《Mironov》


 Mironov Arc - Prologue

    Mironov arc


    Prologue chapter


    <u> ******* </u>


    Some plains, somewhere. Plains where a battle is taking place.


    From an outsiders¡¯ perspective it would seem that the ones on the right, protecting the large, green, vivid, lush forest would be losing, solely based on their numbers. While the ones on the left, while they do seem to come from a similar environment though not as lush, are winning. It seems as though the plants are slowly dying from disease and the plants on the left are flourishing beyond comparison.


    From an outsiders¡¯ perspective, greed and jealousy would seem like the main reason for this battle and it probably is.


    Both sides have the same distinctive features: tall straight builds, green clothing which can only be separated by its shade, long blonde hair which creates difficulty to discern between man or woman, and long pointy ears.


    Both races are called elves. But the feature which is the largest difference between them would be their skin tone ¨C the ones on the right had light colored skin and the others ¨C light brown to dark brown.


    Both sides have considerable numbers, but like said, the right one, the dark elf one is slowly winning, moving forward.


    The hails of arrows; the fights, the duels taking place in the front rows; the massacres performed by the ones who ride beasts, animals, ones with gray, wild, muddied fur, ones with clean shaven white fur; blasts of blinding rays, both dark and bright, taking large amounts of lives.


    The elves on the right side, the dark elves, seem to have scrounged up whatever beasts they could tame, while the ones on the left had carefully bred horses.


    While from the side, this would seem nothing more than a collision of large masses of people, from the perspective of the ones who were active within the battle it was more lively than that.


    Shouts of orders, battle cries, wails of beasts, death and despair echoed throughout the area. While the ones who were doing battle felt like they were noble warriors of some kind, to the ones who would watch from afar it would seem like nothing more than a drugged fight, fueled by hate, anger, pride and envy. The envy of those who were slowly losing their place to live, the pride of the ones who would call themselves noble knights, warriors, the anger of both sides at one another and hate, hate which made them abandon logical thinking.


    At first, this may have been seen as a battlefield, but as the fight continued on the was nothing more left than those feelings. Nothing more left than blood and corpses of the dead.


    The one to watch all this play out was but a devil. As the devils ranged largely in appearance, this one would resemble a human with a mask of a goat, a goat with 6 bloodshot eyes, which seemed to have never be able to calm down; 3 horns, while 2 of them curled up and pointed frontwards from the side and the 3<sup>rd,</sup> bent and pointed around the forehead to the back. The masks white fur, stained by dust pointed in three directions, like a triangle.


    The devil calmly sat there, on the sidelines, watching the battle from a far. He sat on a simple black stool. That stool seemed to be nothing special, apart from the fact that it shined like a crystal.


    He combed the hair on his face, the mask, the part where a beard would be and calmly read some sort of book. Four of his eyes focusing on the book and two focusing on the battle in front of him.


    He was so focused on the book that even the two eyes watching the battlefield, which was nothing more than a simple slaughter to him, had sometimes wandered towards it.


    Though the book seemed like nothing special, a diary of a child who liked to scribble things, he intently read it.


    But the devil couldn¡¯t understand it.


    He was confident in his intelligence, in his knowledge on many things of this world, but this language which was written seemed to be completely different, different from this world.


    He combed his beard more forcefully this time, yet the answer did not come, the answer on the meaning any of the words written in it.


    In fact, he studied the book for a long time, a number of years he couldn¡¯t even count on his fingers anymore, but nothing came to him.


    He wanted to give it up and pass it off for what it was ¨C child scribbles. But his curiosity was peaked. Every hour, minute or second of the time he was free from any activity, he would try to decipher it, but, this worlds language letters all had similarities to some sort of object, any object.


    While he was a long lived and smart devil, with the nature of a dealmaker, a merchant, he was not particularly strong. All devils had jobs which they must fulfill and in term would be granted special prizes, payments of sorts, and he had spent them all on knowledge. Why would he fight directly if he can just use the right words and make others do it for him?


    He was a wise devil indeed. And while he may not be very powerful, he still carried a good amount of influence in both this world and hell.


    Thus he continued his efforts in deciphering it, but some abnormality caught his attention ¨C the silence that descended all around him.


    He raised his head from the book, the book with red covers. And although it was a children scribble book it was orderly kept, without scratches or marking of any sort and that was a factor which kept the devil interested. No matter how hard he tries, no matter what amount of brute force he puts towards the damaging of this book, it would not give in, as though the paper was harder and stronger than anything he had seen or heard of.


    The scene in front of the devil was frozen in place. As though time had stopped. Nothing moved, the arrows, the swings of swords cutting down one another of the elves, their shouts of death and pain. Everything was frozen in place and only the sound of static surrounded him, as though someone was constantly crumbling pieces of paper.


    The devil looked back at the book, but that wasn¡¯t it. Though¡­ No. The books drawings manipulated itself and started arranging in a proper orderly manner. It was as though the book had become alive.


    Though this would definitely be an abnormality it didn¡¯t worry the devil. It has done so many times before, in front of all kinds of massacres.


    He stood up, closed the book and put it on his black, obsidian stool. His expression unreadable due to the fact that he couldn¡¯t truly manipulate the mask.


    And then, everything changed. It was as though the world started turning again.


    The sky turned dark, without any clouds ¨C a deep dark sky, full of glittering stars. Just looking at it would make you mesmerized, mesmerized from its beauty. The devil had never seen such a sky before, such a beautiful space full of glitter.


    But what happened in front of him would be an another completely unseen phenomena ¨C everything dropped. In a literal sense. It was as though the bodies of elves dissolved and turned into blood, mixed with dirt and ash, while the arrows and beams of light also turned liquid.


    Three figures stood and both sides of the battlefield, while one, the most beautiful one, more stunning than the night sky the devil has seen in his entire existence stood on the opposite of him. The three figures, put their hands together as though in a prayer, their heads facing downwards to the ground.


    The figure to the side of the lush forest was a being which had similarities to himself, but instead of being naked, he wore a black suit, one which would be fitting for a butler of highest caliber. The figure to the side of the dying forest wore black armor, which didn¡¯t cover one of his arms, that arm being a terribly frail-looking one. The figure to the other side of the devil was a gorgeous beauty wearing a light red dress, almost like a gown.


    The three figures pointed their arms upwards and all the mix of blood, dirt and ash lifted upwards as well. Then the mixture started curling into a ball a small ball, one would not know how it all could detract into such a state. It curled as though a vortex and after everything from the ground was gone the ball squeezed itself into nothing, at least in the eyes of the devil.


    Although this scene taking in front of him would cause some sort of emotion to stir within the individual, the devil had no reaction at all. As though he was a simple child drawn by curiosity, he watched the scene take place.


    The three figures started closing in towards the center, yet the devil did not move, just looking was enough for him. If he wakes up from this daze, maybe he could even get away.


    He, the devil, was an intelligent being. And all the jobs, the events that took place until this one seemed to connect. He accepted the jobs, the jobs devils do for their masters, yet he was master less and was given them, given them by the highest order. The purging of people, of monsters and all sorts of beings, the reason for such jobs simply did not come to him. Devils, by nature, were dealmakers. They feed on the souls they manipulate so such purges were nothing more than wastefulness. But it was an order from the masters of hell, thus he could not decline.


    As the three individuals finally came near one another, they bent and picked something up. The figure to the left, took out a precious looking pillow, seemingly embroiled in gold, from nowhere.


    Whatever they took from the middle, they raised it gently and put it on top of the pillow. The two manly figures gave the pillow to the beauty in the middle and she vanished in thin air.


    The devil pondered, why had they lifted that object, which was almost nonexistent, in unison.


    Of the two who were left, the one to the left, the one who had the most similarity to him, fell to his knees, as though a massive weight was taken off his shoulders and his legs demanded rest.


    But as though he forgot something, he stood up, dusted off his knees and went towards the devil.


    The figure in black metal armor stood there and waited for the other.


    The devils¡¯ instincts kicked in. The one instinct, which should have been non-existent, fear, and he started stumbling backwards, even though the figure was still quite far off. The devil understood who it was, due to his extensive knowledge he should be the only one who knows who that is that¡¯s coming towards him.


    The devil started walking backwards, speeding up bit by bit, from steps that resembled some ants to normal ones. Even he knew that only he could understand his reaction, others would just wonder if they were teleported someplace else or things like that. But the fact remained that the landscape was still the same. Plains, which divided the two states of death and prosperity.


    Just as the devil started speeding up and actually walking away, he noticed the book. The book that just sat there, completely in place. At times the devil would feel like the book was alive, no, he knew that the book was alive in one way or another. Maybe enchanted or something of the sorts, but especially whenever there were intervals between jobs, it would start vibrating, yet now it did not budge. He tried taking it with him, but it felt as though the book has increased in weight by an inconceivable amount or simply glued to the stool, but he could then just take the stool with him.


    No, it was not that he could take it, he couldn¡¯t move anymore. Just as he touched the book time seemed to have stopped. The proving factor for this would be that his object of fear, was now right in front of him.


    In less than a blink of an eye, he closed such a distance. The devil blinked and stumbled back on his bottom. He tried to move away bit by bit, but the other side didn¡¯t seem interested at all. The figure in front of him was a figure he was the only one to know about. Maybe there were some, but only he knew the true nature of it.


    The figure was a demi human. A hobgoblin to be more precise. But a regular hobgoblin, even the devil would be able to take care of it. The factor which scared him the most was that he was a red skinned hob. His black butlers suit seemed to radiate elegance, unbefitting such a civilization-less race. The two pairs of horns protruding from his head were well-kept, almost silver, unlike the devil who saw his as nothing but a hindrance.


    Red hobgoblins were champions of the goblin race. The main object of all the knowledge the devil tried to accumulate were on champions. In this world, even small fairy champions would possess an incredible amount of raw strength, but, a champion was only born once every hundreds of years, or was at least found after such amounts of time.


    The devil wanted to know the answer why such individuals were born, how they were born. But instrumenting different kinds of births led him with having zero results.


    The goat-face wanted to know more, but the saying curiosity killed the cat would be true at that point. Even if he was no longer curious he knew he will die here. And that did not mean he would return to the depths of hell, but simply disperse into nothing.


    The hob butler picked up the devils¡¯ book from the stool, just as carefully as the object he picked up before with his group.


    He knew that his life would end. And thus it did.


    The hob extended his hand towards the stomach of the devils¡¯ human body and pierced with ease. The devil may have used several defensive abilities, items and whatnot but the ease of the pierce stunned him more than the pain.


    As the goblin took out his hand, the devil noticed how long his hands were. The fingers alone looked double in size to normal ones, whatever you could call normal ones.


    The devil could only talk through mental communication, but as fatigue assailed his body, he couldn¡¯t use such an ability anymore.


    He fell to the ground, still seeing the shoes that the goblin was wearing. Just as he thought the other party was walking away, he felt a burning sensation all over his body, as though he was melting to acid.


    That was the last feeling the dying devil felt.


    <u> ******* </u>


    ¡°Done yet?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± The hobgoblin answered the black knight. ¡°Ahh¡­ So it is finally time huh?¡±


    ¡°Indeed. I am going to go clean up in the other areas while you go back with the book. I suppose that¡¯s how we¡¯ll go about it, right?¡± The knights metallic voice rang out under the helmet.


    ¡°Yes, of course. We can switch, though I don¡¯t want that ugly hand touching the artifact¡­ When are you getting rid of it?¡± The hobgoblin glanced at the frail arm on the left side of the knight with contempt. It was not covered by the armor and looked to be that of an old mans.


    ¡°It is not your decision to make.¡± The knight turned around and muttered some sort of words. ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll see you later Drasil.¡± After his goodbyes, a black steed with two horns growing on its forehead appeared out of thin air. No, it formed from gas, smoke of sorts. The knight rode off with incredible speed towards the dying forest.


    ¡°Yes. Until later.¡±


    <u> ******* </u>


    In a place almost devoid of existence, floats an island. Though saying that it floats is incorrect, from way high, up in the sky, near the clouds, you could almost see it move.


    A huge tree sprouts from the center of the island. But though the tree seems to be lush, upon closer inspection, it would appear to be nothing more than intricately designed dirt, shaped into branches. From the branches, all kinds of trees, bushes, grasses and whatnot grow, almost like they were the trees branches.


    The so called tree of dirt, has 3 stumps growing out of three corners of the island, shaping a triangle in the middle, beneath where it starts branching out into many, for a lack of a better word, branches.


    The previously said hobgoblin, overlooks the island and the tree, right beneath the clouds, wearing his black suit, with a marvelous black tie and a pure white shirt.


    He takes out a handkerchief, shines the two fangs which protrude from the bottom side of his mouth upwards, fangs that reach his nose, corrects his tie to give off a tidier look and descends straight down, towards the ground of the island.


    Though it would seem he¡¯s just indiscriminately descending, or falling, two bat wings protrude from the back of his suit. They do not tear the suit, though actually, there seems to be a small bat, tightly clenching whatever he can.


    He fell swiftly. Fell to the ground, but descended lightly right before reaching the ground, creating a gust of wind.


    The ground which he had descended on, would seem like a very old walkway, lit by tall lamps, with small fires flickering inside their glass containers. The walkway was made out of cobblestone, with moss protruding from its cracks. Though the cobblestone gave it an unkempt feeling, the sides of the walkway, where the cobblestone ended, were neatly trimmed, as though the moss mixed with the stones was carpet.


