“It is a beautiful tree.” Asha’s golden-yellow eyes seemed to shimmer with red, orange and brown energies as she reached out a hand, placing it on the wide trunk of the Rhyming Tree. Around us, brilliant blue motes were rising, many of the rich, large leaves of the Tree shining with a faint blue glow. “Dark Rhyming Trees are incredibly rare… at least within the Seelie Court. Seeing one here…”

I held Asha’s other hand, enjoying our closeness. I couldn’t help but glance at her belly, and there was certainly a little swell there, which was both odd and expected. Seeing my gaze had travelled there again, Asha looked back at me fondly.

“I do not quite understand it myself. We Fae do not birth life as you mortals do, for we are spiritual beings, but… you are, or were… human. And indeed, I have a fully Material body. So… perhaps it is natural my pregnancy should be more… irregular.”

“It’s nothing to be worried about, is it?” I asked, not for the first time, and Asha let out a gentle chuckle, her hand tightening on mine, her faintly green skin darkening slightly.

“I am pleased you are concerned. I feel all is well, and I have spoken to others within the Court. Now that the Spring has been reclaimed, and the Ring Gates have been established, it is… possible… for those deeper within the Court to visit. And noble Primal Forest is watching with great curiosity.”

“I see.” I nodded. “I was warned that he sees the Rhyming Trees and to a lesser extent, the Dryads, as belonging to the Tree-and-Plantkin under his care. Though he’s been more reasonable than I was led to believe.”

“The Treekin indeed consider matters slowly, as ponderous as the trees themselves.” She patted the Rhyming Tree before us again. “However, what thinks slowly, thinks deeply, as water and Moonlight soaking into the roots. His consensus is that… change is coming. He is perhaps the most ancient of the Fae who still lives, though I confess, it is hard to tell, as the Court has changed so much while I was… isolated.”

I nodded reassuringly, listening to her words. For her Christmas Eve date, she had chosen the Boundary, so while I was wrestling with my sis and her issues, I was also spending time with Asha here.

“Yes, the Treekin hates humans more than perhaps any other Fae. Axes to chop down forests, shovels to dig the earth for shiny metals, animals hunted to extinction… the world that was becoming barren, life retreating…” she continued, a little forlornly. “…even fifteen hundred years ago, we could not fathom it. We Fae adapt to the world, but you humans… you adapt the world to your own wishes, even at the cost of the world itself.”

It's true. I felt a flicker of guilt and nodded. But then Asha smiled at me, and I could tell she held no disdain for me.

“When I could travel to your home, I found it… shocking. I hardly knew what to think. So much noise and bustle. Humans are like ants, a teeming hive covering the land. It was loud, the air was choked with an unnatural smell, acrid and burning, faintly poisonous. And the greenery… while there still is some beautiful groves and fields, they are isolated islands, within the… concrete, iron and brick. I did not find it pleasant, though… I am more used to it now. And there are positives too.” Asha insisted bravely. “Still, I feel more at peace here, with the Trees. Yet… there is more a need for Dryads, and those like us, than ever. And…”

At her solemn, searching expression, I nodded. “Plan for one year, plant rice. Ten years, plant trees. A hundred years, educate the people. Sadly, humans struggle to plan ahead, the now is always more attractive. But… I have to think of those ten and hundred years, and… maybe even a thousand. So… over the year, we’ll finally start introducing Ixitt’s batteries and generators. That way, we’ll cut back on fossil fuels, protecting the environment, curtailing mining, and the air should become clean again. Ten years… yes, we’ll plant trees. You’ve seen the designs, haven’t you?”

Asha nodded. “Indeed. Though I am no Mortal Engineer, I know the land, the way that life is interconnected, plants, insects, animals, all in harmony…”

“We’ll start slowly, but as our wealth and influence increases, it’ll spread. Humans living in newly built towers, each with their own hydroponics and ranches for food, clean power, and with beautiful parks, gardens and forests all around. Tokyo will become a sea of islands surrounded by green, and each island will still retain the unique human flavour. Though…” I chuckled, imagining it. “…eventually, when the Boundary breaks, I daresay there will be Fae and Yōkai enclaves. The world will be raucous, but… I’ll see that it remains beautiful.”

