Chapter 515 The Fruit of Fate I
The entire elven planet shook with intensity as countless branches of the Tree of Fate suddenly began to stir restlessly.
The elven Queen, who had just returned to her quarters to rest after confirming that nothing was wrong with the Tree of Fate, paused in her steps. Instantly, her eyes moved down to stare at the wooden floor beneath her that started quivering.
No one could describe her shock when a wave of pure spiritual energy flooded into her chamber. The warm and gentle energy was familiar... very familiar because she had felt and absorbed it countless times whenever she meditated beneath the Tree of Fate to enhance her strength.
Startled, she jerked her head back as the spiritual energy expanded not only in her room but throughout her entire house. The overwhelming presence of the spiritual energy in the air was undeniable, and it overpowered everything else.
"No way..."
She gasped with wide eyes, and instantly, the old white-haired woman hiding in her shadow emerged with serious eyes.
"What's happening? It's not even time yet... why is the tree getting impatient?"
The Queen's expression turned solemn as she grabbed the fabric of her robe.
"How would I know? I just checked the tree, and it was fine just moments ago. Don't tell me it's..."
She glanced at the old woman, and the duo vanished from the room together without saying another word.
In the next moment, they appeared in the sky, which was getting brighter with each passing second, even though the day had long since started to darken. They watched the massive tree. It was radiating spiritual energy to envelop the entire planet in a wave of white, grey, and gold.
Not just the duo, many powerful pseudo-divine, divine, transcendent, and supreme rank old and young elven figures also appeared in the sky and gazed at the colossal tree in astonishment. All of them knew the time when the tree of fate would bear the fruit of fate was near, but there were still several years remaining before the expected time.
So, why was the tree preparing to yield the fruit so early and with such eagerness?
The older elven individuals looked at the Queen for an answer, but she could only shake her head and gesture for them to wait because she herself was shocked by the unexpected turn of events.
The floating elves all witnessed as every single elf on the planet came out of their homes or paused in their activities just to observe the colossal tree with awe. They then respectfully sat down to seek the tree's blessing with hope.
After all, it was a well-known knowledge among the elves that it was up to the tree to decide whom to bestow the fruit of fate upon, and no one had the right to take that fruit from the chosen one unless they were not of elven descent. Nonetheless, to this day, the tree of fate has never granted its fruit to any race other than the elven race.
Still, the elves were also aware that whoever received the fruit of fate this time would face many life-threatening situations because every demon residing on the planet would pursue and hunt that individual for the fruit.
Also, the demon's leader, Samara, who has been relentlessly battling the elven race for years just to get her hands on the fruit of fate. How could she relinquish her pursuit so easily when she even went as far as to corrupt the tree with dark energy? She would undoubtedly stop at nothing to eliminate the individual who obtained the fruit, even if that individual is under the protection of the elven Queen.
All the elves watched in anticipation as multiple branches of the colossal tree reached up to encircle a specific higher branch that stayed bare, without leaves, yet untouched by the extensive dark energy that has been spreading throughout the planet and corrupting the tree.
The branches, in a mesmerizing display, began wrapping around that single branch to create numerous protective layers. They only stopped when not even a speck of light or any intruder could breach their intricate cage, shrouding the untouched branch in a protective embrace. After the wondrous display, all the spiritual energy that had dispersed across the planet congregated around the massive circular barrier and began to permeate through it.
At that instant, a small white flower sprouted from the bare, untouched branch that twinkled within the dark cage. The flower continued to grow with a speed visible to the naked eye within the security of the protective layers, nourished by the energy surrounding it. Slowly but steadily, the delicate petals transformed, and the flower evolved into a fist-sized white fruit that appeared ordinary except for the wisps of pale grey, gold, and white light surrounding its surface.
In the distance, many powerful demons who had been fighting in the war against the elven race started floating in the air. They gazed at the tree with wide smirks. Although they weren't able to completely corrupt the Tree of Fate in time, they were determined to obtain the fruit for their leader or, if the elves somehow killed their leader, then obviously for themselves.
The elven Queen's face turned ashen, and not just hers, but the white-haired woman floating behind her and all the other old and young elves hovering in the sky became serious upon seeing the demon leader, Samara, who appeared across from the cage of branches, wearing a wide, menacing grin on her face.
Samara didn't even glance at the elves who surrounded her to stop her and flapped the four wide wings behind her back. The white slits between her pupils brightened as dark energy began to crawl around her body. She was ready to completely destroy the cage of branches when the white-haired woman, who had always stayed by the elven Queen side, vanished from her spot after receiving a signal from the Queen and pushed her away from the cage in mid-air.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on it."