Cultivation is Creation

I sat cross-legged on my bed, the vine wrapped comfortably around my shoulders like an old friend. Which, in a way, it was – even if it didn't remember that yet.

"Master," Azure spoke up, "if you wish to restore your bond with the vine, I believe I know how we might be able to share your memories."

That caught my attention. "How?"

"The spiritual sense techniques you've learned for the Heart's Bridge Method could be adapted. Instead of creating a connection for bonding, you could use it to share specific memories. It would require precise control, but..."

"But it's possible," I finished, feeling a spark of hope. "How do we do it?"

Azure walked me through the process, explaining to me how instead of opening a channel to connect with the individual, I needed to take specific memories and project them, almost like creating a spiritual picture book.

"Remember," Azure cautioned, "clarity is essential. Focus on the strongest memories, the moments that you believe define your relationship. And be careful not to overwhelm it; too much information at once could be harmful."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. The vine seemed to sense my intention, wrapping itself more securely around my arm as I began to convert my soul essence into spiritual essence.

"Are you ready, buddy?" I asked it softly when I had stored enough spiritual essence.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the memories I wanted to share. The technique felt similar to the Heart's Bridge Method, but instead of creating an open channel, I was crafting something more like a spiritual projection.

The first memory crystallized in my mind – my fight with Kiran. I could see it clearly: the young noble's face twisted with madness as he manipulated his own bones, extending them into deadly weapons. That had been the first time me and the vine ever fought together, after that day, it had never left my side.

I pushed the memory outwards, feeling the vine tense up as it received the images. The scene played out in our shared spiritual space – Kiran's bone blades clashing against the vine's hardened segments, my dodges and counterattacks flowing seamlessly with the vine's movements. I made sure to include the feeling of trust, the absolute certainty that the vine would be there when I needed it.

The next memory was darker – running through the forest, pursued by one of Elder Molric's failed experiments – the abomination. I showed the vine how we'd worked together, using the forest itself as our ally. How it got hurt trying to protect me, how I told it to hide and recover, but it still jumped back into the battle in the end in an effort to save me.

I felt the vine shudder slightly as it absorbed these memories, but it didn't pull away. If anything, it drew closer, encouraging me to continue.

The third memory was the most difficult to share – our final stand against the Lightweaver priest. I showed the vine how it had tried to save me as the priest held me suspended in the air. I shared the moment of horror when the priest had caught the vine in his other hand and how his qi began to vaporise the vine and make it scream, a sound I never wanted to hear again.

And then... our last moment together. The decision to detonate my core, to take the Lightweaver down with us.

As the memories faded, the vine had wound itself around my shoulders in a gesture that felt unmistakably like a hug. Its tip moved in a pattern I recognized – an apology.

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I couldn't help but laugh, though it came out a bit watery. "Don't apologize. None of that happened in this timeline. You didn't forget anything – those memories never existed for you until now."

The vine's tip traced a question mark in the air.

"I know it's a lot to take in," I said, gently stroking its length. "But there's a way we could make sure we're never separated again. Would you like to hear about it?"

The vine perked up, its tip rising to face me attentively.

"It's called the Heart's Bridge Method – a soul bonding technique. If it works, we'd be connected on a fundamental level. No matter what happens, no matter where we go, we'd always be together."

The vine's tip tilted slightly, radiating curiosity.

"It's not without risks," I continued honestly. "Soul bonding is complex and dangerous. If something goes wrong, it could hurt both of us. But..." I smiled, “I think it’s worth it.”

The vine seemed to consider this for a moment. Then it did something it had never done before, it formed its tip into a simple smile shape.

"Alright then," I said, shifting into a more comfortable position. "Azure, shall we begin?"

"One moment, Master," Azure cautioned. "Remember, the Heart's Bridge Method requires both participants to be actively involved. The vine will need to understand how to use its own energy to form its half of the bridge."

I blinked. I'd been so focused on my own part that I'd forgotten that detail. "Right. Good point. Okay, time for some teaching."

The rest of the hour was spent leading the vine through the basics of the technique. It was a strange sensation, trying to teach advanced spiritual concepts to a creature which perceived the universe in such a radically different manner from humans, but the vine was an eager student and very bright, just as it had been before.

When I used my spiritual sense to demonstrate each step, showing how to gather and shape energy in the specific patterns required for the bond, the vine proved remarkably adept at copying my examples. Though its version of the technique had a distinctly more... organic feel to it.

"Remarkable," Azure commented as we watched the vine practice. "It's not just mimicking the forms – it's actually adapting the technique to work with its own natural energy."

Finally, after countless repetitions and adjustments, we were ready to attempt the actual bond. The vine wrapped itself around my left arm, its tip resting over my heart – the position we'd found worked best for channeling our respective energies.

"Remember," Azure said softly, "this needs to be a mutual reaching. Don't try to force the connection. Let it develop naturally."

I nodded, closing my eyes. The Heart's Bridge Method felt different this time, more focused. Instead of creating a general field of awareness, I was reaching specifically toward the vine's spiritual presence. Its energy met mine halfway, intertwining in patterns that felt both alien and familiar.

The first attempt... failed. Our energies touched but didn't merge, sliding past each other like oil and water. I felt the vine's disappointment echo my own.

"No backlash, at least," Azure noted. "The energies are compatible, they're just not... connecting properly."

I frowned, thinking it through. "The vine's energy... I don’t know what the elder did to it, but it isn’t using the red sun’s energy or even the blue sun’s energy for that matter, it’s something different, more like a mix of both? Maybe we need to approach this differently."

Instead of trying to create a bridge between us, I focused on creating a space where our energies could naturally flow together. Like preparing soil for a seed, rather than building a structure.

The vine seemed to understand instantly. Its energy shifted, becoming less directed, more like a growing root seeking fertile ground. When our energies met this time, they began to slowly intermingle, creating patterns that reminded me of spreading roots or growing branches.

"Yes," Azure encouraged, "let it develop organically. Don't try to guide it, just maintain the space for it to grow."

The connection deepened gradually, our energies weaving together in increasingly complex patterns. I could feel the vine's consciousness brush against mine – not with words or concrete thoughts, but with impressions and emotions. Trust, affection, excitement at this new way of being together.

The actual moment of bonding, when it came, was both subtle and profound. There was no flash of light, no surge of power – just a quiet click of completion, like a key turning in a lock. The vine's physical form began to fade, dissolving into motes of green light that swirled around me before disappearing.

"Congratulations, Master," Azure said warmly. "The soul bond has formed, it appears stable and healthy.”

I closed my eyes and smiled, feeling the vine's presence settle into a special corner of my inner world. It wasn't gone – it was just somewhere safer, somewhere it could never be taken from me again.

"Welcome home," I whispered, feeling its happiness echo through our new bond. "Now for something I should have done long ago, give you a name..."

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