Gaia put her hand onto Mathew’s. “It’s okay. You are safe here. Dozens of enchantments will prevent anysort of mind altering, scrying, or anything else. Yet, she is inside of you Mathew. Not even I can take her out without killing you.”

Mathew clenched his teeth. “How do I get her out?”

“I said I had two, but a possible third solution to your soul exists. The first, and one I will not tell you how it works no matter what rules I break, is what Doozkora did to herself. Fusing other souls to yourself. Gaining their power as your own. Turning yourself into a Chimera.”

“The second is to change your race into a soulless creature. A golem, or similar creature that has no soul would work. You will lose your body and soul, but your mind is kept safe. It’s a dangerous route, but you will live forever. You can’t be a summoner, but you can still become a mage and ritualist. Creating a golem body out of certain materials will change what your options are in life.”

Mathew didn’t think that was possible, but it made sense. “The third?”

Gaia paused. “The third option, is to follow a path that has yet to be traveled”

“What do you mean?”

“Create your own path. You have bound Agnox to your soul. I can see your relationship. You are both separate but the same. Not even I could reach that level. It requires trust, love, or a bond deeper than friends.”

Mathew scrunched his brow, “So I have to do it with other creatures? Like Jeffery?”

“Jeffery could work, but if it hasn’t by now, then it never will. You’ve had him the longest. So there is something between the two of you keeping you from solidifying that bond. Your wisps will never reach that stage. They are not fully aware of themselves or surroundings.”

“So, how many more bonds will I need?”

“I’d say six or eight. Maybe a ninth to be safe. Depends on the bonds and how strong they are. This isn’t something I’m familiar with, even being the God of Earth Bonds.”

“A God that doesn’t know something?”

“God is a title. When one masters their Path and claims it for themselves. There are other titles outside our own. The Black King is the first and only King title. There is the Savant’s Breath. A mage who mastered all there is to do with Air. Archjusticar. Chairman. Prime. All titles that exist that are equivalent to that of God. You just see God more often, because it’s a popular choice.”

Mathew was about to asked, why but stopped. There were better things to talk about.

“Fine. Now how do I go about gaining these bonds?”

“That is up to you. I suggest this. Pick those who compliment yourself. Don’t pick things out of desperation. You are on a timer, but not a fast one. Rushing this can harm you more than help you.”

“Can you give me one? Someone to bond with?”

“I already promised you one summon, I can give you another that is more aware. However, I say wait. I’ll reserve some potential so you can pick a creature of your choice. I’ll make it an upgrade to the bush I promised you, so it will be cheaper. I never really expected to give you a simple bush in the first place.”

Mathew nodded. “What can you tell me about Phase 2, and beyond for Earth? What can I expect and prepare for?”

“Good question. Very good question. Phase 2 will allow all Dungeons full access to the planet. No restrictions on their portals. Bosses can enter and leave at will. More than they can now. All Dungeons will be able to contact their homes. Receive backup, more supplies, and send things back. There will also be two more world events. One that you will absolutely need to prepare for, and I will tell this to everyone who asks.”

“The System is governed by the Six Prime Axioms. One of those is Order. Part of its requirements is to have every planet have a leader. A worldly power. This is done by many different factors. I suggest to you, to win by a voting block. You will have seven months to prepare for Phase 2, but longer after that before this particular event.”

“What’s the other?” Mathew asked.

“A competition to find the world’s strongest members in each of their fields. I suggest entering one bracket, claiming the prize, then leave. I can’t say why, but I’m also not going to stop you either way.”

Mathew finished his first cup of tea, then poured another while asking, “Then after that? After everything is done?”

“Then nothing. Phase 3 is not a real phase. It’s more of a protection timer. Until certain requirements are met, your planet remains hidden for a period of time. One of those factors is a Journeyman ranked individual. At that rank, you are expected to have enough power to influence global phenomena with enough effort.”

“How can I prepare for all that outside what I’m doing now? I’m gaining Hearth Crystals, Dungeon Cores, helping my people best they can, what few I have.”

Gaia pursed her lips. “Tell me, why did you pick Agnox as your familiar?”

Mathew blinked, “That’s a sudden shift in questioning.”

Gaia motioned to him. “Think about that question then. That is your answer for preparing your people.”

It didn’t take long for Mathew to think it over. “Instead of killing Dungeon inhabitants, try to befriend some of them. Make deals, alliances, and more.”

Gaia gave a warm smile like a mother would, “I believe you have a human saying called ‘Bingo’ when someone guesses something exactly. It’s a fun word. I love new planets, their cultures are always unique.”

“Where do Gods play into all this? What do you get out of it all?” Mathew asked out of personal curiosity. He had a guess, but wanted to know for sure.

“A simple answer, Power. We gain more power the more followers and stronger they are.”

“I can’t disagree with that.” Mathew sighed. He took a sip of his second cup of tea. “Now, with my Path. We talked about new bonds, but what about everything else? Axioms, cultivation, is what I’m doing now smart? Not smart? Am I fucked because I took the first option that seemed to be saving my life?”

