The Mother Tree .

Jay ordered Grey and Cela to move ahead side it would be a lot bugger issue both of them were to be infected.

While Jay handled McElroy with care. Since the synergistic herb was administered, it showed great acceptance in his body and minimal side effects. McElroy clothes were burned and replaced with new ones. And was provided with a mask.

A silver woven mask which despite having despite knowing that it needed a pore size less than 0.33 micrometer to actually do something. Jay couldn't craft it.

So this was the only options. Jay had an idea he crafted an iron wall and laid McElroy on it and kept it in a levitating state while travelling. At more than 6+ feet distance.

First Cela Grey and Jay would walk the path and McElroy would soon follow behind.

Soon they could see a giant tree. It was abnormally large.

It would be the mother tree. It means they were nearing the Elves.

And as they walked the path. An arrow blocked their path forward. They ignored the arrow and walked on the path anyway.

And that's when an entire fleet of iron tipped arrows was shot at them. But due to them being iron tipped Jay could sense that and stopped the arrows midair and as their speed had become zero the arrow dropped on their own.

From the rustling trees an elf dressed in the colour of the tress dropped down from one. And as expected he was an elf through and through faint like skin, whitish blonde hair and those protruding ears.

As they approached the party. They started speaking in an rune like language. Which was to be expected since they are from Norse mythology.

The elf had used runic language to enchant his arrow which is a fancy way of saying. They used mana in a different way than usual to tweak the property of an object.

Elf :

Leave the forest immediately.

The Elf spoke in a lower voice than normal. That's why the aggression felt more like an request.

Jay :

We have an injured man here he needs help.

The elf saw McElroy laying on the metal wall.

Elf :

Take the plagued one away with you.

Jay :

I'm under orders from the Foundation.

Elf :

Then you must have some identification.

Jay showed the id card he had received form Ikaros.

Elf :

I dint know a Diplomat would be here today. We are extremely sorry for disrespect we have shown you.

Jay :

We need to help this man. He is with me.

And the Elves took the man away from the party. While one elf stayed behind.

Elf :

May I know what reason you're here.

Jay :

I'm on a task set by Lord Ikaros.

Elf :

Are you new here sir?.

Jay :

Yes it is my first time visiting.

Elf :

Then please follow me.

The party started following the Elf who was speaking quietly

And there it was the homeland of the Elves in its full glory.

Under the mother tree. They made their settlement.

The mother tree was a very giant tree but it still allowed for ample amount of sunlight to pass through.

Like taking care of its own as a mother. And protecting them from the harsh light by giving them shade under her leaves.

Or growing them until they die so she can harvest them by absorbing the nutrients of their dead bodies and growing even more. That was a tad bit dark.

Ever thought that Humans are just a bug in a system. Many might have planted this specific ideas in your head already that humans have been disconnected from nature.

It's a very popular opinion. But if this is the case the opposite might also be true.

That Humans becoming like this destroying the nature from which they are born from. It can also be said that it was always intended to be this way.

Maybe as nature creates peace and Harmony. Humans are the core opposite Chaos. Thus they keep each other in balance.

But due to extreme chaos Humans themselves get wiped out. And thus Harmony is once again restored till another Chaos incarnate is born.

And it repeats itself. Like a loop. Then what about the case where Humans contribute towards the Harmony.

Well maybe these sort of destructive ideologies are better not to be forced on anyone.

But now that you've read it you can unread it. Moving ahead with the narration.

Just like the Elf everyone was talking in very low voices.

Jay :

Why is everyone talking so silently. I thought this town would be filled with sound.

Elf :

It must be your first time seeing Elves then.

The reason we are talking silently is because we have very sensitive ears and a high noise bring pain to our ears.

Jay :

I have met with some Elves before when I met them they seemed to be deaf most of the time. But excellent lip readers.

Elf :

Maybe one of the half elves. Or those who have punctured their war drums to work in human filled places.

Anything else you can tell me.

Jay :

Well they had....

At this moment Jay remembered that these were the ones who drive the other Elves out of the forest and stamped them with the Mark of Banishment.

Jay :

They had excellent intuition. And good archery and mana handling skills.

Elf :

Elf are trained to be good archers. And we our race prides itself on our good mana handling.

Anything esle

Jay :

I once met an elf named Colaris know something about her.

Elf :

Impossible, Madam Colaris passed away half a millenia ago. Please follow me.

The Elf Ranger showed Jay a statue of Colaris. Fully represented in her beatufiul form by an master craftsman.

Elf :

Madam Colaris was the Queen of Elves 500 years ago. She was a very blessed queen who was remembered throughout the generations. For her kindness and genorosity.

Jay :

Maybe it was someone with the same name.

Elf :

No except for the Queen none can succeed Queen Colaris's name.

Elf :

Weve prepared rooms for you please stay the night. Oh before that please meet our Elder. It seems she is waiting for you.

Cela left to tend to McElroy while Jay went with the Elf ranger to the Elder.

The elder resided in one of the many houses built on the bravhes of the mother tree. If compared to a building it would be at a height of a between the first and the second floor. In a multi storey building.

The hut was simple the floor was lined with wood from the mother tree the walks were made of wood, the door was obviously made from wood. If there was a slight fire source it will burn the entire thing down to shreds.

As Jay alone enters the hut he finds the hut to be ambiently lit with a light stone and the Elder who Jay thought to be an old lady was quite young maybe in her forties in human years.

Elder :

Thank you for escorting him here. Now you can leave us.

Elf :

Understood, Elder.

Elder :

Jay Garrick I've heard many things about you. Obstructing the plans of the Foundation time and time again. Yet not siding with the gods.

Yet still favored by Lord Ikaros.

Jay shifted into battle mode.

Elder :

There's no need for us to fight. I am here just to ask some things. I heard recently that you've been in contact with my my beloved.

Jay :

I don't know anyone.

Elder :

Do you know you have eyes watching your every move since you came out of the spirit forest.

Jay :

Oy you mean those eyes who never reported back to their master and died by eating suicide pills yes.

Elder :

You see the Elder you met in the spirit forest is actually my husband.

Jay :

Your Husband?

Elder :

We married each other a hundred and fifty years ago.

And had three beautiful children.

Jay :

How can I believe you. You might be deceiving me.

The Elder showed Jay a portrait of them made during their marriage. It showed two Elves in ceremonial attire dtanind besides each other happy as they were going take a new step in their life.

Elder :

I had it made the day we tied the knot . This paper is especially made from the mother tree. Otherwise it would have faded just like everything else.

Jay :

What is your husband's name.

Elder :

Akaso Enup. And I'm her wife Oykot Enup.

Jay :

Then you must also know what happened to him.

Elder :

He was banished from the tribe due to speaking against the Foundation's policies.

Elder :

Please atkeast tell me just how he is

The Elder was getting desperate for it was someone who was once her husband. But since it wsd the Foundation he couldn't trust her yet. As it could be another plan of the Foundation.

Jay :

He is well. And very healthy at that.

As soon as she heard the words. Tears dripped from her eyes.

As for a Father who wanted a bright future for the children fought against the Foundation but they were branded and thrown out of their homeland. Just for raising their voice against the Heads..

Their children work for the Foundation at a very high designation. While The wife became an Elder so she could bring changes within the Foundation. But even those seem to be in vain.

Jay finally very close to the Foundation that Ikaros wanted them to see. What could they expect. And what once they do reach the Foundation. That's to be written in the Future.