164. Trees and planes

The Elder Tree was an extremely special being. In a way, it was a cornerstone of existence. To call it a god wasn’t entirely accurate, but it wasn’t entirely wrong either—and Kai couldn’t think of a better word. Unlike the divine beings that were being worshipped across the human kingdoms, it neither had a church or demanded faith. Yet its presence was no less vital. Simply by existing, it exhaled mana, saturating the world with the lifeblood of magic. Without the Elder Tree, the world would slowly suffocate, magic would dwindle until it was nothing more than some distant legend and it was a scary, scary nightmare. So when Kai started to think about saving such a being—he realised one thing; this was one of the hardest tasks he’d ever taken upon. But if there’s another thing he knew about himself, it was that he didn’t give up when he put his mind into anything. Not even if it could cost his life. He got into the process of thinking. He thought, and thought, until something clicked. Kai realised that he had been thinking of it wrongly from the start. He'd been trying to find a way to revive this divine being to the point that he had overlooked the fact that even if the Elder Tree was special and one of its kind, it was still a tree. And even if he didn’t know ways to revive a tree, he knew ways to create a new one. But it came with its own complications. Still, Kai knew it was the only way forward. With confidence, he stood in front of the Council of Five Tribes and looked at how their expressions shifted from excitement for his words to scepticism within seconds. Flossbor, who’d been extremely optimistic about his arrival, looked at him and narrowed his eyes. Was he angry? Kai couldn’t tell. Next to Flossbor, Elder V’aleirith shifted in her seat. Caelith openly sneered, his displeasure practically radiated off of him. “You claim to have multiple ways to save the Elder Tree.” Caelith leaned forward with his sneer deepening. “Do you think we are fools, Arzan? We have devoted centuries to this task, only for you to claim you’ve solved it in a matter of days? And not only one way, but two?!” Kai’s jaw tightened. He forced himself to exhale and turned his attention to Elder V’aleirith instead. Although she showed signs of confusion, Kai knew that she was aware of his intentions. Her calm presence, in fact, consoled a part of him. She raised her hand to silence Caelith. “Enough, Caelith. Let him speak. If nothing else, let us hear what Arzan has to offer.” she tore her gaze from the angry man and looked at Kai, her eyes softening in the process. “What do you mean?” Kai inhaled again. “We all have thought about ways to revive the Elder Tree, reverse its ageing and heal it so that the cycle could prolong. That approach, no matter how noble, only delays the inevitable. It would still be there. The cycle would continue, and the calamity would strike again. Maybe not in the next hundred years but in the next thousand years.” The room fell silent. Even Caelith’s sneer faltered, replaced by a furrowed brow. The weight of Kai’s words hung in the air as he pressed on. Kai wasn’t speaking like this for no reason. If at least the history of the elven population he knew was true, then the Elder Tree would have died at the end of the first golden era of magic. There still was a long time for that, so, it meant that the elves somehow were able to prolong and extend the Tree’s life. But, still, in the end, the world fell. The tree died, giving way to dead mana to pollute the last bit of pure mana. That was obviously the history he knew was correct. At this point, he wasn’t so sure. “What are you telling, young man?” Lirian, one of the elf elders who had been silent till now asked, her expression grumpy. “Speak clearly!” “My plan isn’t to extend the Elder Tree's lifespan but to create a new one. It’s still a tree; and if it’s a tree, that means, it has a seed—it’s legacy. I don’t claim to know how to revive this one, but I do know how to plant another.” That earned him multiple shock-filled gazes. Everything stilled before him when a voice spoke up. “How exactly are you planning to do that? We don't have another Elder Tree seed.” Flossbor asked. Kai met his eyes without hesitation. “First, there’s propagation,” he began. “We take fragments of the Elder Tree—its branches, buds, or bark—and plant them. Over time, they might grow into new trees, maybe multiple. I don’t know if they’d replicate the Elder Tree entirely, but even if they produce mana in smaller quantities, it would be a significant step forward.” The council’s reaction to his words were immediate. They exchanged glances, and Kai sensed their thoughts shifting from scepticism to intrigue. “That could work…” Flossbor muttered and locked eyes with him, and he immediately noticed the twinkle of hope. “I never thought of it like that, but would it really help? Propagation might not work with the Elder Tree, but we can certainly try.” Kai allowed himself a small nod of satisfaction. The idea was taking root. But before he could speak further, another voice cut through the murmurs. “But Flossbor, the Elder Tree is sacred!” Lirian shouted. She shook her head frantically. “We can’t cut it or take its buds. That’s blasphemy!” Elder V’aleirith turned her gaze to Lirian. “And if we don’t try, the Elder Tree may not survive at all,” she said. “With its fragments spread far and wide, it wouldn’t truly die. It would live on, in many forms.” Kai seized the opening and nodded. “Exactly. But I’d never act without the Elder Tree’s consent,” he said. “I’ll ask myself. If it refuses, the plan is off