Path of Stars, Ch 37: Echo of the Ancients (Patreon)

The explosion rang out across the meadow, followed by the disintegration of the commander’s corpse. Sam was struck by nearly a hundred fragments and tossed backward across the field, but his cloak held, shuddering under nearly a hundred individual strikes. He poured what essence he had left into it to strengthen the enchantment.

Behind him, the demonic construct exploded at the same time, erupting into twisting spatial fragments that shot across the meadow. Some of them struck him from the other direction, hurling him away again.

He was buffeted by the contrasting explosions and his cloak rippled like a banner in the wind. A bright silver-blue aura poured out from it, freezing everything that touched it. Shards from the demons rattled to the ground like brittle hail, coated in a layer of crystalline ice.

His position had blocked most of the commander’s final spell from heading toward his allies, but the detonation of the demon construct was a different story. It scales turned into dangerous weapons as they shot toward the nagas and Wild Spirits on the edge of the grove.

His essence was empty and he was too far away to help, but he reached for aura in his storage as he turned toward the attack, his bracers glowing. At that moment, however, a wave of green energy flowed out from Elasia and the grove, wrapping around the fragments and slowing them like they’d been snarled by roots. The scales were jagged things with a dark red aura that tried to corrode the spell, but one by one, they hissed as their energy was drained away by the Wild Tree and they fragmented.

When it was done, the dryad’s expression was serene as she looked toward Sam and then Alora. A gentle smile crossed her face as her body became even more ethereal than before.

“Grandmother! Sam!” Alora’s shout echoed as she ran forward. Nothing was stopping her now and she looked between the two of them for a moment. Then she saw that Sam was standing and she turned, heading straight for the ethereal dryad, who didn’t look like she had much energy left. Laimar was right behind her, his expression just as worried. Elasia wasn’t only Alora’s grandmother, but his as well.

At the same time, everyone else ran into the center of the grove, heading for Sam and the gate. Now that the fierce aura of the battle was gone, there was nothing to stop them. Almost instantly, he was surrounded by his nagas and remaining golems.

He shook out his cloak and examined the scorched marks across the surface. He also shifted his size, settling back at his normal human height. The cloak was damaged, but not severely. It would recover. He also scanned the wounds on his shoulder and leg, and he shook his head. They would heal, but he was adding more scars to his collection. It would take a couple of months for those marks to fade.

Before he spoke to anyone, he turned and gathered the free essence and experience from the commander’s death, letting it flow around his body. The sizzling pressure from it told him in no uncertain terms what was next, even before the Titan Star’s announcement rang in his mind.

Congratulations. You are now a Level 299 Astral Artificer.

You have gathered sufficient experience to reach the Third Evolution.

There were a few other comments as well, but Sam searched for the one thing that mattered the most. When he found it, he let out a sigh of relief. Unlike on Aster Fall, there was no time limit on the evolution. There was only a warning.

Make your Class decision as soon as possible. The potential energy in your body will reach for a solution on its own if you delay for too long.

He had hoped it was different here, especially after Alora told him her people relied on the Wild Grove and came home for their evolutions. If they were out traveling the Chaos Wild, that could take a while. He’d suspected they had an open window to evolve, and that it was probably like that throughout all of the settled galaxy. He just hadn’t been sure if it would be the same for him.

It looked like the World Core had its own reasons for requiring immediate evolution, or perhaps it was just a matter of course, since everyone was already there by it. Here, he had more time to think, or even to upgrade his abilities before evolving.

There were some more notifications waiting for him, some of which dealt with those abilities, so he glanced through them quickly. Most of the changes were his subclass abilities regaining a tier as he became familiar with them again.

Essence Shield has increased by a tier and reached Epic.

Combust Aura has increased by a tier and reached Epic.

Aura of Astral Flame has increased by a tier and reached Elite.

Astral Focus has increased by a tier and reached Elite.

Astral Strike has increased by a tier and reached Expert.

The newer ones were taking longer, but they would get there. For Astral Focus, his range jumped from two miles to three, and the broad focus was up from ten miles to fifteen now. For the others, it was mostly a feeling of easier use and more powerful focus.

Astral Strike was the most notable as information on complex uses of astral energy poured into his mind. Channeling Silvas’s moonlight through his attacks had forced the ability to grow in interesting ways. It took him a moment to sort through the possibilities, but when he did, he was impressed. It looked like some of the racial Titan abilities he wasn’t strong enough to use yet could be channeled through Astral Strike. It hadn’t been capable of that at lower tiers.

