Spirits of the Earth

Cara sat, nestled into her father's inert and empty form. She was asleep. She had been doing this for at least a week. After Rin nearly killed her, she decided to find her way back to her father, so that she could stay with him until he woke.

He did not awaken the first day. Or the second, or the third, or the fourth, or the fifth, or the sixth, or the seventh.

Or the eighth.

She was hoping she would finally be reunited on the ninth, akin to how she was hoping the same thing on the first, second, third and fourth. It was a vain hope. It was an unlikely hope. It was her only hope she had left, the only thing she could cling to. Everything else felt like it had faded, somehow, and she was left alone.

Slowly, Cara opened her eyes, looking up to the dead, wooden thing that she proclaimed was her father. And she said, "G-good morning...father..."

And there was no response. She moved to go and hug him, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm here...why aren't you here?" She buried her head upon his chest, or chest plate, or whatever you would call his form. "Why aren't you here...?"

She stayed like this, for hours, before slowly rising to her feet. She had to explore, she supposed. Someone had to keep the golems in check.


Now, when Cara returned to her father's hollow and empty form, she was panting and wheezing and panicking. She staggered into the grove, glancing swiftly at everything that had surrounded them. "Father, wake up!" She begged, moving over to him, going to grab at him and attempt to shake him awake.

It failed. Mainly because he was too heavy for Cara to even move. She reeled around, slowly putting out her hands, and going to focus on the tree line. If she could just figure out where they were coming from, maybe-just maybe-she could catch them off guard and trap them within a tangle of vines and roots. She scanned the area, eye keenly hunting for anything she could use, anything she could discern.

She found nothing.

A bolt, gray and shifting with star-like patterns pierced from the undergrowth, striking Cara square in the chest, sending her reeling back onto the ground with a thump. "Be quiet, now, lamb..." someone...something called out, stepping into the grove. It was tall, and thin, and was void of all colours. It looked like a person, garbed in armour, a bright white light burning out from a small circle in its throat. "I don't...relish this..." it uttered, stepping closer to Cara, as she panicked, pushing herself up against the wall next to her father.

Whatever attacked Cara, wouldn't survive long. As soon as the grey projectiles went for her, a purple rune of the purest energy formed infront of her. An impenetrable barrier appeared infront of her,, though the impact would still send her back. But she was not hit.

And before her, stood a warlord. A tattered banner attached to the massive armour. A sword brandished and a facemask resembling an eastern demon to instill fear in the hearts of her foes. The warrior stepped forward and sliced down at the creature with extreme prejudice, aiming to split it from the shoulder down and diagonally to his hip.

All this happened in but a split second.

The first thing that Cara did was scream.

The second thing that Cara did was scramble backwards, pushing herself further against the tree. She wheezed and panted, quickly going to grip at the ground, glancing down at it, her eyes suddenly lighting up. She bug her hand she outwards towards the thing that had just appeared, roots bursting from the ground and flinging themselves in its generally direction.

The colourless creature, on the other hand, was quite easily split in twain. It dissipated, bursting into a form made of ash, which slowly faded away on the wind, scattering itself all over the grove, dying with a long howl.

The roots bounced off of another one of those purple force fields, the same that had appeared in front of Cara to catch the grey thorns shot for her.

If the vines and roots settled again, the arcane shields would drop again. And Cara's mysterious defended would pull her mask off and glance over her shoulder.

It was none other than Rin.

But, a set of hooves resounded, galloping through the woods at a rapid pace. whatever it was, it was very heavy. And in the grove came charging the Sentinel, the massive axe raised in the air. "Tharron!" His voice boomed loudly. Cara might even recognize the creature as one of the more ancient allies of her father.

Cara was not equipped to deal with this, screaming in fear at Rin and the sentinel.

Tharron was a bit busy being asleep to answer.

Regardless, Cara attempted to scramble over to her father, and move to hide behind him. This was literally impossible, she was unable to move him, and simply attempted to hide, panting and panicking and trying oh so swiftly to escape. Indeed, it seemed she believed that the two were monsters, something's it be feared and shunned.

Or, more likely, she was still panicking from nearly being killed by an actual monster.

Rin cast a glance over her shoulder at Cara, before shaking her head. She made her way to the entrance of the grove and started to put up paper charms and seals. To ward off or at least distract any kind of intruders.

