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  After calming down Shiro’s mock-e, I turned my attention to the hillside. It was a bit of a wreck, with the Rhyming Tree having expanded and grown massively. Fortunately, the hillside itself had also spread somewhat, a feat that would surely be impossible ierial, so the Ring Gate that was close to the Tree, while nht o the Tree, had rgely escaped damage. It was a simir story for the various Spires and the White Snake Earth Altar. I hought the growth would be so… destructive. Even so, losing the Ether Spires and Altar temporarily while we rebuilt them would still be totally worth it.

  I joined Hyath and Asha, whose dress was still rumpled and stained, her body still smelling faintly of our passion. They were looking up that the t Tree, Asha softly running her hands over the now smooth and lustrous bark. “It’s certainly impressive.” I said, an uatement. “Eveallest ever Material tree was a little under half this height, and was never so massive.” Some tree in Australia, I think? I remember seeing a dotary on it when I was a kid. Of course, that’s not the most important point…

  “I hardly believe it.” Hyath giggled happily. “Such a huge Tree. Hyath thinks it is impressive. Are yooou happy, Asha?”

  Asha nodded, her face flushed, her yellow eyes tender. All around the Tree, ether was shimmering ience, being drawn from the Boundary around us, and likely even from the lower Astral that was gruent with it, both above us and not, beautiful rainbow sparks like multicoloured fireflies f a great aurora, many times more intehan anything we had managed before. Just watg it accumute ether at a visible rate, I held my breath. “Are you happy?” Asha asked me, seeing my expression. “Have I done well?”

  I pulled her into a hug once more, no more hesitation in our closeness. Just… Daiyu and Hinata to worry about now. As for Kana, we take that in our own time, just like she and I want. But… “It’s not about doing well or not, is it? I don’t like you because you do things for me. However… yes, you have done well. Look around us.” I g Shiro then, as the face she was making was just begging for more praise. “Shiro too. Together you’ve created this miracle.” Even just looking at the Silos, more than a thousaher a minute was accumuting. With this, we advance our pns signifitly, and eve some luxuries in without slowing our pace…

  My Eye glowed amber, and I ied the Rhyming Tree, feeling a deep e to it and Asha, a rather unique feeling. The Tree has Lovers’ Link… how does that even make sense? And there’s a lot of gaps and nonsense information my Eye presents. Oh well…

  Asha's Great Rhyming Tree Of Wood, Water AhNoble Fae Ph, Water And Wood Aspect[Material Statistibsp;[Intangible Statistibsp;Might Fortune Fortitude2308Majesty Intellebsp;Charm Resilienbsp;League18Acrity Determination28Precision Fht Aether11087Fate10[Material Skills]RankCssType[Aetheric Skills] Drawing Wood Chakra workRank 6Imperious (6)Rule (5)Roots Drinkih, Water and Wood, Branches Drinking and Growing The MoonRank 6Imperious (6)Artifice (6)[Elemental Skills] Trunk And Roots Chakra Of WoodRank 6Noble (5)Foundation (4)Trunk Chakra Of WaterRank 2Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Roots Chakra Of EarthRank 2Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Lunar Chakra Of Wood, Water AhRank 4Noble (5)Rule (5)[Intangible Skills] [Unique Skills] Lovers' LinkRank 4Noble (5)Artifice (6)Brahat Spread Nature Uhe MoonRank 1Noble (5)Artifice (6)Dryad BoundRank 6Noble (5)Principle (7)

  [Level] 0/56[Css]Great Rhyming Tree Of Wood, Water ah 14/20

  [Mastered Csses]Rhyming Tree Of Earth 10/10“I see. I ’t determihe Might, Intelleuch else of the Tree, if it even has them.” I said, and the girls looked at me curiously, especially Asha, who was hearing about her other half. “The Tree is massively durable though, and has a huge amount of Aether cirg within, even without Shiro’s buffs. It’s got a powerful League too.” I wonder if the high Determination es from Asha’s will to survive at any cost, it’s clearly abnormally high…