Asha nodded. “I would like that. After all…” Her expression was serious now. “…I have spoken to several of my older sisters, Dryads from the Court. Few remain, and those that do are ancient, and seldom leave their Trees now, but some of the younger of my sisters, though senior to me… did deign to come and inspect me and offer wisdom. Our daughters are indeed strange to them, but… I remain healthy, as do they. I suspect they will not merely be content with this spiritual land, and… we would not be content either, would we?”

I shook my head. “No. Just like you said you would be happy with only occasional moments of my time, that Dryads are self-sufficient and happy with their Trees… Iwouldn’t be.” I was a little exasperated with Asha. She had tried to decline our date, saying that she had no need and that others would crave my attention more, but that wasn’t acceptable.

In a way she mirrors what I’m going through with my dishonest sister now. Both of them want my attention, but feel for different reasons they don’t deserve it, or others need it more. I’m not interested in their self-sacrificing nature. If I can’t figure out a way to make everyone happy, then how can I be an Astral Emperor? What was it our favourite brightly coloured, highly visible ninja used to say? How can I become Hokage if I can’t even save one friend? At the time, watching it, I thought he was being dramatic, but… there’s truth there. The bigger picture is just woven from endless smaller images, and… I want all within my sight to be happy.

“I want our daughters to experience the best of both worlds, and… when the Trees return to the Material, which in time I’m sure they will, if ether density increases enough, and elemental energy starts blossoming, their daughters, and their daughter’s daughters, will be born to bond with them.”

“Oh? What of our future daughters?” Asha’s smile was teasing and blooming like a beautiful full moon. “For were you to claim more Trees as you wish, then… I would fruit again.”

I chuckled, pulling her into a hug. Asha was one of the more well-endowed of my women, though her skin always felt rather cool, and a little different in texture to the others. Still soft, though… and she smells of nature, of summer. “We’ve not even had our firstborn yet, and you’re already planning the next?”

Her sly smile surprised me. “It is better that way. Otherwise… when our daughters find the one they seek, and share their Kisses… you will be distraught. I suspect you will be an overprotective father. An unusual concept for we Dryads…”

I paused. Again, this conversation was hitting too close to what I was experiencing with Aiko in Tokyo right now. Seeing my hesitation, Asha patted my back gently, her breath hot on my ear as she whispered to me. “You seem… distracted. Can I share your burdens, as you have lifted mine?”

“It’s fine. She’s troublesome, my sister is. I was just thinking that yeah, I have no doubt I’ll be an annoying father, though hopefully not in the way mine was. There’s such a thing as being too strict. But when it’s time to let go, I’ll wave them off with a smile. So long as their chosen partner treats them right, of course. It’s the same for my sis. She’s got her own life to lead. If she wants that life to be with someone else, once I’ve ensured that she’ll be well cared for, then while I’ll be a little lonely, I’ll wave her off with a smile. Of course… if our daughters, or my sis, just wants to freeload off me for life… I’ve got the wealth to support that too. It’s not a problem.”

“Yes, you, the man I Kissed… you are very unusual. But I have absolutely no regrets.” She touched her belly again, feeling the soft swell. “I may be a Daughter of Orion, in spirit if not in truth, but our daughters shall be simply yours. I can tell. Though… Primal Forest and some other Dryads will likely wish to be present for the births. To bear witness to history.”

“That’s fine with me, if you are okay with it. It’s hard to be jealous of a damn Ent.”

“Your mother showed me that book.” Asha tittered, amused. “Indeed, it is quite the similarity, these living trees. Now then…” Asha changed the subject. “Finish your tale. I have not heard your hundred year plan, nor your thousand year one?”

