CH.398 Marching Earth

CH.398 Marching Earth

On our trip to Gaia’s domain, I was able to have a nice long nap. I don’t really know why I even can nap in the spirit world, but at the same time, I did and it felt amazing, so I’m not going to question it.

I asked the others how long we’ve been traveling, but instead of getting a time, I got a distance. And even that was just an estimation.

“... so we have no clue how long we’ve been traveling for. Are we at least getting close?” I asked.

“Yes. We are 90% there.” Lady Janina answered.

“That’s good. So not too long?”

“Do I even have to say it?”

“Time is relative?”

“Yes.”

“This world will break my sense of ... I was going to say time, but it really messes with other senses as well.” I complained.

“A reason not to come here when you aren’t ready.”

“Well, not much we can do about that now. ... where is Lua?” I asked after I looked around.

Alice was sleeping in the shotgun seat, but I didn’t spot Lua anywhere.

“Sleeping on the roof. She got a few spirits to make her a water bed there.”

“... well, if it works, who am I to say no. I did kind of steal the only bed here.” I admitted. “What about you? Need a nap?”

“Does a dragon ever really need a nap?”

“... Agunan seems to like sleeping.”

“Enjoying sleeping and actually needing to sleep are two different things. We like it because it saves energy. But it doesn’t matter much in the spirit world, as my real body isn’t using much while we are here.”

“Oh? Dragons are ... I would say strange, but I think interesting is the correct term.”

“Call us advanced.”

“As you wish, my Lady.” I said in a teasing tone.

I got to the front where I was planning on just seeing the sights for the rest of the trip.

“If you want something to do, I recommend trying to get a feel for the mana all around us. Maybe you’ll learn how to feel the places of power.” Lady Janina told me.

“Sure. Thanks for the tip.” I quietly responded.

[Cailie POV]

“... I don’t really like this place.” I complained quietly.

“Why?” “Why sad?” “Is it because no wind?” A few of the lesser spirits asked.

“... because it reminds me of a bad place.” I told them.

We were in a large underground cavern, the domain of the superior earth spirit. And ever since I got trapped in ... in there, caverns just make my skin crawl.

Spoiler[collapse]

“Bad place?” “But this no bad place.” “This is home.” A few new spirits appeared from the ground and told me. Their bodies were made of brown-orange light, so they were earth spirits.

“... this isn’t a bad place.” I told them. “... just... brings back memories of a bad place.”

“What place?” “Tell us.” “We will break the bad place!” The spirits responded.

“N-No!” I yelped. “If you break it ... she will know I’m not there.”

“She who?” “Is She bad?” “Can we punish She?”

“... I ... she lives in the sea... so it might be difficult for you.”

“We will help.” The water spirits said.

“No. You are not getting revenge on anyone.” Rain said to them to calm them down.

Spoiler[collapse][Brian POV]Spoiler[collapse]

“... wait? That song originates from..?”

“My world. Yes.” I confirmed. “It is from a movie series. I’ll look if I can Factory bullshit it together later. But for now...” As I said that, I looked at Cailie.

“We have a spirit to wake up!” Cailie finished my sentence.

Cailie set up everything around the crystal holding the superior spirit of earth, mainly all the earth spirits that wanted to help her. They would be drumming along to the beat.

She then looked at me and nodded, giving me the sign to play the song.

I started playing the imperial march again, and even if I say so myself, I’d gotten a lot better at it, and I think it actually sounds accurate now.

And as I played the song, Cailie began to sing.

“On we march to the beat of the Earth

Saving the Spirits from their eternal sleep

The supreme Spirits

Their might is revealed

The evil tries to flee

But its fate has been sealed”

“Faraway shall it hide

Wherever it may go

It's too late for it

As the spirits are free!”

Okay. Let’s be honest here. This makes no sense, but does it really need to. I mean, Cailie does know a bit about the spirits and their culture, but not enough where she could realistically make something less generic than this.

And with the song coming to an end, large cracks began to appear in the crystal that held the superior spirit, before the crystal shattered completely and freed the spirit.

“Mmm. That was a great nap.” Gaia said, as she stretched. “So you little musicians, why did you come and wake me? And good day to you, Lady Supreme Dragon.”

“We ... The other spirits... asked us to wake up ... all of the superior spirits.” Cailie answered.

“Oh? So it is time for us to awaken again? Did someone perhaps solve the barrier issues?” Gaia asked.

“That is still in the works, but we do have a temporary patch for it.” I answered her question.

“The composer speaks. Or should I call you the little Hero?”

“My name is Brian. Brian Wood.”

“... Wood, huh. Makes you sound like a child of Hegemone, so I’ll just call you Brian.”

“That is perfectly fine. May I call you Gaia?” I asked.

“Normally I wouldn’t allow it, but since you did play that lovely march, I shall allow it.” Gaia said. “The same goes for you, little mermaid.”

“N-No. I’m not a mermaid. I’m still just a mer-folk.”

“Shame. I do hope you evolve soon. Perhaps Thalassa can help you. It does feel like you haven’t awakened her yet.”

“No. Just you and mother Anemoi.”

“So Anemoi did make you her daughter. Congratulations. It does suit you.” Gaia said to Cailie. “And I suppose that makes me your aunt. I’m glad to hear that my niece is a great singer.”

“... A-Aunt?”

“Yes. Isn’t that what I am? I mean, if my sister is your mother, I am your aunt.”

“... are all the superior spirits related?” I asked.

“Of course. Not directly like the four of us, fire, water, wind and earth, are. Light and dark are sisters. So are space and time. And Hegemone was born of light, water and myself, making her partially my child.”

“... okay. Good to know.”

“Now, I would like to know what has been happening while I’ve been asleep. Would you care to tell me a story?” Gaia requested.