The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield

Chapter Ninety-Six: Her Long-Awaited Return – Part Two

Aetos awaited me in the Spiritual Grove. I laid out the glowing pot made from spirit mana and a crystalized droplet of highly concentrated water mana gathered from that overgrown snake. The prep involved gently moving the soil from the glass box to the plant while ensuring the water droplet rested at the bottom.     

That work was left to a clone while I tested the abilities gained from assimilating Sathtshas. I already had decent control over my vines, so it was now masterful. Twenty sprouted from each hand and intermingled, combining to form a perfect outline of a tall tower only found in France.      

The monster held an innate resistance to flames—useless since I already had immunity to fire and ice via the Essence of Wrath. Sathtshas could jab its vines into the ground and use the energy it absorbed from nature to heal itself. And it was a master of poison and air, so now I could manufacture sharp air gusts inside my vines and launch them.    

And its mouth… Its gaping jaw soon formed in place of my fist. Seeing so many teeth… I only imagined the possibilities.     

The best use would be to have it ‘act’ as my ‘spirit’ the same way I did the snake boss back in Parthina. I could use a sizable chunk of biomass to make a clone take its form. That seemed like the best way because it gave Tris a method of fighting. She couldn’t purposely cause harm, so directing my clones while acting as their commander?    

Information was her specialty. It was the perfect role for her.      

I asked what would happen after the transplant.      

“The Eagle Yew will fade. Not immediately, mind you. It will be given many more years of life without needing to sustain me.”    

“And the spirits?    

“They will be contracted to me.”    

“Do you have enough mana?”    

“Do not worry. They will return to their cores. Aello has a device to store them, and together, we shall search for a new home to plant my roots. That shall mark the beginning of a new Eagle Yew.”   

“I’m glad… Hey, why not use this chance to make amends with Sera? She could find the perfect spot.”    

“I have given it some thought. Perhaps a reunion is what needs to happen.” Aetos said he couldn’t approve of Sera remaining headstrong in the past. It was a serious point of contention. The great Spirit Lord sighed uncharacteristically. “If it…brings her happiness…then I suppose…it’s acceptable. I do miss her… My lady… There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of her and her spouses. And her father, the Great King… I was saddened to hear his suicide… the younger princess has suffered much. My stubbornness shouldn’t add to it.”    

“The lions can deliver a message since Sera’s still traveling with my family. It’ll have to be after we leave, of course. Can’t risk having her see Sekh.”    

“You’re not wrong. I doubt Seraphina would listen to reason. She has more reasons than I to hate the one you love.” Aetos gave me some advice. In short, even with my Divine Skill, Sekh and I, in our current state, couldn’t win a fight against Sera. Team Quella’s assistance wouldn’t help much, either. Sera had devoted herself to training and vowed to become the next vanguard to stand against the Dark Lord of Tyranny should she ever return.    

The topic then turned to Team Quella.   

“I’ve been watching,” said Aetos. “The shadow cast upon your eyes has left. I was ready to give you advice.”  

“You’d do that?” I asked, standing up.    

The pot had ceased glowing, and Aetos said that was normal. The soil glimmered brightly, though. The beauty didn’t compare to the ugly decay surrounding us. “Why not? You were clearly troubled. You have cared for the village and forest, so I wished to ease your heart.”   

“Because you care? Or do you just want me to use the life force I’ll gain from assimilating my enemies to end Sekh’s curse?”  

“Would you believe me if I said it was both?  

“At this point? Yeah. I would, Aetos. I would. I can see a clearer path. I’ll work with Quella to remove the bigger problem. Meruria must die. And she will die. And I’ll use her life force to remove the curse we despise. That’s my vow.”  

“It will not be broken. Nonetheless, permit me to advise you anyway.”  

“I won’t refuse your wisdom.”   

“Reina’s heart once harbored similar hatred due to the actions of the lord she used to serve. That created walls my lady and Sir Murag devoted time to destroying. However, Reina was stubborn. She refused to change. She was adamantly repulsed by their efforts until they stopped. That’s when she realized she harbored affection for them. That’s when the walls shattered, and she faced a truth she didn’t want to admit. Embracing what she thought she didn’t need lifted her life to a new tier of happiness.”  

“…”  

“What’s happening to you is not dissimilar. And although you’ve discovered your path and navigated your complex feelings, I ask that you look upon the five that make you when you need help. For you are not only surrounded by what you can touch. When problems arise… Recall what Reina felt. Delve into Yaekira’s memories. Experience Sir Murag’s wisdom. Find solace in Beccy’s queenly past. And my lady, the First Princess of Vredi Forest… Let their actions guide you to the future you desire. Do not let foolish pride interfere.”    

