It felt as if Uncle Cordaos had stepped on her head.

  Five days in. Five whole days, and it still hurt to open her eyes! A few more notifications had popped up and been promptly dealt with and dismissed. After initially passing out, she contacted her friends via her ring. Promising that soon she'd be able to see them all again.

  She prayed to Lady Ora'sys and Lord Arlyss, as well as her newfound friends. She even prayed to have a little relief from the pounding headache. Sadly, that prayer went unanswered.

  -=====-

  Another two weeks had passed. Trillia finally felt as though she wasn't suffering some mental attack. Both she and Storm had also learned that the sword and shield she had brought back were very defensive of her. Even against a creature as powerful as Storm, they still tried to lash out when he grabbed her to move her to her bed.

  They didn't do any damage, unsurprising given what he was, but they certainly tried. Trillia now ran her fingertips over the shield, taking a deep breath and reaching out for the connection she knew would be there.

  Would you like to bind this artifact to you?

  Artifact Details:

  Shield of Faith

  This object is considered a (Least) Divine Entity for purposes of dispelling.

  This object can absorb up to 100,000 mana from attacks. Once it has been bound to a creature it will only intercept attacks that creature deems dangerous, or that the bound creature is unaware of. Once it has absorbed 100,000 mana it will unleash a spell that causes rapid healing and regeneration on all creatures it's wielder considers allies.

  This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to. Regardless of distance or dimension, the creature this artifact is bound to can always summon it to their side with an hour of preparation and a single point of mana.

  This artifact is indestructible.

  Trillia said yes, of course. A big grin on her face. "Welcome to the team!"

  She gently laid it down to rest on the ground before picking up the sword. Another deep breath, and she reached out.

  "The late Mistress was correct in her assumptions. You care far too much about things you shouldn't."

  Trillia blinked a few times as she stared down at the blade. "What do you mean?" Trillia was happy to speak over the mental link that had formed between her and the blade.

  "The shield is not sentient. I was controlling it to defend you before I realized you were in the clutches of a dragon. Yet, despite it being an inanimate object, you treat it as though it were an equal friend. Why?"

  "Because even though it is a tool. It will still be used to save my life and the lives of those I care about. Orc culture cares deeply for our tools and our livestock. It doesn't matter if the object can understand the honor and importance we show them. It matters that we show that honor and importance because those are the things that keep us alive. We must remain grateful to them. Even if they cannot return the favor. For in our honor, we will take care of them and ensure they are well-kept. In the case of our livestock, we give them the best life we can and a quick, clean death."

  Silence bloomed between them for many minutes before the sword responded. "The late Mistress would often say that I should give thanks to the trees for their great boughs and many leaves that keep rain from my blade. You are sentimental, like she was. This is going to be a bothersome pact, isn't it?"

  Trillia had her own moment of silence before speaking. "I'm sorry. That I couldn't do more to help Blossom. I'm sorry that we lost her. I am sorry that you lost her. I know that couldn't have been easy."

  "She fought an enemy that I could not see. An opponent that had no form to me. You are also going to fight such creatures, are you not?"

  Despite it being a sword, Trillia sensed a certain level of dread coming from it. "I am. I must. I will not let my home be devoured, just as Blossom refused. If you wish, I can find you an owner who will not fight the Eldritch but will still honor and value you."

  There was a flash of anger from the blade before it settled. "I will grow and get stronger. I will find a way to fight those creatures at your side. I will not let the late Mistress' find fall to the same fate. I will not fail again. Promise me that we will grow stronger, and I am yours."

  Trillia thought about it for a moment. Her anger at the eldritch bubbled and burned in her mind. "I promise that we will get stronger. I will help you find a way to fight against those creatures with me."

  Would you like to bind this creature to you?

  Creature Details:

  Leaf of Yggdrasil

  This creature is considered a (Least) Divine Entity for purposes of dispelling.

  The Leaf of Yggdrasil is a sentient artifact.

  It has all the properties of a High-Sylph Longsword. It is immune to all forms of magic damage. Once it has chosen a creature to form a pact with, it will not leave that creature's side until one of them is destroyed.

  Destroying the Leaf of Yggdrasil is considered heresy and blasphemy against the [1st Axle] and is punished as such.

  The Leaf of Yggdrasil can meditate for one hour to repair any physical damage it has taken.

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  The Leaf of Yggdrasil can meditate for one hour to return to it's pact-master from anywhere in the known universe.

  There is a deep hunger within the blade, it seeks vengeance. Binding with such a creature make have dire consequences.

  Trillia read through it all twice. She was surprised to see that the system viewed it as a creature, not just an artifact. That made sense. It didn't take her long to say yes.

  You have formed a Pact with the Leaf of Yggdrasil!

  While this creature is bound to you, all non-sentient animals view you as a friendly creature until proven otherwise. They will not flee from nor attack you unless provoked.

  All spells that use Plant or Life based mana manipulation have their effects doubled.

  The Leaf of Yggdrasil can cast it's own spells and abilities based on it's Pact-Master's mana and stats.

  "I look forward to working with you, Leaf. I'll keep this connection open so we can chat whenever you want."

  "As you wish, Mistress Trillia. I should warn you, I have little to say."

  "That's fine, I'm here if you want to talk. I do have a question, how did you control the Shield of Faith? I didn't see anything about that in your details."

