World Seedling {Book One}

Claire’s POV

Pain shot through Claire's leg as she landed hard in the shaft below. The sharp crack that followed confirmed her fear—her leg was broken. She gritted her teeth, fighting back a wave of pain threatening to overwhelm her.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim, eerie glow of the cavern, she glanced at Nova, who lay unconscious a few feet away. Motionless. Panic surged through Claire, but she forced herself to stay calm.

With trembling hands, Claire pulled out her healing artifact—a small, glowing stone embedded in an ancient band. She pressed it to her broken leg, welcoming the familiar warmth as the magic coursed through her, mending the bone. Relief flooded her as the pain faded.

Turning her attention to Nova, Claire moved swiftly, using the artifact to heal her friend. Nova’s breathing steadied, her face relaxing as the magic took hold.

Claire watched anxiously as Nova began to stir, her eyelids fluttering open. Claire was about to speak, but she quickly deactivated the healing artifact, concealing it in her pocket. It wasn’t something she wanted to explain—not now, when so much was still unknown about where they were and what had caused the sudden collapse.

As Nova blinked her eyes open, groaning softly, Claire helped her sit up. The eerie green glow of the cavern cast strange shadows across the walls, making the space feel otherworldly. Both of them took a moment to gather their bearings, still shaken from the fall.

Nova touched her head and winced. “What happened?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

Claire glanced around, trying to mask her worry. “The ground gave way. We’re in some kind of lower chamber, but... I’m not sure how far down we are.” She left out the part about her leg—it was fully healed now, thanks to the artifact.

Nova rubbed her temples as if trying to shake off the last remnants of dizziness. “Where’s the exit?”

Claire scanned the chamber more closely. “I don’t know. But look…” She pointed toward the walls of the cavern, where veins of the same strange ore they had seen earlier threaded through the rock, pulsating with the same eerie energy.

“We’re surrounded by more of that green ore,” Nova murmured, unease creeping into her voice. “But... this place feels different. More alive.”

Before Claire could respond, the ground beneath them trembled slightly, a low rumbling sound echoing from deeper within the mine. Dust fell from the ceiling, and they both froze, listening. The sound grew louder—something was moving beneath the surface, and it wasn’t natural.

“We need to move,” Claire said urgently, pulling Nova to her feet.

They began to explore the cavern, moving cautiously between the jagged rocks and shimmering crystals. Strange flora covered parts of the ground—glowing moss, twisted vines, and tiny glowing mushrooms illuminated their path. The deeper they went, the more intense the magical presence felt, as if the very air was charged with mana.

Suddenly, Claire spotted something in the distance—a faint light, flickering weakly.

“There!” she pointed. “That might be an exit, or at least lead us somewhere safer.”

They hurried toward the faint flickering light, but as they got closer, it became clear that something wasn’t right. The light wasn’t natural—it was coming from a strange, massive crystal embedded in the wall. The crystal was cracked, pulsing with erratic energy, sending flashes of green light that illuminated the cavern in unsettling bursts.

Before they could react, the ground trembled beneath their feet, the rumbling growing louder. From the walls around them, thick green roots began to burst forth, each one writhing and growing rapidly as if infused with the same chaotic energy coursing through the crystal.

"Run!" Claire shouted, her eyes wide with alarm as the roots twisted toward them, thickening and spreading with terrifying speed.

The roots were relentless, snaking across the ground and walls, blocking their path and cutting off their retreat. They had to move fast before the entire chamber was consumed.

As Nova dodged one of the rapidly expanding roots, she glanced at Claire. “These roots… they’re reacting to the crystal’s energy!” she shouted over the growing cacophony of cracking rock and groaning earth.

Claire barely had time to respond before a root slammed into the ground beside her, splitting the stone beneath her feet. “We need to destroy that crystal! It’s the source of all this!” she called out, her voice shaking as she drew her knife.

But the crystal was enormous, towering above them. Destroying it wouldn’t be easy.

Claire was about to yell something when, suddenly, a blinding flash of light exploded from the crystal, forcing her to shield her eyes. For a moment, all she could hear was the deafening sound of glass shattering. Blinking furiously, she tried to regain her vision. As the blinding light faded, Claire's eyes refocused, and what she saw left her breathless.

The massive crystal that had been the heart of the chaos was now crumbling, falling apart in pieces. Sharp cracks echoed through the cavern as fragments of the crystal scattered across the ground, the energy that once pulsed within it now rapidly dissipating.