There were a few notifications for his main class abilities too. Creating the Starlight Vortex to boost his regeneration and then using it to tear apart the commander’s blood fog had resulted in growth for his aura abilities, something that hadn’t happened in a while.

Aura Regeneration has increased by a tier and reached Expert.

Shatter Aura has increased by a tier and reached Heroic.

That was all of the ability updates, but it was plenty. He had enough of them at Heroic that he shouldn’t need to worry about his evolution options. He already knew that the Titan Star was capable of assisting him with his evolution, since the Will of the Path had made that clear, but there was a daring idea in his mind, and he wanted to see if it would work.

He looked at the Wild Tree across the meadow as he finished sorting himself out and dusted off his cloak. The patterns on its bark were glowing brilliantly, like mystic runes on a scroll whose meaning hovered just on the edge of his understanding. Its leaves were shimmering like silver bells in the wind, releasing a faint chime as they moved, more a spiritual presence than a physical one. The tree’s mysteries pulled at his attention and he had to force himself to look away as he turned toward Alora and her grandmother. Reviewing his notifications had only taken him an instant.

“What happened to you?” Alora asked as she studied her grandmother. “How did you become like this? You bonded with the tree...changed your race somehow?”

“Hello, child,” Elasia said peacefully as she turned toward her. There was a fond delight in her voice as she studied Alora, looking her up and down as if she hadn’t seen her in a long time and was checking to see how she had grown. She brushed away Alora’s concerns as she focused on what she thought was more important. “I’m glad you’ve come home. Your father and uncle have always been at odds, and I know he regretted that their disagreements drove you away. He will be so happy to see that you’re back.”

“But grandmother, you’ve...” Alora tried to walk forward and hug her, but her arms passed straight through the dryad’s body, making it obvious that it was only a projection. Elasia smiled and shook her head, but at the same time she reached out and patted Alora on the back, hugging her as best she could without a physical body.

“It’s alright,” Elasia said. “This was my choice and a price I paid to protect our home for a little while. I’m glad you’ve come and that you’ve brought allies. I was almost certain I would perish there for a while.”

“But your aura...it’s combined with the tree,” Alora said slowly as she looked around. “I can feel it. How is that possible? And your body...what happened?”

“I have lived with the Wild Tree for longer than any of our family,” Elasia explained gently as she tried to dry Alora’s tears. “My aura merged partially with it long ago. When this creature broke free of the gates, it woke me up. Your father and I both tried to oppose him, but we weren’t strong enough, and there were complications from the visitors your uncle Nares brought here. They got in the way of what needed to be done, allowing nearly all of these demons free.

“In the end, it was all I could do to trap this one, and I had to ask the tree for help. It agreed, but the cost was what you see. I merged my lifeblood into its roots and in return it granted me some of its strength. The bond between us became much stronger and changed me into this. My actual body...” Elasia glanced back to a curled root near the base of the great tree. “Well, it was absorbed by its roots as part of the price. Do not worry about it too much. It served me well, and now I will not die so easily.”

“But you’re part of the tree now...I can sense it,” Alora mumbled as she studied her grandmother. Elasia’s words had told her enough to infer that her grandmother had given her life to the tree in exchange for the ability to protect the grove. “Why did you have to do this?”

“It was the only way,” Elasia smiled as she patted Alora on the head like she was much younger. Her hand didn’t physically touch her, but a ripple of green energy made her presence known. “The tree’s area of influence is vast, but it is very difficult for it to focus energy into this one place for a battle. I wanted its help, and this was the trade. If I hadn’t, many of us would have died.” She studied Alora kindly for a moment before she continued.

“Now, it’s not all bad. You know that I was always frail, and far older than most of our people. My lifespan is no longer an issue. I can watch over our descendants for generations to come. I just won’t be able to leave the glade. It’s not like I did anyway.”

“But your life...” Alora’s words were mixed with denial as she shook her head. Her eyes were fixed on her grandmother’s translucent body.

“Don’t worry so much,” Elasia smiled as she reached out to press a finger to Alora’s lips. “It was my choice and I am content with it. This is enough for me, especially now that you brought a Titan to aid us. Our family will still have a home and I can watch over all of you as the years pass. It also allows me to put an end to divisions in the family. There will be no more arguments about what to do with the Grove while I am here. If needed, I can summon the entire force of the tree to expel troublemakers.”

