The old crimson fox’s eye twitched when he heard me call him a ‘little thing’ again. His facade was starting to falter. “You-” he paused, catching himself, “Most powerful and enigmatic lord! If you would deign to listen to my humble words, I am a crimson vulpine who has lived to four hundred cycles.”

He was looking down towards the floor of the glowing chamber, checking to see how many of his people had escaped—he was stalling for time.

“You old bastard, I know what you’re trying to do.” I said, watching the fox’s eyes widen, “Just tell me what you have to trade. Don’t offer me any bullsh*t, I’m already rich.” I finished, my tone firm.

The five-tailed fox rapidly nodded his head, “Yes, yes! Of course, I’ll only offer you our finest treasure.” He said, clearing his throat, “Except, I can’t exactly show you what I have with you holding me like this.”

I sighed, not knowing what this creature was planning, “Alright, but don’t try any funny business. If I sense any hostile intent from you, I’ll burn down this entire tree.”

This was an obvious lie, but the fox didn’t have to know that. I brought the old fox down to the ground, keeping a single of his kin hostage for reassurance. These tiny creatures likely posed no threat to me, but I didn’t intend on taking any chances.

Gently, I placed the aged fox in the heart of the chamber, observing as he made his way towards an imposing root that dominated the floor. This particular root stood apart from the others, emitting a constant, powerful stream of celestial energy in contrast to the rhythmic pulses from the surrounding roots.

Suspicion began to creep in as I considered the deep connection between the foxes and the great tree, their extensive network of burrows and tunnels suggesting a long-standing residence within its roots. Could they be responsible for the tree's suffering?

The elderly fox beckoned me to follow before slipping into a wide opening at the base of the radiant root. Hesitation gripped me as I prepared to pursue, my guard raised against the possibility of a trap.

As I ventured further, the passageway gave way to an expansive chamber, its towering ceiling and central brilliance evoking an otherworldly aura. A dozen pulsing roots stretched skyward like columns in an ancient temple, supporting the weight of the world above. At the core of this spectacle lay an unimaginable source of celestial energy, its radiance both blinding and alluring. Surrounding this core, glowing vines seemed to drink from its power, further reinforcing my suspicions that this was indeed the Great Tree's celestial core—the very essence of this living celestial being.

The sight before me was both awe-inspiring and perplexing, challenging everything I had previously known about celestial cores. According to illustrations I had studied, a celestial core was akin to any other organ, small and subtle, located just above the solar plexus. Yet, the radiant spectacle before me was undeniably a celestial core on an unprecedented scale.

This colossal core seemed to pulse with the essence of life itself, its radiant energy breathing vitality into the great tree and, perhaps, even the surrounding forest. The intricate network of celestial vines feeding from this central source further emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things within this realm, their very existence sustained by the divine power hidden within here.

As I beheld the magnificence of this colossal core, I couldn't help but feel the weight of its significance, its raw power both humbling and exhilarating. It was evident that the great tree was more than just a colossal plant; it was a living, breathing entity, deeply rooted in the cosmic forces that wove the tapestry of existence.

Beneath the core, a pool of shimmering water collected droplets steadily dropping from the vines above, each glowing droplet a testament to the unimaginable power held within this sacred space. The ethereal pool, though not much larger than a typical swimming pool, appeared strikingly shallow, its once abundant liquid now reduced to a mere fraction of its former volume.

The old fox, his gait heavy with age, made his way towards the celestial core, his every step filled with reverence and intent. I followed, my mind racing with questions and trepidation, eager to discover the secrets hidden within this enigmatic heart of the great tree.

At last, the elderly five-tailed fox came to a halt beside the shimmering pool, its surface dancing with radiant droplets from the celestial core above. Nearby, a small wooden shrine stood as a testament to an unknown presence, a mystery that begged to be unraveled. Who could have built such a thing down here?

The weathered wooden shrine bore the marks of countless passing years. It reminded me of the aged wood from the ramshackle homes back in Takayama, in my previous life. Within the shrine’s timeworn structure, a single, humble wooden cup rested, its unassuming appearance a stark contrast to the rest of the ancient chamber.

The elder fox bent before the tree’s pulsating core, his every gesture steeped in a reverence that bordered on worship. Divine light cascaded over his ragged fur, gilding his silhouette in silver—a fleeting illusion of sanctity. Then his paws pressed together.

The air split.

Ruby mana erupted from his body, not as a glow but a conflagration, searing the chamber with the stench of smelted iron. It coiled around him like a living storm, a meter-wide maelstrom of blood-red energy that hissed and spat, scorching the air into spirals of steam. My lungs tightened. Ruby mana. The domain of warlords and berserkers, of beast-folk who carved empires with claws and rage. Not this. Not here. Celestial creatures were supposed to use Sapphire mana—cool, distant, starlit. Yet this creature… this anomaly… defied the very heavens.

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His tails lashed, each strike cracking like a whip. Aged muscles, once sagging over bone, now swelled beneath his crimson pelt, tendons snapping taut as bowstrings. A guttural growl reverberated, deeper than thunder, as his spine uncurled. Joints popped, bones elongating with wet, grotesque snaps. The hunched vermin vanished, replaced by a towering figure—five feet of sinew and savagery, standing upright on legs that tapered into clawed, humanoid feet. His snout remained vulpine, fangs glinting like shards of onyx, but his torso… gods, his torso was a mockery of mortal form: broad-shouldered, ribbed with muscle, arms ending in hands that flexed with dagger-like talons.

