Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

1̵͙͈͛̒̊̇ͅ0̴̧̡͚͛́̿1̵̥͚̇͆͠͠0̸̬͔̹̰̖̏́͘͝0̶̛̛̮̯͌̉ͅ0̴̡̢̙̞̻̿1̸̬̒͊͐̚1̷̛͎̮͚̬̀͆̄͘1̴̝̽̌͗1̸͓̟̬̍̑0̸̜͒́͒̐͘1̷̣̘̮̒̎͜0̸̗̌1̸̨̺͍͖̽͐ͅ1̵̡̧̫͈̝̈͒̅0̵͔̬͗̃̚0̶͉̖͔̱̎̆1̵̻͍̜̭̬̃͑̍̉̔0̵̲̓̾̓͘1̴̹̖̗͙͌̍1̴̛̰̜̮͉͌́̕

Ne̶̩̳͊̈́w̸͎̥̮̿̍ Source ȉ̸̢̼̍̌́̈́̅̄͠n̸̢̮̾̃̕s̴̬̠͓̠͒̾͐̾͐̇talled

Beg̶̢͍̩̭̲͔̮̖̥̺͙̩̪͓̹̋̾͜i̸̼̭̞̟̯̫̤̓͐̊͊͘̕n̵̡̨̪̮̝̤̖̖͉̪̩̱͈̯͚͜͝ Dehiber̶̥͕̐ǹ̴͔̋a̴̧̝̓̽t̷̰́̐ion Sequen̴͔̱̯͚̗͕̏̾̕c̸̥͇͉̭͋̓̐́͠ͅẽ̶͇͌̀͋̈̃̿͒͗̔͌̌

Balancį̷͚̥͍̥̱͑̿̽̏̿͘͝n̶͉͌̊͑̾̒̏́g̵̱̠͕͈̐̏̾ Remaining E̷͖̎͂̃n̵̘̠̫̄̔͌̑̑ę̴̪̗̫̚ŕ̴̞̟̰̦̞̻̼̥̑̇͝gy Reservë̷̢̛̻͎̠̝͍̫̠͑͒̒̒̾̀͌s̴̬̬̭̣̐͆̅̊͝ͅ

It felt as if he was awakened from a long dream that spanned for eons.  His mind began swirl with many sensations of dizziness and fatigue, but the new wave of reinvigorating energy began pulsate and renew his brain, pushing the nauseating feelings away for the moment.  But as he managed to free himself from unconscious he realized, he can't sense anything.  The blindness, deafness, and numbness began to instill dread into him.  He isn't truly free, not like this.

Res̷̢̫̜̞̺͔̜̹͕͇̭͚̯̒̉̐t̶̡̨̝̜͉̯͋̀̓̐̏͜͠ͅá̶̡̡̡̻͙͔̮͍̝̦̜̮̮̯̫͓̐̈́̽̋̔͆̚̚͝ȓ̸̭͔̤̤͕͕̀̕͘ting Gyrosc̵̡̦͝ȯ̸̯̠p̴̳̃̅ǐ̷̖c̸͉̦͌ Calib̵̢̯̯̲̫̯̗̓͆̈́͜r̴̝̘͎̆̏̈́ȧ̷͍̭͓̯̑̄̓̀̒̚͘ṯ̴̛̓́͒̍̄͊̑̚͝ͅions

Auditoṟ̸̱͒̑̈͌y̵̛̟̘̘͉̹͇̪̞̪̩̜̐̏͆̀̾̃̑̈́̉̋̔͂͌̚͝͝ Sensors O̶͖̜̬̾̂̓ṉ̵̩̠̹̂͌̍̚ḻ̶̈́̔̆i̷̡̩͆͒͝ne

Re̷̢̞͚͉̘̿ȉ̸͕̩̻́͋͂͝nitiat̸̫̊͋í̴̤n̶̠͋g Opţ̷̳͒͆͌i̸̼͓̍͝͝c̵̭̥̏ͅ  System̸̲̬̤̘̌̿͌͗ṣ̸̣͈̻͈̰̩̠͔͆̊̆̋̂͆̇̾̄