The Sentinel glanced down at Cara and approached, lowering the axe next to him. He padded over towards Cara and kneeled down infront of her, resting his fist against his chest. "I am sorry, spawn of Tharron," he said.

It was then that she would notice the Sentinel would have energy similair to the wooden golems that Tharron created. Though, slightly different. And far more powerful. "I trust you are unharmed?"

Cara stared up at the sentinel, blinking wearily. She nodded, rubbing at her good eye, still panting and rasping and afraid. She seemed to be gaining a form of instinctive trust of the Sentinel, likely due to her thinking it a highly advanced golem.

Then, something happened. Something that Cara would say is a miracle.

Slowly, but surely, the towering form of Tharron rose. The lights in its helmet lit up, and it glanced around the area, the well of green pooling up at the back of its helmet. He glanced around the area, remaining silent as he awoke.

The Sentinel inclined his, head as the dreamer awoke. "Tharron," he greeted, hand traveling up toat his chest to, rest it there in a sign of respect.

Rin, however, didn't react. It wasn't her place to, she merely proceeded to place wards and charms to secure the grove more.

Cara turned her head to her father, eyes widening. She lit up, with joy and hope and all things good, going to rush over to him and give him a hug. "FATHER!" She got out, clinging to him tightly.

Tharron looked to the Sentinel, then to Rin, then to his daughter. He slowly went to stroke her hair, being careful with his every movements. "...greetings. Sentinel. It has been a very long while." He responded.

"It has been too long, Tharron," he replied, lowering his hand. "I hoped we had time to catch up and reminisce, but they are drawing near," he added. "Hence I came here as fast as my legs could carry."

He glanced over his shoulder at the woman, whi was etching runes in the ground, placing wards and paper seals still. "Who is this woman clad in cold metal and minerals?" He inquired with a soft frown.

"That is Cara's friend..." He responded, as he moved to slowly pick up Cara, and set her on his shoulders. She was grinnnig, and waved to the Sentinel. "...my daughter. Her mother was the woman I introduced you to all those years ago..." a vague emptiness filled his voice, for a brief moment, before returning to a slightly more cheery, if grim, tone. "Yes, the colourless grow nearer."

He moved to raise his hand into the air, a sprig of wood bursting from the ground. It began to twist, growing and forming into some form of object, going from a chunk of wood to something usable.

The Sentinel glanced over his shoulder at the peculiar woman, before back at Tharron. Even with Cara on his shoulders, he still stood as high as she currently was. "I'm sorry," he answered, the deep and booming voice filled with sympathy. "A fight is drawing near. Are you ready?" He inquired as he backed up, frowning softly.

"No. I thought...that as a scout. Not a first one of a more...competent...force..." Tharron boomed. The wooden thing formed into a mighty sword, twisted and gnarled, glowing with verdant power. He gripped it by the hilt, going to plant it into the ground and lean on it. "...give me a minute. I cannot fight. Not yet."

Cara glanced about the area. "...what's happening?" She'd ask, fear creeping into her voice.

"A scout or not, they know this is where we are," the Sentinel answered, stepping back from Tharron as he held the sword. "Take your time, friend. Myself and the human can hold out for quite some time," he glanced at Rin, who stood before the entrance to the grove, hand resting on one of the two blades on her hilt. The tattered, crimson banner slowly swaying behind her.

"A warrior without reputation wouldn't carry a banner in tatters for a house long fallen if her abilities were not of the highest caliber," he remarked, making his way over next to the arcane warrior.

Tharron nodded, slowly. "I just...need to rest. Give me...a few minutes. If you give me all I need...I will not let them harm us. No. Not in my house."

Cara, then, did something peculiar. It was like her, though. Perhaps, not a big surprise. She slid down the back of Tharron, going to wander over to Rin and the Sentinel. As she did so, her father called out.

"Don't you dare. Get back here Cara."

She ignored him.

"Oh-I. Please. You don't have to help them-"

"But I wanna!" She replied, as she moved over to the two, grinning a determined grin. "You said there's no greater honour than to die fighting the bad things that's hurt nature..."

Rin and the Sentinel both glanced down at Cara as she joined them. The Sentinel didn't say a word, Rin however, was now more inclined to speak.

"Cara, it'd be useless to fight here. Both myself and this Sentinel are enough for now," she shook her head. "And there is no greater honour to die for your cause. Except if it is needlessly."

