Chapter 7: The Call

It has been over twenty years. Even though the Aelaranthae physical appearance did not change in the slightest, their mentality did. They began to yearn. They no longer wanted to watch, they desire to create. To show what they are capable of. The goddess made them powerful and intelligent. They wanted to utilize that.

However, they feel lacking. No matter how strong they were, they felt useless alone. Two is not enough to create their vague grand aspiration. They need another. Then, both of Aelaranthae had a dream, a call in their sleep. Yearning grows within them. Their experience molded into one.

A Call was then whispered to their soul. Asking whether they would accept or not. Uncertain future, uncertain potential. Weakness, strength, company. All experience grew. Ae Nae accepted the call first, the potential intrigued her. Ae Zir refused, for she was a bit more suspicious and wary. It felt natural. A Aelaranthhad accepted, then the other should refuse.

Ae Zir felt danger while Ae Nae felt potential in such a dream. as they both woke up from their dream, the changes were apparent. Ae Zir sensed Ae Nae telepathy was shaky.

[Huh? What happened?]

[I… don’t… Know…] Ae Nae answered. The virtual room was a mess as her avatar was disorganized. Static lines appeared on Ae Nae’s avatar [I feel tired.]

[Rest then! Is this a disease? It must have been that call!] Ae Zir panicked. On the outside, Ae Zir appeared to merely stare at the sleeping Ae Nae, uncaring. However, on the inside, a great disturbance rose within both Aelaranthae as they never felt anything like this before.

Ae Zir walked toward Ae Nae and pressed her head to hers. This improved the telepathy ability somewhat. But it was not as clear as it was used to. Fear radiated from both Aelaranthae. They have been together since forever. The fact that Aelaranthae could get sick was unthinkable for them. The disconnected link felt alien, like they had lost something important.

Ae Nae finally took a step out from her bed, it felt heavy. Without the mana to sustain her, she was no different than a little girl, weaker even. When she waved at the door, the door didn’t move. Her mana was somehow stuck on her chest, As she peered on her own body, she felt something important on her chest where the mana stuck on. The yearning she felt when the call arrived dissipated the fear of her anomalous body.

[Sorry. Could you open the door?] The virtual room was ruined, So Ae Nae deleted her avatar and merely sent a voice through the telepathic link. It was bizarre for Ae Zir who was used to playing together with Ae Nae in the VR, she felt alone and empty. The game they used to play, pinching cheeks, sprawling on the ground, building castles and destroying it. They just did it yesterday but Ae Zir already missed it.

The suffering did not recede. It was not momentary. It was getting worse. For the first time in her life, Ae Nae felt hunger. She wanted to put something in her mouth. She bit a table, a plate, a chair, anything. Nevertheless, she only had the power of a little girl now. The furniture was not damaged in the least.

Ae Zir waved her hands, the branches securing the warehouse moved away, revealing gold coins, some furniture, and jewelry they obtained as tribute from her people. Amantuile and Lotharine’s gifts were also kept here. Ae Zir then took out some of the gold coins they had saved there. After she closed the door, she went to the market, buying meat, vegetables, random foodstuffs people usually eat. Aelaranthae never had a desire to eat, So Ae Zir did not know what she needed to buy. She merely bought what people often eat.

The villager looked at Aelaranthae’s new behavior curiously. Spies from The kingdom of Antheria and LeAestas, where Amantuile and Lotharine reside, were taking notes. Aelaranthae never bought anything. They never wanted anything. That was a common fact. So, when an Aelaranth went to a vendor and street stall to buy food like a normal girl, many people turned to them, curious. Merchants looked at them like hungry wolves, but if what Aelaranthae bought were mere food, they couldn’t profit too much from it. Aelaranthae were not stupid, if they jacked up the prices, Aelaranthae wouldn’t even buy them. If only they knew what kind of food The Aelaranthae liked, it would make the high price more justified. But what she bought was random, seemingly mundane foodstuff.

[Is this what you want?]

[I don’t know….] Ae Nae answered as she chewed on a random leaf and some skewers Ae Zir presented to her. Her hunger subsides, but it still persists. Her mouth was tired, but her body wanted to chew more.

Weeks passed by. Ae Nae were somewhat stable. But she still needed to eat at least two times a day. Moreover, she couldn’t exercise. Stepping down from her tree house into the road below already made her exhausted. The tree house where the Aelaranthae reside was considered a sacred place. The tree was alive, so it grew taller with each passing year. The Aelaranthae maintained it. After twenty years, the treehouse was the tallest building of Aelaranthae Town. Surpassing the walls and even watch towers the residents build to ward away beasts. It didn’t merely grow taller, it grew larger too, so the residents turned the surroundings of Aelaranthae’s house into an open market or halls. Aelaranthae’s house stuck out like a sore thumb. Antheria empire liked stone houses made from cement. So, Aelaranthae’s house’s design was unique and could be seen from any place in Aelaranthae’s town. It has become a landmark for any traveler. The villagers now called it Aelaranthae’s castle.