“Oh. Okay, so educating the people… that works both ways. It might well take a century, humans acclimatising to aether and other energies as a species, and conversely, for Fae and other spiritual beings to integrate into society. I don’t want to just swallow you up.” I assured her. “No, just like Shaeula is doing, the best of both worlds should be mixed together. Ordinarily, that task would be beyond me, but… I promised Rose, Lin and the other Valkyries, and… I made Tan yield. So, as Astral Emperor, it’ll need to be me who sets the sort of world Earth will be in the future.”

“And a thousand years? My Tree is strong, stronger than ever.” Asha promised. “A thousand years hence, I shall still be watching over you, and our legion of daughters.”

“A legion? Like… a thousand? That’s a bit much. One a year? Maybe just try for a cohort.” I chuckled, and she shrugged.

“Consider it an expression of my love. And I know you wonder, just why I chose you? I have said it before, but… the others, they tell me that despite your strength, your reckless bravery, at heart you require constant reassurances. It is rather cute…” She tilted her head, a wondering expression on her face. “Sometimes it amazes me you cannot see it. You saved me from despair, and… the world you wish to create is one I shall be delighted to live in. Besides, you can never doubt me. We Dryads are not as the other Fae…”

“I know.” I promised, giving her a soft kiss, her saliva tasting slightly herby. When we parted, I smiled wryly. “Dryads have only one partner. And I’m yours. Anyway…” I glanced up at the Rhyming Tree that once belonged to the Raven Knight. “…there’ll be no problems then? For our daughter who chooses this Tree?”

Asha nodded. “While the Trees of Darkness are rare, they are not unheard of within the Court. And though I am… I was… a Dryad of Earth, I have changed. Water and Wood burn within me. A near-miracle. For we Fae, we do not change easily, and we Dryads least of all. Yet… what does not change, readily adapts to the changes when they happen. Shaeula is proof of that. All seem shocked by her transformation. Even… even Hyacinth… she adapts.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Honestly, that’s one reason why I know we can make my ideal future work. The Fae are changing, even those like Primal Forest. And we humans can change too, if guided properly. So, my thousand year plan… will have to wait until I’ve stood in person before Lin, Rose and the others, and also paid my debts to Tsukuyomi on Tsukiko’s behalf. Then… we’ll see.”

“I am sure it will be grand.” Asha whispered with feeling, linking arms with me. We left the Dark Rhyming Tree behind, and soon approached the smaller Earth Tree. On seeing it, Asha was both wistful and pleased. “It seems healthy. But… I always feel a pain in my chest when I see it. Would you like to feel and confirm that?” She teasingly offered me her ample chest, and I chuckled, shaking my head.

“Sorry, not today. These are dates, not an excuse to fool around. But if you are getting lonely, I’ll make time to take you to bed, I promise.”

“Good. Your words can be relied upon. You are akin to us now.” Asha teased, before her expression turned serious, and she began to stroke this Tree softly. “Loneliness though… this Tree is lonely. It remembers. Not as we do, especially not without a Dryad to lend it thoughts, emotions… yet it grieves. My sisters… if only you could have come sooner. No…” She shook her head in denial. “…I know that was not possible. You were not even born when they perished, one by one. Yet… I wished them to see this happiness.”

“It’s why we have to be happy for their share too.” I reassured her, and Asha agreed.

“Indeed. Our daughter shall soothe the empty sorrow this Tree feels.” She bowed her head, and we spent some time silently in front of the Tree, before we turned towards the colossal pillar that was Asha’s Tree. The brilliant glow of ether and elemental energies was almost blinding, a brilliant halo around it, stimulated by all the buffs it was receiving. Speaking of buffs…

I asked Asha if she was feeling much discomfort from Shiro’s Berserk Blessing. Asha frowned for a moment, before shaking her head. “It prickles a little, some minor discomfort. I am not weak, not anymore. Yes, much of my strength degraded as my spirit withered, the long ages of despair and the foul Myconid poisons rotting my roots, my heart… but I have become as great as I once was. No…” She gestured, and elemental energies matching her Tree flowed, and flowers spouted beneath her feet. With a smile, she gestured, and I pulled them from the ground and lifted them carefully, roots and all, with a mixture of wind and earth element. My Eyes scanned them, and was surprised as the pretty white, almost silver rose-like plants were…

Asha’s Silver Roses are created by her Two Worlds Flowering Wood. These delicate plants combine the essence of Wood Element, as well as natural Aetheric energies, and can stimulate the effect of Qi Refining significantly if prepared in a proper manner.

