Taes guided Aaron and Laura through the Great Forest.
Even after the initial shock of the teleportation, the different climate, and the unexpected arrival of Freki, an enormous Ebony Wolf, Aaron was still trying to understand where exactly he had ended up.
The Kingdom of Gaia did not look like an ordinary kingdom. Even though they were in the middle of a forest, Aaron felt strangely safe.
Although he was in an area that was clearly more protected and militarized compared to the rest.
The trees were enormous, and even the military posts built among the roots seemed to be part of the forest instead of destroying it.
Soldiers and ordinary workers of various races moved around naturally. Beastmen, demons, humans, elves, dwarves, and others Aaron would not even know how to name crossed the paths carrying crates, weapons, and magical tools.
No one seemed surprised or disgusted to be beside someone different.
In Asura, there was a very rigid and well-established hierarchy.
In the noble house where Aaron had grown up, race, birth, position, and usefulness determined how a person would be treated. A mixed-blood slave like him did not even need to make a mistake to be seen as inferior. He only needed to be there.
Here, at least in his eyes, people simply existed.
Laura also observed everything in silence. She was tired, a little pale because of the teleportations, but also very curious.
When a demon child ran past beside a beast child and the two almost knocked over a basket of fruit, Laura blinked, very confused.
This entire place seemed like a different view of the world.
Maybe it was only a city, or only an initial impression.
Even so, for two people who had spent a good part of their lives trying not to draw attention, seeing different races walking together without visible fear was something difficult to accept as normal.
Taes looked back and noticed their silence.
"You two are doing well. The first teleportation trip usually knocks down some people far more accustomed to it than you."
Laura tried to smile.
"Thank you, sir."
"Just Taes is fine. 'Sir' makes me sound old!"
Aaron looked at the man guiding them, and internally decided he did not have the courage to simply call him Taes.
Catarina, or General Vesper, walked near Laura, attentive to any sign of discomfort. Despite her apparently high rank, she continued speaking calmly, asking about nausea, dizziness, and pain. Laura answered politely, although she still seemed a little lost.
After a few minutes, the group reached a more open road.
In the distance, among the gigantic trees, Aaron saw structures much larger than he had expected. There were towers, suspended bridges, and buildings integrated into the terrain.
Taes noticed his expression.
"Impressive, isn't it?" he asked.
Aaron took a little while to answer.
"Yes... I have never seen anything like this."
"Yeah, most people say that the first time."
Aaron almost asked whether the Beast God lived there, but ended up giving up. He still did not know if he had the right to ask questions.
A few minutes later, they were taken to a large building, but not exactly a luxurious one. There were guards at the entrance, workers coming and going, and a constant movement of people. It looked like some kind of military administrative center.
That made him feel a little less intimidated.
Taes led them to a spacious room, where there were chairs, a table, and open windows facing the forest. Catarina made Laura sit down immediately and began checking her condition with healing magic.
The soft glow around her hands made Aaron a little tense.
"Everything is fine," Catarina said. "Only fatigue, nausea, and stress. The baby is well."
"Thank you."
Catarina smiled.
"You do not need to thank me for that."
Taes remained standing near the door, but his expression had changed.
"Rygar has been informed of your visit," he said. "Lady Selene as well."
Aaron felt his heart tighten, and Laura looked at him.
"Will she come?"
"Yes," Taes answered. "But first, I need to make something clear."
Aaron straightened his posture.
"Yes?"
"Hitogami is not merely some benevolent god who appeared in your dream. He is an enemy. A dangerous, lying enemy who is very good at using your weaknesses in the cruelest way possible. So even if everything he told you about yourself is correct, that does not make his intention good."
Aaron lowered his eyes.
"I understand... I do not want to cause trouble," he said. "If necessary, we can leave."
Taes sighed.
"If Hitogami really spoke to you, leaving would not solve anything. It would only leave you unprotected. For now, the best place for you is here."
The door opened shortly afterward, and a woman entered. Selene Adoldia stopped near the entrance.
She stood there, observing his face and trying to compare a child she had seen only once as a baby with the adult man before her.
Aaron did not know what to do. He did not know if he should stand up or bow.
In the end, he slowly stood up, because remaining seated felt wrong.
"Ma'am..."
Selene took a few steps forward and asked:
"Your name is Aaron?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
Selene took a deep breath.
"This Human God told you my name, correct? Did he happen to mention... the name I myself gave my son at birth?"
"I believe so... he told me my name should have been Razhar."
She closed her eyes for an instant.
Taes looked away, as if he did not want to interfere with that moment.
Laura remained silent.
Selene opened her eyes again.
"I had a son before Rygar. He was taken from me at birth. I saw him only once, never knew where he was taken, and for a long time I did not even know if he was alive... and indeed, I named him Razhar, although only my husband should have known that."
Aaron was extremely nervous now. Selene looked at Laura and at her belly.
"And your child?"
Aaron looked at Laura.