As the town grew bigger and bigger, it sprawled to the edge of the forest. Aelaranthae’s castle stuck out more and more for Antheria house design in Aelaranthae town could not match Aelaranthae’s a hundred fifty feet treehouse. It could even be seen slightly from Lucianne. Antheria mocked it for the trend in the capital and Lucianne was not of wood, but marble and stone. However, LeVerda praised its ingenuity and natural beauty.

Such things were of no concern for the Ae Zir for they were more concerned about Ae Nae’s abnormal state. After a year, a noticeable bulge appeared on Ae Nae’s chest. Moreover, she grew weaker. She couldn’t even move out from Aelaranthae’s castle. However, Ae Nae’s telepathic ability were somewhat restored. Although not fully. It calmed Ae Zir a bit.

Ae Nae began wearing socks and slippers inside her house as she knew her castle could wound her now. There was an episode where Ae Zir returned to their house in haste due to an emergency call from Ae Nae. She later found that Ae Nae was wounded from splinters in her chairs. Not just that, Ae Nae had also injured herself with some of the food Ae Zir gave her. Fish were no longer on the menu for its bone had potential to scratch her.

Most humans would laugh at Aelaranthae’s overreaction. But The Aelaranthae were never injured in their life but those they gave themselves due to making the chalice of life. Thankfully, such news was hidden. Ae Zir knew the implication. If people knew Aelaranthae could be injured, people would capture them and milk them for their blood. It was a mistake on Aelaranthae’s part, they didn’t read ahead and were too confident that nothing could hurt them. When Aelaranthae first gave the chalice of life, they didn’t tell the peddlers to hide the process. Amantuile knew about it too. Even though Ae Nae had lost a lot of her ability, her blood was still as potent as ever. Ae Zir turned the blood that was spilled to yet another chalice of life and gave it to Amantuile. Hoping to get more money for Ae Nae.

Knowing Ae Nae’s weakened state, Ae Zir began taking measures. Doors to their mansion were strengthened, windows and balconies were removed, replaced by thick and smooth wood. Gates were grown right around their house. Spikes jutted out from those gates. Deterring the villagers to even approach Aelaranthae’s treehouse for a shelter from the rain.

The villager felt uneasy at Aelaranthae’s attitude. Some of them began to debate about Aelaranthae’s recent behavior.

“Are they gearing up for war?”

“Why did they protect only their own castle?”

“This must be one of those spies. They must have angered the Aelaranthae.”

“Those spies were only lurking around, asking questions. The Aelaranthae have begun buying things from us. Maybe they were too eager?”

Such are the conversations that happened between the villagers. Most villagers were simply weirded out by Aelaranthae’s antics, but Antheria and LeAestas were freaked out. They blamed each other. LeAestas said Antheria coerced them for their chalice of life while Antheria accused LeAestas for coerced Aelaranthae’s time so they could plunder their knowledge to themselves.

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And so, Amantuile and Lotharine were tasked to apologize and brought gifts to the Aelaranthae. They complained, but nevertheless, both nations needed to curry favor with the Aelaranthae and these two were considered to be the closest to them.

Amantuile and Lotharine had heard about Aelaranthae' spending spree and brought gifts. Jewels, wreaths, spices, exotic animals, exotic fruits, etc. They met up at an inn beforehand and conversed. The rumor of Aelaranthae buying foodstuff was insane. They had never saw Aelaranthae ate during their stay in Aelaranthae Town. All they could think about was the Aelaranthae finally took fancy of some weird food or jewelry and bought them to sate their curiosity. However that doesn’t explain about the fortification the Aelaranthae set up to their homes.

The pair of mage and human knocked on the intimidating gate. Trying to call for the Aelaranthae. The Aelaranthae do not answer. It was impossible for the Aelaranthae to hear them from below. So, Amantuile and Lotharine lounged at nearby stalls, keeping an eye at Aelaranthae’s castle. When the sun almost set, Amantuile and Lotharine found Ae Zir came out from her castle and to the stalls nearby. Without delay, the pair approached them.

“Greetings, esteemed Aelaranthae. Blessing be upon you, may we have a talk?” Amantuile usually said ‘May we be graced by time?’ but he forgo his polite gesture so the Aelaranthae could understand the importance of this talk. Ae Zir nodded. With what appeared to be groceries in hand, Ae Zir welcomed them to her house.

