Chương 98: The World Tree

Joe's skyboat landed with a soft thud on the snowy banks just outside of Rarohenga. He and his companions, all wrapped in thick furs, stepped off into the powder, boots sinking into the white as they trudged toward the city's barrier, a shimmering wall of green light.

"Why is it green?" Joe asked, eyeing the glow as they neared the cluster of people waiting for them.

"The colour shows the state of their defences," Esha explained.

"Red or orange, that's when you worry." Joe nodded.

"Good to know."

"Corel, you should teach the Farmer more," Esha teased.

"He spends far too much time staring at plants and not learning anything."

"You're right, Esha. I'll bring him a children's book on the system to read," Corel said with a soft laugh.

"Hey. I'm not that bad, am I?" Joe protested. The banter faded as they reached the waiting group. Three robed figures stepped forward, cowls drawn low so that even Joe's sight couldn't pierce the shadows hiding their faces.

"Greetings, Progenitor. Rank One. Seeker. And guest," the three intoned in harmony, bowing as one. Rank One, Joe knew, referred to Esha, now the highest-levelled person on Thropia.

"Greetings," Joe returned, giving them a polite bow of his own. When the formalities ended, silence stretched between the two groups, heavy and awkward. Joe traded a baffled glance with Corel and Esha. At last, one of the cloaked figures spoke.

"What brings you here today?"

"We've come to visit the World Tree," Joe said, deciding not to waste time on small talk. For a long moment, the three said nothing. Finally, one answered, voice tinged with genuine confusion.

"I am sorry to disappoint the Progenitor… but we are unsure why you believe the World Tree is here." Of all the responses Joe expected, that was not one of them. He blinked, caught off guard, and scratched the back of his neck. That itch, the same one that had been growing stronger the closer they came, was now a constant burn beneath his skin, impossible to ignore.

"Is Devotion here? I'm pretty sure he knows exactly what I'm talking about," he asked, deciding not to leap to conclusions just yet.

"I am sorry to inform you, his majesty is currently busy with obligations. He sends his deepest apologies that he could not be here to greet you today," one of the figures said, bowing low. Majesty? The reverence in their tone made Joe understand why Sarah called them fanatics. A flicker of anger crossed his face, and at once all three figures recoiled, taking a step back.

"Progenitor, we did not mean any disrespect. We apologize for our rudeness," they stammered, bowing again, even deeper than before, though their feet edged further away. Corel quickly stepped forward, hand raised.

"The Progenitor is only confused. He did not mean to frighten you." Her pulse brushed against Joe's chest, urging calm. He exhaled, forcing his features into a mask of serenity, as he let her take the lead.

"We believed word of our visit had reached you, and that you would be prepared to receive us," Corel said smoothly.

"It seems there was confusion on our part," one figure replied, gesturing faintly around them.

"We are not able to receive visitors at this time. We are faithful people, and certain rites must be observed before outsiders may enter our city. It will take a few days." Joe frowned. What did faith have to do with letting them inside? None of this made sense.

"We understand, and we apologize for the misunderstanding," Corel said with a gentle nod.

"We are unfamiliar with your customs. Can you tell us when we may be received?" Her tone had subtly shifted, mirroring the formality of the robed figures. It worked. Their shoulders eased, and the tension bled away.

"In two days, we can make arrangements to host you as honoured guests," one said.

"Thank you," Corel bowed.

"We will return then. If circumstances change, please contact Heliopolis."

"We will, Seeker. You have our gratitude for your patience." The three bowed once more before retreating into the city, leaving Joe and his companions standing in the snow, watching as they departed. Joe turned back toward his skyboat, thunder crackling in his eyes.

"Fuck that! If they think I can wait two days, they're about to learn how stupid an assumption that is," he growled, his voice carrying like a roar. The boat still sat where he'd left it, forgotten in the rush. He never worried about thieves; no one could fly it without his consent, so occasionally leaving it out became a habit.

"Calm down," Corel said, pulling him close until their foreheads touched.

