World Tree

Elana managed to calm Maryanne down after about ten minutes, allowing her to regain her usual calm and seriousness. The two women talked a little together before they turned to Saibus.

The two smiled at him and stood in front of him.

"Sorry about that little scene you saw. It's rare that I lose my temper, but when I met my idol and heroine, who is supposed to be dead for many years in front of me, I couldn't hold back." Maryanne Saibus and Elana were embarrassed by what had just happened.

Elana smiles and shakes her head while Saibus just raises his eyes to the sky. Resuming her serious and calm expression, Maryanne turns to Elana. "How did you get here when we saw no one the only ways to get into the ruin are either through the hidden front door guarded by assassins or the teleportation room, also guarded."

"I came because Saibus summoned me. I just answered my little assassin's call," answers Elana with a sweet and motherly smile.

The two assassins present have two completely different reactions. Saibus has a slight smile on his face, unlike Maryanne, who shows incomprehension.

"What? Can you explain what you mean?" the archaeologist asks.

"Of course, my dear. To put it simply, I died many years ago, and when Saibus always wanted to see me at least one last time. So when he came in contact with the tree, the tree recognized my son's deep desire and used its power to make me appear in this being of light. Think of it as necromancy but without that, magic's corruption and evil sides. A light summoning, you might say." Elana's explanation is simple, effective, and complex all at once. It answers some questions but raises many more questions.

"Thank you for the explanation, but it raises many questions. First, putting aside the fact that you came back to life in a shell made of light, I, too, have touched the tree, yet I don't see my mother around here. Secondly, does the tree have a consciousness? Thirdly, what is the power of this tree? Why is it in the ruins of an important Aen Undod ruin."

Surprised and circumspect at Elana's words, Maryanne skips over the fact that her heroine has become a pseudo-spectrum of light and asks some of the questions she has.

"I don't have an answer for the first and third questions, but I can give a very brief explanation for your second and last question," says Elana

"And what would those explanations be, mom?" retorts Saibus with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Yes, the tree has some form of consciousness, developed differently than we humans but more like a being made of magic like the aesir but different simultaneously. The tree represents the connection of our world to other worlds. Although the tree you see here is only the physical representation of the tree." said Elana slowly to make sure her two students assimilated the new knowledge.

"To answer your last question, the Aen Undod used the tree to travel to different worlds. They contracted with the tree to use its power and tread the lands of other worlds." Elana finished her explanation by standing in front of the tree like a teacher who had just finished her lecture.

"Well, but who are the Aesir? We can use the power of the tree to visit other worlds. To be able to look for their stories, their knowledge, and new ruins to explore..." Maryanne as a great archaeologist, gets a little lost in her passion and begins a monologue becoming more and more alienated.

"Sorry, my dear, but I'll have to stop your dream. Only the Aen Undod can use the tree's power, and still not all of them. The Aen Undod knew that the tree could be coveted and that if they ended up in evil hands, it would mean the end of many worlds. To prevent this, they placed a safeguard. They broke down the tree's power among several people and implanted them within themselves."

"In other words, the higher-ups could use the power binding the worlds. Others could use these powers of light, healing, etc."

Maryanne, learning this, loses her infatuation and stops rambling.

On the other hand, only one gave Saibus pause.

"So, if I understand correctly, certain people can use one of the many powers of the tree, and that is given to their descendants."

Elana nods her head, confirming Saibus' reflection.

"In that case, it means that you and I are descendants of an Aen Undod who can use a tree power. But that leads to another question, how do you know that, and how did our family end up being part of the Aen Elle nobility," asks Saibus.

"I don't know. It goes back hundreds of thousands of years. I have this knowledge thanks to the world tree that gave me this information when you summoned me." answers Saibus' mother.

"We now know why the Wild Hunt wanted to capture Alice. However, we don't know what power Alice has access to, if the Wild Hunt knows of another descendant of Aen Undod and if they want a particular power," says Maryanne.

The discussion between the three continues for several minutes before they stop. The three feel the magic in the room intensify. The magic begins to swirl and creates a portal from which men from the Wild Hunt emerge.

Out of the portal come three men with three dogs. The dogs of the Hunt pounce on the assassin and the two archaeologists. But a fireball spell and two twin blades make them fall into eternal sleep.

The warriors of the Hunt then form up and attack, but the latter is only simple soldiers who are quickly killed.

"The Wild Hunt is already here. Maryanne goes back to the others and calls the Council. We'll take care of holding them back."

Maryanne then runs to the exit and entrance of the ruins as several portals open from which more of Hunt's soldiers come out.

Elana looks at her son.

"My little assassin, it's time to show me how strong you have become."