The grove hummed with newfound energy in the wake of Alex's level up. His trunk had grown studier, roots delving deeper into Elyria's soil, drawing in ambient mana that replenished his reserves. The system confirmed the changes with a satisfying chime:
Level 2 achieved : Seedling Treant
EXP : 15/20
Mana Max : 150/150
Sap of Life : Fully restored and max increased (+5) - 10/10
New Passive : Root Expansion Network (Increased awareness radius and minor exp gain from ambient life)
The full restoration of his Sap of Life felt like a warm flood through his core, the golden essence replenishing to its maximum. Alex's leaves shimmered with vitality, no more rationing for now. He could empower more allies if needed, expanding his legion even further. Liora stood before him, her green eyes reflecting the grove's glow. Fang, Claw and Thorn positioned themselves protectively around Alex's base, their gaze fixed on the elf. Fang's hackles were raised, low growl rumbling in his throat, while Thorn's vine armored form loomed like a living fortress. Claw perched high on a branch, her sharp eyes unblinking.
"You speak of prophecies," Alex projected mentally, his "voice" resonating in Liora's mind like rustling leaves in a breeze, He had discovered he could communicate telepathically even with non-legion beings if he focused, a perk of his evolving form. "What do you know of me? Of this... World Tree path? " Liora lowered her hands slowly, a faint smile touched her lips. "Your awakening is no accident, ancient one. Could I have the honor of knowing your name, ancient one." "My name , hmmm." , Alex replied ."Should i give her my Earth name or should i create one for here, fuck it I'll give her my Earth name", he thought internally. "My name is Alex ", Alex replied. "It is an honor to know your name , Alex. Well, i came here not to start a war or anything but the winds of Elyria carry your arrival and they are the one that led me to you. My name is Liora of Verdant Enclave, a hidden order of elves sworn to protect the natural balance. We guarded the old lore for centuries: the World Tree, a cosmic guardian born from a humble seed, destined to weave universes in its canopy and bind abyssal voids below. But the taint... it seeks to corrupt that destiny."
Alex's branches quivered. "The taint, I felt it in those beasts. Twisted, wrong. Tell me more of what you know about the taint and who are the masterminds behind it." Liora glanced at the dissipated shadows where the tainted deer had fallen, her expression darkening. "The taint is said to come for shadowy forces in the under realms or the abyss, and from what we have found out over the years it been around, we have found out that there were once treants like yourself who ascending along the path to become mythical trees and protect the balance but they betrayed the balance, craving power over harmony. They call themselves the "high ones" , they allied with the shadowy forces, using the taint to spread corruption to weaken potential rivals. Their agents cloaked themselves in deception, sowing discord among the pure. We've fought them in secret, but you emergence changes everything. You could be the one to change everything as you are some sort of "successor" for the World Tree title and power , you will be able to restore what they have broken."
Fang stepped forward, his gruff voice intruding into the mental link. "Word are wind, elf. Prove your intent. The Grove father as faced threats already, why should we trust you?" Liora met the dire wolf's glowing eyes without flinching. "Because I've seem the cost of isolation. My enclave has lost kin to the taint's beasts. If you allow it, I can share wards, elven runes to bolster your defenses." She traced a glowing symbol in the air, a verdant glyph that hovered briefly before sinking into the soil near Alex's roots. A subtle warmth spread, enhancing his Root Network Expansion.
System Ping : External buff - Verdant Ward :
+10% Defense against taint's corruption for 24 hours.
"Impressive," Alex admitted. "But why help me? what in it for you enclave?" Liora's gaze softened. "Survival. The high ones' master plot from their citadels in the abyss, and if the World Tree falls before it rises, all realms unravel. We need allies as much as you do. Let me return to my people, I'll bring more who can aid you. Scouts, healers, warriors. Together, we can push back the taint's spread." Thorn rumbled approvingly, his deep voice echoing. "More shields for the grove? Acceptable, if they prove loyal." Claw chimed in from above, her tone sharp. "I'll shadow her when she returns to enclave. Ensure no tricks."
Alex considered, his knot eyes studying Liora. She seemed genuine, her aura free of the foulness he had sensed in the tainted creatures. "Go, then. But hurry, the forest stirs with more shadows." Liora nodded, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Grove father. I'll return by dusk with my kin." with a graceful leap, she vanished into the under brush, her form blending seamlessly with the trees. As the afternoon waned, Alex focused on growth. He nurtured a nearby pond's ecosystem, channeling mana into the water lilies and fish, small gins, but steady.
Nurtured : Small Plants(Water lilies) x20 - +2 EXP
Nurtured : Small animals (Fish) x5 - + 25 EXP
Mana : 110/150
EXP : 42/100
Fang's pack hunted minor threats at the grove's edge, netting proxy EXP that split accordingly : 60% to Alex, 40% to the legion. Claw scouted ahead, confirming Liora's path toward a hidden glade miles away. By late afternoon, Claw reported back, "She has reached her enclave. There is a gathering of a dozen elves, armored but not aggressive. One of the elves stands out: tall, with golden hair and a stern gaze. He argues with Liora."
Before Alex could ponder, a tremor shoo the ground. From the tainted patch, now closer than before, a larger wave emerged. In it, corrupted wolves, larger than Fang's pack, led by a hulking alpha with shadowy tendrils writhing from its fur. "Defend the grove!" Alex commanded. Thorn erected a massive Thorn Barrier, vines twisting into a fortified wall. Fang and his pack charged through strategic gaps, clashing with the foes. Claw dove, Wind Gusts scattering the pack. The battle raged, corrupted fangs clashing with loyal jaws. Alex pulsed Verdant Pulse for the first time, a wave of healing energy washing over his allies.
Verdant Pulse activated -- Healing Legion : + 20 HP each
Mana : 90/150
The legion triumphed, but not without a cost, a wolf from Fang's pack limped, wounded.
Enemies defeated (via Proxy: Legion) - + 60 EXP
EXP to the World Tree - +36 EXP
EXP : 78/200
EXP to the legion - + 24 (Fang(+8), Claw(+8), Thorn (+8))
As the sun dipped low, Liora returned, leading a procession of elves, about a dozen, clad in leaf-woven armor, carrying bows and staves. Among them was the golden haired elf Claw had noted : Elandor, his expression a mask of calculated calm. "Grove father," Liora announced, "these are my kin from the Verdant Enclave. We pledge our aid." She gestured to Elandor. "This is Elandor, our finest scout and lore keeper." Elandor bowed stiffly, his eye flickered over the grove with an intensity that made Alex's roots twitch. "An honor," he said smoothly, though his tone carried a hidden edge. "The prophecies speak of your rise .... or fall."
The other elves murmured in agreement, but Alex sensed discord. As they set up wards around the perimeter, Elandor lingered near a shadowed edge, his hands subtly tracing a sigil that flickered with unfamiliar darkness, a cloaked agent's mark? Before Alex could alert the others, Elandor had slipped away briefly, whispering into a hidden amulet. "The seed awakens," he muttered. "The high ones will know."
Liora, oblivious, turned to Alex. "With our combined strength, we can delve deep into the tainted patch tomorrow. Uncover their source." Alex projected caution. "Agreed. But watch yourself cause I don't trust some of your subordinates, betrayal blooms in the most unexpected soils. " The grove settled into uneasy vigilance, the stars emerging overhead. Alex legion grew stronger, but so did the web of intrigue.
To be continued