The grove basked in the soft glow of dawn, its vibrant greens and golds a stark contrast to the lingering unease from Elandor's betrayal. Alex's roots, now stretching wider through Elyria's fertile soil, hummed with the pulse of life, drawing in faint traces of ambient mana that restored his reserves to their new maximum. His system screen flickered into view, reflecting his progress after the chaotic battle at the tainted patch.
System : World Tree Ascension Path
Name : Alex (Treant form)
Stage : Seedling Treant (Level 2)
EXP : 128.5/200
Mana : 150/150
Sap of Life : 10/10
Skills : Basic Nurture, Verdant Pulse, Root Expansion Network (passive)
Legion : Fang (Level 2, Hunting), Claw (Level 2, Scout), Thorn (Level 2 , Defense)
The Verdant Enclave's wards, glowing softly around the grove's perimeter, pulsed in harmony with Alex's roots, their protective runes bolstering his defense against the taint's lingering corruption. Liora stood near the center of the grove her silver hair catching the morning the light as she oversaw the elves binding Elandor. The traitor knelt, his golden hair disheveled, hands secured by the enchanted vines that shimmered with restraining magic. His eyes, once sharp with cunning, now darted nervously between Liora and the looming figures of Fang and Thorn.
Fang's pack circled restlessly, growling at the Elandor who was kneeling , filling the air with menace. "Speak elf, "Fang snarled telepathically at Elandor, his voice a deep, guttural rumble. "Your little talks with the high ones endanger the Grove Father. What secrets do you hide?" Liora raised a hand, silencing the dire wolf as she was able to hear what he was saying. "Patience, Fang. He'll talk." She knelt before Elandor, her green eyes cold but measured. "You've betrayed the Enclave and the World Tree. Tell us everything, why did you do it, where are the high ones , what do their masters want, or these vines will tighten until your bones break."
Elandor's lips curled into a defiant smirk, though sweat beaded on his brow. "You think you can stop them, Liora? The high ones are but branches of an even greater power. Where they are at , well most believe they are in the abyss but it is not know whether it is true or not. But their pawns dot the lands of Elyria. I only know one right now and it lies a day's journey to the west. There lies a nexus of taint, guarded by cloaked agents even I don't know of and twisted beasts nearby. That is the only information you'll get from me. Kill me now since you'll learn nothing more."
Alex's branches quivered, his knot eyes narrowing. "A nexus , huh" he mused aloud, his voice now audible as a resonant rustle, carried by the breeze to the present. The Sap of Life's evolution had begun to manifest in subtle ways, granting him a natural voice that echoed through the grove. "What kind of nexus? Speak plainly, Elandor, or the vines will do more than bind." Thorn lumbered closer, his massive bear form casting a shadow over the elf. Thorny vines sprouted from his fur, coiling threateningly. "Test the Grove Father's patience," Thorn rumbled, his deep voice like grinding stone, "and my Iron Hide will crush your lies."
Elandor flinched but held his ground. "A blight spire, a twisted tree like the blight root but stronger, channeling taint to corrupt the land. I have found out that it is their anchor in this region but there are more. It is fed by sigils that amplify their master's will. Destroy it, and you'll weaken their grip even by a little. But your measly army right now won't suffice, you'll need more than that to breach it." Claw swooped from above after using her eyes to see if Elandor was telling the truth. She swooped in and stood on a branch and landing with a gust of wind. Her sharp, melodic voice cut through the tension. "I've seen it from the skies, Grove Father. A blackened spire, half a day's flight west, ringed by dead tress and crawling with shadows. The elf speaks the truth, but I fear he has more to hide."
Liora stood, her bow of living wood gripped tightly. "We'll verify his words. My scouts will join Claw to confirm the blight spire's location. But you, Elandor, stay bound until we return." Alex focused his Root Expansion Network, sensing the distant west. A faint, sickly pulse throbbed through the soil, confirming Elandor's claim. "Go, Liora. Take Claw and two of your best. Fang and Thorn will guard the grove and Elandor. I'll prepare for what's coming. "
As Liora and her scouts departed with Claw soaring overhead, Alex turned his attention to his growth. The battle has left his mana full but his EXP needed a push to reach the next level. He extended his roots to a nearby cluster of grass, channeling mana to nurture their growth. The blades thickened, their green vibrant against the soil.
Nurtured : Small Plants (Grass) x50 - +5 EXP
Mana : 100/150
EXP : 133.5/200
Next, he nurtured a pair of sturdy oaks at the grove's edge, their broad leaves promising better returns. The mana drain was higher but the reward was worth it.