the table.” Even as he spoke, Kai’s thoughts raced. He’d spoken to the Elder Tree before, and though its voice had been slow and distant, he’d felt its will. It was a being of preservation and balance. He was certain it would agree. The whispers among the council grew louder, a mix of doubt and cautious optimism, until Caelith’s voice sliced through the noise like a blade. “You mentioned another method,” Caelith said, his tone cutting. “Let’s hear it. You claimed to have more than one.” Kai turned to face him, meeting his eyes calmly. “The second method is far more difficult,” he said. “But if successful, it could end the cycle for tens of thousands of years. We need another Elder Tree seed.” Caelith scoffed, his expression twisting with disbelief. “Another seed? Where do you expect to find something like that? Flossbor already mentioned we don't have something like that.” he snapped. “The Elder Tree is one of a kind. You could search the entire world, and you wouldn’t find another. I finally understand that you don’t grasp this entirely. Elder V’aleirith—” Kai held his ground. “Maybe we haven't looked enough,” he said, cutting him off. “We have looked everywhere. We elves have records of searching through this realm to find another seed of the Elder Tree, but we haven't found any traces of it.” Caelith frowned, shaking his head with a tired voice. Kai’s gaze swept across the room before fixing on Caelith as he asked a simple question, “Did I say we need to look in this realm?” Caelith froze. “What do you mean?” “There are more planes in existence.” Elder V’aleirith’s lips pursed. “Are you hinting at planar travel?” she asked. “You need to understand, Arzan, that while spirits can traverse into our world, the same does not apply to us. If we attempt to open a passage, it could create a tear in reality—one that might kill us. It’s a risk, one that I’m not sure even might work.” Searᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kai nodded. “I understand the dangers,” he said. “But I’ve studied the records of an eight circle Mage—a powerful human who dedicated his entire life to understanding the planes and their connection to our world. He was said to have found a way to travel freely between them.” The council leaned in as Kai continued. “His writings spoke of small dimensions—intermediate spaces between the major planes. These act like floors in a tower, bridging the gap between our world and others. If we utilize these dimensions carefully, we could safely traverse to other planes without tearing reality apart.” Elder V’aleirith’s eyes sharpened. “And what plane would you aim for, Arzan? Not all are survivable. The flame and water planes are inhospitable to beings like us.” Kai nodded again. “I’m aware. But the earth plane is different. It’s rumored to be the plane with the highest concentration of mana in the cosmos, home to immense forests and trees that exhale mana like breath. If we can create a gate to the earth plane, we might find another Elder Tree seed.” A murmur rippled through the room, the elders exchanging glances filled with doubt and wonder. Kai cleared his throat to gain back their attention. “Right now, I believe the fragment plan should be our priority,” he said. “But if it fails, I would personally take on the task of creating a gate to the earth plane.” “Creating a gate to another world won’t be easy. Are you capable of it, Arzan?” Flossbor asked. Kai met his gaze evenly. “Honestly, no,” he admitted. “Right now, I’m too weak. That’s why this isn’t our primary plan. But with time and strength, I believe I could achieve it.” Flossbor’s expression softened into a thoughtful nod, and Elder V’aleirith’s lips curled into a faint smile. “It is as it is,” she said. “We sought one way to save the Elder Tree, and Arzan here has offered us two. Both are worth pursuing.” She turned to the other elders, her gaze sweeping across the room. “By now, we’ve seen that Arzan is honorable and determined to save the Elder Tree, just as we are. For that, I propose that all of Sylvastra lend him its aid. Be it knowledge, labor, resources—or even we elders ourselves—let us support him in this effort. Do any here disagree?” Kai blinked in surprise as Elder V’aleirith’s words sank in. What she proposed wasn’t just support—it was binding the entire elven nation to him, granting him their unwavering loyalty. It meant he could ask for anything, no matter how impossible it seemed, and they would give it their all to fulfill his request. The magnitude of it made him pause, his mind racing. As he waited, the elders began voicing their agreements one by one. “I have no objection,” Flossbor said firmly. “Nor do I,” Lirian added. The declarations came steadily, each elder nodding in turn. Kai’s eyes scanned the room until only Caelith remained. The elder’s sharp, contemplative gaze lingered on him, piercing as though weighing the truth of Kai’s resolve. After a long pause, Caelith inclined his head. “I have no objection,” he said finally. “Just make sure your words hold truth or I will personally bring my wrath on you.” Kai couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips, ignoring the last of Caelith's words. With that, he had the full support of Sylvastra. Elder V’aleirith’s face softened into a smile of her own. “Very well, then,” she said, her voice echoing through the chamber. “With this, Arzan Kellius is a true friend of the elves. If you need anything, you may ask, and we shall provide it.” Kai hesitated for a heartbeat, staring at her as her words settled in. For some reason, it didn’t feel like a simple ceremonial declaration