“These are very impressive.” I suggested, and Asha nodded proudly.

“Yes. I have been working on modifying and growing these and other variant plants, as Daiyu has much knowledge about rare, medicinal herbs and how to concoct potions and similar tinctures. You can take them to her as my gift. While they are probably of little benefit to her, those she has gathered surely can put them to use. Now… do you see? I am not weak. The discomfort I can manage, and I assure you, none of the strain reaches our daughters. I will not allow any harm to come to the precious fruits we have given life to together.” she assured me, before her smile turned to one of mischievous delight. “Besides, while I do not understand the traditions behind this Christmas Day, the giving of gifts is clear to me. You enjoy strengthening yourself and training, yes? Then I shall endure, and it allows you to train your Boiling Blood Resonance Link. I feel closer to you as well. Shiro too, can train.”

“Fine.” I conceded with a chuckle, as we strode towards Asha’s Tree. The café terrace was packed, more people atop it than usual, and Asha shrugged.

“It seems that the show of lights my Tree is performing is seen as one of the wonders of the lands.” she declared proudly. “Even other Rhyming Trees of greater age in the Court do not shine so brilliantly. It is perhaps because my Tree has not matured into this strength but is being forcibly boosted. Though… the growth rate of my Tree has accelerated dramatically. Instead of centuries, I would not be surprised if my Tree is significantly stronger within decades.”

“We’ll probably end up making that years.” I chuckled, knowing how things would likely go. “But… it sure is a magnificent sight. And one I’m proud to see. It was reckless, trying to save you and your Tree, but… honestly, Asha, you and Shiro alone, and now we can add Magatama to that list, are basically responsible for a huge amount of our growth. So thank you.”

“There is little need for thanks.” Asha chuckled. “Though I like to hear it. I am a woman indeed, it seems. The other Dryads who inspected my pregnancy say the same was true for them, when they Kissed. We are bound forever. Though…” She frowned then. “Best stay away from the groves of the Court, else I think you will draw many lonely Dryads to your vitality… your wood element… and your water… I can smell a change coming.”

“It’s probably what I retrieved from the Spring. It’s extremely hard to process, to absorb. But… I can feel faint traces of water element leaking out, and it is definitely doing something.”

“I see. Trees need water, just as their roots must dig into earth. Please do visit and nourish my Tree when you are free. I am not greedy, I know your time is precious, and your elemental demands are hardly trivial either, but… to me, it is a priceless experience.”

“Let’s do it now, at least a little.” I guided her over by the hand to the base of her Tree, and poured out my wood, earth and water elements, and the Tree drank them in greedily. Asha’s yellow eyes were moist, as were her lips, and she seized me and kissed me deeply. I tried to ignore the stares and laughs of the watching Fae, only grateful that there were few trainees about, though there were some, due to this and tomorrow being the rest days of the Pilgrimage.

“That was… alluring indeed.” Asha politely wiped at her lips, which was somehow more erotic. “Now, I still have some time, so…” She led me behind the towering Tree, to where another, final, far stranger Tree waited. The Materia Tree, huh?

“This Tree…” Asha shook her head, as we looked at the tree of silver and gold, crystal and glass. It had grown again, far larger in only a short time, and looking at it… my wrist started to throb, and the crystalline leaves, shining with rainbow energies, rustled despite there being no breeze. “…it is strange indeed. It is not… alive… as a Tree should be, but… it has life. It perplexes and puzzles me, but as a Dryad, I am sensitive to Trees, and it most certainly is one. I still am not sure of what to make of it. The story of its genesis is also puzzling.”