“It’s not like I can access them on demand.” I sighed and scratched my head. “I had to be with Sera to peer at the ones when she hung out with you and Susize. And be near the playpen to see those other ones. I can’t control when they’ll show up. They just…kind of flash in my mind.”  

“Is that a limitation of your abilities, chimera? Or does the fault lie with your psyche?”   

“What are you getting at?”   

“What are memories but another aspect that can be claimed by assimilation? Your inability to do so shines a light on your lacking grasp for your chimeric nature.”   

“Aetos is correct. Chimera can turn memories tangible and digest them, my lord. However, I do not know the practicing theorem behind it. I’ve no doubt we’ll discover it together in time, however!” Tris’s positiveness was infectious.    

“There’s something I’m a little confused about,” I said, changing the subject. “It’s about Bellerophon. Why did you permit them in the village if you hate them so much? Two agents were here when I first arrived.”  

“To deny Bellerophon would be acquiring their ire. However, my distaste for them stems from recency bias. To claim that I have always hated them is a lie, for I used to believe they did a service for the world to rid it of your kind.”  

“You’ve changed your stance on that?”  

“I have, chimera. Is it not the mark of a fool to remain stone-hearted in their beliefs when they acquire information that challenges their proclivity?”  

“Is that a shot at me?” I raised an eyebrow. Aetos almost… laughed?  

I’m glad he can chuckle. It means things are progressing well.    

“Call it what you will. Take it how you want.”  

“So, where do we go from here?” I asked, sitting against Surtr. Tris joined me, and I softly rubbed my lion’s head, enjoying his deep, low purrs.    

Aetos spread his wings. “My core will take a half-day to manifest. Return at twilight and plant it into the soil you’ve prepared.”   

“That’s part one. What about part two? You know, Sekh?”   

“Manifesting my core will permit me to use the last bastion of my grand power to shape a Yggdrasil Drop.”   

“Yggdrasil…Drop? Ah, Murag wrote about it. My lord, that’s a shard of specialized healing mana.”   

“Tris is correct. Merely place it on the Dark Lord of Tyranny’s tongue, and her body will recover from any wound.”   

“The wounded eagle speaks the truth. I approve of the healing method, Lord Springfield,” growled Surtr.     

“Why didn’t you use it on yourself?”   

“Because creating it means to use the last embers of my life. It is not a technique that can be done even as often as once a decade. Even in my prime, using it almost certainly means trading my life for another.”   

“I understand,” said Tris. “The physical and spiritual essence will fade, but your core remains. And once that’s transplanted, you will be born anew?”   

“Yes. The process will give me a tremendous boost of spirit mana to replenish what will be spent creating it.”   

“What about your memories?”   

“Do not fret over me, chimera. I will still be Aetos, the Great Eagle of Vredi Forest, and the Spirit Lord of Nature. Think of it as the technique the Dark Lord of Tyranny used to escape her crystal. It’s a form of self-reincarnation.”    

I looked at my hands…and they trembled with anticipatory excitement.     

“This is wonderful, my lord! Lady Sekh is so close to returning to us!” Tris interlocked her fingers with mine. She was as happy, if not more so, than me.     

Aetos bid us farewell since he had to prepare his core, so we left his Spiritual Grove and returned to the mansion. 

---

The house was empty because everyone was in the backyard. Greggie was grilling some squash and other veggies on a grill. Ami and Melusine were dancing with Elly and Tilde amongst the wilted flowers. Some would think it morbid, but I knew the flowers appreciated it. Yes, they were gone—faded—decayed.  Even in death? At least someone found happiness and joy.   

In a way, the flowers were still making the world a slightly better place, for a selfish reason, even after they were gone.   

“Welcome back, Master!” Tilde fell to her knees and took a breather. “So, how was it?” 

“It’ll happen tonight.”  

“That’s wonderful news, Lord Springfield,” said Quella. She turned away from Niva, and I surmised she was helping her with magic.   

“That’s right,” answered Niva when I asked. She wiped the sweat from her brow and stood. Her smile was as bright as the sun. She wiggled her mythril fingers and formed a fist, and I loved how determined she looked.   

“I figured you’d be hungry after that battle, so I have some food ready for you.”  

“That’s kind of you, Greggie.”  

