Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Though they had arrived on a mission of peace, Vahn had Arika moor the Custos Rosea a few kilometers outside the Forest of Penance. It wouldn't take much effort for him to charge into the heart of Elven territory, but, as a gesture of goodwill, he decided to approach from the front. He also wanted to inspect the infamous forest personally, as, depending on the circumstances, there was a fair chance he would be burning it down in the near future.Vahn could understand the reasoning behind sealing people into trees, but, as it seemed a little excessive to imprison people for more than fifteen times their average lifespan, he wouldn't just ignore them. They might have wronged many people throughout their life, but, with reincarnation being a very real thing, it was always 'fairer' for them to simply return to the cycle anew. The weight of their Karma would determine the quality of their next life, so, rather than force them to atone in the present, allowing them to reincarnate was the juster outcome.With this thought in mind, Vahn slowly roamed through the gloomy, fog-filled, Forest of Penance with Eva, Arika, Asuna, and Fenrir in tow. The forest was filled with a depressive aura that lingered in the surroundings like the atmosphere of a funeral wake. It was incredibly eerie, and, with several unique magical barriers present, most trespassers would experience a host of nightmarish illusions while passing through.Fortunately, even without Vahn taking action, Asuna's ability to negate magic caused a bubble just under five meters in diameter to form around her. Though it was generally impossible to use magic within the boundary of this field, it allowed them to pass through the forest with impunity. Even an unexpected attack would have little effect on them, as, unless it was purely physical, it would never be able to penetrate the wispy, invisible, field.The only weaknesses of Asuna's magic cancelation was that it had no effect on internal magic, ki, and illusions that directly affected reality. This meant someone like Merlin would be able to easily deal with Asuna, and, though your barriers wouldn't work, using physical attacks against her were highly effective. Though this assumed you had some way to deal with her State of Nothingness, a truly skilled individual would be able to work around the gaps in Asuna's defense.Though she had gotten the better of him in a few situations, largely thanks to her powerful fate, Vahn served as a perpetual reminder that you could never underestimate your foes. Higher forms of energy could often ignore even Innates, and, if your comprehension of the Laws was higher than your opponent, even 'indestructible' foes could be cut. He often caught Asuna by surprise when he used magic within her field of cancelation, so, rather than become dependent on the skill, she had learned to treat it as an auxiliary ability.The most amazing thing about Innates was their ability to adapt and evolve with their user. They had unlimited potential for growth, but, if you became dependent on them, you were bound to experience some suffering. Rather, the best way to develop an Innate was simply to use it while making an earnest attempt to grow stronger. Trying to develop the Innate directly actually limited its growth, as, much like the description stated, they were impossible to identify. Their penultimate form and function were based on the capabilities and character of their user, so, even when he had made an earnest effort to try and develop them, Vahn's progress had been limited until he made a concerted effort to improve himself, rather than the Innate...---While walking through the Forest of Penance, Vahn would periodically place his hand upon the twisted trunk of a dead-looking tree. It was said that the color and vitality of the tree was based on the nature of the person it was grown from, so, while many looked relatively normal, some were as twisted and blackened as could be imagined.Though he had experienced it with several prior trees, Vahn felt a little perturbed by the lukewarm feeling transmitted through his palm whenever he placed his hand against a tree. It was similar to touching the driest and most craggy skin imaginable, and, after spreading his senses throughout the tree, Vahn could detect a phenomenal amount of negative energy as the twisted and atrophied nerves continuously pulsated in agonizing pain. Near the very center of the tree, there were even modified organs and the remnant of a skeletal system that had been stretched and twisted into a form that guaranteed the greatest amount of suffering.Even if it was the result of their own actions, Vahn couldn't help but sigh every time he investigated one of the blackened trees. Some were hundreds of years old, but, due to the nature of the 'curse', they were unable to adapt to the pain. Even if they truly wanted to repent, they were not given the option. Instead, they were forced to live on for centuries, their bodies wracked in pain without any hope for relief. Some, perhaps the perpetrators of heinous crimes, had even been vandalized, and, though it was different than normal blood, a brackish-red liquid slowly oozed from scars that had been left behind by