Wraithwood Botanist-Chapter 210 - 156 - Trigan

"Kira is the soul of a demigod who later ascended to godhood," I said as I sat. "So she's far more capable than I am."

His eyes widened. "Wait, she's a god?"

"Yes. She uses my soul core as an energy source, so she's weak. But once she returns to her prior strength, she can reach over three hundred feet tall and destroy mountains. At least that's what she was capable of before her tether died."

He stared blankly. "I… I don't know what to say to that."

I sipped my tea with a grim smile. "I'm not sure there's anything to say." I sent a glance toward the door, as if to look through it and into the forest. "I'm going to need you to sign a stronger silence pact than the others. If you want to lead this village, there's much to know… about the fairies, the guardians—the vision. Upcoming conflict, my capabilities—the reason the Oracle sent me here."

He lifted his hand. "Then allow me. By order of the heavenly tribunes, I, Trigan Easan Reita Lore, swear to keep Mira Hill's life, capabilities, and desires secret, unless she gives me express permission to use information for the purpose of doing my job. Mira retains full control of how I use all information about her and her territories, even if what I learn comes from third parties, or it will prevent me from doing my job."

His body radiated, and I could feel the new connection.

"That was bold," I said.

"You have a leadership skill—that means that you already know what happened and why I'm here. And since you've already indicated you will bring my family here… I will follow you."

I nodded solemnly, then thought through my words.

"It's not going to be easy," I said. I turned to the corner of the room. "Zyphrael."

"See? This is why we don't show ourselves." Zyphrael materializes in the corner. "Once people see us, they know what to look for." He flew to the table in his golden armor and then stared at Trigan. "Feel free to continue."

I drank some tea, reveling in the warm sensation before continuing. "Trigan. The first thing you have to understand is that I'm a guardian of this forest, so what we do must be okay with the Drokai." I presented Zyphrael. "The River Guardian, and the wyverns. Endless growth is not an ideal. I created this village to have company, protect my family, and raise future guardians. So I need that mindset in mind."

Trigan put down his tea and looked at Zyphrael. "I will build it as you wish."

I studied Zyphrael's expression and continued. "That said, war is on the horizon, and we'll need a full army—at least in the thousands—and strategic strongholds."

"That's not what we discussed," Zyphrael hissed.

"It's what we will discuss, and Nethralis will say yes," I said.

"You're getting bolder by the day."

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"It's not boldness. It's because I have a large chunk of Brindle's memories now, so I remember armies large enough to push through the Jacksa Delta—armies so large and strong that they wiped out the Drokai and the other three River Guardians."

Brindle never shared these memories directly, but while I was inside Brindle's body, creating Misty Row, I remembered through his memories for context. After decades of skirmishes, Jacksmore troops had slaughtered the Drokai, wyverns, and birds in the Fourth Ring, allowing flight access into Areswood Forest. They only slowed down to train and import fourth- and fifth-evolution soldiers in preparation for conquering the Fifth Ring. Thus, Commander Rall of the Jacksmore Army built Rall's Fort, the abandoned city we passed on the way to Misty Row. During this period, Brindle prepared by creating his illusionary soul forest; by the time they made their move, it was already too late. It wasn't until Jacksmore the Little personally led expeditions into Misty Row that progress resumed.

Trigan raised an eyebrow. "Brindle? You mean Brindle Grask?"

"Same Druid that wrote the books on this forest, yes," I said. "He's still alive—and he's my patron god. Elana is the patron of a blessed subclass." I turned to him. "I have two gods. My primary class is in soulmancy—particularly relating to plants."

He placed his teacup on the table and moved it around absentmindedly, trying to process the gravity of my words.

"Brindle gave me his magic and memories through memories he packaged with Kira. That's why I can control the Bramble, half of Misty Row, and The Crown. He's trusted me as a guardian of this forest—and gave me the tools to continue his legacy."

"But why?" Zyphrael demanded,

"No matter how many times you or Thorvel ask that question, it's never going to change," I said coldly. "Brindle didn't choose me—Yakana did. And he knows you're not strong enough. Zyphrael—there used to be two hundred thousand Drokai in the Fourth Ring. How many of you are there now?"

