Chapter 593: Deus Ex Meadow (2/2)

“Not just that. With improvements even. But where’s the fun in that. I didn’t come here to solve all your problems,” Meadow said.

“Kind of seems like you did. Also you didn’t come at all. I brought you,” Ilea said.

“I lead creatures to solutions but I try to avoid simply spelling things out. Those are my ways and while I do bend my rules for a friend from time to time, I don’t see a reason to do so here. However, your request to break into the established network in search of those keys, is something I can help with,” it explained.

“I knew it was the right decision to befriend this eldritch monster and bring it into our realm,” Ilea sent.

“You know I can hear you, right? Also it wasn’t your decision, it was my inconceivable charm that manipulated you into helping me. Now that I’m free, there is no stopping me,” Meadow sent.

“Sure. Just, you know. You’re not exactly moving around.” Ilea said.

“My roots grow, to the core of the world, and soon, they will devour all,” Meadow rebuked.

Ilea blinked closer to the tree and squinted her eyes. “You don’t even have roots.”

A rustle went through the fake grass, Ilea pushed back by a barrier until she landed close to the group with a smug expression on her face.

“The audacity. Truly, you do not know when to stop,” the Meadow said, apparently sent to everyone who could perceive it again.

“Don’t act offended. You’re too old to be capable of that,” Ilea replied.

“You do not relent,” Meadow said, creating a loud sound that seemed to imitate a sob. All it really did was send a shiver down everyone’s spines. Clear proof of the otherworldly nature of this creature. “Ah, I have to work on that.”

“You do indeed. Sounded like a pig being killed or something,” Ilea suggested.

“More like when a health potion is mixed the wrong way and it melts off half the alchemist’s face,” Christopher said in a quiet tone, shuddering slightly as his eyes glazed over.

“You okay?” Iana asked, touching the man’s shoulder.

He nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yeah. Yeah.”

“To get back on topic,” Iana said, glancing over the group with a slight smile. “What do we need for your plan?”

“The research provided by Christopher shall suffice. At the very least he knows how to document things. A peculiar trait humans seem to share. Smart too, considering their tiny brains,” Meadow said as two platforms of stone formed nearby, runes and magic flaring up as tiny incisions appeared in the material. “Here we go. Now to figure out how to break into it. I’ll leave you to it, with some guidance as I doubt your current knowledge will be up to the task.”

“Did you just fart out two working copies of the Taleen teleportation gates?” Ilea asked.

Neiphato hissed, even Feyrair looking at the tree in a different light.

“You didn’t rescue a plum tree, Ilea,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea started laughing, brushing away tears. Nobody else seemed to think the experience quite as funny, though Feyrair’s will had apparently been renewed with vigor.

“You’ll find the results the same, elf,” the Meadow spoke, welcoming the burning dragonling with expanding roots.

“I’d like to ask for your guidance, master,” Neiphato spoke, going down to one knee.

“Show me what you have, young one,” Meadow said.

“Doesn’t look like I’m needed here,” Ilea said. “Hey Meadow, the Sun Sprites still around… layer eighteen I believe.”

“Indeed. Rude creatures. On their way to awakening but I won’t stand in your way,” Meadow spoke.

“Are you getting more selective now that you have so many beings available to you?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“Not at all. But creatures hunt each other. It is the way of life. You are merely one such being,” Meadow said.

“Mind giving me a boost then?” Ilea asked. “Fey do you want to come as well?”

“I’m-” he started, when his jaw was removed by a particularly nasty looking root. He reformed it in his retreat and hissed, his eyes downright glowing. “… busy.”

“Alright. You can get me out if an Ascended shows up, right?” Ilea asked.

“They seem to be masters of space magic, Ilea. Of course I can,” the tree said.

“Gods, I love you,” she said and smiled.

“I too, am fond of you, child,” the being said and made her vanish.

Ilea appeared in a familiar staircase, the one leading down into the eighteenth layer of the Descent. She wondered if the creatures would be the right ones to fight but most other things down here were either too weak to provide many levels, or too powerful to face. Well the latter part was debatable but she didn’t want to kill the Lightning Elemental or the Trakorov. The Griffin, maybe she would visit the thing. To be honest, I’d like to fight the Lightning one too, just to show it how far I’ve come.

But for now she wanted to focus on growth.

First two Classes are fine. All maxed out. Resistances… could improve, but that will always be the case. Hmm, one thing might be worth it. I have two points after all.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 1

Ilea immediately felt the change. As if her nose had suddenly been freed of snot, her lungs expanding fully for the first time in her life. She would’ve doubled over from the intensity of the sensation in the past but Ilea had experienced far too much to let this newfound change affect her in such a way.

Instead she observed. Both with her eyes, her healing, and her sphere. When she breathed, she could see the power flare within her, magic flowing through her very core and out towards her limbs, exiting through her pores and mingling with her ash. Not armor that constricted her, but a part of her very self.

When she spread healing through her body, she found the magic flowing out instantly, far quicker than ever before. She raised her hand and looked at it, her armor receding to her will, showing the skin below that looked very much the same. And yet it had become so very different. Ilea formed a sphere of ash above her hand, the magic manifesting instantly, created as naturally as she breathed and not at all forced upon existence by a complex spell to shape reality.

Flare of Creation activated, burning away her health as she watched the flames spread out from her armor. She checked and found her organs still in place, her heart beating like it had before, her eyes watching as they always had, and her lungs still breathing air. And yet it felt like unseen barriers had been removed.

“Meadow, do you hear me?” she asked.

“I can still communicate with you, yes. What is it?” the being said, its telepathy easily reaching down into the depths of the Descent. While it was deep, the distance itself was mostly impressive because it reached down into the ground and not across the lands.

“Well… I just upgraded Deviant of Humanity to the third tier, and… well I’m not exactly sure what to make of it,” Ilea said.

“Ah… I see. Well… hmm… I can tell that you have increased your harmony. Though to what extent is difficult to discern at this distance. Ask me again when you’re back,” Meadow said.

“What’s harmony?” Ilea asked.

“Ah humans. I’ve found that you see the Classes and magic you grow into as mere tools, assigned to you by some unknown deity or somehow gained through insight. However it is closer to the truth to say that your very self changes as you evolve. Harmony is what I call your body’s ability to accept said changes from a near… instinctual perspective. I suggest you test it out yourself. Congratulations on your first step to become a Meadow yourself,” it said.

“What?? Are you kidding me? I don’t want to become a tree!” Ilea exclaimed.

“I am kidding. Do not fret, little human. Though new possibilities have just opened up, just like when you ingested that Bluemoon grass you have mentioned to me before. This change however is surely less forceful, achieved through your own growth,” Meadow explained.

“I understand. Makes sense I guess. I’ll check what has changed… seems like my ash is forming a little more quickly,” she said.

“Yes. More harmony with the magic born within you will lead to an improvement of control, it is only natural. Within Awakened, such changes are rare however. But I will refrain from stroking your ego anymore than necessary. For I know you didn’t achieve this through study and meditation. Did you perhaps punch a concentrated mana crystal?” it said.

“Very funny. Would that work though?” Ilea asked, making a fist and smiling.

“No… with you though. Maybe,” Meadow answered.

“Just checking,” Ilea said.