The Voice of the Tree

The air around me stilled as the mango tree's voice resonated through my mind, low and deliberate.

"What...are...you?"

I staggered back, my breath hitching. The Voice of All Things had allowed me to understand animals and nature before, but this—this was different. This was ancient, heavy with time and knowledge.

I steadied myself against a nearby branch, trying to compose my thoughts. "I... I don't know," I admitted, the truth burning in my chest. My name, my identity—it had been lost to me ever since I awoke with these powers.

The tree's voice echoed again, faint but clearer this time.

"You carry... the fire of life," it said, ignoring my uncertainty.

I took a cautious step closer, staring up at its towering form. The once-charred bark shimmered faintly, a soft green hue creeping along its trunk where the blue flames had touched.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," I said, guilt creeping into my voice. "I lost control... and I—"

"Your flames... did not harm... They healed."

The weight in my chest lifted slightly, but questions flooded my mind. "Who... what are you?"

The mango tree's leaves rustled as if stirred by an unseen wind.

"One of many... once guardians of the Green. We stood... when shadows fell."

A flood of images filled my mind—not clear pictures but fragments, like echoes of memories not my own. Flames scorching the earth. Roots writhing like serpents. A clash between titanic forces, life itself pitted against an overwhelming darkness.

"Darkseid," I whispered, the name slipping from my lips like a curse.

The tree groaned, its branches trembling.

"The destroyer... the harbinger of shadow. His fire scarred the earth... scarred us."

The weight of its words settled heavily on me. This tree—no, this being—had stood against Darkseid's forces in some forgotten battle. It had been a guardian, a protector of life itself, and it had suffered deeply for it.

"We gave all... to shield the Green. But the cost... was great. I remain... a fragment of what was."

My chest tightened as I listened, the sorrow in its voice palpable. I placed my hand on its trunk, the bark warm beneath my palm. "I didn't know," I murmured. "I didn't know what you've been through."

The tree's voice softened, carrying a faint warmth now.

"And yet... you bring renewal. The firebird's flame... is not destruction. It is rebirth."

Its words stirred something deep within me. For as long as I could remember, I had felt untethered, my memories fractured and incomplete.

"My name..." I hesitated, the truth finally spilling out. "I don't even know who I am. I don't have a name."

The tree was silent for a moment before responding.

"A name is not a burden... it is a choice. You are the firebird, reborn."

A choice. The words lingered in my mind, and a memory stirred—faint, like a half-forgotten dream.

The system had once mentioned the Phoenix Flames, their origins tied to someone long before me. The name had felt familiar, resonant, though I didn't understand why at the time. Now, standing beneath this ancient tree, I felt a connection.

"Marco," I said quietly, testing the name on my tongue. "Marco D. Phoenix."

The tree's leaves rustled softly, as if in approval.

"A name chosen... is a path found."

I placed my hand over my chest, the name settling into me like a missing piece of a puzzle. "Marco D. Phoenix," I repeated, this time with confidence. "That's who I'll be."

The tree didn't respond, but I felt its acknowledgment through the faint warmth beneath my hand.

Over the Next Few Days

My training took on a new focus. The Sulong transformation had revealed the extent of my power—and my lack of control. But the tree's awakening gave me a purpose beyond myself.

I spent hours experimenting with my Phoenix Flames of Regeneration, directing them into the tree's roots, its branches, its core. Each session left me drained, the effort taxing, but I could see the results. The once-charred sections of its trunk regained their luster, a rich green hue replacing the blackened scars.

Yet, the progress was slow. The tree's wounds were not just physical—they ran deeper, tied to something spiritual, something connected to the very life force of the earth.

I began to notice strange things. The more I worked with the tree, the more the jungle around it seemed to respond. Saplings sprouted faster, their leaves vibrant. Flowers bloomed where none had before, their petals rich with color. Even the air felt different, fresher, as if infused with the tree's renewed energy.

The system pinged softly as I worked.

[System Notification: Ability Progression]

[Phoenix Flame of Regeneration – Level 8]

[Voice of All Things – Level 6]

The progress was reassuring, but the work wasn't without its challenges. My flames sometimes faltered, the energy wavering when I pushed too hard. And the tree... it spoke less often now, as if conserving its strength.

Still, I pressed on.

One evening, as the moon rose high above the jungle, I sat beneath the mango tree, leaning against its trunk. The day's training had left me exhausted, my limbs heavy and my mind foggy.

The tree's voice came to me, faint but steady.

"You have done much... firebird. More than I hoped."

I straightened, surprised. "You're stronger," I said.

"In part... thanks to you. But the shadow's mark... remains."

Its words were a reminder of the battle that had left it scarred. I frowned, my fingers brushing the grass. "Is there anything more I can do? Anything to help you heal completely?"

The tree paused, as if considering my question.

"Perhaps... in time. But know this... you are not alone. The Green watches... even now."

Before I could respond, a faint glow caught my eye. I turned, spotting something unusual among the tree's branches.

Mangoes, plump and golden, hung from its boughs. But these weren't ordinary fruits. Their skins shimmered faintly, a soft blue hue radiating from within, as if infused with the very flames I had poured into the tree.

I reached up, plucking one carefully. Its warmth was comforting, the energy within it unmistakable.

"Did my flames do this?" I asked, awestruck.

The tree's voice carried a faint amusement.

"Your fire... brought renewal. The fruits... carry your gift. Healing... and life."

I stared at the mango in my hand, realizing its significance. Not only had the tree begun to heal, but it had created something entirely new—something born from our combined efforts.

I took a cautious bite, and my eyes widened in surprise. The fruit wasn't just nourishing—it was perfect. Sweet and vibrant, it carried an energy that coursed through me, soothing my tired muscles and clearing my mind.

The system chimed again.

[System Notification: Unique Item Created]

[Phoenix Mangoes]

Properties: Heals injuries and restores vitality. Enhances energy temporarily. Delicious beyond measure.

I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. "You really are full of surprises, aren't you?" I said to the tree.

It didn't respond, but the faint rustling of its leaves felt like a quiet acknowledgment.

As the night deepened, I leaned back against the tree, the half-eaten mango in my hand. For the first time in weeks, a sense of peace settled over me.

The tree was healing, the jungle was thriving, and I had found a new strength within myself. But I knew this was only the beginning.

The shadow that had scarred the tree—and the world—was still out there. And I wasn't done growing.

Still, for tonight, I allowed myself a moment of rest, the glow of the mango tree's fruits lighting the darkness around me.