As Salazar cried, I had time to slowly think about my situation. This world was dark, oh so very dark, but that was only because the people here were far too powerful and had no reason to hide their terrible transgressions. Nobody could stop them, and those more powerful than them were either indifferent or just as cruel.

In this world that I found myself in, the amount of people who were nice were far to low in numbers. Even I, myself, only being in this world for around 4 years found myself doubting my morality with each passing year.

Nobody had the power to help those around them, and I couldn't judge them, because I didn't have the power either. No one wanted to risk their lives for others. I mean, looking back at Earth, did people who lived in first world countries abandon their pleasantries like their phones, appliances and other things, even when they knew it was made in a sweatshop? Of course some did, but could that measly number make a difference? Sadly, no... it couldn't.

In a world full of people capable of monstrous acts, such as fighting at speeds beyond that of sound at the so called low levels, what could those measly few people who wanted to change the world for the greater good do?

I sighed, I always became depressed when I thought to deeply. The phrase that 'Ignorance is bliss' isn't exactly a lie. Would I be depressed if I didn't know about the corruption and darkness that ruled the world? I wouldn't, but I'm glad I know.

Nonetheless, was it not hypocritical of me to judge the world in such a black and white manner? I mean, I'm very ignorant regarding knowledge of this world. I've barely seen anything in this world as I've been stuck in the back waters, so what right did I have to judge a whole world? How could I compare this world to Earth? The size difference was monstrous.

I simply shook my head, clearing my mind. There was no reason to drop myself back into a cycle of depression and self loathing for something I had no control over. I wasn't Zoras, and if I ever reached his level, I couldn't guarantee that I would still be the same as I was now at that point.

Finally coming out of my ignorant discussion regarding good and evil, I was quite shocked. I suddenly saw something that was beyond astonishing. My surroundings were changing, slowly at first, but then faster. Looking down at Salazar, I suddenly realised that our surroundings were reacting towards Salazars emotions. The flowers began to expand and envelop us in a gentle embrace, their soft petals growing at an alarming rate.

The grass itself began to release an immensely thick and pure aura, as if it was pulling the energy trapped within the ground out, and throwing it into the air. These little saplings which were in the area suddenly began to grow several centimetres every second, and then several metres every second.

I slowly extended my free hand and touched a rose petal only for it to send all the energy of it into my hands before it withered and disappeared, and like a chain reaction, the other flowers connected to that one all withered and disappeared, their energy seeping into me. The energy felt invigorating, from my head and toes, all the way down to my core. It wasn't helping me breakthrough, but it felt like my body was changing. Maybe it was helping me adjust to this world, changing my Earthly body into that of a Sovereign body. Just as quickly at these flowers had disappeared, a new batch took its place.

It was beautiful. As if I was stuck in time and I was watching life develop around me. It was like watching time pass from the position of a passer-by. It was so serene it felt as if my mortal struggles and worries were nothing but a speck in time that wouldn't be remembered.

I felt like I was growing, changing. It felt like I finally understood what it was like to be powerful, to be at the top. What it was like to be 'god'. Of course being and understanding are two different things. Watching as things pass by and change, while requiring zero effort on your part. You just stood by to the side and watched things develop, while the occasional touch from you could change things forever.

The energy that was surrounding us was thick and pure, it was neither aura or mana. It was something else entirely. It was simply calming to the core. It let me process my complex emotions which I had bottled up for so long.

From Sasha and my love for her, to my moral troubles over death, to my current circumstance as a weakling in disguise, all my turbulent emotions regarding these things came out. My pain, my anger, my sadness, my joy. All of my emotions rocketed out.

I felt at peace. Something I had not felt quite often ever since I came to this world. It allowed me to view past my short sighted opinions regarding existence. It allowed me to understand Zoras and his lack of care regarding what happened in this world of his. I didn't approve of it, but I understood. He couldn't change everything.

Just like I had destroyed a whole batch of flowers, with a new batch immediately replacing it, any action Zoras did would most likely disappear over the passage of time. It stirred my emotions. The helplessness over my power and my inability to affect or change anything in the long run. I mean, even a god was helpless against the powers of time.

But it also allowed me to finally come to terms with what I could do. My path, my road. I had figured it out. To live as I should, aiding all I could without allowing myself to feel regret. A simple path. A simple journey, but coming to terms with myself lifted a huge burden from my shoulders.

I wasn't some messiah brought to change the world for the greater good, I wasn't brought forth for some grand mystical purpose. I was simply the champion of a very powerful being.

My position as Zoras's champion was merely a title that after my passing from life would be passed to another, so there was no reason for me fret. I would complete the task he gave me over the passage of time while sticking to my path.

