章 583: Step Up

AARYN

Aside from the day he walked the Flames with Elreth, the day the Protectors began to arrive from the human world was the proudest of his life.

They began to filter through before dawn, though none made it to the Tree City until mid-morning. They waited for family and gathered in groups, and walked into Anima, chins down and eyes wary… to find a society that treated them with respect—if some apprehension.

There was an initial panic when it was realized they were all dressed like humans and some of the Anima were thrown into fear, believing them to be intruders. But it was quickly and easily fixed by a change of wardrobe, and before evening all the newcomers looked like they had always been a part of the Tree City.

Which was when they discovered that they'd been made a tribe. That they were embraced by the rest of the Anima… or at least treated as citizens with a place.