Seeing that he did not have anything to do in the Forest of No Return, Adrian created a portal back at the top of the World Tree in Alfheim. Adrian was able to easily return to the top of the World Tree as he was given special permission by it to portal through. Any other beings that do this would be rejected by the World Tree and will be turned into its own custom fertilizer.
The arrival of Adrian shocked the Fae Elders as he was back earlier than they had anticipated. It usually takes all ten days to reach the hidden garden and get a flower. The being that guards the garden will usually observe the being that entered the forest for eight days. The being will then issue a challenge that can easily be passed on the ninth day.
"You already got the flower? It is even a mythical tier one! The guardian of the hidden garden might have liked you a lot." Elder Danaya exclaimed as she has only seen three instances where a mythical tier flower was taken from the hidden garden.
[You have completed the quest, Go to the End of the Forest of No Return.]
"I think that I have underestimated you, Champion Equinox." A woman wearing a green dress and veil suddenly stated as she was the personification of the world tree itself.
The personification of the World Tree gave Adrian a small bottle of water which is the Dewdrop of the World Tree. He was already given his reward for clearing the trial just like that. Even the other elders are still discussing that Adrian must have been heavily favored because he was the Champion of the Twin Gods.
"You said there was a guardian? I did not encounter a guardian though. I entered a garden that was just full of flowers, trees, and grass." Adrian stated which shocked all of the elders as there was a guardian that always followed you to check if you take more than one flower. He was about to add another statement when he remembered the notification that caught his eyes when he woke up.
[The Goddess of Life Persephone asks you to keep quiet that you have talked to her or some of the gods in Olympus might know that she helped you. This is not a warning to you but a safety precaution.]
"I freely wandered the garden, but I felt a presence looking at me from somewhere. I just left after picking a flower as I feared that the earth itself might swallow me whole if I get one more. Here! Please take this." Adrian stated as he handed the Lunar Equinox Flower to the world tree.
The world tree is shocked that Adrian offered it the powerful mythical tier flower that he picked. Even other faekin might rethink their decision of giving their flowers if it was that powerful. Adrian finally knew why the trial of the faekin entails getting a flower from the Hidden Garden of the Goddess of Life Persephone.
"You are using the powerful life force that the flowers grant in order to lengthen your own life as well. This world is deteriorating faster than you have anticipated. Am I correct?" Adrian stated as all the elders could be seen reacting shocked that someone was able to know the real status of the World of Alfheim.
"I am ashamed to admit it, but I have also been keeping a primordial beast deep in the earth below. It is a fearsome primordial beast that feeds on life energy, and I am afraid that it would destroy all life if I do not keep producing more life energy. It is a primordial beast that is gnawing at my very roots as we speak which is why I always produce more.
I am keeping the beast fed in order for it to not escape into the world and wreak havoc. I am doing my best but even my strength is limited. Once I can no longer create life energy in my roots, the Primordial Beast Nidhogg shall awaken and feast on the life force of others." The World Tree stated as at the very core of the world is a primordial beast.
"The Primordial Beast Nidhogg was asleep and only ate the Mother Tree's roots once every year, but the situation of the main world also affected the other worlds. The Primordial Beast Nidhogg woke up, but the Mother Tree managed to lull it into a state of half sleep. It now feeds on the roots of the Mother Tree once a month which increased her burden." Elder Danaya stated as some of the Fae Elders tried to tell her to not talk about it.
"If that is the case then you would need this flower more than I do. I do not have any particular attachment to it, nor do I have any use for it." Adrian stated but he was actually lying that he cannot use the Lunar Equinox Flower.
"Jianna might buy that flower from me for an exorbitant amount but appeasing a primordial beast is needed. If it destroys Alfheim then all of the Fae might go extinct which will lead to the quest failing."Adrian thought as he handed the Lunar Equinox Flower while acting nonchalantly.
"Thank you, Champion Equinox. I cannot let you go empty handed after giving me such a precious flower. Please take this in return for the wondrous gift that you have given me." The avatar of the World Tree stated as a branch suddenly appeared on its hand and handed it to Adrian.
Item Name: Branch of the Mother Tree (World Tree)
Item Tier: Mythical
Item Type: Material
Effects:
Anyone that is in possession of this will not be lost inside a forest. Can be used to craft a Mythical Tier Magic Staff if processed correctly by a blacksmith.
Description: A branch of the Mother Tree (World Tree) that contains the power to empower the natural elements. Only those that have been favored by a World Tree will be given one of its branches.