Bonded Summoner

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The next few days were chaos, as the two children tore through tons of food and learning at a blistering pace. Each of Jake’s wives took time watching the two girls, spending time with them and teaching them, but also playing.

And then, Ophelia and Tanda gave birth at nearly the same time. Jake didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry at how quick and painless it was. Their hearths surged with energy at nearly the same moment, and covered the children as they…kind of just shoved them out of their bodies through their chest, the two born babies landing in their own arms.

Magic had completely bypassed the normal biological function, and Jake wagered it was only because of the Echidna’s special nature that, despite being a Hearthian, the children were still born through eggs.

Lia and Tanda’s two children were much closer to the infants Jake was more familiar with among humans. From the moment they were born, they looked already a couple of weeks or a month old, with tiny wings on their back and full heads of hair.

After that, they grew rapidly. It had only taken a few days for them to join their older half-sisters in standing upright, and it wasn’t long after that in which they started babbling and talking.

Tanda had named her daughter Nora, and Ophelia named hers Clara. Nora took after her mother’s raven beastkin heritage, and Clara definitely looked a lot like an owl beastkin, a valkyrie mixed with Athena’s heritage. Tanda’s daughter had raven’s legs beneath the knees, but otherwise the two girls were quite similar.

Because of this, they were a lot like fraternal twins, and for that, Ophelia was excited–this more or less fulfilled her desire for her daughter and having twins. Jake gave a sigh of relief at that–this meant Fhesiah wouldn’t be experimenting with some kind of fertility thing that could have…multiplicative results.

The two children even acted like twins, completely engrossed in one another. While they played with Rena and Nyxa as well, they seemed to prefer to keep each other company.

In all, Jake was shocked at how quickly his children grew. Rena and Nyxa were something like six or seven years old in terms of how developed their bodies were already, and their minds easily matched or exceeded that.

They acted and were like older sisters to Nora and Clara, who now at nearly two months old were like three or four years old in both body and mind. Their minds picked up knowledge at a blistering pace, and their bodies grew rapidly from magical food–including Ava’s milk.

Jake’s Refuge had already arrived home at Highlands just before they were born, and spent some time having their daughters meet their friends and family there. Much of Tanda’s parents were still away on their hunt, so they missed meeting their grandchildren in person.

They still managed to join on a video call, and connecting through the Heart of the World, they got to feel like they already heard their songs. They now fought to wrap things up on their contested world, but opposition kept trying funny stuff–which Timone and Dahlia happily kept crushing.

After spending some time on Highlands, the party began its trip heading toward Earth. They were only a couple of weeks out now and the special Event of Earth’s integration was nearing, and their mentors were set to arrive at their Refuge at any moment.

They were currently waiting in the forest with the shrines of the Divine, where the family spent much of their time. They had many chairs and hammocks for relaxing, and Jake was currently sitting at a wooden table with all of his wives, with two of the smaller Avas present.

Bloodberri was often wanting to be near the incubator, checking on and spending time with their egg. It was laid shortly after Rena and Nyxa’s birth, and Jake knew it would be hatching soon.

This one, to Jake’s surprise, was more of a red and gold color, and Fhesiah had already confirmed that it was still an echidna inside.

Rena and Nyxa were currently playing catch with both Blood and Berri, the two mothers enjoying time with their children. Valora, Ophelia’s longma mount, watched protectively of the two children, along with Ira. The longma was especially excited because she knew it was likely her father, the qilin, would visit, along with Lord Guan Yu.

Brother Zhuge had sent Jake a list of improvements he could make to his Refuge to make the most out of their time together, and he did his best to accommodate the request. Several new training rooms have been added to their Refuge, meant for different forms of personal improvement.

Some were simply too expensive, but Jake could already see the value of several of them and would be saving up for the others as time went on. Similar fixtures could be made available to the guild at their HQ, but at different costs.

Nora and Clara were both drinking Ava’s special milk out of their sippy cups, the two already moving away from breastfeeding from their mothers. It was a very rapid growth from them to move on, the two teething just a couple of days after birth.

Lia sat with Nora on her lap, Clara on Tanda’s. The two often switched spots, and hardly favored either mother. The four were very close, and Jake smiled with pride as he watched their contented smiles.

“They grow and learn so fast!” Lia gushed, “I’m really glad we’ve been able to stay at home with them.”

