[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LrvJv14.png[/img][/center] Serenis sat down at the base of Arae's Familial Tree, taking a well-deserved rest after performing routine maintenance on the Trees. Every day took up a large portion of gardening the trees and recording the various bonds with each other, and with more and more trees growing from both the Pantheon and the rest of Spekatha's Familial Lakes, her workload was increasing with no sign of stopping. She let out a long and deep sigh, resting her face on her arms as they lay on her knees. An explosion sounded off, followed by the crackling of falling twigs and branches. Serenis merely raised her head, recognizing the signs. Another Familial Tree had discharged a bolt of energy at a neighboring one. This time it had been Arya's tree assaulting Shengshi's. Serenis got back onto her feet, which were quite unsteady already, only to witness another discharge of energy, this time more powerful than the last, from Vakk's tree towards Li'Kalla's. Distraught, Serenis dropped to her hands and knees, tears forming in her eyes, and began to yell in frustration. She just wanted to perform her duty, but she couldn't fathom why it had to be so difficult. Every time a problem came up, Serenis rose to the occasion, but it was as if 3 more problems sprang up the moment she tried anything. There was no end. She continued to cry to herself for a few minutes, until she finally fell asleep from exhaustion. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5kR2yJq.png[/img] MP: 7 | FP: 8[/center] It was dark in Spekatha when Arae returned, climbing out of the Pantheon's lake. Almost immediately, Arae felt that something was off. Serenis would have normally greeted her by now. It was then that Arae saw Serenis' figure, face-down on the grass. Alarmed, Arae rushed over to inspect her, but she soon calmed down when she realized that Serenis' life didn't seem to be in danger; she was merely asleep. Not wanting Serenis to be any more uncomfortable, Arae transformed into her human form and sat down in a seiza position, then brought Serenis over to use her lap as a pillow. She would do this for as long as she had to. As the band of light began to rise over Spekatha's horizon, Serenis' eyes fluttered open. Arae was directly above her face, smiling down upon her. "[color=f6989d]Good morning, Serenis,[/color]" Arae greeted Serenis. At first, Serenis didn't know who was above her, but her senses began to register and she soon realized where she was and who she was resting on. She quickly rolled off Arae in a panic, standing up but realizing that perhaps it was a bit rude to be standing up while Arae was still sitting down and sat down in front of Arae. "[color=silver]My lady! Please, e-excuse my rudeness! I-I just needed-[/color]" Serenis began to say before Arae cut her off with a chuckle. "[color=f6989d]Serenis, it's ok. You've done nothing wrong,[/color]" Arae reassured her. "[color=f6989d]If you needed to rest, you're free to do so anytime.[/color]" "[color=silver]But there's no time for that, and there's so much to do,[/color]" Serenis sighed. "[color=silver]I can't afford to rest too much, between the trees trying to destroy each other and maintaining health and observations of all of them. Forgive me, but I must get back to work.[/color]" Serenis got up and turned around to face the Familial Trees, but stumbled as soon as she took the first step. She managed to recover her footing, but was still rather unsteady. Nevertheless, Serenis continued to persevere, and was about to take another step when she was stopped by Arae. She had put her arms around Serenis' waist, hugging her tightly. "[color=f6989d]Serenis,[/color]" Arae began. "[color=f6989d][i]It's ok.[/i] Don't work yourself so hard. You deserve your rest.[/color]" Serenis reached out towards the Familial Trees, each shining and glittering their various colors. "[color=silver]But... the families...[/color]" Serenis said. "[color=f6989d]Are not as important as one so overworked that she can't perform her duties properly,[/color]" Arae finished. "[color=f6989d]Sit down. Rest.[/color]" The two stood still in silence for a short while, until Serenis finally conceded and rested as Arae ordered. Arae smiled at Serenis, but she could not return the expression, instead looking away in shame. "[color=silver]I'm sorry, my lady. You're taking the time to deal with me... my failure,[/color]" Serenis said. Arae's smile faded, and she shook her head. "[color=f6989d]No, Serenis, dear. The failure lies with me.