The Will Of The World Tree

Does a human truly possess a soul? If so, what does the world after death look like? Does consciousness endure? In her waking life, Eve had pondered these questions often. Each time, her conclusion was the same: she was simply overthinking it. But when she finally had the chance to verify the truth for herself, she found only bewilderment. It was a world of total darkness. Staring into the boundless void, Eve fell into deep thought. First, it was certain that she had died and transitioned to this strange space. Though she had no idea why her consciousness remained intact, she knew she was trapped. Loneliness and shadow were her only companions, save for two swirling orbs of light: one blue, one green. She tried to reach out, only to realize she had nobody—she was a mere wisp of consciousness. Fortunately, she could drift like a cloud. Is this... a soul? The thought flashed through her mind. After a moment's hesitation, she tentatively drifted toward the spheres. The green orb was massive and radiant, exuding a sense of profound mystery. The blue orb was smaller, its soft glow evoking an incredible sense of intimacy and kinship. After a few seconds of deliberation, Eve decided to reach for the latter. However, just as she moved to touch it, a cacophony of blurred prayers suddenly echoed through the void. The voices were ethereal, gentle, and divine, carrying a strange power that naturally soothed her spirit. In a fleeting vision, she saw a temple perched atop a mountain peak. Startled, Eve realized the sounds were coming from the green sphere. The prayers were intermittent, chanted in a language she had never heard, yet they evoked a haunting beauty in her heart. Though the words were unintelligible, she could feel the sorrow and desperation woven into them. Curiosity won out. Driven by an inexplicable force, Eve shifted her focus and touched the green orb. The moment her consciousness made contact, the world shifted. She fell into a trance as an explosion of information flooded her mind. Her vision went black, followed by a torrent of images: A vast, ancient continent... A mysterious seed falling from the heavens... A magnificent, otherworldly tree erupting from the earth... And beautiful figures emerging from its branches... "Elves...?" The thought struck her as she saw figures reminiscent of fantasy RPG characters. Before she could process it, the green orb generated a powerful suction, pulling her inward. ... "Suitable soul located." "Condition triggered. World Tree Awakening Ritual initiated." In her hazy state, Eve heard a strange voice. It spoke a peculiar tongue, yet to her surprise, she understood every word. As the voice faded, her surroundings brightened. Eve found herself enveloped by countless green photons—shimmering, dreamlike orbs that defied description. "Soul fusion commencing. Initiating World Tree Inheritance Ritual..." The voice rang out again, and the swirling particles rushed toward her. She felt a surge of ancient, mysterious energy flow into her, accompanied by a massive influx of knowledge. Her senses sharpened, and the ethereal prayers grew clearer and more resonant. As the photons merged, Eve's consciousness began to emit a divine radiance. Pale green energy gathered until it consumed the entire space. In the final moment, she heard the voice one last time: "Fusion successful." "Welcome back, the new World Tree of the Segas Continent—" "Lady Eve Iggdrasil." When consciousness returned, Eve drifted in thought. She was no longer in that strange void; instead, she had arrived in a world teeming with life. In the distance were rolling mountains and dense forests. Though the flora was distinctly different from Earth's—making her wonder if she had landed in a prehistoric jungle—there was something odd about the scale. Everything seemed... small. It felt as if she were in a tokusatsu movie set or a miniature kingdom. She was looking down upon creation. The mountains were mere hills; the forests were like moss; even the birds flying by looked like tiny insects. Furthermore, her vision was bizarre—a 360-degree field of view with no blind spots, something unimaginable in her past life. Shifting her attention, she noticed a small lake nearby. The water rippled like emerald silk, reflecting her image with startling clarity: A massive system of roots, a soaring trunk, and a canopy so lush and vast it seemed to touch the horizon. Synthesizing the information flooding her mind, she quickly found the answer: "The World Tree?" The World Tree—Yggdrasil. Known as the "Root of Nature," the "Mother of Elves," the "Miracle of Life." It was a mythic entity in the Segas plane, a being as ancient as the dragons—a true legendary creature with power rivaling the gods. "It really is the World Tree..." Staring at the withered, decaying leaves reflected in the water, Eve didn't know whether to feel awe or grief. Sorting through her inherited knowledge, she understood her situation. She had been reborn in a magical world called Segas. As one of countless transmigrators, she had been chosen by the dying World Tree. Her soul had fused with the Mother Tree’s core, its lingering memories, and its legacy—yet her human consciousness remained intact. She had become the new World Tree: Eve Iggdrasil. Albeit, a half-dead one. The legacy of the World Tree seemed to carry a calming influence. Eve felt neither panic nor confusion. Instead, she was surprised by her own composure and a budding sense of joy. Joy? Yes, the joy of a survivor. Having fused with the core, Eve knew how lucky she was. As a soul drifting in the void, she would have faced inevitable dissolution; this fusion had granted her a new lease on life. No, the life of a tree. "Regardless, what does this mean... I've been reincarnated?" Looking at her reflection and feeling this strange new body, curiosity filled her. Yet, she could feel the rot within. Her condition was dire; the withered branches in the lake's reflection were an omen of impending death. However, deep within, she felt an ancient power stirring—vibrant, restless, and newly awakened. A strange sensation washed over her. She felt like the sovereign of this land, capable of commanding everything within a radius of several miles. Once the thought took root, it was irrepressible. Eve gazed at a withered oak tree nearby, and a sudden impulse surged within her. As she focused her will, something extraordinary happened. The dead tree burst into life. Buds sprouted, branches stretched, and within seconds, it was lush and green. Moreover, Eve felt a mystical connection to the tree, as if it were an extension of her own limb. But in that same heartbeat, she realized her internal strength was draining rapidly—a full third of her energy vanished in an instant. Terrified, she immediately ceased the "resurrection." Through the core, she understood that this power was Life Energy—the source of the World Tree's divinity. If it ran dry, she would fall into an eternal slumber. That would mean death. Feeling her innate divine power reduced to two-thirds, a pang of regret hit her. I was careless. She hadn't expected a simple "Bestowal Ritual" to cost so much. She focused her attention on the now-radiant oak. It had grown to nearly thirty meters tall, dwarfing the surrounding woods. Then, the unthinkable happened. The oak trembled, pulling its roots from the soil. The gnarled roots coiled into two stout legs; the branches thickened into massive arms; the canopy became a wild mane of foliage; and a pair of piercing eyes opened at the top of the trunk. Before Eve's astonished gaze, the thirty-meter-tall Treant shook the dust from its legs, turned toward the World Tree, and dropped to one knee. In a deep, resonant voice filled with passion and sincerity, it proclaimed: "Mother Nature, this Oak Guardian thanks you for your grace. Please, bestow upon us your exalted name, Goddess of the Earth!" Mother Goddess? Oak Guardian? Bestow a name? Looking at this "miniature" version of a guardian, Eve's inner consciousness gave a dry smile. She felt a direct channel of communication between them. A mischievous thought flickered through her mind. "In that case... your name shall be Basaka!" A voice—divine, majestic, yet ethereally cold—echoed within the Oak Guardian's mind. I'm back!