The Chimeric Ascension of Lyudmila Springfield

Chapter Ninety-Two: The Spirit Lord of Nature, Aetos – Part One

The closest landing spot near Aetos Village still meant it was about a 3-hour hike away. It was after 10 AM when we anchored about 300 feet from the coast. Surtr used his ice to create a walkway, and we just had to hope no one would steal the ship.    

The sails were stashed in [Void Storage]. It’d be mighty hard to move a boat that size without those. Tris also marked it with a waypoint and aligned its coordinates with the ship. If it moved, the waypoint would drift with it.    

Walking in the Eagle Yew’s shadow was somewhat uncomfortable. Just being in the presence of something drastically taller than the skyscrapers from my world made you seem so insignificant.     

Although the walk was long, it wasn’t without lively discussion. Niva wondered if Enap, the smith who made her prosthetics, would be there because she wanted to show him how much better she had gotten with them.     

I searched for his name and found him in his cave workshop. Tris told me Dad and the others were packing the wagons. Chax and Ginnie were going with them, so Erin was happy. My little sister had spent much of the morning with Sera, who wanted to know more about me. Erin knew what was off-limits, so I didn’t have to worry about the wrong things coming up.      

We talked about Aello, the dryad, and the other spirit children we encountered the last time as we ate a quick lunch of baked fish. I had caught a few hundred during the ship ride here, and Tris had prepared, cooked, and stashed them in our storage. She preferred to manually cook them rather than rely on her automation.   

While we ate, I practiced growing plants from my hands. I was at the stage where the stem and roots were lovely and strong. Ten percent of the time, I could grow a petal or two, but the colors were washed and dull compared to Primrose’s flowers, which danced up and down her bare arms. She plucked one and asked me to sustain its roots in my arm. This was a different type of training—one I still wasn’t that good at. The goal was to grow a plant from scratch and have it bear fruits and veggies within a few minutes.     

Since the bounded field surrounding Aetos Village had shattered, we didn’t need to follow the map Dad had given me so long ago. The quickest way was to cut through the forest and head there directly.      

Surtr took point and used his large body to push the vines, hanging limbs, and weaker trees out of the way.     

---

Ten minutes ago, we encountered a certain Vermillion Harpyfolk deep in the recreated Vredi Forest. She had been sent by Aetos to fetch us.      

I had to admit it was emotional when we reunited. Aello flew hard and fast and skidded to a halt. She flapped her wings and bounced like a hyperactive songbird before remembering she was supposed to be the elder.   

“Hmm… Yes! It is good to see you walk without assistance, spirit summoner!” squeaked Aello as she escorted us to the village. “But beauty shouldn’t be hidden. Do not worry. All are safe within Aetos Village, Niva.”  

“Are you sure? I…” Niva looked at me, and I nodded. She was hesitant, but the cloak’s hood fell, and Aello gave her a confident smile.   

“And Primrose! A spirit born from the Eagle Yew is and will forever be welcome! The forest is glad to see your safe return! Ah, but another spirit?” She eyed Surtr curiously. “Hmm… Did you answer the call of a High Blessing, o’ great lion?”  

“You could call it that, Aello. I have been given the name Surtr. It is a pleasure to meet the elder of this village.”  

“Surtr…” The harpy repeated it twice and flapped her wings. “It is a powerful name for a mighty spirit! And likewise, Surtr! Ahh… But the fairy? You are…the same Tilde, are you not?”  

“Yeppers! I look a little different, but that’s because I evolved."

“Ah? Evolution? Such wonderful news!”  

“Hehe! Thanks! I’m glad to see you again.”  

“You are much welcome! But then we come to a stranger… A lioness? No, a cub? No… You are not the grey-skinned lioness…” Aello tilted her head. “Might I inquire your name, lioness?”  

“It is Tris, Aello,” Tris replied. “A pleasure to meet you.”  

“Tris… The name imparts mysticism and wisdom. I sense great intelligence buried deep within.”  

“Oh my, you’re quite perceptive.” She softly smiled. “I possess the title of [Fragment of Wisdom].”   

My lord, I’m happy we reunited with Aello. She’s fun to talk to. I…wish to become friends with her.  

Then do it. Aello’s nice. She’s gentle. I like her a lot, too.   

“But… Where is the other lioness?” Aello flapped her wings and looked around, finally confronting the obvious.   

“That’s related to why we’re here, but can I ask about the village? What happened after Ria was destroyed?” I asked.    