[/color]" Serenis returned her gaze to Arae, whose smile returned but was tinged with sadness. "[color=f6989d]I should have seen it sooner. The system I set up was flawed from the start. I set you on a task that was impossible for you to complete. I wanted a pair of eyes that would keep watch over my Sphere, which was why you were created. What I didn't realize was that you were an individual with a mind of your own, not just an extension of my power. This task was meant for a machine, not for a mind like yours. I placed too much of a burden on you. For that, [i]I[/i] should be the one that's sorry.[/color]" "[color=silver]My lady...[/color]" "[color=f6989d]I have an idea. You should visit Galbar. See the world for yourself, not just watch the inside of Spekatha for eternity,[/color]" Arae suggested happily. "[color=silver]What? But... ho-how would I get to Galbar? I can't travel through the Pantheon like you can, my lady,[/color]" Serenis asked. "[color=f6989d]That's why I'll create something for you,[/color]" Arae said, standing up. Raising one hand, Arae lifted up a stream of water from the Pantheon into the air. With a wave of the other, various sticks and leaves from the Familial Trees were whisked away, as if blown around by a gust of wind. Arae twirled around, the large volume of debris revolving around her as she danced. Then, with a clap of her hands, the mixture condensed itself into a tiny ball, small enough to be held in her hand. As it floated in one spot, Arae continued to dance. She spread her arms apart, creating wings. A wave of her hand wile bending low created a tail, while rising back up made the head. Serenis watched with silent awe and wonder as Arae created this new creature. Finally, as Arae cupped the creation in her hands, she began to blow, breathing her divine essence into it while blowing away the outer layer of bark and water, revealing a small serpent-like dragon. It began to look around, seemingly curious about its surroundings. It spotted Serenis, and it began to fly over to her. Serenis flinched in surprise, but soon learned that it meant her no harm when it landed on her head. The dragon wandered around her head and shoulders for a moment before finally making itself comfortable by coiling itself around her neck like a scarf. "[color=f6989d]He will be your guardian and transport while you're in Galbar,[/color]" Arae explained. "[color=silver]I see...[/color]" Serenis said, looking down at the dragon, who was currently nuzzling her neck and chin. Looking back up, she asked, "[color=silver]But... what is his name?[/color]" "[color=f6989d]That's for you to decide.[/color]" Arae answered. "[color=silver]Eh?![/color]" Serenis exclaimed in surprise. The dragon extended itself out to look up at Serenis, curious by the sudden noise. The two began to stare at each other before Serenis scratched him on the chin, prompting the dragon to squeak in delight. "[color=silver]'Kree'. That'll be your name,[/color]" Serenis said. Kree then climbed onto the top of her head and cawed. "[color=f6989d]It seems like he likes that name,[/color]" Arae said, smiling. "[color=f6989d]Good for you, Serenis.[/color]" "[color=silver]But this still doesn't explain how Kree is going to bring me out of Spekatha,[/color]" Serenis pointed out. "[color=f6989d]Which is why he has a few tricks in his arsenal,[/color]" Arae said. She clapped her hands twice, and Kree was at attention. He leapt into the air, soaring high into the sky, and landed back down having grown massively in size. He was now several meters long, much larger than the two foot length he was before. His scales glimmered as he moved, and a large pair of horns extended from his head. Kree lowered his neck down to Serenis, who was gazing at him in awe. "[color=f6989d]He is your ride to Galbar,[/color]" Arae said, gesturing grandly at him. "[color=f6989d]Now go on, and see the world created by the gods with your own eyes.[/color]" [hr] Serenis gazed down at the ocean from atop Kree's back. It was so vast, and the bird's eye view made it more spectacular. It was nothing like Spekatha, which only housed an endless grassland. Who knows what other wondrous sights she would discover. [hider=Summary] -Serenis is finding herself overworked, and the latest pieces of work the gods are pulling on one another was the last straw for her. She breaks down from the stress and passes out. -Arae finds Serenis on the ground and gives her a lap pillow until she wakes up. -They talk it out, and Arae decides she needs a vacation. -Arae creates the Arael Dragon, a beast of phenomenal power whom Serenis names Kree, to act as her mount and friend to travel around Galbar. -Serenis takes in her first sight of Galbar, its ocean, and notes that it's beautiful. [/hider] [hider=Might Usage] -2 FP spent creating Kree the Arael Dragon. MP: 7 | FP: 6 [/hider]