Jun opened his eyes to the soft illumination of Gaia's twin suns peeking shyly at opposite ends of the horizon. The early morning was alive with the sounds of a bustling wilderness: wings flapping, hooves pounding the earth, growls, grunts, and the occasional sharp thud. Even in his groggy state, he could feel the mana-rich air humming with energy. From high in the trees, he saw travelers down below. He heard murmurs blended into the symphony of life. A stretch, shake off the last of his sleep, and make a quick breakfast.

He was chewing a pan-fried slab of Slouched Bear meat, larded with Rutol rub that he had prepared days before, when its savory scent filled his senses. With it washed down with Wild Herb Tea, which combines Sparkbark, Glowthorn, and Veilroot herbs, he admired the stimulating kick blended with clarity that would send his mind to thoughts of possibilities and plans. Jun stashed the tea away in a tin and buckled his equipment then, with Yogundr relaxed over his shoulder, he trudged onward. "Pace yourself," Jun said over his shoulder to Yogundr, scanning out ahead of himself at the route. "Quickly?" Yogundr said, sounding sarcastic as it responded to Jun. "That would be a first time."

Jun chuckled at himself, acknowledging how right Yogundr was about him.

The trail to the Stigmata Tree was a mix of wonder and distraction. Jun's sharp eyes caught sight of an Etherfern growing near a shallow stream. He crouched, carefully harvesting a few fronds, their ghostly translucence shimmering in the light.

Further ahead, a cluster of Blue Ringed Mushrooms caught his attention. Each was as large as a small stool, with softer outer rings that could be used in alchemy, engineering, or cooking. Jun broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth. "Tastes like a meaty apple," he remarked. Yogundr snickered. "Your palate is as peculiar as your journey, Jun." ---

As Jun moved closer to the Stigmata Tree trail, the traffic grew heavier. People of all shapes, sizes, and species filled the path, each carrying an air of purpose and anticipation. Groups of travelers spoke in hushed tones about the life-changing properties of the tree, their expressions a mix of hope and apprehension.

Jun soon found himself in line with a group preparing to ascend the final hill. Clerks dressed in pale blue robes moved efficiently, ensuring the groups adhered to strict policies.

"One hundred at a time," one of the clerks explained. "The tree scans all who approach. If you’re deemed eligible, you’ll know."

As Jun waited, a familiar voice called out, “Juniper!”

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He looked around to find Riry, her purple hair shining in the sun. "I'm not surprised to find you here," Jun said, nodding at her.

"Yeah, me too," Riry said with a big grin. "I'm actually here on a mission to observe and study about the tree management. Three months of observation and research—it's a dream come true! I'm going to study the hell out of it." She flashed him an energetic thumbs-up.

Jun couldn't help but laugh. "Of course you are."

---

As it was his group's turn to climb, the whispers of excitement turned into gasps as the Stigmata Tree came into view. From afar, it seemed to encompass the entire mound of the hill, its vast canopy sprawling like a celestial crown.

As they moved closer, the grandeur of the tree was almost overwhelming. The trunk was as wide as a fortress, its bark flashing a glimmering bluish sheen that seemed to pulse in time with the mana saturating the air. Tendrils as thick as Jun's arms dangled down in clusters, forming intricate barriers that left only narrow paths for movement.

Jun saw a young hybrid girl in the distance. Her tears shone like pearls in the soft light. A Man'O'War jellyfish floated by her side, its tendrils pulsating with an electric charge. Yogundr leaned in toward Jun.

"Her mana is refined," Yogundr whispered. "Their bond must be exceptional."

Jun nodded at the girl's aura but looked back to the path ahead.

The group reached the base of the tree, and the mana density became almost oppressive. Jun's chest tightened; his breath came in short gasps. Others stumbled, and a few collapsed outright.

"Steady yourself, Jun," Yogundr said over his discomfort. "The mana here is like thickened air—dense, almost liquid. Synchronize with its rhythm.

Jun closed his eyes, listening to Yogundr's instruction. He was slowly adjusting his breathing, which allowed the mana to flow in him instead of resisting it. After a while of nausea, he stabilized. One brief bout of vomiting. He was then stable.

"Well done," Yogundr said approvingly. "You are learning."

---

At the end of the route, the group was sent to individual tendrils. Each person stood before one, waiting for further instructions. Jun reached out tentatively, his hand hovering near the tendril's surface.

A figure stepped out onto a platform in front of the tree, dressed in robes of azure and black, streaked with red. The face was hidden behind a headdress, and the very presence seemed to demand silence. They started chanting, the words meaningless but somehow imbued with meaning that seemed to seep into the mind of every being there. Even the stones seemed to listen.

As the chanting subsided, an azure flame flared up in a pit at the figure's feet. The light was like nothing Jun had ever seen; starlike and brilliant, yet steady and unruffled.

A message flowered in Jun's mind; its voice was neither male nor female but ancient and profoundly wise:

[You may try reaching out to the Stigmata Tree.]

Jun exhaled, feeling the gravity of the moment. He glanced at Yogundr, who offered a rare nod of encouragement.

“Focus, Jun,” the shadow snake said softly. “This is what you’ve been preparing for.”

With steady resolve, Jun placed his hand on the tendril before him.

The world shifted.