Gwyddien slightly tilted his head as he stares at everyone's dumbfounded expression. He can't understand their strange gazes as they looked at him.
'Are they making fun of me...? Did they drag me here to make fun of me?' he thought.
He lowers his head to hide his gloom expression as he drowns on his negative thoughts. Everywhere he is, people tend to make fun of him.
He thought they were different, but he can't believe he was mistaken to trust them. He sniffs as he holds his tears that start to well upon his eyes.
"Stop! Give him a break, Eirwen." Eu said.
She interrupted him from teasing Gwyddien for failing to understand her intentions. She also had a feeling Ivy also didn't inform him of the reason why they were there.
"I assume, Ivy didn't mention to you either? This is her idea." Eu explains.
Gwyddien looked at her with a perplex expression. He can't believe his Guardian Spirit, Poison Ivy, is behind this fiasco.
"What do you mean...?" Gwyddien asked.
"She wants to introduce you to the elders. Act more confident." Eu explained as she sighs.
Despite their time restraint schedule, Eu needs to reconsider and tag them along. It won't hurt sparing a brief time to grant Ivy's request.
Trents are influential earth spirits, and their network reaches from beyond. They are one of the few who weren't bound by the Division of Realms.
They exist and learned to blend with those around them. They didn't cause conflict and remained passive and supportive.
If Gwyd earns their respect, he can channel their powers as well. His abilities will be more diverse from merely casting protection and few offensive spells.
"Ivy wants me to finish a Trial and earn their approval? Why? Didn't I leaned enough from you?" Gwyddien asked questioningly.
The others scratch their heads as they try to understand him. They can't believe how dense he is or he just plain stupid.
How can he not still get it after all the information Eu has given him?
"Seriously, Gwyd? Do you want me to spell it out to you?" Eirwen asked in disbelief as he heaves a heavy sigh and continues, "You are an Earth Witch. Don't you want to meet the Earth Spirits Elders? It's not every day they will grant you an audience. Not everyone is given such an opportunity."
"Earth Spirit Elders?" Gwyddien mumbled, still confused about the situation.
He wasn't even aware such a thing exists. He assumes Guardian Spirits are drifters, and that is why they chose to serve them.
'You are unbelievable. We live in a civilized community. How can you assume we are not?' Ivy refuted.
She finally made an appearance as she wanted to reprimand her master and break their contract. She can't believe, Gwyd thinks Guardians are such lowly creatures.
"Let us stop discussing this matter. We are pressed on time. We need to go back before Noite's men make their move." Eu straightforwardly said.
Eu raised her hand and cast a spell. The Trents are not being cooperative and change to a much aggressive approach to lure them out.
On the other hand, Di'Anon widens his eyes as he noticed her attention. His eyes widen in disbelief as chills start to crawl on his spine.
He can only sigh as the feeling of deja vu began.
'She is not seriously doing this again, is she?' Di'Anon thought.
Though he is kind of upset, he is also anticipated it to happen. Working with her is always a series of unexpected occurrences.
Who is bold enough to conflict with an entire clan? He never met anyone like her.
Meanwhile, bright light envelops them. Eu decided to hasten the pace and broke their illusion spell to enter their territory.
She has no time to play games and wait for their approval. Why wait when she has the ability to break their restrictions?
She decided to force her way in and negotiate. They are unreasonably stubborn, ignoring her calls.
How dare they?
At the same time, everyone was overwhelmed and quickly shut their eyes to protect themselves from the blinding light. They can feel the changes around them as the warm light envelops them.
The night is chilly as they wander around the forest. Eu's magic is warm and comforting as they feel the crumbling spell around them.
They felt hostile entities gather around them as soon as the Eu finished casting the spell. It also felt like they are no longer on the dark, dense forest as they hear the gush from a falling water source.
The smell of foliage is also different. It is far from the musky scent of the dense Southern Forest as the feeling of uncertainty overwhelms them.
Gwyddien slowly opened one of his eyes and took a quick peek of his surroundings. He blinked a few times and adjusted to his surroundings.
As expected, armored men were surrounding them, but still, its a scene he didn't anticipate. Their spears were pointed at them as if they have done a grave sin.
