Noite is convinced Eu is not just a mere Oracle. He even suspects she is the Messenger who visited the Nether Realm and met his brother several times.
Then again, is it possible they are one and the same?
Also, Eu has an uncanny resemblance with the late Grand Oracle, Lady Emilia. She is unlikely a simple person from that one detail alone.
Even though Eu is an Oracle, he is convinced she is also someone else. Who might she be?
Noite wasn't sure if Lord Foeni knows who she really is, but he can tell, he trusts her. He might know something but refrains to disclose anything.
Noite shrugged off his suspicions and decided to trust her as well. He has no reason to doubt anyone from the Divine Lord Foeni's ranks.
How can he plant seeds of doubt and start a discord?
He silently enters the Oracle Village while Di'Anon escorted him. They were welcomed by his men, who seem natural residents of the village.
"Welcome, Young Master." the leader greeted naturally.
Noite is relieved to see them well, but what caught his attention was their appearance. They look like ordinary people, and he is familiar with all of them.
He was speechless as tears start to well up once again. Before him is his allies, who mysteriously disappeared on the Nether Realm.
"How..." he began, yet he can't express the things he wanted to convey.
He can't believe everyone has been continuously fighting alongside him all this time. How can he not realize it sooner?
"The young miss brought us here. We were reluctant, but they assure us it is safe..." one chimed in though, this is not the issue he wanted to point out.
They seem oblivious of their appearance as he stares at them in disbelief. He can't believe they are in front of him.
He wanted to pose questions but doesn't know where to start.
What happened to them?
What did his brother do to them?
How did they become a Shadow?
If the Array Formation has shown him some kind of illusion, he wanted to stay there with everyone and continue to delude himself that nothing has changed. All this time, he felt he is struggling alone.
"Surprise?" a gentle voice spoke and ended his train of thoughts.
He turned around and saw Eu followed by Lord Foeni. Noite's lips slightly curve up and feeling grateful for the opportunity to meet everyone once again.
"You must be assuming this is an illusion. It is, but in a good way." Eu explains and continues, "The array formation shows your shadow men's true identity."
He was surprised as he looks back at everyone. He is already glad even if this is a kind of spell to deceive him, but knowing this is real makes him more grateful.
"Thank you..." Noite murmurs and unable to hold his tears anymore.
He has the urge to hug her, but Lord Foeni is standing beside Eu. How can he even dare approach her and do something like that?
Lord Foeni might look be cool with it, but he will surely not forgive him if he dares do it. If ever, he doesn't want to end up on with his list of rivals.
Meanwhile, Lord Foeni stood beside Eu and didn't expect she has done something like this. A simple accommodation will suffice but once again accomplished something different from one's expectations.
"You always make me look bad." Lord Foeni whispered jestingly.
"You are overthinking it. What I do reflects on you. They will someday forget I am the one behind the spells, but they will always remember, Lord Foeni is an amazing ruler who took them in." Eu refuted.
"It doesn't matter if everyone forgets. I will always remember you..." Lord Foeni responded.
Eu remained silent as she responded with a smile. There is a warm feeling spreading on her chest as she hears the Divine Lord's words.
Somehow, it came off bittersweet.
On the other hand, Ravikanth took a step, and discreetly pulled her closer to him. He wanted Eu to remember he will always by her side supporting her.
Meanwhile, at Limes Temple, the exhausted witch, Gwyddien, drops on his bed. He just came back from a taxing mission with Eu and her companions.
The night is already as deep as the overwhelming silence creeps into his quarters. He was the first to retire and left the others at the former Oracle Village.
He rolls his eyes as he looks up to the pure white ceiling and recalls his adventures with everyone.
************************
Several days ago, Eu dragged him back to Inner Courts, and they began their journey to the Southern Forest to meet up with the Trents. Eu used a portal to lessen the time as they travel back and forth during their negotiations.
The Southern Forest is also known as the Mystic Woods and territory of the Trents. They are wood, Mystic Spirits who resembles trees.
