Awakening the Divine Spark-Chapter 106: Verdaria Prime.

"My children! My dear, beloved children!" Once again Lunax held his speech, standing on the top of the rift gate, but this time there were hundreds of thousands of people gathered outside the city.

Lee was positive that everyone came since the promised reward for the upcoming conquest was a Divine gift. He was probably one of the few who didn’t intend to join, but he still came to take a look at the event and listen to the brainwash as a part of the show.

Even though he would’ve loved to comfortably sit back in a big chair while munching on popcorn, he was kneeling at the side of the crowd along with the rest.

"You know I love and appreciate you all, and I want the best for you!" Lunax continued. It was amazing how his words traveled to the ears of the every person no matter if they were at the front of the crowd or the very back, "And this time I thought of exciting game we could all play together!"

’Now this is something new!’ Lee thought to himself. He had listened to multiple Lunax’s brainwashing sessions, but a game was an innovative addition.

"I’ve found a world, a peculiar one, named Verdaria Prime." Lunax said, "It’s not as beautiful as our home, it’s the perfect spot for you to play around! Your task is – to find the life spark! Yes, life spark! Contrary to the common four spark types found in beasts, this one is found in a plant, very rarely, though. I can’t tell you what does it look like, but you’ll know when you find it. A hint – most likely it’s hidden in the biggest and oldest plant you’ll find, but look for yourselves!"

Lee felt the people surrounding him barely keeping themselves together from the excitement. For some reason everyone immediately assumed they were the ones who were guaranteed to find the thing.

He, on the other hand, was more interested why Lunax didn’t go and get the spark himself. Obviously he needed it for some purpose, and somehow he found a world with high chances of a life spark being there.

But what kept him from getting it? He was opening rifts at his will, right? Or he had to have the rift gate to travel long destinations? Or maybe there was something there he was scared of?

"We will have rules for this game!" Lunax continued, "You can work in squads or in other groups, or alone, but there will be only one winner. Only one of you will have the luck to receive a gift from me. That’s right – for finding the spark of life you’ll have the chance to pick one of the Divine items from my treasury!"

Even though the caretakers had spread this information beforehand, now hearing it from the God himself, the crowd exploded with emotion. In any other circumstance it would be considered disrespectful, but this time Lunax observed his devotees with content smile.

"After you find the spark – immediately look for one of the caretakers. Most of them will go with you this time. Do not touch the spark yourself, the sparks of life are different from the regular ones. There will be a punishment for those who disobey this rule!" Lunax said, "And the last thing. This game, this special conquest, will last for a month!"

This was big news to everyone. And while Lee wouldn’t be worried about being able to find food in the place filled with plant life, the others panicked. Fortunately Lunax immediately calmed them down.

He said, "Don’t worry. You won’t starve. I have blessed Verdaria with my powers and you can drink any water you find there and eat all the fruits you see. Now then, I’ve said enough. Go now, my children, have fun!"

’Interesting.’ Lee thought, ’Is the thing so hard to find or he has to recuperate after sending hundreds of thousands through a rift? Which one is the reason for the one month long conquest?’

The following show was as impressive as ever, except this time it seemed that Lunax even lit up in dark flames when he slammed his hands down on the rift gate, and the purple screen greeted the impatient crowd.

Everyone, the soldiers of vanguard, the treasure hunters, and even the farm and mine workers rushed in the rift, strangely enough maintaining reasonable order. Obviously there were casualties, but that was to be expected. Few dozens of people dying under the feet of thousands was acceptable loss in the eyes of the God.

Lee thought he was prepared for the mad rush, but as it turns out he severely underestimated everyone’s determination. He thought he was hanging out at the side of the crowd, but even if behind him were only few hundred people, it was impossible to get through them.

He felt like he was swimming in the rapid waters of an unruly mountain river, and in the end it carried him away in the rift.

He didn’t want to join this conquest, no matter how it was special or how incredible the rewards were. But in the end he landed in Verdaria nevertheless.

’Fine!’ Lee said to himself when the mad crowd continued to carry him even after he was on the other side, ’It would’ve been impossible to explain myself if someone asked why I stayed behind.’

Truth to be said, he felt rejuvenated just by being in this world. The air was thick and humid, but pleasantly warm and fresh. And the greenery ... apart from the blue sky there were endless fields of green.

Lunax opened the rift that led to a hilltop, as usual, except this time a higher one, and below one could observe vast green fields and forests. Occasional crystal clear ponds and lakes accentuated the picturesque sight, almost like few freckles on the cheeks of a beauty.

It took a while for Lee to get away from the crowd, and when he finally managed to, the first thing he did was to lie down in the lush grass and close his eyes. This was an incredible, long forgotten sensation.

’Verdaria Prime is a good name, but I would call it Botanica!’ He said to himself.

This place surely was any botanist’s dream, especially if there were no beasts around. There were insects, though. But they seemed to not be interested in him, but in the colorful flowers almost every plant bloomed in.

Lee didn’t notice how he fell asleep and woke only up with the sunrise. He was still on the slope of the hill they arrived at, probably the only one left behind, but he wasn’t in a rush. He didn’t intend to look for the spark of life – if Lunax needed it, he should’ve come here himself.

Lee decided to check the lakes below and properly wash himself for the first time since leaving Sunwell. His plan was – to do nothing. He would chill out for a month, meditate and relax.

It all went well.

After wandering around for half a day, he found a small lake between two mountains and settled there. The thick groves surrounding it had plethora of fruits to satisfy his hunger, although he didn’t recognize most and chose by the gut feeling.

It was in the evening when things went wrong. Lee collected a small pile of dried branches and leaves and was about to light a campfire, when an elderly voice startled him out of his wits.

’Don’t do that, kiddo!’ Lee heard someone speaking within his consciousness.

He froze and looked around, but there was no one there. The sun was setting and the lake’s surface was tranquil and without a slightest ripple. Only the sound of few insects disturbed the silence.

After deciding he was only imagining things, Lee intended to light the fire again, when the voice spoke, but this time sounding angry.

’You’re testing my patience, boy’ It said, ’Think before you regret it!’

’Ok!’ Lee said to himself, ’So this is the reason why Lunax didn’t want to come here. Looks like even though there are no beasts, there is someone or something he didn’t want to piss off. Come and look for the spark yourself, motherfucker!’

With that thought Lee lied down in the grass, and soundly slept till the morning. He decided to skip the usual meditation and have a good night’s sleep for a change.