Kyro stood proudly atop Damien's head with his majestic bearing. Before he began his tale, he made himself a comfortable spot like a nest.

“You know your hair is quite nappy. It would make a sturdy nest, but definitely not a comfortable one.”

Aya chuckled from the side making Damien blush in embarrassment. He thought he would be hearing about this World Tree, however he was attacked on the texture of his hair of all things.

“Yes my hair is bad! I haven’t showered in days if you needed to know. Is there anything else before you begin?”

Kyro gladly took the opportunity since Damien presented himself to him on a silver platter.

“Yes it all makes sense now. I thought the smell was just the phosphorus from the magma but it is somehow worse here.”

After a moment of silence and disgrace on Damien’s end he finally started.

“It was just a joke young boy, do not take it to heart. A World Tree is the utmost pinnacle of existence for a tree species. Realistically, they have no end to their lifespan and are able to accumulate the knowledge of the universe just by interacting with it. Their wisdom comes from their old age which this one is said to be over millions of years old. I can’t tell you the exact age because it is too hard to tell.”

At the beginning Damien couldn’t help but feel a connection with World Trees and how his goal coincided. It made him feel quite envious to be born with the perfect affinities to achieve such a high level of comprehension. When it came to the age of this World Tree, Damien couldn’t keep his thoughts to himself.

“Over a million years! That’s quite unfair! They have all the time possible to learn about anything they want.”

Damien could not even begin to fathom how long of time that actually was and the things you could accomplish. Some beings were just born with better situations but it did not mean it was a better overall life. Kyro picked at Damien’s head to freeze his imagination on how great it would be.

“You do not know anything! It would take close to half a millions years just for a World Tree to gain sentience and even then they cannot move. Once a sapling has sprung out, it will spend the rest of its life in that very spot. After millions of years of offering advice and watching others soar into the sky because of it is a sad existence if you ask me. I know for a fact they would trade places with you in an instant because you possess something you don’t and that is freedom. A World Tree gains immense comprehension and strength but it has to so it can continue to grow and survive. Without the natural energies of the Dao it would not be able to survive off the land.”

Kyro quickly shut down any envy that was forming inside Damien. It was better to quickly dispel such thoughts at an early age so they could truly understand how lucky they are to be alive.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know they suffered so. May I ask what happened to this World Tree?”

Kyro nodded in agreement with a sense of accomplishment.

“Yes, this World Tree in particular was quite special. It deviated from its natural path of learning the core Dao of the universe to focusing just on the Solar Fire Dao. It then became known to be the Solar World Tree. It reached past the heavens, infinitely near space itself and happened to be positioned perfectly to attract the sun itself. Its main source of energy came directly from the sun in the form of solar flares or its natural light. That is when it began its evolution to a new path. Unfortunately it was also set on its path for its downfall.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Damien didn’t understand why it would be of detriment to follow a unique path. Usually it would lead to quick growth or special abilities that put you leagues above others, however not everything good meant it would turn out that way.

“You as a Golden Crow follow the Solar Fire Dao, I read all about it. I can’t see how it would cause any downfall if not an advancement!”

Although Damien did not cultivate in the same Dao as the Solar World Tree or Golden Crow, he felt closer to them since they followed similar paths. This led him to become more intimate and concerned about what happened.

“Yes, if I had not left, my friend here would not have perished so long ago… You see, I was born from this tree. Out of its branches and leaves, I came to be and this was my home. I learned off this tree as long as I could until I had to spread my wings and leave. I left thinking my home and friend would always stand here no matter the passage of time. After I lived my life and experienced what I was destined to… I returned to this. My friend being expunged of all his life and it is my fault!”

In the last bit, Kyro cried out in a piercing call that echoed perpetually through the husk of the tree. His sorrow was evident and his regret was wafting out of his body language. Damien could feel it the most being that Kyro was on top of his head.

‘It was probably more than just a friend. If it was a home, then it was his parent. I can feel his pain is unable to be extinguished.’

Damien did not point out the obvious, because he knew Kyro was well aware of the real relationship. Instead he wondered how a World Tree could be killed.

“What happened to the Solar World Tree? How could such a being be undone. There must’ve been a conspiracy.”

Kyro took his time to calm himself to a reasonable level. His hatred was pouring out his red eyes with sparks and embers.

“This was no conspiracy, just plain ugly greed. You see when World Trees are up and coming, they are not balanced. They use the core Dao comprehension to balance themselves out and to grow endlessly. However during this stage due to the instability of their biology, they unconsciously grow Dao Fruits. This is because their energies are always clashing causing an excess of it to come out. These Dao Fruits contain some of their profound understandings of the Dao and would benefit anyone immediately. This Solar World Tree had gotten past that stage, but once it reached past the heavens and deviated its path, it created an imbalance. It bore Dao Fruit tirelessly, but it would’ve been okay if that was it. Word spread of this cultivation paradise and it was taken advantage of. They fed off it like parasites, fighting over Dao Fruits and scarring the tree in the process. Eventually it was known that the World Tree comprehended the Solar Fire Dao. Those specializing in the Fire Dao took over in the end. In the end, a Phoenix arrived and siphoned away the last of its energy. In turn causing an explosion to erupt out like a volcano, blowing off more than half of its body throughout the world. Because of this eruption and new look, people started calling it a volcano. The story of this Solar World Tree then became lost in time.”

Damien was engrossed by the story and for that matter very emotionally tied. He couldn’t help but feel sorry, however no sympathy can bring it back or would’ve been already.

“And those people who took advantage, what of them?”

“I could not wait for Karma to take effect. I became Karma incarnate and slaughtered everyone whose Mana was tainted with its energy. Now I will stay here until the end of my time and watch over it as I should have.”

Damien took his sentiment to heart. Clearly he was very emotionally attached to this place. It did make him wonder why he wasn’t just directly kicking him out without any explanation.

“And you aren’t treating me that way because?”

Kyro flew off of Damien’s head where he could look at him eye to eye.

“Because I believe fate sent you here and it is my turn to undo my Karma as well. Also, although you were going to jump in without permission, you are still a kid who then asked for permission. That is enough for me.”

Damien didn’t know how to respond without feeling bashful of his actions. So while he was frozen stiff, Aya finally came into the picture and pushed his head down to bow.

“What do you say?”

Damien finally came to with a twinkle of excitement in the corner of his eyes.

“Thank you!”

Damien was ready to get started, but there were still plenty of things to do beforehand. Kyro gave them some space to set up their camp. It didn’t take long for Damien to unpack since he didn’t have much in the first place. Damien’s eyes were on fire as he eyed the prayer mat in the center. He also couldn’t forget the column of light that was difficult to understand.

‘Based on what he said, it should be from the sun. If that’s true then I also have a chance to comprehend the Solar Fire Dao!’

Damien understood he was too excited after having his thoughts be constantly revolving around his cultivation here. So for the first time in a long time he forced himself to cultivate his mind and lose all the distractions. Everything disappeared from his sight and mind as he returned to a feeling of oneness.