Chapter 487 – A Divine Meet and Greet

“Tia…” Asterios rubbed his forehead while letting out an exasperated sigh. “You can’t just—”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence as the big bundle of light suddenly lunged at him, and he instinctively put his arms out to catch it like one of his material mates. Surprisingly, his Dryad lover had some weight to her in this spiritual form and actually sank a little in his hold. Her arms went over his neck while her legs wrapped around his waist, her frame hanging off him like a koala. She joined their lips in a passionate kiss while he upheld her by the bottom, his fingers grasping her soft and warm butt, which incidentally made her cheeks spread quite a lot as result.

“Tia…” Asterios called her name again, escaping her amorous affections. “They can see literally everythi—”

“Don’t be such a downer, honey.” The seductive tree lady cooed with dissatisfaction. “Imadil has undoubtedly witnessed these sights plenty of times before for Cynthia even to be here with us today.”

Batting her lashes at him, she glanced over her shoulder with a big grin, but lost it momentarily. Regardless of her rather open and embarrassing position, the elven smith saw nothing of it, his eyes directed right at the very ground as he knelt on one knee, supported by his fist, and bowed his head in utmost deference.

Needless to say, his daughter was still out cold, splayed over the nearby wall.

Wrinkling her nose, Tia pouted, making it rather obvious she had been fishing for their reactions with her stunt. Instead, she found only Noir directing her attention in Ast’s direction. However, the Dragon girl stood on his side, which was less than satisfactory. Exhaling deeply, the frisky Dryad hopped off and turned to the pair of elves, setting her fists against her bare hips.

“See now what I had to deal with for decades before Althea showed up?” She gestured with her head at the father and daughter duo. “This here covers pretty much the entirety of reactions you can expect as someone’s deity. Keep that in mind for whenever you decide to embrace the Dragon God route.”

Shaking his head, Asterios didn’t even bother responding.

Instead, he watched Tia’s demeanor shift from the giggly one to a much more regal but still gentle and kind persona. The graceful lady approached Imadil and rested her glowing palm atop the man’s shoulder, displaying an almost motherly smile.

“Arise, Son of Sver’tuil. You are worthy to stand in my presence. I am aware of everything you and your family have done for our people over the generations. And of all the support you keep showing to my great benefactor. I would like to speak with you properly and thank you for everything personally,” she spoke with a cordial tone.

“I thank you for this honor, Divine Treemother.” Imadil listened to her request.

A bigger grin graced her face as he showed that he didn’t have a stick up his ass. “Just Tia, my child. You don’t bury your queen under all her titles each time you see her, do you?”

“Understood, Lady Tia.” He chuckled lightly. “Allow me to wake up my slumbering daughter.”

As soon as Imadil shook Cynthia, she came to, groaning weakly. Slumping forward, she supported herself on her palms while recovering a semblance of consciousness. Then, attempting to move up, she bumped her head into something. Raising her gaze, she found herself face-to-face with a very detailed radiant depiction of femininity.

“I’m afraid I’m unable to produce any sap for you in this current form of mine, my child.” Tia gazed down at her with an expression full of mischief.

The elf girl’s cheeks glowed scarlet so much the crimson wave crawled up her long ears. Still, she accepted the proffered hand and stood back up, a bit unsteady on her feet.

“D-Divine Treemother…” Cynthia bowed her head dutifully. “I apologize for showing such unsightly behavior…”

“None of that.” Tia huffed amiably and ran her fingers through the blonde’s hair. “I’m Tia. And I understand your shock. It’s not every day you meet your goddess. One you thought was lost during the recent incident with the cult. But, as you can see, I’m doing fine. As you can imagine, it’s thanks to a certain person we are all acquainted with. Therefore, while I understand your completely reasonable suspicions and inhibitions, would you perhaps not be willing to grant me this small favour and listen to your Treefather’s request?”

“T-Treefather?!” Cynthia looked positively scandalized and aghast.

Her great idol, however, simply sauntered to Asterios and leaned into his side. “I would like to introduce you to the healthy individual that I decided to take as my mate. He rescued my soul from being consumed by vile poison and has been actively looking for a viable way to give it a new vessel, omitting all those details of how he always cares for me like the fine gentleman that he is. As such, if I’m your Treemother, he naturally can be considered your Treefather.”

