Chapter 20: Carnivora Ferrum Latrare

From the dense undergrowth, the muffled sounds of approach grew clearer. Soon, the shadowed outlines of three diminutive figures became discernible. They stood shorter than the average human, with willowy builds, yet an inherent ruggedness to their demeanour.

The leader was male, his skin bronzed from exposure to the elements. His curly brown hair seemed to have a life of its own, spilling messily over his forehead and down to his shoulders. His beard, though unkempt, had parts of it braided with small beads interwoven, reflecting the dappled sunlight. He wore a leather tunic, well-worn and weathered, covering a thick woven shirt underneath. Pinned to his tunic was a simple white brooch, catching the ambient light in a subtle gleam. Strapped to his hip was a sheathed dagger, and on his back, a crossbow with a quiver full of bolts.

To his right was a female, her fiery red hair immediately catching one's attention. It cascaded in vibrant curls, revealing a face dotted with freckles. Her emerald eyes scanned the grove intently. Her attire was a mix of leather and green fabric, blending seamlessly with the forest backdrop. The same white brooch as the leader’s adorned her chest, nestling amid the fabric folds. Multiple pockets and pouches adorned her belt, and a pair of short swords hung at her sides.

The last of the trio, seemingly the youngest, had sandy blond hair and a face still bearing traces of youthful innocence. He was clad in simpler attire, a shirt of earthy tones and trousers tucked into knee-high leather boots. The white brooch, a symbol seemingly shared among the three, was prominently displayed on his collar. His main armament appeared to be a crossbow, carried with a sense of practiced ease.

Deo and Lena tensed, anticipating the trio's next move. Pyro, ever alert, positioned himself slightly in front of them, his posture protective. The gentle ember glow in his eyes seemed to pulse with restrained energy.

The trio's eyes darted amongst Deo, Lena, and Pyro, as if attempting to piece together the scene before them. It was clear that in their line of work or travel, encounters in such isolated parts of the woods were a rarity. The palpable surprise in the air was almost tangible, and the dim, dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above seemed to capture and magnify their expressions of astonishment. The trio, though not outwardly aggressive, subtly shifted their stances, hands hovering near their weapons.

The leader cleared his throat, the raspiness in his voice echoing softly amidst the grove's hushed ambiance. "I've wandered these parts for a good stretch of years," he began, his voice heavy with a strong, distinctive accent, "and I reckon I've seen me fair share o' oddities. But two largefolk and...," he paused, searching for words as his gaze settled on Pyro, "well, a remarkably unusual and fiery-eyed hound... that's a new one for me."

Deo took a step forward, his voice steady but filled with a warmth meant to alleviate the palpable tension. "My name is Deo," he began, extending his arm in greeting, "and this is Lena. And over there," he pointed toward Pyro, "is my companion, Pyro. We've come to investigate some peculiarities regarding the plants in these woods, particularly this tree." He subtly gestured towards the formidable tree behind them, its bark seeming to pulse ever so slightly, imbued with a life force that made it all the more menacing.

The leader sized Deo up, his eyes moving between the mage and the tree. After a brief pause, he replied, "Seems we're here for the same reason then. I'm Torin." He gestured to the two accompanying him. "The vibrant-haired one is Mira, and the sharp-eyed fellow over there is Finn."

As Torin introduced himself, both Finn and Mira visibly relaxed. Finn offered a courteous nod, letting his hand drift away from the quiver of bolts at his side. Mira, with her cascade of vivid red curls, greeted them with a friendly smile, the weight of the standoff lifted.

"We've heard stories about this tree," Torin continued, "and truth be told, there's something very off about these woods of late. Plants behaving in ways we've never seen. It's unsettling."

Lena interjected, "It's not just the plants. The very air here feels... different. Heavier. As if the forest itself is holding its breath."

Torin's gaze turned once more to the behemoth of a tree that lay behind Deo and Lena. With a slight incline of his head, he subtly motioned towards the tree, indicating his intention to approach. "Mind if we have a closer look?" he asked, though it seemed more a polite formality than a genuine query.

