On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Eighty-Nine *contains status – Asha 1, Rhyming Tree 1*

After calming down Shiro’s mock-outrage, I turned my attention to the hillside. It was a bit of a wreck, with the Rhyming Tree having expanded and grown massively. Fortunately, the hillside itself had also spread somewhat, a feat that would surely be impossible in the Material, so the Ring Gate that was close to the Tree, while now right next to the Tree, had largely escaped damage. It was a similar story for the various Spires and the White Snake Earth Altar. I never thought the growth would be so… destructive. Even so, losing the Ether Spires and Altar temporarily while we rebuilt them would still be totally worth it.

I joined Hyacinth and Asha, whose dress was still rumpled and stained, her body still smelling faintly of our passion. They were looking up that the towering Tree, Asha softly running her hands over the now smooth and lustrous bark. “It’s certainly impressive.” I said, an understatement. “Even the tallest ever Material tree was a little under half this height, and was never so massive.” Some tree in Australia, I think? I remember seeing a documentary on it when I was a kid. Of course, that’s not the most important point…

“I can hardly believe it.” Hyacinth giggled happily. “Such a huge Tree. Hyacinth thinks it is impressive. Are yooou happy, Asha?”

Asha nodded, her face flushed, her yellow eyes tender. All around the Tree, ether was shimmering into existence, being drawn from the Boundary around us, and likely even from the lower Astral that was congruent with it, both above us and not, beautiful rainbow sparks like multicoloured fireflies forming a great aurora, many times more intense than anything we had managed before. Just watching it accumulate ether at a visible rate, I held my breath. “Are you happy?” Asha asked me, seeing my expression. “Have I done well?”

I pulled her into a hug once more, no more hesitation in our closeness. Just… Daiyu and Hinata to worry about now. As for Kana, we can take that in our own time, just like she and I want. But… “It’s not about doing well or not, is it? I don’t like you because you can do things for me. However… yes, you have done well. Look around us.” I glanced at Shiro then, as the face she was making was just begging for more praise. “Shiro too. Together you’ve created this miracle.” Even just looking at the Silos, more than a thousand ether a minute was accumulating. With this, we can advance our plans significantly, and even get some luxuries in without slowing our pace…

My Eye glowed amber, and I inspected the Rhyming Tree, feeling a deep connection to it and Asha, a rather unique feeling. The Tree has Lovers’ Link… how does that even make sense? And there’s a lot of gaps and nonsense information my Eye presents. Oh well…

“I see. I can’t determine the Might, Intellect or much else of the Tree, if it even has them.” I said, and the girls looked at me curiously, especially Asha, who was hearing about her other half. “The Tree is massively durable though, and has a huge amount of Aether circulating within, even without Shiro’s buffs. It’s got a powerful League too.” I wonder if the high Determination comes from Asha’s will to survive at any cost, it’s clearly abnormally high…

“My Tree… it no longer merely radiates and thrives on the rich element of earth.” Asha said tenderly. “Much as I, it has changed. Such should be impossible, but…”

“Nooot impossible.” Hyacinth disagreed, before her expression turned to one of pain. I pulled her into the hug too, and her contorted expression relaxed, and she continued. “Sooo much is not as it was. Hyacinth remembers before. Not well, it all seems like a bad dream nooowdays.” She sniffed, her eyes damp. “Besides, I dooo not care to remember. The past is dead, Hyacinth is here nooow. Not who I used to be. But before… before the foolish, sad little daughter of the King and Queen threw her tantrum and broooke the Seelie, all had the potential to grooow. Many more transcended their elements, even such as yooou, Asha. The Great Dryads. Though nooow…”

Asha blinked, shocked to hear Hyacinth speak that way about the Dark Queen of the Unseelie, and so familiarly about the oldest of days. “Just… Hyacinth, who are you?” she managed, almost afraid of the answer.

“Me?” Hyacinth cocked her head. “I am Hyacinth. That is all I knooow. Before… I dooo not remember, nor do I wish too, nooot anymore. Is this not a happier place to dwell, a life tooo live? Are you nooot happy here, Asha?”

