The hours following the Ritual of Purging were hectic. Shinobin was kept busy dealing with all the injuries from the minor dungeon break that had occurred after the ritual. Shada wondered how frequently they occurred. The fact that the two most recent incidents occurred while he was exposed was not lost on him. Was the broken System reacting to his presence? Both incidents had occurred when he wasn't warded. He didn't know and had no means of finding out.

  The ritual had provided a great deal of insight into controlling and moving Essence. So it wasn't a surprise to him that he had a breakthrough during his nightly practice. The fact that it had given him two Skills was a surprise.

  His Guide let him know that he had unlocked the Essence Manipulation Skill and Essence Shaping Skill. He had thought he needed to develop one first before the other, but the Guide apparently disagreed. He had been practicing sending threads of Essence from his loops and twisting them into simple shapes to help cultivate control, but was surprised the Guide accepted that for the Shaping Skill. Vanestra’s reaction the next morning was priceless.

  “You did what!? That isn't how this works Shada. Also, you don't realize this, but that was supposed to take months not days!” Vanestra practically shouted via Spirit Speech.

  Shada bobbed up and down in his best approximation of a shrug. “I did as you asked, watched Shinobin working with essence, and used my Skills to practice. I was as surprised as you were that the Guide recognized the Skills so soon,” Shada said calmly.

  Vanestra stood and moved to one of the shelves to retrieve a book. She flipped through it quickly before stopping on a page. The text was in Wylderfolk Tongue, but there was a relatively simple diagram of a circle with a symbol in the center. The symbol was in the Lingua Acana and Polyglotism gave him impressions of light.

  “This is one of the simplest spells in existence. It does one thing. It creates a small flash of light. It is among the easiest spells and one taught frequently. I want you to try shaping essence into this symbol with its surrounding circle,” Vanestra said.

  “Just shape the Essence? Nothing else?” Shada asked.

  “For now just shape the essence. You need to know more about light and imbue the essence with Intent to actually cast it. I just need to see if you can do it. I will watch you with Essence Sight,” she explained.

  Mentally shrugging, Shada activated his new Shaping and Manipulation Skills. Manipulation was like gross motor control for essence while Shaping was more like fine motor control. It took him several tries to get everything just right. In his Essence Perception he could sense the glowing symbol he had created. As he examined it he thought about science lessons on light, photons, refraction, and so forth. Images of flashlights, flash bangs, and other sudden lights flickered through his mind and down the connection to the construct. Both Shada and Vanestra were surprised when the construct collapsed and emitted a brief flash of light.

  “Sweet Sierra!” Vanestra exclaimed excitedly.

  Shada was confused; he hadn't been trying to activate the spell, but he had managed it somehow.

  “What just happened? I thought I needed to know more to cast? Wait, does this mean I can cast real magic!?” Shada began to get excited. He had magic, real, honest to goodness magic!

  “Obviously child, the question is how? You have to gain an understanding of light through education to cast light spells. It is the same with all similar spells. You have to know what you are trying to conjure. Did your world have light mages? How could it have?” Vanestra asked not understanding how this had occurred.

  “We had no magic or mages, but we had science and scientists. Scholars who studied how the world worked on a fundamental level. Part of my education included science classes and how light comes from tiny particles called photons, which are massless waveforms…” Shada trailed off at the look Vanestra gave him. She huffed and grumbled as she opened a new section of the book. She then moved to the table and grabbed ink and parchment.

  “Start from the beginning. Tell me everything you know about light, in detail.” The scary look was in Vanestra's eyes again as she began to write down what he knew. She asked a ton of questions about basic science, optics, and particle physics. When Shinobin left Vanestra was still pouring over the papers she had written mumbling things about modifying scrying and divination spells.

  —

  Vanestra sent Shada a message as soon as Shinobin was in bed that night. Apparently Vanestra required little sleep at her level of Physical Cultivation.

  “Shada, what we discussed this morning helped me improve a half dozen spells, but also made me realize that your knowledge is dangerous. With what you told me about light, the gentlest of all elemental concepts, could be used as a weapon! Light is one of the most benign magics. Your people turned it into a weapon!” Vanestra said while pacing.

