The Second Player

Gerald of Grenwood

A woman clad in black appears south of Carne Village, her body slowly manifesting itself from the lightless portal that makes up [Gate]. She opens her eyes, taking in the sea of forests which lay in front of her, the forest known as Grenwood.

With a twitch of her wings, radiating in the night sky, she raises herself above the forest. Her eyes seem to flow through every inch of it, recognizing landmarks and areas she had received knowledge of by the villagers.

A start of a new journey. The beginning of a new tale, one that I shall make my own. How fascinating!

The woman directs her body towards the south, intent on experiencing the Slane Theocracy before the next moon. Her holy wings flap, as quiet as an ant's footstep, shooting her forward at the speed of sound.

Green, scales, sharp teeth, claws of power, a large body. This creature seems to appear directly in her path, as if to claim that she was not allowed in his territory.

It was a creature from the land of Yggdrasil, one that she had recognized, an adult forest wyvern, the incomplete child of a dragon.

"You shan't move a step forward, for this be thy land of mine, the great Gerald. Leave now, or may you receive the blessings of Gaia." The wyvern speaks, his high and aloof voice unfit for such wealthy words, almost as if he were putting up an act.

She looks at the wyvern in disbelief. She was hearing it talk. No matter what, the world of Yggdrasil hadn't allowed the communication with these creatures, or the taking of them, and here he was, running his mouth.

"My my, what an interesting find we have here. Well, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Gerald. You may call me Akemi. And if you don't mind, how do you know of my sister's name?" She smirked, her fourth grade lessons on religion and belief systems finally coming to use, remembering Gaia as the goddess of Earth and nature.

"W-wha?! Y...you're actually able to hear me? What sort of trickery is this! And... your sister? Pardon?!"

Akemi let out a small giggle at the wyvern reaction, it was almost as if it was a baby, who, for the first time, could be understood.

"Well of course I can hear you sweetie. Gaia is my sister, such a goody two-shoes at that. You see, I just so happen to be a Goddess~"

The wyvern's wings stop beating, his body tumbling down to the Earth at the thought of meeting a goddess. As his head flies into the earth, his body lays limp above the ground.

W-wait a second... a goddess?! No no... that's impossible... is it not? But... she can actually understand me... and those wings... as well as her massive reservoir of magical power... I can feel it emanate off of her... oh... what have I done...

Akemi lowers her body down to the level of the wyvern, helping his head out of the dirt.

"Are you alright Gerald? You seem startled dear."

The wyvern takes a final look at the woman before her, trying to see if what she had said could have any possible truth to it. There was no question, the stories had described the divines as she is presented.

The warmth of kindness surrounds her, along with an overwhelming sense of being protected. Her massive pool of power easing one's heart.

"Y-yes... yes you're holiness! Your servant is perfectly fine. I sincerely apologize for my disrespect."

He hangs his head as low as he is able to, kowtowing before the goddess.

"If it be your wish, I shall remove the head of such a foolish being as myself."

Akemi gently caresses the wyverns head, softly smiling as she pet him.

"Oh darling, don't you worry about that! It's natural to make mistakes. It's how you were created."

He looks up at her warm smile and forgets all sense of sorrow and sadness within his life. It isn't love he is feeling, but the touch of a mother. A being who will protect him and nurture him. A small tear drops from his eye as he stares into the vast beauty of the oceans held within her eyes.

"T-thank you, your holiness!"

She lets out a gentle giggle as she continues to caress his head, slowly moving to his ears.

"Hmm... Gerald, I'd rather not have to travel all the way to the theocracy myself, would you care to accompany me?"

Without a moment to even allow a thought, his mouth opens and his childish voice protrudes out.

"Yes! It would be my great honor to be a servant in your journey. Just direct me as you please, and I shall be sure not to disappoint you!"

Akemi smiles once again and stood up, rising from her lowered position. She looks for the game menu, forgetting that it isn't here anymore. She decides to take a look within her own mind.

Oh right, well that was silly. Let's see... ah, there it is! [Absolute persuasion: 4/5], hmm... it seems I can still only use that skill five times a day.