"Okay..." Cara sounded disappointed.

"Yes, it would be dangerous. Please, return, little lamb." Tharron sounded more relieved than was humanly possible.

Cara decided to comply with her father, wandering back over to him. The treeline was dead, disturbingly so. No more were the sounds of the creatures, of the flora and fauna of the grand forest the group were within. It was silent.

Then, came a little whisper.

"Please. We just. Need. Colours. They sustain us. You would not deny a wolf...the flesh it needs to live. Would you?"

Rin rested her hand on the hilt of her katana, the mask hid her facial expression. The whisper reached her however and made her only sigh. "And if a wolf attacks another predator, it can expect being killed," she answered easily, taking a deep breath. "Cease your hiding. Approach." She commanded.

The Sentinel glanced down at Rin, nodding in agreement to her.

"I do not relish this."

A spear, gray and metallic and in all ways thrown against itself, shifting and twisting as if its very existence was against the laws of reality was hurled from the shadows, aimed squarely at the Sentinel. Slowly, from the undergrowth, padded the wooden creatures that Cara had met before. They were drained of all colour, and every step they took sapped the colour from the grass. They mvoed with purpose, and without fear, as if they were mere puppets.

"You would do not underestimating your foes," she answered with a cold tone. The spear was slammed aside by the Sentinel's axe.

As the puppets rose, Rin slowly unsheathed her blade. But rather than charging forward, the armoured woman raised her free arm slightly. Holding a very thin wire up. "Because your troops walk into traps."

She flicked her katana towards the thread, cutting it.

And like that. Several seals around the puppets lit up, forming a field over them that increased nothing but gravity itself, aiming to crush them completely.

As Rin's traps were sprung, the creatures collapsed and were effectively crushed. Their bodies simply lay there, dead and lifeless.

"Why...would you do...that? We do not. Want to harm you."

As this was said, a mass of gray sludge slowly went to slide out of the undergrowth, towards the Sentinel and Rin. It moved slowly, and nonthreateningly, though as it moved it drained all colour that it touched.

"See? He does not. Relish this."

"If you did not, you would not have attacked this grove," Rin aswered coldy, katana at a ready. She glanced down at the sludge and huffed softly. All off these were magicks.

She flung a seal over towards the goo, aiming to drain it from its magic completely and seal it away. "And neither do I. We merely wish to survive. As do you."

"Yes. She agrees."

The horrid colourless mass slunk away, leaving grayed-out grass as it moved.

"Why would you do that?! We. Do not appreciate this."

A eldritch sound, of twisting and writhing and of bones cracking and breaking echoed from the area of the colourless. Cara winced, going to hide behind her father, peering out in fear.

"Silence," Rin answered. "Your voice annoys me."

She took a deep breath and held her blade up, gripping the hilt of the long sword with both hands. Ready for whatever may come. The tattered, crimson banner slowly swaying in the cold wind.

The Sentinel also stood ready, axe raised, his eyes nothing but aggressive sliths.

Slowly, from the undergrowth, stepped a humanoid entity. It stood inhumanly tall, and its face was a mockery. A leering grin that literally reached where its ears should be. Eyes that took up half of its face, and hair that seemed to flicker in and out of existence.

It spoke. It had seven tongues, and rows of teeth going back into its mouth forever.

"Please. Give me colours. Yours are the mightiest. Vibrant reds and greens."

It seemed to be trying to speak, to reason, to bargain with the group. Slowly, in response, Tharron began to pull his sword from the ground, Cara still peering out from behind him.

Rin glanced at the Sentinel, who answered her glance with a nod. Both of them looked back at the aberration in front of them. Rin raised her blade, pointing the tip at the creature. Ready to attack at a moments notice.

"What will happen if we do that?"

"We may feast...I haven't had such a delicacy in so very long. He will be greatly appreciative, she assures you." The thing looked between the two, with pinprick eyes. Tharron slowly began to wander forwards, a great intent about him.

Rin couldn't help but chuckle. "Typical," she glanced at Tharron, falling into step next to him as he passed.

And so did the Sentinel.

"No." He stated, rather dryly, before moving to rise his sword up over his head and swing down at it. It dissipated, turning into a thousand particles of gray ash, reforming some distance behind where it originally stood.

