Silver light filtered naturally through the wood and the air itself felt alive. Aether flowed peacefully through every wall.
If Atheline were here, he would immediately recognise the place he had entered. Somewhere only a few were allowed to enter.
The Protector finally stopped before an enormous root wider than an entire house. It pulsed gently like the heartbeat of the world itself.
For several long moments, neither moved. Then, the root glowed. Ancient runes slowly emerged across its surface and the chamber trembled.
The World Tree had recognized him but not as a visitor, as an intruder.
Invisible pressure filled the chamber. Enough to crush an ordinary Manipulator instantly. The Protector remained perfectly still.
"...You still remember."
The pressure increased as the roots shifted. The chamber itself seemed ready to reject him and he didn't attempt to resist.
Instead... he slowly reached into his robe, from within, he produced something impossibly small.
