It was an evening, so the sky was mostly grey already. You could see the local star setting down already partially below the line of the horizon, additionally blocked by the city walls.
People were already in plain clothing, as they recently returned from hunting, and now wished to chill a little bit.
I started by telling them a story about Bahumdabars, Xuvi, and Uhms. Everybody was quite captivated by it because it revealed the biggest mystery of our ti. Where did the device co from?
I ntioned The Great One, and the war, explaining it is, and always was, the main reason for everything.
- So that's why we ca here? To get stronger, because a war is coming? Do you want to build more cities, like this one? - asked Lucas, imdiately after I finished.
- Partially yes, but also no - I answered, confusing the hell out of him.
- Then explain - Dasha butted in.
I sighed, knowing what was to co after I would hit them with the truth.
- Our numbers are smaller than what's out there. We don't know much, but from what we've learned they have a whole system, that has been working for so long, that it's borderline impossible to catch up - I explained.
- How many? More than the Ixan empire? We still have them, don't we? They would help if the war was to start - said Dasha.
- I already included them. We are taking not even trillions. We are talking about numbers so big, that I don't know the words for them - I answered her question.
She kinda threw a lifeline there because I could deviate from the main topic.
- Are you trying to tell us, that we are going to die soon? - Marvin asked.
His face was very serious. I would even say a little bit angry.
- I wish I could say no, but there is a high probability that you will. It's not the plan, though. We have a plan. Otherwise, we wouldn't bother to arrange everything to increase our chances.
I wanted to say more, but Dasha interrupted by asking:
- What's the plan?
I sighed. For so reason, I was buying on ti, instead of just telling them that I am about to consu the fruit.
- I'll start with the fact that it's incredibly risky. I can't go into the details with you, but there is a way to make their troops stop fighting. To do that, one would have to reach deep into their territories, so we ca up with a plan to engage their forces so heavily, that one group would be able to push through, and advance deep enough behind the enemy lines to carry out the mission. I'm not gonna lie. It's probably a suicide mission, but that's the best we were able to co up with - I explained.
- Ok. I'll help - she said then, looking at others around her.
She was probably expecting them to follow her example, but there was more hesitation than she anticipated.
- I know it's a lot to digest, but unfortunately, there is more, and you don't really have anything to say about it. As you probably already understand, it's who will go behind the enemy lines to carry the task. I said a group, but... I'll be alone. This ans I need to get as strong as possible.
I wanted to go further with those words, but I was interrupted again.
- You want us to start giving you all the crystals we collect, don't you? - Marvin asked, but it was more like he already had the answer.
- All is maybe a little too much, but we could share so - Lucas imdiately jumped on the idea.
- No! - I said rising my voice a little. - Let finish. I don't need your crystals. I need to do sothing to the sapling, which will completely destroy the city.
This caused a lot of ruckus among the people. A loud murmur spread like wildfire.
- Silence! - Tihana suddenly yelled. - This place was built for this purpose. I know you have your whole life here, but it's not like you can't start them elsewhere. In arc, or many new cities that will be born after. This one, though, has to serve its purpose.
- You've been saved, but now it's ti to pay back for everything you got. It's more than a fair price - John joined my daughter. - Look at yourselves. You didn't use to look this way. You were weak. So were on the brink of dying. Now? The most healthy athletes back on earth couldn't even dream of what you can do.
- I guess it's fair - Lucas sighed.
He was the only one to accept this bitter pill. The rest still wasn't convinced.
- We had it good here, but it's not like we can get the sa or even better sowhere else - he added.
- We got stronger - Marvin acknowledged. - It should be easier than it was when we started here.
- Just do whatever you need to do - Dasha said.
I nodded at her words. So were still not convinced, but it was not like they had a choice anyway.
I went to the device, placed my hand o the ball, and then bought the tent upgrade. Earth once again shook, and the pillar raised, combining itself with the swirling sphere, which stopped moving. It all beca a single piece, forming sothing quite similar to the World Tree.
Normally you couldn't really touch it, because there was so strange, magnetic-like force keeping you from it. It looked like you did, but there was always this gap. Now it disappeared. I put my hand on the tree crown - the ball. To my surprise, I felt like I could push through it.
So I did because that was the best idea that popped into my head about how to obtain the fruit. It was a weird feeling like I was pushing my hand through so jelly. At the sa ti, I was able to feel the energy interacting with my hand. It was imnse.
Then I touched it.
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