It appeared I had arrived right on time, so it was time to eat. We took the food inside to the dining room and enjoyed a late breakfast. It was a little past 10 AM. “You’re getting better.”  

“Aetos re-opened the link with Primrose. It’s hard for him to do much in his condition, so he tutored us in our dreams last night. I don’t know how it works since we were asleep. It felt like I’ve never lost my limbs when we woke up.”  

"Dream training is a real thing here? That's amazing. Back in our world, I used to have lucid dreams where I could dance freely. The funny part was, I'd end up falling out of bed because I'd move in my sleep just like I did in the dream,” said Elly. “It never really made me a better dancer. I wonder if that’s a skill I can learn…”   

“Oh, the food’s amazing, Greggie!” Ami gave a glowing review. She was already on her second plate.   

“It is delicious, but that brings me to a favor I’d like to ask you, Greggie.”  

“I’m all ears, Lord Springfield,” said the chef, biting into a thick, juicy tomato sandwich.   

“It’s about what I wish to have after the transplant is successful. Think of it as a festival—a celebration to mark the end of an era while ushering in the next with good tidings.”  

“Oooh, that sounds like a lot of fun.”  

“I agree with Tilde. It sounds lovely, my lord.”  

“I know it’s being asked at the last minute, so forgive me for springing it upon you. I’d like to ask that you assist in the preparation.”  

“I’d be delighted to cook for you all. Unfortunately, there’s a problem. I’m unfamiliar with many of the villagers’ diets. I’ll have to gather information.”  

“What you seek is here.” Tris produced a folder and laid it on the table. “It contains every villager’s dietary restriction based on their species or races with additional notes for their favorite food or snack.”  

“Your resourcefulness for information gathering never fails to amaze me, Tris. You’re prepared for everything, aren’t you?”  

Tris puffed out her chest with pride at Quella’s compliment. “As such. Someone like myself must remain on top of things at any given moment. Surprises are oft an ill omen.”  

Greggie took the folder and perused it. “Incredible… Wait, so the last page is…”  

“Correct. The last page contains a sufficient breakdown of the raw ingredients we have available to use." 

"When would you want to have it?”  

“Obviously not right away. It’s far too soon. Seraphina Vredi must be in attendance, too. Perhaps a week from now? Maybe two? I would like to invite my family. Is that enough time for that many people?”  

“Yes, Lord Springfield. It’s more than enough.”  

“I see that look, Greggie. You’re readying to go, aren’t you?” asked Ami. The girl still had that perpetual smile.  

Ami still has trouble with the language.  

“I am. There’s a lot to prep. I’ll do my best, Lord Springfield. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”  

“I’ve no doubt you’ll exceed my expectations, Greggie.” And with that, our late meal came to an end. Niva wanted to do more training, so I went with her, Tris, Tilde, Surtr, Keeth, and Quella to the backyard. Ami and Elly tagged along. Mary went with Melusine to their room to rest. The former monarch felt faint. It was probably the flames I used. The Essence of Wrath's flames weren't Sekh's, but I couldn't deny the memories that probably rushed through her head. Surtr's fiery fur probably unnerved her, too. 

Greggie brainstormed ideas at the kitchen table.   

Niva skipped out the backdoor and jumped around, falling to the flowers. She wiggled her toes and deftly moved her fingers before using [Vine Manipulation] on her prosthetics to propel herself to her feet. It was a cool trick—and proof she was quickly mastering them. I was sure a large part was Aetos’s guiding hand, except that didn’t detract from her hard work.    

Quella and I began tossing pots and pans for Niva to use as targets. She couldn’t wrap her magic around her biological hand like she could the mythril one, but launched vines from her metal fingers before switching to [Razor Wind]. The spells were sharper and more defined, cutting through four or five targets without losing their edge. She could also defend while attacking if she used her staff to cast [Woodland Shield].  

Niva had her mythril leg and feet. She surprised us as she launched a micro-tornado of piercing wind, destroying fifteen pots in the blink of an eye.  

“I’ve been meaning to ask, but where are these coming from?” Elly pointed at my never-ending supply of cookware.   

“It’s magic. Think of it as similar to [Wooden Gym].”  

The training lasted for about an hour before Niva was tired. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, so Primrose took her to their room to rest and recover mana. Everyone else left to get clean and wash up, but Quella asked me to stay in the living room. She was a worrywart and wanted to know what would happen to Aetos. She also desired to see him transplanted without a problem, so I told her what Aetos said until Tilde interrupted us.    

