Chapter 80: The Whispering Eldertree

Third Person's POV

The journey deeper into Viridwyn's sacred grounds felt like stepping into a place untouched by time.

The forest grew denser, the towering trees forming a thick canopy that wove together so tightly that only streaks of golden light managed to pierce through.

Thick vines draped from the branches like curtains of emerald, swaying gently as if they, too, were watching.

The air carried an almost tangible hum, an energy that pressed against their skin—not hostile, but heavy with the presence of something far older than any of them.

Lyrielle, who had been mostly silent until now, walked beside them, her faded blue eyes flickering with something unreadable.

"You knew about this place," Selene murmured, glancing at her.

Lyrielle nodded, brushing her fingers along the rough bark of a passing tree.

"Yes. My grandfather speaks to the Eldertree, but I have never seen it up close."

Axel gave her a sideways glance. "Why not?"

"The tree chooses who it speaks to," she admitted, lowering her voice as if afraid to disturb the very air around them.

"Even among my people, only a few have ever been deemed worthy to hear its voice."

Selene absorbed her words carefully. Then why was Lyrielle here now? Was she hoping that this time, the Eldertree would finally acknowledge her?

Before she could press further, Eldrin, the Verdant Sage, slowed his pace.

They had arrived.

The towering trees that had once enclosed the path suddenly gave way to an enormous clearing, bathed in a golden-green light that seemed to emanate from a single, colossal tree standing at its heart.

The Whispering Eldertree was beyond anything Selene had imagined. It was ancient—its trunk so massive that it could have easily rivaled a castle in size, its roots weaving into the earth like the veins of the land itself.

The bark, dark and textured with age, bore deep engravings of symbols that pulsed faintly, like the rhythmic beat of a heart.

But it was the leaves that struck them with awe.

Vast and abundant, they stretched outward in an endless canopy of green—yet every now and then, flickers of gold shimmered through the dense foliage, like sunlight dancing on the surface of a river.

Unlike ordinary leaves, they seemed almost alive, shifting and glistening with an ethereal glow whenever the light touched them.

The air itself felt different here. Heavier. As if the very breath of the land came from this one, ancient being.

Khael exhaled slowly. "Okay. That's… a big tree."

Tyra crossed her arms, muttering under her breath, "More like a damn fortress."

Selene took a cautious step forward. "So this is the Whispering Eldertree."

Eldrin nodded solemnly. "This is the keeper of Viridwyn's past. It remembers what has been forgotten, holds the knowledge that even I cannot fully grasp."

Axel studied the massive tree warily. "And you expect it to just… talk to us?"

Eldrin let out a small chuckle. "Not in words, no. The Eldertree speaks in ways beyond the mortal tongue. But if it deems you worthy… you will understand."

Selene swallowed, feeling the weight of what they were about to do.

Then, without another word, she stepped toward the tree.

Axel followed.

Tyra exhaled sharply, resting a hand on her broadsword as if bracing herself before stepping forward as well.

Khael lingered behind, frowning up at the tree as if it had personally insulted him.

"I don't get why I have to be judged by a tree."

The golden-green leaves rustled—not with the wind, but as if responding to him directly.

The group stood in front of the colossal Eldertree, waiting. Nothing happened.

The golden-green leaves rustled slightly in the wind, but there was no voice, no ancient wisdom, not even a hint that the tree acknowledged their presence.

Selene glanced at Eldrin. "Are you sure it speaks?"

The sage nodded with certainty. "The Eldertree has whispered to many throughout history. If it deems us worthy, it will answer."

Khael frowned, staring up at the massive tree. "Maybe it doesn't feel like talking."

Tyra sighed, crossing her arms. "Or maybe it's just messing with us."

Axel tilted his head. "It's a tree. Can it even mess with us?"

The silence stretched, almost as if in response to his words.

Selene stepped forward. "Great Eldertree, guardian of Viridwyn's past, we seek your wisdom."

The wind picked up slightly, but nothing more.

Khael tapped his foot. "Uh… maybe it's sleeping?"

Axel sighed. "Does an ancient tree even sleep?"

Khael shrugged. "Well, it sure isn't talking."

Tyra muttered under her breath, "This is embarrassing."

Even Eldrin looked uncertain now. He closed his eyes, concentrating, as if hoping to hear the whispers he had devoted his life to interpreting. But still, nothing.

Minutes passed.

Nothing.

Selene frowned. "Perhaps we should—"

Before she could finish, a powerful gust of wind blasted through the clearing.

Leaves swirled in a golden-green storm, the branches of the Eldertree swaying as if waking from a deep slumber.

Then, the ground beneath them vanished.

A sudden weightlessness overtook them, the world twisting and shifting.

The wind howled in their ears, light blurred around them, and before they could react, they were pulled into the unknown.