"He will be born soon... thanks to the Iron Legion, he will not be born a slave."
Selene brought a hand to her mouth, but controlled herself. Before she could answer, someone else entered the room.
Rygar entered, accompanied by Verdia.
Aaron honestly did not know what he had expected. Perhaps an enormous beast, or a king surrounded by guards.
Instead, he saw a tall man dressed simply, for someone who carried the title of the most powerful creature in the world.
Verdia came right beside him.
Aaron felt the urge to kneel, but remembered Taes's words, and managed to remain standing.
Rygar looked first at Selene, then at Laura.
And finally, he looked back at Aaron with a smile.
"It seems you really are my blood brother. Well, my half-brother, technically. Either way, welcome... I would like to talk more and learn what your life has been like, but right now we have a greater priority. Hitogami said he wanted to negotiate with me?"
Aaron did not know exactly how he was so certain, but hey, this was the Beast God. He must have some method for it.
"Ah, yes, thank you. He said that... he would like to negotiate. He said I should seek out the Iron Legion, say your name, and deliver a message to you."
"And did he say anything else about this negotiation?"
"Yes, sir. He said he would like to speak personally, and said he could make contact as long as you were willing."
Verdia crossed her arms.
"Did he ask you for anything in exchange?"
"No."
"Did he ask you to observe anyone? Deliver some object? Repeat a specific phrase? Go back to sleep and wait for another message?"
Aaron thought carefully.
"No. At least... not that I remember."
Verdia looked at Rygar.
"Well, it could just be bait."
Aaron did not fully understand.
"I am sorry," he said, lowering his head. "I did not know I would cause all this."
Rygar answered casually.
"Do not worry about that. I can feel that you are not lying, so you can be sure you are not the problem here."
Aaron raised his eyes, surprised.
"You believe what you are saying. That does not prove Hitogami told the truth about everything, but it proves you did not come here trying to deceive anyone."
Verdia looked at Aaron gently.
"Even so, we need to confirm some information. You understand, right?"
Aaron nodded quickly.
"Yes. I understand."
Selene was still staring intensely at Aaron.
"If you are my son, I am sorry."
Aaron blinked a few times.
"For what?"
"I am sorry I did not find you."
He did not know how to answer.
There was no accusation of any kind in his mind.
The life he had lived was terrible, but he had never known there was someone to blame for the absence. He had never imagined a mother looking for him.
"I did not even know there was someone looking," he murmured.
Selene fell silent.
Rygar also remained silent. Although he was his brother, he knew this did not have the same impact as finding a lost child. He could not even imagine that happening with his own children.
After a few seconds, Rygar spoke:
"You will stay in Gaia for now."
Verdia nodded.
"We also need to consider Laura and the baby's safety. You will remain under discreet protection until we understand better what is happening. Few people need to know the details."
Laura looked relieved.
"Thank you."
Verdia looked at Aaron and added:
"Oh, if possible, it would be good to have written accounts of all the dreams. Even if they seem repetitive. Can you do that?"
Aaron nodded.
"I will do my best."
Taes then led Aaron and Laura out of the room, accompanied by Catarina and some soldiers. Selene followed them as well. There were many things she would like to talk about.
For a few moments, no one spoke.
Verdia was the first to break the silence.
"Well, what will it be this time?"
Rygar sighed.
"Haah, there is no way to know. When I read in the Future Guide that Hitogami tormented Oldgar his entire life, sending problem after problem after him, I did not believe it, but that guy is very creative."
Verdia looked at the floor for a moment, thoughtful.
"Hitogami wants to negotiate right after losing important pieces, after Orsted allied with us, after we gained access to the Artifacts and the Dragon research. He would not send a simple message by chance."
Rygar crossed his arms.
"Are you suggesting this could be a favor?"
"Exactly."
Rygar simply stared at the door, admiring that cockroach's resilience. Even after so many losses, Hitogami was still moving.
---
Night arrived quickly, and Rygar took all due precautions. He did not know how Hitogami intended to make contact, but he believed it would be through an apostle.
Either way, they went to sleep that night like any other.
The only difference was that, even with the Celestial Seal still active, this time, Rygar was, in a certain way, willing to speak with Hitogami.
But he never expected that, when he fell asleep, he would find himself once again in the familiar infinite void.
His mind raced as he wondered how Hitogami had managed to break through the magical blockade.
But before he could reach an answer, he saw him.
Unlike how it used to be, this place was covered in darkness, giving off a sinister, resentful, and bitter feeling.
Hitogami stood in the middle of it, staring at him with an unmistakable look of hostility.
Rygar felt amused just from seeing that scene, although his instincts did not work to verify whether this was an act.
"Hey, Hitogami... long time no see."
"..."
"How did you manage to call me here? I mean, to break through the Celestial Seal's blockade."
Rygar did not really expect him to answer, but he spoke.
"I have my own methods... Beast God. Now that you are here, I would like to discuss the terms necessary for me to be absolved."
----
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