After the incident, the days were uneventful as they traversed deeper into the forest the darkness felt more oppressive the deeper they went and the silence of the forest was accented by the flutter of birds from there perch.
In there travels they found the old faithful stream and followed its cascading current upstream, days became more monotony as it became clockwork in the march towards there quarry.
Until they saw the massive tree which Caleb recognised
Caleb looked around the group and every single one was gawking as if awestruck
"Is...that what i think it is "
"its the heart of the forest "
"By the divines it is massives"
The group turned to Caleb who looked casual as ever
"You don't know about this tree do you"
Caleb responded with and stare of which conveyed a resounding no
"Its a spot for pilgrims for those who wish to get in touch with na...."
Calebs eyes glazed over
'System ,so i slept on some holy tree'
[Yes]
"....it is said to have the guardian who is a jet black bul....."
'So the bull we killed was..
[The Guardian ]
Walking along the stream unsure how to find a way to pass for the party Caleb looked for a weaker stream or the more diminutive parts of the party would be washed away like driftwood.
"Guide, leave this bit to us ,Ellie your up "
"Huh ,sorry i'll get to to it "
Caleb stepped back as Ellie walked towards the torrent of water groggily and then adeptly raised her staff and as it rasied towards the sky it started to gather globules of weak brownish light and as it coelesced it became stronger until she slammed the staff into the dirt causing tremors which carried forth into the waves and as they did it parted partially .
Caleb just looked at this display intrigued unkown how to react .
"When you gawk like that a magic it reminds me when i was a kid and saw it ,lets go ,stay close to Ellie or you're going to end up washed away"
Caleb looked towards the staff and it vibrated with a quite tremor almost unnoticeable
the group quickly jumped in the clear area in the water and Caleb cautiously followed Ellie who was brough down by Reha who put Ellie back on her shoulders, as their feet touched the ground it sunk a few inches inwards in the boged down earth .
As they walked in the middle of the stream it was off as it was like an invisible barrier separated them and looking to the group only Rea was awed by this and was dragging her massive hands through the murky depths of the water walls ,Caleb tried it and felt through the depths and it was a biting cold swiftly withdrawing it .
As they reached the edge each of them vaulted over except Ellie who jauntily jumped onto the ground.
As they left Ellie's staff began to quiten its tremors and as it did the water walls began to slosh about and abruplty they connected and the halted stream torrented force with a burst of vigor.
"Thank you Ellie, where to now guide "
Caleb palmed his hand in the direction of the tree
"Deeper towards the tree ,are you not worried about the guardian "
"Its just a wives tale dont worry about it "
'Well then luckily there is no guardian, now or that quote would be a bit prophetic"