“Then, as soon as I find the next Tree, I will pass on to them everything I learned and am. I’ll go back to being a World Sapling and forfeit my powers and knowledge. This way, the new Yggdrasill will be untouched by madness and filled with the optimism of youth.

“I trust them to follow my example and learn from the mistakes of our ancestors. I owe you much, Lord Verhen. Not only my life, but also the future of the Yggdrasill bloodline. As I see it, you’ve saved us. You saved Mogar.”

“That’s it?” Solus turned to Aalejah, who once again confirmed the sincerity of those words. “Well, then. You’re welcome. You can leave now.”

She had agreed to participate in the meeting to face her fears and not let her trauma dictate her actions, but the mere voice of the Yggdrasill made her stomach twist into a knot.

“I also came to apologize to you, Lady Verhen.” The Tree/Chronicler lowered his head further. “And to offer you my help against this foe. Or rather, the help of my Chroniclers. World Trees are not supposed to interfere with the course of history, but true apologies require actions, not cheap words.”

Everyone looked shocked, but Lith more than the others.

“Has relinquishing the power of the World Tree and reverting to a Sapling always been an option?” He asked.