บท 170: The tree

Anaisa's footsteps became lighter as she noticed the glow up ahead. She had not prepared herself for this much of a hike, but it seemed they were almost to their destination!

The trail curved upward, and suddenly a sort of hill in the middle of the room loomed before the couple.

Anaisa gasped.

The tree was much more beautiful than she had imagined, even based on Trace's dream recreation.

Its golden branches stretched upward like the wings of a bird, holding delicate precious stones far larger than she would have thought could occur naturally.

Of course, this magic tree was far more than natural.

Trace paused, looking at it carefully, seeming to take in the details of its construction. Was he planning on recreating it again? To what purpose?

But that wasn't the question looming most in her mind.

"Should I take one?" She whispered.

"One of the stones?" Trace turned to her. "I do not know the danger involved."