Following the straight dirt road, we passed by many travelling merchants, traders, caravans, and groups of people all heading the same direction. Though it was great to hear their passing greetings, I did take note that mostly everyone we talked to was an Elf, with only a handful being Humans, and no Dwarves whatsoever. Letting that fact slip by, I also realized we were in an extremely dense, overgrown, and tall forest. Not even comparable to the one surrounding Asheton, the forest here was so dense and overgrown that I couldn’t see anything past the first layer of foliage and tree trunks, and the trees seemed to only get taller as we continued down the road—starting to reach well over 100ft in height.
After about half an hour, I saw the foliage and trees in the area begin to thin out, and in the distance—past the forest—was a vast body of water. As we got closer, we arrived at a large clearing that was connected to a short land bridge leading across to an enormous peninsula; which amazingly had trees the size of skyscrapers evenly spread throughout it. There were also two twin towers on either side of the bridge, made completely from two thick hollowed out branching trees, with some building structures and platforms built into the trees itself, as well as onto the thicker branches of the trees.
Observing the towers closer, I could see about 15-20 guards patrolling up and down each of the trees, all wearing the same sharp dark green armour with silver engraved etchings; but some wore hoods, while others wore matching designed helmets. The guards on the higher branches had either a bow or a staff as weapons, while the lower ones had mostly a bow paired with a sword or daggers, but a handful did just have a sword or a spear paired with a shield. In addition to all their names being different, their levels equally differed from Lv.40-50.
When we reached the lineup of people waiting to go across, I took notice of the 10 heavily armoured guards on the ground—5 on each side of the bridge—in a similar but bulkier armour design as the ones in the tower. Built like absolute tanks, these large guards wielded equally large tower shields in one hand—with a silver branching tree engraved onto each of them—and long silver spears in the other; as well as had slightly curved swords sheathed on their waists. They ranged from Lv.50-55, and seemed to be ones in charge of screening people for both ways of passage onto the bridge.
Turning to Odelia while we waited in line, I asked “Is that all really the city Ven’Thyl? Because if it is, it must be at least 3x the size of Leon just from seeing it from here, and that’s not even accounting for how far it goes back...” Gazing at the peninsula which only got wider the further back I looked.
“It is, everything ahead of us is the city of Ven’Thyl.” Odelia answered, gesturing ahead. “And in terms of the sheer amount of land it occupies, Ven’Thyl even gives the Dwarves’ mountain cities a run for their coin.”
“Wait, does that mean the rest of the Elven Kingdom is behind us?” I glanced back.
“Well of course, we are—” Odelia suddenly came to a realization, “Oh no, do you not even know that we are in the deepest and furthest part of the Kingdom, Eyes?”
“Well now I do...” I said under my breath.
Odelia sighed and began to tease me, “Would you like me to teach you Geography as well History? Or shall we start with Math? In fact, do you even know how to speak Elvish? How about we start with the alphabet?”
“Haha, very funny, but I’ll have you know I can speak Elvish. Along with any and all other languages, even the Monster ones.” I confidently stated.
“Oh really? Allow me to test you then. After all, everyone in Ven’Thyl mostly only likes to speak in Elvish.” Clearing her throat, Odelia began to speak in Elvish, “If you can understand me, can you answer me how many Elven Races there are? And if you cannot, you must promise to take your rightful place as the...Thing.”
“Easy, it’s 3. And no I will not.” I replied to her.
She tilted her head at my answer, and said “You are truly baffling, Eyes, but your Elvish was perfect. Now since you claim to speak all other languages,” she suddenly switched languages, “may I hear your Dwarvish?”
“Sure, is this enough? Or do you want to hear more?” I simply asked her.
“Wow, your Dwarvish is even better than mine, and I have studied for decades. Drune would be so surprised.” She appeared genuinely shocked, “I am sure the Dwarven Kingdom will truly appreciate you negotiating in their native tongue when that future time comes.”