“Hey?! Master?! Can ya come up here?” I heard her shout. “I gotta talk to you about something! Oh, and bring Tris!”   

“It seems I’m needed,” I said, standing. “I’m sorry to cut this short.”  

“There’s no need for apologies, Lord Springfield.” Quella smiled and stretched her arms. “I think I’ll return to my room and rest until tonight. A bath sounds wonderful.”  

“Enjoy it all you want, Quella.” I gently grabbed Tris’s hand and headed upstairs until we came to my room.   

I could only imagine what I’d find on the other side. Yes, I could use [Skyview], but where was the fun in that?  

“You better close those eyes, Master! And no peeking, okay?” Tilde asked, her voice slightly muffled.    

“If that’s what you want,” I replied.  With an anticipatory hand, I opened the door and entered the room, with Tris closing it softly behind me.  

She led me to the bed, I sat, and Tilde told me to open them.  

And I did…  

And she was stark naked.  

My fairy flashed a pose and did a little twirl before posing. "Not that I don't enjoy this...but what are you doing?"  

"Are you that dense? I'm obviously trying to seduce you!" Tilde shook her hips. She turned around, thrust out her ass, and kept dancing. "Tonight's the big night. Before you and Sekh go at it for a few days, I wanna get one last taste of my Master.”  

“Are you sure this is okay? What about before?”  

“You weren’t in your right mind. Drowning one emotion with another is unhealthy. Even if I was in the mood and let you continue,” Tilde whispered. “You would’ve hated it. To you... Sex is more about replacing something uncomfortable. It’s about carving a deeper understanding of trust that evolves the more you do it with someone you love. And I know you love me. I love my Master a lot! It’s a head maid’s task to look for her, ya know.” Her eyes fluttered when she met mine.   

I loved her smile.    

“…”  

“And I know you well enough. You couldn’t have gotten it up. You were forcing yourself to do it… And when the time would’ve come… I didn’t want the obvious to happen. You lived too long with erectile dysfunction that I didn’t want to make you remember.”  

“You made the right choice. You’re always thinking so far ahead.”  

“That’s my job.”  

“I love you.”  

“I love you too!”  

“And I can’t forget about you.” I turned to Tris and took her hand. I kissed and placed it against my cheek. I loved the longing she held in her beautiful eyes…  

“My heart feels like it will leap from my chest,” Tris whispered. “I love you, my lord.”  

“I love you too,” I replied.  

“Yeah. We all love each other. Master?”   

“Hmm?” I looked at Tilde. Her expression was…deathly serious.    

“You can’t ever, ever, ever forget about…your promise of the Century of Tilde! Hehe!! Now... I have so much planned.” Tilde stood and skipped ahead a foot or two before turning and striking a pose. Then she started belly dancing. “Wanna see what Elly taught me? Don’t be afraid to join, Tris.”  

“You can do this as well?” Tris nodded and said she had studied the idol’s moves. She joined Tilde, copying her exact movements, and I was treated to a very special show with a very steamy encore…    

---

“Forgive me. While I had intended to ask you to attend the transplant to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event, it is too dangerous. As such, only Surtr and Tris will be accompanying me,” I said after an early dinner. The cusp of twilight filtered in through the grand windows, casting an obscure glow across the Eagle Yew’s horizon.    

Tilde hummed and flew as she cleared the table and poured coffee and tea.  She was all smiles from our emotional delve into each other’s bodies.   

Even her skin appeared glowing, prompting Elly to ask what lotion she was using in a small whisper. Tilde just smiled and pointed to me, and I believed the realization hit the idol like a speeding truck because she blushed.    

“That’s understandable,” replied Quella. She and the rest wished me luck and told me to be safe.  Meanwhile, she would continue to assist Niva, who was happy and thanked her for the help.    

We strolled into the Spiritual Grove, and I couldn’t have been happier to see Aetos. His spirit core was larger than Prim’s. It was profusely damaged, though. Thick black cracks spiraled from the center. A golden raindrop hovered near it.   

Sekh… You’re almost back. Just hold on for a little bit longer.  

“As agreed, chimera,” Aetos said, straining his voice. The eagle's core and the Yggdrasil Drop approached me, and I grabbed both. “Merely plant it within the pot…and I shall—” Aetos groaned. His great eagle form shuddered as he cried and dissolved into energy, which surged into the shrinking core.    

It was barely bigger than my fist.    

“Don’t worry,” I whispered. “I’ll hold my end of the deal. Hang on, Aetos.” 