“It can’t be all so positive,” Alora said with a sigh. “What aren’t you saying, grandmother?”

“That is not for you to worry about,” Elasia said with pursed lips as she pretended to swat Alora on the nose. “All you need to know is that I will have to sleep sometimes, since it’s difficult to project my energy here. And you will be needed to take up the role as our people’s priestess. I won’t be able to lead the ceremonies like this, nor to direct all the other energies toward the tree. I am too much a part of it now. You are the best choice for this. Will you turn it down?”

“But with father and Uncle Nares at odds like they are...” Alora looked torn. “How can I walk that line between them? They’ll be arguing constantly.”

“You’ll have to endure it, granddaughter, and take up your duty,” Elasia said firmly. “You have run away too much because you did not want to deal with things here, but this is your home and you will succeed.” Her tone was chiding, but a smile brightened her features as she continued. “Do not worry too much. I will be with you. I’ll take care of them and be your support. I was too tired before to manage them, but they won’t dare to cause trouble now that I’m awake. It won’t be the first time I’ve spanked them for misbehaving. They were terrors when they were younger, and always at odds with each other then too.

“They were only fighting over what they thought was best for the grove, and now I’ve taken the decision out of their hands. It will not answer to them. As our ancestor intended, the grove will be open to all who need its aid, our family and all those who come here with good intentions. Their only concern will be to help you and me protect it.”

At that, Elasia nodded to Alora. Then she began to walk toward Sam. Her feet never left the earth as she walked, each step sending her down slightly into the surface of the grove rather than above it. Alora and Laimar followed her. She stopped just in front of him and bowed her head slightly.

“I have to thank you, Guardian, for protecting our world and my home.” Her words were far more formal with him than they’d been a moment before. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you here. Your people’s presence has always been a calming force on the turnings of chaos. From the very beginning, our world could not have been born without you. Ever since the first seedling of the grove, your people and mine have been strong friends.

“As your people intended, your agreement with our ancestor will continue through me. The grove will resonate with the Path of Stars and be a bastion of order in the wild of the stars. For aiding us, please, tell me if there is anything you need.”

Now that the commander was dead, the threat in the grove had receded and the peace of the area was quickly returning, washing away the remnant eddies of the darker forces like mist in the sunlight. He could feel himself relaxing as currents of elemental energy surged through the ground at his feet, making him feel like he was buoyed on the waves of endless energy. His essence was also returning in a rush, naturally enhanced by the power of this place.

It was easy to see why the Wild Spirits protected their home.

Sam looked at Alora and Laimar, who were standing next to Elasia, and gave them a brief smile. They had come out of the fight without any significant wounds, thanks to Elasia’s protection. Behind them, the nagas were waiting for Sam’s command, but a gesture calmed them and sent them to the outside of the meadow to stand guard.

“I only came to help,” he said as he bowed to Elasia, matching the same formality that she’d used, “and to make sure that these Outsiders are dealt with, but I do have some questions for you, if you don’t mind.”

He didn’t feel like the Wild Spirits owed him anything. He would have fought the commander either way. All he wanted was the answer to his questions.
“Please, ask whatever you wish,” Elasia said with a nod. Her smile was slightly wider than before now that she saw Sam wasn’t angry about the release of the Outsiders. “I am the oldest of all the Wild Spirits here and have seen the most. If I don’t know, it’s unlikely anyone else will.”

“Is it true what that commander said, that your people are inside the gate?” Sam asked the first thing on his mind. “Are they safe there?”

“I was the one who told them to flee inside,” Elasia said with a nod. Her features were calm now, as peaceful as a drifting breeze. The only time that changed was when she looked at Alora and a fond smile appeared. “I was hoping that they would be able to avoid the demons there. They should be safe enough. It is difficult to die inside the gate, from what our ancestor told me. Time passes differently there, so for them it should not have been long at all.”

“I see,” Sam nodded, and then in the next moment he shifted his attention to Alora. “Perhaps you should go and free them. I’m sure you want to see if your father is alright. I’ll stay for a little while to help you settle matters and to ensure that everything is well.”

“Thank you, Sam, this wouldn’t have been possible without you,” Alora said as she smiled at him. “I will always be grateful that you came to save my people, and that you saved me from the ambush before.” Her spirits were high now and she was already looking at the gate, probably wondering if her father would appear. It was obvious that no one would be able to hold her back for long now that her grandmother had said it was safe. “Will you stay and meet everyone? I’m sure they would love to see you.”

