Thorne had just left the creek behind when something within him shifted, causing him to zone out momentarily. The map in his mind flickered, releasing more information about the area he was in.
Just ahead, it indicated the presence of a cave—a cave that housed something called the "Tree of Essence." Thorne's brow furrowed. He had never heard of such a tree before, but considering the powerful figure who had called it a gift, he knew it was something valuable, something that could help him.
Really not a trap, he muttered to himself, though a part of him wasn't entirely convinced. He'd been through enough in this forest to question everything. But deep down, he had a strange certainty that it was indeed a gift, not another trial meant to torment him.
The thought offered him some relief.
Still, he wasn't about to charge in blindly. Using his spirituality, he carefully probed the cave from a distance. His senses extended like invisible tendrils, feeling the cold stone walls, the damp air, and the stillness that lay beyond the entrance.
Nothing alarming presented itself—no dense spiritual forms lurking in the shadows, no strange disturbances in the air. Cautious but determined, Thorne stepped forward, his heart pounding in sync with the soft crunch of his boots against the rocky ground.
The mouth of the cave was shrouded in darkness, but that didn't deter him. His perception, though dulled compared to those with sight, painted the world in a different light. With each step, he allowed his senses to guide him, using his sharpened spirituality to fill in the gaps. The air inside was cooler, and a faint earthy scent clung to the stone. He could feel the gentle pulsation of something further within, an energy unlike anything he'd sensed before.
As he moved deeper into the cave, the spiritual pressure around him began to increase slightly—not enough to suffocate him, but enough to make his skin prickle. Thorne's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword. His mind raced with possibilities.
What is this Fruit of Essence? Will it enhance my power? Or is it something else entirely?
The faint glow of spiritual energy started to illuminate the path ahead, guiding him toward the heart of the cave. His steps slowed as he drew closer, his breathing steady but tense. The deeper he went, the more certain he became that whatever lay ahead was not something he could afford to underestimate.
His sword was pointed ahead, every step deliberate and cautious. The cave suddenly widened, opening into a vast, breathtaking space. Thorne gaped at the sight before him—it was like stepping into an entirely different world. Lush green trees, vibrant with life, covered the area. Vegetation thrived in the light that seemingly came from nowhere, and strange fruits dangled from branches, radiating energy unlike anything Thorne had ever sensed before.
But at the center of it all stood an ancient, decrepit tree, its bark cracking as if it were on the verge of collapse. This was the Tree of Essence. And swaying gently from one of its branches was a single, solitary fruit—the gift he sought.
Thorne's instincts warned him not to let his guard down, even though his goal was so near. His eyes scanned the surroundings as he stepped into this peculiar, verdant world.
There was something odd about the tranquility of the space. The cave had been eerily silent, and now, this clearing was too peaceful.
As Thorne reached the base of the ancient tree, his caution grew.
With deliberate care, he stretched his hand out to pluck the fruit.
Suddenly, a large head slithered into view, its forked tongue flicking at the air. Thorne froze in shock.
The massive serpent, easily camouflaged among the lush vegetation, revealed itself, its scaled face adorned with intricate markings that resembled a mask.
Thorne's heart raced.
A masked serpent! Why are the beasts of this garden so good at hiding? he thought, his mind reeling.
The serpent's body slowly uncoiled, its immense form wrapping around the tree, completely encircling it. It stared directly at him, its golden eyes seemingly piercing through his very soul. Thorne felt exposed, vulnerable, as if the serpent could see every secret he had buried within him.
After what felt like an eternity, the serpent's gaze lingered on him one last time before it silently withdrew its massive body, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. The area seemed peaceful again, but to Thorne, the silence was more ominous than ever.
No wonder this place is so quiet, he thought, sweat beading on his forehead. That beast must have scared off—or killed—all the other beast.
Despite his lingering unease, Thorne plucked the fruit from the tree, his hand trembling slightly. Without wasting a moment, he bolted, sprinting out of the cave with all the speed he could muster. Only once he was far from the cave did he release the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His heart pounded in his chest as he inspected the fruit in his hands, now safely away from the serpent's territory.
Why did that thing let me live? he muttered. The memory of the serpent's gaze haunted him. It had felt as if the creature was searching for something within him, probing for a reason to either kill him or let him go.
Thorne had an idea. Could it be…
Thorne couldn't be sure, but one thing was certain: that serpent had spared him for a reason.
He tried beaming the fruit into his ring, but to his surprise, it refused to enter. Thorne could guess why, the amount of spirituality it was emanating was more than what a living thing would and the ring couldn't store living things.
Thorne frowned, realizing he couldn't carry such a powerful object around in the open, just the sight was blinding to his gaze.
The sheer amount of spirituality radiating from the fruit would undoubtedly attract beasts and predators. Holding the fruit in his hands, Thorne weighed his next steps carefully cause carrying this was akin to painting a target on his own back.