“Yes, Ixitt was experimenting with things stripped from my Territory, as well as those of Kikuchi Shuta-san and any others he could scavenge up. There were also Etherites involved, as well as additional leftovers. But…” I poured strength into my Eyes, examining the puzzling mystery before us.

Rank four? It was only Rank three a few days ago, when Mae protected it…

Materia Tree Rank 4 Unique – This Tree has agglomerated from a mixture of Territorial Silver, Territorial Crystal, and small amounts of other similar materials, Territorial Gold, Territorial Mica, and more. Due to a strange conflux of Adherence and Soullight and the addition of scattered Etherite powder and stray contact from a compatible Spiritual being, as well as the remnants of a failed Territory Anchor, Ether of significant quality is being drawn from the surrounding Boundary and lower Astral, and converted into its own body, becoming solidified Soullight.

Ether density and quality around the Materia Tree will naturally increase from the overspill, and as it grows it drops Fruits containing solidified, refined Soullight. The Tree will naturally regenerate taken Territorial Materials if supplied with Ether and can be grown by further Adherence, Soullight, and additional Territorial Materials, especially from Anchors, and Etherites.

“There are two very strange points here. Did you notice?” I asked Asha, after reading out the description.

“I think… that it is a failed Anchor?” Asha suggested. “Oh… and stray contact seems significant. Do you think it is Ixitt?”

“I hope not.” I laughed. “If so, the Tree would be incredibly chaotic. But considering what it gave me…” I remembered the description of the Apple it had dropped, as if giving a gift.

Apple Of Crystallised Immaterium [Item Class: Noble] [Item Type: Law]

This apple is solidified Soullight and Ether, with the traces of multiple impurities swallowed and converted to a pure, Growth Aspected form. It can restore warped and damaged Spiritual beings and can even help speed up slightly the rate of restoration of a damaged Truesoul. It can also be taken as a tonic, strengthening the Spiritual Body by aiding it in integrating the natural Soullight a Truesoul exudes, though if used in this manner by a being with a weak Chakra network, the effect will likely do more harm than good.

“No, that’s not it. But…” I glanced up at the massive Rhyming Tree that was Asha’s other half. “…I think I know the answer. And it makes me wonder…” I poured more power into my Eyes and expanded my senses. There… I could see the faint glow of soullight, and indeed, it was going down… as were the roots of Asha’s Tree. It was quite a pretty sight, and oddly well timed, the different coloured strands of roots, the Rhyming Tree’s red, orange and rich brown, the Materia Tree’s iridescent silver, with rainbow shimmers of unearthly colours.

“…just how this all happened. Your Tree is fine, isn’t it?” I asked, and Asha nodded.

“In that case… I think we have an answer as to why it’s a Tree. But… it gives me more questions to think on…” I could feel the faint connection between the Seeds Ortlinde gave me and the Rhyming Tree, perhaps because most of the Territorial Materials it was made from were from my Territory, and the Anchor I had made… it wasn’t from Tyr’s Favour, or at least not alone. I had the urge to try giving the Tree a Seed, but as I had used up a couple already, and I wasn’t sure what effect that would have… Damn, it’s at times like this I’d love to have Yasaka-san to ask. I’ll see what I can do to help him recover. If not, I can consult with Rose when she isn’t so busy. But it’s an idea…

“…today isn’t the day for experiments. It’s Christmas Eve, a time for love and romance.” I teased Asha. “Now then. The Treetop terrace, or…?”

“I have…” Her smile was nervous, but then she shook her head, seemingly making up her mind. “…somewhere else I would like to take you. If you don’t mind?”

“Of course not.” It doesn’t matter where we go. I’ve got my own spatial storage handy, so I’m prepared for anything and anywhere. After tomorrow, everyone else can be too, though I still need to compensate Daiyu. Whether she minds or not, I mind.