  “My Tree… it no longer merely radiates and thrives on the rich element of earth.” Asha said tenderly. “Much as I, it has ged. Such should be impossible, but…”

  “Nooot impossible.” Hyath disagreed, before her expression turo one of pain. I pulled her into the hug too, and her torted expression rexed, and she tinued. “Sooo much is not as it was. Hyath remembers before. Not well, it all seems like a bad dream nooowdays.” She sniffed, her eyes damp. “Besides, I dooo not care to remember. The past is dead, Hyath is here nooow. Not who I used to be. But before… before the foolish, sad little daughter of the King and Queen threw her tantrum and broooke the Seelie, all had the potential to grooow. Many more transded their elements, even such as yooou, Asha. The Great Dryads. Though nooow…”

  Asha blinked, shocked to hear Hyath speak that way about the Dark Queen of the Unseelie, and so familiarly about the oldest of days. “Just… Hyath, who are you?” she managed, almost afraid of the answer.

  “Me?” Hyath cocked her head. “I am Hyath. That is all I knooow. Before… I dooo not remember, nor do I wish too, nooot anymore. Is this not a happier pce to dwell, a life tooo live? Are you nooot happy here, Asha?”

  “I am.” Asha agreed. “How could I not be. So, a Great Dryad. Yes… our essences are not merely our own, but shared with our Tree, so the ge is many times more difficult. But…”

  “But the proof is in the pudding, as they say. I don’t know who says it, it’s a stupid saying I picked up from you, Aki. But from where Tan and I stand, you’ve definitely ged.” Shiro said. “Hyath, I agree. If the past is worthless, toss it irash. You’re here and now.”

  She nodded vigorously. “Yes. Thooough one day… the Dark Maidens… Akio prooomised Hyath she will have her justice. Until then… I made a box in my head, I think, and I dooo not have the key. All Hyath knows is… I must try harder. I dooo not want to be left behind!”

  “Little ce of that.” I shook my head. “You helped too, Hyath. This was reat work. Even those that aren’t here did their part. ulled together, and now it’s time to truly stake our cim as a prospective Astral Emperor.” I looked at Shiro. “Sorry Tan, looks like I have a head start. But I’m not heartless. Your Territory, I’ll obviously protect it.”

  Shiro’s eyes fshed red, her hair bursting into fme, her beautiful face twisting into a slightly bitter frown. “Do not grant. I would hate you t the princess into your troubles. And troubles will e. The Tree alone is powerful and belongs in a Territory of the lower Astral. When stoked to heights like this…” she shrugged. “… it will shine like a bea. It might draw trouble you are not prepared for, so do not grow careless and your defences.”

  “I won’t. We’ve already made that mistake.” I promised.

  “Good.” Tan nodded, her ruby fmes fading. “As for my assistance, I will expect payment. In due course…”

  “She’s such a tsundere.” Shiro sniggered. “You know, she feel everything I do and hear my thoughts. I ’t do the same to her, she’s far strohan I am, but I do uand more of how she feels each day. Maybe things here oh didn’t go the way she thought, but she’s still opti…”

  Her words were cut off by Tan. “Silence. Do not speak of matters they have o know.”

  There was ughter, and I shook my head. “All right. The warning was received though. But before that…” my gaze turo Asha. “I might as well fill you in on your ges, your rewards.”

