[Voyager]

The trunk glowed softly in time with the words spoken in his head.

"F̷͓̎o̷̜͊ŕ̸̪g̶̨͠i̷͇͗v̵̩̇ē̶̟ ̷̙͆m̶̼̓ẹ̸͠ , I̵̡̅ ̴͉̀h̶̖͒á̸͍d̵̠̈́ ̸̓͜n̷̼̈o̴͓̔ ̵̦̌i̸̖̅ṉ̸͗t̶̡̏e̸̙̅n̶̢͒t̷̥̀ȋ̵͖o̸̙͆ñ̵͜ ̶͔̑o̵̥̚f̷̹͝ ̵͙̃ő̸̢v̸̭̂ȇ̴̘r̷̩̽ṣ̸͛ţ̵͐ę̴̅p̴̦̅p̵̞͗i̷̧̛n̸͎͝g̷̬͋ ̶̬̏a̴̭̐n̸̮̅y̶̧̍ ̵͉̔b̸͈̍ỏ̵͙u̴͈͌ň̶͔d̸̡́s̴͔̈ ", as I spoke the space around me rippled as miniature tears were created and sealed in the blink of an eye.

Hearing my words, the tree shivered visibly as leaves were shook loose, swaying as the floated to the ground

'I had no problem using my [True Voice] on Dusk, or on the bus. But it seems the Laws are not yet strong enough here', I pondered.

⌈Please, traveller, do not scare the saplings⌋, the tree spoke telepathically while thinking to itself:

If its mere voice voice can bend the Realm Barrier to breaking point, I must report immediately to mother. I should have realised when I noticed an outsider appear in this sacred place that it was not something I could deal with.

- Despite this, I feel no harmful intent from him and even the pixies approve of him.

While the tree was still deliberating, a new voice spoke telepathically to the it alone:

『 I think its best if I handle this person. Send him to me. 』

The tree replied in a relieved voice:

⌈ Yes, Mother. I shall see to it at once ⌋

The fallen leaves on the ground swirled in the air as though raised by some invisible force. As they formed an oval, they lit up soft green with a slight hum.

⌈ Please step through the portal, Traveller, my Mother wishes to speak to you herself ⌋

I sensed no ill intent from this request and even if there was, I doubted they could do anything to me. Nodding to the tree, I stepped through the portal. My surroundings disappeared, momentarily replaced by a bright light, before coming back into focus.

Although I seemed to have travelled a long distance, it was still night time. Before me, a tree of immense proportions stood, making the previous forest seem like a collection of tooth picks. The trunk itself was wide enough that I could barely sense the other side.

Thick, gnarled roots spread out even further, as though the whole world were covered. Looking up, the great trunk extended upwards far past the limit of my unenhanced sense. Furthermore, the life force I sensed from it was like an ocean, boundless and deep, exuding a sense of endless vitality.

'A world tree', I thought in surprise, 'Yggdrasil said he was the last of his kind, and he perished during Ragnarok. So how did one appear here? Judging from size, this one seems to be quite young, barely past its infancy, stretching across only a single realm. Perhaps the memories of its soul would have some clues as to how it got here.'

Leaves began to detach from the branches and swirled downwards, before coalescing to form a body of sorts.

『Guest, I hope my children treated you well, it is rare that we receive visitors out here』, the rustling of the leaves somehow creating an understandable voice.

"It's my fault for intruding, I did not mean to appear uninvited", I replied.

『No worries, though if you don't mind my asking, how did you manage to get here? Even I could not sense your arrival』, somehow the rustling leaves managed to sound confused.

"Ha, if I knew myself I would tell you but even I'm not sure exactly what happened to lead me here. On that note, where exactly is here?"

『A relative question, with a relative answer』, the voice mused, 『This realm is known by many names, as am I, however we are both most commonly known with the collective name Sophos.』

"I see", I ruminated.

'Not a name that I recognise from anywhere I've been. I truly have gone far beyond all that was known previously. Perhaps, out here in this unknown, beings exist that surpass even me in knowledge and strength.' I thought.

『Here is the heart of the Woodland Expanse, at the centre of our little corner of the galaxy』, the leaves continued.

So this civilisation exists on a galactic scale. Surprising; according to my experience, a World Tree this size would require a much larger area to feed it. For it to exist on a this scale suggests the density of energy to be beyond anything I have ever encountered.

"I presume you lead this Woodland Expanse then?", I asked.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

『Not quite』, the leaves rustled with mirth, 『I leave the politics to the rest of my children』. Abruptly, its tone became steely, 『Although I have no issue holding back to protect them』.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less.", I said, "Actually if you could point me in the direction of the nearest city or travel centre, it would much be appreciated. I would hate to encroach on your hospitality for too long".

『Of course』, as the leaves spoke, a blooming flower to its side opened its petals and a glowing green mote of dust floated lazily out.

A pixie, yet this one seems to be more advanced than its cousins I saw previously; perhaps an elder variant?

『Pente here would be more than happy to guide you wherever it is necessary. Please feel free to return, all guests of Life are welcome back.』, it rustled.

"I might just take you up on that", I spoke to the swishing leaves before following the green mote of light back through the portal I entered in.

After the portal closed behind me, a serious atmosphere descended around the tree as the leafy construct fell apart, no longer needed.

The tree known as Life thought to itself, "That person...I could not see their life force at all, yet he possessed none of the characteristics of the undead either. Although we can never rule out the possibilities those insane liches haven't invented some new, twisted homunculus. I was almost about to take a peek under his blindfold, but I felt a shiver run down my spine. I don't even have a spine! What could he possess dangerous enough to threaten me?

