Negary pov :
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"This is bullshit," I said as I deftly sidestepped a thick tree root that seemed intent on caving in my head.
Then, a gnarled root lunged at my legs, attempting to trip me up. I leaped over it, my foot brushing against the rough bark. As I landed, another root shot out like a snake, aiming for my ankles. I twisted my body just in time, and it missed by a hair's breadth.
But the forest was unrelenting. Two roots surged from the ground simultaneously, one aiming for my chest, the other for my head. I brought up my sword to block the chest-high root, the impact sending a jolt through my arm. As for the one targeting my head, I ducked just in time, feeling it graze my hair.
With a quick roll to the side, I evaded another root, which had erupted from the earth like a battering ram. It smashed into the ground where I had been standing moments before.
"Let's kick this up a notch, shall we?" I declared, and with that, I unleashed my hysterical strength, shattering the mental limiters that had restrained my body. I could keep it up almost indefinitely at low percentages anyway , so there was no need to hesitate.
The newfound power coursed through me, and I felt my body brimming with energy and strength.
As the tree roots lunged at me, I moved with lightning-fast reflexes, my body finally able to keep up with my heightened reaction speed. The world seemed to slow down as I deftly dodged, blocked, and shattered each attack.
A thick root lunged at my chest, but I sidestepped it effortlessly, feeling the air rush by as it narrowly missed me. With a swift swing of my steel sword, I cut through another root that aimed for my legs, sending splinters flying.
A tangle of branches formed a makeshift fist, hurtling toward me with incredible force. I raised my sword and met the attack head-on, the clash sending shockwaves through my arms. I could feel the strain on my muscles, but with my newfound strength, I held my ground.
Two roots lashed out simultaneously once again, one aimed at my head and the other at my legs. I ducked under the high attack and spun, deflecting the low one with the flat of my blade. The roots recoiled, unable to find their mark.
A final assault came in the form of a volley of thorny vines that erupted from the forest floor. I moved with such precision that I was barely able to shatter them with quick slashes of my sword, sending fragments scattering in all directions.
"Come out Leaf. I know you can hide your presence very well , but we are here to test your prowess!" I yelled, hoping that she wasn't too far away to hear me.
"Hehehehe..."
Leaf's laughter seemed to resound from everywhere at once. It seemed to dance on the edge of reality, making it difficult to pinpoint its source. It whispered through the leaves, rustled in the branches, and seemed to emanate from the very ground beneath my feet.
"You asked for it... I haven't used this form ever since the Andals invaded us," Leaf's voice echoed through the forest as the ground beneath my feet began to tremble. I couldn't help but mutter under my breath, "This is so bullshit."
Then, emerging from the earth like an ancient guardian awakened from slumber, a colossal wooden monster took shape. It was like a creature plucked from the wildest of nightmares and bestowed with an eerie, majestic beauty.
This enormous being had the form of a giant cat, its sinuous body stretching to a length of five meters and rising two meters tall at the shoulder. Its surface was composed of interlocking wooden plates, resembling armor carved from the ancient trees of the forest.
The creature's head, a fusion of serpent and feline features, bore a pair of gleaming emerald eyes that radiated both intelligence and raw power. Its jaws were lined with rows of pointed teeth, and its elongated tongue flicked out with an unsettling grace.
What truly set this monstrous guardian apart were the colossal, sinewy limbs that supported its massive frame. Each limb was armed with long, curving claws, sharpened to a deadly point. It moved with a fluid grace, displaying a predatory poise that belied its intimidating size.
Upon its back, a network of levitating vines and ethereal wisps of light danced, creating an ethereal and surreal crown. These vines seemed to sway in an invisible breeze.
As the creature prowled, a wisp of fire danced at the tip of its tail, casting eerie, flickering shadows in its wake.
"Huh , I don't remember it being so big..." I heard Leaf whisper , from seemingly everywhere at once.
'This is getting annoying' I thought as I 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 on my soul sense , trying to find where she was hidden. And I found her almost instantly, probably because she wasn't trying to hide anymore. I felt her shiny new hundred-man soul encased by the wooden body she crafted underground all this time.
'Not gonna lie, her ability to mask her presence is impressive'
With a surge of anticipation coursing through me, I summoned my mana and channeled it into my steel sword. The blade, already sharp, now glistened with an otherworldly gleam, its edges honed to a level of sharpness that could cleave through the toughest wood with ease.
I couldn't help but grin at the prospect of this fight. I mean, going up against Eddard was like child's play compared to what Leaf had just transformed into. That whole battle was over in a heartbeat, and it left me wanting something more, something challenging....
