Azel stopped abruptly at the base of the tree and there was a moment of complete silence.
The others were still far behind, their figures small in the distance as they hurried to catch up.
That left Azel alone with the damn tree, standing at its massive trunk while trying to process what had just happened.
Yggdrasill swayed beautifully in the wind, its countless leaves beginning to glitter as if responding to his presence.
Each leaf caught the light differently, creating a mesmerizing cascade of golden-green sparkles that rained down around him.
"Hehehehe~"
A childish giggle sounded directly beside him.
Azel swore he could feel something pressing down on his shoulder, a distinct weight that shouldn't be there.
However, the feeling faded almost immediately, vanishing like morning mist.
Next came a similar sensation on his leg.
He looked down quickly, expecting to see something.
Nothing…. There was just empty air.