Pr̶͙͚͋̆̀̈́̓̏o̵̧̭̖̙̖͕̬͙͍͚̓ͅc̷̖̳̼̠̰̜͙̊̉̽̋̌͛͛̇̕͜e̸̛̼̭̙̻̪̝̍̒̍̾͐̄̽̃̂̂̕̕̕̚ssing Touc̵̛̹̙̼̣̗̈̊̔̀͒̾̓̓̇̉͜͝h̷̢̛̙͔͍̯̘̉̀̄̚͝ Sen̷̡̛̠̠͓̼̺̗̳̖̬̣̮̺̍̃͛š̴̤̲̔̓̅͆͒͂́͋̊͝͠͠ors

Until finally new feelings began to wash over him.  Sensations of light and shade, of heat and cool, and a rushing sound of wind through trees.  The static clouding his optic passed, and he noticed his head lying sideways on the earth, giving him clear view of tree roots as well as moss and fern covered soil, his sensors taking note of the various small vertebrates and insects that traversed by.

He can tell he’s lying on his back, he began to move his head till he looked directly upwards.  However of all the possible terrains he could process, he had not anticipated the land being below him.  And above him.

Despite the disbelief his eyes are showing him, he cannot deny seeing the world around him be inverted.  The sheer nonsense of seeing a forest both below and above him strikes him further once he notices a river flowing up on the inverted side of the land leading to a waterfall and then down, or up in his point of view, to a set of cascading lagoons that steam and boil like hot springs.

However his delirious thoughts were interrupted when his senses detected something within his vicinity.  Senses of large biosigns coming from behind him.

He is not alone.

Instincts kicking in, he knew he must rise and face what ever it was that is with him.  First he started moving his arms, sounds of metal scraping metal blatantly heard along with hydraulics and metal bearings.  Lifting himself up till he managed to eventually stand on his two legs.

But upon turning to witness his new arrival, it was something that he couldn’t describe for how awestruck he was.

It was draconian in appearance, except for how seemingly impossible for how long it is.  It’s body stretching to what looked like a thousand yards in length, but only have two pairs of legs and arms.  It’s scales bearing a deep color of blue, while sporting a long pure white mane that ran down its spine and around it’s unmistakable dragon shaped head as well as long spindly whiskers.

But the most startling trait of this creature, was that despite the lack of wings there of, it was of the ground.  Flying.  It’s long serpentine body weaving and coiling around itself.  Such elegance.

And the creature was looking at him, with eyes that shimmered like sapphires.

Again instinct hit him after marveling at the titanic creature, unknowing it, just the simple appearance of it levitating before him is an indicator of its power.

He began to back away from the dragon, taking small steps backwards one at a time.  Till he swiftly turned away and prepared to take flight.

But the creature seemed to notice his fear, for just when he was about to flee a sudden feeling made him instantly stop.  A pulling sensation, and then a sense of calm, curiosity, and reassurance washed over him, an urge as if pleading with him to hold.

And somehow he distinctly knew where they were coming from.  It was the dragon.  He turned to face the creature again, the dragons’ face then softened, it looked relived.

Then another sensation came to him, however more profoundly this time.  It resonated within his very mind, feelings and emotions not from him flowing into his very being.  From emotions, then to thoughts, and finally a presence.  Like an elder concerned for a child.

And that presence was the dragon himself.

The dragons’ name is Qinglong, the Eastern dragon of Spring.  The land they are in is his portion of domain in the Hallowed Lands.  Qinglong is relived that he is alive, for when he found him he was starving of the Lifelight, so he gave some of his own to him through the chest that was open.  He has never seen any other creature like him, one of metal and spirit.  It would bring him great shame to see such a creature perish in his own land.

The dragon then wonders, what is he, and where did he come from?

The machine then tried to convey himself to Qinglong, but the further he reached into him mind, the further he realized that there was nothing to be recalled.  There are no memories of him to speak of.  He put his hands to his head and fell to his knees, the feelings of anxiety and distress reached the dragon.

Qinglong moved closer to him, moving his body around him till he circled him, pouring soothing emotions of empathy and comfort.  He wanted him to be calm and to not worry, what ever was lost would be found again, even in the deepest recesses of the mind.

The machine’s worries dulled.  It collected itself and looked back at Qinglong again.  He was right, the time of self-contemplation must come later, not when the needs of the present are at hand.

He knew from the instincts deep within his circuits that his survival depends on three things.  Power, protection, and preservation.  Power has been accounted for, for now. But protection and preservation are not.

