> Despite the lingering daylight, you continue forward on your path. The fatigue that has been building up in your body begins to surface. How much further? How many more trees? Will we ever reach the end? These crude thoughts stir in your head. They taunt you as you suddenly give into exhaustion. You feel your feet pulsating, as your nerves remind you of your own humanity. Your equipment bares a heavier load than before, as you feel it more intensely. Your weapon less ready than when you started, dreading the thought of even needing to swing it. Your companions seem to share your misfortune, but try to keep a brave face. They believe in the cause as much as you do. However, you have limits. You contemplate stopping, but then...
You see a large doorway right in front of you. It has two figures, an angelic one, and a demonic one, carved in it's stone makings.
> It seems that you've reached your end? Or so, you hope. You attempt to press onto the door, but nothing happens. Suddenly, you feel a chilling sensation. What is this?
You hear voices. It seems to be emitting from the door itself.
"So you are the ones who have come."
"We are the guardians of this tree. You are not the only one who has sought our knowledge. We have kept ourselves at bay, to judge all those who wish to climb the tree."
They are speaking in unison, almost finishing each other's sentences.
"Fair adventurers, what is it you seek? Fortune? Fame? Power? It matters not. We have already seen into your hearts. There is an impurity amongst you. Wickedness that hides in plain sight."
"Would thou cast another into damnation? This is a decision we will leave upon you."
> You begin to wonder what those words meant. You all stare at each other for a brief moment. The voice then continues.
"The guilty already know their place. A
sacrifice
must be made. Choose wisely. Then we shall light the way forward."
> The words bared by the voice are tremendously heavy. You all bicker amongst yourselves, deciding who will be chosen. It seems the camaraderie of earlier is now replaced with uncertainty. Eventually, you come to a conclusion. The adventurer named
(Anya)
steps forward.
"I see."
> A bright light is then emitted from the demonic figures eyes. It sears into the ground, making it's way towards Anya.
You watch as Anya is erupted by the same source of light. Her body is de-materialized. She disintegrates right in front of you.
"Her life has been given back to great tree of Yggdrasil. She was one of many who believed they are above our Will. One of impurity. She sought to destroy this place. Yggdrasil sees all.
She is not the only one
."
"Fair adventurers. You must continue on your journey. Ascend further, and heed our warnings."
You can no longer hear the voice.
> The doorway then reveals it's entrance to you. A cavern that leads to unknown.
