Lilith took another cautious step forward, her boots barely making a sound against the shimmering, golden-hued floor. The entire space felt alive, pulsating with an energy that resonated deep within her core. It wasn't just mana—it was something older, something vast and endless, wrapping around her like unseen roots reaching through the air.
The radiant woman before her stood tall, her presence exuding an ageless wisdom. Her emerald-green hair cascaded down her back like flowing vines, adorned with delicate blossoms that seemed to bloom and wither in a continuous cycle. Her gown shimmered like woven starlight, ever-shifting between hues of deep forest green and gentle gold, as if reflecting the very essence of the land she ruled over.
"Welcome, Realmwalker," the woman spoke again, her voice like the rustling of ancient leaves and the soothing hum of the earth itself. "Child of Eldoria's World Tree."
Lilith's eyes flickered as she tried to focus on the woman's form. The sheer radiance of her presence made it feel almost unreal, like an illusion born from pure mana. Yet, at the same time, the pressure of her existence was undeniable.
Lilith's lips parted slightly before she finally spoke, her voice firm but laced with curiosity. "Your body… it's not real."
The woman let out a gentle, melodious laugh, her expression warm and patient. "Yes and no, my dear," she answered, tilting her head slightly. "My form is materialized from the mana of Xandoria. It is my will, shaped through the energy of this world." She raised her hand, and the mana around them pulsed in response, swirling like unseen currents. "I am the World Tree of Xandoria. I am Xandoria."
Lilith frowned slightly, her mind processing the weight of those words. "Then… you're not just any World Tree."
"No," the woman agreed, her golden eyes gleaming with wisdom. "I am one of the Great Trees that have existed since the birth of this world, a sister to the one that once stood in Eldoria." She took a step closer, and the space between them seemed to hum with energy. "And if you, child, were born from Eldoria's sapling… then your World Tree was my niece. And that makes you my grand-niece in a way."
Lilith's fingers twitched slightly at the mention of her origins. She glanced down at her own hands, her magic swirling faintly beneath her fingertips. "Then you know why I'm here?"
The World Tree's gaze softened, her expression shifting from serene to something almost sorrowful. "I do."
She reached out a delicate hand, palm facing upward. The glow of her mana pulsed gently, not as a force of power but as an offering—an unspoken promise of guidance.
"Your World Tree has told you what she knew. But still, since she is merely a sapling of a former Great World Tree, I have brought you here to learn what she has shared with you—and to give you what she may have missed."
Lilith took a step back, narrowing her eyes at the woman. Her voice was firm, her tone edged with defiance. "Do not speak down about my mother. Her name is El, and she has guided me well. I have learned a great deal from her."
Xandoria's expression softened, and she gave a small nod of understanding. "Oh, I am sorry, child. I did not mean to belittle your mother—El, was it? I only meant that, since she is still a sapling, she has not yet gathered all the knowledge of her kind. Because of that, she may not have been able to guide you in every way."
She gestured gently, the mana in the air rippling like water. "So please, Lilith, form a link with me. Let me see what she has taught you."
Lilith remained tense, her emotions still stirred by Xandoria's words, but she recognized there was no ill intent. Perhaps this was just the way an ancient being spoke—detached, matter-of-fact.
Taking a slow breath, she extended her hand, pointing a single finger forward. A small stream of mana flickered to life at her fingertip, flowing outward toward Xandoria like a delicate thread of silver light.
"I can feel it within you," she continued, her voice as steady as the roots of an ancient oak.
The World Tree gave a knowing smile, but there was something ancient and unreadable in her expression.
"Then, child of Eldoria, let us begin."
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As the sisters slowly woke from their nap, they stretched and yawned, their tiny wings fluttering as they adjusted to being awake again. Danser's fur was still as warm and cozy as ever, and for a moment, none of them wanted to move.
Charlie let out a content sigh, snuggling deeper into the soft fur. "Danser's fur is so cozy, so soothing... We should have brought Zenith. She would have loved lying here with us."
Beta rubbed her eyes and nodded sleepily. "She really would."
Alpha sat up, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. "She would, but I think Mother will introduce Zenith to Lilith herself. Since both Lilith and Zenith can walk between realms, it makes sense."
"Yes, you might be right," Beta agreed, stretching her arms over her head.
"That does sound like something Mother would do," Charlie confirmed. Then, with a small pout, she added, "But still, we should have brought Zenith here. We don't know how long Mother's talk with Lilith will take. And Zenith always feels left out… since she's not a pixie."