"Relax." Joe took a long breath, but the pressure in his mind only worsened. The itch was growing unbearable, like something clawing its way out of his skull. Waiting was impossible. His gaze shifted to Esha.

"Esh, we're breaking in. You with me?" Her grin spread ear to ear.

"You bet I am. I was wondering when the fun would begin."

"I don't think that's wise," Corel warned, her voice low but firm.

"Sorry, Rel. But I can't wait any longer. This feeling is killing me, let's go." Joe moved a step forward, but Corel's hand caught his arm. She shared a brief, silent look with Varaiya.

"We'll wait here. It would be unwise for two Voldura to be caught breaking into a human-controlled pillar," she said. The conflict in her tone told Joe everything; she wanted to go, but couldn't. He nodded, biting back his frustration. Damn the rift between races, always complicating everything. Pathfinder's mark still poisoned the air, even after his death. Joe pressed his forehead to hers one last time before signalling to Esha.

"Hop on."

"I love rides!" she chirped, leaping onto his back. Joe vanished with her in tow. They reappeared on the far side of the city's barrier. Joe's barding shifted, wrapping snugly around Esha's torso while leaving her arms and legs free. She drew her twin blades, the sunlight glinting off their edges.

"As soon as the barrier breaks, we move fast," Joe said, stepping up to the shimmering wall of mana. He raised one leg and tapped his shoe. It vanished, leaving a cloth-wrapped foot. The wrappings unravelled and dropped to the ground as he pressed his bare foot to the barrier. The pillar bubble began to tremble. From his leg, a small vine stirred, chewing into the barrier's essence. Joe winced as mana drained from his arm as a new vine forced its way out of the void, spreading down to his fingertips.

A ravenous hunger surged into his mind, nearly overwhelming him. What the? Hunger? The sensation rattled him, but he pressed on, stretching his hand toward the barrier. The second vine brushed the mana through his fingertips, and at that single touch, the barrier shattered like glass. Joe hadn't expected it to fall so easily. The sudden collapse almost cost him the chance to Space-Jump inside before it reformed. His barding unwrapped as Esha leapt down beside him, her blades gleaming, eyes wide with shock.

"What was that?" she demanded. Joe winced as pain tore through his arm while the vine retreated.

"That… was something new," he admitted grimly. And terrifying, he thought.

"Let's move. I'm pretty sure the whole city knows we're here now." As if on cue, alarms blared across the city.

"Intruders! All citizens find shelter! Intruders have invaded the city!" __ Devotion shot to his feet, teleporting straight to the city's heart the instant he felt the barrier shatter and reform. The alarm's echoing cry was almost unnecessary; he had already triggered every defence he could muster. But he was at a loss. What in the gods' name had the Progenitor just done?

"Guards assemble!" Devotion's voice thundered through the courtyard that ringed the sealed area of the World Tree. His eyes locked on the map hovering before him, watching two dots blaze an unrelenting path toward his position. A cluster of one hundred guards met them and was swept aside in an instant. Auras blasted out like tidal waves, scattering soldiers as the intruders sliced through the ranks like sharks through a school of fish. Devotion's heart hammered. They hadn't even slowed.

Their direct course left no doubt; they were heading straight for him. Which also meant… They knew the location of the tree. He cursed under his breath and mentally triggered the courtyard's defences. With a grinding rumble, twelve massive golems rose from the earth, each fifteen metres tall and sheathed in metal strong enough to weather a nuclear blast. Their eyes burst aflame as they awaited his command. He felt the Progenitor's Aura drawing nearer, oppressive and unstoppable.

At least the city's field suppressed teleportation, one advantage, however small. Even that monster couldn't bend that law. More troops poured into the courtyard. One hundred. Two hundred. Nowhere near enough. Devotion clenched his fists. He needed more bodies, more sacrifices, anything to stall them. They could not be allowed to seize that title. He had clawed his way this far; he was on the brink of subverting the strange Aura around the World Tree. Why had they come now, when he was so close?

