Chapter 52 - C:54

The sun bathed the farm in a soft, golden glow as I worked, my hands moving through the soil as I nurtured the magical crops. The air was cool, the morning breeze brushing against my skin as the world seemed to hum with life. The farm had grown in complexity, a testament to the unique seeds I had gathered and nurtured. Each plant, from the ordinary to the magical, thrived under my careful touch, and the energy from the land was palpable.

Just as I finished tending to the last row, I heard the sound of rapid footsteps approaching. Turning, I saw Cassie running toward me, her small figure glowing with excitement. Her short brown hair bounced with each step, and her orange eyes gleamed with joy.

"Rosé! Rosé!" she called out, breathless. "I made a new friend, and she wants to meet you!"

I straightened up, wiping my hands on my pants and smiling at her. "A new friend, huh? Who's this new friend of yours?"

Cassie beamed, practically vibrating with excitement. "She's an Ancient Tree Spirit! She's really old and powerful, and she just woke up today. I told her about you, and she wants to meet you!"

An Ancient Tree Spirit? That certainly piqued my curiosity. Cassie was young, still growing into her power, but an Ancient Tree Spirit was on an entirely different level. They were beings of immense power, connected to the most ancient trees in the world. I had bonded with Cassie and Grace, the spirit of the Frostpetal Elixir Tree, but this could be something extraordinary.

"Alright, lead the way," I said, intrigued by the prospect.

Cassie turned, waving eagerly. "She's over here! Come on!"

From behind one of the towering trees, a figure emerged. She moved with a grace that made the air seem to part before her, and her presence was powerful, ancient, and serene.

Her skin has a gentle, earthy tone, exuding a serene and ethereal beauty, as though she is a part of the forest itself. Her long, flowing hair is a vibrant green, resembling the leaves of a forest canopy, cascading down her shoulders and blending with the foliage around her. The strands of her hair seem to move like a gentle breeze, reflecting her deep connection to nature.

A large snake is wrapped around her arm, its scales glistening in shades of green, with subtle hints of gold catching the light. The serpent coils from her wrist up to her shoulder, moving gracefully as if it, too, is an extension of her being. The snake's presence adds a sense of power and grace to her demeanor, but its posture indicates loyalty and protection rather than danger.

Her clothing is made entirely of leaves, vines, and delicate flowers that seem to grow naturally from her body. The leaves are woven together in intricate patterns, forming a dress that clings to her form like a second skin, with vines wrapping around her waist and trailing down her legs. Her attire feels both ancient and regal, as though it was crafted by the forest itself. Small, colorful blossoms bloom along the vines, adding a touch of gentle vibrancy to her overall appearance.

Her eyes are deep and luminous, reflecting the essence of the forest, with shades of green and gold that sparkle like sunlight through leaves. A soft, glowing light surrounds her, as if the energy of the trees and earth pulses through her veins. Leaves and small plants seem to grow around her feet and where she stands, indicating her close bond with the forest she protects.

She stopped a few steps away, her eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, it felt like the earth itself had stilled around us. Then, with a graceful bow, she introduced herself.

"Rosé Nightfall," she said, her voice melodic, filled with an authority that came from millennia of existence. "I am Autum Everbloom , One first Tree Spirit, and the guardian of the forest and Everlight Tree—the heart of this village. I have been in a deep slumber for centuries, but today, I awoke."

I nodded, taking in her words. "The Everlight Tree is a symbol of life for our village. It's an honor to meet you, Autum."

She smiled, a hint of warmth softening the intensity of her crimson gaze. "The honor is mine. The Everlight Tree has nourished and protected this land for millennia, but it was not the tree that woke me. It was a presence—a new Tree Spirit, one with a power that rivals my own."

She glanced at Cassie, who was practically glowing with pride. "I came to see who this new presence was, and I found Cassie. But that wasn't all. I sensed something… unusual, something ancient and powerful in you, Rosé. The bonds you've formed with these spirits—there's more to it than a simple connection, isn't there?"

I met her gaze steadily, nodding. "Yes, I've formed Eternal Bonds with Cassie and Grace. It's a connection that ties us together, strengthening both of us."

Autum's eyes sparkled with interest as she stepped closer, her presence filling the space around us. "Eternal Bonds," she repeated, her voice filled with wonder. "It's no wonder your power feels so… profound. I've never encountered anything like it."

Then, as if making a decision, she straightened her posture, her crimson eyes locking onto mine with a seriousness that made the air around us seem to still once again.

