As Kael and his companions neared the center of the forest, the landscape shifted dramatically. What they had initially thought to be remnants of a long-lost civilization now stretched out before them in a breathtaking display of grandeur, even in its decay. The colossal tree, whose roots seemed to stretch for miles, cradled the ruins of a city that had once been a marvel of elven craftsmanship and magic.
Despite the thick layer of moss and overgrown vines, the city's design was unmistakably magnificent. Towering spires, once proud and gleaming, still pierced the canopy of the forest. Bridges of stone and wood, once connecting buildings in perfect harmony with the natural landscape, hung broken but not forgotten. In every corner, nature and architecture were one, as though the city had been grown rather than built. The stone walls were smooth and covered in ancient runes that pulsed faintly with a long-forgotten magic. Archways and courtyards had been swallowed by the earth, but even now, their design spoke of elegance and care. The people who had lived here hadn't just coexisted with nature—they had been deeply intertwined with it.
"It's… it's beautiful," Lireal whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "Even after all this time, it feels alive."
Nyxara, standing beside her, nodded slowly. "This wasn't just a city—it was a sanctuary. These people didn't just live here; they were connected to it, to the tree. You can feel it in the air."
Kael, too, felt that pull. The closer they came to the tree's massive trunk, the more powerful the energy became. It wasn't just the magic of the place—it was something deeper, something almost sacred. The people who had built this city had clearly revered the tree, drawing life and power from it, much like the forest itself.
"There's no sign of battle," Aldric observed, his brow furrowed as he walked cautiously through the streets. "No scars of war, no damage to the buildings. It's like… they just left."
Kael glanced around, noting the same eerie absence. "They were connected to this tree—so much so that they shaped their entire civilization around it. But if they left… something must have driven them away." He ran his hand along a vine-covered pillar, the runes etched into its surface flickering faintly with an ancient magic.
Nyxara knelt beside a cracked stone tablet near one of the roots, brushing away the dirt and grime. "Maybe they didn't leave of their own accord," she murmured, her voice distant. "What if… whatever corrupted this forest started with the tree?"
Lireal, standing nearby, frowned. "But if that's true, why didn't they fight it? Why didn't they try to stop it?"
Kael's gaze shifted to the enormous tree, the source of both the city's splendor and, it seemed, its fall. The more he stared, the more he felt something dark and wrong pulsing from within its ancient bark. It was as if the corruption that had swallowed the forest had taken root here first, spreading outward from this very spot.
"This tree was once a source of life," Kael said, his voice low. "It connected the people to the land, to nature itself. But something turned that connection into a curse. It's like… the tree itself became tainted."
Professor Neral, who had been studying the ruins with an almost childlike glee, now stood frozen, staring up at the colossal tree with wide eyes. "A civilization this in tune with nature," he muttered, "would never abandon their home unless they had no choice. The magic here… it's ancient, older than anything we've ever encountered. And yet…" He trailed off, his face darkening.
"It's twisted now," Kael finished for him. "The same magic that once nurtured this place has become corrupted. Whatever happened here didn't just affect the city—it affected the tree. And now, it's spread throughout the entire forest."
A heavy silence fell over the group as they stood at the edge of what had once been a magnificent city, the weight of its lost glory pressing down on them. The streets were eerily quiet, as though the city itself was holding its breath, waiting.
"We need to get to the base of the tree," Kael finally said. "If we can figure out what happened here, maybe we can find a way to stop this corruption from spreading any further."
Aldric nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "If this is the source of it all, then that's where we'll find our answers. But be ready for anything. Whatever caused this isn't going to let us walk in without a fight."
With renewed determination, the party moved forward, deeper into the heart of the ruined city, toward the base of the towering tree. The air grew thicker with every step, the weight of the ancient magic pressing down on them. The closer they got, the more it felt like the city was watching them—waiting for them to uncover the secrets hidden beneath its roots.