The Guardian gods

Chapter 60

The clearing echoed with a resounding chorus of approval and support. Ikem could feel the unity in the air, a shared determination to forge ahead into a new era for their community. With a renewed sense of purpose, Ikem descended from the platform, ready to embark on this journey of leadership and change alongside his newfound family.

Night came down fast, as Ikem found himself a tree to lay on as he looked up to the night sky, the night wind blew by causing the feather and scale left by Tweet and Boros to tickle Ikem's chest. Looking down at his chest, Ikem picked up the feather until it was at eye level.

" It's been a while, I wonder how they are doing" Ikem thought to himself as he sent mana into the leaf activating it.

The feather glowed up with white light before leaving Ikem's hand and levitating in the air, sitting up Ikem cöeard his throat to speak out but Tweet beat him to it.

" Finally decided to check on me huh" Ikem smiled as he looked at the feathers.

" It's been a busy journey, I just got to mom's place today and wanted to let you know that I'm safe," Ikem answered.

" Were your mother's people welcoming?" Tweet happy voice came clearly from the feathers

" They were amazing tweets and guess what I just got a new wife" Ikem spent the night under the tree discussing with Tweet about his journeys and plans ahead, it took a while before the tiredness got to Ikem as he needed to sleep.

" I am very tired now, tweet, we have to wait for the full charge to continue our talk" Ikem said in a tired tone.

" No problem and take good care of yourself" Tweet said and the feather light slowly dimmed.

" Goodbye" Ikem said as his eyes went shut.

Four years had passed since Ikem last had his talk with Tweet and embarked on his journey bonds with the Four Primate Women who he came to take as wives, The elder was able to hand pick women from his description but since he already gotten Aien himself, he could only take three from the women the elder found. Ikem fulfilled his role as a husband as a month after getting with the women they got pregnant, the pregnancy took a period of over 6 months before the women got into labor. During this time, Ikem's character had matured, fast as he guided the primates while at the same time providing time for his wives and new kids, it took a year for his kids to get to their young age and that gave Ikem time to proceed again as he got his women pregnant.

The four women—Aien, Aquara, Phyra, and Terrana—each bore a child, with elements similar to their mom just as Ikem was hoping it would be. Some of his kids bore his wooden elemental talent but he only hand picked the one with the best talent. The children, born with innate magical talents, were named Ember, Ripple, Zephyr, and Terra. Each child radiated the power of their respective element, a living embodiment of the balance Ikem and his father had sought.

Given birth to offspring wasn't the only thing, Ikem was doing the whole year, he adopted his father's attitude of experimenting and observing how things goes, Also Ikem himself benefits from the experiment so he was happy doing it, Ikem spend most of his times with primate that has an elemental affinity and tries to see if they can train the same way he does. Ikem gained a lot of insight from the experiment which will be useful to his kids when they start their training.

Ikem often found himself wandering through the lush forests surrounding the settlement, contemplating the quietness and harmony he felt surrounded by trees. One day, as he strolled beneath the towering trees, he encountered his treant companions, Brix and Aqua. The treants witnessed Ikem slowly maturing in their eyes and it brought them great pleasure when Ikem let them name his children.

One of the favorite pastimes for the two treant was to have Ikem kids playing around, as the kids laughter brought them a lot of joy, the two treant hadn't stopped their growth in height as now they can stand shoulders to shoulders with some trees in forest, so the kids all have a great time when they climb over the treants body while playing chase.

"Ikem," Brix spoke with a deep, rumbling voice, leaves rustling as he moved, "we have seen the balance you've brought to these people. Our task here is done, and we must seek new places where our strength and wisdom may be needed. I don't know how many life forms such as ours that has spawned from the excess magical energy and exposure of the creators's divinity but we feel the need to gather them as this may be our new purpose"

Aqua nodded in agreement, its branches swaying gently. "Fear not, young master. The seeds of your efforts have taken root, all you need now is time for it to grow. We are leaving knowing of your growth in strength."

Ikem, though sad to see his treant companions depart, understood the need and the importance of their journey. "Thank you, Brix, Aqua. Your guidance has been invaluable, and your presence will be missed, mostly by the kids. May your roots find fertile ground wherever you go." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Bara, we will be leaving the young master care in your hands" Aqua spoke out to the red root, who quickly turned into a stickman " I will do that without you even mentioning it"

" Will really miss you guys" Bara said as both him and Ikem waved goodbye to the two treants.

With a gentle rustling of leaves and a parting breeze, the treants embarked on their new journey, disappearing into the depths of the forest. Ikem watched them go, a mix of emotions in his heart—gratitude for their guidance and excitement for the future that lay ahead.

Time went by as Ikem's kids all grew up to their mature age, Ikem didn't procreate again as he was tired of it so he left the job of expanding their race to his kids, at the same time he gathered his four kids that has shown the most talent to gather at the cave in front of the huge tree.

Ikem hasn't being in his human form since he settled down with the primates, but he was still growing as he was now taller and physique got more bulkier, once thing to notice was that he now has shade of green all over the hairs in his body, the color change stated after the core in his heart got bigger and more element move into his body. Even the skin under felt more rough and barky like trees, IKem was expecting to look a lot different the next time the core gets bigger.

Walking into the cave, Ikem found Four apelings standing and admiring the huge tree. Ikem took note of the diversity in the appearance of kids with only one of them having a tail and the other tailless, each bearing an appearance similar to their mother.

Walking to the absent minded kids, Ikem had to clear his throat to gather their attention, Immediately seeing their father, Zephyr the most active of his kids ran a whole circle around Ikem asking continuously " Why have you gathered us here dad, what is this huge tree doing in here, is there a secret mission you have for us"

A vein can being seen present on Ikem face as he was being bombarded with question, stretching out his hand, Ikem grabbed Xephyr by his throat while lifting him up before regarding his other kids who were already used to their brother behavior, still holding Zephyr, Ikem pulled out the book his father gave him.

Looking at the book and his kids, Ikem said " You all are about to embark on a different journey because of your talents, You may have noticed that i let your other siblings grab themselves a mate, you are also about to do the same but your case will be different"

" You have been informed about your lineage as the descendant of the god of natures and curses, This book was handed to me by your grandfather and in it bears a ritual that is to be performed under the right conditions which is you guys" Ikem said as he raised the book for them to see.

Ember his child with Aine stepped forward " I have heard about grandfather a lot, but i still find it hard to believe that he is real"

His other children nodded in agreement , but Ikem pointed at the tree behind them and said " This was also left by your grandfather before he went into his deep sleep"

The tree seems to understand what Ikem said and the branches stretched out grabbing hold of the kids and at the same time gave them a huge scare.

"Hahaha, Stop scaring them Osisi" Ikem said to the tree which let them go and they all backed up while staring Vigilantly at the tree.