The forest below them was serene, yet unnerving. A vague sense of rot climbed toward them, yet the tree did not show the sign of decay.
It was much like a tooth that seemed fine on the surface, yet its depth was already consumed by the rot.
Aqua glanced at Poludnitza, who carefully scanned the tree.
Only some leaves were rotted and dripped dark liquid, yet it was only a symptom of a greater disease.
This tree is on the verge of death.
Aqua crossed her arms.
"Poludnitza," Aqua said softly. "When was the most recent rot surge?"
The fiery Vila hummed. "Just yesterday, we had to push back the spread of dark pools. Worst of all, we were attacked by a faceless."
Faceless? Does she mean the soldiers of the beast? This is bad. A shiver ran down her spine. If worst came to worst, it would force her to burn the world tree.
"Champion, behind the tree, there is a large tumorous growth. It is the reason the rot keeps getting stronger every time we push it back," She said. "If you can deal with it, I will be grateful, it is also likely reason we are unable to commune with the Mother."
Aqua nodded. "I will take a look and destroy it."
"Good, let me show it to you. Follow me," She commanded, and the trio quickly circled around the tree.
Over the tree's bark and roots, a twilight cancer spread. It pulsed and squirmed, yet a small blue pulse pushed it back. Despite its weakness, the tree resisted with all its might.
Her eyes glowed, the tree itself had a soft glow around it, despite the darkness that gripped it's very essence. It was as if it were a part of the world's soul itself, yet if it were an extension of the world's soul, it would be difficult to safely cleanse.
She turned to the Vila queen. "Lady Poludnitza, is it fair to assume that the tree is directly connected to Valerie?"
Both Vilas looked at each other and nodded. "You would be correct."
Aqua hummed.
There was a way to safely remove the cancer, but the black flame would cause great pain to Valerie.
I will need to soothe the tree.
"You two remain here, I will land. I don't want you to risk corruption."
Poludnitza chuckled. "You are as full of yourself as the empress was. Sure, Katarina and I will remain here and observe."
Aqua smiled and quickly landed in front of the massive pulsating tumor.
Her eyes narrowed, and she pressed her hand onto it. The cancerous flesh was soft to the touch, yet its texture was like jelly. After a moment of deliberation, she pulled back her hand and rubbed her fingers together.
This is not normal rot.
The sticky residue was not typical rot, instead, it was twilight rot mixed with the aether of the world soul, which meant that the cancer that now infected the world tree started to assimilate the soul itself.
It had to be cut out at once, or Valerie and, in extension, her new home would have been rendered lifeless husks.
"I will not abide this," she muttered, a black flame enveloping her hand.
The cancer seemed to spasm and retreat the moment she conjured the black flame. "You are afraid, huh? Of course, even a cancer fears destruction," She said while bringing her hand closer, making the cancer pulse rapidly.
Her eyes wandered to the duo of Vilas, who observed her from the sky. The black flame would definitely scare them, yet Aqua had no luxury to not use her greatest weapon.
Aqua exhaled, yet just as the black fire was about to consume the cancer, four spindly monstrosities rose from the ground in an attempt to defend the twilight rot. Their tentacles crashed into her [Temporal Barrier].
"So the rot is in this stage already," She said, sighing. "I suppose it's fortunate that behemoths aren't appearing yet."
She swiped with her finger, and the black flame consumed the faceless monstrosities, their shrieks falling onto deaf ears, Aqua then turned toward the tumor.
She opened her palm and closed her eyes. Her senses traced the corruption. A large chunk of the tree and the rootway were assimilated and corrupted. What was worse, the corruption reached deep underground, using roots of the tree as a highway toward the vast water reservoirs.
If allowed to remain, even the fresh water supply of the entire world would have been assimilated.
A terrible cavity in the world that only a skilled doctor could fix.
Her brows frowned, then a spark of black flame enveloped the large tumor.
It left nothing behind, destroying and consuming everything in its path, led only by Aqua's will.
Aqua's eyes opened, and before her, not even a trace of rot remained; however, a large cavernous hole greeted her in its place.
