The forest rustles as the night wind is much stronger than during the day. A distant cold seeped through his wooden body. Ruvick did not like the cold. He cannot feel the regenerative aspect of the sun. The sentinel has healed, under sunlight and with Ruvick’s vines.

  They made their way toward the Kobold cave. According to the grand root. It wouldn’t take another hour. Nora was carried on Yuu’s back. His wound reopened once, making Ruvick run beside Yuu to extend his vine toward him.

  “I should be able to run now,” Nora said. His complexion is better. The shirt was still wet with blood.

  “Apologise, but this will still be faster,” Ruvick said, withdrawing his vine. “None of us know where the human settlement is, The sentinel will escort you there once we arrive at the Kobold cave.”

  Nora gave him a thin smile. “No need to escort me.. There will be other humans inside the Kobold Dungeon. I can go home with them once they're done.”

  “What are humans doing there?” Ruvick asked.

  “It’s a tradition of some sort,” Nora said. “A test for those who wanted to be warriors and join the Wooden Elves and the Guardians in getting rid of the monster. Although no party has met the quota, which is to kill the King Kobold in the fifth depth.”

  “Who decided this.. quota?”

  “The elder. Each village is led by the eldest person living. The five elders decided on most things. Including on who are worthy enough to join the fight. Those damn geezer probably make these impossible test so only Guardian and Elven life spill instead of any of the villager” Nora spat to the ground. His eyes clench tightly.

  “Are you perhaps interested in joining the fight, Nora?”

  “Of course I do!” He exclaimed, almost making himself fall from Yuu's back. He grips Yuu’s shoulder tightly and exhales deeply. “A guardian saved my friend when I was little. Wood elves did the same when a pack of wolves circled my family as we traveled to trade.. It's not fair for them to keep protecting us, and we just went on with our lives.. And that fire.. There has been talk between the elders to evacuate this forest.”

  Ruvick stopped on his track. The word hung across his mind. Evacuate the forest? The humans are planning to leave.

  Yuu and Liy stop running, they turn and walk toward Ruvick. Looking at him without any emotion. Nora tilted his head at him.

  “Ruvick? What is it? The Guardian will leave us in the dust.” The Sentinel appears behind him. Clapping Nora across his shoulder. “Whoa! I guess not..”

  “Leaving? Where?”

  Nora raised his eyebrow. Then his face contorted in a serious expression. “Most favor the Witch Coven. They will grant us residency as long as they’re permitted to take any of us as their apprentice. The other option is seeking migration to the Kingdom of Malam. Envoy has already been sent, now they’re waiting for an answer.”

  Ruvick stared down at his feet. He did not know what he should do. The human number is a force he plans to use for the forest defense. Can they even survive without them? But, stopping the humans just so they can fight is something he did not want to force upon them.

  “Ruvick?”

  “Please give me a bit of time. I will seek consult from the Grand Root.”

  “Grand Root?”

  Ruvick knelt, both hands on the earth. He shot a root down. Digging through to find another. His root bumped into a wooden texture and proceeded to coil around it.

  ‘Greeting, I would like to infor-‘

  ‘We know child,’ The trees said through the root.

  ‘But, their number.. We will need them’

  ‘Have you forgotten? Our request to you is to protect the Human and Wood Elves. Not necessarily to protect the Forest’

  ‘What would have happened to you then? To the rest of the trees? They possess the ability to burn down half of the great forest in a short time. Do you expect the Dark Elves to spare you?’ Ruvick asked.

  ‘I suppose not. But, we will not ask any Humans or Elves to lay down their lives for us.’

  ‘Are you looking forward to your next life then? You're tired of being a tree? Are you hoping to walk on legs?’ Ruvick demanded.

  ‘That is quite hurtful to hear.’ A jolt of melancholy went through.

  Ruvick's body shuddered. The cold night might have affected him. He should not have spoken like that. But the anger boiled inside him. his core thrummed in agreement, they should protect the forest.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  ‘Why? Why consider yourself with..’ Ruvick tried to find a word. ‘such a little thought’

  ‘It’s the opposite, without the Human and the Wood Elves.. Life will be boring here. We will create Sentinel for them to hunt any monster harming us. But that’s it. Our greatest Joy is to watch the humans and elves multiply. From one group, into one village, into a bustling community.’

  ‘Did you know, child? The human and elves' villages are made out of tree houses. Those trees whose bear their houses are always the happiest. Following one generation to the others.. They would weep if any of their resident died. Yet they will cry in joy more from every little thing happening. A baby's first word, a child's first hunt, and adults starting a family. Hearing their story is like being blanketed in soft sunlight. Why do you think half of us sacrifice ourselves? We lost half of the Human in that fire. Most Elves have gone to war and will never go back. That pain is too much for us.. I beg you to understand’

  Ruvick opened his mouth, only to close it again. He clenches a fistful of dirt. His body shook, but this time not in anger. He shook in shame.

  ‘I'm sorry’

  ‘You’re just born. Do not apologise. We shove such a great task on you who barely see the world.’

  ‘I still wanted to protect this forest. Will you allow me this one wish?’

  ‘…’

  ‘Should some of them decide to fight, I shall not deter them.’ Ruvick said.

