The air in the Great Tree was thick with the scent of ancient wood and soft, earthy undertones, as the group made their way toward the throne room.
Their footsteps echoed faintly against the towering, tree-like pillars that lined the path, stretching far above them.
These immense pillars seemed to rise naturally from the ground, their trunks wide and gnarled, their bark so intricately woven that it was almost impossible to distinguish between them and the surrounding walls.
The space was alive, pulsing with a gentle rhythm, as though the very air itself was breathing in time with the tree's heart.
The hallway was cavernous, the ceiling arching overhead like the vaulted canopy of a cathedral, its beams converging into a magnificence that felt both ancient and eternal.
Between the massive trunks, a soft, golden light glowed from within cracks and crevices in the bark.
This light didn't come from lanterns or torches but from deep within the wood itself—glowing amber sap that pulsed softly, casting a warm, inviting hue across the grand hallway.
It was as though the tree itself was alive, illuminating the path for those who dared tread within its heart.
As they walked further, their eyes began to wander to the sculptures standing as silent sentinels along the towering pillars.
*Are those... golems?*
They came in all sizes—some towering over the group with the imposing presence of giants, others more delicate and humanoid in shape, yet just as unyielding.
Their amber eyes glowed faintly, watching the group with silent intensity, their creaks and groans reverberating through the air as they shifted ever so slightly, almost as if greeting the travelers as they passed.
"Look! They're moving!", Roshan whispered.
The air was thick with the sound of their movements—soft, deep, and organic.
Every step the travelers took echoed in the vast hall, but the golems, both stationary and in motion, seemed to be as much a part of the landscape as the pillars themselves.
Larger golems were lined along the hall, standing like silent sentinels, their forms covered in thick layers of bark and lichen.
"They won't attack us, right?", Altan asked.
These golems were armored in the very essence of the tree—branches and vines woven together to form formidable shields and weapons of spears, axes, and swords.
"Probably, as long as we don't attack them first, that is." Amiyan responds.
And dotting the hall, there were others—smaller, seemingly less imposing, but no less remarkable.
They were armed not with weapons of war, but with brooms, mops, and rags, their wooden forms gracefully sweeping and cleaning the halls.
The rhythmic sound of their soft movements added a peculiar serenity to the otherwise grandiose and intimidating atmosphere.
It was a strange contrast—these delicate, tender golems, seemingly as much a part of the tree as its leaves, moving with a quiet reverence through the massive hall.
The grandeur of their appearance was tempered by the peaceful purpose they served, and for a moment, the travelers couldn't help but marvel at the delicate balance of strength and grace that existed here.
Roshan, unable to contain her fascination, turned her attention to one of the massive warriors.
"Do you think they ever talk?" she mused aloud, her voice a mix of awe and curiosity.
Altan raised an eyebrow. "I doubt it. I don't think they're much for conversation." He paused for a beat before adding,
"Though it would be interesting to hear what they have to say."
Elliot couldn't help but stare up at one particularly large golem. It made loud creaks and groans as it faces the party,
"Did... did it speak?" he asked, his voice low with awe. His eyes were still locked on the golem.
Amiyan, walking beside him, gave a soft chuckle. "Sorry, I don't speak trees," he said, his gaze unwavering as they moved deeper into the hall.
As the group continued to walk down the hall, they became more attuned to the creaks and groans of the golems—almost like calls of greeting, or perhaps weary sighs of awakening, after being disturbed from their deep slumber.
Every step they took seemed to draw the attention of the golems, their amber eyes following the group as they made their way deeper into the heart of the Great Tree.
Roshan's gaze fell on one golem in particular—its body adorned with a tapestry of bright flowers, the colors of which stood in sharp contrast to the dark wood of its form.
"Look at that one," she said, her voice filled with delight. "Flowers are blooming right from its skin!
Altan, unable to hide his amusement, leaned toward Elliot and muttered, "It's terrifying and cute all at once... Like a flower monster, or Roshan."
Wuxian, walking quietly behind them, spoke up with a quiet amusement. "It's got an interesting charm," he said, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the golem.
"Though I wouldn't get too close. It could probably splat us to death with that massive arms", he added.
Everyone fell still as the golem's eyes flickered to life, glowing brighter in the dim light of the hallway.
The massive wooden figure stirred, its body creaking like the sound of trees bending in a heavy wind.
The group instinctively tensed, and Wuxian took a cautious step back, his hand on his blade.
But to their surprise, the golem simply raised its hand and waved, the wooden fingers moving with surprising grace.
The group stood frozen for a moment, then slowly relaxed as it became clear that the golem wasn't a threat.
""That was... scary. I thought it was gonna splat us like Wuxian said," Elliot whispered under his breath, relief flooding his chest as the golem merely stood there, its eyes still glowing in peaceful acknowledgment.
Behind the golem, a smaller figure appeared—barely as tall as a child.
Its form was almost entirely covered in moss and delicate blossoms, and it looked up at them with wide, curious eyes.
The small golem tilted its head, as if trying to understand who these new visitors were.
Wuxian raised an eyebrow. "Well, that one's a bit more... approachable. Look at it. It's like a walking flower pot."
Roshan crouched down to get a closer look, grinning. "Maybe it wants to come home with me," she teased. "I could use a cute little guard."
The group chatted quietly, the tension easing for a moment as they continued down the hall.
But their laughter was short-lived as the massive doors ahead of them came into view.
These doors were unlike anything they had seen before—vast and imposing, made of living wood, yet intricately form designs of swirling vines and geometric symbols.
The very shape of the doors was reminiscent of cathedral windows, their arched top reaching high into the air, where they seemed to merge seamlessly with the vault above.
Flanking the doors were two of the largest golems they had seen yet—sentinels, standing as silent guards.
These golems were no longer the whimsical figures they had seen earlier; these were majestic, regal, and their mere presence made the air seem heavier.
The wood of their bodies was smooth and polished, a stark contrast to the rough bark of the others.
They bear no armor or weapons, but their size alone was enough to make anyone think twice about crossing them.
The group slowed, their footsteps faltering as they approached the doors.
The sentinels' eyes glowed with an eerie intensity.
"Should we be worried?" Altan asked, a trace of humor in his voice, though his gaze betrayed a hint of nervousness.
But as soon as he spoke, the massive golems began to move.
Their joints creaked, the air humming with a deep resonance as the sentinels shifted in unison.
The group froze, fear gripping them as the golems seemed to turn their attention toward them, their immense arms rising above them.
For a moment, it seemed as if the golems were preparing to strike, their motions slow as if giving a warning.
Wuxian's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, while Roshan and Altan shifted into defensive stances.
Elliot's heart pounded in his chest as he instinctively took a step back.
"What the hell is going on?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over loud creaks.
But then, with a loud groan of wood, in a sudden, coordinated motion, the sentinels opened the gates.
The doors, which had seemed immovable, groaned as they swung wide, revealing the vast space beyond..
"They're opening the gates," Amiyan replied quietly, his voice steady despite the tension.
Roshan's eyes were wide, a hint of nervous excitement in them. "Are we sure they're letting us in?"
The doors groaned one last time before swinging open wide, revealing the vastness beyond.