His cry of rage echoed against the walls. __ Joe and Esha burst into the vast courtyard that ringed the grassy enclosure where he knew the World Tree lay hidden. His Aura surged outward in a violent wave, flattening the nearest guards. He had kept his restraint so far, leaving only unconscious bodies in his wake, but now… this was different. Hundreds of armed Rarohenga soldiers packed the courtyard, weapons gleaming, eyes hard. For the first time since entering the city, he hesitated.

How was he supposed to get through this wall of bodies without leaving casualties behind?

"Devotion!!" Joe roared, amplifying his voice with mana until it shook the air.

"Call off your men! We just want the tree. No one has to die today!" The words rang across the courtyard. But no heads turned. No weapons lowered. Not one soldier even twitched at his plea. They stared at him like statues, weapons rising in perfect unison.

"Farmer! Please tell me you actually have a plan!" Esha shouted, slipping into position behind him. Joe gave her a crooked smile, though his heart sank.

"Erm… Esh, things might get a little rough." The world erupted. Hundreds of attacks rained down on them in a storm of fire, steel, and mana.

"Shit!" Joe cursed, spinning as his barding snapped tight around Esha. His Mana Stream flared, enclosing them both in a glowing, egg-shaped cocoon. Vines erupted from planted seeds, weaving around the barrier in desperate layers. It wasn't enough. The barrage carved through his defences like blades through parchment. As the final layer cracked, Joe and Esha blurred sideways, their almost equal speed tearing them to safety a heartbeat before the full force struck.

The courtyard floor detonated behind them, throwing up a storm of dirt and shattered stone. Their feet traced a blur across the battlefield, weaving through buildings and shattered walls as attacks chased them like a tidal wave. Seeds scattered with every step, embedding into the ground until they had completed a full circuit back to their starting point. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

"Harvest!" Joe bellowed. Mana detonated outward. A cocoon blossomed around him and Esha once more as nearly a thousand berry bushes erupted from the ground, trembling violently. Blue-tinged waves of mana pulsed from the plants, flooding the courtyard in shimmering light. The guards' barrage slammed into his shield, but this time it held as he poured more and more mana into it. He soon felt the area around him hit mana saturation, and he snapped his fingers.

"Bloom," Joe commanded. Instead of exploding, the berry bushes burst with an ear-splitting roar, releasing a thick cloud of knockout dust. It swept through the courtyard like a storm, rushing into the mouths and eyes of every guard still standing. Not one had broken formation. But… one by one they dropped where they stood, collapsing into silence as the final salvo of attacks clattered harmlessly against Joe's shield.

This barrage lacked its former power, and his cocoon held firm until the last of the dust dissipated. Joe dispelled the layers of barding and mana around himself and Esha. The courtyard was littered with unconscious soldiers, a few clusters still coughing and fighting against the invasive mana-infused haze. Some staggered upright, torn between fear of him and blind obedience to their orders. And then Joe saw him. Devotion.

The man stood directly before the grassy area ahead that hid the World Tree, pristine in his white robes, untouched as if the chaos had parted around him.

"Devotion," Joe said, stepping forward, Esha moving at his side.

"Progenitor," Devotion intoned with a small nod. The last of the conscious guards rushed to his side, forming a protective wall, but none dared attack.

"We could have done this peacefully," Joe continued.

"I don't understand why you're standing in my way." Devotion raised a hand. Joe braced for an attack… but none came.

"Progenitor, I have a request." Joe's eyes narrowed.

"What makes you think I care about anything you have to 'Request?' Just step aside. You can't stop me, and you know it." Devotion let out a weary sigh, then whispered.

"Such a brute." He flicked his wrist. The courtyard rippled. Four massive golems materialized around Joe, silent and unseen until now. Joe's eyes widened; he hadn't sensed them at all. Four colossal fists slammed down. Joe threw up his arms, barding sparking as the impact rattled his bones. The ground cracked beneath him, stone melting and swallowing his feet as the golems pressed harder. Esha vanished in a blur, twin blades flashing as two more hulking golems erupted to meet her.

