As the morning sun crested the horizon, Deo marched determinedly through the quiet paths of Harmony's Refuge, his hand clasped around a handful of triangular seeds. His first stop was a modest dwelling in the newly christened dwarven quarter. He rapped on the door, the sound echoing in the still morning air.
After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a dishevelled and yawning Freya. "Bit early, ain't it, Deo?" she mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Early bird catches the worm, as they say," Deo replied with a cheerful grin. "I was hoping you might have some spare construction materials lying around. I need some planks, about this big." He gestured with his hands, then paused, reconsidering. "Actually, they’ll need to bear the weight of…. lets make them this big." He stretched his arms wider. "Oh, and a large square piece of wood, too, if you have it."
Freya blinked, processing the request through the haze of her interrupted slumber. "Hmm," she mused, scratching her chin. "Probably got something stashed away. Give me a bit to dig it out."
"Fantastic!" Deo beamed, his enthusiasm undimmed by the early hour. "No time to lose. Could you bring it over to the Iron Thicket when you're ready?"
"Sure thing," Freya nodded, stifling another yawn. With a lazy wave, she retreated into the shadowy interior of her home, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
Energized by the promise of progress, Deo set off towards the edge of the hamlet, where the imposing Iron Thicket barrier marked the boundary of their sanctuary. As he approached, he spotted Jerome and the other Jumping Jacks beginning their daily patrol. They turned to face him, curiosity mingling with the vigilance in their eyes.
"Morning, Deo," Jerome called out, his voice carrying a note of surprise. "What brings you out here at this hour?"
Deo's grin widened, his excitement palpable. "Remember that watchtower you asked for? Well, I'm here to make it happen!"
Jeremiah, his brow furrowed, looked Deo up and down. "Where are your tools? And the materials?" he asked, a touch of scepticism colouring his tone.
In response, Deo simply held up one of the triangular seeds, presenting it to the assembled warriors with a flourish. "This is all I need," he declared, his voice ringing with confidence.
The Jumping Jacks exchanged dubious glances, their eyebrows climbing towards their hairlines. "A watchtower," Jeremiah repeated slowly, as if testing the words for hidden jests. "From a seed?"
At his side, Justin muttered under his breath, "Ah, yes, the famous watchtower seed. How could I forget?"
But Deo's enthusiasm was undiminished by their doubts. He nodded, his grin widening. "Just watch," he said, his voice filled with the quiet assurance of a man who knows his craft.
With a flourish, he transmuted his staff into a trowel and knelt down at the chosen spot, digging a small hole in the rich, dark soil. He carefully placed the seed inside, covering it gently with earth. Then, he stood back up, his staff returning to its normal form as he planted it firmly in the ground. Closing his eyes, Deo reached out to connect with the seed, visualizing it nestled beneath the earth. He began to channel his Verdant Growth skill, his mana flowing into the eager seed, urging it to germinate.
As the seed absorbed the water and nutrients from the surrounding soil, it began to transform. The tough outer husk split open, and a delicate radicle emerged, burrowing down into the earth like a determined explorer, anchoring the nascent plant. A plumule shot upwards, rocketing through the soil with surprising speed, the shoot growing taller and taller until it finally breached the surface, basking in its first touch of sunlight.
Tiny, delicate leaves soon sprouted along the emerging shoot, unfurling to catch the sun's nourishing rays. Though it stood only a few inches tall at first, sparsely adorned with foliage, the plant's natural lifecycle was supercharged by Deo's mana and skill. He activated Celestial Bloom in conjunction with Verdant Growth, bathing the fragile plant in a shimmering aura of mana, an addictive substitute for its usual sustenance. As the plant eagerly absorbed the magical energy, the shoot began to mature into a sapling before their very eyes.
The sapling's bark smoothed and took on a silvery sheen, its once-fragile form growing more robust by the second. The sparse leaves expanded into broad, ovate shapes, emerging a vibrant green before inexplicably shifting to a rich, bronzed hue. The young tree continued to increase in both height and girth at an astonishing rate, its growth exponential.
