That youthful and vibrant energy pressing on my senses seemed utterly alien in these, as Lightfeather described it, eerie parts of the woods. It was so out of place, I’d dare say it didn’t belong here. Yet I was drawn to it, my instincts telling me to bask in this presence and find its origin. And they urged me to do it promptly.

I wasn’t the only one who was taken aback by it and would even venture to say that everyone in our expedition had a hard time finding the right words to express what was pressing on their senses.

“Wren, what is it?” asked Pipsqueak, forgetting entirely about the nut in her paws. Her faint squeak was something that broke this spell of awe that had fallen into our midst.

Well, at least for Lightfeather and me.

“Something that has never been seen in this part of the world,” she replied to her tiny friend, any doubt she had so far that it might be the World Tree growing in the middle of Esulmor gone. Even I, someone not of this world, found all my qualms removed, almost seeing the image of the majestic tree in my mind.

“Pip hasn’t seen many things, Wren,” the little squirrel chirped when she didn’t get a straight answer from Lightfeater.

Her unabashed confession made me chuckle. “Neither had I, Pip. But just a few more steps, and we’ll all see.”

Not sure if it was Pip, Lightfeather, me, or something else entirely that broke the spell silencing our ranks, but the soldiers and others began to whisper amongst themselves, accepting the possibility of what they had so far deemed impossible. Not a few of them threw glances in my direction, wondering, overcoming their biases. Yet whether or not they had come to the realization that I was not behind what had befallen us, I was unaware. I chose to be, not wanting to ruin the moment with petty issues like the way other people saw me.

Right now, it didn’t matter at all.

When the mossbears leading us broke the line of old massive oak-like trees in front of us, my breath caught in my throat. We were nearly there. Like I told Pipsqueak, we were only a few steps away from the truth. Then the first soldiers walked into the moonlit expanse, letting out soft gasps one after the other. Only my wits kept me from running out there and making a fool of myself.

Those last few steps seemed to take forever and were true torture for my curious little soul. My instincts were screaming at me to pick up my pace, and even Sage slapped my ass, urging me to hurry. I didn’t!

The closer I got, the more strongly that youthful presence pressing on my senses impacted me. With each step I took, I felt much more energetic, my heart beating faster. Though barely noticeable at first, I found my mind clearer, unburdened by fatigue. The playfulness of the energy was intoxicating, and if it weren’t for [Indomitable Will], I would have started giggling like a little girl running ahead.

Was I the only one who felt that way? It seemed like it, as no one was laughing except for the little squirrel running back and forth vigorously on Lightfeather’s shoulders. “Wren, hurry up.”

The imperial soldiers stopping in awe at the threshold of the old woods made me grit my teeth in annoyance. For a second, I even considered shouting at them to move before I opted to squeeze between them quietly. Though the moment the moonlight fell on my face and my gaze rested on the heart of Esulmor, I too was struck dumb with silent wonder.

“The World Tree, no doubt,” Deckard echoed in my mind. Even in his usually calm voice was a hint of awe and wonder.

There, right in front of me in the middle of a ring of old oak-like trees, was the biggest one I’ve ever seen. It was no taller than the enormous trees surrounding the expanse, but much, much wider. And it was not only the trunk, which seemed to be made up of dozens of smaller trees with a bark of milky white color, that was wider, but also the crown of the tree itself, adorned with dense foliage of lush green leaves. Branches of the World Tree, while some as thick as my waist, seemed to defy gravity and expand beyond what I thought possible, reaching more than a hundred meters from the trunk.

When I finally managed to tear my eyes away from the magnificent crown with the moonlight streaming through it and looked towards the base, I got a little confused. The roots of the World Tree seemed ridiculously large in comparison. It took me a moment to notice that the small hill on which the World Tree seemed to grow was actually made up of its roots entirely. They weren’t thicker than the branches, but this tree had so many of them they lifted the ground underneath it, and with it, the tree itself.

There was no way for me to know if there used to be a pond in the heart of Esulmor or not. There was one now, though. Beneath the hill, among the roots of the World Tree and behind a dam tangled from more of those, lay one whose waters glittered in the moonlight, making it look like liquid silver. On the banks of this pond lay Esu, still the majestic beast and lord of the woods that he was, yet under the young World Tree, he looked smaller than I remembered him.

Pretty rough, and without any apology, someone bumped into me from behind, pushing me further into an expanse, making me realize that I had stopped like an ass myself staring at the World Tree, regardless of all the other people coming up behind us.

The place was getting crowded. An issue I wasn’t the only one to notice. Yet even Lord Wigram was at a loss as to how to proceed, not daring to take a step further and knowing that just standing here was no less rude. He gave Lightfeather a quick glance, imploring her to do something.

