Their journey back home was quick and quiet, since they discovered a Prowler there was no need to hunt more Stalkers - the larger beast likely killed dozens of them on its way to the evolution.
Soon enough they were standing in front of the familiar wall, waiting to be let in.
Just as they entered the city, something rammed into Calen at high speed.
"Cal! Are you ok?"
Isara was gabbing both of his arms, gripping them with all her strength.
"Yes? Why are you so worked up?" Asked Calen.
She huffed.
"Well, the Archdruid told Ellie that there was a flare up of divine power somewhere in the forest, but then it disappeared completely."
"He can see things like that? Well, don't worry I'm totally fin-"
"He had a seizure from absorbing too much power at once." Interrupted Cassian.
Calen threw him an accusatory look.
"I'm not lying to Isa, I don't have a death wish." Cassian shrugged and walked off.
Calen was left one on one with visibly unimpressed Isara, she crossed her arms and tapped her foot, clearly waiting for a more in-depth explanation from him.
"It's really nothing to worry about Isa, Lydia said that things like that will happen again, but I won't die."
"I didn't say that second part." Said Lydia, who has snuck behind them at some point. "Although you're probably going to survive strengthening the flame, you'll need to seriously enhance your body if you don't want to burn to a crisp when you try to inherit it."
"Well, Cass said there are a lot of plants that can help with that, and you guys are druids - do you have something that might be useful?"
Lydia scratched her chin.
"I think me might have something but I'm not sure. We'll be better equipped to help you once the issue with the tree is resolved."
Lydia gave them a little wave and walked off.
Calen turned back at Isara who still looked rather unhappy.
"Look Isa, how about we get back to our rooms, and Cass and I will tell you everything that happened?"
She eyed him suspiciously for a moment, as if checking whether he was hiding something.
"... fine."
_________________
The party once again found themselves in Calen's room - he was narrating today's events, with Cassian adding his own commentary from time to time.
"...Baor jumped on the beast, and pinned it to the ground. In that moment I charged forward and used my power to kill the foul beast!"
"...and then he he got a power boost and collapsed from the strain. And that's basically it." Finished Cassian
"Not how I would have put it, but yeah sure." Calen sighed and addressed the girls. "Did you learn anything important today?"
Isara answered first:
"Well, Alara is not the most talkative person, and she prefers to focus on the job, but I did manage to get a couple of things out of her. First of all seems like Baor was correct, Elder Trent is a 'conservative asshole that got his position because of nepotism and bullshit.'"
Isara wasn't exactly a saint when it came to vocabulary, but that outburst was a bit out of place, so everyone was starting at her.
"What? Alara's words, not mine." She shrugged. "I also got the impression that pretty much everyone wants to get rid of him, but they can't for some reason."
"Maybe he knows too much?" Suggested Cassian.
"Could be... that said, Ellie has some pretty crucial info, don't you?" Isara looked at her friend
"I do. Archdruid Vinifer likes to wrap everything in metaphors or analogies, so it wasn't easy to understand everything he said but I think I got the gist of it." Elira cleared her throat. "It seems that the council betraying Lydia was indirectly caused by a rivalry between the previous Archdruid, and one of his peers in the council."
"How so?" Asked Calen.
"The details are bit muddy, but to my understanding that late Elder passed some dangerous secret to his disciple, to ensure that the rest of the council would cooperate when it comes time to appoint the next Archdruid."
"And that disciple was Trent?" Clarified Cassian.
"I think so."
Calen stood up a d started pacing around the room, summarising what they knew.
"The tree is dying, and I can recharge it, but the Archdruid won't allow it, because Elder Trent is holding some kind of threat over his head."
"We just have to find whatever advantage he has and get rid of it then." Stated Isara.
"I don't it's going to be this simple Isa, the circle didn't manage to get anything on him for almost a century." Argued Elira
"The Elders are bound by rules, we aren't. Who's gonna stop us from snooping around?" A devilish smile lingered on Isara's lips.
They discussed possible strategies until it got dark outside.
"Okay, I think it's enough for today, we all have training tomorrow, so we should get some rest." Said Calen
Elira and Cassian excused themselves, and went to their rooms, but Isara stayed since she came through the balcony anyway.
They were standing together outside, chatting about insignificant matters.
"How's the progress on those invisibility cloaks? They sound quite use-
"Cal." Isara turned to face him
She grabbed his face with both her hands and stared into his eyes.
"I got scared today when I heard you might be dead. Don't do that again. Promise me you won't."
"I mean it wasn't my fault, and according to Lydia situations like that-"
"Try to get stronger gradually, then. The world waited half a millennium, it can wait a few more years if necessary. I don't like it when you're hurt, okay?"
"Okay."
She let his face go and hugged him.
"Get some rest Cal, you had an... exciting day."
"I will. Goodnight Isa."
***
Calen didn't usually dream, but this night was an exception.
He found himself in suspended in a vast space resembling a night sky. His state was weird, he wasn't in his body, but could feel that he was still himself.
As he admired the tapestry of stars all around him, a bright light flashed and suddenly three figures were floating around him.
"So this is the one he chose this time? An unusual choice, to say the least."
The voice that spoke was feminine, but layered, as if many people talked at once in perfect harmony.
It came from a green silhouette of a short woman, it didn't have any facial features and it's shape was rather vague, but the figure emanated with power.
"Unusual, yes, but not strange. I can see exactly see why he... they chose him."
The one to respond belonged to a silvery shape of another woman, Calen couldn't say why, but something about the shapeless person reminded him of Isa.
"We're not here to discuss our opinions. We have very little time, so don't waste it." Another voice interrupted them.
This one was decidedly masculine, and far more... human. Similarly the figure representing the voice was also much more defined. It was a shadow of a tall and muscular man, but it still lacked any clear features.
"Of course, let us begin. Flamebearer, can you hear us?" Asked the green figure.
Calen tried to respond, but he couldn't produce any sound - he didn't have a body after all.
"You can just think of your answers, we'll hear them." Said the silver one.
'like this?' tried Calen.
"Precisely. Now that we can talk, allow us to introduce ourselves. I am the Matriarch." Said the green woman.
"You can call me the Queen." The silver figure added.
"I'm just a shadow." Finished the man
The Matriarch continued talking:
"You might not now about us, but we are-"
'the Guardians.' guessed Calen
"He's a quick one, I like him." Chuckled the Queen.
"Your flame is still weak, so it's difficult for us to contact you like this. We only have a few moments left, so listen carefully boy." The Shadow said I'm a stern voice. "Once you're done with your business in Greenheart travel to your next destination just as you planned, one of us will meet you there, and explain more."
"Oh, and before we go, a small hint for your investigation." Said the Matriarch. "Look for runes among the roots."
As those last words rang out, Calen's soul was expelled from the strange space, leaving the guardians alone.
"The boy reminded you of him, huh?" Asked the Matriarch.
The Queen silently nodded.
"The resemblance is uncanny." Admitted the Shadow. "One can only wonder what the madman is planning this time."
"Do you think something will change this cycle?" Quietly asked the Queen.
"Who knows? We never seen anything even remotely similar to this, I can't even begin to predict what will happen, but I have a good feeling." Said the Matriarch.
"Why?"
"Because this strangeness can lead to change, and frankly the situation can't get much worse."
"For once I have to agree with Sy." Commented the shadow with a hint of amusement in his voice.