  “My people were particularly good at that. They even turned fertilizer and cleaning products into bombs. There were weapons that could destroy entire cities and leave the land poisoned for generations. When I died they were working on creating miniature suns to run power plants,” Shada said calmly.

  “Shada what kind of war torn hellscape did the Goddess pluck your soul from? How much more dangerous knowledge do you know?” Vanestra asked in trepidation.

  “Most of my world was actually pretty peaceful and beautiful. We didn't really use our worst weapons, we used them as intimidation against others using them. There were plenty of wars, atrocities, and genocides, but much of the population lived peaceful, safe lives, at least in the more developed nations. Our education system was extensive and based on what I have seen of Sierrallas I have a ton of knowledge that could potentially change the world in the right hands,” Shada said he felt the need to defended Earth, but gave Vanestra more ammunition for a lecture.

  “Shada, my future great grandchild. You must be exceedingly careful who you share what you know with. In fact I am not sure you should even tell me! Change comes slowly to Sierrallas. People have been living the same way for millennia. Sure there are new things here and there, but nothing as world shaking as what you know. So, so many things about you make you vulnerable. This is another. I think we will need to reveal your existence to Shinobin soon so she can take an active role in protecting you,” Vanestra said and pierced Shada with an intense look.

  “What other secrets are you holding that will endanger you and this world Shada? Why would the Goddess allow you to keep such knowledge?” Vanestra asked, not expecting an answer.

  Shada remembered the incidents with the dungeon and explained his theory that it was related to his existence. Vanestra sat down and was quiet for a while as she thought.

  “Shada, we will be telling your mother this evening and have her summon her lover soon. Whatever is going on with the Dungeon is just another issue. We must ensure your protection until the Goddess's plans unfold in full,” Vanestra spoke decisively.

  “What if it is better that she doesn’t know? She is going to be my mother. I don't know what my physical self will be like, but won't it taint her ability to accept the child, accept me, if she knows what I am?” Shada asked in fear. He had been looking forward to getting to be a normal child or as normal as someone like him could be.

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  “There is a deception we can play. From what I understand of your Traits and Skills you are one person who can split their mind between two forms. You could be passed off as a divinely gifted familiar for your unborn self. A kind of Guardian Spirit sent to guide and advise. Such beings are not unprecedented in our myths and legends. It isn't too far from the truth after all,” Vanestra explained.

  Shada did his bobbing spirit nod. “I think that can work. I don't know how these abilities will work once my physical self develops. It's possible his mind will be blank as a newborn or a copy of mine. I can't know until it happens.”

  Shada thought the plan could work, but uncertainty lingered. Only time would tell.

  Shada and Vanestra continued discussing plans throughout the night. They had decided to wait until after Shinobin finished at the clinic before doing the big reveal that evening.

  —

  Work at the clinic had been routine. For Shada, Shinobin’s job allowed him to spy on various conversations and get practice with his Polyglotism Skill. He had picked up multiple languages so far. This included Wylderfolk Tongue, Eastern Imperial, the Lingua Arcana, and rare bits of Celestial from clerics.

  Part of Shada felt sorry for Shinobin. He didn't know how she would react to learning that her unborn child was more than just an exceedingly rare Half-elf, but also part of a Goddess's plans to fix the local System Instance.

  Vanestra had promised Shada he would be able to participate in the conversation thanks to an artefact she had been working on. He didn't know what it was, but he was looking forward to being able to communicate with more people.

  When Shada and Shinobin entered the main room they discovered that the table was set for dinner. Grandmother Vanestra had apparently cooked. This was rare, high level Cultivators ate less frequently than lower level people like Shinobin.

  Shinobin tensed on seeing the food. She knew her grandparents. Large meals were reserved for important discussions and that would make anyone nervous. Shada was as nervous as one could be without nerves to feel with.

  “Shinobin my dear, go get cleaned up then join us for dinner. We have much to discuss,” Vanestra said.

  “Of course grandmother,” Shinobin replied in a formal tone before leaving the room.

