Tree of Aeons Haughtree

Haughtree

Year 200

The depths of the crystal mountain were magical. They had a magic lift, and the walls, the crystalline walls glowed in many colors. It was beautiful, and the ambience truly seed magical.

This is quite beautiful. Lumoof said to the mages, who all seed a lot more afraid of him than the other way round. Sothing about the shackles crumbling seed to remind them that Lumoof was not just any old man, even though he had kept his domain in check for the entire period he was here.

The high-mage tried his best to play along. It is. Everyone who stepped into these lifts for the first ti remarked how beautiful it is. Even the heroes.

Lumoof nodded. Ah yes, the heroes. They ca from another world, right?

The high-mage gave Lumoof a suspicious look. You seem familiar with them.

I have t a few. Lumoof nodded.

Are you from the nation of the Sandpeople, then?

No. Lumoof smiled, and the High-mage just gave him a stare. But Lumoof was used to such things. The lift eventually stopped gently, like it slowed down on a very asured drift. They hardly felt it. The door opened, and they were led into a chamber made of crystals.

The entire chamber was shaped by the crystal growth, and for , looking through Lumoof, this chamber reminded of ice-palaces and chambers carved out of ice. Only crystals, and it wasnt cold.

In fact, it was quite warm. The chamber led to smaller hallways, similarly carved out of ice. There were crystalline lights, embedded into the crystal walls.

This way.

Lumoof nodded, and he was led to another chamber with a chair.

Sit here.

Lumoof complied. This seed to be an interrogation room, but the high mage looked at the shackles, and hesitated. The mages stared at each other. Should we use the shackles?

The high-mage shook his head. No, weve wasted two already. Just call the Interrogators.

The mage scurried out of the magical door. They used wooden doors, embedded with crystals. We could see that it was so kind of mixed item, part wood, part crystals. I wondered whether I could grow Crystal Trees, like how Kei is a crystal golem in the shape of a lady.

Maybe I could experint with that dryad body I had stored all these ti.

The Interrogators, despite their fearso na, were three skinny looking humans with long crystal spears, and many smaller pins and needles, all similarly made of crystal. They had different colors, and from a casual glance, I sensed that each of them was imbued with a different type of spell.

A torture set. Interesting. A far more elaborately dressed woman ca imdiately after, and I sensed that she was higher level than the rest. At least level 80.

Lets make this simple, Sir Lumoof. The lady started. I have my interrogators with , and I want to know, who are you, and who do you work for, and what do you want? Youve been buying magical spells, collecting various locational information for the past few years. Who are you sending it to? The sandpeople? Or the centaurs?

Lumoof rely smiled. Can I get your na?

The lady shrugged and laughed. Im the Fourth Archpriest of Maelas, Yaddah. There was an air of magic around her, strong, but nothing particularly impressive. Not when she was compared to my near-domain level mages.

Well, since you asked so nicely, Im Lumoof. I serve the temple of Aeon, and I ca from a faraway place.

Weve checked, theres no such thing as the Temple of Aeon.

Oh, there is. Lumoof smiled. Now, if you want the juicy details with all the fruits, I would like to et the true ruler of Maelga. I would happily explain then.

Yaddah stared. You wanted us to co to you.

Lumoof smiled. Well, its hard to get the bureaucracy to pass a ssage, isnt it? What better way to get direct access to the top, by making you co to ?

I could kill you here.

Lumoof shrugged. I think you know well enough that you cant. In fact, maybe only the true ruler of this living mountain can hope to even hurt .

Yaddahs fists glowed with magic, and she punched. A wooden barrier erged and blocked it. Vines instantly absorbed the magic in her fists, and those vines quickly wrapped around her arms, and she stared. She flinched as she felt magic drain away from her arms. ...who are you?

Were you listening? My na is Lumoof, and I serve the temple of Aeon. The vines let her arms go, and Yaddah staggered backwards. The Interrogators stared dumbly. They were not used to their subjects being able to use their skills.

Lumoof didnt move and just stretched his legs.

It really does annoy when young ones dont listen to what us old folk have to say.

Yaddah stood, but she realised the power gap.

So, now that I am here, deep within the mountain, I want to talk to the true ruler of this mountain. Can you get an audience? I certainly hope we can have a friendly eting, rather than one where Im forced to go on a warpath.

Yaddah dusted her robes. I see we have invited the snake into the house.

Eh, Im not a snake. Im just a priest of Aeon. I dont bite.

Yaddah looked at her team. Stay here. Ill go call the Crystal Holders.

The interrogators looked afraid. Milady-

Lumoof imdiately interjected. There really is nothing to worry about. Can I have so tea while you sort out the details?

Yaddah looked at the Interrogators. Well? Go get so. She pointed a finger at Lumoof. And you dont get too smug. You dont know who youre dealing with.

My priest just stretched and yawned.

But- The Interrogators looked at Lumoof again, and decided it was better to just get him so tea.

