The hall remained silent after the young woman left.
The golden light that passed through the natural openings in the tree trunk cast long shadows over the polished roots on the floor. The distant sound of the suspended city seemed irrelevant inside, as if that space were isolated from the rest of the world.
The first elder was the first to move.
"This makes no sense." He said, breaking the silence, his voice laden with skepticism.
"An immortal being? That regenerates after dying burned? That is absurd." His long fingers tapped lightly against the wooden armrest.
"The sentinel may be… mad. The forest plays tricks even on the most experienced."
The second elder nodded slowly.
"I also have doubts." He added, his sharp gaze reflecting distrust.
"And above all, a human. According to the report, it was clearly a human. Usually fragile for any feat above the ordinary." He crossed his arms.
"Something like that does not fit this race."
The first let out a faint nasal sound, agreeing.
"Perhaps it was an illusion. Or a spirit taking human form. It would not be the first time."
The two then turned their gazes to the third elder.
The oldest remained motionless, leaning on his staff, his eyes half-closed. His expression was neither disbelief nor agreement. It was… contemplative.
"And you? What do you think of all this?" Asked the second elder.
The oldest took a long time to answer.
His gaze seemed to pass through the hall, lost in ancient memories, far beyond that forest. His mind sifted through forgotten records, stories told to him, and fragments of knowledge that few still carried.
Then, something changed.
His eyes opened a little wider.
"Could it be…?" He murmured, almost to himself.
The other two leaned slightly forward.
"Be what?" Asked the first, attentive.
The oldest frowned and slowly shook his head.
"No… no, I do not believe it is that. It is far too unlikely." He sighed.
"What are you talking about?" Insisted the second.
The elder leaned more firmly on his staff.
"The only race I know that could truly be reborn… was the Phoenix. Those with pure lineage of that race could assume humanoid forms. Dying and being reborn from their own ashes." His voice grew heavier as he spoke the name.
The other two fell silent.
"But I do not believe that is the case." He continued.
"No phoenix has been seen in the world for hundreds of years. They are considered extinct. Just like the Celestial Dragons."
His eyes darkened.
"Besides, the territories where they lived were reduced to a continent devastated by war. Extremely far from here."
The first elder frowned.
"I agree. The possibility is minimal. Almost nonexistent."
"Even if one had survived, it would not make sense for it to be wandering alone through this forest. Even more so, acting in such an… irrational way, it would not allow itself to be seen so easily." Added the second.
The oldest nodded slowly.
"Exactly. Still… something in this story should not be ignored." He sighed.
Silence returned for a few seconds.
"Should we send people to investigate?" Asked the second, at last.
"Hmmm…" the oldest pondered.
"I believe so. Prepare five." His eyes lifted.
"Along with Shaely."
"The sentinel?" Questioned the first.
"Yes." He nodded.
"She knows the path. She was the one who found him. She will guide them."
The two elders agreed.
The decision was made.
…
Time passed.
An entire day went by in the suspended city while preparations were made. Five warriors were chosen, all experienced and specialized in forest combat, tracking, and containment. Equipment was adjusted, enchanted weapons distributed, and instructions given.
Everything was ready.
That was when something unexpected happened.
At the entrance of the invisible forest, the barrier rippled.
A guard approached quickly, descending from one of the platforms and making an urgent gesture to the sentinels.
"A visitor. A subordinate monster chief. Of the goblin race. He requests an audience." He announced.
The news caused immediate murmurs.
The visitor was escorted with caution.
The Goblin Chief walked with firm posture, despite the difference in size and the crushing pressure of the place. His cloak of hides was worn, and the carved staff remained steady in his hand. His red eyes observed everything attentively, but without hostility.
He was taken to the central hall of the great tree.
The three elders awaited him.
The goblin knelt, striking his fist against the ground as a sign of respect.
"Speak." Said the oldest.
The Goblin Chief raised his head.
"I came to warn you. A strange being appeared in your domain. I captured him." He began, his voice hoarse yet clear. He spoke in his own language, but the elders seemed to understand him perfectly.
The elders exchanged looks.
"What kind of being?" Asked the second.
"He looked like a human. But he did not die." Replied the goblin.
Silence fell instantly.
"I tried to kill him." Continued the goblin chief.
"I cut. Pierced. Burned. He died. Many times. But he always came back." His eyes narrowed.
The first elder frowned deeply.
"Explain better."
"I saw him die and reappear." Said the goblin.
"Not with magic that I know. He simply… came back." He lowered his head slightly.
"In the end, I let him go. And came to warn you."
The three elders no longer had any doubts.
It was the same one.
The oldest nodded slowly.
"You did well to come." His voice was calm.
"You may return. We already understand. We will send some of ours to investigate this being. To find out whether he is friend… or enemy."
The goblin bowed deeply.
And left, escorted out beyond the barrier.
When the hall was once again left with only the three, the first elder spoke in a low tone.
"Now it is no longer a coincidence."
"No, it is a real anomaly." Replied the second.
The oldest closed his eyes for a moment.
"Prepare the group. We will no longer ignore this." He said.
…
Meanwhile, far from there.
Kyne walked through the forest.
He was on the left side of the river, now advancing against the direction he had followed before. He kept some distance from the water, walking on solid ground. Returning by the river would require swimming against the current, which would tire him and delay him too much.
It had been midday since he had left the great waterfall and the colossal cliff behind.
To his misfortune…
He had not died even once.
Kyne sighed.
"Strangely frustrating…" He murmured, looking around.
The forest seemed far too quiet.