In mere moments, the tree towered over the four men, its wide, spreading canopy casting them in dappled shade. Its trunk, now thicker than all of them combined, stood tall and proud, dwarfing the nearby thicket. The bark, initially smooth, began to change as Deo reached out with his Flora Communication, seeking to tap into the tree's awareness. The tree, grateful for its benefactor's gift of life, was more than happy to respond to Deo's gentle instructions. Circling the trunk in an ascending spiral, the bark became pitted with thin, intricate insets, marring the otherwise perfectly smooth elephant-grey surface. A massive branch began to extend perpendicularly from the trunk at a great height, while a smaller branch circled downwards from it, maintaining a consistent distance of a few feet.
As the tree reached its final, majestic stage, Deo communicated his gratitude and carefully released both his connection and the skills he had employed, sagging slightly as the toll of his exertions caught up to him and notifications began to flash.
[You have successfully grown a Beech Tree!]
[Experience Gained: +750 XP]
[Skill Level Up! Flora Communication has reached Level 12!]
[Skill Level Up! Celestial Bloom has reached Level 3!]
Swiping the notifications away, Deo turned to gauge the reactions of his companions. The Jumping Jacks stood in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief at the feat of magic they had just witnessed. Just as they began to find their voices, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Freya, at the head of a small entourage of dwarves hauling a load of wood, emerged from the direction of the hamlet.
"Ah, just in time," Deo said, a note of satisfaction in his voice.
Freya, her eyes twinkling with mirth, executed an exaggerated bow. "The finest timber, as requested, your eminence," she said, her tone playfully formal. Then, as she straightened, her gaze fell upon the magnificent tree that had sprung up in her absence. "That's new," she remarked, her eyebrows climbing towards her hairline.
As she moved closer to examine the tree, her expression shifted from surprise to understanding. "Ah, so you want us to place these planks in the trunk here," she said, tracing the intricate insets in the bark with a calloused finger. Her gaze travelled upwards, to the massive perpendicular branch high above. "And I assume you want a platform way up there?"
Deo nodded, his grin widening.
"Oh, and look," Freya continued, pointing to the smaller branch circling down from the platform. "This will make the perfect handrail."
"Exactly," Deo confirmed, his voice ringing with satisfaction as Freya fully comprehended his intentions.
Without missing a beat, Freya turned to her fellow dwarves and began issuing orders, her voice carrying the authority of a seasoned foreman. The dwarves sprang into action, their movements precise and efficient as they began inserting the planks into the trunk, constructing a spiralling stairway that wound its way up and around the tree.
As the dwarves toiled away, Jerome sidled up to Deo, his eyes fixed on the emerging structure. "This will be perfect," he said, his voice filled with approval. "Exactly what we need. With this vantage point, we'll be able to spot potential threats from miles away. And Jezza can wield his crossbow from up there. And Justin, well..." He trailed off, glancing at the other two members of the Jumping Jacks.
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Jeremiah and Justin shared a knowing look, mischievous grins spreading across their faces. In unison, they chorused, "Phoenix Dive!"
Deo raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by their cryptic exchange.
Jeremiah, catching Deo's quizzical expression, chuckled. "Just you wait, Deo. Justin can finally demonstrate his most useless skill!"
"Don't remember you complaining back in Oldwalls," Justin muttered, a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
The group continued their conversation, their laughter and good-natured ribbing mingling with the sounds of the dwarves' work. The air was filled with the rhythmic sawing of wood, the steady hammering of nails, and the occasional grunt of exertion as the watchtower took shape before them. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the transformation neared completion. The final plank was laid, the last nail driven home, and the dwarves stepped back to admire their handiwork. The once-bare trunk of the beech tree was now adorned with a sturdy, spiral staircase that wound its way up to a spacious platform nestled high amidst the branches. The trailing branch that Deo had coaxed forth, carefully preserved during the construction effort, elegantly curved along the staircase, forming a natural guiding rail.
"We’re ready," Freya called over to Deo, wiping sweat from her brow. Her grin was a mix of pride and satisfaction.
"Freya, this is great," Deo responded with earnest gratitude. "Exactly what I was after. Thank you."
His eyes, alight with anticipation, then shifted to Justin. The large man was already gazing up at the structure, his expression a complex tapestry of appraisal and trepidation.