    The view in front of him, was a dark forest, filled with many dead trees, which gently creaked with the wind, but the goblin, who had eyes which would be able to see in even darker situations, noticed that the walkway there was as orderly kept as here.


    He turned around, and faced a barbaric looking house. Calling it a house would be disrespectful, it was more like a fortress.


    Because the night was dark, very dark, the fortress was lit up by even more torches, though the torches radiated blue light. The safety constructions, like spikes protruding from railings around the watch balconies, were all golden, but probably a lot harder than steel. The railings and poles, holding the whole fortress together, were illuminated by the blue light of the torches, but if not for that, they would appear to be marble white, devoid of dust or any specks of dirt.


    The bat detached itself from the back of hobgoblin and flew somewhere towards the forest. The being, which was now left alone, lowered his head, put his hands together, and silently closed his eyes.


    He heard a loud creaking noise and thus raised his head, splitting his hands apart. What emerged above the staircase leading to the door, was a being which was similar to him, but gave off a very feminine feeling. The feminine person in question wore a gothic style red maid outfit, with a small ribbon holding her hair in a ponytail. Though she could be described as a beauty, her green, but smooth, skin, and small fangs protruding from the lower jaw gave her a feeling of a, well, weird beauty.


    She was female hobgoblin. After emerging through the entrance, she bowed, though the hob she was waiting for, hadn¡¯t moved yet.


    The hobgoblin in question looked over the fortress, and saw several more figures, similar to him, but wearing different kinds of armor instead, bowing from the balconies as well.


    He returned his gaze to the entrance, and set out towards it, up the stairs.


    After reaching the female, he looked over her, her well-kept shape and clothes and for a moment he seemed like he would give in to his internal instincts, but after shaking it off, he said:


    ¡°I¡¯m back, Lorra.¡±


    ¡°Welcome back, sir Borors.¡± The feminine voice of the hobgoblin named Lorra, was revealed and was just a delightful as her figure. She raised her head, revealing her smooth green face. Without any bumps or scars, she, just like her voice, could be called a muse. For some, even the most beautiful of songs couldn¡¯t compare to the mixture of her serious but beautiful face and the gentle voice.


    Borors, the hobgoblin, entered through the doors. What was revealed inside was awe inspiring to anyone who would witness it, from the highest class nobleman, to the scummiest of barbarians.


    Passing through the door revealed a dreamlike mysterious world. It was a large corridor, held together by several columns, made out of dark wood, ornamented with many kinds of engravings. Behind the columns were several doors, all shining different kinds of lights from the middle. Though the walkway through the columns onwards was brightly lit, anything behind them was almost shrouded in darkness, just faintly making the floor visible, or else you¡¯d mistake it for an abyss.


    Borors walked onwards through the corridor, towards a door with a bright red light. Upon reaching it, the dark wooden door, it was visible that the light shone from a crystal of sorts.


    The maid, Lorra, swiftly got between the hobgoblin and the door, and opened it. Borors nodded slightly in acknowledgement and entered what seemed to be his quarters.


    The room was not as extravagant as one might expect. Apart from the bed there was nothing which might catch the eye, and that was the point. The man, who was seemingly in charge, had no interest in such things, but he did know their importance in some situations.


    The room was a simple one, a desk with some drawers, a bookshelf, wardrobe and a bed. The said bed was covered in curtains which would only show the silhouette of the ones sleeping or resting. The most eye-catching part of it was that it was very well kept.


    ¡°I appreciate your efforts.¡± Borors said not turning towards the maid and went off to the wardrobe.


    ¡°Think nothing of it, it¡¯s my duty.¡± The maid came over to his side and inspected him from head to toe. ¡°What clothes do you think will suit you for this occasion, sire?¡± She said while in thought.


    ¡°You always choose these things for me, your tastes are better anyways.¡± He slightly rubbed one of his fangs and opened the wardrobe which seemed to shine light in comparison to the room. There were all sorts of clothes in it, from what would seem to be nothing but rags to the attire that most wouldn¡¯t even dare to touch. It wasn¡¯t a large wardrobe at first, but once opened it seemed like it stretched itself to unbelievable lengths.


    ¡°But¡­ never mind¡­ Very well, please sit down, I¡¯ll search for something that wouldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t disgrace you.¡± While Borors sat down on the bed, the maids¡¯ serious expression turned even more serious and she searched through the wardrobe. She took out several attire, ones which gleamed brightly, ones who gave of a dark feeling and ones which didn¡¯t even cover the body fully. But in the end she picked out something that was not very different from his previous clothes.


    It was a suit.


    Lorra stood Borors back up and proceeded to undress him. What was revealed was a well-toned, red skinned body, but Lorra paid as much attention to it as she would on something she¡¯s seen thousands of times. Borors on the other hand appeared to be slightly embarrassed as he was fidgeting.


    ¡°Sire, please do not move, I¡¯ll probably need to adjust the clothing, thus I need accurate measurements.¡± She said as though disciplining a child. She did not use any instruments, instead she just looked over him several times, squinting her eyes at times. ¡°It would seem your physique has not changed.¡±


    That was stating the obvious. Borors had several magical items which negated the need for rest or nutrition, though he understood the need to size him up every time, maybe there was a bump, or a slight wound of sorts that could change how the clothing looked. No, he didn¡¯t understand what change of one millimeter could make, thus he just sighed and continued to stand still.


    He was being dressed up carefully in mostly red clothing. And once everything was done he was brought over to the mirror to further size him up.


    She looked over him once more and patted through every area where the cloth was uneven.


    What Borors saw in front of him was clothing that could melt in to his red skin, a brown shirt and a hat. It was a cylinder hat which, in all honesty, made him look ridiculous.


    ¡°Is the hat truly necessary?¡±


    ¡°Truly, it makes you look a lot more fearsome, or just scarier, while still making you look a lot more respectable.¡±


    Once she was done, she stepped to the side to let him see how he looked for himself. And indeed what she said was true, as far as he had seen, such clothing would express what kind of position he has.


    ¡°It shall begin soon.¡± Borors exclaimed while looking over his clothing, though the hat seemed to still not sit well with him.


    ¡°Once the island reaches land, right?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll start earlier and it shall reach land by the time we¡¯ll be done, thus make preparations for anything that might be necessary in the future.¡± He went away from the mirror towards the door.


    ¡°I shall go tidy up our treasury then. Good luck, sire.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He waved and went off through the corridor.


    <u> ******* </u>


    Borors was escorted by several hobgoblins towards the center on the island. They didn¡¯t pass any other building on their way, as the entire road to here was like a labyrinth, enclosed by tall walls. What they arrived at was a place which was made into a circular formation with a magnificent, 4 story fountain. There were no benches or anything of the like, just the fountain enclosed by a metallic railing fence.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    The railings were black, but they reflected the moonlight really well. The ground was made up of the same materials as everywhere else ¨C mossy cobblestone, but still possessed the feeling of cleanliness and softness.


    On the other side of brown bricks walls, in-between the veins of the labyrinth, there was nothing but several trees and clean, trimmed grass. The trees leaves were black, as though diseased, but considering there was no damage to those leaves, it couldn¡¯t be that they were sick. In fact, they were very rare magical trees, which grew round fruits made out of an obsidian material of sorts. The fruits were called ¨C black diamonds.


    Sometimes, the ones who cleaned this whole area would pick the fruit and either eat them on the spot or save them for later. But these persons were nowhere to be seen and Borors knew the reason why.


    ¡°Thank you for your service, you may leave now.¡± With those words, the hobs behind him went back to the labyrinth. All of them were dressed in dark, barbaric armor, with furs and spikes sticking out of several places. They may have looked like every day goblins, but their stature was almost as tall as Bororses, which was rare for goblins. They also possessed red skin which indicated that they were champions of their race, which transcended limitations which they had.


    Still, even this small number of them was too much for one to walk with through ones own and familiar domain. Carelessness kills even the most powerful individuals. Borors recalled these words in his heart and proceeded towards the entrance.


    The said entrance was huge. Two huge doors stood in front of him, which were at least ten times his size. Above these doors was a dome, which pointedly shaped towards the center of the huge mud tree, which seemed like it was the heart of the whole island.


    The doors had many, golden engravings of any kind. These engraving represented, at least in the eyes of Borors, the meaning of many things. There was an engraving of slaughter and next to it an engraving of prosperity. An engraving of love and the engraving of hatred.


    While the doors looked to be made out of wood, no one who saw them would imagine that they were even moveable. But Borors, simply chanted ¡°The glory of Mironov!¡± and they started opening with a creaking sound.


    After chanting these words, it looked as though a feeling of ease assailed Bororses body. As though something waited, something which would make his existence a fulfilling dream.


    Once the doors fully opened, the inside sparkled through. The whole area inside was huge. So large, that you could even fill in a prospering castle inside. But instead it sheltered rings of red water in its ground, with several bridges connecting the rings of black glass between the water.


    The bridges and walkways towards the center were made out of gold underneath, with a transparent, almost glassy carpet on top. The carpet gave of a slight tint of sky blue, while there was gleaming gold underneath.


    The dome, which covered the night sky, seemed almost none existent as there was small light illuminating the place coming from the top. If one didn¡¯t look closer, they would think that what they passed before was but a wall.


    In-between the rings, where there was solid ground, several columns were erected. These columns would be nothings special, if not for their length and size and the way it looked like they swallowed the surrounding lights. It looked as though those who would near them would be swallowed up with the light.


    While Borors was contemplating all this something neared him.


    ¡°Hello Borors! Guess I¡¯m not too late!¡±


    The goblin face cracked a bit, as though annoyed or maybe even disgusted.


    ¡°Y-Yes¡­¡± He turned towards the other party. ¡°Hello¡­ It¡¯s impossible to be late for anyone as we all have to be there for it to even begin¡­¡±


    It was a tall cloaked figure, twice as tall as Borors, even though he was more than 2 meters in height himself. The cloak seemed to interest Borors as he looked over it and said:


    ¡°What¡¯s with the cape?¡±


    The figure leaned down, as though a board bent in half, to Bororses eye height and answered his question in a voice, as though muffled by some sort of pillow.


    ¡°Oh, but it¡¯s such an occasion! Even you¡¯re dressed splendidly!¡±


    Borors self-consciousness surfaced as he remembered his cylinder hat and proceeded to hide his eyes underneath it.


    ¡°Is something the matter? Maybe you¡¯re not feeling well? Now we can¡¯t have that! We mus-¡­¡±


    Borors interrupted him before he finished the sentence:


    ¡°No, no, no! It¡¯s fine! I¡¯m fine!¡±


    Borors rebuked the figures words and straightened himself out.


    ¡°Oh, really? Good then! Visit the area I live in, once in a while at least, I have many things which will restore you back to health from any kind of state!¡±


    This time the goblin showed a look of pure disgust and turned away from him, facing one of the bridges leading towards the middle.


    ¡°Heheh. I like that. All well and lively! ¡°


    Just as he was about to proceed, the figure let out those words, which were seemingly just to mock him.


    ¡°You sure enjoy reactions. Anyways what¡¯s the point of dressing up if you¡¯re going to cover everything with that rag?¡±


    The figure stretched out one of its long arms, which reached to where its kneecaps should¡¯ve been, towards it chest and pretended to be insulted in an exaggerated maner.


    ¡°Gah! I¡¯ve wanted to surprise everyone! But I cannot let such nasty words go! Behold!¡±


    The figure took the extended piece of cloth off or one of its shoulders and it revealed what was hidden.


    ¡°You probably should¡¯ve kept it on¡­¡±


    Its figure was as though several limbs were attached to a small square box. The legs of the body were like thin branches; in fact, they probably were branches. The upper part of it looked like it was missing its waist area, like said, a box, and a head with a mask. The head was wearing a long doctors mask and even though he let the cloak go, he still kept the hood on.


    ¡°Are you trying to imitate someone with that suit?¡±


    Even though the figures limbs were thin and long they were clothed by long black pants, a black shirt underneath a black suit and a long tie. But, he did not wear any shoes, in fact, his feet fingers were ones like a chickens.


    ¡°Oh, but it¡¯s a need to dress properly for the occasion!¡±


    Borors turned towards the bridge again and started walking.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just go, no point in trying to figure out your fashion sense.¡±


    They both walked towards the center. Walked on the grassy blue and black carpet. To Borors, the carpet was so soft it felt like he was just gliding through clouds. No, clouds are incomparable to this feeling which can even be felt with shoes on.


    As they walked through the walkway, an occasional column was near them. It was a spiraling column where water trickled down through the gaps into the soil below. Borors wondered how the water always stayed in those perfect gaps between the mud, but after thinking long enough he understood that such things were not for him to unravel.


    Finally, the center. Both of them walked slowly and silently. The whole place was silent.


    The structure in the middle looked like some sort of small chapel. It was a circular shaped building with a dome forming its roof, from which a tower protruded. The carpet looked like it went underneath the two doors and beyond.


    ¡°Well I say! We finally made it!¡±


    Borors looked at the figure who spoke again, almost always when it was unnecessary. Thus he just sighed and put strength to his arms to open the doors.


    Though the doors looked small, it seemed like Borors still put quite an effort into them.


    And just like the inside of this big dome, the space in the chapel also seemed warped. In fact, it definitely was.


    It sparkled with expense, in a literal way. The insides looked like no one other than an artistic genius would¡¯ve made, something which could rival gods.