Fhesiah sat on his lap, while Jake felt her belly. There was movement inside, his daughter growing inside. Fhesiah’s smile was beaming at his slight discomfort, but he pushed down his unease at the weirdness, trying to focus on the good feelings.

A kitsune kit was growing inside. The whole time he had been concerned about what might be birthed by his echidna wives, but the oddest one turned out to be his demoness.

She chuckled. “I could have forced our daughter to take on the form of a demoness, but I decided to leave things to chance. Maybe next time we can make our child while I’m a dragon? It might be a while though, since we shall soon begin our body tempering.”

Jake nodded. “We definitely wanted to wait until everyone was ready to participate. I don’t think it’s a good idea while they are with child.”

Berri pouted a little, giving a sad sigh. “But we can have so many more babies in the next few years… What about with…protection?”

Blood’s eyes gleamed. “Do not worry, sister. Protection or no, I shall come up with a viable schedule with Faye that shall work for us. I will not waste this chance to build the beginning of our dynasty because we are too busy leveling up, as Faye would say.”

Berri’s eyes blazed with determination. “Or, I have an even better idea. I just have to get better at making babies!”

Tanda laughed. “I feel like…if it’s her, she can somehow do it?”

Jake now had a concern–that his dream would somehow come true.

One of Ava’s lesser avatars was pregnant, but hers was a different kind. It appeared his son or daughter was in fact going to be some form of treant beastkin, growing like a seed within her.

A chime came along with a notification, Lord Guan Yu and his brethren had arrived. Jake marked his acceptance, sending the lords to the front of their manor.

The two Avas picked up Clara and Nora from their mother’s laps, and vines began to grow from the ground, forming new seats to hold on to them. Tanda threw out her two spriggon summons, and Fhesiah called upon the flame sprites from her lantern.

The pregnant Ava smiled at the four kids. “Now, your other mommies are going to be a bit busy for a while. Let’s see if we can all play some fun games. Who wants to be it, first?”

Nora’s wings fluttered, and she jumped from Ava’s arms. While the child couldn’t fly yet, she could still jump and glide, her wings more than enough for her small body to get some extra airtime. “Me! I want it!”

Clara quickly joined her sister, and they began to chase after the fire elementals, Nyxa and Rena. The kids and sprites all laughed as they played, and Jake knew they would have fun until they got tuckered out and needed a nap.

Jake and the girls swapped clothing to more formal wear, and all teleported up to the front of the manor, ready to meet with their mentors along with the non-pregnant avatar, and Valora.

Lord Guan Yu and his Qilin mount, Zhuge Liang, and Zhang Fei stood in front of their fountain, the four observing the area around the Refuge with interest. They could see the special location, but not really observe beyond the outskirts with their magical senses, since their Refuge was in transit. 𝔣𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖜𝔢𝔟𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖊𝔩.𝖈𝖔𝔪

However, Jake and his family were on full display to them, and the lords themselves. And this time, the men and qilin arrived in the flesh.

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Their auras were condensed and constrained for their benefit, but even with this, Jake could feel just how powerful these men were. It felt like the entire world would buckle by their mere presence, their weight on reality significant. In Jake’s Gaze, the energies contained within their bodies made them look like bright pillars, that he’d be able to see from miles away.

There was a brutality of war coming from both Brother Zhang and Lord Guan, the former tempered by loyalty and responsibility to his brethren. It was the same for Lord Guan, but a little bit different. There was a boundless compassion in his gaze, a solemn duty and love for all people to go along with the same.

Brother Zhuge’s aura was a stark contrast to theirs, having a calm, confident presence. A bright wisdom and intelligence, a man that drove the progress of civilization.

Jake greeted them, “Welcome to our Refuge, Lords Guan Yu, Zhuge Liang, and Zhang Fei. Thank you for coming.”

His wives all said welcome, and Jake introduced Avalara to the three native lords of their sector. Meanwhile, Valora chirped and whinnied with her qilin father, the two meeting once more.

Lord Guan smiled at his mount and Valora, before returning his gaze back to Jake and his family. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Avalara. Thank you for the warm welcome everyone, and for your service. We are pleased with Hearthtribes efforts these past few months, and Hestia’s Pantheon is quite satisfied with Fhesiah’s performance in the Battleground.”

Zhuge Liang chuckled, as he stroked his long beard. “Yes, Fhesiah’s efforts have saved many, it was a tremendous opportunity. Then, while I know you relax and grow your wonderful family, your enemies still lament your guild’s actions. Clearly, you have fostered some capable subordinates.”