  There’s no response coming from the tree. Ruvick's core beat in apprehension. The wind is even colder as second passes.

  ‘Will you truly promise not to push them to a fight, child? This Kobold King will be a powerful creature to have as your minion. Once you kill it.. A lot of them will want to rally behind you. For those who still wanted to evacuate.. We want you to help them also, not just ignore them, but help them. Will you do that?’ The trees asked.

  ‘I promise, on Nil herself’

  -------------

  Ruvick knew the great forest was huge, sprawling across mountains and countless hills. But this cave.. It looks like a giant mouth. Even bigger than hundreds of trees Ruvick has seen combined, except for Nil. He feel like the cave is breathing, sucking the air around the clearing where they stood.

  Rocky terrain replaces the grass field, both could be more different than the others. Ruvick will have to rely on Nil’s spear life bubble for healing.

  “Look!” Nora pointed toward the corner of the cave entrance. Twenty stakes jutted from the earth just before the stones. Nora jumped down from Liy’s back, he ran to inspect the stake.

  Ruvick joined to see names engraved on it. Each stake probably bare more than ten names.

  “Is this grave?” Ruvick asked.

  “What! No!” Nora scowled.

  Ruvick tilted his head at Nora's reaction. Why does he look angry?

  “These are the names of people who are currently raiding this dungeon. The dungeon has five huge floor maped. Each is ten times the size of Elk Village. So once someone enters deep, it usually will take a couple of days to get out.” Nora explained. “A huge party has just entered. Two hundred people! This is almost unheard of.”

  Ruvick looks around. Something is strange, he couldn’t put his head around it. “I would have expected there to be some kind of support team here for Lookout.”

  Nora shook his head. “There usually are. Concerned family would wait out here. But the monster has been very active. I got chased by a wolf earlier, before you saved me, Ruvick. I was supposed to join this raid, but I ran late.” He brings his sword up, eyes blazing alight in anticipation. “Let’s go.”

  Ruvick pulled Nora's shoulder, he shot a questioning look at him. “I have a favour to ask you, Nora. One that will require you to be unable to participate in the raid.”

  “What? No way-“ Nora held his mouth. Eyes scanning across Ruvick’s. “You have the same look when I was dying, Ruvick.”

  “I do?” Ruvick held his wooden hand to his face.

  “What is it? Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I..” Ruvick paused. This human just read his emotions, Ruvick did not realise his face could reveal it. “How do I look to you?”

  “You lower your gaze like you somehow failed me. It noticeable. The Guardian did not have emotion, or I think they don’t.” Nora peeked at the Sentinel. “So, when you do it, it’s very obvious.”

  “I see.. That is interesting.”

  “It is?” Nora asked. “Anyway, what is your request? I cannot promise to skip the raid.”

  “I want you to go to your village. Not just your village, but all of them,” Ruvick said. Nora's lips pressed together in protest, but he held his mouth. “The trees are alive. I want you to tell everyone. Tell them to speak to the trees, etch something on their trunk. They will be happy if they do so.”

  “They’re alive? Each of them? Like Great Nil?”

  Ruvick nods. He saw Nora’s eyes suddenly widen. A memory of his life must be replayed through his mind. One where a sign of living trees interacts with him. Ruvick hoped it was a good memory, one that he would cherish.

  “There was one time,” Nora started. “I was maybe about ten, running across my tree houses, almost jumping over the railing. I could swear a root grasped my legs and pulled me to safety,” He mumbled.

  “You tend to be saved by this forest being don’t you?”

  Nora smiled. He let out a low laugh. “Yes, yes, I do. That is why I wanted to...” He formed his hand into a fist. “I will do it, Ruvick.”

  “Thank you Nora.”

  “Ah, before I go. I need to fill you in on the situation, riding in this Kobold cave.”

  “Situation?” Ruvick asked.

  “Yes, the kobolds are a digger, an incredible one they are! Rumour has it, in the fifth depth, the Kobolds hide their greatest treasure. A golden sword, a golden crown, thousands of gold coins that filled the throne room of the Kobold King.” Nora said.

  “And how does this wealth affect the current situation?”

  “Well..” His eyes glinted. “The groups that intended to stay in this forest snuck in one of them inside the Envoy, which was going to the Kingdom of Malam. That person planned to separate herself from the envoy and proceed to hire adventurers with the wealth hidden in the Kobold king's throne. She will post a quest promising great wealth in exchange for a monster subjugation.”

  “And what if there’s no such treasure inside this dungeon?” Ruvick asked. He did not like this plan. This plan should be discussed with the Wood Elves and Grand Root. Where had this plan been discussed? It must be somewhere hidden outside of the Grand Root's influence.

  “We’re desperate..” Nora mutters. Not offering any answer. “You need to be careful, Ruvick. Most of us try to find the treasure to pay the adventurer.. But others just plan to hog it for themselves. We humans can be greedy, please keep that in mind.”

  “Regardless..” Ruvick said. “They’re creatures the trees wish to protect. I will save them. And this forest as well.”

  Nora scratched his nonexistent beard. Staring at Ruvick wide-eyed. He smiled, one that did not extend to his eyes. “Ruvick, that is naivety, not kindness. Please, just promise you will think twice before trusting someone.”

  “I promise.”