Artemis Unveiled:The Descent

Untitled Part 61: The Enigmatic Ally

"How could there be an Eternal Tree here?" Aria asked, astonished.

"Because this place is home to the Sacred Spring Water, a miraculous source that brings all things back to life," Mistral explained. "Our crops are grown with Sacred Spring Water, so the wheat not only grows faster and healthier but also shines with a silver glow."

Aria could hardly believe she was seeing these beautiful Eternal Trees within Aether's territory. Their enchanting presence was still awe-inspiring.

"Do you place bodies on the trees like demigods do?" she asked nervously.

"If a body is placed on an Eternal Tree, the soul will never find peace. The Aether people would never do that. They cast their dead into lava, allowing them to become flames, so they won't be disturbed by the Night Ghoul." Mistral continued walking deeper into the forest, motioning for Aria to follow.

"They?" Aria raised an eyebrow.

"I'm a spirit beast, not one of the Aether people."

Aria suddenly realized she had overlooked that detail. Mistral's appearance was entirely different from that of the Aether people or any humanoid race.

From deeper within the forest, faint sounds began to emerge.

"Are there others here?" Aria strained to listen. The sounds were soft and melodious, with a nasal quality to the tune.

"Those are spirits. The Sacred Spring Water reveals them, but only pure souls can appear in the Eternal Forest," Mistral said.

"Spirits?" A shiver ran down Aria's spine. The word "spirit" made her uneasy.

"They are merely ethereal souls, unable to harm anyone or communicate with the living. Unless, of course, you understand the language of spirits," Mistral explained.

Indeed, as Aria walked into the Eternal Forest, she saw the spirits drifting through the woods. Their graceful garments swirled around them like mist. Despite her careful steps around them, the spirits did not react to her presence. Mistral walked straight through their ghostly forms, as if they were nothing more than vapor.

Deep within the forest, at the center of a rocky cavern, stood a golden ancient pool. Perched on the edge was a golden raven, spitting cool spring water into the pool, where schools of fish swam, appearing more like the embodiment of souls. Soft white mist trailed behind them, gracefully encircling the entire basin.

"Is this the Sacred Spring Water?" Aria asked, amazed.

"Yes," Mistral confirmed.

"When did the Aether people plant these trees?"

"The Eternal Trees are not the creation of the Aether. They have stood here long before, witnessing the passage of time. The Aether people simply found this sacred land later and settled under the protection of the Divine Tree. The blessings of the Divine Tree can dispel evil and wild beasts from the world."

Aria stared at the water, suddenly feeling a pang of sorrow for the fallen Stormblade and Daphne Blackwood. They had risked their lives to obtain a small vial of Sacred Spring Water from the Ancient Serpent Abyss, nearly being captured by the serpent guardians. She never imagined that Wind Valley would hold such a vast pool of Sacred Spring Water.

"There's also a vial of Sacred Spring Water in the Ancient Serpent Abyss, and the Serpent Queen offers it as a reward for the victor," Aria remarked.

"She must have obtained it from the Aether people. Sacred Spring Water exists only in Wind Valley."

"Mistral, why did you bring me here?"

"To help you cleanse the resurrection curse from your body," Mistral replied. "The Sacred Spring Water not only heals but purifies the impurities within you."