"Oh, did I startle you?" Ebonheim asked, her voice airy and light but her expression deadly serious. "I'm sorry, but I don't take kindly to people attacking my village." The echoes of her words resonated through the chaotic night—A daring challenge unearthing an uncanny calm amidst the pandemonium. "Who are you?"
The beastkin woman who commanded the attention of her fellow invaders met Ebonheim's gaze unflinchingly. Her crimson eyes smoldered with an intensity that belied the ease with which she held her ground.
"I am Serrandyl, of the Aslankoyash tribe," she declared with a regal tilt of her chin, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smirk. Her chest heaved with the exertion of the night's events, but she appeared unfazed as she took a few steps closer to Ebonheim. "We're here to claim your food as tribute."
Ebonheim raised a single eyebrow, her face blank, "Tribute?"
Serrandyl nodded, then continued, "Yes, tribute! Your meat, your grains, and your crops, everything you've hoarded for yourselves—it belongs to us now."
Ebonheim didn't respond, instead her eyes drifted over the assembled beastkin and lingered for a moment on each of them in turn. The warriors tensed under her gaze, each one prepared for a fight.
"You came here and did all this...just to claim our food?" Ebonheim asked.
Serrandyl grinned, a sharp and predatory grin. "That's right," she answered. "So just tuck your tails between your legs and keep your noses down. Then none of you will get hurt."
Ebonheim tilted her head slightly to the side, the iridescent strands of her hair fluttering in the cool night breeze. Her curiosity was piqued, yet her protective instincts overruled any fascination she might have had. "So you wanted to raid us because we had more than our fair share, and you needed to eat?"
Serrandyl nodded again, a single finger tapping her temple as if she were explaining something to a child, "Exactly! So just sit back and watch while we take what we want, okay?"
A deep silence fell over them, and Ebonheim studied the beastkin as they shuffled around awkwardly. Finally, she sighed and asked, "Why go through all the trouble of raiding a village when you can just hunt and gather for your food elsewhere? The valley is large enough for all of us."
Serrandyl let out a huff, her lip curled up in disdain. "We've had enough of being shoved around, taken from our homes, left to starve—but now, we will take what we want!" she declared as she stomped her foot on the ground in anger. "I heard a saying from a human once, about how the weak gives food to the strong, and so it must be."
Ebonheim blinked as she watched the beastkin continue her tirade. Did she hear that right? That sounded like an idiom similar to something she learned from Engin and Bjorn—though it was a bit off the mark. "That doesn't justify your actions," she countered, shifting her weight slightly, the animated tree at her side creaking in response, shadows of leaves dancing around like playful sprites. "And attacking us won't improve your circumstances."
Serrandyl sneered as she stood up straight, arms folded across her chest. "And what are you going to do about it? Even if you have a stupid tree helping you, a puny druid girl like you doesn't stand a chance against the Aslankoyash's strongest warriors!"
As the beastkin warrior ranted, Ebonheim considered the situation: Serrandyl seemed to be the leader of these raiders. If she could convince the leader to see reason, then perhaps she could avoid any needless conflict—which meant, for now, she had to take care of the leader first. Her eyes shimmered as she activated her Divine Sight.
[Divine Sight (Rank III) activated]
[Serrandyl's Attributes] Intelligence: 12, Perception: 20, Resilience: 24, Strength: 25, Agility: 24, Endurance: 21, Charisma: 22, Manipulation: 10, Wit: 13]
[Health: 254/265 (225 Base, 40 from Beastkin trait)]
[Serrandyl's Base Combat Stats] Melee Physical Attack 24, Block 22, Evasion 24 (22 Base, 2 Modifier), Physical Defense 22, Arcane Defense 22, Divine Defense 22
[Weapon] Claws/Bite; Melee Physical Attack: 32 (24 Base, 8 modifier); Weapon Damage: 17 Kinetic (12 Base, 5 modifier); Block: 30 (22 Base, 8 modifier)]
[Weapon] Punch; Melee Physical Attack: 32 (24 Base, 8 modifier); Weapon Damage: 12 Kinetic; Block: 30 (22 Base, 8 modifier)]
[Weapon] Kick; Melee Physical Attack: 32 (24 Base, 8 modifier); Weapon Damage: 12 Kinetic; Block: 30 (22 Base, 8 modifier)]
[Skill] Melee Proficiency: Unarmed - Intermediate Rank (+8 modifier)
[Skill] Melee Proficiency: Natural Weapons - Intermediate Rank (+8 modifier)
Ebonheim was impressed. This one seemed quite capable—definitely more than her village guards although she wasn't sure how well this one would fare against the likes of Thorsten or Bjorn. But now that she had ascended, she felt more confident that she could handle them without too much trouble.
