My world-tree system-Chapter 82 - 81: Hatching

Foster abruptly opened his eyes in the darkness, his heart pounding violently in his chest. He had been awakened by a strange sensation, a delicate but distinct, almost imperceptible creak. Around him, the room was plunged into darkness, lit only by the soft silvery glow that the Mother Tree naturally diffused through the slender wooden windows.

He sat up slowly, his muscles tense with instinctive anxiety. His gaze immediately shifted to the table beside his bed, where the jade egg, usually perfectly still, lay. But tonight, it seemed different.

The smooth surface of the egg was streaked with tiny cracks, from which a soft light emanated, pulsing slowly, like a heart beating in the darkness. Foster held his breath, immediately realizing what was happening.

The egg was hatching.

His heart raced, a raw emotion, mixed with fear and wonder, invading his whole being. He quickly pushed back his blankets, slowly, almost fearfully, approaching the egg on its plant stand. He reached out with a hesitant, trembling hand towards the fractured surface of the jade.

He felt a wave of powerful energy, warm and reassuring, emanating from the object. An ancient, almost inaudible murmur echoed in his mind, as if a living entity were trying to make first contact.

The cracks widened gently, accompanied by delicate creaking, gradually revealing a brilliant emerald light inside. Foster stared, hypnotized, as the hull slowly cracked, releasing an aura that seemed to saturate the air with power.

Then, at last, a small silver claw slowly appeared, delicately pushing the shell outwards. Foster felt his breath catch in his throat, unable to take his eyes off this extraordinary apparition.

Another claw followed, then a third, each gently pushing back the cracked surface of the egg. The light became more intense, almost blinding, filling the whole room with a gentle but inescapable radiance. At last, a tiny, elegant head of translucent jade appeared. Two small, gem-like eyes of intense green slowly opened, immediately staring at Foster with disconcerting intelligence.

The dragon was born.

Foster felt an icy chill run slowly up his spine. His heart now seemed connected to the dragonet’s, beating in unison with indescribable intensity. He could feel the young dragon’s consciousness, curious, innocent but already imbued with unfathomable wisdom.

He slowly moved his hand towards the little creature, which was gracefully extricating itself from the last fragments of jade. When he gently brushed his fingertips against the silvery scales, a burning sensation suddenly exploded in his flesh.

Foster stifled a scream, falling to his knees as searing pain shot up his arm, rapidly invading his entire body. He felt the skin of his forearm tear and immediately reform, marked forever by a mysterious rune, with intricate, luminous lines etched into his flesh with surgical precision.

The pain disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, immediately replaced by a sensation of euphoria, an unknown energy spreading through every fiber of his being, increasing his inner power phenomenally.

Foster stared in amazement at the now permanent mark on his arm. It glowed softly, pulsing in unison with the dragon’s heartbeat, as it came to nestle slowly against his chest, seeking his warmth and touch.

The bond between them was sealed.

He clearly felt the dragon’s spirit, young but powerful, graze his consciousness with respect and affection. He immediately felt the ancestral magic of dragons awaken within him, flowing through his veins like a liquid fire, burning but incredibly pleasant. His perception of the world suddenly expanded. Sounds, smells, the slightest vibration in the air - everything now reached him with supernatural acuity.

Foster rose slowly to his feet, gently carrying the little dragon against him. The being looked at him with absolute confidence, its small green eyes shining with a wisdom far too old

The young elf closed his eyes for a moment, absorbing these new sensations, fully feeling the magnitude of the power he had just been entrusted with.

When he finally opened them again, a new determination shone in his eyes, tinged with unshakeable confidence.

- I’ll protect you," he whispered softly to the dragonet. Together, we’ll change the fate of this world.

The little dragon gently rubbed his head against his cheek, definitively sealing the deep, intimate and powerful bond that would unite them forever.

Foster watched the dragon snuggle up to him, its tiny body, but already imbued with tangible power, curled against his chest. He could feel its peaceful breath, warm and reassuring, synchronized with his own. But this was no ordinary creature. This was confirmed when an image appeared in his mind: a spring of pure water, lined with sparkling moss in the dawn light.

The dragonet was communicating with him through images.

Foster understood immediately what this meant: he was thirsty.

He sat up slowly, still under the effect of the burning magic now coursing through his veins. He could feel the power awakening within him, a magic unlike anything he’d ever known. The magic of dragons. An ancestral energy, as ancient as the world itself.

