A luminous curtain of stars draped across the vast, inky canvas of the night sky. A full moon, a pearl in the celestial sea, bathed the landscape in a silvery glow.
Elias, nestled amidst the dark leaves of the colossal tree, slept soundly, his breathing a gentle counterpoint to the symphony of the night.
The colossal tree, a marvel in itself, stood as a silent yet majestic sentinel against the moonlit sky. Its trunk, as thick as several men standing side-by-side, was gnarled and ancient, etched with the passage of time.
The dark leaves, unlike any Elias had ever seen, were truly a sight to behold. Though black as midnight, they possessed an uncanny quality.
When the moonlight touched them, they seemed to shimmer with an inner light, casting an ethereal, almost fluorescent glow around Elias' slumbering form.
This otherworldly glow was a perfect counterpoint to the moon's cool, silvery light, bathing the area around Elias in an otherworldly luminescence.
The sprawling grasslands, bathed in the ethereal moonlight, stretched out like a rumpled emerald velvet blanket around the base of the tree.
The tall grasses, untouched by human hands, whispered secrets in the cool night breeze. In the distance, the silhouettes of grazing herbivores – majestic zebras with their bold stripes and graceful gazelles with their delicate frames – were stark against the luminous backdrop. They grazed cautiously, their senses constantly alert for any sign of danger.
The stillness was occasionally broken by the rustle of movement or the startled snort of an animal, a reminder of the watchful eyes that inhabited the night.
The distant lake, a mirror reflecting the moonlit heavens, shimmered with a soft, ethereal luminescence. The gentle lapping of water against the shore created a soothing, rhythmic melody.
Around the lake, various nocturnal creatures had come to quench their thirst. A sleek, silver fox with keen eyes and a twitching nose approached cautiously, its every movement a testament to its predatory instincts.
A group of plump ducks, their white feathers glistening in the moonlight, paddled serenely on the water's surface, foraging for aquatic life. The occasional splash broke the stillness as a curious fish jumped, sending ripples outwards like expanding silver coins.
On the opposite side of the lake, the towering trees of the forest stood tall and proud, their dark shapes forming a dense, almost impenetrable barrier.
The air within the forest was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, a world shrouded in a cool, mysterious darkness.
Here, nocturnal owls with silent wings and sharp yellow eyes perched on branches, surveying the landscape for unsuspecting prey.
Insects buzzed in the undergrowth, their tiny bodies illuminating the night with bioluminescent light.
The occasional rustle of leaves or the hoot of an owl served as reminders of the unseen predators that lurked within the forest's depths.
The night pulsed with a quiet vibrancy. Every rustle, every chirp, every splash was a note in the grand symphony of nature.
The moon, a silent observer, cast its ethereal glow upon the vast landscape, illuminating the beauty and complexity of the world around the slumbering Elias.
Beneath the watchful gaze of the moon and the watchful eyes of the night creatures, Elias slept, his rest a prelude to the adventures that awaited him when the sun rose, painting the world in a new light.
Suddenly, two figures materialized near Elias, seemingly appearing out of thin air.
One, a male cloaked in shimmering shadows that seemed to dance and writhe around him, exuded an aura of power and mystery.
The other, a female wreathed in a flowing silver light that mirrored the moon's glow, possessed a beauty both ethereal and majestic.
Both figures were accompanied by a swarm of tiny, brightly glowing sprites that flitted around them like miniature fireflies. These were the Ancient Spirits, guardians of the tree where Elias slept.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity about the slumbering figure, the Spirits approached Elias cautiously.
They brushed his face with a feather-light touch, their spectral fingers tracing every part of his body.
This strange sensation, gentle yet undeniable, jolted Elias awake with a gasp.
He found himself face-to-face with these magnificent beings, a mix of shock and awe washing over him.
This was his first encounter with the intelligent creatures of this new world.
The Spirits, bowing their heads in a gesture of respect, spoke in voices that resonated within Elias' mind rather than through his ears.
"You carry a grand scent," the male Spirit rumbled, his voice like the rustle of ancient leaves.
"A scent of greatness, a hint of the divine." The female Spirit, her voice like tinkling silver bells, added, "We sense a great potential within you, yet your physical form seems... frail."
Elias, still reeling from the strangeness of the situation, stammered an apology.
"Forgive me," he managed, "I didn't realize I was trespassing on your domain. I simply sought shelter and found myself falling asleep atop this magnificent tree."
He explained his origin – a normal human on a secret mission – and his current weakness, his level still a measly 0.
This unexpected humility touched the Spirits. With a gentle smile, the female Spirit introduced themselves.
"I am Moonshade," she said, her voice like a soothing melody.
The male Spirit spoke next, his voice deep and resonant. "And I am Nightshade," he introduced, "guardian of this tree's shadows."
They then explained the reason for sensing a powerful aura within Elias. "The scent you possess," Moonshade elaborated, "reminds us of the one who created this very tree, the one who gave us life."
As if triggered by their conversation, notification materialized in front of Elias' eyes.
__________
System Notification
__________
Encounter with the Ancient Spirits
Awarded 50,000 XP for discovering and interacting with the legendary guardians of the Shadowbloom Tree.
__________
Just then, he noticed a notification icon blinking in the corner of his vision. It seemed a new message had appeared while he slept.
With a mental nudge, the notification window unfolded before him.
__________
System Notification
__________
Discovery of the Shadowbloom Tree
Awarded 100,000 XP for uncovering a legendary landmark and unraveling its secrets.
Naming the Shadowbloom Tree
Awarded 25,000 XP for recognizing the unique nature of the tree and bestowing upon it a fitting name.
__________
Elias stared at the notifications in disbelief.
