The air in the valley felt purer in his lungs with each breath, perhaps because he was now an elf with Witcher powers, or perhaps because of the complete lack of pollution in such a... medieval world.
'Ha, how ironic. When I was alive, it wasn't like I cared much about pollution.'
'I think this whole business of being an elf and a former Child of the Forest is already affecting my mind.'
Eruhaben walked among the tall, ancient trees, downstream, observing the way the dawn light filtered through the branches and wove golden threads onto the leaf-covered ground.
'At least now I know I have to go a bit further south along the riverbank.'
It was funny how a loner like him now felt an immense need to find his former family. According to Necter's memories, he had a "wife," or rather a companion—the concept of a wife didn't exist for the Children of the Forest.
- That saves me the trouble of courting... for the first time, hahahaha. - He laughed excitedly at the thought of how many wives he could accumulate now that he was in such an ancient time.
Eruhaben tried to think of a couple of characters he was curious to meet, but then he felt a brief but powerful pang in his heart.
- Shit... blessed integrated past.
- I swear, my wife, I will never stop loving you... no matter how strange this is.
Eru felt pain at the thought of other women when the small silhouette of his "companion" came to his memories. It seemed the Children only had one partner for life.
- That complicates things, but nothing will stop me from following my dreams.
Eru now also had a couple of siblings, although from what he understood, all the Children were like family to each other. This single thought led him to an interesting point.
Is his lifelong companion also his sister...?
No, probably not, and he didn't want to think about it, though it wasn't like he cared much in the context he lived in now.
'Since when does someone reincarnated as a Targaryen (or Lannister) worry about having to marry and have children with his sister, cousin, or even aunt?'
Meh. The era and customs allowed it to a certain extent, plus it wasn't as if he had sought it out himself; this wife came "pre-determined" due to the reincarnation.
As for the last point of the "family" concept, there was his son—yes, a firstborn included in the full reincarnation package.
- Almighty Lord... I don't even really know how to take care of myself.
- I just hope the little one isn't unbearable and spoiled.
His circumstances were truly very special: death, lotteries, reincarnated, new world, new race, incredible powers, system, pre-determined family. The whole situation felt a bit overwhelming.
- The anti-OP crowd must be squirming in their reading seats, hahahaha.
Anyway, amidst murmurs that sounded like thoughts spoken aloud, Eru continued advancing through the forest.
The forest around him became denser and wilder as he progressed.
Roots protruded from the ground like sleeping serpents, and the air was imbued with the damp smell of life.
It was a virgin territory, untouched by war or more advanced civilization.
Eruhaben walked on his set course, his mind continuing to wander between thoughts and memories from both his current and his two past "selves."
- It's incredible to know I was friends with Brandon the Builder's father. A very serious guy from what I recall, typical of the Starks, I suppose.
- By now, Winterfell must be long finished. The North has always been interesting, but given the position of my lands, I have to worry more about the South.
- After so much time in isolation, I must assume the Andal Invasion can't be too many years away.
- Great... problems upon problems. I wish I could have a quiet life, but my status and spirit won't allow it.
- I should at least have an army for when the... - Eru heard the crack of dry branches, snapping him out of his reflections.
A few meters away, amidst the bushes, a pair of deer watched him with large, bright eyes, tense and huddled in fear.
- Some deer. Aren't they supposed to worship me or something? I'm a blessed elf. What are these ones so afraid of? - Eru raised an eyebrow curiously as he slowly approached a little.
- Easy, friends, I don't mean any harm… I'm not hungry right now - he spoke to calm them, but the last part slipped out in a murmur.
Eru noticed the two deer were truly paralyzed with fear. It was then that he remembered something. The Witcher signs—among them, there was a fantastic one for these kinds of situations with nervous animals.
Eru closed his eyes and let the energy flow through his arm, concentrating on a sign emerging from his instinct: Axii. A soft sensation spread from his palm as he brought his fingers together and made the sign.
The deer, who a second before were tense, immediately relaxed their bodies. Their eyes softened, and the fear vanished like smoke in the wind—or so he believed.
Eru tried to pet them, but his sign didn't have the effect he thought it would. The deer snapped out of their agonizing terror, gaining enough strength to bolt away in leaps, fleeing the spot as fast as possible.
- Do they really fear me that much? The sign, with my power level, is supposed to be infallible - he complained, bewildered, seeing his magic fail.