“I am.” Asha agreed. “How could I not be. So, a Great Dryad. Yes… our essences are not merely our own, but shared with our Tree, so the change is many times more difficult. But…”

“But the proof is in the pudding, as they say. I don’t know who says it, it’s a stupid saying I picked up from you, Aki. But from where Tan and I stand, you’ve definitely changed.” Shiro said. “Hyacinth, I agree. If the past is worthless, toss it in the trash. You’re here and now.”

She nodded vigorously. “Yes. Thooough one day… the Dark Maidens… Akio prooomised Hyacinth she will have her justice. Until then… I made a box in my head, I think, and I dooo not have the key. All Hyacinth knows is… I must try harder. I dooo not want to be left behind!”

“Little chance of that.” I shook my head. “You helped too, Hyacinth. This was our great work. Even those that aren’t here did their part. We all pulled together, and now it’s time to truly stake our claim as a prospective Astral Emperor.” I looked at Shiro. “Sorry Tan, looks like I have a head start. But I’m not heartless. Your Territory, I’ll obviously protect it.”

Shiro’s eyes flashed red, her hair bursting into flame, her beautiful face twisting into a slightly bitter frown. “Do not grow arrogant. I would hate you to drag the princess into your troubles. And troubles will come. The Tree alone is powerful and belongs in a Territory of the lower Astral. When stoked to heights like this…” she shrugged. “… it will shine like a beacon. It might draw trouble you are not prepared for, so do not grow careless and neglect your defences.”

“I won’t. We’ve already made that mistake.” I promised.

“Good.” Tan nodded, her ruby flames fading. “As for my assistance, I will expect payment. In due course…”

“She’s such a tsundere.” Shiro sniggered. “You know, she can feel everything I do and hear my thoughts. I can’t do the same to her, she’s far stronger than I am, but I do understand more of how she feels each day. Maybe things here on Earth didn’t go the way she thought, but she’s still opti…”

Her words were cut off by Tan. “Silence. Do not speak of matters they have no need to know.”

There was laughter, and I shook my head. “All right. The warning was received though. But before that…” my gaze turned to Asha. “I might as well fill you in on your changes, your rewards.”

“I see. Yes, you’re unquestionably a Great Dryad.” I said, and Asha shed more tears.

“So many Dryads have died. We cannot leave our Trees, so when lands fall, or wars occur…” her voice was soft. “… we are often the first to perish. There is no other way.”

“That’s then. It’s sad, certainly, and I grieve for your losses, your fallen older sisters. But that won’t happen again. Tan was right. While it’s likely impossible to not be attacked again, we still have to deal with that toad bastard at the least, we’ll make it so that our Territory is able to stand tall and proud, just like your Tree, which is sheltering us all with its mighty branches. You and your Tree won’t be left alone to suffer again.”

“He’s right. If this is an RTS, then we’ve just hacked in a resource cheat. Time to spend it all!” Shiro said, excited despite the exhausting efforts she’d be having to perform in the future.

“Arr Tee Ess?” Asha asked, and Hyacinth answered proudly.

“I knooow this one! Mistress Shaeula sometimes plays those games on her toooy. It is where you make armies fight.” She nodded sagely, not quite understanding, but getting the gist of it.

“Yeah, though the general idea is… gather resources, convert resources to buildings and troops, then fight and win. And your Tree is gathering vast quantities of ether for us. Elemental energy too.” The Elemental Silos were also filling up rapidly with earth element, some extra water element, and wood element, which opened new possibilities. With a bit of expansion of those Silos, which I had considered too expensive, the White Snake Earth Altar to Rank 3, or even Rank 4 seems possible… which will only further increase the elemental density here, and really improve the strength of the trainees that mastered earth element…

“Look, there’s a man thinking of spending his sudden windfall.” Shiro said theatrically. “Aki can be such a boy sometimes. It’s kind of endearing though.” her lips quirked into a smile. “So, might as well fill us in on all the relevant descriptions, Aki. I’m curious.”

“You’re a gamer too, after all.” I laughed. “But yeah, we need to know what we’re working with, and if there’s any other combinations we can put together.” I started going through them. “Firstly, Tree Bound and Dryad Bound are similar, opposite sides of the same coin, I’d say.”

