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Chapter 44. Heart of the Forest

  "So, I see you all are ready to work together," said Ainorrh. "I have other duties to attend. Alliot should be a great guide."

  "Thank you for your trust, High Shaman," Alliot said before Ainorrh left. Then, he addressed Aira and Lila. "Are you ready? The High Shaman didn't doubt you'd find it. It's hard to do that by walking around. The place is very powerful. It has its own protections."

  Aira nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. They started moving in a direction that felt familiar in the beginning. The forest closed in around them, towering branches knitting overhead like fingers weaving a secret. The air pulsed—not just thick, but charged, like the crackle before a storm. There was no wind but leaves rustled on unseen currents, whispering in voices just out of reach. Aira glanced at Lila, who appeared equally intrigued by the enigmatic nature of the forest.

  Lila whispered to Aira: "By the roots, do you think Ainorrh's been keeping this tucked away on purpose? Feels like we've been circling this place without ever stumbling upon it."

  Aira shrugged, transmitting to Lila: "Maybe. I'm not sure. But I'm yet to sense any malicious intent in her actions. I can already feel the difference in the ambient magic here. Do you sense anything?"

  Lila halted mid-step, her breath hitching like a caught thread. She pressed her palm against a tree trunk, as if grounding herself, her amber eyes narrowing.

  "Can't put my finger on it, but…" she said. "It's like a dozen eyes are peeking through the leaves. Gives me the shivers. It's weird. But is that normal? I mean, it's arcane, right? I shouldn't even be feeling anything."

  "Who knows, it's not like you can't experience the consequence of magic use," said Aira. "We are exploring something completely new here. It feels more like this place has a very special energy pattern. It's almost like it didn't want us to find this area before we were ready. Before I was ready."

  As if he understood the exchange between two women, Alliot commented: "Heart of the Forest shows itself when you're ready. Not hidden. Just takes attunement."

  "I'm sure you sensed it before," he added looking at Aira. "But you probably weren't able to separate it from other energy patterns of the city, of our forest."

  Aira and Lila followed Alliot. Only the connection they established between each other allowed Lila to be an active participant. That was a fragile link that had to be supported by Aira's magic. Still, it was better than leaving Lila alone.

  "By Elder's breath, how did all this even come to be?" asked Lila. "I don't think any places of… power… existed before the Fall."

  "I have no clue," said Aira. "Really… Magical arrays and structures aren't a new concept to me. But I can't say I'm an expert. I always preferred a more kinetic approach. And you know I'm an outworlder. What happened here is as much mystery to me as it is to you."

  "So, the only way for us to learn is to hope that either Ainorrh or Alliot to drop breadcrumbs for us?" asked Lila. "Sounds like a slow way to get answers."

  "It's like a game," answered Aira. "We are probing each other, sharing bits about the past and trying to find a path forward. But as we just don't know where we are heading, it may be that Ainorrh isn't fully entrusting us with their agenda. Maybe she also thinks we are keeping something from her. In any case, you are right, new information should be helpful for our quest."

  "Is it hard for Lila?" asked Alliot. "I could speak the human tongue centuries ago. But this skill has been long lost to me. Most of the memories of my old life are gone."

  "I do my best to help her," Aira said. "And she was there for me when the situation was reversed. But anyway, it's possible only when I'm near. On all other occasions, she's exploring alone and with almost no way to communicate with your community. I understand that you've already had some experience with that, right?"

  "That's true," said Alliot. "She had joined our training. It was… an interesting experience. I have never sensed a human participating in our activities before."

  "You're one of the younger ones, yeah?" asked Lila through Aira. "That means you don't remember the old world at all?"

  "That's right. I've been elevated much later. Several hundred years later, to be more precise," said Alliot.

  "Do you remember anything about that?" asked Aira. "Or about your old life. Even you haven't retained the old human language, maybe there's something else? Ainorrh told us that she and some other elders retain at least some memories of the old world. Isn't it the same for you?"