    Borors definitely remembered the god rivaling part, but he did not understand why everything was so bright. It looked as though they put a sun to shine over all the statues which stood on each side like guardians, the benches made from magically imbued squishy obsidian, to ensure comfort now radiated more light than they took in. There were also several windows, which, from the outside, looked to be small in comparison. Borors was relieved that at least they were untouched.


    There wasn¡¯t much modification to this area, but it was still too much, as no permission was granted. This infuriated Borors ever so slightly, which made his eye brows twitch.


    ¡°Hmm, so they completed the preparations it seems.¡±


    Borors turned to the figure next to him and with blank eyes slightly tilted his head to the side as if to enquire what the meaning of this is.


    ¡°Ah¡­ So you weren¡¯t informed¡­ I wonder why.¡±


    Borors rushed out forward towards the center of the chapel, where the tower should¡¯ve been. But there was a small elevation with an altar surrounding a gleaming chair, a gleaming throne.


    Borors was a bit relieved as there wasn¡¯t any sort of modification done with the place most important inside the building. While that may be so, he was still angry, but he concealed his anger under a dead-pan-like expression, which hadn¡¯t portrayed any sort of feeling.


    As he neared it there was an another figure kneeling on both feet in front of the elevation. She was dressed completely in black, like a nun. The top of the veil was slightly pointed on two spots as though they were some sort of ears or a decoration underneath.


    While he may have had a question which would either quell or fuel his anger, he stood still next to her without interruption.


    He didn¡¯t look at her long, as he faced the throne and bowed deeply for a couple of seconds, before discontinuing the action and facing the black robed figure again.


    The cloth covered it entirely and didn¡¯t reveal any features when looking from the side. The figure just kneeled there and whispered some sort of words, which even Bororses highly sensitive ears couldn¡¯t hear.


    When the figure was done it stood up and bowed for a couple of seconds in the same manner as Borors. Some of its hair slipped through the robes and it was even darker than the robe.


    Then it proceeded to face Borors and revealed a pale white face. Well half of it, as the right side was completely covered by the black hair.


    The face was definitely female, the uncovered red eye glowed brightly and had perfectly shaped eye brows, neither too thick or thin, and long eye lashes. The pale pink lips seemed to be the only feature giving off any warmth in her pale face.


    ¡°Hello Borors, I see you¡¯re finally ready.¡± She opened her mouth, which revealed pure darkness, as though she was completely hollow inside.


    ¡°Yes¡­ Hello Throna. I am ready, but can you explain whose permission you got to decorate the area?¡± Borors said, still with a completely dead pan expression.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re angry, but the vote to decorate was majority, even while you weren¡¯t here. And¡­¡±


    ¡°So you just thought it was alright to make changes to the interior? To the interior master created?¡± Borors interrupted her, slightly making his anger show.


    ¡°And, as I was saying¡­ Master is a great being. If anything is to his contempt the ones who voted for the change will take full blame.¡± Throna continued, but seemed to handle her emotions better, even if it was ever so slightly.


    ¡°Using his title as such, are you becoming spoiled? Throna?!¡± His anger was showing more and more, as a pat on his shoulder seemed to cool him down, cooled him down so much that it sent a shiver down his spine.


    ¡°I understand your feeling Borors, but the lower minions asked us to push this as they wanted Masters resurrection to be successful, at least this time.¡± The one who patted his shoulder was the skinny figure from before. His tone of voice was a little bit less audacious than before and carried actual weight.


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of this charade if it will not work?!¡± He let his feelings out and frustration on the hideous thing in front of him. ¡°Huh?! Answer me!¡±


    ¡°Borors, that is enough. Not only are you being disrespectful, you¡¯re acting like a lunatic.¡± The one to answer this time was a woman dressed similarly to Throna, instead she dressed in a red dress and didn¡¯t cover her face. Actually she showed of more than she should.


    One of her eyes were red, like Thronas¡¯, but she had silver white hair covering the left eye instead. Her facial features were basically the same, except the part of her hair, which made her differentiate from her counterpart.


    On the topic that she showed off more, it was her chest and basically more of her pale white skin. The dress made the top of her two hills look more apparent and larger than they actually were, but were still larger. The arms were completely uncovered except from the gloved hands. While the gloves seemed simple, they emanated a vicious aura, one which would make your eyes bleed just from staring too long. While she showed off a sexier manner, her counterpart, Throna, radiated a feeling of motherly warmth. While the nuns¡¯ hair was left to sway with the wind, the others was neatly tied into a bun while still letting some hair run free down her back.


    Borors corrected his tie and bowed slightly less than previously.


    ¡°Excuse me for my actions. As you said: you¡¯re taking responsibility and I¡¯ve got no right to complain.¡±


    ¡°Good! Now then! Let us wait for the others, as it seems we¡¯re the first to arrive. How great!¡±


    The one to break the awkwardness was the stick figure behind Borors.


    ¡°Yes. Smol is right.¡± One of them silently answered


    <u> ******* </u>


    After they all bowed, they went ahead and sat down on one of the many benches that were in the area.


    While the whole place was brimming with style and expensive looking decorations, the benches held absolutely no such things, they were crude and uncomfortable. Simple wooden benches.


    Even with that, they all sat down in the most appropriate of positions. The only one to struggle was Smol, the marionette doctor. He continuously fidgeted in his seat, making everyone around him uncomfortable as well.


    ¡°Can you not just sit on several of them? You¡¯re being a nuisance¡­¡± The one to let out his annoyance was Borors, while the two other ladies just sat quietly, but with slightly twitching faces.


    ¡°Worry not! For I shall find the perfect position!¡± He shouted out into the large, spacious interior, creating an echo.


    After finally finding his position he just sat there and played around with the beak of his mask.


    In the meantime, Borors dusted off a book, which he carefully brought out and put on his lap.


    ¡°Uhm¡­ What¡¯s with the book?¡± The woman dressed in a red skirt asked him with a tilted head.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see¡­¡±


    Several minutes passed silently and the place started filling up with creatures. Firstly, there were maids coming in. The maids were of different species, from beast women to vampires, goblins or orcs. Around 40 of them entered the place and sat down graciously into several rows of benches. While some were fidgeting, just like Smol, none of them took too long.


    The maids all wore different colored gothic style maid clothing. The colors would be either in contrast or match their skin or fur color. Almost each one of them was a beauty and while those who wouldn¡¯t force lust to come out still looked beautiful, in a weird, exotic way.


    Each of them had different hair styles or some sort of small ornaments in their hair or around their necks. Some complimented one another as they looked exactly the same, just of different species.


    The place was starting to crowd up. While there was a lot of space in the chapel, the echoes died down as the maids conversed with one another.


    After the maids, came in a huge mass of slime. It resembled humanoid shaped gelatin more than just some snot. It was green and completely clear. It didn¡¯t have any clothing on as it didn¡¯t have anything to cover and the clothes would just get ruined anyways by the looks of it.


    The gelatin went to the middle of the chapel, by the throne and bowed its upper mass in front of it. Its size almost matched Smols¡¯ so the movement looked awkward.


    Without batting an eye towards the four that were sitting on the opposite side, it went by one of the benches to sit down as well.


    The place filled up with even more people or even things, sort of.


    A knight in black armor pushed in a 5 by 5-meter black and white box near the throne and left it there. He bowed down as well towards the throne and went near the four for a greeting:


    ¡°Hello everyone¡­¡± His metallic voice got their attention.


    ¡°Welcome back Garmadel. You cleaned up the other areas, correct?¡± Borors enquired pretty rudely.


    ¡°Of course. It was nothing much.¡± The knight let out those lines as though he practiced them before.


    ¡°Good.¡± With a simple answer Borors continued to sit and just gazed around. ¡°Pretty lively.¡±


    ¡°It is always lively! I mean whenever we try at least!¡± Smol countered sitting beside him.


    ¡°But still¡­ I think everyone just wants to get this over with¡­ While there may be lots of excitement there is always a lot of disappointment when we fail¡­¡± The one to respond was the nun, Throna. She said so quietly as though trying to hide her voice from those around her.


    ¡°This time¡­¡± Every one of them sighed.


    ¡°*Hahhh¡­* Well anyways, I¡¯m going by my group. Borors, Smol, you should also go meet up with yours.¡± The black knight, Garmadel, told them and waved goodbye with his frail arm, the arm which was not covered by any armor.


    ¡°Disgusting¡­¡± Borors silently let out the word. ¡°Though he¡¯s right, but I just feel jealous of you two¡­¡± Referring to the two women, he went off somewhere into the crowd.


    ¡°Alright! I¡¯m going to meet up with the others as well! Ladies, enjoy yourselves!¡± He nodded deeply to them.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Both of them responded to Smol who was walking away.


    <u> ******* </u>


    The interior of the chapel now brimmed with life. From maids to monsters, everyone sat down, those who weren¡¯t able to, stood.


    The first front rows of benches had 11 beings sitting on them. One was not sitting and instead just stood by the side ¨C it was the box.


    One was the green slime, which kept its humanoid form, but was stark naked. Near him sat Germadel, the black knight with the frail arm. There was another one ¨C a giant lizard, who looked like a wingless dragon and covered several rows of seats and sat as lightly as it could as to not damage the interior.


    There were the two previous women ¨C Throna and her sister, both of them sat together on a single bench next to each other.


    Then there was Borors, who sat with two other men. One of them, who was so delicately handsome, close to not even being male, sat a bit farther away from the Orc. The other looked to be relaxed as he extended his feet forward. The lax one seemed to be mostly human, he wore green clothing and a green helmet. By the sides of his waist laid a knife and a metallic object with a long barrel on the other side, a gun. Simply put, he was a modern looking soldier, though the top of his face was partly hidden behind the helmet.


    The last bench had Smol sitting as uncomfortably as ever with an another lady. The beauty looked ghostly, almost like she would fade out. Though her figure was quite plump, she was still tall and, for a lack of better words, fit. She wore clothing similar to the maids, though it was simply a dress. Just like her figure, her clothes also seemed to fade ever so slightly, though in spite of this appearance she energetically reprimanded Smol.


    Many people, beings, creatures filled the place.


    Borors was holding the book with red covers on his lap, which he dusted off at random intervals.


    After a bit more time, the chatter died down and the place was completely quiet. So quiet ears would start ringing, but everyone continued to sit, or stand, as elegantly as possible.


    Below the throne at the center and the rounded altar, was a small hole. From that hole smoke started coming out. After the ordeal, the smoke died down and a flame came out.


    Simply put, it was a perfect flame, like that of a candle, but very round in shape, almost looking like a droplet of water.


    The flame stepped away from the place it came out of and seemingly turned around to face the altar. It lowered itself as low as it could and then faced the audience.


    ¡°Welcome, subjects of our lord and master, Mironov!¡± The flames¡¯ voice was pretty crude, slightly like an old mans, but it still echoed throughout the deafening space. No one responded to his words, no one even dared to cough or even make a move. ¡°Today, will be yet another day of retribution, a retribution for our cause, our purpose!¡±


    At that moment, Borors quietly neared the two women, with gentle footsteps. He silently whispered: ¡°Use this with the blood as well, I have no idea what it is exactly, but¡­¡± Throna and her sister came behind the fire. They took the object from Borors hands and nodded slightly.


    The flame droplet just let out some smoke from its top and Borors moved away back to his seat.


    The two women took the book in front of the blazing fire. It looked as though it quickly skimmed through its covers and paid it no real heed.


    But that obviously wasn¡¯t the case. The book was placed on top of the altar, in front of the throne.


    The two women backed off a bit, still standing by the sides of the fire as he continued his grand ceremony: ¡°*Hmph* Thus with great expectations comes even greater let downs, but we are not here, we do not exist to be proud or disappointed! We, are here to serve and nothing else. Let us commence, the ceremony¡­¡± After clearing its imaginary throat, the flames voice died down bit by bit, as though it started disbelieving his own words.


    This led to pessimism in the far back rows. While the front rows were still looking very steadfast in this ordeal, they were just masking what was going on in the back. Even if this ceremony goes well or wrong, they could not allow anyone to see those slightly depressing expressions be exposed.


    Silence entered the place once again. No one spoke, no sounds broke out, almost like everyone was frozen in place.


    In the center of all this the two womanly figures and the flame stood there in silence as well, until both women lowered their heads and started mumbling. The bundle of heat just simmered ever so slightly more and the place turned dark, with only small particles of light swaying in the air.


    It was as though all the light was being sucked into one spot ¨C the center of it all.


    Throna and her sister stopped whispering, raised their hands into the air and closed their eyes.


    Light started returning to the area.


    Everyone lowered their heads as their eyes darkened. Even the air felt depressing.


    Everyone stood there for a couple of seconds, which felt like hours. Everybody was contemplating what is next.


    The book opened itself with a loud thud. The whole chapel started shaking uncontrollably. Everyone looked to one another as though searching for an answer.


    The bundle of fire seemingly turned towards Thronas sister as though inquiring what was going on, but she just shook her head.


    ¡°Go check with Meya immediately!¡± The fire shouted at the same woman. ¡°Everyone reach towards safety and prepare the defenses.¡±


    Just as his voice resounded through the place from the center everyone looked directly at him. No, their eyes skipped through him and gazed beyond, at the book. Just as the flame realized this it turned too and saw what was happening.


    The book leaked. It leaked a dark liquid. Black ink spilled onto the floor and reached below the flame. Just as it reached the flame it started encircling and covering the ground, the altar and the throne.


