The day after the Gathering of World Trees, the Imperial Gardens were more lively than ever.
Ancient roots stretched beneath the Veyris Empire.
Leaves of countless colors drifted through the air.
And for the first time in ages.
multiple World Trees were gathered in one place.
Ashvattha sat beneath a crystal pavilion.
Nearby were Sylvaria, Florastra, Dormira, Thornmother Eldara, and the shy World Tree
Verdelia.
Verdelia sat quietly behind a large flowering bush.
She had been there for nearly an hour.
Kaelignis noticed first.
"Why is she hiding?"
Lyra pointed.
"I think she's nervous."
Seralyth carefully approached.
"Lady Verdelia?"
Verdelia immediately ducked behind the bush.
Only her eyes remained visible.
The daughters laughed softly.
Meanwhile.
Kael Veyris had already noticed.
He stood and walked toward her.
Verdelia froze.
The shy World Tree looked increasingly nervous.
"You don't need to hide."
Kael said calmly.
Verdelia looked away.
"I-I'm not hiding."
Everyone stared.
She was literally behind a bush.
Wukong slowly pointed.
"You are absolutely hiding."
Verdelia immediately covered her face.
The daughters giggled.
Kael smiled slightly.
Then.
before Verdelia could react.
he gently picked her up.
The entire garden became silent.
Verdelia's eyes widened.
"W-Wait"
Kael carried her as though she weighed nothing.
"Why are you so shy?"
he asked.
Verdelia looked everywhere except at him.
"I don't know."
"That's not true."
Verdelia hesitated.
Then sighed.
"There are so many powerful people here."
She looked around the gardens.
Dragons.
Goddesses.
Ancient rulers.
World Trees.
Heroes.
And Kael Veyris himself.
"I always feel small around everyone."
she admitted.
The garden grew quiet.
Kael looked at her for a moment.
Then gently patted her head.
"It's okay."
Verdelia blinked.
Another head pat.
"You don't need to compare yourself to anyone."
Verdelia's face immediately turned red.
The daughters noticed.
Lyra grinned.
"She's blushing."
Verdelia immediately covered her face.
"I am not."
She absolutely was.
Ashvattha laughed softly.
The Universe Tree smiled warmly.
"My little sapling is still the same."
Verdelia looked toward the Universe Tree.
The Universe Tree was respected by all World Trees.
Not through fear.
Not through power.
But because she had guided countless generations.
Protected them.
Taught them.
Helped them grow.
To many World Trees.
she was something like a mother.
A goddess.
A guardian.
Verdelia smiled.
"I always looked up to you."
The Universe Tree's expression softened.
"And I am proud of you."
Verdelia nearly froze.
The compliment hit harder than any cosmic attack.
Nearby.
Florastra immediately pointed.
"She's blushing again."
Verdelia made a small embarrassed noise.
Everyone laughed.
Kael Meets the Other World Trees
Later that day.
Kael sat beneath Ashvattha's enormous branches.
The gathered World Trees joined him.
Sylvaria smiled brightly.
"I always wanted to meet you."
Kael nodded.
"I've heard good things about you."
Sylvaria looked delighted.
Florastra jumped onto a nearby bench.
"I heard you're impossible to surprise."
At that exact moment.
Wukong fell out of a tree.
CRASH.
Silence.
Kael looked over.
Wukong slowly stood.
"I meant to do that."
Florastra immediately started laughing.
Dormira yawned.
"Can we have this conversation while lying down?"
Nobody was surprised.
Thornmother Eldara crossed her arms.
"I approve of this Empire."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Eldara nodded.
"The children are safe."
She glanced toward the daughters.
"That matters."
Kael smiled.
"I agree."
As evening arrived.
all the World Trees gathered around the Universe Tree.
Ashvattha.
Verdelia.
Sylvaria.
Florastra.
Dormira.
Eldara.
For a moment.
they looked less like cosmic guardians.
And more like a family.
The Universe Tree looked at each of them.
Some were ancient.
Some were young.
Some were brave.
Some were shy.
Some were lazy.
Some were loud.
Yet all of them had grown beneath the same roots.
The same ancient network.
The same family.
Nearby.
Verdelia had finally stopped hiding.
She sat beside the daughters.
Talking quietly.
Smiling occasionally.
Growing more comfortable.
Ashvattha noticed.
Then smiled.
"Looks like she's making friends."
The Universe Tree nodded proudly.
"Just as she should."
Above them.
the branches of countless World Trees swayed beneath the stars.
And for the first time in countless ages.
they were together again.