159. Elder tree

As soon as Kai set his hand on the bark, his emotions flared up. It wasn’t just a physical reaction—it was as if his very being was reaching out to something beyond the confines of the world he knew. He could feel his perception expand, not just on a sensory level, but something more primal, more universal. It was as though his mind had been opened, not just to the tree before him, but to the very essence of the world. It was as though his consciousness was touching every part of existence—every root, every leaf, every pulse of life, every hum of energy. He felt his connection to the elder tree running deeper; not just mentally, it grew cellular, maybe even astral. The very fibers of his being seemed to intertwine with the tree's, as if he and it were two halves of a whole. Kai relaxed his previously stiffened hand. The sudden rush of power was overwhelming at first, but soon it felt natural—like it had always been there, hidden beneath the surface of his awareness. He could feel the tree’s entire body, stretching deep beneath the earth, its roots spreading like veins across the land, seeking the unseen. He felt its branches reaching out to the sky, its leaves rustling in the distant winds. His mind rang, and in the resonance, he heard the tree’s ancient voice, a voice that was not spoken but felt, as if it had always existed within the rhythms of life itself. And with that connection came visions—images swirling through his mind. Kai saw the world as it was when the Elder Tree was first born—just a small sprout, barely more than a seed, looking up at the vast unknown. He felt its quiet awe at the world around it, its slow realization that it held power within. He saw how it grew, slowly at first, a sapling sending out tiny roots, feeling its way into the earth. He could feel the mana that had flowed through it, the power it had affected the world with, and how it had grown into a massive, towering tree. He felt its first encounter with a beast—how it had sensed the wild forces of nature and faced them with the quiet strength it had yet to fully understand. And then came the elves—the first to encounter it when it had truly realized the extent of its power. Kai felt the connection form, the exchange between them—how the elder tree had blessed them, and in return, how they had revered it, connecting their lives with its presence. Since then, their bond grew. The mutual respect, the deep understanding—it had been a symbiotic relationship that had lasted through generations. Kai saw all of it. But the tree’s story didn’t end there. He saw how its roots slowly spread beyond the land, reaching into places he could never have imagined, its consciousness growing, learning, and expanding. He saw the generations come and go, the elves, the beasts, the land itself—each passing and changing with time, while the tree remained steadfast, a living testament to the passage of ages. It had witnessed history unfold, the rise and fall of kingdoms, and had seen the first human Mage—a figure who had approached it, touched it, and unlocked the power of mana. This Mage, Kai saw in vivid clarity, had created the first spell structures and circles in his heart, laying the foundation for all that would come after. The tree had watched as the Mage passed on this knowledge, teaching the world how to harness the raw power of the universe, shaping the course of magic as it was known. Kai felt everything—the tree’s excitement, its eagerness to share its entire existence. Every branch, every leaf, every inch of berk resonated with memories, both joyful and sorrowful, spanning centuries. The tree had seen so much, learned so much, and as the images flowed through Kai, he could feel its essence beside him, almost like a second presence within his own mind. The bond between them grew stronger, a connection deeper than any he had ever known. But then, just as suddenly as it had started, the visions ceased. The tree’s presence was still there, and its voice, now softer, asked him a question—not in words, but in thought, a silent exchange of understanding. For a moment, Kai was still, his mind reeling from the flood of visions. But he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t pull away. In the silence of the moment, he shared. He shared the story of his birth on the streets of a dying city, surrounded by the ruins of a world that had lost its way. He saw the day he met his master, the one who had seen potential in him and had taken him into the Sorcerer’s Tower. He shared his years of study, of becoming stronger, of facing challenges that had shaped him into the Magus he became and the Mage he was now. And then, he spoke of the desperation he felt—of watching the world crumble around him, of seeing the loss of humanity, of losing the people he cared for, bit by bit, as the ugly darkness spread. It still felt raw. He still felt the pain as if it was happening in the moment, maybe because his previous life played in his mind that he remembered everything to the very core. But, he didn’t hold back. The Elder Tree, in its infinite patience, listened to his story, and for the first time in his life, he felt truly heard—truly seen. It pained even more as the memories led him to the moment of his master’s death. He was a young, rash man back then, impulsively searching for a way to combat the ever-encroaching dead mana. His journey had brought him to a ruin, a place rumored to hold the key to battling corruption. But in the end, it had been a trap—a cruel snare from which there was no escape. His master, the one who had always guided him, had come to his rescue, but it was too late. The fiends in that forsaken place had already corrupted him. With his dying breath, his master had made Kai swear an oath—to save the world, to stop the curse that was destroying everything. As the memory settled into Kai's chest like a stone, his soul shook violently. He could feel it—the grief, the guilt, the loss—all of it threatening to overwhelm him. His breath became shallow, his body tense, and his mind spiraled