Chapter 129: The Forest People

The first drone returned shortly after noon, its alloy casing covered in fine scratches. Several of its optical sensors had been rendered useless by severe electromagnetic interference.

Despite the damage, its memory drive retained clear footage of the forest. The video revealed a narrow, natural corridor leading through giant trees that grew directly around towering crystalline pillars.

Rhyder studied the holographic projection inside the New Frontier Settlement’s tactical tent.

"Those pillars are not natural formations," Elias Varen noted, tapping the console to enlarge the rendering. "The crystalline structures follow precise geometric intervals, suggesting intentional construction."

"Can you classify the energy output?" Rhyder asked, turning his head slightly toward the scientist.

"Not with our current database," Elias replied, shaking his head. "It resembles elemental energy, but the frequency distribution differs from humans, Zerg, or Aera."

Raviah stood on the opposite side of the table, her gaze fixed on the shifting light patterns. The seven energy signals detected earlier had converged into a single, stable resonance that moved fluidly through the woodland.

"They knew the drone was scanning them," she stated.

Rhyder looked at her, his brows pulling together. "What leads you to that conclusion?"

"The signal shifted the moment the unit crossed the treeline," Raviah explained. "It didn’t destroy the transmission components. It neutralized the scanning beam and allowed the device to fly back to us."

Elias ran a diagnostic wand over the returned drone. "She is right. Given the power levels present in those pillars, the interference could have easily fried the central processing unit."

"Then we proceed on foot with caution," Rhyder declared, turning to face his officers. "A minimal delegation only, armed escort, active drone surveillance, and zero offensive elemental deployments unless we take direct fire."

His eyes settled on Raviah with authority. "You will remain behind the secondary security line."

"I am joining the advance group," Raviah countered, meeting his gaze without flinching.

"Raviah," he said, his tone dropping an octave.

"If these beings possess an unclassified biological framework, your soldiers will not recognize their physiological stress signals or environmental warnings," she reasoned calmly. "My root can help prevent a fatal misunderstanding."

Rhyder held her gaze in silence for several seconds before exhaling a low breath. "You stay directly behind me until we verify their intentions."

"Agreed," she replied.

By early afternoon, the small expedition stepped beyond the settlement’s perimeter. Two armored transports remained at the edge of the woodland while Rhyder led Raviah, Elias, and six elite Elemental guards along the drone’s recorded path.

The deeper they marched, the more the surrounding flora deviated from ordinary terrestrial biology. Enormous trunks twisted into spiraling, vein-like patterns, supporting shimmering pale blue leaves that filtered the sunlight.

Streams flowed between massive, exposed roots, their waters reflecting shifting colors as raw elemental energy drifted through the canopy. Surprisingly, the forest was devoid of hostile wildlife.

No mutated beasts lurked in the shadows, and no Zerg prowled the undergrowth. The entire ecosystem seemed to maintain a deliberate, peaceful boundary around the advancing group.

The narrow passage eventually opened into a vast, sunlit clearing.

Raviah paused, her breath catching as she took in the sight. Wooden structures rested among the thick branches of ancient trees, connected by suspended bridges and graceful, curved walkways.

On the ground, crystalline monoliths stood in concentric circles, their surfaces glowing with shifting runes as sunlight struck the facets. Humanoid figures moved calmly between the platforms.

While they possessed upright, bipedal bodies, their physical traits differed from ordinary humans. Luminous markings in shades of emerald and azure lined their skin, and several individuals bore delicate, branch-like growths extending from their temples.

As the delegation approached, one of the figures lifted a hand.

The air vibrated, and a transparent barrier materialized across the path without any visible cast or movement.

Rhyder instantly raised his arm, signaling the squad to halt in place. "Hold your positions."

The barrier remained, acting purely as a physical wall rather than an offensive strike.

"That is high-level elemental manipulation," Elias murmured, adjusting his glasses.

"It isn’t running through a standard human root system," Raviah noted softly.

She extended her sensory perception toward the clearing. The energy surrounding the inhabitants did not stem from isolated internal cores. Instead, vitality flowed continuously between their bodies, the crystalline pillars, the soil, and the canopy above.

They were not merely drawing power from the environment; they were deeply integrated into it.

A taller figure stepped out from the center of the village. Unlike the guardians, this individual wore no protective gear and carried no weapons.

Intricate silver markings lined their hands and wrists, and their eyes shone with a clear, golden light.

As the leader walked forward, the energy barrier dissolved into light.

Rhyder took a slow, measured step ahead of the squad. "We come from the Sol Haven Alliance. We mean no harm to your settlement but came to establish peaceful contact after detecting your energy signals."

The leader observed him quietly, remaining completely silent.

Then, their golden eyes shifted past Rhyder, fixing on Raviah.

The moment their gazes locked, the surrounding crystalline pillars flashed with intense white light. A powerful wave of energy swept through the clearing, washing over the delegation.

Deep within Raviah’s chest, her core pulsed in a violent response, her root flaring before she could suppress the reaction.

The surrounding woodland reacted instantly. Leaves rustled, the nearby streams shone bright, and the golden markings on the leader’s skin flared like burning embers.

Elias glanced down at his wildly glitching scanner. "Raviah, their entire regional network is synchronizing with you!"

Rhyder immediately shifted his stance, placing his arm in front of her as his own elemental aura surged.

The leader continued walking until only a few feet separated them. They searched Raviah’s face with an intense, reverent gaze, as if recognizing a truth.

Then, the golden-eyed leader bowed their head low.

It was not a gesture of submission but one of deep, solemn reverence.

When the leader spoke, their voice echoed with a strange resonance that reached the minds of everyone present.

"Source-Bearer."

Raviah froze, her breath trapped in her throat.

The leader raised their golden eyes, and the vast forest around them illuminated in brilliant, harmonious light.

"We have been waiting for you."