Legends Are Always True

The mages stationed on the ramparts were all shocked, especially their lieutenant. He was the one who had warned the men on the ground of the danger. Hands still a little shaky, he approached Tahrren.

"Lacerating Impulse? Superior magic? But... who the hell are you?"

Tahrren ignored the question and ran for the stairs. He was stopped by the lieutenant's hand.

"Wait!"

Tahrren freed himself but did not fail to inform the lieutenant of the criticality of the situation.

"Let me go, at least if you value your men! We can't get rid of a dryad that easily!"

The soldier took off after the elf. Since the bridge was open again to allow first aid to the wounded, the two men quickly reached the dryad. Passing by his apprentice, Tahrren approached him, who was still on the ground, exhausted from the fighting.

"Eiji. Are you all right?"

The boy nodded. Tahrren reached out and helped him to his feet. The two men then walked over to the dryad. Although she was badly wounded, she regenerated. That was the greatest power of these creatures: they were one with nature, and their vitality went hand in hand with the forests. As long as their territory was intact, a dryad could not die.

While Eiji remained on guard, Tahrren approached the dryad as close as he could. Looking closely at its bark, he could make out blackish patches here and there.

Tahrren sighed slightly. He brought his hands closer to the creature. A small shiver ran through his body as his hands touched the rough bark. He could feel the energies surging within the dryad. The corruption was so advanced that a simple touch was enough for the nymph's anima flow to attack the elf.

Still, Tahrren refused to back down, concentrating his magic on his hands, which acted as a shield, spreading the dryad's corrupted mana into the air around them.

Eiji, attracted by the surrounding energy currents so powerful that even he could see them clearly, approached his master.

"What are you doing, Tahrren?"

However, the latter did not answer him, for he was so focused on his move. Once his defenses were solidified, he began to circulate his magic through the creature's body. Dryads were spirits, beings made entirely of mana. They were the exception among the immortals, for they were not living creatures per se.

Simple aggregations of energy, they often wandered near the places they coveted, such as the woods and forests for dryads, or the seas and oceans for Oceanids. Because of their proximity to pure magic, they are very resistant to anima. Judging by the dryad's condition, the corruption had surely begun decades before.

For several minutes, Tahrren continued to circulate his energy through the dryad's body, sending violent waves of corrupted mana into the surrounding area. Eiji took a few steps back in the face of this phenomenon.

When Tahrren withdrew his hands, the corruption was gone. The black spots had dissipated, and the dryad's regeneration accelerated. Soon she awoke and moved.

Before she had fully risen, her appearance changed: smaller, she shed her roots and branches for more human-like limbs with arms and legs. However, it retained its bark and plant-like appearance.

Tahrren took a few steps back to give the nymph some space. She slowly rose to her feet, kneeling on one knee, then standing on her legs to face the elf.

The nearby knights were still wary of the creature, even though it no longer showed aggression: some drew their swords, and others took a few steps back. Suddenly, a soft, crystalline, yet fragile voice echoed in the minds of each of the nearby men.

"You saved me! I owe you many thanks!"

Many were troubled, even frightened. However, Tahrren approached the dryad and knelt.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Tahrren. I am a humble member of the Forest Clan."

Surprised, Eiji approached his master and begged him to stand up, tugging at his arm.

"What on earth are you doing? Get up! This was our enemy five minutes ago!"

Tahrren sighed again, although he wasn't surprised that Eiji didn't know the customs of his people.

"I can't. I am an elf, the dryads are our protective deities. Would you insult one of your gods?"

After a few seconds of thinking, Eiji let go of his master and walked away. However, he refused to kneel before the nymph.

"I am pleased to meet you, Tahrren..." Though her features were barely visible, the harmonies in her voice betrayed her joy and smile. "I am not surprised that a member of the Forest Clan was able to free me from the shackles of corruption. But what is an elf doing in these woods? It seemed to me that members of your clan were more likely to be found in the western lands."

Tahrren swallowed. Though he looked up with pride, he preferred to keep part of the story to himself.

"Many events forced me to move away from my clansmen. Since then, I have lived in harmony with humans. I joined an organization called the Soul Chasers. We fight against the corruption that is rampant in Aurdalia."

He turned around and introduced Eiji as well.

"This is my apprentice, Eiji. He belongs to the people who live at the eastern end of the region, the Higashito."

The dryad approached the young man and examined him from head to toe. Unsettled, he retreated a few steps, which did not fail to amuse the nymph.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you. Higashito?" She stood still for a few seconds, thinking. "I'm sure I've heard that name somewhere before. But I can't remember where or when. I mean, it can't be that important in this case, right?" She said with an innocent smile.

At these words, Tahrren's eyebrows raised. He stood and slowly approached the dryad.

"Excuse me, could it be you have lost your memory?"

The joy and innocence of the dryad slowly faded.

"I don't know. I wasn't even aware of my condition until now. I have some vague memories of my past, but nothing concrete. All I know is that I tried to fight corruption to save my country."

A small spark lit up Tahrren's pupils. "Your country?" He repeated slowly and in a low voice. He lowered his eyes. After a moment's thought, he began to smile.

"One must believe that legends sometimes have an origin. So, the First Saintess truly existed... And was a forerunner of our order?"

The nymph rushed to the elf and took him by the shoulders. Her voice, a little higher than before, broke his flow of mana.

"Do you know anything about me? Tell me quickly!"

Despite a severe headache, Tahrren continued to smile.

"My Lady. Does the name Ophelia evoke anything for you?"