A cavern full of liquid heat stood alone well below the surface of the planet. Within the massive cavern, and enormous ash colored tree grew from a large island in the middle of the magma. The island was connected to the cavern’s entrance by a thin stone bridge. On the bridge, two men, one old, one young walked carefully shielded from the heat with pure magic.

As he approached the Barrier Oak, Garvon turned to the companion at his side. “Are you certain of your findings, Travis?”

The much younger man nodded sadly, “Absolutely, Elder. The Oak is dying. At first the rot was progressing slowly, but now, it’s getting worse. I’ve tried everything, and nothing worked. As soon as I could, I consulted the Librarian, but…”

Garvon shuddered as he listened. The one known as the Librarian was a demon summoned over five hundred years ago to serve the Conclave of Guardians. If he didn’t know a method to save the Oak, no one would. Even worse, the Librarian wouldn’t skimp on business that could profit him, so it was most assured there wasn’t a solution in their power.

Garvon asked, his voice hopeful. “Did he have an answer?”

“Ritual of the Void.” Travis said, his voice a whisper barely above the bubbling magma.

Garvon was horrified. The ritual was one of the Guardian’s deepest secrets, a powerful summoning that had last been used to pull the Librarian to their world. If it wasn’t for the fact that the Library was starting to act up, the Conclave would never have used it.

Every single Ritual of the Void required sacrificing enormous quantities of magic, and the most easily acquired, were of course, Elders themselves. The last time they had been lucky enough to have murdered a dragon that was rampaging on human lands, and substituted it instead. Now however, with the Truce in effect, sources of magical power on the scale of the Elders were hard to acquire.

“Did the Oracle say anything?” Garvon said, his tone sad.

“She garunteed the Ritual could save us. Whatever it summons, is strong enough to solve the Oak’s issue. The problem was…after…that…” Travis said, his eyes troubled.

“After?”

“Although she couldn’t see fully, the Oracle said there is something attempting to enter. It’s neither good, nor evil, but it isn’t…human…” Travis said.

Garvon understood without further words. For almost twelve generations the Conclave of Guardians had protected the human world. Now their only hope to keep the Oak alive was to summon something that might not be in anyway disposed to aid them. Even worse, without the ability to target the Ritual like last time, they couldn’t set proper seals on whatever arrived through.

As both men finally arrived under the Oak, Garvon reached a single hand out to touch the old tree.

Pain. Tiredness. Fear.

These three emotions flowed through the sentient tree’s link. Garvon could clearly tell, the Oak knew it was dying.

“Old friend…” Garvon said, his eyes growing wet with tears. The powerful Barrier Oak had protected the human realms ever since the Covenant over thirteen centuries ago.

Protection for protection. As the Oak guarded human lands, humans had guarded it for centuries. Every single Elder swore under the great tree’s branches to continue the work of their ancestors.

When he was only fifteen years old, Garvon had sworn his oath at this very spot.

Now, time was finally striking a fatal blow to the ancient tree. Without the ritual, the Oak would die. Once the tree died, the barriers would fall.

“Without the barriers…” Travis said, his voice echoing Garvon’s thoughts.

“Without the barriers, there will be nothing stopping humanity’s destruction.” Garvon said, wiping his tears.

Turning away from the ancient tree he spoke to his disciple. “Call the Council, it is time to pay the price we have always known might be required.”