Imadil leaned against the wall and scratched his cheek. “I understand what you are trying to say, My Lady, but even if we consider him as your mate, you are you while he is he. One is, no offense here, an actual tree, thus the naming sense, while the other is a True Dragon.”

“Oh, but he is a tree.” Tia let out a tinkling giggle. “He is my Tree.”

His daughter didn’t succeed at holding in her snort. “What? That’s absur—”

“I can attest to that.” Noir joined the conversation. “I’m a True Dragon too, as you know. I’ve seen his soul from inside, and Asterios truly is Tia’s vessel. Her spirit is bound to his source, where it resides surrounded by energy of a matching affinity. It was Nature before, but now… Regardless, I’m sure you must have heard of the potent regeneration of her Tree while it was alive. If you need irrefutable proof, just slice off an arm of his and watch it regrow in seconds, like a branch from that Tree’s crown.”

Cynthia appeared quite unwell as she visualized the scenario. Imadil wasn’t that much better, also visibly dazed. The elves just weren’t used to the casual savagery of real True Dragons. That made the black-haired girl pause for a second and glance at Asterios to check if she had said something bad, but he offered her an understanding smile.

“Noir is right, that would happen, but we don’t need to do that, as smart as her idea is.” He inclined his head towards her. “Instead, you can just use your vision techniques to peer into my non-draconic source. I’m not sure how much you can see, but you certainly haven’t done that since I took Tia in. And especially not since I mated her. That happened only recently, during our last journey.”

“One of the best days of my life.” Tia embraced his arm lovingly. “You and Althea managed to find your ways into my heart so quickly after our first meeting.”

The pair shared a glance, then nodded at each other. Asterios felt them investigate his spiritual side and did whatever he could to become more open to their examination. Judging by their wide eyes, which were also filled with astonishment and perhaps a trace of felicity at the news that their sacred patron wasn’t gone, they got the gist of things.”

“Okay. First of all, why did no one tell us that the Treemother is awake and conscious all of a sudden? We knew you absorbed the Tree’s essence, but not that its spirit was literally with you like any other person.” Cynthia crossed her arms under her chest. “Second, and much more important, what the fuck is that inside you?! Why does your very existence keep changing every time I check?! The Power of Life?! Really?! And that spiritual basin?! What the fuck?!”

And their elf friend was back to normal.

“Don’t be too hard on him, my dear.” The golden Dryad trotted up to her to caress her cheek. “We didn’t want to take it outside of our tightest circles just in case. You know yourself how much of a burden knowledge can be. Even Little Civie isn’t fully aware. Yet. And it was my own design to wait for the perfect moment to introduce myself. Thank you for providing me with an apt opportunity to do that.”

The artificer lady blushed again, reminded of her gaudy curses.

“As for the rest, it’s honestly one gigantic accident, a sum of numerous incidents that just keeps growing and growing,” Asterios continued after his beloved. “From one woman’s decision to convince her husband not to murder his son, through that man’s choice to cripple his child so it didn’t leave any traces and lead to him, but also had a chance to survive dropped in a random village, then the baby’s sourceless body filling the gaping void with natural energy, to all that other spiritual fuckery that kept and is still happening from time to time. You can say I’m this universe’s most uncertain living ticking bomb that can either achieve great things with some more luck or obliterate itself at any given moment.”

“You are also fortunate he didn’t grow up like a typical True Dragon,” Noir added. “Though I don’t think Red would do things a hatcher’s way from what I learned about him. Even so, being raised by humans certainly mellowed out Asterios’ violent tendencies and conquering urges.”

“And there you have it.” Tia grinned at the duo. “Even the infamous Noir the Nightmare, daughter of the vicious Black the Alterror, understands how kind my amazing mate is. And she still follows him, heeds his guidance, and provides her aid for his troubles. Don’t you think someone malicious wouldn’t be able to be so comfortable with his virtues? You might idolize me, but even I did many cruel things to my enemies and aggressors in the past. Am I an evil deity, then?”

The family didn’t want to agree with that, this much was clear. Holding onto the Treemother’s genial and hopeful gaze, the talented female smith sighed in defeat.