"Well," Ebonheim began as she reached out to touch the tree at her side. "I suppose we'll just have to see what happens." As she spoke, her animated tree charged towards Serrandyl, its arms outstretched in a mighty swing.
Serrandyl leapt to the side just in time to avoid its blow, her feet touching lightly on the ground as she regained her balance—then she launched herself at Ebonheim's tree with a swipe of her claws. Her blow tore into its bark, leaving a gouge and sending splinters flying everywhere.
Before Serrandyl could take another step, another tree joined the fight—it charged towards Serrandyl from behind, swinging its arms with reckless abandon as if to crush her with its weight alone. Serrandyl dodged the first tree's strike, but was sent tumbling through the air from the impact of the second.
The other beastkin ran to join in the fight, launching themselves at Ebonheim's animated trees with wild abandon; they lashed out with claws and fists, striking the trees relentlessly as they knocked them over and sent them crashing to the ground.
Serrandyl, dazed, staggered to her feet as she stumbled back to join the others; Ebonheim's attention was diverted from the fighting as she considered what to do next. There were too many to fight on their own—and besides, she didn't want to harm them unless absolutely necessary.
Just then, a ruckus erupted from the peripheral parts of the village. Cacophonous bleats of panicked livestock punctured the eerie silence. Ebonheim's attention, drawn to the outskirts, caught sight of more beastkin darting in between houses, grabbing chickens and sheep and fleeing toward the forest edge.
A low growl of command from Serrandyl cut through the still air, "Scatter! Take what you can and meet at the rendezvous point!"
With that, the other beastkin dashed off in different directions, scattering as planned. A moment later, one of Ebonheim's animated trees lumbered towards the beastkin leader; Serrandyl turned to meet its charge with a sharp punch to its side, then another to its torso—both strikes knocked it off balance and sent it stumbling to the ground.
As the other beastkin darted past, Ebonheim flexed her fingers, feeling the familiar stir of power, and motioned towards them.
[Vines of the Bramble King (Rank II) activated]
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The ground trembled, the roots from beneath bursting through the ground, tangling around the legs of a few raiders, pulling them down. Her face tightened in concentration as she directed her power, the air crackling around her.
[Your Tree Sentinel cast Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I)]
The animated tree beside her mirrored her movements, its branches swaying with an ominous creak. More vines and roots erupted from the ground beneath several more beastkin, binding them in place and trapping them in the dirt as they struggled and groaned in protest.
Her golden eyes, ablaze with raw energy, turned back to Serrandyl, her voice resonating with a powerful echo, "This is your last chance. Call them off or face me."
A fierce grin stretched across Serrandyl's face as she began to circle Ebonheim. Serrandyl's beastly features were stark under the moonlight, her fiery gaze bore into Ebonheim’s. Her muscles rippled underneath her skin, tensing for a fight. Ebonheim, in stark contrast, held an air of serene determination, her divine aura sparkling like stardust around her. Her Ebon bow in hand, she faced Serrandyl with a steady gaze.
Without warning, Serrandyl lunged forward, her movements a blur of crimson and black; her claw-tipped fingers extended as she neared Ebonheim and swung for her face. With a swift sidestep, she dodged the initial attack, her form flowing with graceful ease. Her fingers pulled at the bowstring, an arrow of pure energy forming, aimed straight at the advancing beastkin.
