In the Heart Axis space, the humming of busy Gu Tribe members echoed, covering the slight breathing sounds of the four intruders. Orlen tightly gripped the seed and life code container, feeling their increasingly strong resonance. The sunset light penetrated through the opening at the top of the Heart Axis, dyeing the central pillar amber, like a giant countdown device, reminding them that time was running out.
"The plan has only one chance," Ms. Adelle said softly, her gaze locked on the Gu King below. "The scout and I will divert attention from the east side, Calmur will escort Orlen from the west side to approach the central pillar."
"The Gu King is the key," Calmur pointed out. "As long as we can get him away from the central pillar, even if just for a few minutes, we'll have a chance."
The scout took out several small light orbs: "These are energy disruptors from Talia. When thrown, they'll release intense light and energy waves, enough to confuse the Gu Tribe's senses."
Ms. Adelle spread her wings, their edges emitting sharp light: "Ready to move. Remember, no matter what happens, Orlen must reach the central pillar."
They exchanged one final glance, then separated in perfect coordination. Ms. Adelle and the scout moved silently to a high position on the east side, while Orlen and Calmur followed the shadow area toward the west side.
Suddenly, a dazzling light and deafening energy wave erupted from the east side. The scout had thrown all the disruptors, while Ms. Adelle charged toward a group of Gu Tribe members, her wings slicing through their carapaces, creating maximum chaos.
"Now!" Calmur shouted, pushing Orlen toward the central pillar.
Though most of the Gu Tribe's attention was drawn to the eastern commotion, a few noticed the movement on the west side. Calmur quickly intercepted them, his hands emitting dark light, displaying the Root Layer warrior's special ability—energy absorption. The moment he touched the Gu Tribe members, they seemed drained of energy, collapsing to the ground.
Orlen ran with all his might, feeling the intense pulsation of the Guiding Light on his chest. More and more Gu Tribe members noticed their intrusion and began rushing toward them. Just as the situation became critical, another entrance above the cavity suddenly exploded open, and the remaining team members—the energy manipulator, the healer, and the two warriors—burst in from there.
"We found another route!" the energy manipulator shouted, while releasing a powerful energy shock that cleared Orlen's path forward.
The Gu King let out an angry roar, finally noticing the real threat. He left the central pillar, moving toward Orlen, each step making the ground tremble slightly.
"Quickly!" Calmur shouted, while moving to intercept the Gu King, trying to delay his advance.
Orlen accelerated his sprint, finally reaching the base of the central pillar. The pillar's surface was covered with complex energy patterns, flowing light like the pulse of a living being. He could feel the energy here was pure and powerful, the Spirit Branch Tree's core life force.
He quickly took out the two containers, which almost jumped into his hands, eager to combine. But at this crucial moment, Orlen hesitated. How should he proceed with the combination? Talia hadn't specified this step.
An instinctive intuition surged in his mind. Orlen placed the two containers tightly together, then closed his eyes, again establishing that special connection with the Spirit Branch Tree. His thoughts called out to the Spirit Branch Tree's consciousness, asking for guidance.
The patterns on the pillar began to change, forming a small depression, as if prepared to receive the seed. Orlen immediately understood what to do. He gently opened the two containers, revealing the seed and the golden liquid inside.
Just then, a cry of pain caught his attention. Calmur had been struck by the Gu King and thrown heavily to one side. The Gu King continued advancing toward Orlen, his eyes flashing with cold wisdom and fury.
"You don't understand what you're doing, Serra's son," the Gu King spoke, his voice like metal grinding. "The second Spirit Branch Tree will break the balance, leading to greater chaos."
"No, it's you who are destroying the balance," Orlen answered firmly, not stopping his actions. "Attempting to control the Spirit Branch Tree's natural cycle will only bring destruction."
The Gu King continued approaching: "The Spirit Branch Tree needs renewal, needs new guidance. The old order is corrupt, with the upper layers oppressing the lower, unequal resource distribution. We're just accelerating inevitable change."
Orlen felt a shock, realizing there was indeed a grain of truth in the Gu King's words. The Spirit Branch Tree world did have inequality, did have oppression. But this wasn't the solution.
