[center][h1][color=007236]The Vieran Woods[/color][/h1][/center]

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[center][sup][@Restalaan][@AzureKnight][/sup][/center]

Freyr didn't knew for how much longer he could hold the frenzied Nera down, but luckily, Ditzy was quick to act following his tackle, immediately grabbing his sandbag and in a single, fluid motion, built moment before striking Nera in the head with a mighty blow.

As Freyr felt Nera's strength waning as she stopped struggling and her body fell unconscious on top of him, he let out a relieved sigh. Much like Ditzy, who almost immediately came to confirm her pulse, he also felt the signs she was still alive, thanks for her body being basically on top of him. Despite the terrible headache, he was glad that she was still alive.

[color=8dc73f]"Quick thinking, Ditzy."[/color] he said, praising Ditzy as he gently laid Nera's unconscious body on the ground before standing up.

[color=8dc73f]"We were lucky... If she wasn't tired already, it would be much harder to fight against her... How are your wounds?"[/color] Freyr asked, looking to Ditzy.

The moment he stood up though, he noticed the forest's voice and it's energy, flooding the place where the barrier once was. Nagare, who was still in her dragon form, was successful in opening a crack in the barrier, an entire section had collapsed thanks to her power. It also seemed like she was starting to understand a little better the special connection the Viera had with the forest, as Freyr could feel that the forest was starting to accept her.

Gently getting Nera's unconscious body into his arms, they exitted the barrier. Once outside, Freyr turned to both Ditzy and Nagare.

[color=8dc73f]"Thanks, both of you. Nera is still alive and the Vieran Spellweavers will be able to revert her current state. It will take a while to completely undo the runes carved into her body and return her to normal, but she will be fine."[/color] Freyr said, looking to Nera with a worried expression.

[color=8dc73f]"Now that the barrier is partially gone, the Wood Warders should be arriving shortly together with Jote. You can feel it too, can't you Nagare?"[/color] Freyr asked, looking to her with a curious expression. 

On that exact moment, they heard a hushed sound coming from the trees together with a breeze, followed by five figures dropping down from the branches. It was Jote and another four Wood Warders, who had just arrived.

As she approached them, the mixed emotions on her expression were clear. Curiosity, sadness, regret, anger...

[color=007236]"Nera..."[/color] she said, looking to her unconscious body, covered with runes, carved into her very flesh.

[color=007236]"I assume this is the work of those 'Varjans' you spoke of."[/color] Jote said, looking to the group. It was clear to them that she was doing everything she could to keep her composure.

[color=007236]"I... We might be wrong... About everything... First it was you, Freyr, you who left the forest but despite that, the Forest still considers you as one of it's children and now a complete outsider... It's not merely a coincidence. It's the first time that a complete outside was granted the favor of the woods."[/color] Jote said as two of the wood warders gently came to get Nera from Freyr's arms.

[color=007236]"Take her to the Spellweavers, now. They need to start their work while she is still unconscious. Don't take your eyes away from her, not even a second in case she wakes up."[/color] Jote said as she dismissed the two Wood Warders who were carrying Nera with a wave of her hand.

[color=007236]"We, the Viera need to rethink our ways and plan our actions. The Woods know and now, we do too. If we don't change our ways now, when we decide to do so later, it might be too late. These Varjans... They are a threat to the woods and to the Viera alike."[/color] Jote said. Despite her apparent calm, her eyes were burning with anger.

[color=007236]"For saving Nera and for opening our eyes, you three have my eternal gratitude."[/color] Jote said, thanking them.

[color=007236]"The Village and the Woods will always welcome you with open arms. If you ever need our aid, you have but to ask."[/color] Jote said as she turned away from them, disappearing inside the forest.

After a moment, Freyr looked back both to Ditzy and Nagare with a conflicted expression.

[color=8dc73f]"For better or for worse, for the first time in a long while, the Viera are going to act, instead of simply observe."[/color] Freyr said. Despite his sad expression, he knew very well that the Viera being dragged into that conflict against the Varjans was unavoidable, especially when they starting taking interest in using the Vieras as weapons.

"[color=8dc73f]Maybe I shouldn't be the one to say this, as the one who encouraged the Viera to prepare for a War but... Thank you, Ditzy, Nagare. Thank you for helping me show the Viera that there is no other choice but to fight in order to protect what they hold dear."[/color] Freyr said. It was clear that he had mixed feelings about the outcome of all that, despite knowing that it was simply unvoidable. Either the Viera would fall due to their own negligence or they would go to war to protect the woods and their way of life.

[color=8dc73f]"Regarding this..."[/color] Freyr said, getting the crystal shard that Nagare had pointed a moment earlier.

[color=8dc73f]"It might still have it's uses. Maybe it would be better to leave it with someone who understands better about these type of things back in the guild."[/color] Freyr completed.

With the quest over, they were free to go back to the guild. Despite coming back empty handed, they gained something much more valuable than money, they had earned the Viera's trust and gained a powerful ally against the Varjans. Whether Bartholomew would be happy or not to hear about that, it was still to be seen.