Nurtured : Large Plants (Oaks) x2 - + 4 EXP
Mana : 90/150
EXP : 137.5/200
The system had upgraded the amount of EXP different plants and animals would garner. The small plants like grass, ferns continued to stay at 0.1 EXP whereas medium plants like shrubs and others rose to 0.5 EXP and large plants like trees rose to 2 EXP each. The animals had their own improvement too. The small animals like rabbits continued to stay at 5 EXP each , the medium animals like wolves rose to garner 8 EXP and large animals like elephants and giraffes rose to garner 10 to 12 EXP each.
A rustle in the under brush drew his attention. A small herd of elk, drawn by the grove's vitality, grazed nearby. Alex seized the opportunity, channeling mana into the largest of them. Th elk's antlers gleamed, its muscles welling with vitality.
Nurtured : Large Animal (Elk) - + 12 EXP
Mana : 70/150
EXP :149.5/200
"Almost there," Alex muttered, his voice rustling through the leaves. The elk, now loyal caretakers, began tending to the grove, nibbling away at invasive weeds. Their presence added a passive trickle of EXP via his Root Network Expansion, a small but steady gain. As midday approached, Fang's pack returned from patrol, dragging a slain tainted boar, its hide still pulsing faintly with corruption. Fang's voice boomed proudly. "Another threat has been culled, Grove Father. The pack grows stronger each day and hunt."
Enemy defeated (via Proxy: Fang's Pack) - + 15 EXP
EXP to the Word Tree : +9 EXP
EXP : 158.5/200
EXP to the Legion: Fang(+3), Pack(+3 split)
Thorn, stationed near Elandor. "The traitor keeps on fidgeting , I believe he is trying to find a way to escape." Alex focused on ELandor, whose bound hands twitched subtly, tracing faint runes in the dirt. The system pinged a warning:
System alert: Taint sigil detected - Weak Suppression Attempt
"Thor, tighten the vines," Alex ordered. Thorn's vines constricted, eliciting a gasp from ELandor. "No more tricks , you punk. You'll stay put until Liora returns." Hours later, Claw's sharp cry announced the scouting party's return. Liora strode into the grove, her expression grim. "Elandor speaks the truth. The blight spire stands west, surrounded by tainted wolves and cloaked agents. It's larger than the blight root we fought before, radiating corruption that is spreading fast. To attack it we'll need a full assault, elves and your legion together."
Claw landed, her wings stirring the air. "I scouted like twenty beasts, but there could more. The spire pulses like a heart of sorts. Grove Father, if we destroy it , the taint will weaken." Alex's branches swayed decisively. "Then we will move tommorow. Liora, prepare your warriors. Fang, ready your pack for the hunt. Thorn, fortify the grove in case of retaliation. I'll nurture more allies tonight."
As dusk fell, Alex sensed a new presence near the grove's edge, a massive creature gliding through the nearby stream. Its sinuous form, gleaming with dark scales, moved with predatory grace. An eel, enormous, its length rivaling a python's, its eyes sparking with latent power. The system identified it as a prime candidate for his Sap of Life. "This is it," Alex thought. "When i first receive the Sap of Life, I wanted to create different divisions and right now i have three and this eel would be perfect as the leader of the Aquatic Division, the fourth division."
He extended a root, channeling a golden drop of Sap. Light flared, and the eel transformed, its body lengthening even more, scales hardening, and electric currents crackling along its form. It rose from the water, its voice hissing, a resonant tone. " I will serve and obey, Grove Father. What name shall you give me." Alex thought intensively , "You shall be named Surge". The eel repeating its name , " My name is Surge, Grove Father. What a splendid name. The rivers and seas shall be mine to command."
Sap of Life used : 9/10 remaining
Sentient Ally Created : Surge (Thunder Eel)
Skills gained (Surge) : Hydro Surge (Manipulate water currents) , Shock Pulse ( Emit electric bursts)
Surge coiled near the stream, its massive form mistaken by a passing elf for a serpent. "A snake guardian?" the elf whispered, awestruck. "I am no snake," Surge hissed aloud, its voice carrying a spark. "My name is Surge and I'm the tide's wrath. I'm an eel." Fang nodded approvingly, his pack settling nearby. "The legion is growing, Grove Father. With Surge in our ranks, no water bound taint shall stand." Liora approached, her eyes on Surge. "The blight spire's corruption seeps into the waters. Surge's presence will be key in the battle tomorrow."
Alex's leaves rustled with resolve. "Rest well tonight. AT dawn , we will strike. The high ones will learn that my grove is no easy prey." As stars pierced the night in the canopy, the grove buzzed with preparation. Elandor small confession had given them a target, but the traitor lingering sigils hinted at deeper schemes. With Surge's arrival and the legion's growing strength, Alex felt the first true stirrings of his cosmic purpose, a seedling poised to uproot the taint's shadow.
To be continued