Draven knelt between both beasts. Looked at corrupted wolf—saw centuries of similar beasts, enslaved, broken, suffering.
Looked at fawn—saw potential, future, innocence preserved.
Easy answer: save innocent. But was it RIGHT answer?
"I choose... neither."
Velnar's presence sharpened. "Explain."
"You said pool has healing for one life. But you didn't say I can't use my own healing."
Drew Thornblade. Stabbed his own palm—shallow cut, not serious, but bleeding.
Life Drain activated in reverse—blade pulled vitality from HIM, channeled to corrupted wolf. Just enough to ease pain. Not heal. Mercy death.
Wolf's eyes cleared—one moment of awareness, gratitude, then faded peacefully. Suffering ended.
Draven then carried fawn to pool. Placed it in water. Pool's healing activated—leg mended, bleeding stopped, fawn recovered.
"I saved the one who could live. But I didn't abandon the one who couldn't. Life's Law isn't about choosing who's worthy. It's about giving EVERYONE dignity. The wolf deserved merciful death. The fawn deserved healing. I honored both."
***
Silence. Then: Velnar's true form shifted—tree trunk opening, scorpion emerging.
"You are... acceptable. Rare quality in mortals."
Claws touched Draven's shoulder.
"I have waited eight centuries for one who comprehends balance. Not just understands—COMPREHENDS. Lives it. Breathes it. You refused binary choice. You created third option. You honored BOTH lives differently."
"Heart trial passed. You are worthy."
***
Velnar gestured to alcove behind his tree-form. Roots parted.
Inside: Warden's Mantle.
Cloak hanging on branch, dark green fabric with golden Bloomscript threading. Living weave—moved slightly, as if breathing. Heavy but not burdensome.
"First: Mantle. Take it. Earned through trial."
Draven approached. Lifted cloak. Weight shifted—adapted to him instantly. Draped over shoulders.
Cloth moved—not forcefully, embracing. Wrapped around him, secured itself. Golden threads glowed, inscribed themselves into fabric permanently—his name, his bond-marks, his story.
The Grimoire manifested an entry:
Warden's Mantle — Cloak of the Life-Bearer
Tier: Lord
Abilities:
- Sanctuary Aura: Bonded beasts within 30m heal faster, fear effects negated
- Adaptive Defense: Hardens automatically against incoming attacks (physical + resonance)
- Forest Camouflage: Near-invisibility in natural environments
- Bearer's Authority: Beasts instinctively sense Fragment-bearer, respect passively
- Bound to Bearer: Cannot be stolen/removed, repairs itself, grows with wielder
Note: "I am armor and symbol both. Wear me with wisdom, and I protect body and spirit. Betray Life's Law, and I will not shield you."
Cloak settled. Draven felt different. Protected. Acknowledged. Authorized.
***
"Now: Me."
Velnar approached, all eight eyes focused.
"I am Velnar, Everthorn Tree, Guardian of Balance. I have waited eight hundred years for worthy Bearer. You pass all trials. You comprehend Life's Law deeper than any I've tested."
"I offer bond. Not servitude. Partnership. I fight beside you. You respect nature. Together, we restore balance to Theia."
Claws extended—not threat, offering.
"Do you accept Oath of the Eternal Grove?"
Draven didn't hesitate. Grasped claw.
"I accept. Walk beside me, Velnar. Teach me what I still don't understand. Fight with me when balance demands. Rest when it doesn't."
***
Green light exploded—not the Grimoire this time, Velnar's life-energy directly.
Roots erupted from ground, wrapped around both—symbiotic connection forming. Draven felt Velnar's presence settle in his mind—not controlling, accompanying.
Mental voice, warm: *Bearer. I am with you now. Call, and Nature's Legion answers. Rest, and I provide sanctuary. Fight, and I join the fray.*
The Codex manifested, recorded:
Velnar, the Everthorn Tree
Status: Lord
Bond: Oath of the Eternal Grove (Mutual Partnership)*
Abilities:
- Nature's Legion: Summon 100+ life-element constructs (wolves, serpents, hawks, bears, stags)
- Thorn Barrage: Fires dozens of poisonous/paralytic thorns
- Root Snare: Underground roots bind enemies (30m radius)
- Regeneration Field: 20m healing aura (allies recover faster)
- Hardened Carapace: Tank mode (extreme defense, reduced mobility)
- Venomous Strike: Tail delivers lethal poison OR healing sap (wielder chooses)
- Seed Bomb: Explosive seed pods (area denial)
- Tree Form: Roots in place, 100m sanctuary zone, immobile but impenetrable
*Personality: Ancient, wise, stern, loyal, combat-enthusiast, blunt, protective. Tests allies but defends them fiercely once earned.*
*Combat Role: Summon specialist, frontline tank, mobile sanctuary, area control.*
*Notes: "Nature fights when provoked. I am that wrath. Use me wisely, Bearer, and forests march with you."*
Light faded. Velnar released Draven's hand.
"Bond complete. I am yours, as you are mine. Where you walk, Everthorn follows."
Draven smiled. "Welcome to the pack, Velnar."
"Pack. I have not been part of... pack... in centuries. Acceptable term."
Roots parted. Doorway opened—team waiting outside.
***
Four hours passed outside—felt longer to team. Doorway opened. Draven emerged—wearing Lord-tier cloak, carrying two blades, accompanied by giant scorpion.
Team stared.
Mira: "You... made a friend?"
