I decided that I had enough trusting the elves, whether they were friends or not, I was better safe than sorry, so I decided not to rely on the wardens or whatever their name was. I nodded to Elara in appreciation and rode my treant deeper into the grove.
So far my method was to work my way in from the grove's borders, but now it seemed like it would leave me surrounded if the shadow blades were to launch a full scale assault, and I didn't want to give me back to the corruption while fighting the elves on the front.
It was another gamble I had to make, whether I wanted to work my way in as before, or if I wanted to work my way out, given that I could pass the dense barrier of miasma that seemed to always stop me at a specific point deep towards what I assumed to be the heart.
My purification efficiency was also significantly lowered given that I lost both my bow and my brush, which enhanced my magic by a good portion, but that didn't mean that I was completely powerless, I could still purify the grove, it's not like I needed the median to cast my magic.
As I moved deeper into the grove, I tried to formulate a plan. The loss of my artifacts was a setback, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it. The grove's corruption was spreading, and I needed to act quickly.
The three spirits were still lying unconscious beside me, and I was also still naked which wasn't a pleasant experience, it's not like I had a member anymore.. Wait.. Oh Fuck! I don't have my member anymore!
Well, somehow I'm not all that annoyed about it, I was a spirit now not a mortal so it's not like I'd have any sort of desires.
After a bit we reached the area where the thick miasma barrier began. First, I decided to test the limits of the miasma barrier. I knew it would be difficult, but I needed to understand how it worked and find a way through it if I was going to purify the heart of the grove. I pushed the treant onward, its massive form parting the corrupted vegetation as we made our way to the central area where the miasma was the thickest.
When we reached the barrier, I dismounted and approached it cautiously. The air was dense with malevolent energy, and I could feel it pressing against my spirit. I extended my hand, channeling my celestial flames directly into the miasma. The energy crackled and hissed as it met the barrier, but it didn't dissipate.
I focused harder, drawing on the essence I had absorbed from the spirit stone. Slowly, the miasma began to recede, creating a small gap. It was exhausting, and I could feel my strength waning, but it was possible. I just needed more power and perhaps a different approach.
The gap I created gave me an idea, instead of purifying the outer layer of the barrier and trying to work my way into the heart, I could force my way through by creating a tunnel through the miasma. This method could allow me to reach the core of the corruption more directly, potentially cutting off the source and making the outer layers easier to cleanse afterward.
I summoned all the remaining energy I had, channeling it into a focused beam of celestial flames. Slowly but steadily, I began to carve a path through the dense miasma. Each inch forward felt like a battle, the corruption pushing back against my efforts, but I persisted.
The tunnel I created was narrow and barely stable, but it was progress. I instructed my treant to follow closely, its large form providing a buffer against the encroaching miasma. The fox and squirrel, still unconscious but safely cradled in the treant's branches, were secure for now. The ancient spirit, too, was held safely in its grasp.
As we pressed forward, I could sense the intensity of the corruption increasing. The miasma grew thicker and more resistant, but the further I went, the more I understood its nature. It wasn't just random darkness; it had a purpose and a direction. The corruption was being drawn toward something, a focal point deep within the grove.
Hours passed as we advanced inch by inch. The strain was immense, and I had to take frequent breaks to avoid complete exhaustion. During one of these breaks, I took a moment to reflect on Elara's story and everything that had happened.
Elara's explanation about the Shadow Blades and their motives made sense. The idea of an elven faction dedicated to supremacy and willing to corrupt the world tree to achieve their goals was disturbing, but it also explained the extent of the corruption I was facing. This wasn't just about the grove; it was about something much larger. The Wardens' reluctance to act directly to avoid provoking me had been understandable, but it also meant I couldn't rely on them for direct assistance.
I needed to be strategic. If I could reach the heart of the corruption and purify it, I might be able to create a cascading effect, weakening the Shadow Blades' hold on the grove. But I also had to be prepared for resistance. The Shadow Blades wouldn't sit idly by while I dismantled their efforts.
As I finally broke through to a small clearing at the heart of the miasma, I saw the source of the corruption: a twisted, blackened tree that resembled the one I saw in my vision and the dead spirit's memories, pulsating with dark energy. This was it—the heart of the darkness that had consumed the grove, and also the heart of the grove itself.
I knew this would be my hardest battle yet, but I was ready. With the last of my strength, I prepared to confront the corrupted tree, knowing that the fate of the grove—and perhaps more—depended on my success.
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The task ahead was daunting. I couldn't simply blast it with celestial flames and expect the corruption to vanish. It didn't work on the pond and it sure won't work on the heart of the corruption. This required a more nuanced approach, one that took into account the complexity of the corruption's grip on the tree, and the fact that I could potentially harm the tree.
I approached cautiously, my spirit vision revealing the intricate web of dark energy woven throughout the tree's structure. It wasn't just a matter of purifying the surface; the corruption had penetrated deep into the roots and core and was spreading out into the grove itself. I needed to find a way to cleanse the entire system without causing further damage to the grove.
