Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
“We’re almost at the Emerald Forest,” Xi Wei said, patting Connie’s head. The Pink Dragon then began to descend, carrying Xi Wei and Loli, finally landing on a relatively open patch of grassland.
Xi Wei dismounted Loli, and the two stood side by side. Connie then transformed into her human form, quietly following Xi Wei. Her adorable large eyes scanned her surroundings, full of curiosity.
The vast, boundless forest stretched out before them, an endless expanse of dense foliage that reached as far as the eye could see, like a green ocean. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, creating a soothing “rustling” sound. Green waves rolled in the dim yellow glow of the sunset, and in the shadowy depths of the forest, fireflies had already begun to flicker, starting their work early.
“What a magnificent Golden Tree!” Connie exclaimed, pointing a small finger towards the end of the forest canopy, where a towering tree radiated golden light.
“That’s the World Tree,” Loli replied, her voice tinged with a hint of admiration, though a slight sadness crossed her features. “It’s a pity that Mother World Tree has withered. I can still vaguely recall its appearance in its prime. Its trunk was so thick that four or five carriages could have driven side-by-side, and its largest leaves were as big as city gates. Its canopy stretched to the Emerald Fortress, like a verdant green cloud that blotted out the sun. At night, the canopy would shed golden powder, which promoted the growth of surrounding plants, purified water sources, and soothed wild beasts. Every creature living under the World Tree became more beautiful and stronger.”
Connie listened, a sense of longing arising in her heart.
“But now it’s become a Golden Tree, and I think it looks even better! So much gold!”
Loli: “…”
Xi Wei: “…”
Perhaps sensing her statement was a bit off, Connie giggled sheepishly and quietly closed her mouth, continuing to gaze at the “Golden Tree” with the greedy eyes unique to a dragon.
“Let’s go in,” Xi Wei took a deep breath. This was his first time exploring the elven kingdom. He wondered what kind of ancient place it was, what sorrowful and grand heroic epics had been born there. While he felt curiosity, there was also a faint trepidation in his heart. Would those long-eared monkeys attack on sight?
The path through the forest was uneven, with slippery moss and sinuous, snake-like vines everywhere. Every breath of air carried the fragrance of nature. Xi Wei mused that if modern humans were to live in the Emerald Forest, their lifespans might even increase by a decade or so.
As the three ventured deeper, the blue of the sky was gradually obscured by the leaves. Occasionally, they could see eagles soaring through the gaps, circling freely in the sky and letting out calls of freedom. Dusk deepened, but the forest did not become particularly dim. Countless fireflies dotted the surroundings like stars in the night sky, and luminous mushrooms grew on decaying stumps.
There was no fixed path. Xi Wei and Connie followed Loli. Although Loli had never been to the Emerald Forest before, the way to go was an indelible memory etched deep within her bloodline. They traversed the Emerald Swamp, teeming with mushroom monsters and slimes. The lavender fields nearby emitted a captivating fragrance. They waded through a small stream, its water clear and teeming with fish whose scales shimmered silver, making Connie reluctant to move. Following the stream upstream, they found its main source, and further up, a towering blue waterfall.
The trees here had become increasingly tall, with any random one being large enough for three people to embrace. The other plants were also astonishingly large. Xi Wei even spotted a pitcher plant with a gaping, sharp mouth and a size comparable to a city gate!
Circling around the waterfall, Xi Wei saw the ruins of a dilapidated ancient structure sitting isolated in the forest, resembling an altar. Stone pillars stood around it, carved with unknown bizarre beasts. In the center of the altar was a statue of a goddess, her features weathered and indistinct. Loli paused here for a moment, as if recalling something, but only for a short while before leading Xi Wei and Connie onward.
At some point, a mottled stone path appeared underfoot. Xi Wei knew they must be nearing elven territory. The trees along the ancient path grew even taller. Their thick, sturdy brown trunks crowded together, and twisted branches intertwined overhead, forming a dense canopy. Finally, they reached two giant oak trees with golden leaves and trunks as wide as city gates, where Loli stopped.
“Humans, halt!” A booming, deep voice came from the left.
“Humans, a High Elf… and a young dragon! What a peculiar combination…” A similar voice, slightly higher pitched, came from the right.
Xi Wei looked up. Two giant faces appeared on the trunks of the colossal oak trees. Their visages were ancient and wise, with brows formed by the tree’s grain furrowed downwards. Their deep-set eye sockets seemed to hold ancient meaning. Their mouths were wide with thick lips, and the marks of age on the bark resembled wrinkles on their faces. With such simple features, they exuded a profound sense of having witnessed all the world’s ways.
These were the Oakwood Guardians, spirits that lived eternally in the Emerald Forest, never leaving their posts. Their power was undeniable. For generations, they had guarded the entrance to the elven settlement, witnessing the fall of the World Tree, mourning it, and seeing the succession of Elven Empresses, each of whom paid them homage on their coronation day to express gratitude. In truth, however, they guarded not the elves themselves, but the World Tree, remaining indifferent to the internal strifes of the elven race.
“Humans are forbidden from entering the Emerald Forest, nor are dragons. However, the High Elf accompanying you may pass freely,” the oakwood guardian on the left stated.
“State your intentions. Though even if you do, you may not be able to enter,” the oakwood guardian on the right added.
“I am the King of the Winter Kingdom.” Facing these ancient beings who had lived for thousands of years, Xi Wei did not hesitate to show respect. “We come with sincerity, wishing to discuss a mutually beneficial partnership with the Elven Empress. Furthermore, I have met the Elven Empress before, and she spoke highly of me…”
“A human king praised by the Elven Empress?” The oakwood guardian on the left widened its eyes, its mouth agape, as if hearing an earth-shattering secret. “This is indeed a rare occurrence!”
The oakwood guardian on the right, seemingly skilled at summarizing, continued, “Human King, please wait here for a moment. The plants and the gentle breeze will relay your arrival to the Elven Empress. Whether it is true or false, time will tell.”
With that, the faces on both oakwood guardians disappeared, and they returned to their appearance as ordinary, albeit unusually large, oak trees. But then, a gust of wind suddenly swept through the forest. Tall tree shadows fell into the stream, birds sang among the leaves, and the air was filled with the fragrance of a hundred flowers. The grass and trees bowed, rustling softly, as if whispering secrets.
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My writing skills are limited, but I have done my best to depict the Emerald Forest as I envision it.