"Most worryingly, he did not seem surprised to see me. I even sensed a glint of recognition before it was smothered. If he has clues to others of my kind...", shaking its branches as though to shed unnecessary thoughts, Life regained its focus, "Yes, it's best to keep tabs just in case. Good thing I had an excuse to send Pente, hopefully some questions may be answered on her return".

On this final thought, the tree regained its stillness and the solemn aura slowly retreated and tranquillity returned to that ever-peaceful realm.

.....

A lot can be told about the peak of a civilisation by studying their cities. They can be great centres of culture and knowledge at the forefront of technological advancement. Similarly, the opposite can also be true; a city can show the worst of a civilisation.

Whatever qualities a civilisation possesses, they are concentrated and distilled to their purest forms in a city. The luxury of one area is almost always accompanied by the increased poverty and depravity of another.

Returning through the portal, I appeared on the crest of a hill. It was no longer night, and the sun hovered low, washing the sky with pinks and reds. A river wound its way across the grassy plains from the mountains in the far distance and a city lay, nestled in one of the meanders.

Tall spires reached out to the sky with dizzying heights. The city sprawled outward from its densely packed centre, buildings getting shorter and more spread out. It was typical of nature-civilisations, with the constructs looking as though they had sprouted right there from the very ground. Not a glint of metal or glass could be seen.

More so, the city itself seemed alive; with a beating heart powered by its inhabitants. It drew energy from the world around it, yet gave back even more so, such that the land itself had accepted it. I could make out several auras within that stood out from the rest, one of which swept over us as we appeared, though with no discernible ill will.

"A beautiful city", I spoke honestly to the pixie, "I have seen few like it".

The powerful energies of the city co-operated with the land around it to create a shimmering energy field encompassing the city. I could even sense one on a much larger scale surrounding the planet.

"I'd be incredibly surprised if you've seen any like it", it replied with no small hint of pride. "Ael Rynth is one of a kind in the whole galaxy, very few can compare. Scholars from far and wide visit just to glimpse its architecture, not to mention the hallowed institutions that reside within".

The mote of light rippled and expanded to form a body about the size of my palm. Its skin was the bark of an oak tree and a crown of leaves nestled on its head. It floated beside my head, with its dress of flower petals ruffling in the breeze.

"Let's go", it said gesturing me to follow behind. "There's only one entrance, unless you fancy a swim. Though the guards would shoot you down long before you reach the river". Pente giggled into her hand.

I could make out a steady stream of people entering and leaving the city, though I was surprised at the lack of a space-port. Surely not everyone came by interdimensional bus like I did?

"I cannot see any travel off-world, so how do people reach here?", I asked the pixie.

"Port Zenith is the capital of our Expanse, the City of Trees, not just anyone can fly in. There are periodic shuttles that take people from outside the impenetrable planet barrier and any entry ticket is highly precious.", she replied, "That's what makes you even more mysterious". She looked back at me suspiciously.

"Would you believe me if I said I came here by accident?", I asked. Somehow her wood bark face looked incredibly doubtful.

"Anyways", Pente said, "considering Mother declared you our guest and according to Hospitium, you shall be treated as such."

"I see, so...", I trailed off.

"So...we get to skip the queue", Pente said.

The gate itself was a marvelous piece of architecture, easily as a hundred metres in height and more so in width. Engravings patterned their way across the spokes of the gate, shimmering with energy. The wall seemed to be made of gnarled roots and trunks intertwined to create an impenetrable barrier. The occasional leaf and fruit was the only indication of its living status.

Bypassing the queue drew some jealous glares, but in front of the entrance of such a prestigious city, if Pente is to be believed, no-one dared to kick up a fuss.

We walked to the side of the main gate, passing through the invisible energy barrier with no issue. Pente placed her hand on the wall, and it grew apart to form an archway.

Softly glowing lamps lined the inside of the archway, although 'tunnel' may be a more apt description, considering its length.

"This wall is incredibly wide", I said, "is there a need for such defensive fortifications?".

"It's more a precaution than anything. There haven't been any direct attacks on this city in living memory, but espionage and infiltration are all too common.", she replied.

So it has largely been peaceful, yet under currents of conflict continue to brew. I've seen this pattern many times before and it won't be long before something lights the fuse.

"I see. Well, please send my regards to Sophos when you return. I can go on from here", I said as we exited the tunnel and the city spread out before us.

Pente turned around quickly. "Wait I still-", she stopped as I had disappeared from her sight. Looking around frantically with a confused expression etched on her face, she soon resigned herself to the reality that I had gone. Turning back into a mote of light, she returned through the tunnel, closing it around her until it was indistinguishable from the rest of the wall.

Regardless of political issues, certain problems have greater priority. Why was it that I was deposited here, in this galaxy? Most worryingly, ever since I appeared, I have felt a tug deep within. It flared every time I was about to use any power beyond a certain threshold. I should be completely invisible to such threats considering I have no Fate string, yet it targets me nonetheless.

It appears most, if not all, of my previous knowledge must be re-examined for any deviations.

Turning my attention back to the sprawling metropolis, I felt something deep inside reignite. The flames of curiosity, something I had long lost returned, and I thirsted to quench them. In my gut, I knew that secrets abounded in this new, galactic stage, and I should do what I have always done.

Chronicle all that shall be.

****************************

8th Monarch, 1446

The chasm of the Dream Weavers is behind us, yet the apprehension I feel only grows daily. Seven days have passed in only an afternoon, but I suppose such is the Abyss. Nonetheless, I feel as though I have forgotten something of grave importance...

- Extract from the diary of S. Kyssus entry 5, Archive File #P1D9*****