Path of Dragons - A LitRPG Apocalypse (BOOK TWO STUBBING AUGUST 15)

“Can I make a request?” Elijah asked. They’d spent a little longer talking about the threat posed by the Ravener and the ever-expanding nature of both the abyss and the World Tree, but Elijah hadn’t learned anything new. So, thankfully, they’d moved on to a happier topic, when she’d asked how his cultivation was progressing.

What had followed was Elijah explaining his plan for his core, which was the next hurdle he needed to clear before advancing the other aspects of his cultivation. She listened, then gave him a few tips on structure. However, she also told him that core cultivation was a very personal endeavor. She didn’t want to influence him too much, lest the end result come out weaker than it should have.

After that, Elijah had asked his question.

“Of course. If it is in my power, I will grant it,” Kirlissa answered.

“I want to build a dolmen here.”

“In the city?”

“No. I need a ley line intersection,” he answered. “I want to be able to travel back and forth between the empire and Earth. Even with the discount, I can’t afford to do that through the World Tree.”

“Discount?”

“Oh. I didn’t tell you about that?” Elijah asked. In truth, he’d just assumed that word would have long since gotten back to her. After all, Esik was her planet. Presumably, she was in touch with the Envoy, who would know at least a little about the hidden benefits of Elijah’s class. It granted him some of the World Tree’s authority, but the only tangible effect was that it reduced the cost of using its teleportation network.

However, even with the ninety percent discount, traveling back to Earth would bankrupt him.

So, he explained what he knew.

“That is unprecedented,” she admitted.

“Is it? I figured there were tons of Emerald Archons out there.”

She shook her head. “The name aside, servants of the World Tree generally divide themselves into two categories. There are Scholars who follow the path of the Envoy and Warriors who become defenders and guards. Obviously, there are some who join the Cult of the World Tree, who take it upon themselves to explain the basic functions of the Branches to newly integrated worlds, but they are a comparatively small off-shoot faction.”

“And I’m guessing Emerald Archon doesn’t fit into those categories.”

“Not at all. It is not an Envoy. It doesn’t grant you control over Branches. But you are obviously not a guard, either. You are something different, and it requires more investigation,” she answered with a broad smile.

“You look excited.”

“Do you know how rarely I find something new? I adore research.”

“I’m more of a learn-by-doing kind of guy.”

“I am well aware of your proclivities.”

“So? Can I build a dolmen?”

She shook her head. “Not on Esik.”

“Damn,” Elijah said, disappointed but unsurprised. After all, the entire planet was someone else’s grove. And he knew he wouldn’t look too kindly on anyone who tried to build a stone circle on his island, so he understood why the owner of the planet-grove that was Esik would look down on someone doing the same on his world. “I guess I didn’t really expect it, but that’s –”

“You will build one on Vyrin.”

“On the moon?”

She nodded. “The ley lines are mostly untapped, and there is no one to object.”

“Seriously? I mean…you want a dolmen on your doorstep?” Elijah asked, surprised.

“I would be honored,” she answered. “Though I must ask that you use caution when you inevitably bring people into my realm.”

“The ethera density, yeah. I’ve been thinking about that.”

“That is smart. However, it is not the point I wanted to make. If your guests step out of line, I will have no choice but to punish them. Harshly,” she stated. “And if someone steals from me…”

She took a deep breath. “Please ensure that they do not.”

Elijah felt a chill climb up his spine. He didn’t need to imagine what she would do to someone who tried to take what was hers. He felt it in a way that overwhelmed every other sense and very nearly sent him the way of the frightened animal. It wasn’t often that Elijah felt like prey, but in that moment, he did.

And he didn’t like the way her mere presence made his heart beat faster and his pulse quicken. Or the little beads of sweat clinging to his forehead. Or the hairs on the back of his neck standing straight up.

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He took a deep breath, suppressing that reaction, but he didn’t let himself forget that, despite her cordial, motherly manner, Kirlissa was still a transcendent. She wouldn’t even need to try to end his life. Or to destroy Earth in its entirety.

“I won’t bring anyone here who can’t control themselves. And if they step one toe out of line, I will deal with them myself.”

“That is all I can ask, my son.”

Then, her eyes flicked past Elijah, and she said, “Regrettably, our little conversation has come to an end. The ceremony is about to begin.”

Elijah turned to see that a sapphire platform had been raised, and the Curator stood behind an elaborate lectern. He wrung his hands as he locked eyes with Elijah, though it was clear that the subject of his anxiety was Kirlissa.

The rest of the guests were trying very hard not to look in his and Kirlissa’s direction, but Elijah could see a few cutting glances.

“I guess they’re waiting on us.”

“Of course. It’s my party. It will proceed on my schedule.”

With that, she rose, and with a wave of her hand, the bubble of silence evaporated. Suddenly, Elijah could hear the din of nervous conversation filling the room. He took a deep breath, just to steady his nerves.

Meanwhile, Kirlissa stepped forward and approached the stage. Elijah saw the other fifteen remaining tournament contestants standing in a line before the stage, so he decided to join them. Just as he took his place next to Kaela, Kirlissa mounted the stage. The Curator couldn’t remove himself from her path quickly enough, and she stopped behind the lectern.

