167 Fortune II (1/2)
”I'm fine,” said Li. He blinked once, clearing his head and returning to the present, to the new world and his new life. Reaching into his inventory, into the spacial void that, in a way was the strongest connection he had to his past life, had triggered a memory in him.
A memory he appreciated, and one that solidified his will in what he was to do.
Li withdrew an Everfortune Blossom seed from his pocket. The very first seed of many he had acquired with his guild. A sign of fortune. A sign of a new beginning.
A collective gasp ran through the crowd of farmers and beastwomen before it evolved into a wondering silence.
The sun was just setting, the last rays of its dwindling light flickering on the horizon. In the subtle darkness, the Everfortune Blossom seed shone like a miniature star. Its red light spattered with bright, fiery sparks of orange cast a festive shine around
None in this world had seen anything like it. None had ever even heard of such a seed.
Li put the seed into both of his hands, and he could feel warmth, like he was carrying a living, breathing thing. He slowly placed the seed into the pit of dirt he had dug up and swept soil back over it, patting the earth down firm as he encased the seed into its new home.
The light disappeared as the seed was covered by earth, but only for a moment. Li stood up and took a step back, a step that Ivo and Old Thane followed, and the seed immediately sprouted. The earth parted as a trunk of ashen white wood twisted upwards, curling towards the sky.
The trunk stopped growing when it was slightly taller than Li. It tip had split apart into various branches. It looked like a miniature tree, more specifically a bonsai tree with how gnarled its branches were and how they curled ever so slightly down towards Li.
The tree shone like white snow under a bright sun, but it looked empty, its branches barren.
Li smiled as he gave his own gesture of thanks. He bowed ever so slightly, putting his fist to an open palm and extending it forwards. As the seed's description read, ”With thanks it is watered”, and with this gesture, the tree would blossom.
It had taken Li and his two guildmates a while to figure out what that riddle meant, and at first, they had given the tree offerings and items until //BEAST// finally attempted having her avatar play a thankful gesture in front of it.
With a twinkling sound like a dozen small bells were chiming in the wind, the tree's branches exploded into color. Vermilion petals flowered over every inch of its branches, and as they grew, orange light graced their tips before floating into the air like fire flies, gently lightening the darkening sky.
It was a humble little looking thing, and it might not have many flashy effects, but to him, it was the largest and greatest seed he had in his possession.
Li's eyes widened. The tree was glowing again, its ashen trunk and branches shimmering with light. He turned back to see Ivo helping Old Thane into making the very same gesture of thanks that Li had made before making it himself.