  AshaNoble FaeGreat DryadEarth, Water And Wood Aspect[Material Statistibsp;[Intangible Statistibsp;Might106Fortune2Fortitude145Majesty14Intellect103Charm10Resilience299League18Acrity101Determination28Precision1ht2Aether3032Fate10[Material Skills]RankCssType[Aetheric Skills] Eight Moons Chakra workRank 6Imperious (6)Rule (5)Aether ManiputionRank 2Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Adherence ManiputionRank 3Noble (5)Law (8)[Elemental Skills] Wood ManiputionRank 4Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Root And Sacral Chakras Of WoodRank 2Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Water ManiputionRank 4Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Sacral Chakra Of WaterRank 2Powerful (4)Foundation (4)Earth ManiputionRank 6Noble (5)Foundation (4)Root Chakra Of EarthRank 6Noble (5)Foundation (4)Lunar Chakra Of Wood, Water AhRank 4Noble (5)Rule (5)[Intangible Skills] [Unique Skills] Lovers' LinkRank 4Noble (5)Artifice (6)Inspire GrowthRank 6Noble (5)Rule (5)Mistress Of FertilityRank 4Powerful (4)Foundation (4)The Given Kiss Of A DryadRank 4Powerful (4)Rule (5)Tree BoundRank 6Noble (5)Principle (7)

  [Level] 0/56[Css]True Earth, Water and Wood Fae 2/30 Nature’s Chosen 3/20 Maiden Of Prayer 1/10

  [Mastered Csses]Earth Fae 10/10 Great Earth Fae 20/20 Purified One 10/10

  “I see. Yes, you’re uionably a Great Dryad.” I said, and Asha shed more tears.

  “So many Dryads have died. We ot leave our Trees, so when nds fall, or wars occur…” her voice was soft. “… we are often the first to perish. There is no other way.”

  “That’s then. It’s sad, certainly, and I grieve for your losses, your fallen older sisters. But that won’t happen again. Tan was right. While it’s likely impossible to not be attacked agaiill have to deal with that toad bastard at the least, we’ll make it so that our Territory is able to stand tall and proud, just like your Tree, which is sheltering us all with its mighty branches. You and your Tree won’t be left aloo suffer again.”

  “He’s right. If this is an RTS, then we’ve just hacked in a resource cheat. Time to spend it all!” Shiro said, excited despite the exhausting efforts she’d be having to perform iure.

  “Arr Tee Ess?” Asha asked, and Hyath answered proudly.

  “I knooow this one! Mistress Shaeu sometimes pys those games ooooy. It is where you make armies fight.” She nodded sagely, not quite uanding, but getting the gist of it.

  “Yeah, though the general idea is… gather resources, vert resources to buildings and troops, then fight and win. And your Tree is gathering vast quantities of ether for us. Elemental energy too.” The Elemental Silos were also filling up rapidly with earth element, some extra water element, and wood element, which opened new possibilities. With a bit of expansion of those Silos, which I had sidered too expehe White Snake Earth Altar to Rank 3, or even Rank 4 seems possible… which will only further increase the elemental density here, and really improve the strength of the traihat mastered earth element…

  “Look, there’s a man thinking of spending his sudden windfall.” Shiro said theatrically. “Aki be such a boy sometimes. It’s kind of endearing though.” her lips quirked into a smile. “So, might as well fill us in on all the relevant descriptions, Aki. I’m curious.”

  “You’re a gamer too, after all.” I ughed. “But yeah, we o know what we’re w with, and if there’s any other binations ut together.” I started going through them. “Firstly, Tree Bound and Dryad Bound are simir, opposite sides of the same , I’d say.”

  Tree Bound Rank 6 – The Dryad aree are both one and the same, their other halves. Damage dealt to one afflicts the other, and if one dies, so shall the other, with only rare exceptions. Their Chakras and elements will be synised, and growth of one is growth of the other.

  “I see. No wonder you have a stupid amount of aether then, Asha.” Shiro pointed out. “Your Tree is massive and stantly pulling it in, so…” she shrugged. “… seems to me a blind spot there. All that power, and it’s going to waste, without a high Rank skill to use it effectively.”

  “Hardly a waste.” I disagreed. “But Fae don’t generally manipute aether, as it’s a part of their very being. But they learn to improve their trol, just like Shaeu did. So yes, Shirht. You could be a powerful batant if you could harhat potential, Asha. Oh, and gain a pile of levels too. Your basic physical stats are nothing special, I’d feel worried about you being involved until we push them up.”