Zhang Fei’s voice was booming, ”Congratulations on entering parenthood! We have brought gifts for all, even the little ones.”

Guan Yu stroked his beard with a proud smile. “We might have went a bit overboard, both for you and for the little ones. The three of us are always excited when more virtuous warriors might be born, their stories just beginning. It is one of the few things to look forward to aside from the next battle.”

Brother Zhuge fanned himself with his signature crane feather fan. “We have a little under two weeks before our arrival at Earth. As your Seniors, we are happy to accomplish the difficult task of helping bring order to the world. Instead, your goal for Hestia’s Pantheon will be recruitment, and being a liaison for your home continent to the administrator.”

“A liaison? For…the United States?” Jake asked. He thought the idea was a bit daunting. Just how would he do that? He had basically done this on the world of Ganestra, but the fantasy world was a bit different, to him. The Kaemun Kingdom and Concordia Republic did most of the heavy lifting on those worlds for him as well.

Lord Guan nodded. “Yes, and Canada and South America. A relatively new colony, none in the top ten parties hail from there. Recruitment for the war had slowed overall due to people’s inexperience with conflict since the renaissance period, and that continent perhaps even to a greater extent. It was not long after that the Divine sought to limit parties except in extreme situations.”

Brother Zhuge added, “Not to worry. While the Divine’s influence has been limited there, it had still been present. The technology on Earth is a result of various meddling, and even Odin has had plots to influence things in dramatic ways. Even though only one year has passed since you were last there, you may find significant changes. Many people there are more ready for the Framework than you might imagine.”

Jake raised his brows at that, though he understood he would learn more later. The party moved to separate groups, Jake and Fhesiah joining Brother Zhuge in an odd room they purchased at his behest, a tactical simulator.

Bloodberri moved with Brother Zhang to a large clearing, ready to show the fruits of their labor and Tier up. Ophelia and Tanda brought Lord Guan to a simple training area, while Valora continued her meeting with her father out front.

Jake and Fhesiah stood across from Brother Zhuge at a tactics table. Not much different from the conquest table, it had a hexagonal grid of tiles which lit up, able to create a three-dimensional image above it or more simple two-dimensional displays on the grid itself.

The scholar fanned himself with a smile. “I am quite excited about your growth. That the entirety of Clan Hart has become Hearthians is a major boon. Not only this, but your skills have all Tiered up, saving you months of progress. It means our time together will be well spent.”

Jake nodded. “Progressing through the second Tier appears to be a lot of work, so we are looking forward to your guidance. But you had us bring you here to the tactical simulator room, so I take it we’re not working on our magical training for now?”

“Yes, would you mind handing over controls to the formation room, and teleportation within the training areas? It would make preparations go more smoothly.”

Jake did so, going ahead and granting the three lords permission to teleport and utilize the training room’s functions within his Refuge. When he did so, Brother Zhuge nodded, and then he…suddenly split himself into two, a copy of himself appearing.

The other one teleported, leaving Jake’s eyebrows risen in surprise. “What…?”

The scholar chuckled. “First time seeing one form a projection? In the fourth Tier, it is a common skill to learn for two major reasons. The first, is that the multiverse is truly vast. It can take months, even years to traverse from end to end of just the Yggdrasil–that is, the integrated worlds. That’s not even counting the greater multiverse outside of it, for those that traverse the greater void.”

He continued, “The second reason is a problem of scale. If Tier 4 and above beings focus on battling even-level foes, large-scale destruction is impossible to avoid. Vast quantities of resources are necessary to level, and if every battle destroyed the treasures or land we’re fighting over, there would be nothing left–plus, the loser could easily utilize scorched-earth tactics. The truth is that most battles are limited to the peak of the third Tier.”

Jake knew that Lord Guan Yu, and the Divine, had the ability to destroy the Earth with probably a single attack. It made a sense that limiting themselves utilizing the Framework was a common tactic for the war.

Fhesiah asked, “Is there no detriment to forming projections and fighting at a lower Tier? I know some Beast Lords and Beast Gods excel in size, they surely cannot produce a projection in the same way as someone like us?”

Brother Zhuge smiled. “That is correct, it is one of their disadvantages. Many of them will instead focus on creating new vessels or Beast Avatars, which they later merge the earned resources into themselves and grow their followers. The energy requirements for a projection of a creature so large is just beyond many of them, and a smaller projection loses much of their advantage for making it in the first place.”