back into the trauma of that moment. But just as he thought he might be consumed by the weight of it, something unexpected happened. A presence—calm, steady, and warm—wrapped itself around him. The Elder Tree was there, consoling him. The energy enveloped him like a very well needed soft embrace, as though it understood his pain. Kai fought to push past the memories, shaking his head, willing himself to focus. He steeled himself, determined to get to the questions he had been carrying with him for so long—the ones that had brought him to this very place. “What is the prophecy of the cycle of life and death?” he asked, his voice steady, though his heart raced. “How can I defend against it?” The Elder Tree grew quiet, as if considering his words. Then, a ripple of energy pulsed through the ground, and for a moment, Kai thought the entire world had stilled. The sensation was so clear that it made his soul tremble, and when it passed, the world around him shifted. He found himself reliving a memory—not his own, but a memory from time’s beginning. He saw a world bathed in an unbearable heat, a world so scorched that no life could survive. It was a world of fire and chaos, the air thick with the intensity of life struggling to take form. And then, slowly, it began to cool. The land began to take shape, the raw elements of nature coalescing into something more—a planet becoming habitable. Kai watched in awe as life began to materialize in small, fragile forms—bacteria, plant life, and slowly, more complex organisms. From the heat, the world cooled, and from the cooling, life emerged. The elements came together, intertwining, and with them, the gods rose, not one, but many. The energy that had once been raw and untamed began to settle into patterns, and mana itself gave birth to a new age of creation. The Elder Tree showed him how humans evolved, how they learned magic—how their race, along with others—beasts, elves, and more—had flourished. Kai watched as civilizations rose and fell, as the wheel of life continued to turn. The images came in waves, showing him the origins of life, the rise of magic, the connection between all living things. And then, just as Kai thought he had seen it all, a voice rang in his mind—a voice that seemed to come from the very depths of the universe. It was godly, powerful, and heavy, like a judgment passed from the cosmos itself. The words settled into Kai’s heart, heavy with meaning. It was a truth he had always known, but hearing it now, from the mouth of some higher power, made it feel all the more real, all the more inescapable. He felt it deep within himself—the weight of life and death, the inevitability of it. But the tree wasn’t done. Kai felt another pull, a deep, insistent tug at his consciousness, and suddenly, the world around him shifted once more. He was shown a scene—a vision so startling that it made him widen his eyes in disbelief. It was a place, a moment, from far beyond what he had seen before. The image wasn’t just from the past, it wasn’t even from the present—it was from a future he had witnessed and even going beyond it. A great darkness, vast and consuming, spread across the land. It was as though life was being strangled by the very forces of death. The world was no longer familiar, no longer the vibrant place he had known. It was desolate, cold, and devoid of everything that had once thrived. Sёarᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kai’s heart pounded as he stared at the image, the implications of it sinking in with terrifying clarity. This was the end. The cycle that had been set into motion all those years ago was coming to its inevitable conclusion. And Kai—he was at the center of it. The vision continued, and Kai’s heart sank as the images unfolded before him. He saw how the world would end, consumed by the very force that had been creeping in from the shadows—the dead mana. It was slow at first, subtle even, but with the Elder Tree at the end of its lifespan, the inevitable unraveling began. The fiends, twisted and foul, began to rise, led by a monstrous dragon, a creature formed from the very essence of dead mana itself. Mana began to decay—its vitality draining, turning lifeless and cold. Wars broke out, not for conquest, but to hasten the process of destruction, to increase the spread of dead mana. Kai watched as the cycle of death consumed the world. Humans, elves, minotaurs—nothing would survive. The races that once populated the land would perish, their civilizations reduced to ash. Only the mindless fiends would remain, battling each other for survival, a twisted mirror of the world before. The Elder Tree spoke again, its voice resonating deep within Kai’s mind, the weight of its words pressing down on his soul. Kai felt a chill run through him. The end was inevitable, unless... the elder tree continued, Kai’s thoughts raced as he stood frozen in the depths of this terrible truth. He had never imagined such a thing could be within his reach. How could he—one man—stand against the force of fate itself? Desperation and confusion rose within him. His mind ached with questions, and finally, he spoke in a raw voice, that came out as a croak with all the emotions overwhelming him. "How can I do it? How can I stop this?" The elder tree’s response came softly, as though it had been waiting for him to ask. it said. Kai frowned. Kai felt the full force of those words hit him like a tidal wave. He had regressed, had hoped for a second chance, but now the responsibility—the weight of the world—was placed squarely on his shoulders. He was the one who could change it? It seemed impossible, too much to bear. But the tree wasn’t done. the elder tree continued, And with those final words, Kai felt the tree’s presence envelop him once more, as if it was hugging him, comforting him in his pain and uncertainty. The warmth that spread through him was a reminder that, despite the immense burden, he was not alone in this. The tree would be with him, no matter what. But as the warmth washed over him, a sharp sense of anxiety pierced