Lutero walked through the forest at a steady pace, still trying to make sense of everything. The air was cool, carrying the smell of damp earth and leaves. Sunlight slipped through the branches above in thin beams, shifting gently whenever the wind stirred the treetops. Each step he took felt too real, too grounded to be part of any game or illusion.
The trail ahead twisted between old roots and patches of moss that glowed faintly under the light. Birds—real ones, not coded sound effects—sang somewhere in the distance. The more he walked, the more he felt the weight of the situation settle in. He wasn't in Yggdrasil. He wasn't in a capsule. He was here.
Eventually, the trees opened into a wide clearing.
The silence there was heavy, but not uncomfortable. It felt like the forest was holding its breath.
At the center stood a colossal tree. Even from afar, it drew the eye. Its trunk was thick, with bark rough and cracked, as if carrying centuries of stories. The roots spread out in all directions, some twisting above the ground like natural walls, others sinking deep into the earth. There was something alive in it—more than simple magic.
Beside the tree was a lake so still it looked like polished glass. The water reflected the sky perfectly. Silver fish moved slowly beneath the surface, scattering ripples whenever they turned. A soft breeze brushed against the lake, breaking the reflection into gentle waves.
Lutero stopped at the edge of the clearing. He could feel a faint vibration beneath his feet, like the ground was acknowledging him, testing him, or simply greeting him.
"Here…" he whispered to himself. "This place… feels right."
He stepped forward and laid his hand on the tree's trunk. A quiet pulse responded—a simple, steady thrum, as if the tree was alive in a way he couldn't explain.
"This could be our beginning," he murmured. "Our home."
The Silver appeared a moment later, emerging from between the trees. Their footsteps softened as they took in the clearing, the lake, the tree, the strange energy in the air. None of them spoke. They simply stood with him, sharing the same realization.
"This place has everything," Lutero said finally. "Magic, water, space…
He turned to them and began assigning roles, not with grand speeches, but with calm certainty:
Adric Silver would be the Supreme Archivist, preserving knowledge and studying this new world.
Ragnar Silver, the Commander of the Legions, would build and train the army they'd need.
Elyra Silver, the Guardian of Harmony, would look after their health and balance.
Nyssia Silver, the Mistress of Essences, would research the strange magic that pulsed through the land.
Althaea Silver, the Imperial Seer, would handle the unseen, whatever guided this world from behind the curtain.
Roberth Silver, the Master of the Frontiers, would watch their borders and map the territory.
Cassiel, as always, would take the role of Executor of the Imperial Will, silent and precise.
Lutero walked to the exact center of the clearing and pressed his palm against the ground. The soil felt warm beneath his hand. A soft wave of energy spread outwards, barely visible but unmistakable.
"Let this land accept us," he said quietly. "And let us build something real here."
The Silver knelt around him. Not out of ceremony, but out of respect and understanding. No one forced them. They simply knew this was where everything would start again.
Lutero stood and looked at the tree once more. The lake gleamed behind it, catching bits of sunlight. The air hummed faintly, like a quiet heartbeat.
"We need to consecrate this place," he said.
Adric and Nyssia approached with fragments of Yggdrasil's roots they had brought unknowingly. Lutero placed them around the tree, marking simple, practical points on the ground.
Nyssia whispered short spells, nothing dramatic—just enough to awaken the roots.
Adric drew clear runes into the soil, focusing more on function than appearance.
Elyra sent a small flow of healing warmth toward the tree.
Althaea summoned a few forest spirits, tiny floating lights that watched in silence.
Cassiel stayed at the edge of the clearing, motionless, observing everything with sharp eyes.
Lutero placed both hands on the ground and inhaled deeply.
"Let this be the start."
A gentle ripple of magic passed through the clearing. The runes glowed faintly. The roots answered with a slow pulse. The air shifted—as if adjusting to them.
And then, little by little, shapes began to rise around the tree. Nothing majestic yet. Just the first traces of walls, foundations, and structures. The early skeleton of something larger.
Their new empire didn't arrive with fireworks or a divine sign.
It began quietly.
Steady.
Rooted in the right place.
A seed waiting to grow.