The One Branch of The Tree

The back alley of the inn suddenly felt much narrower, a faintly shimmering transparent barrier around us forming a thin dome that separated this area from the outside world.  The sounds of the city disappeared, no footsteps, no voices of traders, just me, Mira, and an old man named Arka.  I don't lower my sword learning from experience, mysterious parents with important information usually come with two things: problems and additional trauma a classic combination.  Arka seemed unperturbed by my attitude, he stood calmly with a simple wooden stick in his hand, his grey robe looked ordinary, even too ordinary for someone with such a heavy aura.  Predator Sense was still active, there was no intent to kill, but the threat level remained high. Meaning: even without hostile intent, this man was still dangerous. I crossed one arm over my chest. “Okay,” I said flatly. “Starting from the most important part, why does my life keep getting more complicated every day?” Mira closed her eyes briefly, as if tired of my comments. Arka smiled faintly. “Because you brought something that shouldn't have risen.” The answer was anything but reassuring, I sighed. “Good. Very vague. I'm glad we started off badly.” Arka raised his gaze towards my sword, his gaze sharp. “There are only a few people who can receive two fragments and still live.” "How much? A little? In recorded history?" He paused for a moment. "Only one." I was silent.  Okay that's worrying Mira looked at me quickly, I pretended not to be too bothered the internal panic could wait. “And that person?” I asked. Arka answered slowly. “Died thousands of years ago.” Ah the legendary predecessor who has passed away is always so soothing, I tapped my finger on the sword hilt. “Okay. Next question.” “You said you failed to protect the World Tree.” I narrowed my eyes. “Age-wise, it makes you sound very old.” Mira glanced at me as if to say seriously, is this your focus?   But priorities are priorities, Arka chuckled softly. “I am indeed older than I look,” he said in a tone that was too casual. Not helpful. “I used to be part of the core guardians of the World Tree,” he continued,  The room felt heavier, the tone of his voice changing a little further like someone was opening up an unpleasant memory. "When the World Tree was still intact, there was a group tasked with maintaining its balance. Not a kingdom. Not a god. But those who understood that such power should not be held by anyone." I nodded slightly, it made sense then of course someone messed it up because history loves patterns. “The White Council?” my guess. Arka looked at me, then nodded. “The initial version.” Interesting, Mira froze. “Wait, wasn’t the White Council formed after the First Root Collapse?” he said quietly.  Arka turned towards him. “That's the version of history that's taught.” Ah yes I'm starting to get really interested, finally some background information with its uses. “So they lied,” I said. “They erased a lot of things including the real reason the World Tree collapsed,” Arka replied. I stared at him sharply. “And that reason?” Arka was silent for a few seconds too long then he said something that made my blood run cold. “Because humans tried to make the World Tree a system of power.” I was silent but didn't speak straight away, Arka continued. "Classes, levels, blessings—everything considered normal today—are just a small fraction of the World Tree's original function. This system wasn't originally created for hierarchy, but rather for balance." I processed his words so the system everyone is currently using has been twisted and misused, very human. “The White Council wants to control the core of the World Tree,” Arka said. “They believed that if the core was controlled, humans could dictate the evolution of the world as they wished and of course that went badly,” I said. “Disaster,” Arka replied. Hoping always, I massaged my temples.  There's quite a lot of information today, I just: Get the second fragment Become a fugitive Meet the immortal old man Knowing the world system is the result of misuse of the cosmic tree On a typical Tuesday, Mira took a step forward. "Then why was Raka chosen?" he said, Good question, I also want to know why the universe is so obsessed with making me the center of trouble. Arka stared at me for a long time, his gaze too deep, as if he saw something I didn't even know. “Because fragments choose compatible containers, and the highest compatibility usually comes from one thing,” Arka said finally. I don't like the direction this conversation is going anymore. "What?" said Mira. Arka answered calmly. “Extreme will to survive.” … I blinked. Oh actually that makes sense. Unfortunately, “Unfortunately, the more a person refuses to be destroyed, the higher their synchronization with the fragments,” he continued, Mira slowly looked at me her expression a mix of sympathy and realization, I sighed. “So trauma is an asset.” Arka looked almost smiling. “In your case, yes.” Pleased to know that suffering has a return on investment, I glanced at the small notification still flashing in the corner of my vision. Class evolution available. It's true there is another problem. “What happens if I continue evolving?” I asked. My tone was more serious now, Arka didn't answer right away which was definitely not a good sign. “You will become stronger but also closer to your original core,” he said. I waited. Then: “And it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain your human identity,” he continued. That's the cost that has to be paid in the end, I chuckled of course there are no free power-ups the universe is consistent, Mira looks worried. “Does that mean he could lose himself?” Mira said. “Yes, if the synchronization is too high without stabilization,” Arka replied. I crossed my arms. “And of course you have a solution,” I said. “Some,” Arka replied. Better than nothing, he tapped his wand once the barrier around us shimmered slightly. “I can help you control the fragments,” said Arka. Oho the mentor arc is a potentially dangerous but useful cliche. "Of course with conditions," he continued. That's it, nothing is free. "Then what next??" I said Arka looked at me straight. “Starting today you have to stop fighting like someone who just wants to survive,” said Arka. I frowned. “Because?” I said. "Because if your primary motives are simply survival and revenge…" his gaze sharpened. "The fragments will consume you even faster," Arka continued. Silence, the words hit me harder than I thought because I knew he was probably right. From the beginning, my entire development had been driven by: fear of death, wanting revenge, wanting to be stronger.  It had never been more than that, I was silent for a long time, uncomfortable, a rare experience. Arka saw my reaction and then said more quietly, “You have to find another reason to live.” Well that sounds like a lot of work, I stared at the night sky visible beyond the barrier. Looking for a reason to live? Seriously? I hadn't even had dinner yet, but deep down, I knew this wasn't nonsense. If I kept walking with only hatred... one day I might truly stop being myself, and that, for the first time, felt scarier than death. The barrier slowly disappeared, the sounds of the city returned, and Arka turned around. “Wait,” I said. It stopped. “If you want to help me…” I said I gripped the sword tighter. “Start with something simple,” I continued. Arka turned around slightly. “What is that?” said Arka. I stared at him blankly. “Tell me how not to die this week,” I said. For the first time that night Arka chuckled. “A realistic request,” said Arka. It's good that at least there's someone here who has standards. [END CHAPTER 27]