Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 56: The Price of Power

The coastal village had grown quieter since their arrival, the air thick with tension as the group—Lucian, Seraphine, Quintin, and Alaric—prepared for their next move. The day had been spent gathering information about the strange tree and the mysterious disappearances, but now it was time to act. The discovery that the kidnappings were somehow linked to the bullet-bearing tree had brought a new urgency to the situation. It seemed that someone—or something—was using the tree to draw people in, only to vanish them without a trace.

"We need to stop whatever's happening," Lucian said, his voice steady as he packed his gear. "If the witch's lackey is involved, we can't waste any time."

Seraphine, her arms crossed as she surveyed the village square, nodded in agreement. "Agreed. But we need to get our facts straight first. Who's behind this? And why the tree?"

Alaric had been unusually quiet, his mind working through the puzzle. Finally, he stood up from the table where he had been writing, adjusting his glasses as he turned to face the group. "I think we've uncovered something important. The lackey is targeting people who get too close to the tree. But this tree… it's not just a curiosity. It holds value—more than anyone here realizes."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, watching as Alaric's mind seemed to shift into a different gear. "What are you thinking?"

Alaric's lips curled into a faint smirk. "I'm thinking it might be time to test the limits of influence."

Hours later, the scene outside the grove was tense. Alaric stood, poised and confident, while the rest of the group kept their distance, packing their things and watching from the shadows. They had learned enough about the bullet-bearing tree to know that it was a key to solving the mystery of the disappearances, but Alaric had other plans. Instead of simply destroying it or finding a way to neutralize it, he had decided to try something else—something more audacious.

He had approached Gustav, the village chef, and was now negotiating with him in front of the tree. The faint rustle of leaves in the wind seemed to echo the tension in the air as Alaric made his move.

"I'm prepared to offer you 10,000 pieces for the tree," Alaric said smoothly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "It's an unprecedented offer. The tree is valuable. I'd say it's worth far more than that, but we can start there."

Gustav, standing to the side, looked nervous, his eyes flicking from Alaric to the tree. "I-I don't know, sir," Gustav stammered. "The tree's been here for months, and no one knows where it came from. It's… it's not for sale."

Alaric raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing as he leaned forward slightly. "I don't think you fully understand the value of what I'm offering. This isn't just any tree, Gustav. It's a source of unlimited ammunition. In the right hands, it could be worth a fortune, not to mention the power it holds." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "The 10,000 pieces is only the beginning. I'm prepared to offer you more, if that's what it takes."

Gustav hesitated, clearly conflicted. Lucian, Seraphine, and Quintin stood in the background, watching the exchange. Lucian's eyes narrowed as he observed Alaric's tactics. Quintin had a slight smirk on his face, but he wasn't sure whether Alaric was being too bold or if this was just another one of his calculated moves. Seraphine's expression was unreadable, but she watched with interest, not yet sure where Alaric's ambitions were leading them.

Alaric didn't wait long before he raised the stakes. "I'll raise the offer. 100,000 pieces. That should be more than enough to convince you, don't you think?"

The air seemed to crackle with tension. The idea of such a sum—an amount that could change anyone's life—hung in the air like a temptation. Gustav looked torn. The sight of the tree, standing there with its bizarre fruit—bullets, ammunition, and more—seemed to make the offer even more enticing.

"But… it's not just about money," Gustav murmured, glancing nervously at the tree. "People need the ammunition. They need the bullets. It's… it's been a blessing to us, even with the disappearances."

Alaric's voice remained calm, almost persuasive. "I understand, Gustav. But consider this: If you accept my offer, I'll ensure the safety of the village, and we'll put an end to these disappearances. No more people will vanish. No more risk. The tree will be in secure hands, and you'll be compensated far more than you could ever imagine."

Gustav shifted on his feet, looking torn. It was clear that Alaric's offer had put him in a difficult position. The village's future was uncertain, and the tree's power was undeniably tempting. But was it worth the price of selling out? Was it worth trusting someone like Alaric?

Lucian glanced at Seraphine and Quintin, his thoughts swirling. "Is he really trying to buy the damn tree?" Lucian muttered under his breath. "Does he even care about the people here, or is this all just a business transaction for him?"

Seraphine shrugged, though there was a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "Alaric's always been about power. If he can control the tree, he can control the entire village. Maybe that's what he wants. But don't forget—he's not one to make offers unless there's something bigger at stake."

Quintin grinned, clearly amused by the situation. "If you ask me, he's trying to get his hands on all the bullets. Forget the people—he wants to own the tree."

Alaric's voice, smooth and persuasive, cut through their conversation as he made his final pitch. "Gustav, think of the possibilities. No one else needs to know where the tree came from. No one needs to understand its true potential. You'll be a part of something much bigger—something that will change the fate of this village."

Gustav glanced at the tree once more, his face a mask of indecision. He looked at the 100,000 pieces in Alaric's hand and seemed to waver. "I… I don't know. It's not just about money."

Alaric's eyes flickered with calculation. He wasn't used to being denied, and he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away. "What if I sweeten the deal? I'll throw in another 50,000 pieces. For the village. For you. It's more than anyone could dream of."

For someone who could destroy entire city ranges and set entire countries ablaze, carry around a dragon, while also being called a hero among hero's, he sure is giving a lot for a mere "tree"

[Three pieces = 15 USD]

The stakes were high, and the tension palpable. Gustav was on the verge of accepting, but just as it seemed like the deal might be sealed, the ground beneath them trembled. A low, growling hum filled the air, and a chilling breeze swept through the grove.

Lucian, Seraphine, and Quintin tensed, eyes scanning the surroundings. Something was wrong. The atmosphere had shifted, and they could feel it in their bones. The tree, too, seemed to respond—its branches rustling unnaturally as if sensing the impending danger.

Alaric, ever the strategist, glanced up, his calm demeanor shifting for a moment into something sharper. "It seems we've stirred up more than we bargained for."

Before anyone could react, a dark figure emerged from the shadows of the grove—one that they had all feared would eventually show up. The crimson witch's lackey had arrived.

"Enough talk," the lackey's voice cut through the tension, cold and calculating. "The tree is mine now. You should have stayed away, Alaric."

Alaric's smirk didn't falter. "You've made a mistake. This tree, and its power, belong to me now. And no lackey will stand in my way."

The game was set. The village, the tree, and their lives were about to be thrown into chaos as the true fight for control began.

End of chapter 56.