Path of Dragons - A LitRPG Apocalypse (BOOK TWO STUBBING AUGUST 15)

“Everyone else wanted to come,” said Carmen, a sleeping toddler cradled in one arm. She shifted a little, but little Eli didn’t awaken. “You should’ve let them come.”

Elijah shook his head. “We already said our goodbyes,” he pointed out. In addition to the banquet, he had sent what felt like a thousand messages to acquaintances and allies, explaining that he was going to be off-planet for a little while. He didn’t specify the length of his visit to the Empire of Scale, and not just because he didn’t know himself. Mostly, he didn’t want to put a timer on it because he thought some people might take advantage.

And besides, he could return at any time, should the need arise.

“It feels weird. Like there should be more people here. You deserve a bigger sendoff.”

Elijah grinned. “At least I got to spend a little time with my great-nephew,” he said. They’d had breakfast in Druid’s Park while Eli had crawled around, exploring everything he could find. His curiosity was contagious. “He takes after Miggy.”

“Let’s hope not. We want him to be a Tradesman. Or better yet, an Administrator. Something safe,” she said, her hand finding the toddler’s back. He was only a little more than a year old, but he was big for his age.

Because Hope had spent most of her pregnancy on the island, he was already acclimated to the dense ethera and vitality of the grove. That came with a host of benefits, not least that he was probably one of the healthiest babies to have ever existed. That acclimation would also set him up for a proper nature attunement.

There was no guarantee that it would be dominant, but it would be strong enough to join the grove, just by virtue of the circumstances of his birth.

A part of Elijah wanted to stick around and help his great-nephew develop into something special. To play the doting uncle. But he knew himself well enough to recognize just how miserable that would make him. It would be fun for a little while, but it wouldn’t be long before he found himself staring longingly at the horizon.

No – he wouldn’t sit still. He couldn’t. He just didn’t have it in him.

The line to access the Branch shifted forward a little. Carmen and Elijah went with it, and over the next few minutes, they slowly inched their way toward the crystalline tree at the center of the room. Thousands of people accessed it each day. Most used it to send messages to friends, family, and business contacts, but others were there to buy guides or check their bank accounts.

But very, very few used it for travel.

Largely, that was because of the existence of the Conclave Spires, which were far cheaper. Even if Elijah hadn’t been banned from using that man-made teleportation network, it wouldn’t have served his purpose. Because the only way off-planet – for now, at least – was to use the Branch.

Maybe one day the Conclave would establish Spires on other worlds, though Elijah knew just enough about space magic to recognize how big of a leap in complexity that would be. It would be years yet before anyone had the necessary expertise.

Sooner than Elijah had expected, his turn arrived.

“Well, this is me,” he said, hugging Carmen. “I’ll keep in touch. And if anything happens, just send me a message. If I don’t respond quickly enough, stand in the center of the grove and make a scene. I’ll sense it.”

“Be good,” she told him, tears in her eyes.

“Always.”

Then, at the Envoy’s nod, Elijah reached out to touch the trunk of the crystalline tree. He’d intended to go straight to the Teleportation Network, but when he saw a message, he couldn’t stop himself from reading it.