He placed the little creature on his shoulder, and it naturally clung to him, its tiny claws anchoring themselves delicately in the fabric of his tunic.

- You’re thirsty, aren’t you?" he murmured softly.

A new image flashed through his mind, that of a stream flowing between smooth stones, where the pure water reflected the morning light. Foster smiled. It was a yes.

- Come, I’ll show you where to quench your thirst.

He left his room and descended silently among the intertwined trees of Vollua. The city was slowly awakening, the first rays of sunlight breaking through the canopy of the Mother Tree. The early-morning elves watched Foster curiously as he advanced with a creature that had never existed among them.

The dragonet suddenly stirred on his shoulder, sending Foster into a hunger pangs that briefly knotted his stomach.

- So, we’ll have to find something to eat, too, won’t we?

An image of red berries appeared in his mind.

- Got it, kid. We’ll see what we can do.

The connection was clear, fluid, natural. This dragon wasn’t just a creature, it was a consciousness, a living mind that understood, felt and responded.

Foster pointed to a water source near the roots of the Mother Tree, and the dragon leapt from his shoulder to drink delicately. A fascinating blend of grace and ferocity, Foster thought as he watched.

But this morning would be more than a moment of wonder. He had a far more important mission.

It was time to announce the truths his people needed to hear.

A few hours later, Foster stood at the foot of the Mother Tree, surrounded by a score of elves gathered under the golden light of dawn. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, mixing excitement and apprehension.

Lïanna stood nearby, observing the scene with silent pride, while Thorgrim and the surviving dwarves stood slightly back, respecting this crucial moment for the elven people.

Foster took a deep breath before raising his hand, imposing silence on the assembly. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

- People of Vollua," he began, his voice strong and clear, carrying to every corner of the sylvan city. We are gathered here today for an announcement of the utmost importance.

He paused, letting his words sink into the attentive minds.

- A child has been born.

A murmur ran through the crowd, a mixture of surprise, relief and curiosity.

- A child who represents the very future of our people. The fruit of the ritual that united our forces, that concentrated Vollua’s hope in him.

He turned slightly to Lïanna, who in turn stepped forward, a gentle smile on her lips.

- This child is a blessing," she continued. He’s the light in the darkness that surrounds us.

Foster nodded, his eyes searching those of every elf present.

- But we must give it a name. A name that will carry the weight of our hope and our future.

An intense silence followed, then a voice rose timidly among the elves.

- And what will that name be?

Foster took a deep breath.

- That’s for all of us to decide.

A murmur of approval went through the crowd.

But Foster wasn’t finished.

He tightened his grip on the jade egg still snuggled against him and raised his other arm, revealing the mark etched into his flesh since the dragon’s hatching. The rune pulsed softly, imbued with a new, mystical power that the elves immediately recognized as ancient and sacred.

- There’s something else you need to know.

The silence became absolute.

- A dragon is born.

Shocked exclamations came from all sides. Some elves recoiled in astonishment, others looked at each other, incomprehension and wonder painted on their faces.

- A dragon?!

- Impossible!

- They’ve been gone for millennia!

Foster raised a hand to calm the crowd.

- He’s real. He’s with me, and we’re linked.

At that moment, the dragonet, perched on his shoulder, slowly opened its emerald eyes and let out a soft growl, imposing its presence.

A heavy silence fell over Vollua.

It wasn’t a lie.

But it wasn’t the only truth Foster had to reveal.

He took an even deeper breath.

- And that wasn’t all.

Eyes focused on him, worried.

- The Lords of the Apocalypse are real.

A shudder ran through the assembly. Foster saw faces freeze in terror, hands clutch their weapons, elders exchange meaningful glances.

- There are seven of them.

The murmurs intensified.

- They are powerful. They are dark elves seeking to free the Kaizen.

This time, it was fear that swept through the crowd.

The Kaizen.

The name echoed in every elf’s mind like a specter from the past, an ancient horror thought to be gone forever.

- They work in the shadows," Foster continued, "and they’re hunting us down.

An icy silence fell.

Foster swept his gaze over the crowd, seeking to capture their attention, to make them understand.

- But we’re not powerless. We have Vollua, we have Lïanna, we have our people and our allies.

He glanced at Thorgrim, who nodded gravely.

- And today, we have a future.

He placed a hand on his chest, just above the dragon’s mark.

- We will fight. We will protect our child, our land and our people.

Then he stared out into the crowd, and in a strong voice, he concluded:

- And we will win.