The 1.000 year Great Sage ---> COMPLETED STORY

In the morning, Ryn was near Lionelia, having breakfast in the Dining Room.

- Did Seya eat his breakfast already? I don't see him anywhere.

- I don't think so. I bet he's still sleeping.

Seya bent over between their heads.

- Who is sleeping? Not me, I woke up very early!

When Ryn looked to her left, Seya kissed her. Lionelia turned also and got a kiss too. Seya stood up straight and smiled. Heiji was looking at the Magical Knight near Seya.

- Either you have a new escort today, or you have there a strange Magical Knight.

Then, they all heard Gaya's voice while the Magical Knight was waving a hand.

- …||… Good morning, everyone. How are you all feeling today? Because I feel very happy indeed! …||…

While the others were puzzled by the way the Magical Knight was waving at the same time as Gaya spoke, Princess Heiji jumped from her place and went near the Magical Knight.

- No way! You made a Magical Knight for Gaya to use! This is so cool!

The Magical Knight nodded his head, hidden under the metal helmet.

- …||… Yes, he sure did! This is my Avatar, a body that represents me and I can use it to walk around. Pretty neat, right? …||…

Everyone jumped to get near the Knight, to touch it, to open the visor and getting a flash of bright light, shaking hands with it or taping the helmet. Ryn was looking around the Knight, puzzled by it while Hina was bombarding Seya with questions.

- How did you make this? It uses Light Magic, right? I bet there's a ton of Crystals inside of this, right? How can Gaya control it? Does it use a Magical Program? Or several?

Seya waved his hands, asking her to slow down.

- You are giving me a headache! There's a suit made from the skin of a Giant Snake inside the armour and it contains a bunch of very small Crystals. It uses a Program to connect the Crystals by Light Magic and Gaya uses Flow Connection to link to it. I think Gaya will be able to connect to the Knight even while he's outside, on my lands beneath us, as long as it's not too far. With time, Gaya will learn how to connect to the Flow of the World and use it to connect to this Knight, anywhere he is.

Hina had her eyes shining, listening to all that. Ryn was still looking around the Knight and she asked, still puzzled.

- But why did you made this? And what gave you this crazy idea?

- Well, I remembered that the Goddess uses different bodies, depending on the situation. I also thought that Gaya would like to be able to travel with us and interact more closely with the people.

Ryn smiled and hugged the Knight.

- This is so cool! Now I can hug Gaya instead of just caressing a wall! This was a good idea, Seya, a little crazy, but a very good one!

Hina was staring at the Knight, and she noticed that besides being tall and having bigger boobs than her, it also looked more muscular, it was more like Myra.

- Did you use someone has a model for this?

- Yes, it was Xenya. She put on the Body Suit made from the Giant Snake and after we dressed her with the armour, I heated it up so that it adjusted to her. She then got out from there, by shrinking to her Fairy size and I filled the Body Suit with Magic Crystals.

Ryn looked around, Xenya wasn't there.

- But she already left?

- Yeah… she more or less got mad at me and tried to strangle me last night. Gaya had to punch her head, she wasn't releasing me. She kept on calling me crazy brat and that she hated me so much… She went to the LizardKind Prairies, to kill some Demonoids. I guess I should have told her what I was trying to do, she got quite a scare when she saw the Knight happily jumping and clapping while Gaya was laughing. I think she also got envious…

Ryn laughed.

- Ahahahah! Yeah, no wonder, one thing is seeing this Knight right here, moving like a normal person, another would be watching the full process! I totally understand why she got mad at you! Ahahahah!

While Ryn was still laughing, Arys placed one arm over the Knight's shoulders.

- Well, now that Gaya is like this, we can have some fun!. We can scare Seya every time he is walking along the corridors, or place some traps for him to fall, or start a food fight in here and use him as a target… Heheheh!

The Knight squeezed Arys' hand until she screamed.

- …||.. Behave yourself, Princess Arys! I don't want to do mean things with this body! ...||…

- Ok, ok! Ouch, my poor and fragile hand… You must be careful, Gaya, you have metal hands, mine are made of flesh!