Qinglong understood this as well, the rules of this reality can be unforgiving if it weren’t for the bounty the Earth the Lifelight has provided.  He smells the scents of water nearby, not the tumultuous boiling river above but a calm stream of spring water.  Perhaps the metal creature was thirsty?  He will provide.

Qinglong levitates around and gestures him to follow.  The machine then rising to his feet followed till he noticed something cracked under his feet.  Looking down he sees a tree he has stepped on, it was pretty yellow tree, and he felt guilty.

Qinglong sees this and is amused at his apparent guilt. Trees will grow to be replaced by two or more that are destroyed, so is the rules of the Earth.  But seeing this he knows the machine is rather young in nature to care about one tree fallen.  He gestures him again to follow.  And so the machine did, this time with careful steps around the roots.

When they’ve reached the stream Qinglong looks deeply into it.  Yes, crystal and pure, good to drink.  Qinglong looks back at the machine expectingly, he shall drink here to regain strength.

But the machine looked back at the dragon.  He didn’t drink, he never needed to drink.  Qinglong marveled at this, no living creature ever doesn’t need to drink.  It is the rules of the Earth.

But the machine was curious, he went towards the water and peered over it.  The waters were still and clear, showing near perfect reflection of his visage within it.  What he truly looks like.

The metal covering him is black, white, and red.  Well rounded and sleek over his body, as well as thick and appearing near impervious.  His body is also highly muscular in shape, brimming with raw strength.  In fact it looked as if the metal looked more like flesh than machinery.  And his left arm appears strange, instead of hand connected to the forearm by the wrist like his right arm, where his left forearm should be is a mechanism shaped like a crossbow.  Within it is a long, solid steel javelin like spear but its tipped head instead of barbed it is sleek, suggesting it's meant to repeatedly pierce over and over again.

And his head looked just as armored as the rest of him, like the helmet of a samurai, and within it's open visor are two optics with two pairs of smaller optic on each side.  He even has a mouth!  But lipless and sporting large square teeth.  When he open his mouth he found there are multiple rows of said teeth that opened individually.  And at the very back where his throat should be is a circular opening, but it wasn't meant for food or of language.  How strange.

Finally the most distinctive feature on him was a symbol, three leaf shaped ovals that are connected tip by tip to form a triangle, painted in deep, scarlet red.

He doesn't know the meaning of this, however the longer he looked at it a feeling of unease came to him.  Has he seen this symbol before?

Qinglong was also wondering about the machines' existence, he thinks that since he has no name or history to recount, perhaps it is best that a new one is need for him.  Though he and and many of his kin have little use for them, they provided meaning for them.  He remembered a time while dwelled with the mortals on the surface how they would always define their existence with names and stories some of them truth while others are but rumors spread about by falsehood.  Whatever the legends or myths maybe they gave the mortals gave each of them individuality, a meaning, however this creature lacks history to even recall his existence.  A name must be in order.

Qinglong shows this idea to him, and the machine reared up in excitement.  A name sounds wonderful!  But what?

The machine looked around the forest, perhaps something here would give give him an idea?  He then sees the pretty yellow trees surrounding him, he likes these trees.  Qinglong believes these are Gingko trees.  Long ago he sowed the seeds of such trees that he took from his homeland, this is the only reminder he has of his former territory on the surface world he still holds love for.

The machine likes these trees too, so if he is going to stay in these lands, so being named something after it would suffice.  Qinglong agreed, he likes the name as well.  So shall this machines' name be.

"Gingko, The Friend of Trees"

Chapter Text

So many sights, so much noise, so many senses to experience.  The lack of memory in Gingko's mind may have put his soul through some turmoil, but with all this, every rich detail of this new world brings child like wonder to him.

With the dragon Qinglong by his side, they had passed over and through so much.  Through a pristine canyon with veins of quartz and amethyst ebed in the walls, past columns of red salt pillars covered on pale vines carrying glowing yellow bulbs, and ventured through forests of red oak trees so large that the trunks lifted whole mountains.

But these are the destinations that his friend Qinglong is bringing him, no, he is taking Gingko to his home territory, one of peace and tranquillity where violence and derision are forbidden.

But to pass the time, the ancient dragon would answer anything that the machine woulds question him.  For instance the very nature of the world they're within.