She released. The Essence Bolt hurtled towards Serrandyl—its glowing energy blazing a trail through the night sky, as though to ensure its target would see no escape. Serrandyl blocked it with her forearm, her muscles bulging with the effort, sending ripples through her lean frame; the bolt shattered against her forearm, its fragments exploding into motes of light, leaving scorch marks on her skin.
[Attack hit; 37 Divine Damage to Serrandyl; 6 Charges remaining]
But it didn't slow her down. Serrandyl grimaced as she lunged forward again and again, swinging at Ebonheim in a flurry of blows while dodging the counterattack of Ebonheim's guardian tree.
Ebonheim ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding Serrandyl's sharp claws; she could see the other beastkin still struggling to free themselves from her roots, but she focused on Serrandyl, determined to end the battle quickly.
Their dance of aggression and evasion painted a vivid tableau on the battleground. Ebonheim's graceful arcs in evasion contrasted with the Serrandyl's ferocious swings. Ebonheim would respond with a volley of energy arrows, their radiant trails cutting through the darkness. Each one found its mark, slowing Serrandyl slightly, but not enough to bring her down.
[Attack hit; 37 Divine Damage to Serrandyl; 5 Charges remaining]
[Attack hit; 37 Divine Damage to Serrandyl; 4 Charges remaining]
Amid the frenzy of the fight, Ebonheim maintained a steady calm. Serrandyl's movements were erratic—even from the corner of her eye Ebonheim could see that her feet were planted in an unsteady stance—as if her body was fighting against her brain. It was only a matter of time before she wore herself out; but even though Serrandyl was clearly struggling, Ebonheim knew she had to be careful not to injure her too much if she could help it.
In a quick move, Serrandyl managed to close the distance between them. With a fierce growl, she lunged again, this time her claws extending. She swiped with them, aiming for Ebonheim’s midsection. Ebonheim twisted to evade, Serrandyl's claws scraping against the ethereal protection that encased her, sending sparks into the air.
[Your Divine Aura has taken 4 Kinetic Damage; 296 Barrier Health remaining]
But the closeness meant Ebonheim couldn't draw her bow. Instead, she grabbed Serrandyl's wrist with her free hand and twisted—she felt Serrandyl's muscles strain beneath her grip as she pulled away from another blow. Ebonheim pivoted to dodge a kick—then quickly yanked back on Serrandyl's wrist as she crouched, sending the beastkin's momentum in the other direction.
With Serrandyl off-balance, Ebonheim shoved her away, sending her careening into a pile of brush at the edge of the clearing. Serrandyl slid on the ground for a bit, her back against a thicket.
"You're going to have to do better than that!" Ebonheim called out, her tone light, but her eyes boring into Serrandyl's as she approached.
Serrandyl picked herself up, shaking off the impact. Her fiery gaze locked onto Ebonheim once again. "You haven't seen anything yet," she retorted, a feral grin spreading across her face.
----------------------------------------
The moon gleamed overhead, casting long shadows that danced with the flickering of the battle. Serrandyl's breaths came out in rough pants, and she grimaced as her muscles twitched with fatigue, yet she was undaunted by her opponent's seemingly limitless stamina—her claws raked against Ebonheim's defenses as she struggled to overpower her, but each strike bounced off Ebonheim's incorporeal barrier. Her muscles tensed, ready to spring into action once more.
On the other side, Ebonheim stood tall atop her tree sentinel, her aura ablaze with divine energy.
Ebonheim's brow furrowed. Even with her barrier, Serrandyl's prowess was astonishing. The beastkin leader's movements were sure and practiced, but they lacked the brute force of Thorsten's. Her attacks were relentless and fierce—and yet, Ebonheim could tell that she was tiring, her movements slower now compared to when they had first started the fight.
Serrandyl dashed forward again, the tree sentinel missing her by a hair. Ebonheim could see that her beastkin opponent was angry now, her claws striking harder, her motions quicker. Yet each blow Serrandyl unleashed against her was easily blocked by her divine aura, and each hit resulted in a shower of sparks and a burst of radiant light.