  "No. Most younger enlightened don't remember," said Alliot. "Why? I don't know. Maybe the transformation does it. It doesn't matter. I have plenty of memories from this life. That's what counts."

  "I'm sorry if I upset you," said Aira. "I didn't want to pry. It's just that your world is so different compared to mine. And the effects of your magic and ways you interact with the Nexus are also quite unusual. I want to learn as much as possible about all of that."

  "And what about your old world?" asked Alliot. "Do you have any people like us there?"

  "Well, in a way," said Aira. "We have elves, who live hundreds of years. And we have undead, who are… undead, you know. As in not alive. But both of these races are usually not the most pleasant to beings to interact with."

  "I'm not sure I like to be labeled as a not alive being," said Alliot. "But it would be good to learn more about these elves later."

  "That's why I was a bit upset when I was finally able to read my own status and realized that in this world I'm an undead," said Aira. "But still, it's a bit strange that my skills hint that the enlightened are undead. And I'm yet to figure out what that means."

  "I can confidently say that we are not undead," said Alliot. "I'm sure all my peers would also prefer if you don't call us that."

  "Sure, I was just curious," said Aira. "New world, you know."

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  "But you, on the other hand, the Nexus labeled you as an undead," said Alliot, as if nothing happened and he didn't voice his dislike of the word just moments ago.

  "How did you reconcile with that?" he asked. "How do you feel as an undead?"

  "I can tell you that I feel much better than at the very beginning," said Aira. "When I had all the downsides of being undead and nothing to gain. I feel sooooo much better now. And a lot of that is thanks to Lila, she was very supportive during these past months. Finding a friend in such dire situation is the best you can hope for. Well, truly it's much more than you could even hope for."

  After briefly pausing to gather her thoughts, Aira continued: "Of course, I'd like to return to my old self. But the experience I get in this world is invaluable. I've learned so much about myself and the System, and I wonder how that would influence me when I'm finally back."

  "I've never ventured too far from our city," said Alliot. "It would be strange to go on a journey. But here we are, almost at the Heart of the Forest."

  Aira and Lila looked around. But not much changed in their surroundings. It was still the same trees and forest paths. At least for Aira, there was a difference if she used her magical senses.

  "I guess it demands some explanation," said Alliot, taking in the incredulity of his guests. "Let me show you. Our cities? They grow around power sources. Here, in this place, it is Air. It defines the place. Defines us."

  "So, your source, the Heart of the Forest has Air affinity?" said Aira.

  "Yes, that's right," answered Alliot. "Due to the specificity of these flavors, the enlightened who live and who are attracted to these cities usually share the same inclinations in magic. In our case, it's air. The High Shaman has most of her skills connected to the Air element. I have, as well. All of my peers have it the same way. And that's what you sensed during your meditation last night. When you followed the flow of the air currents."

  They approached a clearing in the forest. It didn't look much different from any other places Aira and Lila had seen here. But through her heightened senses, after the previous night's experiments attuned more finely to Air affinity magic, she could feel the characteristic power in the air.

  At first, the clearing looked like any other—a break in the trees, dappled light spilling across mossy ground. But then, Aira felt it. The air here wasn't just still—it was listening. The glow wasn't light but movement, a slow ripple of energy that breathed in tandem with the earth itself. Trees leaned inward, their roots pulsing like veins feeding a single, unseen heart. A presence. Waiting.

  Finally, even Lila was able to recognize the difference. The clearing was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The trees around it seemed to bend slightly towards the center as if drawn to an invisible force. Aira took a deep breath, feeling the energy come into her body through her lungs, resonating with her very being.

  Aira nodded, her gaze fixed on the center of the clearing. "So, this is the heart of your power. It's beautiful and overwhelming at the same time. It is so strong it isn't surprising it affected my probing."

  Alliot stepped forward, his expression reverent. "This is where our magic is strongest. It is the essence of our connection to the Air. Here, we can truly understand and harness the power of the wind."

  Aira saw that even Lila was feeling something. That powerful the energy of this place was. The human raised her hands to show Aira that all the small hairs stood on their ends.

