Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Katrina felt amused as she looked at Cloud’s sphere rolling closer...

”Cloud? Is there a problem?” she asked.

The sphere then stopped moving and she heard the familiar neutral voice of the A.I.

[ Your presence is requested in the Eclipse Domain. Location: Orchard and Garden sector. ]

Katrina tilted her head. ”The orchard? What for?”

Cloud’s reply came without hesitation.

[ Shane has requested that animals be brought into the presence of the World Tree. ]

Her hands froze on the jar.

”World Tree? You mean that mystical tree in many fantasy books?!” she exclaimed.

The words sounded absurd in her ears.

A World Tree here? In this nightmare world of zombies and endless survival?

She stared at Cloud, as she considered how a World Tree would even appear here.

When they had been transported into this world, the setting was clear to her...

There was a virus that struck the world, mutating humans into zombies. Everything revolved around evolving strains, survival, and fighting back. There had been no mention of mystical trees, no hint of something so fantastical.

”Wait... are you saying a virus evolved into a tree? Or... is this some kind of talent from one of the survivors?” she muttered, half to herself.

The thought was quite intriguing...

Unexpectedly, Cloud actually answered.

[ It’s a secret. ]

These words were enough to make her realized that it must be related to Shane or his talent.

Katrina swallowed hard, realizing this was an opportunity she couldn’t ignore. Whatever the World Tree was, Shane wanted her animals near it. That meant it mattered.

She quickly finished her chores, handing the milk and eggs to the other caretakers.

”Take these to storage. I’ve been called to the Eclipse Domain,” she explained, her tone was impatient yet edged with excitement.

Without wasting time, Katrina hurried back to her room. The scent of goats still clung to her clothes and skin, and she refused to arrive at the Eclipse Domain smelling like the barn.

She drew a quick bath, scrubbing away the earthy odor until she felt refreshed.

If she was going to stand before the World Tree, and possibly Shane and members of the Eclipse Domain, she wanted to be presentable. At the very least, she needed to look and feel like someone worthy of the summons.

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

The Gate Stones shimmered with faint light, as she stepped forward. She had used them before, once to visit Springriver Manor, but this time felt different.

The moment she crossed, dizziness washed over her.

Her vision blurred, and then, just as suddenly, she was standing in another hall.

The portal chamber of the Eclipse Domain stretched before her...

Then, a guard in dark armor stepped forward.

”Miss Katrina?” he asked.

”That’s me,” she replied while steadying her feet. She had traveled through Gates before, but the Eclipse Domain felt different.

The guard nodded and gestured for her to follow. ”This way.”

They left the portal hall.

Outside, she immediately noticed the sky was blocked by thick clouds...

Furthermore, she also recognized the steam coming out of what seemed like the filtration tower. She had heard about this before, but seeing that tower still felt different.

Moving through the inner wall of the Eclipse Domain Shelter, Katrina’s eyes darted around, taking in the surroundings.

”Interesting place...”

Unlike Blue Haven’s dockyard bustle, this place felt more refined, more organized.

Nearby, she spotted a brewery with barrels stacked high, and the scent of fermenting grains drifted faintly through the air.

On the far side, she noticed an education center as well. There were children and adults alike gathered inside.

It was strange, seeing such regularity in a world that had once been nothing but chaos due to the Zombies.

Anyway, she also noticed that there were no barracks here, but Warden Units patrolled steadily.

Their presence was definitely reassuring.

Without a doubt, Shane’s defenses were absolute.

Thud...

Finally, the guard stopped before a greenhouse. Its walls seemed to be protected by a barrier.

Even without touching it, she could feel that it was something important.

”The World Tree is inside,” he said simply, waiting outside as she stepped forward.

Katrina pushed the door open and entered.

The moment she crossed the threshold, a wave of refreshing energy washed over her body. It was unlike anything she had ever felt...

It was cool, invigorating, as if her fatigue was being stripped away. She gasped softly, clutching her chest.

”What is this...? It feels similar to the elves.” she whispered.

This was definitely different from the Spirit Energy she was used to...

