Meanwhile, within the third border, a group of three-star warriors had just concluded dealing with their ninth wave of two-star Vylkr vines and were resting before facing the next challenge.
Boom!! Booom!! Booomm!!
Suddenly, a series of loud and familiar sounds echoed from a distance, steadily approaching their location. They turned their heads toward the noise source in an instant, only to witness three three-star Vylkr vines advancing from the distance.
Swiftly, they sprang to their feet, each warrior gripping their cutlass, axe, and curved spear, their eyes fixed on the approaching spectacle to ensure it wasn't a mere illusion.
Booom!! Booom!! Boom!!
As they drew nearer, the warriors realized that the approaching spectacle was real and that their eyes were not deceiving them.
In response to the imminent threat, one of the warriors swiftly turned to his comrades and shouted, "QUICKLY, HEAD BACK TO THE SECOND BORDER AND BRING REINFORCEMENTS!"
With a nod, the warrior signalled her acknowledgement before she promptly sprinted backwards toward the second border to enlist aid from the stationed warrior groups.
Meanwhile, as the remaining warriors stood their ground, bracing themselves for the impending battle, one of them directed the others' attention to something above.
"What's that?"
Immediately, they all gazed upward, seeing a colossal tree tethered by a rope to three airborne contraptions steadily making their way toward them. They were initially puzzled before they began to understand the scene unfolding before them gradually.
They remembered that Orion, who had recently returned after being rescued by an exploration group led by the Village Chief's son, along with Fifi, the well woman and other three-star warriors, had embarked on a mission to bring back Saria, who was discovered to be alive a few days ago. So, seeing that the flying contraptions and a huge tree tied below it meant that...
"SEND A MESSAGE BACK TO THE VILLAGE CHIEF. INFORM THEM THAT THE WARRIORS HAVE RETURNED ALONG WITH SARIA. ALSO, ALERT THE LEADER OF THE LEFTWARD STRONGHOLD THAT THEY HAVE BROUGHT COMPANY, AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT ALONE!" the commanding warrior turned to one of his comrades and issued the urgent order once more.
"Understood, captain," the warriors responded, nodding in agreement.
The warrior swiftly turned, leaping into the sky and transforming into a colossal, 30-meter-long ashen-black dragon that cast a formidable shadow on the ground, capable of traversing several kilometres within mere minutes.
"EVERYBODY, PREPARE YOURSELVES! HALT THEIR ADVANCE UNTIL REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE!" the warrior ordered loudly, evidently the group's leader. Gripping his weapon tightly, he activated his gift, signalling the coming clash with the approaching threats.
….…
Observing the warriors below engaged in battle with the three-star Vylkr vines, Orion felt a sense of relief.
Although the warriors were holding their ground while awaiting reinforcements, witnessing their ability to confront and slow down the three-star Vylkr vines was reassuring.
He turned his attention back to Saria, who had gotten back up to her feet.
"Get ready; we'll be landing soon," Orion informed her.
Saria nodded her head seriously in response. No matter how well the Guardians of the Garden treated her, she still missed the farm and the comfort it brought, along with the rest of the tree nymphs in it.
So, Saria couldn't help but feel her body tremble with excitement as she couldn't wait to return to the farm.
After thirty more minutes of flying, they finally reached the edge of the farm.
Orion calmly ordered a steady descent, ensuring everyone landed safely. As Saria's tree finally touched the ground, they cut the rope from their Orion's sky and descend one by one.
While descending, Orion noticed a familiar giant green-horned owl in the distance. His attention was then drawn to a human-sized figure rapidly approaching them in the sky.
"SCREEEEECCCHH!"
BOOMM!
In a matter of seconds, the newcomers stood before them. The Village Chief reverted to his human form, and the human figure revealed itself to be Leftward Stronghold Leader Zogar. They landed on the ground, ready to address the situation.
Before anyone could utter a word, Leftward Stronghold Leader Zogar instantly appeared before Saria, giving her a tight hug while joyfully laughing.
"You're alive!! Hahaha... I knew it!! I knew that Orion was not lying!!"
Despite the key figures believing Orion's words to some extent, doubts still managed to creep into their minds. Some had prepared for the worst, anticipating the consequences if Orion's claims turned out to be false.
As the only remaining Stronghold Leader, Zogar was privy to this cautious mindset.
However, unlike others, he had strong convictions in the truth of Orion's words. As such, witnessing Saria's return, he couldn't contain his happiness.
Nevertheless, it only lasted for less than a minute, before he released Saria and walked over to Orion. Without even saying a word, he tightly hugged, patting his palm firmly on his back before releasing him with a broad smile.
"It's good to see that you're finally back safe and sound," Leftward Stronghold Leader Zogar said, his joy evident.
Orion and Saria exchanged wry smiles, understanding Zogar's emotions from his unexpected welcome. However, thankfully, before the moment could linger, the Village Chief intervened, speaking up to redirect the attention.
"Ahem! It's good to see that you made it back successfully with Saria," the Village Chief nodded at his son, Orion, and the warriors around them.
However, a frown appeared on his face as he realized the numbers didn't match up with the group that had initially left the Village, stirring a sense of foreboding.
"Where are the rest?" he asked.
"They are still at the mountain, father. Carrying Saria's tree back to the Village meant considering the weight limit of the Orion's skies, so only those capable of steering it could return. The others are waiting in the mountains until we can go back for them," Seth explained, his gaze fixed on his father.
The Village Chief audibly exhaled in relief, his tension dissipating. However, he narrowed his eyes, listening intently to Seth's account.