What followed was a simple speech about the future of the Empire of Scale, the value of personal achievement, and a reminder of the reward awaiting the winner. “The First Fang is a cultivation resource beyond measure. Be certain that you are prepared to use it.”

She ceded the podium to the Curator, who stepped forward and called each of the final sixteen in order. When the first one stepped onto the stage, he was given a small package.

“We get presents?” Elijah asked.

Kaela didn’t look in his direction as she answered out of the side of her mouth, “Rewards.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know,” she whisper-hissed.

“I hope it’s seeds.”

“What?”

This time, she actual turned to look at him.

“Seeds. Like, for plants.”

“They’re not giving us seeds!”

“But what if they did? Oh, or a puppy.”

“What is a…puppy?”

“Small canine. Soft fur. Wet nose. You’d love one.”

Before Kaela could respond, the Curator called her name. She jerked back to attention and walked stiffly onto the stage. Elijah glanced back toward the crowd, his gaze immediately latching onto her parents, who looked extraordinarily proud in a way that only doting parents could.

However, Elijah hadn’t forgotten that they’d tried to force Alrhok – their son who was dealing with post-traumatic stress – into advancing his combat class. So, maybe they only doted when their children did what they wanted them to do. They were supportive, but with strings attached.

Which meant they weren’t really supportive at all.

Elijah didn’t have long to ponder that before his name was called. He strolled toward the platform like he didn’t have a care in the world, and when the Curator handed him his prize, he grinned, saying, “Thanks. Big fan.”

Then, he gave the box a little shake. “Definitely not a puppy.”

He hopped off the platform and returned to his spot next to Kaela. Her cheeks had turned almost as red as her scales, which only broadened Elijah’s grin.

It didn’t take much longer for the Curator to finish, and soon, everyone had their rewards in hand. He gave another short speech about the timing of the next round, then ended with another bout of congratulations.

After that, they all scattered. Some of the competitors ended up with their families, while a few clumped together.

Kaela dragged Elijah to her parents, which ended with an awkward conversation about his intentions. For their part, they seemed to waver between disapproval based on his status as an adopted dragon and elation over a familial bond to Kirlissa’s brood.

He wasn’t good enough for their daughter, but his draconic family was.

Which made the whole thing exhausting.

So, Elijah took the first opportunity to break away and found a path back to the buffet. That was where he stayed, making passing conversation with others who’d sought the refuge it represented. Like that, the ceremony passed until, at last, he saw people begin to filter out. He took that as a sign that he could retreat from the social battle without causing too much offense.

Kaela joined him, though she did say that she couldn’t stay with him. “I need to return to my family’s tower,” she said.

Elijah clutched her hand a little tighter. “You sure? I could show you the world.”

“Huh?”

He waved his hand as if revealing a treasure. “Shimmering? Shining? Splendid?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah. That tracks. Just ignore my references.”

“I usually do.”

“Ouch,” Elijah said. “So, did you get a puppy?”

“I’m still not certain what that is,” Kaela responded. “But no. I don’t think so, at least.”

“Me neither. Open our presents at the same time?” he suggested.

She nodded, and they found a bench next to one of the Crown’s many parks. There, they sat and opened their rewards. Elijah ripped into his like he was a starving beast searching for food. Meanwhile, Kaela was much more controlled in her dismantling of the box. Surgical, almost.

Elijah held up a fruit.

“Huh. I was almost right.”

“Do you know what this is?” she asked, holding an identical fruit. It was about the size of a grapefruit, though it was purple and knobby. Like a root vegetable, but with a citrusy smell.

“Seeds with some extra steps,” Elijah stated.

She punched him in the arm.

“Ow.”

“This is an Exil Fruit,” she said with reverence.

“Really?! That’s awesome!” Elijah exclaimed.

“You have no idea what that is, do you?”

“Well, fruit is right there in the name, so I have some idea. Plus, I can feel the seeds inside. And the ethera. Vitality. There’s also a really interesting matrix of –”

“The Exil Fruit comes from one of the Empire’s botanical worlds. The trees only bear fruit once every thousand years, and they’re one of the most potent body cultivation aids a demi-god can handle,” she said.

“Hm,” Elijah said, slipping it into his Arcane Loop. He would store it in his Herbalist’s Pouch once he got back to Tura’s hut.

“You’re not going to eat it?”

“Maybe. But I want to study it first. And I’m definitely getting those seeds. A gift for a friend.”

“They won’t grow outside of their native habitat.”

“We’ll just see about that,” Elijah stated. Even with his short examination, he’d established a few things about the fruit. It would require a much more thorough inspection, but he suspected that he could make it work. Or rather, he and Nerthus could work together to figure it out.

“And what friend?”

“Nerthus. More like a brother, if I’m honest. He’s a spryggent who tends to my grove while I’m gone. Nara actually runs the place. You know, taking care of the kids, the administration – that sort of thing. I think you’d like both of them,” he said. “Oh – I forgot to tell you. I found a way for you to visit. It’ll take me a little while to get it working, but it shouldn’t cost a single ethereum.”

“I…I don’t understand.”

“You will,” Elijah said. “But that’s not important right now.”

“What is?”

“Me convincing you not to go back to your family’s tower.”

With that, he leaned in and kissed her. From her response, she was very receptive to his argument.