The crimson curtain of a grand theater parted. A bright spotlight cut through the darkness, illuminating a mysterious figure standing upon the once-empty stage.
Holding an ancient book in his hands, he began to spin a tale:
"Once upon a time, legends spoke of the 'World Tree,' a magnificent entity that bound the nine realms together. Yet, another legend claims it connects countless, infinitely branching dimensions. Another asserts that it dictates the fate of every living soul residing within its embrace. And still, another holds that it is the ultimate tree of hope for all creation."
Shrouded in shadow, the enigmatic narrator stepped toward the left corner of the stage and continued...
"No matter how many legends speak of the 'World Tree,' it remains vital to all existence. However... should there be those who seek to destroy it, solely to inflict suffering upon all living things, to feast upon their flesh, and to savor their despair... those entities are known as 'Demons.' They will stop at nothing to strip away all joy from the world."
The whirring sound of a film projector echoed as a beam of light struck the empty space, casting a blank, stark white scene. Yet, the obscured figure spoke on.
"And that is why brave souls embarked on journeys to locate the 'World Tree'—to shield it from the clutches of the villains. Those individuals are called 'Adventurers.' Thus, the grand epic to find the World Tree began in this very land, and the era that would shape the destiny of the world commenced from this exact moment."
Having finished his tale, the mysterious narrator closed the book and glided off the stage. The blank projection shifted, revealing a breathtaking view of a dense forest teeming with lush, vibrant flora.
Towering trees rose so high they seemed to forbid anything beneath them from looking up at the sky. Yet, in this particular clearing, the golden light of dawn pierced through the canopy, illuminating a beast-kin. He was meticulously writing something into an ancient tome. Once finished, he gently placed the grimoire onto the forest floor.
The beast-kin then gathered eight sacred offerings: tree bark, an acorn, a seed, a dandelion, tree sap, honey, a root, and a walnut shell, placing them into eight separate bowls. After brushing away the fallen leaves from the stone ritual altar, he arranged the eight bowls onto the eight carved circles. He then thrust a wooden staff—topped with a glowing, deep emerald-green gemstone—into the central slot of the altar and began to chant his incantation.
"My name is Puluna. In the name of the Druids of the Forest, I bind my life force to the World Tree. Let me become one with this World Tree, with every fiber of my soul."
As the beast-kin spoke his final words, his body dissolved, fading into a massive tree that had been hidden from the world by an ancient, unknowable magic. And so, the legend spanning a trillion years began.
"Wait for me, my other self... With my current strength, I cannot save anyone. But if it is you, I know you can save our world."
With that, he embarked on a journey across a shimmering rainbow path, bridging across time to a world a trillion years into the future, all to find the world's last hope.
"Find the World Tree... Find the World Tree..."