An excited pink Vila landed behind Aqua, and a sound of excitement made Aqua's ears twitch.
"That is amazing! You dealt with the corruption nexus so easily! You really are our champion!"
Aqua rubbed the back of her head and turned to Katarina. "I have experience dealing with corruption."
Polunitza landed in front of the duo. "I can tell that you know what you are doing," she looked past the duo into a hollow world tree. "What was that fire? It sent dread down my very soul when you used it."
Aqua smiled. They don't need to know too much about it. "Sorry, it would be hard to explain, but you can consider it a natural predator of twilight rot."
Polunitza clicked her tongue. "Fine, I can tell it's very effective," She spoke while approaching the hole.
She jumped up and looked inside. "What do we do with the damage left behind? This will hurt our mother and leave her vulnerable."
Aqua stepped closer and raised her arm. "Stand back, Lady Poludnitza. I wouldn't just leave your mother's world tree damaged like this."
The Vila Queen nodded and flew next to Katarina. The duo carefully observed the champion's actions. While Poludnitza only looked with mild curiosity, Katarina's wings fluttered, and she couldn't help but stare in amazement at the champion's work.
Aqua raked her mind. The damage was extensive; it spread deep into the world tree's roots, yet it was far from unfixable. While something like [Wild Growth] was sufficient for small amounts of damage, its area of effect was minor unless she pumped an immense amount of mana into it.
What made it horrible to use in this case was a simple fact.
It lacked precision.
I don't have a spell for such a massive amount of damage. I need to do it manually.
She guided her senses through the cavity, filling each crack with her mana.
Then, a burst of emerald energy filled it, blinding the duo who closely observed the healing process.
Aqua raised her other arm.
When it came to healing, her skills were rather rudimentary, yet as long as they worked, nobody would have a right to complain.
She clasped her hands together, and the cavity filled itself. The leaves became more vibrant, and the part of the tree where the tumor was left showed no sign of its corruption.
However, despite fixing the tree, it did not give any solace to Aqua.
She turned her head toward the duo. "This should be enough to do the ritual and commune with Valerie?"
The two Vilas nodded, their jaws wide open.
Aqua chuckled and walked over to them. "Can you tell me what I need to do?"
Two girls looked up at Aqua. After a minute of staring, Poludnitza cleared her throat and crossed her arms. "We can try it, but I cannot guarantee that Mother can be reached even if the world tree is healed."
That makes sense, this rot is only a symptom, not the cause. She nodded. "We need to try."
Poludnitza scratched her chin, "Alright, Katarina, go prepare ritual grounds, I and the champion will arrive soon."
The pink Vila saluted. "Yes ma'ams!" She exclaimed, and her wings flapped, leaving a trail of dust behind her.
Two women looked at each other. Aqua's lips stretched into a thin smile. "Lady Poludnitza, I really appreciate your help."
"Bleh, don't mention it. You are just like the former champion, our duty is to support you."
Aqua chuckled before placing her hand onto Poludnitza's head and gently patting her, making her grumble in annoyance. "Still, thank you."
She shook her head, a small blush forming on her face. "Stop that! I hate when people touch my head."
Aqua pulled her hand back. "Sorry! You are just adorable."
For a moment, Poludnitza's ears twitched, and a low, adorable grumble escaped her throat. "Ugh, sure you can pat me! You better not tell others I let you do it," She said while grabbing Aqua's hand and placing it back onto her fiery orange hair.
"I promise, not a word," She promised while gently patting the Vila Queen.
She leaned into it, "Just like Empress used to do."
After a moment of patting, she placed her hands in a 'V' shape and took some distance away from Aqua. "Enough of that, let us head to the village while Katarina prepares the ritual."
"Sure, lead the way. Lady Poludnitza."
Before they headed out, Poludnitza stopped dead in her tracks. "Are you sure the rot won't return?"
Aqua shook her head.
The Vila queen smiled, reassured of their safety, before gesturing for Aqua to follow her into the village.