Thorian and Nox traversed the portal into the Verdant Labyrinth, making their descent into its fourth layer. Initially, their journey through the dungeon unfolded without incident. They navigated past the monsters lurking within with swift precision, propelling themselves towards the Golden Grotto. There, the armored Gilded Spiketail awaited, nestled in its lair.

With Nox's newly acquired powers at their disposal, the confrontation with the Spiketail concluded almost as swiftly as it began, lasting scarcely ten seconds. Thorian, while undeniably impressed by Nox's prowess, recognized that the corrupted treant looming ahead posed a significantly greater threat than the giant golden millipede his friend had just vanquished.

Without hesitation, the duo pressed forward, venturing deeper into the cavern's gloom. Guided solely by the flickering flames conjured by Thorian, they surged through the expansive tunnel with unyielding velocity.

Upon detecting the ominous purple fog that heralded their approach to the guardian’s chamber, Thorian halted. “We can’t talk within the guardian’s chamber due to its poison, so let me tell you about its weakness here.”

He then looked at Nox and explained, “To defeat the treant, you need to destroy its red core that's hidden within its body. If you cut through its hollow eyes, you will find it.”

“That seems simple enough,” Nox nodded before the two entered the chamber.

The moment they stepped foot into the corrupted treant’s lair, the thousands of massive roots that covered the chamber flared up. However, the moment these roots attacked them, Nox rushed through them, cutting them with his sword.

His black-furred body then shimmered before becoming intangible, like a puff of smoke. In a flash, Nox rushed through the chamber before he reached the treant’s main body.

Seeing its assailant so close, the treant immediately gathered all of its roots, ready to defend itself. However, before these roots could even form a barrier, shadows emerged from Nox’s body and immobilized them. The shadows gripped onto the roots like a snake strangling its prey, rendering them unable to move.

Using this opportunity, Nox’s sword was filled with a deeply dark aura. He then rushed toward the treant’s face and cut through the bridge of its nose with countless slashes.

The moment he could see the red light of the treant's core, Nox wasted no time and pierced it with his sword.

"Good work," Thorian applauded as he walked toward Nox. The roots of the treant withered all around him before the main body turned into colorful dust. "That was an amazing display."

Ignoring the notifications, Nox walked toward Thorian with a big smile on his face. “I told you I’ve grown strong. So, what do you think now? Can I clear the next floors of the abyss?”

“You certainly can,” Thorian nodded. “The ability you used to ensnare the treant’s roots is truly remarkable. There aren’t many monsters that can deal with it.”

“Yeah, I was really excited when I first saw it in my skill list,” Nox chuckled in response before he stretched his arms. “But defeating this treant was really fun. Do you think I can handle the next floor too?”

Thorian thought for a moment before responding, “Not on your own, but with the right team, maybe we can tackle it. We will need to bring in our strongest fighters.”

“Can we do it today?” Nox asked, eyes alight with excitement.

Seeing this, Thorian chuckled. “Clear the abyss floors first before we talk about this matter. With some luck, we can challenge it tonight.”

Hearing those words, Nox smiled and clenched his fist. “Great! I can’t wait for tonight!”

Thus, the two gathered the rewards from their expedition before making their way out of the dungeon. They then finished clearing the rest of the Verdant Labyrinth layers before heading to the Thunderous Citadel. After clearing the two layers of the citadel, they made their way back to the village.

As Thorian looked up at the sky, he noticed the two suns reaching their zenith. The time given to William for deliberation was quickly ending, and Thorian would soon hear his response.

After giving Alacritas the order to escort William and his cohort safely through the forest, Thorian made his way to the Village Hall. Once he claimed the rewards for his quests, he went upstairs to the meeting room.

As he awaited William’s arrival, Thorian began practicing his elemental control. After many days of training, he was now finally able to conjure a miniature fireball atop each of his fingers.

Taking his training further, Thorian aimed to control each of these fireballs independently. With great mental focus, he managed to make one of the fireballs spin atop his index finger while the rest remained stationary. However, the moment he tried to control two, he lost control, and all of the fireballs fizzled out.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Good progress. At this rate, I should have almost full control over a single element in a few days. After that, I can focus on freely manipulating multiple elements at the same time.

While Thorian was satisfied with the progress, Cassia, one of the silver assassins that followed Alacritas, appeared next to him. “My lord, William and his son have reached the village.”

Nodding at her information, Thorian issued his directive. "Tell them to come and meet me here. I will be meeting them alone, so no one else shall enter this room."

"As you wish, my lord," Cassia lightly bowed before disappearing once again.