hatchets, swords, daggers, and arrows...While shaking his head in mild exasperation, Vahn sent a powerful ripple of Source Energy through the tree he was investigating. This resulted in a spontaneous collapse of the nervous system, and, though it would be unimaginably painful, the process was so quick that they wouldn't even have the time to process it before they were dead.After destroying the eleventh tree, Vahn turned to look back at Arika and Asuna, his expression solemn and serious as he stated, "Punishments like these are unjust. No matter how heinous their crime, forcing people to suffer is never justified. I am not without flaws in this regard, but, if at all possible, I would like you to avoid repeating my mistakes. If you do not provide people a means to repent, you are simply being cruel, self-righteous, and vindictive..."Hearing Vahn's words, both Arika and Asuna nodded their heads in understanding. They were well aware of the mistakes Vahn had made, as, rather than try to cover them up, he was always open and forthright about them. He had taught them that mistakes weren't something you should be ashamed of. Rather, it was important to openly acknowledge the mistake, as, the harder you tried to conceal it, the more it would haunt your future decisions.Seeing both girls nod, Vahn's mood improved marginally. Before moving on, however, he offered a silent prayer for the departed, as, despite the misdeeds of the person during their lifetime, the Soul was without sin. Event he most vile criminal could be reborn as a saint under the right conditions, so, rather than pray for the deceased, Vahn offered a prayer for the new life that would result from a Soul's departure...---Perhaps as a result of Asuna's magic cancellation, it took more than two hours for the first group of Elves to encounter Vahn's group. Even then, they were genuinely shocked by the group's arrival, to the point the leader of the group stared slack-jawed at them for several seconds before nocking an arrow and shouting, "You are trespassing upon protected grounds! Set aside your weapons or we will be forced to fire upon you!"In response to the androgenous man's shout, the four Elves accompanying him all nocked arrows of their own. Each had blonde hair and deep green eyes, and, unless you looked closely, it was very difficult to determine their actual gender. The only tell-tale sign was that the females had rounder ears, as, with very few exceptions, even the bustier Elves within the Akamatsuverse rarely exceeded a B-Cup. As for the males, they never grew facial hair, and, unless they achieved the status of High Elf, they appeared just as fair and feminine as the females of their species...Fortunately, Vahn could even discern the differences between identical twins without any difficulty, so, when it came to determining gender, he had no trouble at all. Thus, even though all five of the Elves look exceptionally similar to each other, he could discern that three were male and two were female at a glance. This wasn't particularly important, as there was virtually no separation between genders in Elven society, but it made things a little easier when conversing.Rather than comply with the man's demands, Vahn remained calm and casual, a gentle smile on his face as he said, "If we arrived with malicious intentions, the Elementals would have informed you of our arrival. Please, lower your weapons and hear our reason before jumping to conclusions..."Though he was speaking softly, Vahn's words carried a considerable amount of weight, as, during the brief period when he was speaking, hundreds of nascent Elementals readily prepared to defend him. These weren't visible to most Elves, but, as one of the more sensitive races, every member of the patrol party was able to sense their presence. They could sense the natural aura around Vahn, and, though they instinctually refused to believe it, they couldn't shake the feeling his affinity was even greater than their Ancestral Mother's...After several tense moments, the supposed leader of the group slowly lowered his bow, but, even after pointing it toward the ground, he kept the arrow nocked. There were no limits to the number of tricks humanity could come up with in the pursuit of their ambitions, so, even if his instincts told him Vahn could be trusted, his wisdom and experience prevented him from lowering his guard.Instead of reproaching the man for his behavior, Vahn gave an approving nod as he, very slowly, raised his hand. His gesture caused the five to tense up at first, but, after another long period of silence, they seemed to understand his intentions. They were a species that communicated more with body language and physical contact rather than speaking, so, seeing Vahn's relaxed posture and outstretched hand, it didn't take a leap in logic to realize what he was trying to say...As the natural aura around Vahn was only growing stronger with the passage of time, the leader of the Elven patrol ultimately nodded toward his companions before quivering his arrow and slinging his ornate wooden bow. Then, exhibiting the meticulousness and grace associated with his race, he trepidatiously approached the group, his footsteps leaving absolutely no traces upon the grass and soil below...Without