Blessing Of the Eternal Heart of the Grove

Phanessa took a deep breath, taking in the sight of her friends standing there, strong and determined despite the strange and unsettling circumstances. It was a small comfort in a world that had suddenly become alien and dangerous.

She turned her attention back to the tree, its towering form glowing ominously in the dark sky. "Did any of you hear that voice?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

Sadie nodded. "Yeah, it told us to approach the tree one by one, to attune ourselves or something like that."

"It's going to judge us," Visha added, her voice tinged with both curiosity and caution. "And apparently, if we're found worthy, we get some kind of blessing."

"And if we're not…" Ilayda trailed off, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Phanessa nodded, understanding the unspoken implication. Failure wasn't an option.

"Stay close," Phanessa said, glancing at the line of people slowly approaching the tree one by one. "We'll get through this together."

Her friends nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. As the line moved forward, Phanessa and her friends slowly joined it, inching closer to the glowing tree. The closer they got, the more intense the tree's light seemed to become, its hum resonating deep within them.

Phanessa's heart pounded in her chest as they moved closer, the reality of the situation settling in. This was their first true test in the System Universe, and the stakes were higher than anything they had ever faced before. But with her friends by her side, she felt a renewed sense of resolve.

As they neared the front of the line, Phanessa took a deep breath and looked at her friends one last time before they would each face the tree on their own. Whatever happened next, they would face it together, and they would come out the other side stronger.

As the line inched forward, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The hum of the tree seemed to grow louder with each step they took, vibrating through the ground and resonating in their chests. Phanessa could feel her heart pounding in rhythm with the pulsing light of the tree, each beat a reminder of the gravity of the situation.

One by one, the initiates approached the tree, placing their hands on its glowing bark and standing in its light. Some emerged from the experience with a look of awe and relief, while others looked shaken, their expressions haunted by whatever they had encountered during the attunement. Phanessa couldn't help but notice that not everyone returned to the group. Some simply disappeared, as if the tree had decided they were unworthy and removed them from existence entirely.

Phanessa exchanged nervous glances with her friends. They all understood what this meant—failure here wasn't just about losing the trial; it could mean the end of everything.

Finally, it was Sadie's turn. Phanessa watched as her friend took a deep breath, her usual bright demeanor subdued as she approached the tree. Sadie hesitated for only a moment before reaching out and placing her hand on the glowing bark. The light around the tree intensified, enveloping her in a soft, ethereal glow.

For a few tense moments, Sadie stood there, her face unreadable in the bright light. Phanessa held her breath, waiting for some sign of what was happening. Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the light dimmed, and Sadie stepped back, blinking as if she had just woken from a deep sleep. There was a strange, almost serene look on her face, and when she turned back to join the group, Phanessa could see the faintest hint of a smile.

Next was Visha. She walked forward with her usual confidence, though Phanessa could see the tension in the set of her shoulders. Visha approached the tree, her movements deliberate, and placed her hand on the bark. The light flared once more, wrapping her in its glowing embrace. For a moment, Visha stood completely still, her eyes closed as if she were listening to something only she could hear.

When the light finally faded, Visha opened her eyes and stepped back, her expression hard to read. She looked at Phanessa and Ilayda and gave them a small, reassuring nod. Whatever she had experienced, she seemed to have come through it unscathed.

Finally, it was Ilayda's turn. She took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing with determination as she approached the tree. Unlike the others, Ilayda didn't hesitate. She placed her hand firmly on the bark, her expression resolute. The light surrounded her quickly, as if recognizing her strength, and the hum of the tree seemed to grow louder, almost as if it were singing.

When Ilayda stepped back, her face was calm, almost serene. She glanced at Phanessa and gave a small, confident smile. It was clear that Ilayda had passed whatever test the tree had set for her.

Now, it was Phanessa's turn. She felt a mixture of anxiety and resolve as she stepped forward. Her friends had made it through—now it was up to her to do the same. The closer she got to the tree, the more intense the light became, almost as if the tree recognized her approach.

She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and placed it on the bark. The moment her skin touched the glowing surface, she felt a rush of warmth and energy course through her body. The light flared brightly, and the world around her seemed to fall away.

Phanessa found herself standing in a void of pure light, the tree's presence surrounding her like a protective cocoon. She felt a deep, resonant hum vibrating through her, not just in her ears, but in her very bones. It was as if the tree were communicating with her on a level beyond words, testing the core of her being.

