The invasion began like a whisper, soft and unassuming.
Then it screamed.
The outer hull groaned as the first wave of vines punched through the auxiliary docking seals, tearing open the corridors like paper. Roots as thick as torsos coiled through the vents, lashing out with shocking precision. Panels burst. Lights shattered. The sound of Farian soldiers screaming echoed through the ship's hollow belly.
"Containment breach on Deck 4!" someone yelled over the intercom, their voice warbling in static. "They're—gods, they're everywhere!"
Dican burst through the hallway junction, sword already drawn. Its blade shimmered faintly with Void Pulse energy, humming with every breath he took. Vines slithered toward him like snakes sensing heat. He swung clean through the first—schick—cleaving it in half, sending thick green sap spraying against the walls.
But another followed. Then another.
And then a flower bloomed.
It was beautiful. Horrifyingly so.
