Raito POV:
When I appeared in the Reverse Side of the World once again, an interesting train of thoughts came into my head.
Gaia and Alaya.
Gaia is the will of the Earth, the planet's intrinsic wish to survive and prosper. Alaya, on the other hand, is the collective unconscious will of mankind to avoid extinction. But how did they come to be?
It is somewhat understandable in Gaia's case. In a universe, where with enough time (or maybe recognition) and energy (I still don't get why magus call it mystery. Maybe there are different components and structures to mana, like with different chemical elements in science. Magical molecules. Magecules. Ha! Sounds hunny.), if concepts can materialize, then nothing is stopping a planet from having its own ego.
Hmm... Alaya might not have been a thing until the Age of Gods ended. I don't think it is a coincidence that this place is called Inner Sea of the planet, while the "surface" is the "Present world". Up there, Gaia's presence is so little that it is almost nonexistent. The only logical resoning is that the "Earth" below is the core, while the 2 layers above it have their own consciousness with their unique mental characteristics such as "a mind that takes issue with human society" and "a mind closely adjoined to human society". The latter must be Alaya's origin.
In a sense, Alaya was a component of Gaia until humans started to grow more independent of nature. Now, these two are not at odds with each other, per se, as they still cooperate on Counter Force, but conflicts still arise from time to time.
Speaking of Couter Force... Each of them does enlist their own physical agents to deal with events too threatening to address with indirect intervention. The agents of Gaia consist of the Elementals such as fairies, True Ancestors, some Phantasmal Species, and some Divine Spirits. From my understanding, Gaia creates them her(?)self. The agents of Alaya are Heroic Spirits and the Counter Guardians, human spirits who pledge their eternal service to Alaya in return for power during their lifetime.
Actually, I pity those poor souls who sell themselves into eternal slavery for temporary power. For a human to continue existing like that forever is just...
Coming out of these depressing thoughts, I noticed that I had already arrived at my destination.
Before me streches a beautiful lake. Its light blue transparent water glitters on the sunlight, making the scene look like one from a fairytale. Well, I am here to meet an actual fairy.
After looking around for a flat piece of land near the shore and founding none, and also because I don't have Earth magic affinity, I am forced to use Concept magic to simulate the effect. Good thing I have already become proficient in it. Initial mana cost was terrifying.
Earth slowly moves under my will, and I finally have a suitable place to put down my tea set. There is no need for a table or a blanket. Pure nature for the win!
It will take some time for the jasmine tea to brew, so in the meantime, I decide to call for my partner in crime.
"Vivian, would you join me for a cup of tea?" I spoke in the "lost" ancient Fairy language. My voice is soft and barely above a whisper, but I am sure she has heard me. She had her eyes on me the moment I entered Avalon after all.
"Of course, Savior." With such greeting, she emerged from the Lake. Her captivating voice would have been a beautiful melody to my ears if not for the way she addressed me. I know it is for a good-natured teasing, and she does it on purpose, yet this title never fails to irritate me.
"O' Lady of the Lake, would you be so gracious to stop calling me that already. Why did I think back then that it was a good idea to share with you suitable for me classes from the Throne's classification system?.. O' Great Mother, I have a name to be adressed by."
Hearing my half exasperated half sarcastic speech, she sits down in front of me and replies with the same small soft smile she has gained ever since we started these tea parties.
"But it really suits you. I don't think you would appreciate being called a Beast, though. And which name do you want me to address you. You haven't told me your true name, remember?"
That makes me release a sigh. "Let's just drink the tea. It is ready." Then I proceed to pour the drink for both of us.
"You are running away from the problem yet again. You know that you can't run forever. One day, it will catch up, so why not face it head-on like you usually do?" Her voice was laced with genuine concern, but I can't answer her. At least not now.
So I did what every brooding teenager would do in my stead. "You are not my mother. Your concern is appreciated but not needed."
"Yes, I am not your mother, but I am your friend. Please, think about my words once again later. More tea?"
Lowering my gaze to an empty cup in my hand, I replied, "Yes, please."
'Friend, huh...' Even though I was looking down the whole time, she must have seen the swirl of complicated emotions in my eyes as the rest of the teapot we drank in silence.
Gradually, this slightly uncomfortable atmosphere has once again turned serene and peaceful. Calming aura around here works wonders.
"What sort of tea should I brew? Your choice." Since she is my friend, I am giving her the benefit of the doubt.
"This one." She tells me straight away, pointing at white tea. A-a-and she failed spectacularly. Why? Just why is it again? I have nothing against white tea, but this glutton will surely empty all my reserves of it in one go if I don't stop her at some point. I would understand if it was green tea, especially the jasmine variety, but... Ah! I don't care anymore. White tea it is.
"After this one, I brew my favorite."
"Not before we drink two teapots of this one."
"You and your white tea."
"No, it's you and your jasmine tea. I at least have some variety."
This fast-paced exchange ended with my loss. Despite it, a smile has appeared on my face, while Vivian let out a melodious chuckle.
'A true friend. It has been so long, I already forgot how it feels to have one...'
While waiting for the tea, I took a closer look at my fairy friend. Her dress is light green with smooth transitions into sea green, then seafoam green, then back. Her long hair flows freely behind her back, and now is a slow transition from white to light green from the roots to the tips. Sometimes, when she emerges from a blooming body of water, her hair starts light green at the roots and gradually transforms into deep blue-green. I can only attribute it to the wonders of nature. She is quite tall and has a slim figure. Her mere presence evokes feelings of nature and serenity. Like you take in a long-awaited breath of fresh air...
Stopping myself from going any further, I take the steaming teapot and pour us freshly prepared hot white tea.
'Hmm... I can certainly feel the appeal... I would still prefer jasmine tea, but maybe this would be my second favorite... Today, for some reason, it tastes better.'
The second teapot we also finished in silence, but for another reason entirely. We were too busy savoring the taste and enjoying the moment to talk.
As per her request, the third round will continue to be served with a white tea, albeit of a different variety.
We are waiting for it to be prepared, and I have decided to address at last my original excuse for coming here today.
"Time for 4th Holy Grail War is reaching its finish line. I will be there on behalf of Gaia. Everything is already ready for the summoning. Today is probably the last day in a while, that I am able to come here." Taking a deep breath, I fix my gaze straight into Vivian's eyes and finish what I have to say. "Gaia made some groundwork for me to not worry about the battles there. I will be summoning your counterpart, the Fairy Queen Morgan, from the lost history of Age of Fairies."
She took the news better than I expected. Her reply was short, "I see." And then silence. I am not sure what she was thinking about, but after a couple of minutes of waiting from my side, she suddenly told me: "Then let's enjoy this moment together to the fullest! And after everything is over and we reunite once again, you will recount me this adventure while I shall remember some new stories of long forgotten days to tell you. But now the tea party must go on."
Even if her sudden declaration did manage to startle me for a moment, I recovered from the surprise instantly and now was grinning at her. "Well, I count me in! And yes, the tea party must go on."
Later, Raito would refuse to admit that he was drunk on the atmosphere that day, but it was definitely one of the happiest he has ever been since leaving Tortus.