Nova stood nearby, leaning against a long green root, her breath coming in heavy pants. The only sound Claire could hear was the rhythmic rise and fall of Nova’s breathing, echoing in the chamber.

“It’s… falling apart,” Claire muttered, her gaze fixed on the glittering remnants of the crystal that now lay in chunks and dust on the cavern floor. “What happened?” she asked, though it felt more like a question for herself than for Nova.

The glowing roots that had once thrashed wildly began to slow, their movements calming as if the chaos had subsided. They slithered away, receding into the walls and leaving behind only the faint sound of shifting earth. Claire turned around just in time to see the roots digging into a specific spot, widening a hole deeper into the chamber.

With a heavy sigh, Claire walked over to the pile of crystal remains. She knelt down, wincing slightly as her knee brushed against the rough stone. Unzipping her backpack, she found a few of her glass vials shattered from the fall. Her heart sank as she emptied the broken shards onto the ground. Carefully, she repacked the few unbroken vials, and then, using one of the last remaining intact ones, she filled it with a handful of the glittering crystal dust.

The vial glowed faintly as it settled in her hands, and Claire slipped it into her bag, securing it tightly. She stood up, brushing the dirt from her knees. “We need to get moving,” she said, her voice quieter now. “But we need to figure out where these roots are leading first.”

Nova nodded, her eyes still wide with adrenaline, but she quickly pushed off from the root and stood next to Claire, her body tense as if she expected something to spring from the shadows.

Claire glanced at the newly formed hole the roots had dug. “It’s as if they’re clearing a path for us.”

As Claire and Nova stared at the newly formed tunnel, a low rumble reverberated through the chamber, sending vibrations up through their legs. The roots had stopped thrashing and seemed almost docile now, coiling and twisting lazily along the ground. The dim green light they emitted gave the tunnel an eerie, unnatural glow.

Claire tightened the straps of her backpack, ensuring the precious vial of crystal dust was secured. “I don’t like this,” she muttered under her breath, glancing at Nova. “It’s almost like they’re guiding us somewhere.”

Nova, still catching her breath, nodded. “We don’t have much of a choice. Whatever caused that collapse might still be active. We need to keep moving.”

The two women cautiously approached the newly dug hole, stepping over the roots and loose earth that had been disturbed in the process. The tunnel beyond was darker, and the glow from the roots barely penetrated the shadows ahead. Claire reached into her pocket, pulled out a small flashlight and clicked it on, sending a beam of light ahead into the unknown.

“Let’s go,” she whispered, stepping forward into the tunnel.

As they ventured deeper, the walls around them grew narrower, and the air grew colder. The roots here were smaller, thinner, and almost fragile as they snaked their way along the sides of the tunnel. Something was unsettling about how quiet it had become—no sounds of crumbling rock, no groaning of shifting earth. Just the faint hum of the roots pulsing with energy.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, the tunnel opened up into a wider cavern. Claire paused, sweeping her flashlight across the room.

POV Jade

Jade was terrified. Noah was still unconscious, and it had been hours since he last stirred. They were resting in a different housing area now, far from the first one they'd passed by. She had managed to stop the bleeding from his arm, where the bullet had grazed him, but even as she worked, she could still hear those men coming. Shortly after, their screams cut through the air, echoing in her mind.

By the time they reached the third building, they collapsed, allowing Noah to rest while Jade focused on checking his wound. His pale face was all she could see as he finally whispered, "No, what are you doing? Oh shit... Get to cover, Jade." Then, before she could react, the earth began to rumble, the ground beneath them giving way, and they fell into the mine below.

The last thing Jade remembered was Noah grabbing her just as thick green roots grew at an unnatural speed, surrounding them. She had woken up in his arms, bruised and bleeding worse than before, but safe for the moment, protected by the strange roots overhead, shielding them from the collapsing earth.

Now, an hour had passed, and Jade found herself pacing, the dim glow from the roots casting eerie shadows around them. Noah's breathing was shallow, and she had done everything she could to stop his bleeding and keep him warm, but there was only so much she could do. Fear gnawed at her, tightening her chest.

For the last five minutes, the roots had been glowing, pulsing faster and faster, and the sound of digging echoed faintly from above. Suddenly, more roots started to wrap around Noah again, slithering up his waist. Panic surged through her as she kicked at them, stomping them down, but they kept coming, persistent and unmoving.