"After you," Deo said, gesturing towards the stairs with a grin. "I'm hoping these should bear even your weight!"
Justin threw back his head and laughed, the booming sound reverberating through the leaves of the nearby tree. "Let's hope so," he said, as he approached the base of the stairway. With a deep breath, he began to climb, the stairs creaking and groaning under his considerable bulk.
One by one, the group ascended the stairway, their excitement growing with each step. As they emerged onto the platform, they found themselves standing high above the Iron Thicket, the world unfurling before them in a breathtaking panorama. From their lofty perch, they could see the entirety of Harmony's Refuge laid out like a meticulously crafted model village. Slender tendrils of smoke rose from the chimneys of their scattered houses, curling lazily into the azure sky. The fields surrounding the settlement were a patchwork quilt of vibrant colours - the rich green of the crops, the golden gleam of the ripening grain, and delicate pastels of wildflowers that dotted the landscape. In the distance, the shimmering surface of the lake caught the sunlight, its placid waters reflecting the cloudless sky above. Deo's keen eyes even spotted the tiny form of Pyro, his loyal hellhound, racing through the tall grass, his fiery coat a streak of orange against the verdant backdrop.
For a moment, Deo stood in silence, his gaze sweeping over the fruits of their labours. The progress they had made in such a short time was staggering - from a humble lakeside hut to a thriving community, Harmony's Refuge had grown and flourished under his guidance and the tireless efforts of its inhabitants. Looking outwards next, beyond the boundaries of the settlement, Deo marvelled at the vast expanse of wilderness that stretched out before them. To the west, the lake unfurled like a silken blue ribbon, its distant banks shimmering faintly on the horizon. Northward, towards Silverpine, meadows rolled out in an endless sea of swaying grasses, the wind creating mesmerising patterns across the lush green carpet. To the south, the plains stretched toward a series of gentle, sloping hills, their contours painted with the soft shadows of passing clouds. And to the east, where Deo had emerged from all those months ago, small brook carved its serpentine path through a densely forested area, its flow gently disturbed by fallen leaves and the occasional darting shadow of a forest creature.
As the others drank in the breathtaking views, Freya and Jeremiah stood to the side, their heads bowed in deep discussion. Deo caught snatches of their conversation, as they discussed potential improvements to the watchtower platform, their voices animated with excitement and possibility. Freya suggested reinforcing the rudimentary railings with sturdier crenelations iron bars, to provide a layer of protection against ranged attacks. Jeremiah, meanwhile, requested a series of storage compartments, where they could stockpile bolts, arrows, and other essential provisions.
After they had drank their fill of the surrounding landscape, the group began to descend the spiralling staircase, some eager to return to solid ground once more. However, as Deo's feet touched the soft earth at the base of the tree, he noticed that one of their number was missing. Glancing back up, he caught sight of Justin's burly frame still standing on the platform, peering over the edge with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Jeremiah, catching Deo's puzzled expression, grinned and gestured for the dwarves to move to the other side of the Iron Thicket. "Watch this," he said, his voice filled with eagerness. "You're about to see something spectacular."
Deo followed Jeremiah's lead to the designated spot outside the thorny barrier. Upon arrival, Jeremiah cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted up to the platform, "Alright, Justin! Show us what you've got!"
High above, Justin's booming laughter echoed across the hamlet. He stepped up onto the railing, his massive frame silhouetted against the sky. For a moment, he stood there, his arms outstretched, his face upturned to the sun. Then, with a mighty roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth, he leaped from the platform, plummeting towards the ground below.
As he fell, Justin's body began to glow, engulfed in an aura of shimmering, fiery light. Tongues of flame licked at his skin, trailing behind him like the tail of a comet. He hurtled downwards, his speed increasing with every passing second, until he was nothing more than a blur of red and gold streaking through the air.
Deo watched, his heart in his throat, as Justin plunged towards the unyielding ground. Just when it seemed that the warrior would surely be dashed to pieces on the hard-packed earth, he suddenly twisted in mid-air, his body curling into a tight ball. The flames around him intensified, burning brighter and hotter, until he resembled a miniature sun falling from the sky.