Zyphrael laughed. "Two hundred thousand? Do you know how long it takes us to conceive?"

"I do," I said. "It takes a long time—but it doesn't not that long. And if you do some basic math, you'd know that there's been a hundred thousand years since the major wars, and you only have a few thousand Drokai today. Why is that?"

He fell silent and worked through it. He found the answer—but realized he wouldn't broach it.

"Nethralis hasn't told you because there's nothing she could do about it," I said. "All you can do is breed and pray you'll have more troops before the next battle." I turned to Trigan. "I'm sorry about this. I'm still working out kinks in my relationship with the Drokai. But that comes back to the point. I need you to expand settlements, and to do that, you'll need to utilize our diplomats to work with the Drokai."

Trigan nodded. "I'll have Ferna establish open dialogue. She's more than capable." He turned to Zyphrael. "But we will need your cooperation. War is coming, and war takes time."

Zyphrael looked at the table in confusion. "I'll speak to Nethralis."

"Good." I stood. "Then we have it settled."

Trigan stood hesitantly. "That's it? You didn't want to cover… your vision? For the village?"

I shook my head. "If I had my way, this would become a beautiful botanical garden. I'd save a strip of trees for a commercial district and another for a public district, but otherwise, you have free reign." I paused at his reaction. "Look. I didn't bring you here today to tell you what the village should be like. I brought you here to tell you why we're creating this village, and the challenges associated with it. How you make it happen is of your own discretion. You're the leader of this settlement, and you're in charge of dealing with all its affairs. Of course, I'll bear all the consequences and failures."

He studied me carefully. "You make it sound like you're leaving."

"I am," I said. "This winter I'm going on a trip. But that's irrelevant, Trigan. Your job is to build a settlement and an army dedicated solely to Areswood Forest. If I live, I die—it doesn't matter. You will continue on your tasks as if nothing ever happened."

Trigan laughed nervously. "I think you underestimate how important you are. But… I'll do it."

"That's what I like to hear. Now let's make the pacts."

That night, I flew above my villagers with Zyphrael, feeling like an angel spreading the word of a god up high.

"As agreed upon, everyone here will create a pact of loyalty to me and this forest," I said. "As I also mentioned, I don't believe in indentured servitude, so I'm not gonna create a soul pact that binds you here. If you don't like it here, you will be free to return to the city without a soul pact, essentially freeing you."

An electric surge of confusion spread through the crowd.

"That said, I ask that you make a pact that you will try, earnestly and in good faith, to live here for five years. I think that's fair. The first few years will have its challenges, but I think by then, Trigan and the others will make this a promised land for you and your families. So… that's my ask. Are you okay with it? If you do, please… kneel."

Half the people kneeled instantly. Hesitant people followed. Those who found salvation in my words and didn't want to kneel watched a hundred people kneel and followed suit.

No one wanted the animosity. Still, I felt it was fair—so I wouldn't feel bad about it.

"Thank you," I said as I gazed down upon them. "Starting today, you have become a Wraith of Areswood Forest—even those who are here as representatives of foreign businesses. And you will create a pact that you will be loyal to me and to this forest as long as you're here. That you will always consider Areswood before disclosing information and never take any action that would aid harvesters, armies, or individuals in conquering it. You will create a pact to respect this forest's guardians and act prudently when harnessing its resources. And you will promise, while you live within this forest, to listen to my orders and the orders of those that I place in power. Most importantly, you will pledge, as long as you're in this forest, to protect it from invaders. As a Wraith, you will become a guardian and protect your home. And you will, in good faith, try to give Wraithwood Village five years of service before you leave. You will not be bound to this forest, but you will not leave this forest in a simple pursuit for wealth, power, freedom, or any other personal gain, before this time. This is the pact that you have agreed upon, and so long as you are here, you will abide by it. Do you agree?"

A cascading waterfall of responses affirmed the kneeling people's loyalties.

I nodded. "Then let's create the pact."

Zyphrael watched in amazement as one hundred and twenty villagers, as well as Felio's alchemists and guards, made this pact.

I turned to him and Kyro. Then I looked back. I didn't need the Drokai to validate what was said. Unlike on Earth, these people were bound by these rules, lest they die. We officially had guardians—now it was time to finally get my equipment.