- …||… So? If it breaks, we use Healing Magic… Hihihi! …||…

Arys was pouting while rubbing her hand.

- But it still hurts!

- …||… Yeah… Oops! Hihihi! Sorry, but it was totally your fault, cousin Arys, you were trying to trick me to do mean things to Father Seya! …||…

Arys was still pouting.

- But it would be so funny… Can you at least kick his butt, once in a while?

- …||… No, that would be rude of me, to treat my Father like that! Do you kick your Father too? …||…

- No, not really… But it would be funny…

-…||… Well, I can kick cousin Duncan, or you, it would also be funny, right? …||…

Arys shook her head vigorously.

- No, that wouldn't be funny at all!

Gaya sounded puzzled, but everyone understood immediately that she was being sarcastic.

- …||… So, you are saying that if I kick Father Seya, you would think it was funny, but if I kick cousin Duncan or you, it won't? That's very weird… really, really weird. …||…

Arys closed her mouth and she became bright red. Having Gaya scolding her like that, was embarrassing. But she wasn't done. The Knight pocked Arys' nose while Gaya continued.

- …||… Seeing the future ruler of the amazing RabbitKind Race behaving like that, it's quite strange. And considering your physical age, maybe you should try to grow up a little. Father Seya told me that your family used to bully you, but now that you are so grown up, you shouldn't act like a bully too. Doing things to others and being the only one to think it's funny, it's what a bully does. …||…

Arys was looking down, trying to find a hole to hide. She slowly nodded.

- Yeah, you are more or less right… But it's that… I like to tease Seya, he does a funny face every time he is in a surprising situation…

- …||… It's a thin line between teasing a little and going too far and becoming a bully. You need to be careful, cousin Arys, or people will get the wrong idea about you. Father Seya taught me this because I was almost going through that path. …||…

While Gaya was lecturing Arys, the others were listening in silence. Seya slowly shook his head and seated at the table to have breakfast. The others joined him, finishing their meal in silence. Arys seated next to Duncan and she ate while thinking. What Gaya said, made her shake to the core and really think about her behaviour. She was warned by Seya and the others, over and over, but she still continued on acting like she always did, while growing up. Gaya was right, she should avoid saying things that could lead people to think badly of her. When they were still eating, little Aria entered the Dining Room and she went straight to their table. She stopped for a while, admiring the Magical Knight.

- This is so cool… I saw you making this last night, but I had to look at other things and I couldn't come. Seya, can I take Gaya with me to the Training Room? It would be fun, seeing Gaya using a sword. Oh, before I forget, thanks for the playground in my school, the kids went nuts with it, during the afternoon break. And when the classes ended, we played in there for a while, before they all went home.

- Yeah, I thought the kids would like that. You can take Gaya with you, if you want, I was going to do it later on. I also need to explain this Knight to Myko, he will think it's weird, for sure.

- Knnya… knnya… knnya… he will get scared, I bet! Let me do it, it will be so funny! Oh, Princess Arys, I already put in my name for the side-event in the Tournament! I want to win Seya for me, for one entire day!

Heiji was smiling.

- You too? I had a very good idea, right? I was hoping that having Seya as the prize, would attract more people and more money to the tournament! But you need to practice, Lionelia is saying that she is going to win!

Aria smiled towards Lionelia.

- No, you won't. I'm sorry, but I'm a very good player in the Hnefatafl game. You play that game from time to time, I play for hours every day, against my teenager form. And I always win.

Lionelia was looking at Aria in a menacing way.

- Yeah, we will see about that…

Aria shrugged her shoulders and grabbed one arm of the Magical Knight. She waved at Seya while warning Lionelia.

- Don't start to cry when you lose, ok? Seya, we will be in the Training Room, if you need this Knight. I just don't know what happens to this, if Gaya disconnects her link…

- Well, it will just stand up straight, like a real Guard, waiting for orders. The Crystals inside are learning how to move the body, while Gaya is connected. When Gaya disconnects, it's possible to give orders to the Knight, and he will obey.

Aria was puzzled.

- You mean, it will act more like a robot, waiting for orders? Anyone can order him? That's not a little dangerous?