She dodged with fluid grace, weaving between the pounding strikes. Joe cursed as the pressure mounted, the earth dragging him down inch by inch. He scattered seeds wildly, roots and vines bursting upward to coil around both himself and the golem's legs. Mana bubbled along his arms, sheathing them in purple flame as each thunderous blow reverberated through his frame. The vines strained, groaning with tension, until at last they tugged him upward, dragging him free from the molten stone. He walked forward.

Progress was painfully slow; each step forward brought with it another crushing impact raining down from above.

"Fuck this!" Joe snarled as he pulled Jingu Bang free. The staff hummed in his grip before he swung upward, unleashing a wave of mana that ripped outward in a devastating arc. One singular kill notification flashed in his vision, as a piece of one of the golems he just blasted landed on an unconscious guard. His stomach lurched as he paused his assault.

"Dammit, Devotion! Stop this madness!" Joe roared as he leapt clear of the crater around him, eyes scanning wildly for more hidden threats. The four golems, still straining against his vines, barely budged, their bulk groaning as the roots dragged tighter around them.

"Is it the title you want? Is that what this is about?" Joe shouted across the courtyard.

"Of course, brute!" Devotion's voice rang with manic fervour, carrying like a sermon.

"I am divine! I alone am worthy to guard the tree until it matures. You!!" he pointed at Joe with a trembling finger, "... you are nothing but a savage who knows only battle! You cannot comprehend what this tree means to the Multiverse!" Joe grimaced. The fire in Devotion's eyes was too bright, too far gone, fanaticism wrapped in silk.

"Fuck," he muttered, bracing as two more hulking golems thundered toward him, trampling unconscious soldiers beneath their feet.

"Stop! You're killing your own people!" Joe bellowed, but Devotion didn't flinch. He raised both arms and began chanting in a guttural tongue, voice swelling to a fever pitch.

"Shit! Esha, to me!" Joe shouted. He thrust his hands forward, forcing his mana outward into a massive, shimmering bubble that warped and coalesced into the shape of a plough. Esha blurred to his side, vaulting onto his back with blades in hand, her eyes set with grim determination in this sea of madness. Joe gripped her legs tightly.

"Hold on!" He blasted forward. The plough carved through the stoneway, sweeping unconscious bodies aside. He sent out a massive pulse of Nature's Paradise, as thick grass shot up in his wake, catching the tumbling bodies, and cushioning their fall. He smashed into the two charging golems, stone and metal shattering to dust, but he didn't stop. At the centre of the chaos, Devotion finished his chant. His hands shot forward, eyes burning with zeal.

"Divine Retribution!" The sky seemed to collapse. A crushing weight slammed down on Joe's Aura, pressing into him with godlike force. His bones creaked, blood gushed from his mouth, and his vision wavered. Esha screamed, her arms locked tight around him. Joe forced his entire Mana Stream outward, wrapping her in its glow, shielding her from the unbearable pressure. Her screams cut off in a gasp as she clung to him, breath ragged.

Joe's legs trembled, but he leaned forward, forcing step after step, momentum building through the agony. He kept his eyes locked on the shimmering figure of Devotion past his mana plough. The fanatic's smirk faltered. Joe wasn't stopping.

"Stop, you brute! The divine is with me, you must let me have the tree!" Devotion's manic declarations ended abruptly as Joe's plough smashed into him, hurling him aside. Joe barreled forward, cresting the ring of grass and tumbling into the untouched grove that surrounded the World Tree.

"Aahh!" Esha screamed as they collided with a tree. They came to a bone-rattling halt, Joe taking the brunt of the impact as his face cracked against wood. He spat blood, dismissing the last vestiges of his mana and rubbing his jaw.

"Holy shit, what is this tree made of?" he asked no one. His movements felt heavy, and he realized why. Esha was still clinging to his back in a death grip. With a wry grin, he took the chance to inspect her doll arm, fingers squeezing gently at her bicep. The texture threw him still; it looked like a strange mix of metal and plastic, but to his touch, it felt like warm, living skin.

