Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1115: The World Tree and the Fairy

Katrina watched with amusement as Cloud’s sphere trundled toward her.

"Cloud? Is there an issue?" she inquired.

The sphere halted, and the A.I.’s signature, emotionless voice resonated through the air.

[ Your presence has been requested within the Eclipse Domain. Sector: Orchard and Garden. ]

Tilting her head, Katrina asked, "The orchard? For what purpose?"

Cloud responded without any delay.

[ Shane has issued a request to bring animals before the World Tree. ]

Her hands stiffened mid-motion over the jar.

"World Tree? You mean that mythological plant from fantasy novels?" she exclaimed.

The concept sounded utterly ridiculous.

A World Tree existing here? In this grim reality plagued by zombies and the struggle for survival?

She gazed at Cloud, contemplating how such a legendary entity could possibly manifest in this environment.

When they were first cast into this world, the situation had been painfully clear...

A viral outbreak had transformed humanity into zombies. Everything was focused on mutations, endurance, and combat. There had been zero mention of mystical vegetation or anything so fantastical.

"Wait... are you suggesting that a virus evolved into a tree? Or is this some manifestation of a survivor's talent?" she muttered to herself.

The possibility was deeply intriguing.

To her surprise, Cloud provided an answer.

[ It is classified. ]

That single phrase confirmed her suspicion that this tied directly into Shane or his unique abilities.

Katrina took a steadying breath, recognizing a rare opportunity. Whatever this World Tree was, Shane’s insistence on bringing her animals underscored its critical importance.

She rushed to complete her tasks, handing off the milk and eggs to her fellow caretakers.

"Take these to storage. I have been summoned to the Eclipse Domain," she stated, her tone a blend of urgency and suppressed excitement.

Without delay, she retreated to her room. Still smelling of the barn, she knew she couldn’t appear at the Eclipse Domain in such a state.

She quickly bathed, scrubbing away the rustic scent to ensure she was refreshed.

If she was going to be introduced to the World Tree, not to mention Shane and the members of the Eclipse Domain, she needed to look presentable and worthy of the invitation.

Within the hour, she was navigating the portal hall of the Blue Haven Shelter.

The Gate Stones emitted a soft, shimmering light as she stepped onto the platform. Although she had used them before to visit Springriver Manor, this journey felt fundamentally different.

A sudden wave of vertigo seized her as she crossed the threshold.

Her vision blurred, and in an instant, she arrived at another chamber.

The portal room of the Eclipse Domain stood before her.

A guard donned in dark armor approached.

"Miss Katrina?" he queried.

"That’s me," she replied, steadying herself. She had utilized Gates previously, but the atmosphere within the Eclipse Domain felt distinct.

The guard nodded and motioned for her to follow. "This way."

They exited the portal chamber.

Outside, she immediately noticed thick clouds obscuring the sky.

She also spotted steam venting from what appeared to be a filtration tower. She had heard whispers about it, but beholding the structure firsthand felt entirely different.

As she navigated the inner walls of the Eclipse Domain Shelter, Katrina observed her surroundings with interest.

"An intriguing place..."

Unlike the chaotic dockyards of Blue Haven, this area felt refined and orderly.

She noticed a brewery nearby with barrels stacked high, the faint scent of fermented grains lingering in the air.

Further ahead, she spotted an education center where both adults and children had gathered.

Seeing such structure in a world previously ravaged by zombies was truly surreal.

Additionally, she noted a lack of barracks, though Warden Units maintained a steady gait as they patrolled.

Their presence was undeniably reassuring.

Clearly, Shane’s defensive measures were impeccable.

Thud.

The guard stopped before the entrance of a greenhouse protected by a shimmering barrier.

Even without direct contact, she could sense the heavy significance of the structure.

"The World Tree is inside," he noted, remaining outside as she approached.

Katrina pushed the door open to step inside.

A wave of revitalizing energy washed over her the moment she entered. It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced.

It felt cooling and rejuvenating, as if her exhaustion were being peeled away. Gasping, she clutched her chest.

