The Tree Gazes into the Void

The Tree Gazes into the Void

Year 218

From the Mountainworld, there were other worlds that we could visit. Like how each planet has a field of vision.

Every new place we went widened our field of view, and pulled back the fog of war.

Stella thus proposed a visit, since her research to decipher the alphabets of the rift gates relied on her expanding her knowledge of the many worlds beyond. Essentially, based on the current star structure, Treehome was linked to the Mountainworld and Threeworld through the void forest, and Treehome was further linked to the Cometworld and Parasiteworld through my clone. Mountainworld was linked to two other worlds, and was not linked to Threeworlds.

My void [domainholder]s travels through the void space took a really long time, which she described as, space is actually really freaking huge.

She even asked Snek how they even managed to hitch a ride on heroes, because that sounded like trying to catch a bullet while its flying to its target. A point which Snek described as, Hitchhiking.

Snek explained that in spiritual form, they could create these tiny threads that form a kind of web in the void forest, which allows them to attach themselves to heroes as they appear. Its really difficult, of course, and most of the time theyll fail. In fact, Snek was equally surprised by his own success with Ken.

It really sounds too convenient, Snek. I knew he wasnt lying.

I dont deny it. My success was the result of an exceptional combination of circumstances that I am not sure can be replicated successfully. Snek answered. Just as how it took an exceptional set of circumstances to create a void [domain].

Stella nodded. Well, I suppose the fact that we are even all here together, is an exceptional set of circumstances.

Snek had adopted a wooden-sculpture of a snake as its body, but even then, I found Sneks soul structure to be extremely similar to my relatively new ability to give souls an ethereal form. Or actually, it was the other way round. My ability to give souls some kind of ethereal-ghost type form that was very similar to Sneks soul structure.

That implied Sneks society had significant development along the spiritual-soul magics, which allowed them to do all the things theyve done so far. This, of course, supported why we wanted to learn from them.

We only hoped that we were not too late. We didnt know how long had passed, and as Snek described it, time spent in the void forest is like being trapped in a bubble. Theres no real perception of time, no reference frame.

Lumoof decided to go with Stella to these other worlds.

Well, what can we detect from afar?

Stella frowned, and agreed that was a good thing to try. Hmmm... nothing from one world, and the other... I feel the presence of people.

Her senses when it comes to the void space was far sharper than mine, so I could only trust her.

Nothing is strange. Stella repeated. Lets go there?

I agree.

***

When we arrived, it was a massive purple world, with hugely strong winds. It wasnt anti-magic at least, but it was very, very dim and dark, and cold. No ice, but it was really, really cold. It didnt take very long for both of them to cough. A bubble of air immediately protected them, and they realised there was no oxygen in the air. Just dust and sand.

Strange. Do you detect any magic? Lumoof said, once they regained their breath. It wasnt magical.

No. Its... like its the moon. Stella said as she felt the unusually quiet presence. Lumoof activated my avatar, and then, I felt great... emptiness in this world.

Lifeless. Lumoof touched the ground, and through his fingers, I felt the strange purple soil, and this world was what they called a barren world. Its a common thing in space-based 4X games to have barren worlds, I guess, I just didnt expect this to be one.

Its so barren there are no demons here.

This seems like the perfect place for a starbase. Stella quipped. The kind of world where the resistance builds a secret base.

I didnt know you were a fan of Space Opera. In a strange twist of curiosity, fantasy fiction was a rising field on the Central Continent, and with it, the heroes did some writing of their own. It was a little strange, for me who came from a world without magic, to see these people with magic do their own fantasy fiction. At first, more fantasies were mostly about their world, but some were a lot more interesting.

Like attempts to create an origin story of myself, or the origins of the Systems.

Eh. I know enough. My void mage answered, as I took some of the soil samples and sent them back for investigation. The constant winds and the purple sandstorms were a huge irritant, but why was the world dead?

Lumoof spread vines and used them to push himself all the way to the top, because I want to see the sun and the stars of this world.

Stella came too, and as we slowly got closer to the sky, I saw what was an extremely small sun. It was... very faintly blue?

It was so small that its probably just a really, really bright star. The skies were a deep purplish hue, between black and purple.

A small light-blue sun, and I felt strange about its rays. Not anti-mana like the burning sun of the Antimagic world, but this one felt corrosive in a different way. Stella frowned, her layer of void mana encased her in a shell.

Feels exceptionally small for a sun.

Lumoof took out a magical telescope, and pointed it at the sun. When we looked at it, we noticed that the small sun wobbled extremely quickly. It spun, quickly.

Is this all? Stella asked, as she looked at the rest of the world from high above. Lumoof encased her in a bubble of vines, protecting her from the rays. From here, it was just all purple sandstorms. This is a lifeless world. We should go.

I think you might be right. Lumoof kept staring at the sun, and I realised it might be a white dwarf or a neutron star. The rays of this sun were weak, unenergetic, so the world didnt have energy from its star, thus it remained a barren world.

This was the slow-mo equivalent of a Cometworlds death. Stella smiled. I feel like were space tourists, traveling the multiverse in search of unusual star systems. I wonder how many other worlds are like this.

It was frustrating that I kept stumbling into new issues, new questions to be answered, but very, very few answers. Was this what scientists had to deal with? New issues, new questions, but their datasets didnt tell them much? Constant dead ends?

