Eira had never experienced anything like the voyage to Yggdrasil. Twilight hues shimmered in the heavens above, and an old, invisible force appeared to hum in the earth below. As they got closer to the hallowed location, the atmosphere grew denser, as though history itself was pressing down on them. Eira felt her fire flicker as each step approached, sending a pulse of electricity through the soil as if it sensed something beyond her comprehension.
The World Tree was a massive ash tree whose roots extended into the darkest regions and whose branches reached the skies. She and her friends had heard stories about it, but seeing it for herself was an incredible experience. Its bark, which reached far into the sky, was engraved with characters that
gleamed a little, and its leaves had a liquid gold sheen. With luminous veins pulsating through its gigantic trunk, the tree itself gave the impression of being alive, more so than any typical plant. Yggdrasil's sheer sight was like gazing at the center of the cosmos.
Alaric said in a whisper, "By the gods," his eyes wide with wonder. "It exceeds my expectations in terms of magnificence." With her heart racing in her chest, Eira nodded. The aura of the World Tree was drawing her in and luring her in. It was more than simply a tree; it was the skeleton of the universe and the origin of all rebirth, death, and life.
Ever the cynic, Lysandra broke the respectful stillness. Fantastic. Now, what can we do to avert the global end? Give the tree a hug? Sing along with it?
Tyr gave her a stern look, yet there was just the tiniest hint of a smile. "Lysandra, this is not the moment for humor. If we do not take immediate action, not only Yggdrasil but everything associated with it will perish.
Stepping forward, Eira's hands reached automatically for the trunk. Her fingertips barely touched the bark when an intense energy burst through her that almost knocked her off her feet. Fire flared briefly in her palms as she gasped, but she held on. Her mind was filled with visions of worlds being formed and ripped apart, of giants and gods fighting in ancient times, and in the center of it all, the World Tree, bleeding from something eating away at its very roots.
"Nidhogg," Eira mumbled, drawing back her hand as the sights subsided. "The phoenix. It consumes the roots for food.
Tyr's expression grayed. Though Nidhogg's goal to destroy the World Tree has never altered, something new has emerged. More has been lost to the rot than should have been. It has to end or it will devour everything.
Alaric folded his arms and cast a contemplative glance. However, why now? Why is this time's Nidhogg onslaught more dangerous? There must be someone or something supporting it.
A shiver went down Eira's spine. Beneath the tree's surface, she sensed a dark, old force that was malicious. "We must descend," she replied in a strong tone. "Back to the source."
Unimpressed, Lysandra raised an eyebrow. Do you want us to explore the World Tree's roots? You are aware that there is a dragon beneath that? An extremely ravenous dragon
"I understand your displeasure as well, but if we don't stop Nidhogg, the rot will eventually spread to every realm," Eira said. Yggdrasil's interwoven worlds will all be annihilated.
Tyr nodded, his face serious. "We have to go below. But take caution—there are other threats hiding in the underworld than Nidhogg.
At the foot of the World Tree, deep within a forest, was the entrance to the roots. The air became colder as they descended, and the light from above started to disappear, giving way to an odd, unsettling glow that appeared to originate from the tree itself. The tunnels pulsed with an unearthly vitality as they twisted and spun like the earth's veins. Each and every Eira frequently believed she heard voices or murmurs coming from the shadows, but they were echoes of the past, ever so faint.
Lysandra said, her voice hardly audible above a whisper, "I don't like this." "It feels off."
Alaric remarked, his hand firmly holding his blade, "You're not wrong." "Death is reeking here."
As they descended to the lowest point of the roots, a wave of rotten odor overcame them. The roots had turned dark and decaying; they had once been bright and shining with life. Slithering through the soil were thick, black tendrils of corruption, seeping with an unpleasant fluid. Nidhogg the dragon stood in the midst of it all, its huge body curled around the biggest root, its jagged, sharp teeth gnawing away at it. The eyes of the dragon glowed an unsettling yellow, and its scales were as black as the night. It was hideous, bigger than anything Eira had ever seen, and it exuded hate.
"That's it," snarled Tyr. The adversary of Yggdrasil.
Eira forcefully gulped, her heart pounding. "How can it be stopped?"
"Weak methods cannot kill Nidhogg," Tyr stated coolly. "We have to cut off the corruption that gives it strength."
Lysandra scowled. And just how do we go about doing that?
Tyr turned to look at Eira with a fierce look. "With a fire."
Surprised, Eira blinked. "My fire?"
"Not simply any fire," Tyr said. "The flame of Prometheus." It has the ability to purge corruption. However, you must use it with caution—using it excessively might burn the World Tree and its decay together.
The magnitude of the work ahead of her and the weight of his words struck Eira. Her mastery over her power appeared to be the key to everything now that she had never truly realized it held.
Alaric moved closer and gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. I have faith in you, Eira. We have faith in you.
His words caused her heart to soar, and she nodded with a renewed sense of resolve. "All right. Now let's get started.
The dragon raised its head and fixed them with its yellow eyes as they got closer to Nidhogg. It growled loudly, sending shivers down the spine of the earth.
Stepping forward, Eira felt flames dance down her fingers in her hands. She sensed the fire within her, strong and untamed yet nonetheless hazardous. She inhaled deeply and concentrated, directing the flame into a focused ray of light that was pointed straight at the tainted root.
Bright and strong, the fire swept forward, cutting through the corruption like a purifying wave. When the flames reached Nidhogg, he yelled with rage and thrashed against the roots, but Eira kept her ground and drove the fire further into the decay.
"Right now!" Tyr yelled. "Attack while it's vulnerable!"
With their swords drawn, Tyr and Alaric charged toward the dragon. Using her quick reflexes, Lysandra moved quickly across the battlefield, distracting the beast as the others struck. Although the struggle was intense, Eira's fire grew brighter as each blow on the corruption weakened it.
Eventually, the rot was devoured with a final surge of vitality by the fire, and Nidhogg erupted with a loud roar and fell, its gigantic form turning to ash.
The smoke dispersed, and Yggdrasil's roots started to mend. Gleaming light replaced the black tendrils that had been growing outward. This time, the World Tree was spared.
Eira collapsed on her knees, triumphant but drained. It was her fault. They had succeeded.
She felt relieved, but she couldn't get rid of the notion that this was just the beginning. The World Tree's secret had come to light, but there were still unanswered questions that may affect every realm in the universe.
Tyr said, "We've won this battle," in a calm yet determined tone. "Yet the conflict is far from over."
With a nod, Eira looked up at the enormous roots of Yggdrasil, full of life once more. Though the path ahead was unknown, she was positive that today had saved the planet, and she would be prepared for whatever was ahead.