“Panic and chaos erupted when the barrier broke,” she said, her tone unusually low and gritty.  “Lord Aetos rarely materializes from within the sacred Eagle Yew, so everyone was shocked. But with it being visible to all...” She pointed with her wings. “The greedy scoundrels with dubious intentions took advantage of our helping nature and lied about needing assistance. They attacked once their group had infiltrated the village, and dozens perished before we knew it. Lord Aetos had to intervene, using his grand and magnificent presence to fight back. But some escaped and still draw breath...when they shouldn’t...” Aello had a little bit of an edge in her voice. She was upset and sad that so many died under her watch.   

“But what about Lord Aetos himself?” I asked.    

“It is not what you wish to hear, High Blessing, but it is not good. Lord Aetos and the Eagle Yew are injured, but the damage is recoverable. But the attacks are non-stop with little reprieve. Those survivors must’ve spread word of Aetos Village. Bandits and criminals only see money earned by selling the spirits we harbor. The raids are commonplace.”  

One day, the assault was outrageously intense. Aetos couldn’t regenerate if he had to keep fighting off waves of enemies, and the flames of that powerful attack kept chipping away at him like an ant gnawing at a piece of bread.     

If he had a month or two to rest, then maybe, but the constant toll chipped away at him. One day, he slipped up and couldn’t detect an ambush.      

“They then came prepared with catapults and trebuchets, launching explosives designed to corrode and eat away at wood,” she added. “That happened four days ago. Lord Aetos had to split his power and create smaller eagles, but the Eagle Yew was left more undefended. Even if Lord Aetos was to focus on recovery… It would not be enough. I’m afraid that death is the only future awaiting him.”  

I do not detect any attackers within the indexed areas, my lord. Not even merchants or peddlers, so they must be far away.   

“Your appearance is a welcoming sight, Lord Springfield. The little ones will be happy to see a friendly face. But may I ask why you’ve returned?”  

“Do you know about the High Elf of Liberation?”   

“High Elf of… Liberation? No. The title is unknown. But it sounds powerful, and it suits you well. Many congratulations on acquiring it.”  

“Thank you, Aello. But that’s not all. I encountered Lord Enele and Seraphina—"   

“Eh? Seraphina Vredi?!” Aello interrupted me. She stopped in her tracks and looked me in the eyes. There was half an inch of space between our noses. “Your sister? How is she? It has been a long time since she last visited.”    

“We reconnected and became friends. It’s…been a while.”  

“Ah, that is the one hint of good news I am glad to receive!” Aello flapped her wings and flashed a smile. The Vermillion Harpyfolk was the type to experience happiness when others were happy.   

“But she’s why I’m here,” I said, retrieving the glass box. “She’s doing something important for me, so I’m here in her stead to transplant the Eagle Yew. There’s no need to worry, Aello. I won’t permit Lord Aetos to die while I’m here.”  

“Thank you!!! Thank you, Lyudmila Vredi Springfield!!! Oh, High Blessing of the Forest!!!” Aello danced around me and flapped her wings.  

“I’ve heard Lord Aetos is a powerful healer. Sekh is gravely injured. I came to ask him for help to save her life.”    

“Lord Aetos is kind and gracious! I am certain he will assist you! Oh, Savior High Blessing of the Liberation Forest!! Please, let us hurry to the Spiritual Grove! We must give Lord Aetos the good news!”  

She got her names mixed up. That’s kinda cute. Guess she’s a birdbrain.  

I asked about those Bellerophon soldiers that used to be here, and Aello said they left after Ria was destroyed. She wondered why I brought them up, and I told her what I recounted to Sera.   

Aello was pissed. Wind mana surged around her wings as she vented.      

“That is… unacceptable. A Vredi is a Vredi! A High Blessing is a High Blessing! A Vredi High Blessing should be nurtured! They remind the world of what it lost—a reminder of what the world cannot replace.”    

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what are your thoughts on chimerism? Are they truly a blight that a High Elf dying to exterminate one is considered an equal trade?”  

“Some believe chimeras to be unnatural, yet chimerism exists naturally. The world creates chimera, so the world must accept chimerism. I cannot say more than that because I have never met one. But no. The death of a Vredi High Blessing or any other High Blessing from an extinct forest is not and shall not be a permissible trade! Bellerophon will never be welcomed here again. Violence against a Vredi High Blessing will not and cannot be tolerated.”    

I didn’t expect that kind of answer. I didn’t know how to respond, so I kept quiet until passing over the bridge because the other villagers started noticing me. My clothes had changed, but my overall physical features were the same.      

