(Previous chapter - Gauge and Var with their combined efforts finally bring down Thornbane.)
The dead burning tree released all the nutrients back into the soil the gate energy accelerated the decay rate. Gauge thinks quick. Runs towards the tree.With all his strength pushes it into the neighbouring river.
The enormous wooden trunk blocks the river and diverts the river. Var notices a brilliance at the tree's core and jumped into the river. He retrieves a gate core,
"So this is how he grew so powerful!!" as he shoves it into his studybag,"This can prove useful later..."
Sunflower Village :
The dried passage fills up with fresh river water. Nutrients return back to the village through the river.
All the exhausted plants gasped back to life. The tree over the domain of Elder send water deep through it's vines and revived the elder. The village is finally restored and filled with joy as the strawberry plant from before starts crying,
"He did it. He finally defeated the Tyrant. We are free!!....."
Back at the domain
Gauge and Var search the woods for the young tree,
"There he is!" exclaims Var. It was the young tree indeed, Leaves withered off, Trunks torn and damaged everywhere. Exhausted he was standing before an army of dead trees. Gauge approaches him, *swisshh* The tree thought he was another one of them. Gauge holds down the weakened vine. The young tree realized it was Gauge. His voice started cracking,tears flowing down his roots.
"I begged them to stop, they wouldn't listen. I killed them every last one of them."
He says as he was sobbing
"Only a traitor would kill his own kind."
Gauge feels his pain walks up to him and embraces him,
"A traitor would kill his kind for his own benefit But a hero kills his own kind for others. You saved a village from starvation by killing your own Brethren."
The tree felt Gauge's warmth. It wasn't because of the fire he held but his kindness. Var was proud of Gauge and he too joins the moment. A silent pleasant moment later,
"Well let's head down to the village and see how are friends are doing now that hey are freed."
Var suggested. The tree also suggested,
"This river leads to the village downstream just hold on a moment."
as he uses his abilities to create a wooden boat, something the others couldn't do. All three get on the boat as Var remarks,
"Now I get how you defeated all those tree by your own."
The Boat floated downstream...
Moments later,Back at Sunflower Village
The boat arrives. All the plants and trees who didn't submit to the tyrant, gather around the boat,
"The saviours are back, celebrate them for their bravery."
Instantly all of them recognized the young tree from the Tyrant's army. They walk close to him. Var and Gauge try to explain - The trees and plants bow before all of them,
"Thank you for putting your lives on the line, even though you are only Visitors. We thank the young tree for being brave enough to betray Thornbane. Hail all three saviours."
They not only appreciated his kindness but also understood his pain. The tree was moved to tear on the sight of this, Gauge and Var were light at heart from the understanding nature of the species.
Evening Arrived - On Floraver evening is when the planet faces the furthest star of the four in Aurivallis.
A campfire was lit using the defeated trees' branches and twigs,
Gauge was sound asleep on a rock. The use of his white magma takes a toll on his body with the severity depending on the extent he uses it.
Around the campfire Var, The village elder sunflower, The strawberry plant and the young tree were discussing. The elder starts first,
"With all the struggles going on, we weren't able to introduce ourselves. Let's begin from me, I am Floravus. As you know I am the elder of this Village."
The strawberry plant continues after him,
"My name is Rubina and I am a Humble civilian of this village."
In sunflower village, fruit and vegetable bearing plants were civilians, Other larger trees were soldiers who protect this village until they were corrupted,
They all turned to Var, The one they were truly eager to know more about along with Gauge.
"All right, My turn I guess. I am Var'zek from a faraway planet called Nytherra and the one who saved your village is Mordan Gauge from Iyearth further away than nytherra."
He explains how they both end up here,About the fight they had in Vel Kartha and their time together. Rubina was shocked,
"You did all that for a Kid you met yesterday?"
Var laughs a bit and answers,
"He almost died today for a plant he met today... That's how he is....Enough about us, Now it's your turn young one."
everyone focuses on the tree, Not even the elder knows who he was. The tree notices the fire about to go out and sheds some twigs over to keep it going,
"I...I.. do not have a name. I was abducted the day I was born, My parents were killed in front of me. All I remember is that my father was a frontline warrior and my mother was killed because she was sick. They kidnapped and infected me with his energy from the gate which accelerated my growth. Good thing the infection's gone with him too"
He vaguely remembered what his mother told him before she died,
Glimpses of the mother tree : They are gonna take you my son*coughs*You must find a way to survive. Someone brave enough, will stumble upon the village. When he does do everything you can to support him.
Everyone was silent for a moment - the elder decided to break it,
"I couldn't imagine if Gauge had striked you down."
The tree looks at the exhausted gauge- looks to the ground and mentions,
"Actually, I didn't launch any attacks on him. Gauge noticed that. He gave me a look and then decided his target."
Var felt bad for trying to kill him. He also realizes why Gauge stopped before he hurt the innocent tree.The elder tries to comfort all of them,
"Well, the past is all behind us now, We must live the present and make a better future. We'll start by naming you, By will of all the 4 stars of Floravere I name you - Sylvarn of Sunflower."
Everyone including the young tree is excited now;
"Sylvarn, I like that name. Thank you kind elder."
Rubina gives a pleasant smile and the beautiful moment and then asks Var,
"So where is your search gonna lead you both next?"
Var stretches a bit as became drowsy,
"We are heading back to Xerith through the portal beyond the dead tyrant's domain, we only came here to shunt past half the planet. From there we plan to warp to Stellar prime system - Planet of knowledge."
Rubina remarks,"So it seems as if the gods sent you to save us ."
all of them cheer up except Sylvarn,
"If you are going beyond the gate, Be careful(Var looks at him with a curious face, Sylvarn continues)I once tried to escape through that gate, but on the other side I felt something more ominous Thornbane. the gate energy inside me surged like crazy like ot was warning not to go....."
Everyone was silent now....and in the silence, the fire crackled, as if echoing the warning Sylvarn could not fully voice
Next Chapter - Dark side of Xerith.