Gwyddien is quite surprised as the Grand Elder Dryad shares his knowledge. He seems very well informed of his movements.
'Is he spying on me?'
He is quite impressed as the gleeful old man continues to talk. Despite their isolation, they are well informed about everything happening around them.
Later, the group was brought into a beautiful palace made of wood and adorned with gold and silver leaves. There is also an assortment of colorful crystal flowers illuminating the halls.
Tiny glowing bugs roam around the premises and illuminating the path. A mellow, calming sound resonates around them carried by the wind.
They were escorted in a large hall with an assortment of fruit delicacies to be consumed. Base on it, they seem to have anticipated their arrival as well.
"My apologies, but we don't consume any kind of meat here. I hope our delicacies into your liking." the elder chuckles.
"No worries, Grand Elder. We are not picky. I love fruits." Eirwen replied candidly.
"Grand Elder Dryad..." Eu began as she interrupted them.
The old man shifted his gaze to the young girl as he nods. He also knows why she came to seek their help.
"Yes, you don't have to explain, but I regret I cannot comply with your request, Little Oracle." Grand Elder Dryad responded.
Eu expected his response as she sighs dejectedly. She has another option in mind to remedy this dilemma, but she doesn't know if they will agree.
Meanwhile, the old man smiles and awaits her to speak. He knew she wouldn't leave empty-handed and plans something else.
"Well, then, I have a suggestion." Eu said.
"What do you propose? I am all ears, young one." the Grand Elder asked.
He shifted his gaze at Gwyddien and smiles. He knew that it has something to do with him, after all.
"I am pretty much aware you knew." Eu said as began and continues, "This is Gwyddien, and I propose you let him take the trial. You also need someone from the Middle Realm, correct? I nominate him."
Gwyddien is quite surprised as he heard Eu's proposal. He didn't expect Ivy and Eu to trust him with such a huge responsibility.
'Trents' representative? Me...? What on earth...' Gwyddien thought.
He can't understand what they are talking about precisely and what they meant. What is a Trent representative?
'Am I going to be a Trent...? Are they sacrificing me...?'
Gwyddien's face turned pale as he drowns himself with assumptions. His heart raced as he started to have cold sweat trickling on his spine.
His hand was cold as he controls them from shaking.
The Grand Elder noticed his distressed as he drowns on contemplation. He can't believe Eu suggested such a thing and nominated the witch.
"Did you informed him of your plan before dragging him here?" the old man chuckles.
"No. I am pressed in time." Eu admitted.
The old man sighs again as he looks back at Gwyddien. He understood his concern, knowing he doesn't have any idea why he was there.
"Don't worry, little witch. The trial is not difficult. Little Oracle is your mentor, so I expect you to pass it in flying colors. Please finish your meal so we can proceed. I don't want to offend your mentor further for delaying her." the elder suggested.
"Please stop addressing me as Little Oracle. I feel like a toddler every time you call me 'Little Oracle.' It is weird." Eu refuted.
The old man chuckles as he heard her complaints. He is quite amused, knowing how she reacts regarding the matter.
"How do you want me to address you then?" Grand Elder Dryad asked teasingly.
Eu narrowed her eyes as her lips slightly twitched. How can she miss his suggestive comments and teasing?
"I really can't believe you will actually come to me. I am honored, Little Eu. You also found yourself reliable allies." He chuckles.
He suddenly changes his tone as he continues.
"Still, little one. Are you sure to take this path?" he asked with a tinge of concern on his tone.
She looked at him and forced a smile. She doesn't want a tragedy ever to come again, and she is willing to pay whatever it cost.
"Are you suggesting to let what happened again in the Middle Realm and not interfere?" Eu straightforwardly asked.
'The Middle Realm?'
Everyone was surprised as they turned to Eu. What does she mean by that?
What happened in the Middle Realm?
The group looked at them questioningly as they shifted their attention to the topic. Di'Anon seems to be the only person not interested as he continues to savor his meal.
Even the elder remained silent because of her unexpected comment. The incident in the Middle Realm is tragic, not only to the Trents but also for the Casters.