“Is that—”    

“It is!! It is!”    

“High Blessing of the Forest!!!”    

“She’s returned to us!!! She’s returned!!!”    

“As you can see, High Blessing, you have been missed,” Aello said. “Your presence is like the glow of the morning sun. It can shine a smile upon their tired, worried faces.” I turned and waved, offering a friendly smile. Some of the smaller Mandragorafolk hid behind the bouncy slimes or sat on the centaurs’ backs. Lei jiggled out of Niva’s sleeves and hopped away to play with…its siblings? Regardless, Lei looked happy being back in a familiar environment.    

I didn’t see any draingi, though.    

Now that we were this close, I saw the rotting on the tree’s roots and trunk. It was like a wave of decay was slowly eroding the bark and poisoning what was underneath. The color of the leaves and wood was off and looked sickly. Even the air was different. A hint of sourness lingered on the tongue and burned the nostrils.     

It wouldn’t be long before it spread to the inhabitants. Most of Aetos Village consisted of orphaned spirits that relied on the Eagle Yew to sustain their mana need. They looked fine for now, but the villagers would soon follow a similar fate if nothing was done.    

“...”  

I see cheery faces, but I know the expression of gloom hiding behind their eyes. Not even my arrival can fix that, huh?   

Aello led us to the village's eastern side to a path that wasn’t there the last time we were here. Before, there was a line of trees preventing anyone from accessing it. After walking for a few minutes, we emerged into a graveyard. “Long ago, before Aetos Village was Aetos Village... There existed a wide plain. And it was home to a great and terrible battle. This graveyard was constructed by Lord Aetos and the Eagle Yew to pay their respects to the brave soldiers that fell.”   

I knew the battle. Aetos had shown it to me and Sekh.    

Aello pointed to a dazzlingly bright cherry blossom tree. The pink petals continuously fell and flowed in the breeze before touching the ground, at which they were absorbed by the soil.     

“How do we reach the Spiritual Grove?” I asked.    

“The tree. The elder of Aetos Village can create a portal to the Eagle Yew’s spiritual core. It is where Lord Aetos resides. But before that, there is something I wish to show you. This sacred area is not just for the soldiers Lord Aetos wishes to remember. It is for all who pass away while inside the village.”    

I figured that was the case. It was probably more symbolic than anything else.    

“Lyudmila Vredi Springfield, do you recall the dryad that gave you her flower on your leaving day?”    

“I do. I want to see her again.”    

“I… I’m sorry…” Aello stopped, and…she looked at a grave… It was tiny, carved out of green stone with a crude drawing of a child holding the hands of a High Elf. “After you left, Lyudmila Vredi Springfield, the dryad talked about you. When the attacks came... She fought to protect the forest because she knew you loved it. In the end…her spirit core was destroyed.”  

Niva, Tris, and Prim grabbed my hands and rubbed my back. I kneeled and touched the gravestone. My sight was blurry… It was hard to see.     

I retrieved the flower she gave me and placed it in front of her grave. Next, I took Susize’s flute and played Vredi’s Lullaby.     

Verdant mana surrounded me, and the intensity picked up in speed. It swirled like a tornado and shot directly into the sky, breaking far past the clouds before coming down and slamming into the flower.     

It began to bloom, and bloom, and bloom some more, growing two more roots and four stems. I continued to cry for the dryad…    

It wasn’t fair she had to die!    

She was just a child!    

A goddamn orphaned spirit!    

This was all she ever knew! And now she was dead! She paid the ultimate sacrifice to save something I didn’t give two goddamn fucks about!    

It wasn’t fair… Goddamn it wasn’t fair…    

Why did her death affect me like this? Why couldn’t I stop crying? Was it the Vredi inside of me that felt empathy?!    

Or…  

I played my heart out. The resounding lows were slow and docile, which clashed with the tinge of airy highs to create a soliloquy of love. The song carried the hopes of all elves born within the nurturing bosom of Vredi Forest.     

But the song had to end… Much like the life of this child…    

When my eyes opened, the flower I planted evolved into the image seen on the gravestone.     

It was a little dryad…holding the hand of a High Elf…and little flowers surrounded them…    

“That was a beautiful song,” said Primrose, who hugged me while I cried. The tears and embrace only stopped when I heard a noise and turned to the tree.    

A portal appeared in front of the cherry blossom tree.    

Aetos had called for me.     

---

Tris, Surtr, Tilde, and I walked into the portal. Aello remained behind to close it with Prim and Niva. I guess the spirit wasn’t yet ready to face Aetos. I didn’t blame her. She probably thought herself a coward, but it took great courage to return here when her mind was so consumed by fear and terror.     