"What do I do?" she whispered, feeling her energy drain as exhaustion and fear blurred her vision. Her head pounded, and the sight of Noah's chest rising and falling was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Her mind wandered to a quieter time—before all of this. Noah had been quieter ever since his best friend, Dorian, went missing. She remembered that day vividly. She had been on her way to work when she got a call to do a welfare check on Dorian, who hadn't been seen in days.

When she arrived at his house, the front door was closed, so she entered through the back. Inside, there was a single ring on the kitchen counter, and inside it, Dorian's belongings—his wallet, car keys. A dried-up spilled cup of coffee lay forgotten on the floor. There was no sign of him, no note, nothing to explain his sudden disappearance.

She had called the police, and when they arrived, they questioned her as they searched the house. It felt unreal. Dorian had vanished without a trace, and it weighed heavily on her when she told her boss later that day. But it was Noah's reaction that stayed with her the most. The way his face crumpled when she told him... the emptiness that followed in his eyes after hearing that news.

And now, here she was again, watching him slip away, powerless to help as the roots intensified, creeping and twisting with alarming speed. They surged forward, wrapping around Noah's arms and torso, moving as if guided by some unseen force.

She tried to pull them away at first, but they only seemed to grow faster, coiling tightly around him until his form was almost completely engulfed.

Noah stirred weakly beneath the thickening mass, his breathing growing faint. "Noah!" she gasped, her heart pounding. But he was slipping further from her reach.

What do I do? she thought frantically, standing there, panting, as the roots pressed closer, suffocating him in their relentless grip. The forest around her seemed to pulse with energy, as if the very ground beneath her feet was alive and aware of her hesitation.

Should she keep fighting the roots, trying desperately to pull them off him, or should she go for help? The thought chilled her. What if by leaving, she was abandoning him to whatever force was doing this? But if she stayed, what could she do alone?

She hesitated, her eyes darting between the thick roots winding around Noah and the path that led out of this tangled nightmare. The seconds felt like hours, every moment weighing heavier on her.

I can’t lose him too.

Jade’s breathing grew shallow as she watched the roots wrap tighter around Noah, their glow pulsing in sync with her own racing heartbeat. Desperation clawed at her as she reached out once more, yanking at the vines with all her strength, but they wouldn’t give. Her hands trembled, her fingers raw from the relentless effort.

Then, for a fleeting moment, the roots paused. There was a subtle shift, as though they were waiting—for something. Jade froze, her eyes narrowing at the sudden, eerie stillness that had fallen over the scene. The rapid, relentless growth of the roots around Noah slackened, their movement stalling.

It was almost as if they were... making a decision.

“Noah…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She reached out again, but a deep instinct told her that this moment was brief, and that she had to act quickly.

In the sudden silence, a low hum filled the air. At first, it was faint, almost unnoticeable, but it grew louder, reverberating from the ground beneath them. The roots began to glow brighter, casting an intense green hue, the same color she had seen earlier—but now it was stronger, more urgent.

Without warning, Noah’s body convulsed. His back arched slightly, reacting to the surge of energy that pulsed through him. His lips parted, and a faint whisper escaped: “...it’s... too much…”

Panic surged through Jade’s veins. She had to do something, but what? She could feel time slipping away.

Suddenly, the roots burst with light, sending out a shockwave of energy that knocked Jade backward. The impact stole the breath from her lungs as she hit the ground hard. Dazed, she scrambled to her feet, only to see the roots had begun to move again—but this time, they were retracting. Slowly, they pulled away from Noah, as though they had taken something from him.

Noah lay motionless.

Heart pounding, Jade rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she frantically checked for a pulse. Her fingers hovered over his wrist, and after what felt like an eternity, she felt it—a faint but steady beat.

Relief washed over her, but then her eyes caught something strange. The skin where the roots had wrapped around him was glowing faintly, thin veins of green light tracing under his skin. Just as quickly as they appeared, they vanished.

“What… what is this?” Jade whispered, her mind racing with questions.

Before she could make sense of it all, the ground rumbled beneath her feet again—this time more violently. The cavern walls groaned under the pressure, and rocks began to tumble from above. The entire space seemed to tremble as if the earth itself was shifting and cracking open.

“I’m going for help! I’ll be back soon!” Jade shouted, her voice wavering as she glanced back at Noah. Without waiting for a response that wouldn’t come, she bolted toward an opening in the cavern wall, her footsteps echoing in the darkness as she ran to find a way out.