  "I utilized a small internal buffer of mana that I have. Now that I am linked to you, I can utilize your mana when you allow it."

  "As long as I'm above ten percent of my total mana, you can use mana at your will. You do not need to ask. I trust that you won't betray me. We're in this together, after all."

  She felt disappointment leak through the connection. "The two of you are so infuriatingly trusting. As you wish, Mistress Trillia. I shall do my best to defend you."

  There was a small tug at her mana, but she didn't notice it going down. She did notice that Leaf pulled itself from her hands and hovered behind her back. The Shield of Faith also lifted itself from the ground and hovered behind Leaf, both ready for battle. "Good. Let's go and charge this crystal so that I can leave this place and finally see my friends."

  She made her bed and left the room, hopefully for the last time. It didn't take her long of wandering to be found by someone and ushered to Storm. The mighty dragon lay on top of his floating citadel, watching the storms blow past. "So she finally rises. Good."

  "Lord Storm. Thank you for taking care of me while I recovered. I'd like to charge those crystals now if you are ready."

  "Of course. I hope that in the coming days of darkness, that we can fight together. For the safety of Alirast."

  Trillia paused and looked up at him. "How do I convince the others? I've already tried saying things outloud and find myself unable to do so."

  "Now you understand the plight of all creatures that are bound by the rules and laws of the universe. Clever wording will go a long way. Otherwise, it is our duty to grow strong enough that we can buy enough time for them to realize the danger when it is upon us."

  Trillia took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well."

  To Trillia's surprise, there was a single small crystal waiting for her in what looked like an altar room. It stood half her height and was a thin, tiny thing. "This is the only crystal?"

  Storm stood next to her in his drakken form. "Do you really think all of this is about charging an Aetherian Crystal?"

  Trillia couldn't help but chuckle. Of course not. It was just one more way that everyone was dancing around the reality of things. Nudging pieces and desparately to shove fate in the direction they needed it to go.

  The moment was upon her. She stepped up to the crystal and extended a hand. Despite having no named skill for it, it wasn't difficult for her to step into the Aether. She didn't dare use any mana.

  Once she stood in the vast oceans of swirling colors and mana she took notice of the things around her. Most terrifying was Storm himself. Perhaps it was simply his proximity. But the mighty dragon seemed like a glowing beacon of turbulent white mana.

  Slowly, she shifted her gaze to look around at the many other sources of mana. Golden streaks raced from place to place. Some paused when she looked at them as if they knew she was gazing in their direction. Taking a deep breath, she turned her eyes up and out. She was happy to see a distant lack of some ever-hungry void hovering around her realm, as it had been with Blossom's realm.

  Trillia felt as though she were safe. Placing her hands on the crystal she pulled part of it into the Aether with her, it's mana filled instantly. She pulled herself and the crystal out.

  It sat there with a brilliant glow on its altar.

  You are in the Presence of Aetherian Mana!

  All Mana Regeneration has been quadrupled!

  All Spells have their effects doubled!

  Trillia turned to look at Storm. "Why doesn't everyone use one of these? Surely, there are other Aetherian Mages. If the benefits are so extensive, wouldn't armies have them?"

  Storm tilted his head quizzically at her. "Benefits?"

  That gave her pause.

  "The notification? The buff?"

  Storm shook his head. "I received no notification or buff. It must be some trait or ability you have."

  "I see." Trillia stared at the crystal for a few more minutes before turning and bowing to Storm. "If that is all, Lord Storm. I'd like to see my friends and family now. Thank you for everything."

  Storm smiled at her as he stepped up to the crystal. "Of course. Thank you, Lady Fairtrade. May our battles be legendary and our victories certain. Where shall I take you?"

  "The city of Red River, where my brother rules."

  Storm grabbed her shoulder, and the two turned into lightning once again. A loud crackle and boom in the city center of Red River startled and stunned nearby citizens. Trillia was left standing there, a bit dazed.

  The moment she took a deep breath, she found herself pulled into a hug. Alarm initially sounded from Leaf, but was quickly dashed.

  "It is good to see you as well, Lord Arlyss." Trillia was happy to return the hug. As Arlyss pulled away, Ialu pounced on her and let loose a series of licks on her face. "And you as well, Ialu! I've missed you so much." Trillia pulled the creature into a hug before realizing that her arms didn't fit around her anymore.

  Slowly, she pulled away and looked at Ialu. "Uhhh, you've certainly grown."

  Arlyss smirked and reached out a hand to help her to her feet. "We have not been idle while you've been gone. Ialu has been hard at work training with your friends or with me. She refused to get left behind again."

  Trillia wrapped an arm around Ialu and smiled. Even sitting down, the desert skoll was now taller than Trillia was. "Sorry about that girl. It won't happen again."

  "Lord Arlyss... I. There are many things we need to discuss."

  Arlyss raised a hand. "Of that, I have no doubt. For now, let's get you something to eat and let your friends know you are in this city. It may take a couple of days but they will return to visit you. Much has happened, and I have no doubt many of us will have tales to tell. Come."

  She wanted to stop him, wanted to tell him of the eldritch threat. But she couldn't. The words wouldn't form. Trillia was quickly realizing how frustrating it must have been for the many deities she had met to dance around their words. She'd find a way. But for now, she was happy to relax a little.