My world-tree system-Chapter 34 - 33: Reconstruction

The silence that had fallen over the camp was heavier than a stormy sky. Foster’s words still echoed in the minds of the refugees, tearing at their fear and pride like a sharp blade.

Then the tension was broken by the sound of footsteps.

An elf stepped forward, his blond hair tarnished by dust, his eyes tired but still filled with the characteristic gleam of a fighter.

Foster stopped and stared at him.

Yänn.

His childhood friend. His brother in arms.

Foster wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d died in battle.

- So you’re alive, brother? Foster said, holding back the urge to hug him.

- I’m coming with you,’ declared Yänn in a firm voice, nodding with the same emotion as Foster.

His decision left no room for doubt.

Behind him, a few other elves exchanged hesitant glances. Then a second elf stepped forward, followed by a third. An elf with a closed face followed.

Little by little, the bravest made their decision.

The nobleman who had challenged Foster crossed his arms, looking contemptuous.

- Traitors, that’s what you are.

Yänn gave him an icy look.

- You’re free to die wandering around like a dog, but we choose to live. We fled our own city, our own people, leaving them to die at the hands of these monsters. I don’t want to go through that again. If Foster can give us the chance to take our revenge, I don’t see what the problem is.

A deathly silence fell. The nobleman gritted his teeth, unable to think of a reply.

Foster didn’t waste a second and started to turn around.

- Wait! Wait! Wait! I’m coming with you too! HAHAHA that was quite a speech, kid, it brought back some unpleasant memories and I have to say you’re right!

Foster and Yänn smiled.

- Captain Koflik! You wouldn’t dare leave us and fail in your duty!

Köflik turned and a sharp gaze pierced the eyes of the new queen of the woodland elves.

- I’m an elf who looks like a leader, I’m the one who’s paving the way, I’m the one who’ll make our people prosper, I’m the one who wants us to survive. You don’t seem to muster that kind of value any more, lady, so if I do.

- You will follow that traitor who KILLED MY MOTHER!

- Knowing him and his love for the elves, he must have had a good reason; light will be shed on our return to Vollua, our motherland.

With that, he turned to stand behind Foster.

- Gather your things. We’re leaving immediately. Foster said as he turned, leaving the Queen in her silent anger.

The return journey was difficult.

The group walked in silence, each one lost in thought. The forest stretching out before them was now a devastated land, marked by the passage of the enemy.

Foster led the way, keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings. His body was more powerful than before, but he knew that this new power required total mastery.

Yänn walked alongside him.

- You’ve changed,’ he said softly.

- We’ve all changed,’ Foster answered straightforwardly.

Yänn smiled sadly.

- I remember when we were just two kids training in the glades of Vollua, dreaming of glory.

Foster didn’t answer immediately.

- Glory no longer matters,’ he murmured. Survival is all that counts.

Yänn nodded.

- Then make us stronger, Foster.

Foster turned his gaze towards him.

- That’s what I intend to do.

When they reached Vollua, the new arrivals stopped dead in their tracks.

Where once stood the majestic groves of their people, all that remained were charred ruins and torn-off trunks. But in the centre of this desolate field, a miracle stood.

Lïanna’s World Tree.

An emerging colossus with deep roots, vibrating with ancient energy. A beacon in the midst of darkness.

The woodland elves came forward, fascinated and intimidated. Foster approached the trunk and placed a hand on the bark. He could feel Lïanna’s beating heart.

Then he turned back to them.

- Vollua is dead, but we’re going to build something new.

He moved towards Yänn, who was standing first.

- If you want to follow me, you have to be reborn.

He bit his thumb until it bled and let a drop fall onto Yänn’s hand.

At first, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, Yänn collapsed to her knees.

A cry escaped her as her body writhed in pain. Her Ki was boiling, her essence changing. Her DNA, her blood, her very being was being reshaped.

The others stepped back, frightened.

Giovanni, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward.

- It’ll pass,’ he murmured. That’s the first step.

The World Tree reacted.

A gentle pulse, almost like a song, echoed through the air. Yänn stopped shaking. He was sweating, panting, but still conscious.

He opened his eyes.

His gaze had changed.

A deeper, purer green, almost luminescent. The first stage of the transformation.

Foster turned to the others.

- Who’s next?

There was a tense silence.

- MY TURN! roared Köflik.

One by one, they accepted the new destiny Foster had offered them.

The days passed.

Little by little, the transformed elves began to feel the effects of the link with the World Tree. They were stronger. Sharper, tougher. Their perception of nature was different, more intimate.

But Foster knew that this would not be enough.

One evening, just as reconstruction was beginning, a Köflik approached him.

He was one of the few high elves to have joined their cause. A former captain, a strategist.

He was sitting by the fire, looking sombre.

- So, this is our new people?’ he asked.

Foster sat down opposite him.

- They’re survivors.

Köflik nodded slowly.

- If you want to build something, you’re going to have to think like a warlord, not a clan leader.

