Nightwalk and leisure talks.
As Eren, Marla, and Almera discussed their past, present, and future, Marla took it upon herself to be the guide of the group. They ventured deep into the heart of a dense forest, where towering trees stood proud, reaching heights of hundreds of meters with trunks as colossal as 50 meters in breadth at the base.
Among this awe-inspiring landscape, Marla guided Eren and Almera to a particular tree that stood out, its imposing height making it the tallest in the entire region. This was the tree they had been searching for.
Marla shared the story behind this remarkable tree, revealing that her mother had built a treehouse at the very top upon the insistence of her half-sister, Marie. It was a place where they had spent countless hours during their childhood, back when both Marla and Marie were without rank.
To enable the young sisters to access the house, Marla's mother had utilized her wood-element magic, fashioning stairs inside the trunk of the tree. These stairs now lay hidden behind an inconspicuous door at the base of the tree, waiting to transport them to their cherished childhood haven.
Her heart beating with beats of nostalgia, Marla located the discreet door and swung it open, revealing a spiral of roundabout stairs that ascended upwards. Memories flooded Marla's mind as she stepped inside the tree, its interior surprisingly spacious, offering ample room for at least ten people to climb the stairs simultaneously.
The wooden stairs extended in length but maintained a comfortable height, guiding them upwards. The trunk's interior boasted an ethereal atmosphere, adorned with various gems embedded within the wooden walls, casting a majestic brilliance.
Strategically placed windows allowed glimpses of the outside world as they ascended, showcasing breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. The echoes of their footsteps accompanied their casual conversation, creating a lively ambiance.
However, after twenty minutes of climbing, Eren grew restless, seeking a quicker means to reach their destination. Without waiting for Marla's objection, he sprouted Fusion Wings behind his back, lifting Marla with his right hand and Almera with his left, securely holding them by wrapping his hands around their waist.
With a burst of power, Eren soared into the trunk of the giant tree, hastening their long and arduous ascent—a journey Marla had considered a delightful activity. She was not particularly happy that Eren was trying to cut short their journey. But she was too late to register her complaint.
In no time, they reached the topmost floor, where a door identical to the one at the base awaited them. Setting Marla down gently, Eren watched as she walked with a pep in her step before eagerly approaching the door. She turned back, motioning for Eren and Almera to join her, and together they got close to the door, ready to unveil the blast from Marla's past that awaited them within.
As the door swung open, an enchanting scene unfolded before their eyes. The fantastical treehouse surpassed all expectations, resembling more than a mere treehouse—it looked like a grand wooden abode nestled within the very core of the tree's trunk. Solid wooden floors stretched out, leading them into a spacious interior that beckoned exploration. Runic stones adorned the ceiling, radiating a gentle brilliance that added a touch of mystique to the atmosphere.
Though the furnishings remained minimalistic, there were key elements present—a study table, a breakfast table, and even a king-sized bed where Marla and Marie had once slumbered side by side during their childhood adventures. The spacious windows offered captivating views of the forest, painting a picture of tranquility and beauty that captured the essence of their cherished treehouse retreat.
Eren's gaze wandered to a corner of the treehouse, where remnants of broken vials and worn-out equipment hinted at a forgotten passion. It was clear that Marie, even in her childhood, had been captivated by the art of potion-making, indulging in countless experiments within the sanctuary of their secret abode.
Among the clutter stood a dedicated potion-making table along with a collection of elementary potion recipes on a nearby bookshelf, while a small storage box with ice-element runes served as a makeshift freezer for raw ingredients.
Marla, following Eren's line of sight, approached the table with a wistful smile, lifting an aged vial in her hand. Peering through its glass, she caught Eren and Almera's reflections before sharing a nostalgic remark.
"Hehe, this place was a haven for both Marie and me. It's where we began honing our Rankless Techniques together. I chose the path of a lightning-element Close Combat Expert, and Marie immersed herself in the world of potions.
This abode became her personal laboratory, her sanctuary for pursuing the art of potion making. She had an unwavering passion for it, you see. Starting with rankless potions, she excelled, but..." Marla trailed off, sighing as she gently placed the vial back in its place. "When she entered her teenage years and aimed to progress as a regular potioner, challenges arose. If only she had abandoned her path back then, things might have turned out differently."
Eren listened attentively, understanding the unspoken tension that existed between the sisters. He knew not how their conflict had originated, but he knew that Marie's halfling status had posed a hurdle in her journey toward becoming a competent Novice potioner.
The frustration born from this struggle likely fueled the strain between the two sisters. Marla had implored Marie to forsake her potioner aspirations, yet Marie had chosen the heretic Cultist path, defying her sister's plea. Conversations with Levine and Marie had shed light on the dynamics between the two sisters, painting a vivid picture in Eren's mind.
Approaching the potion-making table, Eren took a seat opposite Marla, gesturing for her to join him. Almera mirrored his actions, settling beside him. Fixing Marla with a serious gaze, Eren spoke his mind.
"I cannot speak for the past, Marla, as I am unaware of the circumstances. But from what I see now, Marie made the right decision. Sometimes, when all known paths are closed, forging one's own way ends up becoming the only right choice."
