Alex stood on the central island where the twin trees grew, their radiant forms reflecting off the serene surface of the surrounding lake. The Golden Tree shone brightly under the sun's embrace, while the Silver Tree radiated softly under the light of the moons.
At dusk and dawn, both trees reached their brightest glow, their light intertwining in harmony. To maintain balance, Alex had imposed restrictions on their illumination, allowing the brilliance to grace only the vicinity of the lake while still being faintly visible even from the edges of the world.
The world itself relied on celestial bodies: the sun to light the day and three moons to illuminate the night sky. Yet, the Twin Trees served as the spiritual heart of this realm, their luminescence a beacon of hope and life.
Lily hovered beside Alex, her golden glow complementing the beauty of the trees. Her voice was soft as she asked, "How does it feel to stand here and see all your hard work, Alex?"
"Very good," Alex replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "And it's all thanks to you, Lily."
Lily giggled as the tiny chibi angel version of her perched on his shoulder. She crossed her arms, pretending to pout. "You're just saying that to flatter me."
"Maybe," Alex teased. Then, he added, "Are you sure you don't want to take on a physical form? It could be fun, you know."
"Nope, not for now. Maybe someday," Lily replied dismissively, poking his cheek with her tiny finger.
"If you say so," Alex sighed in mock defeat, chuckling at her antics.
Alex turned his attention back to the trees, sending out a mental call to all the inhabitants of his world: the Feys, Elves, Mermaids, and Dryads. Come to the Twin Trees, his thought resonated like a soft melody, carrying across the winds and waters.
Knowing it would take hours for everyone to gather, Alex conjured four crystal bridges. They extended from the four cardinal directions, connecting the shores of the lake to the central island where the Twin Trees stood. The bridges sparkle in the light, setting a dreamy landscape.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the first to arrive were the Dryads, their forms merging seamlessly from the surrounding forests. The Fey followed, their iridescent wings catching the glow of the trees. The Elves came next, their elegant strides as silent as whispers, and finally, the Mermaids emerged, transforming their tails into legs to walk the crystal bridges.
One by one, they knelt before Alex in reverence. He greeted them warmly, acknowledging their salute with a nod.
"Rise," Alex said, his voice carrying both authority and kindness.
He began by appointing leaders for each race. Turning to the Feys, he chose a radiant Fey of the Sky Tribe, naming her Elaris the Chieftain. Her silver horn and wings reflected the light of the Twin Trees.
As a symbol of her authority, Alex presented her with a staff crafted from a branch of the Golden Tree, its surface pulsating with life.
Alex approached the Elves, their golden hair gleaming in the light. Selecting an elf with an air of maturity and eyes reflecting wisdom, he named her Sylvie, the first Elf Queen, and gifted her a longbow carved from the Silver Tree.
The weapon gleamed with the tree's silvery light, embodying both beauty and precision.
He then turned to the Mermaids and chose the tallest of them all, her shiny blue-green hair cascading down her back. He named her Sania, their Queen.
To her, he gave a crystal necklace infused with hues of gold and silver, crafted from the rare Silmarillion crystals, containing the first dew of the Twin Trees.
Finally, Alex selected Asari to lead the fifty Dryads. From the Golden Tree, he plucked its first flower, faceted it into a Silmarillion crystal headband.
Gently, he placed it on her brow, the golden petals glowing softly against her beautiful, greenish, almost translucent features.
As he bestowed these symbols of leadership, Alex shared with each leader the knowledge of governance, imparting wisdom and the ability to judge fairly. He gave them the authority to name their member races from now on.
He also revealed the mysteries of the Twin Trees and the pool of golden liquid nestled between their roots.
"Each year, when the three celestial bodies align, the sun, the twin moons, and the rainbow moon, the Golden Tree will bear four fruits," Alex explained. "These fruits, when soaked in the golden pool, will give birth to new life for each of your races."
As a demonstration, Alex conjured several smaller fruits and dropped them into the pool. The surface rippled with light, and moments later, tiny creatures emerged.
Light fairies, no larger than a finger, fluttered into the air, their delicate wings glowing in shades of gold and silver. Gasps of wonder filled the air as the gathered races beheld the miracle.
Alex continued, "These fairies will collect the dew of the trees from now on and place it in the pool. The Twin Trees are sacred. When you seek guidance or aid, face them in prayer. Lily will hear your voices and answer in due time."
"Wait, what? You're putting me in charge of prayer requests?" Lily protested, though her playful tone betrayed her amusement.
"You're perfect for the role," Alex replied with a grin. "Think of it as… community management. Well, you can always tell me about it anytime."
Lily huffed but didn't argue further.
With the gathering complete, Alex rose into the sky, Lily glowing at his side. They surveyed the realm below: the Feys darting through the air, the Elves returning to their elegant settlements, the Mermaids diving into crystal-clear waters, and the Dryads blending into the vibrant forests.
"Almost perfect," Alex murmured, his voice filled with satisfaction.
"You've created something great. Let's add some more beautiful things we find on our journey," Lily agreed.
With a final, satisfied glance at Pediás, Alex vanished into specks of golden light, reappearing in his study.
The ring glowed softly on the desk as he wore it back on his finger, its warmth a reminder of the vibrant world it contained.