The purple-striped griffin rested silently among the dense vegetation. Irina walked down its back slowly. A faint golden glow shone beneath her feet, and she appeared inside the Tree of Life all of a sudden.
Ever since Irina left, the Tree of Life had shut its hollow, refusing entrance to anyone, including Sally, who was sitting cross-legged at the Tree of Life currently.
"Little tree, I'm back," Irina said with a smile.
The glowing tree branches waved happily around Irina as though the tree was welcoming her return.
"Keep a low profile. If that witch Helena finds out that I'm back, I'll have to leave again." Irina motioned the Tree of Life to quiet down.
The joyous Tree of Life quieted down immediately, and reached a couple of branches out to Irina to caress her hair, as though it was trying to express its joy.
"Alright, I will visit you often, be good." Irina reached out to touch the branches as she looked at the tree lovingly.