Instantly, we were transported to an enchanting-looking garden overlooking a sprawling green plain. It was a naturalistic paradise that didn’t befit the state of the tree.   

After turning around, I saw stone statues dedicated to Amos’s Soul Warriors. There was a wooden post stabbed into the ground. An eagle was perched on it. Its sharp eyes looked my way.    

Aetos flapped his wings. The eagle’s face suddenly winced, and half of this paradise flickered, revealing a poisonous swamp instead of a verdant, emerald-like wonderland of nature.    

The illusion shattered a moment later, revealing the harsh truth. The Spiritual Grove was a clusterfuck. Flames burned in the north, and disease and rot reigned supreme in the south. Aetos’s eagle form was missing half a wing, and the air was unbelievably thick with a cloud of sickening fumes.    

It reminded me of the apocalypse.    

“You have seen better days, eagle,” growled Surtr.    

“You are not mistaken, lion born from the Dark Lord of Tyranny’s corruptible mana,” replied Aetos. “I surmise next month would have been my last had you not shown up.”   

“I’ve got it right here.” I showed Aetos the glass box after wiping my eyes. This wasn’t the time for tears. “But make a vow. Give me your word that you can save Sekh. I must hear it out loud from you.”   

“I vow, o’ Transcendent Dark Lord, that I shall heal the one you love in return for ensuring my survival!” Aetos raised his wings, and a golden light radiated from the tips of his feathers.    

Surtr uncharacteristically broke into laughter. Tilde explained that Aetos had used [Spiritual Geas], a contract spell connecting me and him. If either of us refused to fulfill our part… Aetos would die. And only him. I’d be fine.    

“You would go this far? Has it even crossed your mind that I don’t need you?”   

“Where else will you find a healer comparable to me? Lady Seraphina Vredi wouldn’t help you. To cure the Dark Lord of Tyranny’s excessive wounds brought on by [Tyrannical Renewal]’s overuse, you cannot settle for anything less than the best.”   

“I’m a High Elf. I hold the Vredi name. There are other Holy and Dark Lords out there who don’t know anything about Sekh. I can lie to Sera and her mother and reintegrate myself into their life. I can use their wealth and supplies to hunt for a healer.”   

“Perhaps, but you won’t abandon me. Not when your goal is days away. Not when you can finally touch the one you’ve been longing for.”   

“That’s a good point. Aetos?”   

“Yes?”   

“Be honest with me.” I sat and crossed my legs. Surtr laid down behind me, and I leaned against his comfy body. Tris and Tilde remained standing. “I know this hurts you. Even an idiot can see that you don’t want to do this.”    

“My hatred over that tyrannical lord cannot be eclipsed by my love of my home. I want nothing more than to see her die and suffer."  

“Even if you know about her curse?”   

“It doesn’t change the past. The Dark Lord of Tyranny still slaughtered millions and enslaved more. She still orchestrated that volcanic eruption. She was responsible for my death and destroyed countless lives. A child like yourself cannot imagine the tyrannical fear she flooded the world.”   

“A child, huh? Compared to you, I guess I’m a toddler,” I said. “Anyway, how am I to save you? What’s the process?”   

Aetos closed his eyes. “The answer lies in the ceremony needed to transplant my essence.”   

“Go on…”     

“Sathtshas is the name of the monster living in a stone temple deep in Vredi Forest. I created it to hold the ingredients needed to transplant the core of the Eagle Yew to the spirit-infused soil you obtained. After killing it, you may assimilate it.”   

“You’d let me?”   

“Why not? Is it not a chimera’s nature to assimilate the dead? It is your right to do so. It also isn’t enough to outright break the curse binding the Dark Lord of Tyranny to a life of destructive servitude. Chimera, I do not know if there is enough life force in the known and unknown realities to achieve your goal. [Conferment] is new to all of us, yet the curse may predate it.”  

That was true. I just had to hope [Conferment] would be enough to outright banish it. But even if it couldn’t, removing what Sekh had taken in would be enough for now.    

Aetos said it would take a few days to prepare the ceremony. Sathtshas was vital to it, but to save mana and prolong his survival, Aetos removed it from the dungeon that was this recreated Vredi Forest. He held administrative power over it and could summon or dispose of monsters. Sathtshas was strong, though, at Lv. 94. The monster was a snake with the features of a plant. Its mouth opened horizontally and vertically, containing thousands of sharp teeth. A hundred thick vines sprouted from its long, massive body, which burrowed into the ground to receive nourishment. It could also attack with them.   