Tree Bound Rank 6 – The Dryad and her Tree are both one and the same, their other halves. Damage dealt to one afflicts the other, and if one dies, so shall the other, with only rare exceptions. Their Chakras and elements will be synchronised, and growth of one is growth of the other.

“I see. No wonder you have a stupid amount of aether then, Asha.” Shiro pointed out. “Your Tree is massive and constantly pulling it in, so…” she shrugged. “… seems to me a blind spot there. All that power, and it’s going to waste, without a high Rank skill to use it effectively.”

“Hardly a waste.” I disagreed. “But Fae don’t generally manipulate aether, as it’s a part of their very being. But they can learn to improve their control, just like Shaeula did. So yes, Shiro’s right. You could be a powerful combatant if you could harness that potential, Asha. Oh, and gain a pile of levels too. Your basic physical stats are nothing special, I’d feel worried about you being involved until we push them up.”

“She’s got no Silver Cord, either.” Shiro continued. “I guess it makes sense, unlike Shaeula and Hyacinth, she doesn’t have a Material body. For now, right?”

“Yes, the Throne upgrade is within easy reach now. Damn, thinking something with a total cost of ten million ether is easy… I feel so rich.” After more laughter and joking, I continued. “Kiss Of A Dryad I’ve had the description of before. I feel a bit embarrassed that the skill’s changed to Given Kiss, but then…”

“There is no need to be shy, as we have exchanged far more than a kiss.” Asha said affectionately, stroking her stomach tenderly, the gesture strangely erotic, and also a little worrisome. I’m almost scared to check Mistress Of Fertility, but…

Mistress Of Fertility Rank 4 – Dryads are intimately connected with nature and the growing land. Trees, grasses, fruits and other plants around a Dryad and their Tree will grow healthy and strong, resistant to disease and pests, and will have their attributes enhanced. Earth, Water and Wood elements further increase the effect of this. Dryads born of a Dryad and saplings born from her Tree will rarely suffer from illness or misfortune, and the chance of such a germination of life significantly increases, should the Dryad wish it.

Shiro and I exchanged a look, before looking at Asha, and back at each other again. Shiro was grinning, but it was a complicated expression, with amusement, envy and happiness all mixed up. Yeah, I called it. “Asha… do you want children?” I asked, and she raised an eyebrow.

“Why, do you not? I know you worry, but…”

“It’s not that.” I denied it. Wow, my parents and my sis are going to be shocked. Mom always wanted grandkids, but… no, that’s not the issue. “I’m concerned about how being incarnated by a Throne might affect you. I don’t know a lot about Fae pregnancy. Damn, am I really talking about this?”

She shrugged. “I am not sure myself. Perhaps in the olden days, where Fae still walked the mortal world on occasion, there might be precedent.”

“I see. Yeah, that makes sense. I suppose asking the Elves might work. Not that I want to have that conversation. I’ll definitely not be asking Moira.” Prince Aethelathrion was said to be ancient, Primal Forest and Princess Estalian too. One of them might know. But which to ask?

“So, just to be clear… Asha, are you pregnant?” Shiro pressed. “For us humans, it takes a while to be sure…”

Asha shrugged. “I too cannot be certain. Though I feel this was all meant to be, so I would not be surprised if I kindle, germinate.” She stroked her Tree once more. “I would not wish our daughters to be afflicted though. Please do research whether it is safe for me to use your Throne. For if not now, it will be a concern one day, no?” Her smile was pure and bright, and stopped my breath for a moment. Shaking my head to clear the daze, I nodded.

“All right. Let’s move on. Inspire Growth is similar to Mistress Of Fertility, but it seems a more targeted skill, that actually accelerates growth.”

Inspire Growth Rank 6 – This skill allows a Dryad to enhance the potential and growth of a plant, hastening maturity and ripening. Fae plants such as Rhyming Trees, including their own, are significantly harder to Inspire, but with practise and a great amount of aether and elemental essence it is possible.

“I suspect that’s the skill you used with the adherence we took from the Tower.” I mused. “And it’s also been used on your orchards, right?”