"Change can be achieved through cooperation, not destruction," Orlen responded, while gently placing the seed in the depression, then pouring in the life code liquid. "The second Spirit Branch Tree represents hope, the possibility of all life coexisting."
The Gu King suddenly accelerated, extending his sharp forelegs to stab at Orlen. In the critical moment, Ms. Adelle flew in from the side, crashing into the Gu King, causing his attack to miss its target.
"Finish it, Orlen!" she shouted, despite one wing being torn, still maintaining her struggle with the Gu King.
Orlen poured the last drop of life code liquid onto the seed, then covered it with his palm. He felt his mother's amber pendant suddenly become extremely hot, as if signaling something.
"Mom, guide me," he softly pleaded.
The pendant began to flash, and Orlen's palm began to glow, an energy he had never experienced before flowing through his entire body. This energy belonged neither to Leaf Dwellers nor to Darkened State Residents, but was a perfect fusion of both, just like his own existence—a bond between the upper layers and the Root Layer.
Energy flowed from his hand into the seed and the depression, and the patterns on the pillar immediately responded, shining with golden light, forming a complex energy network completely surrounding the seed. The seed began to sprout, growing at a visible speed, golden shoots extending between Orlen's fingers.
The entire Heart Axis space felt this change. The flow of energy veins suddenly accelerated, the light becoming brighter. The structures built by the Gu Tribe began to disintegrate, and the energy they had tried to redirect returned to its original path.
The Gu King emitted a painful hiss, sensing his plan collapsing. "No! This will destroy everything!" he struggled to push away Ms. Adelle, charging at Orlen again.
But it was too late. When the Gu King was about to reach Orlen, a golden energy barrier spread from the small tree grown from the seed, repelling the Gu King. The small tree continued to grow, soon reaching Orlen's height, its trunk flowing with the same energy veins as the Spirit Branch Tree's main trunk, but purer, more harmonious.
The sunlight at the top of the Heart Axis completely disappeared, night fell, but the darkness lasted only an instant. The light emitted by the small tree illuminated the entire space, warmer and brighter than daylight.
The Gu Tribe members stopped their attack, shocked by this miracle. The Gu King retreated a few steps, seemingly reassessing the situation.
"This is the second Spirit Branch Tree," Orlen announced, his voice, enhanced by energy, spreading throughout the Heart Axis. "It comes not to replace the old, but to complement, to balance. It symbolizes a new beginning, the coexistence and harmony of all life."
The small tree's branches extended outward, touching the edges of the Heart Axis, then spreading along the energy veins throughout the entire Spirit Branch Tree. Wherever these new branches passed, the energy flow became more stable, more orderly.
"Feel it," Orlen said to the Gu King. "This is not control, not domination, but cooperation, symbiosis. This is my mother's vision—a world where all life can equally share the Spirit Branch Tree's grace."
The Gu King stood motionless, seemingly listening, feeling. Other Gu Tribe members also stopped their actions, an unprecedented calm enveloping the Heart Axis.
Suddenly, the entire Spirit Branch Tree trembled slightly, an energy wave spreading outward from the core. Orlen immediately understood what this meant.
"The Withering Season has been reset," Calmur struggled to stand, saying in surprise. "The Spirit Branch Tree has restored its natural cycle."
Ms. Adelle flew to Orlen's side, watching the small tree continue to grow: "You've succeeded, child. You've fulfilled Serra's wish."
Orlen gently touched the small tree's trunk, feeling the familiar and affectionate energy. He knew this wasn't just fulfilling his mother's wish, but also the beginning of a new journey. The Spirit Branch Tree world would change because of this, and all life—Leaf Dwellers, Darkened State Residents, Forest Pendant tribe, even the Gu Tribe—would face the challenges of adaptation and rebuilding.
But at this moment, watching the small tree's light transmitted to the distance, feeling the pulse of the Spirit Branch Tree returning to balance, Orlen's heart was filled with hope. He was no longer the abandoned child of the Withering Season, but the bridge connecting two worlds, the guardian of the Spirit Branch Tree's future.
The amber light washed away the rust spots of the past, the newborn green carried hope, continuing the eternal cycle of life.