Nox watched from across the dining room as his father spoke in a low voice to a Lion-kin in tan leathers. Of whom was an informant of a God who had recently come under scrutiny due their involvement with trafficking slaves. No. Such a thing was not allowed within his realm, and was a punishable offence by way of execution and a denial into the reincarnation cycle.

Yes. Such a law was rather harsh, but as it was a law directed by the fifth strongest being in the universe, many would rather not speak up. Instead, they simply turned around and walked away, or, as the one in question had performed, become silent concerning such things as slavery. Technically speaking, he who has come into question was able to speak of how they were not aware of the law being broken, as he had just turned his back on the situation.

As such, they would have been left be whilst those involved were dealt with. That is, until a Judge from the Core Worlds of the Pantheon was call into the investigation. Of which was a cause for some concern, as the creatures rarely left the first seven worlds. Only answering to the God King and the primary Gods and Goddesses within the inner circle.

Once such a being was deployed, however, the messenger before Nox's eyes appeared. Thus informing his God King of the developments, much to the displeasure of the child. Of whom frowned greatly as it was a disruption to the story being told. Therefore, he did turn to his uncle, Brutus, for more of the story.

This led to the Lich King to sigh and nod his head whilst stepping forth to address his Lord with an inquiry to perform just that. To which the other nodded quickly, shooing away his servant as he returned to his task at hand.

"Well," the metallic Skeleton rubbed the back of his skull slowly, "Looks like I'll be the one to entertain you until he is ready to return, Nox."

"Muu," replied the child, whose tails swished with mild annoyance with a tinge of excitement, "Okay, Uncle Brutus." His eyes were then upturned towards the Lich King, rendering him helpless to such a gaze.

Whereupon he did sigh a heavy sigh, as his primary right clawed hand reached into the air in order to pull out his Story. There, he did perform the task of finding the exact page, which took some time, before staring back up into the hybrid's eyes. "Very well, shall we continue?"

*****

Well, our Lord's spell went as well as one could expect, except for the fact that only three of the Dryads awoke from their eternal slumber. Of whom went and shrieked for three turns straight, causing even my own self to shiver, but not with fear. No. Instead, it was of a feeling I could not discern at that time, but am now able to.

Excitement.

Yes. Excitement was what I felt for their shrieks, but was marred with confusion. For I could not fathom why it was they opened their mouths to perform as such. That is, until they stopped, and our Lord did approach their persons with determined steps. Whereupon I did spy their forms shrinking away from His person in fright, but were ultimately confused when He embraced them as one would a parent to their children.

Here, the trio could not fathom why this was so, as a Human who radiated with great strength had embraced them all. Of course, they soon relaxed, and even broke into tears. For He had whispered something into that which was considered their ears, and was embraced for such murmurings.

Of course, we were all alive with curiosity, but chose to remain silent as He approached each of us in order to introduce us all to them. Whereupon we did not the varying oddities which clung about their bodies.

For example, although they were each of earth and wood, one of their number a body whose colours were of the red glow of flames within the distant horizon. The bark upon her body was of a faint pink upon white up close, whilst the leaves which covered her body was of that fire-red. Her own stature was of that of an adolescent who was soon to grow into womanhood, whilst the eyes, which were the same colour as her leaves, spoke of the wisdom of the ages. And her name was, is, and forever shall be Lobatae.

The second of the trio was thin for a Dryad. Then again, her species was never one which grew outwards, but upwards. Therefore, her stature was of a tall woman, as opposed to a child, at a height of two metres. The bark of her body was of freshly fallen snow, whilst the pockets of her body which contain the earth of the land was not of brown, but the colour of the shrouded heavens above. Of which was the same colour as her eyes, which was also full of the wisdom which the other held.

Her body, by the by, was wreathed in green, but in a way which was only slightly provocative. For such a thing only somewhat contained the ampleness of her chest, her ever swaying hips which would cause many a male to believe she could produce many a child for them. Though, her rear end and that which was betwixt all females' legs were uncovered, they were also non-existent. Such creatures did not reproduce as any other female would, which is why they held only the need to tease other males into believing otherwise.

As for her own name? It was Aspen, as it not only denoted her own name, but of the species she was a part of. Just as Lobatae, or Loba as she preferred, was of the Oak family and the remainder was called Willow. Of whom was the most shy and youngest of the trio.

"She was as big as you are now, if I remember correctly," nodded the Lich King as he reached over and lightly scratched Nox's neck fur, much to the child's surprise and delight, causing his tails to wiggle in every direction for a time.

Yes. This was a child, and she did hide behind our Lord's robed body during the entire recourse. Of which, by the by, was hidden by many a hanging thread of leaves which hung loosely around her body. So that the only thing visible were her hands which grabbed at the robe of our God, or the other two Dryads. As well as one of her eyes, which were the colour of polished gold and reflected an inner and mischievous, but incredibly shy, light.

These were the trio He introduced to us, and Shauu, Sia, and the rest of His soon-to-be-Chosen immediately flocked around them. Of whom were then frightened as they were each embraced by the metallic females who desired their revival by our Lord. Even going as far as to hug their tired bodies close to their own, and frightening the child the moment the performed such an action.

Of whom went further to cry out, reaching for His person with great desperation. Yes. He did retrieve herself from the group, much to their disdain, and were told to not frighten the child. For she was not even five decades old, and was still very much a child.

Ah, yes. A Dryad's age means very little to we who are eternal, but within their own society? Fifty cycles was very much a child, as Loba, who was an adolescent at the time, was of one hundred and ninety-three cycles, whereas Aspen was closer to three hundred. Therefore, the latter of the three was an adult, as two hundred cycles is when one is considered an adult within their society. Though, they are able to reproduce at one hundred cycles, many do not due to our Lord's will. In the past, on the other hand, he paid little heed to such a thing.

Now, after the cuddle session they received, though I do not see why it would be called as such, the trio were introduced to myself, Rojaahn, and the rest of the Undying. The latter, by the by, did nothing beyond a few waving at the child whilst the lights in their sockets flickered. Whereas we who are able to voice our thoughts mimicked the Skeletons, as we did not know how else to respond.

Melephas, on the other hand, glanced at their persons whilst alternating it between themselves and our Lord. Of which was then accompanied by himself pointing towards the forest from whence we came, "Um. That's great you have more for your little group, and all, but I need to remind you of our job. We were sent here to win a war for a bunch of Lizardmen, and there's a tribe of them about half a day's jog through the forest from here. So if you don't mind, I'd rather get this over with, gain some more levels, then move onto something more productive."

His voice was both full of irritation for the whole situation, as well as being irritating for we who would rather hang his scrawny neck. Unfortunately for us, he was our Lord's "brother from another world", and was to be treated with respect as derived from his status. However, this did not mean we were to proceed with such a thing correctly. For the Human was, after all, just a Human. As such, they deserved only our contempt and scorn, as they are a bane to we who are not of their race.