World tree POV

The World Tree could sense its guardian’s life slipping away, his energy fading like the final glow of a dying ember. Panic coursed through its vast network of roots. This was its fault—it hadn’t meant to expand its roots near the mine, but the surge of power from the World Crystals had destabilized its control. Now, the tree’s roots were wild, growing uncontrollably, too far, too fast.

Desperate to regain control, the World Tree focused all its will on the small area where its guardian and the other human had fallen. It didn’t have much strength left, but it forced its roots to cover them, forming a protective barrier against the crumbling mine above.

The energy pulsing from the World Crystals made it harder to think clearly, clouding the World Tree's ability to act with precision. Yet, it couldn’t stand by, unable to intervene, as Noah’s life ebbed away. Summoning every bit of power it had, the World Tree triggered an emergency upgrade, one it had been saving—healing roots.

The roots, now more than just protective, surged with life-giving energy. They wrapped around Noah tightly, head to toe, pouring an immense amount of healing energy into his weakened form. But there was resistance—the other human was trying to pull the roots away, to stop them.

The World Tree felt a pang of irritation at the interference. Didn’t she understand? This was the only way to save him. With a surge of power, it overwhelmed her efforts, firmly wrapping Noah in layers of glowing roots, each pulse sending waves of healing into his body.

The World Tree’s energy flowed freely, fighting to keep him alive. The roots pulsed, the healing magic seeping into his bones, his muscles, his very spirit. It could feel his wounds closing, his body repairing itself. But still, it wasn’t enough—Noah's connection to the tree was fading.

The World Tree doubled down, releasing a massive wave of healing energy, but it still wasn’t enough, it used a root east of it’s self and felt a small crystal and began to drain the crystal. Channeling it into the healing roots spell. It didn’t care. Noah had to survive. He was its guardian, its link to the world, and the bond between them ran deep.

Hold on, it urged silently, pouring the last reserves of its strength into him. Just hold on a little longer.

Jade’s POV

Jade’s heart pounded in her chest as she stumbled through the narrow passageway, her legs aching from the relentless pace. She had barely caught her breath after leaving Noah behind, and doubt gnawed at her with every step.

Did I make the right choice? The thought circled endlessly in her mind. The roots had swallowed him whole, and no matter how hard she tried, she wasn’t strong enough to pull him free. She had to find help, but the weight of her decision pressed heavily on her shoulders, fear creeping up with every second that passed.

The mine was unnervingly silent, save for the occasional groan of shifting earth. Jade strained her ears for any sound—any clue that might signal help, or worse, the return of those men chasing them. Her breaths came in shallow gasps as she pushed herself to keep going, the torch in her hand flickering in the damp air. Every shadow stretched into something unfamiliar, something dangerous.

She rounded a corner, her foot catching on a loose stone. Jade grabbed the wall to steady herself, her heart racing as she regained her balance. And then, just barely, she heard it—a faint echo of movement, soft but unmistakable.

Footsteps?

Her heart leapt into her throat. She wasn’t sure if it was help or danger, but she couldn’t afford to stand still. Pressing herself against the rough stone, she crept forward, her pulse quickening, her eyes darting to every dark corner, wary of what lay ahead.

Then she saw it—a faint glow flickering in the distance, warmer than the cold, pulsing light of the crystals she had seen before. The light seemed almost inviting. She hesitated. Should she approach the glow or retreat back to Noah? But she had come this far. She had to know what it was—whether it held answers or a new threat altogether.

Swallowing her fear, Jade moved cautiously toward the light, her footsteps echoing louder in the silence. Please let this be the way out.

The glow ahead grew stronger, casting eerie shadows on the jagged walls. Her pulse quickened, her thoughts racing, but she forced herself to focus. She rounded the corner and froze.

A cluster of small, luminescent crystals was embedded deep into the rock. Unlike the chaotic, erratic energy from the other crystals, these glowed with a soft, steady pulse. The air here felt different—calmer, though it carried an odd hum like the walls themselves were alive with magic.

Jade stepped closer, her fingers brushing lightly against one of the glowing stones. A warm sensation travelled up her arm, soothing her racing thoughts and lessening the sting of her wounds. What are these? she wondered, crouching down to inspect them more closely.

Suddenly, a faint shuffle of movement echoed behind her. Jade’s breath caught in her throat as she spun around, her heart hammering in her chest. In the dim light, she saw two figures standing just a few feet away.

They stood just outside the torchlight, their faces obscured by shadows. Jade’s grip tightened around the torch, fear twisting in her stomach. “Who’s there?” she called, trying to steady her voice.