The tea was not bad, and Yaddah ca back about three hours later. The Interrogators kept watch, but they felt so uncomfortable around Lumoof that they decided to wait outside the door.

The Crystal Holders will et you now. Yaddah said with a commanding tone. Then youll know better than to offend us.

Oh?

They led Lumoof through more narrow crystalline pathways, and down more crystalline stairs, and then, another lift. A lift that went even deeper.

Then deep underground, we walked out of the lift into a massive cavern, with glistening crystals on the roof. The crystals had many colors, and around us, we saw giant crystal golems. These were massive things, and they looked like these golems could open up to be even larger.

There were a few more pathways that led to this cavern, clearly the way we took was not the only way in.

Feeling scared yet? Yaddah smirked. Lumoof shrugged and she couldnt believe her eyes. ...youre acting.

Weve fought demon champions. Golems are just creatures in the sa class, and then we arrived at a platform. There were eight large crystals, and eight individuals seated right before them.

Archpriest Yaddah, this is the individual that wants to et us?

Lumoof looked around, and here, I felt the conflicting presence of sothing. It was that sothing that hid underneath the mountains, it was here, but it darted everywhere. Hopping from crystal to crystal.

These eight n were just spokesperson. The equivalent of my Valthorn councils, but not... .

Where are you looking, spy? One of the individuals said. The voice was feminine, but here in the dim cavern, where the lighting ca from the glow of crystals, it was hard to make out her features, unless we activated our skills. My spiritual sight identified her as human.

Lumoof looked around, and we tried to follow the presence. Looking at the real power behind all of you.

One of them slamd the crystal table. We are the real powers here.

Lumoof smiled. All of you are just like . The hands and legs. The executors of divine will. Lumoof paused briefly, and then said. Minions.

Three of them glowed, as I sensed them gather their magical power. Still, our eyes focused on that presence, and at that mont, a ninth crystal, one larger than the eight others, rose up, out of the crystal floor. The ninth crystal was shaped like a throne, and a golem sat on it.

We felt that presence gathered in the golem. The golem was just a puppet of the spirit of this crystal mountain. Yet, the golem looked incredibly life-like. No, at a casual glance, the golem seed every bit human.

The eight imdiately bowed. We greet the Immortal Crystal King.

Yaddah knelt, and she gave Lumoof a smug look. You fucked now, old man.

Lumoof smiled, and respectfully clasped his hands together. We didnt kneel. Greetings.

The presence was similar to Lilies and Aria. Maybe just a bit stronger. The golem radiated his [domain], and the aura of the crystal kings domain closed in, and attempted to smother us. All of them cowered in its presence.

This was nostalgic. I did the sa thing to my Valthorns. The Crystal King stopped, and stared with its purple eyes. The eight cowering minions imdiately attempted to explain. Your majesty, this is a spy. He claims to be a priest of Aeon, but weve checked and it does not exist.

No. The King answered, and he sounded human. This was so really good puppetry. Who are you?

His domain did not pierce through Lumoofs skin. Instead, it was pushed back. Lumoof gave a nod. Greetings, Immortal Crystal King. I am Lumoof, a priest of Aeon. Finally, we have been hoping to speak to the true master of the mountain.

We? The King narrowed its eyes.

Lumoof nodded, and I descended. My domain pushed against the Crystal King, and everyone, including the other minions of the Crystal King cowered. ...what?!

Greetings, Crystal King. I am Aeon, and Lumoof is my avatar. I spoke as Lumoofs eyes glowed green, and my presence was clear for all to see. A greenish glow of light, shaped into a tree appeared around Lumoof.

The golem narrowed its eyes, as our two domains t. The usually quiet and motionless air of the cavern was twisted by our energies, and it whipped it up into a small, twisting gale. Yaddah, the archpriest and the eight Crystal Holders were all horrified.

I have been aning to speak to you, though, it is hard to get you through all of your institutional red tape. I bet those who want to talk to feel the sa way.

The Crystal Kings face was serious. Speak, you have my attention.

I co from another world, just next to yours. I co in search of allies, in my bid to defeat the demons that plague my world.

Is that not an affair of the gods? At this point, all nine other humans dared not speak. They were all quiet. This was not their stage.

The Gods will abandon us, in a century or two. I said.

The Crystal King looked. I do not care of the cause. What do you want exactly?

Knowledge and skills. Cooperation. Friendship.

The King glared, and stated bluntly. Denied. I have no reason to cooperate and share my knowledge with those of another world. Every creature or beast of other worlds eventually attempts to invade us. Even the summoned heroes are not much better. No. We are an insular world, and we will remain so. No trade with outworlders. Friendship with another existence from another world? Impossible.

...And what of trade? I asked, inward I was shaken by the imdiate refusal. But Lumoof kept a stoic face.

No. I refuse. The Crystal King said firmly, and I felt my spirit sink. What was this straight-out stonewalling?

Any guarantees I can offer? What can I do to change your mind, and work together? I certainly co in peace, but it seed they didnt believe .

