15th day of Whitehelm, 1367

Two months had passed since Roderick and Simon left to continue their journey to the western kingdoms. During their stay, Roderick had traded all of the tools he had in stock as well as other wares for a small bundle of Ebonwood.

During that time, Engin had rigorously tutored her about the ways of governing a settlement. It took a while, but she had started getting the hang of it and even assisted him with some daily tasks.

But today, she had been given a new mission—to build a road to the western entrance of the valley. It was first suggested by Roderick since traversing the forest took a toll for any traveler without a road to travel through. Engin had reaffirmed that it took a great deal of effort and time to find the grounds to settle in when they first arrived here.

"It's just building a road, how hard could it be?" She reached into her mind and search through the myriad of powers the Akashic System listed for her. Eventually, she found what she was looking for.

[Name] Path of the Earthen Passage

[Effect] Upon casting, you create a 5-meter-wide, 100-meter-long dirt road through a forest environment, starting at a point within range. The road is smooth and free of any impediments, such as protruding roots, rocks, or vegetation

[Range] 20 meters

[Duration] 24 hours. You must expend 5 Quintessence to make the road permanent.

[Cost] 15 Essence to cast.

[ Would you like to spend 50 Quintessence to acquire this ability? ]

"Of course!" She purchased it and information about its use immediately flooded her mind. Once the memory had settled, she checked her remaining Quintessence.

Quintessence: 7508/8000

Ebonheim crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled softly. She almost had enough to transcend to the next divine rank, but now she had to start spending some to create a road. Hopefully, the whole process wouldn’t consume a lot but she didn’t know how far it was to the entrance of the forest.

"Well, only one way to find out." She sighed and headed off to start her work.

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Ebonheim's golden eyes narrowed as she surveyed the dense forest before her.

"Alright, trees," she declared, "it's time to make way for progress!" Her iridescent hair shimmered as she raised her hands, the air around her crackling with energy. As she concentrated, the ground shook, and the trees seemed to part before her, roots retracting, trunks bending, and foliage rustling in acquiescence.

"Ha!" she cried triumphantly. "This is great! I can’t wait to see their awed faces once the road is fully built. They're going to be so proud!" She beamed, imagining all the praises to come her way.

She skipped along the freshly cleared path, humming to herself as she went. She paused every so often to admire her handiwork, the newly formed dirt road snaking through the dense forest.

Ebonheim's hands glowed with a warm, green light as she shaped the earth, careful to leave the trees and plants unharmed.

The trees seemed to heed her call, branches swaying and twisting out of the path's way. Ebonheim moved gracefully, her silken white dress fluttering around her as she skipped along. She hummed a tune, her golden eyes shining with anticipation of the travelers her road would bring.

As a few days passed, the dirt road grew longer, winding its way through the dense forest valley. Engin had told her to follow the markings they had left and it would guide the western entrance. Her enthusiasm never waned, her laughter echoing through the valley.

Occasionally, Ebonheim would pause, admiring the beauty of her creation. The sun would peek through the canopy, bathing the earth road in warmth. The smell of frosted soil mingling with the sweet aroma of foliage filled the air. She took a deep breath, enjoying the freshness of the forest around her.

The animals, sensing her benevolence, would often approach, watching her work with curiosity. Ebonheim would greet them warmly, offering a few strokes of her hand before resuming her task.

The Akashic System chimed with a sudden message:

[ Warning: You are about to leave the boundary of your domain. You will receive a -20% penalty on all Stats and Abilities. If your manifested form is destroyed, there is a 10% chance that your divine spark will also be destroyed. ]

As Ebonheim approached the end of her domain, she could feel the change in the air, a subtle shift in energy that marked the boundary of her influence. She paused for a moment, her brow furrowing as she considered the challenge that lay ahead.

That’s quite a scary message. It seemed like leaving her domain wasn’t a sound idea and posed quite the risks. But it should be safe, she was a goddess after all and the forest should be relatively quiet.

"Well," she said, determination burning in her eyes, "there's no turning back now. Time to venture into uncharted territory!"With a deep breath, she stepped over the invisible boundary, her powers surging as she prepared to continue her work. She was met with resistance, however, as the trees beyond her domain seemed to stubbornly refuse her command.

"Oh, come on!" she huffed, frustration mounting. "Why won't you just move?"

As she continued to struggle, a deep, rumbling voice echoed through the forest, halting her efforts. "You dare to command me, little goddess?"

Ebonheim blinked in surprise, her hands still raised, the green glow around them fading. She turned to face the source of the voice, her eyes widening as she took in the sight that awaited her.