As Tharron slashed, however, he aimed his sword into the ground. A pulse emanated from it, purging all of the gray from the flora, giving it back the beautiful greens they originally possessed. The leering humanoid continued to stare, unflinching as the colour around it reformed.

"Why?" Was the only thing it could say.

It was then that Rin overtook Tharron. As he ducked and plunged his sword into the ground, Rin used the wooden construct as a stepping stone to augment her momentum. She would apologise later.

Her sword aimed to slice through the creature with a keen edge for his stomach. And as soon as she performed what was a lightning quick strike, she stepped back and slowly slid the blade back into it's scabbard.

At the same time, the Sentinel charged forward with the massive axe brandished, aiming to lop his head off.

The creature continued to stare. Slowly, though, the wounds began to form. It seemed, the thing wasn't entirely connected to time or space, residing somewhere in between.

"Why did you...do that?"

Its stomach slowly opened up, and it seemed there was nothing within it. It was empty. A slit formed along its neck, and it seemed to have been decapitated. A slight breeze would take off its head, but it kept talking.

"She remembers the old war. It lasted for so long. Then it ended before you could use the weapon, didn't it? We have ours, now, Green Lord. I want to let you know that he wants peace. We just need a forest. I love the taste of the vibrant colours, so rare in our lands."

"...make it stop." Cara begged, staring at the humanoid, its stomach a gaping hole, its head not connected to its body.

Rin lowered her head slightly, clicking the blade from her sheath again, hand resting on the hilt. And she charged forward, another quick series of slices, aiming to strip him of his limbs.

The Sentinel heaved his axe, aiming to split the head in two, before going to trample it under massive, wooden hooves.

It was cut down. Its body was split apart, limbs, and head removed, before being trampled underneath th sentinel.

"...I require your assistance." Tharron said, to nobody in particular, as he lifted his sword from the ground. He placed it over his back, before vines grew from it to bind it to him. He went to go and pick up Cara before setting her on his shoulders, glancing at the other two.

Rin flicked her blade to clean off any kind of impurities, before sheathing her blade again, glancing at Tharron, inclining her head.

The Sentinel let out a soft snarl at the dead being, before turning around, lowering his axe to one side and making his way over to Tharron. "You have my axe, friend," he stated with a soft nod.

"Excellent. Where...where did they come from? I need to know that." He said. Cara grinned, dopely, simply happy to be with her father again. He fixed his gaze at the dead being, letting out a series of cracking noises, like wood snapping over and over. This, unlike the other noises, was very real.

"...do either of you...know anything of these ones?"

Rin shook her head. "No idea," she answered.

The Sentinel glanced at the corpse, shaking his head as well.

"Ah, well...things could be worse. I suppose. They must be. Somewhere nearby." Tharron slowly trekked into the area. As if on cue, a light began to shine from Cara, as she pushed her hand forwards. As the two wandered into the gray, tainted area, it began to dissipate. It was repulsed, the forest healed.

Rin followed Tharron, sticking close to him, at a ready to protect him or Cara immediately. The Sentinel also stepped next to the two, standing at a ready to fight.

Tharron kneeled down to the corpse, going to examine it. The thing was begin to liquidefy, turning into a putrid gray sludge. He placed his hand in the sludge, and it evaporated, purging itself from the area and leaving nothing but green grass. "We could...follow the gray until we reach...something." He suggested.

The Sentinel nodded. "Lead the way, friend," he answered. Rin didn't respond. She had no idea what was going on, so she had no other suggestions.

"We will either walk into a trap or find the heart of the problem."

With this, a Tharron began to walk forward. He followed the trail of gray flora, purging it as he walked. He had nothing to say, so Cara did instead. "What're you?" She asked the Sentinel.

"Regardless," the Sentinel answered. "We will find answers."

He looked up to Cara, tilting his head. A lack of a face caused him unable to smile. But he would. "A spirit that decided to protect it's home. The grove is not my place, but the colourless threaten all. So I am here to offer help to Tharron, little one."

"You look like a golem! Are you a penitent as well?" She asked, staring at the Sentinel. "Hush, Cara." Tharron said, tilting his head upwards. "You should not accuse others of being golems. Or penitents. It is rude."

The Sentinel could only let out a surprisingly soft and warm laughter. "No, little one. I am not," he shook his head. "I am an ancient soul that infused wood with power. None of your ancestors have created me."

