Chapter 4591: Bad News and Worse News (Part 1)
Chapter 4591: Bad News and Worse News (Part 1)
To make matters worse, as Abthot’s and Theseus’ monster halves advanced along the evolutionary ladder, the hybrids gained new instincts and senses they couldn’t figure out.
Orosir the Pixie was the Fae Regional Lord of Essagor, and the Organization’s members had developed a good relationship with her after joining the Awakened Council as probationary members thanks to her friendly, open-minded character.
So, when it had become clear that Theseus and Abthot couldn’t afford to ignore their plant halves any longer, they had asked the Pixie for help, and she had gladly accepted. During the past months, Orosir had taught them the ways of the plant race.
Under her guidance, the two hybrids learned how their link with Mogar influenced their bloodline abilities, how to freely manipulate their bodies, and how to protect their Roots.
Along with new powers, Theseus and Abthot had also gained some of the plant race’s weaknesses, and as former immortal beings made of pure energy, they were unfamiliar with the concept of vital organs for millennia.
The Pixie guided them in their journey of self-discovery, but she was no saint. Orosir had many good reasons to help the Eldritch hybrids. They belonged to a powerful faction comprised of unique individuals this close to be recognized as the sixth race.
The Organization possessed unfathomable resources and knowledge, and the legendary Fourth Ruler of the Flames, Bytra, was among its members. By befriending the hybrids, the Pixie hoped to strengthen her position in the Council, her household, and even her bloodline.
"So, how are you feeling these days, Theseus?" She placed her hand over his as the Bastet picked a biscuit from the trail that Orosir had conveniently placed near her.
"I’m fine, thank you." He gulped hard, feeling her thumb caressing his skin and seeing a kind of hunger in the Pixie’s violet eyes he barely remembered. "I’m getting better by the day, and with a bit of luck and your help, soon I’ll get the hang of whatever my Meneos side has become."
"I’m sure you will." She gave him a bright smile and leaned forward to give him a better view of her generous chest. "Soon you will be the first plant folk on Mogar to stand side by side with the Divine Beasts. We should find you a proper name."
’We? Who’s we? Did I unwittingly perform some kind of plant courtship ritual?’ Theseus looked at Abthot for help, but she was too focused on holding back her giggle to say anything.
"That can wait. What do you say if we start our lesson?" He asked while slowly and politely taking back his hand not to upset his host and mentor.
"Sure." Orosir nodded without missing a beat, ready to play the mating game for as long as it was needed. "We can talk more later. Before we start, I’ve heard the term Blossomed Being floating around since the existence of Erkin Verhen became public. What do you guys think?"
"I’m a long way from becoming one, but it sounds nice." Abthot shrugged.
"Anything is fine by me." Theseus cleared his throat. "It’s just a name."
"It’s not just a name." Orosir pouted. "It’s the title that Erkin, you, and your offspring are soon going to carry into Mogar. You should take this matter more seriously, silly."
At the word ’offspring’, Theseus’ eyes widened in panic, and the Pixie took his hand again as if she were the other half of the equation.
At the end of the training session, the Pixie offered the hybrids more tea and, after discussing how to mix their respective bloodline abilities with their favorite spells, she invited Theseus to spend the night.
"I can’t believe you guys sold me in exchange for a few lessons!" He snarled as he Chaos Warped away with Abthot. "What if Orosir expects I have my firstborn with her?"
"First, no one sold you. You offered to be our bait." The Vanir-Ogre chuckled. "We had no one else we could rely upon, and it was you saying that having Orosir as our mentor gives us the perfect excuse to hang around Essagor in case Meln attacks again.
"Second, she’s free to expect anything she wants. You have the final word on the matter. Besides, we are still sterile, and she knows it." Abthot’s voice soured, and Theseus decided to drop the subject not to hurt her feelings further.
’Poor Abthot.’ He thought. ’She was the first of us after Xenagrosh to evolve her original body just to have its most important aspect denied by our condition as Eldritches. The elves’ long natural lifespan also gives them low fertility.
’Evolving into a Vanir was supposed to give her new powers and better chances at carrying a child, yet that won’t happen until our monster and Eldritch sides merge completely.’
They spent the rest of their brief journey back home in silence, both wondering what they would do if and when they stopped being natural undead monsters.
’Even without my Eldritch side, I’d still be a monster.’ Theseus inwardly sighed. ’Paquut was a deranged mass murderer, and even though I’m not him, I still wear his face and have inherited his powers and knowledge.
’I doubt that the rest of the Bastet clan will welcome me with open arms. I could ask Ileza for help, but she’s not my real mother, and contacting a Guardian would be looking for trouble. If the Master’s plan succeeds, atoning for Paquut’s crimes will be the least of my worries.’
’I’ve joined the Organization to overcome the limits of an Eldritch and become more powerful than any of those stupid white cores who sent me running for my life, yet here I am, acting like an elvish maiden.’ Abthot inwardly cursed.
’Ever since I’ve gotten my body back, I’ve started to miss my old life as an elf more than I crave power. To make matters worse, millennia of celibacy coupled with the plant folk’s reproductive drive are playing tricks on me that I have no idea how to cope with.
’If Xenagrosh and Bytra are experiencing even one-tenth of what I’m going through, it’s no wonder they are obsessed with Verhen’s babies.’
The two Eldritches took a roundabout route that brought them out of the Essagor Region and into an open plain from which it was impossible to spy on them without being noticed.
After ensuring they weren’t being followed, they called Tezka, who opened a Chaos Gate to their position. The Suneater pinpointed their dimensional coordinates thanks to the bond they shared, and his half-merged cores gave him the strength to open a dimensional tunnel across two regions.
Even if someone followed the Eldritches from a great distance and escaped their notice, that someone would find no way to trace the Warp Gate to its entry point. Tezka’s fight against Salanoth taught him enough to grasp Eternity Magic and deepen his understanding of Infinity.
He had learned to extend the duration of a tear in space created by a Chaos Steps for days, creating a temporary waypoint that any member of the Organization could reopen after learning the proper spell.
The Suneater had also learned to recall his lingering dimensional energies while closing a Chaos Steps. As the spell dissipated, the space relaxed on its own, making the dimensional tunnel untraceable even by dimensional mages.