Orlen clutched Ms. Adelle's message tightly, his fingers trembling slightly. Knowing his foster mother was still alive brought him momentary relief, but it was followed by more questions: Who was Helana? And where was the Forest of Recollection?
"Helana, the Watcher in the Forest of Recollection," Calmur read the name, his brow furrowed. "I've heard this name, but never had direct contact. It's said she's a wise woman of the Forest Pendant tribe, the same species as Ms. Adelle."
"What about the Forest of Recollection?" Orlen asked, eager to set off toward this location.
Calmur glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping: "The Forest of Recollection is located in a special region of the Spirit Branch Tree, between the prosperous upper layer and the outer Leaf States. It's a forgotten area, formed by ancient branches, believed to be the earliest foliage of the Spirit Branch Tree. Legend says it preserves the memories and history of the Spirit Branch Tree."
Orlen carefully placed the leaf letter in his pocket and stood up: "We must set out as soon as possible."
"Wait," Calmur stopped him, pointing to the black shadows approaching in the distance. "The Gu Tribe is nearby. We can't act rashly."
They retreated to the shadows at the edge of the pit, observing the movements around them. Three larger Gu Tribe members were searching around the remains of Ms. Adelle's dwelling, their antennae constantly moving, seemingly seeking scent trails.
"Trackers," Calmur explained in a low voice. "They can track targets through scent and energy traces. We must stay outside their sensory range."
Orlen clenched his teeth. His former home no longer existed, and he couldn't stay to mourn. Time was pressing; both the fate of the Spirit Branch Tree and the safety of the seed hung in the balance.
"Is there another path?" he asked. "To the Forest of Recollection?"
Calmur pondered for a moment: "There's an ancient path, through the backside of the Tree Crown layer. That route is less used because it passes through several withered old branches, considered an inauspicious place. But for that very reason, the Gu Tribe may not have set defenses there."
Orlen nodded: "Then we'll take that route."
Calmur pointed to a barely distinguishable crevice in the distance: "We need to wait for the Trackers to leave, then move quickly to that spot. That crevice leads to a vertical passage inside the trunk, which can take us around the main areas."
They waited patiently until the Gu Tribe searched the entire area and finally moved in another direction. Calmur signaled to move, and they quickly but quietly headed toward the crevice.
The passage was pitch black; they relied on touch and Calmur's memory to advance. Orlen felt the pendant become more active in the darkness, glowing faintly, providing him some comfort and guidance.
After climbing for nearly an hour, they reached an opening. Calmur carefully peered out: "We're now at the edge of the Tree Crown layer. Normally there should be patrolling guards here, but they seem to have withdrawn."
They emerged from the passage to find themselves in a forgotten area. The branches here were massive and ancient, covered with thick moss. The air was filled with an ancient scent, different from both the middle and Root Layers.
"The Tree Crown's back ridge," Calmur explained. "This is the side of the Tree Crown layer facing away from the light source. Few Leaf Dwellers come here. The aristocrats consider it energy-deficient, unsuitable for habitation."
Orlen followed Calmur along a path almost covered by vegetation. The route was narrow and winding, sometimes nearly disappearing into moss and vines. But Calmur seemed very confident about the route, never hesitating.
"Have you been here before?" Orlen asked, curious about why Calmur was so familiar with this forgotten path.
"Once," Calmur answered, his tone nostalgic. "In my younger days, I explored every corner of the Spirit Branch Tree. Back then, I was full of curiosity, not content to live only in the Root Layer. Serra and I were companions, together discovering many little-known passages."
This information surprised Orlen: "You never mentioned your relationship with my mother."
Calmur smiled slightly: "Some memories are too precious to mention often. But yes, Serra and I were close friends, even more. It was she who taught me to appreciate the complexity and beauty of the Spirit Branch Tree, to understand the interconnectedness of the various regions."
He paused, seemingly in recollection: "She always saw the bigger picture, viewing the Spirit Branch Tree as a whole rather than segmented areas. She believed the separation between the upper layers and the Root Layer was artificial, contrary to the Spirit Branch Tree's natural state."
Orlen felt a new connection, an indirect bond with his mother established through Calmur. He wanted to ask more, but sounds from ahead put them on alert.
It was a deep humming, not like the Gu Tribe, more like the sound of some ritual. Calmur signaled to slow down, and they cautiously approached the source.
Passing through a dense curtain of vines, they saw a surprising scene: a small group of Forest Pendant tribe members sitting around an ancient withered branch, gently flapping their wings, creating that humming sound. In the center of the withered branch was a small light source, seemingly a miniature version of a Spirit-Drawing Tower.
"Reverers," Calmur explained in a low voice. "A branch of the Forest Pendant tribe who worship the Spirit Branch Tree, believing that every leaf, every section of branch contains sacred memories. They communicate with these memories through special rituals."
"Can they help us find Helana?" Orlen asked.
