Shades of the New World

The boy groaned in pain, as he rubbed his head his hands.

"It's good to see you again, Vulpine Mother," Evin greeted, surprisingly calm about the whole situation, "I don't remember my head hurting this badly after the last time you delved through my memories… though the feeling of endless darkness felt the same as before."

"I might've been a bit indelicate this time. I apologize for that as well," Kyune replied and had the World Sprite offer a small bow.

Evin only shrugged and took on a pink hue to try and fix his head. He acted as if he was seemingly uninterested in why the Beast Lord lashed out so suddenly, which pleased Kyune greatly.

'I wonder how I would've reacted if the same thing happened to me?' Kyune couldn't help but think. 

Was she going to silently accept getting thrashed like this as the natural course of action, or was she going to complain and demand an explanation without fear or worry.

'I want to say that I'll fearlessly stand up against a stronger enemy, but something tells me that I'd probably act similarly if I was in Evin's shoes…' Kyune concluded.

Everyone liked to think better of themselves, but sadly, people's words and actions differed much often than one liked to think. 

'But it would still be nice if Evin was a bit braver,' Kyune sighed.

As Kyune was thinking of such random thoughts, the buzzing of her now smarter children started to fill her mind. 

[Mother, what was that about?] an admonishing voice sounded in her head. 

[Mother, Evin didn't do anything wrong. Please don't be angry at him,] a calmer voice followed afterwards. 

Kyune could sense that this was the Blood's will that she gave to Evin, who was now named Enri, and the other one was the World Sprite that somehow inhibited a skinshifter, Runa. 

[Mother… No…] 

[Get along nicely…]

[Talk it out…] 

Random thoughts from the other World Sprites came in as well, most of them promoting proper conversation and peace in general. Some might say that these thoughts were not befitting of beings that were originally Beasts, but foxes usually had a very cooperative social systems, not to mention that Kyune was originally a human.

Evin was also interacting with the World Sprites, as if they were human children, teaching them human morals and values, so it was natural that they would act in a more civilized manner.

Sighing, Kyune gathered her thoughts and sent a wave of remorsefulness towards the World Sprites. A bit lazy, but the little critters should be satisfied with that. 

"So I'm guessing I shouldn't try to have golems made for the World Sprites?" Evin asked after a bit.

"No, I don't mind you doing that. I will even help you out as much as I'm able to," Kyune said calmly.

The boy seemed a bit confused, but Kyune didn't wish to explain herself.

"I'm sorry, but even I don't wish to take this so silently. It would be great if you could give me an explanation of some sorts, at least," Evin said.

'Oh, what caused him to act so bravely now? Was it my apology?' Kyune's interest was sparked once more.

"It's a rather personal thing for me, sorry. If you first came to me and asked first before turning the World Sprites smart, I would probably refuse... but since the World Sprites are already like this, I can only help to the best of my abilities… Hmm, bring in the Somaturgy expert you brought with you," Kyune said and gestured Evin out of her den.

As the boy walked towards the cave's exit, Kyune thought of the situation of the World Sprites.

'My method was to give them intelligence through the World of Thoughts, which was sadly not enough to give the World Sprites independency from me. His method involves something else, but the problem is, no one really knows much about the method he used. Even Evin himself seems like he doesn't know too deeply about the topic.'

But there was the chance that it would allow the World Sprites to be freed from the shackles of being bound to a candidate individual or a Beast Lord.

A few minutes later, Evin came back with Rith and Gizel. 

"It's good to see you once more, Vulpine Mother."

"It's an honor to meet a Beast Lord," the two greeted respectfully.

"Likewise," Kyune replied through the World Sprite, "I understand you wish to help Evin's World Sprites pilot golems in a more orthodox manner?"

Gizel thought about it and summarized her thoughts.

"Exactly as you say. Currently, they're too human to be used as Golem Cores. It would be very helpful if you could turn them into beings of energy like most World Sprites. They also seem to be very excited about the prospect," the Ivari said neutrally.

"Alright. The issue of turning them into beings of energy is quite simple, actually. But I do have a request from you," Kyune said.

"Please tell."

"I want you to think of a method to make the World Sprites independent of a Beast Lord, or Evin. Naturally, I'll do my best to cooperate with this. For the time being, take this scroll and read the materials inside it," Kyune said and brought out a scroll infused with a pretty strong Thought Imprint on it. 

Naturally, she had documented most of her findings in scrolls and on paper, just in case she wanted to share them with others one day.

The scroll that she gave to Gizel contained the spell she used to create the smarter World Sprites back in the day. She remembered heavily using runes and inscriptions to achieve such a feat, so the contents of the scroll were pretty in depth.

Gizel accessed the scroll after a small thanks and it soon became apparent that she was enthralled with the contents.

"Bring out your World Sprites out here," Kyune told to Evin next.

A minute later, the row of children were standing in front of Kyune, all with a look of awe and curiosity on their faces. 

Kyune nodded slightly and gently let the Dark energy inside her to envelope the children. Even without them trying to, the children started to hungrily absorb the Darkness surrounding them. Evin had also joined in on the feast, casually directing the Dark energy to his mana-core in hopes of making it stronger. Although most of it was going to waste, since the energy Kyune was emitting was far too different from a World Core, Evin seemed happy with the gains, regardless. 

"To turn you all into beings of energy is a very simple feat. You all are showing signs of developing flesh and organs, but since your original state was one of information and energy, it's pretty easy to revert back. You just need to overcharge yourself with energy, basically, and your flesh would break down and can only survive by reverting back to becoming beings of energy. Sounds a bit dangerous, but it really isn't that," Kyune spoke in a distant and impartial manner, trying to avoid getting overly attached to these World Sprites in front of her.

'Although I act like this, I'm sure to get hopelessly attached to the World Sprites regardless...' Kyune thought with a sigh, as she observed the children making an ecstatic face.

...