Then, a voice answered from above! It was high‑pitched and melodic, almost childlike.

”It’s mana!”

Katrina spun around, eyes wide.

At first, she thought that it was the World Tree...

However, what she saw was even more surprising...

Hovering near the tree was a fairy!

It was tiny, radiant, with wings that shimmered like glass. Its presence was impossibly cute, yet undeniably powerful, with so much energy coming from its wings!

A fairy?!” Katrina gasped.

”I thought... I thought this world was only about zombies and viruses. What are you doing here?”

The fairy giggled while twirling in the air. ”I live here, silly. The World Tree gives mana, and I help tend to it. You’re Katrina, right? The Animal Summoner?”

Katrina blinked, still trying to process everything. ”Yes... that’s me.”

Then, at this time, her gaze shifted to the tree itself. It was only three meters tall, but it radiated an aura that filled the greenhouse.

Its leaves glowed faintly, veins of light running through them, and its trunk felt like it could move anytime!

”The... World Tree,” Katrina breathed. She had only read about such things in games and other fantasy stories, but never imagined seeing one here.

The fairy giggled, fluttering closer.

”You’re surprised, aren’t you? Everyone is, the first time. But this tree is real. It’s growing here, in the Eclipse Domain!”

Katrina shook her head to clear her mind.

”Ahh... Yes, Miss Fairy... I guess you’re the guardian.. But... how? This world was supposed to be about a virus. Zombies, mutations, and others... How does a tree like this even exist here?”

The fairy tilted its head. ”It’s a secret!”

She had more questions in mind about the World Tree, the Fairy, and the existence of Mana.

However, it was at this point that another clone of Cloud rolled into the greenhouse.

[ Animals are to be introduced to the World Tree. Observation required. Shane believes their presence may influence growth. ]

Katrina blinked. ”My animals? You mean goats, chickens... rabbits?”

[ Yes. ]

The fairy clapped its tiny hands. ”Bring them! The World Tree loves life. It thrives when surrounded by living creatures. Your animals will help it grow... I’m 70% sure! If the World Tree grows, it will help this land! Maybe even the virus will be affected!”

Katrina paused as she finally realized why this was a crucial matter to Shane! He was actually finding a way to remove the virus!

It was completely unlike her, who only wanted to get a bit stronger and live within a safe shelter at all!

This was beyond anything she had expected. She had come to Blue Haven to become an animal caretaker for Shane... Supposedly, she was only to use her summoner talent for food supplies.

But now, she was being asked to bring her animals to something that could change the very nature of their world.

”I can help with that. But...” Katrina said and paused for a moment to consier her words carefully.

”Uhm... Can I touch it?” She asked, finally.

The fairy was the one who got surprised this time and giggled...

”Hihihi... I thought you were about to ask something absurd. Of course you can touch it!”

Katrina nodded at this with a smile. Then, she stepped closer to the tree, reaching out.

The moment her fingers brushed a leaf, warmth surged through her body.

It was refreshing!

Then, as she touched the trunk, she felt much better!

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

The fairy hovered beside her, smiling. ”It is. And now, you have to work hard for it, ok?”

Soon, Axis watched Katrina hurry out of the greenhouse, her words still echoing in the air...

”I’ll prepare first before I summon the animals. I need to make sure that they’re the best ones!”

The fairy giggled at that as she understood Katrina’s nervousness.

’But it’s not a bad thing to prepare... Better to arrive prepared than to stumble in front of the World Tree

After all, being summoned to stand before the World Tree was no small matter.

Still, Axis couldn’t help but feel a trace of curiosity about the girl. An Animal Summoner that was entrusted with something this important must be important to Shane...

’A lover, maybe?’ Axis thought, hovering closer to the tree.

Then, her gaze drifted past the trunk, toward the small pond behind the greenhouse.

The surface rippled faintly, reflecting the soft light of the tree’s leaves.

”Ahhh...”

Axis’s eyes widened slightly. She found tiny crystals, no larger than a thumb, were beginning to form along the pond’s edge!

Mana crystals... already?