I remember when the Cometworld collapsed, it said its worlds sun died. But then, what was the link between the star and the planets core? Did this world have a planetary core too?

Actually, what are stars in this world? Have I been assuming the stars of this world to be the same as the ones back home, when I should clearly investigate whether they are something else, entirely, since the core of worlds are also different?

Not just that, I thought back to the anti-mana world and then the black suns, and wondered.

Are you two familiar with flight? Layal spread her magically-attached wings.

Yes. Both of us- Stella answered but she was interrupted.

-No? Stella looked at Lumoof, and Lumoof shook his head. I can propel myself forward with vines and roots, but not fly. I dont consider throwing myself through the air at high speeds to be a form of flight.

Fair enough. Stella said as she punched Lumoof on the arm lightly. Ill carry you. Magically.

Stella floated, flight was a small matter for mages at her level of power.

Lead the way, Enforcer Layal.

The lady led the two through the air, and I felt a little sick. I didnt like flight very much, but even despite my sickness, I had to admit this was a beautiful world. The terrain seemed perfectly manicured, like every tree and flower was exactly where it should be.

The land we were headed to was a tower of ivory and marble, it shone in the bright light of the sun, and as we approached, we noticed a lot more flying angels everywhere.

I think our visit here will be shortlived. Stella said. If theyve got their act together, then weve got nothing to give them.

Thats fine, actually. Lumoof said. Lets not poke our heads where we are not needed.

We landed on a large white circular platform at the side of the towers. If there was a disney-ish castle, or city, this seemed to be it. The city was built upwards, filled with spires and balconies for fliers to land.

Enforcer Layal landed, and more angels came to meet her. She immediately walked to them to brief them, and then escorted the two to another room. We noticed how most rooms had two doors, one on top for fliers, and one at the bottom for those who walked. It naturally meant every room had really high ceilings.

A short wait later, we eventually met someone who was a Grand Magistrate. He was an angel with four wings, and a large burning halo.

Enforcer Layal states you two claim to be foreign visitors, but I dont sense the energies of a hero within you. It also certainly is a few decades too early for a hero to arrive. I mentally flinched at a few decades. Goddammit some worlds have it so lucky. That means there are two possibilities left. One, some of the otherworlders have learned how to use portals, or Two, you two are accidental summons.

Stella smiled and she saw no reason to lie. We learned how to use portals.

The Grand Magistrate stared at Stella, and sighed. I must admit I am a little annoyed that my [sense lie] does not work. So I must ask you the old fashioned way. Are you telling the truth?

Lumoof couldnt help but chuckle and Stella nodded. Do you wish for a demonstration?

That... can wait for the greater councils. If you speak the truth, what is it that youve come here for?

Honestly, we came to visit. Lumoof said. We are seeking out more worlds to ally ourselves with. More allies in our war against the demons, which we fear will soon escalate to a greater level.

Demons? We have that mostly under control, here. Mostly, because we still get them every few decades. How bad is it over... over in your world? The Grand Magistrate seemed curious.

Every ten years, give or take. Lumoof answered. In hindsight, its a miracle the world survived for so long.

The Power of Light is not so easily vanquished. The Grand Magistrate answered. Ten years is... intense.

Stella smirked at how mildly he put it.

Indeed. Lumoof seemed perfectly in sync with the magistrate. So we are looking for allies. 10 years is difficult for us to absorb on our own.

The Grand Magistrate paused, and nodded. I shall take your request to the higher council, but I foresee some visits will be necessary.

That can be arranged.

Spaizzer

Alright, shoutout time. Busy busy competitive season these days. Please check out all three stories :)

First one - the Cozy Beer Dwarf story - /fiction/58346/beers-and-beards-a-cozy-dwarf-tale

Now he's in a fantasy world, far from home, and stuck underground in the body of a smelly dwarf with fantastic facial hair. The worst part though? The swill that the dwarves are falling all over themselves to drink. Its flat, it's watery, and it has the alcohol content of a rancid coconut. Can Pete save the dwarves from their own Sour fate, or will he be forever doomed to plink his pickaxe away in hopes that he hits the mother lode.

Come for the cozy fantasy, stay for the beer puns that will leave you hop-ping mad!

A bubbly slice of life LitRPG with love, laughter, and a little melancholy, just like drinking a bottle of Whitbier on the beach. No elves or harems allowed.

Caged World breakout - /fiction/56454/caged-worlds-breakout/

Come and see the journey of the void assassin and the necromancer mantis as they pry into the secrets that no one should. Will they survive after opposing god-like beings? Will they thrive in power with their new companions? Will they finally manage to turn their wants... into destined?

What to expect;

A western cultivation world with minimal xianxia trophies.

Single POV for the most part. (around 90%)

Mostly light-hearted, but there are some grim moments as well.

No harem.

Lastly but not least - we have Actus's ELDRITCH BESTIE. It's hitting the ZON dude.

Blackmist is a slice-of-life mixed with LitRPG in a magic school setting. A slow build power fantasy from Actus, the bestselling author of Morcster Chef. It's perfect for fans of Cradle, Iron Prince, and Mage Errant.

https://mybook.to/blackmist1