  "By the roots, it feels like the sky's about to split open!" Lila exclaimed. "But there's not a storm cloud in sight. The air's got a charge to it like it's… alive. I don't know how else to say it."

  "Magic is a part of this world," said Aira. "Even if you can't manipulate it, it affects you."

  "Elder's breath, Aira, I've seen you weave your magic plenty of times. I've even had it tickle my skin when I jumped into that game with Alliot and his lot. But this?" Lila ran a hand down her arm, shivering slightly. "This isn't just some flicker of power—it's like standing at the heart of a storm, feeling the air hum with something bigger than us. The whole place is alive with it. I swear, if I had a lick of magic, I'd be buzzing like a caught firefly right now."

  "This is what unites all of us," said Alliot. "What gives us the power to grow this amazing forest. And live our lives as we are used to. And, of course, protect ourselves."

  As Aira went closer to the center of the opening, approaching the Heart of the Forest, she felt a familiar surge of energy wash over her. It was a sensation she hadn't experienced since acquiring the Rune in that distant dungeon. The Rune that now was dissolved into her very being and manifested as a tattoo or a sort of birthmark on her wrist.

  The resonance between the Heart of the Forest and the Rune was unmistakable. The symbol, which was dormant for many months, began pulsating with light. The ambient magic of the area seemed to resonate with it.

  Alliot took a sharp step back, his fingers twitching—a barely restrained reflex, like a bird resisting the urge to take flight.

  "What? What is it?" he whispered through the party interface.

  The flow of magic was undeniable and unstoppable. Aira and Alliot were able to control its influence through their magical abilities. Still, for Lila, it was like low electric currents passed through her body. They lifted her hair up and then, when intensity lowered, the hair flowed down. Only to return to the electrified state moments later.

  Alliot was watching both women with astonishment.

  "It can't be!..." he muttered. "How is that even possible that you are attuned to this place even more than the shaman?"

  After a brief interaction, the two sources of power seemed to harmonize, their energies intertwining in a way that filled Aira with a profound sense of purpose and connection.

  She closed her eyes, not resisting anymore, letting the energy flow through her. It was as if Heart of the Forest was speaking to her, its ancient wisdom and strength merging with her own. The feeling was both exhilarating and comforting, a reminder of the incredible journey she had undertaken and the possibilities that lay ahead.

  Lila, standing nearby, watched in silent awe. Even without any magic, she could sense the bond between Aira and Heart of the Forest. A connection that transcended the physical and tapped into something far deeper.

  "This place... it's incredible," Lila whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "What's happening?"

  Aira opened her eyes and met Lila's gaze, her eyes shining with newfound determination.

  "The energy here... it's so similar to what I felt coming from the Rune," she said. The Rune is resonating with it, even now, when it's dissolved in me."

  A sudden surge of static crackled through Aira's radio, jagged and sharp like a storm breaking across metal. The device flickered, recalibrating, its signals swallowed and rewritten by the forest's pulse. Then, through the distortion, the System's voice broke through:

  --- Completed Quests ---

  1. Explore the Heart of the Forest (Rewards: 300,000 XP, Skill)

  2. Make contact with the undead (Reward: 100,000 XP)

  3. Defend the base (Reward: 300,000 XP, Skill)

  [...]

  "Ha! You called it, Aira!" Lila exclaimed. "We made another step in your grand quest of 'figure out what the hell is going on'!"

  "You don't say! Major it is!" Aira joined her. "And 500,000 XP! That's a lot!"

  --- Current Status ---

  Health: 563/563

  Mana: ???/???

  SP Used: 66,058

  SP Available: 2,498

  XP: 68,556,400 / 69,141,000 (Next Level: 101, Legendary)

  "What's happening?" asked Alliot, seeing the excitement of the two women. "Am I missing something?"

  "What did you just do?" Ainorrh suddenly intervened through the party interface.

  "Why? What did you sense?" asked Aira.

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