The group embarked on their journey towards the hidden village of the Dryads, a sanctuary shrouded in secrecy that remained elusive to those unfamiliar with their ways. It was a place of refuge, carefully concealed from prying eyes by the magic of its inhabitants. In an era where humans had sanctioned the enslavement of non-human races, the Dryads had taken measures to protect their sacred home. With great sacrifice and the expenditure of considerable magical energy, they erected a formidable dome encompassing a vast expanse of land, spanning a thousand miles in every direction. The construction of this sanctuary had not come without cost, as many Dryads had sacrificed their very essence, depleting their own magical reserves to fortify the barrier that shielded their village from the outside world. Without permission from the residents of their place, no one would be able to find out their whereabouts.
From the corner of his eye, he watches the little girl he brings from the Novacora Kingdom. The little princess looks miserable and walks in silence without a word. Her dress looked dirty with torn places that were unfit for a princess. He can feel the fear and sadness radiating from her, creating a tickle in his skin. From time to time, her eyes darted to Nana-Roi as she tried to catching up her small steps with him. He even saw the tears she tried to wipe away when she thought no one was watching.
Leviashivae felt a pang of sympathy for the young girl, knowing that her life had been irrevocably altered by the events that had led them to this moment. He longed to offer her comfort, to ease the burden of her suffering, but he knew that such gestures would only serve to remind her of the tragedy that had befallen her family. And so, he remained a silent observer, his presence a silent beacon of support in her time of need.
They stop walking when his Dryad companions standing still in front of the old Bristlecone Pine tree. The ancient tree looks like that lived over 4.000 years. Stand tall without a single leaf left of the branches. Like deer antlers, the branches grow facing upwards and are lined up and linked to each other.
The dragon looked carefully at the old tree, his eyes appreciating the colorful magic that radiated from the tree. It's really magnificent that the Dryad can make this complex piece of a place. He knows the tree before him is the gate to their secret sanctuary. Knowledge like this was almost impossible they were able to achieve without the help of a dragon.
Despite his own reservations about involving himself in the affairs of mortals, he had made a pact with the Dryads, pledging his aid in their struggle against human oppression in exchange for their assistance in locating the elusive Forest Dragon, whose disappearance had left a void in the natural balance of the world.
Circulating stories are going around, but all of it seems improbable.
Forest Dragon is one of the oldest beings on earth and has a wise and laid-back personality. Sometimes, she is known as Mother Nature because of her ability to create a living creature like plants. She never chooses a successor for her responsibility to balance the world. The consequences were severely dire. In her absence, some plants that grow healthy suddenly wither for no apparent reason.
Nana-Roi whispered a spell that sounded like singing to the tree. A magic light then appeared from below the place they were standing on. They teleported to enter the village of the Dryad races very abruptly. The dragon in this group didn't even have time to calm down the princess, who looked panicked before the light magic enveloped them.
Dorea fell to her feet. The body was shocked, because it was the first time she had used teleportation magic. She tried to adjust her breathing and rapid heartbeat to get back into order. Levi and Nana-Roi watch her with their calculating eyes. She hates feeling weak in front of her parent's killer and the mean lady. She lowered her head and used her sight hair to cover up this inadequate feeling.
"Are you alright?"
The dragon sees her struggle with the emotion that is ready to burst at any moment. Dorea was tense for a while after he asked her the question.
"I am fine." She answers with the newfound determination that she found after collecting her thoughts.
Levi is humming by the answers.
"Welcome to my village then."
Dorea watched in awe as her view presented a vast expanse of grass. The grass thrived with colorful flowers, adorning the green expanse. Not far from her location, a massive banyan tree stood tall, its branches shading the small buildings nearby. Each building had its own uniqueness, although they were constructed from trees growing in the area.
"Wow," a small whisper made him focus his gaze on the ten-year-old girl. This was the first time he had seen a genuine smile on her face. As he observed her joyous expression, a warm glow enveloped his heart. Yet, despite his own elation at her happiness, he found himself struggling to engage with the girl. His heart yearned to express the warmth within him, but the walls he had built around his emotions seemed insurmountable, leaving him uncertain of how to bridge the gap between his inner turmoil and the innocent joy before him.
The village is truly magnificent, and the dragon cannot deny that. Among the many places it has explored, the beauty of the Dryad village almost rivals its hometown.
As they walked to the village, the aroma of wild herbs and flowers filled the air as herbalists carefully concocted potions and remedies, harnessing the natural magic of the forest to heal and nurture. They can see farmers among the Dryad folk tenderly tending to the fruit trees, their fingers intertwining with the branches as they sang melodies of growth and abundance. Amidst this serene scene, a group of Dryad children converged in a sun-dappled clearing, their laughter harmonizing with the melodic chirping of woodland birds as they joyously kicked a ball woven from woven vines, their playful antics a testament to the enduring spirit of innocence and camaraderie within the village.
"Follow me. Our leader is already waiting for your arrival, my Lord," Nana-Roi declared, prompting a nod of agreement from him, granting permission for her to guide them. The Dryad woman strode forward, not sparing a single glance toward the girl standing beside him.
"Are you okay?" he inquired, attempting to break the silence between them.
"Hm?" Dorea responded, her black doe eyes fixed on him. "I am fine," she replied a little too quickly. He knew the girl was lying to him, yet he remained silent, accepting her response without further comment.
Levi noticed the villagers halting their activities as his group passed through. Their disdain for the human was openly displayed on their faces. It was their respect for him that prevented the villagers from moving to attack Dorea. He subtly extended his hand to the girl after noticing the fear in her face. After patiently waiting, she slowly began to grasp his cold hand. His hand, initially cold as ice, gradually began to warm up.
"They hate me," a meek voice reached his ear.
"Hate is a strong word. I don't believe they hate you. They simply choose to judge you based on the bad decisions made by your race, making it easier for them," Leviashivae remarked, his voice tinged with understanding and empathy.
"How come it becomes easier?"
"Because all this time they felt inferior to human beings. Human actions make some of them lose their freedom to choose. But now they are in their home, so they don't want to feel lost again," Leviashivae explained, his tone gentle yet firm, seeking to offer solace amidst the turmoil.
"So, you did not lie to me? Are humans really bad?" Dorea questioned, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Leviashivae paused for a moment, considering his response carefully. "Not all humans are bad," he began, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Just as not all Dryads are good. It's important to remember that individuals should be judged based on their actions, not their race. There are good and bad people in every group. It's about finding those who are willing to see beyond prejudice and treat others with kindness and respect."
He allowed her time to process the words carefully, observing the emotions flicker across her face. At that moment, he caught a glimpse of Nana-Roi's ashamed expression, recognizing the weight of their shared history and the impact it had on their perceptions of one another.
"As you know, I never lie to you, princess," Leviashivae affirmed, his voice steady and sincere, seeking to reassure her of his trustworthiness.
Dorea nodded her head as she tightened her grip on his hand, finding solace in his reassurance amidst the uncertainty surrounding them