The next morning, I headed to the tribal settlement as promised. I moved swiftly while carrying all the supplies I would need for the ritual I devised. As I flew to the meeting place, I glanced towards a group of the children who noticing my gaze bowed. Afterwards, they continued testing the limits of their new bodies via intense fighting.
Nodding my head, I continued on my way. After a few minutes I arrived at the tribal settlement and was greeted by somewhat unexpected group. What sat before me was the sight of roughly 600 tribal elves, 300 dwarves, and 1,000 beastmen. Each race had a total of 15 tribes; a minimum of 40 people per tribe.
When the Elder mentioned the size of the other tribes, I thought he meant all of them. Little did I know I seemed to have misheard him. (I am for damn sure this clearly wasn't 25 or so tribes, not even close.)
Either way, this is good for me although their total head count is, but a droplet compared to the children, that's not important. As I approached the settlement, all those below saw my coming, and tried to bow, only to be stop by my magoi… (this is getting old real fast). Hovering before them, I wasted no time and began to use Thought Speech,
"I have called for all of you so I may impart to you the way of communication with each other, the elements, and the Elder Spirits. Additionally, I will have all of you relocated to another place at the center of this forest. There you will live amongst each other and another race as you develop as one people to protect this land from a swiftly approaching evil. I will by no means ask for you to fight this evil, but I will need your help in creating a safe haven for all life."
After finishing my speech, I evoked magoi to carry the supplies for the ritual to the center of the village. With precise control, I carved the ritual circle around the central altars. Followed by placing the ingredients in their corresponding positions, then swiftly charge the magic circle before I could activate it. This all happened within a few minutes causing the tribals to marvel at the sight.
Regardless of their amazement, I could not afford to divert my attention to them. This ritual will require my undivided attention once the ritual circle is fully charged. That and there was no point dwelling on their juvenile reaction to a common occurrence in the outside world. Once everything was in place, I landed and approached the altars. Once in the center of the ritual circle, I spoke to the tribals,
"I will now begin. Do not by any means enter the area I have carved out. To do so will invite the death of everyone here, myself included."
Fearing death, they all stopped following and even took a few steps back before kneeing on the ground in wait for what's to come. I too knelt down and began to evoke magoi while praying in the Celestial language saying,
"Elder Spirits, ancient overseers, Creator above, hear our plea! Dwell among us, unite our speech and open our hearts to the fabric of the world!!"
While reciting this plea, the magic circle began to emit enormous amounts of light and magoi. This caused the area to be filled with dense clouds of pure magoi. These clouds were slowly condensing into a liquified state at a visible rate. The five altars also reacted to the prayer and resonated with the magic circle. As a result, this world's ten elements of creation appeared in the corners of the circle.
As a response to my plea, another voice both ancient and unknowing joined in and began to sing above my prayer. Simultaneously sweet music played softly in the wind. The earth rumbled like a beating drums. The trees swayed to an fro echoing a melodious refrain. The music caused all outside the circle to bow their heads to the ground in reverence and fear. Despite being clueless of the exact words spoken, they somehow knew the meaning of the music.
Ambient magoi continued to gather and condense in the area as the music played. An hour had passed before the magoi concentration had reached a pure liquid state. This liquid was flowing like rivers of water in the air as it encircled the tribals. It gently began filling their lungs and remolding their bodies.
Unlike the Race Usurpation ritual I performed on the children, this ritual was much gentler with the recipients. Their blood is reforged and tempered. Their organs are swiftly strengthen to allow magoi to inhabit them. Profound celestial runes are inscribed on their hearts and minds effortlessly, as the Celestial dragons had done before with the races.
The altar in the middle also experienced a change. The vines and branches which acted as a fence began to grow, branching out towards the sky. The continued spreading across the ground to the very border of the magic circle.
15 minutes later a massive, hollowed tree replaced the magic circle with me in the center. The five alter sat in front of me taking on a refined but primal appearance. Liquid magoi filled each alter, giving them greater substance unlike before. The carved magic circle from before still existed but as wood grain rings within a tree, naturally carved by the tree as it grew.
When the tree finally reached its pinnacle height, the music stopped, the liquid magoi fully entered the tribals leaving only magoi clouds surrounding the crown of the tree, and the tribals' transfiguration was complete. Rising from my spot, I turned to see the tribals still having the same appearance but glowed with a renewed light. Taking this opportunity, I spoke in the elven language,
"Elflings, and young members of the races, harken unto me!"
As I spoke, all the bowing tribals rose up and heeded my call. They appeared to understand what I have said, but I will need to make sure. With this thought I continued to speak to the group,
"You have experienced a change in which only our ancestors originally had the privilege of experiencing. Savor this very moment, as it is a once in a lifetime gift. Do not squander the gift the Celestial dragons have delivered unto all races of this world." I briefly paused, giving them time to understand my words. Afterwards, I continued speak,
"Although you currently do not know of the world beyond this forest, one day I will lead you to a much greater world when you are ready. For now, gather all that you have and follow me. Remember this place is a sacred place and may only be tread upon with prayer and good intent towards the Elder Spirits."
Saying no more, I walked towards the mountain in the center of the forest, behind me were the 1900 tribals who now understood celestial and elven speech and were able to fully manipulate magoi.
-End of Chapter