Theo approached the Radiant Yggdrasil tree and settled next to the bed where Lilith lay sleeping. Observing her peaceful face and the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, he gently took her pale hand in his. The serenity of the scene belied the urgency he felt inside.
He was eager to awaken her, trusting in the guidance of the ancient spirit. His resolve was firm; even if he had been asked to channel his life essence or his own blood, he would not have hesitated. Lilith had shown him immeasurable kindness over the years, and he owed her everything.
Approaching the task with caution, Theo knew he needed to channel just the right amount of Abyssal energy to avoid harming her delicate body. She was unconscious and vulnerable, and every move he made needed to be gentle. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, focusing deeply.
His hands began to glow with a deep crimson hue, and like a fine thread of crimson, the energy flowed from his hands into Lilith’s. It traced a path from her hand to her shoulder, then down to her chest, where it spread like a spiderweb, pulsating through her body from head to toe. The thread of energy slowly widened, its flow intensifying with every passing second.
Unbeknownst to Theo, who was absorbed in his task, another stream of energy emerged from the Radiant Yggdrasil tree. This energy, thick and vibrant like a rope of rainbow colors, moved directly toward Lilith's chest, intertwining seamlessly with Theo’s crimson flow.
The procedure had been progressing smoothly when a sudden gust of wind began to whip up dust and soil around Theo, slowly forming a small whirlwind. Despite the changes in his environment, Theo's focus remained entirely on the complex energy transfer.
Suddenly, the flow of energy swelled dramatically, widening to a foot across as Lilith began to absorb the energy with an overwhelming intensity. Theo's eyes snapped open in alarm as the hand he was holding slipped away from his grasp. His gaze locked onto Lilith, who was now enveloped in a mingling aura of crimson and rainbow energy, levitating ten feet above the ground.
Thick streams of energy surged from Theo, emanating from several newly opened gashes across his body, which began to bleed profusely. He could feel an agonizing pain, as if Lilith was trying to devour his very essence.
Despite knowing she wouldn't harm him intentionally, the uncontrollable force of the energy overwhelmed him. He attempted to resist and regain control, but it was futile; the storm intensified, as did the flow of energy. Before his eyes, the Radiant Yggdrasil tree began to wither rapidly, leaving nothing but black, withered branches.
The increasing intensity of the energy flow forced Theo to his knees. Blood stained the ground around him, but he gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain for Lilith's sake. It was a harrowing ordeal, but his resolve was unwavering.
After what felt like an eternity, the storm began to abate, and the voracious drawing of energy gradually ceased.
Exhausted and weakened, Theo's body swayed and then collapsed to the ground, his head hitting the soil hard, yet his eyes remained fixated on Lilith as she slowly descended back towards the bed.
As his vision blurred and his strength failed him, Theo's consciousness slipped away. The last image he held onto was Lilith's figure gently settling back onto the bed, but he had no energy left to see the final outcome. Darkness overtook him, and he lost consciousness, left hoping that his efforts had not been in vain.
As Theo stirred from his deep slumber, an unfamiliar sensation was encircling around his neck, though his groggy mind couldn’t quite place what it was. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, and he was immediately met with deep scarlet eyes brimming with affection.
Upon realizing he was awake, the eyes before him softened, and the lips they belonged to parted slightly, as if she was about to speak. But before any words could escape her, Theo, driven by a surge of emotions, pulled her into a close embrace.
Lilith, taken aback by his sudden move, did not resist. She let herself be pulled into his arms, melting into his embrace, feeling as though she had conquered the world.
As he held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his, Theo’s heart, which had been tormented by pain and longing, finally found some peace. The closeness of her presence quenched the aching thirst of his soul. Her breath brushed gently against his skin, and for a moment, the world outside their embrace ceased to exist.
They remained locked in that embrace for a timeless moment, reveling in the physical connection that had been denied for so long.
After a while, Theo reluctantly withdrew, meeting Lilith's puzzled yet joyful gaze. It was unusual for Theo to initiate such affectionate gestures, and this unexpected tenderness was new to her.
