“And what are you?” asked Oren at last after the little creature told it about the history of The Children. He was curious about this tiny wasp, which seemed more intelligent than most humans.
“We are called Nymphs, born when an ancient tree dies. Since the tree lived for a thousand years before being called ancient, we carry their wisdom and knowledge. My name is Numani Astroxva Lephorine, Nule for short.”
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“The other trees did because I grew the fastest. It means ‘he who seeks the other realm’ because I grew long and majestic before my lifespan ended!”
“…I must admit that I didn’t expect trees to have a community amongst themselves,” said Oren with surprise as the little creature flew around him.
“Everything will birth life and consciousness as long as it survives the turmoil of times. The ancient trees are the only ones who can think and communicate, while the others lack such abilities. Therefore, when a tree dies, it serves the forest by helping the children, who nurture the trees, to begin with.”
“A flourishing cycle,” said Oren with a smile. At that moment, the branches started pulling apart to reveal Reynor and another person coming over. Although the other child was called Elder, he was barely any different from Reynor, except for having a few leaves and white tattoos on his face.
“Is this the human?” asked Elder as soon as he arrived and looked around. “Reynor said there is only one, but there are two. Something is hiding in this man’s shadow.”
“I said I brought one human, didn’t specify any other creatures,” said Reynor in his defense. “Besides, we fight humans, not shadows. As for this human, he destroyed an anchor by himself.”
“…and the invaders?” asked Elder with a frown as he walked over toward Oren and examined him. He didn’t address Oren, only Reynor while poking the former with his cane and raising his arms.
“They arrived shortly after, but we escaped,” said Reynor. “If I had left them there, they would have been captured by the vile humans.”
The elder was silent before stopping in front of Oren. Then, he tapped the ground with his cane, and a magic circle appeared between the two. It acted as a lens between them, and the Elder stared at Oren with interest.
“A knight is standing behind this human, but it is not one we can see,” said the elder as he examined Lancelot, who was floating behind Oren. “His strength is superior to the trees we have. What is your name, human?”
“My name is Oren Silvera.”
As the two children heard his name, their eyes widened. The elder stared at Reynor with a raised brow before the latter shook his head. Then, he looked again into the magic circle between them.
“He is not lying. Does that mean you are related to the man we heard about, Arthur Silvera?” asked the elder with a frown. “Please tell us if so. We carry no ill intentions.”
“He is my brother,” answered Oren after a slight pause. These children didn’t seem harmful and even saved him. Furthermore, their tone changed as soon as they heard his name. “How do you know him?”
“Come with us, and I shall tell you,” the elder said before turning around and leaving the giant bowl. Oren was confused as Nule started floating in front of him, gesturing for him to follow. Thus, he did.
The branches and roots parted before them, even without the elder needing to gesture for them as Reynor did. Instead, he took them down another tunnel filled with sunlight for about half an hour.
The tunnel started growing wider until they reached a giant hall. It was made of cobblestones and not branches. It had several trees for pillars and a pond in the middle. The elder walked straight toward the pond and jumped into it before reaching the stone monument shaped like a squared pillar.
“This existed since times of yore,” said the elder as he touched the monument. “It carries a message passed down through generations of Children, telling us a story about a time when the world almost came to an end.”
Oren stared at the monument while standing at the edge of the pond. It depicted a mountain with all sorts of trees and a golden figure standing at the top. Behind him was a giant tree still glowing with a white aura.
“At that time, a single entity stood against the collapse of our world and, in turn, our ancestors. We call him the Aoife, the giver of life, and he used the greatest spirit tree to do that. Our ancestors vowed to return the favor and warned us about the resurgence of famine.”
“And what makes you believe that Aoife is my brother?” asked Oren, knowing where this was leading. After all, he has seen this scenario play a thousand times before. Arthur was always the chosen one.
“We heard of that name from travelers through the forests but never paid him any attention,” said Reynor from behind him. “However, a year ago, all ancient trees cried the same song, celebrating its awakening.”
“Its awakening?” asked Oren, and Reynor pointed in response toward the tree behind the golden figure. As for the elder, he tapped his cane on the monument, making writing appear around the mountain.
“Spirit Tree and Daughter of Yggdrasil, Regaline. It is the same tree Aoife used to give life back to the world after plagues and famine have struck it,” said Elder as his cane traced the words. “It sent the same message to all lives on earth: Aoife is back, and his name is Arthur Silvera.”
Oren sighed with a smile as he listened to their words. It was far from a surprise, but Arthur was once again the man of prophecies. Although he did not envy his brother, the contrast in their destinies left him wondering why he existed.
“I sense discomfort within you, Oren of Silvera,” said the Elder as he turned toward him. “Your stars have yet to shine down on this world, even if no one can see them because they are beside a sun.”
“There is no need for consolation, Elder,” said Oren with a smile. “I understand power and destiny are a responsibility, not a reward. Arthur carries a great burden, and I would never envy him.”
“You have already been granted a responsibility, human,” said the Elder as he walked toward him, leaving the pond. “The spirit I saw beside you did not follow the First Seeker, Aoife. Instead, it chose you as its master while refusing to bow down to your brother.”
Oren furrowed his brows in confusion, but it did make sense to him. After all, he knew that Lancelot was an Abyssal Spirit. Then, as he stared at the Elder, one of the two leaves on its horns suddenly fell and withered.
“Great Elder…!” muttered Reynor with shock as he stepped forward. Oren knew what this signified since the child had already told him about their lifespans. However, the Elder seemed unconcerned as he crouched toward the pond and lifted the withering leaf.
“Ninety-nine leaves fell, and one remains,” said the Elder with nostalgia, almost in yearning. “I have lived a long but uneventful life. At its end, I am glad to have fulfilled the destiny of my ancestors.”
“Does it have to be one more year?” Oren asked. “If I take you to my brother, he might heal you.”
“Aoife, Giver of Life, can indeed prolong my life. However, I wish for eternal rest. I watched my brothers and sisters die in battle or of old age. My time has come, and I have no wish to prolong it.”
“…what did you bring me here for?”
“Our meeting cannot be a coincidence. We are almost meeting our extinction at the hands of vile humans who seek to devour this forest. Please, Oren Silvera, aid us.”
“I thought you would want me to call for my brother.”
“Fate brought you to us instead of your brother, and fate has its ways. You are the one meant to save us if you desire.”
Oren stared at the Elder, whose green eyes looked straightforward and sincere. He seemed to hold no ulterior motives other than believing this was fate’s handiwork. But, as Oren considered helping them, his shadow started to waver, and Marvi rose from it.
“We have no business here,” said Marvi, whose expression had improved. “I heard their words, and while it was a great story, it does not concern us. Remember our mission, Oren. Arthur awaits to be saved.”
“I know as such, but Nule told me an interesting fact earlier. Some of these trees lived for a thousand years, and their knowledge is extensive. Can it be possible that one of them has an answer to our questions?”
