Chapter 68: Father of Nature
"What in the world is going on?!"
Staring intently at the center of the distant mountain range, the middle-aged guard fiercely pinched his own thigh. The sharp pain confirmed that this was no illusion—which only made him even more shocked.
The mountain peak... had split open?!
Under the astonished gazes of the guards, the center of the Origin Mountains trembled incessantly. The main peak, covered in vines, moss, and shrubs, seemed as if a giant god had cleaved it with a giant axe, splitting it in two. The mountain walls collapsed, countless grayish-brown rocks tumbled down, and as dust and mist rose and spread, thousands of brown tree roots shot out like living creatures, then orderly assembled into a colossal wooden hand.
This hand seemed carved from ancient wood, entwined with flowing green light, appearing indestructible. It descended gently and slowly, coming to rest before the Volcano Dragon. The enormous half-dragon was no larger than a thumb in front of this wooden hand. It too seemed stunned by the sight, but after a reminder from the person on its back, the Volcano Dragon snapped out of it and walked onto the palm of the giant hand.
Aboard the airship, no one could utter a sound. Everyone was dumbfounded, their minds a blank. They hadn't even processed what they had just witnessed.
After a long while, when the wooden hand retracted, bringing the half-dragon and its group into the underground cavern, they finally awoke from their stupor. Immediately, a cacophony of discussion filled the entire airship. Some proposed leaving this place as quickly as possible, while others wanted to move closer for a better look.
Standing to the side, the middle-aged guard's expression was complex. He touched his chest and murmured, "What was that... so majestic, yet so comforting..."
On the back of the black dragon, everyone except Joshua was equally stunned into silence.
Ying and Lin slightly opened their mouths, staring in shock at everything around them. As Divine Mechanisms, the most magnificent structures they had ever seen were the Imperial Capital's city walls at night and Winterfell Academy. But compared to this hand, those two buildings were far inferior. Even the Nissier Snow Mountain would pale in comparison. The half-dragon was no better. As a being whose former self was merely a mixed-blood dragon-horse, it had no inherited racial memories or knowledge. This giant hand was the largest moving thing it had ever encountered in its life.
The Paladin was also utterly bewildered. Unlike the Divine Mechanisms and the black dragon, his knowledge was broad, but even the broadest knowledge has its limits. This power that could effortlessly split mountains and alter terrain with a single breath was clearly Legendary, and possibly even beyond. Faced with such an existence, no amount of knowledge was sufficient.
As the giant hand moved, Loranda wanted to ask Joshua what was happening, but before he could question the calm warrior, the wooden hand stopped moving and reverted into countless tree roots and vines. The Paladin then saw the colossal entity before him and was once again struck speechless.
In a vast underground cavern large enough to hold several cities, there stood a tree so immense it defied description. Its trunk was like a mountain range, its roots like rivers, and its canopy like a sky. Countless luminous specks of soul-light drifted down from the cavern's ceiling, merging into the tree's roots, branches, and leaves. The entire cavern was illuminated by this faint, ethereal glow, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty.
The green light group that had guided them here floated before this giant tree, its radiance pulsing gently.
"This is the Soul of the Forest," Joshua said calmly, looking at the light group. "The guardian spirit of this forest, the collective consciousness of all the elves who have died here."
He turned to the others and said, "It's the one who summoned us here."
The green light group flickered, as if confirming his words. Then, a voice like the rustling of countless leaves echoed through the cavern: "Welcome, warriors from afar. I am the Soul of the Forest, the guardian of this land."
The voice was ancient and wise, carrying the weight of countless years. It continued, "I have sensed your presence and your purpose. You seek to stop the calamity that threatens this world. I can help you, but first, you must understand the truth of this land."
Joshua nodded, his expression serious. "We're listening."
The Soul of the Forest began to speak, its voice resonating through the cavern, telling a tale of ancient times, of the elves' rise and fall, of the creation of this forest, and of the great evil that now threatened to consume everything. As it spoke, the soul-lights around them pulsed in rhythm, as if the very spirits of the dead were listening.
When the story ended, Joshua asked, "What must we do?"
The Soul of the Forest's light brightened. "You must go to the heart of the forest, where the corruption is strongest. There, you will find the source of the calamity. Destroy it, and the forest will be saved."
Joshua turned to his companions, who nodded in determination. "Then that's where we'll go."
As they prepared to leave, the Soul of the Forest added, "But be warned. The path is dangerous, and the enemy is powerful. You will need all your strength and courage."
Joshua smiled, his eyes gleaming with resolve. "We wouldn't have it any other way."
With that, they set off into the depths of the forest, ready to face whatever lay ahead.