The figures were silent for a moment before the taller of the two stepped forward, her face illuminated by the dim glow of the crystals. Jade realized she didn’t recognise either of them. Both looked dishevelled and worn, their clothes dirty and torn. The taller woman had a grim, determined expression, while the shorter, blonde one looked frantic, her eyes darting around the tunnel.

Jade’s grip on the torch tightened further. These strangers didn’t seem immediately hostile, but she wasn’t about to lower her guard. “Who are you?” she demanded, taking a step back.

The taller woman, her dark hair tousled and a cut visible on her forehead, spoke cautiously. “We could ask you the same thing. This place… it’s dangerous. You shouldn’t be here.”

Suspicion flared in Jade. “Me and my colleague were forced into the mine. It collapsed under us—he’s badly hurt.”

The shorter woman, her blonde hair streaked with dirt, stepped forward, her eyes widening. “Wait, your colleague—was it Noah?”

Jade's eyes narrowed, her voice edged with doubt. “How do you know him?”

The taller woman pointed to herself. “He’s my older brother. I’m Claire.” Then she gestured to her companion. “This is Nova, his friend.”

Jade blinked, stunned for a moment. “I’m Jade.” She paused, still trying to process their connection. Noah has a sister? “He’s down this way. You said you’re his sister?”

Claire nodded, her face grim with concern. “We need to check on him. You said he’s hurt?”

Jade hesitated, then gestured down the tunnel. “Come on, this way.” As they hurried toward the passage, the thick roots above pulsed with that familiar, faint heartbeat.

Nova glanced warily at the roots embedded in the walls. “These things… they’re not reacting randomly. We’ve been tracking them, but we don’t know what’s causing it,” she murmured, her voice low but urgent.

Jade frowned, unease gnawing at her. “You’ve seen them too?”

Claire quickened her pace, her expression darkening. “Yeah, and it’s not good. If we don’t get out of here soon, they’ll bury us alive.”

Jade stole a glance at the glowing roots, twisting and winding through the rock-like veins of some ancient, living creature. “They’ve been closing in on us too. It’s like they’re drawn to something.”

Claire’s jaw tightened as she looked ahead. “Noah. They’re drawn to him.”

Jade stopped in her tracks, her breath catching. “To Noah?”

Nova exchanged a glance with Claire before speaking softly. “It’s complicated, but the roots… they might be connected to him. Something inside him is reacting to the World Tree.”

Jade’s heart raced as the pieces of the puzzle slowly clicked into place, but there wasn’t time to dwell on it. “We need to hurry,” she urged, quickening her pace.

As they moved deeper into the passage, Jade couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching them, lurking just beyond the edge of the flickering torchlight.

The sound of rumbling beneath them echoed, thick green roots slowly emerged from the walls, growing briefly before retreating back into the earth as if testing the air.

“What are these roots?” Claire whispered, her eyes wide with unease.

Jade noticed Nova’s silence. Her companion watched the roots intently, her gaze distant and thoughtful, as though she understood something the others didn’t. Nova’s eyes met Jade’s for a brief moment before she looked away.

They soon reached the chamber where Jade had left Noah.

“Noah?” Jade called out, stepping into the chamber, but she stopped cold. Noah was gone. The roots overhead glowed faintly in the dim space, casting eerie shadows across the stone walls.

“Noah! Are you here?” Claire shouted, her voice echoing through the empty room.

“This is the place, right, Jade?” Claire asked, glancing at the trampled roots where Noah had once been trapped.

“Yes,” Jade answered, her voice faltering. “I left him right here.”

“Then where did he go?” Nova asked, her sharp gaze scanning the chamber for any sign of what had happened.

Claire knelt down, examining the thick roots with a focused intensity. She carefully pried loose a small sample, her fingers deftly picking at the strange, coiled vines. “These things… they’re still moving. But Noah’s not here.”

Jade’s heart pounded, a sinking feeling settling in her chest. "He couldn’t have just disappeared… could he?"

Unknown POV

She darted along the walls, her body clinging effortlessly to the stone. The thick, writhing roots exploded from the earth again, but she was faster. She always was. Quick flicks of her tail propelled her just out of reach, her sharp eyes tracking every twisting movement of those cursed vines. They’d been chasing her for too long, the irritation gnawing at her mind like an itch she couldn't scratch.

Another jump. Her claws gripped the rough surface with ease, instinct guiding every leap. These roots—they were alive. They hunted. But she was clever, slipping away before they could snare her. Still, they were spreading, growing faster, reaching deeper, closing in.