No. There is no negotiation to be had with otherworlders. I reject your presence in my lands. Leave and return to where you ca from. The human-lands of this world will not receive you.

I felt angry. Why? What was the cause of this... this... selfishness? Whats the word for it...

The Immortal Crystal King was blunt. I shall apply the full force of my powers should I ever see you again after today. I do not accept foreigners from another world. Leave.

The crystal king flexed his domain, and his energies strengthened. I wondered. Why? You accept the heroes!

They are part of a bargain we struck with Maelas.

I felt there was an undercurrent of fear. Must it be this way?

Yes. The Crystal King said. Go. We are not friends. No. Friends do not exist for existences like... us. There are those stronger, and those weaker. The strong take, the weak obey.

Is that a challenge? Should I just take it, then? Darn. There seems to be sothing at the back of all of this. So history from long ago? No. Conflict should not be the first thought, especially when we have no reason to be enemies. Lumoofs attempted capture was a small matter, really. Nothing was really at risk. Lets talk this through. It is not my intention to co and occupy your world.

You will learn, and eventually, you will occupy. That is how it is, that is how it will be, and I reject your attempts to plant a seed here. Go. Leave. I shall entertain you no further. Leave peacefully, and that is the end of it.

And if I dont?

Then it will be war. Our eventual outco is war. It is the sa with the others, as with the demons, and as with those before us. War is inevitable.

If its inevitable, why shouldnt I just raise war right now?

But no. I cald myself and focused. What is my goal?

My goal is to end the cycle of heroes and demon kings, not for all worlds, but at least, for my howorld. War with other spirits and forces are unnecessary, unless it leads to the end of the cycle. This group of people seem to have knowledge of crystals, which I can use in the future, but do I want to go to war with them just to have this knowledge, which may or may not lead to breakthroughs?

Would a war here, with this mountain, be a worthwhile investnt of resources?

I stared, and for a mont, the entire cavern shook as our domains clashed. My power radiated outwards like a wave, and t the opposing force of the Immortal Crystal King. My greenish energies lit the dark cave with my mana.

The human minions stared, with their jaws wide, and two of them had fainted.

I knew for certain I was stronger overall, but even then a battle would be hard to predict, since this is their ho base, and this crystal king most likely have more combat abilities. The strangely human Immortal Crystal King squinted his eyes, and took a step back.

Ugh. Fucking fucking fucking fuck. Why the fuck is this damned crystal so irritatingly... Aloof? What was the word I was looking for-

Lumoof ntally responded to . Lets go, milord. There really is no need to wage this pointless war. We can have other ans. Or find sowhere else. They are not the only masters of crystals.

I sighed. Very well. We will leave.

The Crystal King looked to its cowering minions. Escort this otherworlder out of my mountain. Dont let him in ever again. Notify if he ever dares to appear at my doorstep.

Such arrogance, but I had no real beef with this guy. I wanted knowledge, and there really wasnt any need to destroy this mountain just because he refused to cooperate. In the end, my end goal was the demons and this cycle. Focus on the end goal, I told myself, using that to calm myself down. I did not have to destroy other functional civilizations to get there.

I tried to relax, and reminded myself that not everyone saw things my way, and that is alright. Its normal that so people are just not cooperative.

Its normal. Perfect, perfectly normal.

I tried to convince myself, really, because I felt mad. Maybe mainly because I got rejected. Its fine. Its okay. Im a salesman, and I dont have to make every single sale. Not everyone is like Lilies or Aria.

The minions stared at Yaddah, and Yaddah gulped. She had been commanded, and so she did.

She escorted Lumoof, respectfully and quietly. Not a peep.

Year 201

Back ho, it was a ga of whack-a-mole, as demons kept popping up despite the efforts of the heroes, temples and us to clamp down on the demonic parasites.

We were generally gaining ground, as we discovered more and more ways to detect them, and counter them.

The food-makers and coffee brewers around the world made condensed caffeine-sweets and caffeine-pills. The coffee makers and sweet makers even gained unique skills. [Anti-Demon Coffee] and [Demon-Preventing Coffee Sweets].

It was really cute that those who made food actually contributed to the war effort.

I suppose this was a feature of the system, that the system does respond to changes, but it took a while for it to hit the necessary threshold to award a skill.

Anyway, with foods and consumables that deterred the demons from infesting, the tide was sowhat shifting, and it was slowly returning to good old conventional demon warfare.

Normalcy! How I missed it so.

At the sa ti, I also granted one of my Valthorns a class Lovis once had.

[Aeons Demonslayer].

I suspected that itll help to sense demons, and it did, but its effectiveness was linked to the persons level. It wasnt very useful on a large scale, since, like the heroes, it was tied to a particular individual, and so was largely local.

But it was good for interrogation and detection of demons among areas previously cleared.

Despite our progress, we knew it ant nothing if the demon king wasnt killed. As the ten years deadline slowly passed by, we waited for the demon king. I really, really wanted to know the kind of demon king we would face.