The sun climbed high above Elyria, its rays filtering through the canopy to pain the grove in shifting mosaics of light and shadow. The collapse of the blight spire had left a tangible void in the forest's pulse, no more sickly throbs through Alex's Root Network Expansion, only the clean, vibrant hum of life reclaiming the tainted soil. His legion and the Verdant Enclave elves had returned victorious, their voices , now fully vocal, ringing with triumph and exhaustion.
System : World Tree Ascension Path
Name : Alex (Treant form)
Stage : Seedling Treant (Level 3)
EXP : 94.1/400
Mana : 170/200
Sap of Life : 15/15
Skills : Basic Nurture, Verdant Pulse, Life Weaver, Root Network Expansion (Passive)
Legion : Fang (Level 3, Hunting), Claw (Level 3, Scouts), Thorn (Level 2, Defense), Surge (Level 2, Aquatic), Shadow (Level 2, Stealth)
Liora stood at the grove's heart, her silver streaked with soot from the battle. Around her, elves tended minor wounds with glowing salves, while Fang's pack devoured the spoils of a fresh hunt. Surge coiled in the stream, its electric hiss a low, satisfied rumble. Thorn loomed over the bound ELandor, whose smirk had faded into sullen silence.
Fang padded forward, blood still staining his muzzle. "The spire is dust, Grove Father. But the cloaked agent managed to escape, Shadow is following its trail now."
From the shadows near a gnarled oak, the panther materialized, its inky fur drinking the light. Shadow's voice was a velvet whisper that somehow carried to every ear. "The agent flees west, toward a hidden outpost. Stone walls, taint runes, twenty guards, half wolves and half cloaked elves. A supply cache for the High ones. I left scent marks. we can strike before they regroup."
Claw swooped down, landing with a gust that scattered leaves. "I confirm, Grove father. The outpost sits in a hollow, camouflaged by illusion wards. But the spire's fall cracked their network, sigils flicker. Now is the moment." Alex's trunk creaked as he considered the system screen. Level 3 had granted Life weaver, a skill that lets him manipulate growth remotely, perfect for an assault. "We end this supply line today," he declared, his rustling voice firm. "Full legion. Liora, bring half your archers. We hit hard, hit fast."
Liora nodded, already signaling her elves. "We'll breach the wards. Your beasts handle the guards." As the war party formed. Alex used the lull to push his EXP. He extended Life Weaver towards a distant corpse of sapling, accelerating their growth into towering oaks.
Life Weaver : Large Plants (Oaks) x3 - + 6 EXP
Mana : 140/200
EXP : 100.1/400
Next, he nurtured a herd of elk grazing at the grove's edge, their antlers gleaming under his touch.
Life Weaver : Large Animals (Elk) x2 - + 24 EXP
Mana : 100/200
EXP : 124.1/400
The system chimed as the war party moved out, Fang's pack loping ahead, Surge carving a watery path parallel to the march, Claw circling above, and Shadow vanishing into the under brush. Liora's elves followed in tight formation, arrows nocked. Half a day's march brought them to the hollow. Illusion wards shimmered, revealing a squat stone fortress ringed by dead trees. Tainted wolves patrolled the walls; cloaked elves chanted at the rune stones.
"Shadow, take the eastern rune," Alex ordered, his voice carrying through Life Weaver like a breeze. "Surge, flood the moat. Claw, mark targets. Fang, breach the gate. Thorn, wait, you're with me" Thorn had remained at the grove to guard Elandor, but Alex had a plan. Using Life Weaver, he grew a thorn barrier remotely at the outpost's rear exit, sealing escape.
Life Weaver : Thorn Barrier Erected
Mana : 80/200
Shadow struck first, an invisible blur. A cloaked elf gasped as Shadow's Silent strike severed the eastern rune stone. Sparks flew; illusion wards flickered.
Sigil Destroyed (via Proxy : Shadow) - + 15 EXP
EXP : 139.1/400
Surge erupted from a culvert, its Hydro Surge flooding the moat into a churning whirlpool. Tainted wolves yelped, swept away.
Enemies Neutralized (via Proxy : Surge) - + 32 EXP
EXP to the World Tree : 19.2 EXP
EXP : 158.3/400
Claw's cry guided elven arrows. Three cloaked guards fell, runes shattering.
Sigils Destroyed (via Proxy : Elves and Claw) - +30 EXP
EXP : 188.3/400
Fang's pack slammed the gate. The dire wolf roared, Pack Command amplifying their strength. Wood splintered; the gates crashed in ward
Gate Breached - + 20 EXP
EXP : 208.3/400.
Inside, chaos. Tainted wolves charged; Fang met them head on, jaws snapping. Shadow flickered between foes, Shadow Cloak rendering it untouchable. Surge's Shock Pulse arced through the courtyard, stunning guard. Liora's arrows found throats. Alex, rooted miles aways, wove life like a conductor. Life Weaver sprouted viness to bind wolves, healed Fang mid-bite, ad grew a massive cloak massive oak in the courtyard's center- its roots crushing supply crates.
Enemy defeated (via Proxy : Legion and Elves) - +80 EXP
EXP to the World Tree : +48 EXP
EXP : 26.3/400
EXP to the Legion : Distributed evenly
The final cloaked commander activated a taint crystal, summoning a corrupted bear the size of Thorn. Alex pulsed Verdant Pulse across the battle field.
Verdant Pulse activated : Healed all allies : +30 HP
Mana : 60/200
Fang and Surge tag-teamed the bear - wolf jaws and electric coils. Shadow delivered the killing blow, claws raking the crystal heart.
Outpost Commander defeated - +50 EXP
EXP : 306.3/400
Outpost Cleared - Major Objective Completed : + 100 EXP
EXP : 406.3/400 -> Level UP
Power surged. Alex's trunk widened; roots burrowed deeper. New skill unlocked.
Level UP : Seedling Treant ( Level 4)
EXP : 6.3/600
New Skill : Grove Link (Share senses and minor control with legion leader within 10 miles)
Mana Max : 250/250
Sap of Life Max : +5 (20/20)
Through the Grove Link, Alex saw the outpost's ruins, smoking crates, fallen foes, and a sealed scroll case Shadow carried. The panther's purr echoed in his mind, then aloud: "High ones correspondence, Grove father. Name, locations... and a map to their under realm gate." Liora approaches the case, eyes wide. "This changes everything. They're closer than we thought."
Fang's pack howled with victory. Surge's hiss crackled with satisfaction. Claw circled overhead, triumphant. Alex's voice rustled across the battlefield, warm with pride. "Well done. Return home. Tonight we shall study the scrolls and prepare for the under realm."
As the legion marched back, the grove greeted them with new growth, oaks taller, grass thicker, the air sweeter. Elandor's eyes widened at their return, defeat finally cracking his facade." Shadow dropped the scroll case at Alex's roots. "The shadow reveal all," it purred. "And soon the High ones will fall."
To be continued