hurrying the process, Vahn just continued to smile disarmingly with his hand outstretched. It didn't matter if it took ten minutes or ten hours, as, from the moment the man touched his palm, everything would become clear. He was the furthest thing from an enemy they could imagine, and, depending on the circumstances, he would become the greatest benefactor of the Elven people.Unaware of the significance of his action, the leader of the patrol group gingerly placed the tips of his fingers against Vahn's. Immediately thereafter, a phenomenal amount of information began to enter into his mind. This not only conveyed Vahn's intentions in Elfenhof, but, most importantly, it showed the paradise he had prepared for them in a short four years. Better still was the fact that it was all shown from the perspective of Vahn, so, in the mind of the patrol leader, it was like viewing the world from the perspective of a God...Like someone that had placed their hand on a hot stove, the elven man retracted his hand with a start. This alerted his comrades, but, before they could misunderstand the situation, he gestured for them to stand down, exclaiming, "Lay down your arms! This man is not our enemy! Come, see what I have seen...!"Similar to a child that had just discovered something incredible, the man was eager to share what he had experienced with everyone else. He quickly approached his companions, and, though they showed a bit of trepidation at first, their eyes rounded when they made contact with the man. Even indirectly, the memories inherited from Vahn were unlike anything they had ever experienced, and, while it wasn't impossible to fabricate such things, the aura permeating through the surroundings now made a lot more sense.Finding the reactions of the Elves rather humorous, Vahn couldn't help but lightly chuckle as he pulled out a few rather large crystals. He had already conveyed his intention to the Spirits within the Diorama, so, with the exception of the Aspidochelone, he brought all of the evolved Elemental Spirits with him. This included the Lucky Cat received from Nyon Utu and the Nether Panther that had imprinted upon Eva, so, with the exception of an Intermediate Lightning Elemental Spirit, Vahn had the makings for his own entourage of Great Spirits.Though they were already convinced, seeing the myriad Spirits surrounding Vahn was enough to change the excitement visible in the Elves' countenance to reverence. They had already heard the rumors of the Sage Dragon Emperor, and, at several points over the last few months, the Council of High Elves had even considered sending out an envoy to make contact with him. The fact Vahn had arrived on his own volition made a deep impact on each of them, and, though they didn't have the tradition of bowing, all fives Elves lowered bowed respectfully towards the gently smiling man standing before them...Waving his hand, Vahn manipulated the wind elemental energy within his domain in order to have the group raise their heads. This surprised them quite a bit, but, before they could say anything, he preempted their response by saying, "I believe there are more pertinent matters to attend. I would like to meet with your Ancestral Mother. Please, lead the way..."As they were well aware of his intentions at this point, the leader of the patrol group didn't hesitate to nod his head, signaling to his comrades before saying, "It is an honor to escort the Sage Dragon Emperor and his companions."Following the man's words, the other Elves formed a protective formation around Vahn's group. It wasn't really necessary, but, as a courtesy, they wanted to properly escort the man that might very well save their race. They didn't know what they would have to exchange for his protection, but, after seeing the World Tree within his memories, they had exceptionally high hopes for the future...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Unnecessary Cruelty','Mistakes are the tools used to shape the future','One Touch Man...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

As it was exceptionally rare to have visitors within Elfenhof, the presence of Vahn's group stood out like an artificial sun shining in the evening sky. It was a fearful and confusing event that caused the older Elves to quickly secure the younger generation in a complex network of underground tunnels while the few warriors and mages among their population quickly congregated around the peculiar procession.Though the reaction of the Elves seemed excessively cautious and hostile, Vahn knew they had a very good reason for behaving as such. Their total population had been reduced to fewer than six-thousand, and, without the protection of Yggdrillia, they would have been wiped out long ago. This made them extremely cautious of outsiders, as, throughout history, there were numerous examples of former allies turning into just another group trying to exploit them.Fortunately, as a race that could read memories, intentions, and emotions through touch, there was no need for any complex explanation. It only took the members of the escort party making physical contact with their kin to convey everything that needed to be 'said'. This was an extremely coveted ability, as, not only did it allow them to pass knowledge from one generation to another, it virtually invalidated the need for a complex political system. There was no need for falsehoods, and, as they had always lived in close-knit communities, finding an Elf selfishly pursuing their own interests was 'exceptionally' rare...