“Your cultivation right now is split across three ways. Body, Mind, and Soul, correct?”

Mathew nodded. “I’ve been following [Trinity’s Manual]. My stats don’t quite reflect it. I’m heavy in my Intelligence and Wisdom.”

“That’s fine. Cultivation goes beyond stats anyways. I have some classes I want you to take that I think will benefit you. As for your cultivation, I need to ask, why do you have five Axioms? That is…an unorthodoxly high number.”

“People have fewer?” Mathew asked. “Why? The sheer power in both stats and how they benefit you makes me think having dozens is the best way.”

“That depends upon you. Do you want to excel in one thing, or excel in many things? You can’t focus on all five at once. I bet you haven't even figured out how to use more than one Axiom have you?”

Mathew shook his head.

“When you are about to surpass the Mortal Coil there is a requirement with your Axioms. You need to have at least one Shard.”

“How do I get an Axiom from a Glint to a Shard?” Mathew asked. “Which one do you recommend I upgrade first?”

“That’s for you to decide, however I fully think you should combine your Axioms. No more than three. How you split it up is up to you.”

Mathew thought over his five Axioms. Bolster, Enforce, Pattern, Piercing, and Resistance. A few ideas were popping up into his head, but he wanted to think it over more. “Gaia you know I don’t know jack shit. This mysterium of you being a God is getting annoying. I need answers.”

“Mathew, if I told you everything, it wouldn’t be your own Path.” Gaia stood up and looked off the branch they stood on. “Don’t just take my advice. Find others. Higher ranked people. Those who are stuck at bottlenecks in their cultivation. Those who have surpassed all expectations. You are a charismatic man, I’m sure you can find those to give you their perspective on things. I want to avoid giving you only one side because I’ve seen it happen to people. Those who are blinded by what they could become that they never look to their left or right for another solution that is much easier.”

“Look at my Domain. Nature and life find a way to grow in beautiful and ugly ways. Yet they all grow or die. Nature isn’t a lawful environment. It’s chaotic. The strong evolve and push forward, while the weak are culled. I have made mistakes, but like a weed, I continued to grow in the most unlikely of environments.”

“So you are saying I should adapt to my situation and find other solutions to my problems other than just what you offer?”

Gaia turned to Mathew. “Exactly what I am saying. I’m helping you to help me. Don’t assume I don’t want what is best for you, I do. Others will use you for their benefit but also help you. You can find a way for them to break through to the next tier with your uniqueness.”

“I’ll do my best Gaia, but I can’t do it alone.”

“And you have the best chances here. There are lessons to be learned, resources to gather. Becomes inspired, don’t be afraid to take chances, do something different than the norm. Find what is best for you, what you feel is right, and trust your instincts. You are not a normal human.”

“What do you mean I’m not a normal human. I know I’m better than most, but you say that as if you know something I don’t.” Mathew pushed.

“You haven't started to develop your body or mind. Your spirit is hampered due to your situation, so that hasn’t been developed either. Actually, your mind has been growing, but you haven't controlled it.”

Before Mathew could ask Gaia continued to speak. “Have you heard of the concept of Bloodlines before?”

“I have actually. I received a notification that an Ability of mine was upgraded due to my bloodline.”

“You have one, a strong one. It’s dormant and won’t become fully awoken until you surpass your Mortal Coil. When all your aspects are fully awakened.”

“Can you tell me what it is?” Mathew asked curiously.

“That will cost you. There is an option to have your potential evaluated. Bloodlines, Concepts, Affinities, and Foundations will all be tested. It’s expensive, and it’s on your suggested list near the bottom.”

Mathew did remember seeing that. “I have a lot to think about. I’m going to want to talk to you again before I leave.”

“I’ll let Wary know. Your hour is almost up. Anything else before our conversation ends?”

“Yes actually.” Mathew leaned forward on his elbows. “Are there any loopholes within The System? Clauses, open ended anything, something I can abuse, use, and take advantage of. No system is perfect. The larger and more powerful, the more holes it has. Does The System have a legal opening that you know?”

Gaia laughed. “Mathew, if I knew of it, I wouldn’t tell you. Not in a thousand years, not even if you swore to become my personal slave. No price is worth sharing such information. But you are correct, The System is not perfect, it has flaws. If you find one, I know any major clan will pay you enough to boost you all the way to Expert rank to where you can live forever in a life of lavishness.”

Mathew shrugged, "It was worth asking. Worst you were going to say was no." He stood up and brushed his clothes down. “Thanks for this. I actually mean it.” He walked down the branch back to talk to four dryads about some things. Classes he wanted to change and exchange for better things now after talking to Gaia.

He wished he could talk to Bob or Ragnork. Bounce ideas off of them, especially Bob. He was an intellectual mind he could respect. However, all he had was Agnox.

“Forge my own Path…One where I stand at the top. Where nobody can touch me or question my choices.” Mathew muttered as he walked.