Elijah was alone, but he could feel every single person he’d inducted into the grove. It wasn’t just his locus, either, though he’d come to recognize that it was difficult to tell the difference between the two sensations. Instead, it was something akin to what he felt with Miguel, though it was different from that as well. His nephew’s presence was like a candle in the dark – a small flame, but easily discernible. The newcomers were more like distant stars, twinkling brightly in his awareness. Some, like Oscar, the pack, and Kurik, were brighter than others. But even they were so distant that, had he wanted to, he could easily ignore them. Right now, he wanted the company. Sort of. In reality, if he’d truly wanted companionship, he’d have stuck around for the ongoing luau. Everyone else was there enjoying the feast, with many of the adults partaking in the generous outpouring of alcohol he’d provided. There was music. Dancing. Food and good friends. But as much as Elijah wanted to participate – and he did – he was also very cognizant of his place in the grove’s hierarchy. For people like Oscar, Kurik, and Carmen, it didn’t really matter much. But for all the elves and the people from Ironshore, he was held distinctly apart from everyone else. Sure, they welcomed his presence. They smiled and tried to make conversation. But behind every single expression was reverence. Or terror. Or a hundred other emotions that stemmed from his place in the world. It wasn’t just disappointing. Rather, it was exhausting. He should have expected it. After all he experienced something similar each time he went to Ironshore. Not as intense. No one could stand in the center of the grove and not feel the weight of his presence. As a result, he sat on the beach, looking out over the surf. Idly, he realized that it was the very same beach where he’d washed ashore so long ago. It didn’t take much to imagine what he’d looked like back then. It must’ve been a pitiful sight. But he had persevered. And now, he felt like he had truly begun his journey as a Druid. Even with everything he had already accomplished, the induction ceremony had been the most impactful. More than all his cultivation. More than the two-hundred-plus levels on his status. More even than his dragon core. Because it represented what it meant to be a Druid. For so long, he’d fancied himself a protector of nature. He’d spent so much time just wandering through forests and swamps, across mountains and prairies. He’d connected with nature on a level few in the world ever could. But being a Druid was about more than just submersing himself in the wilderness. Read complete version only at novｅlfire.net It was about connection. And community. No Druid was meant to be alone. He’d read that a thousand times in various guides. Yet, he’d never truly taken it to heart. But now that he’d inducted seventy-seven new members – plus six dogs – into the grove, he had begun to understand what the authors of those guides meant. Even so, Elijah found it difficult to imagine himself as a part of that community. The gap was too wide. His responsibilities were too many. And more than anything, he found the notion of living among so many people intimidatingly uncomfortable. He lay back on the gravelly beach, closing his eyes as the sound of the surf washed over him. As he did so, he came to terms with his contradictory feelings. For all that he liked the idea of community, he found the reality to be exhausting. One other result of the bonding ceremony was evident, though – it had been quite a boon to his levels. The first few inductees had been the most impactful, but even the very last person bonded to the grove had given him a trickle of experience. The result was that he’d gained an astounding five levels, pushing him all the way to two-nineteen. Only six more, and he’d be confronted with a choice that could send him down an entirely new path. His last specialization had been Connection, which had increased the efficacy of One with Nature. That boost applied to its evolution, Soul of the Wild, as well. It had also proved invaluable, and Elijah questioned whether or not he’d have survived without it. Certainly, he wouldn’t have been as successful cultivating his soul. There was a good chance he wouldn’t have developed his Mantle of Authority as well. So, what did the future hold? What choice would he be forced to make? Then, only twenty-five levels later, he’d need to choose a new class evolution. It felt like so long ago that he’d chosen to become a Primal Lord, but in reality, it had only been a few short years. So much had happened since then, and he suspected that his Legacy would get a few new entries before he reached two-fifty and the next evolution. Especially with the responsibilities in front of him. Not only did he have the Labyrinth of the Dead Gods and the troll Primal Realm to worry about, but the dragon realm Seattle had discovered also weighed on his mind. There were still two Primal Realms that had yet to be discovered, too. Not to mention that someone had hired Gunnar to kill him. Perhaps they were in Seattle. Maybe they just wanted him to think that was the case. After all, Elijah had