---While the Elves were busy exchanging information through touch, Vahn had a curious glimmer in his glowing blue eyes. He was trying to identify what made the Elves of the Akamatsuverse different than their counterparts in other Records, but, other than a few subtle differences, there was nothing that particularly stood out. Their ability to read and exchange memories actually seemed to parallel his ability to meld with other people. This actually made it seem even more intimate, but, unless he was overlooking something, it didn't actually seem to be the result of an Innate...Unaware of what was going through Vahn's mind, Eva and Arika had awkward expressions on their faces as they watched the Elves silently communicate with each other. It was very strange to see so many people holding hands, touching each others' faces, and placing their foreheads against each other. This incongruity was exacerbated by the fact that most of the Elves remained silent in spite of the clear excitement that was visible on their faces. It looked like they would happily cry out at any moment, but, rather than do so, they would just smile radiantly while happily embracing their fellow Elves...A stark contrast to Eva and Arika, Asuna and Fenrir had relatively plain expressions. The former had a curious glimmer in her eyes, and, after watching the scene play out for several minutes, she didn't hesitate to approach Vahn and grab his hand. To his surprise, he could feel something similar to her intent invade his body, probing around like an inquisitive traveler who had just entered a city for the first time.Fortunately, Sis was always paying very close attention, so, rather than forcibly repel and potentially injure the mischievous young genius, she allowed Asuna to access the memories directly pertaining to her. At the same time, Vahn recovered from his incredulity, a wry smile on his face as he said, "It isn't polite to peek into someone's memories without permission, Asuna. Everyone has their secrets, and, if you aren't careful, you can experience a terrifying backlash if your target made preparations beforehand..."As it was surprisingly difficult to speak while your intent was perusing something else, Asuna had a dull expression on her face as she nodded mechanically in response. She was doing her best to try and retract her intent, but, as if it was some kind of exceptionally comfortable labyrinth, she found herself lost within the complex network of Vahn's Spiritual Body. Part of her even considered never returning to her body, but, as this wasn't exactly an option, she didn't resist when Vahn's intent, like a reliable adult finding a lost child, guided her return.Seeing the clarity return to Asuna's eyes, Vahn lightly pinched her nose before saying, "Promise me you won't use that ability on anyone that doesn't properly understand it. In the worst-case scenario, you might not even be able to return to your own body. Not everyone has the ability to control and guide their intent, and, more often than not, the mind reacts violently to external probing. We'll add this ability to your future training. Until you have proper control, I don't want you to use it when I'm not around."Feeling uncharacteristically fatigued, Asuna issued a rather adorable yawn before rubbing her right eye and answering, "I promise. I just wanted to try it out and you seemed like the best choice. I'm sorry if I troubled you..."Knowing Asuna didn't have any malicious intent, just childish curiosity, Vahn adopted a gentle look in his eyes as he affectionately rubbed her head. He also had a bad habit of trying out new abilities without properly considering the consequences, so, rather than rebuke her, he promptly decided he would help her master the ability. It would further enhance her already ridiculous capabilities, and, if used without malicious intent, it was one of the most 'honest' forms of communication imaginable.With the combination of her mental exhaustion and Vahn's petting, it didn't take long for Asuna to succumb to the Sandman's call. Fortunately, she was still very petite, and, though the black mesh on her body increased her weight by 300kg, Vahn had no trouble holding her in a koala-carry. She had matured to the point where she didn't like being carried like a 'child', but, as she couldn't complain while asleep, Vahn defaulted to the most convenient hold.Having witnessed the incident from start to finish, Eva couldn't help but remark, "That brat can be pretty terrifying at times..."Hearing the remark, Vahn issued a light chuckle, gently patting Asuna's back as he answered, "The capabilities of a person should not determine how they are treated. There is nothing even remotely terrifying about such an adorable little creature...please remember that."As children could be extremely perceptive of how others viewed them, Vahn couldn't help but feel a little worried about Asuna's future. She had an outgoing personality, but, as a result of her peerless