I smirkingly rolled my eyes as a guard called for us in Elvish, “Come forth.” and he seemed to recognize Odelia, “I’ve seen you leave at the start of every month for over a century now, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen you bring someone back with you, Odelia.”
“I’m sure you saw the stars last night, things are changing, Nai.” Odelia grasped his forearm and they greeted each other, and I saw that he was Lv.55 Nai Gysse’Yrr.
“It would seem so.” As he then leaned down to get a better look at my face, “He’s pretty young, doesn’t even look to be 50 years of age yet. And from the wary look he’s giving me, adding to the fact I don't recognize his face at all, he must not be native-born, correct?”
“As insightful as ever, Nai.” Odelia complimented him, “And you’re correct, he wasn’t born in the Kingdom.”
“I thought so, but what’s his reason for coming here? Or more like, what's your reason for bringing him here?” Nai inquired, tapping his finger on the chin of his helmet.
“He’s my new student.” Odelia answered, “And though he may be lacking in a lot of general knowledge he should really know, I bore witness to the incredible kingdom changing potential within him.” winking at me as she said that, “So I made the decision to personally bring him here to train with me in Ven’Thyl.”
“A student? Really?” Nai looked surprised, “I heard from Mother that you gave up teaching, after you know…” whispering “your last student exposed your secret marriage to Drune.”
“Last student? Is that why Drune was so happy to hear Odelia was gonna teach again? I wonder what happened?” I thought to myself; then deciding “But I shouldn’t ask her about it, Odelia will tell me if she wants to.”
“Are you saying you're starting to teach again?” Nai asked.
“Indeed, but stop mentioning things that happened 109 years ago, and this student right here!” She suddenly pointed to me, “He’ll be unlike any student I’ve ever taught before!” proclaiming, “I’ll nurture and mould him into the greatest archer in all the lands, and I know that when he finally becomes recognized, he’ll change the Kingdoms!”
“Uh-Huh, settle down.” Nai said, trying to stop Odelia from making a commotion. “And you guys are free to go ahead now.” Hastily setting us off onto the land bridge.
Proceeding across the bridge in relative silence, I took the time to peer over the thick branch railings built near the edges, and saw that we were at least 200ft above sea level—watching some of the waves crash into the rocks below. Then turning my attention back ahead of us, I spotted two more twin towers built at the other end of the bridge, and finally took notice of the barely visible barrier surrounding the entire peninsula.
Turning to Odelia to ask a question, I stopped myself when I saw that she was looking a bit sad, and thought “Is it because of what that Nai guy said about her last student? Was being exposed to marrying a dwarf really that bad?”
“Go ahead and ask, I can hear you loudly thinking about what you heard about my last student.” Odelia said, noticing my stare.
“Was it that obvious?” Odelia nodded yes. “Look, I won’t go out of my way to ask about your last student, because frankly I don’t care about them...especially since they seemed to have betrayed you.” Her nose crinkled for a split second. “If you decide to tell me, then I’ll be here to gladly listen. But if you decide not to, then my life will still keep going unbothered by the fact.” Telling her, “My uncle used to tell me that whenever I was upset about something and didn’t want to talk.”
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Odelia suddenly perked up, exclaiming “You have an uncle?! Where is he? Are you blood related?” She looked around for the area to be clear of people before whispering, “Do you think he would want to be the Heir?” I laughed at her complete mood change and continued onwards. “Eyes, you did not answer me!” She shouted, quickly catching up and pestering me about it.
Reaching the other end of the bridge, there were even more guards stopping and inspecting people before they entered; but these ones were all Lv.60, while the ones patrolling the towers were Lv.55-60. “Jeez, these guards are even higher than the first ones.” I thought to myself, “I wonder if the other cities have guards this high level?”
