God's Tree-Chapter 57: The Price of Power

They learned that each rune was part of a greater pattern, connected through an invisible web of energy that dictated how they interacted.

"The simplest runes exist in isolation," the beast explained. "But the greater runes? They are intertwined. A single mistake in inscription, even one stroke carved incorrectly, and the effect will shift."

Argolaith frowned, running his fingers over one of the inscriptions on the floor. "Shift how?"

The Saint Beast gazed at him, its golden eyes flickering with power. "It could invert the effect. It could magnify it beyond control. Or it could… destroy what it was meant to empower."

Kaelred clicked his tongue. "So, we’re dealing with runes that don’t just fail—they backfire."

The beast nodded. "And the greater the power, the greater the risk."

Despite the warning, Argolaith and Kaelred continued studying.

They learned of Runes of Strength, capable of amplifying their physical abilities. They deciphered Runes of Perception, allowing heightened awareness of their surroundings.

And they studied Runes of Binding, capable of linking weapons—or even individuals—to specific energies.

But there were others.

Runes that remained unreadable, their meanings hidden behind layers of complexity.

Kaelred tapped one of them. "And what about these? The ones we can’t translate?"

The Saint Beast’s wings shifted, its expression unreadable. "Those are not for you yet."

Kaelred groaned. "Of course they’re not."

The more they learned, the more they realized how easy it would be to misuse these runes.

Kaelred sat against a fallen pillar that night, sharpening his sword. "You realize we could make ourselves unstoppable with these, right?"

Argolaith, sitting across from him, nodded. "Yeah. And that’s what makes it dangerous."

Kaelred sighed. "What’s stopping us from just inscribing every useful rune onto ourselves?"

Argolaith met his gaze. "The same thing that stops us from using elixirs recklessly. There’s always a cost."

Kaelred chuckled dryly. "I don’t like that answer."

Argolaith smirked. "Neither do I."

They fell into silence for a while, watching the runes glow around them.

Kaelred finally spoke again. "But we’re still going to do it, aren’t we? Keep learning, keep pushing."

Argolaith nodded. "We have to. If we don’t, we’ll fall behind. And we can’t afford that."

Kaelred leaned his head back against the stone. "Just promise me we don’t turn into one of those twisted things the Saint Beast talked about."

Argolaith’s gaze darkened. "We won’t. Because we’re not going to rush it."

Kaelred sighed. "Fine. We’ll do it the right way."

Argolaith smirked. "For once, you’re listening to reason."

Kaelred rolled his eyes. "Don’t get used to it."

They settled in for the night, the knowledge of the runes weighing heavily on their minds.

They were walking a fine line. One mistake could destroy them.

But if they mastered it—they would become something far greater than they had ever imagined.

And so, they would continue. With caution. With discipline.

And with the knowledge that power, unchecked, could be their downfall.

The glow of the ancient ruins bathed the chamber in golden light as Argolaith and Kaelred sat near their campfire, preparing a meal that would put even the finest royal kitchens to shame.

The scent of sizzling meat, fragrant herbs, and seared magical plants filled the air, an aroma so rich and enticing that even the Saint Beast, who had remained silent for most of the night, turned its massive head in their direction.

Kaelred smirked as he flipped a thick cut of primordial beast steak over the fire, the juices dripping onto the hot coals, sending up small bursts of smoke laced with the scent of roasted fat.

"I think we’ve officially outdone ourselves this time."

Argolaith, busy grinding a mixture of Moonshade petals and Duskroot, chuckled. "We’re making history here—combining magical cuisine with ancient ruins."

Kaelred snorted. "Think the Saint Beast eats?"

Argolaith raised an eyebrow as he looked at the enormous creature, which now seemed completely fixated on their cooking process.

The golden runes along its horns pulsed faintly, as though responding to the tantalizing smells.

Argolaith turned back to Kaelred. "I think we’re about to find out."

They had gathered the finest ingredients from their travels.

The tender meat of the guardian primordial beast, which they had stored for weeks, infused with a unique, earthy flavor; the Flamevine leaves, which added a hint of spice and warmth; and the Sagefern herbs, known for their subtle, refreshing aroma.

The dish they were preparing was nothing like the stews and basic meals they had made in the past. This time, they were crafting something worthy of a grand feast.

Kaelred worked on a side dish, sautéing Mana Sprouts in Troll Fat, their blue-hued leaves crackling as they absorbed the heat.

Each bite of these sprouts would enhance the consumer’s stamina, making them an essential part of their meal.

Argolaith, meanwhile, took a portion of their ingredients and marinated the primordial beast steak in an elixir mixture, letting it absorb the rich magical essence of Moonshade petals and Emberroot spice before slowly searing it to perfection.