Asha agreed, and I continued. “Right, then next is…”

Roots Drinking Earth, Water and Wood, Branches Drinking and Growing The Moon Rank 6 - This skill is the innate ability of a Rhyming Tree that has transformed, along with its paired Dryad, to a more perfect form, to pull ether from the surrounding world, strengthening the ether density around it, and also absorbing and fortifying the Earth element it requires to survive and grow. It also uses mighty deep roots and high branches to draw up Water element and spread Wood element.

Branches That Spread Nature Under The Moon Rank 1 – This Great Rhyming Tree is able to spread natural energies such as Wood element widely around it, creating an area of fertility, good harvests and gentle healing. Those who spend time around the Rhyming Tree will be resistant to disease, poisons, curses and misfortune, and minor injuries will recover.

“Yeah, Rhyming Trees are powerful. No wonder the Seelie Court is strong, if they have many of them. The only downside, if you can even call it that, is that unlike Ether Spires, it doesn’t pull in adherence, or any of whatever the mystery third thing I can’t identify yet is. But that’s what the Spires are for, we shouldn’t put them out of a job.” I laughed, pleased at yet another benefit of the Tree.

“So, I’m guessing that the Tree has a different Chakra network?” Shiro asked, and I agreed.

“Yes, it’s not entirely dissimilar, but as you can see, they have different names, and obviously, trees don’t have the same structure as us, or even Fae who have a humanoid appearance. No heart, solar plexus, crown or the like. But it’s functionally similar. Except that other than the roots chakra…” I chuckled at the pun my Eye gave. “… which literally is distributed over the roots of the Tree, the other chakras seem to circulate through the trunk of the Tree. It’s pretty.”

“Of course. It is my Tree.” Asha said happily. “I am too, no?”

“It’s true, women who are experienced get more confident.” Shiro said to Hyacinth, who grinned.

“Yooou were the same, no?”

“I knew I was gorgeous beforehand.” Shiro disagreed, before sighing. “But yeah, I’ve changed. It’s not a bad thing though. So, all that’s left are the classes, right?”

“Yeah, the Fae classes and the Tree classes are nothing new. Hyacinth and Shaeula have the same classes, just with different elements. They offer nice boosts to Aether and elemental generation, League and so on. But the other couple…

Purified One – This class is given to a being corrupted by curse, plague or other outside influence, and forced to perform acts both degrading to the spirit and against the will of the being so corrupted. Such a being only faces doom, devoured by the corruption, ending their life in an attempt to atone or a tide of guilt, or becoming a monster that revels in evil. Few ever return from such a state, but those that do are often blessed with a Resilience few others possess, and great Determination. This class increases those statistics, and also increases resistance against further corruptive influences.

Nature’s Chosen – This class is gained by those who are involved in great feats of growth and restoration, returning life to dead areas, and cultivating the natural environment, as well as possessing Earth, Water and Nature elements. This class strengthens those elements, increasing generation and boosting the effect of these elements when used to protect and enhance nature and life. Plants, animals and spiritual beings with an aspect of Nature will respect, and if hostile, fear the possessor of this class.

Maiden of Prayer – After wielding a jumbled Adherence made of conflicting yet complimentary powers and achieving a great feat, the flavour of that Adherence has been poured into her very spirit. The maiden of the Grail, the mourning women at the foot of the Cross, the Fae who dance around the Cauldron, the Blood within, all of these threads of Adherence will be tangled, granting her a tiny fragment of power. The ability to utilise Adherence increases, and League increases.

“That class… Maiden of Prayer, it’s dangerous.” I said, frowning. Shiro shrugged.

“It’s also misleading, she’s no maiden, not anymore. We were there, right Hyacinth?”

As Asha blushed and Hyacinth chuckled, I sighed. “Yeah, very funny. Seriously though, Mary Stuart was angry that Britain was keeping their false Grail, as she called it, and the adherence she felt belonged to them. If her Church ever finds out that Asha is taking some of it now, even if only a tiny fragment… it’ll be trouble.”

“I am not afraid. I am grateful to have any chance at further power. Being weak only led me to suffering and despair. Being strong allows me to walk beside you all.” Asha said stoutly.

“We’ll have to face them anyway. I doubt you can reason with fanatics.” Shiro protested. “Besides, it’s not like they’ll find out any time soon, right? Won’t they assume it’s just all going to the false Grail?”

