The Author's Viewpoint

Tave and Aura stood on the edge of a high cliff, the wind cool and sharp as it swept past them. Below, an open clearing stretched wide, bathed in silver moonlight. The forest thinned in that area, making it easy to spot movement between the trees. Shadows shifted beneath the canopy, and every so often, a creature stirred beneath the glow.

Aura was teaching him how to use an elemental arrow, and more than that, how to control that power without relying on standard elemental skills.

"Now," Aura said, "kill a Tier 4 monster. This training ends when we're eating roasted monster meat for dinner."

"So," Tave muttered as he raised his bow again, eyes scanning the clearing, "seems like you've spent quite a bit of time in the human realms, Lady Aura?"

Aura stepped back and sat gracefully on a large stone behind him, crossing one leg over the other, her posture relaxed. "Yes. Do you know what my role in the kingdom is? I'm a message bearer. So… I've traveled across nearly every region in Yunatea."

Tave didn't look back. His hand steadied the arrow against the string as he aimed. Then.

Thwip.

The arrow shot into the air, vanishing into the dark.

"Ever been to Hell?" he asked, half-distracted, watching the movement below.

There was a pause.

"Yes… I've been to Hell. The land of demons." Her voice was quiet. "Interested in visiting, Tave?"

Tave didn't answer. Not directly. He refocused on the clearing, drawing another arrow.

But he had known.

He had always known Aura had the ability to cross realms, especially to Hell. It wasn't highlighted in the original story, since there was never a plot event large enough to bring that ability into full focus.

But in this version of the world?

That kind of freedom meant knowledge.

If anyone could piece together the truth of what was really happening in this rewritten world, it was Aura.

And considering how demons were accelerating their advance, tightening their grip on the edges of Dissidia Kingdom. Tave couldn't help but wonder.

Were they acting on their own?

Or were they being moved… by someone else?

A few hours later, Tave finally brought down the Tier 4 monster. The effort had left his arms heavy and his breath tight—but it was done. The two of them now sat beneath the moonlight. A small fire crackled between them, the scent of roasted meat rising in rich, smoky wisps.

Tave occasionally checked the cuts as they cooked, turning them carefully over the open flame. When the meat was just right, seared at the edges, and rich with aroma—he took his dagger, sliced a generous portion, and handed it to Aura, who sat on a fallen log beside him.

She accepted it with a small, calm smile. "Thanks," she said softly.

Tave gave a short sigh and took a bite from his own portion. The meat was rich, savory, with a touch of wild spice from the forest herbs they'd tossed into the fire. It wasn't perfect, but right now, it was more than enough.

"Lady Aura…" he started, but she cut in before he could finish.

"You learned quickly. I think you'll master archery faster than you expect."

"That's still basic archery skill, though," he said, glancing toward her. "Right?"

Aura's eyes narrowed playfully. "The fact that you finally gave in and used your Soul Fire? That was cheating."

"Well, I was starving," Tave replied, completely unbothered. "You know I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I'm only human."

"No, you're not," Aura said firmly.

Tave didn't respond.

Because he knew exactly what she meant.

She wasn't wrong. He wasn't fully human, not with shadow wolf blood running in his veins… not with demon blood sleeping beneath it.

He chewed in silence as Aura calmly continued eating beside him.

"It's not fair," he said at last. "You know so much about me, but I know barely anything about you, Lady Aura."

Aura chuckled softly between bites. "That's not my fault. I was just born with an extraordinary ability. So yeah… besides, I only mentioned your elemental affinities, didn't I?"

"Surely you know more," Tave muttered. "And that's not fair."

After a quiet stretch of crackling fire and half-finished meat, Tave finally spoke again.

"I need your help."

"As long as it's within my power," Aura replied without hesitation.

"I want to visit the World Tree," he said.

Aura didn't answer right away.

Tave turned toward her, catching the way she tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing as if reading past the words he'd spoken.

"Is this about your dormant Echo?"

Tave exhaled slowly. "See? You didn't even hesitate to bring up the fact that I have a dormant Echo."

Aura smiled softly. "Of course. I pay attention. And yes, I'll take you to the World Tree. After we finish dinner."

"Wait… That easy?" he blinked.

"Yes," she said calmly. "I told you, didn't I? You're a special guest. And if it's just a visit to the World Tree, that's not a problem. I'll make sure you get time alone, to speak to it directly."

Tave stared for a moment, then broke into a wide, crooked grin.

"That's… seriously special treatment. Thanks."

Not long after they finished their dinner, Tave began clearing the fire pit, covering the embers with earth until only the faintest warmth remained beneath the soil. Once the area was clean, he dusted his hands off and stood.

It was time.

Aura turned to him with a quiet smile. "Are you ready? The sensation is similar to entering a rift portal," she said.

"Wait, are you going to—" Tave didn't get to finish.

Aura reached out and grabbed his hand, and the moment her fingers wrapped around his, a dark portal tore open behind her. It pulled her backward—and dragged Tave along with it in an instant.

There was a rush of swirling darkness.

And then—solid ground again.

Their feet touched down with a soft thud, the scent of earth and moss thick in the air. Before them stood a towering dark wall, natural and overgrown, formed from massive stones and trees woven together. Vines curled around it like a shield, deliberately grown to hide what lay beyond.

Two forest elf knights stood guard near a large gate. Their posture tensed the moment they saw the arrival, and both immediately rushed forward, saluting as they approached.

"Lady Aura, is there something we can assist you with? Especially at this hour?" one of them asked.

Aura gave them a warm nod. "Yes. Grant access to my guest. He's here to visit the World Tree."

The two knights faltered for a moment, glancing at Tave, clearly surprised to see a human being escorted to a place so sacred.

"But… Lady Aura," one began.

"I'm invoking my authority," she replied simply.

There was a short pause, then both knights nodded.

"Understood. We'll allow it."

With that, they stepped aside and moved toward the massive gate, pushing it open slowly. The sound of creaking wood and shifting stone echoed softly as the entry parted.

Tave stared ahead. This was more surreal than gaining access to the guard tower in Deadbay City. This time, he was walking toward the World Tree.

He glanced back once.

Aura stood there, arms folded loosely. "I'll wait here," she said.

Tave gave her a nod, then turned and stepped inside.

The moment Tave stepped through the great gate, a hush fell over everything.

A kind of stillness that settled around him, pressing gently against his skin. The air shimmered faintly with Gaia Force, subtle and warm, and the scent of living wood filled his lungs with something strangely grounding.

Then he saw it.

The World Tree.

This was a growing World Tree. A successor. Three and a half centuries ago, the original World Tree had been destroyed. What stood before him now was its heir, still young, but already vast.

Tave stepped closer.

That's when he heard it, a distant, wordless song in his mind. Gentle, like wind through leaves. The seed of the World Tree nestled in his Gaialume responded to it.

He stood beneath the boughs and placed his hand against the trunk.

The air lit with floating particles, dancing like fireflies, soft and golden. From the outside, it might've looked like decoration. Like harmless magic lights. But this tree held something far more, influence. It was the source of the forest elves' superiority, their link to the elemental core of the world.

And Tave… he would need that power someday. Maybe not now. But soon.

So he stayed there.

Minutes passed. Maybe an hour.

He did what he had to do.

And when it was done, he turned and walked away.

Aura was waiting just beyond the gate, arms crossed as she leaned against the rock wall. She smiled the moment she saw him.

"Finished already? Looks like you brought back something… heavy. And… No, don't worry, I don't know a thing."

Tave snorted. "Sure. You don't know anything."

Aura gave him that signature small, knowing smile. "Come on. Let's get back to archery training. You don't have much time left."