After getting the dryads settled my next stop was Thessia. The priestess had taken over a plot of land near the market. She had grown a circle of trees, surrounding her own tree. It looked similar to the temple she used to have in Unitera.

A familiar face greeted me as I approached, Elandru. The priest was smiling as he spotted me. "Lady Amaya! I have heard of your return. The news is spreading rather quickly. Is the Beira situation resolved?"

"For now. I would like to talk with Thessia. Is she here?" I asked.

"Yes, the high priestess is inside her tree. Please follow me." He replied.

He led me into the centre, gave a small bow and left. It did not take long for Thessia to step out of her tree. The dryad regarded me curiously.

"You have changed. You have started to truly embrace your nature, Lady of Storms." She said.

"Hello to you too, Thessia." I replied.

Thessia smiled. "Greetings. It is good to see you again. I have noticed a change in the land. You have brought dryads, haven't you?"

"Oh, right. I probably should have told you." I admitted. "I just finished settling a grove here. They are all maid knights. And I intend to feed them Mantus' corpse. Um, is it ok for you to live inside a grove you are not part of?" A question I should have definitely asked sooner.

"I can keep this plot of land separate. Although I would not mind a connection to some of my kin. I doubt that I will join the grove, I serve a goddess and not you, Lady of Storms. But just like we cooperate I can work with the grove for mutual benefits." Thessia explained.

"So, about that corpse. I want to empower my dryads. But simply using the corpse to feed the trees seems wasteful. I am hoping to create a ritual to help them get the most out of it. Maybe empower the land…" I mused.

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"Really? You are investing that much into your servants? Admirable. Especially since they are not fey of your element. Which will make it harder for you to achieve your goals of empowering the land." Thessia pointed out.

I shrugged. "I am also a sorceress. And I have a kitsune girlfriend. We have quite a bit of power. I am sure I could talk Lilith into helping as well."

"You certainly do not lack the power. Sylphania might be convinced to bless your endeavour…"

"For what price? I have no intention of owing a goddess a favour." I replied.

"I would have to communicate with my goddess." She replied.

"Sure, you do that. By the way, I am planning to establish a permanent portal to hell." I said.

"What?" Thessia replied, looking dumbfounded.

"I have this ancient fey gate and I have a divine gem from Imperius. I got it from his crown, which Beira had and I kind of broke. Anyway, I want to use the energy to open a gate to hell. You know, maybe not constantly, maybe we open it like a day per week or so. It all depends on the energy it will need. But I am going to open trade with hell."

Thessia just stared. We stood there in silence for a bit. "Please start at the beginning…" Thessia pleaded.

I grinned and recounted our confrontation with Beira. Thessia listened patiently. She looked disgusted when I told her about Beira becoming a lich. I could hear her mumble "Abomination…"

Once I finished my tale she took a moment to ponder it. "You have given me a lot to think about…" She replied.

"What does your goddess think about a gate to hell?" I asked.

"She does not hate demons but she might be concerned about their influence on the world…" Thessia replied.

"It's just evolution. I want to grow some demonic dryads at some point! I think it would be awesome. And Lilith would like some dryads in hell. Imagine what interesting things we could grow if we combined the fairy realm, the mortal plane and hell!" I said enthusiastically.

"I had not considered it that way." Thessia admitted. "Very well, if my goddess approves of your endeavours I shall offer my help to use the divine diamond..." She suddenly stopped talking and just stared straight ahead. I felt something. Something powerful. A certain power filled the dryad. Her skin started to glow in a soft green. It was fascinating to watch.

Then I felt her gaze. I waved. Maybe I was imagining things but I spotted the slightest hint of a smile.

Soon the power left and Thessia was gasping. She breathed heavily.

"Are you alright? That was quite the power there." I said.

"You have caught the attention of Sylphania." Thessia said, after she got her breathing under control.

"I figured as much." I replied.

Thessia straightened. It was interesting just how much dryads behaved like normal humanoids in their plant bodies. Before I could get more distracted about dryads she said:

"Lady of Storms, Sylphania is pleased with your actions against the lich Beira and your continued work to rid this world of the slave runes. She is also intrigued by your transformation of the dryad maid knights and the future plans you have. She has allowed me to help you. She seemed even more pleased that you are using an artefact from Imperius to open a gate to hell…" Thessia stated.

I grinned. It looked like I was getting some divine help with the gem and it did not cost me anything.

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