  “She’s got no Silver Cord, either.” Shiro tinued. “I guess it makes sense, unlike Shaeu and Hyath, she doesn’t have a Material body. For nht?”

  “Yes, the Throne upgrade is within easy reaow. Damn, thinking something with a total cost of ten millioher is easy… I feel so rich.” After mhter and joking, I tinued. “Kiss Of A Dryad I’ve had the description of before. I feel a bit embarrassed that the skill’s ged to Given Kiss, but then…”

  “There is o be shy, as we have exged far more than a kiss.” Asha said affeately, strokiomach tenderly, the gesture strangely erotid also a little worrisome. I’m almost scared to check Mistress Of Fertility, but…

  Mistress Of Fertility Rank 4 – Dryads are intimately ected with nature and the growing nd. Trees, grasses, fruits and other pnts around a Dryad and their Tree will grow healthy and strong, resistant to disease as, and will have their attributes enhanced. Earth, Water and Wood elements further increase the effect of this. Dryads born of a Dryad and saplings born from her Tree will rarely suffer from illness or misfortune, and the ce of such a germination of life signifitly increases, should the Dryad wish it.

  Shiro and I exged a look, before looking at Asha, and back at each ain. Shiro was grinning, but it was a plicated expression, with amusement, envy and happiness all mixed up. Yeah, I called it. “Asha… do you want children?” I asked, and she raised an eyebrow.

  “Why, do you not? I know you worry, but…”

  “It’s not that.” I de. Wow, my parents and my sis are going to be shocked. Mom always wanted grandkids, but… no, that’s not the issue. “I’m ed about how being inated by a Throne might affect you. I don’t know a lot about Fae pregnancy. Damn, am I really talking about this?”

  She shrugged. “I am not sure myself. Perhaps in the olden days, where Fae still walked the mortal world on occasion, there might be pret.”

  “I see. Yeah, that makes sense. I suppose asking the Elves might work. Not that I want to have that versation. I’ll definitely not be asking Moira.” Prihethrion was said to be a, Primal Forest and Princess Estalian too. One of them might know. But which to ask?

  “So, just to be clear… Asha, are ynant?” Shiro pressed. “For us humans, it takes a while to be sure…”

  Asha shrugged. “I too ot be certain. Though I feel this was all meant to be, so I would not be surprised if I kindle, germinate.” She stroked her Tree once more. “I would not wish our daughters to be afflicted though. Please do research whether it is safe for me to use your Throne. For if not now, it will be a one day, no?” Her smile ure and bright, and stopped my breath for a moment. Shaking my head to clear the daze, I nodded.

  “All right. Let’s move on. Inspire Growth is simir to Mistress Of Fertility, but it seems a more targeted skill, that actually accelerates growth.”

  Inspire Growth Rank 6 – This skill allows a Dryad to enhahe potential and growth of a pnt, hastening maturity and ripening. Fae pnts such as Rhyming Trees, including their own, are signifitly harder to Inspire, but with practise and a great amount of aether and elemental esse is possible.

  “I suspect that’s the skill you used with the adherence we took from the Tower.” I mused. “And it’s also been used on your orchards, right?”

  Asha agreed, and I tinued. “Right, the is…”

  Roots Drinkih, Water and Wood, Branches Drinking and Growing The Moon Rank 6 - This skill is the innate ability of a Rhyming Tree that has transformed, along with its paired Dryad, to a more perfe, to pull ether from the surrounding world, strengthening the ether density around it, and also abs and fortifying the Earth element it requires to survive and grow. It also uses mighty deep roots and high brao draw up Water element and spread Wood element.