"Hey!! Stop touching me, you pervert!" Esha snapped, swatting at him as she dropped from his back and crouched with her blades ready.

"You touch my ass again, and I swear I'll stab you this time."

"Promises, promises," Joe teased, turning his gaze toward the courtyard's edge. Devotion now stood outside the grassy boundary, staring at them with wide eyes and a look of horror etched across his face.

"Wait! Please, let us come to an agreement!" Devotion cried, fumbling into his robes and pulling out a Tower of Past Lives entry token. He held it aloft as though it were a holy relic.

"Do you know what this is?" His tone had shifted, manic fervour tempered by desperation. A token flashed into Joe's hand, and he held up his own entry token.

"Actually, I do." He turned his back on the man, extending a hand to Esha.

"Come on, Esh. Let's go touch that tree." He noticed she struggled to move freely unless she kept contact with him, so she climbed onto his shoulders with a huff.

"It feels like you set this in motion just so you could feel me up again," Esha laughed. Joe chuckled, despite himself, as he trotted deeper into the grove, heading toward the World Tree's towering presence. Behind them, Devotion's voice broke into a wail.

"Wait! Please! I need it!" Joe didn't look back. The madman's pleas meant nothing. As Joe walked through the dense grass and trees, the kill notification still burned in the back of his mind. One unconscious guard had died at his hand. He had no idea how many had been trampled by the golems or crushed during Devotion's frenzy, but he doubted it was a small number. He tried not to dwell on it, reminding himself they had chosen to stand in that courtyard, chosen to block his path. Chosen to follow a madman.

But still, the weight pressed on him. This city was… odd. Its people were too fanatical, too blind with faith. Something didn't add up. The trees opened into a clearing, and he froze in awe. Before him stood the young World Tree. It had grown far beyond the sprout he remembered, now rising taller than him, branches stretching outward in every direction with vibrant strength. The leaves gleamed an impossibly bright green, bursting with life, while the bark shimmered like dark chocolate beneath the sunlight.

Its brilliance was hard to look at, even through his sunglasses. Over his shoulder, Esha shielded her eyes with a gasp. The sight was magnificent, but what nearly brought Joe to his knees was the smell. The air was so saturated with freshness, so layered with countless scents, that his senses couldn't separate them. His eyes watered as reverence pulled him down, his body trembling before he forced himself upright and stepped forward again. Esha's head slumped onto his shoulder, her small frame shivering.

Panic jolted through him. [Esha, what's wrong? Are you okay?] - Joe. [I'm okay. It's just… a lot to take.] - Esha. [Phew. I'm going to push forward. Bite me if it gets too much.] - Joe. [...] - Esha. Joe chuckled at her silence, but kept moving. A gentle breeze swept through the clearing, carrying with it a hundred butterflies. They swarmed around them in a soft cloud, wings brushing lightly against his skin before landing across their bodies.

The pressure that had been gnawing at his mind eased, letting him breathe more freely. His steps steadied as they drew closer to the tree. Esha lifted her head, pinched his cheek, and stared forward, her eyes wide with wonder. [It's so beautiful.] - Esha. [It truly is.] - Joe. As they reached the trunk, the butterflies rose from their bodies in a swirl of colour, drifting up to the branches. Joe lifted his hand as a few brushed past his fingertips, and a pang of loss tugged at him as the delicate companions left.

Esha reached out, but her hand stalled inches from the bark. [Are you sure about this?] - Esha. [I'm just the trees… erm, guardian or something. The choice is not mine. I doubt we could have made it this far if the tree didn't want to be touched.] - Joe. [Did you just make that all up on the spot?] - Esha. [Yep! But do it, woman!] - Joe. He laughed, loud and unrestrained, as Esha finally pressed her fingers against the trunk. – The weight pressing on Esha's spirit lifted at once as she touched the tree.