“I don’t know. But you’re right, I guess.” I admitted. “I just worry. Well, we’ll take precautions.” Putting that aside, I considered the implications. I doubt she’ll accumulate as much as she took before any time soon, but even a little might be helpful.

“You should be able to pick up Nature’s Chosen if you get earth and water element, Hyacinth.” Shiro pointed out while I was thinking, and I agreed, setting aside my doubts for now.

“Yes, you’ve done a lot of good work bringing nature to my Territory.” I agreed. “The class is a bit plain, but anything that boosts elemental abilities is high priority, especially if it boosts your nature element, which is your best weapon.” I said.

“I will try.” She promised, nodding. “I was goooing to, I wanted to learn to be more helpful. But nooow Hyacinth is more motivated!” Her laugh was happy.

“I’m sure you are.” Someone said, and we turned, to see Eri, an ornate axe leaning over one shoulder, looking at us, her tail lashing and her cat-ears twitching. She looked at the surrounding hillside and up at the massive Tree. “That sure is something. It’s like looking up at a skyscraper.”

“That’s what I said.” I smiled, observing Eri, and the axe. On seeing that, she looked down, flushing adorably, a touch of shame in her face.

“I haven’t given up your axe.” She said earnestly. “It was a present from you, so I’ll always cherish it. But this one… it called to me, I wanted it. No, needed it.” She paused. “That doesn’t matter now. I came to see if it was safe to let others in. Princess Eleanor and the others are here, but the weaselkin have been keeping them away from the Tree.” She looked at Asha, still in my arms, and her expression changed. “I see. So, how was it?”

“All that I dreamed of. I am now complete.” Asha crowed.

“Lucky you. But I get it. Akio doesn’t have an exhibitionist streak, so no way he’d want an audience for that. But… you might want to clean up.” Eri wrinkled her nose.

“There is no need. I am not ashamed.” Asha shook her head. “It is the fruit of our love.”

“Fine. I’m not going to argue.” Eri reddened, perhaps remembering some of the embarrassing times we had endured, like when her darkness element drove her wild. “But… no. It’s fine.” She turned, and as I looked at her axe, the amber letters lighting up my vision, she called out. “it’s all right. It’s safe to come in, Akio’s given permission.”

The Beheading Axe Of Trials - Item Class [Imperious] Item Type [Artifice]

This crescent moon axe, the blade enamelled in emerald, the shaft carved with elegant holly engravings, was once wielded by the Green Knight, and the edge is brutally keen, and can cut through armour and bone with equal ease. The bearer of this axe will be strengthened, their blows mighty, but any challenge or wager offered by the wielder must be honoured, lest the axe turn on the faithless bearer.

So it’s much better than the axe I made her, no question, but it has a downside. She’ll have to be careful. Like most people, I knew some of the stories of Arthurian myth, but other than the little I’d heard about the Green Knight from Eleanor, I didn’t know the details. Something else I need to research. It seems that no matter how much I gain, I always end up having less time to spare…

“So, you were here.” Eleanor said, coming in, followed by David and Raidre. Raidre had shrunk in on himself, casting sideways glances at Ulfuric, who was also accompanying them. “I have to admit, even from the brief look around, your Territory is very impressive.” She looked up at the colossal Tree, before glancing over at Asha. “You’re fine, I hope? I had worried that the force of what lies beneath the Tower would harm you. It is very potent and unruly.”

“Fine?” David snorted. “She’s better than fine. Take a good look at her. She’s been having a whale of a time while you worried, Princess.”

Eleanor paused, looking at Asha, whose dress was stained with grass and other fluids, her dishevelled hair and changed attitude, and she blushed, going red even to the tips of her ears. “How rude.” She exclaimed, shocked. “And to think we were worried. I’m almost offended!”

As Eleanor writhed in embarrassment, while David egged her on mockingly, I scratched at my head, confused. I suppose this is better than worrying about potential trouble I can do nothing about. As the rest of the girls returned, all carrying new treasures happily, I glanced up at the massive Tree. Oh well, we’ll clear this mess up. And I suppose I do owe Eleanor. I can spare her a downpayment on getting her Territory back on track, delaying my plans half a day or so won’t be a big deal…