"Yes?"
"E-Eli?"
"What is it, Tia?" Eli's voice returned to normal as his eyes regained their usual appearance.
"Woohhhh!!" Tiana's relief was palpable as she hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face like a child's.
"I'm fine," Eli reassured her awkwardly, patting her head gently before turning his gaze to the sentinels with a hint of mockery.
"You lot can at least handle sealing a space, can't you?" Eli's tone carried a playful taunt as he challenged them.
The sentinels felt the weight of his sarcasm but remained composed. Theos's Sentinel stepped forward, focusing on the fractured space and methodically closing it off.
"It seems like the withering has stopped..." Eli observed as he examined the now-stabilized branches of the World Tree, relieved to see them no longer decaying rapidly.
"Now comes the task of nourishing the tree," Eli remarked thoughtfully, knowing it would require a substantial amount of water to revive it.
"Did you really think water alone would solve this?" Chola's Sentinel's scepticism was evident in her voice.
"Do you have a better idea?" Eli countered, challenging them to provide alternative solutions.
"..."
"Well then, let's procure the water we need," Eli decided, contemplating the immense task ahead.
As he prepared to descend from the World Tree, the sentinels watched in surprise as Eli leapt off without hesitation.
"Is he seriously jumping?" Dawn's Sentinel questioned in disbelief, ready to intervene when suddenly—
"KIIIKKIII!!!!"
A resounding cry echoed through the air as a massive inferno phoenix swooped down, catching Eli on its fiery back just before he reached the ground.
"You truly are reckless, Eli," Scarlett, the fiery phoenix, remarked as she spoke through her beak.
"I had faith my protective big sister would come to my rescue," Eli grinned, gently petting Scarlett's reddish-yellow flame feathers.
The sentinels were once again taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.
"Did you manage to seal the space?" Chola's Sentinel inquired, shifting the focus back to the task at hand.
"Yes, it's sealed," Theos's Sentinel confirmed.
As they descended from the World Tree, Alysia approached Eli with a worried and surprised expression.
"Eli, what happened?" she inquired, her concern evident in her voice.
Eli gracefully dismounted Scarlett, who transformed back into her human form. Scylla stood beside Alysia, her expression mirroring her concern.
After recounting the events to Alysia and Scylla.
"So, we need a water source?" Alysia's furrowed brow indicated her concern, but she also glimpsed Eli's unwavering determination, instilling a sense of hope that perhaps there was a chance to save their continent after all.
"Yes," Eli affirmed, his gaze sweeping over the gathered elves who showed a mixture of relief and apprehension.
The burst of divine energy from Eli caused the water particles to burst and slowly dance and converge around the World Tree's roots. Then, with a resounding explosion, a radiant light engulfed everything.
"BOOOMM!!!"
The blinding brilliance momentarily stunned everyone present—sentinels, humans, and magical beings alike. When their vision cleared, they beheld an awe-inspiring sight.
"Jormungandr..." The Sentinels murmured in disbelief as they recognized the colossal serpent coiling around the revitalized World Tree.
"MY GOD!!!!"
"THE WORLD SERPENT!!!"
"SHE GRACED US WITH HER PRESENCE!!"
The people, overwhelmed by fear and reverence, began to kneel before the divine manifestation. Even Alysia, with tears of gratitude, lowered her head in humble acknowledgement of the deity they once revered.
No matter how much time passed, no one in the flora continent would ever forget about their god.... The God of the Flora Continent.
Jormungandr... filled everyone with a mix of fear and elation. It was a moment that would forever be etched in their memories.
"grrrrrr"
The rumbling sound from the serpent seemed to echo gratitude and acknowledgement, bringing tears of joy to the onlookers.
Meanwhile, Eli, with his ocean-blue eyes and hair shimmering, stood up in the midst of this divine spectacle. The massive serpent lowered its head behind Eli, allowing him to pat its scaled head with a gesture of affection that left the witnesses in awe and disbelief.
'Gulp'
The collective gasp of shock rippled through the crowd as they witnessed a mere mortal interacting so intimately with their revered deity.
With a voice carrying an ethereal resonance, Eli addressed his people, "My beloved people, I am deeply touched and proud that you have not forgotten me..."
"MY LORD!!!!"
The cries of adoration and devotion filled the air, mingling with the serpentine rumblings of Jormungandr.
Eli turned to Alysia, acknowledging her role in this momentous event, "You have chosen wisely, Lady Alysia Hill Morgan Flora, to lead this wondrous land."
"..... Y-Yes!!!" The resounding affirmation echoed from the assembled crowd.
"A ruler who is willing to sacrifice for her people... I am truly honoured to have you in my place," Eli declared, his words carrying immense weight and significance.
"I am deeply honoured, Our Deity," Alysia responded, her voice filled with reverence and humility.
With a simple nod, Eli conveyed his final command, "Protect this land, my children. Protect your ruler and cherish the gift of life that has been bestowed upon you."
'Snap'
A single snap reverberated across the continent, illuminating the land with a radiant glow.
Everyone closed their eyes for a second before slowly opened only to see.....
"...."
Silence descended upon the gathered throng as they beheld the resplendent World Tree, its branches swaying gracefully in the gentle breeze, petals of vibrant flowers dancing in the air, and fairies flitting about in a joyous celebration of life restored.