Tools

The instant that Liri opened the book up, the world around her went black.

She was reminded of the space she'd been in when she first spoke to Alteria, only, this time, it was a reflection of herself that appeared before her.

[What's going on?] Liri wondered before she saw words appear over her reflection.

{Druidic Arts I}

{Art 1}

{Danger Sense}

{Oresa mel nara}

{Upon activation, a pinging sensation will highlight nearby murderous intent. Note, this murderous intent must be directed toward you in order for you to sense it}

The reflection showed a type of green aura coming from its head.

[Okay... there's the one that lets me see enemies. Simple enough. What's next?]

Immediately, she saw:

{Art 2}

{Nature's Fury}

{Juvin melnir, na coran}

[Is this how I'm supposed to fight?] Liri wondered as her reflection appeared.

{Summon forth wooden armor that both protects you and enhances your strength and speed.}

The reflection then put her hands together and Liri watched as strength poured into her from below. Energy entered her body through her legs, moving up her body and wrapping itself around it. As soon as it was done, wood manifested and covered Liri's body from the neck-down, almost like a brown bodysuit.

As understanding burned itself into Liri's mind, she looked down at her hands.

[Is that all I need?] Liri wondered. [No, no. Like Alteria said, this should update as I get stronger. I'll probably get access to better stuff with experience. But, I want to test this out… Maybe I should look for a monster or something. Do those even exist in this world?]

She hadn't run into any such thing. The closest thing to a "monster" she'd seen were the people who invaded her village. Maybe she could test these things out against them.

Finally, one more set of words appeared.

{Art 3}

{Clairvoyance}

{Orma nevin}

[Huh?]

Liri tilted her head as more words appeared, explaining what she was supposed to be seeing.

{The first part of two connected Mantras. Upon activating this Mantra while meditating, the location of distant deactivated Mother Trees will be revealed. In addition, power will slowly be charged within your body, allowing your next abilities to be slightly stronger}

Her reflection then sat down and crossed her legs, placing her hands in her lap.

[Hm... this one's probably the easiest so far,] Liri thought. [Meditating is something I'm used to by now. It was basically most of what I did back at the temple.]

"Orma nevin."

Clearing her mind was easy enough at this point. Once Liri was in the necessary position, it didn't take long before she felt the ability activate. Because her body was in the presence of a Mother Tree already, though, she barely felt any sort of guidance. Instead, there was just a subtle heat inside of her, like the result of drinking warm tea.

After a short while, she forgot she was even doing this to practice a skill.

[W-Wait, I spaced out,] she thought shaking her head and turning the ability off. [Where was I?]

Her reflection dissipated and the words above it changed.

{Activation}

{Orma no candor, mes narin no canbel, ist tora conaitra}

{The second part of the two Mantras. Inject divine energy into a Mother Tree, replenishing it and the nature that surrounds it.}

[This is the one that lets me restore them,] Liri quickly noted. [Okay, okay, how do I do this?]

The image that soon played out in front of her was that of her reflection placing its hands on a Mother Tree, connecting her forehead to its wood. Then, Liri's entire body began to glow along with the tree itself. Everything around her grew brighter and brighter, until, finally, Liri felt it.

A transaction of energy where Liri siphoned her own power into the Mother Tree. After a short while, the tree's splendor was replenished and the scene blossomed into what Liri had known to be the glorious vegetation she'd seen back home.

{Druidic Arts I – Completed}

As soon as that message appeared, Liri opened her eyes and found herself right back in front of the deactivated Mother Tree, with this book resting in front of her.

The knowledge she'd gained from those visions remained in her mind. Liri stood up and, quickly, she walked up to the Mother Tree. Full of conviction, Liri gazed on its deteriorating form. Its sickly appearance deeply saddened Liri's heart, but, finally, she could do something about it.

Exhaling slowly, Liri kneeled before it and placed her hands on the wood. It felt cold, like a dying human body laid out before her.

[I'll fix this,] Liri thought, as she pressed her head against the tree. [I won't let those bastards get away with what they've done!]

Soon, she began pouring her own energy into the tree. It took the form of light green-white fumes, slipping inside. Gradually, the Mother Tree began to grow warmer and warmer. The more it did, the more powerful Liri began to feel.

Then, she spoke the Mantra.

"Orma no candor, mes narin no canbel, ist tora conaitra."

Finally, it happened. The same scene she'd witnessed from the Druidic Arts text, only much more visceral. Everything around her bloomed majestically, gaining color and fragrance once again. Liri, who had kept her eyes closed, quickly looked around and saw how her energy spread from where she stood.

"This is…" She muttered before the words were taken out of her lungs. Looking down at her hands, Liri balled them up into fists and took a deep breath.

[This is my purpose,] she decided then and there. [If I can be the one to restore this beauty to everything… I have to try to do that.]

Some strange groaning took her out of her thoughts.

"H-Huh?"

It was a guttural sound that she'd heard, coming from nearby.

Obviously, the first thing that came to Liri's mind were those humans who'd decimated Elmira. Liri worried that they had found her. That the reactivation of this Mother Tree had been detected somehow.

Nervous, she searched the area and found a tall bush she could hide behind. Once there, she continued to search for the possible threat.

That guttural sound stretched on, becoming gradually louder as the source drew closer to her.

[Come on… Show yourself,] Liri thought, keeping her eyes peeled.

Finally, it appeared from between a couple of trees on the other side of this clearing. As soon as Liri's eyes found it, she understood that she'd been wrong.

This wasn't a human. It was something else she knew.

"… No," she muttered, standing up and walking toward the figure.

It was a ven.

And, as soon as Liri got closer to it, she realized.

It didn't seem as though this ven was alive.