Spark didn't waste time. His target, Lady Forest, was already secured. In his Slave Grimoire. It was time to leave.
The sounds of the attacking Mammotheon forces and the shouting of World Tree Association members could still be heard. Muffled. Far away.
Spark didn't linger. He didn't care about the ongoing battle. His objective was complete.
He activated [Supernatural Stealth] again. His massive werelion form melted into the shadows. Moving with silent, predatory grace.
He was a phantom. Leaving no trace. Just the unconscious officer and the chaos behind him. He needed to get clear of the immediate combat zone. Then recall his sky ship.
After almost an hour quick parkour within the wild forest, Spark found himself far from the hidden camp. The sounds of battle fading into no more. Replaced by the rustling leaves of the Greengiant Island forest.
He found a secluded clearing. Safety first. He extended his Technomind Space. The air shimmered. The Sky Grimoire, his customized sky-sloop, materialized. Floating slightly above ground. Its sleek, dark hull was reflecting the pale moonlight.
Spark climbed and vaulted aboard very easily. His familiarity with the ships and his powerful muscles making the ascent seem effortless.
Spark summoned Arrow. His navigator golem. He quickly asked the golem to control the sky ship. Flying to the next destination.
...
Inside the comfortable cabin, Spark dismissed his Draconic Werelion form. Returning to his still towering human physique. The familiar feel of his clothes, stretching taut over his colossal frame, was a welcome change.
His dark-grey eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the cabin. All was quiet. He summoned his women. And let them rest for the night.
The Sky Grimoire traveled for several hours. Cutting through the air with a practiced ease. Spark had assigned Arrow the point of destination. The navigator golem's powerful hands were now gripping the steering wheel firmly. Expertly navigating the sky sloop to the destination.
In the cabin, Spark's mind was already on the next phase. Lady Forest was secured. But she was still a loose end. Until she was properly 'modified'. And for her, the required item for modification was jade fruits. Fortunately, they were not that hard to acquire.
He had set a course for Lushwood Town. A nearby settlement renowned for its unique agricultural produce: Jade Grapes. These fruits were vital for the kind of modification he intended.
...
The Sky Grimoire reached Lushwood Town by early morning. The first rays of dawn was painting the horizon in hues of orange.
Lushwood was a vibrant town. Surprisingly bustling even at this early hour. The air was thick with the sweet, musky scent of ripening fruit. And the earthy aroma of fertile soil.
Spark landed the Sky Grimoire at the designated airship pad quite a bit away from the main commercial hub. He then condensed the ship back into its small book form. Tucking it into his Technomind Space.
He spent the day checking in the best hotel and resting. Observing the town. And ensuring his surroundings were secure.
He dispatched Lilith to gather general intelligence and economic data.
Ivy scouted the market for the potion ingredients and alchemy materials. She was also tasked to purchase Jade Grapes. In large quantity.
Scarlett, Melody, and Serenade moved through the crowds. Dressed in unobtrusive local garb. Gathering rumors and local gossip.
By late afternoon, Ivy returned with a large number of Jade Grapes in her spatial bag. Their translucent, green skins were shimmering like polished gemstones, when they were taken out.
Spark wasted no time. He went back to his luxurious hotel room. And retrieved the Slave Grimoire. Within its pages, Lady Forest was held. Trapped and dormant.
Spark laid the Grimoire open on a mahogany table. Placing a large cluster of the Jade Grapes beside it.
He focused his will. Pouring mana into the Grimoire. Linking it to the grapes. The grapes glowed. They disappeared as their energy was flowing into the ancient book.
The pages shimmered with power. But Spark didn't stop. He kept feeding the grimoire with Jade Grapes until all of them disappeared into the tome.
Spark then focused on Lady Forest's entry. He gained a lot of points. More than enough to modify her data.
First, as usual, was the dominant personality trait modification. She had four dominant traits, [Fanatic], [Ruthless], [Stubborn], and [Reckless].
These were all incompatible traits for her planned assignment. She would be managing and taking care of the Garden Space within his [Garden Globe Set]. A gardener with those four personality traits would not be very affective.
They need to be changed. He visualized the changes. Fanatic trait was suppressed. Replaced by the standard [Submissive]. Ruthless nature was changed by [Prudent]. Stubborn trait became [Diligent]. And recklessness transformed into [Caring].
It was a complete overhaul. A re-sculpting of the very bedrock of her being. The air around the grimoire crackled. The runes on its pages were pulsing in response to the change.
Next, loyalty. Loyalty was a foundation. A building block for his control. He targeted the loyalty metric and willed it upwards. 50%... 80%... 99%... 100%. Maximum degree of loyalty was reached. Unbreakable. Nice!
Then, the physical alterations. He didn't change much. Just strategic adjustments to make her different from the previous Lady Forest.
Her beautiful yet spiteful face was softened into a more approachable beauty. Her long black hair was reshaped into a wavy, shoulder-length blonde cascade. Her eyes were originally a piercing green color. He shifted them to a soft, pale blue color.
Her average stature stayed of medium height. But her figure was subtly enhanced. More curvaceous, more appealing.
The process took a couple of hours. When it was complete, Spark closed the Slave Grimoire. He waited for a moment. Letting the power settle. And then, he summoned her.
With a swirl of shimmering light and shadow, she appeared. Standing gracefully. Her skin was fair, almost luminous. Her blue eyes were wide and clear. Blinking slowly before focusing on Spark. Filled with an immediate, unquestioning devotion.