Thanks to the growth of the treehouse, Ae Zir had rooms to ensure Amantuile and Lotharine did not see Ae Nae. She had taken a precaution beforehand by making several rooms inside her house. Ae Nae was resting in a specially made room with thick walls and doors behind the living room Ae Zir welcomed Amantuile in. She didn’t want to place Ae Nae further because the telepathic link somehow grew weaker the further they separated. It exhausted Ae Zir mentally when she realized she couldn’t connect to Ae Nae, even for a brief moment when she went to do grocery, hence the room arrangement.

“You may talk.”

“Esteemed Aelaranthae, we have seen that you have… renovated your house. May we know the cause?”

“...” the Aelaranthae stared at them menacingly, “We prefer if you did not ask.”

“Esteemed Aelaranthae, if we caused any kind of dishonor, please tell us so we can fix our mistake.” Lotharine bowed down, almost kneeling. Amantuile too, was taken aback. It was not the first time they faced rejection from The Aelaranthae, but they were usually more amicable when speaking.

“... my companion is sick. The fault lies not on you.” Ae Zir answered them. She decided to be honest with them. She had already known them for years, moreover she had hoped Amantuile could give new medicine or food for the Ae Nae. Ae Nae had complained that eating the same food consecutively made it tasted worse and worse. Something that Ae Zir tilted her head upon.

Amantuile and Lotharine gazed at the Aelaranthae with horror. If Aelaranthae can be sick, that means The fate of the chalice of water and Aelaranthae Academy hangs in the balance. LeAestas would lose their greatest teacher. Many new enchantments in Aelaranthae academy were reviewed by these Aelaranthae to prove their effectiveness and safety. If Aelaranthae could get sick, that means they could die, the news would surely cause panic with professors.

“Can we help you?”

“I don’t know what she needs. I hope you can bring me something new….”

A footstep was heard. It was dragging itself, a curtain behind Ae Zir was shifted and Ae Nae appeared. Amantuile tilted his head since Ae Nae seemed fine. But upon closer inspection, a noticeable bump on her chest was visible through her dress.

“Your mana was a mess. It concentrated weirdly.” A mage was more sensitive to mana and thus Lotharine immediately concluded the bump on her chest was at fault. Thanks to Aelaranthae’s teaching, his mana perception was able to see the mana swirling inside Ae Nae’s bump.

“Should we perhaps remove the bump? Using knives? I have heard of a similar bump the priest from Celestiline called a tumor. It is a concentration of malevolent energy that resides in humans and must be excised.” Amantuile said but Ae Nae refused.

“No. Leave me be. This is important to me.” Ae Nae said. Amantuile and Lotharine tilted their heads. They were just trying to help. Ae Zir merely sighed. Through the recently restored telepathic link, Ae Zir knew how important that bump on Ae Nae’s chest was. Both of them didn’t know what the bump was for, but Ae Nae just felt that it was important. It was pure instinct.

“My apologies. I shall see what you need.” Amantuile and Lotharine apologized superficially while promising to bring them gifts.

In the next couple of hours, Amantuile and Lotharine brought in their gifts they prepared beforehand. A wreath made of Ciscillia Flowers, birds of Lucianne, and some rare foods such as puddings, cakes, and jewelry. Ae Nae bit each one of them, including the live bird. Of course, the bird, being alive, tweeted loudly and resisted with all of its might. It flew away after it scratched Ae Nae in the hand.

[Aww…. It hurts!]

[Don’t touch any living beings. They can hurt you now! Let me wipe you. Thank goodness it was just a shallow wound. The bleeding had stopped.] Ae Zir puffed her cheek in the virtual room. There, a fluffy white ball whined.

Ae Nae had somehow regained partial access to the virtual room. However, she couldn’t create anything intricate. Ae Zir had to indulge her and lowered the detail on the virtual room otherwise, Ae Nae will experience a lag in the connection. Such lag could tire both of them mentally. The verdant garden and opulent mansion was now turned to a simple white room with a table and a chair.

Outside, both of the Aelaranthae were as cool as cucumbers. However, Ae Nae literally cried to the pain she experienced on her cheeks in the virtual room.

“She is now greatly weakened. I thank you for your gift. But I must refuse any living animals next time. No gift of sharp objects such as bones too. Thank you.” Ae Zir bowed her head. She was grateful to Amantuile for providing them with a new source of food. The sun had set and it was time for Amantuile and Lotharine to go back. They didn’t realize the bizarre scene happening before them and the importance of it.

