The Outergod's Avatar-Chapter 76: Underlying Revelation (2)

Izikel could only think of one way to investigate his suspicion, and that was through Dream walking.

’If I use my ability to enter Markis’ dream, I might see something that would give me an idea’

It was worth the shot.

He sat before his altar, closed his eyes, and said the word:

"Dream."

And when he opened them, he found himself in the Dream world—countless dreams shining like stars above him, each one pulsing with a presence, a heartbeat of its own.

"Welcome back, Dreamer," the ever-present voice of the Guide greeted him.

"Thank you."

He didn’t waste time. His eyes scanned the hovering dreams that floated not too far from reach. It didn’t take long before he spotted the one that belonged to Chief Markis.

Immediately, he reached for it.

As his fingers made contact, he was pulled inside—but this time, there were no pictures. No floating memories. No hazy dreamlike illusions. He simply found himself somewhere else.

Weightless.

Almost transparent.

’Why is my soul energy draining so fast?’

A cavern formed by entwined roots stretched around him like a living cathedral, wide and hollow. It glowed faintly, the green light soft and unsettling. At the center stood a massive crystal—green and radiant—pulsing softly like a heartbeat. A thick, living root pierced through its top and bottom, anchoring it to the tree above and the earth below, as if it channeled lifeforce both ways.

The silence was deep. Too deep.

Then Izikel’s gaze shifted downward—and his breath caught in his throat.

The ground was covered in bodies. Countless bodies. Some shriveled with age, others fresher, their eyes still open in silent screams. Children. Adults. Dozens. Maybe hundreds. Layered across the floor like offerings to something ancient and vile.

Izikel staggered backward, horror crawling up his spine. Then a movement. A figure.

The man stood upright at the edge of the root chamber. Watching him.

It was Markis.

"Lord Izikel?" the Chief said with visible confusion. "How are you here?"

Izikel didn’t wait to answer. His heart pounded as he forced himself back to the Dream world, pulling himself free from the scene with urgency.

"What was that?"

That was the first time something like this had happened.

Thankfully, the Dream Guide was there to explain.

"I believe that is what happens when you attempt to visit someone’s dream while they are awake."

"So that’s what happened," Izikel said, breathing heavily.

"Was that also why he was able to see me?"

"That one is because his divinity is high," the Guide responded calmly. "When you travel dreams, people with high divinity can easily spot you."

That meant what he had seen wasn’t a dream at all.

"I must have seen what the Chief was witnessing at the moment"

Izikel’s mind raced, piecing together everything he saw.

"The place I was in is probably beneath the Old Tree. That crystal must be the Heart of the Tree. But... why was it surrounded by dead bodies?"

He could still see them. Eyes wide. Piled in clusters. Silent, grotesque witnesses to something profane.

And then... all the pieces of the puzzle snapped into place, forming a revelation too horrifying to accept.

"Markis is the culprit?!"

That would mean the bodies he saw were the missing Druids the Legion Commander had spoken about. The ones who had vanished over the past few years.

But why would he do that to his own people?

Izikel couldn’t understand. It didn’t make any sense.

To take the life of another person inside the Old tree would be considered as worship by chaos. Doing something like that would definitely corrupt the Altar.

The Old Tree... the Old Tree was a living Altar. It didn’t require energy from any external source. It sustained itself with energy directly from the earth.

’Then why would he do this?’

Divine Druids weren’t even supposed to be able to harm others. Their vows and oaths were bound to harmony and preservation. What kind of force had twisted all that?

Too many laws had to be broken for something like this to have happened.

"But if I follow the theory that everything that is happening is because of Markis... then it’ll all make sense."

All but one thing.

How Markis, as a Druid, was able to pull it off.

Either way, Izikel had to decide what he was going to do with this knowledge. His first instinct was to report to the Legion Commander. But he had no proof at least, nothing he could explain.

’I’ll just have to help him find out for himself’

Without wasting time, Izikel left his house and headed for the Saint Quarters.

But on his way there, fate intervened.

There, at the fountain in the center of the village, sat Markis.

The Chief looked peaceful and very graceful. A few birds chirped softly as they landed on his lap, perching there as if greeting an old friend. Smaller animals darted around him playfully, and several children ran nearby, laughing and playing.

It was a heartwarming sight.

Looking at him now, Izikel almost doubted the facts he had just uncovered. It was like staring at a man incapable of sin. A pillar of warmth and kindness.

But the truth could not be denied. Behind that gentle smile was something sinister and dark.

Izikel tried to avoid him, but Markis had other plans.

"Lord Izikel," Markis called out warmly, "I was hoping to run into you." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Izikel froze. His brows furrowed nervously.

"Why?"

"Nothing in particular," Markis said with a smile. "I just wanted to have a word or two."

His voice was calm, as always. Friendly. But Izikel felt dread clawing at his insides.

’No way I’m going anywhere with you, crazy killer’

"The thing is, I’m actually in a hurry right now, so—"

"Don’t worry," Markis interrupted gently. "It will only take a moment."

There was no escaping it.

Izikel sighed internally. ’Seems like there’s no way around it’

The two of them walked in the direction of the Saint quarters, side by side, saying nothing for a long stretch. Only the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of distant birds accompanied them.

Then, finally, Markis spoke.

"How did you do it?"

Izikel’s heart skipped a beat. "Huh? Do what?"

Markis turned his gaze toward him, his eyes calm but sharp.

"How did you appear inside the roots of the Old tree?"