- Apparently, it's not as easy as... - in a second, Eru realized something was wrong.
In fractions of a second, his reflexes reacted and his body responded. He sidestepped quickly as the shadow lunging for his neck shot past him.
- What the hell?! - he questioned while his pupils scanned from side to side.
Among the bushes, he saw a shadow move. Eru had watched many documentaries; it was a predatory movement, so he didn't hesitate to charge his magic in his hands.
To his left, he sensed movement. He twisted his torso without moving his feet and, aiming with his left hand, shot a wind blast at the creature lunging again for his neck.
The small but fast creature was sent flying by the impulse, unable to resist. A couple of branches cracked as its body broke them mid-air. It didn't stop until nearly ten meters later, impacting heavily on the ground.
- Grrr - it growled in pain from the blow. The creature looked like a kind of reptile with bronze scales.
- Is it an iguana? - Eru wondered as he watched it scramble to disappear once more among the branches.
This time, the small reptile climbed a tree trunk, making it obvious the next attack would come from above.
Far from moving, Eruhaben closed his eyes, focusing his senses. He already had a plan mapped out in his mind and didn't have to wait too long to implement it.
Among the branches of the tall trees, the serpentine eyes gleamed with cunning, and without a second thought, it pounced on its new prey.
In barely a second, Eruhaben sensed the danger like a spider-sense. He summoned his magic, another of the signs he remembered: Quen.
A barrier formed around his body, protecting him from physical attacks, leaving the small reptile with no chance.
In its intelligent eyes, the bronze reptile seemed to realize this, but it was too late to stop. It slammed directly into Eru's barrier, ending up slightly dazed from the impact.
Eruhaben didn't waste time. In a quick motion, now with his eyes open, he stretched out his right hand, grabbing the reptile by the neck and immobilizing it with the strength of his grip.
- Griiiii - the reptile emitted a pained screech, but Eru only tightened his hand around its neck.
- You are a strange creature - Eruhaben said to the creature, which wasn't as small as he had thought.
Eru stands about two meters tall and held it by the neck, yet its tail almost brushed the ground.
- Beautiful but annoying. I should have let it eat its deer in peace - Eru reflected. If not for his interference, he was sure the reptile would have ignored him.
In its current situation, the little bronze-scaled creature wasn't easily intimidated and began to slash with its claws.
Eru felt the scraping, but unfortunately for the 'salamander,' its strength wasn't enough to tear the skin of its captor, Eruhaben.
[Magical Creature Detected...]
[Land Salamander with Golden Scales... Evolution Possible... Bonding Possible...]
[Bonding recommended. Compatible spirits, high compatibility.]
The system's words resonated in his mind again after a few hours of absence; it had returned with new information.
- But what...? You were only supposed to be a Summoning System - Eruhaben asked, dismayed.
Eru looked at the golden holographic system screen before his eyes and the text on it. Unfortunately, the system had no answers for him, though somewhere in infinity, Morningstar sneezed forcefully.
Ignoring the desperate Salamander in his grip, he analyzed the possibilities presented to him.
'A Land Salamander or whatever. It has scales, we have high compatibility, and on top of all that, it can evolve...'
'This is clearly a small dragon! A Pokémon in its basic form or some other fantasy crap.'
- What have I gotten myself into... - he murmured, feeling both somewhat tired and excited at the same time—a rare mix of emotions.
This situation was bordering on the ridiculous, but who was he, still, to challenge fate or the cosmic beings pulling the strings.
- Now that I get a good look at you, you are a little bit cute - he murmured towards the salamander, which seemed to want to murder him directly with every swipe of its claws.
Eruhaben didn't want to waste more time on things he couldn't control. Besides, no matter how you looked at it, having a supposed dragon on your side was a great advantage.
'Yes, even if it doesn't have wings for now, they'll surely grow in or something.' Without another thought, he gathered magical energy in his left hand again and, without ceremony, used the power of the Axii sign directly.
The little Salamander felt a calming sensation invade it and, unable to help itself, stopped its attacks, fixing its eyes on the being before it, who no longer seemed so appetizing or threatening.
- Listen, little one... - he said in a calm voice, loosening his grip on its neck.
- You're intelligent, so let's make this quick. We will look after each other, get food, and fight off threats together.