[Your Divine Aura has taken 4 Kinetic Damage; 292 Barrier Health remaining]
[Your Divine Aura has taken 5 Kinetic Damage; 287 Barrier Health remaining]
With an angry growl, Serrandyl lunged once more, swinging her claws at Ebonheim's midsection. Ebonheim dodged her attack, sending another shot of her Essence Bolt at Serrandyl—but her opponent vaulted off the arm of the tree sentinel during its swing to dodge both attacks.
Serrandyl landed awkwardly, and her feet caught on a root buried in the ground—her movements slowed, and the impact threw her off-balance, sending her toppling to the ground with a grunt. Ebonheim sprung into action, jumping off her sentinel to follow Serrandyl down.
Ebonheim landed a few feet away from Serrandyl and darted to one side as Serrandyl reached out and tried to grab her with her claws, narrowly missing as she skidded against the ground.
Serrandyl didn't even pause to get back on her feet; instead, she sprung back up and lunged at Ebonheim again, her claws sweeping through the air. Ebonheim jumped back to avoid the attack, and Serrandyl pivoted in mid-air to face Ebonheim, her momentum carrying her around in a circle and back into the assault with another swipe of her claws.
Ebonheim side-stepped the attacks with grace—Serrandyl's movements slowed again as she ran out of steam—her footwork sloppy now compared to her earlier graceful dance.
With a savage yell, Serrandyl lunged once more, a vortex of claw and fury. Ebonheim parried her assault, bow clashing against claw, a resounding echo breaking the silence of the night. Sparks erupted from their clash, leaving Ebonheim's arms tingling with the impact of Serrandyl's blows.
A moment later, Ebonheim stumbled backwards as Serrandyl spun past her in a whirlwind of claws and teeth, the beastkin leader's form momentarily shrouded in a crimson haze. Ebonheim felt a burning pain lancing across her back as Serrandyl's claws made contact—the beastkin had managed to bypass her divine barrier and scratch her skin, even with its energy shielding her from harm.
[Serrandyl's special attack bypassed your Divine Aura (Rank I)]
[You've taken 20 Spirit Damage]
Serrandyl paused for a moment, her chest heaving with exertion, her eyes blazing with a feral fury. "How do you like it now, eh?" she growled as she lunged again—only to be intercepted by the guardian tree's fist. The impact knocked Serrandyl to the ground once again; she rose to her feet slowly, grimacing in pain as she wobbled, her stance unsteady.
Ebonheim regarded her with a concerned frown—her aura flaring brighter around her as she noticed Serrandyl's injuries. "You've done enough." Ebonheim said, her voice carrying a note of regret, "Just surrender and tell your people to bring back what they've stolen."
Serrandyl let out a half-chuckle, half-groan as she shook her head. "No way," she managed to spit out, "I'm not giving up!" With a yell, she launched herself at Ebonheim again.
As Serrandyl approached, another figure broke away from the nearby foliage. Thorsten, his sleeveless tunic billowing in the night breeze, stormed towards Serrandyl and wrapped his arm around her neck in a chokehold. "Oi! Stop playing around, lass. Go help catch those thievin' bastards!" he growled as he pulled her back against him.
Serrandyl struggled against him, but Thorsten held on, refusing to let go of her as he tried to keep her pinned against his chest—he grunted as Serrandyl swung back with her elbow, connecting with his belly, but his grip did not falter. "Let me go!" she snarled in protest as she writhed against him.
"Hah," Thorsten replied with a derisive grunt, "That's a good one." His grip tightened around Serrandyl's neck, his thick forearm digging into her throat. Serrandyl's struggles continued as she snarled and cursed at him; Thorsten just kept a steady hold on her as he adjusted his stance to avoid her wild kicks. "Go on, Ebonheim! I'll deal with this one."
Ebonheim nodded, then turned to the guardian tree beside her—its amber eyes bore into hers, acknowledging her command before it lumbered off in search of the escaped raiders. She glanced back one last time before turning to follow it.