"Ohhh...okay." Cara responded, giving a slow nod as she processed this information. Tharron, on the other hand, signed and gave an apology. "She is a young one. I have told you, Cara, not to bother others with your inquisitiveness."

As the group walked, they could find corpses of animals, the colour from their bodies drained. They all seem  to be split open, and laying in a dark gray liquid.

The Sentinel could only chuckle, shaking his head. "I brook no anger, Tharron. Rest easy," he answered quickly. "Let the girl sate her curiousity."

And ofcourse, Rin decided to be the more silent character of the party, rather than partaking in the conversation, she took point, glancing around.

And as she came across the animals, she rose her hand. "Tharron," she stated, before pointing at the animals. "Victims of these 'colourless', I presume."

"Indeed." Tharron replied, looking to the corpses of the animals. He walked by them, paying them no real heed. Cara, on the other hand, stared at them with wide and shocked eyes. She didn't understand. Who could be so cruel?

"We will come across more, in time." Tharron said with a sigh. "Luckily, for us, the fauna of the world knows to flee the colourless."

"Yet these were too slow," Rin answered rather bluntly. "They need to be stopped before more damage is caused."

"You are correct. But, we cannot save everything. And, consider this. Would you charge into a fight when you know nought but scraps of what the enemy can do?" Tharron questioned, as Cara mumbled. "Irnphz, K'p rzzdqf..."

"Klmp, oioe..."

Cara nodded, going quiet. "We are...not in their lands. But...they have the gall to taint it as if it were theirs." Tharron continued, a dull anger beginning to burn far more brightly within him.

The masked warrior glanced at Tharron. "They do the same," she answered, before shaking her head. "It is all about reading the enemy's movements, reading into their abilities from a brief display," she took a deep breath. "And they know naught of my abilities yet."

Then Cara started in the odd language. And the Sentinel glanced at Tharron as he spoke once again. "And we will drive these parasites from our land."

"Yes, yes. The more one knows about their enemy..." Tharron paused, for a moment, his head twitching. He looked about the area, briefly, as if sensing some unidentified presence that he was not inclined to speak of.

"...father...?" Cara asked, wearily. Her spell flickered, and faltered, the purging of the grey tide halting.

Rin glanced at Tharron when he stopped in his tracks. "Enemies?" She inquired coldly.

"Do not falter, little one," the Sentinel said when he glanced at Cara. "Whatever comeshome our way. It will will not harm you or your father," he promised, massive enchanted axe at a ready.

"Enemies?" Tharron replied, narrowing his eyes as he turned his gaze. Cara hesitated, before continuing her dull ward, the blight receding away once more.

"I...think so." Tharron said. As if on cue, as if the universe itself wanted to mock Tharron, a few of the golems he had made, shaped in a way that resembled animals, crawled from the undergrowth. Void of colour, and set on attacking the group, it was rather evident they were likely not friendly forces.

Both Rin and the Sentinel exploded into movement, to dispatch of the creatures. Rin moved with unparalelled grace and fought masterfully with her blade, dodging and parrying, deflecting and countering. It was as if the heavily armoured woman was dancing.

The Sentinel was more methodical and sloppy in his ways. Yet he was by no means less effective. Stomping and slashing his way through.

Cara nodded, slowly placing her arms upon Tharron's head and resting her face into them, letting out a soft mumble.

"Hush, lamb..." Tharron said, distantly, as he slowly sat. It seemed he did not want to fight, that he would be simply watching. He picked up Cara's slack, though, eyes lighting up, brighter and harsher, as he warded off the grey tide far, far more effectively than his daughter. Additionally, Tharron pointed at the trees, around where some of the beasts were springing from. The foliage twisted, lashing out at the creatures, gripping them and going to hold them down.

No, this wouldn't slay them, but it would aid Rin and the Sentinel in their fighting, even if it was only a little. He trusted they could fight, though. He trusted they could win this fight very easily.

Helping it did. Rin and the Sentinel moved through the colourless with their own aspect of skill. Forcing themselves through with axe and blade. Leaving nothing in their way. The two acted as a vanguard. And it was a mystery who of the two was the most durable. The heavily armoured woman that moved with speed and dexterity, or the large manifestation that trampled and forced it's way through.

Tharron watched, as the last of the beasts fell.

He was impressed. Very, very, very impressed. That wasn't something that came lightly.

