Kailar froze.
He had prepared a whole host of arguments, since he could tell Shawn was not so easily fooled. In fact, he had readied quite a few rewards, many of which he hated to part with, as they were meant to help resist the encroaching darkness.
Now he could keep all those rewards. Kailar felt unexpectedly pleased.
He asked, "Half-Elf, do you know why I chose to give this seed to you?"
Shawn shook his head. "My personal charm?"
Kailar said, "There are many reasons, but two matter most."
"Which two?"
"First, you possess an extraordinarily powerful talent for Druidism and will surely become a great Druid. The Ancient Tree's seed can help you, and you are also the one best suited to bring it to life."
"Second, I don't know why, but I always feel as though a thin veil obscures you, preventing me from seeing through you. Half-Elf, your origins must be unusual. Your bloodline belongs to none of the Elf families I know. You are a variable."
"My teacher, a Legendary Archdruid, once said that the darkness and evil facing our world are forces almost impossible to defeat, spread throughout every corner of the stars. That darkness and evil have destroyed countless planets and countless lives."
"Our world seems destined for corruption and destruction, but I believe you are a variable."
"A variable who might save this world."
There had never been any savior in this world. Even if there were, it would surely be some far more powerful being.
Even after obtaining the Space Garrison, Shawn had never believed he would become invincible throughout the universe. Those truly terrifying beings could destroy an entire planet with a single hand.
The Titans born from the stars could easily destroy a planet;
the Old Gods born from