no shortage of enemies across the world. Then there was the situation with Benedict. Elijah wasn’t so blind that he could ignore just how problematic Benediction really was. Could he abide cannibalism, even when it was as restrained as it was? Even if he could accept and ignore the practice, what would happen when Sadie found out? Nothing good, he was certain, and as much as he often lamented her judgmental nature, he couldn’t really find fault if she decided she couldn’t look the other way when it came to Benediction. He also needed to worry about the political climate of the rest of the world. The guilds needed to be held to account. So did Hui Shui and the Conclave, lest they take more power for themselves. Elijah recognized just how easily they could take control of the world. He worried about managing the grove, too. There were a couple of children that felt different than the others, and Elijah interpreted that as them having the potential to become Druids. Those needed to be nurtured, lest they lack the preparation necessary to make that choice. And finally, he had his cultivation to consider. There was no way he would evolve his class before taking the next step in core cultivation. But the last push in developing his garnet mind had destroyed the last leviathan’s bones node. It was gone now, and as a result, the cultivation cave would take that much longer to recover. When it did, it would be much weaker for having lost that natural treasure. Support creative writers by reading their stories on NovelHub, not stolen versions. The message was clear – he’d outgrown his grove’s ability to support his cultivation. He had always known it would happen, but finally reaching that point was both disappointing and, in a way, a verification that he was on the right track. Elijah was also well aware that he was probably forgetting a few things. After all, with all the responsibilities awaiting him, it was easy to lose track of a few. He was considering starting a journal to help him keep track of everything when he felt a presence nearby. The presence didn’t register with his locus, but he felt the pressure all the same. Briefly, he was alarmed, but then he realized that he recognized it. Without opening his eyes, he said, “Hello, Kirlissa.” After a moment, his eyes fluttered open to see the dragon transcendent hovering over him like a protective mother. He sat up, then gestured to the spot beside him and offered, “Pull up a patch of sand. Enjoy the view.” She cocked her head to the side. After a moment, she said, “Curious.” “What is?” he asked as she took him up on his offer. Elijah noticed that the gravel was undisturbed when she settled in. His eyes told him otherwise, and he saw the terrain shift slightly under her weight. He even heard the crunch of gravel. But his locus told him something else entirely. The resulting dissonance was enough to give him a headache. “The familiarity,” she answered, sitting primly. “Few ever think to offer me anything, much less something as simple as companionship. It is…pleasant.” She let out a sigh, and Elijah felt the local ethera swirl. “You’re more present than normal,” he said. “As much as this infant planet will allow,” she responded. Then, she glanced in his direction, saying, “It is still a projection, though. If I came here in truth…” “No more planet,” Elijah interjected. “I’m beginning to understand what that means.” Then, he went on to explain that he’d outpaced his grove’s ability to support his cultivation. She let out a soft chuckle. “You are spoiled.” “Most people must travel to ancestral sites in order to cultivate,” she explained. “Some do it in Primal Realms or Ancestral Worlds, but that is a dangerous endeavor, even for the talented. For the lower levels of cultivation, we have specially prepared chambers, though they are only accessible by the wealthy. Such is the nature of any world. Some have. Some do not. Equity is a myth. Some are simply better than others. Egalitarianism is the only reasonable goal.” Elijah frowned. It was a well-worn debate. Equity suggested that equal results were desirable, while egalitarianism posited that only equal opportunities were relevant. The first was a noble but unrealistic goal, but often, the second was just as unattainable. After all, what powerful parent wouldn’t want to give their child a head start? “Maybe so,” he acknowledged. For a few moments, the pair simply sat there. Elijah was certain that Kirlissa had seen a nearly infinite number of wondrous things. Some of them, he probably couldn’t even comprehend. However, the simple beauty of the reflected stars twinkling in the waves was still a powerful thing. He liked to think that she enjoyed it. “You have done well,” she said at last. “You have far exceeded my most optimistic expectations.” Elijah let out a soft chuckle. “I aim to please.” He felt her eyes boring into him, and he shook his head. “Not really. I’m just trying to survive.” “Lies – even those nested in humility – do not become you,” she countered. “You take action when you must, but your adventurous spirit drives you. Do not lose that.” “Even when it keeps putting me in situations where I’m ripped to pieces?” he asked. Then, he added, “Sometimes literally.” “Even then. Such is the price of standing at the forefront.” Elijah knew that. He’d long since internalized it. And even if it caused trauma, he knew he couldn’t let up. Perhaps he was an adrenaline junky. Or maybe he was addicted to power. More likely, he was driven by a combination of factors, and untangling them would take an entire team of licensed therapists. Whatever the case, he knew he wasn’t going to stop. “Why are you here?” he asked. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but…well, you usually don’t stop in unless you want to offer advice.” “I am here because it is a big moment,” she said. “You have officially established your grove.” “I did that almost ten years ago.” “One man is not a grove.” “Nerthus was there, too.” “A grove is a community. I think you understand that,” she said. “All this time, you have been building a foundation. Now, your grove can truly grow into the wonder it was meant to be.” “So, I’ve been wasting my time?” She shook her head. “Of course not. Why else do you think you gained so many levels? That burst will not be repeated. Neither will the rapidity of your domain’s expansion,” she explained. “But it will continue to grow.” “Potentially?” she mused. “Across the entire world. That would require significant investment. Each specialization would need to focus on that goal.” “And the class evolutions, I guess.” “Indeed. I sense that is not your path, though,” she said. “If I am correct, it will be smaller than most groves, but far more concentrated.” “How often are you mistaken?” She gave him a small smile. “Not very.” “That’s kind of what I expected,” Elijah said. He didn’t mind the idea of a smaller grove. In fact, he found it appealing, if only because it would require less direct input from him. “What about Ironshore?” She turned her head, almost as if she could see the city behind her. “It is its own territory,” she said. “Unless you induct the wielder of the Seal of Authority into the grove, it will remain an island amidst your influence.” Elijah nodded. When his domain had encircled the city, he’d suspected as much, but it was nice to have that confirmed. “What about the Empire of Scale? Am I still invited?” “Now more than ever,” she answered without hesitation. There was a long pause before she continued, “Would you like to go now?” “I…I can’t. The grove –” “Will come with you. So will your companions. I can move this entire island. That city across the strait as well,” she explained. “You would settle into one of my territories where your power will be nurtured. You will want for nothing. You will have every advantage you could ever imagine. You only need to ask, and I shall make it happen.” “The planet is cut off.” Elijah didn’t know what to say to that. On the one hand, it was an incredible opportunity. With one word, he could save everyone he loved. What’s more, he suspected that most of the advantages Kirlissa promised would apply to the grove as well. In turn, that would mean his nascent community would reap the benefits of his decision. And he could take a step back. He could focus on all the things he’d so far neglected. His mind cultivation had gone a long way toward dealing with his trauma, but he knew some of the effects remained. Only time would heal those wounds. He would also have the opportunity to cure some of his ignorance. It was more than he could have ever hoped for. And yet, he knew he couldn’t take Kirlissa up on her offer. In a way, that decision – if there was ever really any choice – was born of selfishness. He wanted to do things on his own. Getting help just felt…wrong. But it was also selfless in that he couldn’t abandon Earth. For all that it was beset by petty rivalries and shortsighted connivances, it was still his home. Perhaps he would fail to save it, but the fear of failure was nothing compared to his desire to try. “I think you already know my answer,” he said. “Then why offer?” Elijah asked. “Because I am not immune to my own nature. I want the best for my children, the same as any mother. Even if it turns out to be counterproductive.” She pushed herself to her feet, and Elijah joined her. As beautiful as she was, she wore her sadness – or perhaps it was resignation – like a cloak. For a long few moments, he stared off at the surf. Then, at last, she said, “You are on the right path, Elijah Hart. Continue to grow. Stand tall in your beliefs. And always remember – you are a dragon. You are the master of the Hartwood. No one has the right to rule you.” Then, the ethera swirled and she winked out of existence. Elijah just stared at the spot she’d just vacated. Only a hint of her ethera remained, but even that blazed like the noon sun. Elijah wasn’t certain how long he stood there, staring at the dissipating ethera, but eventually, a familiar voice interrupted his vigil. “There you are,” said his sister-in-law. He turned to see Carmen stumble from the path, clearly drunk. “Everyone’s looking for you. Come back to the party.” For a moment, he thought about refusing. But then, he just smiled and said, “Yeah. Alright. I’m coming.” His sister-in-law grinned, and together, they headed back to the luau.