I kneeled and gently lowered his core into the soil. The Spiritual Grove violently shook. Shockwaves spread across the sky. The pot suddenly flashed green and shot incredible energy into the sky, where it exploded like a firecracker. The trembling vanished as quickly as it began. A baby eagle appeared in the raining nature mana, and a tiny sapling sprouted from the pot.  

As lackluster as it was…it was beautiful… Tris dried my eyes with a handkerchief.    

“I’m about to start the process.”   

Aetos flew and perched on the lid. He couldn’t leave its immediate surroundings.    

“Go ahead, my lord. Lady Sekh’s been waiting long enough, hasn’t she?”    

“She has.”   

I touched a hand to the ground. And there…    

Sekh was…inside that icy coffin. She’d be there for too long. Those wounds were…hurting my heart.   

Not anymore.    

“With the power of [Conferment], I use my authority as the Transcendent Dark Lord to cast out the curse inside the Dark Lord of Tyranny…” I raised my hand to the sky.    

Grey mana gathered around my palm.    

That wasn’t enough.    

I needed more.    

Anything less would end in failure.    

The air shook, but it was worse than when Aetos went to his new home. Angry sparks shot out like lightning from the orb I held as it steadily grew more erratic. Tendrils of destructive mana mercilessly attacked the ground, then exploded, shooting high in the sky. It seemed impossible, but it broke the 'ceiling' of the Spiritual Grove and left behind gaping bowels of nothingness.    

The wind picked up like a hurricane.    

Sekh’s love… Her devotion… Her everything…   

I’d sacrifice it all for her. I’d endure hell itself a million times over if it meant I could hold her in my arms for just one more second.    

“RRRAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”   

“NOT YET, LORD SPRINGFIELD!!!! KEEP STRONG!!!” Surtr roared.    

It rose into the sky, growing continuously as the destructive behavior doubled.    

At this point, the sky looked apocalyptic. The ground resembled a violent battlefield from a world war.   

I held my wrist with my other hand and screamed.    

And then…   

A pillar of mana appeared, centered on my raised palm.   

And all the coalesced energy slammed. It tightened, constricted, and kept shrinking.    

The ground below me splintered. Every pulse of energy sent to my palm caused another earthquake.    

I felt my legs break. My arms screamed. My back shattered.    

But this didn’t stop me.   

“RRRRAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!”   

I pushed back.    

I forced my legs to straighten.    

I fought against the oppressive force and grasped the power. I willed it to come under my control because…    

It was mine. I was its ruler. I was its lord. I couldn’t betray or defy my life. 

I gathered it all and forced it to my will, condensing it into a mere orb to show I had conquered it. This was the key to freeing Sekh from her brutal destiny.  

That goddamn curse…   

I would break it…   

There!   

The tremendous orb shuddered, and the rampaging destruction immediately halted as the incredible life force shrunk to the size of a golf ball.     

The damage inflicted began to heal itself slowly. Without needing to support Aetos, the Eagle Yew and Spiritual Grove still had many years left—even accounting for the mana to repair the previously sustained decay. 

“You’re up, Surtr,” I said, looking at what had taken so much to get under control. It was a gentle toss. The grey orb shattered when it hit the coffin, creating a soft, calming pillar of mana. It stretched to the infinite sky.    

It felt warm and inviting—nothing like before I had tamed it.    

Surtr loudly roared, creating a cyclone of [Abyssal Iceflame]. It centered on Sekh’s coffin.    

I merely walked into the mouth of the inferno, waited for the coffin to shatter, and popped the Yggdrasil Drop into my mouth.    

Snap!   

The ice cracked like glass and was kidnapped by the swirling oxymoronic vortex.    

Oh, Sekh was so beautiful...   

I took her in my arms, tilted her head back, and kissed her.    

It was delicious. Sekh's lips hadn’t lost an ounce of softness. A golden glow enveloped her body, healing her injuries in a flash.  

“Rrrgn… Mmmn…” Sekh subtly moved, her tail slowly returning to life. Her eyes twitched partly before opening, and those two silver beauties looked at me.     

“Welcome back, Sekh. I’m sorry it took so long. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it sooner. But you’re back, Sekh… You’re back, and I’ve missed you…so much…”   

“You’re crying…” Sekh placed a hand on my cheek and wiped my eyes dry.    

Oh, how I’ve longed to feel her bare touch. Her eyes softened…and I couldn't help but take her lips twice more.   

“I love you.”   

“I love you too…”