Drawing on my remaining strength, I dismissed the treant, and I began by focusing on the roots. They were the foundation of the tree, and if I could purify them, it might weaken the corruption throughout the rest of the structure. I knelt beside one of the massive roots, placing my hands on its surface and channeling my energy into it.
The initial reaction was violent. The dark energy recoiled, pushing back against my efforts with a force that nearly knocked me off balance. But I persisted, slowly but surely infusing the root with purifying light. As the corruption began to recede, I noticed something curious: the root's essence was intertwined with the energy of the grove itself. The corruption had created a symbiotic relationship, feeding off the grove's life force while simultaneously sustaining it.
This realization gave me an idea. If I could sever the connection between the corruption and the grove's life force, it might weaken the tree's hold and make it more susceptible to purification. But how to achieve this without causing irreparable harm?
I reached for the spirit stone, now empty but still a conduit for energy. Placing it against the root, I channeled my flames through the stone, using it as a buffer to absorb and redirect the dark energy. Slowly, the corruption began to flow into the stone, leaving the root cleaner and more vibrant.
The process was slow and painstaking, but it worked. As I moved from root to root, the tree's resistance weakened. But the deeper I went, the more I realized that the true heart of the corruption lay not in the roots but in the core of the tree itself.
I approached the trunk, sensing the pulsing darkness within. This was the source, the heart of the corruption. To cleanse it, I would need to reach the very core. Taking a deep breath, I pressed my hands against the rough bark and began to channel my very own energy inward.
The resistance was immense, the dark energy swirling around my efforts like a storm. It was then that I noticed a pattern in the corruption's flow. The energy was being drawn to a specific point within the tree, a focal point that seemed to be the epicenter of the corruption.
Using my spirit vision, I pinpointed the location and carefully began to carve a path through the tree's layers. It was a delicate process, requiring precision and control. As I tunneled deeper, I encountered pockets of intense corruption, each one was a potential threat to my progress that needed to be dealt with separately.
Finally, I reached the core. At the center of the tree's heart was a small, pulsating orb of dark energy. This was the true source of the corruption, a malevolent presence that had embedded itself within the tree. I could sense its awareness, a primitive intelligence that recognized my intent and resisted fiercely.
To purify this orb, I needed to isolate it from the tree's essence. Using the spirit stone as a conduit, I began to draw the dark energy into the stone, separating it from the tree's life force. The process was excruciatingly slow, and I have been at it for hours now.
But as the last remnants of corruption were absorbed into the stone, the tree began to change. The dark energy receded, replaced by a soft, glowing light. The once-twisted branches straightened, and the blackened bark regained its natural hue.
The grove's heart was purified, but the stone in my hand now pulsed with dark energy. It was a dangerous artifact, one that could not be allowed to remain intact. With a final effort, I channeled my flames into the stone, deeming it unpurifyable, the flames caused it to shatter into harmless fragments, I contemplated whether I could potentially use it as a weapon in the future, but I decided against it, I'm better than them, not the same as them.
Exhausted but victorious, I collapsed at the base of the tree, my vision blurring. The grove around me began to heal, the corruption lifting and the natural balance returning. It wasn't an easy battle, but it was one that had to be fought—and won.
***
I awoke to the soft rustling of leaves and the faint, familiar scents of the grove. Blinking against the light, I sat up, only to find that the fox, the squirrel, and the withered ancient spirit were nowhere to be seen. Panic surged through me. Where had they gone? Had something happened while I was unconscious?
Just as the anxiety began to tighten its grip, I felt a gentle, almost comforting pull from the massive tree I had purified. It was as if the tree itself was calling to me. Hesitant but curious, I approached and placed my hand on its bark.
Instantly, a burst of energy surged through me, and my status window appeared before my eyes, filled with messages:
[Initiating the Grove's Core...]
[Administrator Detected...]
[Welcome, Ethan.]
Congratulations, you have managed to purify the heart of the grove of eternal blossoms. Reward: 50,000 Karma.
You have one unread message.
Time until the grove is fully purified: 13 Days 15 Hours 45 Minutes 23 Seconds
Current Residents: 4 Ancient Spirits.
Current Status: Locked.
Relief washed over me, followed by a sense of curiosity. I focused on the unread message, wondering what it could be.
As I focused on the unread message, it opened with an unexpected greeting:
Message: "Uhh, hey there Ethan, this is God, your number one fan of course. I'd like to express my sincerest apologies for your current situation, it was uhh... A test, yes, a test! You see, even ancient spirits need to prove their worth from time to time. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and I must say, you've surpassed expectations!"
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the casual tone.
"As a token of appreciation for your perseverance and skill, I'm awarding you 50,000 Karma Points. Use them wisely. Also, remember that you are not alone in this fight. The spirits of the grove are with you, and your bond with them will only grow stronger over time. Anyways keep up the good work! I'll write to you soon! Bye!"
Remember when I said I've been mad with god multiple times through my life, yeah, looks like this is one of those times.