I finally turned my attention back towards Salazar only to see he had finally stopped sobbing. He was looking down at the ground, most likely in a combination of embarrassment, fear and sadness. I mean he had just cried as someone who was a complete stranger patted his head. I let him calm down as I watched the changes around us continue for a short while longer.

And just like it had started, the changes around us ended. Just like they came, they disappeared. Slowly they withered and returning to there original state, becoming mere little flowers and saplings instead of the enormous things they were just before.

Just like that, I watched the beginning and the end of a tiny world. For all I knew, in this short span of time, maybe this tiny world had gone through billions or even trillions of years, with life developing and dying. It allowed me to comprehend just what I was in this world. Just what my purpose was.

I sighed as I slowly shook my head. Was this what they call enlightenment? Maybe, maybe not. Whatever it was, I was glad it had come.

Salazars race was quite incredible, when even one as young Salazar could cause such an incredible act because of his out of control emotions. It made me wonder how much of a difference it would have been had it been an older, more powerful World Tree who had an emotional release.

Turning to look at Salazar, I found him looking up at me, a faint blush visible on his cheeks. I smiled at him gently as I removed my hand from his head. Bringing his hands to his chest he began to speak with his ethereal voice “Thank you great one” he smiled brightly at me “For letting this one know warmth, for allowing this one to express his emotions, for allowing this one to cry” he seemed much more cheerful compared to when he had first talked to me.

I simply smiled towards Salazar “Do not thank me child, I have done to you what you did for the little one” I said as I glanced towards Sasha for the first time in awhile. She was still sleeping peacefully. I sighed on the inside as I thought about how Sasha completely slept through everything, from Salazars transformation, to his emotional release, to the surroundings immense changes. I wonder how the energy from Salazars emotional release effected this little monster? Nonetheless, I turned my attention back to Salazar. I spoke apologetically for making him recall whatever it was that made him cry “My apologies for bringing up your past, I did not wish for you to recall what has happened to you and to make you cry” I genuinely apologised.

Even if I had to fake what I was, it didn't mean I couldn't apologise when I had to, and considering I pretty much forced up Salazars past due to my curiosity, an apology was due. That also made me recall what happened with Goan Gou. Did I apologise to him? I don't think I did... Oh well, the past is the past, and I must now focus on the future.

Salazar seemed shocked by my apology “Please great one, do not apologise to me, it isn't your fault, you had nothing to do with my past, so please do not apologise” he said hurriedly “In fact, it was thanks to you that I managed to express my emotions for the first time in a long time” Salazar seemed immensely sincere as he kept telling me to not apologise.

If I couldn't even apologise, how was I supposed to feel about myself then?

Without waiting for me to speak, Salazar continued “When you asked me your question, about why I was out here alone, with no one to guide me, you made me think about my situation” Salazar sighed sadly before continuing “I didn't want to burden you with the tale of my life, but the more I thought about a way of trying to sum it up, the further I dug myself into a cycle of self hate and pity” he said as his shoulders drooped.

I was still curious about Salazars past, but I didn't ask him continue. I simply let him move at his own pace for now.

Salazar looked down for a moment before turning his gaze up at me “As I berated myself further and further, I suddenly saw your gaze, and then your following action and it made me feel safe, secure, something I haven't felt in years, so I couldn't help myself and my emotions came out. I couldn't control them, I kept thinking of the past, and thanks to the comfort your actions gave me, I managed to get it out of my system” Salazar spoke as he gave me a sad smile.

I moved a short distance till I was in between Salazar and Sasha, before I slowly sat down. Looking at the young man, I gave him a gentle smile “I'm here to listen if you need someone to hear your story” upon hearing my words, Salazar had a little smile appear out of his sad smile. It seems I had made the right choice in letting him choose whether he wanted to tell me his story or not.

Salazar was quiet for awhile, and I didn't bother him as I let him think. He was most likely thinking about where to start, and what to tell me. Looking at him, I was sure his past was complex, at least far more than Sasha's, considering one was Human, and the other something called a 'World Tree', even if they both had equally tragic pasts, or at least I assume they both had equally tragic pasts.

---

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Also, towards 'GalaxieBlue90's question, the answer is as follows. Zoras can't alter the outcome of Random. What he was going to do was gift Zev the Ring alongside 1000PP, with whatever item he got from Random.

So by choosing Predetermined, Zev only got the Ring. If he had chosen Random, he would have gotten 3 things.

I hope that answers your question.

And now I have another question for you guys, I'm writing another interlude, so whose perspective would you want it from? A character you have already seen, or other characters that you haven’t seen yet, but who have seen Zev?

Love and Peace,

-Old Man