Aspen (Guide)

Aspen is a botanist who is currently studying a possible second tree of life in the southern forest. Spoiler: It's not.

He's well traveled and prefers nature over interacting with others, so he never bonded with a Seeker.

He was bound to meet the guardian of the second tree of life with his research on it. What Aspen wasn't expecting was to fall for him, Nagi. He was courted with clothes, feasting, and dances. Those who live in the tree's canopy test his worthiness to be bonded with a guardian without him realizing it.

Their small talk is what really drew Aspen in. Nagi is a gentle soul who didn't push the sect's regular rituals onto him, letting Aspen learn his own feelings.