"Rosé," she said, her voice steady, "I would like to form an Eternal Bond with you as well. Your connection to nature and your strength—it calls to me, as if we were meant to find one another. Will you accept?"

Her request hung in the air, and I could feel the gravity of what she was asking. An Eternal Bond with an Ancient Tree Spirit like Autum would be a significant alliance, one that would make both of us stronger. There was no hesitation in my heart.

"I would be honored to form a bond with you, Autum," I said, my voice firm.

A smile touched her lips, and for a moment, her ancient, powerful aura softened. "Then let us begin."

The ritual was similar to what I had done with Cassie and Grace, but the energy that flowed between us was different—older, deeper. It was as if I was connecting to the very roots of the world, an ancient pulse of life that had existed for eons. When the bond was complete, I felt a surge of strength, as if nature itself had flowed into me.

Autum stood taller, her crimson eyes glowing with new energy. "Thank you, Rosé. I can feel the strength of our bond already. It's… incredible."

I smiled, feeling the warmth of the bond settle in my chest. "The feeling is mutual."

Suddenly, an idea struck me. Reaching into my Limitless Inventory, I rummaged through the countless items I had stored over my journeys. My hand closed around something—a gift not from this world, but one I had saved for the right moment.

Pulling it out, I revealed a shimmering, otherworldly artifact—a glowing orb of pure energy encased in crystalline vines, pulsing with the power of life itself. This wasn't from Elaris—it was from a world I had once visited long ago, before my reincarnation.

"This," I said, holding the orb out to her, "is the **Heart of Eternity**. It's a relic from another world, one that holds the power of endless growth and renewal. It's even stronger than the Celestial Orb and can enhance the strength of any spirit it bonds with. I believe it will help you grow even stronger, Autum."

Autum's eyes widened as she looked at the Heart of Eternity, her crimson gaze filled with awe. "I've heard of such relics, but I never thought I would see one. This power… it's beyond anything in this world."

I chuckled, offering her a playful grin. "I've got a few surprises up my sleeve."

She took the orb gently from my hand, and as soon as her fingers closed around it, the energy within the Heart of Eternity flared to life. It merged with her essence, the power flowing into her as the crystalline vines wrapped around her wrist like a living bracelet, pulsing with a soft, ethereal light.

Her aura flared with new strength, and I could feel the bond between us deepen even further. The connection was alive, thriving with the ancient energy of the Heart of Eternity. When she opened her eyes again, they glowed with a new intensity.

"Thank you, Rosé," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "With this, I will be able to protect not only the Everlight Tree but the entire village. You've given me a gift beyond measure."

I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I'm glad I could help."

Cassie, who had been watching with wide eyes the whole time, suddenly ran forward and hugged me tightly. "You're amazing, Rosé! Now we have Autum as part of our family too!"

I laughed, patting her head affectionately. "Yeah, it looks like our family just keeps growing."

As we stood there in the tranquil sanctuary, I couldn't help but feel the depth of the connections I had formed. With each new bond, the future seemed a little brighter, and I knew that together, we could protect this land and all who lived in it.

---

**Bond List:**

- **Seraphina** (Celestial Bee Queen): Majestic bee queen with celestial powers.

- **Cassie** (Tree Spirit): A newly born spirit from the Oak tree.

- **Grace** (Tree Spirit): A newly forming spirit in the Frostpetal Elixir Tree.

- **Autum** (Tree Spirit): The first Tree Spirit, guardian of the Everlight Tree, and newly bonded with Rosé.

Each bond made me stronger, and with the Heart of Eternity now flowing through Autum, our future together looked even more promising.

As the glow from the bonding ritual began to fade, I took a moment to study Autum. Her aura had intensified, the very air around her now pulsing with ancient energy, enhanced by the Heart of Eternity. Her presence was even more profound, like the deep roots of a forest extending into the earth itself, drawing strength from its core.

Curiosity got the better of me. I adjusted my glasses—the ones I had designed to analyze and display the status of beings. They worked exceptionally well on spirits, especially those connected to me through an Eternal Bond. With a simple activation, Autum's detailed status screen appeared before me, and I was eager to see how the Heart of Eternity had impacted her.