Deo and Lena stepped aside, granting Torin and his companions clearer access. Torin began moving forward, but it wasn't a brazen advance. Every step was deliberate and cautious. Mira and Finn followed suit, their eyes constantly darting, taking in the grim details of the tree and its vicinity.

From a safe distance, Torin crouched down, his eyes narrowing as he examined the ground around the tree. The dark, rich soil, strewn with the remnants of previous victims, told tales of horror that no words could capture. "It's been feeding," he noted gravely, "on more than just the sunlight and rain."

Mira, keeping a wider berth, motioned to the tree's lower trunk. "Look there. Those... folds. It's like it hides something within, waiting to snatch its prey." Her voice, usually steady, wavered slightly at the observation.

Finn, demonstrating his sharp-eyed moniker, pointed out the eerie glow emanating from the tree's leaves, casting unsettling shadows throughout the grove. "That glow's not natural," he whispered. "It’s like a lure, drawing creatures in."

Torin, still observing the ground, nodded in agreement. "Footprints. Animals and... some are definitely humanoid. This tree has been drawing them in. But it's not the only one. Something's amiss in this forest, turning it against its natural state. We need to figure out why."

Deo cleared his throat, capturing the trio's attention. "If I may share some insights," he began, his voice carrying a mix of caution and intrigue. "This tree, it's not like anything you'd typically find in a forest, even the most arcane of them. It's known as a Carnivora Ferrum Latrare, a tree of mythical rarity."

Torin raised an eyebrow, interest piqued, while Mira and Finn shifted their stance, drawing closer to hear Deo better.

Deo continued, "Its bark is not only a protective shield but almost impenetrable. Those glowing leaves? They aren't just for show. They serve as a beacon, drawing in creatures with their mesmerizing luminescence. But the true danger lurks beneath. Its roots can sense even the tiniest tremor on the ground, allowing it to snatch its prey with uncanny precision. And once it has you, escaping is nearly a lost cause. The tree secretes a substance so corrosive, it can dissolve almost any organic matter."

Mira's eyes widened with a mix of fascination and fear. Finn's fingers twitched, perhaps imagining the grim fate of creatures caught in the tree's grasp.

"But," Deo paused, taking a breath, "what truly unnerved me was a sensation I felt when I tried to connect with the tree. It's like this tree's aggressive nature isn't entirely its own. Something deep beneath us, emanating from the very ground we stand on, is influencing it. That force might be turning other plants in this forest more predatory as well.”

Torin's gaze intensified at the mention of the underground cause, darting momentarily to Mira and Finn, who returned his look with equal concern. After a brief silence, he said, "How did you come to learn all this, lad?"

Deo took a deep breath, looking each of the trio in the eyes. "I am a green mage," he began, noticing Torin's eyes brighten in realization and interest. "This grants me certain skills and affinities towards flora. I can communicate and connect with plants in ways most cannot, feeling their essence and understanding their nature."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Mira and Finn exchanged intrigued glances while Torin leaned in, clearly captivated.

"My current quest," Deo continued, "involves uncovering the reasons behind the sudden proliferation of carnivorous plants in areas where they've never been reported before. I've had encounters with plants nearly as treacherous as this one. There was the Carnivora Sylvanum," Deo paused for a moment, searching for the right words, "Imagine a monstrous venus flytrap, towering over you with serrated jaws, oozing a suffocating mucus. But it's not just the gaping maw you should fear. From its base, it extends tendrils that lash out, seeking to ensnare and pull its prey towards its waiting jaws."

Finn shuddered visibly, and Mira looked aghast, her hand instinctively reaching for one of her short swords, as if she expected one of the tendrils to jump out at them then and there.

Torin, however, was deep in thought, his face betraying a mix of concern and fascination. After a few moments, he finally spoke, "To have a green mage among us, especially in times like these... it's incredibly fortuitous." His eyes seemed to burn with newfound respect for Deo. "Your abilities might be the key to understanding and, hopefully, resolving this increasing menace in our woods."

