The Upgraded Nest
I opened my eyes to find an empty bottle rolling around beside me. Guess I polished it off last night and crashed. I picked up the empty bottle and stashed it in my subspace, then tucked the remaining one next to it.
Kar cracked open one eye from his corner, eyeing me warily. He was still hung up on my sour mood from last night.
"I'm fine."
Kar nodded and closed his eyes again. I got up and headed to the stone slab. Reaching into my subspace—no Ignar meat. My talons groped around, but nothing. Looked like I'd devoured every last scrap.
……Ah.
It stung a little, but what could I do? I pulled out some wyvern meat from the tributes instead.
Sizzle!
Oil popped and a savory aroma filled the nest. I ground some rock salt over it and sprinkled pepper on top. Chewing the meat, I mulled over yesterday's events.
……Gods or demons.
I had no clue. Thinking about it wouldn't get me anywhere.
A few days passed. Life settled back into its routine after my trip to the Divine Realm. Mornings: grill meat. Prostia shows up? Trade for fruit. Hop on Kar, circle the World Tree, nap. Evenings: more grilling, then bed.
No word from Verat yet.
……Did he forget?
It wouldn't surprise me. Prostia kept bringing ice fruits for days now, but every time she arrived, she'd scan the nest's edge. The spot where Kaiel had smashed it was still busted. The elves said they'd fix it, but days later, no sign of them.
Something up?
I sprawled on the Turaka hide, gazing at the sky. Wind rustled through the leaves, shadows flickering across my face. Belly full, body warm. Nothing to do. I rolled around the nest for a good long while.
A few more days later. I was grilling meat when I sensed several presences climbing up from below the World Tree. About the same number as the tribute group before.
"Master, someone's coming!"
Kar thumped his tail once and hurried to the nest's edge. I flipped the meat and waited.
The leaves rustled, and Kaiel climbed up first, followed by about ten unfamiliar elves lugging hefty bundles.
Kaiel dropped to one knee, hand over his heart.
"Divine Beast, we have come prepared to repair your nest."
"Ah, that."
"Our craftsmen required time to select the sacred wood of the World Tree. We apologize for the delay."
"No biggie."
Kaiel bowed a fraction deeper.
"The work should take about a day. We ask your patience."
I flipped the meat again and surveyed the nest.
……Might as well make it bigger while we're at it.
The current nest wasn't bad, but it was starting to feel cramped.
"Kaiel."
"Yes, Divine Beast."
"Since you're fixing it anyway, build it bigger."
Kaiel's head lifted a beat late.
"……Bigger, you say?"
"Yeah. Wider than now. A roof on one side would be nice too."
"……A roof."
"Rain's a pain without one."
Kaiel faltered for words. One of the craftsmen behind him started to speak, but Kaiel raised a hand to silence him.
"……Understood."
"But no house. Can't fit inside in my true form."
"Yes, well noted."
"Keep it nest-shaped, just roof one side."
"……Yes, Divine Beast."
Kaiel turned and began issuing orders to the craftsmen. His words came faster than usual.
I flipped the meat and scanned the nest again.
Hope they have enough roofing material.
I stepped back from the slab and released my polymorph. Wings unfurled, and I shot up toward the World Tree's crown. I picked out six large, thick leaves from the top branches, snipped them with my talons, clutched them to my chest, and descended.
Landing in the nest, the craftsmen scrambled to their feet.
"D-Divine Beast, those leaves—"
"No way, from the World Tree—"
One craftsman widened his eyes and stepped forward, but Kaiel swiftly blocked him. The other elves froze in place.
"Halt."
Kaiel's voice dropped a tone lower than usual.
"The Divine Beast has reasons for this. Do not interfere."
The craftsman shut his mouth. Kaiel ordered his men to fall back, then turned to me and bowed.
"Divine Beast, we shall employ every spell and craft of the elven kingdom to build you a nest wider and sturdier than before."
"Yeah. Thanks."
I set the leaves down beside the slab. A sheen of cold sweat beaded on Kaiel's forehead. He turned back to the craftsmen, his instructions coming even quicker.
……They'll figure it out.
I cast polymorph again, shifting to human form. Sitting by the slab, I snatched another piece of meat.