---

**Autum - One of The First Tree Spirit,Gurdian of the forest and the Everlight Tree**

*Status: Fully Bonded*

- **Race:** Ancient Tree Spirit

- **Height:** 6'0"

- **Hair Color:** Green

- **Eye Color:** Emerald

- **Age:** Timeless (Awoken from slumber after centuries)

- **Bond Level:** Eternal Bond (Strengthened by the Heart of Eternity)

- **Energy Level:** Elder Level

- **Nature Affinity:** Perfect (100%)

---

### Abilities:

1. **Essence of the Everlight**

- Autum's connection to the Everlight Tree grants her complete control over its life force, allowing her to heal vast areas of land, replenish nature's resources, and extend the vitality of living creatures near the Everlight Tree.

2. **Roots of Eternity**

- Autum can extend the roots of the Everlight Tree through the earth, connecting with other trees, plants, and spirits. These roots allow her to draw energy from the land and link with other nature spirits, strengthening their power and vitality.

3. **Forest Guardian**

- As the First Tree Spirit, Autum holds dominion over all the forests of Elaris. Her mere presence invigorates the woods, causing plants to flourish, trees to grow stronger, and wildlife to thrive. This ability can also be used defensively, creating protective barriers of roots and branches to ward off threats.

4. **Ancient Wisdom**

- Autum possesses knowledge from before the creation of the village, including ancient rituals, forgotten magic, and the deepest mysteries of nature. Her wisdom allows her to guide others and unlock hidden potential within the natural world.

---

### **Artifact - Heart of Eternity**

*Type: Relic from Another World*

- **Description:**

The Heart of Eternity is a relic from a distant realm, far beyond the world of Elaris. It contains the boundless energy of a world tree that once stood at the center of a distant universe. The crystalline vines that encase the Heart pulse with the life energy of this long-lost tree, capable of amplifying the growth, power, and wisdom of any being that bonds with it.

- **Current Holder:** Autum (Bonded)

---

### **Artifact Abilities:**

1. **Eternal Growth**

- The Heart of Eternity continuously nourishes the being it is bonded with, granting them accelerated growth in power and wisdom. This growth is exponential, making the bonded spirit far stronger than they would have been through natural means.

2. **Timeless Power**

- The Heart of Eternity draws on ancient, otherworldly energy to create a continuous supply of Lumina. This allows the bearer to recover from even the most significant energy expenditures at a rate far faster than normal.

3. **Unyielding Roots**

- The crystalline vines of the Heart have the ability to extend into the land, drawing out hidden resources and enhancing the spirit's connection to nature. It also grants powerful defense mechanisms, allowing Autum to shield herself and the Everlight Tree from harm.

4. **Soul Resonance**

- The artifact creates a deep resonance with the spirit's soul, enhancing their ability to connect with others of their kind. This also strengthens the Eternal Bond, allowing for a more profound connection between Autum and me.

---

The detailed screen floated in front of me, the numbers and descriptions glowing softly. I took in the impressive stats, noting how much stronger Autum had become thanks to the Heart of Eternity. Her energy levels had skyrocketed, and her abilities were now on a completely different level.

"You really are something else now, Autum," I said, impressed. "That Heart of Eternity has already started working its magic."

Autum smiled, the emerald of her eyes glinting with newfound energy. "I can feel the power coursing through me. It's as if I've been reborn, stronger than I ever was. The Everlight Tree itself seems to pulse with renewed life."

Cassie, still standing nearby, looked up at me with wide eyes. "You always have the coolest things, Rosé! First, the Celestial Orb for Me, and now this for Autum! Do you have anything else hidden away in that inventory of yours?"

I chuckled, patting her on the head. "I've got a few more surprises, but I have to save some for the right moments."

Autum stepped forward, her eyes softening as she looked at me. "Thank you, Rosé. You've not only restored my strength, but you've given me something far beyond what I could have ever imagined. This bond… it's something I will cherish for the rest of my existence."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her gratitude. "I'm glad I could help. Together, we'll protect this village and make sure that the Everlight Tree and everything it stands for thrives."

The moment felt significant, the bond between us sealed not just by the ritual but by a shared understanding of what we could accomplish together. The future was bright, and with each new bond, I knew that the village—and by extension, the world of Elaris—was in good hands.

"Now," I said, breaking the solemn atmosphere with a playful grin, "let's not get too serious. We've still got work to do, and I'm sure Cassie has plenty of mischief planned for us today."

Cassie giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, you bet! Autum, you're going to love it here. We have so much fun!"

Autum laughed softly, the sound like the rustling of leaves in the breeze. "I'm looking forward to it, Cassie."

As the three of us walked together through the farm, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. My family of bonded spirits was growing, and with them, so was my strength.