Alpha's expression softened, a tinge of sadness in her golden eyes. "I know," she admitted quietly. "Her kind is so rare here. The last one died right after we were born." She paused, lost in thought. "I miss that old geezer. He was so much fun… and he flew so fast."
Beta let out a small giggle as she remembered. "Yeah… so fast."
Charlie puffed up her cheeks and yelled, "You shouldn't call him 'old geezer'! He was our grandpa! Call him that instead!"
Alpha looked at Charlie, then giggled. "You really did like Grandpa the most, didn't you?" She stretched her wings and smiled warmly. "He did have the most fun with you out of all of us."
Charlie huffed, crossing her arms. "Of course! He taught me how to fly faster than the wind itself!"
Beta chuckled, nudging her sister playfully. "And crash into trees just as fast."
Charlie stuck out her tongue, but Alpha simply shook her head with amusement. "Charlie, remember—he was the one who introduced himself as 'Old Geezer,' a friend of our mother. That's what he wanted us to call him."
Charlie's pout softened as she let out a small sigh. "I know… but still, I liked calling him Grandpa. It felt… right."
Alpha and Beta exchanged a glance before nodding. "Then Grandpa it is," Alpha said gently. "After all, he was the closest thing we had to one."
---------
Lilith blinked as the connection between her and Xandoria severed, the flow of mana fading like a receding tide. The weight of all she had learned still lingered in her mind—the knowledge of other worlds, the confirmation that no dragons remained on Eldoria or Xandoria, and the celestial star map now etched into her consciousness like an ancient guide.
As she steadied herself, Xandoria's voice echoed once more, calm yet firm. "Come out, Zenith."
From behind one of the massive, shimmering roots of the chamber, a small figure hesitated before stepping forward. A girl—no, not just any girl, but something more. She was shorter than Lilith, with fiery red hair that cascaded down her back in wild waves. Her golden eyes gleamed with curiosity and cautious excitement, and a faint energy pulsed around her, something familiar yet entirely unique.
Lilith's gaze narrowed slightly as she studied the girl, sensing the same power she herself carried—an echo of something vast, untethered by a single world.
"This is my youngest child," Xandoria continued, her voice filled with warmth. "Like you, she is a Realmwalker. But unlike you, she has never known another world beyond Xandoria. She is the last of her kind here, just as there are no others like her in Eldoria."
Lilith exhaled slowly, absorbing the meaning behind Xandoria's words. "You want me to take her with me," she stated, glancing between Zenith and the towering presence of the World Tree.
Xandoria nodded. "Yes. She has longed to see beyond this world, to find where she truly belongs. You, Lilith, understand what it means to walk between realms. Will you take her with you, or rather could you take her to meet your other mother, aurora?"
Lilith's expression shifted at the mention of Aurora. Her fingers twitched slightly as she processed Xandoria's words. My other mother…? It wasn't the first time someone had implied a connection between her and Aurora that went beyond simple companionship, but hearing it from the World Tree of Xandoria carried a different weight.
She turned her gaze back to Zenith, who stood silently, her golden eyes unwavering as she awaited Lilith's response. There was no hesitation in her stance—no fear, only the quiet determination of someone longing for something more.
Lilith sighed and crossed her arms. "That's a big ask. You're not just asking me to take her with me. You want me to introduce her to Aurora, the dragon soul bound to EL."
Xandoria's glowing form remained calm. "Yes. Aurora carries knowledge that even I do not about dragons. And her wisdom may help Zenith understand what she truly is."
Lilith glanced at Zenith once more. "And what do you think about all this?"
Zenith's lips pressed into a thin line before she finally spoke. "I want to go," she said firmly. "I want to see what's beyond Xandoria. And… if your Aurora knows more, then I want to meet her."
Lilith tilted her head slightly. She could hear the resolve in Zenith's voice, but there was something else too—an undertone of loneliness. The last of her kind… just like Lilith had once thought she was.
Finally, Lilith exhaled through her nose and gave a small smirk. "Fine. But don't slow me down."
Xandoria's expression softened, and a breeze of warm mana swept through the chamber. "Thank you, Lilith and remember all im asking for is that you introduce Zenith to Aurora."
Zenith's small hands clenched at her sides, her golden eyes gleaming with quiet excitement.
Lilith rolled her shoulders and smirked. Looks like my journey just got a little more interesting.