These "Hallowed Lands" that his friend Qinglong has called, is what he describes as is the first world.  As in it is the place where all life originated within, where rock turned to bone, soil became flesh, and blood the ocean within veins.  Where life breathed its first from the very energies of The Almighty's beating heart.  Here they would contend and thrive in this lush garden, where they would grow and multiply till they become as Qinglong describes "The image they are destined to be" and ascend to their true home.

Gingko wondered what the dragon meant by it.  From what he has seen so far is that in the few habitats he has explored there are certain facets, be they plant or animal, that complete the environment around them.

If so then where does he fit in?  He knows he is of metal and not flesh, and wire instead of wood.  So does this mean that he isn’t what the world wanted him to be?  Is he some sort of anomaly?  An abomination?

But machines don’t live do they?  Then why does he feel alive?

Qinglong sensed his friends’ distress and levitated closer to him.  Moving like a serpentine over his shoulder and placing a paw on his head, while sending waves of comfort to him.  He may be an anomaly, as Qinglong pacified, but he is alive.  And as alive as such his nature is yet to be discovered.  His purpose will be answered, such is the will of The Almighty to all living beings.

Gingko accepted his friends’ reassurance and lifted and wrapped his arm around Qinglong as he flowed through and continued to lead on.  Now through a curious forrest where many little streams, pure like crystal, branch and connect together again like arteries.

They are near now to the dragon’s home.

The forest itself has given away revealing a cliff below them.  The many streams cascading down as waterfalls but all turning to mist before the water even touched the ground, forming a majestic fog in the bottom rim.  The valley itself is shaped like a basin.  The valley walls stretched for miles, glistening by reason of the waterfalls, and appears so smooth like clay fashioned by divine hands.  More interesting is that seams of glowing blue lights shined with a heavenly brilliance, Gingko feels he must ask what this light is.

The basin floor clothed in trees of many kinds as well as budding flowered trees of great beauty, colors of flowers in pink, gold, emerald, and sapphire.  Great expanses of bare plains writhed in fine grass and dotted with mounds of mossed boulders and large, towering stone spires with cherry blossom trees growing from the seams and heaps.  Herds of deer-like creatures of immense stature frolicking in groups lead by a mighty male deer sporting large and twisted horns.

The waters also, that had not been misted tricked down back into streams to the center of valley where a small lake forms and in its very center laid a strangely large and smooth black stone.

The very sight of the land invoked feelings of awe and contentment.  Truly a place to find peace.  Qinglong acknowledges his wonder with heartening content.  Even he whenever he ventures far from this paradise he calls home he would never, even after another millennia, would grow tired of the serene beauty.

But now isn't the time for reverence, there must be a matter of business to attend to in order for Gingko to be welcomed.  He must first introduce him to the others, others of his kin that ventured down here with him and have been his closest companions since the Second Age of the World.

Some time later after venturing down the cliffside and through said pleasant fields they first made they're way to the very center of the chasm and towards the lake.  There the great dragon gestured Gingko to sit by the very lake's shore, Qinglong also sat there with him, curling himself in into a coil while resting on the ground next to Gingko.  He then let out a mighty roar that echoed throughout the the great chasm.  It was a declaration of his presence there, and that he now requires of the others presence.

A still silence followed afterwards with nothing happening, but then a crumbling sound was heard coming from the lake itself.  Suddenly the large black stone seen earlier began to rise from the waters, churning up into white froth as it rose.  The stone also appears to have patterns as if carved into it, hexagonal and swirls decorated the ebony-like stone till the very bottom was seen with thick, enormous trunk-like legs sprouting out from the openings along with an extensively long scaly tail that has a smooth stony bulb at the very tip..  And then a flattened head rose with green, frog-like eyes peered at them with distinct clarity through the cloudy haze that glossed over them.

Gingko never knew that there was yet another large beast right infront of him, but his worry grew further when the noise of heavy galloping is heard from the side.  Suddenly from out of the wall of trees a large white form leapt swiftly and and was about to tackle Gingko, Quiglong however immediately also leapt from his coiled up position and stood between Gingko and the aggressor.

The aggressor is a gargantuan white tiger barring black stripes and large serrated fangs and short yet thick black antlers sprouting from his head that are arranged so that all the sharp tips pointed up, so such a enemy were ever to be in the receiving end of such horns would receive damages irreparable.  But what strikes most about the tiger is his eyes are glowing red with such ferocity along with the blood vessels on his face, paws, and spine are alit in red.