Seya shook his head.

- No, not really. For now, only I can give orders to that Knight. But if you place your hand over the Knight's chest and say your name, it will start to obey you. Myko also needs to do that. For security reasons, only us will be able to command that Knight, in Gaya's place.

Aria looked around, there were a lot of people nearby.

- Ok, I will do that when we reach the Training Room. I can tell Myko to also do it when I found him. It will be so funny, watching his reaction! Knnya… knnya… knnya.

Aria left while laughing and still grabbing the Knight's arm. When the others left to school, Seya stayed at the table, thinking on his next project. He made a frown, there was one thing that he had to take care of. He went to his room and put the Refrigerator with the containers inside his Compressed Dimension. He then opened a Gateway to Queen Athena's throne room, making a Light Shield on the other side, to stop the seawater from coming.

Queen Athena noticed the disturbance in the water and she immediately made it flush out from that room. When all the water was out, she seated at her throne, crossing her beautiful long legs that could be seen from the side opening of her light green dress.

- Hello, dear Seya, what are you doing here so early in the morning?

Seya crossed the Gateway and dispersed it with a hand movement.

- It's not that early, maybe you should find something to show you the hour of the day, in here!

Queen Athena shook her hand.

- Never needed that. Only Humans are slaves of time. Mermaids are free spirits, nothing should restrain us, not even time! So, why this surprise visit?

- Well, I want to talk to Attina. Is she available?

- Seya, Seya, you know how Attina is. For you, she would cross the sea with her fin tied to a rock!

Queen Athena ordered a Mermaid Royal Guard to find Attina. While they were waiting, Seya went with Athena to the crib near the Queen's throne, were baby Ariel was sleeping. Seya touched the baby's little hand and she instinctively grabbed his finger and squeezed it, making it go near her mouth to suck while still sleeping. Seya smiled while baby Ariel used his index finger as a pacifier. Then, a familiar voice was heard from his left.

- You now, if you want, I can suck your finger too…

Seya frowned while looking back to Attina.

- That's a very ugly thing for a beautiful young girl to say, you pervert!

- Heheheh! I heard that you were visiting and wanted to talk to me. Do you need anything from me? I'm at your disposal!

Seya gently took his index finger from baby Ariel's mouth. He cleaned it while shaking his head.

- You know, that habit of yours of being so easy and available for anything, doesn't grant you my sympathy or love. It's just annoying and tiring. One of these days, I will get feed up with it and I will use you as my personal slave…

Attina's eyes lighten up.

- Oh… I would love that…

Seya slapped his own forehead.

- My Goddess, this Mermaid as no remedy… Can we sit at that table? I need to explain a few things.

Athena grabbed Seya's arm before her daughter could do it and escorted him to the table. Seya pulled a chair to the Queen and another to Attina. He then seated in front of them.

- Well, I came here to give this to Attina and explain how to use it.

Seya opened his Compressed Dimension and he placed on top of the table, one syringe. The Mermaids were puzzled by it, but only for a few moments because when Seya finished explaining how that could be used for, Attina was in shock and Queen Athena was puzzled.

- No way… you… actually made a thing like this to make babies? Can another Mermaid use it, or this one is only for Attina?

- Well, I can make more, if needed. But if you clean it very well, it can be used by another Mermaid, I guess, if they don't mind. But why do you ask?

- Well, I have a lot of Mermaids that find Humans and BeastKind disgusting. They prefer Elfians. But those guys are not easily tricked by a Mermaid in disguise. But with this, one Elfian can be kidnapped and his 'juice' extracted to be used with this thing, to make a Mermaid pregnant.

Seya scratched his head. That was one use that he didn't think of.

- Well, it can work. But that's a little mean, no?

Queen Athena shrugged her shoulders.

- That depends on the point of view. A Mermaid got to do, what a Mermaid got to do, to get a baby…

- Yeah, I suppose…

Attina was holding the syringe, with her eyes blank. She started to stutter.

- You… you mean… that with this… we don't need… to be together…

- Yes, that's the idea.

Attina was almost crying.

- I am… so disgusting to you?