Images and sensations flashed through her mind—memories of her life, her struggles, her hopes and fears. She felt as though the tree was sifting through her soul, searching for something, though she couldn't tell what it was looking for. It was a deeply personal experience, one that left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the sensations stopped. The light around her dimmed, and she found herself back in the clearing, her hand still resting on the tree. The world seemed to snap back into focus, and she realized she was breathing heavily, her heart racing in her chest.

[You have passed the Test of the Heart of the Grove. Please stand by for next steps.]

Slowly, she removed her hand from the bark and stepped back. The tree's light softened, and the hum quieted, signaling that the attunement was complete. Phanessa felt a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration, as if she had just run a marathon and won.

She turned to rejoin her friends, who were waiting for her just a few steps away. As she approached, she saw the relief in their eyes, the tension in their bodies easing as they realized she had made it through.

Sadie was the first to speak, her voice full of warmth and concern. "Are you okay?"

Phanessa nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. That was… intense."

Visha smirked, her usual bravado returning. "Did it make you feel all tingly inside? Phay, you naughty."

Ilayda stepped forward, her gaze steady and reassuring. "We made it through the first trial. Whatever comes next, we'll going to need to be cautious."

Phanessa nodded, feeling the weight of her friends' support bolstering her spirits. The tree behind them continued to glow softly, its presence a reminder of the power and mystery of this new world they had entered.

As the group of initiates completed their attunements, the voice of the ancient tree resonated through the clearing once more. "You have been judged and found worthy. The blessings of the Heart of the Grove are yours. Use them wisely in the trials to come."

A soft, warm light enveloped Phanessa and her friends, seeping into their skin and filling them with a renewed sense of strength and clarity. She could feel the energy coursing through her, a gift from the tree, a boon that would help them in the challenges ahead.

[You have been given the Blessing of the Eternal Heart of the Grove: Given to those worthy to enter the Tutorial Tower for Initiates of a New Universe. Blessing: 25% faster progression for 168 hours (1 week).]

Phanessa read the message, the meaning of it slowly sinking in. The blessing was more than just a token of their worthiness—it was a tangible advantage, something that could significantly increase their chances of survival and success in the trials ahead. The thought of being able to progress faster, to gain strength and skills at an accelerated rate, filled her with a renewed sense of purpose.

She glanced at her friends and could see that they, too, were absorbing the same information. Visha's eyes gleamed with excitement, and Sadie's usual bright demeanor seemed even more energized. Ilayda, ever the calm and collected one, nodded slightly, her expression one of quiet determination.

"This blessing," Phanessa began, her voice steadying as she spoke, "it's going to give us a real edge in whatever comes next. We've got a week of faster progression—let's make sure we use it to our advantage."

Visha grinned, her confidence infectious. "Damn right. We'll make the most of this. No one's leaving us behind."

Sadie clapped her hands together, her bubblegum-pink hair bouncing with the movement. "We're going to kick ass, girls. This is just the start!"

Ilayda remained more reserved, though Phanessa could see the determination in her eyes. "We need to be smart about this. We have to make every hour count. We don't know what's ahead, but we're stronger now, and that's something."

Phanessa nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We'll stick together and keep moving forward. We've got this."

The four women shared a moment of solidarity, their shared resolve binding them closer together. The Heart of the Grove had deemed them worthy, and now it was up to them to live up to that judgment.

As the blessing's light faded, the towering tree began to hum softly once more, as if acknowledging their readiness. The ground beneath their feet shifted slightly, and Phanessa felt a strange pulling sensation, as if the very earth were preparing to move.

Then, the voice of the ancient tree echoed through the clearing, the weight of its words settled heavily on Phanessa and her friends. The directive was clear, and the promise of what lay ahead filled the air with a palpable tension. Phanessa exchanged glances with Sadie, Visha, and Ilayda, each of them processing the same information.

["Step forward, worthy ones, and enter the Tutorial Tower. Your journey begins now. Before you enter, please say, 'Status open,' to see your statistics as well as the guidelines and rules. Warning: this is an individual tower dive. You will be automatically separated from your companions once entering. If you wish, there is a communication tool under 'commute' so you may stay in contact with such companions. Good luck."]

__________________________________________________________________________________________

This is the last chapter I will post for this story on Webnovel. I think I've written about 61,000 words so far. By the time it's done, it should be over 120,000 words. By the way, it should be done by mid-Autumn or the end of Autumn.