    Everyone just gawked towards the black throne. Except for the flame which flew towards Borors.


    ¡°Explain yourself.¡± It let out with a hollow voice.


    ¡°It will be all or nothing. If we¡¯re here purposeless¡­ then¡­ then what is the point?¡± He grimly answered, but inside he knew he was lying. Neither did he know what the books purpose is, neither what it does. He just felt deep connection to it and trusted his gut.


    ¡°Borors, may I count this as treason?¡±


    ¡°If anything, this is but a mistake and nothing more. But-¡­¡±


    ¡°But mistakes are not permitted, Borors!¡± The flame shouted at him, cutting off his words. But after noticing that Borors was no longer looking at him, just gazing past him it no longer felt like it was the one in command. ¡°Ans-¡­¡±


    The ground shook once more, but this time no one reacted to it as they were drawn towards just one thing ¨C the growth of a small sapling. They watched as it grew quickly, like a bamboo shoot or a magic beanstalk. They watched as it reached the ceiling and quickly died down, withering to something resembling a cherry tree.


    The left over bark grew dark and scattered across the place like ashes. Some large, some smaller. Before dropping onto anyone¡¯s head, shoulders or anywhere in the upper side of their bodies, it melted into nothingness and flew away from them with the none existent wind.


    Everyone recovered from the shock and looked towards the tree, which grew out of the ink. While it may have not been tall, its bark was quite wide.


    The trees bark split open and formed a jaw. The said jaw gnashed at the air, like an old man waking up from sleep.


    Then it opened its mossy eyes and gazed upon everyone, the large mass of beings in front, kneeling, some were fallen and pushing their foreheads to the floor, others, just gawked.


    <u> ******* </u>


    Inside a quite large room, a burly man sits behind a desk.


    If looked from afar he would resemble a well-dressed pig, but up close his features are handsome, but ever so slightly. While the face might have some fat below the chin it is only visible while the face is bent down. But, still, the skin on his face was quite oily, the hair as well. He was unkempt and looked he has not slept for several days.


    He sat there and read a large piece of grey paper, a newspaper. On the desk, several books were stored on each side of the desk, even the front had books covering it, creating a wall of sorts.


    The whole room looked like it was barely existent. While the wooden boards and the wooden floor gave off the color of brown, it was very bleak. Even the desk was so.


    The man read the paper on and on and on. While there were several bookcases and what not in the room, there was no clock, so it¡¯s impossible to tell for how long he read.


    Behind the man was a simple square window. The glass of that window seemed to be the only fully visible thing in the room, as it was decorated in different colored mosaics. Even the light protruding from it felt fresher.


    The man read the newspaper and just as he was about to turn the page a knock came. He raised his head a bit and the other chin on his neck stretched out. Then another knock came in, but the man decided to ignore it and went on with reading the paper.


    As time went on the knocks only became louder and more aggressive, yet the man still paid it no heed.


    This went on for quite a while but yet again the man decided to turn a page and the door violently flung open.


    ¡°What is your deal? Can¡¯t let a beautiful lady in? At least respond next time¡­¡± The one to enter was a woman with one of her high heeled feet slightly lifted up, lifting her skirt with it and revealing the hidden contents. Basically, she just kicked the door open.


    The pig looking man just raised an eyebrow, then focused back on the newspaper once more, not paying heed to the woman who was dressed in a frilly looking dress and was holding a closed umbrella on her shoulder.


    She quickly responded to that by stomping the foot she had raised up to the floor. She pouted and went over by the side of the man.


    ¡°Forland! Wake! Up!¡± She leaned by his ear and yelled into it.


    The man twitched a bit, put down the paper and turned to the woman.


    ¡°Oh Zeleene! When did you get here?¡± He asked as he pretended not to notice her before.


    ¡°Shut the hell up you fucking idiot. Ugh! I knocked for like¡­ Forever!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, of course¡­ My bad, terribly sorry. But as you can see I am quite busy, so please get your celestial ass out of here.¡± The man didn¡¯t even make an effort to stand up, as he told her. Then he proceeded to shoo the woman off by waving his chubby hand away towards the broken down door.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave once I get what I came for!¡± She told him in a very high pitched voice, but the man did not react. ¡°Hey! Hey! Come! On!¡± She then grabbed him by his collar and shook him in his seat.


    ¡°I. Am. Tired. Of. Doing. Your. Job. For. You!¡± Keeping one eye on the paper he spelled it out for her.


    ¡°Come on!¡± She yelled again, looking like she¡¯s about to cry. ¡°I... *sniff*¡­ Just need one¡­ One more¡­¡± With trembling lips, she muffled out the unfinished sentence.


    ¡°Neither do I have any, neither can I get any. So please, just leave¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean you can¡¯t get any? Come on, you never use them and I need the-e-em!¡± She shook the man¡¯s collar even more violently until he stood up. While he may have been quite soft looking he was almost two heads taller than her.


    ¡°I said I don¡¯t have any! Some come, some go! Now get the fuck out!¡± He shouted at her, making her look like a cornered puppy facing his owner after doing something bad.


    ¡°Wh... What do you mean some come, some go! Come on¡­ please?¡± She inquired while keeping her current appearance.


    The man just proceeded to put a palm to his face and sigh: ¡°That one already left, creating a whole city with him too. So, enjoy.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± She immediately broke her puppy-like character and started throwing questions at the man. ¡°None can just up and leave! What do you mean with a whole city? What do you mean by city? Where did it leave to? Answer me!¡±


    ¡°Stop shouting for a moment! It left to your precious planet. It was brought there using some sort of resurrection magic, that I don¡¯t even know, I think at least. By city I mean there appeared a whole island of beings similar and not similar to it, whatever that means.¡± The man sighed again and just dropped his body to his seat once more while holding his forehead.


    The woman just made a face as if she was about to cry and ran off loudly.


    He just sighed again, took up his paper and proceeded to read.


    ¡°She should observe her planets better or else she¡¯ll lose them. *Pfff*¡­ Well whatever, not like it¡¯s going to be my problem, though it is going to be fun to watch. Anyways, what is it you want?¡±


    The burly man turned towards his left, where nothingness once was.


    <u> ******* </u>


    Huh? What¡¯s going on? The sight in front of the tree was quite a peculiar one. Everyone was kneeling to it in this place which had an atmosphere mixture of dark and magical. It was gorgeous. But the tree, Ent, did not pay much attention to it, instead an itch on its back caught its immediate attention.


    Holy crap it¡¯s itchy¡­ Ahh. God dammit. At that moment one of the branches elongated itself and proceeded to do what was needed to be done. Yeah¡­ Much, much better¡­ Chippings of moss and tree bark fell to the floor. The amount wasn¡¯t much and the rubbish just fell into the black ink which painted the bottom part of his body.


    Hope it¡¯s not a real problem¡­ But what¡¯s with this liquid? The Ent stretched itself out a bit as though someone was stretching their back. It then looked downwards and in this complete silence and picturesque sight the only thing to caught the trees attention was the silent spilling noise behind it.


    Thus it turned and with it the whole place started quaking once again. Woah¡­ better watch my step¡­


    It saw the book which spilled the black ink out of it like a fountain. He inspected it, by picking it up and flapping it a bit with its pointy branch arms. At that moment the ink stopped spilling, actually the book was slurping up all of the ink around it.


    Once that motion passed all that was visible were childish scribblings of dinosaurs, humans, humans with horns and what not. The two pages which contained this information were both cute and disgusting at the same time. Cute because they looked like a child painted them, disgusting because the drawings were anomalous.


    Huh¡­ Didn¡¯t I lose it somewhere? With that thought it remembered the previous sight and turned swiftly back to the audience with a wrenching sound who were silently kneeling on their feet. The tree looked back at the book and then to the creatures in front of it.


    The tree wasn¡¯t bothered by its own appearance as though it was natural, but the beings in front of it had some similarities to the ones in the book. While not quite the same, they do look alike¡­ Well whatever. The tree then closed the book and it was as though time started moving again.


    The creatures raised themselves unsteadily in the still shaking building. One of them neared the tree, the flaming droplet.


    Each one of them procrastinated on the ground once again even lower except for the flame.


    It gazed to the tree with its teddy bear like eyes, with its two void black dots. The feeling of like it was waiting for something assaulted the tree.


    The Ent opened up the same page on the book once more and everything froze in place. It didn¡¯t bother to search for an explanation for the current situation and instead skimmed through the two pages again, but nothing which wasn¡¯t previously seen was found.


    Then it looked at the red cover and on it was written ¡®Mironov ¨C Master of Eden¡¯.


    Wait¡­ Something, everything doesn¡¯t feel right. The tree took one its branches off the book and gazed at it. The branch formed a fist, it extended, it bent in any possible direction. Although it doesn¡¯t feel right, it¡¯s still quite natural¡­


    It gazed through the interior of the area once again. Like he thought everything is and is not quite right. While a feeling of unease assaulted it the exact opposite feeling also did. Mironov¡­ That¡¯s right¡­


    The tree turned around, muddying the ground. It looked at the throne, at the throne which looked like was made out of pure gold, almost like it was made out of the rays of early morning sunlight. The seat was cushioned with dark red cloth and the handles were as well. A throne of a king.


    Let¡­ The Ent moved, it moved around the altar until it neared an opening to the seat. Still with a book in its branch hand it moved another branch towards the throne, to feel it. It went around it, touching it along the way and the tree rested its eyes upon the seat.


    It laid down the still opened book on the altar once again and extended all of its limbs, the branches and roots which substituted as feet, as far as it could.


    They gnashed and twisted together like vine snakes creating a humanoid figure which looked as though it had no skin and its flesh was made out of dark wood.


    The eyes narrowed and moved to the face area. They were like slight slits extending to the area where the ears should¡¯ve been.


    The mouth was still gnash-like, like jaws of a beast who didn¡¯t keep his teeth in proper order.


    The face looked like someone cut a piece of wood off from a tree, like a cylinder covered in bark.


    The thing looked at its hands once more. They were still sharp looking wooden hands. The arms still had several smaller branches on them with leaves which got caught up in the fleshy coiled vines.


    The whole thing looked like it would wither at any moment and the humanoid tree knew it too.


    Us¡­ The insides of the coiled vines looked like they started burning from the inside, making the wood even darker. The outside lit up and cinders were lightly lighting up, looking like gold would spill out from inside of the body.


    The figure picked up the book and sat down on the throne gliding its narrow slits for eyes through the crowd.


    Begin¡­ With that thought it closed the book and the place became lively once again, even though everyone was still kneeling, the pressure from their presence became even greater.


    ¡°Stand.¡± The Ent let out a voice and everyone stood up. The flame which was in the front now had gem sized black eyes, which looked like they sparkled.


    ¡°Torch, Everyone, I am back.¡± The Ent smiled to them.

 Mironov Arc - Chapter 1

    Mironov Arc


    Chapter 1 ¨C Island Of Eden


    <u>*******


    </u>


    The rebirth of our master ¨C it¡¯s a blessing and a curse. A blessing that he¡¯s back, but a curse at that. A curse of embarrassment.


    Until now, we¡¯ve done nothing but mess up.


    The whole island started moving. Our places of residence were destroyed. The places master himself built, for us. We didn¡¯t even think about taking precaution against such things.


    That is unacceptable¡­


    But¡­ But master never said a thing about it. Neither was he mad, upset or anything like that. The most troubling thing for him was probably that we, his lowest servants, were walking on the same ground.


    It was probably for that reason he gave us a place of residence, even if they could be considered royal quarters. Again, an embarrassment that there¡¯s no place for us to be put other than there.


    We still try, I believe we do. We, the maids do our jobs to the utmost. The amount of effort that is being put in now is so high that what we previously did could be considered basically nothing. Though the actual difference in the end is not that large.


    No, such thoughts are not allowed. We must try even harder, work to the bone. It is our purpose after all. Personally I am sad that we don¡¯t get ordered more, but that¡¯s not something we could just ask.


    Some places are so high though. So high I can¡¯t even reach. If only I had wings of sorts¡­


    Currently, me and the others are cleaning. Two days have passed since the arrival of master, his resurrection or just him deciding to come back. No one truly knows, at least the grunts don¡¯t. We should be happy with just his arrival.


    Since our previous homes were trashed, we have been given permission to use the quarters below, the quarters of the large gem, the heart of the tree of life. At least that¡¯s what we call it, though in all actuality no one is sure what it really is.


    The rooms we were given are pretty large compared to the bunk beds we previously had. I heard even master was sometimes using these rooms. I am still unsure if we should actually use these¡­


    Some of the simple residents on masters¡¯ land were given even better rooms, after we pushed it at least. In a way, we pushed all the embarrassment on to them. I feel a little bit bad, but at least their children are quite lively. How could they not be?


    I overheard from one of the elites that we¡¯re actually moving towards some land now. I hope it¡¯s worthy of being a place of disembark.


    I don¡¯t truly know how the tree works, but I guess it picks soil off wherever it feels like doing it.


    *hahh¡­* I need to focus on my work more. While the elite ones aren¡¯t exactly doing much of the physical labor, they¡¯re probably brainstorming just like me right now, they¡¯re probably brainstorming a lot more than me right now. I mean, even being near master feels nauseating.


    Not in a bad way of course. The mere sight is both awe-inspiring and horrifying. From afar, if not for masters¡¯ head, (I think?), he would resemble a really tall human. Just a really dark one. No, no, what am I saying. Humans are far, far bellow. Guess I can say humanoid.