Seya slowly shook his head. He understood how she was feeling.

- No, my beautiful Mermaid, you are not. But the idea of being used only for breeding disgusts me. It makes me feel that I'm just like a breeding horse, and I truly hate that. It would be different if we could be a couple, but I know that for all these last Millennia, never a Mermaid married a Human. I also know that long ago, some Mermaids like Queen Athena, had Human or BeastKind partners, but because of our short life, we die, and the Mermaids continue on living. If possible, I would like to save you from that heartbreak. It was because of many Mermaids that chose to end their life when their male partner died, that Queen Athena advises the Mermaids to never live with a male.

Queen Athena nodded, with a sad look.

- Yes… I still miss my dear Tally Denar'an… my unforgettable love… I broke that ancient tradition, of never being together with a male for more time than needed to get pregnant because I loved him so much. When he died of old age, I wanted to die too. I only kept on living because of my duty towards my people… but I still cry at night, when I go to sleep…

Athena slowly nodded her head.

- I understand… But… I still want to be with you, to be your partner like Ryn and Lionelia, if they allowed it…

Seya made a small smile.

- Well, you need to conquer them, first. And me too, of course. For now, you can use this and… where it is… this container.

Seya gave Attina one small container, one that could be used together with the syringe, as he explained. Attina grabbed it with her hand shaking and she put it over her chest.

- Yes, I will do as you said. Can… can I ask you just one thing?

- Sure, what is it?

Attina looked at her mother, a little embarrassed. Athena understood and she went to the crib again, turning her back at them. Attina went near Seya and pulled his hands so that he got up.

- I… I may not have another opportunity like this, so… I want a kiss… I promise to never ask you again, but I want one…

Seya got up and he gently kissed her. A long one, while holding her. After a while, he caressed her right cheek and smiled.

- My beautiful Attina, I am really sorry for not loving you. I can only give you this so that you can have a baby. But I want to be around. I want your baby Mermaid to know me. I want to swim with her in the ocean when she grows up. I want to go hunt some big fish in the deepest ocean or a bunch of wild boars inland. That, of course, if I don't die in our battle in the Demonoid Island. If I die, I hope you can tell her everything about me. Or better yet, tell her only the good parts, I want that she thinks of me as her hero!

- Don't worry, my love, I will make sure that you don't die so that you can be with her…

Seya nodded but warned her.

- I would like that, but I would prefer that in case of need, you saved yourself and the baby, if you get pregnant before the battle. She will be my greatest accomplishment, and through her, I will live forever.

- Yes… you are right… When I have her in my belly, she will become very important to me… And I will make sure that she watches very closely over Ariel, as the Goddess advised.

Seya kissed Attina's forehead and smiled at her while she left to her room, holding tightly the syringe and the small container against her chest. Queen Athena approached him.

- Despite not wanting to be a breeding horse, you were very kind to her. She looked very happy when she was leaving.

- Yes… I just don't know why I never fell in love with her, for all these years. Maybe it's that personality of hers. Knowing that I could do anything with her and she wouldn't even complain, kills my mood to actually do anything.

- Well, she acts like that only with you. She never did that towards any Human, over all these years. I think she loves you so much that she doesn't know how to behave. I tried to teach her so that she could control her feelings, but every time she sees you, she forgets my teachings. If she gets pregnant with that method, maybe she acts differently towards you, because she will have a baby to love. And the baby being yours, she will love her more than anything in this world.

- Yes, I hope so. Well, I need to go, I want to test some projects in my Laboratory.

Athena hugged Seya, as a farewell.

- Thank you, Seya, for making my daughter so happy.

- That's ok, it will also be good for you, having another baby around to distract you, so that you don't spoil Ariel with too much love. But please, don't take this chance to spoil two babies at once!

Athena made a frown.

- Yeah, better not, or the Goddess will turn me into a small fish! I like being a Mermaid, I don't want to be on the other side of the dish and be served as food to another Mermaid!

Seya opened a Gateway and crossed it, directly into his Laboratory. While the Gateway was dispersing, Seya waved at a smiling Queen. He then went to a table and started to read a book about a horse's anatomy.

…