The moment they landed, everything changed. The air felt thicker, charged with something ancient and unseen.

The chamber surrounding them was not made of stone or wood but a living space—a sanctuary where golden-green light pulsed like the slow, steady breath of an ancient being.

Glowing veins of energy ran through the walls, humming softly, as if the Eldertree itself was alive and watching.

Selene steadied herself, trying to grasp the surreal sensation pressing down on her senses. "Where… are we?"

Eldrin, usually composed, looked as though he had stepped into a sacred dream. His hands trembled slightly. "Inside the heart of the Eldertree."

Lyrielle, standing beside him, looked around with wide, faded blue eyes. For all her connection to spirits, even she had never been here before. "So this is what it looks like…"

Tyra adjusted her stance and let out a sharp breath. "Alright, so where's the one we're supposed to be talking to?"

Before anyone could respond, a slow, swirling mist formed at the center of the chamber. At first, it was nothing but curling tendrils of gold and green, shifting like liquid light. Then a voice echoed through the chamber, sounding decidedly unimpressed.

"Hmph. Took you long enough."

The group stiffened.

Khael frowned at the mist. "Uh… is the tree talking now?"

A soft, exasperated chuckle rippled through the air, like wind rustling through leaves.

"Oh, so you do have ears. I was beginning to think you were all deaf."

Selene straightened. "Great Eldertree, we seek answers—"

"Yes, yes, I know why you're here," the voice cut in, utterly unimpressed.

"Mortals always come seeking something. It's never just to say hello, is it? No 'how are you?' No 'would you like some tea, Great Eldertree?' It's always— oh, great one, bestow your wisdom upon us—blah, blah, blah."

Silence.

Axel blinked. Tyra glanced at Selene. Even Eldrin, who had likely rehearsed this moment for decades, looked thoroughly thrown off.

Khael, however, looked delighted. "I like her."

Tyra elbowed him. "She's an ancient spirit, not your new best friend."

The swirling mist thickened, shimmering brighter. The presence in the air grew heavier. Then, as the golden-green light pulsed around them, the mist shifted.

A woman emerged from the light, breathtaking in her beauty. Her golden hair cascaded down in waves, her emerald-green eyes sharp and knowing.

She was tall and elegant, carrying the grace of an elf, her long dress flowing like woven light and leaves.

She arched a brow at them, folding her arms.

"Well? Is this shape easier for you to talk to? Or would you prefer I go back to being a pile of mist?"

Selene blinked. "You're… a woman?"

The Eldertree smirked. "What, were you expecting a talking log?"

Khael, who had been staring wide-eyed, suddenly blurted out, "Wow, you're old!"

A painful silence followed.

Axel sighed, running a hand down his face. "Khael…"

Tyra smacked the back of his head. "Have some respect!"

The Eldertree tilted her head, smirking. "Oh? And what does that make you, little flame? A newborn?"

Khael, unfazed, crossed his arms.

"Compared to you? Yeah."

Selene closed her eyes briefly, inhaling deeply, before turning back to the spirit. "Great spirit, we seek the truth of Viridwyn's past—"

The Eldertree flicked her wrist lazily. "Yes, yes, I know. But whether you're ready for the truth? That's another matter entirely."

Eldrin stepped forward. "It is truly an honor… This is my first time—"

The Eldertree groaned loudly. "Your first time? Oh, wonderful. Another first-time visitor. Just what I needed."

She gestured at the others. "Let me guess. You've all been tested by something or someone to prove yourselves worthy, haven't you?"

Selene hesitated. "…Yes."

Axel gave a short nod. "We have."

The Eldertree sighed. "Ugh. Tests, trials, proving yourselves—honestly, I am so tired of mortals and their endless need for validation."

She waved a hand dismissively. "What is it with you people? Do you all wake up in the morning thinking, 'oh boy, I sure hope I get to pass a trial today'?"

Axel rubbed his temples. "Not exactly how it works, but—"

The Eldertree ignored him. "How about instead of me testing you, you do something for me instead?"

Selene hesitated. "You want us to prove ourselves by helping you?"

The Eldertree smirked. "Oh, sweet child, I don't need proof. I am proof. But if you want my wisdom, you're going to earn it by doing something useful for once."

The golden-green chamber pulsed again, the air thick with expectation.

Axel sighed under his breath. "Somehow, I feel like this is going to be more of a hassle than a trial."

Tyra crossed her arms. "Well, at least we don't have to fight her. Can you imagine trying to punch that?"

Khael nodded sagely. "She'd probably just scold us to death."

The Eldertree hummed in amusement.

"Smart boy." She clapped her hands together suddenly. "Alright then! Your task is simple—"

A slow, knowing smirk spread across her face.

"I need you to fix a very old mistake."

To be continued.