    Whenever I get a little bit closer, as awkward as it may be, I can see tiny sparks of bright yellow in between the mashed up vines of wood. It truly is beautiful.


    For the last entry, I guess¡­ I got scolded a lot today, but I don¡¯t truly regret anything. I would probably be able to die happy right now.


    I got to thank master. Though I forced it unbelievably so¡­ It truly is hard to get close, even getting close to the elites is quite hard. Not that I¡¯ve ever actually did, just that even the head maid fidgets so much whenever she reports something to Torch, who is the head of the elites. I truly felt how she must feel every time she does that, though¡­ I did something even more amazing.


    How master reacted was truly amazing¡­ I¡¯m¡­ thankful¡­ Even as much as I was, or should¡¯ve been before¡­ Now¡­


    But¡­ I hope I wasn¡¯t being a nuisance. If I was, I hope to have my head severed right now. Though I do have defensive scales all over my body, it should be nothing for the common soldiers, there¡¯s no need to talk about the elites.


    While I am happy of what I did, it also brought a large amount of concerns, but those aren¡¯t really necessary to write down, as they¡¯re kind of self-explanatory.


    Let¡¯s see¡­ Let¡¯s¡­ see¡­ What else¡­ Hmm¡­ I guess¡­


    Master also has a book. He seems to keep around him right now, but I wonder if it will be some sort of an idol in the near future. The ceremony seemed to work this time, since lord Borrors brought it by the looks of things. Maybe it¡¯s a diary like mine¡­ Maybe a spell book of sorts? Or maybe¡­ There¡¯s countless possibilities actually, so let¡¯s leave it at that, before I think of something I shouldn¡¯t.


    Well, the head maid is going to bring me to Torch probably to offer an apology, she is like that. While she should relax more¡­ No, never mind. She does have it hard. But Torch does have the highest position, so probably Throna or Slosher again.


    Speaking of Slosher, while he is a beautiful and quite confusing¡­ man¡­ or was he an incubus? He can¡¯t compare much to master. Guess that¡¯s simply the aura they have.


    While I do hope to receive a punishment, I wonder how hard it will be. While death is acceptable, I still want to look at that mixture of emotion our master is. To serve him, to say the least.


    Well, I¡¯m going to have some rest, on this magnificent bed. I am enjoying it, but I still want to have my bunk bed back, it was easier to actually sleep on it, no matter how little of sleep we actually need.


    Diary entry, 3<sup>rd</sup> night since masters rebirth.


    <u>*******


    </u>


    Mironov sat in the throne, although his expression cannot be read, he still looked perturbed. 12 creatures surrounded him, in groups of 3. The oddity in one of the groups would be the box, though everyone was an oddity in any case.


    The group in front of him had two women and a flame. If just looked at the faces of the women, they could easily be called twins, though their clothing was heaven and earth. One was wearing brown garbs, completely covering her, except for the face and the other had a more revealing red dress.


    As for the flame, it was a mixture of blue, black, red and yellow colors, with tiny visible black beads for eyes. Its form was that of a perfect water drop, round and squishy looking. The only thing that made it a flame was the constant waving and the heat that radiated from it though that heat was not too much.


    ¡°Welcome back, dear Master.¡± The flame spoke. More accurately, it let out a sound, seemingly from its eyes.


    Mironov just sat there, silently and looked over them. Some looked confused, some looked nervous. One of them, a, simply put, handsome man jolted a bit as if electrified and then just bowed deeply. The others looked at one another in a confused manner and did the same.


    ¡°N-no need, raise your heads.¡± Mironov motioned his hand upwards, signaling for them to rise. ¡°I¡­ am thankful. But may I know¡­¡± He raised his wooden hand to a protrusion on his substitute for a head, as though covering his mouth and looking thoughtful. Everyone just looked at him like curious children, silently staring.


    Their master looked thoughtful for quite a long time. Simply a bit too long. So long that it started turning awkward and each one of them was uncomfortable.


    The woman in front, wearing the red dress spoke:


    ¡°Master Mironov, may I speak?¡± Her angelic voice spread through the area.


    Said master motioned with his hand, in an implication of allowing her to speak.


    ¡°I think Master simply wants an explanation of the current situation¡­¡± She looked nervous for a little bit until speaking up again. ¡°Torch, you are the most informed out of all of us, may you go on ahead?¡±


    The flame seemed to flash up a bit, as if it was waiting for this. ¡°May I?¡±


    Mironov looked confused, but motioned with his hand again. If all of this were to be sped up, it would look as if he was trying to swat a fly.


    Torches¡¯ explanation went on for a while.


    He explained how, for an undefined amount of time, master was missing. No longer did he visit them, but none of them suspected anything, since this wasn¡¯t a very rare occurrence.


    But slowly, they started to feel it, the fact that they would no longer be visited.


    They were disturbed. None of them knew what to do. Torch went through several hours, days, years¡¯ worth of books until he found something. Most of the books were about reincarnation, resurrection, teleportation and so on. But none of them had anything that would seemingly work.


    After quite a bit of time, Torch felt despaired. None of his research bore any fruit or anything remotely close to that. Days went by, until Borors made a simple suggestion ¨C sacrifice.


    Some of the servants knew blood magic which combined with resurrection magic would have chances of success. Torch was quite reluctant at first, but majority vote ruled over his reluctance.


    Thus they experimented, time and time again. They used many different methods of resurrection, but not blood magic, since the amount of blood they used was massive, other ways would be completely impossible due to physical conditions, even in manipulated space.


    Everyone was starting to lose any kind of expectation. While they still attended the experiments, the rituals, enthusiasm was fainting bit by bit.


    They tried this many times and everyone started losing more and more expectation, until it finally happened.


    Torch, the flame, explained this like he was reading a book, bit by bit. Though it was quite detailed, it was extremely bland, as though Torch was the said piece of text.


    ¡°And thus we¡¯re here. Sorry, but I am unable to explain how the Tree of life is moving or why, but I feel like it sensed that it is time to move forward, now that master is back.¡± Every one of the creatures nodded, accepting those words, except for Box of course. This was how they truly felt inside their hearts, though some may not have wanted to admit it.


    ¡°Good. Thank you¡­¡±


    *******


    Mironov stood in front of the giant jewels opened doors. He looked onward, to the blue horizon which looked like it would never end. While there should¡¯ve been a road going ahead, there was none. It was a ledge which just like a reef would kill you if you fell, so would this, most likely. He stood there with Throna and her counterpart on each side of his, the wind blew strongly past them, but Thronas garbs didn¡¯t flutter in any way unlike the other womans.


    Everyone else seemingly had a job to do, thus they were not present.


    He looked onwards, towards the ocean, or perhaps it was a sea? None could actually affirm this fact. His face hid any readable emotion, but sometimes air would escape from the protrusion in his head. Perhaps he was nostalgic? Disturbed? Depressed? Or simply tired? Maybe¡­ Maybe not.


    Looking onwards, he raised his wooden hand. The wood lacked bark, it was mashed up and weaved like rope.


    Ah¡­ It truly is an annoyance¡­


    He let his arm go, into the feral wind around him. The wood around the arm thinned out, as though withering, and scattered in the air like ashes. What was left was yellow hot metal like veins, which bent in many ways where the wood had previously been.


    With another flutter of wind, the wood around the arm rebuilt itself.


    What the hell is going on! I feel like I¡¯m going to vomit at any time for the last two days. It¡¯s like my stomach is turning inside out, even though I don¡¯t have it!


    The arm was now fully rebuilt and Mironov gnashed it into a fist which looked like simple thump.


    Things I remember, things I don¡¯t. It¡¯s like they¡¯re the same. I even think about things I don¡¯t understand the meaning of!


    The two beauties beside him just looked at him before turning their heads back to the front. While they must be prepared and do their duty even if not directly ordered, they can¡¯t read minds or thoughts, especially that of their master.


    Let¡¯s recall things: name ¨C Mironov, correct; position ¨C master, debatable; race ¨C Ent, false; situation ¨C unknown, correct; I can¡¯t understand what is going on¡­ I need a distraction or else I might come off as weird¡­


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back, I¡¯ve witnessed enough.¡± Mironov turned back through the door and proceeded back inside the building.


    The two women just looked to one another and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Perhaps we should visit Meya? Though she was rude not to come to the main event, I think we will get a better view from the area she¡¯s at.¡± The two of them looked at him with pleading eyes and he just raised the arm that restructured itself, to his imaginary chin.


    ¡°I suppose. Don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything to do at the moment anyways.¡± He let his hand go and motioned for them to show the way. ¡°While I do recall the area, you¡¯ve done some¡­ remodeling.¡±


    The two of them just panicked and kneeled in place.


    ¡°T-there¡¯s no n-¡­¡±


    ¡°We thank you and we¡¯re sorry¡­ While thinking of efficiency we did not think of your personal feeling towards such¡­ events.¡± The one to answer was Thronas counterpart and if not for the drastic appearance their voices would be completely the same.


    Pfff¡­ I was thinking about efficiency! But there¡¯s so many of you I couldn¡¯t handle everything by myself, I had other things to do as well!.. Of course I can¡¯t say this to them¡­ But did I actually have anything better to do? I can¡¯t remember¡­ And¡­ it¡¯s hard to take this seriously for whatever reason¡­


    ¡°*hah*, it¡¯s alright. Let¡¯s go find Meya.¡±


    They walked onwards. Mironov looked troubled. Just like he said, they should lead the way, but it looked like they were just walking to an unknown destination because Mironov was still in the front.


    I told them to lead the way¡­ Whatever, I can recall the way there, even if it¡¯s ever so slightly¡­ But this feeling, like an itch¡­


    <u>*******


    </u>


    Mironov, Throna and her sister walked through the large hall of the gem building, wrapped in the enormous trees roots.


    To either side, left or right, maids could be seen diligently working, cleaning the innards of the place, bit by bit. The work simply looked extremely tedious. While the cleaning seemed like it would never stop, not all maids were visible in the area, most likely due to the ones above them, but still below their master giving necessary orders.


    How can they actually¡­ While the thoughts of Mironov were conflicted, this wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d seen this. There¡¯ll be a need to either recruit more maids or actually make use of all this space.


    The three of them walked on through the long hall. For a couple of minutes, if not tens, until they reached a spiral staircase. The said staircase was without railings to hold on to or be used as simple means of security. It spanned sky high, that even from the side you wouldn¡¯t be able to see the end of them.


    For them, it wasn¡¯t of any concern, at least not for Mironov as he began slithering up the said stairs. His feet spawned several tens of small needle sized hairs which were still strong enough to lift up his whole body.


    On the time aspect it wasn¡¯t a problem either. In all actuality, there should¡¯ve been an easier way to reach the top, like flight or maybe even teleportation. But it wasn¡¯t a problem because Mironov was brainstorming various things and the two ladies behind him didn¡¯t have any right to complain.


    Necessity for more maids. Use of all this space. Fixing all the problems that will occur once we arrive¡­ And this¡­ unease¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry master, but wouldn¡¯t the use of our teleportation mirrors be more efficient?¡± The one to speak up was Thronas sister.


    Of course it would be, but¡­ I can¡¯t actually tell them I need to put things together¡­ ¡°Yes, you are correct. But while correct, efficiency isn¡¯t necessary rig-¡­¡±


    ¡°Sarah, efficiency isn¡¯t the main goal right now. There¡¯s need for master to think things through, to remember the feel of the place, of his¡­ domain and of us.¡± Throna stuttered as she hid her face from sight by looking down, even though no one looked back at her and continued on without break.


    ¡°I-I-I am terribly sorry¡­ To show such¡­¡± The gorgeous woman¡¯s name was seemingly Sarah, who was flabbergasted and prepared to kneel on the spot but was interrupted by Mironovs wave of the hand, or branch, or whatever one could call it.


    ¡°*sigh*, it¡¯s alright, let us just move on.¡±


    *******


    The three of them moved on in silence, for an exceedingly long amount of time. Hours passed and Mironov ran out of content to think about. While he did not reach conclusions or solutions to his thoughts or the problems that occurred to him, this amount of time was enough to tire anyone out, at least the brain.


    They moved on like zombies, Mironov glancing back from time to time only to see an either delighted expression or a confused one, which confused him even more. But he paid it no heed and moved on with it, with new thoughts and problems in his mind, which were just repeats of the old ones.


    I can still feel, this feeling¡­ It¡¯s like a gut feeling like at the top I¡¯m going to unlock a piece of the puzzle, but I¡¯ll have to find where to put it. Though it sure took a long amount of time till we finally reached it.


    With those thoughts they arrived, finally.


    Even if they arrived it still looked that they will have to go further since there was no one around. Though the place was nicely kept. On the branches of the tree grass grew which seemed to be cleanly cut. They moved onwards, the grass gently brushing the bottoms of their feet.


    They started moving up a branch which seemed to have wooden stairs carved out. The sight was as though tree grew on tree and if one lived here they would most likely feel like living on a lush mountain.


    Why does everything take so freaking long? Even the sun is coming down¡­ While I¡¯m not exhausted I¡¯m still tired of walking the whole time.


    The sun was indeed coming down and with that thought Mironov sat down on the soft green grass.


