I woke in a daze, my mind struggling to piece together what had happened the night before.
My head felt unbearably heavy, as if a massive weight pressed down on it. I groaned quietly, pressing my hand against my temple.
Strangely… the pain from my wounds was gone.
I slowly examined my arms and chest. The deep cuts and scratches that once covered my body had vanished, leaving only faint marks behind.
A breath of relief escaped my lips.
So it wasn't a dream.
Goddess Suzune truly healed me.
Using the nearby tree for support, I forced myself to stand.
Then I saw it.
My eyes widened.
"Ah…!"
The sight before me filled me with disbelief and awe.
The Tree of Life.
The very tree I had been searching for.
Memories slowly returned to me. Before the brutal war, before the battlefield filled with blood and corpses… I had been given a mission.
A mission from the king himself.
The tree towered above the forest. Its trunk was massive, its roots twisting deep into the earth like ancient serpents.
But the most astonishing part was its leaves.
They were made of crystal.
Moonlight reflected from them, scattering shimmering light across the forest.
Anyone who saw it would know immediately that this was no ordinary tree.
This was something sacred.
Something dangerous.
Fragments of memory surfaced.
"Haru."
King Natala's voice echoed in my mind.
"You have summoned me, my lord," I said respectfully, kneeling before the throne.
"Yes. I have summoned you, the famous Black Mage of the town of Glize."
The king smiled faintly.
"You may stand. I do not wish to intimidate you."
Despite his words, something about his smile unsettled me.
"I have a special mission for you. A mission only you can accomplish."
"What is it, my lord?" I asked.
"Haru… I seek the Tree of Life."
My eyes widened slightly.
"It can cure any illness. Restore youth. Strengthen the weak. Some even say it can bring the dead back to life."
He paused.
"But it is cursed. Ordinary people who touch its leaves will lose their sanity. Their souls will separate from their bodies."
His gaze locked onto mine.
"But those with power can withstand it."
"And in this kingdom… you are the only one."
"I accept the mission, my lord," I said calmly.
"Good," the king replied. "You must reach the tree before dawn."
The memory faded.
My stomach growled, reminding me that I had not eaten since beginning the mission.
After searching for food in the forest, I eventually made my way to a nearby lake.
The water shimmered beneath the moonlight.
I removed my clothes and stepped into the cool water.
As the water washed over me, my thoughts drifted back to her.
Goddess Suzune.
Her radiant smile.
Her gentle voice.
"Oh Goddess…" I murmured softly.
"Where are you?"
Suddenly, a voice answered.
"Are you thinking about me, Haru?"
My eyes flew open.
Standing near the edge of the lake was Suzune.
Moonlight shimmered around her golden dress.
My face instantly turned red.
Before thinking, I stood up to greet her.
"Mortal!"
Suzune immediately covered her eyes.
"What is that thing hanging beneath you?!"
Only then did I realize my mistake.
I was completely naked.
"Forgive me, Goddess Suzune!" I shouted, scrambling for my clothes.
"No need," she said, trying to sound composed.
"I brought you new clothes anyway. You no longer need those ragged things."
"Thank you, Goddess Suzune," I said gratefully after dressing.
She smiled softly.
"Come, Haru. I want to show you something."
"My Moonlight Palace."
I followed her deeper into the forest until we reached a clearing.
There, in the center, stood a magnificent throne made of crystal.
Floating beads of glowing light drifted through the air around it.
Moonlight gathered around the throne as if drawn to it.
It was not a palace.
Yet it felt more majestic than any castle.
"What a beautiful throne you have, Goddess Suzune," I whispered.