The silence was overwhelming.
Then—
A voice.
Not spoken.
Not heard.
But felt.
"You have come."
Argolaith lifted his gaze. "I have."
The tree's pulse quickened.
"You seek what was lost. The lifeblood of my roots. The gift that is not given lightly."
Argolaith's fingers curled into fists. "I've passed your trials."
A pause. Then—
"Yes. But trials are only steps. And a path is more than its stones."
Argolaith held his ground. "Then what more do you need?"
"A conversation."
The wind shifted.
The tree was not just testing his will.
Not testing his body.
It wanted to understand him.
It wanted to know who he was before it gave him its power.
Argolaith took a slow breath. "Then speak. And I will answer."
The branches above trembled.
The second tree stirred, its vast branches trembling with unseen energy, sending faint ripples through the air.