"Finally, a worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!" I half-shouted-half-laughed.
My every movement was precise, like a well-oiled machine, as I charged towards Leaf. My sword descended in a powerful, controlled arc, aiming for the creature's massive head. The thrill of battle coursed through my veins.
'Let's see how much I will learn from this...'
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As I drew near, Leaf raised its colossal tail, a titanic appendage laden with thick, winding vines. It swayed with terrifying speed, a deadly weapon intent on swatting me. But I was ready.
With fluid grace, I shifted my body mid-run, altering my trajectory in the blink of an eye. The tail whooshed past me, mere inches away, a blur of deadly force. I rolled as I hit the ground, swiftly evading the follow-up strike.
Monster Leaf lunged forward. Its snake-like head snapped shut like a gigantic bear trap, but I was no ordinary prey. Sidestepping with the precision of a seasoned warrior, I narrowly avoided the crushing jaws.
My body moved with mechanical precision, a symphony of attacks and evasions. It was a dance of death, and I was the conductor. Without hesitation, I unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes upon Monster Leaf's massive flank. My sword moved with blinding speed, a storm of steel and sparks.
The colossal wooden beast responded with a ferocity of its own, swiping its gnarled claws towards me. I leaped backward with lightning reflexes, narrowly evading the sweeping claws. Time was always slowed from my perspective, allowing me to slip through the vicious onslaught unscathed.
Undeterred, Monster Leaf's tail ignited, the fiery flames licking at the sky. It thrashed forward, sending a blazing lash hurtling toward me. But I was not so easily caught.
With a powerful leap, I soared high into the air, the flames brushing against the soles of my boots. The fiery tail strike passed beneath me, searing the ground below. I allowed my heart to pound with exhilaration as I descended, ready to continue the relentless battle.
Monster Leaf lunged again, swift and fierce. Its claws struck me with a force that sent me tumbling through the forest underbrush. I rolled, the world spinning, but I was quick to regain my footing.
'It's durability is higher than mine.' I thought.
'It's strength too, even though I'm using my full hysterical strength, but given it's size , that's not unexpected. Also , it's much faster than I would have expected. I bet it could leave a cheetah in the dust , even if they were the same size...how the hell did the First Men defeat such things?' I asked myself in the solace of my own mind , even though I knew the power Leaf displayed was so high only because of me strengthening her soul.
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With sword in hand, I intercepted another of the monster's claw swipes. The impact sent vibrations coursing through my arms, but I stood firm, refusing to yield an inch of ground.
Raising my sword high, I delivered a powerful overhead swing, aiming to sever the monster's head. I watched with amusement as the headless creature's neck started to regenerate.
'What did I expect from a plant? It's whole body is disposable, much like mine...'
'We can't truly defeat each other , and my full hysterical strength can only last for ten minutes or so before the damage becomes annoying...so let's end this with a bang'
In a swift motion, I darted forward, my blade aimed at the monster's exposed neck. It was a daring move, one that paid off as my sword cut into the creature's woody flesh once again.
Monster Leaf retaliated with a vengeance, its fiery tail striking with astonishing speed. I allowed it to strike me, and I was thrown back by the explosive impact, crashing through the undergrowth. My ribs were shattered, but I cared little, for my healing factor would fix them in a few hours.
The challenge was exhilarating, and I couldn't help but laugh as I charged back into the fray. Slashing at the monster's chest, I concentrated my mana in a thin line originating from the tip of my sword , and 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 on 𝗰𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.
The monster was split in two.
But just like I expected , with a surreal fluidity, the monster's halves melded back together, regenerating almost instantly. It was relentless, undeterred by my attacks. I laughed heartily, the sound echoing through the forest, as the monster once again leaped toward me.
"Ok , enough of your bullshit" I said as I blasted it away with a pulse of mana. I didn't have much more left , but my soul tank was almost full of soul energy fresh for the taking. That being said , I saw what Leaf had to offer so there was no need to fight anymore.
Basically, she could now use her nature manipulation ability with impunity , her much stronger soul allowing her to forgo all costs in exchange for effectiveness. From what we saw , she could simultaneously command 100 trees at once.
Yes , I said command.
She was literally talking to the trees , giving them instructions on what to do and then supplying them with mana to do it.
I didn't understand how beings lacking in sensory organs or even any semblance of consciousness could ,,understand,, her commands , but hey...who cares , am I right?
Right...
"Ohh...but it was just getting interesting..." Leaf said softly as her soul form exited her wood golem , making it plop on the ground. She clearly enjoying her newfound strength...maybe a bit too much.