Draven grinned. "Team, meet Velnar. Velnar, meet the team who got me here."
Velnar clicked forward. Examined each member.
To Terys: "Earth-sister. You protect well. Respectable."
To Ryl: "Scout. You walk lightly. Forest approves."
To Joran and Thea: "Builders. Create, not destroy. Rare in your species."
To Mira: "Knowledge-keeper. You preserve truth. Essential role."
Then, surprisingly: "This is... pack. Acceptable pack. I join willingly."
Mira wrote frantically: "Lord-tier scorpion. Sentient tree manifestation. Bonded with Draven. NOBODY WILL BELIEVE THIS."
Draven laughed. "Believe it. We're heading home."
Velnar shifted—scorpion form compacted slightly, three meters, traveling size. "I can maintain mobile form indefinitely. Lead, Bearer. I follow."
Return journey began—evening, heading west toward Bloomring.
Three artifacts acquired. One Lord bonded. Mission complete.
***
Night fell. Team made camp—first time with Velnar present.
The scorpion settled near perimeter, tail coiled, eyes half-closed. Resting but aware. Passive Regeneration Field activated—twenty-meter aura, everyone felt it. Exhaustion fading faster, small aches healing.
Ryl: "That's... convenient."
Velnar's mental voice—everyone heard: *Pack rests better when Everthorn watches. Sleep. I guard.*
Terys rumbled approval. "Good. I too guard. Between us, nothing reaches camp."
Two Lords on watch. Team relaxed fully for first time in days.
***
Draven sat by fire, laid out acquisitions:
Weapons:
- Stormfang Blade (Elite-tier, right hand, storm element)
- Thornblade Dagger (Rare-tier, left hand, life element)
- Pair synergy: Storm triggers explosive growth
Armor:
- Warden's Mantle (Lord-tier cloak, sanctuary aura, adaptive defense)
Companions:
- Zor (Lord, Storm Sovereign, aerial supremacy)
- Velnar (Lord, Everthorn Tree, summon specialist plus tank)
- Plus: Varyn (King, allied), Feyra (King, Lightfield anchor), Terys (Lord, Ryl's bond), Sylvara (Lord, mentor)
Mira sat beside him. "You left Bloomring as good swordsman. Returning as... what? Arsenal? Army?"
"Returning as someone who might survive what's coming."
"Dominion?"
"Dominion. Overlords. Whatever else wakes up. Magma Drake out there. Others too. I need to be ready."
She wrote: "Draven doesn't see himself as powerful yet. Still thinks he's inadequate. But he's bonded two Lords, wields Elite/Rare/Lord-tier gear, carries Fragment. He's becoming legend and doesn't realize."
Looked up. "You know you're terrifying now, right?"
He laughed. "I'm really not."
"You walked into ancient tree's chamber. Passed impossible trials. Bonded Lord-tier scorpion. Wear cloak that makes beasts instinctively respect you. Dual-wield storm and life. And you think you're not terrifying?"
"...When you list it like that."
"Exactly."
***
Velnar's eyes opened fully. Mental voice, contemplative:
*Bearer. I have walked Theia eight centuries. Seen empires rise, fall. Seen beasts enslaved, broken. Seen balance forgotten.*
*You are first in all that time who fights for balance, not dominance. Rare. Precious. Do not squander this.*
Draven looked at Velnar. "I won't. Promise."
Good. Because if you do, I will be disappointed. And disappointed Everthorn is... unpleasant.
Despite weight, everyone laughed. Velnar's bluntness was oddly comforting.
Thunder rumbled in distance—not storm, greeting. Zor, sensing Velnar's presence from afar.
Through Stormbound Mark: New storm-brother joins. Storm welcomes earth and life.
Velnar responded somehow, connection Draven didn't fully understand: Sky-brother acknowledged. We guard Bearer together.
Pack growing. Power consolidating.
Tomorrow they'd return to Bloomring. To whatever came next.
But tonight, surrounded by Lords who chose to walk beside him, wearing armor that marked him as worthy, wielding weapons that judged and accepted him—
Tonight, Draven allowed himself to believe. Maybe, just maybe, he could face what was coming.
Maybe he was enough.
***
Notes:
Trial of Heart Resolution: Draven mercy-kills corrupted wolf (Thornblade life-drain), heals innocent fawn (pool); honors both lives differently; passes by refusing binary choice.
Warden's Mantle Acquired: Lord-tier cloak; sanctuary aura (30m), adaptive defense, camouflage, Bearer's Authority (beasts instinctively respect); bound permanently to Draven.
Velnar Bonding: Oath of Eternal Grove (partnership); Lord-tier scorpion; summons 100+ constructs; Regeneration Field (20m healing aura); tank/summoner specialist.
Team Reunion: Velnar meets expedition party; approves pack; travels in compact form (3m); double Lord guard with Terys.
Complete Loadout:
- Weapons: Stormfang (Elite) + Thornblade (Rare)
- Armor: Warden's Mantle (Lord)
- Companions: Zor + Velnar (Lords), Varyn + Feyra (Kings, allied)
Character Development: Draven doesn't see himself as powerful yet; Mira observes he's becoming legend; Velnar's philosophy reinforces balance over dominance.
Pack Connection: Zor and Velnar acknowledge each other; Lords coordinate protection; Draven surrounded by chosen allies.
Mission Complete: 3/3 artifacts acquired; 1 Lord bonded (exceeded expectations); return journey begins; timeline intact.
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