Chapter 27: A Seed

The greatest adventurer of the current generation is arguably Asrealt the Shinning Sun relative to the Kan’s by marriage to the current and new Protectorate. Little is known about the hero’s origins as it was only when he cleared out the Flame of Hell Forbidden Zone was he discovered. Yet it seems the Kan’s knew of him far longer than the rest of the Empire. Perhaps they had kept him hidden for such a long time or perhaps he was truly lucky enough to evade known posted Watchers. Lucky for the family to snatch up someone with such a potent affinity to fire. Since the Kan family is known to have affinities to fire and earth the offspring, they could produce from such a union could potentially produce a genius of a caliber enough to propel themselves to the final strata and break the barrier. It has been deemed necessary to dispatch a Watch Born once a child is born. It is unfortunate but the Empire must always coexist, and the Imperial family must stay in power by any means. Long Live the Empire. Long Live the Empress.

From an interrupted letter sent to Central.

My meditation finished I found myself ushered off to bath by Murnia and I was to prepare to meet this farmer that discovered something interesting enough to make its way directly to me. The entire time my mind was filled with ideas I would plant using the Seed of Hope. Ideas I hoped, would blossom a soldier of mine into something that could produce special characteristics in them like Alex and Rouge. I called for Murnia and sent orders for a squad to be dispatched to the area.

Even now I still wondered why they receive aspects that differed from all my other troops. What made them special? Was it their mindsets or was it something that could be cultivated in other troops? I knew aspects could be changed and removed at a price. One price that I wasn’t willing to have any of my people pay but now that aspects would be accessible to the world of Prima and eventually Nia, I would have plenty of chances to see how others used their abilities.

I just hope I wasn’t making a mistake by truly following this path. Even if I was, however, it was too late now. The deed was done and I had no way to take it back. As I was finishing my preparations to meet Farmer Johnson the man who grabbed my attention a report arrived. The report detailed how members of the commoners and artisans I brought along were being inducted into the system along with the members of the Hukku clan Makanui brought. In truth, I was a bit excited to see what results would come from all of this. Either good or bad I was sure I would be able to ride out any repercussions of my actions and I would face them head-on. I left my room dressed in a loose shirt and boots. The farmer’s lands were on the outskirts of the valley and a few miles from the nearest mountain. It wouldn’t take me too long with my current power level to arrive.

*

Kai felt blessed to be chosen by the Young Lord. It had been a long time since she last interacted with the Young Lord and to be given the opportunity now with her squad helping him with the discovery of the young farmer. Even only guarding the perimeter Kai could feel the strong essence radiating from the object and wondered exactly what this magical treasure would entail. Shaking her head from the thoughts. Kai straightens up as an aura brushed over her and her squad. The Young Lord had arrived.

Kai looked up at the magi human in wonder and awe standing a good two and a half feet taller than her and most of her squad members. Her back that she thought couldn’t get any straighter stretched to its limits as she stood tall. Her amber eyes and straight dark hair seemed to gain a new light in his presence. She felt stronger. His eyes reminiscent of the night sky gazed around and the farmer that was a distance away rushed up as the Young Lord came to a halt.

Right as Kai and seemingly the rest of her squad remembered to greet the Young Lord.

“We greet the Young Lord,” Kai’s voice was dry but came out stronger as she saluted.

The Young Lord returned the greeting allowing them to drop their salute, but Kai could tell as his eyes dismissed them that he was already drawn to the strong emission of essence coming from the hole in the ground a few feet away.

The golds and blue in his eyes began to glow and the farmer rushing up was all but forgotten. Kai moved forward and halted the farmer shushing him and allowing the Young Lord to approach his find. Kai watched as he began to mutter, and a spell construct appeared in the air and the dirt and stone began to shift away. Slowly a glow began to emit from the ground and an assortment of colors reminding Kai of the base elements flashed.

A sweet smell reminding Kai of honey began to strongly drift into her nose and almost reluctantly Kai found herself drawn near the hole the Young Lord was excavating. She knew she should stay back, but Kai moved forward as if she was under some spell. Her feet only stopped when the Young Lord glanced back in her direction his aura firm but gently stopping her. The trance Kai found herself in was broken just as the item with such an alluring glow was shown.