The air tasted thick, dense with something deep beneath the ground. The vibrations—it wasn’t just the roots, no. There was something older, something pulsing through the stone. It tugged at her senses, like a silent call, but she refused to be caught.

She hissed softly, her irritation flaring as another tremor rippled through the walls. These damned roots wouldn’t stop. Always creeping. Always trying to surround her.

Her tongue flicked out, tasting the air again. Something new—faint, but there. Not the roots, something else. Her body stilled, instincts sharpening as she caught a dim glow ahead. Something in that tunnel. Someone.

She slunk forward, claws barely brushing the stone. Whoever or whatever it was, it was tied to the pulse. She could feel it—the same energy that made the roots tremble and the ground quiver beneath her.

She’d been dodging these cursed things for too long. If this presence was part of it, maybe it was the answer. Maybe it was the source of all this chaos.

Another flick of her tail, and she slithered closer, keeping to the shadows. Her eyes narrowed, watching the roots shift again, drawn toward the presence ahead.

She padded closer, her claws tapping lightly on the stone, her senses sharpening. Then, her tongue flicked out—and there it was. A scent she knew. Her human.

But something was wrong. His scent was familiar, yet tainted. Something sharp, unsettling, twisted in the warmth she usually knew. She hesitated, tongue flicking again. It wasn’t just the earthy dampness of the cavern or the energy clinging to the roots. No. Something deeper had changed in him.

Her claws pressed into the earth, uncertainty gnawing at her as she moved deeper into the tunnel. Was he still her human? Or had he become something else—something more? She had chosen him long ago, but why? She’d wondered that many times after leaving her cave. There had always been something about him, a connection she couldn’t explain. Yet now, she wasn’t sure if that bond remained.

Her tongue flicked out again, testing the air, tasting the strange mix of power and life swirling ahead. Cautiously, she crept forward, her body pressed low to the ground, claws scraping against the rough stone as she followed the tunnel where the scent of her human grew strongest.

But something was wrong. She felt different after blacking out earlier, though she didn’t understand why. Her body had grown. She was bigger—stronger—and the scales on her back felt thicker, more resilient. The last thing she remembered was waking up surrounded by pools of blood, the coppery scent clinging to her scales. But whose blood? And why couldn't she remember what happened?

Shaking her head, she continued forward, her sharp eyes scanning the tunnel. Then, something pulsed ahead, a surge of energy that made her pause. She felt it ripple through the stone, through the very air, and then it flowed into her—small at first, but it grew quickly, filling her with strength. What is this? She wondered, her body trembling as the energy fed into her being. Another shift. She felt her muscles expand, her limbs elongating. Her form grew again, this time significantly. She stood taller now, her tail more streamlined and powerful, swishing behind her.

The feeling was exhilarating but strange. Her thoughts raced as she pressed onward, moving faster now, drawn toward the source of the energy.

And then she saw him.

Her human stood in the centre of a vast, empty chamber, his body wrapped in glowing tendrils of energy. Lines of green, blue, white, red, grey, and yellow swirled around him like living things, all converging on his form, sinking into him one by one. His breathing was ragged, his body trembling as he struggled to stand, green roots from the World Tree cradling him like a lifeline.

“I’m not going to make it…” she heard him whisper, his voice weak, barely audible over the pulsing energy that filled the room.

Suddenly, the energy surged violently. She flinched as a wave of power rushed toward her. She felt it enter her, like before, but this time stronger—much stronger. Her scales hummed with the force of it, and then she felt something else. At first, it was small, almost unnoticeable, but it grew rapidly, spreading like wildfire through her body.

A connection.

It wasn’t just the energy from the roots—it was him. Her human. She could feel him, his struggle, his pain, his strength. It was as if they were becoming one, the energy he couldn’t contain flooding into her, balancing between them. Inside her chest, something began to form—a core, crystalline and pulsing with life. It was small, no bigger than a bean, but it grew with every second, filling her with new power.

And then she felt something new. A pressure on her back, a pulling sensation as her scales shifted and stretched. She craned her neck, just in time to see them—the thin, leathery wings sprouting from her spine, unfurling slowly, painfully. They were fragile at first, but as they stretched wide, they grew stronger, and tougher, the leather glistening with the same energy that flowed from the roots.

She flexed them tentatively, feeling the newfound strength coursing through her veins. She was changing, evolving—just as he was. The bond between them solidified, and with it, an overwhelming realization hit her.

They were bound now. Whatever he became, she would become too.