Both Quiglong and the white tiger were snarling and roaring at each others faces till the mighty tiger backed down and took some steps away, his face leered at Gingko with hostility yet confusion.  Then flapping was heard over head, and a bird of equal stature descended from above and gracefully landed next to them, her eyes just as curious as the tiger's yet with out the deadly ferocity.  Colored in a deep shade of crimson red and in many shades of oranges, this one is the most beautiful of the four giants Gingko has seen.  Resembling a crested ibis crane, she sports in a coat of smooth feathers, a long neck and legs, and a fanned out tail end.

All these titans together are the Four Celestial Beasts of the cardinal directions of the Eastern World.  There is Zhuque, The Vermillion Phoenix, Goddess of Summer and Fire who claims the southern peninsula as her home.  Then there is the White Tiger of Autumn, Baihu, The Holy Warrior of the West And Lord of Armies and Victory.  And also Xuanwu the Black Tortoise, The Grand Diviner of the North and Teller of Ancient Wisdom.  Finally there is Gingko's own friend, Quiglong the Azure Emperor of the East, and the Grand Overseer of the Hallowed Lands.

All the glares he is receiving send a chill throughout Gingko's very being.  He knows the tiger wishes him harm, but of the others?  The vermillion bird and the black tortoise, what do they think of him?  Quiglong senses the uneasiness rising within his friend and turns to him.  He turns to him, and comforts him that this is all nothing for him to fret over, not even of the tiger.

But before Gingko can mentally ask any further, Quiglong then turned to the group.  And then all of them fell silent, simply staring at each other.  But Gingko can see that despite the silence they are giving each other looks and expressions of varying emotions.  This lead to Gingko deducing that they are communing with each other it their own way.

And if that is the case, then Gingko can only wonder what they are conversing right now.

But for the white tiger Baihu, only one thing is said from him.

"What in the name of the Almighty is the meaning of this Quinlong?!"

Chapter Text

"Now calm yourself dear friend, there is no need for such hostility."  The dragon Quiglong spoke with upmost serenity yet with regal authority in an attempt to pacify the tiger.  "Especially that now we have a guest amongst us."

"Guest?!"  Baihu roared with indignant temperament.  "And how can this creature, if he even is considered a creature, be called a guest if he is not even alive to begin with?"

"I must concur with Baihu."  Zhuque spoke with a feminine warmth in her tone.  "However not in the way that Baihu speaks of, which I do not approve of."  She further commented making the white tiger growl with irritation.  "This entity may be our guest, but I am wary of the nature of this being."

"Zhuque's inference is well grounded Master Quiglong."  The black tortoise Xuanwu answered, the deep rumble of his voice evident even in the ground.  "For I feel nothing from this creature, no pulse, no breath, no life from this,.. this thing."

Quiglong felt rather irked at the last statement.  "You may be right Ancient Elder, but you are wrong.  For though there is no physical signs of life in him, through my power I sensed within him a conscious.  And a strong, powerful soul."  He then looked at Gingko, who is simply letting his mind wonder and observing the world around him.  "He may not feel like it, but make no mistake, he is very much alive."

The three lords of north, south, and west looked on at the machine, startled by this revelation the dragon speaks to them.  "Amazing!  But how strange."  Zhuque said pondering Gingko's appearance.  "He is a being of metal, so isn't this not a piece of craftsmanship of the mortals living in the higher plane?"

"I do believe so my dear friend."  Quiglong responded carrying a heavy weight in his words.

This astounded them even more, they knew of the great many accomplishments the mortals are capable of through their ability to harness the work of their hands to an astonishing degree, such is the gift of the Almighty to his offspring.  But to proceed as far as to harness the very power of a god through metal alone?  This is more than just unexplainable.  It is impossible.

Baihu scoffed.  "How can this be?"  Even he knows how absurd the notion of a living machine is.  "Everyone, even the very Earth itself knows that only by the will of the Almighty himself does one be given the power of a god."

"Very true Baihu."  Quiglong affirmed.  "But that is not the matter that concerns me."  It is not often that the dragon expresses uneasiness, even in the most tense of situations.  "While I can feel a living, thinking mind within him, it feels damaged, fractured, fragmented."

"You mean that pieces of his very being are missing?"  Xuanwu stated.

"Yes my friend."  Quiglong answered.  "Even Gingko himself says that the recollection of his memories are absent from him.  I fear that something must have happened to him to have his mind split in such a way."