He continued, “Some do continue to fight and just travel, but any when nearing the fifth Tier will need to maintain and protect a territory of their own. If they left for progression, their territory would get taken out by an enemy, its grounds unprotected while they were away.”

Fhesiah frowned. “Is owning a territory really necessary? For cultivators, this was not really the case.”

“Outside of the Framework, I would say that it’s not required. However, within it, it is difficult if not impossible to maintain divinity or its equivalents without owning a territory. Both Tartarus and the Framework would weigh down such an entity should it enter–starving it of energy and restricting it heavily. There are exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking, if a being of that magnitude is integrated into the Framework, it would need to earn a territory of its own, or it would waste away.”

He let them digest that information for a moment, then continued, “Now, I did bring you here for a reason. While I am less limited in how I can help you since I am a Sector Native, I am still restricted. I cannot give you infinite knowledge and wisdom, even if I left a Projection here all day every day to teach you my many lessons. Growth is going to have to come from within you.”

Jake thought he understood. His mentors couldn’t act as some lecturer–if they could do that, he could just stand there and read him a fourth Tier skillbook. As part of the odd research tree where this war was fought like a 4X game, it would be up to him to internalize what was being taught, and learn to apply it to his Guild.

“I…think I get it. I can still ask you questions, right?”

Brother Zhuge chuckled. “Yes, including that one–how I can answer might be limited, but this will be the most important way I can guide you. That way, I can help you find the answer on your own. Now, the other room is ready, so Lady Fhesiah can join me, and we can do a bit of double-duty here.”

Fhesiah arched her brow. “Double-duty?”

“Of course. Your senses are linked, are they not? A truly impressive feat, my respect and admiration for both your family and Hestia’s accomplishment increase by the minute. I can teach Jake military tactics, while you practice formations and energy manipulation–something that he should pick up along with you. Splitting your focus up is something that you should get the hang of sooner rather than later. There is no secret or cheat for creating Projections in the future aside from meeting the energy requirement and control, though having a stronger mind from being higher tier helps. That your race has already entered the Third Tier means you are already closer than most.”

Jake remembered their mentors had access to their skill sheets. Fhesiah nodded, and joined Zhuge Liang’s projection in the energy manipulation room. Jake paid attention to their conversation, as Brother Zhuge waved his hand at the tactical table.

A location appeared with his various subordinates and grouped armies, and Jake recognized it right away. It was the Nature’s Crossroads battle. The horrible undead swamp, with the four undead trees with the thousands of blighters and undead beasts.

“Now, this was some battle, but I thought it was the best opportunity for learning. City Conquests are some of the more challenging battles, and your people did incredibly well. However, I think you can agree that if you did it again, you could probably do it very differently. Why don’t you start with how you might do so, knowing what you know now?”

Jake had already read several Tier 2 books on Alliance tactics, and realized that his mentor was exactly right. Part of it was his people’s training, equipment, and party makeup at that time. Certainly, this had changed.

But Jake hadn’t fully understood how important the impact of himself and his wives should have on a battlefield. Just what enemy tactics could ultimately be available, and how his wives’ mere presence was a deterrent for them–and an attractor of the enemy’s terrible plots.

The original book of Champions Hestia provided him was very bare bones and vague, but there was a much higher wealth of information available at the second Tier–a Tier in which many might actually become Champions. Jake had become one super early, and he had benefited significantly–but the downside was the lacking of information.

Because of his family’s presence, there was really only one way they should have proceeded, unless they were a hundred percent certain there were no enemy Champions on the field. He placed his entire army as one large force, preparing to make a circuitous path around the undead swamp.

He triggered making changes to the army’s makeup, moving the forces around as the grid made the changes. This was just the first lesson, but he was looking forward to learning what was necessary for victory and success going forward.

Things were only going to get more dangerous, their list of people they cared about longer and longer. Jake needed to get a firm grasp around leadership and battlefield tactics. While he could have generals handle some of the work, the Framework’s challenges often required a field tactician. And as a Champion, it was important for Jake to be strong in this area.

Brother Zhuge nodded with a smile. “Good. I can see you’ve done your homework. I like the choices you have made here. Let’s see how this plays out, then I will show you how I would arrange it.”

Jake had a lot to learn, but he was learning from one of the best in Earth’s history.