  Vanestra looked at Shada and pulled an enchanted doll from her robes. “Shada, here you go, as promised,” she said while placing the doll on the table.

  “Uhmm, what is that?” He asked. He found dolls mildly creepy. This one was rather plain, but otherwise well made, but still had the uncanny valley effect.

  “That, my dear, is a very rare, hand crafted, personally enchanted Spirit Golem,” Vanestra replied. She had a mischievous look on her face.

  “Ok, I’ll bite, what the hell is a Spirit Golem?” Shada asked.

  “A body, a temporary body, for you to inhabit in order to talk with everyone,” Vanestra saidShe was smiling proudly as if presenting a gift to a king.

  “How am I supposed to do that exactly?” Shada was curious and confused.

  “Simple, move until your spirit form overlaps with the doll then use Essence Manipulation to connect a tendril of Essence to the core. The enchantments will do the rest.” Again Vanestra seemed proud of the plain and ugly doll.

  Shada was dubious, but did as instructed. Moving to superimpose himself was easy, the Essence Manipulation Skill did the heavy lifting to make the connection, but he wasn't prepared for the feeling of being sucked into the doll's core.

  He was disoriented. His perspective had changed and narrowed. He could feel the golem body. It was a vague sensation, but there. His three hundred sixty degree spirit vision had narrowed to the tiny binocular range of the doll's crystal eyes. The golem's senses weren't great, but he could somehow see, hear, and touch though the golem.

  Shada very tentatively tried to move. He flopped around like a fish before managing to use Essence Manipulation in conjunction with the enchantments to sit up. Standing was tricker, but passable. He moved like an uncoordinated toddler, but he could move!

  The real question was could he speak? It took him a few moments to find the correct part of the enchantment. The Guide seemed to be helping somehow.

  “Testing, testing 1,2, 3,” said a high pitched squeaky voice. Vanestra actually clapped.

  Shada cringed inside at the sound. He could in fact speak through the doll, but hated the voice. At that point an odd thought struck him. Would his Shapeshifting Skill work on the doll? He knew he should ask first, but couldn't resist the urge.

  He knew he couldn't do anything drastic, like turn into a full grown man or anything, but nothing said he couldn't have fun with his small form. He worked with the Guide and his Shapeshifting Skill to slowly shift the doll's features. He couldn't do much with the available material, which was polished Wyldwood, but there was one shape that seemed manageable. It was from a movie, a tiny tree person whose catchphrase made him giggle inside.

  Vanestra watched, in something like shock, as the plain little spirit golem shifted. She was surprised when the movements became smoother and the details finer.

  After finishing the alterations as best he could, Shada couldn't resist saying, “I am Root!” Then laughed out loud.

  “What the hell did you do to that golem Shada?” Vanestra asked in exasperation.

  “I used my Shapeshifting Skill to give it a new look. What do you think? I also fixed the voice!” Shada said as he did a clumsy pirouette on the table.

  “What are you supposed to be some type of tree spirit?” Vanestra asked.

  “Something like that. It is something from Earth’s play like thingies.” Shada tried to explain, but his language Skills weren't perfect yet.

  “I see, it is certainly interesting at least. Kind of cute actually, but I am going to tuck you in my pocket until Shinobin is ready to meet you,” Vanestra said while reaching for the golem.

  “No, no, no! Absolutely not! I will sit here without moving until you explain things and introduce me, but I am not hiding in a pocket!” Shada exclaimed and shuffled away while almost falling off the table.

  “Fine, I hear Shinobin talking to Zandy in the hall. Here let me move you out of the way so you have a good view,” Vanestra replied in annoyance and picked the golem up.

  Shada was mortified at being manhandled by what was, to his tiny crystal eyes, a giant woman. He grumbled about disrespect, in his head, while sitting very still with his arms crossed and a sullen expression. He looke like a child placed in timeout.

  Shinobin and Alexzandros entered the room one after the other. Alexzandros was actually dressed in nice clothes today. He normally moved around in something between a wizard's robe and a bathrobe. From what Shada had gathered Alexzandros spent most of his time doing experiments in his small wizard tower attached to the cottage.