capabilities, others were bound to feel suppressed by her existence. He knew this quite well, as, due to his own capabilities, it was almost impossible for him to have any close male friends. The best he could hope for was a master-protege relationship, as, even if he went to a place like Naruto or One Piece, it would be impossible for him to go at the pace of the main characters he once admired...Though it would undoubtedly be enjoyable to just go with the flow, Vahn's character and mentality made it impossible for him to ignore wrongdoings taking place right in front of him. He would not be able to ignore the actions of the Celestial Dragons, and, if he went to a place like Naruto, there was even a chance he would outright 'adopt' the titular main character. He would then spend years bringing reform to the ninja world, removing elements like Danzo and Orochimaru long before they reached the pinnacle of their power. This would change the story on a fundamental level, and, while not exactly a 'bad' thing, Vahn's thoughts on the Records had changed quite a bit since his journey began...When he first set out in the Western Forest nearly 260 years prior, Vahn had aspirations of visiting countless Records. He had always dreamed of being a character within the various stories he had read, and, though it was a little selfish, he wanted to use his knowledge of said stories to improve upon the plot. He wanted to save various characters, grow stronger, and, as he didn't understand the complexities of an actual relationship, there were even a number of female characters he had been crushing on. He even thought about using his knowledge to make them like him, ignoring the fact he would essentially be grooming them by directly manipulating their circumstances and taking advantage of their vulnerabilities.Now that he had matured a bit, Vahn knew it was actually very selfish of him to enter into a Record. As a result, he had an obligation to either make the world a better place or empower those with the ability to do so. His power was quickly reaching a point where he was more involved with the forces keeping the Record together than the characters involved in the actual plot. Though this could be circumvented by entering a version of the Record with a higher tier, this would either fundamentally change the plot and its characters, or, far more likely, result in a world where the original plot took place in just one small part of a much larger multiverse.After having ample time to prepare for the Akamatsuverse, Vahn had started to realize that it would become progressively harder to increase his Soul Tier if he knew what to expect from a Record. He needed to get out of his comfort zone, and, though it would undoubtedly cause him to experience a few hardships, he needed to contend against unknown danger rather than arbitrarily plan around variables he was already aware of.Though it was currently a matter for the far future, Vahn had already decided that his next Record would be a variable world ranging between Tiers 1-6. Sis had informed him of the impossibility of overcoming a Tier 7 entity, as they could literally 'imagine' your existence away, so, in order to reach Tier 7 himself, he would need to overcome beings at the peak of Tier 6. This would require those at Tier 6 to be 'evil' entities, so, rather than enter a more structured world, he would have to enter one where even a normal person could conceivably rise to the pinnacle.The downside to entering a Record where everyone had the potential of reaching the peak was that they were usually founded on a hierarchal structure. Though there would be 'infinite' exceptions to this rule, these would typically be governed by 'good' T6 entities, so, for his purposes, Vahn needed to choose a Record that was 'fundamentally' flawed. This virtually guaranteed the existence of a strength-based social hierarchy, and, as was often the case in such scenarios, it meant there would be a considerable number of people suffering from tyranny and corruption.Vahn knew he grew the fastest when there were powerful enemies using their power to suppress others. Thus, if he entered a Record where even the Gods proactively suppressed people, his growth would be truly monstrous. He would fight his way all the way to the top of the Record, and, though it would be impossible to completely eliminate 'evil', reaching T7 should allow him to, quite literally, alter the Laws of the omniverse. He could create a system that rewarded the virtuous more than the wicked, and, though this was bound to have problems of its own, he would have a literal eternity to address them...---Seeing Vahn fall into one of his characteristic ruminations, Eva couldn't help but roll her eyes before looking between Arika and Fenrir. She didn't bother to comment on Vahn's remark about how she should treat Asuna, as, even without him telling her, she had no intention of treating the young girl poorly. Rather, she was quite fond of the twin-tailed 'monster', and, though there were times when she was annoyed by Asuna's behavior, she generally just used it as an opportunity to tease Vahn.Noticing Eva's gaze, Arika offered an uncharacteristically wry smile before crossing her arms and lightly shrugging. They were both aware of the fact that Vahn had ambitions far beyond their world, but, at least for the time being, he couldn't tell them about it. Despite this, they placed a great deal of trust in him, as, even without an explanation, they knew he would always do his best to make the world a better place and help as many people as possible. This was a sentiment they all shared, so, even if Vahn could be a bit awkward at times, neither of the golden-haired beauties faulted him for it...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Touching intensifies...','Asuna would make a great Uchiha...','Vahn about to show some cultivators the breadth of the Heavens...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