"What is this? It feels akin to the elves of legend," she whispered.

It was distinctly different from the Spirit Energy she was accustomed to.

A high-pitched, melodic voice, sounding almost childlike, rang out from above.

"It is mana!"

Katrina whirled around, her eyes wide.

Initially, she assumed the voice belonged to the World Tree itself.

However, the sight that met her eyes was even more startling.

A fairy was hovering near the tree.

It was tiny and radiant, with wings that shimmered like fine glass. Its aura was impossibly cute, yet saturated with a potent energy emanating from its wings.

"A fairy?!" Katrina gasped.

"I believed this world was defined solely by zombies and viruses. What are you doing here?"

The fairy giggled as it twirled in the air. "I reside here, silly. The World Tree provides mana, and I assist in its cultivation. You are Katrina, correct? The Animal Summoner?"

Katrina blinked, processing the information. "Yes... that’s me."

Her gaze shifted toward the tree. Though only three meters tall, it radiated a powerful aura that permeated the entirety of the greenhouse.

Its leaves glowed with faint, pulsing veins of light, and the trunk seemed almost as if it possessed a life of its own.

"The... World Tree," Katrina murmured. She had read of such entities in fantasy literature but never dreamed of witnessing one in reality.

The fairy fluttered closer, giggling again.

"You’re astonished, aren't you? Everyone is the first time. But this tree is genuine. It thrives right here in the Eclipse Domain!"

Katrina shook her head to stay focused.

"Yes, Miss Fairy... I suppose you are the guardian. But how? This world was meant to be governed by a virus, zombies, and mutations. How could a tree like this possibly exist?"

The fairy tilted its head. "It is a secret!"

She had many more questions regarding the tree, the fairy, and the existence of mana.

However, another of Cloud’s clones rolled into the greenhouse at that moment.

[ Animals are to be introduced to the World Tree for observation purposes. Shane believes their presence may stimulate growth. ]

Katrina blinked. "My animals? You mean the goats, the chickens, and the rabbits?"

[ Affirmative. ]

The fairy clapped its hands. "Bring them! The World Tree cherishes life. Its growth is bolstered when surrounded by living creatures. Your animals will assist the tree... I am 70% certain! If the World Tree grows, the entire land will benefit! It might even counteract the virus!"

Katrina paused, finally grasping why this was a matter of such gravity for Shane. He was actively seeking a way to eradicate the virus.

This was in stark contrast to her own goals, which had been limited to gaining strength and nesting within a secure shelter.

The scope of this task exceeded all her expectations. She had joined Blue Haven to serve as an animal caretaker—supposedly just utilizing her summoning talent to secure food sources.

Yet now, she was being called upon to introduce her animals to a phenomenon that could fundamentally transform their broken world.

"I can certainly assist with that. But..." Katrina paused, choosing her words with care.

"Um... may I touch it?"

The fairy grew surprised for a moment before giggling.

"Hehehe... I expected you to ask something far more absurd. Of course you may touch the tree!"

Katrina smiled and stepped toward the plant, reaching out with trepidation. As her fingers grazed a leaf, a surge of warmth flowed through her entire body.

It felt truly refreshing.

When she eventually touched the trunk, her sense of well-being deepened.

"This... this is incredible," she whispered.

Hovering beside her, the fairy smiled. "Indeed. Now, you must work hard for the tree, okay?"

Soon, Axis watched as Katrina hurried out of the greenhouse, her final words still hanging in the air.

The fairy giggled, clearly amused by the woman’s nervousness.

After all, being summoned into the presence of the World Tree was no trivial event.

Still, Axis could not suppress a twinge of curiosity. If Shane had entrusted an Animal Summoner with a responsibility of this magnitude, she had to be significant.

Axis thought to herself, drifting closer to the tree.

Her gaze shifted past the trunk toward the small pond situated behind the greenhouse.

The water rippled slightly as it caught the soft, ambient glow of the leaves.

"Ah..."

Axis’s eyes widened. Tiny crystals, no larger than a thumb, were beginning to crystallize along the edge of the pond.