Chapter 32: Chapter 32- The People Of The Woods (Part 4)
Chapter 32- The People Of The Woods (Part 4)
The trio walked through the massive village slowly. Zen and Cipha were in awe at how majestic and truly huge it was. Everything around them was at least several times the size they were accustomed to, so they felt like dwarves in a world of giants. All the people walking around them were way taller than them, appearing like ancient trees themselves.
Their eyes wandered to the small humans curiously as they whispered to one another. Shockingly, Zen didn’t feel any hostility from them. They simply appeared curious and intrigued.
’They’re all peaceful creatures, so I’m not that surprised. It still doesn’t make it any less weird that an entirely different race wasn’t hostile toward them.
’Most races are usually hostile toward humans, mainly because we are the most invasive and brutal race of them all. We have conquered countless lands and stripped many of these creatures of their rights because we are simply stronger and smarter. I still wonder how these people didn’t develop hatred toward us.’ Zen thought to himself.
It was an interesting idea, considering the destruction humans caused in every corner of the world.
"Garn, are those the human children you found yesterday?" At that moment, one of the Wood folks approached them. It seemed to be a woman, judging from the longer "hair" and the feminine features.
"Yes, they are. Cipha, Zen, this is Ferika." Garn said as he stepped aside, letting the wood woman approach them and lean down to examine them with her curious eyes.
"Nice to meet you, young ones. I hope you’re enjoying your stay here." She said with a soft smile.
"Yeah, thank you for your hospitality."
"Woah!!! Humans! Actual humans, I’ve never seen them before!"
As they were like that, several Wood Folks rushed toward them. They were considerably shorter than the rest, with youthful and excited looks on their faces. They swarmed Cipha and Zen as the two leaned against each other, and the group of kids started talking excitedly.
’They’re kids, and they’re still taller than us. They’re giants!’ Zen frowned.
"Hey, stop it. Don’t you see that the two young ones are injured?" Ferika said as she pulled the kids away. "I’m really sorry, they’re just really excited to finally meet you."
"Ehem, no worries," Cipha replied as she cleared her throat.
Meanwhile, the kids kept staring at them curiously, trying to fight the urge to touch them.
"Oh, Garn, the chief is looking for you. Did you talk to him yet?" Ferika asked.
"Hm, yeah, I was going to head there after showing them around," Garn said.
"If it’s urgent, you don’t need to show us around, Mr Garn," Cipha replied.
"It’s about you two. He wants to know what happened."
"Well, then that’s even more of a reason to go," Zen replied. "We don’t mind tagging along."
"..." Garn looked at them for a second before he nodded his head. "Well, if you say so. Follow me."
With that, the group bid Ferika and the kids farewell and continued walking through the village until they reached the stairs that led to the upper parts of the village, where most of the hanging huts and houses were located. Zen and Cipha were shocked to witness the large branches of the trees that carried these houses.
"The trees are so large here..." Cipha muttered.
"Yeah, they are..."
"Of course, our trees have been feeding on Essence for eons, growing under the grace of the God of nature, and we are blessed to have them. They protect us from all the monsters that want to harm us." Garn explained as he stared around him. "They are the barrier that stops the world from disturbing our lives."
"..."
’No wonder they carry so much love for this forest and rarely appear in the human world. This place is their safe haven.’ Zen thought to himself as he stared around him.
Crossing one of the bridges, they ended up in a different section of the village. One that was a bit more secluded and quiet. There, on one of the trees, was a large building. Zen could tell that it belonged to this supposed chief.
Garn approached the door and knocked. A few seconds later, a man walked out with a dead serious look on his face. He stared at Garn and then at the two humans before he spoke.
"Garn, you’re late. The chief was waiting." He said.
"I’m sorry, haha... I was making sure the two were fine."
"No need to apologize. Come in." He said as he stepped aside. The group was welcomed into the chief’s house. The interior was very big and surprisingly cozy. All furniture was made out of wood, so it had a very old feeling to it.
Inside this house, sitting on a large chair was a very old man. Zen could immediately tell he was very old from his withered and dark-looking branches. The wisdom in his eyes seemed endless, as if he lived for hundreds of years.
He had a cane resting next to him and he was staring into the fireplace silently. As he heard the group walk in, he finally shifted his gaze toward them.
Silence took over the entire place for several moments. It was awkward and quite tense, making Cipha and Zen naturally tense up. After all, they didn’t know what to expect from this man.
’He doesn’t seem very amused by our presence, like everyone else. I guess he knows more than them?’ Zen squinted his eyes.
"Mm, step forward." The old man finally spoke with his deep, raspy voice. His tone was commanding and strong, but not arrogant.
Garn signaled for them to do what he asked, and so they did. Finally, he stared directly at them.
"Hm." He hummed. "I didn’t think after all these years, your kind would take a step into my village again. Who sent you? Are you a part of the association? Are you here to steal it?"
"Huh?" Zen and Cipha frowned in confusion. "We aren’t a part of the association."
"Don’t they all say that?" The man said. "Humans are prone to lying and deceiving more than anyone else. Why should I believe that you two are different?"
"..."
"If that is what you are looking for, then you are not welcome into our forest. Leave."