his chest. The world—the fate of all life—rested on his shoulders. He could no longer deny it; he was the key to either salvation or destruction. Kai stood there, his mind racing. Was everything that had happened since his regression just leading him to this moment? Was this always his purpose, to break the cycle of life and death? He didn’t know. How could he know? Fate was strange, full of twists and turns, and though he had been granted this power, it was a gift he hadn’t asked for and couldn’t deny. Questions still swirled in his mind—things he had yet to understand. But before he could ask them, before he could seek further answers, the pull of the Elder Tree began to lessen. The connection between them began to fade, the bond growing distant as Kai was gently yanked back to reality. The world around him shifted once more. The soft whisper of the Elder Tree’s energy faded, leaving only the silence of the present. Kai stood alone, breathing heavily, his mind reeling. He hadn’t noticed him going down on his knees, putting his entire weight on the tree. But he didn’t care. His mind was still reeling from the overwhelming vision. “Arzan…” Kai blinked, letting out a gasp and coming out of the sensations. He found himself staring up at Elder V’aleirith, who was gazing down on him with a knowing expression before his eyes went back to the Elder Tree. He struggled to comprehend the flood of images, memories, and responsibility that had just been thrust upon him. His mind felt heavy with the weight of what he had seen, but the Elder Tree's presence was in his mind—a warmth that had felt like the embrace of a long-lost father, soothing yet ominous. V’aleirith broke the silence. "It seems you’ve had quite the experience, just as I thought," she said. "How do you feel?" Kai's throat tightened, and he exhaled slowly. "Unpleasant," he muttered, struggling to find the right words. "The Elder Tree... it was warm, like the touch of a long-lost father. But whatever I saw, it was... unpleasant. I feel like my responsibilities have just increased." She nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on him. "I guess that’s true," she said thoughtfully. "But does that mean you’ve accepted your role as a Fatebreaker? Will you carry it forward and save the Elder Tree?" The way she phrased it made Kai pause. There was hesitation in her voice, a hint of anxiety that seemed to lace her words. But Kai’s decision had already solidified in his heart. He had always carried the weight of responsibility, from his oath to his desire to protect those he cared about. Being a Fatebreaker didn’t seem all that different from the vow he had made to himself long ago. The only difference now was the magnitude of the stakes. If he could prevent the cataclysm, if he could save the Elder Tree, then maybe—just maybe—the death cycle wouldn't arrive. After all, the tree's death was the catalyst for it all. Kai nodded steadily. "Yes," he said. "But are you really sure the Elder Tree is going to die anytime soon? It looks quite healthy to me." Elder V’aleirith smiled softly, but there was a weariness in her eyes. "I know it looks that way. But it’s not really the case." She stepped forward, placing her hand on the Elder Tree, her eyes closing as if in silent communication with the ancient being. Kai watched in silence, and then something shifted. A subtle tremor ran through the earth beneath his feet, and the roots of the Elder Tree began to move. They twisted, curled, and crawled back, revealing patches of dead ground—brown and decaying where life should have been thriving. Kai’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at the sight before him. The which-should’ve been vibrant roots now appeared withered and lifeless, a complete difference to the lush canopy above. He realized, with a growing sense of dread, that the putrid scent of decay had been hidden beneath the tree’s branches and the fragrant air that surrounded them. His voice faltered as he turned to Elder V’aleirith, his eyes wide with shock. "How did this happen?" She sighed, a sad smile on her lips. "What is birthed must eventually meet its end," she said quietly. "The Elder Tree is no different. Its time is coming, and with it, the cycle of life and death is beginning to shift toward the death part." Kai stood still, his eyes fixed on the dead roots, the grim reality settling into his bones. He then turned to Elder V’aleirith, the question on his lips, one that had burned in his mind since he saw the destruction that would come with the tree’s death. "Is there a way to save it?" Elder V’aleirith looked at him and tilted her head sadly. "There are theories. But each one of them is mostly impossible. We've tried—me, the Council of Elders—but none have worked. There are other ways, but I don’t know if they will succeed." Kai’s gaze narrowed as he processed her words. His instincts told him that there had to be a way, something he could do, and the Elder Tree’s death couldn’t be the end. "Can I take a look at them?" She nodded. "Yes, you can take a look at the theories," she said softly. "But while you do so, I will gather something for you. Something you may need." Kai raised an eyebrow. "What will that be?" he asked, not sure what to expect. The elf’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Druidic magic books. I know you’re looking for them." Kai’s brow furrowed, confusion rippling through him. "How do you know that?" Her eyes sparkled and she gave her hand to lift him up. "You seemed to have forgotten, but I’m a seer. I see more than you might think." Kai felt a sudden shiver run through him. He couldn’t speak or respond to that knowing she had known his intentions all along, therefore, he nodded slowly. "Let's go now. There’s a lot for you to do, Fatebreaker." - hi guys, I'm tc. i'd appreciate a follow if you're enjoying Dao of Money so far. if u want, u can read advanced chapters in our patreon and join the discord server to have a chat with us, I'll drop the links down below :) Patreon for 15 chaps: /extra26 Discord: invite/nc3hVSCP2n