    Let¡¯s just stay here for a bi-¡­


    ¡°Shall we take a break, master?¡± Sarah asked. While Throna wasn¡¯t particularly looking like she was exhausted, Sarah was, as her cheeks were hinting red. Or maybe not, maybe she was just flustered as she wasn¡¯t able to see her master actions ahead of time.


    ¡°No, let¡¯s just move forward.¡± Without any regard to them he stood up once again and proceeded moving through the grassed path. The thing to show that this was the right path was only the grass which was slightly more light colored than the rest and even that wasn¡¯t really that clear of an indication.


    The path was quite narrow for a while and they were unable to walk side by side yet again which seemed to annoy Throna. But all of them kept their composure, at least two of them as it¡¯s not like Mironov had any definitive facial features.


    They walked on and stopped. Seemingly it was the end of their long walk as the shallow grass was no more. There was a large area where they arrived after walking through the bridges of branches. It was completely covered in the same soft grass with a couple of trees and bushes decorating the area.


    The main thing that actually seemed to catch their attention was the huge orb. It was made out of some sort of slime or simply very thick skin and had a face inside of it, a sleeping face which didn¡¯t seem like it would wake up.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Mironov asked, completely confused on what to do. Waking it up would seem like the obvious choice but how would one do that?


    ¡°We wake her up of course, she¡¯s being extremely rude right now.¡± With a swift answer Throna neared the giant ball and patted it. More like started pounding it.


    The face inside the ball shook a bit and opened it giant eye revealing a completely black pupil. It looked around and yawned.


    ¡°Hello, why¡¯d you wake me up?¡± Not noticing the elephant in the room the face asked Throna wetting its lips.


    Although Throna looked like she would pop a vein right now she still kept her composure, Sarah was indifferent as though one would expect this turn of events.


    ¡°You¡¯re being rude¡­¡± She angrily gnashed her teeth together.


    The ball just looked around once more and finally noticed something. The thin skin split apart in the back and spilled goo on the ground. What came out, or more like fell out, was a thin small girl with slightly darker skin and pointy ears. Her current appearance would be that of a dark elf but two horns and a red gem on her forehead would say otherwise.


    Apart from the fact that she was completely naked and had a flesh cord stuck to her belly and the giant ball, the only other ambiguity would be that her eyes were a bit narrower and made her have an aggressive look.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    With clumsy movement she lifted herself up from the grass and trotted towards Mironov and kneeled.


    ¡°Meya, overseer, at your service. Please excuse my behavior recently.¡± Not only did she have a childish body she also had a childish voice which made Mironov cringe inside after hearing that line. Of course, he couldn¡¯t show that.


    Instead of visibly cringing he hid a silent laugh which no one seemed to notice or pretended not to.


    ¡°How can anyone forgive your behavior? You were extremely rude and I think punishment is in order.¡± Throna aggressively started scolding her to which Meya had no comeback. If anything could explain this situation it would be a nun scolding a child for running around naked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve slept for a long time and no one ever came to wake me up! Not once! And why is that?¡± Throna looked like she was hit in the heart by an arrow but still had a comeback.


    ¡°You¡¯re the overseer! You should be able to notice abnormalities!¡± With that Meya kept her head down in her kneeling position and contemplated her inadequacies. ¡°I do notice them¡­¡± She mumbled under her breath.


    ¡°Now, now. Let¡¯s stop¡­ Stand up Meya. There¡¯s no need for punishment as I think I left something with you to guard.¡± Mironov gestured for the little girl to stand up.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­¡± She put her hand to her chin and proceeded to think while narrowing her eyes even further. ¡°Ah! Yes, yes, just a second¡­¡±


    The little girl went to the back of the ball with the cord trailing behind her and searched for something in the protrusion she came out of. Once she finally found what she was looking for she went to Mironov and presented it to him.


    Mironov took it, nodded as a gesture of thanks.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what¡¯s insi-¡­¡± Mironov immediately opened it and just like before, time stopped. The book was almost exactly the as the last one, at least the cover, though its contents were not. This time it had readable text and was actually understandable that anyone who knows how to read could understand it.


    A guide?


    *******<u>


    </u>


    I will be your guide¡­


    Time froze around Mironov, at least that was the case for him, nothing moved even by an inch. The leaves that were rustling stopped, the quarrelling between the other two also stopped. Everything just stopped.


    For Mironov that is. The others felt time normally, were still quarrelling and the leaves were still rustling. The only problem would be, Mironov.


    He stood completely still, like a rock. His veins no longer glowed the orangey gold and the wood that held those veins grew even darker. But for the others, this event was a second time occurrence and simply written off as something that¡¯s normal.


    ¡°This happened again.¡± Throna exclaimed, hinting a tiny bit annoyance, most likely at her inability to understand the situation. ¡°What are these books exactly? Meya?¡± Instead of looking at Mironov she turned towards the nude child which seemed to be completely comfortable in her state even though the winds were pretty cold.


    ¡°I dunno¡­¡± Meya just shrugged innocently. ¡°Seem like normal books to me. Maybe magic ones of sorts, but I have read several of them, or at least similar to this one.¡± She gawked at Mironov with her mouth slightly open and tried to figure out the real answer to the question.


    ¡°You read them? Master¡¯s books?..¡± Throna lowered her head a bit to hide her, most likely, angry face.


    ¡°Yeah! I had them stored away for a bit, but I noticed them again and decided to read them again.¡° She continued to examine Mironov¡¯s current state. ¡°Though nothing like this happened to me, I don¡¯t remember at least.¡±


    Sarah put her hand on Thronas shoulder who jolted a bit from the contact. ¡°You mean, nothing like this happened before?¡± Sarah inquired Meya.


    ¡°Nope, don¡¯t think so¡­ To me¡­¡±


    After Throna woke up from her tantrum they all continued to examine the stone-like Mironov.


    But all that didn¡¯t last long as a sound of meowing and two thuds came behind Meya who looked back twice to understand what was going on.


    A little ball of fur just growled at the place from which Meya came out of. It started tip tapping towards the edge at a pretty slow pace and seemed like it just wanted to look around.


    Meya rushed towards the fur-ball but tangled her legs in between the fleshy cord which came out of her belly.


    ¡°Gnar!¡± Meya yelled at the ball which turned around and started tip tapping towards her at a faster pace than before. Once it got close it jumped on Meya¡¯s head with its paws and started lightly gnawing on her horns with its teeth. ¡°Stop that Gnar! It hurts! Ow, ow¡­¡±


    A shadow was cast over both Meya and Gnar. Both of them turned around to see Throna and Sarah standing before them looking a bit baffled. ¡°What is that?¡± Throna pointed at the excess hair on top of Meya¡¯s head.


    ¡°It¡¯s Gnar! Ow, ow, stop that!¡± She tried swatting the thing off her head but it wouldn¡¯t let go.


    ¡°I kind of like it already, but what is it exactly and how did it get here?¡± While looking a bit happy she still asked her firmly.


    ¡°It¡¯s Gnar. I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s supposed to be, a cat or something but he bites like crazy. Get off me! Ouch!¡± The more Meya tried taking Gnar off her head the more he bit.


    ¡°A pet then.¡± Sarah blurted out. Though it was but an accident no one paid any heed to that comment and simply accepted it as is. ¡°Then what is that?¡± She asked and pointed towards the edge of the plateau where a small silk ball was rolling.


    ¡°Zicks!¡± Meya tried standing up again but Gnar just gnashed even stronger. ¡°Gnar! Stop! Ahhh!¡± She didn¡¯t even manage to stand up properly in time as the ball rolled over the edge and fell. ¡°Nooo!¡±


    Meya threw the fur ball off of her head and rushed towards the edge only to see a tall figure shoot over her head.


    The figure then dropped and grabbed on to the edge of the plateau near Meya with its razor sharp talons, slightly embedding into the ground.


    It fluttered majestically with the wind and leaned down to Meya. ¡°Hello young miss, you seem to have dropped something.¡± It was Smol, but with a different mask this time, that of a teddy bear. He handed the egg to Meya who snatched it instantaneously.


    ¡°Zicks! You¡¯re safe, my soft little¡­¡± Before she could fully enjoy the silky feeling of the egg, she felt Gnar gnawing at her small horns yet again, but was merely interrupted and paid it less heed than previously as though realizing something. ¡°This might be a good way to keep them from running around.¡±


    The two women behind her just sighed and turned towards Smol.


    ¡°Another pet¡­ Anyways, this is the first time I see you with that mask on, Smol.¡± The one to address him was Throna.


    ¡°Ah, yes! I thought this mask would be more appropriate for encounters with children. And it seems to be working! Looks how calm she is¡­¡± After exclaiming that very pompously, he was interrupted by a thudding which came from down below.


    After basically breaking his neck he could see a little girl with an orange ball of fur on her head holding an another ball of silk pouting. ¡°I¡¯m not a child!¡± The girl exclaims kicking him again.


    ¡°You sure act like one¡­¡± The one to comment on that was surprisingly Sarah while Throna was just chuckling while hiding inside her hood.


    Meya turned towards Sarah with eyes that were just about to spill tears but she paid her no heed and proceeded to question Smol. ¡°Anyways, why are you here? I think Master has already put everyone to work.¡±


    ¡°Not that many of us were really put to work¡­¡± He mumbled while scratching his head. ¡°More like put on standby¡­¡±


    ¡°Standby or not, isn¡¯t that what you should be doing? Are you disobeying orders?¡± This time even Throna tilted her head up to look at Smol who is about to give his excuse.


    ¡°Well even if we¡¯re on standby, wouldn¡¯t I be able to react even quicker if I am near? Well whatever! I am not disobeying! I am simply out on a stroll since I am already ready! Hah!¡± Smol basically shouted out this line, but after not getting anyone¡¯s approval he started darting from face to face looking for acceptance.


    ¡°*sigh*¡­ Well whatever. I am sure Master did that simply because we¡¯re not taking any serious actions yet. Still¡­ I am going to report about you to hi-¡­¡± Sarah who was still scolding Smol noticed that he no longer paid attention and was just looking past her, towards Mironov.


    ¡°Why is that happening?¡± Smol pointed at him with his extensively long arm.


    ¡°What is?!¡± Throna asked him panickily.


    ¡°That! That mana drain! It¡¯s beyond insane!¡± Before starting to panic just like Throna, he fixed his composure, lowered his head, took off his mask and magically a new one, a doctors¡¯ mask, appeared which he put on. ¡°I forgot you cannot read mana flows.¡±


    Smol and everyone with him approached Mironov. ¡°Hey! Hey! What¡¯s going on?!¡± This time even Meya started to worry. ¡°Shut up you little brat! Let Smol investigate this!¡± The one to throw a fit was Throna who just staring at Mironov with eyes filled with disbelief.


    ¡°It¡¯s not really that hard to¡­ Nevermind! Bring him directly to the nursery room and swiftly, but do not use teleportation as that will drain even more of his graces mana. Don¡¯t detach the book as well, I can¡¯t comprehend what it is¡­¡± After examining Mironov with his sharp fingers by simply slightly trailing one of the wooden fingers, he rubbed a ring which was on one of his own fingers and disappeared.


    ¡°Sarah! Quickly, but gently!¡± Both of the womanly beauties extended their hands and some sort of flow bit off a chunk of the earth where Mironov was standing and raised him up slightly, but extremely steadily. He was soon enveloped in that flow and thus they began to move faster going towards the edge of the plateau and descending straight down.


    ¡°Eh?¡± The only one left was Meya with the ball of silk in her hand and Gnar biting her horns ever so slightly less than previously. She was simply baffled at being unable to comprehend what was going on.


    <u>*******


    </u>


    Nothingness. Nothing was inside Mironov¡¯s head except for his own body floating in a pitch void.


    He knew this. This is where he once came from. Nothing is here, that is simply how things should be.


    And yet, he could feel that his forehead was being lightly tapped. *tap* *tap* *tap*.


    He chose to ignore it for but a moment and focus on his surroundings. He felt nothing, just as it should be. But then what is this tapping? As though someone was poking him with a finger without a break.


    *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap* *tap*.


    He could feel that nothing was there, yet this tapping¡­


    He tried opening his eyes, knowing full well that nothing would happen, as there is nothing here that his eyes could perceive. No objects, no light, not even mana.


    But as he opened his eyes and focused to his fullest extent he could see smoke in humanoid form floating in front of him. Floating and tapping his forehead.


    Though his body existed in that world, it did not in this one, or at least it shouldn¡¯t have been. But he still shook off the smoky finger which was tapping him even now.


    ¡°Hello. Are you awake?¡± A sort of melodic, nostalgic voice rung out in the nothingness. It was clearly coming from the smoke figure, but was still incomprehensible why it did so, why it was even here.


    ¡°How? Am I back?¡± Mironov asked, neither bewildered nor confused, just a neutral voice, without emotion.


    ¡°You could say that in a way, yes, you¡¯re back where you came from.¡±


    ¡°Uhm¡­ How?¡± No emotion. While he was confused, his voice didn¡¯t let that emotion show. No, he was simply repeating the question.


    ¡°The book. Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Mironov asked, completely puzzled.


    ¡°To reshape you.¡± In that instant, Mironovs wooden body started bending, gnashing and gnawing at itself, just like it did when he first came out, seemingly becoming smaller and smaller as though reverting to a childlike state. Except this time it was seemingly a lot more painful, because his face couldn¡¯t hide the emotion of pain, but no sound came out.


