Gift of the Mystic

**Gift of the Mystic** is a main plot related short story, originally posted June 2019. It is succeeded by Primal Allies.

## Narrative

Months had passed since the beginning of the Jiahera conflict. Yie'lao, last remaining heir of the long-standing Lao Dynasty, and victim of the war, saw her opportunity to strike back and take claim of the land when a mysterious monkey man approached her with an enchanted item. Unaware of Yggdrasil's involvement in the creation of the item, she took great curiosity in its use for her pursuit.

Before long, Yie'lao came to the decision to try out her newfound weapon during the coalition meeting between the Beastkin Tribe of Ga-a and the Players, intending to showcase her power to both parties by slaying the tribe's Primal. As the enemy had clearly demonstrated the vast gap between the strengths of the opposing sides, the need for alliances grew. The Beastkin and the Players agreed to get familiar with each other's culture to achieve mutual trust and loyalty.

The stags of the four seasons promptly took note of the Mystics’ interference with the natural evolution of mankind. Subsequently finding the realm’s surface breaking apart, they came to assign the blame to the Primal Parasite Ratatoskr, who appeared to bite holes into the Cluster. What purpose it would serve remained a hazardous mystery to them.

Soon the community of Players was informed that the same type of items had started to appear in the hands of various rulers of the land, evoking a serious threat to their current state of affairs. Waves of chaos prepared to wash over the battlefield.

Somewhere beyond the realm of Yggdrasil’s sight, a pair of mysterious men began their approach to aid the Players in their newfound quest.

## Story

Horrors of that night filled the memories of the maiden girl. For centuries, the dynasty of Lao had been a prosperous force in the lands of Jiahera. While in disagreement with the Emperor, they had chosen to serve for the sake of alliance. That had been until the Emperor had been murdered by his own son; the son who knew the Lao family had been a threat, hoping to claim Jiahera for themselves.

Action had been taken without missing a heartbeat. One after another, the members of the Lao family had been slain in foul play, leaving only the sixteen year old daughter Yie'lao, who, in the man's eye, had never been much of a threat, and the Lao family was still very much needed in his devious plans.

She remembered the way they had entered their castle with the strange firearms, leaving a bath of blood. She remembered she had been forced to witness it, the Emperor ensuring she would be unable to turn her eyes away from it. She remembered the words she screamed when he left the castle. "**I won’t forget this... Just you wait. I will definitely have my revenge!**"

Fleeting fates reflected in the eyes of the Norns that stood in front of an arrangement of Mystics within Yggdrasil's personal instance. From what they could view, they knew what the immediate future would hold for the Players. They knew that it was... disappointing. No one dared to speak it as they turned their attention back to their Mother, who sat on a throne across from them.

A curious, yet unsatisfied smile sat across the face of the humanoid form of Yggdrasil. They folded their hands together, their golden sleeves falling into each other. "**It appears the humans have gotten lost in our little game. Now, then, my children. Give them a taste of what they could become. It shall be a sapid play.**"

"**As you wish, Mother.**"

The Mystics began to summon their magic, creating strange, inimitable items without speaking another word.

Yie'lao had been wandering the gardens of her home for a while. The conflicts that had taken her grandiose family from her months ago were heavy on her mind this day. They always were when she heard about the troops of the emperor making a move. Rage had tainted her heart ever since.

It almost startled her when something popped out of the leaves of a nearby tree, dangling from a thick branch from... a monkey's tail. This was a monkey man. She raised an eyebrow. Who was he, and why was he here?

"**Hey, hey. Do you want to try out something awesome?**" the man spoke with a broad grin across his face, holding the ball of a morning star in his palm. "**We'll ask for nothing in return. Just go around and slam it around a little. Cause some chaos. You know, go wreak havoc. I'm sure you’ll figure this one out.**"

Suspicious, yet intrigued, Yie’lao narrowed her eyelids. "**I don't know who you are or what you want from me, but it couldn't hurt to take a free gift.**" she concluded, taking the item from him. Instantly, she could feel a surge of aether rush through her veins. When she looked up again, the ape was gone.

"**Well, well... Seems like things are about to get more interesting.**"