Nova POV

As they walked deeper into the mine, Nova's worry grew. The signs were becoming harder to ignore—the roots of the World Tree were glowing faintly, a warning she couldn't dismiss. They shouldn’t be glowing like this. Only one thing could cause such a massive surge of mana from the roots.

"World Crystals," she whispered, her voice laced with fear. They had seen a small vein of low-grade crystals earlier in the mine, but this...this was different. Based on the way the roots pulsed with raw energy, the World Seed must have found something more potent. Either it had absorbed the energy from multiple crystals—or worse—a single high-grade one had detonated.

She shivered at the thought. Whatever had happened, the amount of mana radiating from the roots was dangerous. It wouldn’t be long before any local wildlife transformed—either for better or, more likely, much worse.

A dark memory tugged at her mind. The blood in that pool chamber. The bodies. Or rather—the lack of bodies. What had happened down here? Her skin prickled with unease as her imagination ran wild. Something had fed, she was sure of it. But what? And how much longer did they have before they came face to face with it?

When Nova had first come to this world, the little mana being produced by the World Tree had been all she could handle. In a world so starved of magic, even that small amount felt overwhelming. But now, the mana coming off the roots of the World Tree was like waves crashing through the tunnels, building with a force she could barely comprehend.

It wouldn’t be long before either Claire or Jade reached a breaking point. She could already sense it in the air around them. The energy levels were rising fast, and the longer they stayed in proximity to this overwhelming flow, the more likely they would gain an interface system—one that would thrust them onto their own magical paths, whether they were ready or not.

But there was something else. Something worse. Ahead of them, deeper in the mine, mana was gathering at an alarming rate. It wasn’t just the roots. It was a storm of energy, concentrating at a single point.

“Do you feel that?” Jade suddenly said, her voice uneasy as she paused mid-step, eyes darting around the tunnel.

“I do,” Claire replied, her tone sharp as her gaze locked ahead, her jaw clenched.

Nova’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t good. If the others could sense it too, then the mana was spiking to dangerous levels. Whatever lay ahead, it wasn’t natural. The World Tree had started something it couldn’t control. And the thing waiting for them? It could be just as unpredictable.

“We have to be careful,” Nova whispered, her heart pounding. "Something's building down there...and we don’t know what it is."

The tunnel was growing hotter, the pressure mounting as if the air itself was heavy with magic. She could feel the pulses now, like a heartbeat, coming from the depths of the mine. It wasn’t just a reaction to the World Tree’s roots. No, something was drawing the mana toward itself, feeding on it.

And whatever it was, it was powerful. Too powerful.

The tunnel ahead seemed to hum with a life of its own as they pressed on, the air thick with mana—so thick that Nova felt as if she were walking through water. It was overwhelming, a nearly suffocating force pushing against her, making every breath heavier. She glanced at Claire and Jade, worry gnawing at her. How long could they handle this? Their bodies weren't accustomed to these kinds of mana surges.

As they neared the end of the tunnel, the oppressive energy reached a crescendo. They stepped into a vast chamber, and the sight that greeted them stopped them cold. There, in the middle of the room, was Noah, his body suspended in the air by the glowing, serpentine roots of the World Tree. The roots pulsed in time with the mana swirling chaotically around him—blinding streams of green, blue, red, and gold danced through the air, crackling with an almost electric intensity.

Nova’s breath caught in her throat. This was bad.

“Noah!” she screamed, her voice barely breaking through the deafening hum of mana in the air. "Noah, you idiot! What are you doing? You’re trying to draw in too much mana!" She felt panic claw at her chest as she watched the sheer amount of energy swirling around him, threatening to tear him apart.

Noah’s body was rigid, his face twisted in agony, his hands clutching at the roots that held him in place. His skin glowed faintly under the influence of the mana flooding into him, but his body was rejecting it, the energy too volatile. It wasn’t just the roots that bound him—it was as if the very air around him was suffocating, tightening its hold.

"Shit, shit," Nova muttered to herself, her mind racing. She could feel it—the mana was too much for him. The sheer volume of energy coming off him wasn’t natural, and if she didn’t act quickly, it would consume him.

Her hand flew to her pouch, where she fumbled for the white orb she always kept for emergencies. It was designed to siphon mana, to contain and redirect excess energy before it could overload a system. But this? This was unlike anything she’d ever seen.

“You two, get back!” Nova snapped, her voice sharp as she glanced over her shoulder at Claire and Jade. “Stay away! This isn’t safe!” She could barely keep her own panic in check as she tried to figure out how to save Noah from the torrent of mana spiralling around him.

