The Crimson Magister Chapter 144: V4-C3: The World Forest

Read chapter 144 of The Crimson Magister by Okram on NovelPedia.

In a single flap of her blazing wings, Aqua had travelled to the easternmost point of the continent. While some might have been worried about getting lost, it was difficult to do so when a massive tree’s canopy took up a large part of the horizon. Aqua nodded in a satisfied manner. “Now that is what I call a world tree.” Her eyes glowed. The entire forest that sprawled below her was oozing mana. This place is close to the world soul, that’s for sure. Aqua slowly pulled out the journal and flipped the page. “As Nicolas said, make a deal with the spirit.” Of course, she could have forced her way through and simply flown in, yet the last thing she had wished was for the world soul to see her as an enemy. Thus, she would need to do everything properly and follow the steps of a man who came before her. Her eyes scanned the page from left to right, absorbing the information. “He offered the spirit a pile of meat.” She dispelled her wings and landed at the edge of the forest. The thicket swayed under the gentle breeze, yet some trees swung in the opposite direction. “The journal said to step inside and find a flat stone.” The chirp of birds and gentle rustle of leaves was all she could pick up, there was no spirit that observed her, at least just yet. She wandered the forest, ignoring the illusion that attempted to make her stray from the path. A powerful wind passed through the forest, making the trees creak and almost crack. “Ah, here it is,” She said, a small smile forming on her lips. While the spirit was watching her, it did not try to stop her. A faint smell of rot reached her nose. She sighed. I can sense the rot on it, poor thing. After a minute of walking, she reached a small clearing. It was surrounded by a circle of mushrooms, and in the middle was a large flat stone. She stepped over the mushrooms, which caused the circle to glow pale blue, then she placed her palm on the stone and dragged her hand over it. “A ritual stone. A nature spirit who demands items of equal value for the guidance.” Aqua nodded and opened the void storage. From the darkness fell a large amount of dragon scales. As soon as the small pile formed, she closed the void and waited for something to happen. For a moment, the wind stopped. Then it became a storm that passed through the thicket. Dragon scales disappeared, and behind Aqua appeared the spirit. She quickly turned and smiled at the entity. The spirit reached forward, its form was that of twisting branches and vines, a mass of mossy stone filled its innards, and its eyes glowed blue. “You.” The creature’s voice was deep and rumbled with power, yet weariness permeated it. “I am an ally. You needn’t be afraid, spirit.” It pulled its hand back. “You bear the world’s mark, yet not of our world. Who are you, champion?” Aqua curtsied. “My name is Aqua, the Crimson Magister. I have been sent by the World Soul, known as Sun God, to provide assistance to this world.” For a moment, its hollow eyes dimmed. “You can help us?” Aqua nodded. “I am the only one who can, even if you are afflicted by rot,” she said, pointing at the dark liquid that consumed some of the spirit’s vines. The spirit went silent. “My name is Lesh, the spirit of the forest,” He spoke gently, and the winds surrounded the duo. “Follow my trail, Champion. I will guide.” The trees moved aside, and the spirit disappeared, leaving only a trail of gentle breeze to push her toward the path. Aqua slowly walked forward, following the trail. As she stepped onto it, the trees behind her returned to their positions. While the smell of the wind was refreshing, it still contained traces of rot, which made her worry about the world soul even more. Her steps sped up. Soon, the spirit led her to another clearing. A small log cabin sat in the middle of it, abandoned for untold centuries. She pinched her chin and nodded. “I suppose this is where Nicolas rested during his journey.” The journal mentioned it. The offering he had given was not enough, thus h