Ronan was hanging upside down, held in the air by writhing roots wrapped around his ankles and lower legs. More roots had his arms bound behind his back, but other than pressing into his skin a little more than necessary, they weren't damaging him.

When neither Ronan nor Keith spoke, the strangely deep voice repeated itself. It was strange. Ronan knew the language wasn't English, but he understood it perfectly nonetheless. It was the first time he'd experienced the benefits of his Universal Language skill.

Are your kind not able to communicate? I can sense thoughts and emotions, so you must be sentient. What are you? Why are you here? Along with the words, Ronan received a sudden stream of pictures and feelings in his mind. It was overwhelming, but the intention was obvious.

He'd read and watched a decent amount of sci-fi and fantasy, so the idea of a creature that communicated via means other than spoken language wasn't completely alien to him, but there was a vast difference between being open to a possibility and experiencing it for himself. Once he'd gathered his wits and understood the intentions and questions of the voice—which seemed to belong to the tree, or trees, around him—Ronan thought of a suitable answer.

"We can communicate perfectly well, thank you. In my culture we don't normally start conversations by attacking and restraining the other party, so you'll have to forgive me if I was taken aback," he said, voice oozing sarcasm.

You trespassed. It is a natural instinct to defend the holy grounds of one's species-culture-collective, is it not? If it will be conducive to further conversation, I will release you and your partner. However, you must first promise to not advance further into the sacred-holy sanctuary-nursery. Can you do this?

Being spoken to telepathically was a very strange sensation. Ronan was assured of his mental sanctity thanks to the newly acquired Eye of the Trickster, but it still sent a shiver down his spine when the deep, ancient-sounding voice resonated through his mind.

"Well, there's a slight problem with that big fella. This is a new world. I'm not sure property laws still apply. Then again, if this forest means that much to you I won't cause any trouble. Neither will Keith, will you mate?" Ronan said, throwing a sideways glance at the man that said 'agree or I'll kick you in the nuts.'

"Yep. Won't have any problems from me, mighty tree person," Keith agreed with an enthusiastic nod. Then he leaned over and whispered, "Telepathic foxes and now trees… Is it just me or are you seeing a pattern here?"

Ronan rolled his eyes. "There you go. As long as you aren't an asshole you won't have any issues from us. Although, you aren't the boss of this sector, right? Would be a little embarrassing if that was the case."

You refer to the canine creature which resides in this sector-zone? We are not affiliated with it. We wish to co-exist with all living creatures, according to the code-scripture-teachings-values of the first ancestor. I will release you. Do not be alarmed.

Ronan raised an eyebrow. Why would he be alarmed at being released? He felt himself being lowered to the ground, when suddenly another root shot out and wrapped around his neck. Instinctively his arm shot out to intercept. Ah. Now I see.

Honestly, if he didn't have his heritage Ronan would still have blocked the root. This could be an elaborate trap. However, he got the feeling that this creature was powerful enough to kill them both if it wanted to without resorting to trickery and deceit.

The root slowed as it approached, then gently wrapped around his shoulders and pivoted his body so that he was upright once more. Then, the roots around his hands were removed and he was placed gently against the ground, at which point the rest of the roots retreated back into the soil.

"Thanks for that," Ronan said to the forest at large, while rubbing his wrists and rolling his shoulders. There were faint red lines around his wrists from where the roots had restrained him. "Now, just to be clear, am I speaking to the tree? The forest? Or are you hiding somewhere in there?"

There was a moment of silence. Probably the creature trying to understand his question. Judging from the strange conjoined words that had popped up during the creature's speech, Ronan suspected the translation skill wasn't too great at getting the real meanings of some words across. It was better than having to learn them all from scratch, in any case.

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You are curious about my true form? I understand. Your species has issues communicating when they cannot see a recognisable form. There were species on our homeworld-origin-cradle like this. A moment, please.

Ronan wasn't sure what he'd expected when asking the creature to reveal itself, but it certainly wasn't what he was now witnessing. The trunk of the tree nearest to them split open, spat a seed out onto the grass, then sealed itself up again.