Then as we came up next for the inspection, the guard simply informed us, “There was a merchant earlier trying to smuggle in a large shipment of Bliss into the city, we’ve been asked to carefully inspect everyone as a precaution, but you two are good. You can go on ahead.” Odelia just nodded and walked by, but I looked back as we passed by and saw that only the Humans were really the ones being inspected—and a few sketchy looking merchants—while the Elves were mostly allowed through after less than a minute of talking with the guards.
“I see the problem, Odelia.” Following her on the downward slope path, “I haven’t even really entered the city yet and I've already saw a glimse of racism, I just hope I don’t see more of that.”
Odelia frowned, “Sadly, I cannot promise that you will not see more, but I will try my best to help you avoid seeing those situations in the future.” She then smiled and gestured her hand forward, “Anyways, allow me to present to you your rightful new home, the capital city of Ven’Thyl.”
Beholding everything before me, I was left completely captivated and in awe of the sight; speechless from the pure natural beauty of the land. It was a sprawling city that seemed to be endless; massive in size and expansive in reach, nature perfectly integrated itself into almost every nook and cranny of the city. Though I was overwhelmed on where exactly to look first, I could clearly see that the city was split up into three sections: a lower, a middle, and a higher section.
“It may be a lot to take in for your first time, but I am sure you will get to know Ven’Thyl quickly.” Odelia assured me.
“It’s not just a lot, it’s too much.” I said to her, while I explored with my eyes. “Leon looked pretty massive from afar, but compared to Ven’Thyl it’s nothing.”
“Well it would need to be." Odelia said, explaining "Ven’Thyl is the only major city in the Elven Kingdom, and is almost where all Elves in the Kingdom choose to live, therefore boasting the highest population amongst the 5 major cities. For the other Kingdoms are generally split between their two major cities; Leon and Sya for the Humans, and Beldra and Nobren for the Dwarves.” Though while Odelia spoke, my eyes chose to follow the long sloped path down.
It led me to a massive lower central area that seemed to be in an even more massive crater, and was the only part of the city that I could see without any of the giant trees. In the middle of it all was a round clearing of a large streaming pond of water, with multiple branching streams flowing throughout the whole lower area, and which all originated from a wide waterfall at the other end of the crater—opposite us. This lower area was very heavily shaded, covered by the shadows created from all the giant trees surrounding the top of the crater—only having small sections with sunlight shining through. It also had a lot of clumped up buildings with natural foliage growing around them, with the buildings of varying size and design, and thousands of people moving all along the crowded streets.
Watching me observe the city, Odelia mentioned “We call that whole lower area the Roots, Eyes. Named after all of those roots over there.” Pointing to the edges of the crater where some of the roots from the giant trees could be seen poking through the crater walls. “In the Roots you can find almost anything and everything you can think of: from weapon and armour shops, to taverns and inns; and much, much more. It is the central hub of Ven’Thyl where a lot of the population reside and work in—as most of the cities’ business is done there—and it is also where you can find the Adventurer’s Guild if you were wondering.” Pointing to an area on the left side of the crater. “The Roots is also where you will find most of the Dark Elves preferring to live, as we find it more comforting for our eyes in the heavy shade.”
Focusing my attention to the area above the crater next; I found the buildings built up there were designed very similarly to each other—having very sharp structures and curved roof designs—as well being built into or around the base of the trees, and were much more spaced out than the building in the lower area. Pointing to it, I asked “What about that area?”
“That area is called the Soil, and it is the largest of the four areas, spanning to the whole rest of the peninsula; which is also connected to the Trunks—referring to any area between the halfway point of the Sky Trees and the Soil.” I looked slightly up to see the multiple buildings protruding out of the trunks of the trees.
“Roots, Soil, and Trunks, huh? Not very imaginative naming if you ask me.” Chuckling to myself a litte.
“Well the areas do not really have official names, the people have just started to call them as such to help differentiate the areas from each other.” Odelia justified.
“I see, then what can I find in the ‘Soil’ if business is done in the Roots? I can only see the beautiful elven buildings from here.” Glancing at the other buildings spread along the top of the crater, and at the grand looking bridge that arched right over the wide waterfall.