As it wasn't his first time seeing something similar, Vahn wasn't too surprised by the existence of a tree more than three-hundred meters in height. It was unquestionably awe-inspiring, but, after planting a few World Trees and seeing a planet whose core was one massive root system, giant flora didn't have much of an impact.A stark contrast to Vahn's stoic appreciation, Asuna had an excited expression on her face as she stood atop the dorsal fin of the Custos Rosea. She had only ever seen such massive trees in Vahn's memories, so, seeing the true body of Yggdrasillia for the first time, she couldn't help feeling a little impressed. She could sense an incredible amount of vitality radiating from it, and, though it seemed to lack the purity of Vahn's, it was like a vast and endless ocean that caused greenery to spread out to the ends of the horizon...Seeing Asuna perfectly balancing atop the Custos Rosea's dorsal fin, her unique white hooded cloak gracefully flowing without concern for the actual wind pressure, a gentle smile spread across Vahn's face. She had stopped changing her clothes more than ten times per day, and, though her style was bound to evolve over time, her current fashion identity suited her exceptionally well. It gave her the impression of a modern-day samurai, but, if you actually analyzed the outfit, it lacked even a single piece of traditional garb.Similar to Theo, Asuna now wore an extremely thin mesh that was worn like a second skin over her body. It even covered the fingers and toes, but, instead of being flesh tone, she settled on a matte black that would allow her to better blend into her surroundings. As for its maximum capacity, she was even more talented than Theo when it came to the manipulation of Ki, so, when activated to its fullest potential, Asuna's weighed an impressive 300kg.As she couldn't just run around in a black compression mesh, Asuna's basic attire consisted of a pair of white jean shorts and a moderately baggy black t-shirt. Overtop this, replacing the haori she had been experimenting with previously, she wore a stylish white parka with two large pockets, fur-lined sleeves, and a matching, fur-lined, hood. As for the rest of her outfit, she wore a pair of gloves that greatly increased her grip strength, and, as she often found it difficult to stand on 'any' surface, she had a pair of sneakers with the ability to selectively stick to even sheer and inverted surfaces.With her appearance, Asuna could easily be mistaken for a model, but, in Vahn's mind, every part of her screamed 'protagonist'. He had noticed it in both Danmachi and the Nasuverse, but, compared to 'normal' people, the main characters stood out quite a bit. It was almost as if everyone else in the Record had come to an agreement to dress relatively plain and uniform. This made it relatively easy to deduce who was 'important' to the world, and, though there were a number of exceptions, it was even possible to intuit whether or not someone would be powerful based on specific traits.Though it wasn't as noticeable in Danmachi, the Nasuverse had a number of templates that clearly displayed the preferences of the original creator. The 'Saber-Faces' were the most obvious example of this, but, when it came to the truly powerful, white hair with any combination of red, blue, silver, or golden eyes indicated an inordinately powerful person. After that, the main traits you needed to watch out for were golden hair, and, perhaps most importantly, whether or not they had an ahoge.Generally speaking, you would never see an ahoge on a 'normal' person, so, the moment you saw someone walking around with the characteristic tuft of hair, it was virtually guaranteed they had a part to play in the overarching story of the Record. This was especially true if the ahoge had what he and Da Vinci had coined 'special features', as, unless they existed for comic relief, only those who had a central part to play in the Record had an expressive or functional ahoge.Back in the Nasuverse, there were some people whose ahoges were so expressive that they would even display question marks or stand up straight when they were confused or startled. The one that stood out the most, however, was the mysterious ahoge possessed by X. It had the ability to detect other Saber Faces halfway across the Universe, and, in the most extreme cases, even allowed her to sense their presence within different dimensions. These functions, combined with the fact it could poke through solid metal without causing any damage, made X's ahoge