  Brahat Spread Nature Uhe Moon Rank 1 – This Great Rhyming Tree is able to spread natural energies such as Wood element widely around it, creating an area of fertility, good harvests ale healing. Those who spend time around the Rhyming Tree will be resistant to disease, poisons, curses and misfortune, and minor injuries will recover.

  “Yeah, Rhyming Trees are powerful. No wohe Seelie Court is strong, if they have many of them. The only downside, if you even call it that, is that uher Spires, it doesn’t pull in adherence, or any of whatever the mystery third thing I ’t identify yet is. But that’s what the Spires are for, we shouldn’t put them out of a job.” I ughed, pleased at yet another be of the Tree.

  “So, I’m guessing that the Tree has a different Chakra work?” Shiro asked, and I agreed.

  “Yes, it’s irely dissimir, but as you see, they have different names, and obviously, trees don’t have the same structure as us, or even Fae who have a humanoid appearano heart, sor plexus, or the like. But it’s funally simir. Except that other than the roots chakra…” I chuckled at the pun my Eye gave. “… which literally is distributed over the roots of the Tree, the other chakras seem to circute through the trunk of the Tree. It’s pretty.”

  “Of course. It is my Tree.” Asha said happily. “I am too, no?”

  “It’s true, women who are experienced get more fident.” Shiro said to Hyath, who grinned.

  “Yooou were the same, no?”

  “I knew I was geous beforehand.” Shiro disagreed, before sighing. “But yeah, I’ve ged. It’s not a bad thing though. So, all that’s left are the csses, right?”

  “Yeah, the Fae csses and the Tree csses are nothing new. Hyath and Shaeu have the same csses, just with different elements. They offer nice boosts to Aether and elemental geion, League and so on. But the other couple…

  Purified Ohis css is given to a being corrupted by curse, pgue or other outside influence, and forced to perform acts both degrading to the spirit and against the will of the being so corrupted. Such a being only faces doom, devoured by the corruption, ending their life in an attempt to atone or a tide of guilt, or being a mohat revels in evil. Few ever return from such a state, but those that do are often blessed with a Resilience few others possess, and great Determination. This css increases those statistics, and also increases resistance against further corruptive influences.

  Nature’s Chosen – This css is gained by those who are involved i feats of growth aoratiourning life to dead areas, and cultivating the natural enviro, as well as possessih, Water and Nature elements. This css strehose elements, increasing geion and boosting the effect of these elements wheo proted enhaure and life. Pnts, animals and spiritual beings with an aspect of Nature will respect, and if hostile, fear the possessor of this css.

  Maiden of Prayer – After wielding a jumbled Adherence made of flig yet plimentary powers and achieving a great feat, the fvour of that Adherence has been poured into her very spirit. The maiden of the Grail, the m women at the foot of the Cross, the Fae who dance around the Cauldron, the Blood within, all of these threads of Adherence will be tangled, granting her a tiny fragment of power. The ability to utilise Adherencreases, and League increases.

  “That css… Maiden of Prayer, it’s dangerous.” I said, frowning. Shired.

  “It’s also misleading, she’s no maiden, not anymore. We were there, right Hyath?”

  As Asha blushed and Hyath chuckled, I sighed. “Yeah, very funny. Seriously though, Mary Stuart was angry that Britain was keeping their false Grail, as she called it, and the adherence she felt beloo them. If her Church ever finds out that Asha is taking some of it now, even if only a tiny fragment… it’ll be trouble.”

  “I am not afraid. I am grateful to have any ce at further power. Being weak only led me to suffering and despair. Being strong allows me to walk beside you all.” Asha said stoutly.

  “We’ll have to face them anyway. I doubt you reason with fanatics.” Shiro protested. “Besides, it’s not like they’ll find out any time soht? Won’t they assume it’s just all going to the false Grail?”

  “I don’t know. But you’re right, I guess.” I admitted. “I just worry. Well, we’ll take precautions.” Putting that aside, I sidered the implications. I doubt she’ll accumute as much as she took before any time soon, but even a little might be helpful.