“It is largely a residential area throughout, but there are exceptions like the City Guard Barracks to our right.” I looked over and saw a large building built entirely into the closest giant tree, with a constant flow of guards entering and exiting the place; as well as spotting a few dozen guards training in an open field next to it. “Or the Mel’Jra Stables to our left.” I turned the other way and saw a very wide fenced off building, which seemed to be where all the wagon and carriage traveller’s first stop was—seeing multiple workers come out carrying the goods they brought towards the Roots.
“God this place is big, and I’m only at the entrance.” I thought, feeling even more overwhelmed.
Bringing my attention back ahead of us, Odelia pointed past the waterfall, and said “If you travel farther back and deeper into the Soil, you will eventually reach the Rich Soil where most of the wealthy choose to live, as it brings with it larger homes and more space to be free in.” Adding, “It is also where you can find the Ven’Thyl Academy, the three Noble Houses, and Castle Ven’Thyl. But only House Fre’Nddare and House Baen’Mtor really reside in the Rich Soil.”
Simply nodding at everything she was saying, my eyes wandered to all the daunting trees towering around the whole area of the Roots, and being amazed by their skyscraper-like size—standing at least 300ft tall. Each of them had multiple structures built into and around their trunks from: houses, balconies, standing platforms, spiral walkways, and even some sort of pulley elevator. Even reaching up to the unbelievable heights of their branches, they were all connected by a series of different crossing rope bridges—on multiple levels of the trees—that continued to parts that were blocked from sight by treelines, and which never crossed over the huge gap of the Roots.
“What you are seeing is the Tops—or the Crown if you would prefer.” Odelia said, noticing me take interest in the trees. “You will mostly only find more housing up there, but there are a few unique and specialized shops set up in the Sky Trees closest to the Roots. And who knows, you may even find something you find interesting up there. ” She then pointed to the right of the waterfall, “The Tops is also where the last of the three Noble Houses resides, House Helvi’Ett.”
“Helvi’Ett? Isn’t that—”
“It is…” Odelia turned silent.
Allowing the silence to hang in the air, I thought to myself “Now I get it, Gryphon is from one of the Noble Houses, and I could probably guess having a Half-Elf in one wouldn’t look so good for them in the Kingdom.” Concluding, “They probably disowned him and forced him to leave the city. Must be why he has such a problem with me knowing his real name, but maybe I should talk to him about it when I meet him again.” Then breaking the silence, I said “Odelia, you never said where you live. Is it somewhere in the Roots like the other Dark Elves?”
“Sadly, no.” Odelia sighed, “We live in the Tops.”
“We?” I repeated.
“The other members of House Ven’Thyl, of course.” Odelia showed me a smile.
“Oh right, I forgot there were others.” Remembering she was part of a House.
“Would you like to go to the House and meet them? You may also get a good rest there since we have been travelling for days now.” While I thought about it, Odelia then suggested “We may also go exploring the city first if you would like? Maybe go shopping for new armour and clothes for you since you have been just travelling shirtless under that cloak of yours?” Pointing to my stomach that wasn't covered by the cloak.
Fixing the cloak to cover myself, I said “Both ideas sound great, but I think I’ll choose—”
Before I could say, someone loudly yelped behind me, and before I could look back and see what happened, I suddenly felt someone come crashing into my back. The force of which caused me to go crashing face first right into the ground, tumbling down the sloped path, and ending up with the person weighing on the top of my back—both of us groaning in pain.
Odelia quickly ran over and attended to me, “Lor—Eyes, are you alright?”
“Uhhh...I’ve got to stop running down these slopes with these heeled boots on.” I then felt the person getting off me, who then apologized saying, “I'm really sorry about that. I hope I didn't injure you.”
Odelia helped me back to my feet, and yelled “What kind of fumbling fool are you? Do you think—” She strangely ran directly behind me pulling her hood down and covering her face, “Not again, how is it she always run into me?”