"Perhaps, but be careful. The Reverers have their own creeds and are usually very wary of outsiders."
Just as they were considering how to approach, an elderly Forest Pendant suddenly turned her head, looking directly at their hiding place. Those large eyes flickered in the dim light, carrying wisdom beyond her years.
"Come out, observers," she said in a soft but firm voice. "Your aura has already disturbed our communication."
Calmur nodded to Orlen, and they slowly emerged from the cover of the vines. The other Forest Pendant members immediately became alert, but the elder raised her hand, signaling them to remain calm.
"A Root Layer shadow and a leaf vein child," she said, her gaze moving between them. "A strange combination, especially in these turbulent times."
"We're seeking Helana, the Watcher in the Forest of Recollection," Orlen said directly, feeling no need to conceal.
The elder's eyes widened slightly: "Helana does not easily receive visitors. What makes you think she would see you?"
Orlen took Ms. Adelle's letter from his pocket, carefully showing the text: "Ms. Adelle directed us to find her."
Hearing Ms. Adelle's name, the entire group visibly relaxed. The elder flew closer, carefully examining the letter.
"Adelle's handwriting," she confirmed. "If she sent you, there must be an important reason. I am Mora, the leader of this small group of Reverers."
"Ms. Adelle is in danger," Orlen said urgently. "The Gu Tribe attacked her dwelling. She mentioned she has moved something and told us to seek Helana."
Mora's expression became grave: "Your arrival may not be coincidental. We just completed a memory communication, seeing ominous signs—the core energy of the Spirit Branch Tree is fluctuating abnormally, as if being eroded by something."
"That's the Gu Tribe's action," Calmur explained. "They're trying to control the metabolic process of the Withering Season."
Mora nodded: "The Reverers sensed the abnormality days ago. We have been conducting rituals, hoping to find the cause and solution."
"So can you take us to see Helana?" Orlen asked.
Mora thought for a moment: "Helana is indeed in the Forest of Recollection, but the path there is not simple. Especially now, with the Gu Tribe controlling many main passages."
"Is there another way?" Orlen pressed.
"There is one," Mora said. "Through the 'Forgotten Nodes'—those are the oldest branches of the Spirit Branch Tree, areas believed to have lost vitality. The Gu Tribe considers them worthless and rarely patrols there."
"Sounds like our best option," Calmur said.
Mora turned to the other Reverers: "I will take them to see Helana. Ancient connections should not be broken; Adelle's request must be respected."
She flapped her wings, flying in front of Orlen: "Follow me, young leaf vein child. But stay alert; the Forgotten Nodes, though abandoned, are not without danger."
Mora led them away from the ritual site, along a path almost unrecognizable. As they went deeper, the surroundings became more desolate—withered branches, faded bark, stagnant resin. The air was filled with an ancient scent, like memories forgotten by time.
"This area was once prosperous," Mora explained. "Hundreds of Withering Seasons ago, there were many Leaf States and residents here. But after a particularly severe infestation, this area was declared a 'dead zone,' residents evacuated, never to return."
"But it's not truly dead, is it?" Orlen asked, noticing that despite the decay, there was still a weak energy flow.
"The Spirit Branch Tree has no true dead zones," Mora gave him an appreciative look. "Only forgotten areas. Even the most dormant branches still connect to the Spirit Branch Tree's core. This is the creed of the Reverers—all things are connected, memories endure."
They passed through an area composed almost entirely of withered branches, where the light was extremely faint, as if time had stood still. Orlen noticed that the pendant on his chest became unusually active in this environment, glowing faintly, illuminating the path ahead.
"Your amulet is responding to this place," Mora observed. "It recognizes the ancient energy of this area."
After passing through the Forgotten Nodes, the environment began to subtly change. New buds started to appear among the withered branches, the ground was covered with a layer of soft moss, and a faint floral scent drifted in the air.
"We're approaching the Forest of Recollection," Mora said. "Can you feel it? The energy here is purer, more primal."
Orlen could indeed feel it—an atmosphere unlike any other, both ancient and newborn, both calm and vibrant. The light from his pendant gradually intensified, seeming to respond to the changes in the surrounding environment.
Parting the final curtain of vines, the scene before Orlen took his breath away. The Forest of Recollection lay before them—a space embraced by huge branches, with countless small floating islands suspended within, each island growing a miniature version of the Spirit Branch Tree emitting a soft glow. Luminous spores danced in the air, like stars floating in the breeze.
"Welcome to the Forest of Recollection," Mora said, awe in her voice. "The sanctuary of the Spirit Branch Tree's memories."
In the center of the forest was a slightly larger island, where an elegant Forest Pendant stood. Her wings were larger and brighter than ordinary Forest Pendant members, almost transparent, emitting rainbow-like radiance. She looked in their direction, as if she had long expected their arrival.
"Helana," Mora said softly. "The Watcher of the Forest of Recollection. The person you seek is right there."