On top of being heavily resistant to flame magic, its skin was tough as steel.   

But it was going to die.   

“When you’re not spying or trying to show me horrors designed to make me leave Sekh, you’re not that difficult to talk to. Let’s be honest. You didn’t make the perfect first impression on me.”   

“You can hardly put the blame on me. While it is true I spied, I stopped some time ago. Did Primrose not tell you?”   

I told him about Prim’s fear and breakdown. Aetos went silent and confirmed a stockpile of unused mana from where he had once been linked with Primrose.    

“I…must remedy this.” Aetos sounded sorrowful. He confirmed the link ended from his side not long after Primrose left Mom’s house the night Sekh and I had sex with Irisa. But Prim was probably already suffering mentally by then, so Aetos’s command failed to come true.    

“I’m kinda pissed at you for filling her head with a bunch of bullshit. But… I know where you’re coming from. But talk with her. She’s your daughter? You made her?”   

“I did. The Spiritual Grove may not reside within the Spirit Realm physically, but it is nonetheless considered Spirit Realm territory, which is why the portal is necessary to enter. Primrose was born here, crafted by the purest spirit mana. She was constructed to best suit the summoner’s disabilities to convince her to betray you and the Dark Lord of Tyranny—to sew discord and disorder.”  

It hurt me to say, but Aetos’s hatred was justified.    

“Do you know why I gave you my lady’s flute?” he asked out of nowhere, changing the subject.    

“No. I’ve always wondered about that.” I took it out and held it in my hands.    

“It is far too precious an instrument to remain here. Call it wishful thinking, but I wanted to hear it. Your beautiful rendition of Vredi’s Lullaby was just like hers. Granting it was a moment of weakness… Perhaps it’s one I do not regret.”  

“You really loved Susize, didn’t you?” I asked.    

“To be born as a Great Eagle in the Vredi Forest meant pledging my loyalty to the firstborn prince or princess. It was always my destiny to become my lady’s greatest ally. You are not her, but you share her appearance. Her blood runs through you. To me, your existence is a curse. I know my lady was cast from the cycle of reincarnation. Yet I know the seal used to imprison the Dark Lord of Tyranny would mean she wouldn’t ever enter it. But I hate you all the same. I wanted to kill you. I thought about attacking you a thousand times during your stay… And I’m still fighting the urge to strike at you. You killed her slimes and draingi. You destroyed her life‘s research to discover the genesis seed.”   

“Susize’s research isn’t destroyed, Aetos,” said Tris. “Her findings are securely stored away in my databank. I can replicate them at any time—just like this.” Tris retrieved a stack of documents, showed Aetos, and stashed them.   

“Ahh~” Aetos gasped. The eagle’s expression softened. He didn’t expect this.    

Something nagged me. I brought up Sera and her last visit.

"An argument?" he repeated after me. "Yes, we did. The child clings to puppets of the past to satisfy her physical and mental needs when my Great Lady would have desired her sister to approach the yearning dawn rather than staring at the glimmering dusk that set so long ago. A fight never occurred, but...in my anger, I had banished Sera from returning."  

Sera didn't mention that part, did she? That's understandable. She's probably taking the banishment to heart. 

“But she still loves you. But she’s afraid, you know. She doesn’t want you to hate her because she doesn't share your mental fortitude. Some people… They can’t move from the past. The new and unknown is scary, and people find comfort in familiarity.”   

“That is not a way to live. The future holds infinite potential. To turn away and refuse a chance to grow is proof of a person’s cowardice.”   

“Maybe, but…”   

“Anything more to say?”    

“No. I can’t find the words.” I stood up. “This truce may be uneasy, but you wish to protect the forest and village, and I want to heal Sekh. I want to use this power given to me to break the curse. Let this incarnation of the Dark Lord of Tyranny be the last.”   

“You have my assistance, chimera.” The portal to the graveyard opened. “Please note that I cannot help you in the fight against Sathtshas once it is recreated.”   

“I won’t need it,” I said, walking away. “But it’s time for you to speak with your daughter and her summoner. Ease her heart. Prim’s a good woman.” I threw up a hand and left the Spiritual Grove.    

After emerging near the cherry blossom, I told Prim to enter. She was hesitant and shook her head, but I said she needed to talk to him. “Trust me. You’ll be fine. I promise.” Niva held Prim’s shivering hand and entered the portal even as salty sap leaked from those green eyes.