Before her stood a colossal tree, its trunk gnarled and twisted with age. Slowly, the bark shifted and rearranged, revealing two glowing eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. Limbs creaked and groaned as the ancient tree unfurled its massive branches, taking on the semblance of arms and legs. It stepped forward, the ground shuddering beneath its weight, leaves rustling like a thousand whispers.

Ebonheim's eyes widened in awe, her iridescent hair rippling with excitement. Despite seeing it for the first time, somehow she knew what it was.

"Wow, you're... you're an Ent!" she exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her frustration. "I've never met one of you before!"

The Ent's eyes narrowed, its voice like the grinding of stones. "And I have never met a goddess who thought she could command my forest," it replied, its tone both stern and accusatory.

Ebonheim hesitated, her hands falling to her sides. "Oh, well, I didn't mean any disrespect," she stammered, her cheeks flushing a deep rose. "I was just trying to make a road for my people."

"A road?" the Ent asked, its voice dripping with skepticism. "What need have your people for a road through my domain?"

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"My village is nestled deep in the valley, and it's difficult for travelers to find their way through the forest," she explained, her golden eyes pleading. "A road would make it so much easier for them to reach us."

The Ent regarded her thoughtfully, its eyes reflecting the sunlight that filtered through the canopy above. "And what makes you think I would allow such a thing?" it inquired, crossing its massive arms over its chest.

Ebonheim shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers nervously twisting in the fabric of her silken dress. "I... I thought that maybe we could come to some sort of agreement," she ventured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The Ent let out a low chuckle, a sound like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze. "You are bold, little goddess," it said, a note of amusement in its voice. "Very well. Let us talk."

Ebonheim's face lit up, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Really?" she asked, her excitement bubbling over. "Thank you! I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make this work."

The Ent waved a branch, beckoning her to sit on a nearby moss-covered boulder. "We shall see," it replied, lowering itself to the forest floor with a grace that belied its size. "Now, tell me more about this road of yours."

Ebonheim sat on the bounder and stared up at the colossal being, her mouth agape. The Ent's eyes, two glowing orbs of green light, bore into her, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear. But she was a goddess, after all, and she refused to be intimidated.

She stood tall, mustering all the divine authority she could muster, and called out, "I am Ebonheim, goddess of the village south of here! Who might you be?"

The Ent stared down at Ebonheim, its massive form casting a shadow over her. It took a moment to reply, its voice deep and resonant, like the wind blowing through the trees. "I am Elmsworth, guardian of the forest and protector of this realm. I have stood watch here for centuries, long before you came to be."

Ebonheim floated up, bringing herself eye-to-eye with the ancient being. "Elmsworth, huh? Nice to meet you," she said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I've been working on this road, and it's brought me to your lovely domain."

Elmsworth's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the dirt road behind her. "Yes, I see that. You've certainly been... busy," he replied, his tone dripping with disdain.

Ebonheim ignored the Ent's disapproval and continued cheerfully, "Isn't it great? So, as I was saying earlier. I'd like to extend my road through your territory, if you don't mind. I need the road to reach the western entrance of the forest valley."

Elmsworth snorted, a sound like branches snapping. "You young gods always think you know best," he grumbled. "But the forest has its own ways, and it does not need your meddling."

Ebonheim crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in irritation. "Well, I think it's a great idea, and I'm not meddling! I'm just trying to help my village."

Elmsworth shook his head, his leafy hair rustling. "You may have good intentions, but you must learn to respect the natural order of things."

Ebonheim huffed, her iridescent hair shimmering with annoyance. "Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine. I've been careful not to disturb any homes or habitats while constructing it. Besides, the forest is vast! Surely there's enough room for a simple road."

The ancient Ent stared at her, his glowing green eyes unblinking. They stood in silence, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves and the babbling of the river nearby.

The Ent sighed, the sound like the rustling of leaves on a windy day. "You may be right, but I must still consider the matter carefully. There is much to think about before allowing such a change in my domain."

Ebonheim perked up, a hopeful smile on her face. "Really? You'll let me build my road?"

Elmsworth sighed, the sound like the creaking of ancient wood. "I did not say that. I said we shall talk. I will listen to your reasons, and then I will decide."

Ebonheim nodded, eager for the opportunity. "Okay, that's fair. Thank you, Elmsworth."

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The two of them settled on the riverbank, Ebonheim's feet dipping into the cool water as Elmsworth lowered himself onto his massive root-like legs. They began to talk, exchanging stories of their respective domains and the creatures that lived within them.

