----
After three days of traveling across Vanaheim—with much more left to explore if we ever returned—we decided to head to Alfheim. There, I could sense a large portal leading to Earth, one I wanted to use to visit that world with Helena and her friends.
Alma also ntioned she had matters to attend to in Alfheim. With Oberon dead, his shadowy empire was crumbling, and she seed fully intent on reclaiming her kingdom, saving her people, and even becoming the new Queen.
I was honestly shocked. Since when had she been so decisive? Perhaps the recent battle had truly changed her, or maybe it was Root's sacrifice.
Whatever the reason, we chose to cross the oceans. Triton had considered returning ho, but he was still enjoying the journey. A few more days wouldn't hurt anyone, so he decided to savor the ti with us.
While traversing the seas, I spent most of my ti playing with the children, cooking, eating, and talking with my family and friends. I also trained quietly, deepening my understanding of my abilities.
At the sa ti, I planned for the future and created hundreds of Dragon Spirits, sending them across the world to keep watch over everything.
"Dear, look! I think that's Alfheim, right?" Benladann asked. She was sitting on my lap today as we enjoyed the ocean breeze.
"That must be it! Wow... it looks almost the sa as Vanaheim," I said in surprise, rubbing my chin.
"It's not that different, but not quite the sa either," Alma explained while sipping fruit juice. Her children were playing with mine around Fuyu. "Alfheim has plenty of regular forests, grasslands, and mountains. It's more diterranean—like Midgard, but with ten tis the forests. Vanaheim is completely wild, covered in hot, tropical jungles."
"I see. Well, it still looks similar to . Sorry," I laughed. "Now, where's the portal? Hm."
I peered deeper into Alfheim's skies, scanning everywhere with my enhanced eyes, sharpened by my Unique Skill.
It didn't take long to spot it: a massive rift in the sky, surrounded by cracks.
That was definitely the portal to Earth. We needed to shrink it if possible.
Fortunately, it was closer than the capital of Alma's kingdom, so we reached it quickly.
It wasn't as enormous as I had imagined, but it still spanned about two hundred ters across the sky.
"It's huge..." Helena murmured.
"I guess this is it," Chris sighed in relief. "We're finally going back ho. I like Yggdrasil and all, but man, I miss sleeping in a normal human room with a small bed. I really miss instant ran, greasy fast food, and beer. Nothing wrong with the alcohol here—I just miss my favorite brands."
"That's fair. There's Earth technology too: computers, TVs, smartphones, video gas, movies... everything," I laughed. "I miss Earth as well. Even though I've recreated so things with my daughter's help, it's still not quite the sa."
We flew toward the portal with Helena and her friends and peered through it. On the other side lay a vast urban city. It was night there, yet helicopters circled, their lights illuminating our side. I noticed several caras filming us.
Below, cars moved and people went about their lives. Skyscrapers and hos glowed with light, and there was no sign of a zombie apocalypse—which felt strange. Military personnel, police, and special agents were present in large numbers, but they seed unable or unwilling to cross the portal.
"Wow, is this New York?!" Chris asked, recognizing the city imdiately. "So only our city was hit by the zombies? Did they quarantine it? This is good. The portal leads to a zombie-free area. We'll finally be able to contact the governnt and find out what the hell happened."
"Alright then," Lucia nodded with a smile. "I wish Surtr could co, but he has his family. I'll visit another day."
"I think we can get ho pretty quickly with your wings, Uncle!" Helena said excitedly. "Then we can return and et the family. They should be safe if only that city was infected with the zombies."
"Yeah," Jake nodded. "Wow, this is the first ti in my life I've seen a normal city. Now that I think about it, I was born and raised in that zombie-ridden place."
"Haha, good for you two then!" I nodded. "Let's go—"
However, the mont I tried to step through the portal, an imnse force began to suppress my powers.
"Ugh?!"
Agonizing pain surged through my entire body. My flesh started breaking down, bleeding profusely without regenerating.
At the sa ti, the world of Yggdrasil trembled violently. Huge cracks tore across Alfheim, and the sky darkened to pitch black.