She let go of Joe and stood on her own, exhaling in relief. Her gaze swept upward, past the glowing leaves and the butterflies swirling in perfect harmony. Then her vision lit up with a cascading text. Title - Ascended One received. Congratulations, Esha Bakshi. Your profession, Maid of Marked Veils, has been upgraded to Pseudo-Unique. Title bonuses increased by 20%. Skill gained - Spatial Traversal. Move instantly through space to a chosen location within one mile. Target location must be clear and unsealed.

Hidden Bloodline awakened - Daughter of the Farmer. Your bond with the Farmer Outside of Fate has awakened your true lineage. Because of your unwavering, platonic love for your friend, you share a special connection: When fighting near the Farmer, all stats increase by 20%. This bonus stacks on top of your title bonus and can break the 100% title limit temporarily. Every hug shared with the Farmer grants a one-week boost to health, mana, and stamina recovery.

Every meal made by the Farmer you eat grants a one-week buff to clarity of thought and physical ability. Bloodline skills are currently locked. To unlock them, kiss your Farmer on the cheek and tell him what you truly feel. Open your heart, and you will open your power. Godspeed, Esha Bakshi. __ Joe watched as Esha's eyes flicked over the messages she probably received from the World Tree. He wondered what kind of bloodline she'd gained. A spark of excitement stirred in him, tempered by unease.

Esha was one of his closest friends, fierce and fiery, and though they got along like a house on fire, a small part of him always feared what would happen if that fire ever turned on him. His worry grew as her expression shifted, from awe, to confusion… and then, to anger. Real anger. Why was she angry? What could possibly…

"Esha? What's wrong?" he asked, stepping back instinctively.

"You! You did this!!" she roared, launching herself at him. He ducked her first swipe, bewildered, but she was faster now… so much faster. Her shoulder slammed into him and knocked him sprawling, her hands reaching for his throat.

"Esha! Stop! What's going on?" Joe shouted, grappling to keep her fingers away from his neck. His Aura pulsed outward, but it didn't slow her. The fire in her eyes only burned brighter as she broke his grip and her hands clamped tight around his throat.

"You stupid Farmer! How did you do it? How did you trick the system?!" she snarled, squeezing hard. Joe's Mana Stream surged around him, struggling to wedge between her fingers and his neck, but it couldn't break her hold. His breath came in ragged gasps, the edges of his vision going dark. Just as panic truly set in, her grip loosened. The fury drained from her eyes, and she slumped forward. He rolled onto his side, coughing for what felt like an eternity before dragging in a full breath.

His chest heaved as he rasped, "Esha… are you calm now? What the hell was that about?" She straddled him where he lay, fists planted on his chest. Her face was serious… too serious. She drew in a long breath before speaking.

"Farmer," she began, her voice softer, steadier.

"I adore you. Not romantically, you doofus." She punctuated the words with a slap. He hadn't even said anything, sheesh.

"I adore you like a brother. And I'm so glad we met. I owe you my life, Vishnu knows I'd be dead a dozen times over without you. You saved my life, you gave me back my arm, you helped me grow stronger and freed me from captivity… You're the second-best thing that ever happened to me." Her voice cracked as she dropped her head against his chest, hiding her face.

"Erm… okay. Thank you, Esh, but I still have no idea what this is about. But I adore you too, come here, sister." Joe, unsure what else to do, pulled her into a hug. She clung to him with surprising force, pressing her face into his chest.

"Did you get your bloodline?" he asked quietly.

"Yeesssh," she mumbled into him.

"Phew. And the bonuses?" She nodded.

"No wonder, you actually overpowered me back there. Scary." She laughed against his chest, nodding.

"Great, well… then that's all I need to know. Thank you. I love you, sister." He gave her another squeeze.

"I love you too," she whispered. Then she lifted her head, leaned in, and kissed him on the cheek. Joe's brain froze. His thoughts stuttered, stalled, completely unable to process what had just happened. Did she really…? No. Surely he was imagining it. Faintly, he felt like he heard a distant ding somewhere as a Bloodline was unlocked.