She didn't pull her punches at all ,and if I allowed more of her strikes to hit me , ,,prince Joffrey,, might have become a martyr.
"We'll train a lot during our trip towards the north." I told her with a smile. "Now why don't you explain to me once again that that concealment skill you used earlier?"
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Drawing upon the reservoir of mana within me, I released it in a gentle, controlled wave that enveloped my surroundings. My intent was clear: I wanted to blend in with the natural world, adopting the guise of a tree or a part of the forest.
My mana flowed out, merging with the foliage, the earth, and the very air around me. I became one with the forest, my presence hidden from prying eyes. It was a subtle transformation, but I could feel it deep within me. I was now part of the very essence of the woods. Or so someone would feel if they tried to sense me.
"Hmm...passable" I heard my small green teacher say as I finished my tenth attempt at masking my presence. I was making progress though and that's all that mattered.
"Thank you for your praise" I said as I kept funneling mana in my surroundings, not letting myself be distracted by her voice.
'I am a tree' I continued thinking, even as I allowed other thoughts to float through my mind. We were currently in a patch of forest a few miles away from King's Landing, and the sun was shining above us. Hard to believe only yesterday I was crowded as king of the realm...
Anyway, there were some things I had to do before leaving towards the north , the most prominent one being breaking my engagement with Sansa (because it wasn't useful at all with me already having Eddard's loyalty) and securing the alliance of house Tyrell through marriage. It shouldn't be so hard , given that rumors of Renly being gay were already spreading through the capital , courtesy of yours truly. Poor guy would be granted amnesty because I was a ,,kind,, king , but he would be stripped of everything, including his wife.
I just didn't feel like risking them siding with Stannis , even though from what Leaf just showed me , she could probably deal with a few hundred men by herself each and every day.
I also sent letters to all the lords of the Stormlands , promising them great riches and status if they supported me as their king. Poor sobs probably didn't even realize their Lord Paramount was planning a rebellion.
I also had to send a letter to every lord , stamped by Eddard, with him vouching for my legitimacy. That should take some wind out of my uncle's sails...
Still , all these things were quite unimportant in the grand scheme. The noble houses , the iron throne (iron statue lol) , Stannis and his Rebelion, and the Realm itself, truly.
The most important thing was my personal strength, and maybe the strength of my subordinate, because we wouldn't defeat the Night King with numbers.
And I very much doubted any one of the Gods would be impressed by some thousands of monkeys with iron sticks.
And speaking of growing my strength...An idea was starting to take root in my mind , ever since I saw my last vision of the Nameless Soul...An idea that , if I made it work , would be a complete game changer because I would be literally cheating...
And the first thing I needed to make this wonderful idea into reality....was learning how to hide my presence...
'*Ohmmm* I am a tree....'
And so , with my smol green teacher observing me , I kept on walking....the road to mastery...
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A.N :
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"Invictus:
Your will is absolute, boundless and unbreakable. Factors such as distress, suffering and difficulty mean nothing to you.
You're capable of undergoing any disaster without batting an eye, ignoring any amount of pain, remaining mentally untouched by even the most terrible events and even the most fearsome odds will not give you pause.
You will never break, never bow and even come a thousand apocalypses you will stand as tall and resolute as ever.
Being torn in half, locked into a time loop of endless agony for thousands of years or facing the most hopeless odds are nothing to you."
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Stat sheet Changes:
New Soul ability added:
Soul camouflage-novice
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Leaf Stat Sheet :
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Nature spirit :
Trait : provides a boost to all Nature-related magic
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Soul foundation- 100 man soul
Soul refinement -100 man soul(limit teached)
Mana generation : 1 MS / 25 days
Efficiency: 50% max efficiency for nature magic
(Hundreds of years of training, coupled with a natural inclination are a potent mix)
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Soul abilities:
Soul manipulation - novice
Soul sense - novice
Soul camouflage - Master(80%)
(Has 80% to go till GrandMaster)
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Magic:
1-Take over magic :
-Expert(overall)
-Master(5%)(Nature)
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2-Corpse control : novice
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3-Greensight : adept
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4-Wildfire generation : adept
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Curent Body: Can make a new one out of wood anytime.
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Normal wooden Body :
-normal human characteristics, besides improved resilience because it's made of wood.
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Wood Battle Golem :
Strength- 5 tonnes (max)
Speed- 130 km/h or 36 m/sec (max speed on a flat surface)
Resilience- Australian Buloke wood
Regeneration-almost instant as long as mana is suplied
Processing speed- 10X a normal human
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Knowledge:
Ancient history
Rituals of the Children
All the Languages in the world
(Only the most important)