[color=8dc73f][center][h2]Freyr[/h2][/center][/color]

[sup]PS: For anyone that is not familiar with FF lore, Viera names use an Icelandic-esque alphabet. In this case, J has the sound of 'y'. The female viera mentioned by Nera, reads 'Yote'.[/sup]

Luckily enough, neither Ditzy nor Nagare reacted to the female viera badly, instead quickly trying to explain themselves to the female Viera. While it was clear that she was hearing them, she still had her bow drawn. 

[color=1a7b30]"Lonely? It was his own choice to leave the woods, hobgoblin. He left his race and the Woods behind. This is the price he has to pay for his choices."[/color] the female viera replied to Ditzy.

[color=1a7b30]"You are really far from home, ice dragon Nagare. Regarding speaking with the elders, it depends on his reasons to come back here."[/color] the female viera said, turning to Nagare, who had presented herself and was trying to explain why they came.

[color=007236]"And you... How did you get here, Freyr. You abandoned your duties as a wood-warder and your place in the woods. You are no longer able to hear the Voice of the Woods. You know that this is not your place anymore."[/color] The female viera asked, lowering her bow, but still looking to Freyr with distrust. The second the female viera mentioned Freyr's name, it was clear to both Ditzy and Nagare that they knew each other, but it was also clear that she resented him for leaving the Vieran woods and abandoning them.

[color=8dc73f]"The Wood longs for it's lost child, Nera. I can hear it's voice as well as you do."[/color] Freyr said, lowering his arms and looking at the female Viera.

[color=8dc73f]"The Vieran Woods, the Viera themselves and our way of life might be in danger... The old traditions need to be broken, Nera. The world outside the woods move and we can't just ignore it... Lest we want to be swept away by the tides of time."[/color] Freyr completed, waiting for Nera's reaction.

Nera was silent for a while as she looked to Freyr's serious expression, her internal conflict clear in her expression. After a long moment, she silently walked forward, going to the portal and gently touching it. After a brief moment, the trunk that was 'closing' the portal bent itself inside, revealing a pathway, naturally carved inside the tree, spiraling upwards until it reached to the top of that huge tree.

[color=007236]"Humans wearing thick, brutish iron suits started coming to the woods a few months ago..."[/color] Nera said, without looking back to the group.

[color=007236]"If you know anything about them, you should talk to Jote. As the Elder, her will and the will of the village is the same."[/color] She finished, pointing towards the pathway that opened in the tree trunk, letting them pass.

[center][h1]The Vieran Village[/h1][/center]

[center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/83/81/bc/8381bcb9f67b46bb98d5a41e9c0777fb.jpg[/img][/center]

After climbing the spiral pathway for some time, they finally arrived on the Vieran village, emerging from inside the tree. After a long journey through the woods, Ditzy and Nagare were finally able to see what very few outsiders were able to see. Built around the trunks of those gigantic trees, using their own branches and trunks as a support, instead of a mere village, almost a small city stood high above the forest, hidden away from prying eyes.

Freyr, Nagare and Ditzy, after exiting the pathway they used to climb, found themselves in the middle of a peaceful plaza with a water fountain, decorated with delicate and intricate patterns, even the pathways they walked on were carved and decorated. In the very middle of the plaza, female Vieras who were resting, sitting either on the border of said fountain, on benches around the plaza or simply walking around immediately stopped everything they were doing upon seeing them, looking to Ditzy and Nagare with curiosity. Amongst those Vieras, there were some whom instead of wearing the normal, revealing clothing that all female Vieras wore, instead wore less revealing armors, together with a full helmet covering their faces. Despite having their faces covered, their cold stare towards them could be immediately perceived.

[color=8dc73f]"Those are wood-warders. Nera, despite not wearing their armor, was also a wood-warder. Their duty is to protect the city from the dangerous beasts that dwell in the forest and patrol the woods. Unlike females, who are allowed to live in this village, male Vieras upon becoming adults are destined to become wood-warders. Unlike females though, they cant return to the village and instead live in full isolation on the small camp they created for themselves."[/color] Freyr explained, whispering to both Ditzy and Nagare. Despite having not mentioned anything about why and how Nera and Freyr knew each other, it was clear that there was some history behind them. The resentment Nera had when she first saw him seemed to be more than simply the cold stare the other wood-warders were giving to them.

[@AzureKnight] [@Restalaan]