Ronan had barely looked back at the tree for a second, but when he turned back to the seed it had sprouted into a humanoid with skin the colour of healthy green leaves and eyes that were like black ponds. It had no mouth, nose, ears, or any distinguishing features, save for the fact it emitted a faintly floral scent into the air. Ronan felt himself relaxing as the scent entered his nostrils.

At the same time, the Eye of the Trickster lit up and he sensed that he could purge the relaxation effect if he wished to. His face twisted in anger. "Did you just try to control our minds? I don't take kindly to that kind of shit," he snarled.

The green-skinned creature raised two hands. Apologies. That was not my intention. The pheromone-greeting is part of our language. I felt that putting you at ease would help the conversation along. I can stop, if you wish?

"That would be great. I would recommend you don't do that to any other humans you meet. People might take it the wrong way. You look… oddly similar to us. Is that really your real form?" Ronan asked. At the same time, he read the tag floating above the humanoid's head.

[Serenaeth 7 - Tellen Dryad Lv.34]

I have taken on a form that I felt would put you most at ease. In a sense, this is my true form, and it also isn't. The Tellen are so different to… humans… The creature seemed to pause on the word, rolling it around. If I was to appear to you with the truest representation of my self-Serenaeth-soul, it would likely break your mind. Is it an insult to take your form?

"Not really. Not to me, anyway. Take whatever form you like, mate. Alright, well I don't want to waste too much time, as fascinating as it is to meet you. Based on what you said earlier, it sounds like you won't be fighting the boss. My question to you is, will we have a problem if I decide to kill the furry fucker?" Ronan was worried he might have a battle on two fronts, if this creature took issue with him killing the boss.

Despite the creature—Serenaeth—being a much lower level, he still felt on edge around it. A gut feeling, but Ronan had learned to trust them.

It would sadden me if you truly cannot see a path to coexistence, but ultimately the Tellen are aware that… I cannot reveal our secrets. Suffice to say we are just as invested in you as advancing this… integration-conquest-alignment. However, we are unable to claim the… pillars. However, whether you or the animal claim it does not particularly matter to us.

"Alright, not quite sure what a lot of that means but it sounds like you won't get in the way. In that case, we should be off. Nice to meet you… Serenaeth. Am I saying that right?"

Yes.

"Nice. Alright then Serenaeth, I'll catch you around. Maybe I'll come back for a chat after we open up the sector. It would be nice to know we got a few allies in the area," Ronan finished, before waving at the green-skinned humanoid. "Let's go Keith, we still have a few places to scout."

Keith nodded and the two men turned around to leave the strange, alien forest. As they started to walk away, Ronan felt a tap on his shoulder and looked to see one of the roots which had ensnared him floating in the air.

"Something the matter?" he questioned the Tellen.

One final question. Depending on your answer, it will change our future interactions and those of our two species.

"I'm listening. Shoot."

Most of this sector is taken over by… mineral constructions. Are they the ruins of your species' work? The Tellen are guardians of nature and the world. If your species will return to destroying it, then we will become enemies. I am aware that you might not be able to speak for your entire species, but you are powerful. In this new world, that will mean more than you might know. Will you be an enemy of nature, or its friend?

Ronan paused. It was an interesting question paired with a fairly profound observation on the nature of the post-integration world. Power did mean a great deal. Rule of the strong.

"Honestly mate, I can't tell you what I'll think or do in a year, five years, ten years from now. That being said, I do like trees. Had a few beautiful plants in my flat. They felt like kids. So yeah, I'll do my best to be a friend to nature, provided nature keeps being a friend to me," he answered.

An honest answer. That is better than most might give. We have encountered duplicitous creatures in our long, vast history. In that case, let me give you a parting gift, Ronan Steele.

Ronan's eyebrow quirked upwards at the creature knowing his name. Then again, it probably could simply read it from his tag. He wouldn't say no to a gift

Before he could reply, the root stretched out and gently wrapped around his arm. He felt a gentle tingle as the tip of the root glowed a faint lime green.

Challenger [Serenaeth 7] is attempting to form a soul link…

Soul weight insufficient to resist, [Serenaeth 7] will initiate master-subordinate link…

A piercing, eldritch screech cut through the sounds of the forest. He instantly recognised the sound. Ronan feared betrayal, but hoped his heritage would protect him.

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