Looking at the infant gobbling almost half of Liu Shu's breast by dislocating the jaw to suckle and eat her fill, Tempestria coughed and asked. "So, what does a
Obsidianis's answer was quite simple. "They feed on fear. They are somewhat like the antithesis of the Seraph Blooms. Thankfully, they are not inherently evil. They cause fear not because they are evil, but because they feed on it. Moreover, as their name indicates, they do have a very dangerous and equally useful skill. When these darlings sleep, they unconsciously invade people's nightmares through
Harmonixia paused for a second and frowned. "So… they are quite similar to the succubus demon variant."
Obsidianis nodded. "Similar, but they don't carve lust in the dreams like succubus or hope like Seraph Blooms. A Nightmare Bloom carves your fears and nightmares as nourishment. So, if controlled, they are quite beneficial. The problem, like with the Seraph Bloom, is when their abilities become uncontrollable. What do they do? Well, the question is easy to answer. Just ask yourself, what if they lack nightmares or fear to feed from?"
Hearing those words, the girls looked at the happily suckling little nightmare with complicated looks. "They become the source of those fears and nightmares."
"Yes. Moreover, the dream invasion ability is almost impossible to block unless there is an absolute Level difference. So, it can be dangerous."
From what they heard, this was a species that was somewhat uncontrollable. Cinderielle looked at Obsidianis with a serious look. "You said that this was not the worst option and that you had an idea on how to control them."
Obsidianis smiled. "Just make them feel satisfaction from erasing fear and nightmares. They are their food, but they can feed on other things as well. Like Seraph Blooms, those emotional-draining methods are complementary and their strengths. Naturally, with enough practice, they will control those abilities. So, to summarize, make them feel happy and praise them when they eliminate those things, scold them if they eat too much or go overboard, and teach them slowly to control their powers."
Obsidianis looked at Tempestria. "It is not much different from your Sylphaith children. Those darlings feed on death, don't they? However, they had no difficulties integrating and becoming absolutely adorable girls."
Tempestria smiled and nodded. "You are right. If taught properly, Nightmare Blooms can become an incredibly positive asset and work in specialized professions. For those with insomnia, for those with chronic nightmares, and for those living in fear and needing courage, Nightmare Blooms can become their source of hope."
It didn't end there. The ability to manipulate dreams was profound and powerful. The applications were almost endless.
Liu Shu felt the child close her eyes and fall asleep, so she hoisted her up and hugged her close, patting her back to aid digestion and release any air. "Have you thought about a name, Obsidianis?"
"I have. Our first child will be named Malyra."
"Malyra… A beautiful name." Liu Shu laughed. "I am honestly quite surprised that both you and Seraphina found names that don't overlap with those of our other children."
Seraphina smiled, sitting at the edge of the bed. "You must've noticed that each of us follows different ways to name our children. That way, overlapping is much harder."
Harmonixia laughed somewhat arrogantly. "I don't have that problem. All my babies are boys, so I can name them as I please, hehehe."
The rest of the girls rolled their eyes gently. As they bickered playfully, the girls suddenly paused and felt Malyra's essence ripple very gently. Liu Shu looked down and noticed what was happening. "Oh wow. Malyra's talent, like Sariel's, is truly… high. She is just a newborn, but she activated her racial skill and tried to invade a nearby dream…"
Rubbing her chin, Liu Shu spoke softly. "I think that for the Seraph Blooms and Nightmare Blooms, we need to keep them in my
Usually, the girls took the Alraune children back to Ceperet when they were around one year old. However, for these two species, the time required for adaptation had to be longer.
"There is no need."
"Hm?"
Seraphina smiled and spoke. "Silver and Black have yet to go through their
Liu Shu blinked and smiled gently. "Those two are just good darlings~. Alright, then let's follow the normal pace. It will be difficult at first. So, I hope you two don't keep your worries to yourselves. You have me and the rest to ask questions whenever you need, so don't hold back. Even if it is a question on how to avoid Alraunes from dirtying the bed, you should ask if you are in doubt!"
For the last few months, Seraphina had been coming to the
After Malyra's birth, time slipped by quickly. As if in agreement, Verdantia and the other three veteran wives decided to avoid getting Liu Shu pregnant for a while. So, Liu Shu gave birth to a total of six Seraph Blooms and seven Nightmare Blooms one after another.
Each of them was born every half a year or so.
Silver and Black, with some practice, tackled the Ascension and got suitable paths to resist, block, and also help control their sister's abilities. They became essential helpers in their growth.