“Only if she swears to spend at least two weeks familiarizing herself with the blade’s capabilities and features while under my scrupulous watch, no using of the sigils before that period is finished and before she receives my approval under any circumstances. Are we understood?” Cynthia walked up to Noir and squinted coldly. “A single offense and all it needs is the lightest tap of my chisel for that sword to turn to dust.”

The Dragon girl’s head had never bobbed up and down so wildly and severely ever before. She squeezed the black blade into her body protectively with so much strength her knuckles were snow white. Losing such a precious thing to her was not even an option.

Able to feel the other woman’s honesty and even a trace of fear, the tall elf stole the greatsword from her with a quick swipe. Everyone watched as she closed her eyes and chanted with a melodic tone. Noir’s tail shook with excitement as onyx scales parted through the artifact’s central ridge and revealed hidden grooves for Ast’s crystal tokens. He smirked at the adorable action.

His draconic partner received the enabled greatsword with reverence, even gracing its creator with a courteous nod, which was a lot from a prideful True Dragon. Even the elves seemed to understand that, registering the gesture.

“Now, all is perfect, but I’m going to my room and dropping face first onto my bed.” Cynthia rubbed her eyes. “I need to lie down after all of this insanity before my legs fully give out.”

Imadil was by her side right away, supporting his daughter’s back while leading her inside. Asterios caught the briefest little bow in their direction from his dark-scaled friend before she refocused on her blade, stroking it with unexpected affection.

“Do you think you can keep your word?” Asterios chuckled.

Noir shivered, turning more serious, throwing him one of her iconic scowls. “Of course! Do you doubt my honor? I would disgrace not just myself but also you if I allowed this gift you have prepared for me with so much thought to be destroyed.”

“Good. You’ll learn a lot under Cynthia’s tutelage.” He patted her on the shoulder. “Now, as for you… These aren’t my shadows…”

Tia giggled, doing a twirl in front of them. “But it is your light. Something akin to a Spiritual Projection. Unfortunately, it’s not as corporeal as both of us would like it to be. I can experience sensations through it a bit, however, you must have experienced what coming in contact with this body is like.”

“Ticklish and tingly, like brushing against an electrified and buzzing piece of metal.” Asterios licked his lips.

“And that would be accurate for every present orifice, not just my mouth.” She pouted mightily, making the Dragon girl snort.

“I’m glad you don’t need to keep appearing as an ominous mist at least.” He leaned in to share a dainty peck with the bright woman. “How far can you project yourself?”

“Not that far. If you stood in the middle of the city, my limits would be about where the Dragon’s Head ends,” Tia replied. “But, your mates can act as my medium too, so I can appear by any of your sides. My apologies, Noir, your connection with Asterios isn’t profound enough.”

“That’s for the better.” Noir waved her off. “Mother would definitely notice an Arch Dryad’s influence on me if it flowed through the bond that openly. That said, you should be careful how much you share with me. It’s best if you keep being this generous only when I’m around or you feel my request for it.”

“A wise notion. I’ll be prudent.” Asterios smiled at her warmly.

“My job done, it’s time to return home.” The cheeky Dryad pressed a kiss to Ast’s cheek. “I hope an opportunity to speak with Queen Civienne shows itself during the upcoming celebration.”

“You minx.” He shook his head.

She showed them her tongue.

“Oh. I almost forgot. Grea seemed interested in seeing you. They might be onto something already.” Tia waved her fingers at them and exploded into golden motes of light which then slowly dispersed.

Asterios turned to his True Dragon friend. “Want to tag along?”

“Sure.” Noir nonchalantly shrugged, but he knew she was more than happy to come.

They used Shadow Transfer to appear inside the dark den of the crazy researchers. Appearing in a spacious room, they found the duo crouched over some patterns on the floor. The entire surface was covered in scribbles and formations. Even the walls were, but those had paper pages attached all over instead. Some bore architectural designs showing teleportation platforms, transfer gates, or displacement archways of all kinds. The demons had gone all out for sure.

“Finally!” The female representative of the species noticed them first. “It’s ready! We made it! This is the thing that will revolutionize interdimensional travel! As soon as you give your approval! What do you think?”