Amantuile and Lotharine keep going to Aelaranthae’s castle, bringing potions, food, and various herbs. Ae Zir, who was grateful for Amantuile’s help, relaxed their guard. However, the king’s spies noticed the assortment of their gifts. He then summoned Amantuile for a private meeting. Amantuile subtly refused. However, The king unexpectedly came to him in Lucianne. The Aelaranthae had provided him with the chalice the other day, so his mood was stellar.

“Amantuile, how is the Aelaranthae. You brought them many gifts, did you manage to procure yet another chalice?” The king asked. Amantuile gasped. The king was supposed to be a hundred years old. Yet he looked like he was merely fifty now. The change was not sudden. Amantuile had just realized it when he looked into the mirror and compared himself to the king. He now looked older than the king.

“No, my king. The Aelaranthae were currently troubled. As their allies, it was my duty to help them.”

“Oh, may I expect to receive another chalice after their trouble is over? We certainly had done much for them, right? I shall help too. What do they need?”

“They merely need food and rest, my king.” Amantuile replied. The king smiled amicable, but deep down, both of them knew what he wanted.

“Amantuile, you are new to nobility, naive and kind. I have known you since you were a knight trainee, Amantuile. You were but a mere knight. Yet you have grown into a splendid marquis. Why can’t you give me what I desire?”

“I give all that I have to you, my king. I can not give what I don’t have.”

“Such gullible lord. I kinda like your honesty. It was always your best trait, wasn't it? Did you know why I seek the chalice with such fervor?”

“You sell them to sick nobles and obtain much more gold or favor, right?” Amantuile said. However he second guessed himself after he saw how young the king looked. The king was much younger than he previously looked years ago, when Amantuile first became a marquis. Amantuile often thought the king was using the chalice to bribe other lords to follow him. But after seeing how the king seemed to never age, he had this gnawing suspicion, “Wait. Did you use the chalice yourself?”

“You are not stupid, merely honest.” The king nodded, his beaming smile was like a kind grandfather talking to his grandson. ”You see, I shall tell you a secret. I have found the secret of eternal life. I am the king, the emperor. What use is my kingdom if I die? Should I give this empire to my worthless son? No. I have built this empire, this is my kingdom. With the Aelaranthae, I could rule this empire forever! You too, should join me, Amantuile.”

Amantuile looked at him aghast. “The Aelaranthae had specifically mentioned that you shouldn’t drink the chalice when you are healthy!”

“Humans are not healthy, Amantuile. We are always sick. Time is our illness. Can’t you see? Look at you, toiling around for The Aelaranthae while all they did was merely perched on their tree like birds, looking down on you, smiling as you aged while they remained in their pristine, ageless form. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? We looked like brothers now despite my advanced age.”

“I do not need eternal life, Your Highness. Humans must die one day. That is the way of life,” Amantuile replied. While his sounds were firm, deep down, he was tempted. He had a family to protect, A wife and a son. Now that he had become a noble, there is so much more he could achieve.

“Hahaha…. Everyone said so. I, too, laughed at it when I was young. Mages tried to concoct the elixir of life for millennia. Yet they never succeed.”

“It is up to the Aelaranthae to give the chalice or not. Didn’t we already give one to you a few months ago?”

“I do not wish to be enslaved by it. Even after I drink the chalice, it is not enough.”

“What’s your plan then? It’s bad to rely on the chalice, right? Aelaranthae don’t need you! They don’t need us! Then what else can you do but grovel under her legs so she would give us a drop of her blessing? You can either die free or live as a slave. As a king, surely you wouldn’t go down such paths.”

“Did you know? The chalice of life was just normal water. Did you know what makes it special?” the king gazed upon the silver cup on Amantuile’s table. He then poured himself water and gazed upon it longingly.

“...Aelaranthae’s blood?”

“Yes. You said you are loyal, you said you serve the kingdom. Yet such information was kept from me. Seems like you finally learned how to lie, Amantuile. Did you hide other information from me? From your king?”

Amantuile shuddered. His mind reeled back to when Ae Nae was scratched by a bird. He questioned himself, how did the king know? Was someone spying on him? But he never spoke of it to anyone outside Aelaranthae’s home.

“So you do know something.” the king surmised.

“It was futile. My king.” Amantuile replied. However, the king had lived through the treachery of the court of nobles. He could see Amantuile’s lie as bright as the sun. He didn’t know what Amantuile hid from him, but he now knew that Amantuile knew something that the king needed.

“Is that so, we shall see.” The king then left Amantuile to his own device. Amantuile was ready for a head on conflict, but the king had another plan..