one of the most unique in the entire Nasuverse.Though it wasn't as extreme as X's, Asuna's ahoge seemed to possess a function that allowed her to accurately pinpoint the location of hidden enemies. It would twitch whenever someone tried to pull off a sneak attack against her, and, whenever it came to Vahn, specifically, Asuna could even detect him in the State of Nothingness. She even seemed to know when he was thinking about her, as, the moment he looked up at her with a smile, Asuna's ahoge twitched slightly as she turned to face him with a radiant smile of her own.Without worrying for her safety, Asuna unhesitantly leaped down butt-first, her knees tucked up as if she was going to do a cannonball. This was another habit she had developed, and, as she had proven her willingness to commit to the deed, Vahn tried to avoid letting her impact the deck like a 323kg mortar round that also had the ability to ignore magical barriers...After being caught and held in a princess carry, Asuna released a girlish snicker, playfully dangling her legs as she asked, "I've never seen such a big tree. Do you think they would get mad if I climbed to the very top?"With a wry smile on his face, Vahn shook his head in response before stating, "Based on historical accounts, the Elves descended from Yggdrillia in much the same way that the Hellasians descended from Vrixho. It is safe to assume she also has the ability to read a person's memories and intentions through touch. Once she understands the purpose behind our visit, I doubt she will mind allowing you to climb her branches."Hearing Vahn's words, Asuna became even more excitable, a mischievous glimmer flashing across her blue-green eyes as she asked, "Have you heard of the legend that has been passed down since ancient times? They say that if you make a heartfelt promise beneath Yggdrillia's canopy, your fates will become intertwined..."Though he knew what she was trying to say, Vahn showed a thoughtful expression on his face as he mused, "Maybe I should ask Eva to accompany me..." in a plain tone of voice. This resulted in Asuna puffing out her cheeks slightly, but, rather than remain bitter, she opted to rest her head against his chest, closing her eyes and 'forcing' him to continue holding her until she was satisfied...Seeing Asuna's admittedly adorable pout, Vahn issued a silent chuckle before hugging her a little closer to his body. She knew how to play him like a fiddle, and, even without an arbitrary promise between Yggdrillia's canopy, their fates were already intertwined. Her powerful fate wasn't able to directly influence him, but, unless he proactively resisted it, the mysterious energy flowed around his body like a steady current. It didn't provide the same benefits as it had in the Nasuverse, but, after more than four years at the pampered princess' side, he could clearly perceive the flow of fate around Asuna.At this point, even Eva had been 'infected' by Asuna's fate, and, though it wasn't able to change her tsundere traits, it was one of the contributing factors that allowed her to accept Arika and Theo. The incident with Eva's transformation being broken was just one of the many ways in which Asuna's fate influenced the sequence of events, and, if left unchecked, 'everything' would be wrapped up in the phenomenal current that flowed around her.The scariest thing about Asuna's fate was how it seemed to influence events based on the actions of those around her, not just herself. Her fate was one of the main reasons they had been able to meet with Braven Enlil so easily, as, more often than not, the whimsical Great Spirit would vanish for literal years at a time. He very rarely appeared in public unless something major happened, yet, as if he had been 'waiting' for them, they easily found him within his abode...Though it seemed almost nonsensical, Asuna's influence on fate was so great that she might as well be the 'Goddess of Fate' within the Akamatsuverse. She didn't control it consciously, but, so long as she understood his intentions, Vahn was certain that Asuna's influence on fate would adapt itself to suit his needs. She was effectively the lynchpin of the Magical World, and, so long as she believed it was 'necessary', the world would, quite literally, change in accordance with her perspective.If Vahn wasn't careful, any ill-thought teachings or poorly-constructed promises conveyed to Asuna had the potential to shape reality itself. He had confirmed this by conducting a number of relatively safe experiments, most designed by Da Vinci, and, without exception, each had proven his theory. It was for this reason that he rarely left Asuna unattended. He also made sure to be roundabout when it came to making promises, as, depending on the circumstances, the fate of the entire world could be changed with a few 'innocent' words...Unaware of Vahn's thoughts, but knowing he was thinking about her, Asuna hummed a happy tune as she continued to playfully dangle her legs. She realized it didn't matter whether or not she made a promise with Vahn, as, according to Fenrir, he always reciprocated honest and earnest feelings. So long as she continued working hard, it was impossible for Vahn to ever abandon her. This was one of the reasons his harem had grown so much, and, though she felt a little guilty about it, Asuna had already decided he was the one she was fated to spend the rest of her life with. At this point, all she needed to do was mature. Until then, she was just grateful to be able to spend more time with him, and, with even Eva preparing to leave for a period of time, it seemed like they would have plenty of opportunities to spend time together...