Drake stood in the clearing, the mournful whispers swirling around him. "*We are the forgotten. Lost to time, abandoned by the Gods. We seek release.*" The voices echoed in his mind, a chorus of sorrow that tugged at his heartstrings.
He looked at the gnarled oak, the source of the ethereal glow. It seemed ancient, its bark deeply furrowed and covered in moss. The branches twisted and turned like gnarled fingers reaching towards the sky. He took a cautious step closer.
"Okay," Drake said, speaking aloud. "I hear you. You're the… forgotten spirits, right? What kind of release are you looking for?"
The whispers intensified, as if reacting to his words. "*We are bound to this place. Our memories, our stories, our very essence… trapped within this ancient tree. We cannot move on.*"
*Notification: "Quest Objective Updated: Discover the cause of the spirits' imprisonment."*
Drake circled the oak, examining it closely. He activated *Observe*.
*The Codex displayed information: Ancient Oak: An ancient tree imbued with powerful magic. Seems to be acting as a vessel for trapped spirits. A faint magical seal is visible on the trunk.*
"A seal, huh?" Drake muttered. He ran his hand over the rough bark, feeling for anything unusual. His fingers brushed against a smooth, almost imperceptible line etched into the wood. It was barely visible, but he could feel the faint magical energy emanating from it.
*Notification: "Magical Seal Detected. Type: Binding Seal."*
*Notification: "Skill Available: Analyze Seal. Cost: 150 Codex Points. Requires: Sense Magic (Level 2), Intelligence 10."*
Drake checked his Codex Points. He had zero. "Well, that's a problem," he muttered. He needed to find a way to get more points if he wanted to help these spirits.
He decided to try communicating with them again. "So, this seal… it's what's keeping you here?"
"*Yes,*" the whispers replied, their tone even more mournful. "*A relic of a forgotten age. A cruel binding placed upon us by the Gods themselves.*"
"The Gods, huh? Figures," Drake muttered. "They seem to be behind all the good times in this world." He paused, thinking. "Is there anything I can do to break it?"
"*Only one with sufficient magical power and knowledge of ancient seals can break this binding.*"
*Notification: "Quest Objective Updated: Find a way to break the Binding Seal."*
Drake sighed. He didn't exactly have a degree in ancient seal-breaking. He needed to find someone who did.
Suddenly, a new voice echoed in his mind, different from the whispers of the spirits. It was a clear, strong voice, tinged with age and wisdom.
"*Perhaps I can be of assistance.*"
Drake jumped, startled. He looked around the clearing, but there was no one there.
"Who said that?" he asked, his voice echoing in the quiet clearing.
"*Above you, young one.*"
Drake looked up. Perched on one of the oak's thickest branches was a large raven, its feathers as black as night. Its eyes, however, glowed with an intelligent, almost otherworldly light.
*Notification: "New Character Detected: Corvus, the Ancient Raven."*
*Notification: "New Quest Available: Corvus's Request. Objective: Retrieve a lost artifact. Reward: 500 Codex Points, Knowledge of Ancient Seals."*
Drake stared at the raven, a mixture of surprise and curiosity on his face. "A talking raven? Okay, this is getting interesting," he muttered. He looked at the Codex. *Accept Quest?* He mentally clicked yes.