Claire rushed forward, her face pale, panic written in every line of her expression. “What’s happening to my brother?” she demanded, grabbing Nova’s arm with surprising strength. Her hands trembled as her eyes darted between Noah and Nova, desperate for answers.

Nova jerked her arm free, her heart racing. "I’m trying to save him!" she hissed, before shaking her head. “I don’t know exactly what’s happening, but he’s drawing in too much mana. If I don’t siphon some of it off, it’s going to kill him!” Her words were quick, frantic, but they carried the weight of grim certainty.

Just then, Noah’s voice cut through the chaos, barely audible over the rush of mana. “It’s too much... I’m not going to make it...” His voice was weak, broken, and Nova’s chest tightened. He was on the edge, the mana overwhelming him.

Nova was about to throw the orb when something in the darkness beyond Noah caught her eye. Her body stiffened, the familiar scent hitting her like a wave—the creature from the other night.

Her heart skipped a beat. From the shadows, she saw it slither into the open, its sleek body growing larger with every passing second. The creature, a mix of fearsome elegance and primal power, moved with purpose, and its glowing eyes locked onto Noah.

“What is that?” Jade whispered, her voice trembling as she took an instinctive step back.

Nova’s mouth went dry as she watched the creature. It wasn’t just moving—it was absorbing the mana Noah couldn’t handle. The energy from the World Tree’s roots flowed into the beast, and as it drank in the excess mana, it began to transform before their eyes.

Its body grew larger, its scales shimmering in the dim light of the chamber. With a sudden burst of energy, two thin, leathery wings unfurled from its back, the membranes glowing faintly as they stretched out for the first time. The air around it crackled with energy, and the creature—no, the dragon—let out a low, rumbling growl, the sound reverberating through the chamber like a tremor.

Nova’s eyes widened in shock. “Dragon evolution...” she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

The dragon’s transformation was swift and terrifying, its body now standing about the size of a person. Its slender frame, while not massive, exuded power. The thin wings beat once, twice, testing their strength, their leathery membranes glowing faintly in the dim light. Despite its smaller size, the air around it still crackled with energy, and a deep hum of power vibrated through the chamber.

Claire stood frozen, her eyes wide in disbelief. “What... what is that?” she stammered, backing away, her gaze darting between the dragon and Noah. She had never seen anything like this, and fear crept into her voice as the realization of the danger began to sink in.

But Nova’s mind was racing. Somehow, in the chaos of the mana storm, Noah and the dragon had become linked—bonded by the overwhelming energy they had both absorbed. This wasn’t just a simple transformation; it was something more, something ancient and dangerous.

The roots of the World Tree, still pulsing with power, seemed to be feeding the connection between them, entwining their fates in a way that Nova had never seen before. And as the last tendrils of mana settled into the dragon’s form, she knew this was far from over.

The small dragon leapt into the air with surprising grace, its claws gripping Noah’s shirt as it slung him over its back. With a few strong flaps of its newly formed wings, the dragon kicked up a rush of air, blowing dust and loose dirt toward Nova, Claire, and Jade.

“Wait!” Claire shouted, her hand reaching out instinctively, but it was too late. The dragon, carrying Noah with ease, ascended toward a jagged hole in the ceiling, vanishing into the shadows above.

Nova’s heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. “Noah!” she screamed, her voice breaking through the suffocating silence, only to be swallowed by the vast emptiness of the cavern. The faint sound of flapping wings and the gust of displaced air echoed in the distance, quickly fading as both Noah and the dragon disappeared into the dark expanse above.

Claire’s fists clenched at her sides, the frustration and fear etched deep in her expression. She paced in a tight circle, her movements frantic. “What just happened?” she muttered, her voice shaking with barely controlled panic. “Where is it taking him?”

Nova stood still, her eyes fixed on the place where Noah had been moments before. The shock of what she had witnessed still hadn’t settled, her mind racing to make sense of it all. The dragon had acted on instinct, driven by the chaotic energy coursing through both it and Noah. But it wasn’t the act of carrying him away that terrified her—it was the bond. That connection, the surge of mana that had entwined them, pulsed with something ancient and dangerous.

"If that creature has fully absorbed the mana surge," Nova whispered, her voice barely audible, "they’re both in danger. And we might be too."

The chamber grew eerily quiet, the pulsing roots casting faint glows around them as if even the World Tree itself was uncertain of what came next.