By the time they finished, the entire ruin chamber was filled with an irresistible aroma.

Kaelred plated the food, stepping back with a look of pride. "If this doesn’t impress a creature that’s lived for gods know how long, nothing will."

They sat down and began to eat, the flavors exploding in their mouths—the heat of the Flamevine, the tenderness of the steak, and the lingering essence of magic blending together in perfect harmony.

But what they didn’t expect… was the Saint Beast taking a step closer.

The ground rumbled slightly as it lowered its head, sniffing the air, its golden eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Argolaith smirked. "You’re interested, aren’t you?"

Kaelred raised an eyebrow. "What do we even feed a Saint Beast? This thing probably hasn’t eaten in centuries."

The beast huffed, its deep voice echoing in their minds. "It has been… a long time since I have smelled something so carefully prepared."

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Argolaith exchanged a glance with Kaelred before carefully cutting a small portion of the steak infused with the elixir marinade. He hesitated for only a moment before offering it to the Saint Beast.

The massive creature lowered its head and, with surprising gentleness, took the offering between its fangs.

For a few moments, there was silence.

Then, the golden runes along the beast’s horns flared brighter than before, and a low, approving rumble came from its chest.

"You… have an understanding of balance. That is rare among mortals."

Kaelred blinked. "Wait… you mean we impressed you with our cooking?"

The Saint Beast’s eyes gleamed. "To understand magic is to understand all aspects of life. The blending of ingredients, the harmony of energy, the patience of the process—these things mirror the principles of the Forgotten Runes."

Argolaith grinned. "So you’re saying we’re on the right path?"

The beast inclined its head. "Perhaps. But you are not yet proven."

Kaelred stretched his arms. "I knew there was a catch."

The Saint Beast stepped back, its majestic form towering over them, its wings spreading slightly.

"Your next lesson will not be in theory."

Argolaith and Kaelred tensed, immediately sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

The golden runes along the walls of the ruins flared to life, energy crackling through the chamber.

The Saint Beast’s voice was calm but commanding. "You will now take the Trial of Runes. If you truly seek to understand them… you must prove yourselves through action."

Kaelred sighed, standing up and rolling his shoulders. "We just finished eating. Can’t we at least digest first?"

Argolaith chuckled, gripping the hilt of his sword. "We knew this was coming. Let’s see what we’ve got."

The chamber shifted around them as the Saint Beast activated the trial, the stone beneath their feet shifting and glowing with intricate patterns.

Runes rose from the ground, forming a circular arena, and the air grew thick with energy.

The Saint Beast’s golden eyes shimmered. "You will each face a challenge based on your understanding of the runes. You must inscribe, react, and adapt. This will determine if you are worthy of mastering the Forgotten Runes."

Kaelred narrowed his eyes. "And if we fail?"

"Then you will leave this place without further knowledge."

Argolaith took a deep breath. "We won’t fail."

The first test began.

From the glowing runes surrounding them, constructs of pure energy emerged—humanoid figures made entirely of inscriptions, their bodies shifting like living scripts.

Kaelred took a step back. "What… the hell are those?"

The Saint Beast’s voice remained calm. "Rune Sentinels. They will test your ability to read and react."

The sentinels attacked instantly.

One launched forward with a burst of speed, its body shifting with runic enhancements.

Kaelred barely had time to raise his sword before it slammed into him with unnatural force, sending him skidding backward.

Argolaith ducked under a glowing arm swipe, twisting his body to avoid another attack.

"They move like they’re alive!" he shouted.

Kaelred stood to his feet. "They learn as they fight. Just like the runes."

Argolaith gritted his teeth. "Then we learn faster."

He glanced at the runes etched onto the sentinels’ bodies, recognizing patterns. He focused on one of the larger symbols and struck directly where the energy flowed strongest.

The sentinel flickered, its form distorting, as the energy crackled violently.

Kaelred saw what he was doing and followed suit, targeting the core of the runes rather than the body itself.

Slowly but surely, they adapted, dodging the sentinels’ attacks, finding weaknesses, and countering with precise strikes.

The Saint Beast observed them with growing approval.

"You learn quickly. But your test is not over."

As the last sentinel fell, the ground beneath them shifted again, and the second trial began.

This time, the runes around them reshaped, forming an intricate labyrinth of shifting glyphs.

Kaelred groaned. "Oh, fantastic. A puzzle."

Argolaith scanned the shifting runes, taking a deep breath. "We have to decipher the path."

The Saint Beast’s voice echoed through the chamber. "Only those who understand the language of runes can pass. Choose wisely… or be trapped."

Argolaith and Kaelred looked at each other, determination burning in their eyes.

They had studied. They had learned. Now, it was time to prove themselves.