Bewildered as she was, the woman caught his gaze and quickly composed herself, ready to do her job. I, too, began to rack my brain for a way to greet Esu and perhaps the World Tree itself. My eyes fell on the mossbears coming, bowing their heads as they stepped out of the tree line into the expanse, expressing their respect in low growls. 

I nudged Lightfeather with my elbow and gestured to them with my wing. Seeing the mossbears, she immediately understood and nodded. Together, we stepped out in front of everyone and bowed our heads to Esu and the World Tree behind him. Giving it my best, I then let out a low growl, carrying my utmost respect for both Esu and the World Tree, to him as his pup and to the tree as a puny little creature.

The faint growl that escaped the throat of Lightfether standing next to me caught me completely off guard. Although more feminine than mine, it was the first time I’d ever heard anyone but me growl like that, and as she described before, it was...weird, utterly weird. To hear a human growl like a beast and know what it meant was hard to describe otherwise.

Aside from the oddness of her growl, nothing much happened. The World Tree did not react in any way, and its presence remained a constant strain on our senses. Although strong, it could not have been more different from the Esu’s that reached us moments later, along with his growl, acknowledging our greetings and telling us to come.

“We are good, my lord,” Lightfeather said as she turned back to the group. “We can come closer.”

“Thank you, Major,” Lord Wigram replied with a noticeable relief in his voice. After a few commands, we all started moving again, this time to the pond at the foot of the hill where the World Tree stood.

“Anything else, Little Beast?”

Odd question, coming from Deckard. “You don’t trust Lightfeather?”

“Don’t get me wrong. She’s good, or she wouldn’t be here. It’s hard to beat natural talent, though.”

He was right about that. Many times I too found myself jealous of people and their talents, whether it was art, sports, or getting out of work duties without pissing off the boss. So, was there something more to Esu’s growl?

“If I had to say, he was expecting us, waiting for us even. It’s a bit of a stretch, and I could be wrong, but I think he was glad we’re finally here.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “And you’re wondering why I asked?”

This time, I yielded slightly to the playful energy of the World Tree and stuck my tongue out at him. “As I said, I could be wrong.”

“But if you’re not, there seems to be a reason he wanted us here, why he scheduled your training for tonight’s full moon.”

Until now, I believed that following the cycles of the sun and the moons was the easiest way for the beasts to tell time. However, in light of the current circumstances, my training planned for today seemed too much of a coincidence. “You’re saying he wanted us here as what... offerings?”

“You? I doubt it. Me, maybe.”

“I was talking about others. The imperial soldiers, Lord Wigram, Lightfeather, and Pip.” 

“Who?” he asked, puzzled, glancing at her. “Ah, the squirrel.”

“Yeah, Pip.”

“Highly unlikely. Esu had no idea they were coming. Plus, I think it would be known if the World Trees required blood offerings.”

“Perhaps that’s what the elves lacked to awaken them, and Esu figured it out.”

“Come on. You want me to be the one to defend him? You don’t believe that yourself.”

“True.” He was right. I didn’t think Esu wanted humans here for some bloody ritual. But if that was not the reason, why were we here? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed easier just to ask him than try to figure it out?

“You see, most people, when they come across a beast like Esu, think of how to get the fuck out of there as fast as they possibly can,” Deckard remarked, amused by my train of thought betrayed by my body language.

“And do you mind if I ask him?” There was no point in beating around the bush when my intentions were so apparent to him.

He didn’t answer me right away, thinking about it for a moment before laughing at the absurdity of his musings. “As weird as it is, I don’t, actually. Do your thing, just...”

“I’ll be careful, don’t worry.”

“You should. Remember, it’s not just your life that depends on you.”

“Shouldn’t it be only yours?” I argued. After all, we had agreed that the two of us would act separately from the others. Or did I get something wrong?

“I think I should step up your training, Little Beast. Is your mentor’s life worth less to you than anyone else’s?”

“N-no...that’s not what I meant,” I stammered quickly, trying to correct my mistake. I was looking forward to learning more from him than dance, but I didn’t think it was possible for me to go further beyond my limits in training than I had so far.

“Anyway, it’s a good lesson for you. When you’re on an expedition with your group, party, unit, or simply other people, whether it’s in the labyrinth or anywhere else, it’s important to know that your actions have consequences for all, not just you,” he said, and gracefully leaped onto the root, coming out of the ground. I could crawl under the arch it formed, like a little weasel wading in the mud, or follow his example and be rude to the World Tree. 

“Are you crazy!” I barked at him, disregarding the fact that I said it out loud.

“You see, one rash step, and I could have gotten us all killed,” he said back out loud, lecturing me while I was frozen in terror. “Don’t get your panties in a twist, Little Beast. Take a look at the mossbears.”

There were so many roots sticking out of the ground that it was impossible for the massive beasts to avoid them all. So without much scruples, they climbed over them.

Seeing them, I followed suit. Although much higher than the hurdles I was used to, with the flap of my wings, I jumped up next to Deckard.