Regardless, he rose to his feet, as Cara continued to hug Tharron. She refused to let go, and that suited him just fine. "...you two...are very skilled." He stated, as if it wasn't blatantly obvious. He moved over to one of the corpses, staring down at it.

Though he had no facial expression to note it, there was a distinct aura of utter hate and loathing about Tharron.

Rin glanced at him, before shaking her head, instead, flicking her blade. Then sheathing it. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before looking at the way ahead.

The Sentinel nodded, before chuckling softly. "Did you expect anything else, friend?" He inquired, lifting the massive axe to rest it on his shoulder.

"I did not. But do not let this...victory...feed your ego." He responded, grimly. The girl clinging to Tharron whispered, quiet and weak.

"...Cara is tired. If we continue pushing forth, she will sleep."

"Then here," Rin stated, pulling out a blank charm from her belt, before clipping her katana out slightly, sliding her palm across the sharp end. "Here we stand. And they may flee, or also stand. But they will go no further." With that, she clenched a fist, blood dripping on the paper. And soon, all three may've felt the veil shift and felt the nearest magical ley line grind slightly in movement. Perhaps it was considered a vile art by others. But Rin didn't care.

Tharron would notice this being a near perfect copy of his own magical presence erupting from the bloody ward. Halting the corruption. It would not drive it back. But it would also let nothing of this blight through.

The wooden, enchanted centaur pawed nervously. Hoof stomping against the ground. "That felt unnatural, human," he snorted in disapproval.

Tharron watched, in silence. Though there was no way for him to show it, he was greatly and truly intrigued. Magic permeated his body, suffusing every part of it, ebbing and flowing through him at all times.

He was on constant look-out for those who would use putrid, hateful and unnatural magic. So he could impale them with extreme prejudice.

Regardless, he was quite interested by the simulacrum of his power.

"...that is. Odd. I do not know if I like it.

Regardless, it is welcome. Sentinel, do not bother our ally. If she is casting some shadowy and unnatural art, it is far, far, far less dangerous than the thing we are fighting against."

Tharron went to sit down, slowly, and pluck his daughter from his shoulders. She blinked, blearily, glancing at the Sentinel and at Rin.

"I replicated your being, your magical essence, in order to cast the same spell," Rin answered from behind her mask, folding her arms as she took up post next to the charm. "Basically, there is now two of you in this reality," she explained easily.

The Sentinel glanced at Tharron, then at Rin, shaking his head. "Fine," he huffed, before trudging over to kneel down next to Tharron and Cara.

"...that is very odd, indeed." Tharron said, nodding as he took in the explanation. He looked to the Sentinel, going to set Cara down next to him. She sat, clutching to Tharron as if she wasn't going to be able to even sit up. "...I-I am sorry, Cara..." He mumbled, looking to her.

Rin remained defiantly next to the charm, keeping an eye ahead for any enemies that might show up once more.

"How is she, Tharron?" The Sentinel asked, still resting his axe over his shoulder.

"...tired. I should not have asked to her to assist. She is just a child." Tharron replied, an air of regret about his person. Cara did seem tired, slowly fading away into sleep. Tharron watched, worriedly. Afraid.

No, afraid is far too kind a term. He was petrified.

"Will she sleep like you did?" Rin inquired, frowning softly under her mask.

"No. She is...we are...she will sleep as a human does." Tharron said, slowly. He nodded, affirming his thoughts. "Yes. We could continue forwards...if you wished."

"As long as you need, Tharron, Cara," the Sentinel offered. A deep breath later, Rin rolled her shoulders, still standing on guard. "We can proceed when it's safe to," she agreed.

"Let...let her sleep, then. She will be ready in the morning. We can wait. We can wait." Tharron's usual confidence was fading rather swiftly. His nervousness and fear was growing, rather swiftly. "Yes...yes, we can wait."

He rose to his feet, pacing about. "...do you...require food?" He asked, to no-one in particular.

"Yes," Rin was the only to answer. "Sentinel," she glanced at the elemental. "Watch duty. You'll be up in some hours," she stated with a soft nod.

The Sentinel answered with an approving and a grunt.

"...very good." Tharron responded, pausing as he moved to stop, crouching to the ground. Waving his hands over it, there was a small pause of nothing. Then, sprouting from the empty ground, came bundles of fruits in all shapes, sizes and rarity.

"Here. You may...devour these. Just save some for Cara."