    ¡°No more questions? You can think freely, I¡¯ll just read your thoughts anyways, as a method of communication, hehe.¡± While Mironov was slowly writhing in pain, the smoky figure didn¡¯t seem to give any concern for that matter. ¡°Well then I¡¯ll ask for you: Why? Simply because you¡¯re nothing now, and that¡¯s unacceptable. You¡¯re simply static, without whims, without happiness, without regrets, though you didn¡¯t have the time to have any. Still, I can see that will never happen, ¡®cause I am You and You are me.¡±


    Mironovs body finally stopped morphing and he was simply laying there as though dead.


    ¡°How do you feel? You don¡¯t need to answer-¡­¡±


    ¡°IT fucking hurts!¡± His body was now considerably smaller and thus his voice was also a lot thinner.


    ¡°Yes, I know. But don¡¯t worry, I doubt you¡¯ll feel such pain out there, at least physical one.¡±


    Mironov took deep breaths in and out without even trying to lift himself up.


    ¡°Hah¡­ Hah¡­ Hah¡­ What is it that you want from me?!¡± He shouted out to him, as though throwing a tantrum.


    ¡°Hmph. That¡¯s much bette-¡­¡±


    ¡°Answer me dammit!¡±


    ¡°Nothing, nothing. Relax. You just be you. Your objective will be to¡­ hmm¡­ simply move forward I guess. There¡¯s nothing I really need of you.¡± The smoke just floated above Mironov, without moving much, which seemed to irritate Mironov even more.


    ¡°Liar¡­ Liar!¡±


    ¡°Pffff¡­ Hahaha! Now that¡¯s hilarious. Good¡­ Good. Ahh¡­ No really, I¡¯ve got no reason to lie, but whatever. Now let¡¯s see¡­ You don¡¯t really know much about anything. You know their names, but none of their origins, nothing. You don¡¯t even know what or who you really are.¡± While the conversation conveyed feeling, the figures body movements did not. ¡°Guess, we¡¯ll just have to make you something. Hmm, I¡¯ve got some memories which I¡¯ll happily donate? Implant? Well whatever, but you¡¯ll need a flaw to be different from me.... Hmm¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop! I know what and who I am, there¡¯s no need, please¡­¡± Mironov conveyed his pleading feelings with a voice which seemed almost crying.


    ¡°There is need. I should be sorry, because whatever you felt up till know will practically disappear, whether that¡¯s a good or bad thing, but that¡¯s not what you were supposed to be. We¡¯ll start fresh, at least not rotten, haha!¡±


    ¡°What is it that will I need to do?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just move forward! Explore! Be who and what you want to be! There¡¯s no need to restrict yourself to the Island, actually you¡¯ll need to go out or else you¡¯ll go insane and my work will be wasted¡­ Hah¡­ I suppose that¡¯s not much of a problem though because it isn¡¯t going to be my problem anymore.¡±


    The figure went silent for a bit to recollect itself, just like Mironov, whose now smaller and slightly round wooden body was lifting itself up, or at least trying to raise its head.


    ¡°Anyways, go now, they¡¯re calling. And if you still don¡¯t know what to do find another book, I¡¯ll be your guide. Though the pain will be a thousand times stronger, huhu¡­¡±


    With those words the smoke disappeared and in its place a small crevice of white light appeared.


    Mironov laid there for a couple more minutes before recollecting himself and slowly raising his body up, though recollecting himself mentally was even more of an effort.


    He stretched out, his limbs were not so small as he thought them to be previously, they were simply¡­ carved, like that of a statue. While there were bumps and cracks on them it simply looked like that was left on purpose to add a feel of realism that that is him. At least that¡¯s how Mironov himself felt, but to someone not used to such a phantasmal form it would look like a wood golem made by a genius.


    ¡­I feel just tired now, though damn it that was quite embarrassing. It feels like I just need to take a nap¡­ Haaah¡­ I¡¯m so confused, what the hell was that¡­ Guess I¡¯ll leave it for later, now I¡­ *sigh* must get to a bed or something.


    Mironov got used to his body once again, inspected all the different qualities it now had, yawned twice, stretched himself yet again and proceeded towards the crevice of light.


    That light was clearly the exit, but as Mironov moved towards it the smaller and more distant it became.


    He started running, seemingly catching up to it and he got closer slight whimpers were heard, but he paid them no heed and moved towards even quicker than before.


    There was only the sound of his legs tapping against the dark non-existent ground as he ran and when he finally reached and reached out for that small light everything turned white for an instant and quickly faded back into reality which left Mironov confused yet again.


    <u>*******


    </u>


    Mironov laid on a table in a white lit room. Everything was white and clean beyond one would be able to imagine. Specks of dust, marks of filth no matter how small were non-existent, only tables, racks and shiny tools with extremely precise alignment were placed on them. This was the perfect operation room.


    Because this was the perfect room for a doctor to work the tools were also simply perfect. Some of them didn¡¯t even have names as they were shaped in weird ways and made out of even weirder material though still contained their shiny clean feel.


    Smol, Throna and Sarah were in the room. Well, Throna and Sarah were so close to the exit that may as well be outside of it, while Smol silently inspected Mironovs body which was rapidly grinding itself together in weird unexplainable ways without touching it.


    While the tools were numerous and clean they gave off a lonely feel of never being used.


    ¡°I dislike this room¡­¡± Smol silently muttered under his beaked doctors mask which he seemingly changed every possible occasion.


    ¡°Is something wrong?!¡± Throna yelled out at him, looking flushed and confused as she raised up her dark brown hood while raising her head.


    ¡°Shhh¡­ Do not yell. Nothing and everything is wrong at the same time.¡± Smol answered calmly while changing position to look at Mironov from a different angle.


    ¡°What?!.. What do you mean?¡± Throna yelped out again but was quickly silenced by Sarah next to her by a swift punch to Thronas shoulder.


    After giving a long sigh Smol straightened himself out and answered: ¡°Nothing as in the mana reserves will never deplete and everything as in they¡¯re simply none existent so I¡¯m just confused right now¡­ Very confused¡­ The walls are already storing the leaking mana in reserves. But¡­ Well anyways, I¡¯ll just show you.¡± Smol lightly clapped his thin palms together and the white lights instantly turned into dark ones. It was not that there was no more light, it was simply a dark type of light.


    While the surroundings changed completely that wasn¡¯t what was weird, it was the waves of red light mixing within the dark ones.


    ¡°While the mana doesn¡¯t eliminate the shadow lights these waves are-¡­¡±


    ¡°Beautiful¡­¡± Sarah whispered in awe, though it was silent it completely negated Smols voice.


    ¡°Yes, both beautiful and massive. While Master doesn¡¯t require mana in any way he still uses a different sort of energy, which cannot be seen or monitored, but this¡­ isn¡¯t him.¡± Smol said this with a slightly mournful voice.


    ¡°What?! What do you mean?!¡± Throna lashed out in anger and this time Sarah didn¡¯t even try to silence her.


    ¡°Silence¡­ I said it isn¡¯t him, but maybe Master is simply unconsciously converting all his energy into mana to stave off some sort of negative effects, like a biological defense¡­ Just shut up and wait¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± While Smols voice was being muffled by the mask it conveyed slight anger, ever so slight, but it still made Throna and Sarah listen to his commands, even if they never truly had to.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Smol just repeated the same sentence over and over again standing completely still and just looking at Mironovs body.


    The red lights slowly disappeared which brought Smol back to his senses who started examining Mironov yet again. Once they disappeared the room was filled black, and lights had to be switched back to white or else he couldn¡¯t see anything.


    Smol clapped his hands yet again and found Mironov sitting on the table. For a moment he was just sitting there not doing anything but then turned his head towards Smol looking at him without breaking contact. After even that bit of contact Smol started shaking ever so slightly, as well as Throna and Sarah, which seemed like they would collapse at any given moment, but Mironov looked away from Smol and shook his head, coming back to his senses.


    His face was now more orderly, though cracks were still replacements for his eyes and mouth, it had a different feel to it. So was his whole body, it was more even, as though all the moss which was previously there was simply carefully brushed off.


    ¡°Sorry¡­ Guess I took a nap.¡± Mironov said somberly as though sad that he woke up.


    Sarah and Throna were just jittery, not knowing what to do, while Smol immediately knelt in place. ¡°I-I-I am terribly sorry for not knowing what to do. But as r-rude as I may be I request immediate punishment. My inabilities may have caused something i-irreversible! Thus I beg for punishment! Anything will do!¡± His voice shaking through the muffled mask made it seem like he collapse crying at any given moment.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s nothing. Something happened which I didn¡¯t even understand, so don¡¯t worry about. Now rise.¡± Mironov answered him calmly while inspecting his arms.


    ¡°Please! I beg of you! This embarrassment cannot go unpunished!¡±


    ¡°I said it¡¯s fine! Now rise! It¡¯s not embarrassing that something like this happened. If you¡¯re going to be stuck up about it, the punishment can be the embarrassment.¡± For the first time they saw their Masters anger, as slight as it was, which had an immediate effect.


    ¡°M-may I speak?¡± Sarah inquired with worry in her voice.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡± Mironov still sat on the table while feeling his whole body with his fingertips, or branches?


    ¡°It¡¯s not just Smols fault, we¡¯re also at fault. We didn¡¯t even notice that something was wrong until Sm-¡­¡±


    ¡°I said shut up about it already!¡± Mironov shouted towards her and once he turned around he saw Sarah collapsed to her knees, her red dress slightly more red at a certain place. ¡°*Sigh* It¡¯s fine. Calm down... I¡¯m sorry.¡± Mironov took a deep breath again. He got up from the table, went towards Sarah and lightly patted her head. ¡±Now heed this ¨C none of you did anything wrong, so shut up about it. It wasn¡¯t anything serious, you can call it me just taking a nap.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes¡­¡± Sarah stood up, still jittery, just like Throna, except the bottom of her red dress was sort of damper than before, but no one seemed to notice it.


    ¡°Alright, how long was I¡­ asleep?¡±


    ¡°About 15 minutes.¡± Smol answered, seemingly calmer now.


    ¡°Huh? Why get so worried then?¡± Mironov looked over them, but realized that this would start unwanted chatter thus he continued. ¡°Anyways, let¡¯s go back. We should be approaching land soon.¡±


    ¡°B-but maybe Master should take a rest? I mean something like that isn¡¯t worth much of your attention anyways.¡± Smol inquired, still worried about not being able to do anything previously.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s just go back.¡±


    ¡°Understood¡­¡±


    *****


    They climbed the stairs to the high watch yet again. While it took some time it was definitely sooner than previously, probably they rushed their new ¡®port¡¯.


    Once they got up there they found Meya sleeping in the middle of the soft grass field tightly holding a silk egg while some fur ball bit on her horns. It definitely hurt, but perhaps she used some sort of magic to negate the effects.


    ¡°Oh, right. I created these not long before¡­ Weird how they haven¡¯t grown even a bit.¡± Mironov inspected the critters and the girl laying on the ground in front of him. To the left of him and the others was a gigantic eye with closed eyelids, probably also sleeping. ¡°Well whatever, let them rest.¡± It was starting to get dark, but even so, this kind of behavior would¡¯ve been considered rude, especially since none of the elite creatures on the island required any sleep.


    Mironov looked back at the ones behind him but they just straightened up even more and didn¡¯t say anything to the bundle of rudeness in front of them, probably because of their previous blunder.


    Mironov turned back towards the direction the island was headed and just sighed. Land was indeed close. But what would he do after reaching it? Explore?


    Even if he could do that, a new problem seem to arise as a ghostly figure of a woman appeared behind them.


    Her appearance was ghostly as in her skin was even paler than Throna¡¯s. Other than that she wore a gleaming light blue and black dress decorated with many different kinds of red and white flowers. She also wore a


    ¡°U-u-uhm¡­ If I may trouble you a b-bit¡­¡± Her soft, but beautiful voice stuttered while addressing Mironov.


    ¡°Ah, Tia. Yes, of course. What is it?¡± As Mironov turned to her Smol, Throna and Sarah moved out of the way in completely synchronized movements.


    ¡°Ah¡­ uhm¡­¡± The ghostly Tia was definitely confused about the atmosphere but managed to speak up in the end. ¡°S-S-Slosher h-has committed¡­ t-t-t-treas-on.¡±


    <u>*******


    </u>


    After stuttering her way through explaining what actually happened, Mironov was just confused. He ordered everyone out except for Meya, even though Throna was silently protesting that she could offer some assistance, she still left quietly.


    Hmm¡­ I don¡¯t really know what to think of this¡­ This was Mironovs internal monologue. He hadn¡¯t really done anything for anyone of his subordinates to commit treason but maybe that nothing was the problem itself.


    On the other hand, after he ordered everyone to leave, Throna still left a very small fragment of herself. While Mironov had the general idea why this was done, he couldn¡¯t really trust something that cannot be confirmed to be completely true. Spying, monitoring, or simply a fragment of herself so she could materialize quickly if called. The latter was the most probable of the three choices, but he still doubted himself.


    Mironov found a nice sturdy edge to let his wooden legs sway from on the small plateau that was kind of Meyas playground, the only reason Meya was jittering all over the place now was probably because she was worried that her master would fall and injure himself, though that was simply impossible for him. But Mironov still considered a latter idea where she didn¡¯t really want to stay in one place with him for long.


    Mironov put his elbows on his knees and rested his chin on his arm while thinking.


