"I still can't believe that you were the one to do all that, Duvainion. I knew that you have some strange magic, but that was a powerful spell." Caleldes comments to Duvainion.
"It just kinda happened, really... I'm not really sure how, honestly, I just got kinda angry at how those stupid Orcs were treating you, everything past that point is just kind of a bit of a blur, now." Duvainion admits.
"Well, I'm glad that you feel so strongly about me, despite only being your bodyguard." Caleldes just smiles at Duvainion. "Anyways, I remember Hunter here, but who's your other friend?"
"Oh, this is Nicholas. I met him in the human capital city, Elesstead, when he... Offered to help me." Duvainion decides to just leave out the part where Nicholas had originally stolen from him.
"That's nice. There's not too many good souls out there, anymore." comments Caleldes.
"Right..." Nicholas just seems both a little nervous and relieved.
They finally make it back to the forest.
"This is the forest that you were talking about? Isn't this the forest that people call cursed?" Caleldes asks.
"It's not cursed, it's protected. It's an ancient and mystical forest, we just want people to think that it's cursed. It's sorta like extra protection." Hunter explains.
"Oh, sorry."
"It's fine."
"So, how can we help, then, Hunter?"
"Well, first, we should probably go and see Olula, the Forests Guardian, and Serenity. They've been here, trying to help the forest, for the longest, so they know more about it then I do." Hunter explains.
"Alright."
"You mentioned this Serenity girl before, who is she, anyway?" Nicholas asks Hunter.
"It'd probably just be best if you were to meet her yourselves, and ask any questions that you may have to her personally, honestly." Hunter responds.
"Oh, alright."
After a bit, they eventually get to the center of the vast and ancient forest, soon spotting OIuIa, who's still in her dire wolf form, though she is also accompanied by a strange silver and gold colored deer looking centaur.
OIula looks over to them when she notices them approaching. 'Ah, greetings, young ones. I did not expect you all back so soon. But, based on the fact that there is now another with you, that what ever your mission was, was successful?' Olula inquires.
Duvainion nods. "Yes, this is Caleldes, my bodyguard."
"Well, you all already met Olula, except for Caleldes at least, but the deer centaur girl is Serenity. Serenity, this is Duvainion, an old friend of mine, his bodyguard Caleldes, and his friend Nicholas." Hunter introduces them.
Serenity gives them a small curtsey. "Greetings, young Elven Prince, and company. As Hunter has mentioned, my name is Serenity. And yes, I am still a centaur, despite the fact that I am a deer, and not a horse."
"Guess you get asked that a lot, then?" Nicholas wonders.
"Yes. Although any centaur with a body as any thing other than a horse tends to be fairly rare, so even amongst my own people I get frequent questions. Anyways, you may be royalty from a differing kingdom, but I shall still attempt to serve you, as best that I can." Serenity declares.
"Serve? Why, if you don't mind my asking?" Caleldes asks, curiously.
"I am in training to become the next High Priestess of the Church of the Angel's Order." Serenity reveals.
Though Duvainion just seems slightly confused.
So Serenity continues to explain. "We mostly follow the teachings of the Goddess of Life, Hikari. And it is my duty to be able to be of any assistance that I can be to any royalty that I may encounter, given that whatever I am asked is within reason, of course."
"Huh. That's definitely a rare requirement, of any religion, really. Definitely not something that I'd have ever heard coming from our church." Caleldes comments.
"Which would be?"
"Most Elves generally follow the teachings of the God of Light, Lumen."
"I see, well it is how the Goddess of Life wishes us to operate. We must help those in need. That is also why I am here, and so for away from my homeland, this forest is in dire need." Serenity explains.
"Really? Looks fine, to me." Caleldes says.
"The forest is in great peril. Some may call this forest ancient, but that barely even begins to describe this amazing place. This is, in fact, the very first forest that the Goddess of Life had ever created. It has so much more significance than most every other person can even begin to comprehend. Although we have been working on this for years, we still are unsure what is ailing her. What we do know, at least, is that whatever is wrong, it is definitely effecting her roots. The only other thing that we are aware of, is that whatever is wrong with her, has only ever gotten steadily worse ever since the invasion of your kingdom. So, we have been working extra hard recently, but it is still no easy task, to check an entire forest this vast, for an unknown ailment." Serenity just seems a bit down as she explains this.
"That does sound troubling, but, why do you keep saying 'her', when you're reoffering to the forest?" Caleldes questions Serenity.
"Because this forest is alive, in more meanings to the term than you assume. That humongous tree over there? That is Asiza, the Ent Mother. She is this forest, her roots connect all throughout the rest of the trees within her forest. But unfortunately, she is currently the last Ent, that we are aware of. She has been too weak lately to create any more of her babies, and to conserve as much energy as she can, she stays rooted to this spot, resting. I desperately wish to be able to help her in over coming whatever may be hurting her, but whatever it may be still illudes us, unfortunately."
"D*mn. This does sound serious, then." Caleldes comments.
"Indeed."
"Hm... It certainly seem like the Orcs are involved with this somehow, if her ailments only got worse when those b*stards appeared in our kingdom. But how? They're not usually smart enough to be able to pull something like this off. Nor would they even have a reason to, either. This is actually rather confusing, honestly." Caleldes tries to reason it out.
-------
Somewhere deep within the Shadow realm, a shadowy and other worldly looking place, a large demonic looking shadowy figure sits on a dark throne. With none other then the Orc King, Truagrog, standing in front of him.
"Sir, please, we have done every other thing that you have asked of us..." Truagrog actually seems quite nervous in front of this large and shadowy demonic figure.
"I want Duvainion. Now! No questions asked, remember?" He just seems irritated with Truagrog, at the moment.
"Yes, sir, but... If I may be so bold as to ask... Why do you want that one boy, so badly? If it's royalty you want, there are plenty of other...less deadly princes, and even princesses, to choose from, sir." Truagrog tries to convince him.
"I don't need to explain myself to you. I want the elven prince. My plans cannot proceed without my prince, specifically! Now go! Or else I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. And we don't want that happening, now, do we?"
"No, sir. I will get right on it, sir!" Truagrog seems a bit desperate, now.
"Good." He just glares at him some, though, not entirely trusting him much, anymore.
Truagrog just quickly heads off, though tries to figure out what was meant when he had said 'my prince, specifically'. Though he soon just puts it out of his mind, as he's more worried now about if they were to fail, again.