12 White Forest (06)
Even though all of this commotion was going on in the forest, the outside world had no idea about what was happening. They only felt mana in their surroundings becoming a lot more active and they lose control of it for a moment. Even though animals and other living beings failed to notice the commotion the trees in the forests and even in the cities started to produce new leaves, flowers and fruits.
These changes did not go unnoticed from people and they started investigating.
------------
Zed observed the changes happening to the lake but aside from the rejuvenating feeling he could not feel anything, but he did not lose focus and continued to observe. Eva sitting on his shoulder would drool from time to time looking at the lake and he began questioning his grandfather's choice. As for the little Leo cub, he was still sleeping more peacefully even after being frozen in place by mana.
As he continued to stare at the lake he began to feel or maybe see the mana surrounding the lake started to flow from the straight pattern to a more turbulent. The mana in this turbulent pattern would show different colours irregularly and change its flow in midway. He could see them moving in irregular flow but his senses and intuition told him otherwise; he felt as if the mana flow was strangely straight even though it looked to him that it was moving in a turbulent flow.
Slowly he started noticing how even the space surrounding that mana flow distorted and bent in unnatural ways. But as he began observing further even those giant trees felt bent or curved to him.
He couldn't keep up with the distorted visuals he was seeing so he closed his eyes and immediately all of that chaos made sense to him, those turbulent flows were still turbulent but he could see a straight flow in it too as if following a straight string. He opened his eyes again after some time and only then he noticed that Eva was looking dazed towards the lake and the little Leo breathing naturally without any worry.
After looking at them he realised and observed the lake again only this time he did not protest or forced his views on the scene but let it show its way. And it was only then that he saw even more spectacular scene than before.
The colours he could not forget in his life. He saw every colour possible at the same time only a single colour transforming into different colours on its own. He could not make head from the tail but he felt amazed nonetheless. This time he did not feel his senses increased at sensing surroundings or connection with nature strengthening but the scenery was enough for him to forget about everything that was happening.
After a long time, he woke up because of a sudden movement around him. He realised that he was still standing in the air but all the shadows were gone without even making a sound. Even the one who advised him did not come to say anything again.
After waking up he again started imagining that illusionary scene but as if it was a dream he could not completely remember it. He gave up after a few moments and looked at Eva who was smiling content and little Leo who was licking his paws and fur quietly.
Then he finally noticed that the previous almost transparent lake in a bowl shape quietly standing in the air with the support of the trees. Now the trees became its artificial waterfall slide as the liquid mana would flow from the edges and flow downward along with the tree branches and trunks making small streams away from the centre of the forest. But shortly after those streams would disappear as if being absorbed in the ground. There were some places where the mana would fall directly from the edges hitting the ground.
Now The World Tree was surrounded by liquid mana making Arasine happy. The ground around the world tree transformed into an island surrounded by a ring of liquid mana. Shortly after the creatures who were inside her inner world started showing up. They immediately jumped inside the mana ring surrounding the island. The bigger ones moved outside of the ring and started making homes for themselves in the surroundings.
Zed looked at the lake and imprinted that memory in his head lest he forgets it accidentally. Without warning, they started falling at fast speed just like when they started floating and before even comprehending the changes he was on the ground again.
His campsite was still there without any changes. The only difference would be the ground, the trees and plants seem to be more lively.
After asking Eva about the time he realised it had been almost about a month since the changes in the lake began. Now grass had grown up reaching his chest and the giant trees seem to have become slightly more giant.
He cut the grass in the surrounding with mana he produced on a whim but stopped midway as he felt a little different while controlling the mana.
It was not a huge change or his control over mana increasing but it changed in a different view. Including his increased sensitivity on his domain, he now had a new perspective on his surrounding mana. Previously he could control his mana as if it was his own but now he felt a presence of different energies and forces along with his mana.
One of the forces he recognized as his grandfather's but other forces felt familiar at the same time unknown to him.
After studying for a moment he came to realize that they were natural forces and energies drown towards his mana unconsciously. Even after practising for centuries with his grandfather, this was the first time Zed noticed these unnoticed attracted forces.
They did not interfere with his mana and its effects completely but now that he was aware of them he slowly began to make his mana move in a way it would not attract those energies. And he failed, he gave up after few tries and used mana as he usually did.
Unconsciously he began to study those energies and forces and started moving his mana following them. And he felt a little easier while moving mana.
Only after few times did he seeing patterns in his movements and they looked similar to how the liquid mana lake spread its mana waves. In a turbulent flow but before he could study it further he heard a low growl coming from behind.
He looked over his shoulder and noticed Eva was floating in front of the little Leo cub teasing it because he could not fly or catch her.
The little guy would jump around and growl but Eva maintained her flight while teasing him.
Zed decided to step in because now that he finally woke up he would possibly be hungry.
"Stop now and settle down a little bit"
The little Leo still affected by his anger growled at him and continued to jump towards Eva.
Sigh...
Zed sighed and waved his hand making the little cub float towards him, he protested a little in the beginning but calmed down after a small growl from his stomach sounded out.
His eyes darted around looking for something to eat and ignored Zed completely. He focused on Eva again but this time his eyes were a little glowing with blue shade.
Noticing his hungry gaze Eva moved fast and stopped on Zed's head sitting with her legs hanging in front of him. The little cub followed her movement and moved his gaze from her to Zed who was in front of him.
After noticing Zed he realised he was in the air floating, making him wave his legs around.
Zed placed him on the ground and held his chin with an amused expression.
"Little guy how about I call you Silver? It's a great name I came up with after thinking for a long time."
The little fella not knowing his name was being decided growled and showed his fangs.
"Ohhh you are hungry. Then first say yes to your name and we shall eat something."
Zed said as if the little cub would understand him.
Growl!
Zed clapped his hands and a table appeared along with some meat and fruits on it.
"Hmm, it's decided then. Your name shall be Silver, it's a very good name. I like it a lot."
Zed said while moving some meat for now named Silver on the ground and started eating some fruits himself.
Eva who was sitting on his head frowned a little bit as she felt something wrong with that name so she asked.
"Why silver?"
"His fur is silver so silver. I wanted to name him blue silver but it sounded long, so Silver."
Zed said continuing eating fruits.
Eva now had a deep frown on her forehead as she began thinking if at least her name was not based on her skin colour of hair.
Silver started eating the meat raw but stopped after teasting it, he moved it away with his paws and whimpered again drawing Zed's and Eva's attention.
Zed realising his mistake took out a bowl and milk of who knows what animal. But even that did not satisfy him.
Finally, he took out the snacks his gran BItsy gave him and immediately the little creature began drooling.
Zed noticed that and became low spirited instantly thinking about how to make this companion of his be obedient and not like her.
Silver started licking those round candy-like balls and chewed sometimes.
And this made Zed planning his training routine.
Eva looked at Zed's continuously changing expression and enjoyed it.