Minutes quickly passed before three figures emerged from the door: William, Tristan, and Alacritas, who had been guiding them.

"I shall leave you for now, my lord," Alacritas lightly bowed before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Seeing that they were now alone, Thorian gestured for the two to take a seat. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."

They nodded at Thorian's words before sitting down on the opposite side of the table. Thorian observed their nervousness and their subconscious desire to keep some distance, yet he couldn't fault them for it. They were dealing with a being magnitudes of power stronger than themselves; it was only natural to be nervous.

Not letting the awkward silence linger too long, Thorian said, "Since you have taken the trouble to make your way here, I assume that you have reached some conclusion."

"Indeed we have," William responded after composing himself. Masking his hidden nervousness, he looked at Thorian and answered in a low tone. "After much talking and deliberation, we have reached the conclusion that becoming your vassal would indeed be beneficial to us. However, we have certain stipulations upon which this deal hinges."

Hearing these words, Thorian smiled. "Interesting, and what might these stipulations be?"

Clearing his throat, William explained, "If we become your vassals and you begin your assimilation of the people of Locksley into your ranks, there would be significant dissent. I don't need to explain to you the hardships our people have gone through due to the assault of monsters. If I announce that we will be joining you abruptly, there would most certainly be revolts."

Aware of the concerns at hand, Thorian merely nodded in acknowledgment. "I understand your point, but I'm curious about the stipulations you have in mind," he inquired with genuine interest.

William, with a demeanor that reflected the gravity of the situation, laid out his proposal. "I suggest granting us complete autonomy initially, allowing us to undertake military expeditions into your dungeons. This approach will enable our men to familiarize themselves with yours in a setting that fosters camaraderie. Only after these bonds have been formed should we proceed with further integration."

The proposition elicited a chuckle from Thorian, causing a momentary tension in William and Tristan. However, Thorian's nonchalant gesture quickly dispelled their worries. "Was that your concern? Rest assured, flooding my territory with a large influx of humans was never my intention. Such a move would only serve to destabilize my village," he explained, much to their relief.

With the air cleared, William and Tristan's posture relaxed, a sense of relief washing over them. William, now smiling, expressed his gratitude. "It appears my concerns were unfounded. You've proven to be far more understanding than I anticipated."

Thorian, amused by their reaction, shared his practical approach. "My proposal is to begin with a select group of your most loyal and trusted men. Under the tutelage of my seasoned fighters, they will face the challenges of the dungeons, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Once this foundation is established, we can consider involving larger groups."

"That sounds like a plan," William agreed with a nod. "Shall we initiate this process today?"

"Indeed, we should," Thorian affirmed, eager to move forward. "There's no benefit in postponing such matters."

William stood to shake Thorian's hand, a gesture that sealed their newfound alliance. "Then this matter is concluded. Lord Thorian, by the authority vested in me as the leader and representative of Locksley, I hereby pledge our fealty to you. From this day forth, we are your vassals, committed to upholding the terms we have discussed and working together for the prosperity of our peoples."

Thorian accepted William's hand, his grip firm yet not overpowering. "And I, as the lord of Wolvendale, accept your fealty. As long as your loyalty remains true, I shall spare no expense to protect you and your city. This alliance is a bond, one that signifies our shared destiny. Together, we shall elevate our lands to unprecedented heights, forging a legacy that will be remembered through the ages."

William's expression brightened at Thorian's assurance, and he nodded firmly. "Our future indeed looks promising. I vow to support you in every endeavor, for my debt to you is immeasurable."

Thorian, with a light-hearted chuckle, rose and clapped William on the back. "Let's dispense with the formalities then. Would you like one of my men to show you around the village? It might give you a deeper insight into our way of life."

"That would be marvelous," William replied, his interest piqued. "Ever since I learned of your community, I've been eager to understand more about your customs and traditions."

Thorian, smiling warmly, motioned towards the door. "Very well, I'll arrange for Alacritas to guide you. He will provide you with a comprehensive tour of our village."

With an affirmative nod, they began their descent from the meeting room. As they approached the Village Hall's exit, Melina's voice halted Thorian. "My lord, there's an urgent issue that demands your attention."

Thorian paused, a look of surprise crossing his face, and excused himself briefly. "Please, allow me a moment."

William responded with a gracious nod, "Take your time, Lord Thorian."

Approaching Melina's desk, Thorian's curiosity was evident. "This is unexpected. What's the matter?"

Melina met his gaze with a grave expression. "An urgent timed quest has emerged—one that threatens the wellbeing of the entire forest if not addressed swiftly."