Her shoulder-length wavy blonde hair framed a face that was undeniably beautiful, serene and kind. She was of medium height. Her figure was undeniably sexy.
Spark's lips curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile. "You are no longer Lady Forest. Your name now is Eden. Eden Nebulae." He stated in his deep voice.
"Yes, Master!" She replied. Her voice was soft and calm. Devoid of the sharp tone laced with fanaticism it once held. Her every gesture was one of deference and obedience.
"You will be my personal gardener. You will be responsible for the spatial garden within this [Garden Globe Set]." He instructed.
Giving her the artifact. A crystal sphere containing a miniature, self-sustaining ecosystem.
"It will be my honor, Master." Eden replied. Her pale blue eyes were somehow shining with quiet enthusiasm.
Spark checked her database within the Slave Grimoire once more...
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Eden Nebulae]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 22]
[Class: Engineer]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Mind Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Body Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Innate Talents: Sylvan Mind]
[Bestowed Talents: -]
[Personalities: Submissive, Prudent]
[Personalities: Diligent, Caring]
[Modifier Currency: Jade Fruits]
[Minor Path: Farmcraft]
[Technomind Gear: Whip-Type (34%), Gardening-Tool-Type (13%), Gun-Type (09%)]
==[Growth Item: Crimson Vine, Earth Crystal, Mystic Silver ]
==[Shared Talent: Mana Efficiency, Disease Immunity, Enhanced Agility]
==[Artifact Form: Dragonvine Whip, Multiform Spade, Sniper Rifle]
It was alright. Her abilities were pretty standard for a Tier-3 Engineer. Not too great. But not bad either.
...
The team spent another two days in Lushwood Town. Allowing Eden to acclimate to her new reality and duties. And mingle with Spark's other women.
Spark used the time to rest. And to gather information. The general news wasn't good at all. His standard channels of information, both legitimate and illegitimate, were reporting about the escalating war between the dragons and the Avianest Kingdom.
Many human towns in Avianest were reportedly razed. Dragon casualties were high. But so were human losses. Whispers suggested a massive dragon assault on Eagledome, the capital city of Avianest Kingdom, was imminent.
It was a conflict of epic proportions. But Spark was no longer in Avianest Kingdom. It was far removed from their current location in the Mammotheon Empire.
Spark filed the information away. Noting it as a potential future complication. But not an immediate concern. His current objective remained primary. Gaining power.
...
A few days later. After ensuring all provisions were restocked and their stay had not attracted undue attention, Spark ordered the Sky Grimoire to depart.
Their next destination was the Greatlake Sky Island. Home to another spatial labyrinth. The Behemoth Graveyard. It was rumored to hold immense treasures and ancient knowledge. Exactly the kind of destination Spark sought.
The Sky Grimoire flew steadily. Cutting through the vast expanse of sky between islands. The journey was uneventful. The soft hum of the engines was a comforting drone.
Spark was on the deck. Enjoying the view. His women were also in the deck. Busy with their own activities.
Suddenly, Spark felt a strange tingle. It started as a subtle warmth. Then it intensified. Spreading through his entire body.
A faint, purple glow began to emanate from his skin. Growing stronger with each passing second. He didn't recognize the sensation. This wasn't a voluntary activation of his own powers. This was an external force. A foreign will. Pulling at his very essence.
A flash of comprehension suddenly appeared in his mind. He immediately understood what was happening. The strange power 'informed' him. He was about to be forcefully summoned.
Cold and sharp panic pricked at him. Not for himself. But for his assets. For his women. He would not lose them. His dark-grey eyes narrowed. His mind racing through contingencies.
"Recall! To the Slave Grimoire." Spark roared as he drew the grimoire from his Spatial Belt. His voice echoed. Vibrating with raw power.
He didn't wait for confirmation. With a surge of soulcraft energy, he activated the Slave Grimoire. Lilith, Ivy, Melody, Serenade, Scarlett, and Eden...
All of them shimmered and vanished from their positions within the ship. Dissolving into motes of light that flowed back into the Grimoire's pages. He didn't want them separated from him. Ever.
The golden glow around Spark intensified. Pulsing violently. The pulling force grew exponentially. Like an invisible hand grabbing his soul and yanking.
He was still aboard of a ship flying over the vast, open ocean. Tens of meters above the waves. What he would do was dangerous. But, losing his sky ship would be even more catastrophic.
"Retract!" He focused his technomind power and commanded. As he put the Slave Grimoire back to his Spatial Belt.
The Sky Grimoire began to shimmer. Its solid form was dissolving, shrinking, compressing back into its small book shape. Simultaneously, his technomind golem, Arrow, also vanished. Back into the Technomind Space.
Spark was left suspended in the air for a second. And he fell down rapidly. The glow around him was now blinding. The summoning force unbearable. He had no time to waste.
He instantly activated his [Dragon Wings] crestmagic spell. Massive, leathery wings, erupted from his back. Black as midnight. Beating once, twice, to stabilize him. He wouldn't fall. He would not just plunge into the sea.
But the glow was overwhelming. The sheer power of the summoning was beyond anything he had ever experienced. It was a command. An absolute pull. He felt his physical form begin to distort. To stretch. To dissolve.
Then, with a blinding flash, Spark Nighthawk disappeared. Pulled from the sky. He was gone. Forcefully summoned by an unknown entity. To an unknown destination.