The aura around him pulsed, a pressure that gnawed at my instincts, urging me to flee, to submit. This was no mere beast. This was a predator reforged—a chimera of fur and fury, his Ruby mana thrashing like a caged star. His eyes locked onto mine, pupils slit vertical, burning with intelligence sharper than any blade.

I staggered back, breath ragged. This changes everything. The foxes weren’t feeble parasites. They were usurpers, wielding stolen divinity with blasphemous precision. And this elder—this king—had let me believe him frail. A ruse. A lie. His power now laid bare, a challenge etched in crimson light: See what we have become. See what we will devour.

The tree’s core throbbed behind him, its Sapphire radiance dimming, as if the very heart of Elaria recoiled from his truth.

The muscular fox, to my surprise, made no move to attack. Instead, he delicately retrieved a wooden cup from a timeworn shrine, dipping it into the shimmering pool of celestial water. Turning to me, he offered the overflowing cup, his intentions still unclear.

"I offer you something far more satisfying than mere flesh." the fox declared.

I regarded the cup with suspicion. "Is this some kind of poison?" I questioned, wary of the fox's motives.

The old fox appeared offended. "Never would I dare such a thing. This sacred water has sustained our people for two centuries, serving as the lifeblood of our kin."

As the pieces began to fall into place, I realized the connection between the foxes' long-term reliance on the great tree's essence and the tree's decline. Six-Tails had previously said that the great tree had stopped bearing fruit, ‘one hundred and one hundred’ years ago. The math was adding up to these foxes being the culprits.

“So, is this divine water supposed to be your offer?” I asked, gauging the fox’s responses carefully.

The red fox nodded his head, “Indeed. It is fair, this celestial dew is more than enough to sate any creature’s appetite. From what I can tell, you are a blessed being, touched by the Goddess’ own hands. Only once in my long life have I ever seen another like you, able to wield great power without any apparent celestial energy.”

The old fox’s words piqued my interest, ‘Other blessed beings? Has this fox previously seen another veilborn?’ I longed to question him further, but my stomach demanded attention.

“Alright, alright. Just give it here.” I spat, overwhelmed by my now ravenous appetite. This celestial dew definitely wasn’t the meat that I had been craving, but it would do the job for now.

I hastily accepted the cup with a tendril of aether and brought it up to my face. As the celestial dew touched my lips, a rush of invigorating energy coursed through me, bringing newfound clarity and lightness to my being. Driven by an insatiable thirst, I downed the contents of the cup, savoring every drop until not a trace remained.

A surge of euphoria washed over me as the celestial dew's energy coursed through my veins, my breath quickening and vision blurring as I struggled to maintain control. In the next moment my grasp on my aether slipped, sending the wooden cup tumbling to the ground.

As my vision refocused, I found myself surrounded by an expanse of swirling stars and celestial bodies, the cosmos stretching out before me in an awe-inspiring display. My body floated formlessly here, my dainty limbs now ethereal and ghostly.

Amidst this stunning vista, the celestial goddess who had first brought me to this world stood radiantly, her golden gaze both graceful and commanding.

"Kane," she said, her voice resonant and ethereal, "I knew our paths would cross again soon."

Awestruck by the goddess's mesmerizing beauty, which far surpassed even the most exquisite illustrations, I found myself momentarily lost for words. How could I have forgotten such an ethereal visage? "C-Celeste," I managed, caught off guard by our unexpected reunion. "How are you here? How am I here?"

A soft smile graced Celeste's ethereal features as she explained, "By partaking of the essence within the pool, you have ingested a piece of my beloved disciple, Elaria, allowing us to commune in this manner."

Puzzlement crossed my face. "But, wasn’t that just celestial dew?"

A profound sadness washed over Celeste's visage. "It was no mere dew, but the very essence of Elaria, who was laid to rest here many ages ago. This tree has been nourished by her spirit for millennia."

The revelation struck a chord within me, resonating with the similar tale Picea had once shared. Yet, my initial question remained unanswered, "How did consuming Elaria's essence bring me to you?" I inquired.

Celeste's gaze softened, a mixture of melancholy and pride. "Elaria was among the first of my chosen children brought to this world, living a long and fruitful life. By her passing, she had become more celestial than mortal, her essence intertwined with my own."

Struggling to grasp the magnitude of this 'Elaria's' power, I marveled at the notion of a single being's remains fueling the growth of an entire magical forest. “Hopefully one day I can get strong enough to have an entire forest grow off of my body, that sounds like a fitting way to have your memory live on.” I said, my eyes gleaming with passion.

Celeste’s laughter, like the delicate chime of celestial bells, echoed through the cosmic expanse. "All has unfolded according to my designs, young Kane. Although my power of foresight is not without limits, I foresaw your journey through this forest."

My thoughts raced back to the peculiar inscriptions within Six-Tails' pyramid. The etchings, a story woven by Celeste, served as a testament to her intricate planning. She had orchestrated the monkeys' reverence, setting the stage for my arrival long before I had even stepped foot in this world!

The enormity of her scheme was almost incomprehensible. How long had she been orchestrating these events? As if reading my thoughts, Celeste spoke once more, "I have endured countless failures in my quest to vanquish the threat that looms over this world. This time, I took careful measures to ensure a different outcome."