Chapter 29: Great Herd
Everyone stood in silent awe at the foot of the Spirit Tree, a colossal 50-foot-tall behemoth of twisting bark and glowing emerald leaves. The towering structure exuded a serene power, almost divine in its presence. Above them, five translucent spirits moved with grace among the branches, drifting like silk caught in the wind. Their forms shimmered faintly, as if made of moonlight and mist.
The spirits danced, leapt, and twirled from limb to limb, their faces expressionless, their gaze distant, like they existed on a different plane. Despite their radiant beauty and eerie grace, none of them seemed to notice the individuals standing below.
It had been several minutes since the tree’s creation, yet after the fifth spirit emerged, the air grew still. No new ones followed.
’System, can I fuse those spirits with people?’ Kaelor asked, his eyes tracking the ghostly figures.
[Yes. But only with females.]
His gaze flicked instinctively toward Vi but stopped himself. She had already chosen to stay and aid him in building his future. The system had even rewarded him with a generous 1,000 fusion points for gaining her allegiance.
Still, the system had labeled her Vi the Lost, unlike Vulcanus, whom it had titled Great. The title gnawed at him, though he couldn’t place why.
Now, standing beneath a mythical tree born of fusion, Kaelor’s mind spun with possibilities. He had 2,500 fusion points at his disposal, 2,480, to be exact. He couldn’t help but wonder: What would happen if one of those guardian spirits fused with a person? What kind of power would be born?
Before he could dwell further, Hound stepped forward, his expression alert. He leaned in and lowered his voice slightly.