As they spoke, Ebonheim couldn't help but be captivated by the ancient Ent's tales. He spoke of a time when the forest was young and the trees whispered secrets to one another. He told her of the great battles fought beneath the canopy, and the heroes who had come and gone.

But as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the forest, Ebonheim knew she had to broach the subject of the road once more.

"Elmsworth," she began, her voice gentle but firm, "I've really enjoyed our conversation, but I must ask you again. Will you let me build my road through your domain?"

Elmsworth sighed, his breath rustling the leaves around them. "Ebonheim, I must admit, you are a charming and passionate young goddess. However, I still cannot allow you to build your road through my domain."

Ebonheim frowned, her golden eyes pleading. "But why, Elmsworth? I've told you how important this road is to my village. It could bring prosperity and new opportunities for my people."

The ancient Ent shook his head, his voice firm. "The forest has existed long before your village, and it has its own ways. Building a road through my domain would disrupt the delicate balance of life here."

"But think of all the good it could do!" Ebonheim insisted, her hands gesturing wildly. "We could create trade routes, connect distant kingdoms, and bring people together!"

Elmsworth snorted, his limbs creaking as he folded his arms once more. "And what of the creatures that call my forest home? The delicate balance of nature that has existed here for millennia?"

Ebonheim hesitated, her enthusiasm dampened by the Ent's words. "Well, I... I hadn't really thought about that," she admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "But surely there must be a way to create the road without causing too much harm?"

The Ent's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "And what guarantee do I have that your people will respect my forest once the road is built? That they will not chop down my trees and trample my flowers?"

Ebonheim clenched her fists, her frustration growing. "But we can be careful! We'll make sure not to harm any of the creatures or plants that call your forest home."

Elmsworth's green eyes bore into hers. "You may have good intentions, young goddess, but you cannot foresee the consequences of your actions. Once the road is built, there is no turning back."

Ebonheim huffed, her patience wearing thin. "Well, what if we make a deal? I'll do something for you in exchange for your permission to build the road. Anything you want!"

The Ent raised a massive brow, considering her offer. "Anything, you say?"

Ebonheim nodded eagerly. "Yes, anything! Just name it, and I'll do it."

Elmsworth stroked his mossy beard, deep in thought. After a few moments, he finally spoke. "Very well, Ebonheim. I propose a challenge. If you can best me in a contest of wits, I will allow you to build your road."

Ebonheim blinked, taken aback by the unexpected proposal. "A contest of wits? What do you mean?"

The ancient Ent grinned, revealing a row of bark-like teeth. "A battle of riddles, young goddess. If you can solve my riddles, then you may build your road. But if you fail, you must abandon your project and leave my domain in peace."

Ebonheim hesitated, unsure if she was clever enough to outwit the ancient being. But the fate of her village hung in the balance, and she knew she couldn't back down. With a determined nod, she agreed. "Alright, Elmsworth. I accept your challenge."

The Ent and the goddess exchanged riddles, their banter filling the air with laughter and groans of frustration. Ebonheim found herself surprised by Elmsworth's humor and wit, despite his grumpy exterior. And while some of his riddles were undoubtedly ancient and perplexing, she managed to hold her own.

However, as the contest drew on, it became clear that neither of them would emerge a clear victor. Their riddles and answers flew back and forth, the night growing darker as the stars appeared overhead.

Finally, as the moon reached its zenith, Elmsworth held up a massive hand, signaling the end of their contest. "Enough, Ebonheim. We have been at this for hours, and it seems we are evenly matched. I must admit, you have surprised me with your cleverness."

Ebonheim smiled, feeling a sense of pride at the Ent's words. “So, what does this mean for my road?"

Elmsworth's expression grew serious, his eyes heavy with the weight of his decision. "Ebonheim, your dedication to your village and your tenacity in our contest have impressed me. However, I still cannot permit you to build your road through my domain."

Ebonheim sighed, her hands on her hips as she stared at the Ent. "Come on, can't we work something out?" she implored, her eyes glimmering with determination.

Elmsworth paused, considering her words. "There is a task you could perform, young goddess. Deep within the forest, there is a grove of trees that has been tainted by a dark presence. If you can cleanse the grove and restore balance to the land, I will grant you permission to build your road through my domain."

Ebonheim's eyes lit up at the challenge. "A dark presence, you say? Consider it done, Elmsworth! I'll cleanse the grove and prove that I'm capable of handling the responsibility of the road."

The Ent nodded, the creaking of its branches echoing through the forest. "Very well, young goddess. I shall await your return, and if you are successful, we shall discuss the road further."