Not long, Gwyddien inquired as he broke his silence and the growing tension around them. It has piqued his interest, and he wanted to understand what they meant.
"What happened in the Middle Realm?" Gwyddien asked.
Grand Elder Dryad sighs as the unspoken history was mentioned. Though he knew Eu has no involvement in the matter, he is quite impressed she has knowledge regarding it.
"The truth is, we are from the Middle Realm…" Grand Elder Dryad confessed.
"Let us discuss everything after a meal." Eu interrupted.
It is best to talk about everything after they have eaten and already well-rested. There is no need to continue discussing those matters over meals.
Everyone listened and finished their meal quietly. The topic seems sensitive, and they might lose their appetite if they carry on with the issue.
Later, Eu requested D'Anon and Eirwen to rest while they continue to discuss everything with the Grand Elder. Even though Eirwen is curious to know everything as well, he has no choice but to comply.
Meanwhile, Gwyddien and Eu were escorted by a guard somewhere to continue their discussion. Gwyddien can feel the strong magic swirling around them as they continue to their destination in silence.
"This is good enough. No one can eavesdrop as we continue to discuss everything. So, little witch. What do you want to know?" Grand Elder Dryad asked as he broke his silence.
Gwyddien gulps as he expects something horrifying to unfold. The Trents brought them in a secluded area much scarier than the creepy, dense Southern Forest.
'Is it really alright to pose any questions?'
The Grand Elder can't believe Eu wanted to entrust a huge responsibility on this young man. He can tell his gifted, but can he handle the pressure of taking such a task?
"What is it you wanted to know?" Grand Elder Dryad asked.
His droopy eyes looked at Gwyddien expectantly as he awaits his response. He knew that he wanted to pose many questions regarding their hidden history.
"I really wanted to know what happened..." Gwyddien murmurs.
Grand Elder's lips curve up as his wrinkled skin slightly tightened. AS much as he hates to discuss the past, he has no choice but to tackle it with him.
"We originally lived in every territory to ensure everything is fine. We give our assistance, and we don't normally hide like this. As you know, we are trees, and we are everywhere except in one territory. Have you wondered why?" the old man began.
Meanwhile, Gwyddien listened as he gave it a thought. The Middle Realm is composed of sand and barren lands.
Their palace only exists because of channeling and a series of spells. A Spirit Guardian is an extension of themselves.
"The Middle Realm is a diverse place. It is a home of powerful individuals— Casters and Spirits alike. It is surrounded by luscious green forest and clear streams more beautiful than anywhere else here..." Grand Elder Dryad began.
The Middle Realm is once the center that connects others where all creatures live and interact. Unfortunately, a tragedy has befallen them, and the Trents remained ignorant until it was too late to counter its effects.
Like the Oracles, they had to flee and left the Casters to fend for themselves. The spirits who once lived among them vanished and can only be summoned by gifted Casters.
They can't completely eradicate their bonds after all as they continue to live in the shadows. They are always around them even if their existence remained unknown.
What really happened then was also a mystery. The Casters abused of their gifts and their relationship with the Spirits?
They lost the Spirits' trust, and they were abandoned?
They probably just got tired of each other and drifted apart?
Either way, nobody really tells for certain as different versions continue to exists. It is a history that continues to haunt them.
Nobody really wanted to admit where they went wrong. Later, they knew they have drifted away and learned to live without each other's support.
"If you said was true, then why are the spirits continue to support us? We channel your powers through a Spirit Guardian, right? You don't seem like you abandon us. It's like a misunderstanding..." Gwyddien rambles as he gives his opinion.
The Elder Trent smiles as he heard his reasons. He knew he was a coward who ran away and refused to face the truth.
He let his people continue to help the Casters. Even if the Middle Realm wasn't restored to its former glory, the Spirits have channeled their powers to build a place to protect them— the Oasis.
'A misunderstand, huh?' he thought.
The Darkness always takes advantage of their fears and weaknesses in order to break them. It might sound a simple, crazy plot, but it seems like he has fallen into their scheme and succeeded.