He just grinned and decided to finish his thought out loud this time. “When you fail to block the enemy’s attack, hesitate to strike while you have the chance, or speak up when you should keep your mouth shut, it will be your pals who will bear the consequences of your mistakes along with you.”

“I get it, Deckard. I really do,” I said as soon as I landed next to him after he jumped off the root.

“That’s easy to say, but most don’t realize it until their pal is bleeding because of their mistake.”

Thinking about it was destroying my air of wonder as I walked under the broad canopy of the World Tree. But when he mentioned it, I needed to get it off my chest, no matter who might hear me. Actually, I wanted them to listen to what I’ve been through. “When I defied Dungreen, it was often the other slaves who suffered because of it. That’s how he kept my obedience without using the collar all the time.”

“Sorry, Little Beast. I didn’t realize...,” he apologized sincerely, then he glanced at me. “...but look into your heart and tell me that you still feel the same weight of your actions.”

How dare he! I would never be able to forget the horrors I lived through. Yet when I was about to refute his outrageous claim, the words stuck in my throat. No longer were there people suffering just like me in the cell next door and a collar around my neck reminding me of what I was. I wasn’t writhing naked on the floor in pain day after day. Even though Deckard’s training was often painful, I could refuse without fear of having to listen to the anguished wailing and screaming of others for hours on end.

Deckard’s hand on my shoulder made me yelp, yet I found his unusual gesture strangely reassuring. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. As I learned, it’s hard to forget, but easy to get used to a peaceful life.”

That made me raise an eyebrow. “Peaceful?” 

“You get the point.”

I did. Those horrible memories would stay with me till the day I die. I was sure of that. However, that didn’t mean I had to live my days in fear and humiliation because of it. “Thanks. I’ll keep you and the others more in mind,” I whispered and lifted my eyes up to the crown of the World Tree above us. It was not as dense as the oak-like tree canopies, and so now and then, the rays of moonlight penetrated through it, revealing the night sky. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“In a way, yes.”

“Oh, come on, I know you were amazed.”

He smirked. “I won’t deny that. It was the presence of the tree that took my breath away, though.”

The presence? It sure was breathtaking, energizing, and more, much more. It drove me to act like a playful child and lifted my mental fatigue. At the same time, the closer we got, this youthful presence grew in intensity to the point of becoming suffocating. Like when you get so excited that it’s hard to breathe. 

But somehow, I doubted that’s what Deckard had in mind.

“It’s so strong, Little Beast,” he said once again through the union rings, as my body gave away my thoughts again. “This is supposed to be just a seedling of the World Tree, and even though it doesn’t look like it given its size, it is.”

The fact almost slipped my mind. This tree, the largest I had ever seen, was supposed to be just a young tree, a seedling. Ridiculous.

“It hasn’t even gained consciousness yet...or woken up, whatever you want to call it, yet the presence rivals that of Esu.”

Did it? I had to trust Deckard on this one. To me, they were both overwhelming.

“The forest around...the presence in those trees and the size of them? If I had to guess, Esu was trying to hide the World Tree from prying eyes. A smart thing to do. Only the way I see it, he’s hitting the limit of what he’s capable of. And that’s terrifying. Can you imagine the might of the World Tree when it awakens, when it grows?”

“It’s the expanse that makes you think Esu is at his limit, isn’t it?” That was one thing bugging me since we came out of the woods. A treeless circle in the heart of the woods and a huge tree in the center of it. How could no one know about a tree like that? One look at Esulmor from above, and it must have been obvious to everyone, let alone to beasts like the northern eagles. Where were they, anyway?

No matter how hard I tried, they were nowhere to be seen in the shadow of the World Tree. Since I was pretty sure Esu wouldn’t let them sit in the branches of the tree, they may very well have been doing their job already and chasing away the clouds, as Zeew promised.

“Didn’t he just expose the tree because of the full moon? You know, so it could get a full dose of light.”

Deckard shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. But I’m leaning more towards the fact that he can’t get the trees any closer.”

That crossed my mind, too. In a sense, the expanse looked almost like a battlefield where the roots fought for every bit of space. In places, it was hard even to see the soil over the number of moss-covered roots. There was hardly any space between them for grass to grow, let alone trees.

By the time I had reached the same conclusion as Deckard, we had arrived at the banks of the pond, meaning our exchange had to wait. It was neither the place nor the time for idle bickering. Lying on the far shore, Esu raised his head, laying eyes on the humans in his woods. With a grunt, he let us know that where we were was far enough. Then he turned his attention to me.

“Pup, you have grown,” he praised me, and the meaning in his words tickled my pride greatly.

Only instead of feeling proud, I silenced my instincts and lowered my head. “I’m still weak, great Esu.”

“Weak indeed,” he growled back, satisfied with my awareness of my own strength. “Welcome, nevertheless.”