Light poured through the foliage. It created patches of light and dark on six figures traveling through the beautiful scenery.

Wild grasses and colorful wildflowers sprouted from the earth rich in nutrients. Animals darted in and out of the trees that grew tall into the sky. A few caused the bushes to shake and rattle before they sprinted across the pathway.

The wind blew lightly, the sound it created felt like a mother singing a lullaby. If the wind was the song, then the mana channel was the mother. It was warm and enveloped you with a feeling of comfort.

Off in the distance, the sound of a river running paired with a waterfall could be heard.

Tear couldn’t help but tilt her head back and feel the warm sun against her skin.

Everything was so peaceful. She almost felt like she could fall asleep forever here, yes, just lay down on that soft patch of grass over there... lean her head against the trunk of the tree with pillowy moss growing on it.

Careful, girl. What you are experiencing is one of our forest’s defensive techniques. It lulls any intruders to sleep forever. Humans are especially weak to it, even a High Human like yourself.

Tear snapped to attention at the unipegasus’ words. She rubbed her eyes which were closing ever so slowly.

“How did you know I was a High Human?” she asked in a drowsy voice.

A few members of your race used to live here some time ago... I can recognize the aura.

Her eyes widened. Her mother’s wish yanking her mind towards it. “You mean, there are other survivors of my race?”

I do not know where they are now. I cannot say for sure that they are still alive. I am sorry, child.

She shook her head. “No, it’s okay,” she said silently.

The other members of the quintet, save for Erebus, glanced at the somber Tear. Her beautiful face was etched with sorrow and regret. The expression she wore, paired with the scenery would make an artist of any title wish to make a masterpiece simply based off of it.

Even Vyne felt his heartstrings tug a little at the sight of Tear. He promptly turned his head back to the front. So that pig could make such an expression, interesting... What type of face would she make if he tortured her to the brink of death only to bring her back, then once again hanging over the edge of life and death? Vyne surmised that she would make a lovely expression

Erebus, completely unaware (ignoring) of the situation, turned to the Guardian. “I wasn’t aware that the [Godly Stone] would exist in this forest. It’s an amazing coincidence.”

You know its true name? I should not be surprised. But yes, the [Godly Stone] has existed here for many centuries.

“[Godly Stone]?” Lilian wondered aloud. She had, in her immense knowledge, never heard of such a thing.

Erebus scratched his head. “I had learned about it through Rolut, who was guarding the [Godly Stone of the Dragon Continent]. Each continent hailed its own stone, though, where they are is a mystery.

“Each had a Guardian, for the Dragon Continent it is Rolut. For the Lower Continent, it is the unipegasus. I have met one other, well, that person is...” Erebus trailed off for a moment.

Melancholic memories flashed in his mind. Joy, pain, anger, sadness... a torrent of emotions assaulted him.

He, too, had loved another once in his life.

What it would be like to live in those times again. To be young again, a blessing and a curse, perhaps. To experience the happiness once more, yet to know that would end all too soon.

He shook his head and spoke once more, “The [Godly Stones] provide all the mana for the continent, same for the seas. When the world was first created, the dragons weren’t the only things that sucked up immense amounts of the newfound creation.” He took a breath before continuing, “Mana seeps out of the [Godly Stones] and will continue to for many centuries.”

“That would imply that when they stop letting out mana, the amount left in the world will be the set definite amount?” Lilian questioned.

No, the mana in this world is reused. When a spell is completed, even though it is in a different shape, the mana will shift back to its original form afterwards... It is impossible for mana to ever run out due to this cycle.

Lilian blushed a little at her ignorance. Studies of magic were few and far between, the races did not know nearly enough to ever understand it.

The only ones who seemed to have a complete understanding of mana and magic were the originals... And perhaps the other Guardians.

Still, it was an amazing concept. To think she would be able to see the existence that fueled everything... to see the existence that made every other one move and function.

Her heart beating wildly in her chest, Lilian clutched the fabric covering it. Her nails biting through the thin robe and piercing her skin.

“We will be there soon,” Erebus spoke suddenly after a few more minutes of walking. The others had not felt it, but there was an ever so subtle change in the channel. In the quantity of the mana flowing through them.

As they progressed, it became even more oppressive. They were choking on it, they could taste it in their mouths. Everything was thick, the air felt heavy.

If a human walked into this highly concentrated area, it was possible it could prove to be fatal for them. Even Tear looked a little sick in the face.

“It’s hard to walk,” Weryn complained. Every step he took felt heavy like his legs were being weighted down.

“I forgot the sensation of being near a [Godly Stone],” Erebus laughed softly to himself.

I apologize, it is a strange feeling for those who are exposed to it. I am used to such things, it doesn’t bother me.

The unipegasus issued another apology to the quintet.

“It’s fine,” Tear refuted his apology. She managed to snake her way to Erebus and use him as support. “I will make it.”

Erebus, surprisingly, assisted her in walking. Tear’s face was pale and looking sickly, but it was set with determination.

She’d see the [Godly Stone] even if it killed her! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was right and front of her and she refused to miss it due to feeling nauseous.

Here we are, the Guardian said, tilting its head up. Through this cave...

They followed the creature through the semi-long cave that acted like a passageway into what could only be deemed as an oasis.

If the forest they were walking through was a treacherous desert, then this was the spring that sent hope into their hearts.

Despite the fact that the suffocating channel still existed, they could not help but relax.

Warm sunlight cascaded down, surrounding them in a pale golden glow. In the middle of the rich, green grass was a large spring with picturesque clean water surrounded by large rocks. Flowers of various vibrant shades, and height grew out of the ground.

Trees with beautiful blooms that swayed in the gentle wind...

Words were incapable of describing the ethereal beauty splayed out before them.

“Amazing...” Lilian breathed.

The sadistic Vyne, also, looked around at the scenery with a face of pure awe. Tear’s face had lost all of its previous unhealthy sheen and was now replaced by a serene expression.

It reminded her of home. Though not nearly as breathtaking, the scenery of her clan was enough to put the most famous of places to shame.

The object worthy of the most appreciation, though, was the gigantic floating diamond in the air. Light reflected off of it, creating an array of light. Clear liquid drained out of it and dripped down into the spring.

Even Erebus stared at it with an admiration.

“I feel as if I’m dreaming,” Weryn whispered to Lilian, who smiled kindly in response.

This was a dream! A lovely smile on that cold woman’s face that was not because of her master? Preposterous.

It was enough to calm the heart of even the most belligerent soul and make them laugh and grin.

Sit... relax. The spring has healing properties... The Guardian laid itself down. It fit in completely with the scenery, its regal head was tilted upwards ever so slightly. The wind tousled its mane and tail.

The bloodied and muddied quintet did not fit in at all, but they sat down anyway. If they had been clean, they could have blended in, too.

But alas, they stuck out like a pauper at a ball for the nobles. Tear shifted uncomfortably.

The Guardian rested its head on the grass, closing its eyes as if it were going to sleep.

“Mmm...” Lilian sat cross-legged on the cool grass, the wind ruffled her pink hair and tickled her rabbit ears. “Superb.” She could feel her body being cleansed of any impurities and filled with warmth.

The others nodded in agreement.

Erebus placed his head on Tear’s soft lap with a yawn. “I’m going to take a nap.”

He could not waste the opportunity to rest in such a magnificent place!