In a single flap of her blazing wings, Aqua had travelled to the easternmost point of the continent. While some might have been worried about getting lost, it was difficult to do so when a massive tree's canopy took up a large part of the horizon.
Aqua nodded in a satisfied manner. "Now that is what I call a world tree."
Her eyes glowed.
The entire forest that sprawled below her was oozing mana. This place is close to the world soul, that's for sure.
Aqua slowly pulled out the journal and flipped the page.
"As Nicolas said, make a deal with the spirit."
Of course, she could have forced her way through and simply flown in, yet the last thing she had wished was for the world soul to see her as an enemy.
Thus, she would need to do everything properly and follow the steps of a man who came before her.
Her eyes scanned the page from left to right, absorbing the information. "He offered the spirit a pile of meat."
She dispelled her wings and landed at the edge of the forest.
The thicket swayed under the gentle breeze, yet some trees swung in the opposite direction.
"The journal said to step inside and find a flat stone."
The chirp of birds and gentle rustle of leaves was all she could pick up, there was no spirit that observed her, at least just yet.
She wandered the forest, ignoring the illusion that attempted to make her stray from the path.
A powerful wind passed through the forest, making the trees creak and almost crack.
"Ah, here it is," She said, a small smile forming on her lips.
While the spirit was watching her, it did not try to stop her. A faint smell of rot reached her nose.
She sighed. I can sense the rot on it, poor thing.
After a minute of walking, she reached a small clearing. It was surrounded by a circle of mushrooms, and in the middle was a large flat stone.
She stepped over the mushrooms, which caused the circle to glow pale blue, then she placed her palm on the stone and dragged her hand over it. "A ritual stone. A nature spirit who demands items of equal value for the guidance."
Aqua nodded and opened the void storage.
From the darkness fell a large amount of dragon scales.
As soon as the small pile formed, she closed the void and waited for something to happen.
For a moment, the wind stopped.
Then it became a storm that passed through the thicket.
Dragon scales disappeared, and behind Aqua appeared the spirit.
She quickly turned and smiled at the entity.
The spirit reached forward, its form was that of twisting branches and vines, a mass of mossy stone filled its innards, and its eyes glowed blue. "You."
The creature's voice was deep and rumbled with power, yet weariness permeated it.
"I am an ally. You needn't be afraid, spirit."
It pulled its hand back. "You bear the world's mark, yet not of our world. Who are you, champion?"
Aqua curtsied. "My name is Aqua, the Crimson Magister. I have been sent by the World Soul, known as Sun God, to provide assistance to this world."
For a moment, its hollow eyes dimmed. "You can help us?"
Aqua nodded. "I am the only one who can, even if you are afflicted by rot," she said, pointing at the dark liquid that consumed some of the spirit's vines.
The spirit went silent.
"My name is Lesh, the spirit of the forest," He spoke gently, and the winds surrounded the duo. "Follow my trail, Champion. I will guide."
The trees moved aside, and the spirit disappeared, leaving only a trail of gentle breeze to push her toward the path.
Aqua slowly walked forward, following the trail. As she stepped onto it, the trees behind her returned to their positions.
While the smell of the wind was refreshing, it still contained traces of rot, which made her worry about the world soul even more.
Her steps sped up.
Soon, the spirit led her to another clearing. A small log cabin sat in the middle of it, abandoned for untold centuries.
She pinched her chin and nodded. "I suppose this is where Nicolas rested during his journey."
The journal mentioned it. The offering he had given was not enough, thus he was forced to remain in the forest for a year, hunting and living off the land. Only after the spirit was satisfied with his contribution did the guidance continue.
However, the scales she had given were many times over the required offering, not to mention Aqua's status as the world champion.
The trees swayed, and the path opened.
She followed the wind, and soon they arrived at sparse woodlands.
The spirit's hollow eyes glowed. "Go forward, the Protectors of the world tree will welcome you."
Aqua nodded. "Thank you for the guidance, Lesh."
"It is my duty to guide, champion."
Aqua scratched her chin and approached the spirit. "The rot is spreading within you. Would you like me to cleanse you?"
The spirit did not answer.
I suppose he harbors doubts about my ability, I cannot blame him. Aqua chuckled, her fingers gently picking up a corrupted vine.
"The Champion's offering is sufficient, this one requires no further assistance."
"Don't be like that, Lesh. I know how much rot hurts, even if you are a spirit it would make you feel pain."
If the spirit had a face, Aqua was sure that he would be pouting.
"Do I take your silence as yes?"
Lesh rumbled, and the corrupted vines appeared out of his body, presenting them to Aqua.
"I defended the forest from corruption. I do not want to become one of them."
Aqua smiled. "You did well, and I will not allow you to become one of the soldiers of the beast. Just relax and let me cleanse you of this terrible fate."
The spirit stood still as a statue.
She closed her eyes and spread her senses over the spirit.
The black fire was dangerous and had to be used precisely when cleansing an entity she had wished to remain alive.
In an instant, the black flame spread through the rotted vegetation, consuming the rot.
However, despite her precision, Lesh still screamed out in pain.
Aqua grabbed the vine and held it reassuringly. "It's okay! I know it hurts."
Soon, the black flame died down, leaving not even a trace of rot behind.
"Good boy," Aqua giggled and patted its head.
A green aura surrounded the spirit. "Can't afford to let you heal naturally, here. [Wild Growth]"
The burned vines repaired themselves, and the greenery inside of Lesh bloomed.
Its body grew larger and more durable.
Aqua stepped back and nodded. "There we go, much better."
Lesh stood still, his vines stretching toward the trees. "I thank you."
Aqua turned around and waved the spirit off casually. "Do not mention it. I will continue toward the World Tree. Thank you for your guidance."
The spirit's eyes flickered before the creature disappeared, making a gentle breeze around Aqua.
A gentle smell of lavender reached her nose, making her crack a small smile. "He is happy. I am glad."
She then turned toward the path forward.
She could sense a lot of the rot within it. It worried her deeply.
Aqua stepped onto the trail, her feet quickening. "I am here to fix everything wrong with you, world soul. Do not worry."