“As rarely as it happens, I need to agree with my daughter.” The male groaned while getting up, his knees cracking. “This is the most ambitious project I have worked on. And with full honesty, I don’t think I would have done it without her. And the support of your elven friends, of course.”

She slugged him in the shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground again. “We make a neat team, don’t we? Mom would have been proud.”

He fixed his glasses, a rueful smile touching his lips. “Yeah… She would…”

Noticing the somber mood she had created, Grea gave him one more smack and strolled to the draconic pair. “You are about to become the first man of this world to step into another realm through legitimate means in hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Isn’t that… stimulating?”

“That planar axial over there is misaligned with its mathematical formula related to transference of non-organic matter during the first half of the transmission.” Noir pointed a finger at something.

Asterios couldn’t tell what.

But, the genius magiscience lady could.

“You think I’m stupid enough—oh shit, you are right.” Grea’s head jolted back as if physically struck, all three of her eyes staring right at the incorrect aspect. “That would have given him some mild nausea. How the fuck did you know, Princess?”

The Dragon girl shoved her hands into her pockets. “I toyed with that solution before. Learned about its downsides the hard way. This is some solid stuff here, but some improvements can be introduced.”

“Really? Like what?” The crimson-skinned researcher came to her side, sharing her perspective.

“Like that stellar equation written in Astral Script which ensures that the phases of the moon don’t influence the longitude and latitude of spherical realms with a uniform gravity core,” Noir replied, skipping her head at a different section. “Weaving Solar syntax into it is much more efficient and less prone to errors during transitional periods between night and day. Every fourth sigil is enough.”

“I haven’t thought about that…” Radir muttered from somewhere aside.

“But, altering that part requires you to revise the theorem you applied to your spiritual animation nuclei or else the process of reinvigorating the living organisms passing through the spatial channel might become unstable,” she added, humming thoughtfully. “Having in mind what you have done for the protection of the material goods like clothes so that he doesn’t end up losing them to the interdimensional torrents and storms, I suggest assimilating an absorption array that will harness their power for…”

By then, Asterios was starting to lose them, and it wasn’t like he was some uneducated first-year student when it came to these matters. Yet, the duo, or trio to be accurate, was just this much more knowledgeable about these topics than he was. He knew a lot, but naturally, most of it revolved around Summoning Magic and fields connected to that. Teleportation or passing through dimensions wasn’t so extensive since such aspects were covered by the spells and rituals he had studied. And it wasn’t possible for the Summoner to pass through familiar gates anyway.

Thus, he withdrew himself from the conversation and contentedly watched Noir and Grea cooperate in improving whatever it was all over the floor and walls. And even the ceiling. Forgetting their animosity and rivalry, the girls jumped right into it, making changes shoulder-by-shoulder. It made him aware of how much the draconic lady had experimented on herself to be this informed about the means of stepping into other realms.

About an hour later, they finally agreed on the last revision and admired their creation. Grea was grinning from ear to ear while Noir held onto her belt with noticeable satisfaction. Radir was beside himself as he ran all around the room and commented on the ingenuity of numerous solutions. They had really outdone themselves.

“With a slight delay, but this is where we move onto the second phase!” The demon woman cackled with glee. “If we all work together and make use of all the means at our disposal, we should be able to construct the first anchoring point here in Glimmervale before the night falls! Then, the second one in Miria’s village will be left for the morning!”

Snickering, Asterios walked back to them. “Aren’t you in a bit too much of a rush? I know we are on a tight schedule, but it’s alright to slow down a tad.”

“Nay!” Grea spun to face him and grabbed his collar, her normal eyes pulsing with unbridled enthusiasm. “Don’t think I missed your almighty advancement earlier—it almost made me climax in the middle of drawing one of the sequences—as it’s a prime moment to bring our magical treasure into life just when you are absolutely bursting with fresh essence!”

“I mean, she isn’t wrong.” Even Noir backed the fairly deranged professor. “It will take at least a day for your spiritual fluctuations to subside. Some consider this state as the most lucky, the energies patching up holes in whatever their owner is doing or making, like they have their own consciousness, intent on helping out as much as possible. Though it’s more of a superstition...”

With the two magnificent women gazing up at him so expectantly, he knew he wouldn’t be able to say no.

And thus, they went to fetch the others.