Master Of None

”Young one, I have been tasked to guard this place. I rest here waiting for it to reach maturity and meet the greater light elemental plane. My duty has always been to assist in nurturing these places such as this. Why did you come here?”

The resting guardians watching places like this would surely not hear about the party of the world. They might know that mana is calmer or that something had changed but if they were mostly slumbering then they would not be able to learn much if anything.

This meant simply that guardians like this dragon would have rested through any major changes waiting for the time when this light elemental plane would be safe enough to join the greater elemental planes. Otherwise, it would just wait.

It also presented a unique idea. Many races recalled guardians protecting them. Some currently and others from a longer time ago. If this were the case, then there was a chance that the guardians for these races were remembered from before the races and their smaller elemental planes had been brought to the greater elemental plane in question itself.

The idea that the guardians some races remembered or passed down knowledge about being the guardians that protected their race in its infancy at an elemental plane separate from the greater elemental ones was strange. It was easily believable now though. The party had seen another guardian and was now speaking to one that was not leashed since it was a monster.

”I am trying to learn more. I came from the world, I began an origin race member through some unique circumstances and traveled here to learn more about what I can do and what makes u the greater elemental planes.” This caused the dragon to shift its longer body. From what Walker could tell, it was examining everyone now and not just him.

”You travel with them, those of different races?”

”Yes, we are family as far as anyone we meet is concerned. I started my journey with some of them, met some as we traveled together, and we all built a united alliance together where every race is thought of as equal to another.” This caused the larger dragon to stir even more.

What Walker didn’t know was that in terms of respect and belief, the guardians who had been tasked directly by the origin race members were incredibly respectful and trusting. They had learned that the origin race had made its entire existence about creating, growing, and protecting the greater elemental planes and even their futures. Since that was the case, the guardians would be willing to accept a great deal about them.

The guardians would ensure that they were there to also watch and care for the fledgling races they looked over. Protecting them from monsters to some degree. Teaching them to better manipulate their mana. Some of the stronger guardians would even impart parts of their bloodlines or aspects of their own strength on these infant races.

It meant that their own attachment was closer to what the origin race members felt in growing everything too. A connection and a reason that the guardians were trusted overall.

Therefore, when Walker, a very young origin race member appeared here in front of this dragon, it felt it was being given an incredible task. The odds were very much that there was a strong origin being that knew what Walker was doing and even kept the smallest of attention on the travels of this entire party. Perfectly meaning that they were protected to some degree and allowed to act as they were doing now.

”I will allow you access to this young plane and watch over you. Meet with the little ones growing here and give them a future to look forward to. This plane has a simple twenty years before it is able to join the greater elemental plane. It deserves the opportunity of allies to guide it once they are able to explore. The transfer can be a tough event.” A tinge of sadness seemed to grace the large dragon’s eyes before it flicked to the elemental plane it encompassed as a protector.

”You would allow us inside?” It wasn’t just Walker shocked by this the entire party started asking the same thing or silently murmuring to themselves. They had all expected to be turned away or told that they could not touch this area.

”If it means there is a better future for them, and also for you, then so it should be. I have seen many species and races grow. Some are lost to the flow and others are able to take their strength as their own and grow. I would like for there to be more who flourish and fewer who fade. You are of the origin race. You should feel it as well.”

This was not something that Walker had considered. He had always wanted the best for people even when he was running around learning as much as he could from people while the world was stagnant. It had been separated from the elemental planes but that had been why Walker had needed to find his system before a certain age. But because of that it gave him the chance to meet many people and learn a lot.

All of that grew him in to someone with a care for many different classes of people and wanting the best for everyone. He had sympathised and understood everyone while finding his own way to grow. It was one of the reasons he had become a hero, he had respect for everyone and had developed right and wrong in many ways rather than just what he had been taught by his own parents.

Considering that as an origin race member there was an innate instinct to ensure that the world and the elemental apnea, everything, was safe and growing, it made some sense. He might be driven instinctively now behind what the norm would be for anyone. It also explained why he was drawn to the light mana other than just the density of the mana and the purity of the mana. He had sensed the race within and the young age of it. He had sensed that he might be able to help.

”That gives me quite a bit to think about. You have worked with the origin race for a lot longer than I have been one myself. I feel that you can also show me a lot just by allowing us the chance to meet the race and witness the elemental plane you are protecting.” Walker did not show any arrogance or anything negative, he now had a lot of respect for this light spirit dragon that was looking at him with respect and opportunity.

”I would allow you to venture within young one. I can sense that you will gain a great deal and I hope that those within will also gain a great deal. I will keep a watchful eye and ensure the safety of everyone here.” The dragon looked at them all slowly and carefully making note of their mana and appearance. It was making sure it could recognize them even without needing to look at them.

This alone put everyone to rest for there would surely be unknown dangers within his new elemental plane. However, it also made it clear that they needed to be on their best behavior no matter what. They could not cause any form of harm to this elemental plane whatsoever.

”I will bring you within.” A bubble of light mana formed around them pulling each and every one of the party in to the vibrant light elemental plane. This was the same skill that protected the entire plane proving that as a guardian the dragon was much more than just a watcher. It was the absolute protector and then one holding the entire plane together while not developed.

The party felt the intense light mana immediately but they also realized that they were witnessing something much more peaceful than what they’d imagined.

Since this was an elemental plane still developing, they’d imagined some sort of chaos. Not because the mana was necessarily unbalanced but because it was young and whatever was within might be trying to take control. Especially the monsters and intelligent races. Yet, they found calm and peaceful light. Swaying white grasses and even fluffy looking orbs of cotton that were from other light affinity plants.

”This place is beautiful.” The light mana around Alice radiated her feeling of awe and joy. She had expected to see a darker Side of light mana as it developed in battle but instead got to see a wonder that she wouldn’t forget.

”You and Onyx will get the most out of this, so don’t let us get in your way.” Su was smirking as she understood what the pair were going to be focusing on. She would have to take extra care to guard them just in case while they were here.

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