Melora paused as she stared at Gena with slight disbelief. Adeline took the opportunity to grab an apple from her hands. Melora recomposed herself as she momentarily gave up on her.

  “How did you know about my core, and second, can you really help me recover?”

  “Yes, we are also quite skilled healers. I will also give you a portion of the world tree.”

  “The world tree!? Isn’t that a bit too much? I do appreciate it, but I am an outsider and a human.”

  “You are our first human friend; this is the least I can do. It will also help you reach your true potential.”

  “Thank you for your kindness. I will make sure it is repaid.”

  Adeline silently watched the interactions as she ate her apple. She was never good with diplomacy, so it was good Melora took the lead. They started to eat their food, with the two continuing their small fight. Once they were done, they were shown their sleeping quarters. It was the first time for Adeline to sleep on a proper bed since her reincarnation; the night was peaceful. The next day, they got to bathe and change clothes. They all wore white, which contrasted her bck and red features, making her look like the devil from heaven, but her eyes were locked on Melora. Her bright gold hair, brown eyes, and red lips together with white made her look like a goddess.

  “If you continue to stare, your eyes might pop out.”

  “I am just admiring the architecture behind you.”

  “Sure, Adeline, sure.”

  Gena joined the group as she directed them to another part of the pace. They entered a room where there was a tree the size of a twenty-story building, with thick roots and vines covering the room. An elf could be seen standing motionless while staring at the tree.

  “Father, you’re supposed to rest.”

  “Oh, it’s Gena. I was just making sure everything was ready.”

  “I already made the preparations father no need to worry”

  “I am just a worry wort haha.”

  “It’s alright lets go back to your room now.”

  Gena walked towards the old elf, who had a frail body with a white beard and zy eyes. She slowly started to guide him as other elves appeared but suddenly stopped and grabbed Melora’s arm.

  “Oh, what a beautiful soul you have. It contrasts that one’s.”

  The old elf pointed at Adeline, who did not refute him.

  “I see now, you need that to ascend.”

  The old elf turned around and slowly paced towards the tree and broke a small branch. He then started to mutter random words as a golden hue surrounded the branch.

  “Come, little one, the tree of life has a gift for you.”

  Melora nervously approached the old man, who pced the branch in her hand. A flood of energy entered her body as she fell down on her knees and entered a trance. Adeline rushed to her side, but the old elf blocked her path. For a moment, she wanted to punch the elf but stopped.

  “She needs time to pass the trial. As for you, come with me.”

  “Will she be alright?”

  “Do you have faith in her?”

  Adeline fell silent as she stared at the old elf.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You worry for her, but you don’t know why. Truly a conundrum.”

  Adeline simply stared at the old elf, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration. He barely met her but was able to read and get under her skin.

  “You don’t know me, old elf.”

  “You should not be quick to bare your fangs; sometimes you need to sit and listen. Would you like some tea with me?”

  “Yes, but I will have it here.”

  “Gena, my daughter, may you prepare something for us? I miss your herbal tea, so soothing.”

  Gena simply smiled and left the room. She came back ter, carrying a tray with her assistants behind her, with a table and chairs. They quickly set up the table and chairs, and Gena poured two cups of fresh herbal tea and left, with Adeline watching intently, but she simply smiled.

  “No need to be so cautious; I am just an old elf.”

  “People who let their guard down end up dead.”

  “Not everything is a battle; sometimes it’s just two people enjoying tea.”

  “Someone needs to be ready to fight. You of all people should know that.”

  The old elf sipped on the tea and savored the taste, but Adeline simply stared at him while throwing a gnce at Melora.

  “You will not find penance in sacrifice through battle.”

  “Who said I am looking for penance? It is simply something the goddess tasked me with.”

  “I have lived a long life filled with challenges, love, hate, and hope. The most valuable lesson I learned was to be true to yourself, and you are not.”

  “I know myself, and my actions match it. You barely know me; what makes you a specialist?”

  “Long ago, I decided to sneak out of the city and go on a grand adventure across the continent. I was young back then, haha, but I stopped near this vilge, and met this kind dy who was barely making by. I wanted to help her by enriching the soil, but she never farmed, odd right?”

  “Maybe she was not a farmer, who knows.”

  “I thought the same, so I observed her from afar. The rainy season came, and the grass grew, the trees became healthier, but she refused to farm. I was completely lost for words. How could this be?”

  “I think you should have been minding your business rather than snooping around.”

  “So, you would let her suffer? I know you wouldn’t; you are also interested in why she chose to starve herself.”

  “Stop trying to figure me out; get to the point.”

  “So, after doing some asking around, I found out that her son had died due to an unknown disease, so she was beled a witch. Her husband left, but she remained. That specific piece of nd is where she buried her son.”

  Adeline slightly frowned as she watched the old elf take another sip of his tea. He let out a delighted giggle as he savored the tea once more.

  “Why is this relevant?”

  “One must move on, If you linger for too long you slowly start to drawn in those negative emotions as your soul gets corrupted. They turn into something unrecognizable a being only filled with darkness, even the light of the gods could not penetrate.”

  “What happened to the woman?”

  “I pnted a tree on the nd; she can now remember her son more fondly. She moved away from the vilge and found a new pce to start afresh. Your salvation is not in pain and misery; it is in forgiveness and love. It is time you also moved on and let go of your burdens.”

  “I can never forgive myself for what I did; I don’t deserve it.”

  “You need to let others care for you as much as you care for them; it will be hard, but you are already on your way.”

  Melora suddenly rose up from her position as she looked around in a panic; the old elf simply smiled at Adeline.