Xuanwu then asked.  "So this, Gingko, is but a diluted version of the true being he formerly was?"

"Indeed."  Quiglong said with a tad of remorse within his tone.  For this meant that not only Gingko's memories are affected, but his character, his personality, it is all but watered down to near nothing.  It made his wonder, what could have happened to him for something so awful.  And even if he does find out, would Gingko knowing be of benefit for him, or would it only create more anguish than he could imagine?

"So perhaps it is best that he doesn't know of this."  Quiglong finished speaking.  He knows full well what might happen if Gingko realizes he is not himself, it may spark something within him that could lead him down a path he will regret.

Zhuque then asked.  "Then what shall we do for him?"

"I may have a solution."  Baihu spoke up.  "I will lead him to the Labyrinth of Daedalus.  If I but merely bring him to the entrance and carefully memorize my returning path I could lose him in there and allow Tartarus and his minotaurs finish him."

"Baihu!" Both Quiglong and Zhuque yelled in unison, both disgusted by the former general's suggestion.  Then did Zhuque took a deep breath and said.  "Baihu may your great exploits against the demon hordes of the Fallen Angel of Malice be forever remembered, but this is not a matter of violence but of empathy!  Something that even in your waning years still clearly lack of."  She said with a hint of contempt laden in her voice.

But Baihu protested to the statement.  "But didn't we just discuss not a moment ago that the true nature of this Gingko creature has yet to be realized.  What if hidden deep within him is a malice that can only be compared to the Dark Angel?"

"No."  Quiglong answered unwavering.  "For I saw within him not the will of ill intent but of contentment.  Gingko merely wishes to find a place within The Almighty's good Earth."

Baihu then yelled.  "But is this not an abomination to-!?"

"Silence!"  Ordered Xuanwu, before Baihu can finish his accusation.  For as being among the scarce few in the world to be given the title of Ancient Elder, as well as given the gift of spiritual insight from The Almighty, he was renowned for the many wise decisions that only the Chief of Elders, Methuselah, can compare.  But this, even in his many eons of life, is a very new thing to his senses.  "This Gingko, his past, his future, even his very nature is all but clouded in a shroud of uncertainty.  That even I, a Seer, could not with his vision pierce through this incertitude."

Quiglong felt worried.  Is now the elder wishing to send Gingko away?  "Xuanwu, please.  I understand your doubt in the variables of Gingko's intentions but there is no ramifications for-."

"Please Master Quiglong."  Xuanwu once again interfered.  "Allow me to share my thoughts."

Quiglong then backed down, as well as Baihu and Zhuque with him.  Zuanwu then took a deep breath, and recounted on his old memories.  "From a time I as well as the other Ancient Elders were but together we would gather and listen and hear the great teachings of Methuselah.  And in one of his profound speakings he has said that 'unless all uncertainty and all improbability is vanished and that we have insight to all mysteries and secrets that only The Almighty himself can know, we are to never become both judge and executioner.  For if we do this we will all but cause derision and plant the seeds of resentment.'"

Xuanwu then took another deep breath.  "And I see it now, for what Baihu here calls prudence is all but premature sentencing.  For if we take into account that which could cause evil should we not seek that which should be counted as goodness within?  If not then this is a hypocrisy that we will be accountable for.  Lest if we send him away and he be found by other fellow members of the pantheon, and they find within him goodness unlike we did, and they see that we have turned our backs and sent a good creature away.  We, the overseers of the Hallowed Lands will be called out for a grave error.  One that only the Pantheon King, Lord Gojira can pardon."

Xuanwu then finished his speech with.  "And since Quiglong here has stated himself that there is no evil or guile within Gingko, then there should be without doubt that he is innocent."

The rest of the divine beasts listened and took all the words of Xuanwu to heart and can see both logic and clarity in them.  Baihu especially, for in the Ancient Elder's teachings his irate emotions faded and were replaced with guilt.  "Hmm.  I should be ashamed then."  Baihu muttered.  "I was not what I was since my youth, while in service to Lord Gojira.  I behaved no less like one of the bloodthirsty War Gods."

"What you have displayed may be frowned upon as foolishness."  Zhuque scolded.  "But do not let yourself believe that you have brought yourself to have any likeness to those vile warmongers.  What you did was merely acted out upon your instinct."  Zhuque then comforted the white tiger.