With that, Asha led me through the Ring Gate, and after the moment of frozen dislocation, which I probed with my Eyes, though the spatial chaos and warped, twisted space revealed little, but did give me a brief flurry of needles of pain stabbing into my eyes and brain, we emerged into the Fae lands. Instead of heading to the mansion though, she led me out towards the Spring, only to take a detour, and after a short while of moving through the fields and orchards Shaeula had instructed Primal Forest’s Plantkin to sow, we emerged at a clearing, by a lake that was once filthy, but now shone clean and pure again, free of Myconid contamination. A small bench was set in the clearing, and I knew where we were.

“Asha, is this…?” I began, and she nodded.

“Yes. This is my old grove. A memorial, as you would call it. We Fae do not do such, but… I am influenced by your mortal ways, it seems.” Looking around, I could see small white posts planted into the ground at seemingly random intervals, but… My memory is excellent nowadays. It can’t be coincidence that one is at the exact spot I remember the Tree we couldn’t save was at… the others seem to be located where the rotten husks of Trees were…

“One day… we shall bloom again.” She looked around, nostalgia and regret warring on her face.

“I see.” I was silent for a moment, before deciding now as a good a time as any. I called out a folding table from my storage, as well as bottles of Fae and mortal beverages, and similar snacks. Laying out the table, I placed a vase in the centre, a single crimson and matching white rose within. Not dead, of course, my wood element kept them alive. “Take a seat.” I sat on the bench and offered Asha a chair from my storage space as well.

As she sat down gracefully, I asked a question. “Do you miss it? The Fae realms, the Seelie Court?”

Asha shook her head. “I can visit whenever I want. But my home is where my Tree is, and where you are. But it is a regret to me, that this place lacks the grove it once held. This land… many Dryads could flourish here, be happy. But the Trees are too few…”

“For now.” I promised, showing her the bottles, and she asked for a deep indigo Fae wine, far stronger than usual. I poured us both a glass, and we clinked them together, toasting happier times. “But the future is ours. Ten years for trees, remember?” As I reminded her of our earlier conversation, so took a deep sip of her wine, staining her lips blue.

“I remember. And it would be a good place for daughters. With the Ring Gates, it is but minutes away. I know you would fret, them being out of your reach.” She chuckled then, looking around. “I was serious. We Dryads are not needy. And you have many demands on your time…”

“I do. My sister has finally stopped hiding her worries, and so I’ll have to pamper her. But she’s as important to me as anyone. Oh… probably a poor choice, talking of sisters here, isn’t it?” I winced, but Asha merely reached out with her free hand across the table, grasping mine, while she sipped on her wine, eyes distant, as if remembering.

“I find it fitting. And relieving.” Asha surprised me. “You shall never have to make the choice I did. To cannibalise your own sisters to survive. Instead… it would please me to see her prosper. For she is my sister too. That is what family is, yes? We Fae again view things differently, but… I like it. Do not fear, I shall be sure to watch over her.”

“Thanks.” I squeezed Asha’s hand. “But don’t think I’m going to let you get away with this attitude. I told you when I accepted you… whether you think you are satisfied with a small measure of my attention, I’m not satisfied. Asha, how could I be? You’re my lover, and… the mother of my soon-to-be-born daughters. Besides…” I grinned ruefully. “…spending time with you is very relaxing. You’re calm, mature… and you have a lot of depths I don’t know yet and would love to discover.”

“Oh?” Asha raised one eyebrow, amused by my declaration. “It seems I am loved well by the one I Kissed. Fret not, I shall seek your company when I desire it.” She glanced around at what I had brought, before picking out some imported Belgian chocolates. “As for… mature…” She handed me the box, opening her mouth wide, wine-stained tongue and lips seductive. “…sometimes, I wish to feel like a young sapling again. So please… feed me!”

Helpless to resist the juxtaposition of the childish behaviour from such a mature woman, knowing it was surely at least partially to distract her from the memories of this place, I obliged, placing a sweet treat on her tongue. As she closed her mouth, chewing, her yellow eyes shining with delight at the taste, I took a long look around the grove. I owe it to Asha to wipe away her sorrows. More Rhyming Trees, huh? Unclaimed ones, of course… they must be out there somewhere…