156 Reveal III (1/2)
The beastwomen took a few minutes to collect themselves, taking in Li's words and figuring out in their groups as to what to do. It did not take long for a few of the beastwomen, the ones who had loved ones to go back to, to come forwards.
Most of the harpies decided to leave. They came in front of Li and bowed, speaking thanks before beating their wings and soaring away. It made sense – the harpies with their individuality and wings were the least likely to be tied down to the earth. A pair of harpy twins, however, did decide to stay, curious about the world in the south.
The Serpi, too, largely left, finding the climate here unsuited for them and wishing to return to their brethren in the northern deserts at the edge of the Republic. A few did stay, stoked by their scholarly natures and wishing to observe and record the emergence of this wondrous new faith, and among them was the one that Li had personally saved.
A smaller majority of the Feli left, but a sizable crowd had had their families or smaller tribes razed by whatever slavers had taken them, and these they felt would find safety here in the presence of a true divinity.
The Lupi, however, all decided to stay, knowing that their homes were sealed off to them. They came forwards in a unified crowd, their leader, a tall, muscularly defined warrior, announcing to Li that they would form a new tribe in service to Li.
Li listened to each group of beastwomen with patience, and when it was decided who would stay and leave, he spoke out to the farmers.
”All you stewards of mine, do you object to this? Look upon these women of many tribes – they will enter among your fold, into my flock, and tend to my garden side by side with you.”
The farmers shook their heads. Ivo spoke for them. ”We have no objections, Great One. Never have we thought ourselves, servants of the humble dirt, as more than others, no matter their differences. Even among our own, there were foreigners, men of the Hinterlands, of the southern frontiers.”
”Then it is done,” said Li. He drifted to the edge of the grove, and as he did so, he mentally prepared himself to cast a spell. This was a final theatric bang of sorts, one where he would announce the end of his presence by creating some monument in this area that could serve as a shrine and safe haven for the farmers to come to when they needed.
He planned to cast [Living Sanctuary], an A+ ranked spell that would bring forth a massive defensive fortress of tree roots surrounded with Hunter Vines that would lash out at any enemy presence automatically.
It was a spell used mostly to hold down key areas such as choke points temporarily or stall for team mates to cast spells, but now, it would serve as something far, far more than a simple distraction.
He could feel the beating of every single living being's heart here, how they all resonated into a melody that played for his sake, and yet what he felt was not an overwhelming sense of power or pride or accomplishment.
No, he felt gratitude.
Gratitude that there were so many that understood him, were willing to devote themselves to a belief he had once thought was childish and outdated. He felt a sensation he could only describe as liberation, of a freedom from all the hopelessness that had once chained him down so low in another world so dark and damaged.
There was only hope now, for a future led by him that would be brighter, greener, clearer.
Yes, he could see it now, a vision of what was to be, of what he could finally call a dream.
”This garden I promise you may now be humble,” said Li. ”But in time, this garden will flower and bear fruit. It shall know no borders nor shall it ever know the decaying touch of time. It will be everlasting and infinite as I am, as you will be within this Cycle which I herald, for even within death you shall have a place within my roots.”
Li raised his hands to the air. ”But for now, behold the seed that shall sprout forth this garden of ideals and wonders! Whose boundaries shall ever expand under your gentle and guiding hands!”