“Of course,” Sam said immediately. He was curious about her parents and he wanted to make sure her uncle wasn’t causing any trouble before he left. He was sure Elasia would be able to handle it, but adding a Titan to the mix couldn’t hurt. “But first, there is something else.” He looked at Elasia as the idea that was on his mind came back in full force. “You said that you spoke with Asenya once? Or did you just see her records? Do they still exist here?”

If they did, he planned to study them. He needed to know what had happened to her.
“The ancestor...” Elasia’s words were slow this time as she tilted her head in thought, but it didn’t take her long to speak more freely. “Well, there’s nothing to hide from you. The ancestor and your people have long been great allies, and it was only with your help that she created this place. The ancestor did not leave a record behind that can be read like you’re asking. Instead, she left her memories in the tree.”

Elasia turned and waved her ethereal hand at the Wild Tree behind her. “When one of our people evolves, we have the opportunity to speak with her. It is her greatest form of guidance to her descendants.”

“Is that so?” Sam said slowly as his interest in the Wild Tree and his other plans suddenly crystallized. The tree towered into the sky, standing like a gateway to the heavens that guarded the secrets he needed to know.

If Asenya’s memory was in there, he needed to speak with her, and he knew exactly how to do it. The green sigil on his arm suddenly flared to life again as he began to walk forward, heading straight for the tree.

Normally, he’d have spent some time exchanging more pleasantries, but everyone was alive and things would settle down in their own time. Elasia seemed like a good person, very similar to her granddaughter, and he trusted that things would be fine in her hands. Once the other Wild Spirits came out of the gate, he’d make sure they didn’t cause any trouble for her.

Right now, the damage to the Seal was the most important thing. He needed to ask Asenya how to fix it.

“Starborn One!” Elasia’s voice was shocked as she called after him. “Please, wait! The tree is a massive conduit of power. It’s dangerous to touch it without enough preparation!”

“Don’t worry,” he called back over his shoulder. He’d thought she would be worried about the tree, but it turned out she was just worried about him. “Your ancestor and I just need to have a chat.”

“But it’s not possible for her to speak to anyone but her descendants!” Elasia called out. “There has to be a connection to draw her memories forth!”

“That won’t be a problem,” he said confidently as the green sigil on his arm burned brightly. “She’ll talk to me.”

As he approached the base of the tree, the massive size of it only seemed to grow larger and more impressive. Its trunk was wider than some city walls, five hundred feet from one side to the other. The flow of power from the Void was stronger here, thundering through the roots and into the trunk like a dozen great rivers were gathering together to pour their waters into it. Each of them was a powerful blend of the elements in perfect balance, but in each root, there was a slightly different composition.

None of them was the same.

It was a moment of insight into the mysteries of the Void and for a moment, he just appreciated it, contemplating the origin of the Void as he let the energies flow around him. Then he reached out to touch the base of the tree where the roots joined it. He’d unconsciously grown back to a hundred feet tall, but even as his hand landed on the bark, it felt like he hadn’t changed at all.

Local Evolutionary Node detected. The voice of the Titan Star echoed in his mind, announcing what he already knew. Accessing. Confirming connection to the Path of Stars.... Confirmed.

Date of Initial Authorization: 23,183,472 standard years ago. Approved under the imprints of Asenya Asen’aya, first of her line, and Caerlon, High Elder of the Path.

The Titan Star’s voice fell silent for a moment, and then it spoke again, adding a last note. This node may be accessed to provide assistance with Evolution.

“Begin evolution,” Sam replied, the thought echoing through his mind and the tree that he was touching. Its bark felt like molten stone that was slowly flowing under his hand, and inside he could sense a massive flow of energy that rivaled the local star. It rose upward into the distance, heading for some unknown destination.

The age of the tree confirmed something he’d hoped to see. If he divided that enormous number by 215, which was roughly the factor of time compression between the rest of the galaxy and Aster Fall, it came out to just under 108,000 years.

12,000 years after the end of the First War and the creation of the World Seal.

If Asenya had left her memories in this tree, then unlike the version of her that he’d met before, this one should know what was going on. With that thought, the world around him dissolved as his body shimmered with a thousand hues of rainbow light and he stepped into the tree.