The evening sky above the Veyris Empire glowed with countless stars.
In the Imperial Gardens, Kael Veyris sat beneath the branches of the World Trees.
Around him were many of those closest to him.
Marigold, Xihe Drakonara, Kaelithra Veylscara, Zarythia Drakenveil, Ashvattha, Universe Tree, Noctyra Valis, Luxryth Solaris, Zeraphiel, and Umbryssia Void Black Dragon Empress.
Nearby, Kael's daughters sat together.
Kaelignis Veyris.
Lyra's Kaelry.
Elyrion Veythera.
Veyloria Kaelthera.
Seralyth Veyris.
The daughters had been asking questions all afternoon.
Eventually, Veyloria looked toward Ashvattha.
Lady Ashvattha...
What were you like before becoming a World Tree?
The entire garden became quiet.
Even Wukong stopped eating fruit.
Ashvattha blinked.
Then smiled softly.
That was a very long time ago.
Kaelignis immediately leaned forward.
Tell us.
The ancient World Tree laughed quietly.
Very well.
Before the Tree
Billions of years ago.
before great empires existed.
Before many stars had formed.
Before countless civilizations were born.
Ashvattha was not a World Tree.
She was a wandering spirit of life.
A being made from pure growth, nature, and possibility.
Back then, the universe looked very different.
Young stars were still forming.
Entire galaxies were newborn.
Many worlds had never known life.
Ashvattha traveled endlessly.
Watching.
Learning.
Growing.
I was curious about everything.
She explained.
I wanted to see every world.
Every sky.
Every ocean.
Every living thing.
Lyra's eyes widened.
You traveled alone?
For a very long time.
Ashvattha nodded.
Sometimes centuries would pass without seeing another intelligent being.Ashvattha raised her hand.
Golden leaves drifted through the air.
An ancient memory appeared.
A primitive civilization stood beneath a giant crystal mountain.
They had no advanced technology.
No cosmic power.
No divine magic.
Only hope.
I met them nearly nine billion years ago.
The daughters watched carefully.
They were afraid of storms.
Afraid of darkness.
Afraid of losing their homes.
Ashvattha smiled.
So I planted a single tree.
The image changed.
A small glowing sapling emerged from the ground.
That tree protected them.
Its roots purified water.
Its branches sheltered homes.
Its fruit healed sickness.
Over generations.
the civilization flourished.
And for the first time...
Ashvattha whispered.
I realized I wanted to protect life.
Not simply observe it.The memory shifted again.
This time showing an ancient battlefield.
Worlds were collapsing.
Stars were dying.
Reality itself trembled.
A great cosmic war erupted.
Ashvattha stood in the center.
Countless lives were in danger.
Entire civilizations faced extinction.
So she made a choice.
I sacrificed my original form.
Silence filled the garden.
Ashvattha looked toward her hands.
My essence became roots.
My power became branches.
My soul became a tree large enough to shelter worlds.
The daughters stared in amazement.
You became the first World Tree?
asked Seralyth.
One of the first.
Ashvattha smiled.
The transformation lasted thousands of years.
But when it ended.
I could support entire worlds.
The Universe Tree sitting nearby nodded respectfully.
A sacrifice very few beings could make.Ashvattha smiled warmly.
Not every memory is sad.
The vision changed again.
Ancient figures appeared.
Explorers.
Scholars.
Guardians.
Travelers.
Some became my closest friends.
One group spent ten million years simply exploring stars with me.
The daughters laughed.
Ten million years?
Ashvattha laughed too.
At my age, that's not very long.
Wukong nearly choked on a peach.
NOT VERY LONG?!The memory darkened.
Then came the rivals.
Ancient cosmic conquerors.
Void tyrants.
Realm devourers.
Star kings.
Many saw World Trees as obstacles.
One ruler attempted to burn an entire galaxy to force me into submission.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
What happened?
Ashvattha smiled sweetly.
I dropped a moon on him.
Silence.
Wukong nodded.
Reasonable response.
The garden erupted into laughter.Later that night.
most of the gathering had dispersed.
The daughters continued discussing Ashvattha's stories.
Kaelignis and Lyra excitedly argued over which ancient battle sounded coolest.
Meanwhile.
Umbryssia walked beside Kael through a moonlit pathway.
Her long black hair flowed behind her while her violet eyes reflected the stars.
You seemed interested in Ashvattha's stories.
Kael nodded.
She's lived a remarkable life.
Umbryssia smiled softly.
And now she's here.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Simply enjoying the peaceful night.
The Empire has changed a lot.
Umbryssia said quietly.
It has.
Kael answered.
And it keeps growing.
Umbryssia looked toward the distant capital.
Toward the people.
The lights.
The family they had built.
Then she smiled.
Good.
Above them.
the branches of Ashvattha and the Universe Tree stretched across the heavens.
Ancient guardians watching over the Empire they now called home.