and he soon realised why it was so. This was her cue for him to lay everything he needed on the table. He straightened, his hesitation evaporating. “Actually,” he said smoothly, not missing a beat, “there are a couple of things—beyond druidic magic—that I could use.” *** After the meeting with the elders, Kai found that things went smoother than expected. The elves posed no resistance to his requests, granting him everything he needed from Sylvastra. He gained access to their extensive archives on druidic magic and spirit tamers, as well as rare materials like lightwood and herbs for alchemy. Additionally, they provided the ingredients necessary for crafting the Elder Tree Concoction. Even the Elder Tree itself allowed its branches to be trimmed and its buds harvested. Kai planned to plant these fragments within his territory and the Vasper Forest, using them as a test to determine their effectiveness. If successful, the plan could be expanded globally. With everything accomplished, he wasted no time in preparing to leave Sylvastra, eager to return to his territory. His people needed him, and the next phase of his responsibilities awaited. Before his departure, however, he sought out Elder V'aleirith, determined to learn more about his role as a Fatebreaker. He found her in a secluded glade, the quietness of the forest creeped up to him rather quickly. But his feet didn’t falter, he walked towards her. For some reason, he knew that she was aware of him even before he spoke. “Elder V'aleirith, I’ve been thinking. Does my lack of fate mean I’m the only one who can change the fate of the world? It doesn’t feel right to me. I think it must be more complex than that.” She smiled at his question. “How do you think it works, Arzan?” He crossed his arms, gazing upward at the canopy as he gathered his thoughts. “Fate isn’t isolated. A person’s fate must be interconnected with others. Humans constantly influence one another—through their actions, their choices. It stands to reason that their fates would work the same way.” She nodded, a glimmer of satisfaction in her expression. “You are correct. As a Fatebreaker, you do not merely defy your own fate. You break the fates of all you touch, creating new possibilities for them. Every choice you make ripples outward, carving new paths for others to tread.” Kai’s gaze dropped as her words settled over him, his thoughts drifting back to his territory. He thought of the people whose lives he’d already altered. Amyra, for instance—she wouldn’t have survived the necromancer without him. And Veralt itself might have fallen to the beast wave had he not intervened. He realized that his actions had already reshaped countless lives, diverting them from paths they might have otherwise walked. Sylvastra was another step in this journey, but it was clear that his influence hadn't reached a level where he could change the world's trajectory. Elder V'aleirith's expression grew more solemn as she continued. “With you breaking the chains of fate and reshaping the lives of those around you, Arzan, you’ll have the power to unite people. They will follow you, and together, you might stand against the cycle and Maleficia.” Kai frowned slightly at the term, thinking back to the vision the Elder Tree had shown him. “The skeleton dragon.” Elder V'aleirith nodded gravely. “Yes. Malefic, the harbinger of the end—a dragon that died long ago but refused to pass into the next realm. It lingers, driven by an insatiable desire to paint the world in dead mana, so it can rule over a land devoid of life. If I am correct, Malefic is still in slumber and has not stirred for an age. However, its followers work tirelessly to bring its vision to life. It sounds like you’ve already crossed pathed with them” Kai’s jaw tightened as memories resurfaced. “Yes,” he admitted. “And I will again, very soon.” Images of Actra, Lucian, and Regina flickered in his mind—members of the shadowy organization that had been pulling strings from the shadows. For so long, Kai had fought them without understanding who or what he was truly up against. But now, he has a name—Maleficia. That knowledge alone eased a small part of his curiosity, though the weight of what it meant settled heavily on his shoulders. Elder V'aleirith studied him carefully. “From the way you speak, it seems you expect to face them sooner rather than later.” Kai nodded. “I believe so.” She inclined her head. “Then I apologize for keeping you here for so long. I know the journey back to your territory will take days, and your people must be waiting for you.” Kai shook his head. “It’s fine, Elder V'aleirith. Besides, I don’t intend to take the road back.” Her brows knit in confusion. “What do you mean?” Kai smirked faintly. “Before I came here, I studied the maps. The river that connects Sylvastra to Lancephil branches out into other currents, one of which passes near my territory. I plan to take a boat and travel that way.” Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. “That would take a long time, even with the aid of magic. And such prolonged effort would exhaust you sooner or later.” Kai’s smirk grew into a small grin. “I’m not planning to use magic for the journey.” “Then?” “Raven talked about a lot of creatures that reside in the river that I used to come here. I'm just going to find one of them and see if it's willing to let me test drudic magic on it.” Hearing that, her silver eyes widened, first in confusion then with realisation at the meaning of his words settled. *** A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. 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