"Hmm, agreed."  Baihu stated, however slightly disappointed in himself.  But there was still one thing that needs to be adressed.  "But for now, what shall we do for Gingko then?"

Now it was Quiglong's turn to speak.  "For now Gingko will be allowed to stay here.  Our home will provide sanctuary for him, till perhaps his memories return or whenever Gingko wishes to leave.  It maybe even the start of him finding The Almighty's calling here."

The other titans agreed, it wasn't even far from them to be inhospitable to strangers.  For one time during the war against the Great Apes the Four Divine Beasts brought in a pack of wounded titans of spiked shell-backs, these sibling refugees were hunted by the Great Apes for their exceptionally durable carapaces for armor to increase their power in their pursuit of conquest.  Had it not been for Lord Gojira's intervention they would have been killed and striped of their Almighty given gift.  It was also how Gojira and his closest companion met.

Then out of curiosity, Zhuque then asked.  "I am surprised that Gingko hasn't caught on or even listened to what has transpired, given how obnoxiously loud Baihu is."  She joked, striking a nerve in the easily angry tiger.  But he also agreed, how strange that while their decision on how to deal with him can clearly be heard Gingko is simply staring out and observing the open surroundings like a newborn hatchling.

"That is because he cannot understand our speech."  Quiglong answered her.  "I however can let him understand me due to my power but he can only feel what I am telling him rather than what I am saying to him."

"Well that further explains his mortal origin."  Zhuque replied.  "However if Gingko is to have an extended stay here then this will not do, you don't suppose Master Quiglong, that you can give Gingko the ability to hear us?"

The Azure Dragon pondered this for a moment, while he is fully capable of giving the gift of communion to the mortals it is not often he gives such a gift to hear the gods fully.  Mostly it is because it is The Angelic Queen of Heaven, Lady Mosura, that is entitled to give such a gift to mortals whom she deems worthy.  But in this situation, he supposed the Pantheon Queen wouldn't mind such a thing as this.

<<<<<<<<<<~>>>>>>>>>>

The Beasts are very peculiar to Gingko.  From a moment ago the Azure Dragon Quiglong was comforting with him to assure him that the situation is but not of his concern, but just as he turned to the others he fell silent, and that strong, serene presence that calmed his soul is now absent.

Gingko didn't like that feeling.

And what perked his interest is that then afterwards Quiglong and his companions were staring towards each other silently, but not without emotion.  For then the only sound that could be heard is a series of grunts and growls and much silence in between them.

He knew that these creatures were communing with each other, he just couldn't hear them.  But this confused Gingko.  Wasn't he like them?  If so then why can't he hear them?  Is there something wrong with him, or was he truly different?  Or an outsider?

His thoughts then wondered.  Why busy himself with something he cannot understand?  He then took in more of the surroundings through his senses.  So vibrant and lively, yet peaceful.  Up in the ceiling above, an almost parallel version of the ground below him, was a strange formation of rocks that glowed the same vivid blue light that emanates throughout the region, but now they are all up in the air, floating mystically in a ring formation around the very rim of this chasm and decorated in moss and vines hanging up and down.  Perhaps Quiglong or even that fiery lady bird must have weaved this ring together as a sort of amusement

And within this ring Gingko can see many large, flying reptiles bearing magnificent crests colored blue to purple and scarlet while sporting large bulging beaks with the tip pointed and sharp with blueish mineral laced on them, used most likely to pick and carve their way into the nooks and crevices of the floating rocks so that the females may make their nests in.  Taking refugee while the males gaurded them from trespassers.  It is a pretty sight to Gingko's optics.

His sight seeing was cut short when he felt Quiglong's presence bacon him.  Gingko turned and sees him there as well as the other three beast looking at him as if waiting expectantly.  So he stood back up and walked his way toward them.  Seeing them Gingko wondered what is on their minds, while Quiglong is certain of something, Zhuque and Xwanwu behaved as if they're curious, while Baihu seemed rather stoic but his eyes looked hesitant.

However before Gingko can think any further Quiglong levitated up to him till he was face level with him.  Gingko wondered what is happening till Quiglong gave him a question, and that is he has a gift for him, one that will change the course of his life forever.  Gingko wondered what this meant till the dragon answered that it was best that he be given this gift anyway for him to truly understand, but he told him to hold still and to relax, for once the gift is given everything will be made clear to him.