  Shinobin sat down first with her back to the front door in the south wall. Vanestra sat across from her and Alexzandros sat at Shinobin’s left, at the head of the table. Shada was on Vanestra's right and angled to watch the proceedings.

  “The food looks lovely. May I ask the occasion?” Shinobin asked in a polite, but formal tone.

  “Oh don’t be like that my little Shishi!” Vanestra said gently.

  “Grandmother you and I both know you only do this when something important is up. Is it about, you know what?” Shinobin asked hesitantly. Shinobin hadn't spoken about her pregnancy since the morning after Spring Frolic when Shada was conceived.

  “In a manner of speaking. There is more to your pregnancy, and unborn child, than you know. I have consulted the spirit world and your child is unusually special. Divinely blessed in fact,” Vanestra said plainly.

  It was a bit blunter than Shada expected her to be with Shinobin, but there is something to be said about ripping the bandaid off quickly.

  Shinobin looked at her grandmother like she was insane. Skepticism was clearly written on her face. Alexzandros was his usual silent self and was actually eating.

  “I know conceiving a child with an elf is rare, but not impossible. It is certainly not something that would require divine attention,” Shinobin said.

  “My dear, you know your grandmother wouldn't lie about something like this,” Alexzandros said between bites.

  “I know, but it sounds ridiculous. A divinely blessed half elf sounds like something from a tale and you expect me to believe that the Goddess was involved?” Shinobin huffed in disbelief.

  “I agree it sounds fanciful, but the Goddess Sierra is known as a mother Goddess and it was Spring Frolic, a time of potent fertility magic. Your time in the forest just had a bit extra,” Vanestra explained not unkindly.

  “Why? Why me? Why now? My child will have a hard life torn between both sides of their heritage. Why has the Goddess involved herself?” Shinobin asked.

  “I can only tell you what I know. The System has been broken since the Guideless Day. The Goddess Sierra, in her infinite wisdom, figured out a way to fix it. Your child and his guardian spirit are part of the process. Though even the spirit doesn't know the details, only that your son will have to visit a System Shrine to start the repair process,” Vanestra explained.

  Shinobin looked more confused than angry. “My child has a guardian spirit and is supposed to fix the bloody broken System? Have you lost your mind? Please, grandma tell me that this is some sort of joke. Why did you wait to tell me?” Shinobin pleaded.

  “I understand it is scary and confusing, but you need to know now as things are more complicated than I first thought. I had hoped to spare you this knowledge, but it seems that the dungeon responded to your child’s presence, when you took off your warding artefacts at the ritual. It responded the night you conceived your child as well. I suspect, as does the guardian spirit, that the two incidents are related, but we do not know why,” Vanestra said in a serious tone.

  “Where is this guardian spirit? I would like a word,” Shinobin demanded.

  Shada took this as his cue and stood. All eyes were suddenly on the animated wooden golem.

  “It is nice to meet you face to face, well doll face, Shinobin. I have been with you and your child since the night of Spring Frolic. Vanestra has named me Shada. Everything you have been told is true. We decided you needed to be an active part of the defense of your child after the dungeon incident,” Shada said, clearly and calmly. He was thankful for his muted emotions.

  “Luca,” Shinobin replied with her arms crossed.

  “Huh?” Shada responded.

  “Luca, or Lucanarius Intarius Aseralis. The name I planned to give my child,” Shinobin said.

  Shada nodded. “It’s a good name. However, we need to all focus and work together on keeping you and Luca safe. Vanestra has told me of how vulnerable both Luca, and I, are. I hoped that we could help safeguard him together,” Shada said.

  Shinobin took a deep breath and sighed loudly. “His father needs to know as well. I had planned to wait, but I must send him a message. Hopefully he is still near the Wyldwood Glade. So let's start the planning process,” Shinobin said and shifted quickly into her professional demeanor.

  The four of them spoke long into the night discussing plans, wards, spells, and how to include Shada into the whole process. It was quite pleasant for Shada despite the tension. It was so very nice to be more than a disembodied observer for a change