- So... Deal? - Eru asked carelessly, as if chatting with a human.
Salamandra stared fixedly into his eyes as if studying the truth in his words and what advantages it might gain from this unexpected deal. The silence in the following seconds wasn't uncomfortable at all; they seemed like two strategists sizing each other up.
- Grrrrr - finally, Salamandra growled in what Eru assumed was agreement, as it lowered its head, just as he had seen dragons do with riders so many times before—lowering the head and opening the mind.
Eru found it somewhat funny for some reason, but feeling a tingling in his mind, he knew it wasn't a game. He also lowered his head and pressed his forehead against the little Salamandra's, who from now on would be his companion.
[Host and Land Salamander successfully bonded. Congratulations.]
The system's voice disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared, once again after delivering its message.
Eru really didn't pay it much mind, as he felt his connection with the creature before him; they now felt like lifelong acquaintances.
- You're hungry. Yes, I'm sorry. Go on, find some food. I still have unfinished business - Eru said, releasing his new companion.
Upon landing safely on the ground, it rubbed against Eruhaben's leg like a cat before running off into the forest.
- There she goes. I'll think of a name later. Now for what's really important at this moment.
Eruhaben sat down by the roots of a large tree. His eyes fixed on the small square in the corner of his vision—the minimized system. Using his mind like a professional psychic, he opened the panel, and for the first time, his true system, his third lottery prize, appeared before his eyes.
The familiar sound of the system resonated in his mind once more.
[Host Eruhaben Ilúvatar accessed the system for the first time.]
[The host has gained full access to the Fantastic Summoning System.]
Before his eyes, a series of translucent screens appeared one after another, projecting a golden light onto his face.
[Inventory Opened.]
[Beginner Rewards Available.]
Eru raised an intrigued eyebrow. No one had mentioned this, but he was sure it was the work of the demon Morningstar. He didn't know why he had taken such a "liking" to him as to give him so many gifts; they had only spoken for a couple of dozen minutes.
- Let's see what you have for me, old benefactor - he murmured with a slight smile and reached out his hand as if he could touch the floating words, completely forgetting it could also be used with the mind.
[Beginner Rewards.]
The system responded to the gesture and updated the information.
[1 - Multiple Summons: The Lord of the Rings (Medium) x3]
[2 - Advanced Fusion – Heroic Template Integration (High) x2]
[3 - Clothing and Armor: Sun King Set (Superior) x1]
Eru stood motionless. This was considerably better than he had thought.
'Summons of characters… from the Middle-earth universe?' he thought of the infinite possibilities: wizards, kings, elves, dwarves, and warriors of old.
- So I can summon or improve someone, fuse their souls and power with those who already inhabit this world - he reflected in a low voice, watching the lines of light intertwine before him.
- These are the beginner gift packages, but the system isn't solely based on that. Let's get to the real functionality.
On the system screen, Eru searched for the options and functions on his own; the system's voice had vanished again. Broadly speaking, the functions were simple and straightforward.
- Basic Summons: beings of different races but at a normal level, the ones you'd consider NPCs without dialogue in a video game.
- Special Summons: characters important to the stories, like heroes and secondary characters with some weight in the plot.
- Superior Summons: this is where truly powerful beings and creatures come in, protagonists or main villains from their respective worlds.
Of course, if a protagonist is a normal human from a vampire book or something, they'd still be in the Superior category but at a much lower cost.
As for the system's 'secondary' function, it was obviously the one and only Multiverse Store.
- In the Multiverse Store, you can get everything from magical remedies for headaches to the blueprints for a city, modern medicines, and armor of all kinds from great fantasy works.
Eruhaben fell silent, but the smile on his face gave him away. The idea was tempting. He could bring back ancient heroes, wise ones who knew secrets lost even to the Valar, perhaps fuse their power with creatures of this world to create unique allies.
- The possibilities are practically infinite. I'm truly blessed by the demon and God at the same time - murmured Eruhaben, holding back an uncontrollable laugh in the purest style of a villain.
As for the method of purchase, it required gold coins or star points.
- The coins had a value that depended on the civilization they belonged to, and star points were obtained in various ways: killing, event victories, surprising the natives of this world, even quests that, of course, you'd only know existed when you completed them.
The temptation of a first-time millionaire was hard to control, and when Eru saw an archived notification that said...
