Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!Cassian and Tarik continued advancing along the path. As they neared the end, a massive tree loomed in the center, its trunk so vast that it was hard to believe it had existed for so long. Surrounding it was a beautiful village that was supposed to be abandoned, yet it appeared surprisingly well-kept. The air was clean, and though the hierarchy had crumbled, the houses still stood, untouched by neglect. "What do you think?" Tarik asked, glancing around. "It's supposed to be abandoned. My mother was the last guardian.When the other guardians died, they left the village, leaving it completely alone," Tarik replied. "Do you think anyone is still here?" Cassian inquired. "It might be better if we leave the village," Tarik suggested. As they explored, Tarik noticed that many of the houses still had food inside, and the smoke from the chimneys curled into the air. Yet, there was no sign of life, as if the village were haunted. He returned to Cassian, who was waiting for him. "Did you find anyone?" Cassian asked. "No, but the fires are still lit," Tarik said, his brow furrowing."It's strange." "Do you think they're hiding?" Cassian pondered. "Yes, someone lives here and seems to be very good at hiding. But we can't play hide and seek all day. Let's head to the tree before night falls." As they approached the tree, Cassian warned, "Stay alert. We don't know what might attack us." When they reached the largest tree in the village, Cassian stepped closer to its trunk, which was enormous yet oddly thin. "Is the person you're looking for buried here?" he asked. "I don't think he's buried, but where could he be?" Tarik mused."If he is here, we should cut it down," a deep voice interrupted from behind them. "No!" Tarik spun around to see a man of small stature, even shorter than most. Cassian stepped forward. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" he demanded. The man approached them cautiously. "When I touched the tree, I felt its pain," he said, his voice trembling. "I am Ran." "This is the guardians' forest. It was supposed to be abandoned. What are you doing here?" Cassian pressed. "A few years ago, we had to leave our home.When we arrived, the forest showed us there was no food, and we were never meant to touch it. If we let it go, it would mean there is more than just us," Ran explained, gesturing toward the trees. As if on cue, several small figures emerged from the shadows, all resembling Ran. "You're dwarves," Cassian observed, astonished. "Yes, we are the guardians. The forest has told us to stay hidden," Ran replied. "Take me to the first guardian in this tree," Cassian insisted. "Before we do, I advise you not to use weapons," Ran warned."I have it under control," Cassian assured him, stepping closer to the tree as if it were a person. "I need to recover the body of the first guardian that you are guarding." Cassian advanced a few paces toward the tree, feeling an invisible barrier prevent him from getting closer. He tried to break through, but it was futile. Seeing Cassian struggle, Tarik attempted to help, but at that moment, the branches of the tree lashed out toward him. "The forest is alive," Ran cautioned. "It doesn't take kindly to attacks.It has never let us near that tree." Cassian spoke to the tree, trying to convince it of his intentions. "Please, I need to take the first guardian's body." He continued to plead with the tree, but it remained unyielding. As he fell to his knees, the dwarves retreated to their homes, leaving him alone with the tree. Fireflies began to gather near the trunk, illuminating the area. Cassian sat on the ground, gazing at the first guardian. He was so close yet could not reach him. With a long sigh, he whispered the guardian's name."How am I supposed to recover your body, Cassiel?" As he spoke Cassiel's name, a faint light flickered around the trunk. Cassian extended his hand to touch the barrier, and suddenly, the barrier shimmered and weakened. Cassian could feel the coldness of Cassiel's body, revealing that he was indeed dead, yet his form appeared perfectly preserved. After many hours of effort, Cassian struggled to lift the body, realizing it was too heavy. He called for Tarik to help. Tarik approached cautiously, wary of being flung through the air again, but this time, the tree did not attack.Together, they carried the body of the first guardian back to the village, where no one lingered near that tree any longer. As they reached the village, an elderly dwarf approached them. "Is that person alive?" he asked, concern etched on his face. "No, but I hope he will be again," Cassian replied. "This village belongs to the guardians. Shouldn't you return?" the elder asked. "I don't think I can see this place again. Now, it is your home," Cassian said. "Thank you for your kindness, but I am aware of what is yours. You can return when it is safe.We will not fight for it," the elder insisted. "I have a home and family here, just like my brother. Our lives are not in these woods. Consider this your home," Ran interjected, his voice firm. "Soon, there will be a war where monsters will come, so prepare for what lies ahead." Cassian handed Ran several scrolls of transportation. "If the forest cannot protect you, use these to escape." "We have seen what monsters can do. Thank you for providing us an escape route," Ran said gratefully. "Were you attacked by monsters?" Cassian asked."Yes, it was about twenty-five years ago, though I'm not entirely sure. Our lands were barren, and then a dark cloud descended upon us, annihilating our village. We barely managed to escape," Ran explained. "Where did you live before?" Cassian inquired. "On the mounts of Vaizel," Ran replied. "That's near the kingdom of Xurt," Cassian noted. "Yes, it is," Ran confirmed. "The kingdom of Xurt never mentioned any attacks from monsters," Cassian remarked. "I don't believe the kingdom of Xurt cares, Ran.The monsters attacked us and pursued us relentlessly until we fled," Ran replied, his voice heavy with memory. "Did they remain in your village, as if they were guarding something?" Cassian asked. "We don't know. We never felt safe, but it seemed like they were protecting something," Ran said, shaking his head. "Thank you for telling me. I hope you don't think I'll come back to fight," Cassian assured him. Cassian turned to Tarik, instructing him to prepare for their journey to Cassiel. Tarik listened intently, awaiting the arrival of his mount."We can't fly; I don't want to go back to using those scrolls," he said, feeling uneasy. "We need to return quickly," Cassian urged. When Tarik's mount appeared, Cassian instructed him to head to the city of Farell, where they would part ways at the outskirts of the royal capital. Tarik felt his stomach lurch as they traveled, the sensation making him feel ill. He leaned against his mount while trying to help carry the first guardian's body. "I hate those scrolls," he muttered. "I know, but we have to manage.noveldramaI need to inform the palace, so thank you for helping me carry the body of the first guardian," Cassian said. Tarik summoned all his strength to stay upright and assist Cassian in carrying the weight of the first guardian.