As Soren nears the base of the tree, he spots an opening between two of the giant roots. He darts through, finding himself on the other side of the tree, directly behind the man in the dark robes. The man doesn't seem to notice him; his focus is still fixed on the tree and his chanting. Soren considers attacking the man, but decides against it, unsure if he can defeat someone who wields such powerful magic. Instead, he creeps closer, searching for a way to disrupt the man's concentration.

The man's chanting grows louder and more intense, and the energy flowing through the tree seems to be growing stronger as well. Soren watches the vines and roots writhing in the dirt, desperate to help the tree but unable to do so while the man stands between them. He takes a deep breath and steps forward, careful not to make any sudden movements that might draw the man's attention. As he gets closer, he realizes that the man's robes are adorned with strange symbols and runes, glowing with an eerie light.

Suddenly, an idea strikes Soren. He reaches into his pocket, retrieving a handful of smooth river stones he gathered from a river with Aurora, which are meant for the Tear of Luna, but the plan went awry. He tosses the stones, one at a time, at the base of the tree, trying to distract the man in the dark robes. The stones bounce and skitter across the ground, coming to rest near the man's feet. He doesn't seem to notice them at first, but as they continue to roll and clatter against each other, his concentration begins to waver.

"Damn it," Soren whispered to himself as he threw the last stone. The man's concentration seemed to be slipping, his chant growing less intense. With renewed courage, Soren stepped forward, drawing his claws and sharpening them on a nearby root. The man in the dark robes turned slightly, his hood finally casting some light on his face. He had pale, almost translucent skin, and his features were gaunt and haunted. His eyes were the most striking feature, however; they glowed with an eerie green light, like emeralds set in the sockets of a skull.

"You look like a wizard, mate!" Soren exclaimed, startling the man in the dark robes. The man turned back to face the tree, his concentration wavering further as Soren advanced. Soren lunged forward, claws extended, aiming for the man's exposed neck. But just as he was about to make contact, the man threw up his hands, chanting a final, desperate incantation. A blast of emerald energy erupted from his staff, engulfing Soren in a brilliant flash of light.

stunning him momentarily. The man's staff clattered to the ground, his concentration broken as he stared in shock at Soren. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Soren leapt forward, seizing the staff before the man could react. With a quick twist of his wrist, he snapped the staff in two, sending the pieces skittering across the forest floor. The man's eyes widened in disbelief as his power flowed out of the broken staff and into the earth.

"What have you done?!" the man in dark robes hissed, taking a step back. Soren felt a surge of triumph as he saw the fear in the man's eyes. "You have no idea what you've just done!"

The tree, now free from the man's control, let out a mighty groan and began to sway gently in the breeze. Its wounds, once healed by the vines and roots, had now become scars, marking it as a survivor. Soren looked at the man, now defeated and powerless, and felt a strange mix of pity and anger.

"You have now completed your test. You have proven yourself to be a worthy opponent and a brave individual. However, I cannot let you live knowing what you have done. You see, the tree was not meant to be saved. It was meant to die so that something greater could grow in its place. By freeing it, you have upset the balance of nature and set events into motion that cannot be undone." The man in dark robes took a step back, his expression sad and resigned. "I am sorry, but I must end your life now as punishment for your interference," the man lamented.

Soren looked at the defeated man in front of him, his eyes filled with pity and understanding. He knew that the man truly believed he was doing the right thing and that he was acting in the name of a greater good. But Soren also knew that the world was not so black and white and that there were always shades of gray. He could not let the man kill the tree, for he believed that there was still hope for it.

"There's still hope," Soren said softly, his voice filled with determination. "The tree may have survived this, but it won't survive another attempt like this one. You have to accept that it's time to let go and let nature take its course. There are other trees out there and other beings who need your help. You can't focus all your energy on just one thing." Soren paused, searching for the right words. "I know it's hard, but you have to trust that there is a greater plan at work here, that what you see as a loss is actually a gain." Soren's words hung in the air, his gaze steady and unwavering.

"I should be going back to the spirits and letting them know I have completed my test. You can come with me!" Soren offered, with a hint of friendliness in his voice. "Perhaps they can shed some light on the situation and help you find your purpose." The man in dark robes looked at Soren for a long moment, his eyes searching for purpose and hope in the other's gaze. Finally, he sighed heavily and nodded. "Very well," he said, his voice resigned. "Let us return to the spirits and see what they have to say."

Soren grinned happily, taking the defeated man's hand and leading him back through the forest. As they walked, Soren told the man stories of his own adventures, of the many creatures he had encountered, and of the lessons he had learned. The man in dark robes seemed to relax a little as they walked, his face losing some of its tension and sadness.

"I never caught your name, stranger." Soren asks curiously as they continue their walk through the forest. "I'm Lucius, by the way. It's good to finally meet someone who sees things the way I do." The man in dark robes replies with a hint of gratitude in his voice.

Soren patted the man on the shoulder in response to his name. "Well, Lucius, I'm glad we were able to find some common ground. My name is Soren, and I'm sure we'll be friends for a long time." As they continued their walk, Soren couldn't help but wonder what the spirits had in store for them. He knew that their fates were intertwined in some way, and he was determined to help Lucius find his purpose.