Kai couldn’t help herself and activated the Young Lord’s magic. Which would allow her to identify what the object was. So far this system magic had yet to fail in identifying something. Whether it be her common grade spear and ax or armor.

World Seed

A world seed. The treasure of gods. This item allows a nascent world to be formed or can upgrade the level of any minor world into a lower one. This item can also vastly increase one's powers. If consumed grants the user an affinity for all four base elements.

The allure from the seed became all the stronger after Kai finished reading. A desire to consume the seed almost consumed her and her squad rustled behind her. Perhaps having read the same thing Kai had. As she was taking a step forward a hand reached out and covered the glow emitting from the world seed. While the compulsion that overtook Kai dispersed.

Kai watched as the Young Lord turned and opened his other hand. A new seed different from the one the Young Lord pocketed appeared. Once again Kai almost automatically activated her system power.

Seed of Hope

This Seed of Hope is an item produced by Aegis Kan. This item is imbued with essence and if consumed will plant the idea: Courage.

Kai didn’t know how but she was sure the Young Lord’s eyes were glued onto her. Slowly she raised her head to meet his gaze.

“Do you have the Courage?”

Stepping forward he held the seed in front of her and Kai hesitated for only a moment before reaching out and finding the seed within her hand. She studied it for a few moments. It was a scarlet red while on its exterior Kai could see runic symbols of some type. She looked back up only now noticing the Young Lord was already gone. Slowly she raised the seed to her mouth and consumed it.

*

I was barely suppressing myself and the world seed as I moved swiftly back to the city. My thoughts raced as I thought about the implications of having such an item. Until the memory of the Nox lady, I fought reappeared. This is what she mentioned. This is what she was looking for and now I believe I had my answer as to why this valley was here in the Endless Mountains. It wasn’t a valley it was a garden for this seed. As I moved, I could feel the essence around me react. It wasn’t negative but it seemed to be watching me closely. A spell construct formed itself in my Mindspace, which would hopefully allow me to isolate the phenomena the seed was giving off.

As I raced, I thought about the Seed of Hope I produced and gave to the young soldier. If I remembered correctly her name was Kai. Part of the original 150 troops was when the Crimson Army was known as the Little Army. She was one of many subjects I hoped would blossom using the seed. The construct I was forming was disrupted as the seed let out a small burst. I shrugged off the backlash from the interruption and was amazed at how every single cell in my body seemed to cry out in joy. I felt reinvigorated and like I could take on the world. Right then and there I almost stopped and consumed the seed. Yet I knew I didn’t need this treasure and could use it in other ways. Bargaining with the Nox for example or if I could somehow figure out how to form the nascent world. Imagine an entire world I could shape at my own will. I smiled at the thought before firing a quick burst into the air. A signal that would be caught to the city I was rushing to. Amaya would be contacted and sent out to see me.

***

Karla glanced at the troops escorting her back to her nation. Her mind was still in slight turmoil and in slight awe as she gazed at the monolith they carried on their shoulders. Karla herself wanted to take the object and move faster than these troops of Aegis however they had an agreement and Karla would follow it. She did not know if the Young Lord had the ability to take his gift away and the Warrior Princess didn’t want to be the first to test it out.

Slowly they passed the area of the battlefield and Karla was truly amazed at how the place looked exactly as if nothing had ever happened here. Moving quickly, it took their party another day to leave the Endless Mountains. Soon after crossing out of the territory, Karla caught sight of a quick object moving towards them. The spear given to her by Aegis quickly came out of the storage pouch and Karla disappeared from the senses of the troops as she appeared in front of the object her spear flashing.

“It’s me, your majesty!”

Karla pulled her spear back showing her control over her strength as Gloria’s voice rang out.

“It’s good that you’ve returned the Daemons have fallen. The Nox have begun their last march. Refugees are flooding into our lands and General Irvon is returning to the front lines to take command of the situation. Count Caccula has also requested a meeting with you.”

In a single breath, Gloria updated her about the Last Kingdom and Karla was already forming plans. First, she had to clear out the capital of all Nox she thought as she glanced to the armed troops of the Young Lord.