They can grow as tall as mountains and most of the time silently observing the events around them. They rarely participate or get along with anyone as they continue to live in isolation.
"Eu, why do you have to drag me along with you? I heard from Lady Circe Trents are giants who eat men. They curl their thorny branches onto their prey and squeeze them dry..." Gwyddien grumbles.
"I am pretty sure the Divine Witch is making that up. The Trents are far from what you describe." Eu casually responded.
"Why can't I join Seig and the others instead? I am good at cleaning and doing menial tasks..." he suggested.
"No. How can you pass such a rare opportunity and meet someone like the Trents? I promise this is worthwhile..." Eu pats his shoulders as they carry on.
Earlier, Sieg, Haru, and Triteia parted ways from them as they prepare the former Oracle Village to accommodate someone. The place was abandoned several months ago, and they tend to it from time to time.
"Save your strength and stop complaining, Gwyd. You should know by now it useless to contradict Little Eu." Eirwen said.
He put his arm on his shoulder and decided to keep Gwyd's mind away from negative thoughts. He should stop being pessimistic about everything for a change, after all.
"How can I do that? They are Trents?" Gwyddien refuted helplessly.
"Come on. I am a Snow fox, and we go along just fine. How can you fear trees more than a fox? Di'Anon is even a nine-tailed fox, and that is way scarier than a tree." Eirwen complains.
Gwyddien heaves a heavy sigh and drags his feet to their destination. He knew they would never understand his agony.
On the other hand, Di'Anon smirks as he overheard their conversation. How did he suddenly get involved in their silly discussion?
He decided to let go and followed Eu instead. Lumina hasn't returned, and he needs to watch her more intently and protect her.
Deep inside, he is hoping nothing like the incident in Forbidden Forest will ever occur again. Fighting an Ancient Dragon is one thing, but conflicting with an entire clan of Trents in another.
Shortly after a series of random conversations, they arrived at their destination. The forest is dense and calm with no signs of life, yet they knew the Trents are watching them the moment they set foot the premises.
"Greetings. I am Eu from the Oracle Clan, and I come to negotiate on behalf of the Divine Lord Foeni." Eu calls out.
No one responded, but the breeze stop and the atmosphere became tense.
They can feel eyes carefully observing their every move. The silence and stillness send chills to their spines.
"I think no one is here, and they abandoned this place already. We should leave." Gwyddien suggested.
On the other hand, Eu ignores him and slowly entered the grim, dense forest. The moon is absent and in its Mystic phase tonight.
The night is chilly and peaceful as they continue to walk the unfamiliar path. As they go deeper into the forest, they start to hear whispers among the dense atmosphere.
'The nerve of trespassing our territory!'
'Should we teach them a lesson?'
'An Oracle and a Witch is an unlikely combination. Let's continue to observe them. I am quite curious.'
'I haven't eaten a witch for ages. Oh, what delicacy!'
Gwyddien stiffens as he overhears the conversation. He started to think of terrible misfortunes that can befall him as he grabs Eu's sleeve in terror.
"Eu, can you please reconsider not to bring me along? I don't want to die." Gwyddien pleaded.
"Don't listen to them. They obviously heard you earlier and scaring you. Trents don't eat Witches or any living people." Eu calmly explains.
'Little Eu is correct, Master. You shouldn't fear them. You are embarrassing me acting so scared. How can an Earth Witch be so terrified of Earth Spirits? That doesn't make sense.' Poison Ivy chimed in.
Gwyddien was startled but can't seem to understand what she meant. What is his connection with them?
"What do you mean? I am terrified of them!" Gwyddien refuted.
Eirwen can't believe this Witch could be so slow sometimes. How can he not understand being there is most beneficial to him than any of them?
If he convinces the Trents, he is a worthy Caster who wields their element. They will bestow him their blessings and make him more powerful. They are powerful Earth Guardians with remarkable abilities.
In the end, not only can they forge an alliance with them, but Gwyddien will also benefit upon its success. How can he not understand these things?