    Watching things from Meyas point of view, the reason she was restless was most likely because Gnar was silently creeping up to Mironov and she was confused if she should snatch him or smack him. None of the elites, citizens, or other creatures in Mironovs island truly knew him, the only thing they knew was that they must give their devotion to him, without any reason. He could¡¯ve simply been foolish, ignorant, arrogant, evil, good, anything. Most of them, excluding the newborns, were his creations, so doubt could only be cast on them, but no one actually went that far.


    Back to the topic of Meya being jittery, she was silently creeping up to the creeping Gnar, the bundle of fur, but she was trying to be as quiet as possible to not disturb her masters thinking.


    But as she was silently hesitating, Gnar was silently approaching Mironov and was quite near him now. At this point Meyas mind started going blank, well not blank, more like overflowing with countless situations of what would happen if she or Gnar would do this or that.


    After standing still for a couple of seconds she shook off her negative thoughts and proceeded to try and get Gnar back but it was already too late. Gnar had nicely planted himself on top of Mironovs head and started biting into the sharp bark protruding from the head, which was shaped like a crown.


    While Meya thought that she should commit seppuku right at this moment, those thoughts came to a halt as Mironov showed no reaction. This was her chance, to extract the foreign hair on the crown.


    She came closer, so close that after she noticed it herself, her cheeks became flushed and she instinctively fell back. But the fur ball turned around to face Meya and enjoyed the bark even more as though showing off his superiority to Meya.


    She could not allow it. Neither her pride as the overseer nor her responsibilities allowed her for this to continue. She steeled her resolve and approached Mironov again. Her body was small, and Mironov, not so small. As she was basically a child, she extended her hands as tall as she could and tried grabbing Gnar, but the hairball simply pulled back by a tiny bit, which was enough to make Meya not reach him.


    As Meya was quite small and didn¡¯t have actual knowledge of how to properly use her humanoid body, she fell onto Mironovs back and turned completely red, her whole body turned completely red. She thought this was the end, if she could die right now she would both be happy and embarrassed. Embarrassed at the fact she did something, no one had yet. Touch Mironov directly.


    Mironov on the other hand just looked like he had regained his senses. He turned around to look at Meya who is currently in a state of complete bewilderment, but his voice snapped her back:


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right. Meya, you can see what happens all around the island right?¡± Mironov inquired, unsure if his guess was actually right or if he was mistaken.


    ¡°Ah! Uh-h-gh¡­ I¡¯m sorry. Yes, yes. I see everything happening around the island in about a 100 kilometer radius.¡± Meya was still disturbed by the fact Gnar was on Mironovs head, but answered to the best of her abilities.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ That¡¯s great! Then could you please tell me what Slosher did before¡­¡± He didn¡¯t really know if he could name it treason himself if he knew certain circumstances. It wasn¡¯t as though Mironov had actually known Slosher that well. Neither did Mironov remember much about his past and he didn¡¯t actually converse with them much, other than Throna or Sarah, well he guessed he can also include Smol. ¡°Well before the incident, I suppose.¡±


    Meya was stuck between running back to the shell that was her eye and trying to tell Mironov about Gnar being on his head. But she finally steeled herself and ran back towards the eye thinking that she would tell him a tiny bit later.


    She entered the opening that was behind the huge eye and though the cord that was trailing from her to that eye was still out, once the eye started a motion as if convulsing did the cord get slurped up into it.


    The eye opened its lids and started shining ever so slightly, as though it simply wet its eyeball.


    And then it closed again with a strange, soft, yet mature voice speaking to him: Uh, hello Master¡­ It doesn¡¯t seem like Slosher did anything special before leaving the island except that he brought you a glass of water and just stood near you for a couple of minutes until you dismissed him.


    Nothing else, really? He thought as though conversing with it, but he didn¡¯t know if the voice was audible or a communication method through minds, telepathy, thus he asked once more, audibly this time: ¡°¡­ Nothing else, really?¡±


    Uh, yes¡­


    After hearing her answer, he fell into thought. Maybe this really was his fault, he must simply recall the reason, but he wondered if Slosher would come back even if Mironov were to correct his faults.


    Uh¡­ Sorry¡­ But Meya is unable to tell you this herself¡­


    ¡°Yes?¡± Mironov looked back at the closed eye again.


    It appears that Gn-¡­ No, it doesn¡¯t matter¡­ Uh, it does, but Meya will tell you herself¡­


    Mironov really didn¡¯t understand what those two were getting at but maybe it was something about Slosher. Maybe not. He scratched his head which was shaving wood chips because of Gnar, but it seemed like he didn¡¯t notice or didn¡¯t mind until now.


    ¡°Oh. Hi.¡± After scratching his head Mironov felt a bundle of hair on it and picked it up. He held the squirming, silently rawring hair by the collar in the air in front of his face and suddenly realized something. I must have looked pretty stupid¡­


    Mironov had put Gnar back on top of his head and just went to sit down by the ledge.


    ¡°M-master¡­¡± After coming back out of the eye Meya stood behind Mironov and steeled herself. ¡°G-g¡­ Gnar is on your head!¡± After yelping out she covered her mouth.


    ¡°Hmm? Oh yeah. It¡¯s alright, I think it good in a way since he¡¯s taking off all the moss from it.¡± Mironov raised his hand to his head and lightly patted Gnar as he purred to himself. ¡°More importantly, where¡¯s that egg shaped thingy you had?¡±


    Mironov didn¡¯t turn around while he was conversing but could still see that Meya had lost her egg.


    ¡°Zicks!¡± She swifted her head quickly all around the place to find the egg by the edge yet again. ¡°You¡¯re going to fall! Stop!!¡± She ran towards the egg and grabbed it with all her might. It was even that close to the edge to begin with but she still scolded it, though it probably didn¡¯t understand a thing.


    While Mironov was thinking about what to do he still noticed Meya coming towards him with the silk egg. ¡°I-I am sorry for not telling about Gnar earlier¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, not much of a problem. Can that egg understand anything in the first place?¡±


    ¡°Maybe? Hmm¡­¡± Meya fell into thought for a couple seconds before speaking out again. ¡°Uhm¡­ Master, I don¡¯t want to disturb you again, but we¡¯re going to reach land soon¡­ An island to be more precise.¡±

 Mironov Arc - Chapter 2 Pt. 1

    Chapter 2 ¨C Disembark


    <hr>


    When the Island reached land, it did not stop moving. It moved at the same speed and moved forward. It moved through a desolate landscape, which was seemingly devoid of life.


    Simply put, it was a desert of sorts. But even a desert has its inhabitants and this one had none.


    It was weird, even for a desert. The grains of sand should¡¯ve been as golden as the sun and looked warm, but that wasn¡¯t the case. It was something unexplainable.


    The island moved, though not as much as it did in the ocean. It embedded its roots into the ground and stretched forward, looking like an octopus which was trying to move on land. And just like the octopus would get tired and stop, the island stopped as well.


    This time, it embedded its roots completely into the ground along with the gem in its middle. From and outside perspective, it looked a huge, green, lush tree simply settled itself into a desert. Once it did, the birds, lizards, insects and other small critters became restless for a moment and settled back into the lushness again.


    According to Meya, this was a piece of land, almost fully closed off by large mountains except for a single walkway, at which, according to Meya, Mironov was currently looking at.


    Mironov himself was still with her, on her watchtower of sorts. But he couldn¡¯t see the walkway himself, fully at least. To him it looked like a dense fog covered his surroundings and blurred everything out, though he still noticed the mountains as slightly darkened areas and the walkway which split those areas into two.


    ¡°Guess it¡¯s time to go and look around.¡± Mironov stood up from the ledge and started walking towards the stairs which led out of the watchtower and remembered Throna who left a small chunk of herself, which looked like a small white rock. ¡°Come, we need to go.¡± He said in a calm voice, as though he forgot that he gave the order for her to leave.


    Throna materialized herself from that rock in a kneeling position and started apologizing as though her actions broke the world apart: ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry for disobeying your order! I thought it would be good if I could come at any time you wished for it and thus made a quick decision before I left! But now I realize how foolish my actions have been! I¡¯m truly, truly sorry!¡± Mironov looked upon the woman who was prostrating and crying herself to death in front of him immediately after appearing.


    To him it came as an eye and ear sore, but he composed himself and tried to calm her down: ¡°It is fine... You made the right judgement. Now calm down. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    He slowly raised Throna by the shoulders who had tears running down her eyes. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have pretended to notice¡­ He contemplated, but brushed that thought aside due to seeing her current state, which looked like a deeply hurt child.


    ¡°*sniff* *sniff* O-okay¡­ Thank you¡­¡± Throna blurted out with her trembling voice.


    ¡°Ah¡­ M-master¡­ Um¡­¡± Behind the two who were leaving, Meya was jittering again.


    ¡°Ah, yes, that¡¯s right. We¡¯ll see you next time Meya!¡± Mironov turned around and politely said his goodbyes. In tow, Throna also did the same by simply nodding slightly with watery eyes.


    ¡°Ah¡­ Um¡­ Ye-yes¡­ But¡­ I just felt that Slosher came back¡­¡± Perhaps she was feeling embarrassment in the stead of her subordinate or was simply shy in general, but she always stuttered and jiterred every time she wanted to say something, at least Mironov made that deduction. And when he was about to speak up again she interjected: ¡°And¡­ Gnar is still on your head!¡± She yelled out the next sentence, with more emphasis put into it, as though it was a more important than the previous matter.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Mironov was stunned for a second, but collected himself, reached towards his head and picked up Gnar by the collar: ¡°Thank you for telling me, here, take care of it¡­ him? Whatever, we¡¯ll be off now.¡±


    Mironov threw Gnar towards her, lightly, like a ball and Meya simply caught the bundle in a cradling position. ¡°No, n-no¡­ Thank you. Then¡­ Please come again!¡± She bowed, squeezing Gnar with her tiny body.


    The two of them nodded again and walked off. While walking, Mironov noticed that Throna was a lot quieter now, which was probably due to her previous blunders. Though to Mironov they seemed like nothing to worry about, she seemingly thought otherwise.


    After a brief silence Mironov asked: ¡°Mind telling me about Slosher? Because this incident seemed like a simple misunderstanding¡­¡± He didn¡¯t exactly know how to feel about this, he didn¡¯t even know how to feel if one of his subordinates actually committed treason.


    Throna twitched ever so slightly, that Mironov didn¡¯t exactly notice. She raised up her head which revealed her eye gleaming with joy, her beautiful, silky hair, and answered: ¡°Um¡­ Hm¡­ Simply put ¨C he¡¯s a treasonous idiot.¡±


    Mironov knew that he should put more emphasis on the word idiot rather than treasonous, as every movement unknown to him or others would be considered treason or something of that sorts, he felt like that would be the case at the very least. He thought briefly about what Throna said and simply sighed to himself.


    Throna looked up at Mironov again as though asking for permission to speak again and while he found this a bit annoying, he still gave her permission, but still reprimanded her about it: ¡°If you wish to speak then do so.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ No, I will follow your wishes.¡± After a brief silent walk, she spoke up again. ¡°Simply put, Slosher truly is an idiot. While this may be impudent of me, I believe you shouldn¡¯t think too deeply about it.¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­ I suppose.¡± And then he fell into thought once again, which made Throna feel even more insecure.


    They walked down a spiral staircase while Mironov was still deep in thought. Throna pondered why they couldn¡¯t just teleport from place to place, as that was a lot faster and easier, but every time that thought popped up in her head she would just notice her masters¡¯ thoughtful expression and corrected her way of thought, even though it is quite hard to discern what kind of emotion his wooden face had shown.


    Once they were finally down, they were in a small room of sorts, which had two arches acting as directional doors, which led into two different directions of the area, one towards the exit, one towards the church. They were now back, inside the safe-haven that was the heart of the whole tree, the jewel. Without all the unnecessary motions of swaying, no matter how slight they were previously, the ground felt a lot sturdier even though it was a mix of nature and brick architecture.


    Mironov walked on towards the direction of the church, where the throne was. --It would be more appropriate to call it the throne room, rather than a church, huh? But his thoughts were dispelled remembering that the room was circular with a bunch of benches and glass mosaics as its windows and had the throne surrounded by an altar in the middle. It was weird and he questioned his previous design sense, but brushed it off as a need for simple remodeling.


    --Ah¡­ But maybe they would interject, saying that they are used to such a sight. Or not interject, at least feel sad¡­ I truly don¡¯t understand them¡­ yet¡­


    As he was walking, he admired the glistening sight of columns wrapped with clean green vines, which bloomed small yellow flowers and let out pure white dust, which swayed all over the place.


    After finally reaching the church, just as he was about to enter it, he turned towards Throna and spoke: ¡°Tell everyone, I mean the elites, to gather here, in the church. Since we have arrived, we should start preparations and some sort of planning.¡±


    Throna knelt in place and responded to the order: ¡°As you command, I will make sure everyone will be gathered in no time.¡±


    Mironov looked perturbed for a bit but responded accordingly: ¡°No need to rush them. If there are some unfinished matters, let them finish them, but tell them to not take too long, as I want to be done with this in a bit.¡±


    ¡°Yes. As you command.¡±


    Mironov looked back at Throna who walked off along the sky blue walkway, past the outer jewels walls and then disappeared.


    ¡°Guess I should go converse with the regular citizens for a bit, or at least the maids.¡± The area where he was currently at, the globe, was devoid of anyone, thus he wandered after Thronas path, towards the outside of the jewel, the heart of the tree.


    <u>******</u>