"Fuck!"
I quickly retreated back into Yggdrasil, shocked by what was happening.
The world rapidly repaired itself, as if nothing had occurred.
And then I understood what I had feared for so long.
"Uncle?! W-What happened?" Helena called from the other side. "C-Can't you co?"
"Hah..." I sighed, gazing toward Earth. "I'm sorry, Helena. I guess I really can't go with you anymore."
"W-What?!" Helena cried. "What do you an you can't co with ?!"
"Helena! You saw what just happened, didn't you?!" Chris asked.
"The world of Yggdrasil almost collapsed!" Lucia gasped.
"It seems Drake's very life is connected to Yggdrasil. If he leaves, the world dies," Jake explained gravely. "What's more, when he tried to pass through, his power drained away, and he began crumbling into pieces...!"
"Yeah... Hahah..." I laughed bitterly. "I think I know why that's the case."
Androda appeared beside , looking surprised at first but calming once she understood.
"I see. It is indeed as we feared, dear," Androda said softly. "After taking the crown of the Dragon King and inheriting Tiamat's powers and energy, you have beco intrinsically connected to Yggdrasil. Your existence is its pillar. If you leave, the world will collapse."
"And the power of Fantasy within cannot thrive on Earth," I continued. "Not at these levels. It would destroy . Most of my composition now is pure Fantasy. Earth, and perhaps any parallel world like it, possesses the power to nullify Fantasy. Those are worlds where the essence of Yggdrasil or Zipangu simply cannot exist. I would die."
"But Uncle... I wanted you to co..." Helena sobbed, stepping through the portal and throwing her arms around . "I'll bring the family here. I promise!"
"Hahaha, don't force yourself. I don't want to bother them," I said gently. "I'm sure they'll be happy just being with you, Helena. I died years ago. My sister has surely moved on. It's better if it stays that way. Earth and Yggdrasil will continue to rge slowly. Perhaps one day Fantasy will thrive there, and I have all the ti in the world to wait."
"Uncle..." Helena wept against my chest as I held her close, patting her head and kissing her forehead.
"I love you, Helena. You're the best niece I've ever had," I whispered. "Take care, alright?"
"I'll co back to visit! I promise! Please wait for !" she pleaded. "No matter how long it takes..."
"I'll wait," I nodded. "But for now, always carry a piece of Fantasy with you."
I gave her one of my scales, weakening it as much as possible, sealing and suppressing its powers, and shaping it into a necklace.
"Thanks..." She quickly put it on, wiping away her tears with a small smile. "I'll get going then. There's a lot to explain to the people on Earth. It's going to be really boring, haha..."
"I know you can do it," I said, patting her head once more. "You make really proud, Helena."
"Heh, I know!" Helena giggled, winking through her lingering tears as she flew back to Earth.
"Goodbye, sister. I'll return with Helena one day. I hope we can spend more ti together by then," Jake said, waving to Benladann.
"Take care, Jake! Have fun!" Benladann fought back her tears. "And live the best life you can! Alright? Live for ... and for Dad too."
"I will!" Jake nodded firmly. "Thank you for everything, really...!"
As I watched all four of them descend toward their city, I sighed and waved my hand.
Then I fully closed the portal.
It was too dangerous to leave it open.
"D-Drake?! You closed the gate!" Benladann gasped. "B-But what about...!"
"I had to. It was too unstable. I could feel Ti and Space Energies leaking from Earth," I explained. "That planet operates on different laws. If we left the portal open, Earth would eventually collapse under the weight of Yggdrasil, Zipangu, and Spiritias."
"...Oh," Benladann nodded, sighing deeply as she flew to my side and embraced . "Will we see them again?"
"I'm sure we will," I assured her. "They all carry our Blessings. One day, they will return."
"Hm..." Benladann nodded again, another sigh escaping her. "I hope so..."
Earth was a world I truly longed to visit, but perhaps I never would.
Still, I would watch over the planet through Helena and the others.
They carried my blessings, and thus a part of within them.
No, not just . A part of all of us.
-----
Reviews
All reviews (0)