Liam gaped as he looked around him in shock. He was currently standing in complete and utter darkness.
When they had entered the barrier both Luna and Liam had been side by side but now he was somehow separated from her. He did not feel like he had teleported somewhere so perhaps he was still standing at the same spot.
Several theories came to his mind but Liam's thoughts were interrupted by something else that was far more concerning. All of a sudden, a huge pressure descended upon him, almost suffocating in its intensity.
The darkness around him felt oppressive, thick with an unseen weight that seemed to press down on his very soul.
Liam tried to move, but it was as if he was rooted to the spot. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing loudly in the silent void. He strained his senses, trying to grasp something. Anything.
The next second, in the pitch-black darkness, a faint glimmer of light finally appeared. It was a soft, pulsating glow, seemingly distant yet oddly comforting. Liam focused on the light, feeling a slight easing in the oppressive atmosphere as he did.
The light slowly grew brighter, illuminating what appeared to be a pathway in the darkness. Liam felt the pressure around him lessen, giving him the mobility he needed. With cautious steps, he began to walk towards the light.
As he moved, the path illuminated further, revealing its contours and twists. Liam did not know what he was walking toward but he could tell that he had to go there.
Eventually, the path led Liam to a large, open area where the light converged into a brilliant, radiant glow. Standing in the midst of this light was a tree – majestic and ethereal, its presence exuding an ancient and powerful aura.
Liam had actually expected an elf to be standing there, the tree attaining some sort of an elvish form but the world tree was still a tree.
As Liam stood staring at the tree transfixed, a voice boomed in his ears.?"You have come far, Liam." The voice, deep and resonant, seemed to emanate directly from the tree, vibrating through the very air around him. It was a woman's voice.
Liam waited for her to continue talking but there was nothing else. Soon, a warm radiant light enveloped him, a feeling that was deeply exhilarating.
Liam did not know what was happening but every part of his body was currently being healed. The warmth continued to seep into every fiber of his being, filling him with a sense of profound peace and vitality.
It even corrected the small injuries he had acquired during the fight. But it was more than that. It was not just his physical injuries. It was as if his very essence was being healed.
Ever since Liam was able to return in time he had been running constantly from one struggle to another. The problems were only accumulating with nothing ever resolved.
Though he had faced everything with a steel heart and continued persisting despite the raging storm, parts of him were tired.
The warmth from the guardian spread to even these parts making him relax a little. Liam felt his spirit or rather his will becoming more stronger and sharper. He let out a sigh, taking everything in and enjoying the momentary respite.
"You have come far, Liam." The voice again said. "But the path in front of you is long and arduous. Choose wisely the life that you want to lead and don't forget your past."
Liam was about to say something when suddenly the warmth and the glow he was feeling started disappearing. What was happening? This was the guardian's blessing?
Eldrin mentioned that there would be some sort of treasure that was granted, something that he desired the most.
And right from the moment he had entered this space, Liam had been desiring one thing and only one thing. He wanted to return to his world somehow!
But it looked like his wish wasn't going to be granted. Feeling a sense of desperation wash over him, he hurriedly blurted out. "Can you help me return to my home?"
However, the vision in front of him was already fading and he found himself standing near Luna once again. Liam's face visibly paled when he heard the guardian's voice again.
"I have already helped you as much as I can, human. If I do anything further, then the threads of fate will link us both. Trust me. That will only do you more harm than good."
"There are beings that you are not even capable of comprehending at the moment. You are not ready to stand in front of them. Goodbye, human. I hope there is a day when we meet again."
Liam's heart sank as the last words of the guardian echoed in his ears. The world around him solidified, and he found himself standing back in the lush greenery surrounding the World Tree, with Luna by his side.
They too were kicked out by the world tree even though they did not fall on their asses like Eldrin did.
"What? Why are you here already?" Eldrin appeared more shocked than anyone. The other cultist elves around him also blinked in a daze.
Liam looked at the elf's eager eyes searching for signs of treasure on his body and he could only wear a rueful smile. Perhaps Luna received something?
He turned to examine the fox who appeared to be equally confused.
Liam then stared at the glowing giant trunk of the world tree which seemed as if it neither had an end nor a beginning. The world tree perhaps decided to not give him anything? It did talk about some threads of fate…
As he was silently pondering, suddenly, his face changed as he noticed something. His mana flow was different. It was very subtle but it was different.
Giving Luna a look, Liam immediately closed his eyes and started meditating to see what exactly had changed in his body.