It was then that Quiglong began to circle himself around him, an ethereal blue energy began to emanate as he flown till Gingko was wrapped in a bluish glow.  Gingko then felt...odd.  He felt dizzy, his peripheral vision became glitched and blurred, he sensed throughout his body surges of electricity, even his legs felt like they will give.  Once fully immersed in the light the Azure Dragon touched his forehead against his.  And in an instant something changed, something clicked.

And then he fell to blackness.

"̴̧͕̭̦̟̗̻̓.̷̗͉̻̯͉̩͒̄.̸̣̘̦̭̅̈́̆̍̈́̃͝.̸̟͈̗̜̏̍͋͊̀̌̓͐.̸̛̯̀͐̃̊͆̈́.̷̼͇̞̬͖͕̌ͅ"̵̛̬̌́̒͗̚

"̵̲̩̈̀̓̆̈́G̴̯̻͎͂͋̌̋ͅi̸̖̖̞̇̏̑͂n̷͓͈̖̯̾͛.̴̰̳̽͛̾̀͝.̸͇̩͈͔̿.̶͓̇̂̈́̌͘o̵͈̰͐̏!̵̖͚̑̈̕͝ ̶̛̹̘̔ͅͅͅ ̵̛̬̭̈́̈̐͋Č̴̦̰͕͚a̷̡͈̒.̴̩̪͉̑͊͌͌.̷̲̣̟̲̂̋̔.̷̗͚̌͆́y̴̠̳͎̅͜.̷̡̟̺̫̞̎.̵̢̖̱̬̈͗ͅu̵̟̗͊͐̋.̷̣̹̯̹̹̀̈.̷̣̺̅̓́̈́͜ͅ.̵̢̗̘̣͈̒̐̓.̵̞́̽.̴̝̼͎̓ả̶̗͓͠e̷͍͔̘̋̊̾͝r̸͓͎̊́̒͜.̵̜̖̪̗̕͝.̷̻͔͕̌͆ǘ̴͔s̶̖̪̞͛?̴̢̡͍̪̏͗͘͝"̸̱͕̿̽͆͊

"̸.̴.̸.̴.̵.̷"̸

"̸̮̃́G̷͇̔ͅḯ̶̝̳̽ń̷̦͖.̴̼̯̇.̶̛̪͍k̶͉̪̍͂ő̸̜ ̵͖͌p̵̳͑l̶̨̘̓͘ȇ̶͔͝.̶̢̗́.̶̧̫́̎s̵̻͂ȩ̷͛!̴͊ͅ ̷͖̜̿͛ ̷̨̪̈́A̷̖̔̔ṇ̵̈.̴̡̹̐̊.̶͈̮̊w̸͈̮̅e̸̖̬̅͑r̸͕̼̄̒ ̴͓̆̿m̵̘̖̂́ę̴̖̔͝!̵̬̤̎"̵̟͘

"̸.̵.̷.̴..."

The burning, electric sensation then faded.

"̴G̷i̸n̸g̸k̸o̴?̴"̵

And his vision returned to see four familiar faces looking down on his lying form.

"Oh Gingko!"  Zhuque exasperated cried.  "For but a moment I believed the transition was too much for you!"

"Master, pray tell is he still living?"  Xuanwu asked worriedly.

"He lives my friends, his mind is intact."  Quiglong answered.  "Now back away!  He must recuperate."

But Gingko still yet lied there, for he was but still awestruck by what has transpired in but a mere second ago.  It was as if his ears had been closed and sealed for all eternity but now has opened.  It was like learning to hear all over again.  But the best part now?  He is actually hearing what his friend is speaking to him as clear as crystal water.

He didn't want to lay there anymore, and so sat straight up to look at his new companions, and they looked back at him, slightly surprised that he regained strength so quickly.  Zhuque then slowly walked towards him, and then gingerly sitting beside him she wrapped her wings around him and spoke softly.  "Gingko, can you hear me?"

Thus it was then that Gingko realized, he can speak back.

"Yeah."  Gingko said.  "I hear you."

The Titans gasped, for out of all the voices they would have expected, out of all the things they would have expected what Gingko would turned out to be.  For his words, they were not the voice of a strong man or of a frail woman.  But the voice of a simple, innocent, little boy.

"By The Almighty!"  Quiglong gasped.  "You...you are so young!"