With an earth-shattering impact, Justin struck the ground, sending up a plume of dirt and debris. The force of the collision was so great that it left a small crater in the earth, wisps of smoke curling up from the charred grass at its edges. For a moment, all was still, the hamlet holding its collective breath in the aftermath of the spectacular display.
Then, from the centre of the crater, Justin emerged, rising to his feet like a phoenix reborn from the ashes. His skin was unblemished, his armour unscathed, and a grin of pure exhilaration stretched across his face. He dusted himself off, nonchalant, as if he had merely taken a leisurely stroll rather than plummeted from a dizzying height.
"And that," Jeremiah said, his voice filled with pride, "is Justin's Phoenix Dive. Pretty impressive skill, isn't it?"
As the large warrior sauntered closer, Jeremiah's tone shifted from pride to playful ribbing, audible just as Justin came into earshot. "But I mean, the number of times he's actually used it to any meaningful effect? Well, I could count them on one hand—that's all I'll say."
Deo smiled, watching as Justin accepted the congratulations and good-natured teasing from the surrounding group with a mix of pride and humility. The camaraderie among the Jumping Jacks was apparent, their bond forged through countless adventures and shared experiences. With the excitement of Justin's display still buzzing in the air, the group made their way back through the Iron Thicket. As Deo walked, his mind wandered to what challenge he should tackle next.
Suddenly, a notification popped up in his field of vision, bolder than usual and its glowing letters instantly grabbing his attention.
[Skill Level Up! Leaf in the Wind has reached Level 25!]
[Skill Capstone Reached.]
[This skill may now be activated to momentarily slow the passage of time. Please note: activation will put the skill on cooldown for 24 hours.]
"Wow," Deo breathed, his eyes widening in surprise. Leaf in the Wind had been a skill he hadn't given much thought to, its effects seemingly minor in comparison to his more overtly powerful abilities. Nonetheless, he had made a habit of keeping it active whenever possible, appreciating the subtle boost it provided to his reflexes and agility, with the mana drain almost imperceptible to him.
But this new upgrade? This moved the skill from a minor boon to a valuable skill in his arsenal, albeit a briefly lived one. If a relatively weak skill like Leaf in the Wind could gain such a powerful Capstone effect at maximum level, Deo could only wonder at the incredible abilities waiting to be unlocked within his more prominent skills. The thought filled him with a sense of excitement and determination, a renewed drive to push himself to new heights and explore the full potential of his unique talents.
Seized by a sudden impulse, Deo called out to Justin, who was walking a short distance ahead. "Justin! Try to strike me," he said, his voice carrying a note of challenge.
The big man turned, a curious expression on his face. But rather than questioning Deo's unusual request, he simply shrugged and strode forward, launching a swift jab in the Green Mage's direction.
In that instant, Deo activated Leaf in the Wind, and the world around him seemed to grind to a halt. Justin's fist, mere inches from his face, crept forward at a snail's pace, its trajectory clear and predictable. With effortless grace, Deo stepped aside, letting the punch sail harmlessly past him. A heartbeat later, time resumed its normal flow, and Justin's fist met only empty air.
The skill had lasted but a second, yet its impact was undeniable. Used effectively, it could grant Deo a critical advantage in any confrontation, a precious window of opportunity to evade, counter, or seize the initiative.
"Ha, nice skill!" Justin boomed, his eyes sparkling with appreciation. "Want to go again?"
Deo held up his hands, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "No, no, I was just trying something," he said quickly, not eager to tempt fate by inviting more strikes from the burly warrior. "Anyway, it's time for me to head back. Lots to do, you know."
Justin nodded, clapping Deo on the shoulder with a force that sent him staggering slightly forward. Fair enough. Keep up the good work, boss. We'll be here, keeping an eye on things from our new perch."
As Deo walked back into the heart of Harmony’s Refuge, his thoughts turned to Nature’s Essence and the skills that could be obtained from bonding with flora and fauna. He realized it had been too long since he last acquired such a skill, and he pondered where he might find another. Then it struck him—“The Celestia Tree, of course!” An epic tree like that would surely hold powerful abilities. Reinvigorated by this idea, Deo adjusted his path and headed towards the greenhouse complex, eager to bond with nature once again.