A Tree

I Blink to the next tree and keep going. After Liz and the Dryads disappear I have to use my Katanas ability to recover 500 MP. I Blink a few more times and get stuck. There are no trees nearby that I could Blink too. I've also noticed the poison is getting further up the tree trunks. This could be bad. I've been keeping close to the path so far but the trees ahead don't have large enough branches to support me. Could the staff Layla gave me help? It can make shapes, so maybe... I think before taking the staff out of my inventory and imagining a whip. A long almost rope-like light appears from the gem on top. I pull back and swing it. The whip extends and wraps around the trunk of a tree in front of me. I jump and use the whip as a rope swing. I wait until I'm at the peak and make the whip disappear. I immediately Blink twice and land on the branch of another tree. Well, land is generous, I feel my feet touch it and hug the trunk of the tree. I feel my heart beating fast and take a deep breath. Once I've calmed down I continue. It doesn't take long to reach the heart. I find a large tree covered in purple and emitting the same mist. The tree is easily three times as tall as the ones around it. I try Blinking closer but the spell fails. I check my mana and see I'm out. I use the staff's ability to recover half my mana and Blink closer. I find the entrance and groan. I can see a large amount of mist being emitted from it. It's almost gushing like water, and the color is much darker than the mist the grass gives off. I remember what Treena told me, about how I could stay in it for a few minutes. But this is a darker color. I'm assuming that means it's stronger but I can't be sure. Hmm... Let's try Craft. I think before opening my bag of crafting materials. I take all five of my remaining Beast Leather and two of my Griffins Feathers to make a mask. I Observe it afterward despite knowing what it was, thanks to Craft telling me the outcome. But since Craft doesn't show me the hidden properties or requirements, I want to be safe.

Griffin Beast Mask Lvl 15, Epic

This mask is made from Beast Leather and some Griffin Feathers. The feathers give the mask the wind powers of the Griffin. This allows it to cleanse the air the wearer breaths. This causes the wearer to gain a 40% resistance to all airborne toxins or poisons. Gives +3 Defense to the mouth, nose, and chin.

I smile and put it on. It's not perfect but it'll help. Now let's get in there. I think before Blinking three times to get above the entrance. I fall a few feet and land in the poison mist. I immediately feel my body tense up. It doesn't hurt but it's incredibly uncomfortable and unnerving. I shake it off and enter the hole in the tree. The inside of the tree is easily as big as my apartment. I briefly wonder if magic is making the space bigger than it actually is. I push those thoughts aside and step forward. I immediately see something glowing purple in the center of the room. I walk up to it and see it's actually a large orb, almost as tall as my shoulders. It's hovering a few feet above me and is the source of the poison mist in the tree. I use Observe on it just to make sure it is the core.

Forest Heart Core, Mythical

This core is the source of the forest's magic. It is also the source of the Dryad's powers and Lifeforce. Thus core will cause the land around it to grow into a lush forest with plenty of magic. It will continuously produce water that has high healing properties. The core can be moved, but in doing so you will kill any Dryads that call this forest home.

Hmm, instead of water it's probably making this mist. Now, what spell should I use? I think before my body gets wracked with pain. I look down and see my skin has small purple patches all over. I somehow manage to prevent myself from panicking and stay somewhat calm. I turn back to the core and cast Gaias Embrace. The now familiar soft green light starts emanating from me. It stretches to the core and the area around me. I see the purple in the core shift or wiggle. It looks like a wave of purple water just crashed into a cliff. I feel my skin burn as the purple patches start shrinking. I keep the spell up for as long as I can and see the core change color. It's a much lighter purple that slowly becomes green. The center is the first to turn green and it spreads to the rest of the core. The poison mist around me slowly dissipates. I see the core shine bright green as the last of the purple color disappears. I sigh as my mana runs out and my spell stops. I feel my head throb and I fall to my knees. I manage to turn to the entrance before falling and looking out. I see the grass inside is green and the purple grass outside is no longer emitting the purple mist. I smile and sigh relieved, as I lose consciousness.