Chapter 69: Created
「Quest Completed! 」
+5 Compassion
Compassion: 44/100
The tree enclosed Grace. After a moment of darkness, a green light glowed from the bark, illuminating her face. The interior was more spacious than she’d expected—a hollow chamber where the living wood walls radiated energy.
"You are not her," the Root’s voice resonated through the wood, "but you carry her essence."
Grace steadied herself, placing one hand on the inner wall for balance. The wood was warm and slightly damp under her fingertips.
"You mean Eternia?"
A tremor ran through the chamber. The walls shifted slightly, as if the tree itself had inhaled sharply.
"You speak her name so casually." The voice changed—multiple tones overlapped, creating a sort of chorus effect that made Grace’s skin prickle. "Yes. She who created and destroyed. She who abandoned."
Strands of light descended from the ceiling, twisting around Grace without touching her. They lit up her face and hair, examining her like curious fingers.
"What are you to her?" the Root asked. "You are not her vessel. Not her avatar. Yet you carry her light."