“It seems you are eager for your death. Well then, follow me, but don’t try anything funny,” the demon said. He lifted Amber up by her waist and placed her on his shoulder before heading toward the tree.
Silva turned and looked at everyone. He had a sober expression on his face. “I promise you, I will tell you all there is to know if I make it back.
Also, if something should happen, take Amber and head to the dungeon in Ribest. The core is still with your Drake. Use it and defend everyone,” Silva said.
“What are you even saying, bro? You are coming back. You don’t have a choice in this,” Quin said.
Silva smiled and looked at Quin. “Quin, I know I have been one major ass of a brother. I’m lucky to have you put up with everything that I do.
Take care of Lia and keep her safe—for me, for Mum and Dad, and for Mike,” Silva finished talking and followed the demon toward the tree. They walked to the tree and stood in front of it.
The demon placed his hand on the tree. It glowed for a few seconds, and then he and Amber were pulled into the tree instantly.
When Silva opened his eyes, he saw the inside of the World Tree. It was a beautiful scene filled with light and green pulsing veins all over the interior, but the demon didn’t give Silva time to admire the beauty.
“Follow me. We are heading to the core. Also, the light within here is called Divine Light. It feels soft and warm, but it will soon start devouring you whole, dragon,” he said with a smirk. He flew up without warning, going high toward the massive glowing ball at the top. “Just move your body. It’s like walking. Do not think about it, just do it,” the demon explained to Silva how to fly inside the tree.
Silva took a deep breath, and with that, his body shot upward, heading for the glowing ball as well. When Silva arrived at the ball, he saw the green veins all connected to it.
“So this is the source, the core of the tree,” Silva said.
“Indeed, the powerhouse of the tree. Now, it is time to sever the connection of the legs and the tree,” the demon said and suddenly tossed Amber to Silva. Silva grabbed her as fast as he could and shot the demon a cold look filled with bloodlust.
“Don’t try to attack me now that you have her. There is only one way you can leave here without her dying, and that’s by doing what I said she has to do.
If you try to escape, I will destroy the core, and before you are able to get away, this core will explode. The explosion will destroy billions of lives and also cause Argon to shatter due to the overload.
This core is extremely fragile yet so powerful. A single hit, and everything is over,” the demon said.
Silva didn’t say anything. He focused on Amber and nudged her slowly, but she didn’t wake up.
“Don’t be stupid. I held and dragged her by the hair, and she didn’t wake up. What makes you think that nudge will work?” the demon asked.
Silva didn’t pay attention to him, though. He focused on Amber. “Amber, it’s me, Silva. Can you hear me?” Silva asked her. Her eyes twitched, and after a few seconds, she slowly opened them.
The first face she saw as she opened her eyes was the face that she longed to see, and here he was right before her. Without a second thought, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
“Silva, I thought I would never get to see you again,” she said, her tone happy and sad all at the same time. Silva hugged her tightly. He had never held her like this before, but now he did.
After they separated, she looked at Silva and was shocked. “Silva, you are cracking up,” she said. Silva immediately took a look at his hands and saw that he was indeed cracking up. The effect of the tree had started to kick in.
“I’m sorry, Amber. I had to save your life, and to do that, I will protect you as you transfer the rulership of the World Tree to him,” Silva said and pointed to the demon.
Amber turned around. As soon as her eyes lay on the demon, her rage exploded, and she tried to attack, but Silva grabbed her.
“Amber, take a look at where we are, please. We are at the core of the tree. If you fight here, the core will explode, killing you along with millions.
We can’t win this. Please, I know this is so much to ask of you, but you have to hand it to him. I’m here because there is no other way. I’m here, dying at the moment, because I tried and couldn’t fix it.
I’m tired of doing anything for the world. All I want is for you guys—my friends and family—to be happy and free, and to me, this tree is worthless.
So please, Amber, please hand it over to him,” Silva begged Amber. Amber stared at him calmly.
“Of course, I’ll do what you say.
I don’t want you to die trying to protect me, but I know you will not stop even if I begged you. So I will do it. I’ll do it as fast as I can, and we can get out of here, right?” she asked with an eager face. She was getting panicked as she saw Silva cracking.
Silva knew he was not telling her the truth. There was very little chance for him to come out unscathed when the process started, but he was not going to let her know. It was for her own good. He had to do this and make sure that she didn’t die here.
“Yeah, that’s all we need to do,” Silva said.