Not only had he encountered powerful beings, but he had also gained a significant amount of experience points simply by sleeping under a remarkable tree! This incredible turn of events fueled a spark of excitement within him.
Perhaps this strange new world held more wonders and opportunities than he could have ever imagined.
Moonshade and Nightshade fell silent, their ethereal forms radiating calm and gentle curiosity.
Elias, however, seemed lost in thought. His gaze drifted downwards, his brow furrowing slightly as if he were deeply focused on something unseen.
After a moment of pensive silence, he looked up, a mix of apology and awe coloring his features.
"Forgive me, esteemed guardians," he began, bowing deeply before the majestic figures.
"I felt so amazed and surprised waking up to your presence that I momentarily forgot myself. Please accept my apologies."
Their curiosity satiated for the moment, the Ancient Spirits turned their attention to Elias.
With a gesture of respect, Moon Shade inclined her head slightly.
"Tell us, young one," she spoke, her voice as soft as moonlight filtering through leaves. "Who are you?"
Night Shade echoed the sentiment, bowing his head in a gesture of deference.
"And more importantly," he continued, his voice a low rumble like distant thunder, "how do you possess an aura so reminiscent of our creator?"
Elias, still processing the fantastical turn of events, cleared his throat and bowed deeply before the majestic figures.
"Esteemed guardians," he began, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
"I apologize for trespassing on your sacred domain. I was simply seeking shelter for the night and found myself drawn to this magnificent tree."
He then explained his origins, detailing his existence as an ordinary human on a secret mission.
Hesitantly, he added, "My level is still a lowly 0, which explains my weak physical form."
A flicker of surprise passed through Moon Shade's ethereal features. The Spirits exchanged a silent glance, a silent conversation passing between them.
"Tell us more about this mission, Elias," Night Shade rumbled, a hint of intrigue in his voice.
"Perhaps we can be of assistance. We offer our aid in exchange for a clearer understanding of your purpose."
Elias fell silent for a moment, considering what to reveal.
The two ancient spirits exuded a benevolent aura, devoid of any hostility.
He recalled their earlier statement about sensing the scent of their creator within him.
With a deep breath, Elias decided on honesty.
"Esteemed guardians," he began, bowing deeply.
"I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I am Elias, a former hunter from a remote and frozen island called Frostpire Isle."
A flicker of interest crossed the faces of the spirits as they exchanged a surprised glance upon hearing the island's name.
Elias recounted a tale of his rescue from a brutal blizzard on Frostpire Isle.
Two men had found him near death, offering him shelter and care. One was a stout, bearded figure, the other a towering elder with a snow-white beard and a face that radiated both age and a curious handsomeness. Both possessed an aura of hidden power and wisdom.
He explained that he'd lived with them until a strange phenomenon swept across the land. His abilities, all honed through years of harsh survival, seemed to vanish overnight, resetting to their most basic form.
Apparently, a significant shift in the world's very system caused this anomaly.
This was also connected to a mission bestowed upon him by the elder – to spread word throughout Arcadia of an impending arrival: humans from another world would be making their way to Arcadia in the coming years.
The elder tasked Elias with preparing Arcadia for this influx of outsiders.
Moonshade and Nightshade listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to surprise as Elias shared his story.
The mission, they acknowledged, was both monumental and noble. However, Elias' current physical state caused them some concern.
To clarify a lingering doubt, Moonshade spoke, her voice laced with a hint of polite inquiry. "Forgive our presumption, but could you tell us the names of these two individuals who came to your aid?"
Nightshade echoed her curiosity. "Indeed, Elias. We would appreciate some clarification. Who are they?"
Elias readily complied. "The shorter, stockier man with the beard was named Argus," he explained. "The taller, more imposing figure was Argus' father, Prometheus."
The ancient spirits froze, a jolt of shock coursing through them. The name Elias had uttered, Prometheus, was their very creator, a being they revered as the Ancient God.
"Our Creator..." Moonshade breathed, her voice barely a whisper
.
Nightshade mirrored her sentiment, his voice a low rumble. "The Ancient God..."
Elias, sensing their sudden shift in demeanor, tilted his head in confusion. "The Ancient God?" he questioned.
Nightshade took the lead in explanation. "Prometheus," he clarified, "was not just any man. He was the sole creator of this world, the only being with the right to hold absolute authority over all within it."
Moonshade chimed in, adding to Nightshade's explanation.
"Time and new beliefs have caused the people of Arcadia to forget much about Prometheus. They have chosen new deities to worship. Currently, the most prominent and revered deity is Athena, a goddess of wisdom and strategy."
Moonshade and Nightshade were deeply saddened by the state of affairs in Arcadia. It seemed the residents, across all races, had forgotten Prometheus.
While a small number still clung to the teachings of their creator, they were ostracized by those who followed the new gods.
"Those who still believe in the Ancient One," Moonshade lamented, her voice heavy with disappointment, "are branded heretics, a mere cult by the rest of Arcadia."
Nightshade's shadowy form flickered with anger. "Thousands of years have passed, and we haven't received a single word about the fate of those who hold true to the Ancient One."
But Moonshade's gaze held a flicker of hope as she looked towards the night sky. "Surely, somewhere in this world, there remain those who truly revere the Ancient One as the greatest."
Her voice became pleading as she turned to Elias. "You mentioned living with him... could you tell us of his current state?"
Elias hesitated for a moment, then offered a sheepish smile.
"Esteemed guardians of the Shadowbloom," he began apologetically, "I fear I may have caused offense with the fragmented information I provided."
Moonshade's voice softened. "Offense? How so, messenger of the Ancient One?"
Elias cleared his throat. "The explanation I gave earlier was... only part of the truth." He relished the growing curiosity in their expressions.