Torin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, casting another wary glance at the malevolent tree. "We can't just leave this thing here, not with the way it's been luring and consuming creatures. It's a menace."

Deo nodded. "I concur. But we must be careful. Its roots are incredibly sensitive. Even the slightest vibration might trigger an aggressive response. If we don’t watch our step, we could become its next meal."

Mira chimed in, "What if we tried to burn it down? Fire often purges such menaces."

Deo, for a moment, considered the Inferno Pulse skill he had recently acquired due to his bond with Pyro. It was a potent spell, potentially capable of causing significant harm to the tree. But a realization dawned on him as he visualized the tree going up in flames. "While fire might seem like a solution, the forest here is densely packed. We risk setting the entire woods ablaze. The collateral damage would be far greater than the threat of this one tree."

Torin nodded, "The lad's right. We need to tread carefully."

Finn, lightly drumming on the handle of his crossbow, mused, "Some form of strong plant poison might work. Weaken or perhaps even kill it."

Deo replied, "Considering its nature and the enzymes it produces, I'd wager it has developed resistances. Moreover, introducing toxins might harm the very essence of the forest."

The group fell silent for a moment, each contemplating the dilemma before them under the tree's ominous shadow.

Finally, Deo said, "There's another avenue to explore. During my connection with the tree, I felt the unnatural force emanating from deep underground. If I could break or at least interrupt this link, the tree might become docile, if only for a while."

Torin's eyes glinted with a mix of hope and intrigue. "That sounds promising. It could give us the window we need to find a lasting solution.

Mira looked contemplative, her fiery hair shimmering in the dappled sunlight. "If this tree is being influenced by something beneath the earth, wouldn't it stand to reason that there could be other trees or plants similarly affected?"

Deo nodded slowly, "Exactly, and that might explain the recent proliferation of predatory plants across these woods."

Finn interjected, his voice steady, "So to permanently solve this, we'd have to locate and deal with the underground source, correct?"

"That's what I'm thinking," Deo replied, his gaze fixed on the menacing tree before them.

Mira stepped forward, her emerald eyes filled with determination. "Tell us, mage, what can we do to assist you in this endeavour?"

Deo considered for a moment, taking in the faces of the three companions, each marked with their own brand of concern and anticipation. "The best thing you can do for me right now is to ensure that I'm not disturbed. Severing this connection will require my complete focus."

Torin nodded, clasping Deo on the shoulder in a gesture of solidarity. "We'll stand guard. Do what you must."

Drawing a deep breath, Deo approached the tree with a measured pace, each step filled with purpose. His fingers gently touched the bark, feeling the energy pulsating beneath. Clasping his staff, Yggdrasil's Branch, tightly in his other hand, he allowed its resonant energy to augment his connection with nature. Closing his eyes, he let his consciousness meld with the tree once more, allowing the familiar feeling of interconnectedness to wash over him.

Within this realm of connection, Deo summoned the powers of Nature's Symphony. The ambient sounds of the forest became clearer, sharper; the rustling leaves, the distant chirps of birds, even the faint whispers of the plants around him merged into a harmonious melody.

The tree's consciousness was deeper than he'd initially perceived, layered with time and memories. At its core, he could sense a lingering trace of what it once was - a sentinel of the forest, proud and majestic, reaching for sunlight and swaying with the winds, neither malicious nor predatory.

But that primeval essence was now overshadowed by the pervasive corruption that had twisted its nature. The unnatural force from below had woven its dark influence into the very fibres of the tree's being, turning it from a guardian to a predator. This dark essence felt like invasive roots, intertwining with the tree's original consciousness, constantly seeking to assert its dominance.