---As home nation to an endangered people, Elfenhof was completely closed off from the rest of the world. Anyone found without 50km of the massive forest that housed the Elven people would be found guilty of violating an international treaty. This treaty allowed them to be killed on sight, and, if they were found to be involved in the trafficking of Elven people, the punishment was even more severe. In the most extreme cases, they would have a special seed planted inside of their body that eventually sprouted into a tree that could easily live for a thousand years. These trees were able to seal the consciousness of the person inside, forcing them to experience a stationary life where they could do little but photosynthesize and absorb moisture from the soil...Though it was a mortifying thought, nearly every tree within the vast forest surrounding Elfenhof had been grown from the body of someone involved in Elf trafficking. The only exception was the 'Forest of Life' that surrounded the base of Yggdrillia. The trees there were grown from the bodies of Elves who either lived till old age or suffered from an ailment that would have claimed their life. They would become the foundation that supported their people, and, though they would be unable to move freely, many of the trees grown from the bodies of Elves grew exponentially taller, wider, and stronger than those produced by other races.It was common for the families of those within their 'second phase' of life to live around, tend to, or even live 'inside' the trees of their Ancestors. This didn't cause any pain to the trees, and, with the ability to read emotions and thoughts through touch, it ensured that the Elven community was built upon the strongest bonds imaginable.Their most casual form of communication among Elves involved gingerly placing their hands upon the other person's face or holding hands as they walked. When it came to close family and friends, however, hugging, affectionately cuddling, and placing foreheads against each other was the norm. As a result, it was common to find Elves affectionately hugging trees, and, if you approached the very center of Elfenholf, dozens could be found resting against the massive trunk of Yggdrillia with contented smiles on their faces...As their most ancient ancestor, the Elves greatly revered Yggdrillia, affectionately referring to her as their Guardian Goddess and the Mother of the Forest. Nearly every newborn Elf that was baptized in the emerald-green waters that pooled around her trunk, and, with few exceptions, any important ceremony was conducted beneath her canopy. She was an intrinsic part of their lives from the time of their birth to their inevitable rebirth as Children of the Forest, so, whenever they could afford the time, Elves both young and old would flock to commune with their beloved protector...Seeing her children peacefully slumber beneath her branches, Yggdrillia did her best to make them feel safe and protected. She cared deeply for each of them so it always broke her heart every time she noticed someone missing from among the ever-dwindling population. It wasn't that there were no new births, but, every time a war was on the horizon, the number of kidnappings would increase exponentially. Things were especially bad this time around, and, in recent years, the population of Elfenhof had decreased by nearly fourteen percent...Fortunately, compared to her sensitive children, Yggdrillia was much better at hiding her emotions. She was able to convey love and warmth through her trunk, while, near the summit of her canopy, her physical manifestation released a disheartened sigh. She worried it was only a matter of time before Elfenhof was destroyed completely, as, with the advancements of both Magic and Science, the respect for life had gradually dwindled with the passage of time. She had even seen visions of her beloved nation burning, and, though it wouldn't kill her, there was a fair chance her true body would be destroyed in the near future...Thinking of the worst, Yggdrillia, appearing as an Elvan woman with uncharacteristically brown skin, brown hair, and shorter-than-average ears, tucked her knees up to her chest so that she could hug them. She appeared completely naked, but, unlike a 'normal' woman, she didn't possess secondary sexual characteristics or reproductive organs. Instead, her body was covered in intricate white runes that glowed within the shadow of her own canopy. Her pale blue eyes, displaying a melancholy that had been cultivated over thousands of years, stared out over the horizon, hoping and praying for a miracle that had never come...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn be like, "Seent."','Asuna and Haruhi would get along','Fate can be pretty scary...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1609: Penance : Salvation