[Evolution Completed: + 450,000]
[Magic Awakened: + 50,000]
...the repressed feelings of poverty from his past life gained strength, and he wanted to build a mansion by the river and simply live there for a month eating the finest delicacies from the system.
- This is insane. To think a normal Elven Soldier costs only about 400 points - he almost shouted with happiness upon seeing his wallet.
Eru felt the urge to start browsing the store directly, but he remembered he still had a place to go.
- Grrrr - a growl from Salamandra finally convinced him not to get lost in the vice of shopping so soon.
Turning towards the sound, he saw Salamandra was stained with blood, holding a deer leg in her mouth.
[Deer Hunted: Points +10]
Eruhaben smiled at the message and also felt a wave of affection seeing how Salamandra offered the deer leg to him. The little one had understood the bond perfectly.
- Good girl - stroking her jaw, still protected by soft scales, Eruhaben showed his gratitude, even though he wasn't going to eat anything.
It was tempting to explore the system further; he wanted to, but priorities were priorities. Although he tried to deny it, he was dying to embrace his closest family again, to feel the warmth of his wife.
- If you're satisfied, we can continue the journey. There's still a good stretch ahead - he said, getting to his feet to resume the path downstream.
- There will be time to play god later - he whispered with a light smile as Salamandra followed closely behind.
For the next couple of hours, the march was steady. Even when Salamandra disappeared into the forest to sate her animal curiosity, he didn't stop. In fact, this helped Eru discover the extent of their bond.
In simple terms, for a couple of seconds, he could even see through her eyes.
Eruhaben dodged a couple of protruding roots with a light jump, and the forest opened into a wide clearing.
The closer he got to his home, the more he felt that strange sensation of someone calling and pulling him. At first, he paid it no mind, thinking it was nostalgia linked to Necter's memories, but it grew stronger with each step.
- Come here, girl. You keep exploring, but there's nothing left that can surprise us - he said, looking towards the corner where Salamandra, who seemed more like a tracking dog, was searching through the bushes.
Eru walked to the edge of the clearing, beyond which lay the valley he called home when he was still a Child of the Forest. It was a fabulous view.
The river descended gently here among the valley's hills, and the forest was more accessible, somewhat misty. But through the slight golden haze caused by the sun reflecting off the tree leaves, at the edge of his vision, right in the middle of the valley, was the cause of his sudden tension.
- Never say never...
A tree, but it was no ordinary tree. It was enormous, bordering on colossal, and although it didn't quite touch the clouds like the legends of the Golden Tree, its mere presence commanded reverence. Its trunk radiated a soft, golden, greenish, living glow, as if the sap running within it were liquid light. The leaves, moving in the wind, released glimmers that illuminated the air. The ground around it was covered in golden grass and flowers he had never seen before.
- Too much for one day - Eru took a step back, overwhelmed by the vision.
In that instant, he felt the "something" pulling him—a path of light in the wind coming from the depths of his being straight to the trunk of the gigantic tree.
The Tree was calling him. A warm pressure enveloped him, as if the air itself recognized his existence. His breath caught, and a wave of emotions swept through him: fascination, reverence for destiny, and even a little fear of what it might mean.
- Is this some kind of joke, Salamandra? - he asked his companion, who had also become entranced by the light of the Golden Tree.
The wind blew stronger, stirring his red hair and the cloak of the recently purchased garments that covered him.
Eruhaben Ilúvatar felt a purpose, clearer than ever. The forest, the system, the reincarnation… everything had led him to this point.
- Then it is there that I will truly begin anew.
Eruhaben closed his eyes and smiled. He would simply let himself be carried by destiny now; his brain could no longer process any more.
Without taking his eyes off the goal and with a firm step, he began to walk towards the golden radiance rising on the horizon.
...
Note: I'm not a writing machine, and I'd like to think I sacrificed quantity for quality. Sorry for the delayed update.
Note: I'd like to interact more with readers, so I'll make suggestions or ask questions about the story as a form of dynamic.
• It's quite obvious that at some point Salamandra will grow. Now I want to ask in the long term...
1 - Pure Dragon as she grows.
2 - Helped by the system to fuse her with another creature, for example, the giant eagles from LOTR to make a Feathered Dragon or something similar.
3 - Other options?
Note: Thank you for reading, and to all who support and comment.