World Tree Spirit

Deep within the heart of the elven territory lay the Forbidden Sanctuary, home to the ancient Eternal Tree. 

Towering nearly a hundred meters high, the once-magnificent tree was now a shadow of its former self. Its golden leaves, dry and brittle, had fallen to the ground, forming a thick, lifeless carpet. 

The mighty branches that had once stretched toward the sky were now shriveled and weak, unable to support the weight of new growth.

Soft orbs of light, each no larger than a basketball, floated around the dying tree. These were young spirits, unborn elves awaiting their time to be born fully. 

Yet, without the vitality of the world Tree, they remained trapped in their sleeping state, unable to fully manifest into the world.

As Renjiro Mikazuki, the young Elf King, arrived at the sacred site, accompanied by Elaria and his three Elven leaders, the spirits sensed his presence. 

In an instant, they fluttered toward him, circling around his head like flickering stars. They radiated emotions, sadness, longing, and an unspoken plea for help.

Renjiro closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing himself to connect with their sorrow. He could feel it in his heart, the weight of their despair pressing against his very soul.

Then, a voice, ancient and wise, echoed through the sanctuary.

"You have come, young King."

Renjiro opened his eyes and looked toward the tree's enormous trunk. A face, weathered with time and wisdom, had appeared on the rough bark. 

It was the Spirit of the Tree, the very soul that governed its existence. Its voice was deep and slow, like the whisper of rustling leaves in the wind.

Renjiro stepped forward, placing his right hand over his chest in an elegant elven gesture of respect. "I came as soon as I could," he replied solemnly. "I only hope I am not too late."

The Spirit let out a weary sigh. "My time is almost at an end. I can no longer bring forth new life."

Hearing these words, Lorien, the leader of the Mage squads, clenched her fists. Her emerald eyes burned with fierce determination. 

"You need not worry! Our King has received the divine blessing of the Goddess! He wields a sacred miracle that can restore your vitality!"

The great tree trembled slightly, its gnarled branches creaking. "Forgive my skepticism, young ones," the Tree Spirit murmured. 

"Even if he possesses such a miracle, he is still far too young. To restore my vitality would require a… very…."

Renjiro interrupted, a smile on his face. "Then let me try."

A deep, ancient rumble echoed from within the tree. "You are as stubborn as your Ancestors," the Tree Spirit mused. "Ah, how many years has it been? Two thousand, perhaps?"

As the Tree Spirit spoke, Renjiro quietly reached out to the system in his mind.

'System, Use the Eternal Tree.'

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[Affirmative. Initiating now.]

Without warning, a surge of pure, radiant energy erupted from Renjiro's body. It pulsed through his veins, flowing outward like a tidal wave of divine power. 

The energy spiraled around him before rushing toward the Eternal Tree, merging into its withering bark.

For a brief moment, nothing happened. Then…. A sudden, violent tremor shook the earth beneath their feet.

"W-What is this…?" The Spirit gasped, its voice filled with disbelief. "This… this energy…!"

The withered branches, once lifeless and brittle, began to pulse with vitality. The decayed bark shed away like old skin, revealing fresh wood beneath. 

Golden-green leaves sprouted, unfurling like delicate silk under the morning sun. The spirits, once trapped in dormancy, danced wildly in the air, their once-dim light burning brightly.

The transformation was so overwhelming that even the Tree Spirit itself could hardly believe it. "Impossible… this is an impossible miracle! My vitality… it's returning at an uncontrollable rate!"

Renjiro grinned, lowering his hand. "A miracle, indeed. Now, tell me, Tree Spirit, can you bring new elves into this world once more?"

"Yes!" A deep, resonant voice echoed through the sanctuary as the Tree Spirit spoke once more.

"I have been reborn… I can now create life at an unprecedented scale. As long as I am given enough resources like gold, I can nurture and bring forth one hundred thousand young elves in a single day! This has never been possible before!"

The spirit's voice, though filled with excitement, suddenly faltered. "Wait… Gold? Why do I feel the need for gold?"

Renjiro's eyes twitched slightly. That was the system's doing, no doubt. It seemed that even the Eternal Tree's rejuvenation followed the system's mechanics, gold was a necessary resource for nurturing new elves.

Renjiro, however, remained composed. "You have done well. You have just been reborn. You should rest and recover your strength."

The spirit sighed, its ancient voice growing weary. "Yes… I am tired… I shall sleep for now."

As quickly as it had appeared, the face on the tree's bark faded away, and the sanctuary grew quiet once more.

Elaria and the three Elven leaders stood frozen in place, their expressions filled with awe and disbelief.

"Your Majesty… you have revived the World Tree!"

"This is a miracle! The blessing of the Goddess herself!"

Renjiro remained composed, offering a gentle nod. "Yes, it is the Goddess who watches over us. She has not abandoned us yet."

For now, he knew that attributing all these "miracles" to the Goddess was the safest choice. Let them believe it was divine intervention, it would help solidify their faith in him more.

….

Without wasting any time, Renjiro walked toward an open patch of land near the sanctuary. His eyes glowed with excitement to see the next thing.

'System, I want to plant the Battleborn Tree here.'

[Please place the Battleborn Tree Seed into the soil. It will take root and grow on its own.]

Renjiro opened his right hand. A vibrant green seed, pulsating with green mystical energy, appeared in his palm.

He crouched down, carefully pressing the seed into the rich, fertile soil. Gently, he covered it with earth, patting it down before standing back up.

"How long will it take to grow?"

[Few minutes.]

Renjiro's eyes widened slightly. "What?"

Before he could fully process the information, the ground trembled beneath his feet. A deep, rumbling vibration spread through his surrounding area.

Realizing what was happening, he quickly stepped back.

As a tiny green sprout emerged from the soil.