  “You should be able to pick up Nature’s Chosen if you get earth and water element, Hyath.” Shiro pointed out while I was thinking, and I agreed, setting aside my doubts for now.

  “Yes, you’ve done a lot of good work bringing nature to my Territory.” I agreed. “The css is a bit pin, but anything that boosts elemental abilities is high priority, especially if it boosts your nature element, which is your best on.” I said.

  “I will try.” She promised, nodding. “I was goooing to, I wao learn to be more helpful. But nooow Hyath is more motivated!” Her ugh was happy.

  “I’m sure you are.” Someone said, auro see Eri, an ornate axe leaning over one shoulder, looking at us, her tail shing and her cat-ears twitg. She looked at the surrounding hillside and up at the massive Tree. “That sure is something. It’s like looking up at a skyscraper.”

  “That’s what I said.” I smiled, Eri, and the axe. On seeing that, she looked down, flushing adorably, a touch of shame in her face.

  “I haven’t given up your axe.” She said early. “It resent from you, so I’ll always cherish it. But this o called to me, I wa. No, .” She paused. “That doesn’t matter now. I came to see if it was safe to let others in. Princess Eleanor and the others are here, but the weaselkin have been keeping them away from the Tree.” She looked at Asha, still in my arms, and her expression ged. “I see. So, how was it?”

  “All that I dreamed of. I am now plete.” Asha crowed.

  “Lucky you. But I get it. Akio doesn’t have an exhibitionist streak, so no way he’d want an audience for that. But… you might want to up.” Eri wrinkled her nose.

  “There is no need. I am not ashamed.” Asha shook her head. “It is the fruit of our love.”

  “Fine. I’m not going tue.” Eri reddened, perhaps remembering some of the embarrassing times we had endured, like when her darkness element drove her wild. “But… no. It’s fine.” She turned, and as I looked at her axe, the amber letters lighting up my vision, she called out. “it’s all right. It’s safe to e in, Akio’s given permission.”

  The Beheading Axe Of Trials - Item Css [Imperious] Item Type [Artifice]

  This crest moohe bde enamelled in emerald, the shaft carved with elegant holly engravings, was once wielded by the Green Knight, and the edge is brutally keen, and cut through armour and boh equal ease. The bearer of this axe will be strengtheheir blows mighty, but any challenge er offered by the wielder must be honoured, lest the axe turn on the faithless bearer.

  So it’s much better than the axe I made her, no question, but it has a downside. She’ll have to be careful. Like most people, I knew some of the stories of Arthurian myth, but other thatle I’d heard about the Green Knight from Eleanor, I didn’t know the details. Something else I o research. It seems that no matter how much I gain, I always end up haviime to spare…

  “So, you were here.” Eleanor said, ing in, followed by David and Raidre. Raidre had shrunk in on himself, casting sideways g Ulfuric, who was also apanying them. “I have to admit, even from the brief look around, your Territory is very impressive.” She looked up at the colossal Tree, befng over at Asha. “You’re fine, I hope? I had worried that the force of what lies beh the Tower would harm you. It is very potent and unruly.”

  “Fine?” David snorted. “She’s better than fiake a good look at her. She’s been having a whale of a time while you worried, Princess.”

  Eleanor paused, looking at Asha, whose dress was stained with grass and other fluids, her dishevelled hair and ged attitude, and she blushed, going red even to the tips of her ears. “How rude.” She excimed, shocked. “And to think we were worried. I’m almost offended!”

  As Eleanor writhed in embarrassment, while David egged her on mogly, I scratched at my head, fused. I suppose this is better than w about potential trouble I do nothing about. As the rest of the girls returned, all carryireasures happily, I gnced up at the massive Tree. Oh well, we’ll clear this mess up. And I suppose I do owe Eleanor. I spare her a downpayment oierritory ba track, deying my pns half a day or so won’t be a big deal…

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