The nest grew noisy as work began. The craftsmen unpacked timber from their bundles, laid it out, and circled it. They clasped hands and chanted—casting a spell, no doubt. The wood trembled. A soft glow seeped from its surface, and it began growing like living trees. Branches extended, thickening, ends weaving into adjacent pieces. The rough bark gripped and fused solidly.
……Whoa.
In moments, the nest floor expanded several times over. It stretched beyond the old edges onto the World Tree branches, seamlessly linking to the water pool.
The craftsmen stacked more timber and repeated the process.
……Saw all I needed to.
"Kar, let's circle once."
"Yep!"
Kar spread his wings and crouched. I hopped on, and he launched off the edge into the sky. I lay back on his scales, staring at the heavens. A few fluffy clouds drifted by, sunlight warming Kar's hide.
Nice.
Tracing the World Tree's trunk in a loop, I felt a chill rising from below. Twisting my head, I spotted Prostia paused mid-climb with her ice fruits, glaring coldly at the nest. Frost was creeping toward the elves.
Oh, right.
"Kar, to Prostia."
Kar banked toward the branch where Prostia perched. She looked up, and the spreading chill eased.
I sat up and waved.
"The elves are like my minions. No worries."
Prostia eyed me briefly, then nodded faintly.
"Ah, nest repairs are underway, so it's noisy. Come play when it's done."
[……How long?]
"Day or so?"
[I shall wait.]
Prostia settled on a branch one step back. She nibbled her ice fruit, still watching the nest.
"Kar, another loop."
"Yep!"
Kar spread his wings and climbed again. A good while later, we returned to silence—no more work sounds.
"Kar, to the nest."
Kar turned and descended. Landing, the view had changed.
……Whoa.
It was huge. At least double the size—room to spread my wings without snagging. One side had a dome roof woven from World Tree leaves, with a flat floor beneath. The edge timbers held the embedded gems, now artfully rearranged. They sparkled vividly in the sunlight.
Kaiel and the craftsmen knelt at the nest's edge.
"Divine Beast, it is complete."
"Huh, already?"
He'd said a day, but this was way faster. And twice the size.
Kaiel replied with his head bowed.
"Normally it would take longer, but since your abode needs no furniture or decorations, we finished with just the frame."
"Ah."
Come to think of it, besides the slab, Turaka hide, and pool, the nest was empty.
"Looks great."
Kaiel's eyes glistened. A few craftsmen behind him trembled.
Overreacting much.
I pulled a few Astraea from my subspace.
"Take these. Give one to Kaelion, and have one yourself."
Kaiel's hand shook as he accepted the fruit.
"This is……."
"Hm?"
"I sense divine power."
Kaiel looked up.
"This fruit, surely……."
"Yeah. Astraea, they called it."
I fetched more from subspace and handed one to each craftsman. Their hands quivered.
Kaiel spoke again, voice cracking slightly.
"Is it truly permissible to accept such a treasure?"
"Sure. If we run out, I'll just ask Michael for more."
Kaiel fell silent a moment. He gazed at the fruit, then bowed deeply.
"……We gratefully accept."
I pulled an Astraea from subspace and took a bite.
"Now go."
"Yes, Divine Beast. We take our leave."
Kaiel led the craftsmen to the edge and descended, bowing once more before vanishing from sight.
Prostia rose from her branch and approached the nest. The chill slowly thawed as she entered. She scanned the center, glanced at the roof, tested the floor. Her translucent eyes shifted minutely, surveying the surroundings.
[……Fine work.]
"Right?"
We sat side by side under the roof. Prostia offered an ice fruit; I took it and bit in. I pulled an Astraea from subspace and held it out—she took it wordlessly. Kar stretched out in the expanded space and flopped down. His tail went limp, eyes closing instantly.
The sun dipped low. Rays filtered through the leaf roof, casting patterned shadows on the warm floor. The gems gleamed deeper in the evening light.
……Gotta brag to Verat when he shows.
Ah, but he's in the demon realm—who knows when.
Prostia finished her ice fruit and bit into the Astraea. Kar's snores rumbled from the corner. The first evening in the new nest drifted by in quiet peace.