Isaac's hands traced the white pedals lining his neck.
"Thank you Fytomorphia."
But Isaac didn't feel like a king. Yes, he feels powerful. But he never considered himself a king, nor a leader. All he cares about is stopping the spread of corruption and perhaps finding a cure to it.
Fytomorphia caressed Isaac's chest. "Your body has adapted to the White-Heart seed better then I expected. It's as if you already have a natural affinity with nature. Together, we can expand this sanctuary. Expand the White-Heart tree's power all over the crypt. And once we seal this crypt and complete my mission, then we can live together peacefully as King and Queen..."
But there was something that Fytomorphia said that didn't sit well with Isaac. He hasn’t considered what he would do after he accomplishes his personal mission. Nor can he consider what will he do next until his goal is accomplished. He mustn’t lose focus.
“I am sorry Fytomorphia. But I cannot rest even after your mission is accomplished. I have my own mission to complete. While it is true that I was sent to find out if there is a currently existing source of the corruption and destroy it, I also have my own personal mission. I’m not just going to destroy the source of corruption and suppress whatever corruption that is left, I’m going to bring an end all of it. I’m gonna find a cure to the corruption. The corruption is a disease, and it’s about time someone figured out how to stop it permanently. That is my true mission, and this crypt is only one of many steps I have to take. I don’t know how long my mission will last. So until then, I must decline being your king.” Isaac said firmly.
Bringing an end to the corruption has been his self imposed mission ever since he witnessed his parents' corruption at a young age. For many years, has seen friends and family lose themselves to this brutal world. That is why Isaac became a paladin. To make sure no more of his people have to suffer identity death.
It's why he took that job pined on the quest board to find the rumored Tome of Chalmach. The Job was pinned by a researcher who is willing to pay for someone to retrieve that tome in hopes that it has any clues in stopping or curing the corruption. That's why he came to the crypt. To find Chalmach's tome and learn more about the corruption.
Isaac waved to the White-Heart Tree. "I feel that the White-Heart Tree is one of the many puzzle pieces to finding a cure. But I see now that the White-Heart alone is not enough to cure the corruption. From what you told me, the White-Heart Tree is not enough to restoring my human form. And it seems it couldn't stop the corruption from turning you into a dryad. That's why I need your help to finding Chalmach's To-"
“Why would you want to be human again?” Fytomorphia interjected.
Isaac paused for a moment. This should have been a huge alarm for Isaac. But he still felt no hostility for Fytomorphia.
"Were you always a dryad?" Isaac interjected.
"It's… complicated." Fytomorphia lowered her voice. "I just don't want to be alone again..."
Isaac gently touched Fytomorphia's shoulders. "How many has wandered into your garden before you met me?"
"Too many to count." Fytomorphia muttered.
"And what did you do to them?"
Fytomorphia waved to the garden surrounding Isaac. "I try to feed them my fruits. Some of them refused, and I would let them pass. Others… tried to kill me. I don’t want to die in the crypt!... But everyone who has eaten my fruits are now keeping me company as the stationary plants in this garden..."
Isaac looked around and noticed that some of the plants in the garden did indeed have faces on them.
Isaac let go of Fytomorphia's shoulder. The feeling of betrayal slowly overriding his trust in her. "Why did you lie about being lonely? How can I know that you won't turn me into one of your plants?"
Fytomorphia desperately shouted back. "I wasn't lying! I have been feeling lonely! Those other ones weren’t the same species as me! I fed them my fruits in hopes of making them a part of my kind, but they all became lesser then me! You are the first to be my equal!"
'She's starting to sound like one of the corrupt.' Isaac thought.
"So you corrupted those you came across in order to find a mate?"
"I didn’t corrupt them!... I just…" Fytomorphia shouted. But once the words were said, she immediately looked away in shame.
“Tell me… Why do I feel no hostility towards you? Considering what you’ve told me, I should have struck you down this instant. Does it have to do with how… nice you smell?”
Tears were streaking down Fytomorphia’s face. “My pollen keeps visitors from killing me at first sight… Are you going to kill me now that now that you know the truth?”
“How do I know if anything you say is the truth? And why are you telling me any of this?” Isaac asked.
“I don’t know!” Fytomorphia asked.
For some reason... Isaac couldn't get angry with her. He pitied her.
"You don't need to change others just so you wouldn't be alone." Isaac held out his hand. "You don't need to lie to gain other’s trust. I said I’ll help you complete your mission and in the name of the Palidin’s code, I won’t go back on my word. You won't need to corrupt others again. Let me help you gain true trust and I will keep you company while I help you in your mission in return."
Fytomorphia "Will you stay with me after the mission is complete?"
Isaac hesitated at first before replying. "I'm not sure about being your king. I still have my own mission to complete. But I'm willing to be your friend if you allow me to trust you naturally."
“Then can I help you complete your mission? Please don’t leave me.” Fytomorphia pleaded.
Isaac smiled. “Of course you can help me in my missions. I won't leave you unless I choose to do so. So no more lies." Isaac said. "Now.... Let’s start by telling me what you know about this crypt."