She had many questions, but for now, she chose to simply savor the sight of his beloved face, now openly showing emotions that he typically guarded so closely. His eyes held an immense longing, revealing a yearning that words could hardly capture.
In that silent communion, their eyes conveyed more than conversation ever could.
Finally, as the silence stretched comfortably between them with mutual understanding and deep connection, Lilith broke it with a gentle inquiry, "Were you okay?"
Theo nodded, his voice finding strength as he expressed gratitude that went beyond words. "Thank you..."
Lilith's expression shifted to one of playful disappointment. “I thought I might hear a long-awaited confession... or 'I missed you, my Lilith'... but all you have to say is 'Thank you'?” She teased him.
She then began to ruffle his hair, her eyes twinkling with affection.
Theo, usually guarded, found himself relaxing under her touch, allowing someone to breach the walls he typically kept so high. It was new to him, this closeness, but Lilith had indeed carved a unique place in his heart.
“Don’t you hate me for what you had to go through because of me?” Theo asked, his voice tinged with guilt as he gazed into her eyes.
Lilith pinched his nose playfully and replied with a mischievous smile, “Yes, I do hate you for that, and I want you to repent your sins by serving me for all eternity.”
“So you want me as your slave now?” Theo responded, playing along with a feigned note of coldness in his voice.
“Nooo… Not a slave,” Lilith replied, her eyes sparkling with a teasing glint. “I’ve thought of another role for my farmer boy…”
Theo sat up more attentively on the bed, “What role?”
“I won’t tell you for now… Not until I’m fully healed,” Lilith said, a mysterious smile playing on her lips as she gently closed her eyes. Her expression relaxed into one of contentment and peace, revealing her inner delight.
Theo’s gaze drifted to the side where the once vibrant Radiant Yggdrasil tree now lay as nothing more than crumbled brown wood and dust. His heart filled with gratitude and he wished he could have expressed his thanks to the tree that had sacrificed so much for them.
Peeking through her half-closed lids, Lilith noticed Theo’s contemplative look towards the remains of the tree. “I can still feel the essence of the Radiant Yggdrasil tree in this place…” she murmured softly.
Lilith then attempted to climb out of the bed, eager to approach the remains. However, her balance faltered, and she nearly stumbled. Theo quickly caught her, supporting her with a firm hold.
“It’s there,” she said, pointing towards the remnants of the tree. With Theo’s help, she began to walk towards it, limping slightly, her hand gripping his for support. Together, they moved slowly towards the site of the fallen tree that had saved Lilith’s life.
As Lilith reached the remains of the Radiant Yggdrasil tree, she knelt down and began to gently sift through the detritus. Theo watched quietly from her side, noticing how her hands became soiled as she delved into the earth. She seemed unconcerned by the dirt, her focus fixed on uncovering something hidden within the withered wood. Carefully, she continued to dig until she had created a small pit about three feet deep.
With a delicate touch, Lilith extracted something from the depths of the hole and turned to Theo. Resting in the center of her outstretched palm was a seed, but it was noticeably different from before; it no longer radiated the vibrant, rainbow glow that had once defined it.
Theo leaned closer to inspect the seed, employing his Leywin’s Gaze, and a detailed description materialized before his eyes.
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[The Radiant Yggdrasil Tree Seed]
[~ The Radiant Yggdrasil Tree Seed is said to be the progenitor of world trees from ancient legends. Once planted and matured, this tree stands tall and formidable, acting as a guardian for its master. The tree itself emanates a myriad of colors, each branch shimmering like a spectrum of rainbows. These colors not only dazzle the eyes but also harness the might to defend against enemies, ensuring the safety of those it deems allies.
However, after reviving Lilith Silvermoon, The Radiant Yggdrasil seed has lost 99% of its essence. Now, with only 1% of its life force remaining and on the verge of dying, there is very little hope of saving it. The once vibrant guardian tree, a beacon of protection and beauty, now stands frail and fading, a shadow of its former self.]
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