Listening to these alien terms like "Wood-type" and "evolve", Asher didn't fully grasp the mechanics or the theory behind it, but he vaguely surmised that Ewan was planning some sort of miracle. Looking down at the eager, almost pleading expression on the boy's face, Asher found he didn't have the heart to refuse.
He knew wild honey was notoriously difficult to harvest, often located on sheer cliffs or towering treetops guarded by aggressive swarms. As for the ancient pollen, that would require a trek deep into the western woods. Yet, looking at Ewan, he simply nodded.
However, the image of Ewan from the previous night, curled up tightly in his embrace, trembling and fragile, flashed vividly through Asher Ryder's mind. The memory of that vulnerability tugged at something deep within the Alpha's chest. He wanted to do something, anything, that would bring joy to the boy, to replace that expression of pained endurance with the radiant, carefree smile that belonged on those lips.
"Alright." Asher nodded decisively, his voice firm. He reached out and grabbed a woven wicker basket and a heavy, serrated jungle machete that hung on the wall: "I'll head deeper into the forest this afternoon. I recall seeing a beehive tucked away on the northern cliff face. The honey there is of exceptional quality. As for the ancient pollen… I will do my absolute best to find it for you."
Ewan's face lit up instantly, his eyes sparkling with delight: "Thank you, Asher! You're the absolute best!"
Asher coughed into his fist, turning his face away to hide the small, affectionate smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. The stoic Alpha quickly checked his gear, ensuring the blade was sharp and the basket secure, before turning back to Ewan for one final instruction.
"I'm heading out now. I will try to make it back before nightfall. You stay here and be good. Remember to lock the gate securely behind me. If anyone calls out or knocks, do not open it immediately. Ask who it is from a safe distance first."
"Yes, yes, I remember. I've got it memorized." Ewan chirped, following the man out to the courtyard: "You be careful out there!"
Ewan stood by the wooden fence, waving enthusiastically until the broad, reassuring back of Asher Ryder disappeared completely behind the line of ancient oak trees.
As soon as Asher's figure vanished into the forest's shadow, the space surrounding the small house settled back into its inherent stillness. Ewan leaned against the rough wood of the fence, closing his eyes and taking a deep, steadying breath. The scent of rich black tea, Asher's pheromones, still lingered heavily around the gate, a deliberate remnant left behind by the Alpha. It hung in the air like an invisible shield, a protective barrier that wrapped around Ewan, soothing his slightly agitated mind and grounding his senses.
After a moment, he turned around, his gaze sweeping over the expanse of the front courtyard.
On this harsh, unforgiving planet, dirt was not simply dirt. The locals drew a sharp, brutal distinction between "Living Soil" and "Dead Soil." Living Soil referred to those precious few acres of farmland out in the valley, fields that had been irrigated with the sweat, tears, and blood of generations just to coax a meager amount of nutrition for crops. Those lands were cherished, protected, and alive.
But the earth in Asher's front yard, like the vast majority of the untamed wasteland surrounding them, was Dead Soil.
It was hard, cold, and pale, a bleached, lifeless grey that spoke of centuries of neglect.
Ewan walked to the center of the yard. The toe of his shoe nudged a clod of dry earth, and the sound it made was a gritty, unpleasant crunch, like bone grinding against stone. He crouched down, picking up a handful of the dirt. He squeezed it, but instead of clumping together with moisture and life, it crumbled instantly into fine, choking dust mixed with sharp, jagged shards of rock.
There was no moisture, no binding agents, no organic matter. It was just abrasive sand and gravel. How could any root system hope to penetrate this? A tender sprout, essentially born into a rock crusher, would be sliced to ribbons the moment it tried to expand, or it would be cooked alive by the subterranean heat trapped within the dry, compacted crust.
"No wonder he said nothing could grow here." Ewan murmured to himself, dusting his hands off as he stood up: "To renovate this land using traditional agricultural methods... you'd have to dredge river mud to mix in, compost green manure, let it fallow and sun-dry... it would take years, possibly a decade, to make this arable."
But Ewan didn't have years. Nor did he have the physical strength to haul tons of river mud, assuming this planet even had rivers with nutrient-rich silt, which seemed unlikely given the landscape.
However, what he did have was a soul that understood the fundamental laws of nature far better than any local farmer, and five peculiar little elemental assistants.
Ewan closed his eyes halfway, blocking out the visual distractions to focus his mental energy. He reached deep into his spiritual reservoir, tapping into the bond he shared with his summons. A gentle, rippling wave of soothing energy radiated from his body, washing over the courtyard like a spiritual breeze.
"Come on out, little ones. Time to play."
There was no need for elaborate incantations or dramatic circles. Five distinct specks of light materialized instantly in the air, dropping to the ground with soft thuds before rapidly taking shape. Five Slimes, each glowing with a vibrant, distinct color, began to bounce and jiggle around Ewan's feet. They had been playing in the backyard, but at his summons, they teleported instantly to his side.
Flarie, the bright crimson Fire Slime, was naturally the most hyperactive of the bunch. The moment it materialized, it performed a somersault in mid-air, landing with a wet splat and immediately radiating waves of intense heat.
[Big Brother! Being inside is so boring! Is there something fun to do here?] Flarie's thoughts projected loudly into Ewan's mind, vibrating with boundless energy.
Ewan chuckled, reaching down to gently press a finger against the Slime's hot, squishy head: "Don't be naughty. You'll set the house on fire if you're not careful. I called you all out today because I have a very important mission for you. Look at this yard. See how empty and sad it is?"