Chapter 494 Yggdrasil (Part 2)
The wood that made up Yggdrasil was of a shimmering silvery hue, unlike any other tree the group had ever seen. It gave off a soft glow, as if it were imbued with magical power.
As they climbed some branches on the side of the trunk, the touch of the wood sent subtle vibrations through their hands, as if they were in communion with the very essence of the tree.
The branches, as mentioned, were sometimes huge, sometimes as small as ordinary twigs, creating a complex web of paths and passages. Some of the large branches were wide enough for the group to walk comfortably, while others were narrow and required careful balancing.
The branches crossed in many directions, forming an intricate network that stretched as far as the eye could see.
As they climbed, the group had to find their own way through this tapestry of branches, always keeping an eye on where Ratatosk was so as not to lose him. They leapt between the narrow branches, clung to the rough surfaces, and sometimes had to twist and squeeze into tight spaces to keep moving.
The aura of unseen energy pulsing through the forest seemed to intensify as the group moved forward.
Kaizen could use <Psychokinesis> to keep up with Ratatosk if he were alone, but since he wasn't, he preferred to take the same path as his companions.
As they climbed, they could feel the flow of Yggdrasil's power through their bodies, an electrifying sensation that fueled their determination. It was as if the tree was testing their courage and endurance, bringing out the best in each member of the group.
As they climbed, they occasionally glimpsed other mystical creatures among the branches of Yggdrasil. Spirits in the form of glowing orbs danced in the air, emitting a soft glow, and small colorful birds perched on nearby branches, watching them with curious eyes. These creatures seemed to be in perfect harmony with the sacred tree, part of its magical ecosystem.
Despite the challenges and the mysterious atmosphere, the party continued to climb, guided by Ratatosk.
With each step, Yggdrasil revealed a little more of its extraordinary nature, inspiring a sense of awe and reverence in the adventurers. They knew they were witnessing something truly unique and sacred, a direct link to the realms beyond Midgard.
As the climb continued, the sounds of Yggdrasil echoed, a symphony of life and power. It was as if the very rustle of its leaves urged them to reach for the heights.
So, with the branches intertwined and the unseen energy pulsing, Kaizen and his party continued to climb until they finally reached a large branch where Ratatosk was waiting for them.
The legendary squirrel looked at them with his wise eyes and nodded his head in approval of their progress.
"You are proving yourselves worthy of Yggdrasil," Ratatosk said in his whispering, melodious voice. "But there are more challenges ahead. This branch is only the beginning of your trials."
"What? Wasn't that the challenge?" Xisrith asked, panting. Of all those present, she was the least physically fit.
Kaizen and the group looked around and noticed that they were at a high point in the tree. From there, they could see the vastness of Yggdrasil below them, with its intertwining branches and the magical aura emanating from the wood.
"What awaits us now?" asked Kaizen, determination in his voice.
Ratatosk smiled, revealing small, sharp teeth. "Now you must jump."
The group exchanged looks of determination and fear.
"Jump?" Kaizen asked, not wanting to believe what he was hearing.
Suddenly, one of the descendragons said:
"If we were supposed to jump from the beginning, it would have been easier to jump from where we were, which was much lower than where we are now."
Ratatosk jumped onto a nearby branch and looked back, as if to encourage them to follow him. "I understand the sentiment, but this is the only way to determine if you're worthy or not. I mean, not everyone can travel from one world to another, right? It's not enough to have a key, a door, and a hand to open it. It takes more."
The group looked at Ratatosk, pondering his words. Though the thought of jumping from such a high point in such a large tree was frightening, they knew that Ratatosk was there to guide them, and that this was part of the journey necessary to prove their worth.
Kaizen took a deep breath and looked at his companions.
"Once again, you don't have to do this," he said. "They can return to Midgard if they wish, can't they?" He asked the squirrel.
Ratatosk nodded. "Of course they can. This is a trial only for those who wish to go to Niflheim."
Then Ratatosk snapped his fingers, and a glowing door appeared beside each of them. On the other side was the hall where they had defeated Lord Varkin.
"If one of us is not worthy, what will happen?" A Descragon asked fearfully.
"As would happen if you touched the trunk of Yggdrasil directly, your mind would succumb and you would collapse. You would be lucky to die." Ratatosk replied.
The squirrel's words caused five of the ten descendragons who had accompanied them there to apologize, bow their heads, and retreat to Midgard.
"Excuse us, Klaus," the last of them said, just before stepping through the door between the worlds.
Kaizen smiled, stepped closer and touched his shoulder. "Are you kidding? Hazard, you were essential to our victory, so if I am worthy, I will take a little souvenir of Niflheim with me when I come to visit you and your family."
This made the green-eyed Descendragon smile briefly, but still with fear.
The other remaining members of the group nodded at the retreaters with a mixture of determination and nervousness. They knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove themselves, but they were saddened by the departure of the others. A moment later, the door shut.
Courageously, the group of adventurers, now seven in number, followed Ratatosk to the edge of the large branch where they stood. The wind whispered through the branches of Yggdrasil, encouraging them to move forward.