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#260 - Chapter 34: The Duke of Blood Crow (I)

The cave was far more immense than imagined, like a labyrinth buried deep underground, eerily silent. It was like the gaping maw of a giant beast, extending endlessly downwards, seemingly without end. Leaf solemnly warned Bran, "You must not wander around here. This place has countless passages leading into deeper darkness, including bottomless pits, and forgotten paths that are said to lead to the heart of the earth. Even we, the children of the forest, who have lived here for thousands of years, have not explored every path to its end."

The group continued slowly down the winding path. Before long, they came to a fork in the road. Leaf led them to the right path, and after passing through several intricate intersections, they finally arrived at a cave as spacious and open as the Great Hall of Winterfell. Above, jagged stone spikes jutted out haphazardly, while thick, sturdy stone pillars rose from the ground. Clearly, there were many other passages leading to various stone chambers. Looking around, they could see the roots of weirwood trees spreading everywhere, suggesting that the cave was directly beneath the dense weirwood forest above.

As they continued to move forward, a crisp snapping sound suddenly echoed. Hodor had accidentally crushed some scattered animal bones on the path. Only then did Bran realize that he had been stepping on these bones all along. Osha picked up a large skull and said, "It's so big; I'm sure it belonged to a giant."

Along both sides of the hall's corridor, countless skulls peered down from carved-out niches. Bran saw a bear skull and a wolf skull, several human skulls, and about the same number of giant skulls, with the rest being smaller, strangely shaped skulls of the children of the forest. The weirwood roots seemed to be alive, bursting from the decayed skulls and tightly entwining them. Some skulls even had ravens perched on top, their bright, gem-like black eyes staring at the newcomers.

This path in the deep darkness was exceptionally treacherous, especially the final stretch, which was frighteningly steep. Hodor struggled to move forward, eventually having to sit down and scoot down little by little. Leaf stood quietly on the other side of a natural stone bridge spanning a chasm, patiently waiting for them.

Once everyone had safely crossed the stone bridge, they finally arrived at their destination: a vast cave dominated by pale weirwood roots. The air inside was filled with a musty, decaying scent, and the surrounding stone walls were covered with strange symbols and patterns, while the moss growing on them emitted a faint glow.

Leaf looked at the group and said calmly, "This is the end of your journey. The greenseer awaits within. But only Bran may enter alone." Her gaze swept over each person, her eyes conveying a sense of determination and resolve.

Bran said, "Hodor, put me down!" Bran grabbed the roots on the ground with both hands, struggling to crawl into the cave. In the very center of the cave, a massive shadow entangled by tree roots suddenly emitted an ancient, deep voice: "You have finally come, child. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Leaf raised her torch, and the light instantly illuminated the shadow. A pale-faced old man emerged slowly, his expression indifferent, as if isolated from the world. Countless roots of varying thickness snaked around his body, even piercing his skin and merging with him. He sat quietly on a simple throne woven from roots, half of his body integrated into the thick tree trunk. The left half of his face was completely petrified, leaving only his right eye exposed, radiating a chilling crimson light.

Bran felt the intense gaze emanating from the single eye staring intently at him, as if trying to see through his soul. He suppressed the fear in his heart and asked in a trembling voice, "Are... are you the Three-Eyed Raven?"

The Three-Eyed Raven's lips trembled slightly, and he replied in a hoarse voice, "I am the last greenseer. The Three-Eyed Raven is merely the messenger I use to walk the world. You may call me that as well. Now, you have finally come before me, Brandon Stark. Though your arrival was somewhat delayed, you have come nonetheless."

Meera said sadly, "My brother has been guiding us here, but now..." Her gaze fell on Jojen, who was still unconscious, revealing deep concern. Since Jojen entered this cave, he had not woken up, which made Meera extremely anxious.

The Three-Eyed Raven gazed at Jojen and sighed softly, "He is indeed a brave and good child! He knew what difficulties he would face, that he would pay with his life, even before he embarked on this journey. Even so, he chose to come without hesitation. In fact, I have been watching each of you. According to the trajectory of fate that I foresaw, he should have died. But fortunately, thanks to a friend, I collected enough herbs to heal his damaged body." After speaking, the greenseer turned to Leaf, signaling them to take Jojen to receive treatment.

Bran nodded in agreement and said to Meera, "You go first. I have many questions to ask the greenseer." So, Hodor carefully picked up Jojen and left with Leaf, leaving Bran and the greenseer alone.

Immediately afterwards, several children of the forest walked in. They used weirwood and roots to make a seat, much like the one the Three-Eyed Raven was sitting on, adorned with white weirwood with red leaves, dead branches entwined among the still-living roots. The children of the forest made thick cushions out of soft gray moss, and after Bran was placed on it, they covered him with warm furs.

Bran asked curiously, "Greenseer, why did you guide me here? I'm just a crippled person with useless legs."

The Three-Eyed Raven: "So what? I have had many experiences and have become like this. I brought you here because I want you to inherit the legacy of the greenseer."

Bran asked, "Can you heal my legs? I want to stand up again."

The Three-Eyed Raven: "No, you will never walk again, but you can fly."

Bran asked in confusion, "Fly! Who exactly are you?"

The Three-Eyed Raven: "It's been too long; names have been forgotten, but people gave me the nickname 'Bloodraven'."