At the base of the mighty tree now rested the saw Rhea had referred to as the ákro blade. It was an item that could only be brought into creation by those who called this tree their home. It was also the only means of destroying the tree in a manner that would ensure its magical properties remained within the wood.
Few of these blades had been crafted. They were intended as a means to an end, usually made if the essence of the tree became corrupted and started to spread malevolence, poisoning all around it. The blade severed the link of the mortal world, allowing the tree to enter the cycle of rebirth.
Eiji mopped the sweat from his brow, his heart aching with each pull of the blade across the base of the tree. Rhea had given him specific instructions, telling him not only how to cut, bu