He crossed his arms.

- Our enemies won’t wait until we’re ready. We have to think about war, not just survival.

Foster didn’t look away.

- That’s exactly what I’m planning.

Köflik raised an eyebrow.

- Is that so? And how do you plan to prepare your army?

Foster watched the new elves train further on, trying to understand their new strengths.

- I’m going to forge the first warriors of the World Tree.

A wry smile appeared on Köflik’s face.

- In that case...

He placed a hand on his chest.

- Make me the first general.

Foster stared at him for a moment.

Then he held out his hand.

-Don’t disappoint me, Captain.

Both men smiled.

The next day:

The golden dawn rose over the ruins of Vollua, gradually dispelling the shadows of the night. Around Lïanna’s World Tree, the transformed woodland elves gathered, aware that this day marked a decisive turning point.

Foster stood in front of them, an imposing presence. The wind caressed his black hair, and his steely eyes swept the crowd with a firm gaze. Beside him, Köflik, draped in a military cape salvaged from the remnants of the past, stood straight as a rock, a symbol of discipline and rigour.

Giovanni watched silently from the shade of the tree, arms folded.

Silence fell, and Foster spoke.

- You are here because you have chosen a different path.

His voice was deep and powerful.

- The nobility have abandoned us. Our former chiefs have betrayed us. Our homes are ashes.

His gaze swept over the crowd. Faces scarred by hardship, bodies hardened by pain, but also souls ready to rise again.

- But today, we’re doing more than just surviving.

A shiver ran through the assembly.

- We are rebuilding. We are reborn.

He places a hand on the bark of the World Tree, feeling its energy vibrate under his palm.

- This tree is not just a symbol. It is our heart, our home, our future. And soon, from the bodies of our former comrades, other trees like this one will be reborn, and I will bring them to life!

He takes a step forward.

- And to be reborn, you and I must become stronger.

He points to Köflik beside him.

- Today, I appoint Köflik captain of our city. He will have authority over the rebuilding and training of our warriors. His orders will be mine.

Köflik took a step forward, his gaze hard.

- I’m not here to be loved, but to prepare you. We won’t make the same mistake as in the past. We won’t be weak again.

A murmur of approval went through the assembly.

Foster spoke again:

- Every morning, we will perform a ritual.

He held out his open hand, where a drop of sung sound vibrated with energy.

- I will share this gift with you, day after day, until we are all transformed.

A solemn silence descended.

- And when the hour of war comes... we will be ready.

A rallying cry went up from the crowd.

- In the meantime, let’s gather up what’s left of our comrades’ bodies, drape them in white sheets, and when I’m strong enough I’ll bring them back to life one by one!

[Renewal 03 : 22 : 04]

On the first morning, the ritual was performed, almost sacred.

One by one, the elves knelt before the World Tree, and Foster offered them a drop of his blood. The energy flowed through them, changing their essence and opening the way to a new existence.

Some felt a wave of heat, others a burning pain. But all knew that they would never go back.

As the days passed, the transformation intensified. Longer ears. Lighter bodies. And Foster felt his power increasing.

But even so, something wasn’t quite right.

Foster spent long hours beside the World Tree, one hand resting against its trunk, trying to understand.

He could feel the power. He could feel the pulses of Ki, the roots absorbing energy, the continuous growth of the plant colossus.

But something was missing.

The tree was alive... but it had no soul.

No conscience.

No voice.

No Lianna.

Foster clenched his fists.

His blood should have been enough. It had given her incredible strength, a rare vital energy... and yet she remained silent.

Why was she silent?

He didn’t have the answer. Not yet.

But one thing was certain.

He would find what was missing. He would bring Lïanna back.

Whatever it took.

- Anyway, let’s distribute these stat points

[Host status]

[Race]: Elf of the World Tree

[Knight of rank 5]

[Adept Rank 4]

[Innate Talent] : Child of the World Tree

[Level 10 : 70/10000]

[Strength] : 82

[Stamina] : 80

[Constitution] : 80

[Perception]: 86

[Magic]: 78

[Free stat points]: 50

[Skill] : Tempestive Fulgurance, Multiple shot, Fireball...

[Equipment] : Grimoire, Devourer’s Katana

- Well, that’s not going to be complicated! The system adds 10 points to each statistic!

A warm current passed through his body, Foster felt like chains breaking inside him and a new strength emerging.

His katana suddenly glowed brightly, and he trembled as if something inside him was shaking, wanting to be freed by any means necessary.

- What ???

The phenomenon stopped just as quickly and Foster was unable to find out more.

[Ding Congratulations to the host for rising in rank.]

[Knight of rank 6]

[Rank 5 Adept]

-I’ve come a long way from where I used to be... he sighed.

There was a sudden cough behind him.

Foster turned around, Köflik was standing behind him.

- We’ve gathered 156 bodies of our former elven brothers and sisters! he said

- Good!

Foster stood up, it was time for these two new spells to take effect and give Vollua the power she needed.