Eu is standing in front of them and unfazed by their hostile welcome. Gwyddien has never seen her use her powers, and he is simply awestruck.
He can see Eu's unique magic swirling around and protecting them. He never expected that she is not only knowledgeable but a formidable opponent.
He always thought Eu is only saying empty threats to scare him. Now, Gwyddien has proven Eu is simply someone that can't be taken lightly.
'An Oracle who can wield the Seven Layer Elemental spell?' Gwyddien murmured.
Only one person came to mind, but he still denies the possibility. She can't be Lady Emilia.
'Eu is the Grand Oracle...?' Gwyddien thought as his eyes widen, and he came to a realization.
Nobody knew who the Grand Oracle is. Even the Oracles Clan themselves are not aware of her presence.
She always stays anonymous even if she gets involved in issues regarding Lower Astra.
"Who are you? How dare you enter without permission!"
"I already announce my arrival, yet you ignored me. How can I continue to wait?" Eu coldly responded.
Eu is like a different person as she converses with them. Eirwen started to profusely sweats as he continues to listen.
"Cousin, please stop her. We are outnumbered." he whispered.
Di'Anon, on the other hand, ignored him and sighs. As much as he wanted to, there is no stopping Eu once she has decided to do something.
Gwyddien is still in a dazed as everything continues to unfold. If he is correct on his speculation, he can't believe the infamous, Grand Oracle mentored him.
"You insolent little girl!"
"I advise you to lower your weapons and summon your Grand Elder. I assure you it is for the best." she responded.
The man's face twitched as he feels her very oppressive aura. Even with high numbers, their odds against her are still very slim.
The tension continues to build up between them as Eu looks at them with nonchalance. The silence continues to drag until an old man finally made his appearance.
"Stand down."
Everyone's attention was drawn to the raspy voice of an old man. His platinum long hair cascades behind his back, his eyes are silver and droopy.
His long beard mostly covers his face, and he is dressed in dark moss green robes. He strolls towards them as his eyes curves like crescent moons that indicates his amusement.
"Grand Elder Dryad!"
"Took you long enough." Eu casually said.
"Show some respect! How dare you...!"
The old man raises his hand to silence them and to repeat his command. The Trents lowered their spears and bows their head.
"It's okay. It was my mistake not to open the gates sooner. Greetings, young Oracle. You finally came." He chuckles.
The old man seems amused to see a familiar face and enjoys teasing her. Gwyddien can assume they are relatively acquainted.
"Greetings, Grand Elder Dryad. I am Oracle Eu." Eu responded.
"Ah, of course. How is Grand Elder Enoch? We used to drink before that dreadful incident. I can't seem to locate that old man..." the elderly comment.
Eu smiles and heaves a heavy sigh. She is not there for sentimental conversation, and this old man steers away from the topic.
She looks at him with a stoic expression as he continues to spurt out more nonsense.
Meanwhile, everyone has calmed down as the nonchalant Grand Elder converse with Eu. Eu's barrier is also gone, and her friends have finally let out a sigh of relief.
On the other hand, Gwyddien can't believe these men are Trents. He is expecting wood men roaming around or talking trees.
He creases his brows as he narrowed his eyes and drowns into a contemplation. How can they be different from the Divine Witch description?
"Young Witch, do you also come for an audience?" Grand Elder Dryad asked as he shifted his attention.
He was caught off guard as he stammers for a response. He didn't know what or how to respond to his inquiry.
"I..." he began.
"You think the Trents are like wooden men roaming around? You are utterly speechless in disbelief?" he jestingly asked as he put the words into his mouth.
"Yes!" Gwyddien mindlessly responded in agreement.
There was silence as everyone looks at him in disbelief. Eirwen, who is standing beside him gulps.
"No... I..." Gwyddien tried to explain.
Unfortunately, he can't find words to help him retract his earlier response.
"Silly witch. You can't trust your Divine Witch words now that you have stayed here. You traveled with these foxes and lived with a White Tiger guardian. You met the Divine Phoenix Lord and even his younger apprentice, Guardian Vermilion bird. How can you still believe her, after all that?" the elder asked.
Gwyddien only purses his lips, unable to respond. He understood what he meant as he realized the lie for a long time but still decided to believe them either way.