Sariel, now seven years old, flapped her developed six pairs of wings and flew out of Silver. Her glowing, golden eyes shone with solemnity, and her long, white hair flowed like silk threads.
Her appearance was striking, even among the beautiful Alraune species. As she flew out, Sariel looked toward the center of the Golden Sap City.
When Liu Shu relocated a while ago, the central part became empty. Now, though, there was a rune array that projected Liu Shu's World Tree figure. The projected World Tree was not too large, around 3,000 meters tall. It was sufficiently tall to be seen from all around the Golden Sap City, but not so tall that looking at it was straining.
In a way, it was similar to a statue of Liu Shu's perfect likeness.
Looking at that figure, Sariel felt her heart fill with deep admiration, awe, and love. While she was looking blankly, she heard a squishy sound of tentacles moving and approaching. Sariel was not startled and calmly turned around. "Little Sister Malyra."
A low, somewhat ominous laughter reached Sariel. "Oh my, I can't startle Big Sister anymore."
Malyra was not an incredibly beautiful, doll-like child alraune. Even when her dark-colored veins could be seen, her facial features could only be described as exquisite. Her dark eyes, clear white skin, naturally reddish lips, and facial contours indicated that she would transform into a devastatingly beautiful woman when she grew up.
Even when tentacles sprouted from her lower back, arms, and her lower flower half below her middle thighs was made out of a mix of plant and tentacles, her budding beauty was not overshadowed. If anything, it gave a strange, corrupted allure.
Moreover, while young, both of them had a surprising amount of maturity. Even when compared to human, beastkin, and Sylvan children, Sariel and Malyra showed incredible composure and intelligence.
Sariel sighed softly at Malyra's strange laughter. "Little Sister, your laugh is becoming strange again."
Malyra blinked her deep, black eyes with clear whites and smiled. "Oops. It is hard to control when it appears naturally."
Sariel didn't blame her little sister. They were seven years old, but their mothers had taken great care of them, teaching them like young adults. Even though it was hard to understand at first, they now understood very faintly what kind of entities they were. They were young, so that understanding was limited, but not non-existent.
While they were speaking, both of them felt someone trot toward them. The taps were familiar, making their lips arch into happy smiles.
"Mother."
"Mommy!"
Liu Shu lunged and hugged her two babies into her arms. "Ughhh. How pretty can my babies beee. I love you to the moon and backkk!"
Sariel and Malyra giggled, hugging Liu Shu tightly and even using their extra limbs. Liu Shu didn't feel bad at all when the six wings and several tentacles wrapped around her body. They were her daughters' limbs, so there was no way Liu Shu would dislike it!
"Are you prepared to go to school today, babies?"
Sariel nodded with a bright, angelic smile. That smile had the power to K.O. 99% of the population with its cuteness. "Yes, Mother."
"I am, Mommy!"
Malyra also smiled, but this time the child's slightly evil smile could make 99% of the population feel like she would make a very good, scary-movie child actress. If she appeared from the darkness while her head limped to the side and she smiled like that… nightmares were guaranteed at least for that night!
Of course, for their species, the "scarier" the smile, the happier the Nightmare Bloom's feelings. So, Liu Shu rained kisses on their faces. "Kya! Both my babies are so cute~!"
Obsidianis and Seraphina approached with smiles yet sighing softly. "Love, don't pamper them too much."
Seraphina chuckled. "Well, seeing them smile so happily… I guess we can let it slide today."
Obsidianis patted Malyra's head. "It is their first day going to school, so I guess I can let it slide."
Crouching and hugging Malyra, Obsidianis spoke with a serious look. "Baby, remember what mommy told you?"
Malyra nodded solemnly. "My actions are slightly scary to others, so even if they misunderstand me, I shouldn't get upset!"
Obsidianis's eyes flashed with a touch of worry as she rubbed her face with hers. "Be careful, okay? Remember that Mommy loves you tons and tons. If you ever feel upset, vent with Mommy. We will always listen to you and love you."
Malyra grinned widely, her lips stretching well past the edge of her lips. "I know! I love Mommy the most as well!"
Seraphina was similarly speaking with Sariel. "Remember what Mom told you?"
Sariel nodded. "I need to try and be careful with my actions. Also, always protect and take care of my Nightmare sisters."
Seraphina's eyes softened as he rubbed her nose with Sariel's. "Over that, take care of yourself as well. We are all family, and your happiness is as important to us as any of your sisters. You are the eldest among my children, but not among your sisters! You have many wonderful sisters and brothers going to school, so make sure to rely on them."
Sariel hugged Seraphina's neck and smiled, her six wings fluttering happily. "I will. Thank you, Mom."