Through Flora Communication, Deo tapped into the tree's latent essence, that deeply anchored core reflecting its ancient, benign nature. Encouraged by the amplified power from Yggdrasil's Branch, he envisioned streams of invigorating, verdant energy cocooning the tree's contorted framework, aiming to calm its agitated state and rekindle its original spirit. Similar to how a seasoned gardener might encase a fragile shoot in protective layers against impending storms, Deo crafted an ethereal sheath around the tree's true heart. The intertwined energies of Deo and his staff worked in unison, reinforcing this protective barrier. Formed from the purest emanations of his magic, this barrier was designed to repel the malevolent influences.

However, the tree's transformation did not yield easily. The sinister force from the depths retaliated fiercely. It became a battle of essence against corruption, with Deo striving to disentangle the shadowy tendrils and supplant them with the luminous glow of the tree's primordial self. Harnessing the harmonies of Nature's Symphony, he invoked melodies of rejuvenation, renewal, and pristine vitality, seeking to remind the tree of epochs when its canopy danced harmoniously with the winds and its roots sought nourishment in a gentle embrace with the earth. After what seemed like hours, equilibrium began to materialize. The malevolent strands slowly withdrew, allowing the tree's fundamental spirit to resurface. With a culminating surge of determination, Deo successfully disconnected the malign influence, granting the tree's essence a brief reprieve.

In the aftermath, a tender balance persisted. Though the dark appendages had been repelled, they lingered in the periphery, ever-probing and challenging the resilience of the protective barrier. The sheath, though steadfast, showed signs of strain. Deo could sense its tenacity might endure a few weeks, yet the persistent malevolent force continued its relentless erosion.

As Deo gradually withdrew from the intricate web of the tree's consciousness, the boundary between the tree's world and the tangible one around him began to blur. Finally, with a deep inhale, he was back amidst the living, standing before the towering tree. The air, previously heavy with menace, now felt notably clearer, like a sigh of relief had passed through the forest. The suffocating silence was broken, replaced by the faint rustlings of nearby foliage and the occasional chirp of a distant bird. The foreboding atmosphere had receded, replaced with a semblance of nature's harmony.

[Experience Gained: +200 XP]

[Skill Level Up! Nature’s Symphony has reached Level 2! Enhanced harmony with nature and an amplified sensitivity to its melodies.]

[Skill Level Up! Nature’s Symphony has reached Level 3!]

[Skill Level Up! Flora Communication has reached Level 6!]

Finn, emboldened by the audaciousness of youth, hesitated only for a moment before stepping forward. With a blend of courage and curiosity, he gently reached out, his fingers brushing against the rough bark. The tree remained unresponsive to his touch, its predatory intent seemingly in dormancy.

"Remarkable," Torin murmured, awe evident in his voice. "You've done it, lad. Although, you had us worried there for a bit. You were in that state for over an hour."

Emerging from the shadowy underbrush, Pyro, the hellhound, approached with a gentle pace. There was an unmistakable air of relief in his demeanour, and he nudged Deo's hand softly with his head, a silent gesture of reunion.

Feeling the warmth from Pyro's fiery eyes, Deo replied, "Always nice to see you, buddy," giving the hellhound a reassuring pat.

Torin cleared his throat to gather attention. "The work you've done today, young mage, is noteworthy. And while I believe our current meeting was fated, we must also think about what comes next. Our village, Willowdale, is not far from here. It's a rather modest settlement, carefully nestled within the forest's embrace, intentionally inconspicuous. We live there in harmony with the land but ensure our location remains a secret to outsiders. Not everyone is understanding or trustworthy."

He paused, choosing his words carefully, "Deo, given what you've shown today and the potential threat these carnivorous plants represent, I believe it's crucial for our village chief to meet with you. It's imperative we share this knowledge and devise a way forward."

Mira and Finn nodded in agreement, with Mira adding, "The path you're on, Deo, it intertwines with ours. Our village might provide some insights that could aid you."

Deo considered this for a moment, looking towards Lena for her input. She gave a small nod, indicating her support. "It seems our paths are converging," Deo finally responded. "I'd be honoured to accompany you to Willowdale and share what I've learned."