya questioned; stepping on the fresh growth released new scents that assaulted her nose.

"Anya's forest just had a growth spurt. Maybe she did too," Jaden replied while watching the forest expand to the edge of his map and, although he couldn't verify how far, beyond. "It is a rather pleasant aroma."

Isa slowly opened her eyes, her irises adjusted casually as her vision adapted to the light in her cozy cave. Uncurling her tail from her body, she yawned lazily. Rising to her feet, she unfolded and stretched her wings. The majesty of her true body filled her makeshift nest comfortably with room to spare. Taking several cautious steps away from where she lay, she turned around and experienced a new feeling.

In the center of her vision, surrounded by the dirt of her hastily dug cave, rested her egg. She sat on her haunches and snaked her forelegs and claws elaborately, weaving a mirage. A haphazard pile of coins, goblets, and trinkets all made of solid gold appeared. Tenderly moving her egg to the center, she molded the pile of treasures into a nest around her egg, the silent guardian of a treasure hoard.

Giving the nest a once over, she tidied the treasures slightly as her mouth curled into a dissatisfied frown. A mirage doesn't compare to a real hoard, but it does have advantages.

Turning her attention to the fountain, she inhaled long and slow, filling her lungs. Isa held her breath a moment, mixing the air with mana until smoke escaped her nostrils. She puffed her cheeks out and very slightly opened her mouth. Blowing tenderly, she produced an intense deep purple flame. Her unique dragon fire enveloped and energized the fountain, stoking the relaxed fire into a roaring inferno. Passing her gaze back to her egg, she looked over it fondly for a moment and then turned toward the exit of the cave.

Sleep well, little one. And be wiser than your mom. Isa shook her head, berating her foolish, hotheaded choices in her youth. Standing at the cave entrance, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply the fresh air. The relaxed expression on her face hardened instantly.

More Authen? She flapped her enormous wings and took flight, her body shrinking as she rose into the air. The guise of a baby phoenix masking her appearance once more, she circled the forest canopy. Her head flicked to and fro, quickly taking in the surrounding area. Catching sight of Vivian, she angled her wings and descended like a dart. Opening her wings like a parachute, Isa slowed herself and landed lightly on Vivian's shoulder.

"Isa?" Vivian relaxed slightly.

"Three hundred Authen are approaching," Isa responded. She puffed out her feathers, closed her eyes, and fell asleep perched on Vivian's shoulder.

"We're always concerned about some god's retribution for our actions, aren't we?" Jaden scratched his cheek with his index finger. "It's long overdue they did the same."

"Jaden," Vivian frowned.

"Sorry Mother. I don't see an end to this any other way." Jaden replied.

"Allow my people this chance to prove our worth," Araya drew her daggers.

"What?"

"We are yours to command," Araya added solemnly.

"Are we incapable of fighting our own battles now?" Vivian tensed.

"We always were," Jaden retorted, a tear running down his cheek. "I didn't want my people to live for war, and instead I made them live in fear. Sorry, Araya, I'm handling this myself."

"Allow us to accompany you at least." Brawn insisted.

"Don't kill them," Vivian pleaded.

"No promises. If Typhan is any measure of their race none of them should be allowed to live another day. Despicable." Jaden spat.

"Are you the god of death and judgment?" Vivian stopped walking. "Can you decide who lives and dies without it weighing on your heart?"

"I will not have history repeat any more than it already has." Jaden ground his teeth together when he recalled the suffering from the memory etched deeply in their blood.

That is not possible any longer.

"You sound confident, Sasha," Jaden smirked.

Why wouldn't I? This is the reason I exist. And Vivian is filling the role perfectly. Not to mention what I can make you capable of.

Jaden gazed upon his mother sympathetically, "Sasha, we're going to hold off on that as long as possible."

As you wish. I disagree with this decision, but I can understand it.

"What's the plan?" Vivian asked.

"You're my immediate concern. We're going home."

They completed the journey, their footsteps crushing vegetation all that broke the monotonous silence. Entering the village Brawn and Araya joined Brains. They relaxed in the village streets and shared details of recent events over raspberry wine, which Anya provided at Jaden's request. Evan ran through the village streets looking for his parents.

Jaden and Vivian made their way to the heart of the village. Jaden hid a smirk and pretended he didn't notice Emily quickly approaching. The little fireball tackled Vivian with tears streaming down her face. "Auntie Viviaaaaan!"

"Auntie?" Vivian couldn't stop the smile from emerging on her face. She scooped the little bundle into her arms. "Well, hello there. It's good to see you too!"

"Did that bad man hurt you? Are you okay? Anya shaid you would be okay. And. And I tried to believe her, I did!" Emily wrapped Vivian in a bear hug and buried her face.

"I'm fine as you can see," Vivian smiled reassuringly and patted Emily's back. "You don't need to worry about me, I-"

"But we all worry! You're important to ush!" Emily's blue, innocent eyes burned into Vivian.

"Okay, okay, I got it. I'll be careful." Vivian yielded, her fake smile slowly turning genuine.

"She's right," Molli approached. "Even if some of us don't show it properly."

Jaden excused himself silently, disappearing into the heart of the village on his own. "Anya, I need you to do something for me."

Does this involve all the intruders in my territory?

"Yes. Here's what you're going to do-"

Niren rose from his bedroll; the morning sun shining on his eyes had rudely roused him from slumber. Wiping away the remaining sleep, he prepared to tackle the morning. Stifling a yawn, he cleaned up his makeshift camp, quickly coiled his bedroll, and stuffed it into his backpack. His god urged him forward with promises of beautiful women, fame, and riches beyond imagination. In this, he was not alone. Three hundred of his kin, guided by their god, pushed forward. Drawing and tightening his grip on his cutlass, he cut his path through the undergrowth. Not for the last time, he transferred his weapon to his empty hand and resumed hacking away. Dull hours of slashing vegetation passed slowly.

He swung his sword as he stepped forward; vines, bushes, and young saplings fell lifelessly to the ground. Mid-swing, the forest burst into growth; his cutlass sliced into a tree and came to an abrupt halt. His sword lodged in the trunk; the tree continued it's insane growth until the blade vanished entirely.

What magic is this?! He released the hilt moments before the tree swallowed that as well. He suppressed the growing panic in his mind then calmly observed the changes around him. The trail he cut to get here had returned to the state it was before he forced his way through and gradually became denser than it had been originally. I won't be leaving that way. Turning his head slowly, he endured the simple fact that he was surrounded by the thickest undergrowth he'd ever seen.

"This is just great." Niren approached the tree that ate his sword and exhaled sharply. Extending his arm, he was about to touch the tree. He froze.

Appearing from the shadow cast by her target, Araya wasted no time in subduing her prey. Her twin daggers already drawn, one quick, silent movement found her left hand poking a sharp point into his back, the right pressed cold steel against his throat. "Your presence is required elsewhere."

"Is this how you invite a guest?" Niren swallowed a lump of fresh saliva carefully, not daring to move.

"You think yourself a guest when you are intruding? You're lucky to still be alive right now." Araya hissed inches from his ear sending a cold shiver down his spine and a bead of sweat dripped from his brow down his cheek.